bsp wrote:Great job on the PB! Even with a guide it takes skill to get a decent sized bass on a pressured water like Lake Fork. What did you catch it on?
Thanks. Just got home from work so I have more time to elaborate to those very few who may be interested.
All three of us mainly fished 5" Zoom Super Flukes in a green shade. They are used basically the same way as you would a Senko, but they are fish-shaped baits. They were Texas rigged (how appropriate!), and weightless. The best technique that day was "dead sticking" the bait for up to 30 seconds, then a couple of twitches. We would either feel a slight tick, or the line would start moving. We were fishing in about 6 ft of water in the spawning flats. Because of my inexperience with soft plastics, and my basic lack of skill as an angler (I suck), I know I could've caught more fish, but I probably missed several strikes. I know that I will do better next time.
The other technique we used was sight fishing on bedding fish. We flipped a big white tube bait past the bed, pulled it on to the bed, and then twitched it. Sometimes it would take dozens of flips until the fish would get agitated enough to hit. Other times, the fish would just ignore it or run away. A lot of times, the fish would do like tucs do and just "blow" the lure away without touching it. Also, a few times I messed up and scared the fish away with my inaccurate flips.
The equipment I used:
-- Bass Pro Shops Pro Qualifier Med. power 6'6" baitcast rod that I bought the day before on sale. Very nice rod for the money. I think I should've got the MH power instead though. I left it in Texas with my in-laws, but I liked it so much that I want to ask them to ship it to me.
-- Shimano Antares AR baitcast reel. Best reel I own.
-- P-Line CXX 15 lb. mono. This line is tough and strong. Maybe not the best for finesse applications though.
The whole experience was something special to me because it was all new to me, I was with the one I love, and I can't do these things at home in Hawaii.
-- Doing a "road trip". We drove 260 miles from Houston to Lake Fork with only one short stop at Whataburger!
-- Fishing from a boat in a huge 24,000 acre lake. It looked basically like a flooded forest. Every spot looked like it would hold a fish. I felt like I was in an ocean, and this is not even one of the bigger lakes in Texas! I think Lake Wilson is only about 300 acres.
-- It was a rush to be on plane in the boat and going 60 mph! It was like a fishing trip and an amusement park ride all in one!
-- Getting to do what I had been planning and dreaming about doing for almost a full year.
-- Learning to fish with soft plastics and actually catching fish! I call myself "skunked" for a reason!
-- Seeing wildlife such as turtles, ducks, and hawks
-- I didn't have to work!
-- I can't wait to go back!
About Lake Alan Henry: Yes, I have heard great things about this lake also. It has a way to go before it is gonna rival Lake Fork, but only time will tell. If you think it can produce a 19 pounder, then it must be an incredible fishery. Who knows if Fork can withstand all the angling pressure for much longer? There were A LOT of anglers on the lake. Others I'd love to try are Choke Canyon, Sam Rayburn, Fayette County, and of course Amistad. I tried Conroe in 2005. No bass for me but we caught 38 catfish!
Stan, the photo is at an angle because my wife was too lazy to stand up and take the picture! Hahaha!
Do you think that is biting off more than I can chew?? 
