That Magic Weather Window — 80 Fish on Hazy Eye Slabs w/ Stingers

CLIENTS: This past Thursday afternoon, Jan. 29, we conducted collection efforts on Lake Belton in support of a13-month study aimed at quantifying differences between the white bass populations on Stillhouse Hollow Reservoir and Lake Belton. Joining me was my own mom, Charlotte Maindelle. She grew up fishing and both her father and grandfather were commercial fishermen on the Mississippi River prior to WWII.

ABOUT THE WHITE BASS STUDY:
Through April of 2026, researchers will be measuring and weighing the white bass captured by my clients to establish a baseline of fish quality on both lakes. If you come out fishing with me to help collect these fish, you will get $70 deducted from your fee in exchange for allowing researchers to accompany your party on my boat ($245 vs. $315). We have designated one sampling day per lake, per month through April of 2026. We will still be catching and releasing all fish.

REMAINING OPEN DATES FOR DISCOUNTED WHITE BASS STUDY FISHING TRIPS:

TODAY’S DATE: 29 January 2026 (AM)


NEXT OPEN DATE FOR FISHING: Wednesday, 04 February 2026 (AM or PM)

PHOTO CAPTION: My mom, Charlotte, and I stayed hard after it for a full 4 hours to put 80 fish in the boat in my first effort back on the water following the recent winter storm. Despite the rapid chilling of the water, today’s frontal activity overrode those negative factors and pushed the fish to feed well.

PHOTO CAPTION: The weather change circled in red is about as close to a fishing gimme as you get. The wind shift in advance of an incoming, dry cold front typically sees a substantial uptick in fish activity. Today, that was enough to overcome any ill effects of the recent, drastic water temperature drop.

FIND LURES HERE: https://whitebasstools.com/


WHERE WE FISHED: Lake Belton


SUMMARY OF HOW WE FISHED:

I hand-picked this 4-hour window based on the NOAA forecast showing a mild, dry cold front moving into our area during this time. This worked out quite well.

We caught fish from start to finish today, ending the afternoon with exactly 80 fish. Save for a short spell around 4:30 when feeding activity peaked briefly and fish were willing to chase (albeit slowly), we caught all of our fish on bottom using a snap-jigging tactic with white, 5/8 oz. Bladed Hazy Eye Slabs equipped with stinger hooks.

We found fish in 30 to 42 feet of water — deeper earlier in the afternoon, then moving shallower as it got closer to sunset.

Our 80-fish catch consisted of 66 white bass, 13 largemouth bass, and 1 hybrid striped bass.

Keys to success included 1) closely controlling the distance off bottom as which the slab came to rest as it was snap-jigged, 2) intentionally pausing the slab to allow time for nearby fish to swim to it and strike, and 3) using this bait equipped with a blade (for constant motion even when the body of the lure is held still) and a stinger hook. Approx. 35% of our fish were hooked with the stinger hook.

RESULTS: 80 fish, all caught and released

TUTORIAL ON HOW TO SNAP-JIG A BLADED HAZY EYE SLAB:

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=UGtrnAQ_T94

OBSERVATIONS:

-Water temps have rebounded into the low 50s thanks to cloudless skies allowing for solar radiation to work its magic after temps hit the high 40s earlier in the week

-No helpful bird action.

LATEST WATER TEMPERATURE PROFILE: Taken on Lake Belton around 1:15PM on 29 Jan. 2026…

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