FISH CATCHING TRAVEL

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Port O’Connor Texas

Chris was coming to the house at 5:30am so we could make Froggie’s by 6:30.  I was up early so decided to run to the station and get gas and ice and be ready to go.  On the  way I cut a corner to close and dinged a rim on the trailer.  Dang it.  It was a slow leak so I got gas and went back to the house to put on the spare.  Not the best start to the day but with no delay in the fishing no harm.  And just a note, since we were going to be wading deep I waded wet as it might have gone over my waders.  So no pocket no pictures today, sorry you will have to take my word for it that we caught a 37″ trout.  Just kidding.  And I did not prep the conditions so here they are – Hot – Humid – Wind 20mph out of the South,  water temp 90 degrees most places, and tide dropping most of the day.  Summer time on the coast.

When we got to the ramp it really dawned on me – Poco Bueno.  The parking lot at Forggie’s was almost full at 6:30, and it was a day of high dollar horsepower.  With an expected 120+ boats in the inshore half that starts on Friday it was on the brink of mayhem.  There were boats everywhere, lots of SCB, Simmons, Majeks, Haynies, etc. running all over, lining miles of bank, it was busy.  And I saw something I have never seen before, a dude burning the shoreline, behind folks wading deep.  Crazy, it gives you and idea of what is to come.  But even with the traffic we were able to do what we needed to.

It was tough.  The first place was near South Pass.  I started in on shell and grass,  Chris headed deep, and I mean he fished way out there.  Right away I had a 18″ absolutely crush a topwater.  Now I am thinking it is going to happen, not.  But I did have a big one come off the topwater, so I had my chance.  When I finally picked him up other than that one keeper I caught a couple on plastics that did not make the grade.  Chris struck out.  I learned something from that wade that payed off later.

Next it was an oyster bar in South Pass.  We did not have a bite.  I attribute some of that to the wind out of the South blowing it off color, and it had some color.  The only redeeming value in that stop was the tide was out and it is nice to see places where you can see it all, which will obviously pay off in the future.  But with only one in the box another move was in order.

We fished the mouth of a drain we fish regularly and the only thing I remember about that is we caught a few, Chris caught a rat red and I caught a 17″ red which was it for reds for the day.  It seemed like we just were not in the right place, obviously!  We gave that area a good go, but the bites were just not there.  The floating grass was also starting to be a problem, so what next?

I was going to head to Barroom, but was worried about the water color with the South wind.  As we are headed there I had a moment of insight – the old Coast Guard station.  It should be fairly protected and it has a good drop.  So we detoured and headed that way.

It turned out to be a good choice and we started catching trout on the drop.  How close to the drop you say?  With the boat anchored Chris went over the outside and in to his chin he went.  I went out the other side and it was a little over knee deep.  We both threw plastics and I had another moment of insight, paddle tail deep.  So using a pink limeade Controlled Descent Paddle Shad on a 1/8th swim bait hook, big rattle inserted, I tossed it deep, let it sink, and then slow rolled it back.  The water had some color and the slow retrieve with the rattle let them find it.  But the best thing?  They flat stopped it, most of the bites were solid hook ups.

Before it was over I caught another 3 nice keepers, and would have had my limit several times but lost them messing with the Boga.  Of course usually if I am keeping them I generally use a net, but man I hate messing with a net and topwaters so I left at the house.  If I were guessing it was maybe 10 for me there, and not sure how many for Chris but it was several and he added a keeper.  So back to his first wade.  Where he first went way out, and I mean way out, and did not catch a keeper it clued me in a little, it just took a while to sink in.  Deep might be right, but the drop is the key.  And trust me, there were tons of folks out there chest deep today.  Putting on my thinking cap, it finally dawned on me, during this period they want, and like, a nice 3+ drop to hang on.  Guess I should have searched my blog for that, it is a good pattern.

Looking back on the day, if we had stuck to drops on our wades the results would have been much better.  I am no trout expert but it makes sense, they lay up and as a general rule stay off the heated flats much of the day.  Plus, since that info is actually on this blog I might have done a little research on my own stuff.  But after 3 slow places to finish the afternoon with a pretty good bite was a great way to end the day.  And the 5 keepers are headed to his house as the honorary guest at a fish fry.  It was one of those days were fishing that one more spot paid off.

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Get inhaled!  

There is something innovative and new coming!  

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One consequence of the crowded water, which is about to be as busy as it gets in our area all year, was I called of a Friday trip with Michael, owner and designer of the Controlled Descent Lures.  And he was fine with that.  This weekend anywhere within a boat ride will be jammed with folks, some of them doing some awesomely stupid stuff.  We were going to fish Friday, but the tournament will be in full swing.  If Wednesday is any indication it will be nuts.

I was able to get a chance to hear what is coming in the plastic department and I can’t wait.  It is a cool idea and there is no way the fish won’t like it.  So as soon as it is out I will fill you in.  And we will reschedule the trip as soon as he can shake lose.  But trust me, if you think fishing the POC area this weekend will be a nice outdoor experience you really do need to fish more.

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The proper tool for the job.

And I wanted to talk a little more about catching them the last place.  No matter what bait you are using there are times when conditions just dictate a certain approach.  The last place had grass with a good drop and was definitely off color from both wind and boat traffic.  The fish were deep and not particularly active so taking a bigger bait, letting it hit bottom and then slow rolling it resulted in some really solid thumps.  I wish I had started that earlier, that slow roll, no jerking, technique has it’s place, and summer time seems to be it.  I learned that from the Mad Trout Fisherman, and his results with plastics before he goes to croaker are spectacular.  So put that in your fishing book, you never know when it might save the day.  They were stopping that Pink Limeade with a solid thump.  And the 4/0 swim bait hook keeps them hooked up.  Wish I was headed to the bay, I am feeling a killin’ coming on.

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Random Acts of Kindness.

I did want to give some props to a couple of folks this morning.  First I headed to Discount Tire to get a new rim.  The dude takes one look at it and says no problem, we can bend that right out and it will be fine, and they did.  And then no charge.  That was a good way to start the day but that was not the real act of kindness.  It has been hot down here, really tough to be outside.  And up rides a guy on a bike who is obviously homeless, he comes in the door and asks if he can get a water, and maybe one for his friend.  The same guy who helped me said sure, take a couple.  He said it with kindness and understanding and at least the dude and his buddy will have some water today.

And then another one happened on the way from the library.  There is a really old couple who have been on the corner with all their stuff early mornings.  One look at them and it is clear they are definitely having it rough.  In the inside lane was a real piece of junk pickup, which appeared to be on it’s last legs.  The window opened and they handed them some money.

Kindness comes in all shapes and sizes and to see 2 perfect examples in one morning was refreshing.  When we all do little things like that you learn that when you do, you actually get more out of it than the person you helped.  So pass it on when you get the chance, it makes the world a better place.

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My last stop was the Tackle Box to pick up a couple of reels that needed cleaning.  The guy who waited on me turned out to be Colton, who is a facebook friend.  It was nice to put a “real” face to a name and we talked some fishing.  He is one of the really good young fisherman in this area.  And I appreciate that he, like several other good young local fishermen, fishes both fresh and salt.  Some of us like catching this or that, or doing it this way or that way, and some of us like fishing in what ever form it takes.  He is in the later group and the sport of fishing is in their hands.

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So know I am sitting here finishing this and trying to figure out when I will get back on the water next, like maybe tomorrow at the lake.  There is something I have been wanting to try and it will eat at me until I try it.  And I definitely want to get back to the bay after it calms down and work on the drop thing.  So whether on the water or off it is on my mind constantly.  And if a person has to have an obsession at least this one is moderately harmless.  So keep stopping in and thanks for reading my stuff.

Good Luck and Tight Lines

FISH CATCHING TRAVEL

Brought to you by

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Weather

97/74  Partly cloudy.  Wind S 10 -1 5.  10% chance of rain.

Lake Level

Today  95.44 msl   5 days ago  95.59 msl

Solunar Times

Good  9:25 am to 11:25 am.   Best  3:37 pm to  5:37 pm.   (No way I will be out there mid afternoon.)

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I really had no plan today, but things changed and with 2 bay days coming this week I made a quick trip to the lake.  And one thing you can say about the lake, it is consistently so-so.  In fact speaking with a guy from out of town at the ramp who has been here a couple of days  they have caught a fish or two the last 2 days, one good one, but they were struggling.  So at least I was able to send them to the areas I have been catching fish and hopefully their last couple of days will be better.  It is so much better to help another fisherman than be a jerk, it is nice to be able to share success.  But I digress.

It was just a little foggy when I put in at daylight.  The further up lake I went the foggier it got.  It was almost 8:30 before it all burned off.  But it did not affect the fish any.

Second cast, it was still really foggy.

Up lake I went and the bite was on.  There was lots of smaller fish that appeared today, and they were willing.  Pitching the watermelon red stick worm is still the most consistent way for me to catch fish.  Same old song and dance – Pitch it tight to cover and get ready.  Many are still just swimming off with it and you have to be ready to pick up the slack and stick them.

Nothing big but there are enough this size to keep it interesting.

Keeping count, it was exactly 7:45 when I boated the first one above, he was number 10 in around an hour.  I kept after it for a while longer and put another 2 or 3 in the boat.  Since it was definitely going to be a short day it was time to go check on the white bass.

Once back down near the dam I worked the same area where I caught them last week.  And though I saw plenty of fish on the locator, with schools of shad, they were not active.  The small bass continued to bite, and 3 small white bass did jump on.  Unlike the other day they were not slamming it, and while they were hitting  at it, it was not with the authority of the other day.  But as far as the bass, none were big, but if you just want to catch some fish just put the boat in 15 – 20′ of water, troll a shad style bait with 50′ of line out a little above idle and you will catch fish.  So around 11:00 it was hot and so I headed to the ramp.  With a dozen pitching and another 10 trolling at least I am catching fish.

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Get inhaled!  

There is something innovative and new coming!  Stay tuned.

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It is a big scary world out there.

Doug, just got back from sight casting for reds in the gin clear waters of some of the land locked shallow lakes in East Matagorda bay. This trip was one I will never forget!!!

To get to these shallow lakes. it involves parking your skiff and walking through the marsh grasses. One can see and catch reds from now through a warm December in these waters. Even on weekends I never see others in these lakes

After yesterday, in the future, I may have to wear a suit of armour. About 4 pm my son and I were walking back after catching reds even in the middle of the day on Knocker B’s. We were walking on a rough animal trail, I in front. My son, behind me softly said “Dad keep walking slow and don’t look back.” What did I do-Looked back!!

I had juat walked over a huge South Texas Marsh Rattlesnake. My heart jumped up to my throat and I ran a qarter mile in a record sprint all the time listening to my son’s laughter.

The rest of our walk was slow and boy howdy did we watch for what could be in our path.

Lessons learned.

1 Don’t walk in the marsh, but the fishing is too good not to.
2. Watch for these critters-they are out there
3 Invest in some snake leggings
4 Stay home and watch TV

Common sense and the love of pursuing our love of shallow water fishing will keep us doing this…You may.in the future, just see us in the marsh walking on a pair of stilts!!!!! Ha ha

PS–I met the Devil out there yesterdy–I will never forget this incident!
be safe, Mac

I always enjoy your input, last time I heard from you it was a redfish killing.  Good thing it was not you!  I have heard about the rattle snakes, some of them really big on the island, and obviously you saw one.  And what you were doing reminded me of a reader a couple of years ago who was tired of the crowds so he did something about it, exactly what you did.  He would find these places on Google Earth and then drag his kayak in.  And some of the places are redfish hangouts with not a soul in sight.  So glad nobody got hurt, and it was a lesson leaned without a fee.  Great to hear you are still up right and taking nourishment.

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And I have said it before, there are crappie to be caught on the lake and I talked with someone who had 31 today.  Just get some minnows and start dipping around brush, they are out there.

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Tomorrow it is off to the bay.  My buddy Chris has been busier than normally and is finally able to fish tomorrow, which is only the second time with me this year.  The initial plan is to head to Panther Reef for starters, from there who knows.  Chris thinks it is time to be chest deep on the reef, and he is probably right.  Then Friday I hope to spend the day with Michael, the owner and designer of the Controlled Descent Lures.  With Poco Bueno from Friday through the weekend not sure where we might fish but we will cross that bridge later.  So keep stopping in and thanks for reading my stuff.  Hopefully I will have a couple of good saltwater reports this week.

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!**

Today is just a few random thoughts and comments.  One really peaked my interest and I somehow was able to figure out the proper answer.  (I hope.)  Sometimes I forget to go back to the basics, and for me that is map study.  I have a big basket full of maps from all over the US and Canada, and trust me, when planning a trip it never hurts to study.

************************Get inhaled!  

There is something innovative and new coming!  Stay tuned.

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I got this interesting question from Michael, which I think is his first time comment.

we rented a place in magnolia beach for 89 days this dec-mar we will be bringing our 18 ft crest liner and would like to know what our fishing opportunities will be we also have a 16 ft prince craft and are wondering if we will have more fishing opportunities with the smaller boat

Oh where to begin?  When I get questions like this it always makes me nervous, especially questions involving navigation.  At least I am somewhat familiar with both boats, I have done a little Yankee fishing in my time, and both would work.  First lets talk about the weather and Magnolia Beach’s location.  This is a great time to fish, but the winds can be a problem, like almost any day on the Texas coast.  The thing about Magnolia Beach is there is 1 ramp right on the beach in the open bay, and then Indianola Marina down the road.  So unless you are just planning on fishing Powderhorn you will have to deal with big water.

Obviously bigger is better due to where you will be.  Of course there are lots of shallow places but in either boat if you are not sure, idle in as you learn.  Easier to get off if you get stuck.  But if you stay with the marked channels, and then use caution to approach any bank or new area you should be good.  Trust me, you have enough time to take it easy and learn as you go.  And the nice thing about the bigger boat is you can head out to the big jetties, which is a pretty good run across open bay, or fish a couple of the rigs that are close but in the middle of the bay, but if you want to catch a big fish the jetties is the place.  If you have ever fished Lake of the Woods, or maybe some other big northern lake, you know how rough it can get and here is no different.  And also across from Magnolia Beach is Keller Bay, which can be rough running straight across the bay, but it can be worth the ride.

As far as Powderhorn Lake the 16′ would be fine, it has lots of shallow water, but it might not be enough to be comfortable running across the big water if you travel and the wind comes up.  (Plus there is not enough fishing there for 3 months.)  The smaller boat could limit your travels, or make for a rough ride.  But draft is important, and much of the water that holds fish is in the couple of feet range.  How shallow does each boat float?  We have thousands of miles of shallow shorelines.   And just how comfortable are you with big water?  But depending on the winds, and just for entertainment since you are here for 3 months, would be to put in at Port O’Connor at Froggie’s boat dock 20 miles away.  It tends to be a little easier to get around in that area when the wind is up.  But with the big boat you can run there, it is not that far from Magnolia Beach, and then be in quieter water without trailering.  Having 2 boats as you well know, there is a trade off with each.  Remember as you consider your choice that Texas boats tend to run and float in a foot, give or take a couple of inches.

Now I am not trying to scare you, the wind may not blow, and it might blow for weeks. This area is big, but the fishing opportunities are unlimited.  So  here is my best advice  –

https://hooknline.net/products/f108-matagorda-bay-hard-copy-fishing-map-with-gps

I rarely if ever fish a new place without a hard map.  This one will give you the skinny and a better understanding on what I just talked about.  Trust me, it will be the best $20 you ever spend as it sounds like this is your first trip here.  So start there, it says it way better than I can.

Now another word of advice if you are fishing with your freshwater boat.  Absolutely rinse and flush the works after every use, including any tackle and rods and reels.  If you do not have a flush attachement for the lower unit buy one.  Be sure to turn everything off because trust me, the salt conducts electricity and it is never fun to touch the boat and feel the current when charging if you used the trolling motor.  And rinse the trailer every single time, the salt will start working on your trailer immediately.

So that is enough of the warnings.  That time of year is my favorite, especially the schools of redfish in the bay and the bulls at the jetties.  One thing I have done in the past that really seems to help with a new place is to make a big run using the main channels and markers to get a good travel baseline by taking a big ride just to map a trail.  Say one to the Powderhorn, Keller Bay, then Port O’Connor, and the jetties.   Then you have the baseline to work off and you can expand as you go.  Keep the map with you and look at it while you lay your track.  There is miles and miles of stuff here and if you have never had the pleasure of catching redfish you are in for a treat.  So keep in touch and I hope this helps.  All I can say is “The Map!”  Good luck.

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Abd Ervin dropped this comment.

Sounds like a great day on the lake. I believe the birds you were seeing are Wood Storks. Should have had black wingtips and tail and black on the trailing edge of the wings. I sure enjoy reading your stuff.

Thanks for reminding me, that is exactly what they were.  I do not see them regularly but when they are here is seems there are always a big flock.  And it was so cool, it drove those turkeys absolutely nuts when they landed on the roost.  Great to hear from you and thanks for reading.

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It was a bummer when I broke my topwater rod on the coast the other day.  It was just one of those picked up at Academy that was stolen off a combo and for some reason it was perfect for topwater.  But all is not lost.  When I went bass fishing yesterday I found I had been using it’s twin so I will just get one of the others in the corner to use on the bass and switch out.  Not sure how it happens, and it has over the years repeatedly, I guess I am just hard on rods.

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The World Cup has been entertaining and I have a better appreciation for the sport.  And those fans, those crazy fans, have been part of the entertainment.  When your whole country gets behind one team it sure adds some excitement.  As we will be hosting it 4 years (I think.) from now I just might have to see a game, wear a funny hat, and blow some kind of horn.

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Not sure what is next as the insurance company finally got an adjuster who we will be hearing from I hope Monday.  Wanting to get this mess done, I will hang around close to be sure to get it done as soon as possible.  It looks to be no big deal but you never know.  As far as the fishing I am needing a little travel fix, just trying to decide fresh or salt, and I still have someone I want to fish with as soon as I am really free.  The show I watched to day on bass fishing the Stick March sure got me going!  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

94/74  Partly cloudy with 20% chance stray shower.   Wind  S 10 – 15 mph.

Lake Level

Today  95.59 msl  Last Thursday  95.61   (Holding steady.)

Solunar Periods

Best  10:25 am to 12:25 pm.  (Only relevant period.)

************************Get inhaled!  

There is something innovative and new coming!  Stay tuned.

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

Part of the reason I have cut the fishing short the last 2 trips is to be able to respond when the adjuster calls concerning the car.  Of course he has not called yet, 5 days later, and I have not heard a word from the Hampton Downtown Dallas, Advantage Valet of the insurance company.  But that is another story.

What a beautiful morning!

The skiff had not seen the water in a month or more so it was time to run it a little.  Nothing worse than letting a boat sit to long.  And giving it credit, it started right up and did not miss a lick all day.  And occasionally when I am using it I am reminded of how simple has a lot to be said for it.  A 50hp Merc which is great on gas, and nothing more than a trolling motor and small locator.  You just can’t kill that hull, it will be 19 years old soon and has served me well.

I had 2 plans today.  One worked out great, one about like it has been.  The fish are still on the cover, but they are getting smaller, or maybe I have educated them.  But either way while it was 10 or so pitching I did quit that around 10:00 to do a little white bass trolling.

It is “Ground Hog” day pitching on the lake right now.

Today they seemed to bite off the cover a little bit.  With the sun not full out they were close to cover, but had not buried up in it yet.  One did manage to break my line, which is a hazard that comes with the territory.  I did not fish everywhere I have been catching them when I decided to catch some white bass.  Coleto is not that great a white bass lake, but they are in there and with just a little effort they can be caught.

What?  Eating a banana on the boat!  Not sure where that superstition came from but after catching around 30 it sure did not hurt anything.

White bass can usually be found on the lower end main lake this time of year and it took me a little while to find them.  In the process at least 10+ bass jumped on.  They bit just about everywhere I trolled and once I found the whites they were mixed in with them.  Using shad style baits that run 10 foot deep with 50 feet of line out, it was just a slow troll to get them.  And once I found them it was 8 or 10 fairly quick with several bass mixed in.

They were on the big flat point, way out, that separates the ramp cove from the fishing pier cove.  They tended to be in around 15 – 20 feet of water and most strikes came trolling over the end of the point and then down both sides.  Once thing about catching white bass that way, they smack it.

Nothing huge but boy it is fun and they were whacking it!

I kept after it until about noon and it was consistent.  Every year about this time I give it a go and rarely do I not catch a few, though today I fished lots of miles before I caught them.  But I will give trolling one thing, it catches fish and without our grass it has opened many places you could not troll before.  Simply take a shad style bait, toss it out behind the boat, and then troll slow.  Once you start seeing shad schools on the locator, and the lower end has lots, you will usually find the whites close.  Trolling like that is a great way to get kids on the fish, and put a few in the well for dinner.

They are one cool looking bird.

The wildlife was on the move today.  Plenty of deer moving around, saw a big pig, and an eagle.  But while I was up lake there were tons of the birds above, they look like a kind of stork, sitting  in the tall trees lining the bank.  As I fished down the bank they would take off out of the tree and fly down the bank to a great big tree.  Now that tree was full of turkeys, and every time the birds landed in the tree the turkeys went nuts and gobbled their rear end off.  Which set off the turkeys on the other side of the lake, for 15 minutes it was a turkey gooble  off.    Spend enough time in the outdoors and you never know what you will see.  Makes getting up in the morning worth it.

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It was a short morning but actually fairly productive.  I have caught tons of whites over the years trolling and it was nice to put some in the boat.  If we did not just eat some salmon and then some trout I would have kept a couple.  One tip with white bass, soak them overnight in 7Up, it takes the red out and no fishy taste.  It works.  As soon as I hit post I am going to get ahold of someone who I owe a fishing trip to and start to schedule the week.  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!**

Time for a mental health break.  Times of trouble?  A case of the blues?  There has been one constant fix in my life – being on the water.  It is Tuesday afternoon as I do the prep on this post and next it will be checking the weather and the tides.  The bay is looking awfully good and I just need to stand in the water and ratchet down.  So I think Keller Bay is in order for a nice quiet post birthday trip.  It has been a while and with the wind not so bad it should be fishable, and always a lot less crowded at the ramp and on the water.  Time to get the saltwater stuff out and make sure I am ready to go.  Hope springs eternal.

Weather

93/74  Periods of clouds and sun.  Chance rain 10%.  Wind S 5 – 10.

Tides

High  10:08 AM     0.6
Low  11:00 PM    -0.5

Solunar Times

Best  9:26 am to 11:26 am.

************************Get inhaled!  

There is something innovative and new coming!  Stay tuned.

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

Who said anything about Keller Bay.  When I got up it was dead calm and what wind there would be was going to be out of the SE so I had an epiphany, Indianola.  The Powderhorn Ranch shoreline should have some fish on it, and guess what?  The epiphany paid off.

A bite right off the bat on the bone Spook Jr.

When I got there at 7:00 a couple of boats were on the shoreline so I just headed down the bank and found a nice stretch with tons of bait rafting.  I dropped the anchor and went for the wading bag, you know, the one in the back of the truck.  And then I realized I went brain dead at the house and left my waders at home.  So I said heck with it, a little old school fishing out of the boat.

With bait light and variable I just positioned the boat with the trolling motor and let the breeze drift me along keeping close to the bait.  It did not take long to figure out thery were in the slots in the sand where it was just a little bit deeper.  And they were basically smoking a steady walk the dog.  And occasionally stopping it provoked a bite or two, the old toss it a foot in the air and not hookup thing.  It only took about an hour to catch what would have been a cleaning table limit.

They all looked like this.

The tide was slowly coming up and the fish moved closer to the bank.  It was surprising that only 1 redfish took a pass at it, it was a good one, but missed it by a mile.  Several of the better trout brought 1 or 2 with it, and for the first couple of hours the bite was steady.   The biggest of the morning did not make the pics today because the dang thing was bleeding all over the boat so it went right  back in.  I just cleaned it!  Then disaster struck.

We were both just resting seeing if it would settle down, it never did.

It has been a while since this happened.  Normally I am a little quicker than they are but this knucklehead came from behind and hit it about halfway back before I could pull it away.  So now I have this gull, and he is mad, on my line so I reel him close and the fight was on.  It could reach the bait so it was biting it and the rod as I tried to shake him off.  We struggled around some and I finally got the de-hooker on the bait and popped it off without it biting me.  It sat there a minute and off it went.  Unfortunately when I shook it off I broke the tip off the rod.  Wow I went almost 6 months without breaking one.  No good deed goes unpunished.

And than an interesting thing happened.  It was now around 10:00 and the tide was up and the water quit moving.  And then the trout would just boil on it, miss it, not sure why but nothing like a little seagull stink on it.  So I covered it with Pro Cure which did not help.  So obviously not seagull stink, just flat tide.  So what the heck, I wanted to see at least half of the soccer game so with an hour and half to go it was back in the Powderhorn to try a little red fishing with spinnerbait, something I have neglected the last couple of years.

But that did not work, not even a little.  The water color in the Powderhorn is not clear by any means.  There were lots of mullet in the first area, and not much back in as I fished the shallow banks next to grass in the places I always catch them.  After an hour it was time to call it a day.  Boy was it nice to have a good topwater bite.  I caught around 10 on top, and 3 or 4 on plastic, which I did not throw all that long.  No sense in that as long as they were smoking it.  One thing that I find interesting about trout and topwater, when they want it, and for a couple of hours today they did, they hook up.  As the bite slows you can almost tell by the way they start messing with it and not eating.  So good thing I was there fairly early but there is no doubt if I had not forgotten the stuff it would have been a killin’.

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

Got lots of comments this week, first from Elaine.

Happy Birthday!

Thanks.  And to the rest of you who sent along wishes I appreciate it.  Your 65th birthday is a 2 edged sword.  Oh my God I am 65! –  or –  I am 65 in great health with a great boat, I mean wife, what more could a guy want.  Thanks for keeping in touch.

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

And it is always good to hear from long time reader Rick.

A sincere Happy Birthday. Sorry about all your troubles in big D. As they said in Forrest Gump, “Life is like a box of chocolates..You never know what you’re going to get.” And yes, you are a lucky man. I’ve only got to fish twice this year so far, but I get my fishing jollies through your blog, so keep up the good work and the great job you do telling us about your various adventures.

It really is, you never know.  I am actually “over” it and a little catching sure helped.  And when folks tell me they “come along” with me when I fish it warms my black heart.  The intention was always to share information and the love of the sport and if this is as close as you get to the water I am willing to “suffer” to help out.  Thanks.

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

And fishfearllarry is still out there.

Happy Birthday! I am sorry to hear of all the problems you went through. Yes you are mad now, but after a little while, if like me, you will sit back and think about it all and realize that it could have been worse. The scum guy could have been sitting in the lobby and been an active shooter and killer! We live in a world with a lot of “sick” people. Once out on the water, you will forget all your worries! As my brother tells me…you know you have a fishing addiction when the day after you go, you are trying to make a plan for the next time you are off and able to go.

To go along with what could have been stay tuned, there is some interesting information on the way.  And you are right, we  could have been in the car, I could have left a pistol in the car, they could have got in a chase, and on and on.  A good detailing sure did help.  The fishing took it all away, it always does, and when they are smacking topwater there is nothing else on your mind.  I sure have the fishing addiction.  I just finished cleaning the boat and have not even unhooked from the trailer.  Not sure if I am going tomorrow but there is no such thing as to ready to go!

And I hope it is ok if I tell a little story about meeting you.  My partner and I were standing in line at a tournament when Larry introduced himself.  He had some reds, we stunk up the joint, and told me he caught them on one of the places I talked about on the blog.  That is exactly why I do this.  Guess what he caught some, I caught some, and you can go there today and catch some more.  So great to hear from you, hope you are  catching some fish.

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

Due to the current brouhaha I decided to post this timely comment from Joe.

Doug,

Edit this as you see fit, even delete the bottom half. Just showing you how ignorant companies have gotten..

Glad you got your car back. Be thankful that scum bag didn’t carjack you while you were stopped at a light. All this money we spend on these big companies and they don’t offer anything back unless you go to the supervisor or higher to get things done.

Happened to me this past week. Drove back from Chicago to san antonio but then had to fly out 3july back at $500. Also had to emergency cancel a flight 5 july and move to 7july wife wasnt out of hospital. Southwest then charged me $1900 but deducted the funds from the 1st flight so $1200. But i had to make a new flight I asked the reservation rep(30 minutes on phone) for some help, said to call customer care. Next 37 minutes on hold and 20 with the guy saying all he can do is get a wheelchair at the counter. And that he was a stupidvisor and had the same powers his boss which seemed to be not a Frickin Thing. I hung up on him, not wasting time.

Later on logged into facebook and posted on Southwest. In 20 minutes not only a response but a solution. They honored the flight 7july with the price we paid 5july flight $750. But would add my fare regular $500 cuz i wasnt on original flight. I said DEAL. Come to find out they gave me a credit of $988 making the flight $245. Figured i suffered enough.

So why cant they do this across the board with employees knowing what they can do. If i could have reached thru the phone and choked the DUDE. I would have. The stress level from this was incredible. Let them be in our shoes when in a 4 week vacation, wife was in hospital 15 days.

joe

Boy I feel you pain as I am going through that right now.  Seems like so many telephone contacts are taught to do everything they can to make sure that something does NOT happen.  And then it is who is the most willing to fight until they win.  Makes you realize how many folks just give up and take the screwing.  And yes we were lucky, it could have been much worse.  As I have thought about it I am not that mad at the fool, he is headed to jail, and he will never change.  Hope the ride was worth it.  But the companies, we shall see how they handle it.  Good to hear from you and let us know how your next fishing trip comes out.

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

It is always great to hear from readers, it keeps me writing.  I see the numbers and hundreds of folks stop here all the time, but nothing beats some feedback.  And speaking of feedback I have a really interesting comment from a gentleman who out of the goodness of his heart sent me some really interesting information.  Some of it will be shared with you when I wrap up the great car rip-off.

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

Today was a success.  Nice to actually catch some today on a good bite, and still made it home for the second half of the soccer game which was good,  Still do not know all that much about the rules but some of the finishes have been crazy.  Not sure what or where is next but the winds are supposed to be down for at least the next week which is a recipe for some bay fishing.  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 Should be My Happy Freakin’ Birthday!

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

No fishing Monday or Tuesday because I get to spend the day dealing with the Hampton Inn, Advantage Valet, and everyone else involved in downtown Dallas who let some car thieves steal our car.  And it got worse.  If you own a Lexus like we do and have Lexus assist cancel right now, they were terrible.  And if you are thinking of buying a nice car consider an Audi, they know how to treat customers who’s car is stolen.  More on that in a little.  A long story short.  The valet company let criminals get access to keys of 3 cars, the guy sat in the lobby for an hour or so (on video) in the early morning hours without anyone asking him why he was there, before he broke into the key box when the valet dropped the ball.  (All on tape as the investigation has learned.) What if he was a rapist or armed robber?  Until changes are made your family is not safe in the Downtown Hampton Inn Dallas, end of story.

This happened around 6am, and neither hotel or valet called the police even though the crook broke in to the key box in their lobby.  Think about it, Advantage Valet and Hampton Inn downtown Dallas did not respond to a felony on their property or call the cops.  It could have stopped the whole thing and they should have immediately secured their “secure” lot we paid $32 a night for.  The Hotel let a scum bag sit in the lobby until he stole the keys.  Huh?  Then they left us sitting at the curb for almost 2 hours waiting for our car before they admitted it was stolen. (5 hours later when they finally called the police.) The hotel was “it is not our fault”, what a fiasco.  No one from the hotel ever apologized or offered to help, not one word from the hotel except it is not us. I forgot, the only thing said after the not our fault thing, the clerk came outside while it was still in an uproar and said we won’t charge you for the valet.  But still not an apology, nothing.  Wow, thanks!   The Hampton’s response was it is the contactor.  Puzzling, the hotel took our freakin’ money and let our keys be stolen from their front lobby but it is not their fault?  So finally after 10:00 am,  hours after the theft police were called.  They came and took a report from the 3 of us and gave us a report number.  The other dude called Audi and they located the car in 5 minutes and off the police went to recover it.

So we immediately call Lexus assist, give them the report number but they are acting like we are lying and they will not help immediately.  They want to speak with the cop. (He has the report with him and did not file it because they were off to recover the Audi.)  Remember, Audi the car company that gives a rats ass about customers – but guess what Lexus – they all hit the road to recover the Audi because Audi was on the ball.  The officer of course did not run to the station to file it, he went after the car thieves.  That is what the police do!  So by Lexus waiting hours our car ends up the hands of a gang banging maggot (Really!) for at least 4 maybe 8 hours who makes a dirty mess like  the animal he was in our car.  Much of which could have easily been avoided if they had immediately activated the vehicle tracker.   And when I asked to speak to a supervisor after 2 calls without results the last person I spoke to at Lexus was a %*&$^ and did not connect me.  They finally activated the GPS tracker hours later (Did not inform us.) as we were leaving town in a rental car.  Plus Advantage Valet of Dallas refused to help us with a rental, the old trust me, you pay for it and we will pay you back.  But then the police called and said we found the car.  So we go to the scene and there is a dreadlock wearing, pants below his ass, athletic shoes maggot cuffed and standing by the cop car.  Sorry Bro, if you do not want to be a classic stereotype don’t be one.  They smoked dope in the car, cigars, left a condom, and went through the paperwork, threw shit everywhere and put Hip Hop on our satellite radio and stole our garage door openers.  Can you say come and rip us off later?  I can see it now, the seats were set back and low, Hip Hop (A new station set on our radio.)  blasting with windows wide open, smoke billowing out as they partied in our car, prophylactic at the ready.  Makes us sick thinking about it.

The good thing – Props to the Dallas PD.  From the responding officer, the 3 who recovered our car, and the detective who spoke with us before interviewing the maggot to see how many lies he would tell him. (The officer’s words not mine, though I can hear it now.  After years of defending criminals it was – Someone gave it to me, I did not know it was stolen, the man is keeping me down, or the best, they are picking on me.)  The Dallas PD was professional and competent and really went above and beyond to assist us unlike the motel, valet, or Lexus.  Thanks guys, your superiors, mayor, and council members have heard from me.

Now the aftermath.  I spent Monday on the phone with all of them, got new reprogramed openers so these animals can not rip us off, the detail guy is coming tomorrow, the insurance company and on and on.  The Valet service is sorry, the hotel is sorry, Lexus assist is sorry.  (in fact they are correct, the whole bunch of them is sorry.)  Everybody is freakin’ sorry.  So whether that is nothing more than lip service remains to be seen.  But they were all nice when I spoke with all of them today (A new attitude today for some reason.)  and they indicated they will all take care of it.  And when I asked them the following question – especially Lexus assist – “Would you want to ride home a hundred miles in a car smelling like dope and cigars, that had a maggot driving and trashing it and leaving a condom when it was all preventable?”  All said they would not want that, but I guess it is ok for us.  So there will only be one more follow up post later detailing their responses.  Lets see what happens.  But boy am I freakin’ pissed.

Fun at the Ramp

When I got to the ramp Thursday morning there was a couple of guys with a fancy Skeeter about to put in.  They backed in and he kept gunning it but it would not go off the trailer, so they pulled it out, oops, forgot one side tie down.  So they pull out get it off and back it back in, and I slide past them and drop it in.  Meanwhile the dude turns on the bilge pump and water is rocketing out of the boat.  Oops, forgot the plug so the other guy goes and gets the truck and back on the trailer they go.  Meanwhile me, Mr. Awesome at launching a boat, starts to step off the pier, and slips, and I mean I am an instant from going in head first but I made the big save.  That would have been fitting.  Everyone made it on the water safely.

Then when I go to take out there is a trailer backed in and one of those big Shallow Sports, I think X3, which is fairly new, and he is having a hell of a time getting it on the trailer.  I offered to help but he said no problem, it is just a bad bunk as he cranks it up for all he is worth.  And that says it all about boat ownership.  That thing cost an easy $70K plus, is almost brand new, and something is already broke.  It never ends.

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

Get inhaled!  

There is something innovative and new coming!  Stay tuned.

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

Dredge the cut at Charlie’s.

I have not been through that cut since some time last year when there was a couple of boats stuck.  And it happens to be the only place someone ever had to get out and push my boat so we could get off.  Now from what I understand, and please correct me if I am wrong, the cut is basically unusable unless you run on spit.  If that is the case it really needs to be dredged out to take some of the pressure off POC on the weekends.  Even staying at POC we have trailed to Charlie’s to get farther down the bay without having to fight the madness that is Froggie’s.  So if anyone knows whether the cut is usable I would appreciate hearing it.

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

So that will be it today on my birthday.  But I should be able to get things done enough to fish tomorrow, or let’s put it this way, I am fishing tomorrow.  What gets me about this whole adventure is that everyone except the police dropped the ball, and it did not have to happen.  Think about how you would feel, thinking about them with your address and garage opener.  So I promise other than one follow up post when it is all done that subject is done.  So while the detail guy is here, the Boss has the truck at work, fishing will wait.  But I so appreciate all I have on my birthday.  The best wife and best friend a guy could have, getting to fish my life away, what more could a guy want?  I am the luckiest guy in the world.  So keep stopping in and thanks for reading my stuff, and letting me vent.

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 

86/73.  Thunderstorms with locally heavy downpours.  Chance rain  80%.   Winds E 5 – 10.

Lake Level

Today  95.61 msl.    2 days ago  95.55 msl.

Solunar Times

No relevant period when I was out.

The One That Got Away

The weather forecast was pretty sketchy for today so I got up about 5:30, looked outside, and while it had rained last night, it was partly cloudy and calm.  So it looked like I could get in some fishing on the lake before it got here, and my timing turned out to be just right.  I fished from 7:15 until 1:00 when I heard thunder off in the distance.  So I  loaded up and headed home.  5 minutes after I got home it started coming down in buckets, so I got lucky.

I never, ever, get tired of this.  The morning ride across dead calm water with not a soul in sight makes me glad to be alive.

So being unsure how long I would be able to fish I headed right to the good stuff.  It was dead calm and the sun was coming out.  The bite was slow the first hour, I had 5 or 6 bites and only boated 1.  They were definitely pecking it and not eating.  But then it was like they threw a eat it switch and the bite was on.  From about 8:00 until 10:00 I boated 15 and missed half that many.  Today I decided to keep an accurate count to be sure that when I had been telling you it was 15 or 20 a morning it was not bullshit.

The bit the whole morning.

The wind was still under 10mph so it was time to head down lake and try some of those deeper banks that have had the wind blowing on them.  First it was a deep point, and I caught 1 and missed a couple that I should have caught.  Next was a channel turn and it was a couple more.  Then a long deep bank and 3 more made it over the side of the boat.  This is a place I have wanted to fish with plastics but the wind has been to hard on it for a couple of weeks.  Today it was possible to let the stick worm just fall down the face of the drop, and they were just swimming off with it.

20lb mono, a 4/0 Gamakatsu worm hook, 3/16th oz. tungsten slip sinker, 5″ Big Bite watermelon red stick worm.

At this point it was about noon so it was time for one more deep tree and then a deep bank  by the dam.  The tree produced 2, and it should have been 4.  Now I have caught another 7 since coming down lake, for a total of 22 for the day.  So I decided to hit one more deep bank by the dam, and disaster struck.  From starting off having them hit short, to catching them right along, this fish decided to hit it as I reeled up in about 10 foot of water and literally swam right at the boat.  I set the hook, up comes a huge mouth, and off goes a huge mouth.  All I have to say about that is dang it!

Nothing big but they sure were willing.

Today they were all about the same size with a couple of real small ones thrown in, other than the big one.  Cover is still the ticket, but on the channel banks they are on drops.  Both on the deeper point I fished and the long channel bank they were in about 10′.  As the lake drops the upper end will get tougher but the fish on the lower end should start bunching up and once you find some they should hang out in the general area for a while.

I still love the hand to hand combat of pulling them out of cover but a couple of “funny” things happened today.  2 were able to get tangled in line inside the bush and pull off.  It is so important that we make every effort to pick up our line as best we can.  It is hard to complain about the fishing with these kinds of numbers, and most days a shot at a good one like today, it is simply a matter of getting it in the boat.  It just did not happen today, but I had my chance.

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

I got this comment from Chad the Mad Trout Fisherman, who we had not heard from in a while.

Hey doug its been awhile since i dropped a line, i saw you at speedy stop in poc the other morning and said Gm captain but u said hello and jumped in the 4 runner.

A nice 28″ CPR’d.

Fishing in poc has been tough on the big moon for me and the sharks have been tough in the greens area, my son taylor did manage a 30” trout the other day only to have a 5 ft shark take more than 1/2 of it. What a bummer!!!

We took a pic with the leftovers beside a 17” trout. Croaker has been the ticket for us . I hope to get in the surf on friday. Thanks chad

It may be tough but like usual you sure have been laying the smack down on them.

Now I am embarrassed. Sorry if I was half asleep and it did not register who you were so please accept my apology. Heck, I would have pumped you for info, or a ride! Not saying I am glad you had a tough time on the moon, but it just makes me feel better to know I was not alone in my struggles. And if you struggled a little bit with the croakers it says a lot. (See his article on croaker fishing in the technique page of the blog.) Tell Taylor sorry about that but I am sure there are more 30″ coming in his lifetime. I could see him being a top guide in the future. (Don’t tell him that, try college first.) It is good to hear from you and next time just slap me a good one.

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

Get inhaled!  

Michael tells me that the Controlled Descent line is about to expand.  Not sure exactly what is coming but he says it is something brand new.  Innovation in fishing lures comes on step at a time and I am excited to see what is coming!  Stay tuned.

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

And Topwater Billy had another comment.

SA Joe’s comment made me chuckle as well. As you said, cool that someone checked the link. Sorry that I disappointed him.

As to our statement, “And I guess we can fish again. Maybe!”…….gee, what a glowing endorsement for future fishing opportunities.

Whispering very softly, “topwaters all day, topwaters all day”…….lol.

Boy you do have a topwater problem.  I wonder if there are touchy feely groups where you could work out your feelings with other deeply sensitive fishermen.  You know, a group setting where you all pour out your deepest feelings and insecurities.  On the other hand, nah.

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

Those of you who read this stuff know I look at boats for sale all over the state almost every day.  It is fun, informative, and often crazy what folks expect.  Lately there has been lots of really high dollar used boats for sale.  Some of them are easily in the $50k plus price range, even being a couple of years old.  Seems to be a lot of cases of someone’s eyes being bigger than their wallet.  And why in the world if you can justify spending that kind of $$$ would you buy a used boat?  And one other question – If it has been maintained like they say it has why not a compression check and the maintenance records available for inspection?  Would sure help sell the boat.  Just wondered.

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

That will do it for today.  Saturday it will be joining the grandkids and family for a play in Dallas.  Not sure what the Lion King is all about, but everyone is pretty excited about going and it will be good to see the kids.  Next week is going to be some saltwater fishing.  The moon is on the wane and things should improve somewhat.  And anytime any of you feel the need to comment drop me a line, we all love hearing from you.  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!**

After weeks of cloudy mornings it was flat out fog and haze today.  Rain is on the way and the humidity is thick.

Weather

97/75  Partly cloudy.  0% chance of rain.  Wind SSW 10 – 20.  (Heat index 105 degrees today.)

Lake Level

Today  95.55 msl.   Yesterday  95.57 msl.

Solunar Times

Good  9:17 am to 11:17 am.

*********************Get inhaled!  

Michael tells me that the Controlled Descent line is about to expand.  Not sure exactly what is coming but he says it is something brand new.  Innovation in fishing lures comes on step at a time and I am excited to see what is coming!  Stay tuned.

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

I decided to switch gears some today and fish a little more main lake first instead of heading to the fish.  It was slow at first but looking at the Solunar times today they got it exactly right.  Only 3 small ones took a swing at it first thing this morning, and I caught all 3 of them, all out of cover of some sort.  There may be a good way to catch them in that clear water but I sure have not figured it out.

So after 9:00 I head up lake and started pitching.  Today I threw a watermelon red 6″ finesse worm most of the morning, and just like all the other plastics in that general color they liked it.  But the bite was not near as consistent today, but again the first few hours I stayed off the ones I have been catching.  But I finally gave in went back to the sure thing.

It is still a matter of working your way through the smaller fish to get a good bite.

I did learn several things today.  One, pitching inside a cove with cover produced exactly 1 fish.  Fishing an area way up the creek with real off color water did not produce a bite.  And since I was there super early I fished a long stretch of deeper water down lake with the buzzbait and that was a complete strike out.  Time to give it a rest so I cut it off the rod, the only way I will quit throwing it on the lake.

About half of the 10 or so this morning looked like this, the other  5 were small.

They were definitely not as shallow as they have been, which I suspect is a function of the slowly falling lake and rising water temps.  And they were really doing the swim with it thing today, but I am getting better at catching those.  You have to be sure reel up all your slack until the line is tight when they are swimming off the cover before you set the hook or you won’t get a solid hook set.   For some reason today they were pulling on the worm a lot more than the other baits, which are thicker and heavier.  Not sure what that was about but that is what happens when you run out of the other stuff.

It would be hard to calculate how many plastics I have gone through on the lake the last month.  It is imperative that whatever plastic you throw is streamlined and straight on the hook so you can get it through the cover.  Bury the barb and be sure the slip sinker goes down on the plastic and covers the nose.  (I occasionally peg the slip sinker, it helps.)  And don’t get all jerky with it.  When it hits bottom just shake it a little up and down, and when you feel a branch lightly shake it over.  And a side benefit of not getting hung, the occasional fish will take it right off for you, so be easy.  Nothing like making the perfect cast to cover and then hanging up before the fish get to it.

For the morning it was 10 – 12 give or take a fish.  The last 3 or 4 trips I have tried some new places and different techniques but pitching is still the most consistent.  But the big fish are showing up less and less shallow.  Falling water with a temp approaching 90 degrees plus has that effect on bass, so no big surprise.  All I know is it is time for a change of pace, and place.  Not sure where but one thing about South Texas, lots of opportunities.

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

And after I posted Topwater Billy’s comments a couple of more came in, the first from SA Joe.

And here i thought the link https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ci3afKw_mcY was TOPWATER BILLY getting a great catch on a top water !!!!!

Cant go wrong with Molly Hatchet !!!

Someone get me a beer !!!!!!

Your comment made me laugh.  Wondered who would actually check the link.  It really was about my Hogs and the game, and then collapse.  Good to know you are awake and I am down with the beer thing!

And Topwater Billy also commented.

Ah, there we go. I thought maybe I had pee’d in your Post Toasties. Now I understand why I am a “bad influence”…….lol. Hell, within those parameters, I’ll take that classification any day.
As for Molly Hatchet. I saw them last year opening for Lynrd Skynrd. Both of them brought the house down.
‘Til next time…….

Never at a loss for words and I appreciate it.  And I guess we can fish again.  Maybe!

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

And Faye and her hubby made it  to POC last week but had a little tougher time that last trip.

We fished Sunday & Monday. WIND – WIND – WIND!! We did manage one really nice trout off a drain in Big Bayou other than that is was 2 big blue crab (haha), 2 hard heads, small trout and a small red. We had to use croaker and soft plastics since everyone was out of shrimp. Hoping to go back down in a few weeks.

Hey it will go better next trip.  Just a little of the summer time blues.

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

Hope you all have a great 4th of July.  Our weather report is for rain, which we need, but hopefully our Victoria families get in the fireworks tonight.  We all remember what it was like to be young and excited about the fireworks.  So be safe today.  I have some more to post, including a comment and pictures from Chad the Mad Trout Fisherman.  And I am making tomorrow’s plan, it will be on the water somewhere.  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

96/74.  Mostly sunny.  0% chance rain.  Wind SSE 10 – 20.

Lake Level

Friday  95.70 msl.   Today  95.57 msl.  (You can see it starting to drop.)

Solunar Times

Good   8:27 am to 10:47 am.

*********************Get inhaled!  

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

It really is Ground Hog Day on the lake.  The mornings are the same, cloudy and calm.  The water temp was over 89 degrees at the ramp, rising to over 90 as the day wore on, so it is definitely on the rise.  There was no one at the ramp when I put in and headed up lake.  When I have it to myself I always wonder if I am the only nut around.

Humidity brought to you by the Gulf of Mexico.  It has been ugly.

I wish there was something astute or stunning to say but there ain’t.  The lake is basically stable and so is the fishing.  Today it was all wood, period.  Not a bite any other way.  And one thing that has been interesting is that they are rarely on the same piece of wood as the day before.  But they are on the wood.

For the summer doldrums I will take one like this any day.

I did try some different places again today, and if there is wood there just might be one close.  They do seem to prefer just a little bit deeper banks, but some of them have the least amount of cover.  So fishing off the bank on shallower places with wood will get you bit.

And there are just enough of these to make getting up worth it.

One thing that can be said for the numbers is they are consistent.  It was an easy dozen by time I quit at 12:30, and I caught one on the last place I fished.  Occasionally you will catch 2 or 3 in an area, but generally it is singles, and definitely the better fish are by themselves. And as far as cover, they definitely want the thicker stuff with branches.

Lots of smaller fish, some way smaller than these.  The second one is skinny like a few of them have been.

I find it interesting that the really steeper banks have not produced for me.  Again I cranked a deeper channel bank without a bite, surprising with the wind blowing.  But again, most of them lack enough good cover to make fishing them worth it.  That is where they should be and fishing slower and deeper might work.  And of course Carolina rigging on the big main lake points should be going strong but the wind has been a player.  Today, and the last few trips, it has started coming up around 8 – 9:00 and when it blows it has been getting after it.  But it is what it is.

They really seem to have no preference for the type of plastic, beaver style, senko, and I caught a few on worm today.  I thought that might work a little better but didn’t really make a difference.  Location, location, location.  I lost my last 3/8th tungsten weight so used a 1/8th which made the bait  fall slower, and that definitely did not help.  So I went to a 1/4 lead and they started hitting it again.  That slightly less difference gave them to much time to think about it without reacting, the heavier weight does get more bites.  No matter what lots of them are still swimming off with it and you never feel a “hit.”

Not a bad morning, though it really has been Ground Hog day all over again.  We are coming off a full moon so things will change a little the next week or so.  And with more rain coming in a couple of days we will have cloudy conditions which always helps.  Wednesday is the 4th so I will probably fish tomorrow and leave Wednesday to the rest of you.

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I did forget to tell you another story about my buddy Todd.  It was his lower unit that went out, then the blown tire and fender shredding, when we were at Mansfield.  All of that ended up running about $5k.  But the best part of the story is the next day he sent me a text of his rear view mirror hanging off the windshield.  It just fell off while he was driving.  Told him he better just stay in the house!  So remember next time your day sucks, you always have company.

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After posting about fishing POC with Billy I got this comment.

Three things.
A buddy of mine, may he R.I.P., didn’t call me Topwater Billy for nothing.
In reference to your Razorbacks statement:
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ci3afKw_mcY
It’s not a “good thing” to fish with me? What the hizzell…….lol(I think)?

First, from now on you will be Topwater Billy on the blog, if there was ever an appropriate nickname this is it.  And yes, my Hogs did flirt with disaster, and then disaster struck.  It will stick in their craw for a lifetime.  (Note:  Speaking of Flirting with Disaster I saw Molly Hatchett in Little Rock in the 80’s and they brought the house down.)  Fishing with you is fun but the last thing I need is someone enabling me to throw topwater all day.  I already have a buzzbait fetish.  But they sure did hit it all day last week and I definitely learned something.  We will do it again.

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With the 4th around the corner be careful out there.  Have a safe holiday no matter what you do.  I will be on the weather watch which will dictate where next.  The trout are still calling me, but a little change of location and tactics is in order.  Both fresh and salt, we are in full blown summer and so are the fish.  So keep stopping in and thanks for reading my stuff.

Good Luck and Tight Lines

FISH CATCHING TRAVEL

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The mornings have been carbon copies of each other the last month.

Weather

94/76  Partly cloudy and hot.  10% chance rain.  Wind SSE 15 – 25.

Lake Level

Today  95.70 msl   5 days ago  95.80 msl.  (On a slow decline again.)

Solunar Times

Good 6:01 am to 8:01 am   Best  11:49 am to 1:49 pm.

It was almost dead calm when I hit the water at daylight.  The water temp at the ramp was 86 degrees, as was most of the lake.  The water color has stabilized in both arms.   So I headed to a bank with lots of cover and started pitching.  And it was just as it has been, lots of smalls.

As you have seen the last month these are the run of the mill.  Looking kind of skinny but they are willing.

Of course the buzzbait got a little workout, and while it caught 3 later in the day in clear water they were definitely small.  I had one good one smoke it, while I had the phone pinned between my shoulder and ear talking to the Boss and casting.  Think about that for a minute – I can’t even stop casting 1 freakin’ minute to take a call.  You would think by now I would be ready for a good bite, that is just the way fishing is.  And the swim jig got tossed a little but with most of the fish tight to cover it is not the best choice right now.  I also fished a couple of banks with crankbait when the wind was up but obviously my bank or lure selection was not any good.

The best of the morning, I never felt her at all until she started swimming off.

But most of the morning, I quit at noon, it was pitching.  Today in honor of the Oregon State Beavers kicking my Hog’s ass I pitched a beaver plastic for the heck of it.  The green with red flake was a little better than the more red watermelon.  One thing about pitching it, they seemed to hit it a little more aggressively than they have been hitting the senko.  But of course the one above just started swimming with it.  There is still about a 40% chance that you will not feel the bite.  How they do that I do not know with so little line out, tricky.

Also today I lost 2 good ones in cover, it comes with the territory.  As I get a little more confident pitching more and more I am tossing it right in there.  Your bait has to be straight with the barb lightly stuck  back in the plastic so it will come through stuff and you have to be work it easy so as not to stay hung up.   The brushier the cover the better the chance there is a fish.   Additionally I even caught one on the 5th cast to a bigger piece of cover.  Just had to get the right angle to work it properly.

The wind finally came up and was blowing pretty good when I called it a day.  As it has been it was 10 or so pitching and several on buzzbait.  So while the good ones are few and far between there is fish to be caught.  And again I actually saw folks catching, not just fishing, for crappies.  If you want a great dinner they are biting.

*********************Get inhaled!  

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It was good to hear from Aaron A.  He sent along a rather long post and in deference to his summer trials and tribulations with 2 small children we will get right to the good stuff.

Aaron with a nice river bass.  He catches his share.

I did manage to score a decent river bass on topwater earlier in the year (22”) and a good trout down near Rockport last weekend that matched my personal best (25”).  In  Rockport I was fishing with a buddy that had a boat.  You know I’m a kayak guy so this was a new experience.  All the water in the back of the shoreside bays was stained and fresh so we hit the mid bays rigs with croakers.  I’m also an artificial guy so croaker fishing took a little practice.  Seemed like all we could find was unders so they finally dropped me off on some shell to do my thing with artificial while they headed off to pop some shrimp under corks. When then came back an hour later I had a couple 22” trout, a great 25” trout, and a black drum.  I could get use to fishing with the benefit of a boat!

A nice solid!

Saturday the wind was terrible and we had a hard time finding any fishable spots but we still fared better than the boat we saw that had run into an artificial reef near Goose Island SP (see pic).  Talk about a bad (and dangerous) day.

That sucks, plain and simple.

One of these days I’m going to think ahead enough to give you a shout to buddy up on a trip.

I hope you’re doing well.

Good to hear from you and looks like your summer is going ok.  The Saturday you are talking about is when we fished the Upper Laguna and had a tough time, and it was rough.  But nice job pulling it out on the wade, that was a good string.  Nothing better than getting in them and making it happen wading.  But do try to avoid getting bitten by the boat bug, it is a incurable, expensive, disease, trust me.  Since you get down here fairly regularly just drop me a note, maybe we can work out a day.   And good luck with the kids, they will be fishing, chasing girls, and driving before you know it!  The Boss and I are doing well, thanks for asking.  Keep in touch.

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SA Joe sent along this comment after I posted Tony’s best 5.

Was that 5 fish limit done on Coleto ??? What lake?

Just got back from my month trip thru Hot Springs and Chicago. Caught alot of fish in both areas. Thumb needs a long rest after lippin so many.. YEA RIGHT !!!!

Stopped at Lake Nanoniche, caught about 20 there and the lake has so much standing timber and laydowns. Dont know where to start and being in a kayak I stayed to the left of the boat launch. Very nice area and lake.

Tony did not say.  As you know if folks want to tell some, part, or none, it is their choice.  I am just happy to get the pictures and honor my word about keeping quiet.  No matter where he caught them it is a massive string, Falcon or Fork like.   And there are actually some fish in the Hot Springs area.  I fished it a lot when at the horse races, fish Hamilton in the morning and race in the afternoon.  In fact the Boss and I got married at the Little Wedding Chapel across the street from the track by a guy from Auckland NZ in a purple hounds tooth suit.  It was a touching little ceremony.   And Naconiche has an off and on again reputation, though I have not fished it there have been some big fish caught there.  As usual good to hear from you.

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4th of July

Here comes my speech.  Time to check all the paperwork on the boat, make sure the trailer lights and tires are up to snuff.  Bearings grease?  Life jackets?  If you are headed out on the water be prepared.  Keep the brews to a minimum.  Don’t be “that guy.”  Law enforcement will be out in force, along with about a million other folks.  Remember about a third of them do not have a clue so be patient.  Be the bigger guy, be ready at the ramp, be courteous.  It will be a 5 day weekend for some folks and it will be busy as the weather forecast is great for the holiday.  There were multiple deaths and boating accidents Memorial Day so be careful, be safe, and have a freakin’ good time!

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On a personal note my 65th birthday is in July.  I have never taken unemployment, food stamps, or any other benefit other than SSI on retirement.  So starting next month Medicare begins.  To bad the government has squandered all our money we have paid in over a lifetime.  I feel for the folks coming along later, talk about getting screwed, good luck.  The money will be gone.

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This weekend will be a little trailer and boat work on the skiff.  There is always something that can be fixed, replaced, or changed.  It seems that once I start on something other things just follow.  It will keep me occupied until Monday, when it will be back on the water.  I appreciate all your comments and suggestions and all of you feel free to comment anytime.  So keep stopping in and thanks for reading my stuff.

Good Luck and Tight Lines