Spring Break Bassin

During Spring Break most people are hitting the beaches while I'm searching the shallow water for any sign of the spawn. With the weather being very inconsistent here in Texas and figuring it was still a few weeks away before the beds are inhabited. I paddled around on the SUP to get a better view from a standing position while throwing poppers and Cajun cheerleaders to the nearby flats.

 

 

It didn't take long to figure out that the bass were not shallow so it was time to move to the deeper trees and toss a crawfish imitation fly into the brushy depths.

 



With no success in the deeper water, tactics were changed again and I started fishing the outer edges of the grass and its drop offs. This was the pattern that I was hoping to find as buck bass were caught followed by some fat females that were bulging with eggs.

With the wind picking up I paddled to a cove and took a quick lunch break and a stretch it was time to get back at it.

 

 

With the weather warming up I was looking forward to some larger females moving up to the break line. I wasn't disappointed as the first one was lifted from the water for a picture.

 

 

 

After catching a few more it was time to paddle in and get out of the wind.

 

 

 





First Fly Tournament

Driving towards Port Aransas had my attention filled with how I was going to be able to compete in a fly fishing tournament for redfish when I have a big zero on this species to date. If it wasn't benefiting a good cause (Casting For Recovery) I am not sure I would have fished the Lydia Ann Fly Masters tournament to begin with.

Arriving at Tarpon Shores Marina I was greeted with a strong gusting wind and high water as I waited to pay my entry fee. After talking to a few fisherman coming off the water and finding out that the fishing had been tough actually made me feel better. I tend to compete better under tough conditions because to me it levels the field. After dinner and checking into the hotel, I proceeded to get my gear sorted and tied on some new leaders for the next day. 4am was going to come soon so I hit the sack.

Having only fished this area twice before I had settled on fishing the Light House Lakes section. With its narrow trails and hidden lakes I figured the wind wouldn't bother me as much so I took my SUPerFISHal in order to navigate the area while standing and be able to see more fish.

Paddling to the back of the lakes and entering the trails, it didn't take long to start seeing reds cruising around. I was amazed at how many would come up to the fly and then turn away without inhaling it. Pretty frustrating but that's why they call it fishing.

A good effort was given and although the results weren't good it was still fun to do. The weigh in showed proof to how tough of a day it was with a lot of skilled saltwater fisherman drawing blanks as well. Listening to conversations made me feel better about my approach as many people saw and casted to fish with the same results that I had throughout the day.

This was only the third time to use the hybrid paddleboard but it wont be the last. Really enjoyed the ability to stand and cast to the fish that were easier to see because of this. It's not the fastest but it is very stable and a great platform to fly fish from. For the long paddles I just take a seat from my kayak and lay it on the deck to sit on while paddling. When the destination is reached, it is just put behind the cooler to clear the deck area for standing and poling around.

The cooler I use on it is a K2 Cube. At 30 quarts it makes a great seat to rest on and a good poling platform. It also left me with a cold drink after three days of one bag of ice in 100 plus degree weather.
Hopefully the tournament is offered again next year, i'll be back.

Red Quest

Determined to catch Redfish on a fly rod this year. I set out to meet three friends along the Texas coast for a weekend of fishing. A cold front had passed through the area on Thursday and had the water a little off color from the rain and high winds.

We arrived Saturday and unloaded gear then prepped for an afternoon launch. Launching the kayaks we were met with strong winds and low waters.

Using the afternoon to explore and fish, we came across some reds in the low water but they were spooked. Seeing one cruising to my right, I laid a cast with a shrimp clouser in front of it's path and patiently waited as it approached. When it came close to the fly I made a short hop and started stripping it in only to have the red boil on it but missed hooking up. This would be the best chance that I had for the rest of the day due to the setting sun.

After a night of good food and laughs, we woke up to a wicked wind and decided to wait awhile before hitting the launch.

The wind finally died down (some) so we headed out to continue the search. The water was still low so we made the most of it by catching some small crabs and rigging them up and testing out the channel. This proved to provide some action as we managed to bring in a few fish.

I took my SUPerFISHal out the next morning and paddled the flats searching for reds. Saw a few but no takers but I did run across quite a few rays which put a reminder to slide my feet when wading.

Always a great time hanging out with friends, no matter what the fishing is like. I will catch a redfish on the fly soon.

A Day Of Firsts

Sunday was a day of firsts for me. Not only did I catch my first Largrmouth bass of 2013, but it was caught on a new LOOP fly rod and reel.

It was the first time for me to fish with a Cajun Cheerleader fly from DragonFly Angler Flies. The fly is designed to mimic a crayfish with it's moving arms and slow sink rate makes it a great fly for bass as well as trout.

This was the first time for me to fish on the new SUPerFISHal from Jackson Kayaks. A standup paddleboard that was designed with fishing in mind.

The wind was blowing hard as the SUP was slid into the water and I climbed aboard. Stable is an understatement, not once during the day did I feel uncomfortable or tippy. Sitting atop my K2 cooler to rest during the day was a breeze and I was able to sit on it and paddle when I felt like it.

Can't wait to get this SUP out on the flats and chase some redfish with it.

Here is a short video of the bass that bit the fly.


3-3-13 Guad from Robert Matthews on Vimeo.

SUPerFISHal

Had the chance to play around with a paddle board during the summer that I was doing a review on and found out that it was different but fun. During the winter, money was saved and a Jackson Kayak SUPerFISHal was ordered. Wednesday after work I drove to the dealer and picked up my new SUP.

As I headed back out of town, thoughts ran through my head of how this SUP should be rigged out. Upon arriving back home this afternoon I went ahead and added the two rod holders that come with it onto their Ram mounts and placed the K2 Cooler into the position it should be.

A few tie down straps will have to be added to keep the cooler more secure and I might add a drag chain to slow or stop the SUP when I need to. Guess a new SUP paddle will need to be saved for now.

I'll do a review on it as soon as some time is spent on the water fly fishing from it.