FISH CATCHING TRAVEL

“SAVE OUR WATERS”

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The Wade Right Fishing Belt

Brought to you by

The Best Wading System on the  Planet.

Ok – I am bored.  After picking up the Boss at the airport Tuesday she is back to work and I am not fishing today.  Somebody had to go to the store and get some food!  Time to get a few things done so no feelings of guilt when I am fishing my ass off.  But with the front really roaring through here tomorrow with big north winds it will probably be Friday before I am back on the water.  So as usual can’t go fishing so thinking about fishing.

While I was in the area I hit the Bass Pro in Round Rock and picked up a few staples.  Swim jigs, plastics, and some 6lb fluorocarbon for slow rolling the Knockin’ Tail in the crystal clear waters of Bull Shoals and Norfork.  Also picked up the VMC Bladed Hybrid trebles with the dangling spinner to add to my saltwater topwaters.  Interested in seeing whether it makes a difference, I know the Spook Jr with the feathers sure does work.  And I can still be sucker for new stuff like all fishermen.

Also picked up a swivel locator mount for the skiff.  As the locator is mounted on the console this will let me turn it around and watch while fishing on the deck.  Kind of fancy for the tub, but I am getting it back in fishing shape.  Fishing out of it the last few trips is a nice reminder that there is a lot to be said for simple, it sure made no difference in the amount of catching.

Though I prefer to shop in tackle stores there is a reason I do some shopping Bass Pro and Cabela’s.  It is the only credit card we own and only put big purchases, travel, and then pay it off right away so I get the points.  Consequently I get lots of points to use for tackle.  My banker asked me why I did not have their card, my response, start giving tackle back and I will sign up tomorrow.  It may not be “totally free” but it sure is nice to sack up a bunch without shelling out any cash.

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 Get the new Knockin’ Tail, it catches fish!  

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I am happy to report that the Knockin’ Tail is finally in production.  Michael has expended tons of money and effort to get the job done, and in spite of a set back or two the Knockin’ Tail is on the way!  So you can pick them up at the Houston Fishing Show for sure and possibly as early as next Wednesday from his site, but first will be everyone who pre-ordered as it should be.  So if you do not make the show keep checking his website.  It is going to be the hot bait this year.  And here is the official color list.

Colors:

Pearl/Limetruese tail

Pumpkinseed

Magic Grass

Chicken on a Chain

Red Shad

White Ice

So no matter your fish of choice there is a color to do the job, fresh or salt.  Can’t wait for the smallmouth thump in Arkansas!

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Random Fish Pic

My Belize permit.  Another one off the bucket list.

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After seeing Keith on the lake the other day I wondered how it went for them.  Looks like it went fine!

Great seeing you on the water Monday…and like you said on your post Monday evening…they kept biting and biting…and biting.  We ended up staying until 5:30.  All I kept saying was WOW!  We caught so many we stopped counting.  Just wanted to drop you a note and say thanks again for the info.  The swim jig was the bait of the day for me…and if you are not ready they will take the jig and your rod.  Funny story…my buddy and I are in a cove and I’m reeling my jig by a big stump (dreaming about hamburgers)…its what my buddies and I call it when we aren’t paying attention…and WHAM!  Slams it, runs with it, rips the rod out of my hand, I catch it before it hits the lake…I manage to get a half-hearted hook set, and she’s on for a minute and then gone…WHAT JUST HAPPENDED!!! Meanwhile my partner is at the front of boat cracking up.  At least I didn’t lose the rod…lol.  It was an awesome day though and we left them biting.  We hope to get back down there within the next couple of weeks or so.  Maybe even sooner.  Oh, by the way, I got a couple of Bang O Lures I’m itching to try as well.  Maybe it will be time for it when we return.

Thanks again Doug

Til next time…tight lines

Congratulations on a great day, when I said they were biting I was not kidding.  And I want to say thanks for letting us know.  I try to help folks as often as  I can but so many then do not let me know anything after the fact.  This is the kind of response that warms my heart, sharing a little knowledge and adding to other’s success.

One thing about the swim jig, the occasional big one will flat smoke it, at least you held on to the rod.  I have been saying the last couple of weeks, stump like stuff, especially now that they are going to the beds.  And you are right about the Bang O Lure, the time is coming.  And all it takes is a good day on that thing to believe, it will catch big bass.  So keep in touch and hope to see you on the water next trip.

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Rusty, our Fayette, Bastrop, fly tying, Mexican fishing guru is going to be sidelined a while after getting his second knee done.  I feel his pain after my operation and being put on the sidelines for a couple of months.  Nothing worse than not being able to go do to outside influences.  So wishing you the best and you will be back on the water soon enough.  I will try to hold done the fort for you.  Tough job but somebody has to do it.

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And one of my Facebook buddies sent along this comment on “soft” baits.

You were talking about softness of soft plastics in there. The only benefit I can see to a softer plastic is action of the bait. As far as fish holding onto it or biting it better, the soft argument makes absolutely NO SENSE, IMO. Why??? If baits needed to be soft for fish to bite or hold onto them, what about the millions of fish caught on crankbaits? Were they just a fluke…. LOL!

Great comment Jay, which about covers it.  A little common sense goes a long way.  Maybe if fish had false teeth and needed to gum their food the softness would make a real difference.  I am convinced it is simply a way to basically sell more baits.  It is so irritating when after catching 1 fish the bait tears at the head and is basically unusable.  And at $6 a pack, or 0.75 a bite, it can get expensive.  So thanks for sharing your thoughts on the matter and for your service.

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Nothing important today.  It struggled all day to get to 50 degrees but every time I checked it was stuck on 49.  The wind was blowing 20mph out of the north and it sprinkled on and off  all day.  I wanted to go, but the wind was just a little to much.  So tomorrow will be a wait and see thing, but hopefully at least a little fishing late morning.  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.

You could not ask for better conditions for the lake in the morning.  As consistent as it has been I hope to have a real good day tomorrow.  Of course you never know but if I was in charge this would be the conditions.  So no excuses tomorrow.

Weather

78/67.   Mostly cloudy with a 25% chance of rain.  Wind S 10 – 20 mph.

Lake Level

Friday 94.34 msl.  Today 94.35 msl.  (Hanging in there.  We need some rain!)

Bite Times

Major  7:48 am to 9:48 am.  Minor  1:10 pm to 2:10 pm.

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 They will be available soon.  The Knockin’ Tail catches fish.  

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With the great forecast I was up early and on the water as it barely cracked daylight.  I wanted to be on the water and first to a couple of places.   And being a holiday figured there would be more traffic, and there was.  But the conditions were a no brainer, the fish were going to bite.  I got the new locator working properly on the skiff and the water temp was 61 at the ramp.  But that was the lowest, much of the lake is above 64, and the water color is great.  It was a little foggy but no problem heading up lake and anticipation was high.

So how good was it?  Let me put it this way, I was fishing at 7:30 and by 8:30 I had boated over 20!  And it just went on like that until I quit at 2:30.  Of course the early numbers were helped when the white bass come up right next to the boat.  They came up right after I idled over the point headed into the second cove.  The bite was cool as I reeled it right below the surface with the tail making a waked and they just smoked it.  I messed around with them for just a little while. catching around 10, but as the bass were on the chew time to get back at it.  It was that freakin’ good.  In fact, the best bass of the day came on the same Knockin’ Tail.  The one in the pic below has now caught at least 30 and is still catching fish!   That thing works, end of story.

The Knockin’ Tail.  And spinnerbait.

As a side note I met Keith and his fishing buddy who drove over from San Antonio.  He commented on the blog the other day and I tried to help point the way.  But he has fished Coleto in the past so he knows the lake.  They caught some smalls on the Pit Boss and had a few crappie bites on it I did.   Though I did not see them again hope they caught some more fish.  Nice to meet readers on the water, lets me know there is someone out there reading this.

Put a quick 10 or so in the boat in nothing flat.  Nice when they come up 20 feet from the boat!

From that point on it was bite after bite.  Crappie, whites, bass, all came to the party.  Today pitching the Pit Boss was the best bet.  They are going to the beds and have moved next to isolated cover in the coves.  Some came off stuff with less than 3 foot under the boat.  Pitch it close, get a bite.  Several rolled on the Pit Boss the minute it hit the water, they were shallow.  And it is worth saying again, they hold on to the Pit Boss longer than any other plastic, plenty of time to set the hook.  I honestly have not a clue how many I caught today, but there was not a stop that did not produce fish, it was often 7 or 8 depending on the cove.

And the  crappie keep on biting bass lures.

I decided to keep 2 for supper and that was easy.  The crappie are shallow and spawning.  If a person would take a slip bobber and jig or minnow and just dip around cover up lake it would be a no brainer to sack a wad.

Everybody came to the party today.

The swim jig produced it’s share but the Pit Boss really close to cover was still the best.   But I really do believe that you can catch them however you like, it is that good.  While more big fish will show, it would be hard for the bite to be any better.

A good indication that spring has actually sprung was all the critters moving around.  And in a couple of places the gators were stacked up.  I did not take the good camera as it was raining when I started, but at least there was a couple of things to show you.

Big and small, the gators were on the prowl.

3 jumped on the spinnerbait, and when one like above stops it while it is being buzzed it is just such a great bite.  I just threw it because I love it.  But the way to go is the swim jig and pitching to cover.  When pitching I am pegging the tungsten slip sinker and just working it around cover.  Like it has been the bass are there, and then the occasional bonus crappie.  Not sure how many crappie bites today but it was probably 6 or more that I did not catch.  Most of those I have caught the last couple of weeks have been good ones.

They were loving the Pit Boss.  No real big fish today, but it was flat awesome.

When conditions are like this early spring it rarely disappoints.  And they were so perfect this morning that there was not a doubt they were going to have at it.  Our forecast has warm days with clouds and occasional showers, and before the next couple of weeks there will be an epic day.  It is coming.

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And as usual great to hear from Mac.

Doug, Keep doin’ what you do! When I turned seventy I was about to throw in the towel Life seemed in my the 4th quarter. I would soon be in a hospital., rest home or dead.

I even almost quit fishing the shallow water redfish pursuits. Then came the redfish on a fly. Rejuvenation !!! Spring is almost here and now my wife will have to live a lot without me. She knows this well, but I will always bringing her along for flounder fishing.
Our honeymoon found her cleaning up on the flat fish using the best live bait for them-Mud Minnows . Being a artificial advocate, the score that day– wife caught 12 and practiced ” catch and release”. Me zero. We ate ham sandwiches instead of
flounder on our wedding day!!!!!!!!!
Now Janet, a nurse, has been a personal trainer for me and Boy Howdy does she do a great job. She enrolled us in a fitness center . And things have really picked up.

Yesterday, I ran in the Austin half marathon. I have a new Doctor who has really made a difference . Her first words were ” Mac, try to kill yourself. Park far away wherever you are and if something tastes good spit the damn stuff out. You can eat some meat but used the example of cattle Grass fed beef is the best” I then asked her ” What do you want me to eat–Grass in my front yard .? Then she gave ne her recipe for a long life Magnesium pills, Vitamin
D3 and Vitamin C.  Since being on these, for 4 months ,I feel I can wrestle a bear.

In closing ” JUST DO IT” IRON MAC

So good to hear from you.  I feel your pain, it can be hell getting old.  But us “old guys” have to take the bull by the horns and do something about it, and looks like you are doing great.  And your doctor sounds like the Boss.  For me the tread mill and resistance training I started last year has made a real difference.  No more sore shoulder or back after fishing all day.  And congrats on running the half.  That just might be my next endeavor.  So keep it up, we just might out live a bunch of them!  And if you make it to the coast be sure to let us know how it goes.

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All I have to say is WOW.  It has been a while since the fishing on Coleto has been this good.  If I did not have to get home to clean up the mess, you know guys, the one you have when the Boss is gone, it would have been until dark.  Tomorrow I pick the Boss up in Austin, then right back on the water.  When fishing is like this time to go.  I know I have not been to the bay lately, it is coming, but never look a gift horse in the mouth.  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.

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A random fish picture from the last Arkansas fishing trip.  Getting close.

As usual it is Sunday morning and I am watching fishing, thinking about fishing, and about to go make sure I am ready to go in the morning.  Besides hoping to catch a few it will be interesting to see how the new locator on the skiff works.  Without the book the other day hard to know what was up.  So I looked the book up online, (Cheap ass companies have started not giving you a hard copy, great for folks computer savvy but hard on folks who are not online.) headed out to the boat and think I got it down.  Since I get good natured crap from folks as I have not taken the IPhone plunge there is a good point.  If I did I could have looked it up while out on the water and done it that way.  But my phone works and here is a little story on why I do not currently have a fancy phone.  (Besides my phone is military grade and no matter my best/worst efforts it keeps on working.)

The Boss got the new IPhone number whatever so I figured why not just use her old one.  So I go to ATT and see about switching it over.  Fine – except my bill would go up $45 a month!  What the hell is that all about?  Apparently it has to do with gigs.  I learned something, part of the monthly usage you are being charged for is the updates that they do to your phonoe.  Nice.  So screw that, it will continue to be the flip phone for me.

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I wanted to share this comment from Keith with you.

Great morning to you sir,
Love reading your post and it looks like a friend and I may get out there next week. Haven’t fished Coleto in years and we are pretty excited to give her another try. Not sure where we will start as it use to be head toward the dam around the bend and up…lol Not sure if that is considered up the lake or not, but typically that’s the way we go. I’m gonna give the swim jig a try…love fishing the jig, just never a swimmer. Anyway, just wanted to let you know I appreciate the post and who knows, maybe we will see you out there. Any help would be greatly appreciated as I am sure the lake has changed over the years. Til next time…tight lines and don’t ever stop posting.
Keith

First, email on the way with a little more info on the fishing part of your comment.  One thing for sure, without the grass Coleto fishing is not what it was.  But the point is this is one of the ways I am reminded of why I started this in the “second place.”  First, I started it more as a diary but quickly realized, second, that I liked sharing real information and do it with anyone I can.  One thing that I have tried to do is stay true to: telling it like it is.  The good days and bad, the big or little ones, the screw ups, and the strike outs, all of it.  There are lots of “good day” postings online, but no help from the same fishermen for others to catch a few, and not a peep from the same folks when it does not go all that well.  That is not fishing, just bragging.  So thanks for the reminder of why I do this.  The realization is I do this is for reason number 2.  Thanks for the reminder.

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And one thing I wanted to clear up is uplake vs. downlake, which I have received several questions  on in the past.  Look at it this way.  When a lake is dammed from a river it is still the river, and there ends up being an up and down lake.  If it were still the river when you put the boat in you either head up river or down.  Simple, down lake is the dam and up lake is the river.  Hope that clears it up.

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The next two comments came after my last post.

Noooooo, you can’t retire from the blog! Jk, I totally respect your decision.😡 But just know it means a lot to those who dream of your world. I look forward to your reports (and your thoughts on the world) every day and tell other fishing buddies about you. I am a husband and father who works three jobs to make ends meet and now hopes to fish a couple times a year. I truly enjoy your blog and it fires me until I can get another trip in. Thank you Doug for your time, effort, and guidance. And just know we are reading if that’s the concern. Thank you sir, and in whatever you decide and though we’ve never met, I hope to one day.  Lee.

Doug, after reading your last post, I truly hope that you will continue to “entertain “ me with your daily ventures. I really enjoy reading about the experiences that you so describe. Whether it be on the lake or the salt, in town or out of country. Your stories bring pictures that help me see the love of fishing you have and I hope that when I get to retire that I am able to do as you are now. I enjoy and envision the fish you catch, the break-offs, the boats and unfortunate mishaps. I myself have a small place in Port O Conner and even though I don’t get to get down there as much I would like to, I can’t wait to read what is biting or breaking off. I hope you continue your blog and travels.
Thanks
Ed

I hesitated to post these because it seems rather self serving.  But I am posting them for me.  At times I forget how lucky I really am.  It took the perfect storm, and wife, to have been lucky enough to retire early and fish my life away.  Hard to believe that I can forget and take it for granted.  These kind comments actually put me in my place if that makes sense.  So like I have said at times, put on your big boy pants or go home.

The last 3 days I have hung out and thought about this quite a bit.  Sometimes things need to be put back in perspective.  Instead of work, I am trying to look at this as  a duty I am more than happy to do.  When a guy is as lucky as I am, and loves fishing like I do, maybe it boils down to what I feel is a responsibility to our sport.  To share the love so to speak.  And at times to comment on the other side of things.  So with that renewed outlook on we go.

(A couple of  things I learned from re-reading my rant the other day  is there is no rule that I have to do the writing after I get home.  It is ok to grab a beer, put your feet up, and call it a day.  One thing I learned in the days when I was a paramedic,. there is nothing that won’t wait until tomorrow unless you are having a heart attack.  And I am trying to learn I do not have to fish certain ways just for the blog, better to go fish and take it like it comes.  Is actually probably a better story.)

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 Coming Soon!  The Knockin’ Tail catches fish.  

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Soft Plastic?

One thing that has become a little clearer to me over the last 6 months, super soft plastics are overrated.  2 things have led me to that conclusion.  First, all the pitching I have been doing with beaver style baits.  I have primarily been using the Strike King and the Berkley Pit Boss.  The Pit Boss is a lot firmer and does not tear as easily.  The Strike King on the other hand does not last near as many fish, not even close.  And there seems to be no difference in the bites I get.  (But boy do they hold onto the Pit Boss longer just like the package says.)  

The companies would like you to think their super soft baits catch more fish.  Lets look at that.  First, what is the most important factor in catching fish?  Fishing where they are, and no amount of softer plastic can fix that.  Of course in some cases plastic might be to “hard” and restrict action, but that would be the rare exception.  There is a fine line and I understand that, but using both baits for the last 6 months if there is some benefit to the really soft bait the only one who is benefiting is the company.  Maybe if you are a pro fishing for big bucks it might make a one fish difference on some specific day.  I don’t know about you, but baits tearing up continually while I am tearing the fish up is a hassle and expensive.

And the second thing about softness I learned from working on the new Knockin’ Tail swim bait from Controlled Descent.  When working on the design Michael actually used  several densities of plastics and was able to find that fine line between to hard, or not enough action, or to soft, which like one popular plastic folks use that they are always biting the tail off.  But one thing about the Knockin’ Tail, no matter the plastic he used it catches fish.  When you can catch 20 fish on one plastic it does not get any better than that.

The punch line, super soft plastics are great, if the company gives them to you by the boat load.  I know that it is the little things at times that make the difference, but not sure super soft plastic is one of them for the average fisherman.  Just my take on that.

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And along with deciding to keep plugin along I have decided to work with a new company.  But the role will be limited to some specific things, I want it to be seamlessly worked into the blog instead of being a full time something.  So as soon as that is worked out I will let you know.  But I am looking forward to something a little different for me in the fishing lure department.  More on that soon.

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That is it for today.  Tomorrow it will be up early and off to the lake.  Looks like it will be cloudy, warm all day, and the wind won’t be to bad, the perfect storm for catching bass.  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.

This ladies and gentlemen is a real gator.

Weather

44/63.   Sunny to partly cloudy with a 3% chance of rain.  Wind ENE 5 – 15 mph.

Lake Level

Today 94.34 msl.  Wednesday 94.36 msl.  (Hanging in there.)

Bite Times

Minor  10:59 am to 11:59 am.  (Only time when I will be out there.

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 They will be available soon.  The Knockin’ Tail catches fish.  

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The ospreys were out and about and I did see an eagle.

It was almost 11:00 when the temp finally hit 50 and so off to the lake.  There was no doubt it would be tougher, and it was.  Still ok on the numbers today considering I only fished 5 1/2 hours today.  Part of the reason for fishing today was the skiff needed to be run.  This is the first time in 3 months, it just might be time to sell it as I hate to see it sit.  But of course as soon as I do the other boat will end up in the shop for a month.  Part of boat ownership.  And while I was at it I forgot the book on the new locator and so there is work to be done with that.  I have my moments with new electronics, but remember I am the guy without an iPhone.

This is becoming a regular thing.

With no water temp gauge not sure what it was, but it was cold today.  And combined with the bluebird sky and the cool nip with the north wind I wasn’t sure what was going to happen but I new it would be slower.  It was, but 6 or so jumped on the swim jig in the first place and a couple did the craw stealing thing.  And the lone catfish came next to brush on the swim jig.  I will give cats one thing, when they hit a swim jig they smack it. Though I caught a couple of bass pitching the Pit Boss, they were definitely the smalls for today.

The biggest bass for the afternoon.

Some of the coves had a little color and that was were the bites tended to come.  Even on a cooler day the water with a little color will tend to warm better with the sun on it than the clear stuff.  Later I switched to the Knockin’ Tail in a green color and it worked slow rolling.  It was the better choice in the clearer water down lake and the first 5 or 6 cooperated, but they were small.  Those were in the back of a couple of coves and the first crappie came from the very back in about 2 foot of water.  Then right before I quit another jumped on the Knockin’ Tail in a pocket with brush, again shallow.

If you like crappie they are biting.  The back ends of flatter coves and scattered brush is holding them.  That is where they are right now and they are catchable.   Just take a 1/16th crappie jig, or a roadrunner, and toss it in those places and keep after it and you just might clobber them.  You will lose a few jigs and sure will catch a lot of small bass.

And I did have one of those “God Will Get You For That” or Karma moments,  you call it.  After catching 5 or 6 on the Knockin’ Tail I was thinking how good they hit it, they eat it and stay hooked up.  A couple of casts later the best bass of the day smacks it, jumps and comes off.  Then 2 or 3 casts later the same thing.  That will teach me not count my fish before they  are caught.

Not a bad afternoon considering.  The skiff ran great, it was a good reminder why I have kept it all these years.  It is about as hardcore of a fishing machine as there is.  No frills, not pretty, but from tarpon to crappie, it has caught them all.    And one last word on the fishing, it is about to be full on spring bite, it will not get much better than that.

This guy has a way to go before being a “real” gator.  And you usually see the small guys on logs and rarely on the shoreline.  It is a dangerous world out there.

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Would You Like A Little Cancer With That Filet-of-Fish

Our waters are headed to crisis.

Good Morning Doug
Read this. Are we killing our self’s? I had no ideal it was this far reaching. Keep writing and i’ll keep reading.
Steve
https://tpwd.texas.gov/regulations/outdoor-annual/fishing/general-rules-regulations/fish-consumption-bans-and-advisories

I have been worried about our water for a while.  How a “fisherman” can read this list and then support the current efforts to roll back environmental protections on our waters is hard for me to understand.  As I have written  in the recent past, time for harsh penalties for folks who defile our waters.  And jail needs to be a viable penalty for intentionally dumping chemicals and other harmful junk.  Fines help, but obviously they do not deter squat.  All you have to do is read this list.  And finally, not sure who is responsible for enforcement in the state but obviously we are not getting our monies worth as they let it happen again and again.  As usual, follow the money.  And yes, we just might be killing ourselves.  Thanks for the link, if anyone needs any more reason to be concerned this would be it.

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I am really considering where this blog goes from here.  As I spend more time doing exactly what I like to do in the fishing realm I know it  can become stale for not only you the reader, but also for me at times.  The time and effort, not to mention the bucks, start to reach the point of diminishing return.  Lately there has been some soul searching going on here.  I find myself at times fishing for the “blog”, trying to catch them on this bait or that, this way or that, this place or that, all the while spending the big bucks in an effort to keep it interesting for you.  Not the “real” reason I fish.

I have been fortunate enough to fish some of the greatest place in this world, and that practice will continue of course.  The plan was always to retire and fish like a madman as long as I can, and so far that is what has happened thanks to my lovely wife.  But things change, they always do, and I find myself wondering if all the work and money on the blog is worth it.  I so appreciate those of you who have stuck with me all these years, you have kept me writing when I was tired or just not feeling it.  It gets hard to fish all day, then come home and mess with photos and write something interesting when at times I just want to put my feet up, drink a beer, and watch senseless tv.

Lately I have been thinking about just what I am doing or accomplishing.  As an example I have been in contact with a hard bait company interested in working something out, but I am just not sure I am up to it.  Guess what it all boils down to is I need a break.  Not from the fishing, that will never change, but from the blog side and all that comes with that part of this endeavor.  Who knows, maybe this is just a passing malaise.  It does happen occasionally.  But it is now 10:00 am and time to hitch up and head to the lake, and of course the above report followed.  But no matter what happens I can not thank you all enough.

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Enjoying the sun.  In the little farther north climates turtles are a sure sign the fish are biting.

I am taking the Boss to the airport tomorrow so she can fly to Iowa and visit her mom for a few days.  And then being free I will head to the strip club, drink whiskey, and drive her car 100 mph.  Oh wait, I never drink whiskey and have not darkened the door of a strip club in 30 years, but no promises on the car!  What I will really do this weekend is  rewire the running lights on the skiff, watch the Daytona 500, and read a good book.  Not to exciting but it will do just fine until back on the water next week.  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.

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It is 44 degrees this morning and raining off and on.  On the radar is huge bands of rain with much of it skirting the Victoria area,  The wind is 10 mph out of the NNE and it could not be called pleasant.  So though it is less than optimal as soon as I get off my ass I will be heading to the lake.  The little front will be passing today and into tomorrow, then a couple of cool days before the warmer weather returns.  Be that as it may I intend to drop it in the water by 9:00.  Just have to see how it goes.

Weather

44/61.   Clouds with a 70% chance of rain.  Wind NW 10 – 25 mph.

Lake Level

Monday  94.34 msl,  Today 94.36 msl.  (Hanging in there.)

Bite Times

Major  3:57 pm to 5:57 pm.  Minor  9:42 am to 10:42 am.

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Michael reports that the mold in on the way and they will be available soon.  The Knockin’ Tail catches fish.  

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The water temp was 60 – 61 (Coolest in the plant arm.) more or less all over the lake.  The wind was out of the north and you could see your breath when I dropped it in at 9:30.  Real pleasant.  First up was the long channel bank in the plant arm.  The color was marginal, and it varied right around 60 degrees.  I fished a long stretch and other than a couple bites on the swim jig not much was happening.  When I got to the end where the big point sits right on the channel turns the first bite, but it just pulled a claw off the jig.  Like it was Monday, early the  bite was slow with lots of nibbling.  Bumping, ticking, pulling, none of it with gusto.

I sat way off the point and started catching them.  In fact, 6 or 7 which is a good thing, for 5 years from now.  They were really small.  A couple came on the stick worm, and then what has become a daily thing, a crappie.  And while we are at it lets just get the wacky stuff out of the way and add the catfish caught later on a jerk bait.

Just wanted to show you that the other fish are biting when you catch them on bass stuff.  Crazy!

If you want crappie now is the time.  They are shallow around brush, and if they are eating the 5″ stick worm they are up.  Not sure if they have spawned, are spawning, or just about to, but now is the time.  I have caught them in 4 different places right now, a good indication the spawn is on.

I am trying to fish at least a couple of new places everyday, which works some days, and like today, not so much.  But before giving it up in the plant arm a good 10 jumped on, but they were crazy small.  So time to head up to the area where I have been catching them.  On the way I decided to stop by the discharge to take a temp as the last time I went by that cove there was no change in the temp on the main lake.  There was basically no water coming through the discharge and the water temp was only 60.  Not sure why that is as I assume the plant is running with the  cold temps.  I made a few casts, caught a couple of small ones and headed on up.

The first good bite of the day off a big stump.

With the water temp now down from a high of 70 in the better coves down to 60 they were a little further out in the coves and actually more bunched up.  The first bite was off a big hardwood tree, right where a good one would make a nest.  Who knows, I am still not seeing any beds but that does not mean much.  Areas with no wind and cover was the place to be mid day.  The swim jig kept catching them, there sure is lots of boys waiting on the big girls right now.

There is plenty of this size around.

Like it has been, alternating between the swim jig and the stick worm was the way to go.  The jerk bait produced a catfish and no other bites though I gave it a go.  Around 4:00 the wind died and it looked like clearing was on the way.  There was the occasional shad flip so time to concentrate on what I learned earlier.  Which was they were not on the reel brushy stuff.  A good hardwood with little stuff on it seemed to be better.

That will work!

Switching to the Pit Boss I started pitching to the big wood and lost a good one.  The next piece the one above thumped it and immediately went around the stump.  But I managed to wait her out and get the boat around it and in she came.  Definitely the best one I have caught in a while.  There just happened to be a couple of similar hardwoods close so I hit 4  or 5.

On one of them I thought I was hung.  In fact I just kept reeling figuring it was a piece of cover, but unfortunately it was a fish.  A really big fish.  She did not fight, swim, twitch, nothing, just let me reel her right to the boat.   Of course no real hook set, I mean, it was wood.  She took one look at the boat, I was frozen like a rookie when I saw her, and she pulled off.  That was right after the one above.  The day finished  with a couple more of the usual size off the big wood and I called it a day.

It was an interesting day. Everything is up and eating, easy to see that with the random number of crappie and catfish adding to each day.  The deer and the hogs were moving around, but the cool weather had the gators buried up.  It was not pleasant by any means and never got comfortable with the drizzle and north wind.  But the numbers are still there, lots and lots of smaller bass, a good thing for times to come.  And if you can just put it in the right place a real bite is possible.

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I forgot to tell you something about Monday .  I boat flipped a white bass and when he hit the deck the Rapala popped out and like a rocket buried in my finger.  “Thunk.”  At least when it did it was so fast it ripped a little bit and made it easy to just back it out.  No harm no foul as I had an antibiotic wipe and bandaid.  My only comment, that is the 3rd time in a couple of years, after never really being stuck for decades.  It is hell getting old.

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It is a small world!

It is amazing what you find on Facebook.  While going through messages I guess I missed there was one from Wendell sent in June of last year.  (Shows how on the ball with this internet thing I am.)   Wendell was asking if I remembered him?  So time for a story.

In January of ???? this young guy  (My age probably.)  comes in my tackle store (Or met him at the dock, it was a long time ago.) and tells me this fantastic story about the giant walleyes he is catching on a river outside Pocahontas Arkansas.  Sure…..  Now this is a whopper!  His last trip I believe he said his best 6 went 72 pounds!  So of course  I am just a little bit skeptical, I mean come on.  So I ask him to take me.

My biggest to that point – It went 7 1/2.  (Nice aviators dude.)

We met in Pocahontas and headed to some little ass ramp in the middle of a corn field and put in on the river, wish I could remember which one.  It was small with lots of timber in the water.  Until that point I did not know that there was a native strain of walleye in those rivers and they get big, real big.

Basically using a 3/4 ounce hair jig with a fine wire hook, we drifted down river.  Being full of snags the fine wire allowed you to straighten the hook out or you would have needed dozens of jigs.  Before we quit we boated 5 with mine being the biggest.  At that time it was my biggest ever.  While it may not have been a real giant, it was clear he knew exactly what he was talking about.  If I remember right I promised to not tell anyone about where, and I never did, but I sure shared that story without the particulars.  Now I am to dam old to remember where!  It was really something different and a great trip that I have never forgotten to this day.  I knew exactly who it was when I read the message.

It was good to hear from him and of all things he is living in Midway Arkansas, right near Bull Shoals.  He is having a health problem but I will be sure to stop in and see him, and maybe we can get on the water for a few hours, or at least visit.  So thanks for the memory Wendell, I did not forget and will see you soon.

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It has really become weather watching time.  The dude at Falcon Lake Tackle has a blog, which is rather entertaining at times, on which he posts pictures.  Well the big fish are showing up now, I mean the 10’s, and the ones in the pictures have not spawned. According to him none have really gotten after the spawn yet this year so it might be about to get Falcon good.  Really hope I can make it, but lots of crap on the schedule right now.  But man those were some big fish.  I went the week after the Houston Fishing Show last year and did ok, but I will be in Arkansas then.  So much water, so little time.

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Even with the weather it is hard not to go to the lake right now.  Tough conditions but sticking with it gets you bit at some point.  A guy I met at the ramp, one of 3 of out today caught a 7 3/4 his last trip.  So the bite is on and I can not wait to get back out there.  So keep stopping in and thanks for reading my stuff.

Good Luck and Tight Lines

FISH CATCHING TRAVEL

“SAVE OUR WATERS”

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The Wade Right Fishing Belt

Brought to you by

The Best Wading System on the  Planet.

It was 72 degrees when I headed to the lake at 7:30, and it was 73 when I quit.  They got the forecast about right.  It was heavy clouds with occasional drizzle and the wind was about 15mph out of the South.  The water color has deteriorated some but the water temp was about what it was last week and the lake is stable.

The gators were out in force today.

Weather

56/73.   Thick clouds with a 60% chance of rain.  Wind SSE 10 – 20 mph.

Lake Level

Today 94.34 msl,   Last Tuesday 94.38 msl.  (Hanging in there.)

Bite Times

Major  1:13 pm to 3:13 pm.  Minor  7:35 am to 8:35 am.

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Michael reports that the mold in on the way and they will be available soon.  The Knockin’ Tail catches fish.  See Rusty below.

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Why Bizarro World?  Because of the crazy fishing today, and not because it was really good but because some weird stuff happened.  So lets get right to that.  Pitching the stick worm in an area with lots of brush one jumped on, and it was a crappie.  A few pitches later another one jumped on.  Crazy.

But could I catch one on a crappie jig?  Of course not.

They were eating the 5″ worm and you can just see a little bit sticking out of each ones mouth.  But it was about to get more Bizarro.  I have not tossed the Bang O Lure much yet so decided to give it a go.  And guess what?

That does not happen that often.

Now I kept bass fishing but if you need more of clue how the crappie are acting here you go.  The were all in less than 2′ of water, clearly they are either spawning or about to.  So if you like crappie just head up lake with some minnows and a slip cork and you should be able to get it done.  But wait, there is more.

The bite was slow today, no real pattern to it.  4 or 5 on swim jig, 4 or 5 pitching, 7 trolling, 2 on spinnerbait, a couple on the Bang O Lure, and 6 or 8 slow rolling the Knockin’ Tail.  It was late afternoon, and after realizing the good fish were just not having it, or I made all the wrong choices, time to fish a couple of places I have not fished in a while.  I was slow rolling the Knockin’ Tail when one bumped it and came off at the boat.  It looked like a catfish.  And the small bass were jumping on here and there when another one bumped it.

They were liking the pearl Knockin’ Tail.

The bass like the Knockin’ Tail too!

The day started off with the bass just pulling or ticking the swim jig and just not eating it.  But I stuck with it and caught one here and there.  I also pitched to brush with the stick worm and caught them the same, small and here and there.  Not sure even the ones I missed today were any bigger, it was just a weird day.

I did make a couple of trolling passes to drink my coffee and while the white bass fishing has not been hot, they are still in the upper end.  The Shad Rap on one rod, and the Knockin’ Tail on the other, 7 jumped on in 2 passes before it was back to bass fishing.

The little bigger whites like the Knockin’ Tail slow trolled at 2.5mph.

And all the size I could manage in the bass department.

So what an interesting day if nothing else.  The conditions were good, the water temp was from a low of 63 to as high as 66 depending on where you were.  The wind was blowing and it was cloudy, should have been a big fish day.  Of course I spent to much time throwing spinnerbait, I will never learn, and trying to catch a crappie out of the brush.  But through it all the fish did bite all day and in only one place did I strike out.  And a couple of times throwing the spinnerbait small fry jumped.  With tilapia in the back ends it is probably them, but the crappies can’t be far behind.  I am not seeing any beds, but didn’t really look, but everything will be one them shortly.  In spite of no big fish there was something tugging on the line most of the day and you can not ask for any more than that.

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Rusty in Mexico doing what he does – catching fish.

Michael at Controlled Descent was kind enough to send a few of the new Knockin’ Tail to Rusty to use on his Mexico trip and it looks like it went well.  Rusty sent along this report following his Mexico bass fishing trip and he figures they caught around a 100 on the new Knockin’ Tail.

We arrived at Lake Picachos last Monday.  It was raining and had been for several days straight causing the lake to rise one foot overnight then another foot the next day. That scattered the fish considerably and slowed down the bite.  Next came the worst cold front that they have experienced in 10 years dropping the temp to 48.

   The 2-4lb fish were in 6-15’ and the larger fish 4-8lb fish were in 20-27’ mostly tight to underwater trees.  There’s a lot of flooded timber and with the weather and water conditions,  the fishing was tough.(by Mexico standards).  Still each boat daily caught 40-100 bass a day.  But if the conditions had been better it would have been 100-200 Bass a day per boat.  This lake is not considered a big fish lake(10lb+).  El Salto and Lake Comedero are Ron Speed’s big fish lakes.  Two years it will be in that class,  lots of food and they are growing fast.

     We caught a lot of our fish on watermelon/chartreuse  and black and blue lizards or 10” worms fished deep.  The Knocking Tail excelled as a trailer on spinnerbaits and swim jigs.  It also caught fish Texas rigged and on a drop shot rig.   I really liked the durability of it as I got multiple fish before having to put on a new one.   I hope Michael is considering the watermelon red flake color.  Overall I was very impressed with this lure and plan to stock up on them.

      The fishing camp was the best I have been too in my 30 years of going down to Mexico.  I have been to 6 lakes in Mexico and this lake was gorgeous.  Ron SpeedJr owns and operates fish camps on three Mexico lakes and Peacock bass in Brazil. He’s the best in my opinion.   You should put it on your bucket list!

The Knockin’ Tail strikes again, and again, and again.

Must be tough to have to wade through “only” 40 – 100 a day under tough conditions, I can only imagine how it would have been under perfect conditions.  It sounds like the Knockin’ Tail caught them no matter how you used it, but it does not surprise me that using it as a trailer worked like a charm.   Not only on swim jigs and spinnerbaits, but those of you who fish the Alabama Rig are missing out if you do not use them.  And your comment on durability is what we have found, unlike other plastics they will catch more than a couple!  (I am still using the same one for a couple of weeks on the lake and it is just fine.)  As far as the watermelon flake I am all in, it is my favorite freshwater plastic color and I am looking forward to giving it a real serious go on those Arkansas smallmouth and walleye.  The Knockin’ Tail has a place in any fisherman’s tackle box, fresh or salt.  And last as I have never fished down there your information on the other Ron Speed lakes was informative.  Thanks for the report, but now I am trying to figure out how to make that trip.

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That is it for today.  Dentist tomorrow, which is working out just fine as we will have a little cold front tomorrow.  Then another slow warming and I am going to the bay if it kills me.  But it sure is hard to quit the lake when the bite is on.  And when it is a crazy day like today the only thing better would have been a big fish.  To bad you can not just call those big girls up, but that is what makes fishing what it is.  You just never know.  So keep stopping in and thanks for reading my stuff.

Good Luck and Tight Lines

FISH CATCHING TRAVEL

“SAVE OUR WATERS”

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The Wade Right Fishing Belt

Brought to you by

The Best Wading System on the  Planet.

The folks at Coastal Fishing Gear have added a new floating landing net to the line up.

The net is a strong aluminum frame coated in lightweight foam so it floats by your side. The mesh netting is coated in rubber to prevent hook snags. Included in the handle is a bungee cord with a clip to connect to your Wade Right.

So check it out, and if you get to the Houston Fishing Show in 3 weeks you can pick one up.  And tell them I said hi!

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Michael reports that the mold in on the way and they will be available soon.  The Knockin’ Tail catches fish

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Knockin’ Tail

My buddy Rusty just got back from Mexico and they put the hurt on them.  He reports 100 bass on the Knockin’ Tail!  I should have more to put up later but it sounds like one great trip.

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Shopping at Academy, not my first choice, can be interesting.  I needed some Opti oil and some 5200 adhesive for a repair and while I was there they were having a big sale.  With no intention of buying anything else but when I walked by the electronics aisle there was one last locator on clearance.  And my pea brain finally registered that since it was clearance it was another 50% off the clearance price.  So I picked up a Lowrance for the skiff, and instead of $300 it was $86, so in the cart it went.  Definitely a step up from the 10 year old barely readable piece of crap that was on there.  (It was one of those that had the little fish icons that you could not get rid of.  And Bobby, if you are reading this, it lasted longer than I would have ever guessed!)

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And Speaking of Buying Stuff

It is always fun to see what new products will be available at the Houston Fishing Show.  Every year there is a couple of things that peak my interest and I always look forward to going.  There is always something there that a fisherman can not live without.  So if you attend be sure to stop by the Wade Right booth and pick up a net, then head over to the My Coast Outdoor booth for of few bags of the new Knockin’ Tail, and last the Marker 54 booth and get the best “fake” shrimp lure money can buy.  Who knows, you might even have some money left for that new rod and reel you can’t live without.  It never ends!

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The Good Old Days.

Just wanted to show you this picture I found online.  That is basically the view from the front porch of the house at the boat dock where I lived, guided, and worked.

Watching MLF this weekend it was the championship round on Bull Shoals lake.  While I was doing a little pre-trip research for March I came across this picture.  It reminded me how nice it was to walk to the dock, hop in the boat, and I was fishing.  The majority of my fishing time in March will be on Norfork, though several days will be on Bull Shoals, letting the lakes tell me which one gets the most attention.  Only a few short weeks away I am getting excited.  It will be fun to fish the old stomping grounds.

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VMC Bladed Treble

Speaking of something new I really like the looks of the VMC treble hook with a small spinner hanging off the back of it.  Reading the reviews on Cabela’s website there was one complaint of the spinner falling off but other than that folks like it.  I think it has real seatrout application on the Spook Jr. when they want it stopped and sitting there.  It does not have to spin, just flash erratically when you stop it.  My buddy Aaron sure taught me a difference the Spook Jr. with the feathers on the rear treble made under that same circumstance.  So as soon as I get somewhere some are some will be coming home with me.

https://www.rapala.com/vmc/hooks/treble/7548bd-bladed-hybrid-treble-short/7548BD+Bladed+Hybrid+Treble+Short.html#id=9&q=VMC+Bladed+treble&start=1

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Fayette Lake

From TPWD –  (I do not know anything other than the following and I am not speculating on who, what, where, or how.  My comment is on the rule and nothing else.)

Texas Game Warden along with Lower Colorado River Authority Rangers are searching for 3 missing boaters who were on a boat last night that capsized on Fayette Lake. A total of 5 adult male subjects were on the boat. Two were able to swim to shore.

I hate to comment at this time, but if not now, when?  It was great when Texas put the kill switch rule into place.  Not sure how many more lives will be lost before we finally go to life jackets on everyone when the boat is at more than headway, or idle speed.  Give me one good reason that this would not be a good thing.  Really, what is the downside?  I did not follow that rule for most of my life.  A few years ago I started wearing my jacket when driving the boat, and it just may save my life some day.  Am I perfect?  No, but I am getting better.  (But remember I was driving a pontoon boat when it was hit by a tornado and a life jacket saved me life, so I know what I am talking about.)

But here is the most important reason for the rule:

• Where cause of death was known, 80% of fatal boating accident victims drowned. Of those drowning victims with reported life jacket usage, 83% were not wearing a life jacket. Eight out of every ten boaters who drowned were using vessels less than 21 feet in length.

American Boating Association

After not fishing for several days I will be heading to the water tomorrow, weather dependent.  According to the forecast we will be having rain off and on all week.  Since we are still in drought conditions we need the rain.  The plus side is that is prime fish catching conditions.  So keep stopping in and thanks for reading my stuff.

Good Luck and Tight Lines

FISH CATCHING TRAVEL

“SAVE OUR WATERS”

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The Wade Right Fishing Belt

Brought to you by

The Best Wading System on the  Planet.

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That was a pretty amazing cold front that blew through Texas Wednesday.  It even brought a few flurries to Texas and with it some serious cold.  But today is warming and nice and it will only get better the next few days before rain returns on Sunday.  It will be interesting to see how things change on the lake after all that.

After sitting around today and reading up on all things fishing a couple of things came up that I had to comment on.  So many of the issues facing fishermen involve the water, whether on it, taking from it, of not getting it.  As I grow older I increasingly realize that water is the MOST important issue in fishing.  There are serious issues out there that affect every one of us who grab and rod and hit the water.

One long and skinny Musky.  I had to add one random picture as long as you have to read this drivel.

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The Good

GBRA, TPWD, and BASS Nation are getting together this weekend on Coleto and will be building approximately 100 fish shelters in the lake.  According to the Victoria Advocate once they are placed they will be mapped and locations will be available online and at the park.  This is a real step forward.  Lake Norfork and Bull Shoals did this decades ago and it was a success.  Not only for bass, but it really helped the crappie fishing.  So Props to everyone involved, it can only lead to better fishing.  And a shout out to the Coleto Creek Bassmasters for doing their share.

https://www.gbra.org/documents/news/2020/020502.pdf

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The Bad

I am not well versed on the water issues between Mexico and the US on the border but there is a problem that has been festering for years.  Apparently we have a treaty involving water sharing, and Mexico has not been in compliance.  The owner of Falcon Lake Tackle has written about this issue off and on, and as Falcon is dependent on some of that water it is an issue for fishermen.  Now Mexican farmers, who want to lay claim to all the water, have taken over some of the Mexican damns in the area after a face off with the Mexican army.  So stay tuned, but this is just another water issue affecting fishermen.  Unfortunately our water issues are on going to get worse before they get better.

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And the Ugly

In the Currents magazine from CCA there is an article on the state of oyster fishing, and it is ugly.  At one point alone there was over 300 boats tearing up the reefs in San Antonio Bay.  Wardens made 664 contacts with commercial oyster boats and here is a quick view of the ugly results.  93 citations, 230 warnings, including undersized, over the limit, and taking at night among the laundry list of violations.  58,000 lbs of live oysters were returned to the bay from the violations, multiple folks were arrested for different reasons including 2 with prior oyster violations, and on and on.  The state is hoping to increase penalties in an effort to rein the violators in.

I do have two suggestions,  (Among many.)  Repeated violations = confiscation of the boat. It may not deter others, harsher penalties generally not work, but at least that boat will be out of commission.  Second, require the boats to participate in a yearly meaningful habitat restoration in those areas that are harvested.  (That is in THEIR best interest.)  All I know is after fishing Florida and seeing them harvested by manual means, then coming to Texas I was appalled.  I could not believe it the first time I saw 25 boats on South Pass just ripping the bottom to shreds.  How could this be happening?  Of course I know now how it works, and to complicate matters there are lots of folks who rely on the annual oyster harvest.  There will be changes coming and we need to be paying attention.

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And I got this interesting comment from Lacy.

Thanks for the report
Tides not that great . I like those sunrise
High incoming ones

Believe this is the first time you have commented.  Guess I need to fish with you some time.  I like the sunrise tides, but I prefer falling at daylight from a high.  My skills on rising tides are limited, I always seem to lose them when the water comes way up.  Thanks for the comment and feel free whenever the spirit moves you.  And thanks for reading, it is always nice to hear from different folks, lets me know this is not totally in vain.

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I know you are all probably tired of hearing me talk about the Knockin’ Tail.  I get it, hopefully when they are in production you can pick up a couple of bags and see for yourself.  Besides the rattle of course, the one thing that I really like is they can take a licking and keep on ticking.  Michael, owner and designer, and his son, smoked a ton of trout out of Corpus last weekend and only had one tail bitten off.  I have been using the same one, and it has caught 15 – 20 so far and is still good as new, just a little worse for the wear with all the teeth marks.  In my case it really does help to use a screw lock and super glue it.  Nice to know you can fish a plastic until you lose it and not have to be constantly messing with it on the water.

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Not sure what tomorrow holds, one of those decisions made first thing in the morning.  But the weather is coming around and the fish are biting.  Spring is here and with that the return of folks on the water.  So be nice, be bigger than the other guy, and respect everyone on the water, even the ass hats.  And for God’s sake get your boat organized before you pull up to the ramp!  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.

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After getting blown off the lake yesterday it looked like the weather might straighten out some.  These are the kinds of days bass fishermen look forward to, and it did not disappoint.

I saw dozens of alligators, big and small, today.  Along with osprey, a bald eagle, deer, blue heron, everything was moving around before the front.

Weather

86/52.  Cloudy with a 54% chance of rain then partly cloudy.  Wind SW 10 – 20 mph.

Lake Level

Yesterday  94.37 msl,   Today 94.38 msl.  (Hanging in there.)

Bite Times

Major  8:19 am to 10:19 am.  Minor  1:45 pm to 2:45 pm.

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When I got to the ramp the water temp was almost 64, as was most of the rest of the lake.  I decided to do some fishing in a couple of coves that I have not fished this spring where they usually hang this time of year.  The first one was barren, and after that it was on.  5 here, 7 there, 2 out of that bush,  5 out of the next place, 1 on that stump, and on it went.  From 8:00 in the morning, until I quit at 5:00, it was bite after bite.  The boys have come to the party and the girls will not be far behind.

I lost the only really big one, but when you are catching fish all day no biggie.

Starting with the swim jig I tossed it around any wood and they would just start swimming with it.  While I caught them on it all day, many were small, and I missed a bunch.  So as I like to do in the spring I switched to the spinnerbait and it too was working.  It has been a while since they hit it like that, including a couple I saw coming for it.  And if there was a good piece of cover I pitched the beaver style bait to it, and of course they ate that.  There was no wrong way to fish today.

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The new Knockin’ Tail Lures will come in 6 colors and they look great.   So click on the link and take a look.  Heck, pre-order some as it is going to be first come first served. 

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Only 1 on the crankbait but 3 on the Controlled Descent pearl Knockin’ Tail.

To take a break and drink some coffee I made on quick pass in the white bass place and caught 5, a small bass, and a crappie.  The pearl Knockin’ Tail was the ticket and later it would be the bait of choice, but the white bass sure like it.  So far it is a tilapia, trout, reds, flounder, bass, crappie and white bass, all on the Knockin’ Tail.  It catches fish.

Coves were the best but today you could get bit anywhere.  They were not all the way in the back, but with the number of small ones, and it was a bunch, it looked like the spawn would be on.  There were tilapia and carp in the coves, a sure sign of spring fishing, but with the big cold front we will have to wait and see.  As the afternoon wore on I decided to head down lake to the clear water and try slow rolling the Knockin’ Tail.

Now you can put all I know about swim bait fishing for bass in a thimble, but I got some practice.  The wind had totally quit and it was partly cloudy and warm.  I fished the main lake into a couple of coves and before it was over caught 7 or 8 slow rolling the Knockin’ Tail.  It seemed like a good time to try it with no wind, and they were thumping it.  As I spend more time fishing the Knockin’ Tail the more I like it, it catches fish.  Whether it will catch a big bass remains to be seen, but I will be fishing it more and it will happen.

These were back to back while I was talking to my buddy Clyde.

As far as the spinnerbait several came buzzing it, but I had a little run slow rolling it, catching 4 in one spot, after seeing shad flipping.  Just reeling it slow, then hopping it and they would smack it.  Of course right then Clyde called and I even caught one while talking to him.  As a side note we are planning the trip to Arkansas, and he is cranked up about the walleyes.

It was one of those days where you could fish this or that, here or there, they were up and biting.  The conditions were perfect, and as always I wonder how much of that had to do with the front coming.  I do know that if the wind had not blown so freakin’ hard yesterday it probably would have been the same.  I hate to guess how many today, but it has been a while since I caught that many on the lake, or any lake.  To bad I missed the big one.  Reeled the swim jig over a lay log, bumped the branch, and she smoked it.  She swan straight out and I did not get a good hook set, but it was an awesome bite and it was a big one.   And if it remains fairly stable the rest of the big girls are right behind.  All and all one of those days we all hope for, and  today was that day.

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Clyde has been doing some ice fishing on a local small lake in upper Iowa.  He found a big grass bed and the fish were there.  Big bluegills, a staple of winter ice fishing in Iowa, along with a few perch and a walleye.  Can you say fish fry?  And it reminds me what I don’t miss about those Iowa winters.

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In Arkansas the old saying was when the dogwoods bloom the crappie bite, which as so true.  How about Texas?  Any tell tale signs?  And speaking of old sayings –  At deer camp Mr. Duncan always said hear a owl hoot at 2:00 and it will rain tomorrow.  Well today at 2:30 2 owls were in a hootin’ contest.  Just saying.

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This morning as I finish writing this it is 44 degrees and the wind is blowing pretty good.  It has not rained yet but according to the forecast (And the owls.)  some is on the way.  And Thursday doesn’t look much better but after that the warm weather is back.  Not sure when I will be back on the water but it will be soon.  And if the forecast holds, a big if, Monday and Tuesday look great for some bay fishing.  So keep stopping in and thanks for reading my stuff.

Good Luck and Tight Lines

FISH CATCHING TRAVEL

“SAVE OUR WATERS”

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The Wade Right Fishing Belt

Brought to you by

The Best Wading System on the  Planet.

No fishing this week as we spent 4 days on the Mississippi coast and had a great time. But it is time to get back on the water.  We are in that pattern we get into in the spring – A big storm coming from the Northwest that is going to traverse the whole country bringing high warm winds the next 2 days, followed by a big cold front on Wednesday.  It seems that when those big storms head this way the Gulf pushes back.  What makes it even more unusual is we might have a record high in the mid 80’s on Tuesday, dropping to a high in the 50’s on Wednesday.  Love that south Texas weather.

Today is the Super Bowl, having just come back from legalized sports gambling I did not make a bet.  The Boss said I should at least make a small one but I have never bet on football.  I want the Chiefs to win but think the SF defense just might be able to handle them.  So if there was money on the game I might care what the score is, which for me would ruin it.  I have been watching football my whole life and love it for what it is.  Hope the game is a down to the wire, smash mouth affair.  And I can root for the Chiefs.

As far as tomorrow’s fishing it should be interesting.  Conditions should be excellent other than the wind, but that is South Texas spring.  But the wind can help when combined with clouds and a warm spring day so as usual I am optimistic.  And we are headed to the full moon and I would expect serious spawning to start depending on the what the water temp is, then how much it is affected with the coming front.

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Weather

67/74.  Cloudy, breezy, warm with a 61% chance of showers.  Wind S 15 – 25 mph.

Lake Level

Today  94.37 msl,   7 days ago 94.39 msl.  (Hanging in there.)

Bite Times

Major  7:28 am to 9:28 am.  Minor  1:01 pm to 2:01 pm.

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The new Knockin’ Tail Lures will come in 6 colors and they look great.   So click on the link and take a look.  Heck, pre-order some as it is going to be first come first served. 

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Well I said there might be some wind, and that turned out to be an understatement!  Leaving the ramp at 7:45 it was surprising that the water temp was only 61.  And even a little more surprising, the whole lake was 61, which is a drop from 5 – 9 degrees from what it was.  At least the lake is not dropping, but it was definitely a little off color in some places.

The wind was blowing a good 15 mph straight out of the south so first up was a couple of good coves that have some protection, and they were biting.  But the wind was blowing around every corner making it hard to fish correctly.  But slow rolling the swim jig put 5 in the boat in the first cove and then 6 in the next.  And I missed more than I have been lately, but it was an indication of how good it was.

All the pictures today.  The camera battery was dead, great planning.

The wind went from 15 mph to 25 mph in an instant, and stayed there.  White caps were coming right up the river arm making it impossible to fish that area.  I headed down lake around 10:00 and for the next couple of hours I fished were I could, not where I wanted.  2 jumped on spinnerbait and 3 more ate the swim jig.  The spinnerbait fish, windy points of course.  The swim jig fish, more in the back of the coves, but that was the only place you could fish it effectively.  I also missed several down lake due to the bow in the line.

To bad the wind blew as hard as it did, they were on the chew.  It just got to be to much of a hassle.  When you are not as “mad” at them as you used to be it is easier to give it up.  If it gets to the point where it is not fun, time to quit, so at 12:30 I called it.  It was an easy 15, which under those conditions I will take anytime.

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https://captainexperiences.com/

Booked a fly fishing trip through Captain Experiences for Rockport in April with one of the guides they recommend, and if we are lucky my brother in law will boat a redfish on the fly.  Booking was an easy process and they offered several guides to choose from.  One thing about using them, they will do everything to make sure your trip is right.  They have guides all over the place so if you are thinking about a trip, or need a guide, take a look at their site.  Good folks who do it right, Jonathan will do his best to accommodate your request.

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While we were in the Gulfport area last week and I decided to drop in on the Southern Belle and Capt. Howie.  The last 2 years I have been lucky enough to fish with the Wade Right guys on the trip to the Chandeleur Islands.  A real bucket list trip not only for the fishing, but the comaderie, food, and great service provided on the Southern Belle.  Of all things Capt. Howie was there working on the boat.  It was good to see him and it just made waiting until June all the harder.  What a trip!

Fishing on the MS Gulf Coast with Southern Belle

Clicking will take you away from the blog so as soon as you are done reading take a look.  This is a trip worth taking and after fishing with many guides and services here and abroad this is the best bang for you bucks in the fishing world.  End of story.  So get a group and give Capt. Howie a call and tell him I said hey.

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This country is facing serious water issues, in both fresh and saltwater.  Thanks to The Guardian for the following.

Of 32 tide-gauge stations in locations along the vast US coastline, 25 showed a clear acceleration in sea level rise last year, according to researchers at the Virginia Institute of Marine Science (Vims).

The selected measurements are from coastal locations spanning from Maine to Alaska. About 40% of the US population lives in or near coastal areas.

The gathering speed of sea level rise is evident even within the space of a year, with water levels at the 25 sites rising at a faster rate in 2019 than in 2018.

The highest rate of sea level rise was recorded along the Gulf of Mexico shoreline, with Grand Isle, Louisiana, experiencing a 7.93mm annual increase, more than double the global average. The Texas locations of Galveston and Rockport had the next largest sea level rise increases.

They have been warning about this for several years.  We can all argue about the cause, but no matter what the changes are coming and they are not good.  Fishing Grand Isle several times, often years apart, the changes are terrible.  The islands we smoked the trout on one trip are gone, and I mean 8 or 10 of them.  Watching the GPS while running it looks like you are driving on islands.  The owner of Bridgeside Marina says you can literally watch them disappear.  The changes to the coast are coming, and unfortunately they are all bad.

https://www.yahoo.com/news/sea-level-rise-accelerating-along-183420600.html

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We have some weather coming tomorrow late, with a chance of rain and thunderstorms in the morning.  Overnight the low will be 51 degrees, only getting to 56 on Wednesday with 25 mph winds.  Nothing like a good cold front to change things.  I will try to get in some fishing tomorrow, and after that we will just have to wait and see.  So keep stopping in and thanks for reading my stuff.

Good Luck and Tight Lines