KATS Lake Bastrop 2/2/2009
Launch: North Shore Park
Time Fished: 7:30AM-3PM
Weather: Lows in the 30's at launch. Highs up to 60 by late afternoon. Winds sustained 15-20MPH, gusting to 30MPH
H2O: Stained. 1' visibility in most spots
Here we are, the first tournament of the season. I was feeling pretty good about this tournament, even though we never prefished. The tournament was moved back to Sunday because of high winds at 40MPH the day before.
It was very cold, typical tournament day weather. (Weather is beautiful leading up to the tournament, then it's post frontal conditions come tournament day.)
We launch, and I paddle to a spot I normally do good at. Too many kayakers were there, so I make a move to the Discharge. I get there, to see schoolies. This was good, because some looked like they were good keepers. Of course, they wanted nothing I threw at them. This made me mad, and I left to go to some new water. I was without a fish for the first 1hr. I made it to some nice reeds that were protected from the wind, and caught my first under on a lipless crankbait. At least the skunk was off! I landed a handful of small fish on that reed line before I decided to leave to a nice looking pocket. It was a do nothing bank, with a big flat with scattered grass. I was 20-30 yards off the bank and it was 3ft. deep. I threw my trap as far up as possible, and instantly get a bite. I horse this one in. It goes 14" on the ruler. Keeper #1. The very next cast, I get slammed on the trap. This one starts to pull my kayak with an anchor down. I knew this was a hog. I caught a glimpse when it made it's first jump, and it was big. It swam straight to the boat with surprising speed, and made one last jump. I had just put my hand in to lip it. I touched its mouth, it jumped, and spit the hook in mid-air while over my hand. I tried to catch it but missed. I was mad at this point, thinking I blew my chance at the big bass. This was easily a 7-8lb. bass, big anywhere, but especially for Bastrop!
I fished the flat a little longer before moving to a creek. I didn't know how it would do, but decided I had nothing to lose. I started throwing my TX-rigged 9" V&M Super Ringer. I casted it to a gravel bank, and got a nice thump. It swam for open water, so I set the hook. Got it in, measured 15.25". Keeper #2. Worked the creek with other baits like a drop-shot and jig, and caught a few very close to 14" on a drop-shot. I decided to leave and fish a point. Caught a few on a TX-rig, all unders. One thing I definately noticed was that I was getting bit VERY shallow. 1'-3' deep, no fish were deeper. This was shocking. I fished all the creeks that were similar to the one I caught my second keeper out of, but caught nothing.
With about 45mins left, I pulled up onto a big flat. It was 2ft. deep offshore, and I casted my TX-rig up onto it. First cast, I hook a nice fish. Got it in the kayak, and this one goes 18". Keeper #3. Very next cast, I get bit again. I set the hook, but the water is too shallow. It jumped when I set the hook, pulling the hook out. This fish looked to be about 4lbs. This made me more upset, I knew I had blown 2 big chances. I paddle back to the ramp to see how everyone did. I placed 17th with 3 fish for 48".
Place: 17th with 3 fish for 48"
Kayak: LiquidLogic Manta Ray 12
Accessories: Eagle Cuda 242 fishfinder, 1.5lb. grapple anchor.