Texas TR - July 2009

[72Twenty]

Ok, I'm finally getting around to it... my Texas TR!

Edit: Music...





So, last month I headed down to Texas (San Antonio) for a work thing. I was able to get there two days early to do a little fishing with an old high school buddy. Day one was in the salt down in the Corpus Christi area; day two was some bass fishing on Lake Medena outside of San Antonio.

It was hot. I mean REALLY hot.

I didn't catch a damn thing either, but still had fun and I feel like I learned quite a bit. I was a bit out of my element, but I can't wait to get back to the salt.

I did see a redfish tailing in about a foot of water in Baffin Bay. It was probably one of the coolest things I have ever seen while fishing. I just sat and watched it for a while, amazed at the natural beauty. I finally got a cast far enough to get my clouser in front of it and it was ignored. I switched to a shrimp pattern and waded closer, casting right on top of it and he took off. That was really about the only chance I had for a red. I fished all day and worked on my casting with the 9wt and big flies.

We were also dealing with high winds, which didn't make things any easier. My friend and a friend of his both used spinning rods and I think they each caught two small fish all day. I guess the fishing just wasn't "on" that day. Or so I'm told.

Sunrise on Corpus Christi Bay while heading out in the skiff:







It simply baffles me how shallow these bays are for miles. We pull up to a spot (at low tide, granted) and drop anchor and he says "ok, jump out!" I'm like.... "uhh.... we are like way out from shore...." but sure enough, it's about 3 to 4 feet deep.

The two Texans throwing spinning gear while I am still deciding on a fly...




Fishing off a private island. I saw the redfish right up on that shoreline...


The two Texans wading way off the next dock. I decided to stay up in the shallows and a bit out of the wind trying to find redfish


looking back at the boat


my buddy




Me trying to look like I know what I'm doing. After fishing I went in to the Bass Pro Shops in SA and bought a REAL Buff.


continued...

[72Twenty]

My buddy finally catches a small red. This was after about 6 hours of fishing.





Wind really picking up







heading back to San Antonio... goodbye Gulf... for now... I shall return!


Classic Texas:


my immature sense of humor:


The next morning, getting on the lake before sunrise, because by like 8am it is already about 100 degrees out there...




Bass boat.


My friend only picked up two, and once again I was skunked on the fly rod.

He was using the 'ol rubber worms




I did get a couple strikes, but nothing materialized.



the lake was about 40 feet below normal. Texas is in a serious drought right now





My gear felt a bit out of place on the bubba bass boat







continued...

[72Twenty]

It was a great two days being outside, even though I didn't catch any fish.

Then it was on to the work gig. I did get to do a little sight seeing on my own though.

View of downtown San Antonio and the Riverwalk from my hotel room:







On the grounds of The Alamo




The Alamo












Expensive carp behind the Alamo










Alamo again




Everywhere you go, you are reminded of where you are...










It is pretty amazing what happened here...










thuh end, y'all.

[G. Gordon Liddy]

Nice! thanks for the TX update. I hear SA is a pretty cool town. Too bad they have the Spurs as their home team.

[schwerty]

Thanks for sharing the TX experience, 72! SA looks like a beautiful town. At least the part you posted up.

[72Twenty]

Thanks for sharing the TX experience, 72! SA looks like a beautiful town. At least the part you posted up.

It actually is. The downtown area is very friendly too, anytime of day/night. If you are ever in that area, it is worth a stop. And you can take your beer with you on the riverwalk. (I drank alot of beer that trip)

[72Twenty]

a few more photos I had on my Blackberry (crappy quality)

On the Riverwalk




Where I would enjoy my morning coffee for a few days


I did A LOT of this:


Entrance to Bass Pro Shops. HOLY HELL this place is HUGE.


This stuff is good...

[Hook]

What? no music?

Nice work J. Sight fishing in salt water is addictive.

You have motivated me to get off my duff and post up some pics.

[72Twenty]

What? no music?

Nice work J. Sight fishing in salt water is addictive.

You have motivated me to get off my duff and post up some pics.

Song added.

[mushmouth]

That was a well crafted TR, thank you!

now, be honest, did the thought of stepping rays impact where and how you fished? That's the first thing i thought of when I saw the picture of the two Texans way out and you deciding to hang back to spot some reds by the shore.
I know that's where I'd be!

You have motivated me to get off my duff and post up some pics.

[72Twenty]

That was a well crafted TR, thank you!

now, be honest, did the thought of stepping rays impact where and how you fished? That's the first thing i thought of when I saw the picture of the two Texans way out and you deciding to hang back to spot some reds by the shore.
I know that's where I'd be!

HA!!!!! YES, IT TOTALLY DID!!!!

In fact, the guy we were with (friend of my friend and the skiff owner) said he saw one swim away out where he was. It was muddy and I was having a hard enough time, so I played it safe and stayed closer to the boat, mainly so that I didn't have to cover as much ground to get back. At our second stop, I went much further because it was more of a sandy bottom and I could see my feet (not mud/grass). I still did the shuffle thing, but was much more comfortable with the idea.

[Lone Star]