Today was a very sweet day.

I have been blessed to accompany Catfish Tim on a number of trips on Lavon, and Tim is a master of blue cat'n. I have been lucky enough to reap the rewards, but make no mistake, all the skill and intelligence is all his. Tim sets up the bait, sets up the course to troll, and I have to just reel them in. That said I still screw up, as I don't reel down on the less positive take downs.

Tim has been trying to persuade me to get a taped net, insisting that I wont get any bait when the cold temps come, and the taped net is essential.

I purchased one. They are expensive and HEAVY, but after a lot of cussing I cracked the code.

Today was my chance to see if I could 1) throw the net and 2) get bait and 3) catch fish.

I threw the net a few times, a couple of Taco's but more of less it was more or less a pancake. Next to get some bait. I tried, and tried and tried.

Eventually success!!
(short movie)
https://maddbrit.smugmug.com/Family/Retirement-in-Allen/i-gbgdpLB/A

Some small shad but a couple of larger gizard shad. I'm set.



So, all set, and I'm off.

It's beautiful day!!

(short move)
https://maddbrit.smugmug.com/Family/Retirement-in-Allen/i-G797xMt/A

No wind and no clouds, so the trolling motor is engaged to pull my baits along at 0.5 mph.

I get a couple of take downs, boom, but lost both fish after hooking them both. Frustrating, but checked my hooks are sharp so I'm getting they just held the fish then dropped them (or gar of course).

Then I'm in!



A nice toad, 33 pounds.



One more fish at 9 pounds, then I had to get home to meet my wife.

Time to return to the boat ramp.



Mission successful!!!

My sincere thanks to Catfish Tim for all the coaching and camaraderie. I have no doubt that Tim would have caught a boat full if he was fishing today, but hey, you gotta start somewhere.

That is awesome! Nice job

Great job Bob. That’s a success to do everything on your name

Own not name.

You’ve graduated to a true Bluecatr Bob in record time. All that hard work has paid off and now you know why we say Bluecatn ain’t easy! Got your own bait, found your own fish, and put em in the boat! Makes all those countless hours of floating around worth every minute now! Congratulations buddy!!

^ thanks Chris.

For everyone reading this, Chris and his buddy were fishing the same section of Lavon as I was this afternoon. Every five or ten minutes I would hear Chris let out a scream when he hooked another fish, then his dog would bark as it came in the boat. I knew you must have been catching a ton of fish!!

It will be payback time when I go out with Tim again next. I think I should be able to throw the cast net for him so he can take a breather sometimes.

Bob, great job! I know how good it feels to put all the pieces together and have a successful trip. You and I have been lucky enough to get in the game at the right time. We've had plenty of help from some of the best bluecatter's around. Hopefully we'll make a better showing at this year's Azul-Fest!

Geno and Chris are right. There is a different feel about it when you do it all yourself. Congratulations Bob. Nice fish too! 33 Pounds. Good job!

Congrats man!

Awesome Job

Nice fish. Good job.

Nice job wtg

WTG !

Nice work and nice post Bob.

You are doing well. Keep it up!

See you soon.
Ken