WHO I FISHED WITH: This morning, Monday, December 12, I fished with long-time clients from the Oliver family. Joining me this morning were brothers Jack, Joe, and Jamie, as well as Jack’s adult son, Asa.
My next weekday opening is on 14 Dec. My next weekend opening is Sat., 31 Dec. (New Year’s Eve)
Here is how the fishing went …
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PHOTO CAPTION: From left: Jamie, Joe, Jack, and Asa Oliver. These fellows had to work for each fish they landed today as the very foggy conditions left the fish in a funky mood all morning. Slowly raised Bladed Hazy Eye Slabs were the ticket to getting bit, but for every bite there were many, many other outright refusals.
WHERE WE FISHED: Lake Belton
WHEN WE FISHED: Monday, 12 December 2022 (AM)
HOW WE FISHED:
Today’s fishing was made difficult by an unforecast, persistent fog which, in an atypical fashion, actually grew heavier towards the end of the trip. Fog is one of just a handful of weather scenarios which really make me concerned about client success.
We experienced a slow buildup of fish activity over the first 75 minutes on the water, then, just as the fog begin to thin, the skies begin to brighten, and the birds begin to work, we enjoyed a very brief window of moderately successful fishing, then struggled once again as the fog returned, even devolving into an occasional, light drizzle.
The fishing was pretty tough and pretty technical, in that we had to present our lures consistently at a very slow speed to fish which were very reluctant to leave the bottom and chase. As is often the case with stubborn fish, we found that by moving frequently and catching a few fish before our presentations’ novelty wore off, we were able to put at least a few fish in the boat at each of the numerous places we stopped at today. When all was said and done we caught 100% of our fish on a slowly smoked, white, 5/8 ounce Bladed Hazy Eye Slab with stinger hook.
This was the 18th consecutive trip in which birds contributed, at least in part, to finding and catching fish. As I have noted previously, these birds were only focused on small groups of very mobile fish, and were no guarantee that an abundance of fish were present where they were working. Having seen this now for multiple consecutive trips, I have begun to use the birds more of a barometer of fish activity, than a shortcut to the location of heavy concentrations of fish.
Our final total was 74 fish landed, which included three short hybrid, six short white bass, two freshwater drum, and 63 legal white bass.
TALLY: 74 fish caught and released
Find Bladed Hazy Eye Slabs with Stinger Hook here: https://whitebasstools.com/
OBSERVATIONS: 1) This was the 18th consecutive trip with helpful bird activity. Persistent fog hindered our efforts.
WEATHER DATA:
Start Time: 7:30A
End Time: 11:45A
Air Temp. @ Trip’s Start: 57F
Elevation: 13.04 feet low, 0.01′ fall in last 24 hours, 24 CFS flow.
Water Surface Temp: 60.9F
Wind Speed & Direction: Light ESE breeze all morning around 4-6
Sky Condition: Fully greyed sky all morning with fog and then drizzle in the last half of the morning.
Moon Phase: Waning gibbous moon at 84% illumination.
GT = 20
Wx SNAPSHOT:
AREAS FISHED WITH SUCCESS:
Area 1151 – 3 hops – 34 fish
Area 1945 – 14 fish
Area 354 – 7 fish
Area B0054G – 2 hops – 13 fish
Area B0196C – 6 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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