WHO I FISHED WITH: On Thursday afternoon, 27 Oct., I welcomed first-time guests Richard Schneider and his wife, Linda, aboard.
Richard had ordered some MAL Lures from me in the past, and then this past weekend I had an occasion to assist him in getting his pontoon boat launched on a particularly windy day.
He contacted me, a bit unexpectedly, around 5:30A Thursday morning asking if my afternoon trip was still available. I explained that mornings tend to produce better, but, the afternoon worked best for the couple’s schedules, so we met up at 2:45P and went fishing!
Here is how the fishing went …
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PHOTO CAPTION: In addition to the target species of white bass, we always seem to pick up a few “bycatch” fish, as well. Today, we landed 2 largemouth, 3 hybrid stripers, and 4 freshwater drum, like the one Richard is holding.
PHOTO CAPTION: Prior to today’s trip, Linda had only been fishing 5 times in her life, and had only landed 2 fish. The couple boated 119 in just shy of four hours today.
WHERE WE FISHED: Lake Belton
WHEN WE FISHED: Thursday, 27 October 2022 (PM)
HOW WE FISHED:
The Schneiders’ two-angler total actually surpassed that of my morning trip’s total of 106 fish landed, which is more of the exception than the rule. As a rule, evenings tend to produce about 70% of the morning’s catch on days where no significant weather changes occur between AM and PM.
This afternoon’s weather was mild, and, as compared to the morning, we had stronger winds for a longer period, with winds right at SSE14 for the first 2 hours on the water.
After a brief demonstration on how to use the MAL Original Lure with a smoking tactic in conjunction with Garmin LiveScope, we were off to hunt and catch fish.
The couple’s lack of experience with use of the MAL Lure actually worked to their advantage. Instead of having to overcome bad habits (like aggressive hooksetting) before they exercised good technique, they went right into good technique and did not pay the price in missed fish as many more experienced anglers do.
The fish cooperated well all afternoon and, just as in the morning, we enjoyed a steady pick of fish from start to finish. We landed our 100th fish right around 6:10PM with about thirty minutes left until sunset. Sunset came a bit early as the building bank of heavy grey clouds in the west obscured the sun before it actually sunk below the horizon.
By that time, Richard and Linda had landed another 19 fish for a total of 119 fish, including 2 largemouth bass, 3 hybrid stripers, 4 freshwater drum, and 110 white bass.
TUTORIAL SMOKING VIDEO (Vertical): https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=jDSvfXgrAUE
TUTORIAL SAWTOOTH VIDEO (Horizontal): https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=IC3FMEQHOMQ
TALLY: 119 fish caught and released
Find MAL Lures here: https://whitebasstools.com/
OBSERVATIONS: I spotted the first flock of gulls of the fall this evening. A V-formation of gulls was headed west over the lake right at sunset. They did not lead to fish, in fact, I don’t even know if they used Lake Belton at all, but, at least it is a start!
WEATHER DATA:
Start Time: 2:45P
End Time: 6:40P
Air Temp. @ Trip’s Start: 72F
Elevation: 13.07 feet low, 0.00′ fall in last 24 hours, 24 CFS flow – the overnight rain from Monday simply prevented any losses, but no gains were made on water level.
Water Surface Temp: 70.3F
Wind Speed & Direction: SSE13 at trip’s start, settling back to SSE7 by sunset
Sky Condition: Mild conditions with clear skies until ~5P when grey clouds from the next rain-maker began to from in the western sky.
Moon Phase: Waxing crescent moon at 5% illumination.
GT = 45
Wx SNAPSHOT:
AREAS FISHED WITH SUCCESS:
Areas 1012/155 (17 fish), 1290/1945 (29 fish), B0149C/1152 (36 fish), B0162G (37 fish)
Bob Maindelle
Full-time, Professional Fishing Guide and Owner of Holding the Line Guide Service
Belton Lake Fishing Guide, Stillhouse Hollow Fishing Guide
254.368.7411 (call or text)
Website: www.HoldingTheLineGuideService.com
E-mail: Bob@HoldingTheLineGuideService.com
Facebook: www.facebook.com/bobmaindelle
Twitter: www.twitter.com/bobmaindelle
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