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Patience Paid Off...
#14555493
12/05/22 02:52 AM
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Joined: Sep 2020
Posts: 869
Bluecat Bob
OP
Pro Angler
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OP
Pro Angler
Joined: Sep 2020
Posts: 869 |
The last couple of trips out have been challenging. After a bumper season catching bait with my net I drew a couple of blanks, and with the fish going deeper with the cooler temps it was time to get out the big heavy taped net. Throwing and retrieving it is a workout, as it's a lot of weight to throw around. I was rusty and decided to get some practice on the back lawn. After many less than optimal pancakes, I slowly started to make some progress. Success! The bite has been slow of late, water temperature down in the low 50's and the fish have been spread out in between 20-30 feet. One decent fish a couple of weeks ago that was 29 pounds, but slim pickings since. Earlier this week I went out armed with my tape net and no reserve/frozen bait. If I wanted to fish I needed to get me some bait. Despite 3 hours throwing my net in the Marina, in creeks and off of points I didn't snag a single shad. I had to return to the boat ramp empty handed with my tail between my legs and without me casting a single rod. It sucked. Today I was ready to go at it again. This time with some reserve bait. Over 90 minutes throwing the net in no less than three locations, and once again drew a blank. I must be doing something very wrong. This time I deployed my reserve bait, this time fish purchased at the market. Again a slow bite and a somewhat bluebird day with no wind for most of it. I caught a couple of box fish, one 3 pounds and one 5 pounds, and then a big take down on my long line. (short movie) https://maddbrit.smugmug.com/Fishing/Fishing-Trips/i-PSZ27PG/AA nice big fat Bluecat, hitting the scales at just under 44 pounds. Quite the fight and quite the workout. Patience paid off. A very good day.
Last edited by Bluecat Bob; 12/05/22 07:58 AM.
Retired from the grind and enjoying life and the great outdoors ### Formerly Texas Brit ###
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Re: Patience Paid Off...
[Re: Bluecat Bob]
#14555521
12/05/22 03:40 AM
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Joined: Jan 2003
Posts: 961
Rowdy
Pro Angler
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Pro Angler
Joined: Jan 2003
Posts: 961 |
BCB,
Great pix and as usual great info shared. Bait is getting really few for even the fish to chase down in our better local lake. The state stocked it with the spotted blackbass and the rest is history. The state really messed up putting them in the lake. There just is no bait of any kind around the lake now, after the fact. We were all told they were not going to stock this lake with them in the beginning. Then something changed.
So when going there to fish I will bring some kind of bait, but I am going to mess around with some artificials and see if I can purposely catch cats on them. I have caught a couple before while fishing for blackbass, but that is not at all the same as going after cats all together with artificials. Least till I figure the bait situation out.
We have a smaller local lake that is so full of shad, it's actually ridiculous. Problem is by the law of the state we have to have a license to take bait like from there to another lake, even if it's not to sell. I have read these regs over several times and still not certain about all of it.
I do plan a trip to our TPWD here and visit with them about what I am wanting to do, in case I may not be able to regardless. I get the issues with mixing the lake waters and all, that want even be a thing as I load my big livewells I converted to bait tanks with well water before I ever leave the house. But the concern I do understand.
But like you, even if our lake did have bait, they can be really hard to catch this time of year. To me, good live and frisky shad for freshwater fishing here in Texas is a huge thing. It may all get down to frozen cut bait for me if these artificials I purposely plan to see how they do, just don't lol. Thanks for sharing these awesome pix and info too.
Last edited by Rowdy; 12/05/22 03:44 AM.
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Re: Patience Paid Off...
[Re: Bluecat Bob]
#14555525
12/05/22 03:43 AM
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Joined: Jul 2012
Posts: 2,030
littlewheel
Extreme Angler
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Extreme Angler
Joined: Jul 2012
Posts: 2,030 |
Shannon Wheeler Lake Fork Channel Catfish Guide Cheeseologist at Stubbys Cheesebait 903-987-2315
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Re: Patience Paid Off...
[Re: Bluecat Bob]
#14555551
12/05/22 04:26 AM
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Joined: Jul 2010
Posts: 75,716
banker-always fishing
Pumpkin Head
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Pumpkin Head
Joined: Jul 2010
Posts: 75,716 |
Nicely done. Good job.
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 !
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Re: Patience Paid Off...
[Re: Bluecat Bob]
#14555684
12/05/22 01:28 PM
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Joined: Sep 2017
Posts: 5,401
pop r
TFF Celebrity
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TFF Celebrity
Joined: Sep 2017
Posts: 5,401 |
Nicely done sir!
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Re: Patience Paid Off...
[Re: Bluecat Bob]
#14555954
12/05/22 05:10 PM
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Joined: Mar 2009
Posts: 640
KEGracing
Pro Angler
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Pro Angler
Joined: Mar 2009
Posts: 640 |
Nice work Bob!
I am hoping for some more rain later this week. I need about another 6" in the lake to get the big boat out! Getting close and getting anxious!
Cheers Ken
2014 Premier Alante 235 RF tritoon. Momma's boat. But I get to fish on her.
A country boy will survive... but those who cross him?
Cedar Creek personal best: Blue Cat 31.55 lbs Hybrid 6.2 lbs Crappie 2.1 lbs Tennessee River Blue 45.7
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Re: Patience Paid Off...
[Re: Bluecat Bob]
#14556660
12/06/22 01:12 PM
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Joined: May 2012
Posts: 367
nellie
Angler
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Angler
Joined: May 2012
Posts: 367 |
I was on the lake yesterday, wind was blowing hard out of the south, Shad and blues were very shallow on shallow points and back of flats in very shallow water less than 2 feet deep. Donโt be afraid to fish super shallow this time of year when it is warm with a good south wind. They were stacked up yesterday super shallow
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Re: Patience Paid Off...
[Re: nellie]
#14556743
12/06/22 02:21 PM
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Joined: Mar 2003
Posts: 2,888
Lewisville Catfishing
Extreme Angler
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Extreme Angler
Joined: Mar 2003
Posts: 2,888 |
I was on the lake yesterday, wind was blowing hard out of the south, Shad and blues were very shallow on shallow points and back of flats in very shallow water less than 2 feet deep. Donโt be afraid to fish super shallow this time of year when it is warm with a good south wind. They were stacked up yesterday super shallow Solid advice there.
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Re: Patience Paid Off...
[Re: Bluecat Bob]
#14556759
12/06/22 02:33 PM
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Joined: Jan 2003
Posts: 961
Rowdy
Pro Angler
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Pro Angler
Joined: Jan 2003
Posts: 961 |
I never knew they would get that shallow this time of year guys
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Re: Patience Paid Off...
[Re: Rowdy]
#14557264
12/06/22 11:32 PM
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Joined: Sep 2020
Posts: 869
Bluecat Bob
OP
Pro Angler
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OP
Pro Angler
Joined: Sep 2020
Posts: 869 |
I never knew they would get that shallow this time of year guys Me neither, but I will give it a try for sure.
Retired from the grind and enjoying life and the great outdoors ### Formerly Texas Brit ###
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Re: Patience Paid Off...
[Re: Bluecat Bob]
#14558539
12/08/22 11:55 AM
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Joined: Dec 2020
Posts: 1,405
Catfish Tim
Extreme Angler
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Extreme Angler
Joined: Dec 2020
Posts: 1,405 |
Nellie, you are spot on about the shallows. I went out after the rains last weekend and I couldn't keep bait on all the rods. I was in about 5 feet of water and having a blast. Bob, I can lay my net out in the backyard like that too. Haha, kidding! Like we have talked, you have to know how to throw it for sure, but it's more important to know where to throw it as you have found out. It is a great feeling of accomplishment when you can put all the pieces together and have some success. That 44 is a fish you will long remember. Congrats buddy!
Catfish Tim ๐๐"If it doesn't have whiskers, it's just bait"๐๐ Romans 8:1
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