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!**

Tip of the Day

Remember when fishing plastics on the lake or the bay that weight makes all the difference in fall rate and action.  If they are biting but acting “hinkey” like today, change weight, it may change the way they eat the same bait you thought they did not want.  And it gives you a reason to re-tie.

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

Sorry no weather or other info, I just decided to go around noon after it warmed up some.  The cool weather has definitely affected the fish and the water temp was still in the high 60’s in most places after what has been a series of cool nights.   One cove I was in was 64 degrees, it was 71 last week.

The plan for today was to spend the afternoon pitching soft plastics on hardwoods adjacent to spawning areas.  I figured those that are done are resting there, and a few who have been chased out of the shallow water are holding waiting for it to start warming back up again.  And as my pitching leaves something to be desired a little practice was in order.

She just about ground her tail off by time she was done spawning.

I started with a stick worm on a 1/8th ounce slip sinker.  For the first hour it was slow, I missed more than I caught but finally managed to catch a couple.  As you can see in the pictures they are totally beat up from the spawn.  I missed as many as I landed, after a while it became apparent they wanted a quicker fall, so I upped the weight to a 1/4, and it helped.  But the high pressure seemed to have them not really wanting to eat, and of the 8 – 10 I boated in a quick afternoon trip maybe 2 actually thumped it, the rest were just there.  If you did not set the hook quickly they were gone the instant you thought it might be a bite.  And as I am learning it needed to be “pitch perfect”, right in the stuff.

During the afternoon I offered up the topwater, spinnerbait, crankbait, and other than a couple of half hearted nips on the swim jig, it was all plastics.  The best bait turned out to be a craw/creature style plastic I picked up in the bargain cave at Cabela’s to use as a trailer on the swim jig.  But it had lots of wigglers on it, and they seemed to want a little more action.  Which seemed counter-intuitive, but hey, it is what it is.  But the shallow fish are definitely cover oriented, pitch it close.

A little better, and as tough as it was I was happy to have her.

So that covers a slow afternoon.  After catching some really big fish in January, they are few and far between now.  I really do not know what to think about what is to come this year, but one thing is real apparent, we need some rain.  The lake continues to fall slowly without warming any appreciable amount this month, in fact the water temps continues to drop at night without getting the daytime warming we need.  One of the things that makes fishing what it is is the difference year to year, day to day, hour to hour.  It is up to the fisherman to make changes, I just seem to have “lost it” right now.  But when it is all said and done, no worries, there is always the next trip, the next cast, and hope springs eternal.

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

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

I did spend the last couple of evenings fishing from the bank with Jeffish and his son Korbin for catfish at their campsite on Coleto.  Sunday night we strung 6 eaters but it was tough with a 25mph+ wind pounding right on us.  And Monday evening the fishing was really slow and we did not catch one while I was there.  After 2 days of a north wind pounding into the cove it cooled it way off and muddied up the water.  It has been awhile since I bank fished, to bad the weather did not cooperate. It reminded me of the “old days” where I cut my fishing teeth bank fishing.  And while they were camping they adopted a woman and her son who were camping, the son was autistic and a funny guy.  Jeffish was so good with him, and he was excited to catch a couple of fish.  Says a lot about my buddy.

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

The ramp at Coleto was flat nuts all weekend.  There were some crazy loading and unloading, boats not starting, folks yelling, it had it all.  After watching a guy and his wife struggle trying to put their big Lund on the trailer I finally could not take it and went over and with another guy we finally got it on the trailer.  Not sure what was wrong, but something was twisted.  I know the wife was happy to see us, she had just declared she was done.  Always an adventure.

But the thing that I saw that needed to be addressed, kids on jet skis.  The whole cove is a no wake zone, which apparently does not apply to jet skis.  It there had been a warden there it could have been a ticket writing extravaganza and along with an opportunity to educate.  Boy it was nuts.

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

Funny how things are coming together on the next few month’s fishing trips.  I got a note from Tim at Wade Right with the info on the trip to the Chandeleurs.  As I said before, that trip has been a bucket list trip for me and I could not be more excited.  Nothing like getting back from one trip and turning around the next week for another great adventure.  Check out their site, looks good to me.  Can we go ahead and leave tomorrow?

fishsouthernbelle.com/

And the Austin Boys are all a twitter about the early June trip to Port Mansfield, it was epic for them last year.  But every day is a new day when you are fishing, so we shall see.  It is turning into a big group as a few more reprobates are joining in, and as usual with those guys it will be interesting.

And then we got an email from the guide service in Peru.  We need to send them a copy of the front page of our passports, this happens lots of places we go, and the best thing is it lets you know they are keeping up with the program.  It always gives me confidence when we hear from the operators we use when we travel a couple of times before we go.  It is 5 weeks away and we are chomping at the bit to hit the road.  And who knows, maybe another marlin for me!  (I really am spoiled!)

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

And a shout out to Faye (One of my most loyal readers.) and her husband who after a long absence from the bay are headed to POC next week.  Good luck and it is good to see you back on the water.  Nothing improves anyone’s attitude more than the anticipation of a trip to come.  (See above!) We will be looking forward to some pictures.

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

I had a great time fishing with Fred and David Saturday and it brought back some memories of fishing tournaments.  Tournament fishing is a different beast.  What I have seen over the years is the guy who is a terror on his home lake, and begins to think that it is no big deal, until they have to do it against some of the best sticks around on unfamiliar water.  You have to be able to do it all no matter the conditions.  When I was with the lure company in the 70’s he supported a great local fisherman.  BASS came to Bull Shoals and he won, which was a freakin’ big deal.  And when it came time to hit the road he never won again.  It is a tough life, home sweet home it is not.  And funny how some of the tourney guys post when they win, then not a peep when they don’t do so well.  That is one thing about the blog, when it sucks I am stuck with it and you have to listen to it.  With that said I plan on fishing the local jackpot tournaments on Coleto this summer as soon as I find a partner.  Guess I am a glutton for punishment.

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

Tomorrow I will be joining Glen, another reader, for a day of wading at POC.  He reported catching some fish, but had trouble with shorts.  He is interested in lure fishing, which is out of his comfort zone.  Not sure what I can do to help that along, but no matte what it will be great to fish with another reader.  I have met some great folks through this blog. either in person or through comments, and I appreciate it.  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 am really looking forward to fishing with Fred and David today.  A couple of hard core tourney fishermen Fred contracted me a while ago wanting to know if I could fish with him and spread a little swim jig knowledge.  Not sure what I can really show them, but I am looking forward to the day.  For some reason I am always a little apprehensive fishing with new folks, and in this case it is a little more than normal but that is what makes guiding and tournament fishing what it is.  After fishing hundreds of tournaments in my early years the guys now are light years ahead of what we did in the days of flasher electronics, cigar style boats, and when graphite rods were a new thing. And I sure do not want to mess up their practice for a coming tournament, they have their ways and don’t need me to add to their confusion.  But like I always say, you don’t know until you go.

Weather

84/66  Cloudy becoming partly cloudy.  Wind SSW 5 -10.  10% chance of rain.

Solunar Times

Good 11:03 am to 1:03 pm.  (Only relevant period today.)

Lake Level

Today  96.69   Thurday  96.73   (The slow decline continues.)

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

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

All I Have to Say is WOW!

There were people, boats, jet skis, tubers, and a ton of folks fishing.  Every parking lot was full and it was overflow parking.  It has been a while, in fact never, when I have been on the lake and it was that busy.  (Reminded me why I don’t fish many weekends.)  Since David and Fred drove over from San Antonio we met at 8:30.  By time we got on the water the lake crowd had a full head of steam.  And it looked like there was at least 2 tournaments going, not to mention several folks from their club who were practicing for a tournament next week.

We only had one plan, they wanted to swim jig fish, and that we did.  It started off slow, and because we stayed with the swim jig it remained slow.  It took David a little to get the hang of, and unfortunately David never did quite get it right.  It is not as easy as it would seem.

David with one of the 3 or so like this, the rest were small.

We fished from all the way uplake, where it was stacked with boats in the morning, (The most I have ever seen “up” there.) to a big cove near the plant.  If I had to guess we might have scratched out a tournament limit, but only 3 during the day were “ok”.  I give them tons of credit, they stayed with the program in spite of slow fishing.  Occasionally we would toss the senko style bait at hardwoods, and like I said the other day, that is the pattern right now, and for what little we did that the bites were regular.  But we soldiered on.  They were determined to get the feel, the only way to become competent with a bait is to stay with it until you get the “point”.

Unlike the last couple of trips, or months it seems, there was literally no wind.  Oh the lament of the fisherman, “It is windy every freakin’ day, now there is not a lick.”  It is why we keep going, because every once in while it all lays out perfect, unfortunately today was not that day.  But when it is all said and done I hope they learned something.  You have to start somewhere, and while at times they slam that swim jig, today they were just getting on.  It led to them having a tough time when the fish would just do the swim up behind and eat it without having a “hit”.   Actually it might be for the best, as tough as the bite was, next time they give it a go hopefully not only will they catch more fish, but some will actually result in a “hit’, which makes it a lot easier to catch them.  And today was a perfect example of experience, it is amazing how often I set the hook on the swim jig before my mind ever registers a hit.  And the way they have been eating it is not the easiest bite on the lake.

They are fishing today, and the conditions could not be better this morning.  A little windy out of the south, cloudy, and there is a big ass cold from coming with north winds to 30 arriving this afternoon.  Hope they get on the big bite before it gets here, and I am sure the traffic is not nearly as spectacular as yesterday.  My only complaint about our day together, I could have fished better.  Guess that is why they call it fishing.  But it did remind me of why tournament fishing is what it is, you have to catch them no matter what, conditions, traffic, it does not matter.

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

I got a chance to stop in Cabela’s Friday and the plan was to pick up some swim jigs and assorted other stuff I can’t live without, but keep it to a dull roar.  But of course we did find a great deal on a pair of Simm’s wading boots that were regularly $225 at $80.  Having small feet, deal likes this come up every once in a while, and at $80 could not pass them up.  And with a trip to Alaska on the bucket list they actually fit the wife so she will be stylin’ when we are there, and I now have a spare pair.  And she picked up a one of those bug repellant Exofficio shirts.  Can’t wait to see how well it works in the Amazon.  I have my doubts, but if you want to put that to the test the Amazon would seem to be the place.   Funny how a couple of swim jigs turns into a couple sacks of stuff.

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

There will be some serious fish catching travel going on around here the next few months and I could not be more excited.  First it will be Peru at the end of April with some offshore fishing followed by a little fishing in the Amazon.  How cool is that?  Then a week after I get back it looks like I will be off with the Wade Right guys and some of their friends on a 3 day house boat trip to the Chandeleur Islands.  That has always been on my bucket list and has some of the best wade fishing in the country.  And then a couple of weeks after that it will be joining the Austin Boys for 3 days of fishing in Port Mansfield.  It might have been a little slow around here at times last year but I am back with a vengeance.

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

I want to thank Fred and David for taking me fishing yesterday, I really like fishing with new folks, especially when they bring the boat!  And I promise not to whisper a word about the Biffle Bug.  Depending on this front, it is 11:00 Sunday morning as I type this, Jeffish and Korbin are thinking about camping on Coleto and doing some jugging for catfish.  If it happens I will be heading out there later to catch bait and toss jugs.  I have done that occasionally for years, and love finding a big cat pulling the jug under.  As a side note, when we did that for cats on Lake Norfork we would find the occasional big striper on the line.  After that I will be looking for a day or two on the bay.  Then it is off to Nashville for a quick weekend trip, then back on the water.  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!**

Tip of the Day

When using a swim jig there are 3 basic types of trailers you need.  A 3 – 4″ paddle tail swim bait, usually fished with the white jig when duplicating a shad, a big craw with aggressive claws like the Rage Craw, and a more subtle craw like the Zoom Super Salt Craw Jr.  They cover most situations including cold, warm, and off colored water along with the preferred prey.

Tomorrow I continue the swim jig fishing on the lake.  I got just enough taste Tuesday to think it should be better tomorrow, and the weather sure looks like it will cooperate.  Possibly the topwater fishing should pick up also.  And added to the mix will be the white swim jig as there is a good chance with the warming weather that the shad will spawn some mornings.  Hopefully I can round out the pattern some so when I fish with some new folks on Saturday we can cut to the chase.

Weather

71/55 Partly cloudy becoming cloudy.  0% chance of rain.  Wind ESE 10 -15.  (It was definitely 15+ all day.)

Solunar Times

Good  9:53 to 11:53 am.  Best  4:04 to 6:04 pm.  (The morning bite has been better.)

Lake Level

Today  96.73 msl   Tuesday   96.74 msl  (The slow decline continues, we need some rain.)

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

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

]

This is the reason I do not swim in the lake.  I saw 3 this size today.

I made it out at about 8:30 and fished until 3:30.  The wind was a steady 15+ mostly out of the east, and the water temp was down as much as 4 – 6 degrees in some places and the air temp was 48.  To go along with that there are beds everywhere, though only a couple had fish on it that I could see.  I am not a bed fisherman but if you are pick a cove, almost any cover and there are beds every where, not to mention the tilapia, which if you are a bow fisherman, time to load up.

Starting up lake the plan was to fish the white swim jig primarily, and though I did finally start catching some on it later, including some down lake, most were small.  Of the 10 or so maybe 2 measured, maybe.  They definitely wanted it reeled fairly fast and jerked and hopped erratically and like the other day most came close to the bank.

This is what the white swim jig fish looked like today.  Got the bites but no size.

But I have learned one thing for sure, they will bite it, but the swim jig is not the go to bait right now.  What is?  Plastics and Bang O Lure for how little I threw them, definitely produced the better fish.

This one thumped the snot out of it.  To bad I broke another on the next cast.

My day started off with a couple of hiccups.  Before I switched to the white for the bluegill swim jig I reeled it by some brush and I could feel the line hanging, so pulled back trying to get it over the wood and one just smoked it and broke the line when I set the hook.  So I went to the white but when I went by deep brush it would be the stick worm in watermelon red.  The first place I caught the one above, and then promptly broke one off in the same pile.  So now with my superior skill I have broke off 2 good ones.  (I finally checked my drags and a couple of them were still set on Falcon time!  Stupid.)

Love that Bang O Lure in the spring.

But I soldiered on with the swim jig, but occasionally throwing the Bang O Lure, which added a couple to the pot and a couple of misses.  The wind was making it a little tough but it was clear, the senko and Bang O Lure was by far a better choice.  There was a little slow period but I did have a little run in 2 places on the white swim jig in the afternoon.  They were on shallow banks with scattered cover and most hit it on after a jerk or a hop, though a couple hit on a straight retrieve.

The little cold front we had last night really did affect the shallow fish.  If we could just get a couple of days of really stable weather and water temperature, along with warm nights the fishing would improve dramatically.  I think I caught an easy dozen, but would have been hard pressed to squeak out a limit.  And cover is still the key, there were shallow fish today, and I think the jerk shad may be the way to go.  If the wind is right that will be the next project.  I give the day a B and they were biting a little better when I quit.

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

It was good to hear from POC Elaine.

I always scan my inbox for Fish Catchin’ Travel when I open . Always interesting and I pick up good tips! Thank you!

Thanks for your kind words, it is always nice to know you all are out there.  Hopefully you got a little something you can use down there at POC.

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

Next it will be fishing with a reader and his tournament partner on Saturday.  Taking the weather forecast with a grain of salt it is supposed to be around 90 degree Saturday, it could be interesting.  Whether or not the swim jig plays much of a role is to be determined.  If I had to catch fish the stick worm would probably  be my choice, unless it was cloudy and drizzling with a light wind, then it would be the Bang O Lure all day.  Then my buddy Jeffish and his son will be fishing with me a couple days as Korbin is on spring break, where is yet to be determined.  I think I will try to keep this fishing 4 days a week thing going, get it while the getting is good.  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!**

Tip of the Day

It only takes a second to attach the kill switch, it may save your life.  Do it for the folks in your life who love you.

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

I had a good time yesterday fishing the bay and looks like I made a good call as to the order of where I fish this week.  It is raining this Tuesday morning as I type this.  I am just waiting for it to settle down some to head to the lake as it is thundering pretty regularly.  I hope to get in a long half day today.  I am meeting a couple of tourney guys for some fishing Saturday and it would be nice to get in a day or two on the lake prior to fishing with them.  Somehow they got the notion that I might have a clue about fishing the swim jig, so time to go see if I can make them eat it.

Weather

75/46  Rain early then clearing.  90% chance of rain.  Wind NE 10 – 20.

Solunar Times

Good 8:12 to 10:12 am.   Best  2:23 to 4:23 pm.

Lake Level

Today  96.74 msl.   A week ago  96.76 msl.   (We need the rain.)

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

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

At 8:30 it was off to the lake.  It was still raining and 48 degrees when I got there.  As soon as the boat was off the trailer and parking the truck it started pouring.  So I hung out a little until it slacked off.  The water temp was down a few degrees, and some of the coves have a little tint from some runoff, which also dropped them several degrees.

The goal was to make them eat a swim jig.  It has been a slow spring for me, especially the swim jig bite.  Of course the complete lack of grass has definitely slowed it’s effectiveness the last couple of years.  But since the plan was to make them eat, I stuck with it excusively until 12:20.  I fished up lake and most of the fish came off cover of some sort, none way off the bank.

Not a giant but glad to have her.

Before I started back down lake I caught 7 bass on the swim jig and 2 catfish.  Both of them were tight to cover and smacked it.  It only took a minute to figure out what they were, and if they are up like that they are heading to the beds.   Of the 7 bass only a couple were okay, the rest small.  It definitely helped that the clouds stayed until after noon.  Once they were gone, and the high pressure which will dominate our weather for several days moved in, the fishing slowed considerably.

Catfish city.  They don’t hit lures often, but when they do it only takes a second to figure out it is a cat.

I stuck with the bluegill color and a watermelon red craw trailer, though will add a white next trip.  If the cast was perfect and you could swim it right by cover they would hit.  If not, the occasional hop several feet off the bank, produced the occasional bite.  There was nothing after about half way back.   I did miss several who either pecked it, or started swimming with it.  It was easy to see it has not been a staple on the end of my line this winter, I would have caught several of those.  So not a bad few hours, not great, but at least a few were willing.  Then it cleared up so it was time to fish down lake.

Ok if you need to fill a limit, but not enough to win on Coleto.

It was slow after that and I only boated 2 until I quit, both on spinnnerbait.  Missed one on the Bang O Lure and did not have a touch on the swim jig.  Just not sure what that is about.  No place filled me with confidence but I did have one big ass bite, which unfortunately I missed.  Buzzing a spinnerbait and when it got close to the boat I reached down to move the trolling motor letting the bait sink right by the boat, when a freakin’ big one came out of nowhere and absolutely smoked it with 4 foot of line out.  I got a slam hook set, and nothing but bait back, almost.

Look how far she bent it, crazy.  She smashed it flat and ate the blade.  No wonder I missed her.

That big fish literally ate that whole spinnerbait and when I set the hook it was compressed in her mouth, bent, and slid out.  Crazy as a it just happened at Falcon, which makes it twice this month.  It takes a big fish with a big mouth to eat that whole thing, and that one is swimming around with a #5 willow leaf in her stomach.  So while it was a bummer, it is also one of those things that you have to see to believe.

So there you have it.  At 4:30 I gave it up, it was clear the front had put them off their feed.  Nothing spectacular, but a good warm rainy day and it could be epic.  It was nice to catch a few on swim jig, not sure that is the pattern, but I am going to fish it at least another day this week before I meet those guys this weekend.  Who knows, it just might turn into a pattern.  Usually we are trying to find the bait they want, today was making them eat something intentionally, different from your average days on the water but an interesting way to spend the day.  The good fishing to come is all contingent on the end to these cold fronts, which when combined with a continually falling lake, has kept it tough.  Several of the coves  I was in today had beds, but other than a few tilapia, I didn’t see any bass on them and the water temp was 5 degrees lower in some of them.

Tomorrow it is finish the taxes and get them to the CPA, mow the lawn, get some groceries, and do all those things that keeps our life going but mess up the fishing.  Then it will be right back at it, with intentions to fish another 3 days this week.  Then it will be some bay fishing for a few days next week, though all the water will be busy with most of the schools and colleges on spring break.  And just wanted to take a minute to express my appreciation to everyone who reads the blog.  At times it becomes a chore, and then I hear from a few of you and it renews my determination to keep it up.  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!**

Tip of the Day

Next time you see some in the store pick up a package of Flambeau Zerust Plastabs and put a couple in all your tackle boxes.  Trust me it is a money (lure) saver.  I started using it a couple of years ago and it is worth every penny at $5.99.

I am constantly looking at the 10 day weather forecast for both lake and bay.  It at least give you a general idea of what is to come.  Of course things change, but looking at this week is a perfect example of why it is important if you fish both bay and salt.  Tomorrow is the best wind day this week for the bay, and the island shoreline should be good with a light chop and there should be some clouds.  The rest of the week higher winds are expected so time to hit the bay.  It definitely is not a low tide day, actually it will be more of a flat high tide day, but just like the forecast you don’t know until you go.  I am interested in trying both new baits from My Coast Outdoors, including the solid body.  And with some cloud cover the topwater will definitely get some serious work.  Hell I am getting excited thinking about it and I can’t wait for tomorrow.  (It is Sunday afternoon as I type this.)

Weather

79/60.  Partly to mostly cloudy with occasional stray shower.  20% chance of rain.  Wind S 10 – 20.

Tides

Low   1:19 AM    -0.1
High   8:45 AM   0.2
Low   1:52 PM     0.1
High   6:13 PM    0.2

Solunar Times

Good  7:19 to 9:19 am.  Best  1:31 to 3:31 pm.  (Caught them during both periods.)

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

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

There is a method to my madness.

When I hit the road at 5:45 for POC the wind was really blowing.  I was apprehensive driving down there that it might be rough, but it turned out to be perfect.  There was only 3 trucks in the lot when a pickup parked next to me and out comes Jarrod who was going fishing with friends.  Now that is a sportsman, spend all day in the outdoors and then fish when he is off, perfect.  I worked with him at Academy and he is in his first year as a game warden in the Zapata area.  He is a good guy and the kind of person that we need more of in law enforcement.  So we shot the breeze until I had to get fishing so off I went.

It was not their lucky day, but it will be ours when they are sizzling in the pan.

The wind was perfect and the run to the island was quick.  The water temp was basically 71 everywhere I fished today.  It was about 8:00 before I finally jumped over the side and first up was a deep drain.  Normally I catch fish there pretty consistently but today not a bite on either topwater or the Controlled Descent Paddle Shad in the new solid body watermelon red flake.  They just were not there, not a bite.  So I eased out and headed down the bank knee deep tossing the topwater, casting to the bank and then out as far as I could.   And the good thing, mullet.  Remember this time of year you can almost cruise areas and find bait, then the fish.  Most of the bites came in less than 2 foot, and you had to move slow.

Love my Wade Right belt.

For the next couple of hours I moved very slow, it was super clear and they were basically knee deep and really spooky.  It was classic topwater redfishing.  The Bagley Knocker B has been a consistent producer for me since I started throwing it, and plenty got after it.  Of the 6 I caught on that bank, 5 did not get it on the first blowup.  You had to just keep it moving with little twitches in the walk the dog pattern, and they would finally eat it.  Jerk before you felt them and it was a clean miss.  A couple of nice ones missed it and one good one pulled off.  And you could see the occasional follow, but for every one that hooked up 3 or 4 did not commit.

One on the Controlled Descent and the size run for the day on topwater.

I stayed with it longer than I should have, but love that topwater.  Before leaving that bank one more made the boga on the Controlled Descent.   There was not even a swing and a miss from a trout so time for a move.   And I did fish both flats on each side of the drain.  With the wind just right to lightly blow on the Barroom shoreline I headed over there.  It was not even 3 casts before a red jumped on, and I was thinking it was gonna happen.  But it didn’t, in fact I never had another bite there.  So it was time for a radical change.

It has been awhile since I fished Big Bayou out of the boat, so why not?  It turned out to be perfect.  I hit one place where they always are, and guess what?  The trout were there.  The tide was moving lightly and the wind was perfect to fish the deep bank.  From that point on, on both watermelon red 3″ paddle tail and the Controlled Descent Paddle Shad, the bite was on.  It took maybe 1/2 hour to catch about 20, with a few rat reds mixed in, and fill my limit with a couple of good ones.  They were about 3 foot deep and would smack it.  About 3:00 with fish to clean it was time to call it a day.

I may not be the best trout fisherman, but when they are stacked up it makes it easy.

It has been awhile since I fished the salt but the fishing is good in spite of me not having a clue, and will only get better this month.  I am still not “on” the trout, but plan on fixing that in the weeks to come.  But anytime you catch 10 reds and 20 trout is a success.  Well worth the drive.

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

I got this from my buddy Clyde who is also trolling a fishing show or two.

Saw a 80,000 plus Ranger 50th anniversary ed edition and it didn’t have power poles !!!! That was at the Omaha Sport show ;Paul says hi!

Wow.  Just my point on the manufacturers producing more moderately priced boats.  Sorry Ranger but that is crazy!  (My old fishing buddy and occasional tournament partner was the floor manager for Ranger and I must admit I liked riding in a new boat every time one came out.)  And I am sure it was good to see Paul from Muskie Bay Resort.  I am still mulling over a trip there this year, but as usual, so many places so little time.  And I hope to get back to Arkansas for a couple of days.  Good to hear from you and tell your lovely wife hi.

As a side note if you are ever thought of making the trip to Canada, Muskie Bay is a great choice.  From basically all inclusive, to a more do it yourself trip, they can take care of you.  Not only does Crow Lake offer great muskie and lake trout fishing, it is right down the road from Lake of the Woods, a must location for a bucket list trip.  Check out their website, they are great folks who will do all they can to make your Canada trip a success.

http://muskiebayresort.com/

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

If  you are a CCA member it is time to think about renewing your membership.  Not only do they give us a voice, by renewing early for the Star Tournament you are automatically entered into the drawing for a boat.  Hell, somebody has to win it, might as well be you.  I actually know someone who caught a tagged redfish, and he was the only one in the boat without a membership, it happens.  So if you are going to set foot in the salt even once this year do it now.  And a side benefit is the couple of $10 gift certificates from Academy they usually send every year.  Nothing beats free stuff!

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

And I got this from SA Joe, sorry I wasn’t clear and obviously my spelling left something to be desired.

Is this the woodys custom rods you were talking about selling the rods? Or the other one??
https://www.facebook.com/Woodys-Custom-Wrapped-Fishing-Rods-120387521331962/ (houston)

When you were at the houston show, do the big boys show up like Shimano rods? Or someone selling them? I’m having a hard time finding Shimano Crucial.

It is Woodys from Houston, sorry about that.  And as far as the show they had a booth and there was plenty of other rods to buy.  Fishing Tackle Unlimited is always there with a bunch of rods and reels with lots of brands and options.  I got out of there relatively cheap, but got the fluorocarbon I use for $6.50 a spool and a bunch of marked down baits, also what I use.  So if you have never made it there put it on your calendar, well worth the drive.  Good to hear from you.

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

What is not to like this time of year?  The white bass are running, the bass are spawning, and the bay is heating up.  It gets tough to decide where to go sometimes, but no matter what it is time to be on the water.  I will be looking for a couple of days in a row like this to make the Upper Laguna trip if the timing is right.  As far as the next couple of weeks I will be lucky enough to fish with some new folks this weekend then the following week.  Funny how just thinking about it I start to put pressure on myself to produce.  But hey, I asked for it.  It will definitely be fishing in the morning.  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!**

Tip For the Day

Before you leave the driveway walk around the boat and trailer.  Lights work, rims tight and greased, tie downs and winch strap ok, air in the spare, any new rust, motor turn over?  Taking 2 seconds can save you hours of trouble and maybe even big $$$$.

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

I had my usual great time at the Houston Fishing Show.  They claim they are now the largest in the country and while I have no clue if it is true it is one great show.  The only other outdoor show I have attended that was in the same class is the Tulsa show, which has tackle, boats, and RV’s.  (Funny story time –  The last time we attended the Tulsa show Jimmy Houston was there with his marina and tackle booth and the Boss leaned over and said – “I thought he was bigger”.)

First up I stopped by the Coastal Fishing Gear booth, makers of the Wade Right fishing belt.  Both Tim and Jason were on hand, it was their 8th year at the show, and as usual it was good to see them.  This year they added a fly box to their line of wading products, which also includes a really innovative fly rod holder.  The box is big enough for the large flies used in saltwater and includes the clip to attach it to the Wade Right like their other small tackle boxes.  So if you are a fly fisherman, fresh or salt, take a look at the rod holder, it can keep your rod and reel off the bank or out of the water if you are changing flies or releasing a trout.  They are having a good show and I wish them the best of luck for the rest of the show.

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

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

Next up I headed to the My Coast Outdoors booth where I got to shoot the breeze with Michael and met his dad.  Incidentally his father actually made the molds for the Controlled Descent Lures.  Since Michael came out with the Controlled Descent Lures his company is growing as folks begin to really appreciate the possibilities of being able to actually control how the bait’s atttitude.  My favorite, whether deep or shallow. is the way it will suspend level, they just can’t stand it.  And I will be throwing the Pearl Silver Jerk Shad on Coleto to take advantage of the shad spawns to come.

The latest addition is 2 new colors, a watermelon red color, which is still my favorite fresh or salt, and a Purple Demon Limetreuse in the Paddle Shad.  He also had a few in the solid body and is seeing how it goes at the show and is mulling over adding solid bodies to the line.  And I really like the cool hats.  In this day and age the clothing aspect of the fishing business had become a big part of it.  Who would have “thunk” it?  I probably own more “fishing clothes’ than I do regular clothes.  I can look as good as anybody while I am not catching fish.  So good luck Michael, great to watch My Coast Outdoors grow.

As far as the rest of the show the one thing I like seeing is something I have been preaching about for years, the smaller, lighter, and less expensive boats.  There has been a market of for that style of hard core fishing machine without all the frills and there were multiple on dispay.  Easy to tow, good on gas, easy entry into the market, there is a place for them in the boating industry.  One thing many of them posses for the saltwater fisherman is access to areas otherwise not accessible with a bigger boat.  There were plenty of boats at the show between inexpensive and stupid expensive.  And of course the other end of the spectrum was represented with the likes of New Water Boat Works.  Not sure $80K will put more fish in the boat but you sure will look like you know what the hell you are doing.  (Maybe!)

There was one booth, sorry I never checked who they actually were, but they had some great deals.  I bought 3 spools of fluorocarbon that were less than half of what it is at Academy, and several hard baits which were ridiculously cheap.   Other than that I did not see anything else I could not live without.  But just like every year I left feeling motivated to fish harder and longer.  Just walking around and chatting with folks and seeing what this business had to offer was worth the trip.  So if you have not ever attended it is well worth your drive, just be sure to bring the wallet.

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

 Those of you who read this stuff know I often spend Saturday morning watching fishing, and this morning is no different.  The Muskie Hunter is on Cave Run in Kentucky  (Would like to fish it some time, it also has some really huge stripers.) this morning and watching them catch muskies gets my blood running.  They are such a cool fish and give a new meaning to freshwater predator.  Catching my big one was one of my great fishing accomplishments and it would be nice to repeat.Sorry if you have seen this before but I still get excited looking at her!  That is a freakin’ monster by any measure.  And catching her on 10lb line with a Red Eye Shad rattle bait on my smallmouth rod made it all that much better.

The point of this?  As I try to decide where my week or 2 long fishing trip will be this year I am having a real problem deciding what and where to go.  A Florida trip would be fine, back to Lake of the Woods in Ontario is a possibility, and a fall trip to fish the streams of Southern Colorado has been on my mind since our trip there this year.   The advantage of Colorado, no need to take the boat.  The others are long tows, but at least being able to stay at least a week or two makes it worth it.  The trip to Peru next month should give me a little fish catching travel to tide me over until I make some final decision.  It’s a tough life.

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

Tip for the Day #2

You can read all the fishing reports you want, talk to them at the tackle store or marina, there are lots of ways to get a good report.   Well I know another.  Coming back on Hwy 59 there were at least a dozen trucks at the ramp on Lake Texana.  There is nothing more to say about that except – Go Get Your Crappie On!  As soon as that ramps starting filling up the bite is on and with the warming temps better get it while it’s hot.  There are some serious crappie in that lake.  (And they are going on Coleto as I speak.)

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

Here is a little review of the Lew’s Speed Spool LSP, I give them an A+.  I got 3 last month and so far could not be happier.  It is light weight and my favorite part, they cast a mile, you can almost empty the spool.  They handle light line well, at Falcon it did ok with 20lb test, though it is built for less and as I fish 10 – 14lb as a rule it fills the bill.  So now it is a question of just how long they last.  When it has the misfortune to have me as an owner they will get a work out, I will let you know what I think after a year of hard use.  Interestingly, when I had my tackle store in the mid 70′ they came on the scene and it was a must have.  I loved mine but they disappeared from the market and it was great to see them back.  At $50 it was “expensive” for those days.  Now look at the cost of a fine reel, about what I paid for my 15hp Johnson in the old days.

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

I may just slip out early in the morning even though it is a Sunday.  While I prefer to leave it to the weekend warriors I have not fished enough in the last couple of weeks so think I will start the week off strong.  Spring is here and I feel a little revived after a somewhat slow winter.  And to the rest of you, have not heard from some of you in while, so if you have a report, picture, or just a bitch drop us a line.  So keep stopping in and thanks for reading my stuff.

Good Luck and Tight Lines

FISH CATCHING TRAVEL

Brought to you by

No better time to pick one up than the Houston Fishing Show!

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

Thought For the Day

Why do you rarely push the gas peddle to the floor in your car but feel it is necessary to do it in the boat?

Beautiful!

Unfortunately I give the Boss’s weekend birthday in New Mexico a 3 out of 10, and I was the problem.  We make the 11 hour drive, check in, head to Inn of the Mountain Gods where we had some free play and $30 of free food.  We are there less than an hour when I start to feel a little rough.  I hadn’t eaten lunch so we did that, but no dice.  So exactly 1 hour after we get there I have a snot slinging head full, sneezing, coughing, aching, piece of crap cold, I mean a giant.  So great.  Now I am sick, and to make matters worse, our hiking plan are further foiled when the wind literally blew a steady 25+ all weekend with gusts easily topping 50mph.  I mean it blew, and then blew some more.  When the truck was parked it would literally rock, it was insane.

I have seen more turkeys in the Ruidoso area in 5 or 6 trips than I have the rest of my life in the outdoors combined.   They are everywhere.

We did manage to do some scouting in the national forest for future hiking and saw the usual bunch of mule deer.  We managed to have a little bit of other fun, but dang it, I was hoping it was going to be a great weekend.  She soldiered on like the trooper she is and here I am home 5 days later and feeling like a mile of bad road.

Weather

61/79  Cloudy in a.m. then clearing and windy.  Winds S 20 – 30.  Chance rain 10%.

Solunar Time

Best  9:03 am to 11:03 am.

Lake Level

Today  96.76 msl   6 days ago 96.80

After looking at the weather for Wednesday it was obviously a lake day with gusts to 30mph.  So not sure what will happen tomorrow but I am fishing no matter what.

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

A big boy.

Like I said the other day, why do they get it absolutely right when they forecast high winds?  Unfortunately they were right on today.  When I got to the lake it was blowing at least 20, then got really cranked up, and it never let up one bit before I called it a day.

*******************The Houston Fishing Show is this week, no better time to stock up!

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

And speaking of forecasts, the solunar table could not have been any more correct.  I caught a good dozen during that period, and then from noon until quitting at 2:00, one little one and not another bite.  The water is fairly clear and was 67 degrees at the ramp at 7:30, getting to the mid 70’s in some coves in the afternoon.  There are tilapia bedding and I saw a couple of bass, but with the winds it was tough to really get a feel for what is going on.

Enjoying the heat of the day.  His back was covered with dried mud.

Starting with spinnerbait on the second cast a small one jumped on, so I stayed with it a while, putting 4 more bass and a white bass in the boat.  There were shad flipping and it sunk in my pea brain, shad spawn.  The water temp is right and it will happen in the mornings for a while so keep your eye out.  At this point the wind was freakin’ howling so it was time for a crankbait. Both a regular shad looking bait, and a Bagley Rattlin’ B Minus in the Realistic Shad, caught fish.  2 small catfish even joined the party, smacking the snot out of it like they are want to  do.  3 white bass added to the mix, they are clearly spawning up lake, along with another 3 or 4 small bass.

Crankbait fish.  The bass is the best I could do today, it was tough.

I don’t think I had a big bite today, it was really tough fighting the wind, of course that was where the fish were.  And the few places that did not have any were completely barren, including the back ends of 2 really good spawning coves.  It was definitely the wind pounding on the banks with shad flipping.  Speaking of calm places, I figured a fish or two would hit a Bang O Lure in the back ends, but that was not happening.  Before the wind got completely crazy one did smack it after twitching it a time or two and reeling it slow making a wake.  That had the potential to be killer today with a moderate wind, but it was a little more than “wind”.  And if I had to do it all over again when the shad were happening the white swim jig would have been the ticket.  So if you get a chance to fish Coleto watch for the shad, it was definitely where the fish were.

As I was heading in I saw something that was just plain crazy.  Understand there where serious white caps, and I mean big ones for Coleto, and here comes a small jon boat with 3 people in it.  I saw no life jackets and it was plowing.  Now I may be crazy and have no room to talk, but I hope I would have stayed at the house.  On the plus side today the wildlife was out, ducks everywhere, deer, a couple of gators, things were happening this morning.  I should have been out at daylight.

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

RANT

By time you read this a fishing day will be lost thanks to the “guvment”.  Today is do our taxes day, something that has to be done and is a chore.  And I only have one comment on the current state of affairs – For what we are paying we are being flat ripped off!  Hell why don’t they just go ahead take the rest of it and give it to someone else who did not earn it?  They have already taken care of themselves.  People work their whole life and after a little success the money grubbing politicians decide that your money is their money.  And don’t get me started on “Parties”.  It has taken decades under both “Parties” to get here, and both are equally to blame.  So keeping with my current philosophy – “Vote out each and every incumbent no matter the party, maybe they will get the hint.”  As you can tell I am not to pissed off.  Happens every year.

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

Friday it will be off to the Houston Fishing Show.  It will be great to see the guys from Wade Right and Michael of Controlled Descent Lures.  Not only are their products great, they are home grown Texans trying to make it in a tough business.  So every chance I get I try to patronize local, buying the “name brand” stuff is fine, but you are supporting corporations who are living the high life on your money.  So support you local folks, they need and deserve it.  And there are plenty of good deals at the show.

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

And speaking of buying local I got this tip from John.  Woodee custom rods is going out of business and are selling out the last of their inventory.  My understanding is they have spinning rods left.   https://www.facebook.com/WoodysCustomRods/

They were advertised at $80 (originally sold for $200), but he let us have all we wanted at $60. (No warranty at this price) The bait casters all gone but he has med action 6’6″, 6’9″, 7′, and 7′ 6″ spinning rods. They have all cork handles and have fast tapers. I especially like the 6’9” and 7’6″.  If any of your friends want some, Mason said its okay to give out his cell.

Hope you and your wife have a great trip.

Thanks for the tip so if you are in the Houston area give him a call, you will not find a better deal on a custom rod.  If you think you might want one drop me a note and I will give you his number, the price is sure right, I just don’t want to put his number out there.  And thanks for reading, I always love to hear from new folks, and would love to hear from the rest of you.  And as far as our trip, see above.

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

One more thing about the wind, it has even chased me to New Mexico and Amistad.  Time for it to give it a rest.  Fishing in 20mph plus is doable depending on the body of water, but it sure is a hassle.  As an example, while I was fighting a fish it blew me to close to the bank where the trolling motor hit a stump and snapped the transducer off the trolling motor.  And easy fix, but just an example of things that happen when it is howling.  All I have to say is I am sick of it.

Friday it is off to the Houston Fishing Show, then this weekend I owe my buddy Jeffish a trip as we planned to go the weekend I went to Amistad.  He has a relative in town and I will be taking them out for trout if the wind does not blow to freakin’ hard.  So that is it for a couple of days.  It has been tough the last few trips, but the good thing about that is it always turns around, and this time of the year when it does it will be great.  So keep stopping in and thanks for reading my stuff.

Good Luck and Tight Lines

FISH CATCHING TRAVEL

Brought to you by

No better time to pick one up than the Houston Fishing Show!

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

Thought For the Day

“Why when the weather forecast calls for 20 – 30 mph winds are they always right, then when they forecast 5 -10 mph they are always wrong?  Just wondering.”

They got the forecast right the last 24 hours.  It was warm this morning at daylight (Wednesday)  and at noon it is 56 degrees with a cool north wind.  Yesterday was interesting and gives me hope that the fishing is on the upswing.  Tomorrow it will stay cool and while it might affect the fishing some, the light wind should allow me to do a couple of things I could not yesterday.  The Bang O Lure will get a good workout.  With the water clearing like it has it is time to catch them on topwater.  It will definitely be a post cold front day and the only way to find out is to go.

Weather

45/61  Mixed clouds and sun with scattered thunderstorms.  Wind NE 5 – 10 mph.  50% chance of rain.

Lake Level

Yesterday  96.78 msl     Today   96.80 msl    (Hopefully the beginning of a raise.)

Solunar Periods

Good  9:51 am to 11:51 am  Best  4:04 pm to 6:04 pm.

Tip of the Day

The discharge is loaded with white bass, some crappie, catfish, and some really big bass.  So if you are fishing the lake this weekend be sure to give it a shot.

*******************The Houston Fishing Show is next week, no better time to stock up!

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

On arrival at the ramp the water looked like it is on the way up.  And the real surprise, the water temp was way up.  It was in the mid 60’s over the whole lake, must have been the warm rain Tuesday.  The water is clear if you disregard the brown tint which looks like is here to stay.

There are no pictures today, of the 7 that I boated not a one was worth getting the camera out.  (Who needs to see another little fish, I sure don’t.)  To make a long story short, it was 46 degrees when I left the house and 52 when I quit at 3:30.  Instead of fishing down lake I headed up and threw spinnerbait, crank bait, and swim jig.

3 jumped on the spinnerbait, the others produce zip.  This has been the slowest swim jig bite I have seen in the last 4 years, but I have hope that they will get on it as soon as the weather settles down.  This crazy weather has kept the fish wondering what is next.  Super hot?  Super cold?  Falling water?  Rising water?  If you think about it that is not the recipe  for consistent fishing.  They wanted the spinnerbait a lot slower, and I had several small taps on the twister I am using as a trailer, crappie I am guessing.

So then downlake to throw the Bang O Lure.  With this water color it is tougher to see when it is jerked down deep, consequently you could not see them coming and while 4 hooked up, at least that many made a pass at it while it was under without getting a hook in them.  The good thing, they were all near the back of the coves.  The fellas are there just waiting for the ladies.  I kept after it here and there, but just could not get them going.  Suffice to say the weather clearly put a damper on the bite.  So after a short trip I called it a day.

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

Joe dropped this fishing report and a couple of pictures.

Had a good Monday on a local pond here in san antonio. 5 lbs and not an ounce more.  (Wow – an honest fisherman!)

(Sorry the other pic would not load.)

Was the last cast of very windy day up here in a kayak.

Had to get to the bank and have a guy take the pic on my flip phone

Sounds like a pretty good finish to a windy day.  In the words of Ike – Never Give Up.  And another thing you can take from this report, and another he sent us, there are lots of fishing options, even if you live in the city.  It is just a matter of putting on your thinking cap and finding a way to get on the water and a kayak is a great option.  So congrats on the big one and I appreciate the report.  And the rest of you feel free to send your reports, comments, and bitches my way, love to get them.

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

For all you saltwater fisherman I have not forgot where the bay is.  I know it has been bass city around here, but this is my favorite time of year on freshwater.  But by the same token it is time to catch a big trout and I just need to get off my ass and head to the Upper Laguna for a few days.  And with my plumbing buddies whining about putting some trout in the boat and Aaron wanting a redfish beat down the pressure is on.  So I will try to get all those things done coming soon.  Here is Aaron with an over he caught on a spinnerbait with me a couple of years ago in Keller Bay.  Seeing it again is enough to get my blood flowing.

His spinnerbait hit the water and was instantly flushed.  A heck of a battle on light tackle.

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

The lake is about to go nuts.  With the water temp in the mid 60’s all over the lake and a warming trend on the way there is about to be some seriously good fishing.  The small guys are there just waiting for the girls to make the move, which I think is about to happen in a big way.  The bass and tilapia will hit the beds and the crappie should move shallow soon, and I mean the next few days.  So while today was a grind, spring is coming, I hope, and with it what might be a super bite in the next week.  So get out there and give them a go.

We on the other hand will be hiking and 4 wheeling in New Mexico for the Boss’s birthday.  The weather out there looks pretty good and I always really look forward to the back country and looking for critters.  And of all things I was about to send my application for the elk hunt so might as well make a hand delivery.

It will be a short trip and when I get back if it will settle down, and freakin’ warm up some, it will be time to get after the salt.  But looking back on the last 3 trips on the lake it has been cold, blowing, and raining, and while I toughed it out a few days I am just sick of this weather.  Every year I try to hurry the fishing along, and maybe a short break will improve my attitude and results some.  So keep stopping in and thanks for reading my stuff.

Good Luck and Tight  Lines

FISH CATCHING TRAVEL

Brought to you by

No better time to pick one up than the Houston Fishing Show!

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

Monday I got my stuff together so I could fish, maybe, Tuesday.  The forecast for the area is for rain, rain, and more rain, which we really need.  Tuesday looked like it might be it this week, with Wednesday  forecast to have a 20 degree temp drop in the afternoon as the big north front finally pushes through.  So with almost no plan at 8:00 I finally put on my big boy pants, and my rain pants, and headed to the lake.

Weather

Rain and Wind SE 25mph+  (It freakin’ blew!)

Lake Level

Today  96.78 msl    Week Ago  96.68 msl

Solunar Times

Best 2:15 pm to 4:15 pm  Good  8:57 am to 10:15 am

*******************The Houston Fishing Show is next week, no better time to stock up!

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

It was a fish where you can, with what you can, day!

It was not yet raining when I headed to Coleto, but the wind was blowing, and I mean howling and there was a light drizzle.  It was nice and warm and I knew the fishing would be tough simply due to the wind.  One of the attributes I have always liked about Coleto is that it is “fishable”, and though like today it can be a hassle, it is not life threatening like a major reservoir or the bay.  So at 8:30 the Mako slid off the trailer, the full rain gear came on, and off I went.

It was definitely a spinnerbait kinda’ day, and I started on a flat point at the mouth of a spawning cover on the down lake side of the bridge.  On my second cast, running a big willow leaf white tandem spin right below the surface making a big wake, 4 small bass came for it when one grabbed it.  As I fished the cove another 3 or 4 came over the side and things were looking up.  Next was another cove a little farther up, and a couple committed.  So I kept heading up lake and then a funny thing happened, I quit getting bit the further up I went, exactly the opposite of what has been happening to me.  I my be slow buy I ain’t stupid so it was time to turn around and head back down lake.

Best I could manage today.  Love it when this size and bigger stop it right on top.

The lake is really starting to clear and the water temps were in the mid 60’s on up, and for whatever reason the small fish were on the move.  But the falling water is really starting to affect things.  Many of the coves that are regular spawning coves are losing water, and the back ends all had some color.  There were very few visible beds and the tilapia have deserted the coves compared to last week even though the water temps are definitely up.  Due to the particular water level on the lake right now it seems that the minimal drop in the grand scheme of things really has changed things.  Thank goodness rain is on the way, the lake really needs it.

After striking out up lake it was time to head back down.  It really was apparent that lots of males have flooded the banks where I was having trouble catching them the last few weeks.  It is a great sign and the lake is about to get into real spring mode.  After putting about 10 smalls in the boat in the morning it slacked off and there was a period of a couple of hours where it was slow.  (See solunar periods above.)  The spinnerbait was the best choice  (In most places it was the only bait I could fish.) in the high wind, it was blowing around every corner so I stuck with it.  Mid afternoon they started biting again.

The best banks, unlike the last few weeks, were main lake banks with a nice chop.  That’s a joke.  If there were stumps on it there was a fish or two.  After that slow period another 5 or 6 jumped on, including a white bass, before I called it a day around 3:30.  A steady rain started around 2:00 and the fish seemed to react to it by starting to bite again.  I did have one big fish boil it and miss, but other than the one above the rest were small.  Buzzing the spinnerbait is one of my favorite ways to fish, it is so awesome to watch them come in the clearer water and smoke it.

The wind never did lay even a touch, and it was really raining when I called it a day.  It thundered a couple of times way off in the distance and you could tell the real rain was on the way.  There is not much that runs me off, lightning is one.  No sense in screwing up a perfectly good fishing trip by dying.  As far as numbers things were definitely looking up and the lack of a good one today was simply a matter of not being able to fish some of the best places.

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

Thinking about last weekend on Falcon I really did enjoy fishing with Aaron.  It is nice to let someone else drive the boat, pick the places, and run the trolling motor.  As I get older I really do appreciate the whole experience, and watching Aaron do his thing was great.  At times I put to much pressure on myself to catch fish and it is nice to occasionally sit in the back of the boat and just fish.

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

I would like to thank John for his nice comment and offer.  I just have to say with 9 in the corner that have not seen water yet I am stocked up.  Your consideration letting me know was kind, so thanks again.  Nice to know you are out there.

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

What is wrong with women?  What woman in her right mind would not want to spend her birthday in the lovely town of Zapata Texas while I fish all day?  I mean come on, how selfish could she be?  There must be literally minutes worth of things to do there.  So instead I will have to suffer in Ruidoso New Mexico for a long weekend.  Some serious hiking is in the plans, I will drop off my elk hunting application, and there might even be a game of chance or two.  My favorite part, 4 wheeling in the mountains, you never know what you will see.  And who knows. she might even get a birthday present.

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

 Tomorrow will have a low in the 40’s and the north wind will continue, though not quite as bad as it has been.  I may not get a real early start but I want to fish one more time before we hit the road.  And don’t forget the Houston Fishing Show next weekend, there are always some good deals to be had.  So keep stopping in and thanks for reading my stuff.

Good Luck and Tight Lines

FISH CATCHING TRAVEL

Brought to you by

No better time to pick one up than the Houston Fishing Show!

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

This was a really great trip, and not because I killed them, but for lots of reasons.   A couple of weeks ago my buddy Aaron and I decided to take a short weekend trip to Falcon. and then the first of several interesting things happened.  I got an comment from someone who wants to come to Coleto some time and fish some swim jig, which I said cool, so hope they are hitting it then.  I mentioned Falcon, and he and a partner finished first and second in a tournament on Falcon the week before and he gave me a general location and bait.

*******************The Houston Fishing Show is next week, no better time to stock up!

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

Fish On!

So with a little advanced info off we went.  We started about 2:00 Friday in a mid-lake pocket, which is the area I have made hay in the past.  We ended up catching 8, it took us a while to get a clue, but we found them in approximately 4 foot of water around brush, and Aaron took it from there.  We were throwing senko style baits (Aaron stayed with plastics most of the time though he caught quite a few over the weekend on a Chatterbait.) and I of course threw a spinnerbait along with a jig and craw. None fell for the jig, and it became clear the Fluke Stick was the ticket.  It did not take him long to find “the” bait.

Aaron with the first good one.  (Remember he is 6’3″ and he makes them all look small.)

That gave us a starting place for Saturday morning.  This is where Aaron’s fishing experience and knowledge paid off.  We started in the same area, and they were not there, so he headed us further back in and there they were.  Nothing big, but we put some in the boat.  Next it was the Tigers without much success, but he was putting it together so we headed up to the Velano for the rest of Saturday afternoon, and after one unproductive stop we caught fish for the rest of the weekend.  I got to see a real pro start to put a hurtin’ on them.  They moved to the bank area in the evening as the water temp hit 70 and some went on the beds.

                                 The beat down begins Saturday.

So before it was over on the first full day we put around 30 in the boat.  We did not have a bite that day from a real big fish, at least as far as we know.  By this time it was perfectly clear that the pattern was hardwood, and not one stinking inch off the wood.  From that point on he put on a clinic in pitching.  Just to finish on that thought here is exactly what he was doing.  He was using a tungsten 3/8 weight with a worm hook and a Zoom FLuke Stick in watermelon red magic.  (Note:  We went through 5 packs (50) of the Fluke  Sticks.)  And when I said he was pitching, Sunday was really something with a serious 20mph+ wind.  His accuracy was amazing, always right in the heart of the cover from any angle, then a straight drop, a short wait, then a shake, and on they came.  By time we called it a weekend he literally called multiple shots.  It really was something.

Fish number 1 had a rough spawn.  Nothing like those solid Falcon bass.  And look at the water, pool table slick on Saturday.

I on other hand learned I have some serious work to do on my pitching.  It was absolutely critical to barely making a splash, landing it right on their head when they are that shallow without spooking them.  And then not moving it immediately and not much when you do,  just little hops and jerks, leaving it right in their face.  And if you try the Fluke Stick he advised to make sure the forked tail is horizontal, if not it spins and does all kinds of stuff they did not like.  Ask me, I sure found that out.  But the mechanical aspect of catching bass is just part of it.

              Sunday was a clinic.  Falcon Lake has some solid fatties.

The impressive part was his putting together a pattern on a lake he has not fished since an FLW almost 15 years ago, when every ones else we spoke with, including the owner of Falcon Lake Tackle who fished Friday, was struggling.  It was simple, in the morning and evening they went shallow, but later in the morning and all afternoon they went to the hardwood.  We of course eliminated some water that did not have enough hardwoods by not having any success in a few places on Saturday.  But like all knowledge sometimes a negative is just as telling as a positive.  The final word was he put us at the right place, at the right time, as the weekend wore on.  All I have to say is if the wind had not blown us off Sunday, and we had another day, it was headed to epic.  I told him I almost had him meet me there instead of picking him up so I could stay a couple of extra days, and he kiddingly offered back that he would take a bus home.  What a guy.  After fishing with lots of good bass fishermen in the last 40+ years, he is the best I have shared a boat with.  He is also the one who introduced me to the swim jig, fishing with him is always an education.

Turn out the lights he parties over!

We both had a shot at a big fish on Sunday.  His came pitching early, he set the hook and it came up, wallowed big time, and was gone.  One of the few he lost this weekend.  My big bites of course came on a spinnerbait, and I did catch 5 or 6 on it Sunday.  It was the 2 I didn’t catch that hurt.  I finally removed head from rear end and started slow rolling a 3/8 with a big willow.  3 of my top 10 lifetime came on Falcon doing it just that way, a slow roll from the bank out to about 5 feet, letting it bump the brush, then giving it a little jerk when it hits something.  The first one just slammed it and it felt like I got the hook in her but she pulled off, it was a real one.  Then a little later one smacked it again and when it came back she had to have had the whole freakin’ thing in her mouth  It actually closed on itself when she hit, clamping the blade on the hook.  One big mouth.  That is why you go to Falcon, the big bite.  I had 2 and as it will in fishing it just did not happen.

There were several cool things besides the fishing this trip.  First, Saturday you could have played pool on Falcon, I mean dead calm.  Both mornings there were packs of coyotes howling and yipping every where and Aaron being the hunter he is called them and got them going.  We saw tons of ducks, lots of bird activity on shad and white bass, and a big snake headed up a tree in the water for a bird nest.  But the almost best, the best was yet to come, was a big Redtail hawk who decided Coot was on the menu and the chase was on.  That hawk went after about 50 ducks, dive bombing them as they went under, it was right in front of us and an epic 100 yard chase.  Not a Coot was lost, and it was exciting to see.  But there was something else that topped the crazy list.  While I have seen some crazy things in my life, hell I have done a few, but this was right up there.

Since we quit at 2:00 we headed home and at 3:00, in broad daylight, we saw 8 illegals, 2 actually on the fence, who had just been dropped off right before we got there, 5 miles before the Falfurrias INS checkpoint.  Right in broad daylight they are scaling an 8 foot high fence with razor wire on top.  I have heard they walk maybe 10 miles in the middle of nowhere around the checkpoint, then get picked back up again.  We stopped an agent we saw 4 miles down the road and told him exactly where it was, I kept the mileage, and then stopped at the checkpoint a minute later.  We told the agent and his response was an incredulous “You are shitting me!”  We said “No shit”, and that we told the agent we saw a minute before.  He thanked us and we were all laughing.  Like I said, I have seen some crazy stuff but that by far is up there on the list.  A couple of minutes before that 2 cars passed us, probably the coyote with another car running interference.  Think about it, in broad daylight on a Sunday afternoon.

Falcon Lake is one great place and to really fish it would take months.  I have been lucky enough to fish it several times over the last 8 years.  First in the hey day, when catching multiples over 7 in a trip were the rule, and the lake was high.  My 3 personal bests after 30 years of bass fishing on one trip, another a 7 on my first cast with several more over 3 days, and the time my brother caught 3 in one place in nothing flat that totaled 23lbs.  Then the lake went through a few tough years when it dropped some crazy thing like 30 feet and the fishing was tough, we had one trip where we only caught 5 or 6 over 3 days.

Now the water level is what I would call perfect.  Plenty of offshore structure if that is your thing, and lots of cover for shallow fish for folks like me.  And while it got the occasional bad rap, there are more wardens,  (One we talked to on the water had been checking folks all day and said we were doing great compared to other folks.) immigration agents, and assorted law enforcement on the lake than anywhere in the country.  The biggest danger there is from a serious north wind or hitting a tree while running.  If you are a committed bass fisherman like me you owe it to yourself to at least fish it once.  What makes it special is the real possibility of catching a monster every single cast, even if it does not happen like it didn’t this trip.

So the trip was a hit.  Just watching a real pro do his thing was worth the drive.  The things I learned about putting together a real pattern, and then proper presentation, will put more fish on my line over the rest of my life.  And you know what else?  We had a hell of a good time!  There is so much more fishing to come this spring.  And be sure to put the Houston Fishing Show on your schedule next week, plenty of great deals to be had.  So keep stopping in and thanks for reading my stuff.

Good Luck and Tight Lines