FISH CATCHING TRAVEL

“SAVE OUR WATERS”

On last Thursday afternoon, the Environmental Protection Agency announced it would suspend enforcement of bedrock clean air and water laws.  What in the Sam Hell does that have to do with the virus?  WTF?

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

The Wade Right Fishing Belt

Brought to you by

Check out their new sling!

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

Weather

68/74.  Sunny to partly cloudy with low humidity and a 5% chance of rain.  Wind  ESE 14 – 20 mph.

Tides

Low  3:15 am.  – 0.04.   High   4:07 pm.  +1.35.

Activity Periods

Major   7:42 am until 9:42 am.  Minor  1:00 pm until 2:00 pm.

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

Knockin Tail – Swim bait with a jig head or swim bait hook, a swim jig trailer, on the Alabama Rig, all will rattle your way to more fish!

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

What a Day

Good – Bad – Good -Bad – Bad – Good – Bad – Good – Good – Bad – Good – Good

Beautiful Sunrise and Sloppy Seas

Good –  It had been a week since I last fished and I was so excited to be on the water.  So I was at my favorite spot near South Pass as the sun came up.

Bad – Unfortunately the wind was blowing right on it when I got there, and while it is usually a good place I should have moved on.  But I was there so I made a wade anyway.

Good – Not a bite for quite a while when a really big trout smashed my topwater a foot in the air, then boiled it again.  I worked it all the way to right in front of me, stopped it 2 feet from me, and she smoked it!  A thing of beauty.

Bad – I pulled back, in other words did not set the hook, and she pulled off.  Ouch!  I also threw the Knockin Tail some but they just were not there.  No matter the bait, if they are not there they are not there.  So after an hour with 1 bite it was time for a move.

Bad – I make the wade back to the boat ready to change spots when low and behold, the Power Pole will not come back up!  Perfect.  It will go down, but nothing up.  At least I was smart enough to not put it down any farther.  I can tell it is some kind of switch issue and there was no way I could do anything about it.

Good – I had parked really shallow and also used the anchor so the pole was only a foot or so below the waterline so I could at least go.  So time to drag  it to deeper water, get on plane, and head to the ramp.

Bad – At least 2 boats waved at me due to the rooster tail the Power Pole was making.  I can hear them now – “Did you see that nut running with his Power Pole down?”  But I was moving, now to just figure out the getting it on the trailer thing.

Good – No problem, it goes right on the trailer and the spike is just a couple of inches from hitting the pavement.  So I pull the boat out, take the spike off which is no big deal, and head to the house with the bracket sticking straight out behind the boat.  Definitely a redneck look.

Good –  I call the mechanic and he says come on down, great, so I drop it off, tell them it is probably the switch and head to the house.

Bad – 5 more cases of the virus here in Victoria.  And they are talking  the old stay at home thing other than “essential” travel.  And it starts tonight at midnight.  So does that mean no fishing?  Haven’t read it yet but does pulling a boat around constitute essential?

Good – Mechanic calls, it was the switch and you can come and get it.  Hooray, with the new order I wondered if I was even going to be able to go out and pick it up tomorrow.  So now I have the boat back and am a happy camper.

Good – Gov. Abbott says fishing and hunting are essential activities.  So now we are back in business and not yet totally “shelter in place.”  YET!  So I can fish, as long as I follow the guidelines.

So there you have my day.  Up at 4:45, at the ramp before daylight, and  then most of my day went downhill from there.  Not even a fish, basically a 6 hour non-trip.  At least the day’s finish cheered me up.  (Some.)  And it was the cheapest stop at the mechanics I ever had.  Thanks Bob.

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

Surfs Up!

Tuesday the Boss wanted some beach time so we headed to PINS to see what was up and  check on the ramp.  The wind was howling as it has been but the temp was perfect.  There were a few folks scattered around hanging out with a few fishing.  So we set up and spent a couple of hours letting the calming sound of the waves wash some of the stress away.

A little tip on remaining careful.  Be sure you have wipes and cheap gloves when you pump gas.  Put on the gloves and the wipe off any buttons before you touch them.  Pump your gas, and when finished take off the gloves and wipe down your hands and anything else you might have touched with the gloves.  Then as soon as you get home do a thorough hand wash.  It may not take away all your exposure, but it is so important right now to do what you can.  If you are going out stay safe for yourself, your family, and the rest of us.

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

I have quite a few thoughts on this pandemic.  To many to add to this post.  But it looks like this is our reality for a while so there will be plenty of time to wax poetic about the whole thing.  Of course I am becoming more concerned about the Boss as our numbers will continue to climb until they level off, in our case it may be a while.

But I have to say one thing that is bothering me – I can not believe Dr. Fauci is getting death threats.  Are you fuckers nuts?  He is the voice of reason and this is not some conspiracy.  He is a good man who is working his ass off for YOU.  How many people have to die before that nonsense fades?  The feds need to come down hard on anyone making threats to anyone involved in fighting this virus.  5,ooo deaths, with thousands more to come, is no plot, no conspiracy.  This is our reality and the last thing we need is more nonsense.

So there you have it for today.  Stay strong, keep safe, practice good social distancing.  That is the only thing that will actually help at this point.  Keep stopping in and thanks for reading my stuff.

God Bless America

FISH CATCHING TRAVEL

“SAVE OUR WATERS”

On Thursday afternoon, the Environmental Protection Agency announced it would suspend enforcement of bedrock clean air and water laws.  WTF?

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

The Wade Right Fishing Belt

Brought to you by

The Best Wading System on the  Planet

I guess that 1,200 posts is a milestone.  If I was not so lazy I would go back and see how many are actually fishing trips, but it is a bunch.  Hard to believe, as the Greatful Dead said, what a long strange trip it’s been.  And as long as I am upright and taking nourishment I will keep plugging along.   I intend to be on the water somewhere tomorrow, depending on lots of stuff, but the Boss wants a little social distancing on a beach.  So stay tuned for that.

Random wacky fish pic, this is a fishing blog.  Nothing like a carp on lures.

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

Knockin Tail – Swim bait with a jig head or swim bait hook, a swim jig trailer, on the Alabama Rig, all will rattle your way to more fish!

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

Anonymous commented on my last post on the Oil Cut.

Speaking of the Oil Cut. The area you are talking about at the end of it is Mule Slough. But you have got to be able to run real skinny and know what you are doing. Have fished it many a time, but I always got to it from the J-Hook. As you said, loaded with reds at times. I did catch one of the biggest trout of my life in there though. A 28 incher…in July…in the middle of the day…on a top water(there’s a shocker, huh?). She was released to fight another day.

Thanks, had not thought about that as when I have been in there a few times with my buddy and his Dargel when we did come in through the J Hook.  Otherwise I enter it with the trolling motor from the Oil Cut.  And you are so right on running skinny, at really low tides it is super shallow.  But when they are there it can be awfully good.

And as far as your big old trout, sure does seem like that is the way it happens at times.  No reason for it to happen then and there but it did.  And there is nothing like watching a big girl like that swim off, great memory.  On a trip to the Chandeleurs my buddy Jason of Wade Right caught a 7+ in the middle of the afternoon, sunny, mile high sky with not a breath of wind, on a topwater.  You just never know.  Thanks for commenting, nice to know you are out there.

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

And here is an interesting report from Gage, who I believe is a first time commentor.

The night action has turned on in are bay systems fish are feeding on 2 inch glass minnows when its to windy to fish during the day this is a good option what i’ve found of late you don’t get many bites but the ones you do get are keepers 15-18 in specks and 20-23in reds . nice way to put some fillets in the box when nothing else is working out.  Great report Thanks Gage

Night fishing is a really good option when the wind is blowing like it does every March.  Of course it reminds me of a story.  When I first met my buddy Todd at POC we fished most of the day with marginal results.  Then right before dark the glass minnows were everywhere and I smoked them on what really was a crappie plastic, ended up being a match the hatch deal.  So those of you who are off work right now, here you go.  Just remember to do your best at complying with the guidelines, then catch them up!  Just be extra cautious running at night, there is no big hurry, the bay is not going anywhere.  Appreciate you comments and feel free to comment at any time.

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

And Tommy sent along this comment on Fayette.

Mr. Doug,  just heard on the 610 outdoor show,  oak thicket ramp at fayette is closed but the other ramp is open …you may already know this but just wanted to give you a heads up….Tommy  Vinas…

Thanks.  Anyone been there lately?  If you have let us know so folks don’t get there and find out it is closed.

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

Virus Thoughts For the Day

NO politician from either party should have ANY say in how this is medically handled.  That is what the CDC and Health Departments are for.  Why the politicians, and some hospital administrators, have taken the decision making process out of the hands of educated medical professionals makes no sense.  Would you let your congressman or senator decide whether you needed a bypass, radiation for cancer, or some other major surgery?  (Their recommendation would probably depend on what stock they own and who they are beholden to.)  So why has that changed?  Just wondering when some of them attended medical school.

And props to HEB.  We went to the store this morning and they are doing everything right.  Nice to see a big company who gets it.  Just remember when you go, keep your hands off your face, use the wipes going in and going out, and then wash your hands when you get home.  Stay safe.  And thanks to the folks working there, it has to be a real pain in the rear, though most folks were actually acting right.

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

Know a college student interested in the outdoors or a career with TPWD?  They are taking applications for paid summer interns.  What a chance to get a foot in the door, or to learn whether it really is the career for them.  So if you know one send them this link that will fill them in on the program.

https://tpwd.texas.gov/newsmedia/releases/?req=20200309a

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

Washington state has banned all fishing on any water anywhere.  So it is ok for folks to go to the store, or other areas where the 6 foot spacing is difficult, but a person fishing in a boat in the middle of a lake is at risk?  Seems like another decision from a government agency without a clear medical justification.  If this is the way it is going, and in Texas there are many closures like this, then maybe it is time to quarantine all of us.  Otherwise at least let us go fishing as long as we are in compliance with the guidelines.

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

And a little Africa.  Looking forward to visiting again in October.  Hope this is all resolved by then.

Just wanted to post today as it will be a day or two before I get back at it.  Today was the first time I have left the house in a week.  Like I told the Boss, about the only reason I would leave the house is with a fishing rod in my hands.  And if I am lucky tomorrow will be such a day.  So stay safe and do the best you can complying with the guidelines.  We are all not perfect but just maybe your life depends on it.  Keep stopping in and thanks for reading my stuff.

Good Luck and Tight Lines

FISH CATCHING TRAVEL

“SAVE OUR WATERS”

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

The Wade Right Fishing Belt

Brought to you by

The Best Wading System on the  Planet.

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

This is kind of like staying home from school, only terrifying.  Fun a day or two, now oppressive.  I have tried to do a couple of projects but my heart is just not in it.  Basically I am hanging out until the Boss is done with this rotation and then we are going to practice some social distancing, I am sure she has had all the “social” she needs right now.  It will definitely involve saltwater, just tying to be sure we make the right choice with all the closures right now, but there will be fishing.  I have been staying in the house like a good boy, and if I am going out it will be with a rod in my hand.  Plus I have heard you can use a fishing rod like a light saber to ward off the virus.

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

There were a couple of things at the Houston Fishing Show that I have not mentioned and wanted to share with you.

LIVELIVEGEAR

https://actionhat.com/

I really enjoyed meeting and chatting with Rex, the owner of the company.  He makes a great hat specifically for those of you who love the GoPro.  What makes it cool is it floats with the GoPro on it, unless you are one of those nerds with a bunch of baits hanging off your hat.  (You know who you are.)

I am not going to go into all that he has available, but as far GoPro mounts and methods it is all a fisherman needs to be a facebook hero!  Along with the hat he has shirts, I bought a couple, hats, hoodies, and lots of other goodies on his site.

Rex is a yak maniac who is living the fishing dream.  From photography and filming to clothing, he is a real fishing entrepreneur.  So while you are hanging out take a look at his stuff.  Really like my shirts, styling in a T shirt, something the Boss just doesn’t get!  And we all should support our local guys.

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

Deathgrip JigHeads

http://www.ghostminnows.com/deathgrip-jigheads.html

I bought some of these last year and liked the way they work.  Interesting design, the bait stays on amazingly well.  And this year they introduced the XL, which I think means extra long. (See above.) The owner told me the XL, the bottom jig head above, was specifically designed for baits like the Knockin Tail.  The top one is your standard ball head jig and  I caught using both the other day.  (Note: Both are a 1/8th but obviously the ball jig head is lighter.)  What makes it interesting is the collar, it really does hold, and seems to hold better than a standard jig head after they pull it down a time or two.  I glue mine they hold, usually until I lose it.  As I fish a lot of 8lb line for trout the lighter the jig head based on conditions the better.  I checked out their site and it said the XL was coming soon, so if you decided to try then out contact Capt Zimmer at captlanezimmer@gmail.com.

Note:  Those of you who have read this for a while know I tell it like it is.  I am beholden to no one.  He does not know me and I got zip for this recommendation.  If things works I like it, if they don’t I will let you know.  Or if I get something to say nice things I will also let you know. Way to much of that in the fishing tackle business right now, everybody is a Pro Staffer.  As a side note in one article in a coastal saltwater mag there was 53 sponsor mentions in one article. Wow. Guess he was either getting paid by the word or changes baits every 5 minutes all day!  It all reminds me what Carmine told me about POC – “There are so many guides down here they have to wear a badge to keep from guiding each other!”  Love it.

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

It was good to hear from Ed.

Hey Doug, glad to still be reading your “stuff”. Got me a little excited getting to read about your Poc trip. Don’t want to be potlicking your spots But would like to know more about them. Hopefully be planning a trip to Poc to get some work done on the house and also get a little fishing in as well. Usually fish the jetties and coast guard flats, barroom and bayoucos areas. Are there certain lures or baits that would be better. We wade and fish out of the boat . Thanks and keep writing your stuff. It sure helps this stay home stuff!
Ed Soto

Potlick away!  I love sharing information and spots, it is not “my” water unlike some folks who feel their rights are more important than yours.  And before I get to a recommendation or two I have a couple of things to say about “potlicking.”  That term gets thrown around alot, often from guides when someone is fishing “their” spot.  Of course I understand their complaint, been there done that, but it is not that simple.

If someone sees you and stops and crowds, of course that is some BS.  But if you get to a spot early and someone is sitting there, tough luck.  They just got up earlier than you did.  One of the fallacies of using that term is you are not the first one to “find or fish” your spot, and you won’t be the last.  Our waters are crowded, in fact way overcrowded at times.  But we all have to get along, and when you are so self important that it is “your” spot it says a lot about you as a person.  And one last word, put all kinds of graphics and wraps on the boat and engine, and then you wonder why folks might fish somewhere they see you, and then complain when you are noticed?  Duh!  You don’t get to have it both ways.  And finally the GPS was the end of the secret spot, anyone can figure it out with just a little research and map study.  And here is a great reference for any traveling coastal fisherman.  Check them out, it is one of the most impressive sites for our coast.

Fishing The Texas Coast

https://www.coastalbendfishing.com/

If you fish the Coast Guard flats you are just right around the corner from the entrance to the Oil Cut.  So here is a little Oil Cut primer for those who might want to fish it.  First, it is a great place when the wind is howling, I have saved many a day in there.  It runs in the 5 – 6 foot depth in the main channel and there is always trout and reds in there somewhere.  It may not be the gold mine, but it is a good boat fishing area, and fishing the length of it with plastics usually will put a couple or more in the boat.  It might require a little heavier jig head – 1/8 to 1/4 to get your bait to fall right down the drop where they dug the channel.  The fish are usually from the edge of the bank to the bottom of the drop, and you need to hop it up and then let it fall until you hit bottom, and keep doing it until you are off the bank.  And a popping cork with a Knockin Tail is a great option for calling them up in the channel.

And some good black drum come out of there in the fall.

There are 2 cuts, one on the left half way in, and then one on the right way back on the kayak trail, both of those can be good and there is a little water in them, though not as deep as the main cut.  If  you can run real shallow the cut on the right leads to a nice back lake which has redfish most of the time, but it can get shallow. And as you come in watch on your right and you will see 2 areas on the that long bank that are flats and stick out a little, which depending on the water level might have reds and flounder on them.  It really is a place to add to your options, just take time to really look it over.  As far as what I fish with- Simple.

Here is where to get them.  And if you have a local tackle store let them know you would like some.

As far as what I am, and will be, fishing is topwater first thing, then the Knockin Tail Lure from My Coast Outdoors the rest of the day.  I was lucky enough to get to work on it for Michael as it was being developed, and I am more than sold on the final product.  I am sure you have read the list of what I have boated using it.  If it has fins and a rear end it will eat the Knockin Tail.  The Pumpkinseed has become my favorite plastic for any fish, fresh or salt, with the Chicken on a Chain being second.  But as I wrote the other day, I fished 5 of the 6 colors and caught on them all.  The rattle in the tail makes a difference, end of story.  When I said it was one of the top 5 innovations in quite a while I was not exaggerating.  Wading I would use a 1/8th jig head, and as high as a 1/4 if the water is over the 4 foot range or there is a real heavy running tide. And I am liking the Deathgrip Jigheads.  And if there is lots of that pesky grass time to use it on a swim bait hook like the VMC Dead Drop in a 3/0.

So there is the quick story, so knock yourself out.  I would like nothing better than to have you let me know you smoked them in the Oil Cut on the Knockin Tail.  Thanks for the comment and good luck when you get  down this way.

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

Hope this finds everyone safe and you are doing the best you can to comply with the recommendations.  This thing is real whether we like it or not.  And one last word, my compliments to the city of Victoria, folks are doing what they should and we have not had any new cases in spite of being surrounded by counties with several.  While we may get more if we keep doing our part it just might remain a dull roar.

So you will probably get more ramblings from me.  If I am not fishing at least we can talk about it.  So stay safe and thanks for reading my stuff.

Good Luck and Tight Lines

FISH CATCHING TRAVEL

“SAVE OUR WATERS”

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

The Wade Right Fishing Belt

Brought to you by

The Best Wading System on the  Planet.

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

Hope this finds you all safe and sound.  We, like all of you, are adjusting to the current reality.  Now the Boss, in compliance with the CDC recommendations, has to have a dedicated entry to the house that I don’t get near so she can keep any exposure to me as low as possible.  I tried to just get her to crawl in a window in the shower but for some reason she is not having it.  On a good note Victoria after having 3 cases yesterday did not have another today.  There is hope, but times are still way tough in some places and this is going to last a while.  What a crazy world we are currently living in.  But enough of that, there is actually a little fishing going on.

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

Order some today!

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

The Knockin Tail at Work in Arkansas

My buddy Clyde, who I just fished with in Arkansas, is catching fish on the White Ice Knockin Tail Lure.  We fished it when I was there and caught some nice fish, and he is really getting into fishing the Knockin Tail.  He caught this big crappie and one thing that is consistent about the bite, they eat it, which I have been finding.  All you have left for a picture is the jig head sticking out.

A nice Bull Shoals Crappie on the White Ice.

He says the water temp was around 52 degrees and is coming up rapidly flooding the brush, some as deep as 15′ like the high water they had last year.  A couple of years of that and the fishing will get even better, and it sure isn’t to bad right now.  That place is a fish factory.

But what he wanted was to share it next to a “Kentucky” he caught on the White Ice that was 15 1/2″.  What he wants to know, and I am somewhat puzzled, is it a hybrid of some sort?

Kentucky?  And now you can appreciate the size of that crappie. 

If anything it looks like a smallmouth/Kentucky cross.  The upper mouth does not go past the eye so no largemouth.  It has the cool Kentucky lateral line markings with more of a brownish smallmouth color, along with a little slimmer form from the usual Kentucky shape.  A Kentucky that length is usually a fatso.  So I go with your vote for some kind of hybrid.  If you think about it you have seen how many Kentucky and smallmouth in the last 45 years?  Thousands?  Probably, as you passed hundreds sometime in the 80’s.  So thanks for the share, maybe another person or two will take a stab at it.  (If it came from down here I would almost think a Guadalupe Bass.)

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

Fishing may be 0ne of the best social distancing options out there, and Tommy sure took advantage of it.

Hey Mr,  Doug,    hope all is well.  I just wanted to say thanks for letting us know coleto creek closed.  I was actually heading there today,  but I went to Rayburn due to the closure.  Got on em today.  All fish were on crankbaits in about 5 to 7ft of water.  We had a total of 52 fish today.  Released all fish but 2 which died on us,  not much I could do.

Be safe,  Tommy Vinas.

That is the kind of fish we all have been hearing about coming from Sam Rayburn this year, and looks like you smacked them again.   Glad I saved you the trip over here and all is well, thanks.  And as far as losing a couple, no big deal.  Think about how many bass you caught and released this last year, much less your whole fishing career, you have done your part just as I do on a daily basis.  Plus, we like to eat a couple occasionally, and while catch and release should be the daily norm, there is nothing wrong with eating a few.  In fact most places need a few taken occasionally for a good balance, it does not hurt populations in the least.  So stay safe yourself, but no reason we all can’t keep on fishing.  Appreciate the pictures.

******************** 

Like said in my POC post I have always struggled a little on those  flat tide days.  Well take a look at the Matagordo Bay Entrance Channel (POC) tides for Friday.

It sure does nothing for a falling tide lover like me.  Heck you may not feel the water move at all Friday.  I keep trying to understand tides since I have moved to Texas but my knowledge is sorely lacking.  You take what you get when you can go, but for me falling tides are the easiest to figure out.

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

Damn Good Fishing Guides.

Besides my daily restrictions  (What do you mean I can’t wander around Bass Pro?)  the virus just scored its second hit on our travels.  First it was Phoenix to see Rage Against the Machine, and despite being born in Arizona I have never visited and was looking forward to it.  Now it is the brother and sister-in-law cancelling their plans to visit their son in South Texas and then us.  We had a house rented in Rockport next month and the big plan was the guided fly fishing trip for redfish.  I really wanted him to catch one.  Well we cancelled the house today, they were great about it, but I am not cancelling the guide trip.  It is a month from now and as long as I am not on a vent I am going.  Really looking forward to getting poled around all day.

And speaking of fishing guides, if you want to do a little day dreaming while you are hanging out check out Captain, just click on the logo.  A cool site, it is a wish list for the traveling fisherman.  Great site and a quality way to hire a guide, that is where I found the one in Rockport, and then Captain handled the rest.  It is a simple process.  Plus, they do reports on customers trips, live interviews with guides from all over, and lots of other cool fishing stuff.  And best of all it is a local Texas company.

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

I have been cruising the internet, which is keeping many of us company in some ways, looking for places we might visit and have found a hodge podge of regulations and closures.  Some lakes, most controlled by power plants and water districts with limited egress, are closed.  The Feds are keeping most parks open, even waiving the fees in many cases.  The ramp at Bird Island Basin is open as is Aransas Wildlife Refuge.  (But I did find a major federal exception, Amistad, and I mean the whole park and lake including ramps are closed.)  I appreciate that they have kept many of them open, in fact will be at one of them tomorrow.  And other than pumping gas, use gloves, you can take a day trip like that outdoors and keep within good practices.  So when you finally get fed up, and we all will at some point, get outdoors, it will do you good.  But if you do be sure to do a little research, it can save you a big surprise.

And here is a good resource concerning some parks and ramps in our area.  Looks like Fayette is open.  Should hear from Rusty at some point as he knows folks who fished it yesterday.

https://www.lcra.org/Pages/Park-Alerts.aspx

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

That is it for today.  The Boss and I are headed to a park for a long walk and some photography.  She had such a long stressful run the last couple of weeks in the ER and deserves a break before she is back at it.  Remember how stressful it is for your providers.  They keep going to work in spite the risk to them and their loved ones.  So no matter who you pray to keep them and everyone else working stores, restaraunts, truckers, first responders and a host of others safe.  We will get through this.  I will be back on the water next week, there are some hungry trout out there wanting a diet of the Knockin Tail.  So keep stopping in and thanks for reading my stuff.

Good Luck and Tight Lines

FISH CATCHING TRAVEL

“SAVE OUR WATERS”

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

The Wade Right Fishing Belt

Brought to you by

The Best Wading System on the  Planet.

Tomorrow it is off to POC.  I do not even have the slightest clue what or where to do anything, which can be a good thing.  No real preconceived notions, but I will review the blog for this month years past, a great place to start.  One thing for sure is the new Knockin Tail will get a serious work out.  And I did add the VMC rear spinner treble to my favorite topwater and it will at least get tossed some.  So it will be good to be back on the salt, which looks like will be the place to be for a while, at least until this whole thing settles down some.

Weather 

67/79.  Humid with periods of sun and clouds with a 5% of rain.  Wind SSW 10 – 20mph.  (It was a hard 20!)

Tides

Low  10:55 am  +0.55.  High  4:16pm  +0.79.  (Those 2 flat tide days are not my favorite.)

Prime Times

Minor 7:20 am to 8:20 am.  Major  1:13 pm to 3:13.

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

Get you some of the New Knockin Tail – and get bit!

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

Having fun now!

I left Froggie’s at daylight with an open mind.  The wind was already blowing some and the water temp was 73 degrees and just a little murky.  As I rounded the curve in Mitchell’s Cut headed to a wade bank on the island my favorite topwater bank in Big Bayou caught my eye so I stopped.

Blasted it!

On one pass 3 reds jumped on, and another 3 or 4 missed it.  So I kind of got fooled and stayed with it a little to long.  I did have one that sure looked like a big trout do the blow up thing, knock it in the air, and miss it.  Not sure if the VMC spinner tail hook I added on the rear of the topwater helped, but it did not hurt anything.  So after a good hour of it, I was fishing out of the boat though I had my wading stuff, time to give the Knockin Tail a serious go.

One on the KTl Pumpkinseed and one on the KTL Magic Grass.

It was probably only 4 or 5 in Big Bayou, but with the wind it was a little tough.  But the Pumpkinseed was by far the preferred color today, but I wanted to fish them all and I caught fish on every color except the White Ice, which I did not get around to throwing.  So from there it was the Oil Cut.  It was somewhat protected from the wind, which by 10:00 was starting to run folks off.

One on the Chicken on a Chain and one on the Red Shad.

See the first one that has lost its tail?  Wanted to show you that because that was my fault.  I boat flipped him, then dropped him, and he went nuts flopping like they tend to do, and that is when the tail came off.  Other than that it was probably 25 or 30 today and I still have all the ones I fished and did not lose another tail.

I kept fishing the deeper banks in the Oil Cut and once I found them the bite was on.  (Interestingly, none came in a drain anywhere.)  Nothing big but since it has been a while since I fished the Bay it was nice to catch a wad of them.  They were right off the drop, most coming when it hit the bottom in around 3 feet.  And it took a heavy 8th jig head to get it down quick enough with the wind blowing hard down the bank.  A couple of rats also came over the side but nothing to write home about.

The Pumpkinseed Knockin Tail was the preferred color today.

I did pick up one here and there, but the main bunch was on a long deep stretch.  So after fooling around with them, including a couple of smalls on the Pearl Limetreuse, I decided to head back to Big Bayou around noon.  There are a couple of banks in there that are similar and it seemed like the thing to do.  Unfortunately I did not realize how hard the wind was actually blowing. When I got there it only took a couple of places to know that was a bad decision.  So with the wind really blowing I decided to call it a day.

So not bad.  If was fish hungry it would have been a small limit, it did not help I lost a couple of better ones early.  Clearly a function of not trout fishing for a while.  Looks like a big wind is in our future so not sure when I will get out again, but since the Boss has ordered me to have no contact with anyone, anywhere, guess I will have to keep on fishing.  Hard to find a good side to this virus.

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

Fayette, Coleto, along with a host of others are currently closed or access is severely limited.  And on that note this comment from SA Joe.

Doug,
Had to chime in about places closing to fish. I believe in the safety of people working there not catching the virus.

But it eliminates a source of food(fish) for fishing people like ourselves. Nowadays can buy passes online and go thru the gates….And i’m not eating fish i find in the local ponds or creeks unless I really have to…

Fishing is one of the few places that meet all the virus rules.  When they close ramps it does not make any sense.  And any attempt to make some kind of liability argument is pretty thin.  It would seem that opening them up with no fee would be helpful for folks attitude but what do I know.  But it is what it is and we will just have to make do.  Tough on lots of folks.

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

Stay Safe

Victoria just announced its first 3 cases of the virus, and the Boss has laid down the law.  So being an old guy I will exercise increased caution.  At least the gas pump is the size of it as far as interaction, so fishing it will be.  Notice how when you can’t go out it starts to get to you?  But folks, no matter what you are hearing this is not on the downslide and we all have to exercise increased caution.  If you don’t give a rats ass about yourself keep the rest of us in mind, especially the elderly.  Sad we even have to talk about this on a fishing blog, but like I said before, it is what it is.

So it will be fishing as much as possible, I am not all that good at sitting  around.  So keep stopping in and thanks for reading my stuff.

Good Luck and Tight Lines

FISH CATCHING TRAVEL

“SAVE OUR WATERS”

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

The Wade Right Fishing Belt

Brought to you by

The Best Wading System on the  Planet.

Hope you and your friends and family are all safe and well.  I want to say a little something about this virus.  The Boss has been on a long stretch in the ER and while things are at a dull roar around here, for the moment, the stress on our emergency workers, ER folks, medics, police, etc, is tough.  They are standing on the front lines while keeping us as safe as possible, and though we have few local cases even here the pressure is hard on all of them.  Every patient could be the one, and the emergency workers are afraid for themselves but even tougher, the worry they will take it home.  They are brave folks who are called to their duty, and we should all be so grateful for their sacrifice.  Thanks Nancy.

Folks my only comment I will make on this:  They are flat lying to you that anyone can get the test.  It is so not true it is laughable, and how anyone can say that with a straight face is ridiculous and they should be ashamed.  That is not what is happening.  Not only the availability of the test, but the process to actually get it done, is not what they are telling you.  In fact there are so few tests they are recommending to not test folks if the coarse of treatment will stay the same.  Sad.

The Arkansas trip is in the rear view mirror and I am so up in the air right now about fishing.  I have spent a day getting my stuff reorganized and as soon as this weather straightens out some it will be back on the water.  Looks like that may be one of the few safe places, and as long as your boat partner stays on the back deck no violation of the 6 foot rule.

I am so impressed with the Knockin’ Tail Lure.  All I have to say is I have seen a lot of new baits come along and this may be in the top 5.  And the great reports coming in from folks who bought them at the Houston Fishing Show are a tribute to how good it is.  So no matter where you fish, or what you fish for, it will catch fish.  And there is no greater recommendation than that.

They fish as good as they look!

And if they are not in your local tackle store have them contact My Coast Outdoors and get them on the wall.

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

Coleto Creek is closing March 23 indefinitely.  I only have one question:  Why close it to those of us with an annual pass?  We could just drive in, load, and go fishing.  Promise not to cough in your face.  Hopefully they won’t close the bay!

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

And Tommy, a hard core tournament fisherman, sent along this pic of a good one from Coleto.

The boy can catch em!

Thanks for the pic and the heads up on your boat and trailer.  Though I missed you as I was gone always appreciate your comments.  Not sure if the Open tournament is still on at Coleto next week  (Looks like not.) but the fishing remains good.  But it is currently pouring as I type this so changes will be coming to the lake.  We need the water desperately, just hope it is not a gully washing flood, which screwed up our fishing for a couple of years after the last one.  Keep in touch.

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

I got this comment as spam, but am sharing it with you so we can talk about it.

One more thing. I think that there are quite a few travel insurance web sites of respectable companies that let you enter a trip details and have you the quotes. You can also purchase the actual international travel cover policy online by using your credit card. All that you should do would be to enter your own travel specifics and you can begin to see the plans side-by-side. Simply find the system that suits your capacity to pay and needs and use your credit card to buy the idea. Travel insurance on the internet is a good way to search for a respected company to get international travel cover. Thanks for giving your ideas.

Anytime we are doing any serious traveling we always buy travel insurance.  It can be a little expensive but it only takes once to pay for it for a lifetime of travel.  We were packed for Spain and leaving in 2 days when her dad had a major stroke.  By having the insurance we were able to get every last cent back.  Now I am not the travel agent in this house but I do no one thing, there are several types available.  We always buy the one that I think they refer to as CFR – Cancel for any reason.  So next time you consider major travel, especially in this new world, be sure to understand exactly what the company is selling you and ask questions before you buy.  It saved us thousands by having the right policy.

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

And as long as I am talking about my favorite tackle manufacturers I sent Tim of Wade Right a note asking what was up with the new sling.

The sling is sold out but our production order shipped from Hong Kong yesterday and is scheduled to be delivered on Monday 3/23.  I have my fingers crossed that they get here then.  Attached are a few pictures of the new sling in use.  We have so much interest it is great!!  Hope you are well.  Stay safe!!

Here are a couple of pictures of the new sling in use.

Notice that it is a one piece sling that can be worn over either shoulder.  The  rod holder in the front and a tackle box in the rear.  It is light, simple, and still lets you keep your rod out of the water.  So if the big harness is a little to big for your needs this is a simple alternative.  So keep checking on their website and it will be available soon.  Suffice to say they sold out in nothing flat at the Houston Fishing Show.  Another cool idea from the Wade Right boys.

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

This morning I dropped the starting battery off at the store.  They need to put a charge in it to be positive whether it is bad or not.  If it is bad that would actually be better than the motor not charging it, or the load being to heavy for the size, though I never skimp when buying batteries.  But just have to wait and see but I sure do get sick of buying batteries.

So now here I sit.  The Boss is finishing up her long stretch and we are trying to decide what to do for the next week.  My thoughts of course turn to fishing.  Falcon is always an option as other than getting gas, even then don’t need to have any contact with anyone, and other than the room for a couple of days not much need to interact with folks, for our safety and theirs.  Other than that there is always the option of doing some in house projects, (Ughhh!) though that is not the top of my list.

Please do your best to follow the current guidelines, (None of us are perfect.) keeping you, your family, and the rest of us safe.  This is a wake up call for America, we were not even close to ready.  As the world population grows this will happen again.  What a sad state of affairs.  So be nice whenever you can, do not hoard toilet paper and other items as there is enough for all, and do what you can to help.  And keep your front line responders in your thoughts and prayers, hundreds of then are getting sick every day.  We are all in this together.

God Bless America

FISH CATCHING TRAVEL

“SAVE OUR WATERS”

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

The Wade Right Fishing Belt

Brought to you by

The Best Wading System on the  Planet.

After 6 days of hard fishing I am back at my brother’s in Fayetteville for a quick visit to see the parents.  And I must admit I am feeling it, especially in the right arm and shoulder, maybe a couple of zillion casts will do that.  And my hands are trashed.  But it was worth every ache and pain, it was so good to be back on my home waters.

The weather was cold, and cold and raining, and cold.  Only one afternoon when it got to 80 and there were severe storms was it “nice.”  But that was the point, When you try to time the pre-spawn bite it can be tough, and it was 50/50 on that.  But I caught fish every day, and we had a 50+ fish day on crankbait so who could complain about that.  Add a couple of hoss stripers, some walleyes, this trip goes down as a success.  Norfork Lake and Bull Shoals give a fisherman the chance to boat multiple species and I sure took advantage of that.

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

 I was so impressed with the Knockin’ Tail Lure.  We boated some great smallmouth, largemouth, and even a striper.  As the bite changed with the weather the fish changed but we were able to catch fish on them everyday.  All I have to say is I have seen a lot of new baits come along and this may be in the top 5.  And the great reports coming in from folks who bought them at the Houston Fishing Show are a tribute to how good it is.  So no matter where you fish, or what you fish for, it will catch fish.  And there is no greater comment than that.

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

Saturday

After the mayhem of the crankbait bite we could not resist going fishing Saturday.  The only hitch in the git along – it was raining buckets and the temp was 37 degrees.  The type of day Clyde and I have fished for decades.  In other words put on the big boy pants and go.  So after a 50+ fish day, they slacked off considerably.  Sorry there is no pictures but when I say it poured all day I am not kidding, it was a mini flood.  We probably “only” caught around 25 or so on louslures jerkbait, cankbait, and the Knockin’ Tail.  Nothing big, the severe cold front and rain had them off their feed, but being the knuckleheads we are we fished all day. It really was a lesson in how the weather affects pre-spawn fish, and I was not surprised. The result, we were soaked to the bone and freezing, but happy as 2 hard core lifelong fishermen could be.

Sunday

Before I get to the fishing time for a little story.  Traveling long distances to fish there is always the chance something will happen, and at 1:00 on the last day a minor disaster struck.  The starting battery went deader than a hammer on the boat.  Oops.  No way to get ready for that ahead of time.  So we took off a trolling motor battery and we were good to go, but then no trolling motor.  Plan all you want, and I do, and usually when I am somewhere without some support system I put the jumper cables in the boat, just forgot.  There is no such thing as over prepared on fishing travel.  We did a little trolling and finally called it a day.

The day started out 37 degrees and struggled to hit 40.  Add the light mist it was not a whole lot better than the day before.  The cold water coming in combined with the temp knocked them back even more, and at best we boated a dozen or so.

A couple from the last day.  Sure love catching smallmouth and Norfork has huge crappies!

The last couple of days fishing slowed down considerably, no surprise considering conditions.  But as I review the trip it was a big success.  Walleye, got some.  Big stripers smashing minnow baits at boatside, did that.  Who would not like a 15 – 20lb striper on the end of the line?  Giving the Knockin’ Tail and  louslures jerk bait a work out, both a success.  A great crankbait day, check.  Some really nice smallmouth, yahoo.  Eagles everywhere, gin clear water, beautiful wooded shoreline, it was all good. The only downside of the whole trip, no fly fishing for trout on the White or North Fork.  Both dams were running tons of water and that was definitely out.  But it is a real pleasure to fish both lakes, both multi-species factories.  All in a already planning my return.

Tomorrow is the 12 hour drive home (Dreading that.) and back to real life.  It was nice to not have TV for the week and no internet for half of it.  And thanks to Clyde for his hospitality.  It was great to save the resort cost and overall a cheap trip for the quality of the fishing.  Bull Shoals, Norfork, the White and North Fork Rivers, Crooked Creek, the Buffalo River, much less Beaver and Table Rock close that area is one of the great fishing destinations in the United States.  And it sure brought back the memories.  But all good things come to an end.  But one thing that does not, my fishing habit, and I am already planning on hitting the bay soon.  So keep stopping in and thanks for reading my stuff.

Good Luck and Tight Lines

FISH CATCHING TRAVEL

“SAVE OUR WATERS”

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

The Wade Right Fishing Belt

Brought to you by

The Best Wading System on the  Planet.

As I have said repeatedly, if possible on a fishing trip fish at least 3 days, and this trip is a perfect example of why.  It gives you a chance to work things out and maybe actually figure out what you should be doing and where, and we managed to do just that.

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

 It has arrived!  Get the new Knockin’ Tail, it catches fish!  

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

Thursday

The plan was to re-fish the areas where we had our bites yesterday in Float Creek, then meet Clyde and go from there.  Well folks, it was tough, not even a touch on any of those banks.  I kept after the louslures custom jerk bait and finally had a couple of bites and did manage to put one nice one in the boat.

The size just not the numbers.

Around noon Clyde called and asked if I wanted to go striper fishing that night so I put it back on the trailer and headed to his house to pick him up.  We planned on launching down lake near the right area.  There were storms in the area so we ended up waiting them out, even got the boat off, and then put it back on the trailer and waited.  Luckily it went around us, as some areas had hail and high winds.

We decided to fish deep with the Knockin’ Tail and we managed to put a few nice ones in the boat before it got dark.

At this point what else can I say, the Knockin’ Tail catches anything that swims.

    A nice smallmouth on one of the last Knockin’ Tail prototypes.

These came off a sloping mainlake bank.  It was in the area where the stripers hang out and I boated the one above in the same place these smallmouth came from.  The wind was up making it tough to find a place to striper fish, but in the back end of Diamond Bay there was a protected bank where we have caught them in the past.  As we approached a flat point we heard the occasional blow up and Clyde had one smoke it and miss.  Then it was my turn.  Slowly reeling a Husky Jerk right below the surface one just blasted it and wallowed like a hog.  Great bite.

My first bite on the Husky Jerk.  Nothing like that bite!

Then an hour late another one jumped on it.

I have caught hundreds of stripers but each one is as exciting as the first one.  You slow reel a minnow bait at night, either right below the surface, or on it making a wake.  It is pitch black and then WHAM, they kill it and the fight is on.  The second one had the 7″ Husky Jerk clear down in his throat and is headed to Texas as the guest of honor at a fish fry.  And when they quit, it was over, so we called it a night.  Boy I love catching these great fish.  Unfortunately the weather is not going to cooperate for another night of  chasing them.

Friday

We talked about it and I decided to head up lake to a couple of areas where we historically do ok in the spring.  With it being so slow down lake in the clear stuff time to head to Twin Coves up the river.  Every once in a while you make that right decision, and boy did I get it right.

The water temp was in the mid 50’s and much more off color up lake.  In the highland lakes of North Arkansas and Missouri that means one thing – Crankbait.  I decided to start on the main lake point going into the big cove, and 3 hours later there I was, same cove and had still not fished it all.

The Bomber Model A was the ticket.

In lakes like this we tend to parallel the bank with the crankbait, and you want it banging off the bottom.  Often erratically but this morning they wanted a nice steady moderate retrieve.  After catching one on my third cast I knew it was game on.

Largemouth, Kentucky, and smallmouth were all having at it.

Some jumped it hard, some just eased on, and a couple did my favorite bite – Just reeling along and your line would go completely slack.  So for 3 hours it was fish after fish.

When it is like this it is just a pleasure to be fishing!

So after a couple of days of somewhat slow fishing the reward came.  I did not even start the big motor until I went to pick up Clyde around 1:00.  I just kept the trolling motor down and paralleled steep banks with the chunk rock scattered along gravel and some clay being the best.  But the bite was on.  Really the only surprise is I did not catch a really nice one.  It is impossible to guess how many I caught but it was something.

They were on like Donkey Kong.

Right before I headed to pick him up a cold front blew in, though it was cold as you can see from how I have been dressed.  It was subtle but the wind shifted from the north.  So I picked up Clyde we went to another big cove farther up river and he caught 5 or 6 right off the bat, but they were small.  So we decided to head back to the place I caught them, and though it was not quite as good, we caught another 20 plus.  Clyde noticed one of the Kentucky’s he caught was puking up crawdads that were green and bright red so out came  a red Wiggle Wart and they really liked that.  As we were going to our buddy John’s for his fabulous Mexican Chicken we took out at 5:15 and left them biting.

So much more to say but the heavy rains are letting up and we are headed to the lake.  It is 41 degrees but will hit 50, if we are lucky.  At least it is just a drizzle.  But time to get after them again, we shall just have to see how the day goes.  So keep stopping in and thanks for reading my stuff.

Good Luck and Tight Lines

Note:  I poured today and did not get above 40 degrees but we put on our big  boy pants and fished most of the day until we were soaked, but the bite is on.  More on that later.

FISH CATCHING TRAVEL

“SAVE OUR WATERS”

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

The Wade Right Fishing Belt

Brought to you by

The Best Wading System on the  Planet.

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

Bull Shoals and Lake  Norfork

This has been an interesting 2 days.  When I drove to Mtn Home to meet Clyde on Monday it was raining and blowing like crazy so I took it easy instead of trying to get there and fish a half day.  Monday morning it was off to Bull Shoals.  I put in at Oakland and headed to Mtn Creek, one I am really familiar with.   And Clyde was going to join me when he got his work done.

The first couple of places not a bite.  But on the perfect spot, which would be a flat point with cover, deep on each side, between 2 coves, back in a creek, and I caught 5 pretty quickly.  The first 3 came on the Knockin’ Tail white ice.

A good start, and the best smallmouth I have caught in a while.

One thing that has really changed since I moved is the amount of shad on Bull Shoals, and as a consequence the bass are really chunky.  After catching 3 I turned around and threw the louslures custom jerk baits he painted me and caught a couple of small ones.

It was slow but nothing wrong with these 2.

The water temp was in the low 50’s back in the creek, and try as I might until I went to pick up Clyde at the ramp, I could not buy a white bass in the back of the creek.  A sign of things to come the next day also.  Mind you it was pretty chilly that morning, did not break 50 until after lunch, and when the clouds cleared it basically went dead slick.  We kept throwing the louslures jerk bait and the  Controlled Descent Knockin’ Tail but it was slow the rest  of the afternoon though we caught a few.  But Clyde did catch one on the white ice Knockin’ Tail, which when you look at it you might understand why I spent to much time trying to find the whites.

That my friends is a beast.  What Bull Shoals is known for.

So not to bad, but time to give Norfork a try on Wednesday..

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

 It has arrived!  Get the new Knockin’ Tail, it catches fish!  

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

As soon as I pulled out of the drive at 7:45 it started pouring.  Big wind, thunder and lightning, it was ugly.  (Clyde’s house has been empty for 3 months so no internet or TV, can’t say I missed them.  But with no iPhone I was flying blind until I called the Boss and got the low down.)  So I headed to some breakfast and watched it blow through around 10:30.  I had a specific plan on where I wanted to fish.  First up was Walker Branch on jerk bait, then up to the 6B area to fish the Knockin’ Tail for anything that would bite.

My first walleye and another target species, a nice Kentucky.

The custom louslures jerk bait was the bait both days.  I downsized my line to 10lb. and used the one with the little bigger lip.  It seems to go around 6 foot at a jerk pause, jerk-jerk, pause pattern, and they hit it on the pause.  Both days they were hitting it really light.  But the first place in Walker Branch was ok, caught 4 in there, so I head up creek to the white bass stomping grounds.  The water temp was in the mid 50’s but somewhat colored up.  Other than a small bass on the Knockin’ Tail it was a strike out.  Around 1:00 Clyde called and so I headed to pick him up.

From there we headed to Float Creek, one of my old stomping grounds that I know really well.  Even though the water temp was in the mid 50’s we learned that the back ends, on both lakes are not the ticket.  At this point we fished another big cove where I caught a small striper on the jerk bait, and Clyde had one boil under his, but it just was not happening.

This walleye is a special order by the Boss and it is headed to Texas.

So what could the problem be?  Easy, they now have 4 flood gates open on Norfork, and they are running 6 generators at the Bull Shoals dam, and the water is dropping like a rock.  They don’t like that to much.  It was noticable on Norfork as they attempt to get the water level down prior to what they hope will be spring rains.  When combined with a mile high sky and dead calm it just was not happening.

Clyde has always been a light line afficianodo and loves fishing grubs, swim baits, and jigs, and try as we might they simply would not touch a plastic anything.  It stayed slow all afternoon.  It seems like they do not want to chase squat and that jerk bait sitting in front of the occasional fish will get a bite.  I did manage another walleye and a nice bass, but we finally called it a day.

So with possible storms this afternoon I will stick with Norfork today just in case.  At least I have a few spots with fish plus it is cloudy right now and will stay that way the rest of today.   Hope springs eternal and who knows, it might pick up.  So while this is an abbreviated report, I am sure I have forgot plenty, it is time to load up and head to the lake.  I sure like fishing here.  Will get more up when I can so keep stopping in and thanks for reading my stuff.

Good Luck and Tight Lines

FISH CATCHING TRAVEL

“SAVE OUR WATERS”

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

The Wade Right Fishing Belt

Brought to you by

The Best Wading System on the  Planet.

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

It was good to hear from Tommy Vinas, who has shared a thing or two in the past.  And this comment allows me to share something myself.

Hey Mr.  Doug,  I have wrote to you a few times .  Melissa and I were the ones that won first in the coleto bassmasters 2 yrs ago.  Hopefully we will be able to fish this year.  Last year Willie Nelson was on the list.  Anyway,  wanted to let you know I slammed the fish Wednesday on coleto.    This is by no means joking or kidding around,  my buddy and I had 174 bass,  my personal best total i have ever had,  i had 140 bass (not whites either)   jeff had 34.  We couldn’t figure out why he wasnt getting bit when using the exact same lure.  Maybe fluorocarbon vs mono.  7.1 gear ratio to my 5.4. To 1 ratio…idk,  we were so confused.  Out of all the bass we caught we only had maybe 30 keepers.  I missed one really good one that jumped off.  Here was my top fish.   Most others were dinks.  Hope all is well,  Tommy Vinas

Congrats on a banner day.  I have been telling folks how good the bite was and your day is exactly what I have been finding, lots of fish and hoping the good one stays on.  And here is my share.  When I have been posting as an example 25+ it really has been way more than that, but I just didn’t want to be seen as bragging to much after 40 or more day after day so I kept the numbers to a dull roar.  But I can say it now – they are off the chain and if you like catching numbers now is the time.  Thanks for letting us know and good luck at the tournament if you can make it.

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

And the Oyster Fest.  The Boss and I headed to Rockport to eat a few oysters today.  We have been in the past but this time not near as much fun.  The oysters were great, the purpose is great, but man oh man do they need to fix a couple of things.  It is so busy and they basically had one line to get oysters and it literally took forever, and then, no place to eat.  It was crowded.  And it only took a little less time to get a beer.  And there was no where to sit down and eat.  As it grows I hope they speed things up, did not eat that second dozen because it was not worth the wait.

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

 It has arrived!  Get the new Knockin’ Tail, it catches fish!  

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

I have kept in touch with Michael as he works the last days of the Fishing Show.  The best way to describe it is a booming success.  I know I have yammered on about the Knockin’ Tail, but it is the real deal.  And apparently folks appreciated it even at first glance because they are loading up.  Every once in a while a bait comes along that is a game changer, and the Knockin’ Tail is that bait.  If  you are not fishing it on the bay you are losing out.  So congrats to Michael and his family for a successful show, you earned it.  (And please ask for them at your local tackle store, he will appreciate it.)

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

I called my buddy Clyde Friday to let him know when I was coming and he was fishing Bull Shoals.  He had a good day, on the Alabama Rig and swim baits/grubs on channel swings.  That will work for me.  He was fishing with our buddy John and sent along this picture.

John with a freshwater drum.

Now freshwater drum are not exactly a prized fish by any means, but they do put up a fight.  But the real problem when you catch one on Bull Shoals, down deep they look like a big smallmouth.  Talk about a let down.  But hey, something tugging on the line is better than nothing.  See you guys this week.

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

Not sure how I ended up posting today but I am so ready to leave in the morning.  If it is not packed it is not going.  And when I got the rods ready it made me laugh.  I am so sure I need 14, when in reality I will probably use 4 or 5 the whole time.  But you never know.  So wish me luck, it never hurts.  Keep stopping in and thanks for reading my stuff.

Good Luck