WHO I FISHED WITH: This past Thursday morning, Dec. 29th, I fished with Mr. Kyle Everett and his 8-year-old son, James.

Kyle was given a fishing gift certificate for Christmas by his wife, Katie.

Kyle is a U.S. Marine Corp veteran who now works as an accountant and is part-owner of a cabinetry business. James is working his way through the 2nd grade and already shows a mind for numbers.

As we fished, James invented a scoring system based on size and species of fish landed which was more complex than the U.S. Tax Code and which, when all was said and done, ensured that he would emerge the victor of the fishing contest he ‘imposed’ on his father. This system further ensured James would take away not just first place, but something better than first place, which was “infinity place”.

My next weekday openings are on 4, 5, 9, 10, 11, and 12 Jan. My next weekend opening is Sat., 07 January 2023.

Here is how the fishing went …

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PHOTO CAPTION: James Everett and his dad, Kyle, landed four species of fish while we targeted white bass on Lake Belton. Largemouth bass, hybrid striped bass, and drum also fell for the small, 3/8 oz. Bladed Hazy Eye Slab worked vertically this morning.








PHOTO CAPTION: White bass like these from the 2021 year class made up the majority of our catch this morning. The body condition on these fish looked very good.

WHERE WE FISHED: Lake Belton

WHEN WE FISHED: Thursday, 29 December 2022 (AM)

HOW WE FISHED:

Ever since our four-day crash-course in cryogenics on 22-25 Dec. which saw our water temperature plummet by a full 6+ degrees, things have been tough. The fishing had been tedious, and the birds have ceased providing clues to fish location.

Wherever we encountered white bass, they were broken into small groups of up to 20-30 fish or so, with several yards between these small groups. Due to the cold water, these fish would not move to us despite the commotion we created (by thumping and jigging), hence, we had to move frequently.

If there is one lesson learned in this post-chill fishery it is to move frequently. Once fish show signs of disinterest, it is time time to move. These fish, once turned off, will not turn on again any time soon.

We again noted that we’d catch just a few fish, usually in the first few minutes following our arrival, at any given area.

We stuck with the 3/8 oz. white Bladed Hazy Eye Slab all morning. That smaller package just seems to put a few extra fish in the boat when things are tough. Many largemouth anglers “go finesse” under tough conditions, and this approach seems to be valid with white bass, too.

The slow-smoking tactic worked best for fish which were primarily bottom-dwelling today. Whenever fish appeared suspended and moving up higher in the water column, they tended to be eager to chase, but, the total number of fish we sighted like this was low.

Our tally of 40 fish consisted of 3 largemouth bass, 2 freshwater drum, 1 legal hybrid striped bass, and 34 white bass, of which 2 were short.

TALLY: 40 fish caught and released

Find Bladed Hazy Eye Slabs with Stinger Hook here: https://whitebasstools.com/

OBSERVATIONS: 1) No helpful bird activity for 4th consecutive trip. 2) On 21 Dec. the temperature profile to 55′ was a constant 58.2F; temperature is now 52.6F down to that same depth.

WEATHER DATA:

Start Time: 7:45A

End Time: 11:55A

Air Temp. @ Trip’s Start: 63F

Elevation: 13.36 feet low, 0.01′ fall in last 24 hours, 24 CFS flow.

Water Surface Temp: 51.7F on the surface

Wind Speed & Direction: Calm winds for first 2 hours, then S6-7 thereafter.

Sky Condition: Grey skies with the lightest shroud of fog persisted for ~2 hours, with rapid clearing to 40% mixed white/grey clouds on blue sky.

Moon Phase: Waxing crescent moon at 44% illumination.

GT = 60

Wx SNAPSHOT:






AREAS FISHED WITH SUCCESS:

Area 473 – 3 fish

Area 151 – 9 fish (2 hops)

Area 1551 – 16 fish

Area B0173G – 11 fish





Bob Maindelle

Full-time, Professional Fishing Guide and Owner of Holding the Line Guide Service

Belton Lake Fishing Guide, Stillhouse Hollow Fishing Guide

254.368.7411 (call or text)

Website: www.HoldingTheLineGuideService.com

E-mail: Bob@HoldingTheLineGuideService.com

Facebook: www.facebook.com/bobmaindelle

Twitter: www.twitter.com/bobmaindelle

This made me laugh out loud!! Kids! James should pitch his scoring system to a major league fishing tournament.

Nice post and fish. Good job.