FISH CATCHING TRAVEL

Brought to you by

Don’t Leave Home Without It.  I don’t!

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They are still eating the pearl Controlled Descent Jerk Shad.

It was about 10:00, cloudy, misty, and fairly calm, so instead of doing something responsible I went to the lake.  Did not even check the weather or levels, just went.  When I got there it was done misting but cloudy and the water temp was back in the low to high 70’s depending on where you were.  And with the wind down I was able to fish a couple of places that have been just pounded by the wind and I could not fish them effectively the last few trips.  I started with the pearl Jerk Shad in cover and the bite was on.  And from that point it was bites everywhere I fished, and they hit a variety of things.

******************Fresh or salt it has a place in your arsenal.

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

The one on the right was the first one that was beat up and obviously spawning.

But the big news – They are on the beds all over the lake.  The really slow drop in the lake level combined with a little more clearing has them visible.  As in sticking out like a sore thumb.  Now I don’t bed fish, and as off color as it still is not sure how well you could see them, but it looks like they are having at it

4 baits caught fish today, I specifically tried to figure it out a little more.  2 came on a whacky hooked bubble gum trick worm, which wasn’t bad for how little I fished it.  Same with buzzbait, caught 2 and missed a couple.  The Bang O Lure caught 4 or 5, just working it along the top fairly quick, constantly jerking and twitching it under.  But the pearl Jerk Shad is the hands down preferred bait, at least for me.

Bait was flipping here and there today, and where it was shallow with cover and bait there were fish.  The best fish came on a little deeper main lake bank with tons of cover.  It was not fast by any means, but walking the dog with the Jerk Shad by far got the most bites.  It was important to twitch it by a bush, stump, or stick, and get ready.  I even intentionally re-fished a bank and was able to catch one more.  The coves continue to be the best and some of them are just loaded with beds.

I definitely missed the good bite earlier in the morning.  The weather was perfect, and not sure what the difference was from yesterday but today was much better.  No big ones today but it was good fishing, with plenty of bites.  And I love actually watching them rolling up and eating the Jerk Shad, or the Bang O Lure when it is pulled under.   Though that bite has been tougher with it so hard to see to far down.  The just materialize and eat.  So good day for a 5 hour trip.  But the lake sure has been bi-polar and you don’t know which one it will be.  But things are looking up, with the forecast including maybe over 3″ of rain through Monday morning things can, and will change.

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And the wildlife was having a party today.  I saw a big racoon working the shoreline looking for a treat.  The turkeys were in full gooble today, and a couple on opposite sides of the lake were having a gobbling contest.  But the coolest thing was way in the back of a big cove there were 4 deer on the shore as I eased around the corner and caught them by surprise.  They took off and then a big gator, one I have seen there for years, came trolling out of some brush on the bank.  It looked like he was up there just hanging waiting for one of the deer to make a mistake.  Not sure, but the wildlife was just as active as the fish.  Always a good sign.  And one bad sign, if on the way to the lake the cows are laying down.

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It looks like after a long drought the fishing is finally on the upswing.  Though the big fish are a little tough right now the fish are on the beds and it should finally stabilize.  I was hoping to fish the bay today but need to pick up the skiff at the dealer after it’s annual service and run a few more errands.  I always dread the call when it is done, hoping for no additional problems but not this time.  Compression 152 across all 3 cylinders, great news.  Today I will finally make the “where to” decision for next week.  Funny how when you can go anywhere it turns into a tough decision.   So keep stopping in and thanks for reading my stuff.

Good Luck and Tight Lines

FISH CATCHING TRAVEL

Brought to you by

Don’t Leave Home Without It.  I don’t!

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I just want to say Happy Anniversary to the Boss.  30 years and counting, the best years of my life.  I always say I married above my station and I could not have been luckier if I tried.  So Happy Anniversary Nancy.  You are the bomb.

Weather

54/75.  Cloudy followed by a 60% chance of rain and thundershowers in the afternoon.  Wind ESE 15 – 25mph.

Lake Level

Today  98.05 msl.   Friday  98.09 msl.

Solunar Times

Best  9:55 am to 11:55 am.  (The day is classed as Great.  We shall see.) 

******************Fresh or salt it has a place in your arsenal.

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

These are the days I live for on Coleto, and most anywhere else I bass fish.  Warm, clouds, drizzle, and wind.  What could be more perfect for a day of bass fishing.  I often have trouble falling asleep just thinking about catching some real ones.  But Alas!

It was perfect when I dropped the boat in the water.  And to make a long story short, it has been Ground Hog day all over again on the lake since December, it was shorts, shorts, and some more shorts.  3 in the first cove, 4 in the third place, it went like that all day.  The Bang O Lure and pearl Controlled Descent Jerk Shad produced the bites, small bites.  I finally went to buzzbait for the last hour just trying to entice a big bite, but no cigar, though the one I did catch on it was about the size of a cigar.  And I could not buy a bite pitching to wood.  Like it has been, an easy dozen plus, but all small.  I did not even have a smell from a real fish today.

Where are their girlfriends?

To say I am puzzled would be putting it mildly.  Like the random tournament fisherman said when he stopped his boat as I was fishing a couple of months ago:  “Where the &^%* are the big fish?”  Are they coming to the bank?  There are tons of small males up shallow and one I caught today did have evidence he was fanning a bed, the rest, no indication of spawning.  This time of year  they should be beat up no matter where we are in the spawn.  What has me concerned is the numbers I am catching.  It has been consistent and after a while sheer luck should play a part.  Catch enough and the big fish odds come in your favor, whether you are on the correct pattern or not.

So what to do?  To tell the truth I am not sure  as far as the lake goes.  Of course the bay is an option tomorrow, as is a little travel.  And both of them are in my immediate future.  Next week looks like it is off to Falcon for 3 or 4 days.  Then the next week a day of fishing and then a wolf trek in Montana, then the day I get home a turn and burn to the Chandeleurs Islands with the Wade Right guys in the first week in May  But since it is raining as I type this I can not help myself, I am headed back to the lake for the afternoon. I have always said it is in the doing and I can either hang out and waste the day or put on the rainsuit and go fishing for a while.  What an easy choice.  So keep stopping in and thanks for reading my stuff.

Good Luck and Tight Lines

FISH CATCHING TRAVEL

Brought to you by

Don’t Leave Home Without It.  I don’t!

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

After a basketball weekend time to at least fish for a little bit.  And boy were the games good.  It was 42 degrees when I got up this morning so it is just a matter of waiting for it to get around the 50 degree mark before heading out.  Plus I would suspect that if they do bite the afternoon would seem to be better, but as usual, you only know when you go.

******************Fresh or salt it has a place in your arsenal.

Weather

61/40.  Sunshine and clouds mixed with 0% chance of rain.  Wind NNE 10 – 15mph.

Lake Level

Today  98.09 msl.  Friday  98.07 msl.

Solunar Times 

No relevant period today.  Day classed as poor.

The Fishing Met My Expectation

I figured it would be tough with the big cold front, and if there was a bite it would be in the afternoon, and both were correct.  I waited until after 10:00 when it finally reached 50 degrees.  When I got to the lake the wind was out of the North at 15 mph and it was not exactly pleasant.  The first indication of things to come, the water temp at the ramp was 65 degrees, down 5 since Friday.  And the rest of the lake, 66 or so.  One back end of a cove was 63, a 14 degree drop from Friday.  In fact, there was a couple of times I made a move and wondered if the gauge was stuck.  So in some places the water temp dropped a good 10 degrees.  And the first place was a good indication of the affects of the front.

In the first cove 8 took a run at the Bang O Lure, and only 3 hooked up, all small.   Their heart was not in it.  But the one pattern that continues to hold fish is coves with grass.  It won’t be long even at this slow drop where those places will be done.  So after at least seeing some fish up in the first cove I headed up lake to fish my “old reliable” banks, where the temp had dropped 8 degrees and it had some color.  And like it has been the fishing up lake is not as good as down lake.  I intentionally fished a long stretch with a swim jig, and only caught a small with no other bites.  So I headed back in a big cove up lake and caught 3, again all smalls.  A couple on the pearl Controlled Descent Jerk Shad and one on spinnerbait.

After that a couple of main lake banks that usually are good spinnerbait banks this time of year and nothing.  It was getting late so time for the most consistent cove the last month.  And 6 or 7 jumped on, again all small males.  It was the same place where I flipped the wood on Friday without success.  Today twitch the Jerk Shad by a stump or lay down on the same bank and out they came.  You never know.  One more cover produces another 4 or 5, again all on the Jerk Shad.  So they were definitely biting.  And there are beds, not sure if I can see them better as the water clears, or they are new.  I slid over to look at a big bed and one eased off when I got close.  I don’t bed fish, but if you do it looks like it is available right now.  So at 6:30 I called it a day.  No pictures, trust me they were dinks and I sure don’t want to look at them again.  But the day went exactly like I expected.

It looks like there is going to be a later spawn.  There were several beds here and there, it seems the cold front just ran the better ones off.  So while today was less than stellar, it was to be expected.  I still believe the good fishing is yet to come, maybe in the next few days.  But with it being 36 degrees this morning it might be a day or two.  But the sun is shining and hope springs eternal.  I am a glass half full fisherman, and expect to fill that glass every time I get on the water.

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And Rusty our Fayette guru sent along this comment.

Good morning Doug! After a long fight with the flu, I am back on the water. Fayette lake has been giving up lots a fish if you can dodge the craziness of the spring break crowd. I was throwing a watermelon lizard most of the time. From 2′-12′ . Couple of us fly tyers are tying at the annual Sowbug show in Mountain home this weekend. Of course, we are also trout fishing and have been catching some nice rainbows and browns. Weather is about to change so outcomes the big boy gear .
Tight lines my friend,
Rusty

Looked up the Sowbug Roundup and it looks like all things fly tying.  And best of all you get to wet a line in the White.  When I moved there a fly fisherman was a rare sight.  We called them “Beaners”.  Now before anybody gets their panties in a wad it was not a racial slur, it was a shopping slur, as in LL Bean.  One thing that makes the White what it is is pretty good access, and there are fish in every inch of it.  So have a good time and maybe that 15lb brown will cooperate.  I just might slip up to Fayette this week on one of the poorer weather days, keeps folks to a dull roar.  And it is going to be cool here too so bundle up.  Good to hear from you.

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A Dilemma 

I have a problem that lots of folks would love to have, I can go somewhere next week, as in anywhere within reason.  Australia would be my first choice but lets not get totally carried away.  So for this week I will be looking at Norfork Lake, Grand Isle, Falcon, Amistad, the Laguna, and anywhere else I can think of.  Now one might think that would be a simple proposition, but hardly so.  With the fishing in full spring mode in all those places, and the weather beginning to settle some, all are in play.  It would be nice to stay at one of the old resorts I used to guide for on Norfork.  There is a lot to be said for having the boat in a stall and just walking down and fishing, plus the time is right in North Arkansas and it would be a short learning curve.  Louisiana would be several days of redfish on spinnerbait, love the Fourchon marsh.  And big bass on Falcon, what is not to like about that?  So I will fret, and look, and fret, and watch the weather, and fret.  But if that is my biggest problem right now no worries!

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Tommy, a reader who is a good tournament fisherman and holder of a lake bass record dropped me comment after my big fish the other day.  He catches a lot of big fish and wondered if the one I caught on Friday was 7 or 8, and I believe he was exactly right.  Since I don’t weigh them anymore I never put a guess on the big girls, it keeps the trolls down.  But that one Friday was a big bodied, egg swollen pig.  When I lifted her out of the water the weight was immediately apparent.  One thing about pictures, they either do them justice or not.  In this case she was all that.

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And I got this comment from Donny and all I can say is better late than never.

Ok saw your post 3/25/19 Coleto Creek.
Also saw your list for 2012, kind of late I know, but I can help you with two items.
#3. Take at least 5 new people fishing with me.
I volunteer.
#8. Figure out the crappies on Coletto Creek.
Been meaning to try this, maybe white bass too.

Went to high school in victoria (before they made the lake), live down in rockport now, not too far to drive up and chase crappie or whites.

I always wonder how much of this thing folks read.  But from 2012!  So tell you what, we can at least deal with number 3 at some point.  The whites are done here until they set up on their summer haunts down lake a couple of months from now, but the crappie never stop biting on Coleto.  So I will keep your email address and when the urge strikes to catch a few for the pan I will drop you a note.  Thanks for reading.

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This spring has been nothing short of a weather adventure.  We have had extremes day to day, and often in the same day, and this weekend was a perfect example.  It blew so hard last night it shook the house.  And our high basically went from 75 to 50 degrees, and it was 45 degrees when I got up this morning and will not see the 60’s for 2 days.  What is interesting is we are down over 3″ in rainfall even with front after front.  And though it drizzled some this morning it looks like it won’t amount to much.  The weather has played a bigger role in my fishing decisions this year than any I can remember.  And it will be the most important factor in where I head in a week.

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Looking at the weather for the rest of the week it looks like Friday will be bay day.  I haven’t spent a day boat fishing for reds in while, but it is hard not to get in the water with them.  And after today’s sun and warming temps the lake should get the bass going and with clouds and rain in the forecast the next couple of days it should be big fish time.  So keep stopping in and thanks for reading my stuff.

Good Luck and Tight Lines

FISH CATCHING TRAVEL

Brought to you by

Don’t Leave Home Without It.  I don’t!

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

With the winds supposed to be off the chart on the coast it will be a lake day.  Just not interested with potential gusts to 30mph.  At least at the lake you can find a hidey hole and if it gets to be to much of hassle just call it a day.  Plus Tuesday and Wednesday look good so it will be back to the coast.  Just might try to catch a red while I am at it.  So just have to see how tomorrow goes, I am due for a big bass.

Weather

82/65.  Partly cloudy with a 20% chance of stray shower.  Wind 15 – 25 mph.  With higher gusts possible.

Lake Level

Today  98.07 msl.   Monday  98.11 msl.   A super slow drop.

Solunar Times

Best  6:18 am to 8:18am.  Day is classed as poor.

******************Fresh or salt it has a place in your arsenal.

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

Good Timing This Morning

The lake is down just a hair, you can see it, the water temps varied between 70 and 77, and there are still some off colored coves.  One of my favorites for some reason is ugly, and in places like that it would only be a bite or two.  As you can see above it was almost calm when I got there, but by 10:00 it was blowing like crazy, making fishing a little tough.  And it never let up a drop all day.

Finally stuck a good one.

First up was a big cove with grassy areas.  I started with the pearl Controlled Descent Jerk Shad and had several bites, and landed maybe one small one.  I wondered if it was a hair to fast for them, or maybe my rod is to stiff and I am jerking it out of their mouth before they get it.  They just were not eating it so time for the Bang O Lure.  And first one jumped on it, then the one above.  She flushed it the minute it hit the water with one of those boils we all know and love.  It was one of those bass that are big from one end to the other, she was solid and the biggest bass I have caught this year.

From that point on I kept after it with the Bang O Lure and the Jerk Shad.  It was never fast by any means, and with the lake white capping there were some places off limits for that style of fishing.  The best places are still in the coves, and I fished one long stretch of main lake stuff without so much as a sniff.  Once the wind was up for a couple of hours time to give the spinnerbait a go, and while I did catch a small and miss another, it was not happening.

This one smoked the pearl Controlled Descent Jerk Shad.  That’s the tip of it barely sticking out of her mouth.

After noon the bites were slim but sticking with the coves most produced at least one bite.  And the one above hit it halfway back to the boat and there was no missing her.  One thing that is pretty apparent, they are not chasing squat, at least not for me.  Plus, to make them eat the Jerk Shad it has to be walked perfect, and if it is to fast it seems like they tend to hit “at” it.  Slowing down with the Bang O Lure gave them plenty of time to look at it.  And I did catch one pitching to a piece of wood when one missed the Bang O Lure.  I flipped back to it with a small creature style bait and caught one.  Of course that fooled me a little so I turned around and went back through flipping wood, not a bite.  For the rest of the day it was fast enough to keep it interesting and it was nice to boat a couple of good ones.

The best places, coves with grass.  Most of the bites are coming right on the bank, but as usual with these types of baits the big fish may come way off the bank, especially with the BOL.  The best bait?  To be determined but we might be heading to topwater, like now.  And one thing does have me a little puzzled, none of the 13 or so I caught today had any evidence of spawning activity.  The first good one had a belly full, which really added to her weight.  So who knows, no matter what it was nice to catch a couple of nice ones.  A little more like it.

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And SA Joe dropped this comment on my suggestion that we have the cleanup every year of lines left out.

Doug,

Awww shucks my fishing line got stuck on those ” forgotten limb lines, jugs, and trot lines”. Out comes the knife to clear my line and collect any lines that I can. That goes for the pond, creeks, lakes that I fish around San Antonio. There are miles of abandoned lines. I look for names, tags and dates. When I dont find. I take them down. People should be more responsible when they put them out. I wonder how many people got hooked swimming and ran into these.

TPWD: Trotlines in fresh water must be used with a valid gear tag. Properly marked buoys or floats qualify as valid gear tags. Gear tags must be attached within 3 feet of the first hook at each end of the trotline and are valid for 10 days after the date set out.

Spot on.  Maybe I really did have a good idea.  No reason for that stuff to be hanging everywhere and doing nothing but  hurting wildlife and fishermen.  Just might send the suggestion to TPWD.  Thanks for commenting.

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The Boss and I hit the Aransas Wildlife park Thursday for a hike and a little wildlife viewing.  The wind was howling and the birds were not moving around like usual but got some good shots of Whoopers and the gators were enjoying the sun.

Still getting used to the new camera.  You can reach out a long way with the 600 lens, but it requires a steady hand.  The Sony is completely different than the Cannons I have used for years.  But the Whoopers above were way out there and my favorite shot is the face shot on the gator above.  Hope you enjoyed a couple of them.

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The last 7 days have been great around fishcatchingtravel.com.  Big Bend, the lake twice with finally a big fish, and a nice mess of trout, not to mention the trip to the Aransas Wildlife area.  I expect next week to be more of the same.  A big cold front with rain is coming tomorrow, and will last into Monday.  They are talking a high in the 50’s with rain Sunday.  Who knows what that will do to the fishing.  But no matter what I will be out there.  So keep stopping in and thanks for reading my stuff.

Good Luck and Tight Lines

FISH CATCHING TRAVEL

Brought to you by

Don’t Leave Home Without It.  I don’t!

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

As I “recover” from the less than stellar trip to Coleto 2 days ago there is no easier way (Can’t believe I am saying easier, we shall see.)  than hitting the bay and catching a few fish.  The only thing I am hoping from the forecast is give me the clouds, but otherwise spring is here.  So the plan is POC tomorrow morning at first light for a combined wading and boat fishing day.  Might even keep a couple for the pan.

Weather

70/62.  Partly cloudy with a 10% of rain.   Wind E 10 – 20mph.  (They got the east part right, but forgot to add a North to it.  And it blew a good 20!)

Tides

Low 5:10 am – 0.0   High  5:59 – 0.7

Solunar Period

Good 7:00 to 9:00 am.  (No big tides and prolonged rise.  Classed as moderate.) 

******************Fresh or salt it has a place in your arsenal.

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

It was not quite sunrise when I got to Froggie’s, there were only 2 trucks in the lot.  The wind was blowing a good 15mph out of the NE, the water temp was 70 degrees, really clear, and the tide was out.  It was not super low, but low enough.

It looked ok for wading the Barroom shoreline so I started there.  Unfortunately the wind was blowing right down the pike, and would become a real issue after noon.  My first wade resulted in one huge flush on a topwater, to bad he missed it by a foot.  So it kept me there a little longer than I should have but finally I gave that up and headed across the bay.

A good dozen of these.  No big ones but solids.

First up, and last, was my old faithful cut.  It was not really out of the wind, making the cast directly into it.  By now it was blowing.  To get it to the bottom in 5 – 6 foot of water I had to go to a 1/4 ounce jig head, heavy for me, on the DOA Cal.  It is a compact bait and with the heavier jig head you could keep some feel.

The water just started to run with the wind behind it and like last trip the trout were positioned on 2 hops down the drop.  It took a perfect cast, again reminding me of trout fishing on the White River.  It needed to fall with the tide, in other words go with the bait.  4 or 5 jumped on, but with the wind it was tough to feel and I missed several.  I did have 3 or 4 blowups on topwater but never got a hook in one.  Turned out one area on the flat was rat reds, I caught 2 but that was the size of it for redfish.

When I moved and the bite was on.

On the other side of the cut there was some activity shallow, so I idled way around and worked that bank to the cut.  At this point the wind is at my back and the water is moving pretty good.  I did see a couple of tailing redfish, but by time I make it close they were gone.  But I did foul hook a huge mullet and all I could think about was drifting fresh cut for blue cats.  But I digress.

After I worked my way to the other side of the cut there was an eddy and the bite was on.  I really think that when I was on the other side casting into the wind the fish were probably right in front of me, waiting on that side for bait.  So now I could throw it right on the edge, hop it up, let it hit bottom, hop it again and fish on.  Plus I switched to spinning gear and 8lb line and the feel was much better, and they were smacking it.  I worked them over pretty good but they finally got tired of me catching and releasing, along with several that pulled off.

Around 1:00 I decided to head back, maybe a little boat fishing in Big Bayou, but by now it was really blowing.  Nothing like those big 3 footers coming on your side and giving you the occasional saltwater bath.  As I ran down Grass Island to Falwell it was blowing hard enough that it looked like a boat yard.  It was fishable, and it looked like everybody had the same idea.  So after the beat down coming across, and the 20mph plus straight line wind, discretion was the better part of valor and I called it a day.  The trout have been consistent the last 4 trips.  I am not the best trout fisherman by any stretch, but I can catch redfish.  Why the last few trips I did not catch a good one or two is puzzling.  But I am not looking a gift fish in the mouth.  It was a good day.

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I am sure most of you have heard the state went to a 5 fish trout limit on the whole coast.  And there are a couple of other saltwater changes per TPWD.

• Extending the 5 fish bag limit for spotted seatrout to the upper coast, creating a coast-wide 5 fish bag limit.
• Requiring the use of non-offset, non-stainless steel circle hooks when fishing for sharks in state waters, except when fishing with artificial lures.
• Increasing the minimum size limit to 40 inches total length for Cobia.
• Closing oyster restoration areas in Galveston Bay, Matagorda Bay and Copano Bay for 2 harvest seasons.

TPWD has a great website loaded with information and it is incumbent on all of us to keep tabs on them.  They do not always get it right but they sure did on the 5 fish limit.  Any of us who fish a lot know it definitely helped in our area with the average size of the trout.  No big scientific study here, I just know it sure seems there are more “better” fish since the limit change.

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And on the subject of TPWD and CCA I do have a couple of opinions, imagine that.  First there has been progress and CCA deserves credit for much of what it does.  But one thing the state and coast is sorely needing is more ramps.  It sure would be nice that as funds are allocated for projects by both organizations better access for all of us would be included.  I do not have to tell you, from now through September most ramps on the weekend are nuts, entertaining at times, but nuts.

And the TPWD crab trap removal project is a great thing.  We need the same program in fresh water.  All the freshwater lakes I fish, and I do mean all, have plenty of forgotten limb lines, jugs, and trot lines.  It would be a great thing if 1 week a year the same rules apply, if it is there it can be picked up.  Having found a catfish hanging out of the water, a blue heron hooked on a limb line, and trot lines covered in moss that have not been tended in months, the problem is real.  Just a thought.

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The last 4 trips to the bay have been easy limits.  And today the fish were nice fatties, a healthy indication that the 5 fish limit has helped.  While the wind shortened my day it sure beat the lake.  But as you all know by now I will keep banging my head against that wall until I figure it out.  Spring is finally here and it is back to fishing a lot more, and I will be on the water somewhere tomorrow.  So keep stopping in and thanks for reading my stuff.

Good Luck and Tight Lines

FISH CATCHING TRAVEL

Brought to you by

Don’t Leave Home Without It.  I don’t!

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

                                 The sun comes up over the Davis Mountains. 

It is not all about the fishing all the time here.  We love the outdoors and no place meets that description better than Big Bend.  The people, the mountains, animals, and everything else that makes this place magical.

And turn around and the Super Moon set over the mountain.

We stayed in Alpine at the Maverick as by time we decided to go it was to late and most places were full as it was spring break.  The Maverick was fine as it had a kitchenette so we could do breakfast and lunch as we would be gone all day.  It is around a 50 mile drive to the park, but the drive itself is beautiful so no big deal.  We spent a long day in the park and then a day at the Fort Davis State Park hiking and driving that area.  The sunrise on the mountain in both parks was worth the early morning drive.  Sunrises and sunsets can not be beat in that part of the world.

What is not to like about this?

My must do on this trip was to drive the river road.  It runs along the Rio Grand for around 60 miles in the park.  It is in the middle of nowhere and there are signs warning you to not mess up, because help may be a while, if you are lucky.  So we headed out and when we got close to the end there is a 8 mile road called Black Pass road, a no maintenance road if that gives you a clue, that I wanted to take.  The signs are clear, high clearance 4wheel only, and they were not kidding.  But our truck is the trail edition, and if we had tried that in our last 4Runner we would have definitely got hung up, the extra couple of inches made the difference.  Going through the pass itself was a trip, but one I am so glad we made.  The truck has a few new scratches on it and the tail pipe got flattened going through the pass but overall so worth it.  Where Black Pass goes off River Road there was a bunch of jeep club folks having a brew, I assume after negotiating Black Pass.  I would have done the same if I had one with me.  It was a trip.  The whole 70 miles took us 5 hours, and was the highlight of my trip. One word of caution, if I did Black Pass again I would be sure to go with another vehicle just in case.

On this trip we did not see the usual amount of animals.  As it was spring break there were folks everywhere, which combined with the full Super moon kept the wildlife down.  There were plenty of antelope but not the usual amount mule deer, and we did not see a javelina this trip.  Of course jackrabbits and roadrunners were out.  But the hiking and driving was great as usual, you never know what you will see around any corner.  We made 2 hikes, it would have been 3 but the River Road trip took longer than we thought.

                       One cool animal!                       Buggin’ out!

Supper on the hoof.

Much of the stuff was blooming and it was awesome.  We also stopped at a nature park and some of these cactus were in in their hot house, others we took on our hike.  Amazing how some place so brown produces such color when the time is right.

Cactus of the Chihuahuan Desert

One of the more interesting parts of the trip actually happened on the way home.  As it cracked daylight we saw a cow elk, which are not that plentiful in the area.  And as we are riding along discussing all the things we saw on our drive we joked about seeing some illegals, migrants, refugees, or what ever we are supposed to call them.  (Sorry if that is not politically correct but us old guys get easily confused.)  Should probably just call them people, that is what they are.

                                  Look to your left – Look to your right.

Be there at daylight, always worth the effort.

We were on a long flat stretch not that far off the border, and I mean in an area with not a thing is sight for miles when we came across 3 young guys walking along the highway.  Now no way they were out for their morning constitutional, there was nothing there, and I mean nothing for 30 miles in either direction.  Just then a border patrol truck comes over the hill, flips on his lights, and pulls over.  Not sure whether they missed their ride or what, but they were about to be arrested.  The area was not that far off the border and probably one of the easier walks around as we could see the Mexican mountains and it was flat as a pancake all the way to the river.

We hiked to the top of a mountain and then to the top of this.  On the side was a crow nesting.  I took both of these pictures from the same place.

Then another immigration experience at the check point.  As we pulled up an officer spoke with the truck in front of us waiting his turn.  The agent went around to the front of their truck and messed with the bumper.  Then they pulled up to the stop, an agent and his dog walked around the truck and the pooch set down in front of the bumper.  Jackpot!  What happened was the first agent put some dope in the truck to let the dog find it, which he did.  Then he went crazy for the ball reward.  Guess it was just practice, but it was cool.

I never get tired of this!

So another successful trip to Big Bend.  We love the quiet, and did not turn the truck radio on during our drives.  Though there were a lot more folks around it was great to stop on the River Road and listen to nothing.  And that area attracts an eclectic bunch of folks, the kind of folks we gee and haw with.  Like Colorado, New Mexico, and other places, it is an outdoor lifestyle that our “normal” life does not really include.  Much to be said for that.

Good Luck and Tight Lines

FISH CATCHING TRAVEL

Brought to you by

Don’t Leave Home Without It.  I don’t!

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

We had a great time in Big Bend this weekend.  I have some pictures and a story or two and will get to that in the next couple of days.  But now that I am home it is back on the water.  After catching a bunch of smalls last trip I am really looking forward to a good day.  And the weather sure looks “bassy”.  Will be out early and staying late as long as the fish keep cooperating.  The only way to know is to go.

Weather

82./56.  Cloudy with a 20%  chance of a stray shower.  Wind W 5 – 10mph.

Lake Level

Today  98.11 msl.   6 days ago 98.17 msl.

Solunar Times

Good 9:12 am to 11:12 am.  Best  3:25 pm to 5:25 pm.

******************Fresh or salt it has a place in your arsenal.

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

OMG.  I often wonder if even doing a report on a day like this is worth it, but it comes with the territory.  Another day of smalls, in fact I refuse to put up a couple of pictures, you have seen that this spring and I will not subject you (Or me.)  to that again.  As I have said over and over, I just don’t get it.  At least the rest of the critters were moving around some.

Several were out hunting today.

Getting there at daylight it looked great.  Down just a little, water definitely clearing, and the water temp was 76 at the ramp.  In fact, the lowest I found was 72 and it was 78 in a couple of places.  First up was a cove about half way up lake and 3 jumped on the buzzbait, all small.  3 or 4 in the next cove on the buzzbait, all shorts.  From there to make a long story short it was one here or there, coves being the best, and other than losing one that would have made a picture, it was all smalls.

I am sure he caught some fish today!

I fished way up both arms, and as the day warmed and cleared the wind quit, the rest of the bites all came on the pearl Controlled Descent Paddle Shad.  And as it slicked off they even started just rolling on it and tail biting.  Finally I switched up and started pitching/flipping to cover up the river.  There are plenty of targets up lake, and not a touch.  I even hit my favorite brush pile, not a touch.  That probably puzzles me more than anything, even slowing down and putting it right in their face, if they are even there which I am beginning to doubt, did not get it done.  Finally at 4:00 I just could not take it anymore.

They are always so busy when moving around in the daytime.

When I got back to the ramp the “Ramp Watcher” was there as usual and I went to speak to him as I figured he was there this weekend, which he was.  As we saw several bass boats headed back to the San Antonio area on our way home Sunday night I figured there was a tournament on Coleto, and there was.  The Watcher reported just as he has seen the last month they struggled and reported lots of smalls but no big fish.  Now don’t think that you can not catch a big fish at any moment, but where they are I can not tell you because I sure do not know.

And the best comment on my day.  These guys were circling my worthless carcass. 

So the unusual spring on Coleto continues.  Normally putting multiple smalls in the boat means you will get a shot at a big, but it has not been that way.  It would be off to the bay today but the 4Runner is going in for a recall on the airbag so I am shore bound.  Sorry to subject you to this less than stellar report but it was what it was.  Stumped, flummoxed, puzzled, dumbfounded, confused, pissed, worried, and any other descriptive word you can think of.  Especially since I really expected it to be better.  Over the last 40 years I have seen some changes on the various bodies of water I have fished, but this might be the most unusual.

In spite of Coleto fishing, the next month holds plenty of promise in the fishing department.  Montana for trout or pike depending on how their spring is going, then as soon as I return it is turn around the next day and head to the Chandeleurs Islands with the Wade Right guys.  And next week the Boss is out of town and I have the week to do, or go, somewhere.  My initial thoughts on that are Falcon, Amistad, the upper laguna, or Grand Isle La.  Not a bad quandary to have.  Tomorrow I will post the pictures and report on our trip to the Big Bend area.  We had an adventure or two and saw some crazy things.  And today I will resolve the ongoing trailer light thing one way of the other and do a general walk around on the boat and trailer making sure it is ready for a trip.  So keep stopping in and thanks for reading my stuff.

Good Luck and Tight Lines

FISH CATCHING TRAVEL

Brought to you by

Don’t Leave Home Without It.  I don’t!

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

Weather

72/52.  Mix of clouds and sun with 0% chance of rain.  Wind  E 10 – 20mph.

Lake Level

Today  98.17 msl.   Yesterday  98.16 msl

Solunar Times

Best   9:54 am to 11:54 am.  Only relevant period day is classed as Good.

******************Fresh or salt it has a place in your arsenal.

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

When I got to the lake this morning it was blowing pretty good out of the NE, but the water temp was the same and it is clearing quite a bit in some areas.  So why is this happy hour?  Because the boys are all there but the girls have not yet arrived.  And that is exactly what is going on at the lake right now.  Here is the run of the morning, which included an easy 20+, they are biting.

This is what they looked like all day.

4 jumped on in the first cove, and from there at least one, and as many as 6 or 7 in one cove, came every where I fished.  Most came on the pearl Controlled Descent Jerk Shad, and 3 or 4 on the Bang O lure.  I threw the BOL a little in the first 2 places after missing several on the Jerk Shad, you can fish the Bang O Lure slower if they are missing the Jerk Shad, but once it warmed up the Jerk Shad was the ticket.  A white swim jig, and I did toss a spinnerbait on a windy bank before I quit, both produced zip.  The fish initially were not in quite the same place, probably due to the air temps cooling off the shallows.  But from then on when you caught one there was usually some others with them.  I did have a pretty good fish to the boat, but she managed to pull off.

In fact, in 2 coves I caught them almost all the way in the back ends.  Yesterday they tended to be a little further out, but the boys are bellied up to the bar, and the girls should be right behind them.   The best places were still grassy, out of the direct wind.  And a quick comment on today’s weather.  No mix of and sun clouds, it was cloudy and drizzled and the wind blew at the top of the projection.  It never did get as warm on the water as yesterday, but I definitely got a lot more bites.  A function of me keeping with the plan, and more fish moving up.

And here is my theory and I am sticking to it.  We are a couple of days from the full moon and the next week could be some fabulous fishing.  If I were not headed out of town it would be everyday for a little bit.  Since the better fish have been absent when they come it might be something.  I saw a couple of beds today, but none of the fish had any physical evidence that they were bedding.  And the ramp watcher told me a club was in town this weekend and it took 10lbs to win, so still no big girls at the dance, but that has to change.  Their genetics mandate spawning, and it is about to happen, and like I wondered earlier this winter, they have to come sooner or later and now is the time.  Add that to a combination super moon and worm moon on Wednesday and the state is set.  As the day wore on they bit better and the best is yet to come.

We on the other hand will be headed to Big Bend tomorrow.  It is one of my favorite close trips.  The mountains, desert, critters, the park has it all.  We also plan on visiting a state park close that has the biggest population of Big Horn and seeing one would be something.  Looks like we will have to hike in to the area so all that time on the tread mill is good for something.  But as soon as I get back it will be back on the water somewhere.  Then 2 weeks later I have a completely open week as the Boss will be out of town.  Maybe Arkansas?  Maybe Louisiana?  So many places so little time.  So keep stopping in and thanks for reading my stuff, and have a great weekend!

Good Luck and Tight Lines

FISH CATCHING TRAVEL

Brought to you by

Don’t Leave Home Without It.  I don’t!

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

Tomorrow is Monday, (Preparing some of this Sunday.) and if it is Monday it must be Coleto.  I refuse to give up, it seems impossible that they are not going to bite.  There will be another bait added as I continue to try to figure out what is going on this spring.  The weather looks good so it will be off around 7:30 for a day on the lake.

Weather

70/50.  Early clouds then partly cloudy late with 0% chance of rain.  Wind  ENE 10 – 15mph.

Lake Level

Today  98.17 msl.  9 days ago  98.29 msl.

Solunar Times

Best  9:02 am to 11:02 am.  Only relevant period.  Day is classed as average.

******************Fresh or salt it has a place in your arsenal.

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

It was cloudy with the wind out of the north around 10 – 15mph when I got there, and that remained the same all day. And other than a little sun during the afternoon it was cloudy.  The water temp was basically 65 – 68 over most of the lake, down just a little.  And the color, while still ugly in some places, is finally starting to clear some.

I wanted to start in a big spawning cove up lake that was somewhat protected from the wind.  The color was not the best but the temp was 64.  Swim jig was up first, and before I left that cove I boated 4 and missed one.  That one slack lined me, which was probably a good one.  They were all within a few feet of the bank.  Next up was another cove, and I only caught one in there, but at least they were biting.  So down lake to another flatter cove and another one jumped on.  They were hitting it pretty good, but the next place was really clear considering how it has been.  So with a them hitting it near the cover and good water color it was time for today’s plan, the pearl Controlled Descent Jerk Shad.  Good choice.

Nothing big today but a real consistent bite.

Starting on the point of the cove I got one, then another.  To make a long story short from around 11:00 until I quit at 4:00 they bit consistently, only one cove did not produce a fish.  Once I figured out the pattern it was nice to catch some fish.  They tended to be near grass more than anything else, especially if it was a little protected.  I rigged the Jerk Shad with a VMC 1/16th ounce swim bait hook on 15lb test.  The way the hook is made the weight sits near the bend of the hook, and it actually acts somewhat like a keel.  The reason that was important was it makes it a lot easier to work it like a spook.  If it was not to thick I left the tip of the barb exposed which helped with the hook ups.  Walking the dog right below the surface they would just roll up and hit it.  No nice rhythmic walk the dog, no bites.

They were flat smokin’ the Controlled Descent Jerk Shad.

From barely getting a bite most of the month to a nice numbers day is puzzling, but welcome.  It was an easy 15 today, and I managed to miss a big one, but she better not be on that same piece of cover tomorrow or she is in the boat.  My best guess right now, they are finally coming.  It is supposed to stay warm and the fishing just might be something.  The big girls have been absent for the most part but that is about to change.   Feels good to have a descent report on Coleto.

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

And I got this comment on cheating in tournaments from SA Joe.

https://outdoors360.com/angler-indicted-for-trimming-bass-tail-to-win-tournament/

Disgusting !!!!! One reason i stopped fishing tournaments. We even had a military bass tourney for retired, active, civilians working for the military. Heard one time they were snagging fish on beds, had hook marks in side and such. I quit after that. If military type people are cheating for 5k, imagine what they do for 10k plus !!!!!

All I have to say about that is one word -SAD.

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

So I am definitely wound up, and it will be off in the morning for a long day of it before heading to Big Bend.  And tomorrow it will be walking the dog with the pearl Jerk Shad, and I mean just that.  If I had started with it earlier it would have even been a better day.  I fished from way up the Coleto arm to past the plant.  The best coves tended to be mid lake and that will be the primary focus.  Tomorrow has the potential to be a big fish day, and if fate decides to shine, along with some good technique, and  it just might happen.  So keep stopping in and thanks for reading my stuff.

Good Luck and Tight Lines

FISH CATCHING TRAVEL

Brought to you by

Don’t Leave Home Without It.  I don’t!

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

The weather is finally straightening up a little here in Victoria.  No fishing this weekend but it will be back on the water in the morning.  Of course I watched a little fishing, but the real issue is I have no right taillight on the boat trailer.  What makes it interesting, and hard to find, is while there is no tail light, the turn signal, brake light, and emergency flasher all work on that side.  I took a little run at it yesterday, and as soon as I hit post it will be back at it.  The usual pain in the ass as far as trailer lights go.  Hey they made it 15 months before messing up, guess it comes with tons of use.

******************Fresh or salt it has a place in your arsenal.

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

The Fort Worth Star Telegram has reported another stain on bass fishing tournaments.  An angler has been indicted on felony charges for trimming the tail of a bass during a tournament on Lake Fork.  This piece of scum makes me sick.  As a retired defense attorney I have a pretty good idea how things work, so here is my .02 worth.  This is the kind of case if the prosecutor assigned to it has any stones there will be no plea offer made without significant jail time, at least a little pen time, no county jail for this fool.  And if he does not take it then go ahead a take it to trial and see what a jury thinks of this behavior.  This tournament involved up to a $10,000 prize, clearly taking it into the felony range.  Look at this way, if some scum like this tried to straight up steal your $10,000 would you want him in prison?  That is what he did.  It has taken years to finally really address cheating in tournaments, and more needs to be done.  Time to draw the line and make a statement.

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

More fun with boating, or why would you buy this boat?  I love reading the sale ads, they speak for themselves, but I just can not help myself.  And for God’s sake it is not a “V Haul”!!!!!  (It isn’t the thing you rent to move.)

Has not run in years, cheap enough to so some work on, bill of sale only.

Sure it is…….

Do not have title.

Run away!

No motor, no title, you have to haul it away.

That says it all.

The boat is ready to fish if you do not go to far from the ramp.  Only $11,000.

Maybe there is a bunch of fish on a ramp near you.

Running last year, needs tires and batteries, jack plate needs fluid.

Other than that it is ready to roll.

Fiberglass damage and hull takes on water.

Hope the bilge pumps works.

Boat needs some seats and a motor.

You do not need anywhere to sit if it does not run.

The boat is total junk, rotted out.  Motor ran a long time ago.  No titles.

So what is really wrong with it?

Restorable.

Which means break out your wallet.

Motor runs great, needs lower prop assembly replaced or repaired.

At least the top half.

Motor not running and transom needs repaired.

Who needs a transom when the motor does not run.

Of course many of these are junk, and often the owner had grand plans to restore it, and like all good intentions fail.  And if it such a good deal and the fix so easy why not do it, make it a lot easier to sell.  Restoring a boat is a project, often the bottomless pit as you get into it.  So buyer beware, buy something that floats, runs, has been maintained, with a title.  You might not regret it.  (Any more than normal!)

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

And I got this question from Elaine.

The Big Bend trio sounds interesting. May I ask, where do you usually stay when traveling there?

We have stayed several places in that area.  We have stayed at Terlingua Ranch.  The motel is rustic, no tv but it is 30 mile from the park.  It has a restaurant and pool, and plenty of roads to hike and great access to a road up the mountain, which is big time 4 wheel, but so worth the drive.  You can register for that road at the lodge and get the key.  Stunning at the top.  So it is out there, but quiet.  On any hike on the back roads you can see javelina, quail, and mule deer.  We did stay in Terlingua proper at a house made from phone books,  (Cool) but with no real ac or heat it is tough in hot weather.  She is a retired archeologist and was a wealth of information.

Marathon is a good alternative though about an hour from the park.  The Gage Hotel is way cool but pricey, we have stayed there several times.  The 12 Gage restaurant is definitely pricey but the food is always excellent.  In fact, though we are not staying there we will definitely be eating there one night.  It is quite historical and when the weather is cool there is wood and a fireplace.  Another place we have stayed is in Alpine, at the Holland Hotel.  An old hotel, it is nice with restaurant and bar.  Again a ways from the park.

Places we have not stayed, the park itself which has cabins and a motel.  We have also not stayed at the El Dorado Hotel which is in Terlingua.  We have eaten there, it was good, and they have music in the evening and it seems ok, but is nothing fancy.  Home of the beer drinking goat, who sadly has passed.  But I am sure he was happy!

This time we are staying at some motel in Alpine that has a kitchenette so we will do our own breakfast.  As we are heading to a park close to there to hike and look for Big Horns we will spend one day there, then drive down to Big Bend the other days.  We just fix lunch, pack lots and lots of water, and head out for the day with no particular plan.  And the drive to the park from there is beautiful so we don’t mind.  Then we do the big eat out at night.  This trip we made our reservations late, and most places we would have stayed were booked, so will let you know how this new place works out.  It is definitely nothing fancy, but about all that was available.  The park is a popular place in the spring.  So stay tuned for the pictures, always a cool trip.

And a last word about driving in the park.  There are 3 kinds of roads, good blacktop, fair gravel, and 4 wheel gravel.  Our last trip the only person we saw driving a couple of the 4 wheel roads were Mexican Apaches on horseback rounding up their cattle who came across the river.  Not sure who was more surprised, us or them.  These were not Iphone carrying, King Ranch Ford driving, urban cowboys, they were the real thing!  (That was the phone book house trip on a road called the river road.  It has a sign which basically says you are on your own.  She was the retired archeologist who filled us in on who they were.  All I know it was cool. Of course they are not supposed to be there, but since if the park finds the cattle they take them and sell them.)  But as long as you have a good 4 wheel vehicle, and are prepared with supplies, water, 2 spares, etc. they might find you before you dry up and blow away.  But the main roads and some of the gravel are fine for cars.  And stop at the ranger station, they are great folks and will give you the scoop.  So have fun if you go, it is one cool place to visit.

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

This weekend I have been following the Bassmaster Classic online, and it is going to be close.  But the interesting thing, watching the leader board as it constantly updates.  Of course there was an early bite, but as the day wore on it seemed like when someone would catch one, others would.  (It just happened again with 3 caught by 3 guys in a 2 minute stretch.)  Then there would be periods of nobody boating a keeper.  Really shows how often when they are on the chew, they are biting.  And as all fishermen know, there are times you just can not buy a bite.  Happens to the best of them.

And it was funny as I watched the MLF, with some of the very same guys fishing the Classic.  What makes that funny, it will be the last Classic with KVD, Defoe, Iocanelli, Wheeler, and others.  The world of professional bass fishing is changing, and with many of the pros leaving BASS and FLW, there will be a chance for others to take their place and have a chance to make a living, a good thing.

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

Where tomorrow is up in the air, especially if I can not get the trail light fixed.  At least I can go during the day, but there will be no up early and off, not interested in chatting with law enforcement in the morning.  With the wind forecast to be up to 25 on the coast and only 10 – 15 inland it will probably be freshwater somewhere.  But as generally happens, nothing will be finally decided until I get up.  So keep stopping in, there will be some fishing the next 2 days, and thanks for reading my stuff.

Good Luck and Tight Lines