What a WEEK!!!!!!!!!!!

12/14/06

Sorry for the late report but had to take some time to handle a number of White Tail Hunters. Explain: how can a Big Trout Manic sit in a deer stand knowing the big trout or on the move, and not just go BONKERS?

Prior to last Wed. we have been on the water rain, actual sleet and cold chasing the BIG GIRLS. When it's on it's ON!!!

Stats for last week before I left to go hunting:

Dec. 6 Capt. Bruce W. Shuler 31 ¾" almost 11#

Dec.9 Mitch Richmond 29 ½" 8#

Dec. 12 Capt. Ted Springer 30" 9#

Dec. 14 Capt. Ted Springer 29 ½" 9#

Photos will be posted on photo page of web site today.

After my big girl on the 6th My good friend Mitch Richmond came down on Friday night, we both knew the weather was going to be &%*&^% (Only way to describe it!) Sat. morning we left the dock 44* light rain and yes sleet with a north wind blowing 15 to 20 MPH. Just plain horrible weather. Well 10 minutes into our first wade I'm catching upper slot reds and griping!!!!! There were times this year I would have welcomed those fish but I knew we were in big trout and looked at the reds as a nuisance. SHAME ON ME! Well you guessed it Mitch sets the hook and the battle was on, we knew immediately it was a good fish. I started to him and watched him as he got the boga grip on her lip. She was over 29" and dropped the scale past the 8# mark. At that point Mitch says ("Boy I am sure glad it's not cold!") Actually it was about 45* and sleeting. Not your typical South Texas Weather. He caught the fish on a suspending bait fished SLOWWWWWWWW! I wish I could say we caught other big girls that day but it just didn't happen. We did catch a number of upper slot reds and keeper trout, but this was a C&R trip.

On the 12th Poppy (CAPT. Ted Springer) joined us. Again all I could catch were upper slot reds and smaller trout. Then in Poppy's normal manner he hollers "WELL SHAI______T and is hooked up on a big girl. Well this one is 30" and over 9#, after a few choice words and pictures he releases her. Again on suspending bait fished SLOWWWWWW.

The next day I had to leave as I had hunters coming in. I can assure you I was not trilled at looking for White Tails. I had BIG TROUT on my mind. Thursday just before going back into the woods Poppy calls to inform me or should I say BUST MY CHOPES, hey I got another one 29 1/2" 9# plus again. What could I say but Atta Boy.

I still have 4 hunters to handle this week but I can assure you we will be on the water everyday Momma Getaway will let me with Christmas and all.

As a report, I know not everyone likes to grind the way we do but if you do the rewards can be excellent. If I can give you any advice for these larger fish it would be 3 items. Shallow water (Dark Bottoms) with deep water access near. Suspending baits fished SLOWWWW I can't express when I say slow how I mean REALLY SLOW. You have to be on the water no matter what the weather conditions are.

Yes we have bagged some nice white tail so far. As of the 18 Th one Main Frame 12 with 2 stickers with a gross score mid 150's

Hopefully I can get another report before Christmas ,if not we all here at Getaway Adventures Lodge wish you and your families a Merry Christmas, and Happy New Year.

Fish Species: Speckled Trout and Red Fish
Bait Used: Suspending jeck bait
Tackle Used:
Method Used:
Water Depth: 2 foot
Water Temperature: 50
Wind Direction: north
Wind Speed: 10MPH

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About The Author: Captain Bruce W. Shuler

Company: Get-A-Way Adventures Lodge

Area Reporting: Lower Laguna Madre and Gulf of Mexico

Bio: Native of Houston, Texas and has spent his entire life dedicated to the outdoors. He along with his wife of 38 years, Shirley, own and operate Get-A-Way Adventures Lodge in Port Mansfield, Texas. Coming from an outdoors family he spent his youth fishing the Lower Laguna Madre out of The Arroyo Colorado, hunting deer and migratory birds around Texas. Due to a passion for fishing artificial bait spent twenty years fishing for Bass semi professionally. After making a return trip twenty years ago to the Lower Laguna Madre, made the decision to convert back to saltwater fishing. Graduated in 1997 from Maritime Academy with a Masters 50-Ton Coast Guard Capts. License, and is a Full Time Professional Fishing and Hunting Guide. As owner, operator of Get-A-Way Adventures Lodge, his additional duties include guiding, inshore, offshore, deer and dove hunters. Being on the water in excess of 300 days per year he feels as well as the staff guides from G.A.W.A.l. they maintain an acute awareness of fishing conditions and the health of the Lower Laguna Madre. Every guest on arrival at the Lodge receives a short conservation and environmental message. He and his operation have been featured in many National T. V. Shows and prominent magazines. Most are proudly displayed on his web site.

956-944-4000
Click Here For Past Fishing Reports by Captain Bruce W. Shuler