2020 Fishing: Get out there and wet some hooks

[Dances with Dachshunds 30]

2020 starting off like shit for me. Small  tear in by left bicep, and sprained all ligaments in my left elbow. So my fishing for this year is on hold until at least March sometime.

So, all you fishermen, post your catches and stories ( lots of pics please) so I can fish vicariously until I heal and play fishing catch up.  Hook'em.

 

[ss13 1832]

Looks like they’re gonna stay in the ‘19 thread, this is the current page. 

 

[Dances with Dachshunds 30]

ss13,

Just as well. Im strictly freshwater fishing and that one is mostly saltwater. I follow some other sites that will do for my fix. Good luck when you go out. Hook em.

 

[Your Mom 4805]

My kid wants to fish.  I don't really fish much, only been a couple times on the coast and as kid, so I'm clueless where we can fish around Austin with a decent chance of catching something.  

[crash_davis 23096]

2 hours ago, Your Mom said:

My kid wants to fish.  I don't really fish much, only been a couple times on the coast and as kid, so I'm clueless where we can fish around Austin with a decent chance of catching something.  

How old is the kid and what are you expecting/wanting to fish for? What kind of gear to you have? Are you thinking bank fishing?

W/out knowing any details, my first suggestion is Town Lake. If you are looking to just catch anything, then get a ultralight spinning rig from Academy for cheap. Get a small crank bait and/or small crappie jigs. Try the below. You will prob catch bluegills and sunfish.

https://www.google.com/maps/dir//30.2766595,-97.7741564/@30.276601,-97.774367,234m/data=!3m1!1e3!4m2!4m1!3e0

If the kid is older and you want to target bass, then you'll need to get off the bank. Rent a canoe or kayak and paddle around town lake and fish structure and the shorelines under overhangs. Use crankbait, paddle tails, and texas rigged worms.

[Your Mom 4805]

He's 14.  Has fished a handful of times.  Knows how to bait a hook, filet a fish, etc...  We've just usually fished at other destinations.. the beach, a camping trip, etc..  Never just fished at home for sake of fishing.  Simple catch and release is fine.  He has a rod and reel and a basic tackle box with a few lures, and stuff.  I have no idea what kind of rod it is but he's caught catfish and a bass or two on it before.  

[thrillhammer 683]

21 hours ago, Your Mom said:

My kid wants to fish.  I don't really fish much, only been a couple times on the coast and as kid, so I'm clueless where we can fish around Austin with a decent chance of catching something.  

granger lake is a decent spot.

[Judge Roybeanbag 11819]

41 minutes ago, thrillhammer said:

granger lake is a decent spot.

Yes, the white bass are going to be moving soon - you can go park at the canoe launch at San Gabriel Wildlife Refuge and hike upstream a mile or so and fish the river.  Easy hiking and not crowded at all, compared to the steps.    Also can go to Reimer's, although I haven't had much luck wading there the past couple of years.

https://www.google.com/maps/place/Canoe+launch,+San+Gabriel+Wildlife+Management+Area/@30.6466766,-97.4263274,2375m/data=!3m1!1e3!4m5!3m4!1s0x8644e043a0d37453:0xed766805ae2f5c88!8m2!3d30.6530707!4d-97.4127781?hl=en

 

 

[Jerry Callo 8695]

7 hours ago, Judge Roybeanbag said:

Yes, the white bass are going to be moving soon - you can go park at the canoe launch at San Gabriel Wildlife Refuge and hike upstream a mile or so and fish the river.  Easy hiking and not crowded at all, compared to the steps.    Also can go to Reimer's, although I haven't had much luck wading there the past couple of years.

https://www.google.com/maps/place/Canoe+launch,+San+Gabriel+Wildlife+Management+Area/@30.6466766,-97.4263274,2375m/data=!3m1!1e3!4m5!3m4!1s0x8644e043a0d37453:0xed766805ae2f5c88!8m2!3d30.6530707!4d-97.4127781?hl=en

 

 

Good to know about hiking up from the boat launch.  I fish up and down from the Steps most of the time.  I may see what's running this weekend.

[Judge Roybeanbag 11819]

Up where those toenail bends are on the map, there are some spots you can get in and wade gravel bars.  It’s a pretty good hike, if you want more details let me know.  

[wd40 1976]

herp

Edited February 17, 2020 by wd40
derp

[wd40 1976]

welp, no whites at Tejas, yet.  got a small largemouth bass on my first cast of the day with a clouser, and that was it.  needs way more flow, imo.

[Jerry Callo 8695]

18 hours ago, wd40 said:

welp, no whites at Tejas, yet.  got a small largemouth bass on my first cast of the day with a clouser, and that was it.  needs way more flow, imo.

While I've managed to catch whites there in the past, it is a tough place to fish for them.  The water is so clear.

[Jerry Callo 8695]

On 2/14/2020 at 7:06 PM, Judge Roybeanbag said:

Up where those toenail bends are on the map, there are some spots you can get in and wade gravel bars.  It’s a pretty good hike, if you want more details let me know.  

I hiked in and found one gravel bar to fish yesterday with no luck.  Fishing with a fly rod really limited the area I could cover.  I think I'll stick with the area around the Steps as there are multiple options for casting, both up and down from the Steps.

[Judge Roybeanbag 11819]

3 minutes ago, Jerry Callo said:

I hiked in and found one gravel bar to fish yesterday with no luck.  Fishing with a fly rod really limited the area I could cover.  I think I'll stick with the area around the Steps as there are multiple options for casting, both up and down from the Steps.

Yeah, the brush and undergrowth in the refuge section aren't conducive to fly fishing, or any bank fishing for that matter.  If it makes you feel any better, a couple friends went there on Sunday and only caught one male white bass.  Just aren't there yet I guess.

[Mac8111 2105]

Friend of mine caught a bunch of White Bass this weekend on the Nueces. George West area.


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[1leggedduck 443]

I now find myself a citizen of the Highland Lakes area, so if I want to leave the boat and make a Saturday morning wade, Shaffer Bend, and bends west, all the way to Starke dam are within range, as is LBJ and Buchanan. I've fished LBJ and Buchanan enough to conclude that bank access to points worth fishing are likely limited. Haven't figured out how to access the tail race and river below Wirtz dam. I see there are some little parks on Lake Marble Falls in Cottonwood Shores and the bend parks on Travis from Shaffer on to the dam. What are the best options for wading spots, and when will the whites genrally be there?

I don't fly fish so I'm throwing small baits with a spinning rod. Help appreciated. There are times I just want to go without screwing with the boat and there should be some good spots in range.

[HouTex 1866]

I now find myself a citizen of the Highland Lakes area, so if I want to leave the boat and make a Saturday morning wade, Shaffer Bend, and bends west, all the way to Starke dam are within range, as is LBJ and Buchanan. I've fished LBJ and Buchanan enough to conclude that bank access to points worth fishing are likely limited. Haven't figured out how to access the tail race and river below Wirtz dam. I see there are some little parks on Lake Marble Falls in Cottonwood Shores and the bend parks on Travis from Shaffer on to the dam. What are the best options for wading spots, and when will the whites genrally be there?
I don't fly fish so I'm throwing small baits with a spinning rod. Help appreciated. There are times I just want to go without screwing with the boat and there should be some good spots in range.

Wading like you would in a Texas bay or in the surf? I would think the steep shorelines would make wading difficult in the Highland Lakes. I’ve never seen anyone do it.

[1leggedduck 443]

Upper Travis is sandy and rocky. Same with the other parts of the Colorado. Wading isn't the same thing as the bay, but you can get out there as long as you don't step off into the abyss.

[crash_davis 23096]

kayaks are cheap and easy to transport. not ideal for wind days but it sure beats the shit out of bank fishing.

[1leggedduck 443]

Yes. Wading is different in a river. And kayaks are really cool. I’m just looking for places along the Colorado with good access to fishable water and a rough idea as to when the white run will be there. Anyone?

[The Royal We 3067]

New lake record Largemouth on my home waters last weekend - 15.34 lbs.  The 2nd ShareLunker caught on the lake already this year.

 

https://kicks105.com/mammoth-largemouth-sets-new-bass-record-at-lake-nacogdoches/

Edited March 6, 2020 by The Royal We

[Judge Roybeanbag 11819]

On 2/18/2020 at 10:47 AM, Jerry Callo said:

I hiked in and found one gravel bar to fish yesterday with no luck.  Fishing with a fly rod really limited the area I could cover.  I think I'll stick with the area around the Steps as there are multiple options for casting, both up and down from the Steps.

My buddy went Friday and caught 7 decent sized, 2 of the keepers were females.  He said it should be pretty good later this week, as long as the rain doesn't mess things up.

[3shot 139]

On 2/28/2020 at 2:54 PM, 1leggedduck said:

Yes. Wading is different in a river. And kayaks are really cool. I’m just looking for places along the Colorado with good access to fishable water and a rough idea as to when the white run will be there. Anyone?

I assume you are familiar with Colorado Bend State Park (Colorado River above Buchanan), Reimers Ranch (Pedernales River above Travis) and the Slab (Llano River above LBJ)?  Those are your best bets for wading for white bass.  I personally wouldn't bother with wading on any of the lakes because the fish are not concentrated enough.  I used to fish below Starcke dam and did catch fish, but I wouldn't advise wading there, or maybe it was just the flows were too high when I was fishing it.    

Usually the run is on hot and heavy in mid-March at each of the spots mentioned above, but I'm sure there males in catchable numbers there now, and sometimes the best fishing is early before news is out that it's "on."  Note that water levels matter a lot and I have no idea what the current conditions are.  Google is your friend, as is 4 to 6 pound test mono (at least a 2 or 3ft leader if fishing braid) and nothing heavier than a 1/16 oz spinner of whatever your preference is and I typically throw a 1/32 oz. marabou.

[1leggedduck 443]

The Slab is good for things other than Natty Lite drinkers selling crank? Cool. That's reasonably close. I've camped at Colorado Bend and a co-worker says his family does well on their boat in that area. Hadn't thought about bank fishing/wading there, but the river is pretty narrow. I wasn't planning on getting in the water below any of the dams. No Deliverance scenes for me. I appreciate the word. It'll be The Slab and Colorado Bend to start. 

[Dances with Dachshunds 30]

On 3/2/2020 at 9:13 AM, The Royal We said:

New lake record Largemouth on my home waters last weekend - 14.02 lbs.  The 2nd ShareLunker caught on the lake already this year.

 

https://kicks105.com/mammoth-largemouth-sets-new-bass-record-at-lake-nacogdoches/

Wow. I used to fish there around 2002-2004. Largest I caught was a 5.3. Seems I need to plan a road trip.

[Brisketexan 105053]

Ok, brag on a daughter a little bit.  She's a college freshman in Quebec, and she's doing her best to go native.  She's embraced winter sports, cross-country skiing, that sort of thing.  And, she's a passionate fishergal.  So, when in the great white north, and your school is on "reading week" (kinda sorta spring break), what do you do?

 

[DefinitelyNotHollywoodColt 12301]

1 minute ago, Brisketexan said:

Ok, brag on a daughter a little bit.  She's a college freshman in Quebec, and she's doing her best to go native.  She's embraced winter sports, cross-country skiing, that sort of thing.  And, she's a passionate fishergal.  So, when in the great white north, and your school is on "reading week" (kinda sort spring break), what do you do?

 

you get drunk in a hut sitting atop a frozen lake.

[Brisketexan 105053]

Ice fishing. In a snowstorm. She said she was in the shack and cracking open a Molson at 10:30 this morning...and she doesn’t really like beer, but that’s what you do.

[4th and 5 4914]

10:30am? she's not much of a fisherwoman

[Brisketexan 105053]

10:30am? she's not much of a fisherwoman

Well, I don’t think they retired to the shack till then. Was busy setting up rigs before then.

[UT_OB1 2213]

Not sure if this is the right place to post a fish ID question, but couldn’t find a thread. What type of fish did I get while casting for shrimp?

 

[Judge Roybeanbag 11819]

Looks like a yellowfin croaker.  

[Judge Roybeanbag 11819]

17 hours ago, UT_OB1 said:

Not sure if this is the right place to post a fish ID question, but couldn’t find a thread. What type of fish did I get while casting for shrimp?

 

See above.  Quoting it so you’ll see the reply.  

[UT_OB1 2213]

17 minutes ago, Judge Roybeanbag said:

See above.  Quoting it so you’ll see the reply.  

Shit.  Googled that and I think you're right.  I'm used to seeing the Atlantic croaker (and i just call them croaker).  My wife said it looked like a croaker.  I said no.  I'll hear about this for a while...

[troph 24781]

didn't see this thread.  been on the 2019 thread all this year.  not sure which we are supposed to use.  2020 is so effed up.

[BearSchlong 8083]

Back in the spring we decided to just keep the 2019 thread going.

Perfectly logical, right?

[troph 24781]

1 minute ago, BearSchlong said:

Back in the spring we decided to just keep the 2019 thread going.

Perfectly logical, right?

if only we could have just extended 2019 for another year IRL.

[BearSchlong 8083]

Not sure if this is the right place to post a fish ID question, but couldn’t find a thread. What type of fish did I get while casting for shrimp?

 

Doesn't look anything like a croaker, they look like tiny redfish because they are cousins.

 

This looks like a pin perch, see the dot right behind the gills?

 

 

[Brisketexan 105053]

Doesn't look anything like a croaker, they look like tiny redfish because they are cousins. 
This looks like a pin perch, see the dot right behind the gills?
 
 

Nope, judge is right.

[justhookit 4191]

It’s an AK-47

[justhookit 4191]

Just now, Brisketexan said:

Nope, judge is right.

And this. It looks nothing like a pin perch and exactly like a yellow croaker 

[BearSchlong 8083]

Thats a croaker?

 

I stand corrected.

 

Headed back to the ramp, limit of trout and a red. Cold and wet.

 

[Lat22 4010]

Was it..............croaking?

[DefinitelyNotHollywoodColt 12301]

Maybe 2020 is our fault for refusing to heed BBS protocol and migrate to this thread?

[fattyflattie 4639]

Fuck that. Am ready for ‘21 thread tho.  Maybe I’ll contribute a bit more this year. 

[pevodog 14]

Limit of trout Saturday in Trinity bay


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[Lat22 4010]

[junior game warden] Two limits [/junior game warden]

[fattyflattie 4639]

1 hour ago, Lat22 said:

[junior game warden] Two limits [/junior game warden]

Not in Trinity. 

[Chewbacca 7766]

@DefinitelyNotHollywoodColt I saw this video and thought it might be relevant to your interests.  Looks fun as hell.