Fished a half-day “Kids Fish, Too!” evening trip this evening with Jeff, Andrew, and Matthew W. of Salado. Jeff owns “Salado Creek Outfitters” in Salado and brought his two younger sons (and world-class kayak washers) out for a little Spring Break excursion.

THE WARREN BOYS SACKED ‘EM UP! 6 KEEPER HYBRIDS ON AN EVENING SUBSURFACE BLITZ

Start Time:4:00p


End Time: 7:40p


Air Temp: 76F at trip’s start, and cooling towards sunset.


Water Surface Temp: ~60-62F

Wind: Winds were SE at up to 9mph the during the daylight hours, then tapered off around sunset.

Skies: Skies were fair.

The late morning feed that we’ve been experiencing at Stillhouse must have taken place here on Belton, too, as we really struggled to find active fish. This, coupled with an easterly component to the wind spelled tough condition going into this trip. We found plenty of fish, but they were extremely lethargic. We covered a lot of water downrigging at both Areas 205 to 365 and at Area 172 and just scrounged up a few small white bass at both areas. When we stopped to jig or toss bladebaits, the fish refused to respond. We then got back over them with a downrigger and strained out a white now and then. By 6:30 we’d only managed 6 white bass.

As the sun began to get low in the sky, we headed to an area (Area 136) where, due to topography, the sun’s direct rays leave the water well before sunset. In this area we found fairly active gulls and terns, albeit well spread. As we cut the engine and trolled into the center of mass of the bird activity and let slabs down, I immediately got hit and knew things would be perking up. The birds continued to work and the fishing continued to improve. Over the next 70 minutes we enjoyed some quality fishing, although the numbers never did show up on this trip.

Jeff, Andrew and Matthew were each able to connect with some solid 5-6 pound hybrids, and we managed a few white bass here as well. All the fish were taken on 3/8 oz. TNT 180s fished with a smoking retrieve. 12 fish in all came out of this area. Every fish we caught was a suspended fish.

By 7:40 the fish and birds were done. With a bit of natural light remaining we took some good photos of our day that started slow but ended well.

TALLY = 18 FISH, all caught and released

Bob Maindelle, Owner, Holding The Line Guide Service and Kids Fish, Too! Stillhouse Hollow Fishing Guide, Belton Lake Fishing Guide, Lake Georgetown Fishing Guide, Walter E. Long (Decker) Lake Fishing Guide. Offering Salado Fishing, Killeen Fishing and Ft. Hood Fishing