Forebay 10/7

I had about 2 hours to hit to Forebay this morning.  Was on the water fishing at 7:30.  Headed straight to the spot outside the 2 buoys at the bend in the rockwall as I always seem to do good here.  Got about 3 dinks in the first dozen casts.  I noticed some birds working in the distance off towards the main boat ramp right in the middle of the lake.  I know they say to never leave fish to find fish, but I was hoping for something bigger so off I go.  But the birds start moving AWAY from me and ended up right off the boat launch.  I was about 1/2 way there when the birds started coming towards me.  Then I saw the boils.  And oh yes, they were BOILING.  My rod trolling an XRap got hit before I even got there.  Another dink.  By the time I got reset, the fish were boiling all around me.  I saw schools of small shad and cast my other rod with a small rat-l-trap.   Cast, hit, lost, cast, hit, dink, paddle, cast, paddle, cast, hit, dink, dink, dink.  That's how it went for the next 30-40 minutes.  The fish were moving fast and I was almost back to the Madeiros Flats before they went down and didn't come back up.  I circled around for no more joy.  Must have pulled 6-7 fish out of that frenzy, all dinks under 15", and lost half that many.  I didn't see any boils that looked to be decent size.  Oh well, it was still fun.  There was  one other PB working the school and they were having just as much fun.  I worked my way back towards shore and was just passing the buoys again when the surface started raining shad.  No boils, but the bait was nervous.  Started reeling the troll rod to cast forward on them, when I get hit again.  Another dink.  Cast out, another dink.  Worked the area for a few more minutes before I had to get off the water getting one last dink and then back to shore.  I noticed more birds working off towards the islands and I wish I had more time on the water.  I was meeting Zeelander at the shore at 9:30 to hand off my double for him to take his guest out on.  And I needed to be at SJO by noon to pick up my girlfriend.   I hope Z and guest are reeling them in as I type.

-Allen

Sweet the forebay is on fire!

I am going there this week for the offshore flow I think. either Monday or maybe Tuesday--not sure yet, but Monday is 90% certain.

First, thanks polepole, way cool of you to lend us the yak.  You da man!

We went straight out to the buoys and cast for a good 40 min.. We cast a few different types of things (plastics, cranks, & grubs) out there but the schoolies didn't want any. We paddled out to check 12 to check the regular spot but it was about 12-1 when we got there so a bit hot. Did I forget to mention there was no wind and toasty warm? Man what a beautiful day. We ate lunch on the yak and talked over a bit of strategy. We worked the channel with swim baits but still nothing so we decided to go back to the place that my "white whale" got away. We posted up against the rockwall (literally) at the bend and started casting out into the deeper channel. Right away BAM! My buddy is into his first LM bass. Then his second, good size. My next cast.... KABOOM!! the... white.. whale.. has LANDED! My rod goes fully bendo and line went stripping for about 7 seconds! He seemed more pissed than last time and after I gained just a little ground went running again. This mug was heavy!! I fought him for a good 10 minutes when he finally started getting close to the surface. He saw the boat, thrashed his tail and ZZZZZZZZZZ. Finally rallied him around, saw the boat, ZZZZZZZZ again. I told my buddy next time he gets close to net him. So I start pulling him in, gets to the surface, starts thrashing again... and... the line goes limp In full shock I let one out nice SHHH***********T!!!!... then a few more.. disheartened I pull my line in and look at my lure.. straightened hook!! 

After letting out some more explatives we talk about what happened and my buddy swore it was big poppa himself. We fished some more and hammered LM bass for the rest of the evening. Shad were poppng up here and there all day. Did some top water action with poppers and later re-bent the hook on my trusty Megabass jerkbait to try for the White Whale but he was gone. An awesome day in many ways..

And you haven't gotten away White Whale, I'm just resting.

Z

Sweet.

Totally reminds me of when I lived in San Diego and I was in pursuit of a bat ray.  I fished for them like 10 times and lost many before I finally landed one.

Actually turned into my legacy in San Diego.  The Batfest, a gathering of people eating and drinking and fishing for bat ray.

Zeelander, we will pursue your white striper together!

Word.

MolBasser

Wow.  That fish has really got you hooked, Z.  Way cool.  Good luck.

I have two sincere hopes: 1) that 'Captain Ahab' Zeelander overcomes his nemisis and is able to declare victory and 2) that it isn't the same fish and there are many 20-plus pounders in there anxious for a smackdown with my lure.