FISH CATCHING TRAVEL

Knockin Tail Lures by My Coast Outdoors

This house prep thing is getting to be a real pain in the ass.  We have done all we can do to get it ready for the sale, and it has been work.  Past of the problem is there was plenty to do outside and by noon it has been flat hot.  But the time has come to call it a day, it is what it is.  Wednesday they are coming to take pictures and it will be on the net with a sign in the yard.  Trying to guess when it might sell in relation to when we plan on leaving is pure voodoo.

One benefit is cleaning out stuff and going through 40 years of life, and we have way too much stuff.  I always like to leave stuff at the curb for free when I can.  We had a couple of plastic chairs and 4 from the old patio set that needed to go so I set them on the curb.  Sprayed off the deck and by time I walked back in the house they were being loaded up and gone.  Same with the beach chair we put out later in the day.  And it will be one interesting garage sale.  The real benefit of all this is when it is move time we will be so prepared.  So, with the week spent being totally responsible time for some fishing.

Weather

73/93.  Partly cloudy in the morning. Increasing clouds with periods of showers later in the day. Winds ESE at 5 to 10 mph. Chance of rain 50%.

Lake Level

Today 96.51 msl.     Last Monday 96.68 msl.  (The slow steady decline continues.)

Bite Times

Major 5:07 am to 7:07 pm.

************The Wade Right Fishing Belt and the new Madre Sling.

For all your wading needs.

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

The best of times – The worst of times.

I hate to bitch about the weather, but I am going to.  As you can see it was flat calm at daylight, unfortunately it stayed that way all morning until I finally called no mas.  It was just plain to hot and sticky and without a bit of wind or cloud cover it was tough.  How tough was it?  When I got back to the ramp at noon there was only one other truck left.  There are crappie fishermen every morning, but they are all long gone with this heat.  But they are a bunch of old guys like me.

The best of 7 on the watermelon trick worm.

The conditions at the lake have not really changed much but the slow drop in water level is really starting to show, and I think having a profound effect on the bite.  The water is clear down lake with a little color up, and the temp still hovers around 90 degrees.   When you add the dropping water level the shallow bite is almost nonexistent.  And the few that are shallow are tight to wood cover.  How tight?  Pitch your plastic right in it and hang on, which is fun.

The only swim jig fish.  The lake is full of this size, but when it is this tough you better be happy with these.

I wish I had some great words of insight for you, but deep fishing is not really my thing.  But on Coleto right now and until the weather begins to really change that is where you need to be.  What little I have fished deeper has produced but it seems I just cannot catch the bigger ones no matter what I do.  But one thing about getting old and having been there and done that, I do what I like.  It is back to the Dahlberg quote:  “First I just wanted to catch a fish, then I wanted to catch a bunch of fish, then I wanted to catch a big fish, (Now in the twilight of my own career.) I just want to catch them the way I like to.”  

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

I really have been disappointed with the weather.  I had hoped to have some better fishing the last couple of months before my trip back to Colorado.  With no real weather change on the horizon things are not really looking up for the next couple of weeks until I head back.  So my hopes rest on November and December when I will be making the Coleto last stand.  And if I am lucky maybe someone will take me saltwater fishing a time or two before I hit the road.  But of course, that will not stop me and I will be out there fishing until the bitter end.  Coleto has been good to me and I have so lost count of the number of big fish that the lake has produced but it has been in the hundreds.  So keep stopping in and thanks for reading my stuff.

Good Luck and Tight Lines

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

Is Someone Trying to Contact Me?

You have to give the Israel’s credit for the pager thing.  Hezbollah has been sending thousands of rockets in Israel for decades and they got a little dose of their own medicine.  What next here at home?  Demonstrations in favor of Hezbollah?  They are terrorist scum, end of story and they deserve no quarter.  Funny how the ambassador of Iran was also carrying one of the pagers.  Keep up the good work Israel, you have a right to defend yourself.  Then today they set off the walkie talkies.  Anyone who had them or the pagers was a terrorist, and I am sure the ones carried in their pockets left a mark.  One thing about the Israelis, when they decide to kill you, get your affairs in order because you are toast.  Good work.

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

FISH CATCHING TRAVEL

Knockin Tail Lures by My Coast Outdoors

It was foggy, the kind of foggy you could not see your hand in front of your face.  Sitting in the truck I could not help thinking about all those days where it was early morning and I waited at the ramp.  Maybe wind, snow, or lightening, and of course fog, I have sat them out for over 50 years.  Sprinkled in were even a few where it just did not happen and back to the house.  It has been one long strange trip.  Freshwater, saltwater, inshore and off, waiting is part of it.  Patience is a virtue and in fishing a necessity.

Weather

74/96.  Sunny skies.  Winds E at 5 to 10 mph.  8% chance of rain.

Lake Level

Today 96.68 msl.  Friday 96.75 msl.  (The slow steady decline continues.)

Bite Times

Major 11:11 am to 1:11 pm.

************The Wade Right Fishing Belt and the new Madre Sling.

For all your wading needs.

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

When I could finally at least ease around the corner to a close point with wood on it in about 15′ of water.  First, I tried spinnerbait around the point and did catch one but that was the only one.  When I eased out to locate the brush it was obvious there was fish on it.  Picked up the flippin stick with the watermelon trick worm and the bite was on.

The first cast as I lifted up it was soft, so I set the hook.  And the bites that came there were all the same, no tic, no thump, just a real soggy lift.  I know I did not catch all that but, but once I started setting the hook the minute it felt like that they started coming in the boat.  I managed to catch 5 more off the pile but once the sun started to peeking through, I decided to head out.  Bad move.

Best I could manage today.

From the brush I have been catching them out of, too trolling for an hour it was flat slow.  A couple more came on plastic, but it was slim pickings.  It kind of surprised me they weren’t in the heavy cover like they have been, usually where you find them when the sun is out and the wind dies.  Today there were a couple of little bites/pecks that just did not turn into fish in the boat.  The boss wanted some fish, she gets it because she is allergic to shrimp and I just not willing to give them up, so shrimp for me and fish fry for her.  Even trolling was slow today and at 11:00 I decided it was not going to happen.  But she got her fish and I got hot.

Conditions also played a big part in the poor fishing today.  You can visually see that the lake is dropping which never helps the fishing.  Today at about 9:00 it was flat dead calm and it stayed that way, and it was hot.  The water temp was 90 most places, having come up 7 degrees since Friday.  But there is a weather change coming at the end of the week so looking forward to that.  In the end no matter how tough I was fishing, I am thankful for every day.

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

I am patiently waiting to head back to Colorado in a couple of weeks with the only “real” load.  Since we are furnished, we are keeping it to a dull roar.  Until then, and the rest of the year I will be taking advantage of Coleto Creek and the bass.  It is really a great adventure and we are so looking forward to it.  But until then keep stopping in and thanks for reading my stuff.

Good Luck and Tight Lines

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

TPWD

On the news tonight they said that TPWD was trying to keep the deer breeders in business, duh.  The issue, CWD.  Apparently, the number of cases has gone well over 3oo at one place alone.  They seem so willing to bet the future of the whitetail in Texas to placate commercial interests instead of the everyday Texas hunter.  I really, really, hope I am wrong but as cases rise it seems inevitable it gets out in the wild population.  I know that is not a scientific statement, just common sense.  As with exotics, once the cat is out of the bag it is hard to put it back.  Good luck Texas, you just might need it.

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

Hunting and Fishing Only for the Rich is the Future?

I could not have said it any better myself.  (Though the Mother mention is a little out there you get the point.)

I know I rant about public lands, who owns the rivers, high fence and a myriad of other things that restrict folks access to the land and the outdoors.  While I can honestly say that rarely has it been an issue for me, the lands are a finite resource that not all have easy access to.  What remains should be protected at all costs.  Usage in all areas is way up, but the real issue is they are not making any more.  Out west the billionaires are buying out the millionaires and more and more land is ending up in the hands of fewer and fewer people.  You can never convince me that is a good thing. The current access has to be preserved for the good of all.  Trust me all you rich guys, when you are dead and gone the shit you own will be meaningless!

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

And one-off topic comment.  I have a problem with rich landowners now wanting the state to come in and fix what might be a real long-term problem with abandoned wells.  We need a long-term bond/insurance program for all wells and mines.  The argument that it will be too expensive for them makes no sense, especially when you realize it is costing us the taxpayers billions instead of the responsible parties.  Somebody is going to pay and as usual it is the taxpayers not the connected special interests.

When the landowners score (No criticism, good for them.) then the oil companies drill,  both reap the benefit I am not sure why the taxpayers are left footing the bill for the mess.  And there is definitely no reason to let the companies off the hook.  If we have not learned anything just look at the Super Fund sites, we are paying billions of dollars to clean them up all across this country.  Why folks get to harvest the resource and line their pockets without assuming one bit of responsibility for the mess puzzles me.  (Not really, it goes back to our politicians being bought and paid for.)

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

FISH CATCHING TRAVEL

Knockin Tail Lures by My Coast Outdoors

It was a beautiful morning, and morning was the operative word as it was still dark when I dropped the boat in.  The water temp was up to the mid 80’s, the wind was really light and the color remains good.  I really had no specific plan today which turned out to be a good thing.  Topwater, spinnerbait, swim jig all caught a few but the watermelon trick worm pitched to the heaviest cover I could find was the hands down best bait.

The gators have hatched.  Saw 3 today and this little one chased the topwater all the way to the boat.  They are fearless, which changes when they learn we are not their friend.

Weather

74/96.  Sunshine along with some cloudy intervals. Hot. Winds S at 5 to 10 mph.  16% chance of rain.  (Back to Colorado soon.  Sick of this heat and humidity.)

Lake Level

Wednesday 96.79 msl.  Today 96.75 msl.  (A slow steady decline.)

Bite Times

Major 7:27 am to 9:27 am.

************The Wade Right Fishing Belt and the new Madre Sling.

For all your wading needs.

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

Fishing was ok, will get to that in a minute, but that was not the highlight of the morning, look at this pic closely.

The first time that has happened to me in over 50 years of hard-core fishing.

I was alternating today with the works when reeling a swim jig along one popped it.  When I reeled in the skirt was pulled down and my trailer was gone.  That type of bite is often crappie, but I picked up the worm and pitched it in there.  One hop and it was fish on.  It was a small one and when I flipped it in the boat I felt something soft and wet hit my foot/flip.  Guess what?  It was my trailer.  The fish ate the trailer when I missed it, then the worm, and then puked it back up when it was boat flipped.  I have caught bass with lots of weird stuff over the years, but this is the first time on back-to-back casts the same fish hit it while still having the plastic in his mouth.  Chock that one up to just plain weird.

They are just plain chunks right now.

Without any wind until right before I quit I started with the Bang O Lure and mananged to catch a small one and missed another.  But it was just not happening where I started.  From that point on I tried the spinnerbait on what can loosely be called a windy bank without a bite.

Dragging them out of cover is hand to hand combat.

At that point the sun was out and the wind had basically died so time to go to the old standby this time of year on Coleto, pitching the watermelon trick worm to cover.  Though the lakes is slowly falling there is still some hardwoods on the banks here and there.  I was pitching on 20lb momo using a 3/16th tungsten slip sinker pegged at the head with a heavy duty 5/0 hook.

I won the fight, but it was an epic struggle.

It is so important to make a precise cast.  Today it was right in the stuff.  And I mean where you hoped you could get it back.  That is why pegging the slip sinker is so important, helps get through cover so you don’t get the worm on one side of the cover and the sinker on the other.  And keep the point of the hook point skin hooked so it can slide over cover.  And when it does occasionally get stuck you can usually shake it and get it to come off.

A spinnerbait fish.

But it is so important to when you ease it up and think it is wood to just hold a split second.  Occasionally it is a fish.  And other times they hit it as it falls as soon as it hits the water.  The downside, if you can call it that is it can be a real struggle.  The biggest one today got literally all wrapped up.  She was right below the surface in the middle of the tree and was right below the surface and I am pulling hard on the flippin stick.  There was no letting her swim back out, it was a mess so I pulled right in it and the battle was on.  It took me 3 or 4 times to finally get her in the net.  It is moments like this that keep me fishing.

Last one of the morning.  You have to have the wind to catch them on spinnerbait.

At 11:00 it was already getting hot so on the way back to the ramp saw a bank with some wind on a main lake bank so I stopped.  A small then the one above were there.  I reeled it right through a bush and she blasted it.  So even though the worm was the ticket I just cannot stop fishing the spinnerbait.  And with our change of location that style of fishing will be rare unless I go on a trip.  So until the move I will be thrashing them as often as I can.  The big fish right now are few and far between but at least you can put some in the boat in spite of the hot weather.  it was an easy 10 and did catch 3 on one point so they are there to be caught.

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

This weekend will be doing stuff to the house and of course watching some football.  But as soon as Monday comes it will be back on the water.  The bite is not hot, but they are there to be caught if you are flexible.  And they sure are fat and sassy.  It bodes well for the future of the lake.  So keep stopping in and thanks for reading my stuff.

Good Luck and Tight Lines

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

The Insurance Companies 

It is amazing how much all insurance has skyrocketed.  It has the making of a gigantic screw job and it remains to be seen whether the American people will stand up to the blatant price hikes.  We have to get over that just because you have to have it nothing can be done.  Write and call you representatives.  Hopefully as it gets worse, the horror stories are everywhere, the government my actually care and look into it.  (Unless they are bought and paid for.)  Just think about what it means to your pocketbook.  Then to drive it home the insurance company that covers our house in Texas sent out an email.  They wanted me to participate in a survey on communicating with your insurance company.  So they attached a non-highlighted link that even copied and pasted was worthless.  There you have it, how they really feel about us.  “We really don’t want to talk to any of you unless we feel like cancelling you for no reason..  Time for folks to really start bitching.  It feels like a rip off to me.

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

FISH CATCHING TRAVEL

Knockin Tail Lures by My Coast Outdoors

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

We must never forget the folks who lost their lives the day Islamic terrorists flew into the World Trade Center.  It was not Methodists or Catholics and at the time our government refused to call them what they were, Islamic terrorists.  When we look at the world and many of the serious issues Islam is so often the root factor.  Hamas is a perfect example of murderous scum who need to be wiped from the face of the earth.  The hardline Islamists must be monitored and if needed a dose of Seal Team 6 should be applied whenever appropriate.  Killing in the name of “your” God is sick no matter who does it.  But if you murder folks you need to reap the whirlwind and there should be no quarter.

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

Wednesday

Weather

73/91.  Cloudy skies early, then partly cloudy in the afternoon.  10% chance of rain. Winds N at 10 to 15 mph.  (The wind did not quite make the grade.)

Lake Level

Today 96.79 msl.  Monday 96.87msl.  (A slow steady decline.)

Bite Times

Major 6:26 am to 8:26 am.

************The Wade Right Fishing Belt and the new Madre Sling.

For all your wading needs.

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

I was up and gone before daylight.  Conditions were the same as Monday only the wind was not near as strong and it was high pressure following the weather associated with the hurricane passing.  The water temps remained in the low 80’s and the color is perfect.  Today I decided to try some different places first thing and at least there was a bite happening because after around 9:00 it got ugly slow.

The sun had not peaked out yet when starting on the first bank.  It is not the type of place most bass fishermen would consider but there were a few there.  And when I say shallow here is a screen shot of where I was fishing.  And note that I could not reach the bank on a big cast so shallow hardly describes it.

Shallow enough for you?  Took this pic right after fish #2.

I said it was dark.

It was the white willow leaf tandem that did the early damage.  6 jumped on in the first hour and from there it was slim pickings.  It was interesting to see several turn off right beside the boat.  Guess it was just too shallow for them to commit and maybe I would have caught a little bigger fish if I was a little farther out but hard to change when catching 6 the first hour.

These were the only ones worth a hoot on the first bank.  

Now I might have shot myself in the foot by over thinking it this morning.  The plan was a couple of places I have not fished in a while then head to the place that was so good on Monday.  After the first place I headed that way and the first issue, the wind was not on it like Monday.  This time of year especially no wind no fish, pretty simple.  And not a bite on that spot.

From that point on it was hunt and peck and I ended up eking out 2 more smalls on spinnerbait, 2 on the watermelon trick worm out of my magic tree, and two on a blue swim jig.  I forgot that I took several crawdad looking swim jigs to Colorado which turned out to be an issue.  The first 2 caught on the blue/blue swim jig were small, and then a good one tried to jerk the rod out of my hands.  She was on a bunch of wood and before I could get control it was headfirst in the wood just deep enough I could not reach it.  It would pull really hard and I would pull back trying to get her out. Since it was on 30lb Power Pro with a 15 leader it was a tussle.  Even tried the let it go slack and see if it would swim out but that was not happening. The leader finally broke at the knot, and I lost my only dark swim jig.  They were definitely not interested in a white swim jig after I tried it on.

Though small I did want to show you another Kentucky.  This one was on the main lake and you might expect to see more the next few years if the grass does not come back.

Kentucky’s prefer rock structure, and the lake has plenty available.  The one above was a little one, but they have been showing up the last 4 years, so at some point we should see some better ones.  In highland reservoirs they really show up early spring (When the lakes water temp gets to 45 to 50 degrees.) and are suckers for a jerk bait.  While I won’t be around put that in your memory bank for pre-spawn next spring.  Love to catch those once they turn into 3lb footballs.

And notice the big blade on the spinnerbait.  I tried it late just to make a bigger wake and see if I could get a reaction bite, but this is the only one not on the willow leaf.  So at 1:00 I called it a day.  If I were guessing and I am, they bit good Monday on the approaching weather and might have really had at it yesterday.  But who knows.  One thing about fall is it seems when it is good it is very good, but at times it sure can be tough.  But heck, I was fishing so no complaints.  Beats a job any day.

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

We are watching Jim Cantore doing his usual hurricane stuff and we are laughing.  All I can see is a Saturday Night skit – He is impaled by a 2″x4″ with blood spurting everywhere as he keeps on reporting.  It looked like it would not be much but it rapidly turned into Cat 2, you just never know.  Morgan City is ground zero and I always wanted to stop there when traveling, looks like a cool LA town.

And speaking of that we stopped at Trader Joe’s in Houston yesterday and it was busy as all get out.  (Every time I drive through Houston it reminds me how much I hate big cities.) Of course, then it dawned on us folks were getting prepared, which even though it did not amount to anything at least folks were taking precautions.  It is always worrisome if it does not really hit folks will become complacent.  And now that it has come ashore, we shall see who was ready and who wasn’t.

Tomorrow will be do responsible stuff then back at it Friday.  The forecast is not all that hot but it just might be a swim jig bite so I will be sure to stop and buy a couple.  Fishing is truly BOAT, but hey at least it keeps me out of strip clubs!  Lol.  So keep stopping in and thanks for reading my stuff.

Good Luck and Tight Lines

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

I hope folks watched the debate.  Not sure it changed any minds but there was one great moment where I am glad I did not have a mouth full of brew as I would have spit it all over myself; “They’re eating the cats and dogs.”  That nonsense has been going around for decades.  The oriental restaurants used to hear the stuff all the time.  The only question if they are doing that;  Is baked or fired better?  What a crazy election we have.

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

FISH CATCHING TRAVEL

Knockin Tail Lures by My Coast Outdoors

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

Until I checked lake levels I did not have a clue it had been 3 weeks or so since I fished.  Time flies when you are not having fun, but finally getting a handle on the house stuff and the new glasses.  Next up is deciding on a relator and it will be interesting to see what commission they will be asking after the lawsuit loss.  There are a couple of other options but time is ticking down and I want to get it all organized by early October so I can make a run out to Colorado, and we are both getting real excited about the move.  Plus, I want to do a little fly fishing before the snow flies.  As far as tomorrow is concerned just have to be there at daylight and see how it goes.

Weather

70/88.  Sunshine and clouds mixed. Winds NNE at 10 to 15 mph. 1% chance of rain.

Lake Level

Today 96.87msl.    Three weeks ago 97.65 msl.

Bite Times

Major  11:29 am to 12:29 pm.  (Only relevant time period.)

************The Wade Right Fishing Belt and the new Madre Sling.

For all your wading needs.

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

Starting at daylight it was blowing about 15mph out of the north, the watercolor was great, and interestingly enough the water temp was in the mid 80’s, which was a significant drop.  Glad I had the light raincoat in the truck as it was actually just a hair cool, and boy am I glad we are headed that way.

First up was buzzbait as it has been a go to bait for me in September.  But only a couple jumped on, and several missed it, one I caught barely pulled it under.  They just would not commit.

Here they are, better than nothing.

I hunted and pecked around and just seemed like I could get anything going with a crankbait and even plastic, though the wind was a little tough and never did settle down.  It finally cleared, as did this old brain of mine.  Over the years as it clears like this and the wind blows just right time for the spinnerbait.  I may be slipping just a little, happens to us old guys but I haven’t forgot the good stuff!

I have said it many times before but when a good one crushes a burned spinnerbait it is a sight to behold.

The first cast a small one jumped it and I knew it was going to happen.  The hot bank was a mid slopping bank behind a tree line (Where I assumed they summered.) with the wind blowing across it.  The bait of choice was a white 3/8th tandem spin with a silver #5 willow run right below the surface making a big wake.  And they flat blasted it, not a miss.

They were just crushing it.

This was a fatty.  Big or small they are sure well fed this year.

The smallest of the run, which happened over about a half hour.

It was one of those runs where I am glad I had the net out.  They were full of piss and vinegar and wet my whistle for tomorrow morning.  Then disaster struck.  They were really on and I had the next bank all planned out in my mind when the Boss called about 10:30, and sort of ruined my day.

She had jury duty and had scheduled the week off just in case.  She was set or Monday and it got cancelled and then they set her for a trial on Tuesday when she got a text it was cancelled.  She was free and clear and said lets go have a little adult entertainment.  Since we had a couple of days comped I headed to the ramp, put it on the trailer and off we went.  But we are back and I am really looking forward to the morning.

There is no telling if the pattern will hold, but the weather looks good with clouds first thing then clearing.  When that happened is when they started, and it happened to be just a little before start of the minor.  But with the fish concentrating on shad there is a good chance that bite will continue.  Waking a spinnerbait is both a good spring and fall pattern.  The real difference between spring and fall is spring is more of a reaction bite because they are up, fall they come up in bunches on certain banks and it is a matter of finding the right one.  So we shall see how my choice goes in the morning but it won’t be any trouble waking up.

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

While I have a few things that need doing tomorrow it will be fishing and more fishing.  All fishermen are optimists, and I can hardly wait.  So keep stopping in and thanks for reading my stuff.

Good Luck and Tight Lines

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

Football

Last week the Hogs beat the snot our of a nobody, then after a great first half went stupid and ended up losing to Oklahoma State in double overtime.  Really a tough loss.  A&M did this week what the Hogs did last by beating the snot out of a nobody.  Hard to make a judgment on them until next week.  On the other hand, Texas just beat the crap out of Michigan, something rarely done.  Just shows what can happen once the cheater is gone.  And Colorado played, or not, against Nebraska and their real colors came shining through.  They are past overrated.  And finally, Norte Dame is just a pretender.   So it was a good weekend of college football and cannot wait to see how the pros do.

How about those Cowboys.  They played an almost perfect game and the defensive plan was spot on.  And the Houston Texans play a fairly good game and both teams will be in contention.  I did see a comment on Dak signing his new contract that now the Boys are guaranteed to not be in the Super Bowl for the nest 4 years.  But no matter what it was a good weekend on the gridiron.

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

FISH CATCHING TRAVEL

Knockin Tail Lures by My Coast Outdoors

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

I finally was able to get back on the water.  The trolling motor has given up the ghost which meant it would be some trolling but at this point I just want to get back on the water.  This being dizzy is not all it is cracked up to be.  Plus the Boss ordered a fish fry and it turned out to be a catching kind of day.

That is a big white bass for Coleto Creek

The wind stayed steady at 15+ all morning.  The water temp was 88 – 90 everywhere I fished and the color is great.  It drove me a little nuts as it stayed fairly cloudy all morning and it looked like a bass kind of morning.  But oh well, will solve the trolling motor thing tomorrow.

It took me a while to find them but once I did it was game on.  They were on a flat, near a drop where the wind was blowing across it.  It ended up that the fish, and of course the shad, were bunched up in 12 – 14′ of water.  They were pretty tightly bunched and it was several doubles during the bite, the only problem most were bass.  There were plenty there mixed in was a few white bass, which is what I was trying to catch,

See this size?  I could not get away from them.

The bite was full on from around 9 until 11:00.  I was able to catch 4 white bass for supper wading through the bass.  But the bass were actually a pain in the butt.  I showed you the bass above because the future for Coleto looks good.  The 13″ers were fat and sassy and there were lot of them.  I was using shad color baits, one ran 10′ the other 8′, about 60′ behind the boat.  The fish did not seem to have a preference as to which one.  And as usual the best speed was 2.3mph.

Today was a make due with what i had, which was trolling.  It is all about not being a one trick pony.  There is a world of fish out there and just as many ways to catch them.  And anytime I can knock off 30+ in a couple of hours is a good day.

************The Wade Right Fishing Belt and the new Madre Sling.

For all your wading needs.

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

I tend to rant every time I hear some blow hard politician start talking about selling our public lands.  If you will remember I said we have to watch them because it usually involves rich folks making bank while “stealing” our lands.  Now DeSatan the governor of Florida, has proposed adding golf, pickle ball, tennis, swimming pools, etc to some state parks.  From what I read he was “working” with Jack Nicklaus and Tiger Woods.  Told you so.  We should never let them get their hands on public lands; they cannot be trusted to do it for our benefit.  And now the employee of the state parks who broke the story has been fired.  If they were not up to something tricky, why would they fire him?  Looks like the project is dead but you can never take your eyes off any of them.  Plus there is all the gold courses we need in this country.

Park passes while getting more expensive every year are still a good deal.  Where folks who enjoy the outdoors, maybe the family just out for a hike with the kids, can still do it relatively cheaply.  And remember we are the ones who paid for them in the first place.  If a state wants to start a park with golf, pickleball, or any other sport have at it.  But do not use our outdoor lands for the rich to make more money.  In most cases it is the only outdoor area often available to folks and it needs to stay “the woods.”  And speaking of outdoor conflict in this vein pick up a copy of Texas Monthly and read the story concerning the Devils River.  It is enlightening and a well written piece on the issues with competing stake holders.

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

Looks like life just might be back in business.  After being dizzy for a month or more, then patching one eye so I could at least not be so sick, I finally picked up my new glasses.  They are taking just a little getting used to, but I can read and type, so things are looking up.  I have not driven yet but the lake is calling me and if all is good tomorrow I should be at the lake daylight Thursday.  Trust me, double vision is tough, and I am glad to wave it goodbye.  And on that note just had a physical and all good surprising enough.  (Not sure they don’t have me confused with someone else.)  Getting old is not for the weak.

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

Got the trolling motor issue fixed and now a couple of days around the house then finally some fishing next week.  About done painting what needs to be done for the sale and actually got some stuff packed and organized in the house.  One advantage of already having the other house is a slow move which will be done way before we hit the road.  But for me it will be some fishing next week as the weather looks good and the fish are biting.  And I will get back to weather, level, bite time to go along with the report.  So sorry for the absence but keep stopping in and thanks for reading my stuff.

Good Luck and Tight Lines

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

Hell Getting Old – No ads this is personal.

I wish I could say that there was some big reason I have not posted/fished in a while, but it ends up being exactly that.  My vision has been acting up the last few weeks leading to me feeling sick and somewhat dizzy, reading making it even worse.  I hoped things would settle down, but it just slowly kept getting worse.  I just could not figure out why I was sick.  Being dizzy 24/7 is flat ugly.  First, we did a covid test which was negative, next up was make an appointment with the eye doc and a follow up with the regular doc if need be.

Well at least we know it is my eyes.  (Fourth cranial nerve to be exact.) Turns out I have double vision, and it is permanent.  Looks like it will be corrected with some coke bottle glasses which I am going to order as soon as I finish this.  I know it could have been worse but it ain’t all that much better.  But he seemed to be fairly confident that it would fix the problem. (If it doesn’t will just patch one and wear a contact in the good eye.  I have spent enough time on the water to be a pirate.) Until I get the new glasses it will just be a matter of living with it.  Trust me, double vision is the pits.  As an example, it has taken me twice as long to write this.  But life goes on, you either roll with the punches or put on your big boy pants and keep on living.  A least patching one eye will let me live my life until the glasses get here and I can get back to living.

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

Unfortunately, the punch line of all is I should probably not be driving or wobbling around in a boat so until the new glass come it will be doing a few things around the house to continue to prepare for the move.  But the fish are calling me and since the temp has finally started to fall I will be itching to get back out there.  And it is only a month until I trek back to Colorado for some fishing and photography.  The rut should be full on by then and I love watching them spar not to mention some fly fishing on the river.  So keep stopping in and thanks for reading my stuff.

Good Luck and Tight Lines

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

Scam

Every election year the issue of what to do about public lands (There is no real issue, they are just fine.) comes up and it is Republicans who are again suggesting that federal public lands should be turned over to the states, or more insidiously sold to private citizens, meaning their rich friends.  I would vote against Mother Teresa if she made this proposal.  It is nothing more than a land grab by and for the rich.  And even if returned to the states they do not have the money or resources to manage them so again what will happen?  Sale to the rich.  Every citizen in the country owns a share and it is not the property of money-grubbing politicians.  Time to rein in the folks who currently lease public lands, it is not their land.  To the whole bunch – Who the f’ do you think you are?  It is our land not theirs.

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

Looks like there will be a debate in September.  Trump is waffling and the Democrats want to tweek the rules, all common posturing in an election year.  That will all be resolved one way or the other as it looks like it will happen.  Trump continually calls Harris stupid, so says mister “I know lots of big words”.  You better be prepared to use them.  But when it comes down to brass tacks an experienced trial lawyer who has prosecuted plenty of scum bags and argued before appellate courts will obviously have a leg up.  So, it remains to be seen if Harris is stupid, but time for Trump to put everyone else’s money where his mouth is.

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

Hamas

They just found 6 Israail’s hostages shot to death in Gaza.  And I am willing to make the following prediction, the women held hostage will never be release alive.  How did i come to this conclusion?  One of the Palestinians’ who was captured said the following about his taking a young woman hostage:  I raped her and then my father raped her and then he murdered her.  Keep in mind he and his father are not members of Hamas.  It is pure nonsense that everyone who is not Hamas is an innocent combatant. If you think the animals who took the women hostages have not already raped and will kill them to cover it up you have another thing coming.  Hamas and supporters need to be wiped off the face of the earth.

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

And last but not least is what in the world is folks’ interests in other folks’ personal life?  Somehow when other folk’s choices do not align with yours it does not make your opinion right.  In fact, if you are that interested in others sex life you might be the weirdo.  America is about freedom of choice, how we have come to the point where others choices are your business is nuts.

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

FISH CATCHING TRAVEL

Knockin Tail Lures by My Coast Outdoors

The Boat

I was going to let this slide but it has been sticking in my craw.  It is rare folks admit something that makes you pause the minute it comes out of their mouth, but in this case both ends of it admitted something that just does not pass the smell test.

I bought the new Lund from a dealer and as far as the basic transaction it was fairly good considering all the other boats I have bought.  (Though one interesting note when I mentioned using a fuel additive, he said don’t it might void your warranty.  Dude Mercury sells that product and if you read the book you might know the answer. Amazing how often folks make stuff up.)  So while it was not seamless by any means that is not the point of this post.

A week after I buy the boat Mercury has an ad on Facebook saying get a longer warranty with a new motor.  Don’t remember exactly how much but it was a couple of years anyway and I qualified.  So immediately call the dealer and say what is the deal?  Can you check on it for me?  He says he does not know anything about it but will check.  Well guess what?  Not according to the Mercury website that says they are part of the program.  He promises to check on it and of course no immediate response.

I call back a little over a week or two later to check and he has no idea.  So the salesman puts me on hold and goes to the owner and comes back with the following;

“We normally jack up the price of the boat to cover the additional warranty.” 

Think about that for a second.  Is he telling me he screws Mercury or just me?  He then tells me we will give you the deal anyway.  Good, that seems fair.  Afte a while when I had not heard from him about what they did I figured the best way was to just check with Mercury.

When I speak with them, I don’t say anything about the issue, just ask what do I have on the motor?  She tells me and I am good with it, the dealer did what they said they would.  At that point I tell the story to see if Mercury gives the dealer something and they were trying to screw Mercury or me.  But unbelievably I get the following response from the Mercury representative:

“He should not have told you that.” 

WTF?  Does that mean you know they do that and it is not a real promotion?  Is it really no skin off Mercury and your ad is just “saying.”  If memory serves me, I even asked if they give the dealers anything and she said no.  So what does this all mean?

Looking back on it I can’t get past both answers from the dealer or Mercury.  While nothing is illegal in anyway about what I learned it does not speak well of the character of either party.  The way the ad reads it is a promotion.  Buy a motor and get an extended warranty.  So Mercury is good with that practice by dealers?  And the dealer either just blew it off or is clueless about a Mercury program in which they are listed on the Mercury website as a participant.  But the dealer basically telling me we would have jacked up the price of your boat seems kind of squishy.  So you decide what you make of all this.  I call foul on both.  Let the buyer beware, but I am not sure who to watch, apparently it is both.

************The Wade Right Fishing Belt and the new Madre Sling.

For all your wading needs.

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

Sorry there is not fishing to report but I wanted to put this out there.  Boils down to you can not trust anyone and I find both parties to be slimy.  But with that said it will be back on the water Monday.  Unfortunately, I have cabinets to paint and a few other things to do the next few days.  The Boss is going to be gone which would normally mean I would be heading somewhere to fish.  But duty calls and I will be responsible no matter how much it hurts.  So keep stopping in and thanks for reading my stuff.

Good Luck and Tight Lines

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

FISH CATCHING TRAVEL

Knockin Tail Lures by My Coast Outdoors

The best laid plans often do not work out, it is what makes fishing what it is.  While I did get the Boss her fish fry, the topwater fishing left something to be desired.  Though I caught 5 in the area with the shad it just was not quite what the better ones are looking for.

5 of this size first thing on the Bang O Lure.

Weather

76/96.  Sunshine and clouds mixed. A stray shower or thunderstorm is possible.  Winds SSE at 10 to 15 mph.  (Basically dead calm all morning.)

Lake Level

Today 97.65 msl.  Monday 97.64 msl.

Bite Times

Major 6:49 am to 8:49 am.

************The Wade Right Fishing Belt and the new Madre Sling.

For all your wading needs.

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

It was just cracking daylight as I pulled into the cove that had all the shad yesterday.  I was not sure it was quite the right place and it turned out it wasn’t.  There were plenty of small bass in there but as I have found the “good” places where the better ones eat the topwater are more isolated points with grass and deep water nearby.  But since the plan was to fill out the fish fry order and quit before I roasted alive I stayed in there and caught 5 on top and missed a couple.  Which was less than stellar but it put me where I needed to be for trolling up supper.

She loves fresh catfish so here you go.

A couple of weeks ago the fish were just not on their usual summer haunts but it seems they have moved in.  Still running shad looking crankbaits that run about 10′ deep with 75 feet of line out.  The best speed seems to be around 2 mph or so and today most of the fish and shad I was seeing were in the 13′ to 18′ on break lines and underwater points.

The only white bass this morning.

I quit counting after boating 15 which were mostly smalls.  For some reason the white bass are still eluding me, and it was only 1 today.  Same with the blue cats, but  like yesterday one did jump on and will be the guest of honor at supper tomorrow.  Coleto has produced lots of blue cats for me both trolling and then in the spring on swim jig. I will give them one thing, when they bite they usually jump it pretty hard and thanks to their rubber lips they stay hooked up.

And the bass made the fish fry trifecta. 

Around 10:30 the white and cat were in the cooler and I needed one more.  I was hoping it would be another white or blue but when I caught the bass above it was time to call it a day.  Maybe the wind does blow 10 – 15mph sometime during the day but it sure has not been doing that before noon.  It was almost dead flat calm today and combined with the humidity and lack of clouds it was flat hot.  And if I have learned anything about the Coleto parking lot is by pulling straight in instead of backing in to park the truck is in the shade, which makes it so much better when you call it a day.

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

The next day or two will be doing a few constructive things around here.  The weekend forecast is crazy hot, and I am so ready to be in Colorado.  But with that time to finish the kitchen cabinets.  After installing latches and repairing the drawers a coat of paint will do them good, and keep me out of the heat.  The Boss will be visiting family in Iowa this weekend and with the moon full I just might do a little night fishing.  So keep stopping in and thanks for reading my stuff.

Good Luck and Tight Lines

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

FISH CATCHING TRAVEL

Knockin Tail Lures by My Coast Outdoors

If that is not worth getting up for what is?

Though I had a few things to do last week about half the reason I did not fish was it was so hot.  Today was no improvement but it turned out ok.  It was not fast by any means but once the trolling started it was consistent for 2 hours and the only reason I quit was it got freakin’ hot.  The water temp was 91 – 93, fairly clear, and it was flat as a pancake with very little breeze.

Weather

77/95.  Partly cloudy skies. High near 95F. Winds SE at 10 to 15 mph.

Lake Level

One week ago 97.65 msl.  Today 97.64 msl.

Bite Times

Major  6:00 am to 8:00 am.

************The Wade Right Fishing Belt and the new Madre Sling.

For all your wading needs.

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

Biggest of the morning.  Hand to hand combat getting her out of a tree.

I started off fishing the Bang O Lure and it produced 4 bites and 2 came over the side.  Though it has slowed significantly if you find the right point with grass and some deep water close it can produce a big one, and it almost did today.  I went to twitch it and it was hooked on itself and so made a big ruckus on the way to the boat and one rolled on it but did not get hooked.  Tossed it right back in there and she ate it under the surface and took off.  While I thought she was hooked I never actually set the hook and she pulled off.  To bad it was a good one.  The last few trips the Bang O Lure has gotten bit by a good one each time and tomorrow or the next day looking forward to fishing what I found later.

The Bang O Lure doing some work.

From about 8 – 9:00 tossed the watermelon red trick worm with a pegged 3/16 slip sinker to deep wood.  The first one came on a tree in about 10′ of water, the next was the one above that came off a really deep tree on a wooded point.  A classic place to get bit.  It was the only good one today and it took a little rasslin’ around to get her out but it made the morning.  Until…….

Finally, a white bass trolling.

The plan was to troll down lake, but on the way I stopped on a deep bank and tossed the worm some when I saw shad breaking with some chasing in the mouth of a big cove.  Easing over there bass were breaking in small groups and the locator was lit up with shad.  One that jumped right next to the boat while being chased was a threadfin a little over an inch long.  I tried to make the perfect cast with the Bang O Lure but it was just a hair to big so out came the small crankbaits and the bite was on.

And a ton of these on the troll.

The bass bit until I quit at 11:30 and it was nice to boat a good white bass and finally a good size blue cat.  Unfortunately, I forgot the camera this morning and some of the phone pics did not come out but suffice to say while it is hard to estimate how many bass jumped on, but it was at least 15 easy.  And they were hammering it.  Some would have measured but most were in the 12 – 14″ range.  But they sure are fat and sassy.  I found some in another place that is one of my go to trolling places but the interesting thing was the cove that was full of them.  Can’t wait to give them a go at daylight.

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

I am very happy that by closing the comments it has completely ended the spam.  Of course, not hearing from folks is not great but I will give it a couple of weeks and turn it back on.  That crap is computer generated and once it starts it has been impossible to stop but at least I do not have to mess with it every day.  Thanks for sticking with me.

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

Looney Gilmore

Not sure how old these are but Looney used to come by my store in the early 70’s.  A real character he was a traveling lure guy.  In those days you actually had suppliers calling on you and bringing lures and supplies.  He made tons of different lures including the first wooden Devil’s Horse, (At least the first I ever saw.) including a wooden one for peacock bass fishing which was a brand new thing then.  My buddy Tom has these and there are not many in existence, especially in the package.  Not exactly sure as it was 50 years ago but I believe he invented the Devil’s Horse and sold it to a Louisiana company.  It has been a staple in bass fishing for decades and still is.

One thing about living in North Arkansas in the early 70’s it was a time of innovation including the first real bass jig, the Sam Welch jig.  One year we had real high water and my friend Buddy Meador wanted his Rebel minnow to slow sink to keep it next to the brush longer, so he experimented with solder on the trebles and actually invented the first suspending jerk bait.  During that period we took the old red Ambassador and put bigger handles and changed the gears to get a 5 .0 retrieve, we were the shit.  And when we got the first Fenwick graphite blanks it was a game changer from fiberglass.  Then the first Lew’s Speed Spool appeared, and it was on.  From the Ranger cigar style boat to the Champ and big V’s boating was changing constantly.  Heck my first graph was an X15 which was a paper graph like a lie detector.  Who would have guessed it would lead to all this.  It was a time of innovation and I am glad I was there.

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

Going to take a look at tomorrow’s weather because I want to be on that cove at daylight the next day or two.  It just might be a good Bang O Lure bite first thing.  It seems it lasts about an hour of a little more but when it is over it is done.  Then I will troll up a fish fry for the Boss when she is done with a 4-day rotation.  I might drive her nuts at times, but she will tell you, I am a fish frying fool and she loves eating them from the water straight to the pan.  So keep stopping in and thanks for reading my stuff.

Good Luck and Tight Lines

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