3-2-16 Looking for Position Forcasting the Weather

[Bill Babler]

At this point I'm thinking the only job that I might remotely qualify for is a meteorologist.  I could be wrong 90% of the time and still keep my job.  Or. I could become a professional Hand Grenade thrower as in that profession, close is good enough.  Fair Warning Here " There are no take backs if you book a guide trip in the next week, cause you pretty much know I'm sucking bad."

Carl and Ethan can vouch for my worthlessness as we launched the Texas boys out of Baxter this morning at 8 AM.  Air temp at the kickoff was 31 freezing degree,  Pete told me at his house this morning it was 27.  Surface temp at the ramp was 44.1  It seems to be backing up.  Water in Big and Little Indian is pretty stained.  The further up either creek you go the worse it gets.  The Texas boys thought it was so clear they could drink it.  Both thought it would be great crankbaitin.  Not to disappoint or be a frozen blanket, I tied on a couple of warts about the same color as Steve Mcbasser is throwing and the Texas crew went to flinging.  They could cast way better than I could guide and I thought we worked over both Big and Little, long enough with zero bites.

Blew out of the stained water and headed for Campbell point.  Hit mostly bluffends and transitions with a stick bait to Big Creek, and then worked the mouth area with the cranker again.  Big Creek is really clearing fast, but alas we got no love, and before you know it, we are 3 1/2 hours into a 6 hr. trip with nary a nip.

Keep this in mind, I am so blessed that I have never skunked in 24 yrs. on the Rock while guiding.  If this had of been a 4 hr. trip, I would have be sweating freezing bullets.  Was anyway as I just did not have a clue.

Only one thing left to do as the wind started pretty heavy and that was switch to the cheater.  Neither one of the boys had ever had the pleasure of slinging the A-rig, but were more than ready to try.  Stopped on a nice 45 chunk up by Campbell and handed them the Falcon Super Duty with the Lew's Super Duty and away they flew, both casting it a mile with the wind at their backs.  For Pete's Sake, I hear Carl who is in the very back give a big "Wooo Hooo!" At this point I was believing that he was probably hung up, but low and behold he cranks in a very nice LM, probably close to 3 pounds.  Couple of throws later, Ethan hauls back and at the same time I here the familiar Wooo Hooo from the back and the "Sky is Falling, we have a freekin double."  2 more chunk city K's. and I have all of a sudden went from Zero to Hero.  It is kind of funny as these guys were talking about catching double digit size LM in Texas but the smiles on their faces with 2.5 pound K's was incredible.  Another couple of cast, and "Slap my Face both boys were hooked up again with another double.   Again, both were twin K's of the keeper variety.  This is a really short stretch so they only had a couple more throws on it each.  Just about to the point Carl again leans back on the Falcon Cara and another healthy Spot comes to the boat.  I pull the trolling motor and idle back to give the stretch another try and first cast out Ethan catches a LM that is about 18" It is skinny, and has some sores on it, but it is for sure a number.  We fish almost to the end and Carl again leans back and this time he catches the  only short fish of the day a fat as a donut 14" K. 

I had spoken to James at 11:30 with zero.  It was now 12:00 and we had 8.  Could it be the tide was turning.  Naha, we did not boat another fish in the remaining 2 hrs.   Just brutal.  I spoke to Pete Wenners a minute ago and he said it was beyond horrible for him today as he was practicing for a derby this weekend.  He went close to 3 hrs. this morning without a bite also.

Dying shad everywhere and as many gulls as I have ever seen from Baxter to Big Creek.  Warmest water was at the mouth of the Kings at 49 degree when we started our run back to Baxter.  The A-rig fish were on the bottom just as they have been for me only deep, I'm guessing 20 plus.  Kind of funny, I fished Jack the other day on this same location, and we skunked on it.  The fish were there and gone.  I hit it 3 times and only had them the first trip and a half.  Maybe something better tomorrow.

Good Luck, and look for me a new job.  This one has become way to difficult.

 

[Ketchup]

Good read Bill. Im sure them boys had a blast with those rod jerkin K's.  On a side note, i heard Hillary may need a new driver on her mid-west tour. 

[Quillback]

Good save, and you are right, it is tough out there.

[Bill Babler]

I'd cart Sarah Palin around free of charge.  She's a looker.  Hillary is going to have to drive herself. 

My gosh Jeff, if anyone caught any numbers today, I would love to hear about it.  On a side note, I did hear a pretty good white bass story, but I'm sworn to secrecy.

[dtrs5kprs]

33 minutes ago, Bill Babler said:

I'd cart Sarah Palin around free of charge.  She's a looker.  Hillary is going to have to drive herself. 

My gosh Jeff, if anyone caught any numbers today, I would love to hear about it.  On a side note, I did hear a pretty good white bass story, but I'm sworn to secrecy.

That'll make a man forgive that Tiger gear.

This is why March is one of my least favorite months on TR. Everybody is excited to get out, and if you hit it right it can be super. Lot of the time it is just spotty though. Little bunches of fish and an inconsistent bite. 

[Bill Babler]

I just got off the phone singing my woes to Buster.  He said he has always hated Table Rock in March.  Said he just will not fish it.  Of course he is always on Bull chasing walleye, at this time.

But that being said someone always catches them, always.  Bigmo did it at the mouth of the Kings.  I fished up there today but did not blade.  There is a pattern that has been in focus for the past couple of weeks.  if you find fish on any stretch, you better hang in there.  they are very few and far between.  Similar banks don't seem to work and why they are where they are and not on the identical thing is puzzling, but it happens in March every year.  Catch them where they are.

[dtrs5kprs]

Yep. Typical March hateful behavior.

[willyfish]

Well you just answered my shad kill question? I would think that's a big part of the problem. I wouldn't hate on March to much fellas, just need that water to click up a few degrees.

[m&m]

Bill, another great read.  Flexibility appears to be the key for March. Thank you

Mike

[Champ188]

March is a good month for an old junk fisherman who isn't smart enough to put together a real pattern. One here on this, another here on that ... etc.