Brief Description - Rain forecasted later today. Decided to fish a local pond for Bass. Pleasant surprise when I noticed the algae and other vegetation was not clobbering the pond. In short order, I switched to a Rapala X-Rap!
Location - Sonic Pond, Allen, TX
Weather - Sunny, windy but rain forecasted later
Gear - Bass Pro Shops MicroLite Fiberglass Rod and Shimano Scorpion 17 BFS-XG. Then, switched to a KastKing Zephyr with Reel Clicker. Started fishing with a Rooster Tail, then went to the Rapala X-Rap
Catch - Bass, lost count after 10
Notes - Bass were striking on a steady retrieve, and several times they struck within a rod length away. Stresses the need to "finish your cast"!
Been having fun catching fish these past few outings. One pattern in particular seems to be doing well on top water action for Bluegill and Bass.
We started using the Simple Foam Damsel Fly pattern we have used for many years. It has done well for us, but always on the lookout for other patterns to “test”, we began a search for other damsel fly patterns.
We settled on one that called for mono eyes, a tail made of flexible material, hackle, and closed instead of open wings. Not sure what material was used for the tail, we settled on Sparkle Braid and apply Hard As Nails fingernail polish to shape it
We liked the hackle concept and the little bit of foam used for the body but had a hard time with the closed wing made out of a clear material. So, dropping the wing, we created our variant of a Damsel Fly… this one for want of a better name is called “Look Ma No Wings”.
Also, do check out the video of another variant we tested at a local pond. It uses a tail that lasts longer than the foam one, and uses hackle instead of rubber legs for wings. Worked surprisingly well for us!
Able to get a round of fishing in this evening. Caught Bass, Bluegill, and Sunfish while fly fishing at Bethany Lakes. Went with a Foam Grasshopper to get them today! Hoping the colder temps are done, and we can get back to kayak fishing!
Brief Description - Series of YouTube Shorts videos about fly fishing tips that have helped the Team over the years. This post lists tips 10 - 20 and provides useful suggestions for Beginners!
"Practice Before You Go..."
"Choose a Rod You Can Cast All Day!"
"Start With Three Basic Knots"
"Focus On Control and Line Speed, Less on Distance"
Ultralight Baitcasting aka Bait Finesse Systems Fishing
What Is It - Developed in Japan for fishing heavily pressured areas where fish tend to be wary of "normal sized" lures. Rods and reels are matched to cast lures weighing 1/16oz or less (1.78grams) and are coupled with light lines in the 6lbs or less range. It is oftentimes referred as system of components that combine to allow casting ultralight lures, hence the name Bait Finesse Systems.
Special Gear Means Special Prices - Bait Finesse System reels tend to be expensive and may take weeks, even months to purchase. Additionally, the rods follow suit in both price and availability. Anticipate $500+ purchase to get started with $1,000+ if you so don't mind the expense.
Thinking About It, But Not Sure - From personal experience, I thought about giving Bait Finesse Systems Fishing a try but I did not want to spend $500 let alone $1000+. Luckily, I was able to put together a "system" for about $100! Moreover, if you wait for specials offered by retailers, you should be able to get started for under $100.
Gear - When I purchased the reel it was selling for under $70. The rod sold for $25 and was made out of fiberglass. The line I used was 6lbs test mono that I was leftover from the past Trout Stocking Season. And the lure I used initially was a Rooster Tail Inline Spinner weighing 1/16oz and cost about $3!
PS: Do checkout the video that shows how I like to set the reel to minimize backlashes!
Brief Description - Fished the local pond shortly after a storm passed. Plan was to fish the Main Pond and see what would bite.
Location - Bethany Lakes - Main Pond and Back Pond
Weather - Overcast
Gear - KastKing Zephyr with Reel Clicker and Bass Pro Shops MicroLite Fiberglass Rod. Used a 1/16oz Rooster Tail inline spinner in Fire Tiger and Gold Blade.
Catch - Six Bass - five in the Main Pond and one in the Back Pond. One Bluegill from the Main Pond.
Notes - Still not seeing any Bluegill on beds. Bass are lurking on beds as well as cruising shallows. Do need to use a steady retrieve to keep the lure from getting clobbered from the "greenery" plus the "cotton" from the Cottonwood Trees are floating around. Time for knotless leaders when fly fishing!
Brief Description - Series of YouTube Shorts videos about fly fishing tips that have helped the Team over the years. This post lists tips 1 - 9 and provides useful suggestions for Beginners!
PS: Tips 8 and 9 are posting on May 20 and 21, respectively. Do check back for them, and do check back for the Tips 10 - 20 which we will publish in a follow-on post!
Brief Description - Finally made it to the local lake for kayak fishing. Opted to go with baitcasting gear to field test the Water Wolf Camera 2.0 and the DIY Fish Bites aka "Gummy Gums"!
Location - Highland Park at Lake Lavon
Weather - Windy and Overcast with chance of T-Storms. Did have some drops but stayed dry!
Gear - Cabelas Baitcasting Rod and Reel - Two Piece, lined with Spiderwire 65lbs test. Had the Waterwolf Camera attached with the modified rig to reduce tangling. Also, had the Gummy Gums in YUM Shad Scent.
Catch - Caught one Blue Catfish that went 19", lost a larger White Bass while attempting to land it. Also, had three takes with one that pulled the float under completely. It was fast!
Notes - Murky conditions so no UW video of note. But, did learn the camera can record for three plus hours without issue. Also, the "Point" continues to be a good spot to anchor on those windy days!
DISCLAIMER: This video and description contains affiliate links, which means that if you click on one of the product links, I’ll receive a small commission. Also, as an Amazon Associate I earn from qualifying purchases. This helps support the channel and allows us to continue to make videos like this. Thank you for the support!
Brief Description - Returned to Bethany Lakes for a chance at the Bass and Bluegill lurking in the Main Pond. After reviewing the UW video from the day before, noted a number of Bass were in the Main Pond and were actively chasing the Rapala Crankbait!
Location - Bethany Lakes
Weather - Sunny and Warm
Gear - Started with the Bait Finesse Gear - Shimano Scorpion 17 BFS XG and BPS MicroLite Fiberglass Rod but switched to Fly Fishing Gear - Redington Pursuit Fly Rod and Ross Flystart 2 Reel in 4wt.
Catch - One Bass that went for the Simple Brown Dry Fly that I tied while taking the TPWD Basic Fly Fishing Class!
Notes - Bass are lurking in their beds but the algae aka "Greenery" is making for hard fishing. Other than top water presentations and fishing flies that can be fished in the upper water column, all others will be quickly fouled. Stick with fishing the upper water column!
))/894858.json)
))/1748291.json)
))/252995.json)
))/1748292.json)
))/1128841.json)
))/2980384.json)
))/2346393.json)
))/3296586.json)
))/3052603.json?hei=600&wid=600&$Soc_facebook$)
))/1850560.json)
))/2171235.json)
))/4261670.json)
))/2826016.json)
))/851886.json)
