PACK Trip Report – Fence Lake November 2018

[Ken J]

PACK Trip Report – Fence Lake November 2018

PACK had originally planned its annual Panther Point outing on Espiritu Santo Bay, but the weather and site conditions (camp site washed away) made us reschedule our planned date, to an alternate location, Fence Bayou/Lake on Aransas Bay St Jose Island.

Friday - Day 1
Fourteen outstanding men and 1 young lady set out on the Skimmer out of Fulton Harbor. The weather was picture perfect, slack wind, flat and clear water. The PACK Armada was split up into two groups. Group 1 departed at 10:00, Group 2 departed at 12;00. After a 30-minute boat ride camp was setup on the Aransas Bay side of Fence Lake. The water on the bay was crystal clear, and flat. Everyone caught trout. It seemed that almost every cast generated a strike. Granted most of the trout were dinks, everyone had fish to contribute to Saturday nights fish fry. Several members in the group made there way over to Fence Lake where a very large trout was seen (picture taken). Keeper Reds and Trout were taken. Bruce B had brought along his drone to survey and get a bird’s eye view at locating the fish. Bruce generated two videos of the outing. Everyone fished until sundown. Day 1 was a day to remember.

Saturday - Day 2
At about 5:00 am we were awakened by a very nosey Air Boat that was burning the shore line, with a rather bright flood light. At first light world war III broke out. Unbeknownst to PACK Saturday was the opening day for duck season. Fence Lake become a no go as long as Duck Hunters were there. Regrettably the weather had taken a major change. The wind was pumping 10-15 knots, creating choppy water conditions. Even with the wind the trout were still there, and we continued to catch and string a lot of trout. About 2 PM the Duck Hunters bailed and we went into Fence Lake. Reds were taken. Again, everyone fished until sundown. And a special SHOUT OUT to all who made the fish fry so enjoyable - whether you were cooking, cutting, prepping or catching - it was very much appreciated! We all slept very well Saturday night, even thru the midnight rain storm.

Sunday - Day 3
Sunday at 5:00 we were visited by the Airboat again. We rose with first light to be greeted by a rather strong wind, we broke camp and started fishing. At about 10:00 the wind really started to blow, and everyone struggled to get back to camp. The Duck Hunters also exited at the same time. The Skimmer arrived at 11:00 for the first group to return to Fulton. Brad V and his brother Randy fished Fence Lake. They were following Bruce’s drone that was spotting/locating reds for them. Brad reported that he was so excited that he casted off his sand eel and had to resort to his down south paddle tail. Casting to the drone location, he hooked a 12" red. Then he saw a tailing red but didn't get him to eat. Didn't see any more fish but Crabb crawled down the bay towards the mouth. Picked up 3 more rat reds and 1-22"red. Then as the water got a little deeper found 2 keeper trout. Randy caught a couple small trout. We had to quit at 1230 in order to paddle back to camp by 1pm take out by the Skimmer.
Great time had by all. All hands want to go back to Fence Lake when duck season is over.

Fence Lake 2018 Video
https://www.facebook.com/packtx.org/vid ... zM0NTkzNw/

Fence Lake 2018 Day 2 Video
https://www.facebook.com/packtx.org/vid ... jYyNTkzNw/

Pictures
http://www.packtx.org/Photos/tabid/58/A ... fault.aspx

[Kayak Kid]

Great photos. How I miss those PACK camp outs.

No regrets. Thanks to PACK I have my memories of the many times spent in tents, kayaks, clear, windless days, and torrential rain storms..., in the company of some really great guys.

[TroutSupport.com]

Nice work guys