Took me a while to catch up on all the fish caught, but y’all are getting bigguns. Especially our folks up North. Awesome! 

17 hours ago, A-Jay said:

Conditions this morning were pretty sporty and the bite window wasn't open very long.

Either way, I still managed to get my fix . . . . . 

Fish Hard

A-Jay

 

A-Jay, I feel my fishing window in Maine wasn't open for long. If the wind isn't blowing, it's raining. I don't mind fishing in the rain when it's in the 70s, 60s, or even 50s, but it's tough when it's in the 40s and we have three days in a row with highs in the 40s coming and four nights in a row with lows in the 30s coming too. All windy and wet too. I just can't imagine the bass being real active when they're swimming with frost on their shoulders and icicles on their bellies. 

 

I'll try to slip out once or twice if the wind lessens. If the wind is feisty, I spend more time with a paddle in my hand instead of a rod. That happens when the wind reaches double digits. However, in a couple weeks, I think it will have to be warm and dry and not so windy and I expect the bass to be oh-so-hungry and feisty as our weather's been.

 

 

Great bass. Really beautiful...as always.

 

@AlabamaSpothunter: You're the best, Alex.

 

@hokiehunter373, you were right. You did a Babe Ruth-finger point at me!

 

 

 

 

2 hours ago, LrgmouthShad said:

Took me a while to catch up on all the fish caught, but y’all are getting bigguns. Especially our folks up North. Awesome! 

All us northerners stormed this thread with a vengeance once the water opened up ?

1 minute ago, Jar11591 said:

All us northerners stormed this thread with a vengeance once the water opened up ?

 

Found some good ones this weekend

7 minutes ago, Jar11591 said:

All us northerners stormed this thread with a vengeance once the water opened up ?

Yeah I’m not sure if ol crickety is aware but 5.5 as far north as she is a gigantor. A certified Nadine. 
 

Your fish was friggin awesome too. Keep whacking em on a spinner. I dunno that the spinner bite ever went away in NY for me

Had a few hour window before chores and errands today so I drove 45 minutes into the mountains to hit my favorite lake at sunrise. I was hopeful for the first topwater action of the year, but instead I found that the shallow timber jig bite is ON! My morning was anchored by this

5lb 2oz north country TOAD: 

 

I was pitching a 3/8oz Siebert brush jig in “Bama Craw”, with a Netbait Paca chunk trailer into super shallow wood and they were loving it. Every spring like clock work the the jig bite in shallow timber gets red

hot. 

Got a short fish on a spinnerbait, otherwise it was all about the jig. Great morning on the water. Rainbow trout were rising to insects EVERYWHERE around me which was really cool. I wish I had my fly rod because it probably would have been great practice throwing to these stupid stockers.

 

My 2023 bass season is off to excellent start, and way ahead of schedule compared to most years as far as water temps, pre spawn patterns and whatnot.  My thumbs are already shredded ?

 

1 minute ago, Jar11591 said:

Had a few hour window before chores and errands today so I drove 45 minutes into the mountains to hit my favorite lake at sunrise. I was hopeful for the first topwater action of the year, but instead I found that the shallow timber jig bite is ON! My morning was anchored by this

5lb 2oz north country TOAD: 

 

I was pitching a 3/8oz Siebert brush jig in “Bama Craw”, with a Netbait Paca chunk trailer into super shallow wood and they were loving it. Every spring like clock work the the jig bite in shallow timber gets red

hot. 

It was an excellent morning on the water. Rainbow trout were rising to insects EVERYWHERE around me which was really cool. I wish I had my fly rod because it probably would have been great practice throwing to these stupid stockers.

 

My 2023 bass season is off to excellent start, and way ahead of schedule compared to most years as far as water temps, pre spawn patterns and whatnot.  My thumbs are already shredded ?

 

And without letting us catch our breath, you post up another great trip. Awesome dude. Nevermind, I’ll shut up about the spinner ?

1 minute ago, LrgmouthShad said:

And without letting us catch our breath, you post up another great trip. Awesome dude. Nevermind, I’ll shut up about the spinner ?

Haha I was throwing it all over my deep structure spots and weed beds but other than a little guy they had no interest. All they wanted was the jig! Complete opposite of the other day. 

26 minutes ago, Jar11591 said:

 

5lb 2oz north country TOAD: 

 

Great morning on the water. Rainbow trout were rising to insects EVERYWHERE around me which was really cool. I wish I had my fly rod because it probably would have been great practice throwing to these stupid stockers.

 

My 2023 bass season is off to excellent start, and way ahead of schedule compared to most years as far as water temps, pre spawn patterns and whatnot.  My thumbs are already shredded ?

 

Great Bass ~ Nicely Done !

You're really on them early.

And just for reference, I'm hitting it again in the morning but

pretty sure I'll be casting in SNOW Flurries.

#nobugs

Congrats again

A-Jay

 

44 minutes ago, Jar11591 said:

All us northerners stormed this thread with a vengeance once the water opened up ?

And let's all keep that deal going for as LONG As Possible ! 

A-Jay

25 minutes ago, Jar11591 said:

Had a few hour window before chores and errands today so I drove 45 minutes into the mountains to hit my favorite lake at sunrise. I was hopeful for the first topwater action of the year, but instead I found that the shallow timber jig bite is ON! My morning was anchored by this

5lb 2oz north country TOAD: 

 

I was pitching a 3/8oz Siebert brush jig in “Bama Craw”, with a Netbait Paca chunk trailer into super shallow wood and they were loving it. Every spring like clock work the the jig bite in shallow timber gets red

hot. 

Got a short fish on a spinnerbait, otherwise it was all about the jig. Great morning on the water. Rainbow trout were rising to insects EVERYWHERE around me which was really cool. I wish I had my fly rod because it probably would have been great practice throwing to these stupid stockers.

 

My 2023 bass season is off to excellent start, and way ahead of schedule compared to most years as far as water temps, pre spawn patterns and whatnot.  My thumbs are already shredded ?

 

Way to go brother, excellent fish and excellent report!   

18 minutes ago, A-Jay said:

Great Bass ~ Nicely Done !

You're really on them early.

And just for reference, I'm hitting it again in the morning but

pretty sure I'll be casting in SNOW Flurries.

#nobugs

Congrats again

A-Jay

 

Thank you! It certainly has been a great start. This winter was long and torturous, as mild as it was, so I hit the water with a chip on my shoulder as soon as it ended. Hard to believe it’s still April. May all us northerners have a extended pre spawn! Hope you get back on em in the snow tomorrow. 

16 minutes ago, AlabamaSpothunter said:

Way to go brother, excellent fish and excellent report!   

Thank you! The topwater bite turned out to be a dud but I have no qualms with feeding them the jig when they want it! I knew it was coming soon! 

Pretty nasty out - temps dropping to the upper 40s with wind chills in the upper 30s, west wind 20+ mph gusting over 30, heavy cloud cover with light sprinkles every now and then - but the bass were chewing. Picked off 35, and the overall quality was above average for this location. It’s also the only lake I fish with water primrose, and a lot of the bass were hanging around the stuff. Here’s a few…

 

 

 

 

Outstanding!

 

6 hours ago, Choporoz said:

Found some good ones this weekend

Nice fish. Your dog sure looks happy in that second pic.

3 hours ago, Team9nine said:

Pretty nasty out - temps dropping to the upper 40s with wind chills in the upper 30s, west wind 20+ mph gusting over 30, heavy cloud cover with light sprinkles every now and then - but the bass were chewing. Picked off 35, and the overall quality was above average for this location. It’s also the only lake I fish with water primrose, and a lot of the bass were hanging around the stuff. Here’s a few…

 

 

 

 

 

35. From the shore. In nasty weather. You da man.

First 5lb+ of the year.  Shallow mud flat on a cold and rainy afternoon.  The spro chad shad is getting mauled.  Love the ability to twitch hard without it blowing out, drives them crazy.

 

scott

 

 

The plight of TX hill country rivers is population growth, compounded by our 3rd year of drought (only place that can flash flood and still be in drought).  Yesterday, Josh, Will and I had to drive 140 mi to find water, and we had a great trip, great exploring - even fish.  We explored the N. fork of the Llano, which I've never fished, and Josh said he's only made 3 trips this far over the last decade.  Since I came from the east, we drove separately, and met at the first crossing.  After the last two days flooding, we found chocolate water.   We fished the deep water here for 2 hours, all the gear worked great, but the fish weren't cooperating, compounded by N wind.  

Decided to take our exploration farther upriver, hoping to find less-turbid water - less chert in the run-off.  We loaded boats, drove 5 miles up a dirt road. crossed the river 5 times -- two of those on the wet flagstone - and found a wide spot in the flagstone where we could see the structure.  The sun was also breaking, and the fish turned on for us.  

This time it paid off.

My first cast, right after Josh said, "first fish gets a dollar"

Everyone caught fish here, we paddled as far as we could, and got out to explore farther.  A native cichlid here made Josh's day.  

With the long drive home, we were out of time and had to blast back at 1:30.  Josh didn't invite me until 7pm the night before, so I only had time to load - no time for provisions.  Good thing Josh brought IPAs and jalapeno-cheese sausage to share.
Great group and great time.  

A maiden voyage for my new truck. Got to use the 4WD, and the 10-sp transmission was a jewel climbing the divides on the interstate in cruise control.  

9 hours ago, softwateronly said:

First 5lb+ of the year.  Shallow mud flat on a cold and rainy afternoon.  The spro chad shad is getting mauled.  Love the ability to twitch hard without it blowing out, drives them crazy.

 

scott

 

 

GIB ME CHAD SHAD PLEASE!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

 

Very nice fish, been trying to get a Chad Shad for a couple months, Bass Pro and a few other retailers had them but they sold out super fast.    

16 minutes ago, bulldog1935 said:

The plight of TX hill country rivers is population growth, compounded by our 3rd year of drought (only place that can flash flood and still be in drought).  Yesterday, Josh, Will and I had to drive 140 mi to find water, and we had a great trip, great exploring - even fish.  We explored the N. fork of the Llano, which I've never fished, and Josh said he's only made 3 trips this far over the last decade.  Since I came from the east, we drove separately, and met at the first crossing.  After the last two days flooding, we found chocolate water.   We fished the deep water here here for 2 hours, all the gear worked great, but the fish weren't cooperating, compounded by N wind.  

Decided to take our exploration farther upriver, hoping to find less-turbid water - less chert in the run-off.  We loaded boats, drove 5 miles up a dirt road. crossed the river 5 times -- two of those on the wet flagstone - and found a wide spot in the flagstone where we could see the structure.  The sun was also breaking, and the fish turned on for us.  

This time it paid off.

My first cast, right after Josh said, "first fish gets a dollar"

Everyone caught fish here, we paddled as far as we could, and got out to explore farther.  A native cichlid here made Josh's day.  

With the long drive home, we were out of time and had to blast back at 1:30.  Josh didn't invite me until 7pm the night before, so I only had time to load - no time for provisions.  Good thing Josh brought IPAs and jalapeno-cheese sausage to share.
Great group and great time.  

A maiden voyage for my new truck. Got to use the 4WD, and the 10-sp transmission was a jewel climbing the divides on the interstate in cruise control.  

Great report, and fish.   Having fishing buddies is priceless.  

20 hours ago, AlabamaSpothunter said:

Great report, and fish.   Having fishing buddies is priceless.  

Thanks friend.  I know Josh was aiming his camera at me.  He owns TKF forum and hosts the redfish rodeo every fall.  But he has 5-m-o twins at home - after he posts his photos, maybe I'll add a couple.  

@bulldog1935: What a great trip report! I loved every detail and especially driving across the stream. I worry about Texas's drought, shared by Oklahoma, Kansas, and Nebraska. At least states to the west and northwest got some relief. Here's hoping you do too soon. 

@ol'crickety I've been on my soapbox for 20 years about desalination for public water supply - needed 20 years ago.  

In the last census, 20% of the US population growth was in the TX hill country.  

All our rivers are sourced right here, and sprawl of Austin and San Antonio is right into those watersheds.  We get golf courses, a sea of rooftops, and fertilizer run-off at the expense of our rivers.  

1 hour ago, bulldog1935 said:

The plight of TX hill country rivers is population growth, compounded by our 3rd year of drought (only place that can flash flood and still be in drought).  Yesterday, Josh, Will and I had to drive 140 mi to find water, and we had a great trip, great exploring - even fish.  We explored the N. fork of the Llano, which I've never fished, and Josh said he's only made 3 trips this far over the last decade.  Since I came from the east, we drove separately, and met at the first crossing.  After the last two days flooding, we found chocolate water.   We fished the deep water here here for 2 hours, all the gear worked great, but the fish weren't cooperating, compounded by N wind.  

Decided to take our exploration farther upriver, hoping to find less-turbid water - less chert in the run-off.  We loaded boats, drove 5 miles up a dirt road. crossed the river 5 times -- two of those on the wet flagstone - and found a wide spot in the flagstone where we could see the structure.  The sun was also breaking, and the fish turned on for us.  

This time it paid off.

My first cast, right after Josh said, "first fish gets a dollar"

Everyone caught fish here, we paddled as far as we could, and got out to explore farther.  A native cichlid here made Josh's day.  

With the long drive home, we were out of time and had to blast back at 1:30.  Josh didn't invite me until 7pm the night before, so I only had time to load - no time for provisions.  Good thing Josh brought IPAs and jalapeno-cheese sausage to share.
Great group and great time.  

A maiden voyage for my new truck. Got to use the 4WD, and the 10-sp transmission was a jewel climbing the divides on the interstate in cruise control.  

Cool trip, love those fast kayaks 

3 hours ago, TnRiver46 said:

Cool trip, love those fast kayaks 

The 10' Redfish was my daughter's boat - now she's grown and off to med school, so it's my river boat. A lot easier to haul and spin in rivers compared to my 16' coast tarpon.  It also tracks well, is fast even with my weight, low and wind-slippery.  

I solved windcock in coast wind for her by adding a skeg.  The skeg was a champ yesterday, letting me drift the wind without the boat nosing into the wind.  

This was years ago on our local no-motors reservoir, Boerne City Lake.  

@bulldog1935, you clearly know and love boats. I used to write a column for Canoe & Kayak magazine called, "Rides," where paddlers would explain why they loved a particular boat.

 

I've never heard the term, "wind-slippery," but I love it. My Bell Rockstar solo canoe is like a semi on the prairie, with the wind battering its high sides. On windy days, my paddle is in my hands more than a rod. 

 

However, I don't want to switch to a sit-on-top kayak because my Rockstar is light enough for my 66-year old muscles to still carry. I suppose a kayak with wheels would work, but how would I lift it onto the car? I suppose a trailer might work, but would it survive the logging roads I use? Everything is a compromise.