iFishNews Fishing Podcast #16 - Cast Net Repair, GoFish Camera, and Kayak Juglining!

This round we provide another update on the Team’s fishing activities this past week! Temps are in the 100s but somehow we have made the effort to continue fishing or at least do things related to fishing.

We started out making much needed repairs to our Cast Net, broken braille lines and temp fixes were hindering our abililty to use fresh shad for Stripers, Gar, and Catfish!

Next, the GoFish Camera arrived, have started fish scouting local ponds with some promising results. Hope to twaek our rig to get better action shots and clearer video of the fish.

And then, the Saturday trip to Lake Lavon made for some fun times catching Catfish on juglines for the Beer Batter Fish Fry that evening… plus a nice Gar went for one of our lines; fun time playing with that one before finally releasing it.

Have more things – fishing things, to do this next week. Do check back for another update!

Kayak Fishing Lavon Gets Catfish, a Yellow Bass, and a Gar!

Had a fun time kayak fishing Lake Lavon. The repairs to the cast net made for a much easier and faster means to catch Shad for bait.

Brought jug lines to work the area of the point at Highland Park, bite started out fast, then slowed down as the temps rose.

Did manage six Catfish – 5 Blue Catfish and 1 Channel Catfish, one Yellow Bass, and a Gar. Kept the Catfish for a Beer Batter Recipe Fish Fry as well as flash frozen fish fillets for later grilling!

Release the Yellow Bass and the Gar. The Gar put up a nice fight but no POV action shots as your’s truly deleted the GoPro video by accident. Still managed to capture the essence of the trip… do check it out; was a fun time!

Scouting with the GoFish Camera #underwatervideo #gofishcam

Took the new GoFish Camera out to City Complex Pond in Murphy, TX for some scouting… fish scouting for Bass!

Used to do this in the past with the Water Wolf Camera but our efforts were on hold since we lost the camera last year.

After several hits and misses using the GoPro Hero (older model), took advantage of the price drop of the GoFish Camera and ordered one.

After a few oops in setting the camera, able to put a live bluegill on the hook and observe the underwater action.

It was mainly bluegill and a little bass “eyeing” the live bait, and then it was turtle avoidance after the turtles started showing up and taking the bait!

Did get a brief glimpse of a bass. Looked like one of the bigger bass that we used to see in pond in past years.

Unfortunately, the pond’s clarity was not as good as it normally is. But, after tweaking the video settings and slowing the speed, we were able to see the outline of the bass.

Good to know there is a nice size Bass still in the pond… now, if we can get the turtles to leave our bait alone long enough for a Bass to take it.

Oh well, till next time!

Kayak Fishing at Lavon... #shad #kayaking

Short notice quick trip to Lake Lavon at Highland Park for a chance at catching a fish or two kayaking one of of the points.

Windy conditions and some waves to deal with, else no issues other than no fish on our hooks.

After fishing a double rig using shad for bait, switched to trolling a slab and jig rig. Neither had a bite, so headed back to the boat ramp.

Good thing we were able to catch some Shad else the trip would have been a strikeout!

No worries, one of the reasons why we like kayak fishing… if no fish, can at least get workout in!

iFishNews Fishing Podcast #15 - July 4 Weekend Updates #fishing #kayaking #tubing and #margaritas too!

This podcast we recap the July 4 Weekend’s activities where we headed South to New Braunfels and Gruene to fish, kayak, and tube a river or two as well as have some tasty food and have a margarita or two or three or more… LOL!

Key items this round:

• Faust Street Bridge Park
• Comal River at Landa Park
• Guadalupe River
• Cantina Del Rio
• Grist Mill
• Gruene Outfitters
• Upcoming fishing fun!

More Underwater Fishing Video.... #underwatervideo

Been trying various cameras and rigs or underwater fishing videos like we did when we had the Water Wolf Camera. Ended up losing it last year, so have made several rigs for an old GoPro Hero.

So far, able to observe fish and their reaction to treated and untreated Scud patterns as part of our test of the Gulp Garlic Marinade. Plan to continue “testing” as our results are inconclusive.

Did get the itch to try capturing a live bait strike with a Bluegill… no luck this round, but did find old video from the Water Wolf Camera as a consolation.

That said, since no Water Wolf Cameras are in stock, and learned GoFish – with a wireless feature, has cameras in stock. Placed an order!

Do check back, plan to do more “testing” of the Gulp Marinade and live bait action shots!

GoFish Camera: https://amzn.to/3gBYgsj

More Gulp Garlic Marinade "Testing" #underwatervideo #fishing

Second test of the Gulp Garlic Marinade. Another inconclusive test that requires us to continue testing to answer the question… Does Gulp Garlic Marinade work?

This round, it appeared the fish liked the Gulp when initially treated with scent, but once diluted after soaking in the pond after several casts, it was not certain if it made a difference to the fish.

Lesson learned… need to reapply the Gulp often. Will try this next round!

Kayaking the Guadalupe #fishing #kayak #pelicankayaks

Had a fun Friday on the Guadalupe River kayaking and fishing. Water flow was slow; mainly paddled upstream and observed the “tube hatch” as we kayaked to the 3rd Crossing.

Did catch a couple of Bluegill and a little Bass. Caught one using a Kastmaster with its hooks removed and a trailing scud. Caught the other two using a Roostertail.

Although the fishing was slow, gotta a good workout in paddling upriver and downriver! Happy 4th of July!

Fishing the Comal River at Landa Park #flyfishing

Made it to New Braunfels for some fishing fun. Planned to fish the Guadalupe River by Faust Street Bridge, but it was closed. Headed to Landa Park and fished the Comal River. Was a slow bite with only one Bluegill and a Bass caught. Both went for a Guadalupana!

Casting a Micro Fly Rod Demo #microflyrod #microflyfishing

Here is the follow up video we mentioned on one of our earlier iFishNews Fishing Podcast and YouTube video about Micro Fly Rods.

This video shows five micro flyrods – three are ones we made and have a micro flyreel mounted on them, and two are practice fly rods from Redington and Orvis with a flyreel zip tied to the handle.

We marked 25 feet as a reference, and then cast the rods to show the 25 feet distance is readily attained.

There was a strong crosswind and one of the rods had less than 25 feet of line but overall all rods could easily cast 25 feet.

That said, based on time fishing with them, there are several that can cast well past 25 feet.

Fun stuff!

Also, here are links to Amazon showing the practice fly rods we converted to micro fly rods:

• Redington Form: https://amzn.to/3esIjV2
• Orvis Practicaster: https://amzn.to/2YkqMbD
• Pen Rod / Reel: https://amzn.to/2BwaELD

TPWD Shad Question Answered!

Of note is a question about Shad for bait posed to the Texas Parks and Wildlife Department. May be of interest to Texas Fisherman!

Check out more at our archived blog Stocker Trout Fishing

"Can I catch shad with a cast net from one lake, freeze them for later use at another lake?"

TPWD Answers Our Question about Shad!

We like using Shad for bait but at times cannot purchase them because the local bait store is out of stock. This is why we like to catch our own plus it saves us money – cost of the cast net and time and effort to catch them, etc…

However, due to restrictions related to aquatic invasive species and the transfer from one body of water to another, we have followed Texas Parks and Wildlife Department’s (TPWD) regulations that limit using Shad for bait to the same body of water where they were caught.

Our understanding was the same body of water limitation was for live, fresh, and frozen shad. For clarification, we contacted Texas Parks and Wildlife Department via their online “Submit a Question” form.

The question we asked and the answer provided are shown in the picture below!

Looks like we can catch Shad from one lake, remove any of the water with the fish, using a net to move the fish from one container to another so no water is transferred from lake to lake!

PS: We did not ask about transferring live Shad as we prefer to limit using live Shad to the body of water we caught them from to avoid the risk of transferring aquatic invasive species.

iFishNews Fishing Podcast #14 - Three Lessons Learned Fishing Denison Dam #fishing

This podcast we talk about three lessons learned from our recent trips to Denison Dam. It’s a short podcast compared to others but we feel others could benefit on the lessons learned mentioned in the podcast. Do check it out… and Good Luck and Good Fishing!

Denison Dam Fishing for Gar... by Chance Anyone?

Fished Denison Dam Saturday morning. Initially, planned to bring a Switch Rod to fish Clousers in the runs, pockets, and pools before they started generating power.

Quick check of the real-time hydroelectric data and the planned schedule showed two generators online for 24 hours Friday and into Saturday, and possibly Sunday.

Adjusted to surf casting gear:

• Okuma Rockaway Surf Rod – 12′ Med Heavy: https://amzn.to/2BL9s76
• Pflueger President Spinning Reel – Sz40: https://amzn.to/387MmDH
• Rodmaster Surf Rod 10′ Heavy: No longer available
• Penn Battle II 6000 Spinning Reel: https://amzn.to/3i2XdTU

Fished Shad and Chicken Livers… no strikes when fishing a bottom rig. Action was all with Shad fished 2′ to 4′ from a float.

Do check back will add details on the float rig we used in the video. Float used was the… Launcher Float size 5″, 1-3/4OZ: https://amzn.to/2NACWal

Fished from sunrise to 2PM in the afternoon… No Striped Bass. It was all Gar that were biting this round!all fish caught and release were Gar. Looked like the Striped Bass were not wanting to bite this round.

Fun times still!

Fishing Allen's Old Stone Dam #flyfishing #switchrod

TBT to Allen’s Old Stone Dam. Have not fished the dam in some time although we have checked out the area and its improvements recently. Liking the bridge, bank reinforcements, and expanded trails.

Been itching to fish it for awhile… able to do so yesterday. After a little tweaking of the pattern and searching spots, found a Damsel Fly fished under a strike indicator worked!

Do check out the video, and do stay tuned for more “learn to fish by our trials and errors” videos!

MaxCatch 2wt Fly Rod: https://amzn.to/2UfM8FG
Orvis Hydros Sl1 Fly Reel: https://amzn.to/2UiRCPS
Rio Trout Max (200 grain): https://amzn.to/2HiT2Bs
Rio SlickShooter Running Line (35lbs): https://amzn.to/2GGIVsZ

Orvis Practicaster and Echo Ion Flyreel aka #microflyrod #microflyfishing

Having fun fishing with the Orvis Practicaster practice fly rod with an Echo Ion 2/3wt flyreel zip tied to the handle.

Combo cast well… have a Cabelas 2wt WF flyline on the reel, and casting a tiny microfly scud and microfly pink midge.

Caught a number of small Sunfish and Bluegill but none as small as the little Bass our fishing partner caught this past weekend.

Fun stuff!

Orvis Practicaster: https://amzn.to/2YkqMbD
Echo Ion Fly Reels (2/3wt, 4/5wt, 6/7wt, 7/9wt, 8/10wt, 10/12wt): https://amzn.to/2UIsyC3

Catch and Cook Denison Dam Striped Bass #denisondam #stripedbass #recipe

Had a fun time at Denison Dam – tailrace to Texoma, on Saturday June 20! Opted for live bait of Bluegill and Sunfish to try for Striped Bass and Catfish.

Turned out only one Striped Bass. It was a nice one that went 19″ in length. Went for a 3″ Bluegill. Did a few more bites but nothing solid.

Go to bait for others that were limiting out on small “schoolies” was frozen shad, shrimp, and chicken livers. Next round, will make it a point to bring bait and not go all in on live bait.

That said, the Okuma 12′ MH Rockaway Surf Rod and Pflueger Spinning Reel worked well… can cast far with minimal effort. A much lighter combo compared to the 10′ Rodmaster and Penn Battle II 6000.

Given only one fish this round, posted a catch and cook showing how we clean and prep and then cook a striped bass. For its size, we opted to steak the striped bass and skillet fry it… tasty!

Ingredients:

• Soy Sauce
• Tuna Fish Sauce
• Ginger
• Garlic

Fry 4″ to 5″ each side

Gear Used:

• Okuma 12′ MH Rockaway Surf Rod: https://amzn.to/2CqBO6J
• Pflueger Spinning Reel: https://amzn.to/2zRIdXI
• Penn Battle II 6000: https://amzn.to/2NmFuZq
• Rodmaster 10′ Spinning Rod: Not Available – Discontinued

iFishNews Fishing Podcast 12 - Micro Fly Rods and Micro Fly Fishing

This rounds iFishNews Fishing Podcast we talk about micro fly rods that we use for micro fly fishing on our local ponds. Several DIY rods we have made by converting Pen Rods, repurposing a broken fly rod, and building one with an ice fishing blank and wine corks for the rod handle.

Recently, courtesy of a Viewer’s tip to use practice fly rods from Orvis and Redington, we have started mounting 2wt and 4wt fly reels to make a micro fly rod.

Simple zip ties to hold the reels to the rods makes for a quick conversion to fly fishing rod instead of practice rods!

Below is a link that shows how we converted a Pen Rod to a Micro Fly Rod:
https://skyaboveus.com/fishing/MicroFlyRod

Additionally, here is a past video where we caught a nice catfish using the re-purposed broken fly rod: https://youtu.be/I16KkjXkbcI

Also, here are links to Amazon showing the practice fly rods we converted to micro fly rods:
Redington Form: https://amzn.to/3esIjV2
Orvis Practicaster: https://amzn.to/2YkqMbD

COAF Live Chat - Quick Update Denison Dam, Surf Rod and Reel, and Micro Fly Rod

This round we talk briefly of the run to Denison Dam where we only caught one Striped Bass using live bait – Bluegill! But, it’s enough for a catch and cook… so do stay tuned for more!

Of note, the Okuma Rockaway Surf Rod and Pfleuger President Spinning Reel worked well. Can cast a mile and do it all day as it is lightweight and balanced well with the live bait rifg we used today!

Lastly, the micro fly rod and micro fishing bug has us on a roll again at our local ponds. Two piece Micro Fly Rod has been a workhorse for the us. Then, a Viewer gives up a tip… use a practice fly rod!

Liked the idea,… ordered Redington’s and Orvis’ rods… able to catch a fish or two with the Redington; Orvis one arrived this morning. Not fished it yet but did try the 2wt Echo Ion Fly Reel and WF 2wt line… it works nicely!

Do stay tuned for more updates on fishing!

Live Update at Denison

Do Fish Like Gulp Marinade #underwatervideo #fishing

Been wanting to try Gulp Marinade as a teaser scent to our lures. But, not certain if fish would like it. It has a garlic scent similar to the Berkley Power Bait we like to use when trout fishing.

Decided to test the Gulp Marinade by applying it to a fishing fly and observe how fish react to it compared to the same fishing fly but without the scent applied. Rigged two scuds to the underwater video rig we put together for filming underwater action shots of fish.

Key take aways this round:

1. Results were inconclusive given only one test. But, it does look promising. Do need to continue testing before we make a suggestion.
2. It does appear that fish like the Gulp Marinade, tending to prefer the scud with scent over the scud without scent after the initial application.
3. Once the scent washed out, it was not certain if there was a preference for one over the other.
4. Do need to re-apply the scent as it does wash out.
5. Bait still is preferred over artificials.

Next round, plan to:

1. Use a smaller hook as the fish in the test pond tended to be small for the hook used. Often times a fish would be hooked but then would be able to break free after a short struggle.
2. May try live bait to mix things up as well.

Also, do note a catfish “smells” the scented scud at one point, and watch how a fish would be hooked and then free itself, and immediately after another fish would strike… may explain how we will get a bite but miss the hookset, but soon after feel another tug on the line!

Do stay tuned for more, plan to do another “test” in the near future!