Official 2022-2023 LAKE WHITNEY & AQUILLA Hunting & Fishing thread - Page 9 - TexasBowhunter.com Community Discussion Forums

Texas Grown · 03-05-2023, 07:53 AM

W lake is holding steady at 6.03 feet below normal. With the steadily mild weather we have been having, and the slow low rising of the water over the last 2.5 months, I would imagine the crappie are about ready to bed up and spawn. Look for them in pre-stage areas. With water temps in the lower to mid 50s. Shallow water will heat up in the afternoons. And into the evenings. I most likely won't be able to get out for the next 3 weekends due to other obligations. But certainly would if I could!

A lake has come back up to 4.45 feet low.

Grandbury has come up to 1.24 feet low. And is experiencing what some to believe as the Golden Algae bloom. Lots of fish dying. And no water being released. I'm predicting if the lake comes up much more, they may decide to release a little water to "flush" the river system. It won't be much water until either PK gets mo fuller and releases, or Grandbury tops off with a lot of run-off from rains.

Lake Pat Cleburne is still low at 3.81 feet below normal. But is slowly rising also. So, it won't be releasing any water to feed the Nolan River unless it tops off. What ever the Nolan gets, will be from rain run-off for now.

If you get out to fish, good or bad, please give a report for those of us who can't go at the present. Good luck. And rip some lips!

roadscholar · 03-05-2023, 11:57 AM

I had the boat out on W this past week, both Tue and Wed.
Tue was hot- 86 degrees, bright sunshine, and very little wind. Fished the Cedron creek area and only caught two, a 19" striper and an eater-size blue, both on a white jig.

Wed conditions were much better. Overcast, cooler temps, and 10 mph or so wind. Launched at the state park, saw a ton of birds working just out from the launch cove. Wife and I had our 10 stripers in the livewell in less than 30 min. Good-sized fish, between 20" and 23". Most caught on 1/2 oz 4" chartreuse curly-tail jigs. I did catch a couple on top with a zara spook.
Released about a dozen more over the next hour or so. Headed over to the Towash creek area. Wife caught and released another 23" within 5 min, and we called it a day.

Water temp on Tue started out at 55 and was up to 61 by mid-afternoon. I didn't notice the temp on Wed, but probably upper 50's.

Planning to go again a couple of days this week.

Texas Grown · 03-05-2023, 02:53 PM

Great report roadscholar. Thanks.

roadscholar · 03-05-2023, 05:03 PM

You're welcome, I'll post up another report later this week!

roadscholar · 03-10-2023, 07:45 PM

I had the boat out on the W lake tue and today.

Had my Dad with me Tue, and we ended up catching 9 stripers, smallest 17" and biggest 23". All released. The action was pretty slow. Tried trolling for quite a while and didn't catch any at all. The ones we did catch were fish that I would mark on the graph and then we'd spotlock and throw jigs to them. We fished for 3-4 hours, so it was just a fish here and there.

Took my brother today, and it was pretty much the same story. Didn't bother trolling, just looked for fish on the graph and then throw to them. And we'd pick up one here and there. Fished several hours and caught and released 6 total, between 16" and 20".
I did get broke off by a very nice fish.
Water temp today started off at 56 and was 61 by late afternoon. Windy the next couple of days, so I probably won't get back out until early next week.

Texas Grown · 03-12-2023, 11:12 AM

Good report sir

. It's easy to get spoiled on feeding frenzies. Just makes an average day seem not so average afterwards.

jnd1959 · 03-12-2023, 01:04 PM

Thanks for the report. I wonder if dead sticking is still the best tactic even though it is warming up. Caught my biggest striper dead sticking.

roadscholar · 03-13-2023, 01:09 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by jnd1959

Thanks for the report. I wonder if dead sticking is still the best tactic even though it is warming up. Caught my biggest striper dead sticking.

I've stopped dead sticking because I had a couple of outings 2-3 weeks back where I had no luck at all with it. I had one outing back in Feb where the wife and I caught 7 or 8 dead sticking in about 30 min, and missed at least that many more. That was before I got a new trolling motor with I-Pilot, so it was a struggle to stay over the fish. Water temp was 46-47 that day.

Shortly after that, the water temp was up in the low 50's and the dead stick bite really seemed to taper off. And that's pretty much how it went last year for me too. (had never really tried dead sticking until last year)

Tomorrow (tue) is looking pretty good, overcast and not too much wind.

roadscholar · 03-13-2023, 01:14 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Texas Grown

Good report sir

. It's easy to get spoiled on feeding frenzies. Just makes an average day seem not so average afterwards.

Yeah those days when they're going bonkers definitely spoil you! I think I'll bring along a few jugs next time. Having a few jugs out can sometimes make an otherwise slow day a lot more interesting

03-05-2023, 07:53 AM	#401
Texas Grown Pope & Young Join Date: Oct 2006 Location: Burleson, Texas	W lake is holding steady at 6.03 feet below normal. With the steadily mild weather we have been having, and the slow low rising of the water over the last 2.5 months, I would imagine the crappie are about ready to bed up and spawn. Look for them in pre-stage areas. With water temps in the lower to mid 50s. Shallow water will heat up in the afternoons. And into the evenings. I most likely won't be able to get out for the next 3 weekends due to other obligations. But certainly would if I could! A lake has come back up to 4.45 feet low. Grandbury has come up to 1.24 feet low. And is experiencing what some to believe as the Golden Algae bloom. Lots of fish dying. And no water being released. I'm predicting if the lake comes up much more, they may decide to release a little water to "flush" the river system. It won't be much water until either PK gets mo fuller and releases, or Grandbury tops off with a lot of run-off from rains. Lake Pat Cleburne is still low at 3.81 feet below normal. But is slowly rising also. So, it won't be releasing any water to feed the Nolan River unless it tops off. What ever the Nolan gets, will be from rain run-off for now. If you get out to fish, good or bad, please give a report for those of us who can't go at the present. Good luck. And rip some lips! Last edited by Texas Grown; 03-05-2023 at 07:55 AM.

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

03-05-2023, 11:57 AM	#402
roadscholar Spike Join Date: Sep 2009 Location: Cleburne, TX	I had the boat out on W this past week, both Tue and Wed. Tue was hot- 86 degrees, bright sunshine, and very little wind. Fished the Cedron creek area and only caught two, a 19" striper and an eater-size blue, both on a white jig. Wed conditions were much better. Overcast, cooler temps, and 10 mph or so wind. Launched at the state park, saw a ton of birds working just out from the launch cove. Wife and I had our 10 stripers in the livewell in less than 30 min. Good-sized fish, between 20" and 23". Most caught on 1/2 oz 4" chartreuse curly-tail jigs. I did catch a couple on top with a zara spook. Released about a dozen more over the next hour or so. Headed over to the Towash creek area. Wife caught and released another 23" within 5 min, and we called it a day. Water temp on Tue started out at 55 and was up to 61 by mid-afternoon. I didn't notice the temp on Wed, but probably upper 50's. Planning to go again a couple of days this week.

03-05-2023, 02:53 PM	#403
Texas Grown Pope & Young Join Date: Oct 2006 Location: Burleson, Texas	Great report roadscholar. Thanks.

03-05-2023, 05:03 PM	#404
roadscholar Spike Join Date: Sep 2009 Location: Cleburne, TX	You're welcome, I'll post up another report later this week!

03-10-2023, 07:45 PM	#405
roadscholar Spike Join Date: Sep 2009 Location: Cleburne, TX	I had the boat out on the W lake tue and today. Had my Dad with me Tue, and we ended up catching 9 stripers, smallest 17" and biggest 23". All released. The action was pretty slow. Tried trolling for quite a while and didn't catch any at all. The ones we did catch were fish that I would mark on the graph and then we'd spotlock and throw jigs to them. We fished for 3-4 hours, so it was just a fish here and there. Took my brother today, and it was pretty much the same story. Didn't bother trolling, just looked for fish on the graph and then throw to them. And we'd pick up one here and there. Fished several hours and caught and released 6 total, between 16" and 20". I did get broke off by a very nice fish. Water temp today started off at 56 and was 61 by late afternoon. Windy the next couple of days, so I probably won't get back out until early next week.

03-12-2023, 11:12 AM	#406
Texas Grown Pope & Young Join Date: Oct 2006 Location: Burleson, Texas	Good report sir . It's easy to get spoiled on feeding frenzies. Just makes an average day seem not so average afterwards.

03-12-2023, 01:04 PM	#407
jnd1959 Ten Point Join Date: May 2018 Location: Weatherford Hunt In: United States	Thanks for the report. I wonder if dead sticking is still the best tactic even though it is warming up. Caught my biggest striper dead sticking.