I checked the local hourly weather forecast said 20 percent rain chance decreasing each hour to 10 percent after 3pm...so got to Lake Terrell at 2:45pm...its July 3rd its raining and rained whole time even rained hard for a bit. (Damn weather channel) Best part why I also went winds were 2-3 mph. Since I do mostly top water fishing and don't carry an anchor this was good news...was dead calm. Parking lot was just 5-6 cars which was nice. Not packed and no one on public docks.

Motored down west side passed two guys tossing plastics in big bass boat.. didn't see any bites in 10 mins I motored by them. Started fishing big pads and about 10 mins in got hit on minnow. He missed it but threw back in and rolled on it...nice fight 15" by 4" in. Photo n release...back down side no hits..new bass boat pulled in saw him plastics and frog fishing again didn't see him get any then went around him to try shallows usually work for some fish...but pads are full and no holes to fish in and front was weedy..tossed plastic frog on top of pads got one hit..set hook but my drag was too loose so he spit it out and left me with grass and weeds. Shallow if you cast you get grass on every reel...even doing top water... tried buzzbait, spinnerbait tandem willow blade, swim jig with trailer, rapala minnow, and frog. Even frog would bring grass back.

Since it was calm and was tired of grass..went deeper and found some pads..sure enough one cast past pads..one twitch of minnow and big roll he went down..tried to wrap me around lily pad stock... worked him out then saw flash!! Big one!! Got him to boat and lipped. He came pre garnished. Got some photos had to hold him way out to get him all in frame. Tape measure 19" by 5" wide. Beat my best there from 2016. And my best July bass. PB is 20" so almost. This made my third 19" first Oct 1987, May 2000 at Sunday Lake and 2020. I like to space them out even decade or two. Let him go after clearing salad.

Tried deeper again for fun cast to middle and sure enough fish jumped at my lure missed it. Probably couldn't zero in with rain. I got two more smaller bass and sunfish. Quit at 9pm. Glad I didn't turn around due to rain and my boat needed a wash anyhow.

Good luck out there.

James

---