FISH CATCHING TRAVEL

Brought to you by

**For a super deal on your Wade Right use promo code FCT15 and get 15% off on your online order!**

Just got done cleaning truck and boat, organizing tackle, and putting the Grand Isle trip to bed.  The lake is on tap in the morning and I am totally amazed at how much it has come up.  Having seen that particular thing happen hundreds of times you never know how the fish will react, or how much color that the lake has.  So it will be up early and on the water.  Let the fall fishing begin!

Weather

92/72.  Partly Cloudy.  10% chance of rain.  Wind SE 5 – 10mph.

Solunar Times

Best  5:30 am to 7:30 am.  Good  11:18 am to 1:18 pm.

Lake Level

Today  97.23 msl.  One week ago  94.16msl!  (As my daughter says – Holy Crap!)

********************A new bait is coming!

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

A GREAT REPORT!

It is not very often you will hear that title when it was a total of 4 fish for the morning.  But there was a good thing – The lake is up 3′.  The water has hit the grass and cover, and the color is workable even way up lake where one would think it was muddy.

One week ago.  This morning.  Might have been just a touch foggy!

On Coleto that is a significant amount of water.  Coming right before fall this morning told me one thing, it is gonna be good.  Real good.

When I got there at daylight it was foggy and the word humid does not describe the morning.  So not being able to go to far safely, even though there was no one else, I fished the first big cove up the creek arm and started with the Bang o Lure as it was dead calm.  And it remained dead calm and hot all morning.

The Wood Storks have hung out a lot longer than usual.

One took a run at it but missed, and I saw a couple of more below it that just took a look.  The water has a brown tint to it down lake and so I wasn’t sure the Bang o Lure was the way to go so I made a decision to fish out the cove with a buzzbait,  And I continued down a long length of main lake and another cover without a bite.

Finally the fog lifted and up the lake I went.  I was hoping no big trash line or real muddy water, and there was none.  The water is back in the cover and over the next couple of hours it was buzzbait, stick worm, and swim jig.  The only ones caught there came right up in the grass and trash, super shallow.

Did not miss a buzzbait bite.

Pitching the worm to cover was pointless, not a bite.  Unlike that last 3 months where that was where they were hanging.  And the ones that did hit were super shallow.  It might be counter intuitive to be happy with only 3 bites up river, and none on the wood, but with the water stabilizing and the color clearing they are coming to the bank soon.  The lake has not looked this good in a while.

These were the size of it.  The last one was on the swim jig.

Around 11:00 it was flat calm, flat hot, and flat humid.  So just to be sure headed up the plant arm and the water was even clearer.  Worked the Bang o Lure over pretty good without a bite, which was a little surprising.  But it was so calm and dead it wasn’t happening.  One did jump on the swim jig and next trip instead of the bluegill it will be time for white.  That is always a good fall bait on Coleto but today one cove was full of small bass schooling on small shad.  As a rule bass go to the shad heavily in the fall and as much surface activity there was it is time to switch.

I am really happy with what I saw today.  Catching fish is the plan, but today just seeing all that water was a thing of beauty.  Of course that is somewhat selfish as I love that shallow fishing.  Now all we need is some cool nights and it will take off.  So I will be watching for one of “those” days –  Cloudy, drizzling, and light wind.

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

Billy chimed in with a the rain report.

Right along the coast has gotten more rain than up the country. Lavaca nor Navidad is up much from what I can see. Not real sure about the Guadalupe. But I don’t think it is having terrible run off either.
By that token, the only issue you should have is any runoff from the marshes from the locally heavier rain the coast received.

Thanks for the report.  Since I am headed to the lake in the morning I checked the level, and it looks like it is up 3 feet!  (It was!) I even went back and checked it a couple of times as I found it hard to believe.  So in the morning I might/will be in for a big surprise.  Will holler at you for the coast soon.

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

And here is 3 fresh reports.

A boat on Coleto had 31 crappie today.  The crappie fishing has been very consistent on Coleto this summer in spite of the heat.

A friend and his buddies tore up the redfish  a couple of days ago on topwater and croaker out of POC.  He told me the reds were everywhere.

Then a guy showed me a picture of a nice batch of white bass caught on the Lavaca River right before the rise.  Not really surprised just did not know they were in there.  And they also had a nice red and black.

Fall is coming and the fishing is about to heat up.

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

Forgot to tell you about the nice thing that happened when I went to buy my fishing license.  I was prepared to shell out the $90 for an annual when the lady said “How old are you?”  Louisiana and Texas have reciprocity for old folks fishing license.  As long as you have your Texas on you while fishing in most of Louisiana it is all good.  Nice to be $90 ahead before starting fishing!

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

Looking at the weather Thursday looks good for some bay fishing.  Cloudy with a 40% chance of rain, reasonable wind, and a falling tide all morning is as good as you can hope for right now.  Can you say redfish on topwater?  And who knows, might even catch a trout.  And speaking of adding to the bag it is getting towards the flounder run.  Things are looking up on the coast.  So keep stopping in and thanks for reading my stuff.

Good Luck and Tight Lines

FISH CATCHING TRAVEL

Brought to you by

**For a super deal on your Wade Right use promo code FCT15 and get 15% off on your online order!**

I headed out for the house at 6:00 am and it took exactly 8 1/2 hours.  Sunday morning is a great time to make some miles before the traffic gets to heavy on I10.  And when I hit Houston it was like the twilight zone, I think I only had to slow down twice, a rare happening.  Today will be getting things organized and then back to it.

Weather

87/80.  Increasing clouds during day with a 50% chance of thunderstorms.  Wind  WNW 5 – 10.

Tide

High  1:56 am  +1.3.  Low  1:48 pm  -0.4.

********************A new bait coming soon!

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

Turn Out the Lights – The Party is Over!

I know you can’t really see him, but I was real surprised to see a gator.  Didn’t know they were this far down.

A great way to end the trip.  It was going to be hot with mild winds so it was back to the marsh as I knew I would quit early to get organized.  (In other words watch a little football later this afternoon.)   Also the neighbors have stayed with the trout the last 3 days and have stuggled, even with plenty of trips here and live bait.  So it made sense to just go whack a few more reds and call it a trip.  There is just something about a redfish bite on spinnerbait that I love.  Plus, never leave fish to find fish and today was the perfect example of getting the most out of the trip.

When I hit the ramp at 7:30 the tide was running to beat the band, by far the best flow of the trip.  It was going to be spinnerbait the rest of the morning, and I started in a place where I have caught them on a past trip, near houses with lots of cover, pilings, and trash.  A couple jumped on right away.  And from then on it was one here, two there, but always a something anywhere I tried.

This was one thick red.

It was strictly power fishing today.  A few new places, and the old reliable places.  I knew I would miss the prime time so I covered the miles.  The water moved heavy until about noon, and got as low as it has this trip.  I fished until 1:30 and they bit fairly well all morning.  In fact, when I quit there were oysters on one bar out of the water, first time I have seen that.  Probably should have stayed, it was about to get right.  Not sure my poor old hands and fingers could take much more.  They are rough.

The marsh is a redfish nursery, and there are plenty this size and smaller.  But I never met a red I did not like!

Had one charge out of nowhere and smoked it right at the boat.  Cool bite.  The biggest one of the morning was in about 6″ of water and it was cool dragging him through the mud.  Several came in the boat the last 3 days by simply seeing a mud, a bust, or that slight disturbance in the force.  It was really a case of keep it in the water and they will come.  With the water color I was able to use 20lb XT, and it really helped to be able to muscle them when around trash.

The last fish of the day.

This is one great place if you like redfish.  And I will say it again, if you own a kayak and use it this is the place.  Folks launch all along the road in the Grand Isle area, and the only boat I saw fishing in the marsh this morning was a kayak, and he was in an area I would not have tried to get to in the boat.  To go along with that, as I fished down a channel where I catch some of my best reds there is a big pothole I could not get at it and they were in there having at it.  When the water falls out in to the narrow channel it is a great place for good ones.  In fact that happens all over the marsh.  This marsh is in the 20 square mile range and there are fish that never see a lure.  Wish it was closer, I would make the trip more often.

Reading the reports over the last few years this is a time of transition for the trout in Grand Isle.  From about now, as fall and winter come, they seem to spread out and the fishing is not its usual consistent.  Then as it gets cold many of them swim way the hell up the marsh to Golden Meadows, which is 20 miles from the Gulf.  There is an area of really deep water from old mines where they winter.  Of course the guides are still killing them right now, and with the 25 fish limit fairly common the trout fishing is nothing to sneeze at.  Next time I plan to stay a few more days and see if I can figure that out.

That about covers it and I give this trip a B+.  Nice to get the redfish fix I have been needing.  Now for our fall to come and the reds to start really ganging up.  And as it looks like you have had lots of rain since I left the lake should be on the way up.  Not sure if it has been enough to start affecting the bay with fresh water.  The only way to know is to go and Tuesday morning I will be back at it somewhere!

And a last couple of comments on football.  I have seen my Hogs stink up the place but Saturday was nuts.  North Texas State, the Boss’s alma mater, beat us like yard dogs.  And when somehow the punt team thought the guy made a fair catch and just stopped playing, letting him go 90+ yards untouched, was maybe one of the worst plays in the history of football.  At least the Cowboys got back on track.  Football and fishing, ain’t fall grand?  So keep stopping in and thanks for reading my stuff.

Good Luck and Tight Lines

FISH CATCHING TRAVEL

Brought to you by

**For a super deal on your Wade Right use promo code FCT15 and get 15% off on your online order!**

I just could not help myself and headed right back to the marsh.  When I was trying to go to sleep last night the Controlled Descent Paddle Shad kept coming to mind.  So the plan was to throw it all morning and see how it goes.

A cold one on the deck as the sun goes down.  Does it get any better than this?

Weather

86/80.  Generally sunny with 20% chance of rain.  Wind ESE 5 – 10.

Tide

High  1:15 am  +1.2.   Low  12:29 pm   -0.5.

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

                                                     There is a new bait on the way.

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

The biggest I managed to land on the Controlled Descent, but definitely operator error.

You would think as long as I have been fishing the head up butt syndrome would not happen as often as it does, but today it showed up.  I tied it on my trout rod, which has 10lb line, big mistake, more on that later.  It seemed like they wanted a nice steady vibration with the spinnerbait so why not slow roll the paddle shad?

They were eating it, and that one had some spots

I used both the white/limetreuse and the watermelon red/limetreuse on a 1/8th swim bait hook, rattle inserted with some scent.  Because I wanted a maxim thump I pulled off the small tail.  It did not take long to learn they wanted it at a medium retrieve where you just could not see it but you could feel the tail.  If there is one complaint, it caught lots of smalls, like that is a problem, but several nice ones hit it.  Obviously it had more to do with timing than anything else since I went to the spinnerbait at prime time.  I just have a “spinnerbait” problem.  And Chris, that fancy rod you made me is doing yeoman work.

On the other hand 2 broke off on the 10lb, and of course they were both big ones.  Rule 1 – Do not throw 10lb to redfish around pilings, you will not have a very good outcome.  And the bite could be little tricky, you would not even feel the bite but your line would just start moving.  Some right toward you and it was tough to catch up to them.  I even had a big one on a spinnerbait follow it all the way to the boat making a huge mud. Fun stuff.

This size really liked it and after a while I just quit taking pictures.

The weather was perfect, the tide was falling all day, and the wind was light.  It was another day of covering water, but since I am learning every day my timing was good.  But here it seems like anytime is good, sometimes are just better than others.  They seem to be on the rounded banks inside big coves.  That is where much of the oyster is and consequently that is where the fish are.

And one thing really driven home the last couple of days is reading the water.  Not talking about seeing fish, I mean getting back in these places without getting stuck.  As along as the tide is moving you can see a slight line where water drains these big places.  Idling real slow the cove might, and I do mean might, be 2 foot, but there is always a channel which allows you to get way back, it may only be 1/2  foot deeper, then fish the tide out.

This size is just right for a great fight.

Around 2:00 the water had all but fallen out and it was time to hit my 2 best spots.  It was back to the spinnerbait and 20lb test, running it just like the Controlled Descent Paddle Shad and the better ones would just smack it.  Today the hook up ratio definitely went to the Paddle Shad.  Not sure I lost any this morning other than the 2 break offs.   The 20lb test is fine for these waters, and makes it a lot easier to control them in cover and oysters.  I mean they are shallow!

Just waylaying the spinnerbait.

As you can see from my face, or lack thereof, it was hot and sunny.  The fish had moved out of some of the smaller potholes and were on the shell with bait.  I can see how down here if you fished it a lot you could have a milk run.  With the 16″ limit the paddle shad took care of that pretty quickly.  So a another successful day in Grand Isle.  I really enjoy coming here, it is one of the “fishiest” places in the country, both the fish and characters who live here.

This is such a fishy place.  The options are endless, from tuna to trout, tarpon, snapper, redfish, kinfish, and on and on, they are all here.  There are close rigs that when the wind is not blowing I have seen jon boats out there.  Buggy the owner guided some guys to a pile of mangrove snappers today.  Said all he could do was keep rigging them.  This whole place revolves around fishing as there is nothing else.  When I get back there will be more of a how to article.  The access is good, and you kayakers, this place is the bomb.

Bridgeside Marina and Cabins the place for fishermen in Grand Isle.

Tomorrow I might, and I use the term lightly, hit the bay and trout fish.  The guys from Louisiana next to me only caught 8 today, and they fish the salt a lot, so we shall see.  So keep stopping in and thanks for reading my stuff.

Good Luck and Tight Lines

FISH CATCHING TRAVEL

Brought to you by

**For a super deal on your Wade Right use promo code FCT15 and get 15% off on your online order!**

It was a little over 9 hours over here, and some of that was due to the traffic in Houston.  And to make matters worse it poured 4 or 5 times on the way here.  And as soon as I turned of Hwy 90 at Raceland headed to Grand Isle the wind began to blow fairly hard out of the East and it cleared up.  But no matter it was nice to be back.  From the looks of things tomorrow the weather will obviously play a role.

I have never had a bad trip here and Bridgeside Marina is the place to stay.  Good folks, a great store, tons of live bait, they open at 5:30 and close at 7:00.  They are all about the fisherman and if you need it they probably have it, like when one of the trolling motor batteries craped out last year.  As far as accommodations go it is simple, but if you are here you should be fishing anyway.  There is a fishing bridge right here, and though I have never fished there folks catch tons of reds and trout off it all the time.  With the bay and beach there is miles and miles of stuff, and the marsh if it is windy, or like me you love to spinnerbait redfish, and this is the place.

Weather

85/80.  50% chance scattered morning thunderstorms then cloudy.  Wind  ESE 10 – 15.

Tide

High  12:46 am  +1.1.   Low  10:48 am   -0.6.

********************A new bait coming soon!

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

I Freakin’ Love This Place

This one smacked it!

The original plan made at home was to fish the beach first, but the wind was pounding right on the beach.  It was out of the East with some serious looking stuff going around so I took it easy and did not hit the ramp at Port Fourchon until 8:30.  The marsh is an interesting place to fish, and some of it is posted, but if you like redfish it the place.  After 5 trips here I am learning.  But the marsh is not worth a hoot for trout.

Today the low tide was supposed to be around 11:00. but the hard east wind kept the water in a little longer.  And to make matters worse, the color left something to be desired.  So I headed to the first little creek and caught a nice one and lost another.  For some reason today, including a couple operator errors and some structure, I lost several nice ones.  But that was ok because they were biting.  As I replaced the plastic paddle tail multiple times color did not mean squat.  They wanted a nice steady retrieve and like always it is such a cool bite.

Standard marsh redfish.  They were eating the spinnerbait!

There was some freaky stuff going on today.

A couple of nice solids.

As the water started falling around 1:00 they went on a little tear.  They were definitely on the shell pads as the water fell.  So knowing a couple it helped to be there at the right time.  The wind was not a big problem, just had to deal with it, and the water did not really start to clear until it fell, though it did not fall as much as it should have.

The only trout today.  And there are some rats.  This one I jerked completely out of the water setting the hook.

One area has some old camps that were victims of a hurricane and the pilings are left.  I broke 2 bigger ones off trying to get them out, even with 20′ test.  Hard to resist making the cast but worth it when they come out of cover and smoke it.  Not sure the total number today, but I am happy.  This is the best of both of my fishing worlds.  Spinnerbait is a favorite, and since bass and redfish like it I am happy to let them have it.

I actually wore out the trolling motor today, going against the wind and the tide, but covering the miles was the ticket.  I don’t remember for sure but I didn’t fish anywhere without catching at least one.  And like all reds, get a bite and get ready because another one is coming.  I give today an A considering the conditions.

If it were not for the open bay and maybe the surf I would just bring the skiff.  A Jon boat with a 10hp would be great here.  And boy what a place to kayak.  There is miles of roadside access to the marsh and the bay in fairly protected water in case of wind.   This area has become one of my favorite trips.

Arties is where I eat every day, just a bar and grill that has good food.  Of course no one is here so when I went tonight Artie and about 5 of his friends wer there.  I order a burger, and they are all eating fresh tuna, which apparently came off a boat that fished it’s way here from Port Aransas.  Then they come over and brought me a plate of tuna with broiled  asparagus and brussel sprouts.  Suffice to say I ate little of the hamburger.  Thanks!

Tomorrow will be wind dependent, looks like it will be light, and of course we have a chance for thunderstorms.  It may be back for one more day at the marsh, then the bay Saturday.  But either way it will involve some fish catching.  So keep stopping in and thanks for reading my stuff.

Good Luck and Tight Lines.

FISH CATCHING TRAVEL

Brought to you by

**For a super deal on your Wade Right use promo code FCT15 and get 15% off on your online order!**

Weather

83/71  Thunderstorms and rain.  80% chance.  Wind NE 5 – 10.

Solunar Times

Best  11:24 am to 1:24 pm.

Lake Level

Today  94.16 msl.   20 days ago  94.14 msl.  (It has come up .04 in the last 24 hours.)

********************A new bait coming soon!

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

Let the fishing begin.  I wanted to run the boat and make sure it was all good before hitting the road, and if I ever saw a day that had bass written all over it today was it.  It has been tough so was hoping it was going to improve on Coleto.

It was raining right along when I got up.  So as soon as it slacked off around 9:30 it was time to load up and hit the lake.  As the title of this post says – this is my kind of day.  Drizzle, rising water, and a light wind says bass all day long, and it was a major improvement from my last few trips.  Fall is coming and I am about to fish until I puke.

The rains have come just in time.

The lake was just about to drop to the level of a few years ago during the drought, and the water had receded to the end of the piers.  So be advised that the end of the ramp is not that far out and so until the lakes comes up some be careful.  There is a sign on the pier telling you how far the end of the ramp is, so beware.  The water has some color, more as you go further up lake, and the water temp has come down 6 – 8 degrees.  Today was a perfect bass fishing day.

A real Bang O Lure kind of day!

Starting up lake one jumped the buzzbait on my 3rd cast.  Like they have been, that one, and most of the others, came out of wood or dam close to it.  Keeping with the buzzbait for an hour only produced 1 other half-hearted attempt so it was time to pitch the 4″ craw with a 1/4 tungsten sinker on 15lb. fluoro.  Over the next hour or so I boated 5 or 6 on plastic.  The one below came out of a green tree in about 8′ of water.  After releasing her I made a half-hearted cast to the edge of the tree as I stepped up on the deck and a good one jumped it.  Not sure what it was, it was not well hooked, and after a pretty good struggle it pulled off.  It acted like a catfish, which I have been catching on lures all year on Coleto.  To bad, it was quite a bit heavier than this one.

The line jumped 6″ when she hit.

As I worked that bank there would be the occasional shad flip.  A balsa shad crankbait did not work, which surprised me.  So around 1:00 it was time to head down lake and fish some clear water.  With a nice drizzle and clouds there should be some up.  I figured the Bang O Lure could produce some bites and it did.  They wanted it right on the bank next to a piece of cover.  The 3 best ones hit it almost the minute it hit the water.  The big girl (first pic) above was on a gnarly  stump and just sucked it under.  They were definitely not interested in chasing anything.

First one of the morning on the buzzbait, then the first one on the Bang O Lure.

As you can see it would rain a while, and then drizzle lightly, then nothing for minute and it would start up again.  Today was one of those throw it on their head days.  The wind was up a little so I did fish 2 windy banks with spinnerbait without a bite.  But I wanted to cover most of the stuff I fish so it was a serious try.  By then it was apparent that the topwater in the clearer water was best, though no particular typed of bank or structure was a pattern.  The big girl came on a point in less than a foot, then another on a channel bank, and even a couple in a cove.  Since there is very little cover due to the low water it seemed like a good piece of cover no matter where it was had a good chance of having a fish on it.  Definitely classic rainy day fishing, and boy I do like it.  Plus those days you have it all to yourself.

Unfortunately I had to quit early, it had almost quite raining so no excuse not to get the grass mowed.  Since I am fishing somewhere in a couple of days it would have been a mess if I did not get it done.  You know, “that guy” who doesn’t mow his grass as much as the neighbors.  But the day was definitely a success.  With the forecast calling for several days of rain, and the lake finally starting to rise, the bite will be on for several days.  And nice that the early rain was in the 70’s, with the water cooling added to the mix it should be good.

I did check on a guy in an old Ranger who was having motor troubles.  The boat was plowing then it would die.  He had the cover off so I made sure he was ok.  He said no problem I can make it, so I kept track of him until he made the ramp.  Always remember it could be you next so help a brother fisherman out when you get the chance.

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

Topwater Billy sent this question along after I posted the marlin picture.

Couple of things.
I can’t make out the marlin photo. What is stuck on it’s bill?
That being said, until you captioned it, I thought it was a painting as opposed to a photo.

If the forecasters are anywhere near right, you best have some wet weather gear if you’re going to be on the water this week.

The marlin stuck that turtle through and through.  Chris said it looked like there was a line in the marlin’s mouth.  Here is my guess and I am sticking with it.  If they had it hooked and it was going nuts it could have easily headed up to jump and impaled the turtle.  Obviously he was not going to eat it.  And today’s forecast was right, so it was rain suit on and sack them up.

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

The next time you hear from me I will be “somewhere.”  Louisiana has been the plan but I have not committed after watching the weather.  There is an alternative or 2 so weather watching the next 24 hours will ultimately decide where I am headed.  Actually it is kind of fun to be weighing the alternatives because it is happening, where is the only question.  The only downside to Grand Isle is going through Houston.  It is always an adventure towing the boat, especially with all the construction.  But it is only 8 hours, an easy trip, and I can feel them thumping that spinnerbait as I type this.  So keep stopping in and thanks for reading my stuff.

Good Luck and Tight Lines

FISH CATCHING TRAVEL

Brought to you by

**For a super deal on your Wade Right use promo code FCT15 and get 15% off on your online order!**

With the Boss being off this weekend, something unusual, we watched some serious college football on Saturday.  Great to have a wife who likes football.  How the Hogs, A&M, and Texas do today remains to be seen.  I spent the day doing the research on a long planned trip this week.  Though I am sure it will be Grand Isle, Falcon is also in the running so the research goes on.  The trout fishing at Grand Isle has been good lately and of course if I go I will spend 2 days in the marsh hammering the redfish.  I went 2 weeks later last year and had a great trip.  So today it is just cleaning up a few things before fishing on Monday.

********************A new bait coming soon!

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

I got this from my buddy Aaron.

*&%%%$^#*

And that was his comment, easy to get the point.  Hard to shoot a deer with that many freakin’ pigs around.  But Aaron is a big bow hunter and before the season is over he will put a real hoss on the ground.  Thanks for the pic.

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

And speaking of cool pictures got this one from my buddy Chris.

Now that is nuts!  What are the odds?

Not sure the history but he said it came from a charter boat captain out of Bud N’ Mary’s Marina in Islamorada.  Not even going to guess how it happened but doesn’t look like it did either one any good.  The great outdoors is a wonderful and mysterious place!

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

I just want to put in a little plug for my buddy Terry and Trophy Hunter Guide Service.  He is absolutely thrashing the stripers, some really nice ones.  Texoma was noted for an abundance of small stripers but over the last couple of years lots of better fish are being caught, and he has been on them all summer.  So if you have never caught one, or want to take a kid or family, he has a big lake boat that can accommodate a crew, or maybe the airboat on the river, which we did with him and was cool.  You will not be disappointed in the fishing or spending some time in a boat with him.

That is freakin’ ridiculous! 

https://www.facebook.com/TrophyHuntersGuideService/

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

I just picked up the LTS and it pays to maintain your stuff. First was just general maintenance, plugs, water pump kit, lower unit grease etc.  And the electronics all checked out fine thank goodness.  The Power Pole had a leak in a hose, the shaft was cracked and ground off some, and it rattled like crazy, guess being almost 10 years old it was just getting worn out.  And I am sure that trailering the boat up the ramp with it down a couple times didn’t help matters.  I was wondering why it was working so hard, turns out the little pin hole in the hydraulic hose was a super slow leak.  So with a complete rebuild it feels and works like new.

I also had them remove the steering cable and clean the tube and grease it, no problem yet but good to go for a few more years.  Keeps it from being hard to turn in the winter and reduces the chance of breaking a cable.  As a result of that they noticed that the 2 top engine mounting bolts had backed off almost a 1/2″, that alone was a disaster waiting to happen.  (Never buy a boat from Bass Pro in Katy.  The worst rigging job ever, total incompetence.)  The Boss always asks when I get home – “Catch any fish and what did you break?”  If I was not laughing I would be crying when I had to tell her the engine was laying on the bypass.  So while not an immediate problem it needed to be tightened, and as it is not on my walk around, who looks at that, I would have never noticed.

It is so important if you use your boat much to have it checked out yearly at a minimum.  The goal is to keep those little problems from becoming real problems.  And who wants to go somewhere and have something major happen?  Easy way to ruin a trip.  But best of all – 600 hours exactly and 125 on all 3 cylinders!  Nice to not have to think about most of this for another year, the peace of mind is worth every penny.  And I can not wait to crank her up Monday morning, and the rest of the week!

(And a boat buying tip:  With the high cost of boats these days if you are looking at a high end used boat absolutely require the maintenance records.  If they have done as they should that will be no problem.  If they can not, or will not, produce them run away.  I have every one and if selling the boat would be happy to have them speak with the marine service.  It will tell you lots, the compression on each cylinder, any fault alarms or warnings, exactly how it was run at what RPM, and just how and when it has been serviced.  If they are trying to sell you a used boat in the $30k and on up they should be more than happy to show them to you. And if they say they did not save them the marine shop will have them and they can easily get copies.  If they can’t/or won’t – there may be something to hide.)

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

And I got this comment from SA Joe after my Dunlap trip.

Great, Come into my neck of the woods, no heads up to share a beer or two. Dunlap from my house is 20 miles.

Yep, fishing has been tough. The water flow is there but has gone down 2-3 feet. Weekend traffic(wake boats) makes the water fog up with all the sediment from the shores.

When we take the troops from BAMC and put them on kayaks to fish, above the dam in New Braunfels. Even up there the water is murky until the Comal river comes in and help clear it up

There was a very little flow and there was crap, grass, shoes, and bottles among other things floating everywhere.  That was obviously a result of the falling water dragging some of it in the lake.  I did not have a clue about water level, should have looked it up.  So no real surprise the fishing was tough, and I was actually surprised at the number of skiers that day.  But I will be back to the area though it might be Canyon which has been on my bucket list for a while.  Good to hear from you and when I am that way again I will take you up on that brew.

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

What to say about college football yesterday?  Props to A&M, what a finish, they showed an amazing amount of heart and determination.  And as far as I am concerned the call on the fumble at the goal line was wrong, and to the young man, keep your head up.  Now my Hogs on the other hand were up 27 – 9 and then Colorado State scored 25 unanswered and we went down in flames.  Ouch.  Today the Cowboys start a new season, and here is my homer prediction –  If they stay healthy at most positions they will be a hand full, but any serious injuries and they will be an also ran.

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

It is pouring down buckets in South Texas over a huge area.  There has been some flooding around the San Antonio area and as I type this it is pouring.  We so desperately need it and area lakes from Falcon to Coleto to Travis can sure use more water.  And it looks like this pattern will continue most of the week.

Unless it is flat pouring in the morning I will be headed to the lake just to run the boat and make sure all the stuff is working before I head out on Tuesday or Wednesday.  You would think I would have made a decision on where I am going by now but by the end of the day plans will be made.

While things have been a little slow around here the last little while the fishing is about to heat up in earnest.  Heck I am already looking forward to Fishmas!  As usual I want to thank you all for hanging in there with me.  Your comments are so appreciated and we all like reading them.  So keep stopping in and thanks for reading my stuff.

Good Luck and Tight Lines

FISH CATCHING TRAVEL

Brought to you by

**For a super deal on your Wade Right use promo code FCT15 and get 15% off on your online order!**

Lake Dunlap

In spite of the slow fishing it was good to spend some time with my buddy Vetter on Lake Dunlap.  In fact last evening sitting on the deck and having a cold one in the evening was the nicest weather since last spring.  A light north breeze made for a nice evening.  Then polishing it all off with some great chicken on the grill made for a great finish.

Other than seeing my buddy I hoped to put a catfish in the boat and then catch a few bass.  Unfortunately the catfish did not bite our jugs for 2 nights and when I took them in this morning the perch were still there.  Not sure why that did not happen but it might have had something to do with the water, which seemed stagnate according to the locals.  And the bass fishing was not much better.

This was the size of all of them.  

Dunlap is an interesting lake.  Really just a wide river it has houses and docks lining most of the shoreline.  Now one would think that pitching and flipping docks would be a no brainer, it was more no mas.  I fished most of the day yesterday and caught a total of 10, not one out of a dock, which I found really interesting.  And while 10 is not so bad for a first time trip somewhere, laid end to end they weren’t much.  The bright spot, I caught a nice Guadalupe, maybe my first, so I admired it and tossed it back, and forgot to take a picture.  All but 1 came on a 4″ craw rigged Texas style, and surprising enough not a bite on a senko.  You never know.

The fish I did catch were on the banks with few houses, and were on the deep side.  Dunlap being long and skinny seemed to have a deep side and a flat side, and little in between.  I actually went all the way up the river where it was 3′ deep and fished all the way out to deeper water, and just did not find the “spot”.  It was a little challenging for me but I am sure there is a better way to catch them, but due to the weather, thunder and lightning as we dank our morning coffee and with a forecast of lots of rain to come, followed by more rain, time to head back to Victoria.

On a different note I saw a squirrel swimming the lake.  That phenomenon happened one fall on Norfork Lake and many could be seen swimming the lake.  It was strange to come around the corner on the big lake and see one chugging along.  The old timers said there was not enough of the white acorns in some places and the squirrels were migrating to find them.  Not sure about that bit of folk lore, this one was probably just headed to see his home girl.

So while the fishing left something to be desired, the trip itself was a booming success.  I did not look at my computer or anything related to it for almost 3 days.  We sometimes forget how tied we are to our electronic world, and taking a couple day break from it, while not particularly intentional, was nice.

A new bait coming soon!

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

Just slap me!

Ok I did it.  After my rant the other day I still went ahead and bought a fishing license at the Victoria Academy while I was there.  And guess what?  What I wrote about them not appearing to have a clue was confirmed.  I got the right license, but what she told me was so wrong it was almost funny.  At least I went over the whole thing before I moved.  So I should be good to go, but be slapped for not going to TPWD.

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

 I got this warm and fuzzy comment from my buddy Clyde, who I have been friends with for 50 years.  Putting it that way I am amazed we both made it this long.

Carry on Pork Rind!!!!

I just have 2 things to say about that comment.  First, since you are a perch jerking, shad eating Grebe you have no room to talk.  And last, my laptop is password protected and when I sign on if I get it wrong my question comes up to remind me what it is.  My question……”What does Clyde not catch?”  Then I remember – “Fish”.  So take that, and anytime you want to hop on a plane and catch some reds just holler.  And good luck on the deer stand this year.

Just kidding.  He really can catch fish!  That is a freakin’ hoss. 

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

Heading home this morning it was drizzling here and there so when I was on I10 I took it easy.  While speaking with the Boss on the phone I told her I was being passed like an old man towing a boat.  Then I went, Oh Shit!  I am the old man towing a boat.  Oh well, beats the alternative.

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

Time to get back on the bay now that the weather is looking up, hunting season is getting started, and the kids are back in school.  With the temps are moderating along with some clouds it should be topwater mania.  Hopefully I can pick up the LTS at the marina in the morning.  Even though I have a back up the skiff just does have the range and it is getting time to head to some of those back lakes and drains way down the island.  Please have a safe weekend no matter what you do.  Keep stopping in and thanks for reading my stuff.

Good Luck and Tight Lines

FISH CATCHING TRAVEL

Brought to you by

**For a super deal on your Wade Right use promo code FCT15 and get 15% off on your online order!**

After taking a few days off, basically just waiting for what looks like will be daytime temps in the 80’s and to spend the weekend out of town with the Boss, it is time to get back on the horse.  (I only spent $20 on 2 whooper ploppers this weekend.  Maybe a new low for a 2 tackle store stop.)  It looks like I am headed to a new lake tomorrow for a couple of days for a little bass fishing and some limb lining for big cats.  Hope to sack up some nice cats for the grease.

I got these pictures from Kennon Evett.  He was the photographer when Dan and I fished during his quest for a Share A Lunker for the AAA magazine.  A big thanks Kennon, be sure to check out his site if you are needing some professional photography, be it personal or commercial.  To bad he was working, must have been tough to watch us fish all day but he took it like a trooper.

**********************A new bait coming soon!

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

A cool shot.

Got her.

Be sure you get it on nice and straight.

There has to be one on these trees.

Last bite of the 2 days.  Wish Dan had boated her.

Hopefully Dan and I will get to chance at that Share A Lunker a little more in the coming year.  And Kennon, the offer is open to fish anytime.

https://www.kennonphoto.com/index

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

Today I will be checking the skiff to be sure it is good to go on a 125 trip, and putting  the bass tackle back in good order.  And I will do a drive by at the boat shop to see if they might have the LTS done.  But hey, it has only be a couple of weeks and I have sympathy for them, I am sure there were lots of folks around the weekend trying to get emergency help for the holiday.  The time to make sure all is ready is way before a holiday.

All of you who hang in there with the blog when there is the occasional down time have my thanks.  Those of you who do know that there is some serious fishing to come.  It won’t be that long before it is jacket weather on those cool mornings, where the reds are schooling, and the ducks are flying.  So keep stopping in and thanks for reading my stuff.

Good Luck and Tight Lines

FISH CATCHING TRAVEL

Brought to you by

**For a super deal on your Wade Right use promo code FCT15 and get 15% off on your online order!**

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

The Boss.  My favorite traveling companion.

Be Safe This Weekend

I hope everyone has a great 3 day holiday weekend.  With that comes plenty of traffic on both the water and the roads.  It is a great time for a few random acts of kindness.  Be the bigger guy our there.  Let the other guy out if the line is long, get everything ready before you back the boat on the ramp, help someone who might be struggling, there is lots of small things we can all do to make the weekend better for everyone.  So be safe out there and have a great time.  And if you are doing a little fishing catch one for me too.

I on the other hand will be hanging out at the house.  There are a couple of projects that need tending to and now is as good as time as any.  Time to give the skiff and Mako a good going over, a serious head to toe check, including checking and airing tires, paperwork, safety equipment, basically everything from stem to stern.  I am itching to get back to it.

**********************A new bait coming soon!

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

Just got this comment from Rusty our Fayette guru.

Welcome back Doug! Nothing like the mountains for a great vacation. I had a friend down from western Illinois this week for some bass fishing and dove hunting this weekend. First day on Fayette ( in my “new” LTS) started with swim jig and boated several til the sun came up, then it was tough fishing. Ran over to the out flow and picked up couple more on small plastic shad baits. Water was so hot! Today it was pretty much the same but we started at the out flow at daylight. Same results both days 6-7 nice fish for 1/2 day fishing. Miss the cool mountain air! Til this heat wave breaks I think it’s going to be tough fishing. But I still will be going! Big adjustment for me this week going from Champion Bass Boat to LTS but I’m getting there.
Tight lines
Rusty

Funny you should say that about going from a Champ to an LTS, been there done that. No doubt they are 2 different boats, I loved my Champ but for all around use the LTS is a great boat, and it sure does tow easier than the Champ. Even when it is slow nice to put a buddy on a few good fish and some doves.  Sounds like a great time.  And I am so over this hot summer, but change is a coming.  So all the rest of you put down your rods and pick up a shotgun, I will handle the water for the next few months.  Good to hear from you and looking forward to you putting me on a few later this fall.

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

Open Wide!

I just can not help but comment on a sign I have seen a couple of times this last week.  It is for Agave Dental.  Perfect!  Really?  Nothing like your dentist being all hopped up on tequila while he drills a hole in your head.  Or it might be you get a couple of shots before he starts.  If somebody is going to be drinking in this relationship it will be me!

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

And last this comment from Chago after we saw his place in Colorado the other day.

Doug,

Once you have peaked behind the curtain, it can never be unseen and in this case, it is not a bad thing. We hope our remote cabin will provide much more than vacations. As you have already witnessed, such an environment requires self-assurance but also humility to allow the helping hand of thy neighbor. May an education be delivered on many levels.

The cabin will always be work in progress, but a few minor updates will make it extremely comfortable. As for the view, it will only change as Mother Nature dictates.

Respectfully,
Chago

I appreciate your eloquent response.  It is so true, when you “see” the full beauty of the mountains it can not help but touch you.  We really were stunned at the majestry and can not thank you enough for giving us an opportunity to see it.  The last day we actually ended up driving by again from the back way and the picture above was taken at the trail head.  As soon as the fish start biting this fall, and as soon as your son’s schedule allows, it will be my pleasure to share the boat with you.

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

Fall has me thinking about all the fishing to come.  Fishmass with the Austin Boys, trout hitting the rivers, big schools of reds, bass putting on their fall feed, all are right around the corner.  The 10 day weather report holds some hope as the coast will stay in the 80’s for the next 10 days, and we will even have a few days like that here in Victoria.  And a little rain is even in forecast.  As the days get shorter and the weather cools fishing will take the forefront.  I have a couple of small trips planned and at least one big one coming up.  So time to head to the tackle room and get organized, the fishing is about to begin.  Please have a safe and fun weekend.  Keep stopping in and thanks for reading my stuff.

Good Luck and Tight Lines

FISH CATCHING TRAVEL

Brought to you by

**For a super deal on your Wade Right use promo code FCT15 and get 15% off on your online order!**

It was a beautiful full moon that woke me up this morning.  The sky clear as a bell, crisp and cold, a real mountain morning.  So after a little breakfast and coffee on the deck it was time to make one last wade on the creek.  It only took a second to see, the water has really dropped.  But time in an awesome place makes up for that.

No fish?  Who cares when it looks like this.

While it had really fallen it gave me a clear look at where I was catching the fish.  As I worked my way down river I jumped a grouse, or he jumped me, and when he blasted off the bank right next to me it was something.  Talk about getting the ^%$# scared out of you.  I love it.

Working any chute or deeper spots where they were did not produce a bite, not even a pass.  The water was so clear.  Finally way down creek from the house I caught one last rainbow in a deep pool.  (2 foot maybe.)

This little guy was the last bite I would have this trip.

This trip has gone a long way to rejuvenating my fishing spirit.  Simple, no boat, no traffic, just walk out the front door and hop in.  Only the sound of the river, birds, and even a wad of coyotes this morning.  It so takes me back to wading the streams in southern Iowa growing up.  Those creeks now are just a shadow of their former selves.  I so appreciate what Colorado has done to preserve these beautiful streams and rivers.  The only downside – Looks like it is going to cost me.  Just what I need, more fishing stuff.  But as we are already planning another trip time to bite the bullet and join the modern world.   I can only guess how many I would have caught with the buggy whip.

One of the “problems” of visiting Colorado, to much great stuff to do.  I am happy with the fishing the last couple of days, next we are headed to an area known for lots of elk and deer in the summer.  As we 4wheel the mountains you can never tell what you will see next.  Man are we having a great time.

**********************A new bait coming soon!

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

Chago – I thought you bought somewhere cool?

Yesterday we visited our buddy Chago’s place high in the mountains, basically at the end of the line, outside of Pagosa Springs.  He could not have bought in a better location, all I can say is wow and more wow!  I am sure the view was a 1/2 of the cost of the house.  And it is worth every stinking penny.  As the kids say – This is sick!  See below.

This is the views from his front yard!

All I could think of was a hot cup of coffee on the porch as the sun comes up!

Chago says that this is a mystical place and I could not have said it any better.  The drive itself from town is nothing short of spectacular.  I can not say it any more, what a freakin’ place!  Everywhere you look is flat stunning.  They have already seen a bear, and there are deer, elk, and even a lion or two.  And on the far bluff the state wants to know if anyone sees the Bighorn Sheep.  (Chago – better get the best spotting scope you can buy, set it up on the porch, and go to looking.  What a view!)

And on the way there are several vistas overlooking the big valley that just boggle the mind.

What a view.  One of several on the way to his place.

And you can never tell what might be right around the corner, along with this girl we saw a flock of turkeys on our drive.

Pretty girl.

As you work your way up the mountain the road becomes a forest service road, which is not plowed in the winter.  As his place is in what is called a 3 season area once the big snow falls the road is closed miles from his place.  Think that is a hassle?  No, just the opposite.  The house has everything for winter living, they just have to access it by snowmobile, horse, or hike.  Can you say snow cat?  They are surrounded by forest for 4 wheeling, hiking, snowmobiling, hunting, and anything else you would ever want to do in the mountains.  I can only image what it will be like this winter.  So quiet with only the sound of the wind as you gaze out on that view…..and if that does not recharge you what would?   Chago, even your glowing words did not do it justice, but how could it?  And my words could not do it justice either.  It has to be seen.  It truly is magical and your family will get a lifetime of enjoyment.

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

And speaking of self sufficient.  There is a wooden bridge crossing the river to the small community where we are staying.  Once you turn off the county road the community is responsible for the roads. The day before we got here a heavy truck broke through some of it and now the boys are out there fixing it.  Neighbor helping neighbor, I love it.  And in the winter they do not get plowed and everyone down here pitches in to keep it open.  Just another example of the folks who live here.  A hardy bunch who are always willing to lend a helping hand.  Just another thing to love about this area.  So when we head out on our afternoon drive in a couple of minutes we will take the low water crossing, nothing like getting to use the 4wheel drive.

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

It is hard when writing about the mountains to articulate without being cliché.  Words like amazing, awesome, stunning, just can not convey the feel being there.  So on our last afternoon we took a ride along the Continental Divide through the national forest.  Running along a ridge through dense forest with open meadows high in the mountains the ride is known for seeing animals.  But there was 2 problems this trip seeing wildlife.  First it was the couple of days during the full moon and you know they were out running all night.  Second, and probably the reason we saw only a mulie on that drive, bow season.  It did not sink in until we hit a stretch where there were 5 or 6 camps full of bow hunters.  So I am sure things were all stirred up.  But we will take that drive again, hopefully with a little snow before they close the road.

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

As you can probably tell by now we had a great time.  How good?  Maybe back in October.  We want to stay in the Creede area next trip.  A cool old mining area, it has a big river with multiple access areas that we checked out on our first day.  So the fly rod is in my future, one of those hobbies like turkey hunting I have always avoided as I have enough hobbies to go around.  But nothing like a new adventure.

Since we wanted to stretch our time as much as possible we made the 17 hour drive home in one day.  We have done that kind of thing many times together, but maybe not quite that long again.  So we came to this decision, all the way on the way out, then a stay one night on the way home.  A little concession to age.

Now back to real life.  The LTS is at the marine service for the annual checkup so will be interested if that is done.  Just checked the weather for the next 10 days, same old, same old.  Today will be getting stuff back in order and hopefully on the water in the morning.  So keep stopping and thanks for reading my stuff.

Good Luck and Tight Lines