Forums59
Topics1,039,193
Posts13,960,714
Members144,194
|
Most Online39,925 Dec 30th, 2023
|
|
Fly Fishing the Nueces Watershed
#12283837
06/08/17 02:48 AM
|
Joined: Apr 2014
Posts: 4,564
J-Moe
OP
TFF Team Angler
|
OP
TFF Team Angler
Joined: Apr 2014
Posts: 4,564 |
I took a couple days to go fishing in a couple of the Nueces River feeder creeks. The first day I fished by myself and with 1960Texan and Bankeralways on the second day. I spent the first day covering about a mile of water. I spent the majority of my time fishing 3 deep holes. I caught redear, bluegill, longear, redbreast, green sunfish and small bass. The best quality fish were a couple of 1/2 lb. redbreast. The water was crystal clear and the views of the fish and vegetation were incredible. The most intriguing part of the trip were the tilapia. They were spawning and moving about every where. The blue color of these fish in that crystal clear water was a first for me and really added to the overall experience. The only problem is I couldn't get them to take a fly. So now I'm on a new mission. Any suggestions on tilapia flies?
Last edited by J-Moe; 06/21/17 01:37 PM.
|
|
Re: Fly Fishing the Nueces Watershed
[Re: J-Moe]
#12284185
06/08/17 01:06 PM
|
Joined: Nov 2004
Posts: 3,327
Meadowlark
TFF Team Angler
|
TFF Team Angler
Joined: Nov 2004
Posts: 3,327 |
Nice pictures. I've raised Tilapia in ponds for many years and based on studying them here's my take: Tilapia present some challenges. For one thing, they generally will not chase a fly. They will eat them but only if they don't have to chase the fly down. Secondly, they can not/ will not outcompete bluegills/sunfish for a fly...or any lure for that matter. They like to "sip" feed. So, any strategy for consistently catching them has to account for this behavior. Every fall I stock my freezer with Tilapia...by then they are too large for most bass and are going to die anyway not to mention how good to eat they are. I look for a day after a cold front and draw the Tilapia into shallow water away from bluegills with range cubes. Then proceed to catch as many as I want to clean. I like to use nymphs and have to put the fly right on their nose. They fight excellent. This is the only circumstance I've been able to consistently catch them; otherwise its one here and one there but always only when the fly is presented right to them and no other predator fish are there to get it. Pile of Tilapia:
|
|
Re: Fly Fishing the Nueces Watershed
[Re: J-Moe]
#12284448
06/08/17 03:16 PM
|
Joined: Apr 2014
Posts: 4,564
J-Moe
OP
TFF Team Angler
|
OP
TFF Team Angler
Joined: Apr 2014
Posts: 4,564 |
Thanks Meadowlark, Great information, as always
|
|
Re: Fly Fishing the Nueces Watershed
[Re: J-Moe]
#12284824
06/08/17 06:52 PM
|
Joined: Nov 2015
Posts: 563
1960texan
Pro Angler
|
Pro Angler
Joined: Nov 2015
Posts: 563 |
Nice photos Jamie, and great info Meadowlark. Since Chuck (Banker-always-fishing) was nailing them on nightcrawlers, I wonder if they would hit a San Juan worm?
|
|
Re: Fly Fishing the Nueces Watershed
[Re: J-Moe]
#12284863
06/08/17 07:20 PM
|
Joined: Jun 2002
Posts: 676
Hawkpuppy 1
Pro Angler
|
Pro Angler
Joined: Jun 2002
Posts: 676 |
Heading out there Saturday morning near Camp Wood. I'm really looking forward to getting on some new Hill Country water with the fly rod...
Strip, strip....set
|
|
Re: Fly Fishing the Nueces Watershed
[Re: J-Moe]
#12285075
06/08/17 09:29 PM
|
Joined: Jul 2011
Posts: 19,067
Laker One
TFF Guru
|
TFF Guru
Joined: Jul 2011
Posts: 19,067 |
Nice post J-Moe. Me and two friends of mine spent three days this past April Kayaking the Nueces Canyon. We all had a blast and saw some of the clearest water I have ever seen. There are some nice deep areas and the fish were active. We kayaked both the Nueces and Frio Rivers.
|
|
Re: Fly Fishing the Nueces Watershed
[Re: J-Moe]
#12285187
06/08/17 10:41 PM
|
Joined: Jun 2010
Posts: 4,146
Robert Hunter
TFF Team Angler
|
TFF Team Angler
Joined: Jun 2010
Posts: 4,146 |
Hey bud that first picture is stellar. That is some beautiful water!
|
|
Re: Fly Fishing the Nueces Watershed
[Re: Robert Hunter]
#12285247
06/08/17 11:35 PM
|
Joined: Feb 2013
Posts: 1,450
Capt. Mac
Extreme Angler
|
Extreme Angler
Joined: Feb 2013
Posts: 1,450 |
Hey bud that first picture is stellar. That is some beautiful water! X2
|
|
Re: Fly Fishing the Nueces Watershed
[Re: J-Moe]
#12285259
06/08/17 11:48 PM
|
Joined: Apr 2014
Posts: 4,564
J-Moe
OP
TFF Team Angler
|
OP
TFF Team Angler
Joined: Apr 2014
Posts: 4,564 |
Thanks for all the comments guys. Will, I did try a San Juan worm. I caught them on live worms in Fayette County Lake before so i had the same idea. It didn't work either.
|
|
Re: Fly Fishing the Nueces Watershed
[Re: J-Moe]
#12285269
06/08/17 11:55 PM
|
Joined: Jul 2010
Posts: 75,759
banker-always fishing
Pumpkin Head
|
Pumpkin Head
Joined: Jul 2010
Posts: 75,759 |
Love that Canyon fishing.
IGFA World Record Rio Grande Cichlid. Lake Dunlap. John 3:16 Sinner's Prayer. God forgive me a sinner. I accept Jesus Christ as my Savior !
|
|
Re: Fly Fishing the Nueces Watershed
[Re: J-Moe]
#12286944
06/10/17 01:27 AM
|
Joined: Aug 2010
Posts: 11,446
Dfitz
"Nice Guy"
|
"Nice Guy"
Joined: Aug 2010
Posts: 11,446 |
Don't worry about the mule, just load the cart
|
|
Re: Fly Fishing the Nueces Watershed
[Re: J-Moe]
#12287336
06/10/17 12:54 PM
|
Joined: Feb 2007
Posts: 17,610
Gitter Done
TFF Guru
|
TFF Guru
Joined: Feb 2007
Posts: 17,610 |
|
|
Moderated by banker-always fishing, chickenman, Derek 🐝, Duck_Hunter, Fish Killer, J-2, Jacob, Jons3825, JustWingem, Nocona Brian, Toon-Troller, Uncle Zeek, Weekender1
|