Submitter 12/31/06

December was a fairly busy month for us: 18 trips with paying clients and another 6-8 trips working with Don Willis and Steve P. scouting possible new parts of the lakes kept us hopping. Most trips have been on Garcia as it made far more sense to take people where they could fish because of the windy conditions that we experienced down here throughout the month.

The fishing for the month could only be called fair with an average of probably 18-25 fish being put in the boat. We have yet to see what I would consider a strong bite on either lake.

The other day Steve P. helped out with some clients because we have one boat down right now. He did an outstanding job with his knowledge of Garcia and the boat placed 21 bass in the boat. Thanks Steve: really appreciate the assist and the expertise.

The 31st found us working on the Marsh and even though the wind howled we managed to place about 15 bass in the boat. Most of the fish came on white spinner baits with nickel willow blade, however a few came on Senkos. It was a day of drifting with wind socks for a good part of the time. Fish were found in the back lot, in the south end of the Marsh, and in the NE of the Farm. We weren't able to do much in the south end of the Farm due to the ESE winds that blew.

Thanks all for a fantastic 2006. Scott and I appreciated your company and your patronage and look forward to fishing with you this year of 2007. Starting out the year I have most of January booked, but I do have a few openings left. Give us a call and let's go fishing for the big one.

See you on the water: say hi if you happen by.

 

Submitted 12/10/2006: George

The first week of December has come and gone with one common event throughout this land of sunshine and big fish: the wind has howled for the entire week.

Monday I had Daniel and Sheila from Barcelona, Spain. On holiday, there were scheduled for two days of fishing. We opted to use the protection of the grass lines that can be found on Ansin/Garcia for day one. Between the use of wind socks, and hiding behind grass we managed a full day with 30 something bass finding their way to the boat. Using the common language of fishing and various hand signals we were able to communicate and have a fantastic day on the water. I speak no Spanish at all and they spoke no English but we had a great time and actually chatted most of the day.

Wednesday the wind had dropped a bit, so for day two of Daniel and Shelia's trip we headed out to the Marsh to see what we could find. However, the winds of the previous week had turned most of the Marsh's water into very clouded conditions and finding players was just a bit difficult. We managed to find fish but the bites were really scattered. The wind picked up by mid-day so for the balance of the day we plied the wood of the back lot. Spinner baits and Senkos were the producers for both days.

Thursday the weather prediction was for a nice AM with the afternoon winds picking up to 20-25 knots. Steve Allen was scheduled of a 1/2 day afternoon but we moved the trip to the morning hours. With Wednesday's results, Steve made the call to see Garcia. At the north end of the 512 ditch my two year old power head in the Mercury 200 E.F.I. bit the dust. Since we were just about where we would be fishing we continued on with the trolling motor and had a very successful day of fishing. A phone call to Mr. Don Willis was all it took to make the trip back to the ramp easier. Don set aside what he was doing and came to the rescue, taking Steve back to the ramp and then returning to tow me back.

All in all it has been an adventurous week, picking up a bit of the Spanish language, having my motor blow up, and catching some respectable fish.

As is the case with most waters down here, the spinner bait and Senko proved themselves to be producers.

I did get a report from a very reliable source that the Farm 13 side produced some good numbers last Saturday. Large shad busts were taking place out in open waters, so keep your eyes open when you are out there.

See you on the water.

 

Submitted 12/14/06: George

A fishing guide's job entails far more than the hours spent with a client seeking that unique fishing experience. The days start early and are long, with boat preparation, maintenance, and accounting all part of the daily ritual. However, it's all part and parcel of what makes this avocation a truly enjoyable one.

One part of this job is the ever present need to explore the waters to keep up with fish movement, and discover new productive areas. When doing this it is good to have extra hands on board so as to cover more water. Yesterday was one such day as two really good fishermen joined me for a day of exploring the waters of Ansin/Garcia. Known to most of you as Don (World's Worst Fisherman), and Steve P., it was bound to be a day of lively banter as we ventured forth at daybreak.

Our first stop was in one of the north/central impoundments. Although we cast several baits throughout the area, we didn't find one cooperating bass. After an hour or so of this non-productive angling, it was off to check other spots.

Heading up the Zig/Zag canal sounded like a good idea. We stopped at the west bend and proceeded north, working the shelf on the west side of the canal. We hadn't gone far when the loud roar of an irrigation pump could be heard. It was music to our ears, because when the pump runs, as everyone knows, the current calls the bass. Heading further north to the pump took but a few moments, and the first few bass fell to Senkos, jerk baits, and small crank baits.

As most know when presented with such conditions, the C-rig is extremely productive. The first cast produced a good fish for Steve P.

The only problem that we found is that the bass in the area all seemed to be close if not exactly the same in size. It's tough when you get stuck dealing with 4.5 pound bass.

Senkos were the main producing bait but an occasional crank bait also produced.

Positioning the boat to find the right area of the current to produce the most fish is very important. After trying four different presentation angles we settled on the first that we had tried. The bite wasn't the (every cast bite), like the spillway in the Farm 13 produces, but it was active enough to keep us in the area until the man came and shut down the pump.

 

We headed back out into the main lake and finished out he day working one of the northern impoundments. Throughout the day the main producer was the Senko, whether worked as a T-rig, weightless, or Carolina rigged. Top water didn't do much, although the first fish of the day did come on a frog.

Water levels are low and sinking, however the forecast for the next couple of days is calling for rain which hopefully will bring levels up a bit. Getting around is not a problem, just use common sense. If you have to cross a levee that is separating the impounds idle as the water is extremely shallow on the levees. We ran aground crossing from one area to the other, and if we had been going fast we might still be out there trying to get un-stuck.

We boated 45 bass and missed a few, which made for a fantastic day out there. See you on the water. Stop and say hi if you get the chance.