texasfishingforum.com logo
Main Menu
Advertisement
Affiliates
Advertisement
Newest Members
ntxfatherandson, Greenline, Okiefshr12, Rozzi, drew21
119132 Registered Users
Top Posters(All Time)
hopalong 120,361
TexDawg 119,401
Bigbob_FTW 94,755
John175☮ 85,879
Pilothawk 83,254
Bob Davis 81,177
Mark Perry 72,174
Derek 🐝 68,300
JDavis7873 67,416
Forum Statistics
Forums59
Topics1,037,311
Posts13,926,065
Members144,132
Most Online39,925
Dec 30th, 2023
Print Thread
Page 1 of 2 1 2
Double Eagle on the Par 5 #12248323 05/16/17 07:45 PM
Joined: Feb 2007
Posts: 2,918
Laner Offline OP
Extreme Angler
OP Offline
Extreme Angler
Joined: Feb 2007
Posts: 2,918
Double Eagle on the Par 5


So what are your plans tomorrow, there cap'n?" "I want to put 125 crappie in the boat. Im sure its been done before, but Ive never seen a guide put a five man limit in the boat, and I know Ive never accomplished that feat either. Ive seen a handful of four man limits come over the gunnels, but never a five man. I think we really have a shot at making magic happen. Without hesitation or doubt, Paul confirms my thoughts, and after a few more logistical details are discussed, our plans to meet at 6:30am get set in stone.

Im heading east under a nearly full moon, something that Im hoping the predicted cloud cover takes care of shortly. We dont need these fish gorging themselves full of shad all night. The open highways and the roar of the diesel allow me to drift into dreams about tomorrow. I know I dont control much, but the negatives and the positives are volleying back and forth through my mind.

Will the weather man be right? If so, the clouds should roll in shortly, blanketing the moon. If the clouds hang around and it stays dark all morning, the fish will continue to feed heavily throughout the day. Will the winds be closer to 10mph or will they be closer to 20mph? If its low, we can fish the secret spots of the open water. If the higher winds prevail, well have to run the east side, fishing whatever we can. What if this spot doesnt pay off or someone beats me to it? We can run and gun. You have the boat to do it and over a thousand piles to pick from. Theres a front coming in this weekend which should make the fish go crazy today, but what if the thunderstorms run us off the lake? What if?

Did you see that lake when you crossed Clear Creek?! Paul is the first to arrive and is already pumped up. Is that good for crappie fishing? Always a fan of some good sarcasm, we shake hands and start talking trash right off the bat. These other dudes fish much that youre bringing with you? Well Laner, I know a couple of them do, but I dont know about the other two. We are different greens keepers from all over so generally when we talk, its about golf courses. Aint no big deal man, I just like to know so I can get a game plan to suit everybodys needs. I bet we have a good time no matter what.

Were making wake a little before 7:00am and in no time there are marker buoys on the water. Alright guys, what we have here is a long log running up a slope. The left marker is on the shallow end of the log, and the right side is denoting where a large root-ball sits. Directly underneath us is a ton of scattered scrub brush. Lets focus on this shallow log first and then well clean up the deeper scrub brush after that. As far as technique goes, pitch it out about halfway towards that shallow buoy and let it fall back to you. If thats not your style, drop straight down to the bottom and come up two turns. Looking at this graph, it really shouldnt matter.

It didnt matter. It didnt matter one single bit. From the very first pitch out it was fish after fish after fish. The action was non-stop, and the only downside I could see was trying to shovel through the shorts to get to the longs. For every three 9.5 fish came one keeper, but they were coming in so fast that if we really had to think about measuring we just threw it back and caught the next one.

We cleaned out the shallow stuff, and I let us drift about fifteen to twenty feet to the north before putting the hammer down again. We now have brush all around us. Its only about 2ft tall, so yall dont be scared to pitch out in every direction and let your jigs cover the entire water column. This new school of fish obviously hadnt heard the news, because they took just as big of a beating as the first group. At 8:40 we had either caught all the dumb hungry ones or they finally got smart, but our pace slowed down to a point that we needed to move to the second spot. Our first stop of the day yielded 52 keepers.



If were going to make this happen, I cant waste time by putting these guys on slow spots. I head north to another log that generally treats me very well. I throw out the markers and have everyone line up on the left side of the boat. This log is directly underneath your rod tips. Everybody drop down and take one and a half to two turns of the bottom. When you stop reeling, hold it steady. Thats when youll get bit. We drop down and nothing happens. Thinking Im right on top of the structure, I move the boat over to the right about five yards and have the guys pitch out between the two markers. Throw it past the log and let it fall back to you. This is just a log and it will be really hard to get hung up on. If your bait makes it to the bottom without getting bit, lift your rod slowly to 1 oclock and you should get bit on the lift. The 101st Greens Keeper division fires their shots and we pull another 12-15 legal fish before heading on.

Our third spot is full of fish, a few of which are very healthy, measuring between 14 and 15 inches. The problem is that they are all within a very small area and I have 3 guys watching the other two catch fish. Thats crappie fishing. It works out though because after catching those couple of swamp donkeys everything else has been a dink, prompting us to leave anyways.



The wind has become practically nonexistent at this point, and if were going to hit the secret haunts of the big water, we better do it now. The skies are still a gun metal gray so I have no reason to look any deeper than what weve been doing well on so far. I scan my first target and its as loaded as I hoped it would be. Traditionally, this open water stuff holds the high quality fish that dont move when you set the hook. The kind of fish just shake their heads and grab ahold of the brush, bending the rod over and making the angler beg for a net. I can see them down there, but whether or not theyll bite has yet to be determined.

These guys dont need coaching anymore, they just need to know how far to toss their jigs. I share this information and the lead does fly. I make one toss in the southern direction and the fish I wanted to catch takes the bait. It turns out to be a broad shouldered fourteen inch black crappie that looks turquoise under the dark skies. I push the spot lock on the Xi5 and walk down to put a deposit in the meat bank. I have one of the other guys replace me on the front of the boat so that he can take better advantage of what weve just stumbled upon.

Fish are coming in the boat fast, and I mean real fast. The beauty of these open water spots is that they usually hold higher quality fish, and this morning is no different. Im enjoying the scene that is taking place in front of me. Dark skies, just enough ripples to keep the fish calm, and five guys on the bow of my boat swinging slabs like they were born to do so. Seeing that they dont need a guide anymore, I opt to put a count on the fish that are already in the coffin. This is tricky business when you have fish being thrown at you from the front of the boat. Thats a three man limit right there and we got another fifteen or twenty fish to go. I finish counting and come up with ninety keepers. Gentlemen, were at 90 right now and its not even 11:00 yet. Were on pace to make something special happen.



Reminding me that Im only human and control nothing, a crack of lightning and roll of thunder come out of nowhere. Well, damn. Checking the radar we have a cell blowing up to our southeast. Lets get under cover to let this pass, get a quick bite of lunch and well come back out and finish what we started.

We run-n-gun to our hideout and watch a few minutes worth of rain fall around us, but nothing more takes place. What does happen though is not in our favor and could present a challenge for rest of the afternoon. The wind has picked up and is pushing 20mph. The sun has also decided to show itself. Usually I dont mind, but during a full moon cycle I want dark skies so those fish keep feeding all day.
I get in a place where the wind is minimal and scan some trees that look be quite loaded. We all drop down and nothing happens. We pitch all around and nothing happens. We do some more vertical jigging and can only trick two more keepers into the boat. We have four hours to put 33 more keepers in the boat, lets keep moving.

I drive these guys around to three more spots, each one looking to be loaded as loaded can be. In each instance we can only trick one or two fish, and after burning another hour, we still have 26 more keepers left to go. Dont get me wrong, ninety-nine crappie in the box is an exceptionally good day, but this is personal and I want to see something Ive never seen on a guide trip before.

Im starting to feel like a coach watching a no-no and his pitcher has put up a full count in the 7th inning. There is a nervous tension of watching a dream not come true, but we have a lot of time left in the ball game and a few thousand brush piles to our disposal. Think Lane, were should these fish be now that its a sunny afternoon. Where can you put up some quick numbers? I know where.

The white caps are still present, but weve got a big boat and a spot lock. We settle in on a big saddle that is home to a huge tire reef ranging from 17ft down to 23ft. The fish should be toward the top end of the saddle and a quick scan shows that they are right where theyre supposed to be. Yall drop down and find bottom, lift it up 18, hold for 3-5 seconds, and repeat that process. If that doesnt work, throw a long way into the wind, let your jig hit bottom and walk it back to you. These fish are always close to the bottom on this spot.

First drop, bam! Keeper in the boat. Second and third drop, same thing. Were on em yall so lets make it count. Dont be scared to pitch out in front and to the left and right. We are surrounded by tires and fish right now. Its not an easy bite to detect in this wind, but we manage another 14 keepers and are now left with an hour and a half to go and in need of a dirty dozen.

I know of a milk run in a cove that should produce nicely if nobody has already cleaned it out today. We head that way and start on a pile of crisscrossed logs in 16f, find enough keepers to cut our dozen needed fish in half. The next spot on the run yields nothing. The third spot yields five more keepers, giving us 124 crappie. We need one more fish and we got it. Im not going to catch the last one, so its on your shoulders. I pull over to a row of stumps and all we can catch is sand bass. I am certain that there crappie down hanging around, but they are either too lazy or too slow to compete.

Weve got about ten minutes until the clock strikes 3:00 and this spot isnt getting it done. I know we pulled 52 keepers off our first spot this morning, but its on the way home, and maybe, just maybe, it will give us the coveted last keeper that we need. I dont know whats going to happen, but were getting our 125 on this day, the 10th of May. Coincidence maybe, or reassurance from a distant relative of the natural world, a huge and fully mature bald eagle soars low overhead, drifting south. Hes looking for the same thing we are, and hes headed in the same direction. One fish would do us both a lot of good.

I idle past the scrub brush and log we started on when this whole journey first began early this morning. Looking at it now one would never know we even pulled a single fish earlier today. Its loaded up again! I dont say a word, but instead I casually throw the buoy and shut down the engine. I slowly walk up to the bow, in preparation to deploy the trolling motor. Interestingly enough, Paul is walking in the opposite direction, with rod in hand. Reading his mind, I dont even bother with the Motorguide. I turn around and watch. Off the back of the boat, a pitch is made towards my little orange H-shaped marker. I see the line twitch, I see the hookset, I watch the rod double over and on the deck is number 125.
For all practical purposes, somebody just sank the winning putt on the 18th hole at the Masters. We did it! We got the five man limit! You will never understand how much you guys helped make this possible. We did exactly what we came to do, and you are part of something I have never seen nor heard of before. We did it guys, we did it!

Riding an emotional high but feeling a physical tiredness, I recount the fish. Everything is as it should be. Not one to miss a photo opportunity, the men all line up for a picture they may never get to take again, taken by a guide who may never again get to shoot this shot. Beers and hand and places chosen, I focus on the scene before me. Lets just say I didnt have to ask anyone to say cheese this time.



Last edited by Laner; 05/16/17 07:47 PM.


Check Out The New Website!!!


TCU Alumni class of 2009


Owner/Operator Ft. Worth's Premiere Guide Service: www.ftworthfishing.com
817-266-9811

Re: Double Eagle on the Par 5 [Re: Laner] #12248332 05/16/17 07:53 PM
Joined: Jan 2012
Posts: 1,776
H
HOGON Offline
Extreme Angler
Offline
Extreme Angler
H
Joined: Jan 2012
Posts: 1,776
That story brought tears of joy to my face. Priceless.

bow_down

Get Ya Some!! cheers


ACC CRAPPIE STIX
BONEHEAD TACKLE
LEWS REELS
PEPOPS JIGS
FEARLESS JIGS
BUBBAS BAITS
MAD CRAPPIE JIGS
DANS JIGS
CRAZY ANGLER TACKLE
THERMOCLINE LURES
CONSTANT PURSUIT OUTFITTERS
MR CRAPPIE
POWER PRO SUPER SLICK BRAID
BERKLEY VANISH GOLD/TRANSITION
LIFT SAVER TROLLING MOTOR MOUNT
SHUT UP AND FISH
SLAB SYNDICATE JIGS
THUMPER ELITE OUTFITTERS
Re: Double Eagle on the Par 5 [Re: Laner] #12248538 05/16/17 09:39 PM
Joined: Apr 2008
Posts: 947
keyboard Offline
dock-shooter
Offline
dock-shooter
Joined: Apr 2008
Posts: 947
Stellar commentary as always Laner.

Re: Double Eagle on the Par 5 [Re: Laner] #12248612 05/16/17 10:36 PM
Joined: May 2009
Posts: 974
M
MAK747 Online Content
Pro Angler
Online Content
Pro Angler
M
Joined: May 2009
Posts: 974
A very enjoyable read and an unforgettable trip for both the guide and the guided.

Re: Double Eagle on the Par 5 [Re: Laner] #12248659 05/16/17 11:01 PM
Joined: Jan 2013
Posts: 713
C
Coachzee Offline
Pro Angler
Offline
Pro Angler
C
Joined: Jan 2013
Posts: 713
Wow. Great read awesome trip sir. Bet them boys enjoyed it!

Re: Double Eagle on the Par 5 [Re: Coachzee] #12248672 05/16/17 11:10 PM
Joined: Jan 2007
Posts: 19,673
Bobcat1 Online Content
TFF Guru
Online Content
TFF Guru
Joined: Jan 2007
Posts: 19,673
The ultimate storyteller is back! Thanks Lane! cheers


Bobby Barnett





Re: Double Eagle on the Par 5 [Re: Laner] #12248788 05/17/17 12:21 AM
Joined: Jul 2010
Posts: 75,418
banker-always fishing Online Content
Pumpkin Head
Online Content
Pumpkin Head
Joined: Jul 2010
Posts: 75,418
Solid Post and solid fish! Enjoyed the story and thanks for sharing. thumb


[Linked Image][Linked Image]

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: Double Eagle on the Par 5 [Re: Laner] #12248811 05/17/17 12:30 AM
Joined: Mar 2002
Posts: 4,387
S
Slewfoot Offline
TFF Team Angler
Offline
TFF Team Angler
S
Joined: Mar 2002
Posts: 4,387
Glad your back to the story telling!! Office work makes for lousy fishing stories!! Heck of a way to whoop up on them slabs!! thumb

Re: Double Eagle on the Par 5 [Re: Laner] #12248828 05/17/17 12:36 AM
Joined: Jan 2008
Posts: 203
P
Part-Timer Offline
Outdoorsman
Offline
Outdoorsman
P
Joined: Jan 2008
Posts: 203
Awesome read, Lane!!! My dad, a good friend, and I are headed to try our hand there in a few weeks. That story is very encouraging.

Re: Double Eagle on the Par 5 [Re: Laner] #12248904 05/17/17 01:21 AM
Joined: Dec 2015
Posts: 373
Tjbev13 Offline
Angler
Offline
Angler
Joined: Dec 2015
Posts: 373
I can honestly say, how that day played out is portrayed even better coming from Lanes heart, that was unbelievably well written man! I can't thank you enough for everything you did that day! You taught me a ton about crappie fishing that go's further than some simple minnows and a big ole bobber with my dad years back. Than you for giving this bass fisherman a point in the right direction lol My grandchildren will hear the story from this day, I guarantee it, the story they hear will be yours though.

Hope we get the chance to go fishing together again Lane! fish

Re: Double Eagle on the Par 5 [Re: Laner] #12249161 05/17/17 03:37 AM
Joined: Apr 2010
Posts: 1,268
Jason Burton Guide Service Offline
Extreme Angler
Offline
Extreme Angler
Joined: Apr 2010
Posts: 1,268
Awesome job bud!!

Re: Double Eagle on the Par 5 [Re: Laner] #12249263 05/17/17 10:49 AM
Joined: Jul 2011
Posts: 19,011
L
Laker One Offline
TFF Guru
Offline
TFF Guru
L
Joined: Jul 2011
Posts: 19,011
One very super post! Thanks for sharing. woot

Re: Double Eagle on the Par 5 [Re: Laner] #12249284 05/17/17 11:29 AM
Joined: Aug 2010
Posts: 1,715
R
RODS454 Offline
Extreme Angler
Offline
Extreme Angler
R
Joined: Aug 2010
Posts: 1,715
AWESOME read Lane. Congrats for a job well done.


"I'd rather be fishing!"
[Linked Image]



Re: Double Eagle on the Par 5 [Re: Laner] #12249388 05/17/17 01:10 PM
Joined: Jun 2006
Posts: 49,549
T
TreeBass Online Content
Lt. Dan
Online Content
Lt. Dan
T
Joined: Jun 2006
Posts: 49,549
Great read as always! Congrats on your accomplishment thumb


[Linked Image]

My success in life is measured by the number of hunting
and fishing stories that my kids can share with others


Sure-Life Products
Dobyns Rods
Holding The Line Guide Service
www.facebook.com/texasfishingforum
Re: Double Eagle on the Par 5 [Re: Laner] #12249465 05/17/17 01:44 PM
Joined: Sep 2016
Posts: 107
Z
zig-zag Offline
Outdoorsman
Offline
Outdoorsman
Z
Joined: Sep 2016
Posts: 107
banana with your knowledge and your way with words, you should think about writing a book of your trips and times,good and bad. cheer for it is a good thing when you use your gifts to help others who aren't so very gifted !!! helpsign us who need it.

Page 1 of 2 1 2
Previous Thread
Index
Next Thread

© 1998-2022 OUTDOOR SITES NETWORK all rights reserved USA and Worldwide
Powered by UBB.threads™ PHP Forum Software 7.7.3