This past Tuesday morning I finished Lake Belton with US Navy veteran David Burke, of Belton, Texas.
David, who is originally from San Angelo, worked the last 12 years of his career as a drug and alcohol addiction counselor at Christian Farms between Harker Heights and Nolanville. His 3-year stint in the Navy had him fueling large cargo helicopters aboard a 700+ foot long ship. He spoke fondly of his daughter who now lives with him and works on the janitorial staff at UMHB.
David got more then a little turned around trying to find our boat ramp, and we got off to a late, 8:30 AM start, but made up for lost time the best we could. David was primarily interested in using artificial baits for white bass, but was very open to doing whatever it took to put fish in the boat. He actually took a real liking to the hybrid after he caught his first big on on bait.
I initially came prepared only with artificial baits, but went ahead and took advantage of the time prior to David’s arrival to put some live shad in my bait tank as I waited for him to arrive.
We split the morning fairly evenly between suspending live bait off the bottom for hybrid striper and vertical jigging, using an easing tactic, as we targeted white bass. When all was said and done today, we had put a grand total of 59 fish in the boat.
Today’s shad activity and fishing was definitely hindered a bit by the weather disturbance that passed through last night with its multiple pop-up storm cells, and in that it left a northeast wind blowing lightly this morning.
TALLY = 59 FISH, all caught and released
Wx Snapshot:
TODAY’S CONDITIONS/NOTES:
Start Time: 8:30a
End Time: 12:30p
Air Temp. @ Trip’s Start: 63F
Water Surface Temp: 69F
Wind Speed & Direction: NE3-4 the entire trip
Sky Conditions: 100% clouds with occasional drizzle
Water Level: 6.32 feet above full pool and falling; 3800+ cfs release
GT = 0
AREAS FISHED WITH SUCCESS:
**Area 1921 for early white bass/hybrid mix on bait
**Area 146/1922 for whites vertically jigged on slab
**Area 1922 for 100% keeper hybrid for 90 consecutive minutes
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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