Will Fish for BBQ! — 122 Fish, Stillhouse, 12 March

This Saturday morning, March 12th, I was joined by fiancees Sean Cousens and Courtney Denman for a birthday outing celebrating Sean’s 36th birthday.  We targeted white bass on Stillhouse Hollow.

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We had solid fishing this morning from roughly 7:30 to 10:20a.  Our catch consisted of white bass mainly in the 1 and 2 year class, with a few nice 13+ inch 3 yearolds like those shown above thrown in for good measure.

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As often occurs when white bass feed in the same spot for an extended period of time, bottom feeders like catfish and drum will move in after detecting the odor and commotion of the white bass, to feed on the scraps that have fallen to the bottom.

Although the “mudline” has not progressed much distance-wise beyond the Union Grove area, the opacity was greater today than yesterday as Stillhouse continues to rise.  We’re now 3.41 feet above full pool.
I just don’t like fishing muddy water on Stillhouse.  I believe that because the water is so clear so much of the time, that the white bass really become mainly sight feeders despite having a lateral line to detect vibration.  When the water gets muddy, my results really drop off, so, we moved down lake today and fished the still-green water there.
Our first fish came under birds in 25-27 feet.  The action then moved out to 40-45 feet where we continued to catch fish right up until around 10:15am.
All fish we caught today came on the Redneck Fish’n’ Jigs Model 180 in the “Holding the Line” custom color pattern and 3/4oz. size.
We boated a grand total of 122 fish this morning, including 116 white bass, 4 largemouth bass, 1 drum, and 1 channel catfish.  Courtney had previously announced that if she caught the 100th fish, she’d buy lunch.  As the 99th fish came aboard, I put my rod away and let the two soon-to-be-married-in-September couple duke it out.  Courtney hooked what could have been fish #100 but, as she had it about half way in, Sean hooked a fish of his own.  The two got a bit too competitive and wound up losing both fish.  Then (wouldn’t you know it?!) the fish quit at this location and we had to drive around looking on sonar for more fish just to get that 100th fish!
But, all ended well, as the two were headed to Schoepf’s BBQ in Belton when I last saw them.
TALLY =  122 FISH, all caught and released

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TODAY’S CONDITIONS/NOTES:

Start Time: 6:40a

End Time:  10:50a

Air Temp. @ Trip’s Start: 59F

Water Surface Temp:  63.0F

Wind Speed & Direction:  Winds were light and variable for the first 2.5 hours, then picked up and tapered up to 13 SSW by trip’s end

Sky Conditions:  60% clouds on a fair sky increasing to 80% coverage by trip’s end.

Water Level: 625.41 and rising with 622.0 being full pool.  Water is now being released at a light 2157 cubic feet per second.  Water discolored to beyond Union Grove.

Other: GT= 50

 

 Wx SNAPSHOT:

12MAR16

AREAS FISHED WITH SUCCESS:

**Area   158 to 067 under birds in 25-27′ with slabs

**Area  vic 978 to 1567 under birds at first, then fish continued biting after birds left.  45′ deep.

**Area 1713 final stop of the day — short, intense bite, typical of late morning

 

Bob Maindelle

Owner, Holding the Line Guide Service

254.368.7411 (call or text)

Website: www.HoldingTheLineGuideService.com

E-mail: Bob@HoldingTheLineGuideService.com

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