Just got back from a week on the big pond. Been doing this for over 30 years now. Started out with 6 of us on a rental boat and now there are over 20 on an ownership shared 72 ft multi level houseboat and take a bass boat, ski boat, 2 wave runners, two kayaks, and a paddle board or two. For those of you old enough to remember we look like the Beverly hillbillies running up the lake.
This year we had a bunch of family that either came late or had to leave early so we couldn't head too far up lake. Spent most of our time in Rock Creek and some close to Face. We live for fishing topwater and were successful again this year but it was tougher than most years. We never saw a boil and the slurps were fairly spread out. Did the best in the mouth of canyons early in the morning. We would use the big motor to get to an area we could see slurps then use the trolling motor to move throughout the area. First one to cast right on a slurp within seconds was usually rewarded with that tell tale swirl. A miss cast or a cast too late and it was no go. Did manage a few with cast masters after a missed slurp cast but the game changer for us was a plastic shad imitation lure from a company in California (can't remember the name right now). Even got a nice smallie with it trolling through the cut in mid day rush hour traffic.
Had a scary situation late one night when the wind picked up while anchored in Padre Bay. We have been doing this long enough that we over engineer things and have 3 anchors on each side when even slightly exposed. Heard a mayday at midnight on 16 from a houseboat about a mile away that had broken free and was drifting. 4 on board including a man and 3 women. Pretty gut wrenching hearing the shear terror of the women pleading for help. New moon so was about as dark as it gets on the lake.
My oldest son has his 100 ton captains license and runs big sportfishing boats out on the ocean so has seen it all and very calm in emergencies. My middle son is a fish and spends all his free time on the ocean as well. My oldest kept in touch with the distressed boat on the radio Coaching them on what to do. He called the park service but they couldn't come out. The boat wound up on the rocks and my sons decided to try and help them if they could get to them without putting themselves in too much danger. They went out in the middle of the bay and were able to get a visual on the boat by having them flash their lights. Wound up getting to them and pulling them off the rocks and anchored to a pump out station. Really proud of my boys for jumping in and helping people in distress. They had the experience, know how and compassion.
Anyway had a great time as always. It's only been a few days but can't wait to get back.
This year we had a bunch of family that either came late or had to leave early so we couldn't head too far up lake. Spent most of our time in Rock Creek and some close to Face. We live for fishing topwater and were successful again this year but it was tougher than most years. We never saw a boil and the slurps were fairly spread out. Did the best in the mouth of canyons early in the morning. We would use the big motor to get to an area we could see slurps then use the trolling motor to move throughout the area. First one to cast right on a slurp within seconds was usually rewarded with that tell tale swirl. A miss cast or a cast too late and it was no go. Did manage a few with cast masters after a missed slurp cast but the game changer for us was a plastic shad imitation lure from a company in California (can't remember the name right now). Even got a nice smallie with it trolling through the cut in mid day rush hour traffic.
Had a scary situation late one night when the wind picked up while anchored in Padre Bay. We have been doing this long enough that we over engineer things and have 3 anchors on each side when even slightly exposed. Heard a mayday at midnight on 16 from a houseboat about a mile away that had broken free and was drifting. 4 on board including a man and 3 women. Pretty gut wrenching hearing the shear terror of the women pleading for help. New moon so was about as dark as it gets on the lake.
My oldest son has his 100 ton captains license and runs big sportfishing boats out on the ocean so has seen it all and very calm in emergencies. My middle son is a fish and spends all his free time on the ocean as well. My oldest kept in touch with the distressed boat on the radio Coaching them on what to do. He called the park service but they couldn't come out. The boat wound up on the rocks and my sons decided to try and help them if they could get to them without putting themselves in too much danger. They went out in the middle of the bay and were able to get a visual on the boat by having them flash their lights. Wound up getting to them and pulling them off the rocks and anchored to a pump out station. Really proud of my boys for jumping in and helping people in distress. They had the experience, know how and compassion.
Anyway had a great time as always. It's only been a few days but can't wait to get back.
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. A few of us awakened by the mayday and commotion of the boys getting ready for the rescue listened to the whole thing unfold on the radio. Proud papa. 
