WHO I FISHED WITH: This afternoon, Wednesday, March 15, I fished with Mr. Ronnie White and his three grandsons, Reid (age 15), Braxton (age 12), and Brayton (age 10).

Ronnie is retired and routinely makes use of the Lake Belton RV camping areas. This week he was based at Live Oak Ridge Park, and was enjoying spending spring break with the boys, all of whom attend school in Academy, Texas.

Here’s how the fishing went…

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Peak spring dates are just about gone. Here’s an up-to-date calendar so you can check availability: https://holdingthelineguideservice.com/available-dates.php

Next available dates are 23, 29 & 31 March






PHOTO CAPTION: From left: Reid, Ronnie, Braxton, and Brayton — a mess ‘o Whites with a mess o’ white bass.




PHOTO CAPTION: Reid White landed this 8.00 pound blue cat at the final bell.

WHERE WE FISHED: Lake Belton

WHEN WE FISHED: Wednesday, 15 March 2023 (PM)

HOW WE FISHED:

After a pretty tough morning, the fishing remained challenging into the first 90 minutes of this afternoon’s trip. I explained to my crew of four that it would take persistence, diligence, and attention to detail when it came to technique in order to do well this afternoon.

I could tell by their eagerness that the boys were up for the challenge. We worked white, 5/8 ounce Bladed Hazy Eye Slabs 100% of the time this afternoon, using a slow-smoking tactic.

Until approximately 6 PM, all of our fish came from small schools from off the bottom. From 6 PM to 7:30PM, a very definite uptick began to take place as the light began to fail, enhanced by thickening, gray cloud cover.

As this dimming of the light began, the fish began to suspend as much as 7 feet up off the bottom, and they became much more aggressive simultaneously. We fished quite a number of areas prior to 6 PM, but then only moved twice thereafter.

Our catch of 128 fish consisted of one 8-pound blue cat, 10 short hybrid, and 117 white bass.



TALLY: 128 fish caught and released

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

OBSERVATIONS: Fewer and fewer fish are lingering in deep water (over 30′) as the water warms and daylength increases. Many caught fish were oozing eggs or milt today.



WEATHER DATA:

Start Time: 3:20P

End Time: 7:30P

Air Temp. @ Trip’s Start: 70F

Elevation: 14.1 feet low, 24 CFS flow, .05′ fall over the last 24 hrs.

Water Surface Temp: 59.4F on the surface

Wind Speed & Direction: ESE16-17 all afternoon

Sky Condition: 100% moderate grey cloud cover.

Moon Phase: Last quarter moon at 45% illumination.

GT = 50

Wx SNAPSHOT:






AREAS FISHED WITH SUCCESS:

Area 1544 – 6 fish

Area 1562 – 16 fish

Area B01786 – 11 fish

Area 1909 – 6 fish

Area B0187G – 4 fish

Area 0147 – 32 fish

Area 295 – 18 fish

Area B0011C to B0155G – 35 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

Good times. Solid post.