Usually, we are just about the ONLY ones on Lake Waco early in the morning or late in the evenings...  So, we don't even look for other fishermen... Rick, Sassy and I were practicing an old  Fisherman Trade (telling stories) while waiting for the next bite when three older guys pulled up next to our vessel.  The only time we have anyone even come close to our ship (USS SASSY) is when the Game Wardens come to socialize... BUT, in this case - these senior fishermen were watching us from a distance and could not figure out what we were doing to be sooo lucky.  We had caught a boat load of 1-3 pounders and they were interested.  I am not a secret keeper - so, I told them about our SUPER SECRET BAIT!  As they were sitting there with us talking - Rick hooked a five pound flat head!  These guys were shocked that such a inexpensive bait would work so well!   It is always good to meet new people and I can honestly say that Fishermen are amongst the most interesting and friendly people you can know.  So, the part of this story that made me think is - I wonder how many times we've been out there having a fishing-good time and people have been watching us from a far...

YOU NEVER KNOW!

 

The USS SASSY cutting through the Waco waters at a cool brisk pace.

 

Here are a few of the BlueKats and Channel Kats we had in the boat when our new senior friends popped by to learn our Secret.

It was not difficult for them to see that we keep our bait a Secret - we even label it a Secret! If you look close at this picture you can see the processed cheap chicken/pork/beef Secret!

 

Here is the five pound flat head that Rick pulled in... I will have to say that Sassy sniffed us right to  this Honey Hole!

 

Some of you may wonder why I would give the Super Secret Bait information away... I am all for making my self a better fisherman and man do I feel better when I know I am helping someone else have a GREAT time on the water!

 

A CHEER AND A CHALLENGE

 

Sometimes you have to STATE THE OBVIOUS...

I HAVE THE MOST INCREDIBLE FAMILY AND FRIENDS!!!

SINCE I MISSED TELL ING YOU....

HAPPY THANKSGIVING TO EVERYONE - EVERYDAY!

 

Here is one of our boat (USS SASSY) launching ramps.

Midway Park

 

Thankful for Friends!

Here is one of our awesome TightLine fans...

Bill is holding a 1.5 pound BlueKat

 

Thankful that we can offer up benefit TIGHTLINE FISH FRY'S

Here is Rick and Wes helping out earlier this year!

 

Thankful for the affection we pass out all year!

Here is Rick doing a little KRP... Kiss and Release Program

 

Thank GOODNESS for TIGHTLINES best guide....

SASSY!

 

Another banner day to be Thankful for... today we had 36 Keepers!

57 Total Pounds!!!  Lots of Blues and Channel Kats! 

 

Here is the BIGGEST TIGHTLINE FAN - my Dad!

Thankful for everything he has taught me.

 

THANKFUL for Harry - who keeps me in check

Here is Harry a bunch a years back with two good size Kats...

 

 

AND THEN - you turn around he is 17!

Harry and Kelsey (his awesome girlfriend) at his 17th Birthday party this past week.

 

One of my very favorite pictures - Harry and Leni

 

Thankful for HARPER - the NEXT GENERATION TIGHTLINER! 

 

Thankful for ASH and ADDIE

Here is Ashley getting some quality pizza help from Addie!!!

 

Thankful to hook into this 11 pound BlueKat.

Caught on a cut-shad in 52 degree water - close to Midway Park

Fishing just off the bottom in 14 feet of water.

 

THANKFUL EVERYDAY! 

 

 

 I have NEVER seen anything like this...

 

OK - so we are fishing for about 30 minutes.  We are fishing a foot off the bottom with shad.  The water temp is 62 and the wind is choppy.  Rick gets a pull on the line and assumes it is a regular size catfish (1 or 2 pounds...).  The next thing we see is a Flathead Cat eating a 12" Blue Cat!!!

 

This Flathead weighed in at 14.7 pounds! 

(The one on the right) 

 

Within 30 more minutes we pulled in this Flathead -11.3 pounder!

(The one on the left)

The floor of the USS Sassy is full of cats - 25 weighted in at a 61 pounds.

 

 

How about this...

 

Its hard to see it - but - there are a million Cats in this water just waiting to be TightLined...

ITS loads of fun - COME JOIN US!!!!

23 Cats in about two early morning hours!

Mostly Channel Cats and a few Blues

50 Pounds total and about 15 pounds of filets.

All caught on Shad in about 10-14 feet of water.

Following in my Dads footsteps I am about to kiss this BlueCat...

These are my favorite pants by the way!!!

 

Happy Birthday Buddy!

Rick - (better known as Bethany's Dad) Celebrated his 50something Bday on the USS Sassy! 

Below are some Bethany pictures...with her dad

Here is Rick at the helm of the USS Sassy! 

It was VERY cold this morning on Lake Waco! 

But, that did not stop our TightLine BDay Fishing Expedition...

The Eagles showed up today for Ricks BDay 

They are AWESOME! 

 

We got a little to close to this fishing spot and this

one took off... I bet the wing span is at least five feet!

Here is Rick with two of our 20 Keepers. 

 

20 fish total weighing in at 44 pounds today. 

All caught on shad and in 12 foot of water.

 

 

I have always been taught that

FAMILY IS EVERYTHING...

Here is Beautiful Bethany and her Dad Rick

  

I can tell you - Dad's have a special love for their little girls!



This is one of my favorite pictures! 

Just holding hands...

 

Its been a while... but, the TIGHTLINE Blog is back

PLEASE NOTICE - we have an assignment for you...

And, of course, I have UN-BASHFULLY posted some family photos

One of the many good parts of fishing is the scene! 

This is on Lake Belton...

Here is my Veteran Hero - my dad! 

Pretty cool to be on the lake with him.

 I just cannot get enough of these Lake Waco sunsets...

 

This is a 9 pounder (the fish) - Rick is getting his tan on while wrestling Catfish.

All of our fish were caught on Shad in about 12 foot of water - one foot off the bottom.

I am not sure if Dad is checking its temperature, giving it a kiss, taking in that Catfish smell or saying a prayer with this one?

Here is part of the 25 keepers we caught -

52 pounds total and about 20 pounds of filets.

This awesome weather is keeping these Cats active. 

This one weighed in at five pounds...

Not too sure how much this Blue Cat weighed - but, we are all sure it was over 15 pounds.

Here is where I need your creative thoughts....

These Catfish need a special name... mainly because they make Rick sad.  The TightLine rule is...If the Cats are over 15 pounds - we release them.  I have never seen a grown man shut down like Rick when we gingerly release them back into their water world.  Rick goes into an emotional rollercoaster.  Everyone on board has to be quiet for a couple of moments while he collects himself.

I am not sure what to call these Catfish - if you have a suggestion I will run with it... EXAMPLES: Heartbreaker, Lucky, POR (piss off rick), Moody Blue (this of course is a reference to the Moody Blues, Blue Cats and a very Gloomy Rick).  

 

 

NOTHING GETS BETTER THAN THIS...

 

Fun Times at the Waco Zoo...

Here is Harper telling Addie - if they play their cards right, KPa (me), will make sure cotton candy and ice cream are on the menu before they go home to Mom and Dad!!! 

Addie and Happy Harper

 

Addie and PaPa hanging out before dinner

PROUD GRANDPARENTS with Addie and Harpie

(As you can tell - there are multiple cameras)

Here is Harper, Ali, Ash and Addie - BEAUTIFUL!

 



The Chandlers: Will, Harper and Ali

 

Harp - getting some much needed ZZZZZZ time

The Sagers: Ash, Addie and Nick

Harper and Addie