Fried look like hooks and blackened looks like a ball of Shad

Today was another lesson in utter frustration...

To beat the heat I got up at 4am in order to be at the boat ramp early to get going. I launched at 5am but the temp was still 84F and the water in the marina was an incredible 91F.

First up snagging some bait, and to help with this endeavor I recently procured a heavier cast net. Just a 6 footer, but 1Ib a square foot with a longer rope. First cast in 12 feet of water I hit the 'jackpot' or so I thought. Expecting to see a bunch of shiny shad as I retrieved my net I was shocked to see about 20 tiny channel cats, all stuck to my net in various places. If you have ever done the same you will realize those little rascals are a complete PITA to remove. I took me over 30 minutes to get them all out of my net. Urgh!

Onwards and upwards and further throws netted me some smaller gizzard shad, a few small white bass (returned), one gasper goo and a bunch of tiny thread fin.

Ok, so time to go fishing. I searched for fish in the usual places, and eventually found 'em bunched up west of Clear lake in 15-20 feet of water. I cast out 3 rods, one long line and two planer boards, and immediately am getting hit by dinks. I hate dinks!!! Two fish, both less than 5 pounds, and then a BIG crazy take down. I reel what I think is a big blue to the boat, and it turns out to be a big ole Gar. Thankfully he threw the bait when I got him to the boat. Urgh!!!

The dinks were pulling my baits off one after the other, and just messing with them.

I needed more bait, so I went over to try another favored spot and first cast caught a huge 5 pound largemouth bass in my cast net. He was not a happy bunny! First largemouth I have ever caught in a cast net, in 5 feet of water. A beautiful fish that went straight back in.

By 11:00am the bite had stopped, and by 111:30 it was already up to 94F and I was getting fried. I returned to the boat ramp with my tail between my legs...

That was a lot of work for two tiny cats!

Is it September yet????

I went scouting for about an hour today. Decided I wasn’t that mad at them

Nice fish!

Shannon, you are known in these parts as the 'Cat Whisperer', and for good reason.

M fish are small compared to what you guys catch

I haven't had much time to fish since early July. Just had twins (I'll be getting them on some catfish as soon as they're old enough to hold a pole). Back in early July I went and fished a feeder creek of Lake Grapevine right where it connects to the lake. I did okay on live and cut bluegill around the hottest part of the afternoon. Only took home a couple channel cats but I had a lot of fish bite that didn't stay on (could've been gar) and one good one I lost at the bank. Couldn't have been more than 3 feet deep where I was casting. Probably shallower in some areas. It was interesting finding catfish in such shallow water considering the heat.