Micro Skagit Fly Fishing at the Local Pond

Made the run to the local pond for Micro Skagit Fly Fishing using the 4wt – 6ft Redington Pursuit, 4/5wt Echo Ion Fly Reel, and the 200grn OPST Commando Head. Worked out well catching a Bluegill and one feisty little Bass. Fish were initially near the shoreline; did not need the distance cast that the OPST allowed. Mainly fished with the shooting head portion. Later, when the fish were across the pond from where I was casting, the OPST easily made the distance needed using minimal/no false casts. Also, noticed the local free concerts started again as well as the free In-N-Out Burger Meals… not a bad outing – fishing, live music, and free food! #opstcommandohead #microskagit #onehandedspey

Micro Fly Rod | Quick Demo of the Two Piece Version

Got a request for a demo of the two piece micro fly rod we like to use for quick trips to our local ponds. This video shows the rod – it’s two piece function, casting ability, and even catching a fish or two!

Fun stuff! Do give it a try an make one… see related article: https://skyaboveus.com/fishing/MicroFlyRod

#microfishing #microflyfishing #microflyrod

Pond Fly Fishing | Bass and Bluegill on the Simple Foam Fly

Break in the weekend “honey do’s”… made a run to the local pond fishing the Simple Foam Fly on a 4wt for a Bass or Bluegill or two!

Favorite Kayak Fishing Method... Anchoring?

Our favorite kayak fishing method is simple and requires no special gear other than what you may already have on hand! It calls for anchoring your kayak near a lake point, and then fishing with shad. Let the fish come to you! Check out the video and do give it a try!

#kayak #anchor #shad

Free Fishing Day Texas | Where to Go Fishing?

Every year Texas Parks and Wildlife Department offers free fishing days allowing people to fish statewide without a fishing license. Scheduled the first week in June… for 2021, it is June 5!

That said, where would we go fishing to take advantage of the free fishing day? For one, we would like to fish all day, make for an easy setup using gear we already have or can readily obtain, and keep in mind the rain forecasted this Saturday!

So, where would we go… we would go East, to the Texas Coast for some Texas Fishing Pier (and jetty) action! Depending on where you are located in Texas, there are options in the Upper, Middle, and Lower Coast that may be of interest!

However, given our current day job schedule, yours truly will likely stay local to the DFW Metroplex, fishing a local lake… but keeping it simple – a kayak, shad for bait, and our $9.98 Zebco “older model” floating rod/reel combo!

Where would you go on a Free Fishing Day? Let us know in the comments!

PS: Oklahoma Free Fishing Days are June 5 and 6… Add Denison Dam and Texoma as options!

Upper Coast
61st Street: https://www.61stpier.com/
Galveston Fishing Pier: https://www.galvestonfishingpier.com/
Texas City Dike: http://www.texas-city-tx.org/page/rec.dike
Seawolf Park: https://www.galvestontx.gov/facilities/facility/details/Seawolf-Park-on-Pelican-Island-3
Surfside Jetty: https://www.brazoriacountytx.gov/departments/parks-department/surfside-jetty

Middle Coast
Horace Caldwell (Keepers): https://keepersportaransasfishingpier.com/
Bob Hall (Closed)
Rockport Fulton: https://www.rockport-fulton.org/FultonPier
Goose Island State Park: https://tpwd.texas.gov/state-parks/goose-island
Packery Channel: https://www.visitcorpuschristitx.org/see-and-do/1976/packery-channel-park

Lower Coast
Pirate’s Landing: https://www.piratespier.com/

Kayak Fishing | New Zebco Slingshot Rod | Does it still Float?

Really liked the Zebco Slingshot Rod and Reel combo that goes for under $10. Bought two several years ago from Walmart for backup kayak fishing rods. By accident, learned the rod floats! Dropped it over the side when kayak fishing and recovered it readily because it floated! Purchased another rod last year for $9.98 as a backup trout fishing rod. Noticed the rod handle has a “skeleton” handle… no full foam handle like the older one. This past weekend bought another one for still $9.98. It has the skeleton handle. Wondered if the new rods float like the older rods… so did a quick test! #zebco #kayakfishing #fishing

Check Walmart for their current price.

“Cool colors. Hot spinning performance. All at a great price. These custom-matched Combos are great for all ages with long-casting Slingshot spinning reels and durable 2-piece Z-Glass rods.”

Lake Lavon Fishing | Slabs, Shad, and the Lazy Man Fishing Method!

Fished Lake Lavon this past weekend. Saturday at Brockdale; Sunday at Highland. This is the follow-up video showing the action Sunday.

Windy and lots of waves to deal with, luckily the twelve foot jon boat and 2.5 Suzuki Outboard made for an easy run to the Water Treatment Plant for some fun with White Bass.

Later, made it back to the Point, found some Shad in the brushy areas with the cast net, and then fished a modified Sabiki Rig… replace the Slab with a weight and the Crappie Jigs with hooks.

Caught several keeper size Catfish – largest went 19 inches, and White Bass as well. Also, released several undersized Catfish and White Bass as well as Yellow Bass.

Overall, it was a fun trip. Did see the drainage area is flooded by the Water Treatment Plant… but most important learned the Lazy Man Fishing Method!

PS: The 2.5 Suzuki Outboard works well as a pillow!

Slab and Jig Fishing

Lake Lavon Fishing | Fishing Update

Able to fish this past weekend at Lake Lavon. Made two trips – Saturday to Brockdale Park and Sunday to Highland Park, and then it rained Monday, so we did not fish but still did fishing related things!

Did learn that Brockdale Park Boat Ramp is now closed due to flooding. Highland Park remains open luckily!

Do checkout the Team updates, and do check back for our follow-up video of Sunday’s fishing and the “Lazy Man Fishing” technique we used later in the day!

Slab and Jig Fishing

Using Google Earth for Fishing | Lake Lavon

Liking the history feature in Google Earth to checkout fishing areas that we have frequented in the past. In particular were Brockdale Park as well as a quick look at Clear Lake Park and Avalon Park! Learned a few things that may come in handy this weekend!

Slab and Jig Fishing

How We Setup a Sabiki Slab and Jig Rig for Kayak Fishing and Surfcasting?

Here is an updated variation on the Sabiki Slab and Jig Rig that we have been using for kayak fishing and surfcasting from lake points over the years.

The rig still uses three different monofilament lines – 30lbs, 20lbs, and 12lbs test. And, it still uses a Slab lure and three Jigs. The only difference is we no longer pass the dropper line for the jig through the overhand knots tied on the main line.

Instead, we jam the uni-knot against the overhand knots and one of the barrel knots. This makes for a quick re-tie when a jig breaks off.

We continue to favor this setup as the 20lbs test line to the slab will breaks off, saving the 30lbs mainline and jigs in the event of a snag.

Moreover, the 12lbs droppers will breakoff before the 30lbs mainline also saving us from re-tying the entire rig while on the water!

Do try it out!

DIY Slab Lures for White Bass | Do-It Mold

DIY Slab Lures using a Do-It Mold to make 1-1/8 oz and 1-3/8 oz lures for White Bass. After the lead is melted and the mold is heated well, able to pour several lures without issue. Next step, get them painted and the hooks, then it’s fishing for White Bass on Lake Lavon!

#whitebass #doitmolds #lavon

Pond Bass Fishing | Dog Park, Norman OK

Fun time fishing the Dog Park Pond in Norman, OK while out and about this weekend.

Bass were in there beds, and the pond was clobbered making it hard to catch them with the BFS fishing lures.

Did get one on a Rapala Husky Jerk and another with the Denison Dan Dawber!

Fun stuff!

COAF FIELD TEAM STORE FRONT

Getting questions on products we use. For ease of reference, posted links and details on our archived blog at CityOfAllenFishing.blogspot.com

Making Slab Lures for White Bass | DO-IT Molds from Barlow's Tackle | Unboxing and Catching!

Decided to make my own slab lures for white bass. Ordered DO-IT Molds from Barlow’s Tackle in Richardson, Texas. Lucked out, they still had the molds in stock!

Quick delivery, able to make a set of slab lures. After a quick paint job, got to try them out at the local lake “surf casting without the surf” with the Okuma Breakaway Surf Rod and Pflueger Reel.

Caught a fish or two before a boat went past that put the school down. No worries… good to know making my own slabs works!

Pond Fly Fishing | Liking the Redington Pursuit Fly Rod and Ross Flystart 2 for Bluegill | 8' - 4wt

Pond fly fishing for Bluegill at the local pond. Started out fishing with the Bait Finesse Systems rod and reel combo, but the pond was too clobbered with greenery. Switched to an eight foot, four weight fly rod and reel setup and managed to catch a fish or two.

Liking the casting ability of the Redington Pursuit Fly Rod, can get some distance with the little eight foot rod. Pairs well with the Ross Flystart2 reel with WF 4wt Floating Line!

Fly Fishing Tying Suggestions

Kayak Fishing | How I Like to Fish for White Bass aka Sandies

Here is a video that shows how I like to fish for White Bass aka Sandies… kayak fishing!

It includes trolling, backpaddling, bottom bouncing, and casting.

All are effective at times especially with a Slab and Jig Rig… rigged Sabiki style

Do check it out as we catch a fish or two or three!

Good Luck and Good Fishing!

Slab and Jig Fishing

How I Fish the Simpler Foam Fly?

Question came up about how I fish the Simpler Foam Fly. Made a video to demonstrate. That said, I think it applies to other fishing flies when fishing pond! Do check it out as we keep to our Channel’s intent, “Learn to fish by our trials and errors!” And in this case, fly fishing a pond for Bluegill and Bass!

Fly Fishing Tying Suggestions

Why I Keep a Simpler Foam Fly in the Fly Box... Catches Fish!

Here is the full video from the earlier post! Started the trip intending to test another simple fly pattern. But, was stopped short when I lost the fly after hooking a fish.

No worries, had the Simpler Foam Fly in the fly box. Tied it on the 4wt combo and caught and released a few Bluegill and Bass!

Will try another test after I get another one tied… stay tuned!

flyfishing #flytying #simple

Fly Fishing Tying Suggestions

Get Started Fly Fishing | Try a Simpler Foam Fly Pattern!

The other day I tied a variant of a Foam Grasshopper Pattern that used a rectangle shaped foam pattern to make a two segment body. It worked well on Bluegill and a Bass, too!

Taking it one step simpler, shortened the rectangle so I could tie the pattern with only one body segment. The end result, more Bluegill and Bass!

Unfortunately, I lost the fishing fly. No worries though; had a Foam Grasshopper in Size 14 at the ready and was able to keep fishing.

Caught a number of Bluegill and Bass including some nice ones! Looks like simple works!

Check out the video!

Fly Fishing Tying Suggestions

Easy bluegill fishing fly | Foam Rectangle Fly?

Pond fishing with the 4wt Fly Rod and Reel! Wanted to try a simple fishing fly that did not require lots of material! Took a rectangle cutout of 2mm closed cell foam and tied it on to a size 12 hook. Added legs… then fished it to a bed of Bluegill. It works!

Fly Fishing Tying Suggestions