I have noticed a decided curtailment in the number of posts here on the page and I began to think why would this be? Are we growing weary of each other? Are we tired of looking at fish porn? After due consideration I concluded that it must be the weather...

I think we would all have a lot more time on the water in March and April if not for two things. Wind and Rain. Okay three things, wind, rain and work...

My fish catch log book says in March I was on the water on the second, twelfth, nineteenth and twenty-sixth. 4 days, that's it. Compare that to six days in January and I guess it's not too far off the average. I like to try and get out during the week but I still really only average about one day a week.

Still, I feel pretty strongly that had it not been for the weather, I would have been out there a little more. The last couple weeks we have been blessed with warm weather. That warmth comes at a cost. That cost is wind. It has regularly been blowing fifteen to twenty five gusting to thirty or even higher the last 10 days or so. We do manage to get a break for a day here and there, but for the most part, it has been plane windy. In addition to the wind we have had some much needed rain. That rain has brought Lavon up to just shy of full pool and with the rain falling out there now (according to radar anyway) I bet she will be full up and then some tonight or tomorrow.

This has made for a good opportunity to give Sandy Too a little TLC, spruce her up a bit before I sell her. I am dying to get her back on the water and see what the new prop does for her. I am also doing some regular maintenance and giving her a good bath.

Would I rather be fishing? Absolutely. But when I get back out there I know she will be as ready for action as me.

So, I'm left to looking at old pictures of fish caught and working on strategy for when I get back on the water. It won't be long and the wind will be calm and the temps will soar and we will be begging for the wind to kick up.

I hope we get a good weather weekend so we can all get out there and scratch that itch...

GB & TL

I totally agree
I feel like its always the calmest when i am busy at work

Saturday is my only day to fish. And every Saturday the weather has kept me at home. I am so depressed because I see all the Tennessee River catfish guides posting pictures during my work week. I had the 22 off for a two day fishing trip, but had to cancel because we are outsourcing our data center that weekend.

We’re still catching lots of fish but quit posting trip reports here due to lack of interest and very few comments on the posts. One of my buddies Rick aka Optimus Prime told me to go check out Facebook where a lot of the old TFF guys were still posting over there and I was able to reconnect with quite a few of them. Kind of a bummer that most of the higher level guys who used to post trip reports on TFF no longer do so because that was always my favorite part of the forum. That was the reason I always reported every trip good or bad but eventually it got where only 3or 4 of the same guys were commenting. Not very rewarding with such a lack of interest so now I post my stuff of Facebook where I get much more positive reaction from guys I know are interested in what and how we’re catching our fish..

Yup, it sure has been quiet, and for me it's 100% down to the weather (sucks), and more specifically the WIND!

I don't mind rain, and I don't mind cold, but wind just makes it a pita and when it's really blowing like it has been it puts me and my small boat at risk.

Catfish Dave summed it up for me today.


Thursday I am heading out again. I can't wait any longer, and am looking forward to trying my new MulTbars out. I plan to head up a shallow creek until my boat hits bottom and soak some baits in the creek bed.

In the meantime catfish videos and memories...



Personally, I am looking forward to some warmer weather and wearing shorts and a T on the boat.

I'm ready for summer!

I read this section a few times a month just to see what's going on in the Texas catfish world. I noticed a drop in postings starting several months after noodling became legal.
Seems some strong opinions and cancel culture went into high gear. Anyone who fished jug lines, trotlines or heaven forbid, said they noodled, was immediately attacked, treated like a criminal, and ostracized. Some opinions seemed to indicate if you weren't a rod and reel fisherman, you weren't a real fisherman and had to resort to trotlines because of your lack of skill. Some of that attitude is still here.
If we could respect each other as much as we want the fish respected, might be a different atmosphere.

I think it’s quit the opposite Ken. Most of the really high level guys I used to look up to no longer post on here and were some of the nicest, most well respected, helpful, and sharing guys on the forum. They would always help me whenever I asked and taught me a lot about targeting big fish. They were also heavy into big fish conservation and when they stood up for what they loved were attacked by the meat haulers and eventually you have what we have now. Virtually no more high level anglers willing to share their knowledge. There is just too big of a difference in opinions on some of the issues guys have with big fish conservation and I can certainly understand why those guys no longer want to inadvertently help guys catch and kill the big fish they love.

Very possibly right Chris. Sad opinions are so strong that people had to go to separate camps.

We have been dying to get out but this wind is just crazy

I wish we got some RAIN down here in my neck of the woods. It is "Mighty Dry"! We are already in stage 2 water rationing in San Antonio and the Metro area.

I'll definitely be posting something soon. I've been sidelined as well. I can fish the wind, just been too busy. The spring really ramps my business up. It also ramps up my golf addiction. Turkey's start gobbling as well and suddenly, I'm confused, worn out, stretched too thin, and torn between all of my obsessions! When I get old (in about 30 years), I'm just gonna rest. I'll find an easy chair on a dock somewhere, tie a line to my big toe, and just drift off between bites....

1. I still post on here some but I do more PM than anything now. To many keyboard warriors on here these days. I don't mind helping people out at all but I release all big fish and certain people want to try to prove me wrong about conservation. Most of the small fish I release also unless I need some for the freezer.

2. Its been too windy for me to fish and with my boy in sports now it takes up a lot of my time. Its hard to get my anchors to hold when its blowing 20-30mph.

3. This time of year I start fishing for other species also. I still fish for cats but I also target crappie and sandbass.

4. My back just isn't right for me to fish as often as I would like.

Your welcome to come fish on my boat anytime Matt. We fish alike, are like minded, and our boys get along great. Jaxon’s favorite part of the get-together was when Pax jumped on our boat.

Skeetmaster, you win the internet today buddy with your line tied to your big toe on the dock!

I just hate any negativity. Period.

I am taking my boat out tomorrow to hopefully catch some bait and soak 'em in the lake (I'm a poet and didn't know it), and there WILL be a full report and pictures, skunked boat or monsters, and I know one thing for sure.

I will enjoy my time on the water regardless.

Now the thing is do I use a simple Carolina rig or Santee? Big baits or small? Shallow creek or flats?

Decisions, decisions...

Weather - wind, work and some family things have limited my fishing the last couple of months... Did make the get together and had a blast.

I love the trip reports...

Looking forward to more fishing soon I hope.

Tight lines all!

Ken