Having fun pond fly fishing for Bluegill and Bass with the OPST Commando Head on the Redington 4wt Rod. Caught one fish using a Foam Grasshopper but switched to a larger size Simple Foam Fly.
Lost count of the fish caught, did have several throw the fly on us, but overall was a great morning fishing the local pond!
Posted several videos about our fishing trip to the coast that aligns with our Channel’s motto, “Learn to fish by our trials and errors”. That said, here is a video of the trip that gives viewers a sense of the fishing vibe we felt this trip! Do check it out, and do let us know how your trip went when fishing Galveston!
Had a great time fishing the Texas Coast for three days last week. In particular, we fished the Galveston Fishing Pier located at 91st Street and the Seawall. Every year we like to make the run to Galveston for a chance at a fish or two. This trip did not disappoint; caught a number of small sharks that we caught and released.
Also, every trip we seem to learn a few new things to help us the next round. This trip provided lessons learned that we are sure to use be it a trip to Galveston fishing the piers as well as other Texas piers along the coast.
Do check it out, and let us know if they prove useful on your next trip to the Texas Coast!
Answering the mail before we continue editing the Galveston Fishing Pier video. This video answers the question, “What fishing rig did we use…?”
We used a two section rig – one made with Weedeater Line and the other with Malin Hard-Wire. The video details how we made them. Of note is at 6:08 in the video, had a typo in the caption… it should read, “Had to use in-line circle hooks and non-stainless steel; offset, stainless steel hooks are not legal for sharks in Texas.”
There are other ways to setup for pier fishing, we liked this setup as it was inexpensive, could be modified as needed while on the pier, and worked well for the smaller sharks we were catching. Do suggest using a stronger rig if targeting large sharks.
Video demo of the spider weight setup that our fishing buddy was using when pier fishing in a recent trip to Galveston, Texas. Should work well surf fishing, too! Give it a try next chance you get!
Bummer that the King Kat 10′ Rods were delayed. Decided to stop at Bass Pro Shops in Garland, and the Team picked up two rods to match the Penn Squall 15’s and a Penn Fierce 3 Rod and Reel combo. Here is what we decided to bring to the coast this round!
In our preparations for heading to the coast this next week, always good to review the fishing regulations so we know what are the legal daily limits, minimum and maximum lengths, and other things we should be aware of!
Video of yesterday’s pond fly fishing action on the 4wt Redington Fly Rod and Echo Ion Fly Reel. OPST Commando Head worked well for reaching out mid-pond but most strikes were nearer to shore.
Went kayak fishing Saturday morning. Windy and lots of waves but able to maintain position anchoring the kayak and fishing with shad for bait. Lots of missed hook sets but did get one undersized White Bass, a Channel Catfish, and a Blue Catfish. Enough to try the cooking the Catfish using the Burn Run East fish recipe we used to cook fish we caught on Lake Texoma last weekend. Recipe works for Catfish, too!
Fished this past Saturday on the Oklahoma side of Texoma at Burns East Run. Yours truly struck out but my fishing buddy caught a Striped Bass and a Spotted Bass which was enough to try out a new and simple recipe… no name for it. For now, calling it Burns East Run Fish Recipe!
Learned a few things this trip about the area, fishing regulations, and the lay of the land or better yet, the water! Also, got a good workout paddling from park, to the dam and back again.
Cooking portion is at the end, and is more a snippet of the YouTube Short Video we posted. Regardless, recipe is too simple that a short video explains it all!
Follow-on video to our earlier video – Kayak Fishing | Saugeye Challenge. This one is our normal format where we stop for breakfast before heading to our destination. Do check it out!
Team decided to try their luck fishing for a new species. One we have not caught before… after a few trials and tribulations, one of us succeeded in the Saugeye Challenge!
Check out the video and some “learn to fish by our trials and errors” suggestions at a place we have never fished before!
YouTube Shorts video of a kayak fishing trip to Lake Thunderbird in Norman, Oklahoma. Your’s truly is measuring his fishing buddy’s catch of the day… a Saugeye! New species for the Field Team! Do check back for the full video!
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
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!
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!
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!
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
“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.”