Catch of the Day

Tommy Schmersal. Photo by Janet Stephens

Thirteen-year-old Canyon Laker Tommy Schmersal caught this bass using shad as bait that he got out of the lake. He caught a total of four bass but two spit out the hook.

His pal, experienced fisher Janet Stephens, said, “He was fishing with me all day and totally out fished me. He caught one nice size bass at the three tunnels and the rest of the bass at Sunset Beach by the red buoy.”

Tommy released all the fish safely back into the lake.

Brandon Helbock. Photo by Jude Donahue

Ten-year-old Brandon Helbock used a crankbait to catch this one-pound bass while out fishing on his 10th birthday with pal Jude Donahue. “He is obsessed with fishing,” said Jude, a Canyon Lake resident and member of the Bassmasters Club. “He’s looking forward to this year’s Kids Fishing Derby, and he can’t wait until he’s old enough to join the Bassmasters Club.” In 2014, Brandon won a first place trophy at the Bassmasters Kids Fishing Derby for catching the largest crappie in his age group.