Fishing Megathread: Looking For Big Girls Who swallow

[troph 24781]

that's bad ass.

[horn4life 3759]

On 3/11/2024 at 5:59 PM, Braff Zacklin said:

Why fluoro--for the faster sink/superior "invisibility"?

I'm using if for invisibility as I am using it for my surf rigs.  Over time I definitely get more bites on the fluro rigs, than the exact same rigs with Mono. I am assuming the bite difference is the "invisibility" of the flurocarbon.  I also use it on my bobber stopper float rigs we use at the jetty and sometimes in the surf (when it's calmer).  It also is a little more durable than mono on the rocks at the jetty, where you are for sure gonna get some abrasion.

After reading what I wrote I thought.. why not just look it up-

Here was the google experimental AI overview - 

Quote

Fluorocarbon line is said to be virtually invisible because it has the same light refraction properties as water. This makes it less shiny and less visible in water, which makes it harder for fish to see. Fluorocarbon is a good choice for anglers fishing in clear water or for fish that are pressured and very line shy. 

 

Fluorocarbon is very tough and more abrasion resistant than monofilament. It becomes invisible because light can pass through it very easily, and when it is on or very close to the bottom it is very difficult to see. However, it can be visible in the light, especially when it's out in the Sun at just the right angle

At the coast I like using #17 or #20 Fluro tied to smaller/lighter braid or mono as leader onto my lures.  On the bigger surf double drop rigs I will use 30#.  But again you sacrifice more bites the heavier (larger diameter) you go, IMHO.  

 

 

[fattyflattie 4639]

I use full fluoro on my pitching rigs when I dabble in the sweet water.  

[Pescado_Rojo 19413]

11 hours ago, fattyflattie said:

I use full fluoro on my pitching rigs when I dabble in the sweet water.  

I use #30 braid with a 7' fluoro top shot

[fattyflattie 4639]

7 minutes ago, Pescado_Rojo said:

I use #30 braid with a 7' fluoro top shot

I used to do similar but had too many issues with braid if they run deep into the cypress knees. 

[The Royal We 3067]

1 hour ago, Pescado_Rojo said:

I use #30 braid with a 7' fluoro top shot

I've gone to this when fishing clear water for Bass and it does seem to make a difference. Do you use a double uni knot?

The lake I live on is usually pretty stained so I just roll with 30# Power Pro. The fish all get so much pressure that I probably should use a fluoro leader, but I usually don't bother.

[The Royal We 3067]

I got out to the fishing club last week. Fished with clients one day and did pretty good. I spent a lot of time re-rigging and un-boogering gear but they had a blast.
 

Was supposed to take a different guy on Thursday but he better offered me for a sailfish trip so I went out by myself. I think I caught 38 but nothing bigger than 3 lbs. Good for the soul tho. 
 

 

[Pescado_Rojo 19413]

1 hour ago, The Royal We said:

I've gone to this when fishing clear water for Bass and it does seem to make a difference. Do you use a double uni knot?

The lake I live on is usually pretty stained so I just roll with 30# Power Pro. The fish all get so much pressure that I probably should use a fluoro leader, but I usually don't bother.

yep, double uni FTW. I've tried the Alberto knot and I think it's marginally better, but I can never remember the steps if I have to re-tie on the boat, so I mostly stick to the double uni

[The Royal We 3067]

I've used a FG knot too, but I struggle with it unless I'm in my garage out of the wind.

I really prefer to have a knot tying/tie fast tool to do the uni/uni as well. I need more practice to be able to do it quickly while out on the boat.

[DeathTongue 88]

Alberto knot is easier than uni-uni.  Seven turns up and seven turns down.  Not sure what's so difficult to remember about that.  Uni-uni you are essentially tying two knots.  Alberto is only one. 

FG is a great knot, but it is a pain in the ass to tie with lighter flouro.  Alberto is much easier to tie and only slightly thicker.

[Born to Run 6569]

For braid to flouro I us the FG. I was having trouble with it wearing out over the course of the day, but a little uv glue keeps it slick and tidy all day.

[The Royal We 3067]

I'll have to look more into the Alberto. I know I've tied it before while watching a video, but it's been a while.

 

@Born to Run what kind of UV glue setup do you have? That sounds handy.

[4th and 5 4914]

no need for all that trouble

 

[fattyflattie 4639]

Team Alberto, nttawwt 

[Born to Run 6569]

I'll have to look more into the Alberto. I know I've tied it before while watching a video, but it's been a while.
 
[mention=2205]Born to Run[/mention] what kind of UV glue setup do you have? That sounds handy.

https://www.avidmax.com/loon-outdoors-uv-kit/

The light is strong enough to cure surf board uv epoxy and wader uv patch epoxy.

[BlackCat 426]

I'm team Alberto but I kind of want to get one of those FG tools and just do it inside before going out. 

[Born to Run 6569]

I'm team Alberto but I kind of want to get one of those FG tools and just do it inside before going out. 

I've gotten to where I can tie the FG while waiting, I use the method where you hold the line in your teeth under tension from the rod tip.

[horn4life 3759]

Honestly I love both the FG and the Alberto, especially when I am getting my gear ready to go watching the television.  As they are superior knots as far as smoothness going through the guides.  But I have to admit that when the wind is blowing I nearly always go double Uni.  Simply as I've been tying it so long that I can do it basically by feel if need be.

What I really needed this weekend was a knot that made the fish want to bite in 30 MPH winds. 😉

[Jiggy-Z 3432]

Alberto for me.  I like how you can kind of take a break in the middle of tying it if you want to, whereas with other knots, you better not lose concentration or move a single one of your fingers, otherwise the whole thing explodes and you lose your place and start over.

[Lat22 4010]

On 4/23/2024 at 7:22 AM, Pescado_Rojo said:

I use #30 braid with a 7' fluoro top shot

I do this except with a 3ft top shot.  Much faster to change lures.  I use a loop knot on everything.

[troph 24781]

Just finished watching Mending the Line. I needed a good cry. Might not be the best movie but a movie about trauma and the healing ways of fly fishing sure as shit lands right where I need it. 

Edited May 2 by troph

[Mac8111 2106]

Blew off work today to go down to POC with the old man to “check on the boat”. I haven’t fished at the coast since fucking August.

Pulled up to first spot, I cast twice shallow just to see what was going on and then cast out a little deeper and nailed three trout on the next three casts.

Old man got him a redfish at the next spot and then I figured we check my favorite flounder spot and sure enough he was sitting there.

Old man finally found a trout right off the intercoastal. Solid day.


Trout were nice and healthy. 17-18 “ range.

Redfish was 25”.

[ftf82 485]

I'm a total novice. Thinking about taking my son (26) and son in law (33) also novices, to the coast for a fishing weekend. Thinking more bay fishing for trout and redfish then offshore. Broad question I know, but best place for that during the summer? Guide recommendations who will furnish all gear and bait also appreciated. Thanks.

[fattyflattie 4639]

3 hours ago, ftf82 said:

I'm a total novice. Thinking about taking my son (26) and son in law (33) also novices, to the coast for a fishing weekend. Thinking more bay fishing for trout and redfish then offshore. Broad question I know, but best place for that during the summer? Guide recommendations who will furnish all gear and bait also appreciated. Thanks.

Dealers choice here with dozens of locales and more guides (no wrong answer).   But I would suggest make it happen in May or first 2 weeks of June.  After that it just gets tougher until the fall. 

[fattyflattie 4639]

My recommendation would be Rockport or Baffin but those are my personal favorite spots on earth.  I don’t have any recs for guides but the most important thing would be to be very clear about your abilities or lack thereof when speaking with your guide/outfitter.  I haven’t fished with many, but I’ve had a salty mean sob all the way to a guy who should have been a stand up.  If you go with an outfitter, give them an idea what your looking for in the trip.  They can make/break the trip if you aren’t on the same page. 

[Born to Run 6569]

I do this except with a 3ft top shot.  Much faster to change lures.  I use a loop knot on everything.

This is truth.

[Born to Run 6569]

I'm a total novice. Thinking about taking my son (26) and son in law (33) also novices, to the coast for a fishing weekend. Thinking more bay fishing for trout and redfish then offshore. Broad question I know, but best place for that during the summer? Guide recommendations who will furnish all gear and bait also appreciated. Thanks.

Hire a guide; pay attention. Hire a different guide, repeat. It will flatten your learning curve.

[Born to Run 6569]

San Marcos report; water level spiked with that storm and kinda fucked it up. Water was cloudy and dead all day. Bite improved late. Juicy section of river ( above staples). Got more dialed in with intermediate sink line and BIG flies for big bass. Super fun way to fish big flies. That big bass bite is something. I forget. If yall want a guide, pm me. His flies fuck for sure

[horn4life 3759]

20 hours ago, ftf82 said:

I'm a total novice. Thinking about taking my son (26) and son in law (33) also novices, to the coast for a fishing weekend. Thinking more bay fishing for trout and redfish then offshore. Broad question I know, but best place for that during the summer? Guide recommendations who will furnish all gear and bait also appreciated. Thanks.

I agree with the go with some guides to cut the learning curve.  Another thing you might find interesting is the TV show Texas Insider Fishing Report. I tape it in large part to live vicariously on the three regional coastal reports, and the tricks and tips part of the show would be great to cut your learning curve.  https://texasinsiderfishingreport.com/

Once you catch the coastal fever you can spend money all day long if you want to, but perhaps the best thing you can learn in advance is to take care of your gear by washing it and wiping it down after each coastal use.  My favorite fishing is actually sitting on the beach with the wife and dog surf fishing waiting for that big pole to bend. I may not always catch fish, but I usually catch a buzz.

[troph 24781]

10 minutes ago, horn4life said:

I agree with the go with some guides to cut the learning curve.  Another thing you might find interesting is the TV show Texas Insider Fishing Report. I tape it in large part to live vicariously on the three regional coastal reports, and the tricks and tips part of the show would be great to cut your learning curve.  https://texasinsiderfishingreport.com/

Once you catch the coastal fever you can spend money all day long if you want to, but perhaps the best thing you can learn in advance is to take care of your gear by washing it and wiping it down after each coastal use.  My favorite fishing is actually sitting on the beach with the wife and dog surf fishing waiting for that big pole to bend. I may not always catch fish, but I usually catch a buzz.

I’ve never figured out surf fishing. But a couch a beer a dog a pretty woman and a rod standing up in the sand evokes a feeling of contentment for sure. 

[horn4life 3759]

ODDBALL coastal fishing question!!!

I keep toying with the idea of a fat tire E-bike, to use for fishing at the coast.  And wonder if you know anyone who uses one for fishing down there?  As I was talking to my buddy and he said he sees folks putting them on the Jetty Boat in Port A all the time.  It got me to thinking... how far is Cedar Bayou from the North jetty in Port A?  Could it be E-bike accessible?!?!?  Looking at Google earth it looks to be about 20 miles away, and the E-bike I am looking at has a ~60 mile range. But that range probably is greatly reduced in sand, I would imagine. A second Battery would eliminate my distance issues, and allow me to always have a spare charged. Aventon Adventure 2 link

I am considering the purchase mainly to use when we put leave the RV in Port Aransas for the month of October. The E-Bike would allow me to not strand my wife without a vehicle, and allow her to use my truck for errands and shopping.  Instead of waiting around for me, she can run the errands then bring the dog, along with some food/drink in the truck to where I am if I am on the fish. The old scenario was "sorry honey" the fish were biting... 

I also thought it might be interesting to use in the marshlands around Wilson's cut where I would not want to risk taking my truck. But the more I think about potentially figuring out how to make it all the way down to the beach side of Cedar Bayou might be fucking incredible.  If I make it once and catch fish, I know my buddy will buy one just to not miss out.  Plus I just thought it might be cool to take shelling in the more inaccessible areas and buy a second one for the wife.  

So anybody know anybody using an E-bike for fishing.  I was having a rita with my buddy yesterday musing how cool it would be to pair a drone with the E-bike and just roll down the beach with the drone scouting the water and chasing the bait pods, and looks for the gaps in the cuts. But it might be a great accessory for our RV.

 

[horn4life 3759]

16 minutes ago, troph said:

I’ve never figured out surf fishing. But a couch a beer a dog a pretty woman and a rod standing up in the sand evokes a feeling of contentment for sure. 

I didn't know shit about it until I saw a guy pull in a couple reds when sitting on the beach with our rug rats.  How else was I to fish with little kids at the coast? It's certainly not always the most productive, but it's the most fun you can have with PVC pipe!  I often refer to it as "DWF" ... drinking while fishing

[fattyflattie 4639]

19 minutes ago, horn4life said:

So anybody know anybody using an E-bike for fishing

I don’t but I do know that a lot of people use them for accessing remote hunting spots, so they must be pretty competent off-road.  

[troph 24781]

6 hours ago, horn4life said:

I didn't know shit about it until I saw a guy pull in a couple reds when sitting on the beach with our rug rats.  How else was I to fish with little kids at the coast? It's certainly not always the most productive, but it's the most fun you can have with PVC pipe!  I often refer to it as "DWF" ... drinking while fishing

We are looking at permanent RV spots in rockport wr may be giving up the beach RV life. But man what I wouldn’t give to yank a red that’s edible right on the beach and have dinner right there. 

[Spaulding Smails 1552]

14 hours ago, troph said:

We are looking at permanent RV spots in rockport wr may be giving up the beach RV life. But man what I wouldn’t give to yank a red that’s edible right on the beach and have dinner right there. 

It's so much fun.  Big rods out deep.  Plus, I keep a smaller rod handy to wade the second or third gut.  Spent Fathers Day out at PINS a few years ago.  Caught a few black drum in the surf mid morning.  Fresh grilled black drum tacos for lunch.  

[horn4life 3759]

1 hour ago, Spaulding Smails said:

It's so much fun.  Big rods out deep.  Plus, I keep a smaller rod handy to wade the second or third gut.  Spent Fathers Day out at PINS a few years ago.  Caught a few black drum in the surf mid morning.  Fresh grilled black drum tacos for lunch.  

The main thing about Surf fishing is having a good shade cover.  With some decent shade it's you can hang out all day long.  One thing I used to do a lot when we knew when we knew we were going to be on the beach all day is precut some Tomato, onion, jalepeño and lime wedges for fresh ceviche. Nothing better than fresh caught ceviche on a frito scoop, delicious!  It's also fun and crazy when one line bends towards the surf, and then another goes off. Tell me this wasn't exciting when I had the second line went off...

Unfortunately with my house flooding two years ago with a total remodel, and this year taking care of my folks I had to go back a few years to find this Picture.  But sure was a nice adrenaline rush at the time, trying to figure out which rod to loosen the drag on, and which to fight the fish on, AND not get tangled.

Edited May 12 by horn4life

[4th and 5 4914]

We waded POC Saturday, had to work for them but boxed 10 trout and one red, half on topwater half on white soft plastics. Flounder gigging was slow we only got 4

[Spaulding Smails 1552]

1 hour ago, 4th and 5 said:

We waded POC Saturday, had to work for them but boxed 10 trout and one red, half on topwater half on white soft plastics. Flounder gigging was slow we only got 4

Super slow at ULM last weekend.  Fished hard for two days and only boxed a few trout.  Tide was way up and looked to be lots of fresh water.  We ran way south to the land cut looking for black drum.  Nada.  Most of the reports we got were similar results.  Finally landed three 22"+ trout Sunday morning wade fishing solo in front of the cabin right at dawn in about 30 min on a white soft plastic with a chartreuse tail.  That little spurt made the trip worthwhile.  

[fattyflattie 4639]

Buddy was guiding his wife and some family for babes on the bay, and did ok.  Found reds, very difficult to find good trout.  Fished from Carlos to Estes.  Non-guided artificial class.  

[Jerry Callo 8698]

On Saturday, I explored part of the Pedernales River between Stonewall and Johnson City.

Caught 5-6 bass, some largemouth and some guadalupe, and a hand full of sunfish.  Saw several cruising carp, but was not able to get them interested in my fly. 

Beautiful river which is a mixture of grainte and limestone.  Difficult to wade because it was all jagged rocks.  

All in all, it was a fun trip.   Nice to get out and experience nature. 

[troph 24781]

That’s awesome I always wondered about the perd. 
 

headed to the coast for reds on the fly in the skinny water. Better get on them. 

[Jerry Callo 8698]

10 hours ago, troph said:

That’s awesome I always wondered about the perd. 
 

headed to the coast for reds on the fly in the skinny water. Better get on them. 

You fishing with a guide?  I'm wanting to do the same sometime this summer.  

I fished plenty down at the coast, but mainly with conventional gear.  

[troph 24781]

52 minutes ago, Jerry Callo said:

You fishing with a guide?  I'm wanting to do the same sometime this summer.  

I fished plenty down at the coast, but mainly with conventional gear.  

I usually fish March April May and June once a month then September October and November once a month with a guide. So at least 7 times a year. Mine retired so I’m moving to a new one this Friday. Fishing with Alvin (one of the patriarchs of Texas fly fishing) in June stoked about that. Then my trout guide should be up and going on the coast this fall (just got his boat and license but he’s guiding the Devil’s this spring).

Edited May 21 by troph

[Jerry Callo 8698]

Envious of your trip with Dedeaux.  That should be great.

Give a report on the new guide.

[troph 24781]

100% this … because you know it’s not luck, but you do not know by how much…. Because I am never disappointed (not true), because i don’t expect anything because anything is possible, I can be hopeful even in failure… 

Edited May 21 by troph

[Jerry Callo 8698]

Snagged this chunky redear on the Sam Gabriel the other night.   Picture doesn't do it justice - probably weighs a pound or more.  That is my large net.   Grabbed the silliest looking fly from my box, the Mop Gurgler, and managed to catch five sunfish and two bass in about 20 minutes.  Sometimes it's great just wetting a line. 

[TexasHooch 5122]

Had a good week with the guys up in the Boundary Waters. Lots of lake trout- perfect eaters.

 

Caught (3 out of a baker's dozen- all about this size)

Smoked (rocks, fire grate, very large piece of wet birch bark)

 

Trout Cakes (from left over smoked)

 

Fried

[Damor 1236]

Just got back from taking my boys out to the Llano, now that the older one is home from college.

We started out at the James confluence, but it was "crowded" and a little turbid, so we moved down to the next crossing.



Good move.  Although not anything big, we caught a ton of guads, and the older one kept pulling one after the other out of a hole just down from the bridge.  They were absolutely blowing up Llanolopes and hoppers, which was even more fun.



And the only other person we saw was the Game Warden.

[Born to Run 6569]

I usually fish March April May and June once a month then September October and November once a month with a guide. So at least 7 times a year. Mine retired so I’m moving to a new one this Friday. Fishing with Alvin (one of the patriarchs of Texas fly fishing) in June stoked about that. Then my trout guide should be up and going on the coast this fall (just got his boat and license but he’s guiding the Devil’s this spring).

Alvin is awesome , it's been many years since I've had the pleasure of fishing with him, and that was on the Colorado.

[troph 24781]

Today suuuuuuuucked at the coast. (Too) windy, unreliable sunshine with cloud cover often and the tide was a foot higher than you’d want.

Catching reds you prefer two of the three but absolutely have to have one. We had none of (1) calm winds, (2) full sun, or (3) water shallow enough to force the fish to tail or show a wake or anything.  
 
we went an hour multiple times with nothing to cast at.  
 

next time…