February Fatties

After getting blown out last night in Palacios my fishing fever was getting out of hand. I spent the morning and early afternoon on the computer playing with my new software - TaxCut!

When I finally finished reporting to Uncle Sam, there were still a few hours of daylight left so I headed over to Evans Lake to see if any bass might cooperate.

It was still windy but there were some calm edges and I had a suspicion that I could find a hungry bass or two if I was careful and quiet.

I started fishing with a Swayback Spook topwater. I got one blow up but jerked it away before I got a hookup.

I had to remind myself - "Slow down"!

I switched to a small gold spoon I bought for white bass fishing.
A slow retrieve managed to fool this nice 15 incher.

Can you see him in the water?



Come to Pappa John

I threw the spoon for a while then decided to try the BGW. I left home in a hurry and did not have my normal Eagle Claw snelled bait hooks with me but I did have some large stainless saltwater hooks. I noticed that these were not as sharp as I would like but since I had left my hook sharpening stone at the house they would have to do.

I caught this nice bass but lost the next two.



I switched to a small weedless offset hook.
and finished the day with these two fat bass.



The wind began to die down just before sunset.


Picture of the day

I think I can sleep in peace now and quit dreaming about fish for a day or two.

Tomorrow is Sunday my thoughts will be on a different kind of fishing -

"Follow Me, and I will make you fishers of men." Matthew 4:19

Big Blow Out

The weekend was upon us and I was making preparations to go fishing in Palacios.

I have been in the "Fish Free Zone" for too long and needed to feel that tug tug on the end of my line.

My original plan was to load up "Spot" and head to the bay. I wasn't sure what the conditions were going to be other than it was fairly warm, 60's, and foggy. There was a 20% chance of rain and possible T-storms.

When I got home, my wise wife gently suggested to me that it might be best to go boatless on this trip. When I considered that this could mean more fishing time I agreed. Her concern was more about safety but in the end she was right as usual.

The wind was blowing pretty stiff when I arrived and after tossing a couple of soft plastics off the pier, I moved to the jetty in front of the RV Park & marina. This was more protected from the wind and it was nearly sundown so I thought I might get a shot at something before dark. I tried a couple of topwaters and some plastics but wasn't able to interest any strikes.

I had purchased some frozen squid so I hooked up a chunk under an orange popping cork.

On the third cast, something hit the cork. I switched back to the topwater but couldn't buy a strike.

I moved back to the pier and fished as the wind steadly increased to 25-30 mph.

I went back to the jetty and fished in the dark for a while but realized that the rocks were getting pretty slick with the overspray from the surf-like waves and I had better move back to the lights.

Finally it occured to me that if I was going to catch a fish it was going to take all I had. It was time to put it on the line!

I had seen one guy catch a hardhead off the pier when I first arrived so I thought I would try that too.

I stood on the pier as the fog was whipping by so hard that I had to remove my glasses. I finally foul hooked one stinking hardhead that was picking on my squid.

The pictures below tell the tale. My time will come!




Windy Night on The 1st Street Pier



The Sea Was Angry My Friend



Flying Hardhead



The lowly "Catch of the Day"

Nature Walk

Sunday turned out to be a pretty day so after morning services and a quick lunch, Tracy and I decided to head out for a photo safari. We ended up at Brazos Bend Park and got a few nice shots. Enjoy!

Looking for a Picture



Texas icon - Possum on the Half Shell



Heavy Duty Sunbather



One Up One Down and One on the Way



Cooling Off



Robin Red Breast
The Herald of Spring



Preening



White Ibis



Reflecting Pool



GreenBack



Testing the Water



Ghost Flight

This was the best sequence of pictures of the day.



We saw this family near the end of the trail.
They were from out of town - way out of town if you know what I mean.
There were four humans and six dogs.

This was obviously their first time to visit the park.
We cme upon them when they spotted their first gator.


"Look! Right there! Its an al-ee-gater!"

I wish I could see them when they came up on that big one near the trail. They had better keep those dogs on a short leash.....

Christmas Bay & San Luis Pass

Paul & I were set to meet at Christmas Bay on Saturday. We had big plans!

We launched at Ernie's Bait Camp just after daybreak after watching four of our fellow TKFers head out for the North Shore.

Christmas Bay is a great place to fish or to do a nature paddle.



When we finally got launched, the wind wasn't too bad.
It was great being on the water.

The temps were cool enough for long johns and a jacket. The winds picked up and we fished a while but were getting blown around pretty good in the open water.

Later we decided to move East to San Luis Pass to try to find some calm water.

Spot on the Tracker



We paddled across the pass to a sand bar.
The tide had just gone out and we set up to wade fish for a while.

You can see the water is getting rough in this picture. It was nice just sitting still and letting the sun shine on us for a while.

Kickin back in the Yak


We didn't catch any fish but it was worth the trip never the less!

Yak Mods

Some people can't leave well enough alone.

Kayak fishermen have a habit of creating helpful modifications and I found several on different websites.

One had a cart that was designed to fit under the yak with two 1/2" rods positioned so that they would poke up through the scupper holes and hold the kayak in place.

I followed the plan and made mine out of 2" PVC. My improvement was to add two more tees facing the center with the 1/2" risers.

Another site had an anchor trolley that helps position the anchor so your boat will face in the direction of your choice. I made my trolley flexible so I can change from the right to the left side of the boat and from front to back- all while sitting in my seat.

I installed a short piece of bungee on the front and rear pad eye and a beener to mount the trolly line to.

The other end of the trolley is clipped to the handle on each side. The ends of the trolley are joined with another beener and my anchor line has one more so I can attach or detach the anchor quickly. I also installed a float on the anchor line so I can unhook if necessary while fighting a big fish. I've read too many stories about fish getting tangled up in the anchor line!

This shot shows both the front and rear trolley lines clipped to the handle. Also shown is my paddle holder I added - again to both sides. I used a short piece of bungee and installed a plastic clip on either end. I had to drill one hole and used a well nut to seal it up.

The best feature is the milk crate. I fashioned some rod holders called "rocket launchers" fron 1-1/2" PVC such that they will swivel front to back and a couple of rod leashes made from obsolete cell phone car chargers purchased at the $1 store.

Paul made the lid for my crate out of the bottom of the crate we found the day we picked up the boats.

I installed a piece of 2" PVC to the rear of my crate and inserted some 3/4" and 1/2" inside to hold the stake out pole and a pole to mount my light on.

My boat "Spot"



I ordered a black bumper sticker and made a spot for my "redfish" on both sides.



The final touch is the TKF sticker.




I'm ready to fish!

Turtle Bay

Saturday finally came and just like a couple of 9-year-olds with new toys, Paul and I had the boats loaded up and headed to the coast early in the morning. It was still a little cool but we were dressed for it and ready for our first saltwater fishing adventure in the yaks.

Me and "Spot" are going to get along fine. I really like the balance between stability and speed that are the characteristics of this kayak and I really am enjoying the upgraded seat and the rudder.

We arrived at Jensen Point for the launch about 7:30 and it was brisk but the winds were light and there was a promise of the sun breaking through the clouds.

We fished all morning and Paul connected with a redfish. I didn't get any fish slime on my hands but had an exceptional time paddling and fishing from "Spot".

Jensen Point Boat Launch


Captain Paul with "Mango Salsa"


Captain John loading "Spot"


One Happy Fisherman


Wading the Oyster Reef


Seeking the Prize


Pelican's Pier

After lunch we loaded up the boats and drove through Palacios to the upper end of the bay where the Tres Palacios river runs in. We launched at Carl Park off FM 521 and paddled up the river aways to check things out. The river was fresh from the recent rains and we explored a side slough where we found some feral hogs working in the brush. We never got close enough to get a picture but could hear them like they were in the boat with us.

River Traffic


Looking For Lunch

All in all it was a great day and yes - Tracy you were right on - I did spend the whole day fishing. You know me better than I do myself!