Nueces River spring trip #6 - Starts now - Page 2 - TexasBowhunter.com Community Discussion Forums

Snowflake Killa · 03-18-2023, 08:06 AM

Great fish

Sent from my SM-N986U using Tapatalk

RiverRat1 · 03-18-2023, 07:22 PM

No pictures because we were cold and in hurry but we had on 5 blues between 3-6 pounds and one 22 pound flathead.

Only ran the lines one time since it was raining most of the day. Only have out 6 good baits. Still getting caught up on work around the house.

We have a good game plan for this next week though and hope to land some big ones!

SaltwaterSlick · 03-18-2023, 08:29 PM

Man, it just seems like the more miserable the weather is, the better those dang fish bite whether hand fishing (Rod n Reel), or fishing trotlines or jugs... Sounds like a fun trip so far! Y'all jus' gettin' started!!

fish4food · 03-19-2023, 02:43 AM

Awesome job Fellas!

thebowhunters · 03-19-2023, 05:07 PM

Tim I know you’ll find the bait now with all the fresh water and the warmer temperatures coming on. Good luck man I wish I was there to catch you some 14 inch shad. Good luck

Hunting4fun · 03-20-2023, 02:36 PM

Good run this morning. Only 2 fish but both good ones. This blue and a 24 lb flathead.

Sent from my LE2127 using Tapatalk

Mitchell8 · 03-20-2023, 02:48 PM

Nice cats

Hunting4fun · 03-20-2023, 08:40 PM

Not going to pull any punches. This supper was one of the best and freshest I've had. Deep fried catfish, tots and boudin balls. Most of us have never eaten boudin but that's about to change.

Sent from my LE2127 using Tapatalk

bsills · 03-20-2023, 09:03 PM

What baits do you catch the yellow cats with? I had heard they only ate live fish, perch etc.

RiverRat1 · 03-20-2023, 09:13 PM

Actually caught the first yellow on cut buffalo. Maybe another when we put on 10 small shad through the eyes on one hook. But most with live 10-14" buffalo or gasper goo.

The fishing feels like fishing in May right now. Super weird. But all good as long as we're catching a good one each day.

Just caught and released a 70" gar with girth of 28" Sucker was a beast.

Canoe1 · 03-20-2023, 09:22 PM

Wish I could make it out for a day or two, but doesn’t look like I’ll get a chance to this year.

Hunting4fun · 03-20-2023, 09:22 PM

Some pics of tonight's gar. Getting these big ones in the boat is harder than most people think.

Sent from my LE2127 using Tapatalk

Chew · 03-20-2023, 09:53 PM

This is awesome. Keep em coming.

Team Little Debbie Pro Staff

Killer · 03-20-2023, 10:02 PM

What’s an estimate on the gar’s weight? 120 130lbs?
That’s a big fish!

GarGuy · 03-20-2023, 10:57 PM

You need to go ahead and make a hoop to land gar with. Super easy. Go to any bigger store and buy a 15ft laminated dog tie out cable with snaps on each end. Cut it in half and you have two perfect gar landers. You can tie it to a handle or use as is. Just go around the gar at the gills an snap the cable back onto its self . Pull forward an it will tighten up and catch his gill plates. Pull him right in. Two people can pull if needed.

Duckologist · 03-21-2023, 06:59 AM

We landed a few

Sent from my SM-G892A using Tapatalk

rut-ro · 03-21-2023, 07:03 AM

Awesome trip. Love the big flats

Quackerbox · 03-21-2023, 07:23 AM

The deck of that red boat gives me anxiety.

oneeye · 03-21-2023, 12:27 PM

Starting to get ready for the trip down! Leaving early Friday morning & really looking forward to getting out of the snow and cold.

RiverRat1 · 03-21-2023, 12:56 PM

Caught another gar 50-60 pounds But that was it today.

Going out after a rest to catch bait. Zero good bait found this morning.

zztex · 03-21-2023, 03:51 PM

Good luck Tim!

RiverRat1 · 03-22-2023, 02:59 PM

Well we threw nets for miles today. Didnt get much but at least will have cut buffalo for tonight.

No one can find the white bass. they're either back in the lake or far up river. Neither makes sense for this time of year.

Things will change before Oneeye gets here. Either way we will give them hell trying!

Radar · 03-22-2023, 04:42 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by RiverRat1

Well we threw nets for miles today. Didnt get much but at least will have cut buffalo for tonight.

No one can find the white bass. they're either back in the lake or far up river. Neither makes sense for this time of year.

Things will change before Oneeye gets here. Either way we will give them hell trying!

Did you go up to the 59 bridge and throw a net by the concrete pillars?

SaltwaterSlick · 03-22-2023, 05:57 PM

Tim, you got any perch traps? We used to use clover-leaf traps and regular old white bread... If a school of shad happens by, they will literally fill up a trap, otherwise, you can catch plenty of sunfish, bream, goggle-eye and similar about 3 fingers size in 'em...

Hunting4fun · 03-22-2023, 07:18 PM

Yeah, we have a little bit of cut bait now. Prefer all big live baits but this will work. Lol

Sent from my LE2127 using Tapatalk

Gumbo Man · 03-22-2023, 07:20 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Hunting4fun

Yeah, we have a little bit of cut bait now. Prefer all big live baits but this will work. Lol

Sent from my LE2127 using Tapatalk

Wow that’s a big gun. Gonna see some big blues now I’m sure.

GarGuy · 03-22-2023, 07:42 PM

Blues love carp. Much better than Buffalo. Gar like it too.

oneeye · 03-24-2023, 06:07 AM

Headed south - 1475 miles to go!

It's 3° here this morning. I sure won't be missing that for the next couple of weeks!

SaltwaterSlick · 03-24-2023, 07:39 AM

Dangitman, be careful drivin'!!

RiverRat1 · 03-24-2023, 07:41 AM

Will be 90 here today so a tad warmer.

Had a monster gar break a 16/0 hook yesterday. Thought the tree had plenty of give. Gar slime was about 6' up the line.

SaltwaterSlick · 03-24-2023, 08:03 AM

Tim, you ever tried tying an old inner-tube in the line as a shock check? I bet it would work. We used to do that for the rope/hook set up we used offshore to hook onto the rigs... kept the boat from hard checking against the end of the rope when the water was a bit rough...

Duckologist · 03-24-2023, 08:21 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by SaltwaterSlick

Tim, you ever tried tying an old inner-tube in the line as a shock check? I bet it would work. We used to do that for the rope/hook set up we used offshore to hook onto the rigs... kept the boat from hard checking against the end of the rope when the water was a bit rough...

We would tie in a rubber bungie on our stump line sets for flatheads

Sent from my SM-G892A using Tapatalk

rut-ro · 03-24-2023, 09:05 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by SaltwaterSlick

Tim, you ever tried tying an old inner-tube in the line as a shock check? I bet it would work. We used to do that for the rope/hook set up we used offshore to hook onto the rigs... kept the boat from hard checking against the end of the rope when the water was a bit rough...

Thats what my dad use3d when we ran them on the Colorado many years ago. He would always have old bike tubes laying around.

BangBang · 03-24-2023, 09:56 AM

Tim, you need a strong back to throw a castnet for ya? Im off for the next week or so and can throw a net like no other. I don't even need a place to stay, I'm only about an hr away.

RiverRat1 · 03-24-2023, 09:46 PM

The trees we tie to have a good bit of stretch. We tie way back but wrap the line around limbs all the way out.

I know the tube trick when tying to stumps. But I just think these 200-300# gar are just nearly unstoppable when first hooked. Too much power. Would be like catching a 200# bull shark off the beach with no drag.

BangBang - Maybe you can come out Tuesday. I'll send you a PM.

Water has turned to crap. But did catch a couple small blues today and I think whites are biting better off the dock. Need some water flow!

DRT · 03-24-2023, 10:02 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Hunting4fun

Yeah, we have a little bit of cut bait now. Prefer all big live baits but this will work. Lol

Sent from my LE2127 using Tapatalk

Bet that put up a fun fight.

Sent from my Nokia XR20 using Tapatalk

oneeye · 03-25-2023, 08:46 PM

Made it!

Jon B · 03-25-2023, 09:14 PM

Looks like you guys are having a blast!

zztex · 03-25-2023, 09:34 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by oneeye

Made it!

Good deal Joe!

RiverRat1 · 03-25-2023, 09:49 PM

Spent the day in Sinton watching my daughter do horse races.
Swung by Canoe1's place and he hooked us up with 18/0 shark hooks we plan to put out tomorrow.
He also send us packing with some crawfish boil. Oneeye ate as many as he could before we jetted off in the boat. We didn't have long but caught a few baits.

Canoe1 · 03-25-2023, 10:12 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by RiverRat1

Spent the day in Sinton watching my daughter do horse races.
Swung by Canoe1's place and he hooked us up with 18/0 shark hooks we plan to put out tomorrow.
He also send us packing with some crawfish boil. Oneeye ate as many as he could before we jetted off in the boat. We didn't have long but caught a few baits.

Next year, is schedules line up, we can do a boil at the river.
Good luck tomorrow!
Hopefully those hooks hold up, but if not, got that one big hook left. Lol

fish4food · 03-26-2023, 12:06 AM

Y’all are definitely putting in work!

Hunting4fun · 03-26-2023, 12:01 PM

Back at it this morning. Oneeye (Joe) pulled up a nice Flat and a decent gar.

Sent from my LE2127 using Tapatalk

oneeye · 03-26-2023, 01:56 PM

It was a good morning on the water.

banzai · 03-26-2023, 01:58 PM

Hi Joe! Glad see you land a gar. We were close on a few on your last visit, so this one checks the box!

SaltwaterSlick · 03-26-2023, 10:14 PM

Are y'all eating any of those gar or just trying to get a biggun? That one is a perfect eating size... Sucker's got 2 back straps bigger than a deer's back strap. sliced, battered n fried it is pretty dang good!

oneeye · 03-27-2023, 06:54 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by banzai

Hi Joe! Glad see you land a gar. We were close on a few on your last visit, so this one checks the box!

Hey Richard, where are you at? It's just not the same without you here.

oneeye · 03-27-2023, 06:57 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by SaltwaterSlick

Are y'all eating any of those gar or just trying to get a biggun? That one is a perfect eating size... Sucker's got 2 back straps bigger than a deer's back strap. sliced, battered n fried it is pretty dang good!

We haven't cleaned any fish since I got here. Once I leave here, I have 10 more days of road tripping before I get home so I won't be able to take any fish with me. Maybe next time.

oneeye · 03-27-2023, 07:34 AM

Canoe1, thanks for the crayfish boil you sent over. That's definitely something us Yankees can't get at home! PM me your address and I will ship some maple syrup and wild rice when I get home.

RiverRat1 · 03-27-2023, 10:18 PM

Well after a gazillion cast net throws we finally rounded up 10-12 big live baits. 12-14" buffalo and gasper goo.

Hoping big catfish are biting before this front comes through. We shall see in the morning!

Thread Tools
Show Printable Version Email this Page
Display Modes
Linear Mode Switch to Hybrid Mode Switch to Threaded Mode

03-18-2023, 08:06 AM	#51
Snowflake Killa Pope & Young Join Date: Dec 2017 Location: Shepherd Hunt In: East Texas	Great fish Sent from my SM-N986U using Tapatalk

03-18-2023, 07:22 PM	#52
RiverRat1 Pope & Young Join Date: Dec 2007 Location: Bend TX Hunt In: San Saba	No pictures because we were cold and in hurry but we had on 5 blues between 3-6 pounds and one 22 pound flathead. Only ran the lines one time since it was raining most of the day. Only have out 6 good baits. Still getting caught up on work around the house. We have a good game plan for this next week though and hope to land some big ones!

03-18-2023, 08:29 PM	#53
SaltwaterSlick Pope & Young Join Date: Oct 2006	Man, it just seems like the more miserable the weather is, the better those dang fish bite whether hand fishing (Rod n Reel), or fishing trotlines or jugs... Sounds like a fun trip so far! Y'all jus' gettin' started!!

03-19-2023, 02:43 AM	#54
fish4food Pope & Young Join Date: Mar 2017 Location: Calhoun County	Awesome job Fellas!

03-19-2023, 05:07 PM	#55
thebowhunters Ten Point Join Date: Nov 2007 Location: Kingsland, Texas Hunt In: Concho Co.	Tim I know you’ll find the bait now with all the fresh water and the warmer temperatures coming on. Good luck man I wish I was there to catch you some 14 inch shad. Good luck

03-20-2023, 02:36 PM	#56
Hunting4fun Ten Point Join Date: Jun 2017	Good run this morning. Only 2 fish but both good ones. This blue and a 24 lb flathead. Sent from my LE2127 using Tapatalk

03-20-2023, 02:48 PM	#57
Mitchell8 Ten Point Join Date: Jul 2021 Location: College Station Hunt In: Anywhere	Nice cats

03-20-2023, 08:40 PM	#58
Hunting4fun Ten Point Join Date: Jun 2017	Not going to pull any punches. This supper was one of the best and freshest I've had. Deep fried catfish, tots and boudin balls. Most of us have never eaten boudin but that's about to change. Sent from my LE2127 using Tapatalk

03-20-2023, 09:03 PM	#59
bsills Pope & Young Join Date: Aug 2008 Location: Fair Oaks Hunt In: Menard County	What baits do you catch the yellow cats with? I had heard they only ate live fish, perch etc.

03-20-2023, 09:13 PM	#60
RiverRat1 Pope & Young Join Date: Dec 2007 Location: Bend TX Hunt In: San Saba	Actually caught the first yellow on cut buffalo. Maybe another when we put on 10 small shad through the eyes on one hook. But most with live 10-14" buffalo or gasper goo. The fishing feels like fishing in May right now. Super weird. But all good as long as we're catching a good one each day. Just caught and released a 70" gar with girth of 28" Sucker was a beast.

03-20-2023, 09:22 PM	#61
Canoe1 Ten Point Join Date: Nov 2006 Location: Orange Grove	Wish I could make it out for a day or two, but doesn’t look like I’ll get a chance to this year.

03-20-2023, 09:53 PM	#63
Chew Pope & Young Join Date: Oct 2006 Location: Centerville, TX Hunt In: Leon County	This is awesome. Keep em coming. Team Little Debbie Pro Staff

03-20-2023, 10:02 PM	#64
Killer Pope & Young Join Date: Sep 2013 Location: Powderly, TX Hunt In: God's green earth	What’s an estimate on the gar’s weight? 120 130lbs? That’s a big fish!

03-20-2023, 10:57 PM	#65
GarGuy Pope & Young Join Date: Oct 2011	You need to go ahead and make a hoop to land gar with. Super easy. Go to any bigger store and buy a 15ft laminated dog tie out cable with snaps on each end. Cut it in half and you have two perfect gar landers. You can tie it to a handle or use as is. Just go around the gar at the gills an snap the cable back onto its self . Pull forward an it will tighten up and catch his gill plates. Pull him right in. Two people can pull if needed.

03-21-2023, 06:59 AM	#66
Duckologist Ten Point Join Date: Mar 2018 Location: SW Louisiana	We landed a few Sent from my SM-G892A using Tapatalk

03-21-2023, 07:03 AM	#67
rut-ro Pope & Young Join Date: Jan 2016 Location: Sugar Land Hunt In: Leon,Madison and Zavalla	Awesome trip. Love the big flats

03-21-2023, 07:23 AM	#68
Quackerbox Pope & Young Join Date: Jul 2010 Location: Magnolia Hunt In: The woods	The deck of that red boat gives me anxiety.

03-21-2023, 12:27 PM	#69
oneeye Eight Point Join Date: Jan 2007 Location: Up North	Starting to get ready for the trip down! Leaving early Friday morning & really looking forward to getting out of the snow and cold.

03-21-2023, 12:56 PM	#70
RiverRat1 Pope & Young Join Date: Dec 2007 Location: Bend TX Hunt In: San Saba	Caught another gar 50-60 pounds But that was it today. Going out after a rest to catch bait. Zero good bait found this morning.

03-21-2023, 03:51 PM	#71
zztex Pope & Young Join Date: Oct 2006 Location: LaPorte	Good luck Tim!

03-22-2023, 02:59 PM	#72
RiverRat1 Pope & Young Join Date: Dec 2007 Location: Bend TX Hunt In: San Saba	Well we threw nets for miles today. Didnt get much but at least will have cut buffalo for tonight. No one can find the white bass. they're either back in the lake or far up river. Neither makes sense for this time of year. Things will change before Oneeye gets here. Either way we will give them hell trying!

03-22-2023, 05:57 PM	#74
SaltwaterSlick Pope & Young Join Date: Oct 2006	Tim, you got any perch traps? We used to use clover-leaf traps and regular old white bread... If a school of shad happens by, they will literally fill up a trap, otherwise, you can catch plenty of sunfish, bream, goggle-eye and similar about 3 fingers size in 'em...

03-22-2023, 07:18 PM	#75
Hunting4fun Ten Point Join Date: Jun 2017	Yeah, we have a little bit of cut bait now. Prefer all big live baits but this will work. Lol Sent from my LE2127 using Tapatalk

03-22-2023, 07:42 PM	#77
GarGuy Pope & Young Join Date: Oct 2011	Blues love carp. Much better than Buffalo. Gar like it too.

03-24-2023, 06:07 AM	#78
oneeye Eight Point Join Date: Jan 2007 Location: Up North	Headed south - 1475 miles to go! It's 3° here this morning. I sure won't be missing that for the next couple of weeks!

03-24-2023, 07:39 AM	#79
SaltwaterSlick Pope & Young Join Date: Oct 2006	Dangitman, be careful drivin'!!

03-24-2023, 07:41 AM	#80
RiverRat1 Pope & Young Join Date: Dec 2007 Location: Bend TX Hunt In: San Saba	Will be 90 here today so a tad warmer. Had a monster gar break a 16/0 hook yesterday. Thought the tree had plenty of give. Gar slime was about 6' up the line.

03-24-2023, 08:03 AM	#81
SaltwaterSlick Pope & Young Join Date: Oct 2006	Tim, you ever tried tying an old inner-tube in the line as a shock check? I bet it would work. We used to do that for the rope/hook set up we used offshore to hook onto the rigs... kept the boat from hard checking against the end of the rope when the water was a bit rough...

03-24-2023, 09:56 AM	#84
BangBang Four Point Join Date: Dec 2017 Location: TX Hunt In: Webb Co., Atascosa Co., Aransas Bay	Tim, you need a strong back to throw a castnet for ya? Im off for the next week or so and can throw a net like no other. I don't even need a place to stay, I'm only about an hr away.

03-24-2023, 09:46 PM	#85
RiverRat1 Pope & Young Join Date: Dec 2007 Location: Bend TX Hunt In: San Saba	The trees we tie to have a good bit of stretch. We tie way back but wrap the line around limbs all the way out. I know the tube trick when tying to stumps. But I just think these 200-300# gar are just nearly unstoppable when first hooked. Too much power. Would be like catching a 200# bull shark off the beach with no drag. BangBang - Maybe you can come out Tuesday. I'll send you a PM. Water has turned to crap. But did catch a couple small blues today and I think whites are biting better off the dock. Need some water flow!