This morning I fished with a boatload of kiddos very happy to be done with school and finally on summer vacation!
(L to R)Mason, Madi, and Morgan boated these nice white bass running downriggers for suspended fish feeding on young of the year shad.
Madi’s best fish of the day.
Mason’s best fish of the day.
Morgan’s best fish of the day.
At just a few minutes prior to sunrise, I met up with Mr. Royal C. of Georgetown, TX, along with his daughter, Morgan, his son, Mason, and his niece, Madi. As we got going, I assessed where everyone’s ability level was, adjusted equipment as needed, did some practice casting so I could judge range and accuracy levels, and off we went.
Based on yesterday’s positive results and the lack of any major weather change, I expected today’s fishing to be much like yesterday’s, and it was.
We experienced a solid topwater bite from the first 80 minutes of fishing, finding white bass aggressively pursuing young of the year shad at or on the surface in the vicinity of Area 160/205 and Area 1221. These fish were just gorging themselves on the small, slow-swimming young shad. Many times as we brought the fish aboard, they would regurgitate freshly swallowed shad, which definitely drew a few “Oooh’s and Aaaah’s” from the kids.
Next, we stayed in the vicinity of Area 1221 knowing that the fish that had just been feeding at the surface were still in the area, only that the brightening sun had pushed them down deeper, as verified by sonar. We used a downrigging tactic to continue to take fish steadily (both in singles and doubles) for another 90 minutes. This time was interspersed with an occasional stop to attempt a “smoking” technique when we encountered heavily schooled fish near bottom, but, the fish definitely preferred that horizontal motion.
We gave Area 842 a try, but the fish were a bit sluggish despite the presence of bait and occasional topwater outbursts.
We wrapped up as the morning bite was dying down by resuming our downrigging at between Area 457 and 1135.
The kids were a blast to have on the boat; they listened well, were eager to succeed, and were fast learners. All of these things contributed to their success. I was especially proud of young Madi, who overcame her reluctance and both held and released several of her own fish without the aid of a “fish-gripper”. Great job today, kids!!
TALLY = 76 FISH, all caught and released
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TODAY’S CONDITIONS:
Start Time: 6:30a
End Time: 10:45a
Air Temp: 69F at trip’s start.
Water Surface Temp: 77.8F
Wind: Winds were ~7-8mph from the NNE.
Skies: Skies were fair with some high, thin white clouds for the first 90 minutes following sunrise.
Bob Maindelle
Holding the Line Guide Service
254-368-7411
www.HoldingTheLineGuideService.com
Salado, Texas