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Richland-Chambers reservoir is loaded with sand bass and an abundant
supply
of food for them to eat, shad. Each year about this time, the "sandies
" can be
found chasing shad to the surface and create a feeding frenzy that
literally makes
the water boil. They are a blast to catch, even for we "serious
bass anglers".
I especially like to take my daughters, Tatum and Megan, for an
afternoon of
fishing. I do not know of a better way to capture the interest of
a youngster than to
get them out on the water and let them catch fish, one after another.
They love it.
Often, I do not even fish myself. I can't. I'm too busy taking off
their fish. I have
hooked both girls on the sport of fishing by taking them sand bass
fishing. The
key to kids and fishing is catching fish. The best way to catch
these guys is with
a chrome slab or chrome and black Rat-L-Trap in the ¼ or ½ ounce
size on a
medium action rod with 15 - 20 lb. line.
If you find a school of fish surfacing or with your electronics,
throw either of
these two baits and chances are you will get bit. Look for sand
bass to school in
open water where there is a hump or old pond dam. The birds are
also a good
locator. They will "dive bomb" the surface, feeding
on shad as the sand bass run
them to the top of the water. Watch for birds in a large group feeding
and you can
bet there are fish under them. Be careful, however, not to run over
the area the
birds are feeding on with your boat or you will scare the fish down
below the
surface making them harder to find.
If you find fish schooling on the surface, and you get tired of
catching smaller
fish, try getting a bait down deeper. The larger fish will often
lie under the smaller
fish. Sometimes I will use a DD14 or DD22 shad colored crankbait
by Norman
Lures to get down to the big 'uns. I have caught several large hybrids
by doing this.
The bite is not as fast, but the fish are usually quite a bit larger.
I have found that
the best times for fishing the sand bass is early in the morning
and late in the
afternoon. They school more during these times of day more than
any other.
Besides, it is more comfortable for the fisherman, too.
If you head out to the lake this time of year, be sure and take
along plenty of
water. It gets hot and you can dehydrate quickly. Wear sunscreen
and protect
your eyes with good sunglasses. Be sure to wear your personal floatation
device
and operate your boat in a safe and courteous manner. If you don't
have a boat,
call a guide like Stan Lawhon or Mike Guide service in Corsicana,
Texas. They
will gladly get you on some fish. Good luck and good fishing.
Until
next time, enjoy the Texas outdoors.
Email Tom: lester01@airmail.net
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