TEAM JO-JO:
After Team Jo-Jo’s Fishing Curriculum Session #7, it was clear that we needed to make a fishing trip. The excitement and energy from the session were contagious, and we were all eager to put our discussions and strategies into action. Big Rudy was particularly enthusiastic about heading out to Bayou Bienvenue to see if there was any action in the ICW (Inner Coastal Waterway). Given the predicted weather conditions all around us, we decided that a long boat ride was not ideal. So, we opted for a more convenient and accessible location.
We decided to take Bay Flat Jr out of hibernation, along with the Yamaha Nightmare Machine, to serve as our means of water transportation. Bay Flat Jr is perfect for shorter trips and navigating through the marshes and channels of Bayou Bienvenue. The Yamaha Nightmare Machine, known for its reliability and power, ensured we would have no trouble maneuvering through the waters, regardless of the conditions.
Here are a few detailed steps and preparations we took to maximize our fishing trip:
1. Checking Tides and Weather: Understanding that weather conditions can change rapidly, we made sure to check multiple weather forecasts and tidal charts. Knowing the tides would help us determine the best times and spots for fishing, especially for targeting species like Silverwonders and Redwarriors, which are influenced by tidal movements.
2. Selecting Baits and Lures: We packed a variety of baits and lures, including both live and artificial options. For Silverwonders, we brought along some shrimp and soft plastic lures. For Redwarriors, we prepared some heavier jigs and crab imitations. Having a versatile tackle box ensured we could adapt to the preferences of the fish on that particular day.
3. Scouting the Area: Upon arriving at Bayou Bienvenue, we planned to spend the first part of our trip scouting different spots within the ICW. We looked for areas with good water movement, structures like submerged logs, and grassy banks, all of which are known to attract fish. Observing bird activity and water clarity also helped us identify promising fishing spots.
4. Safety Measures: Safety is always a priority, so we double-checked all our safety equipment, including life jackets, first-aid kits, and communication devices. Even for a short trip, it's crucial to be prepared for any situation that might arise on the water.
5. Logging Findings: Throughout the trip, we kept detailed notes on the conditions, including water temperature, clarity, wind direction, and the specific locations where we had success. This information would be invaluable for future trips and for sharing insights with the rest of Team Jo-Jo.
With everything prepared, we set out early in the morning, full of anticipation and ready for a day of fishing. The decision to take Bay Flat Jr and stay closer to home proved to be a wise one, allowing us to quickly adjust to any changes in the weather and focus on finding the fish. The camaraderie and shared knowledge from our Fishing Curriculum Session fueled our determination and excitement, making this trip one we were all looking forward to.
Can't wait to report back on the catches and any thrilling moments we encounter at Bayou Bienvenue!
SIGNS:
· Came in 7th out of the 22 Texas Holdom tournament, won same as guy came in last place, nothing!
· Had a great Team Jo-Jo Fishing Curriculum Session Saturday
· Got (2) hours sleep
· Up at 3:45 Am for our 5 AM meet up at Gulf Outlet mariner
· No wildlife sightings along Hwy 11 or 90
· Not many boats on Hwy, ga stations, and/or boat launches
· Both of us arrived about the same time, decide to wait a little, lighting striking all around us
· Picke up live shrimp at Fishermen’s Friend, real nice sizes lively shrimp.
· Big Rudy backed the Bay Flat Jr down in Bayou Bienvenue, Big Rudy picked up Bay Flat Jr, and unhitched it from FORD transport, and backed her down again, and she slid right off
· One pull, (after laying up for a month or so) to start Yamaha Nightmare Machine, now that be a sign for sure.
· Waited for daylight before running out
· Off to ICW to see what be biting!
CONDITIONS:
· Perfect
· Wind, various directions, kept changing with clouds moving, 4-6 mph, real nice it be
· Water status / conditions: Clam, very slight chop
· Sky, partly cloudy, mostly sunny, nice when clouds over head
· Temp, mild, warm, downright hot by 9:30 AM
· Water level, down 12-14”
· Water Temp , 87.9 F
· Salinity, 4.5
· Specific Conductance 7640
· Pressure, 30.05 R
· Water clarity on a scale of 1-7, 7 plus
· Tide, tail end of a falling tide
· Peak tide, 03:04 L 0.33’
· Peak tide, 15:33 H 1.64’
· Major Feed Time: 07:17 / 19:41
· Minor feed time: 05:39 / 20:11
· Tidal Coefficient: 86
· Plenty bait along rocks, lots of bait
· No birds diving
· Fish Activity
· Very High Activity
· Boats out and about, 1 in area we be fishing
· ONEOFTHEPACK’S REPERTOIRE OF TECHNIQUES / STRATEGIES
· Be safe.
· Have fun.
· This is me daily therapy for ALL me aliments.
· Put some run time on the Bay Flat Jr and the Yamaha Nightmare Machine
· Gather Intel for future trips, and to share with fisherperson, (on Facebook) to help assist them in their choice of areas to fish, lures to use and presentation of same to the elusive Silverwonders.
· Catch what catch can.
· Learn what learn can.
· See if any Silverwonders along rocks in ICW
· See if Lake P Troll working along rocks
· Verify clarity of water in ICW
· Try some love shrimp see if it helps with action in ICW
· Bring home some fishes for Yana
· Find a spot # with the seven fundamentals / criteria of catching:
1 WIND AT YOUR BACK: (Wind not a factor, abet oi troll and cast in any direction.)
2 MOVING WATER: (Had tail end of falling tide, slack, did not see it coming in until we got back to locks)
3 WATER CALRITY: (A 7 plus, could see lures down 12-16”)
4 HOLDING FISH: (Rocks along ICW)
5 PATIENTS: (None needed tried trolling for a mile, nothing, time to switch tactics, live shrimp under cork Big Rudy, me purple Bettel under cork, Bing Go it was on.)
6 SKILL: (Tight lining over rocks, cork popping live shrimp along, on, and over rocks)
7 LUCKS: (No get wet, surveyed run in with rocks on Bay Flat Jr)
· Oneofthepack’s repertoire of Techniques / presentations:
· Anchor up cast & retrieve slowly along the bottom, with a twitch every now and then, tight lining…………………………………25% caught tight lining
· Drift with the wind cast & retrieve (DWWC&R)……………DID NOT TRY
· Oak River Troll (ORT)……………….Did not try.
· Reverse Oak River Troll (RORT) ……….DID NOT TRY
· Oak River Skim (ORS) ……………DID NOT TRY
· Cork …….75% caught with cork & live shrimp
· Lake P Troll (LPT)…………….Did not try.
· Drop shot: Did not try.
· Dead bait……None
· Live bait………………75% caught with live shrimp under cork
· Oneofthepack ‘S repertOIRE of LURE DU JOUR:
· 3” H&H Purple Beetle, matched up with H&H ¼ oz. round white head with gold hook……………(3) Bass, used 1/8 oz. jig head to combat rocks
§ H&H sparkle beetle did a lot of damage too, with 1/8 oz. jig head
· 3” Chartreuse Glow Beetle, matched up with H&H ¼ oz. round white head w/gold hook………….Did not try
· Matrix Shad Lemon Drop, matched up with H&H ¼ oz. round white head w/gold hook……………Did not try.
· Matrix Shad Lemon Drop, matched up with H&H 3/8 oz. round white head w/gold hook……………DID NOT TRY
· Matrix Shad Lemon Drop, matched up with H&H 1/2 oz. round white head w/gold hook……………DID NOT TRY
· Matrix Shad Lemon Drop, matched up with 3/4 oz. round lead head w/ 2 trailers, ……Did not try.
· Tandem rig, ¼ oz. round H&H jig head with gold hook, matched up with Matrix Shad Lemon Drop ….Did not try.
AREAS / SPOTS / NUMBERS ON THE MAP FISHED:
ICW rocks, up & down them.
OUR REWARDS:
· Lived to fish another day.
· (0) Silverwonders
· (1) Ratworriers
· (30)Bass
· (2) Sheepshead
· (7) BIG perch, don’t now the name of them
· (8) popped lines , re: rocks we are fishing over and around
· Short action filled trip
· Being on the water with one of the best fisherpersons me know, that be Big Rudy
· Big Rudy provides the Gatorade today, it was much needed once that sun came out
· Lessons learned:
§ Me need to stay alert while on water, me look down for a second and before you know it me buried Bay Flat Jr & trolling motor on the rocks, this not good
§ Team Jo-Jo session had 28 crew Saturday, more and more are coming to share intel / info and learn what the crew has to offer in the fishing & catching water / land for Bay Flat Jr
§ Water clarity in ICW very clear & clean a 7 plus on a scale of 1-7
§ Tons of bait all along rocks
§ Need to buy some running lights, don’t know where mind went
§ Need plenty of tackle to fish on & over rocks, many hook ups.
§ Live shrimp a must for the action
§ GPS retain a track for me, it was much needed cause I have not run that route, (out to ICW) many times, and everything looks different in the early AM run.
· Best fishing trip of my life, until the next one.
FISHERPERSON OF THE DAY:
Big Rudy with live shrimp wore them out, even caught those pretty looking perch, need for someone to tell us what they called. Big Rudy fisherperson of the day for sure.
Oneofthepack was having fun tight lining, popping cork, caught some bass, and even caught one of those looking perch too, but not enough to conquer the honors today.
SUGGESTIONS:
Don’t leave dock without any live shrimp, Fishermen’s Friend has all you need, ask Tony if you can pick the size shrimp you want somewhere to big for bass.
“You got to go to know”
PONDER OF THE DAY:
When you arise in the morning, think of what a precious privilege it is to be alive, to breathe, to think, to enjoy, to love., and to fish another day.
Q&A:
What bayou that you’ve never fished is at the top of your bucket list?
TEAM JO-JO’S future stratagem:
Nothing planned, plan to plan, but not this coming week, be a busy week for sure. Big Rudy and me to make another trip soon, Big Charle has given me some dates he can go did to check them out and see I it is a go. Have some more Team J-Jo Fishing Curriculum Session crew that want to make trips, need to list them on board so we can schedule them.
Good Fishing
Team Jo-Jo & Oneofthepack
釣り先生
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