Corpusfishing.com

[gulftrout]

This is a trip from a couple weeks back. I wanted to get Dave's permission to use his picture before I posted a report. I was very lucky that Dave hired me on with a large company a few years back. We talked fishing regularly, but with us both working for a large company that operates 24 hrs a day 7 days a week it is very hard to get together on a day that the conditions are right. While working with Dave for over five years we only got together one or two times. Both trips were ok but they were typical of alot of my trips with guys that are not really experienced throwing lures. I end up catching most the fish. I'm not bragging just stating that since I have pretty much thrown lures my whole life I have a distinct advantage over someone that usually fishes with bait or only fishes with lures under the lights of a pier.

[gulftrout]

The trick is to get Dave off on a day the conditions are right. While talking to Dave he mentions that he is getting ready to use some of his PTO and will be taking a couple weeks off. This is great, maybe I can get him out when everything looks just right. I watch the weather constantly and pick a day that looks like the wind is going to cooperate. Everything is set to go for in the morning and I am having him meet me at the Nueces boat ramp just before daylight. From fishing with Dave before I know he uses an open faced spinning reel. I am no fan of these type reels. I have seen plenty of backlashes with bunches of line pouring off while throwing light weighted lures. I have bought a couple high quality closed faced spinning reels just for this occasion. I love throwing a 4" Queen Beetle with light jig heads in Nueces. This set up will glide right over the shell and rarely get hung up, especially with the slow retreve that the closed spinning reels have. So I rig Dave one of these reels and have it ready to go for him in the morning.

[gulftrout]

Dave shows up on time and we head out just as the sun is rising. I shut the motor off and paddle the last 50 yards to my spot so nothing will be spooked. As soon as I set the anchor down Dave cast and has a solid hook-up. Their here and were here boys and that'shat we came for! Dave is getting a hit almost every cast and I am so busy netting and taking off fish I am not even fishing. This is just what I had hoped for. After 20 minutes or so it has finally slowed down enough that I can fish. After fishing for 30 or 45 minutes I figure we have already caught all we are going to catch off this reef. That's no problem, I have another 5 or 6 I want to try before we head in. As we head toward our next spot Dave has five keepers in the box and I only have one. We continue jumping from reef to reef catching a few throwbacks and an occasional keeper. Around 11am Dave has a total of eight keepers and I only have five. He mentions something about a Cowboy game. I know Dave and this means it's time for the Cowboys, BBQ and beer. I say lets get in before the kickoff.

[gulftrout]

[gulftrout]

Finally after all these years I get to return Daves favor the best way I can! Dave outfished me almost two to one. Thanks again for everything!

[gulftrout]

A picture of a 4" Queen Beetle" for those who have asked. Everything that day was caught on this lure.

[shallowsport]

You fail to mention how difficult, or really impossible, it is to find a Queen Beetle.

[gulftrout]