This morning I fished with Mr. Larry L. and Mr. Tom K., both of Lampasas, TX.
The
fish were really scattered and never really got into a “groove” this
morning, but, we persisted and were able to boat a mixed bag of nice
hybrid, as well as white bass and “short” hybrid.
Larry had fished with me once before about a year ago. Since then he’s retired from his teaching/coaching job with the Lampasas school district.
Tom
is a retired Army veterinarian who also ran his own veterinary practice
after the military. Now, he just keeps up with his wife and 2 cats!
Larry and Tom got to know one another through church — they both go to
the First Street Church of Christ where Larry serves as an elder.
is a retired Army veterinarian who also ran his own veterinary practice
after the military. Now, he just keeps up with his wife and 2 cats!
Larry and Tom got to know one another through church — they both go to
the First Street Church of Christ where Larry serves as an elder.
We
got going as the sun rose this morning, but nature was just kind of
flat for about the first hour. We checked 3 or 4 typically productive
areas and found only small pods of fish here and there. There was no
bird action to speak of.
got going as the sun rose this morning, but nature was just kind of
flat for about the first hour. We checked 3 or 4 typically productive
areas and found only small pods of fish here and there. There was no
bird action to speak of.
Around
8am, we spotted the first bird activity of the morning. They behaved
in much the same way as on this past Saturday morning’s trip — the
gulls and terns would circle intently over an area, a few would dip to
feed, and then they’d ‘lift and shift’ a hundred or two hundred yards
away. They did this over and over again for nearly 2 hours. We kept up
with them and steadily caught fish, but only a few at a time as the
fish were moving the bait and not sitting still whatsoever. The general
confines of this activity were within the bounds of Areas 1304, 1142,
and 1144.
8am, we spotted the first bird activity of the morning. They behaved
in much the same way as on this past Saturday morning’s trip — the
gulls and terns would circle intently over an area, a few would dip to
feed, and then they’d ‘lift and shift’ a hundred or two hundred yards
away. They did this over and over again for nearly 2 hours. We kept up
with them and steadily caught fish, but only a few at a time as the
fish were moving the bait and not sitting still whatsoever. The general
confines of this activity were within the bounds of Areas 1304, 1142,
and 1144.
I
observed that our catch rate actually increased after the birds settled
down. I theorized that as the fish slowed down, stopped chasing bait
so aggressively, and settled back down to the bottom, they became less
mobile. So, once we found fish, they were more likely to stay in that
area, and so our attempts at jigging for them were more successful as we
hovered over top of them for greater lengths of time than when they
were chasing hard after bait. That’s my theory and I’m sticking to it.
observed that our catch rate actually increased after the birds settled
down. I theorized that as the fish slowed down, stopped chasing bait
so aggressively, and settled back down to the bottom, they became less
mobile. So, once we found fish, they were more likely to stay in that
area, and so our attempts at jigging for them were more successful as we
hovered over top of them for greater lengths of time than when they
were chasing hard after bait. That’s my theory and I’m sticking to it.
About
45 minutes after the birds settled, the fishing finally also slowed
down in this area and we pushed on looking for fish without the
assistance of birds, strictly using electronics.
45 minutes after the birds settled, the fishing finally also slowed
down in this area and we pushed on looking for fish without the
assistance of birds, strictly using electronics.
We
found what were were looking for at Area 717. As we pulled in at idle
speed there were fish glued to the bottom for several yards, and several
fish up off the bottom chasing bait. As we got the boat positioned, we
began “smoking” and worked these suspended fish over pretty well.
After they settled down, we focused on jigging on bottom for a few more
added to our tally, and when that began to wane, we switched over to
lighter, smaller slabs to put a final 4 fish in the boat. By this time
we’d reached the bitter end. The sun was high and bright, the wind was
calming, and the fish, bait and birds were all at rest. Time to head in
for lunch!
found what were were looking for at Area 717. As we pulled in at idle
speed there were fish glued to the bottom for several yards, and several
fish up off the bottom chasing bait. As we got the boat positioned, we
began “smoking” and worked these suspended fish over pretty well.
After they settled down, we focused on jigging on bottom for a few more
added to our tally, and when that began to wane, we switched over to
lighter, smaller slabs to put a final 4 fish in the boat. By this time
we’d reached the bitter end. The sun was high and bright, the wind was
calming, and the fish, bait and birds were all at rest. Time to head in
for lunch!
As
we traveled from area to area, Tom asked me for any “old indian tricks”
I might be able to share with him. I showed him the “buoy trick”, the
“foam trick”, and the “spark plug trick”. He said these alone were
worth the price of the trip!!
we traveled from area to area, Tom asked me for any “old indian tricks”
I might be able to share with him. I showed him the “buoy trick”, the
“foam trick”, and the “spark plug trick”. He said these alone were
worth the price of the trip!!
Not a stellar day, but not a bust either — such is winter-time fishing between fronts.
TALLY = 48 FISH, all caught and released
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TODAY’S CONDITIONS/NOTES:
Start Time: 7:00a
End Time: 12:15p
Air Temp: 48F at trip’s start.
Water Surface Temp: 58F
Wind: Winds were SSW11 dying to SSW3.
Skies: 25% clouds on a fair sky.
Other Notes: GT=20
Areas Fished with success:
** 1304/1142/1144 (50 G/T)
** 717
Bob Maindelle
Holding the Line Guide Service
254-368-7411
www.HoldingTheLineGuideService.com
Salado, Texas