December 31,2003
I went and did some scouting today up stream from Texoma and I found a lot of catfish. I only fished about 2 and a half hours and caught 20 Cats. The biggest was 37 LBS. I lost another big one and caught another that was 15 LBS. Most were about 4 LBS. I don't think there are as many big cats up stream but there are more, the small fish were biting fast.
December 30,2003
Good day on Red River today. 27,28,and 37 LB Flatheads. 18,25,and 31 LB Blue Cats. Snagged a few Paddlefish and caught a few small cats.
December 28,2003
Red River again today. Slow day again caught a 51 LB 47 inch Blue Cat and lost another big fish, caught a 18 LB Blue Cat and a few paddlefish.
December 27,2003
Fished Red River again today. We started out having a hard time, we could not get a big fish to bite then when we finally got bit the hook broke. Finally we got a brake and landed a big nasty looking blue cat that looked really old a beat up, he had scars all over him and looked to be blind in both eyes but he really put up a good fight when we hooked him. This fish easily bottomed out my 50 LB scales. I would guess him to be in the 60 LB range, he was 49 inches long and had a 30 inch girth. We lost another fish that was in the 30- 40 LB range then landed a 27 LB blue and a 27 LB flathead. We also snagged a few paddlefish.
December 26,2003
Back on the Red River for catfish today. We caught 9 catfish. The biggest was 50 LB then a 40 LB , 25 LB and 6 small 2-10 LB cats. Everyone caught a paddlefish.
December 24,2003
Fished Lake Texoma today for Striper. Have not been on the lake since Dec. 6th. We fished Slabs today and did pretty good. It looks like the lake fishing is slowing down some, the surface temp was 48 degrees this morning and that is getting to cold. The fish are very fat and healthy so we should have some really good fishing in the spring. I think we ended up with 17 fish in the box and threw back a bunch of over 20" fish. From what I am hearing the afternoon bite has been producing some fish over 10 LBS, our biggest was about 9 LBS this morning.
December 21,2003
Tough fishing on the Red River today. Covered a lot of water. Lost a couple of big fish. 16 LBS was our biggest cat today. We ended up with a good box of fish and snagged a few Paddlefish. Check out the pic of the snake that was in about a 10 LB cats stomach, I noticed the fish was very fat when I cleaned it so I cut open it's stomach and pulled out about a 3 foot snake, maybe I should start fishing with snakes and shad. I wonder how long it took to swallow that thing. I don't miss my 20 LB guarantee very often but when I do it is nice when I have customers who understand that I work very hard to put them on big fish and don't hold me to it. That is the kind of customers I really like to have and they will always be welcome on my boat again.
December 20,2003
Ran about 50 miles in the air boat today, it was 24 degrees when we left the ramp and that makes for a very cold ride to the first hole. Fishing was tough again today but we still managed a few big ones. We ended up with a 16,34,and 38 LB Blue Cat, a 37 LB Flathead, some small cats and a few Paddlefish.
December 19,2003
Red River again today. 16,28,and 37 LB Blue Cat ,38 LB Flathead and a few small cats. Snagged a few Paddle fish also.
December 18,2003
Fished Red River today. Fishing was still a little slow and we lost a few good fish but we did land a 25 and a 30 LB cat and one paddlefish before we called it quits at 1:00.
December 17,2003
We did not make it 5 trips in a row with nothing over 30 LBS today. The fishing was slow but we ended up getting a 22,27,and a 43 LB Catfish today. We lost a couple more big cats and missed a few bites. Started the day with about a 5 LB Striper.
December 15,2003
Fished Red River again today. Fishing was a little slow but we still caught a few. The biggest was a 27 LB Flathead ,20 LB Blue ,and a 15 LB Flathead. Cleaned 8 that were 4-10 LBS. Everyone caught a Paddlefish.
December 14,2003
Fished Red River today. It started out very cold this morning but warmed up after a while. We caught 12 catfish today 6 were from 20 to 27 LBS and the other six were 4 to 8 LBS. We also snagged about 10 paddlefish. I have 6 river trips next week and I really need to catch some big fish. My last 3 trips have not produced a fish over 27 LBS but that should change in a day or so.
December 13,2003
I really don't know why more people don't want to striper fish this time of year, I guess it is just to cold for most people on the lake. It is much more fun to catch them on lures than live bait and we usually fish longer. Some people ask why we don't stay and fish longer in the summer and my answer is always that it is not fair to the fish to sit there and catch more than your limit on live bait, then I tell them to book a trip in December and we will catch and release all we can on lures but I think that just goes in one ear and out the other then the next summer they are back again to fish live bait . I think everyone should bundle up and get out there and see another side of Striper fishing. You really don't know what you are missing. I think next year I will just winterize my boat at the end of November and catfish the whole winter. For some reason there seems to be much more interest in cat fishing in the winter.
December 12,2003
I have not been fishing this week, that is why there are no fish pics. We were going to Striper fish and run jug lines this weekend but the cold weather changed my customers mind. I have been busy fabricating some light bars for the front of my airboat. I custom made these bars out of thin wall steel tubing. I finished all the welding and painted and installed them today. Now all I have to do is install rod holders and wire the lights. The lights are 500 watt halogen lights and will run off a gas powered generator. The purpose of all this is so I can offer bow fishing trips on the river at night. There are plenty of rough fish to shot at in Red River and you can really see them good at night. I will be fishing the river next week for big cats.
December 8,2003
Fished Red River again today. River was low so paddlefish were easy to catch. Caught a lot of catfish but only 3 over 2 LBS. Biggest cat was 25 LBS.
December 7,2003
Fished Red River today. No real big fish but we caught about 20 catfish and about 15 spoonbill. 5 of the cats were 20 to 26 LBS and the rest were 3 to 15 LBS.
December 6,2003
Fished a group of 3 on the lake today. To cold for live bait today so we fished with slabs and caught some nice fish. We ended up catching about 60 Striper and the biggest one was 10.5 LBS.
December 5,2003
It was a tough day on Red River. We lost our first big cat. We caught the second fish that we hooked and it weighed 30 LBS. Then we went a long time without a bite. we finally caught small fish and a 15 LB fish and then lost another 30 to 35 LB cat when I tried to net him and my net got hung on a tree and the fish got loose. Finally we finished of the day with a 40 LB cat.
December 4,2003
Fished Red River again for big catfish today. Caught a 27,28,43,and 48 LB catfish.
Fishing the river again tomorrow.
December 3,2003
Another good day on Red River. We caught a 40 and 45 LB catfish and lost another big one. We snagged about 6 Paddlefish and a Gator Gar that we fought for about 20 minutes before the hook came out and we lost him. The big Gar surfaced 3 or 4 times and looked to be around 100 LBS.
December 2,2003
Great day on Red River today. 8 big cats today 20,20,21,31,36,38,41 and 50 LBS. We also snagged about 15 paddlefish up to 45 LBS. I had a cancellation on Sunday the 7th and this should be a very good day with the current generation schedule that we have. Here are a few pics from today.
November 30,2003
Fished a group of 4 on the lake today. The fishing was a little slower today but was still real good. It looks like the lure fishing is about to get better than the bait fishing and here is why I think that. The fish are getting harder to catch on bait because the water is getting cooler and they will just hit your bait and not eat it. Lure fishing gets better in the cold water because you can set the hook instantly when you feel a bite. They tend to bite more like crappie in the winter so you should also use lighter tackle. Limited out With 40 fish in the box but they were smaller than yesterday.
November 29,2003
Fished the lake again for striper. Fishing was very good we just needed more people in the boat. 2 people only equals 20 fish in the box. We caught most of our fish on bait but we did catch a few on slabs. The slab fishing was tough due to the high winds. Back to the lake tomorrow then 5 days on the river next week and only 1 day on the lake. I still have this coming Monday open and fishing should be very good on the lake or the river. The river will be very low due to no generation this weekend and will be perfect for fishing down river on Monday so if you have been thinking about a river trip Monday would be a very good day.
November 28,2003
Fished a group of 6 in the lake today. Fishing was very good and we ended up with a good limit of fish. We fished with live bait but slabs would have worked with a smaller group.
November 27,2003
Fished Red River today for big cats. Caught a 31,35,and 40 LB Blue and a 35LB Flathead. We lost one big fish when it came to the surface and rolled, it was probably about 40 LBS. Only caught 2 eating size cats. Snagged a couple of paddlefish. This Monday would be a good day to fish the river because the water should be off all weekend. I have Monday and Thursday open next week.
November 26,2003
Got home last night from North Carolina. I fished a little out there in the Atlantic but did not do any good at all. Only caught small fish. Did not see anyone with any decent fish. I guess we sometimes don't realize just how good the fishing is here. I sure wanted to sleep in but I was booked for a group of 5 on the lake today. They called and said they could not make it ,after I caught bait, because they had car trouble. I went out and fished alone for a little while and the fishing was good . There were lots of fish schooled up under the bird's. Caught them on slabs and sassy shad. Here is a pic of the sun coming up in the Atlantic.
November 21,2003
I will be out of town on a short vacation for a few days ,next report will be Nov. 26.
November 20,2003
Fished a couple of guys from California today. Left out of the Lighthouse at 7 AM headed to Table Top, found a big school of fish under the birds. Dropped anchor and the fish were 20 foot thick under us. When we got close to a limit I asked them if they wanted to try some slabs but they said no we just want to catch a limit and go in. Works for me we were back at the dock at a little after 8.
November 18,2003
Back to Red River again today. Saw a little buck crossing the river on our way to the first hole. Set up in our first spot and got bit quick but lost him right out of net range, he was about 40 LBS, not a good way to start the day but it got better when we hooked the next fish and landed it. Blue Cat and it pegged my 50 LB scale with ease, I would guess about 60LBS. Caught another big blue that weighed 40 LBS ,a gator gar that was about 75LBS and a couple of small paddlefish.
November 17,2003
Fished Red River today. Caught 8 catfish, the biggest were 25,23,20,and 18 LBS. We also snagged about 12 paddlefish.
November 16,2003
Fished a group of 6 today. The fog was really bad this morning, if you did not have GPS you had no business out there. Went to the same spot as yesterday and caught 55 fish before they quit us. Waited a little while for the fog to lift then went looking for birds. Found lots of birds and caught about 20 more fish on slabs.
November 15,2003
Fished a group of 5 on the lake today. Fished live bait and caught 50 fish by 9:00 AM then tied on some slabs and caught some more under the birds. Most of the fish we caught on slabs were bigger but we had to throw them back.
November 14,2003
I went out to catch some bait for a trip tomorrow and couldn't resist it when I saw a big group of birds working. Fished about 30 min. and caught about 20 striper to 7 LBS. Slabs are the ticket right now and the fish are feeding all day on overcast days. I have very few days left open if anyone wants to learn how to catch fish on lures from now till Christmas is prime time.
November 12,2003
I don't have any trips till the weekend so I went looking for some new holes on the Red River. I found some really good holes that I have never fished. These new holes are first come first serve so book a river trip today. I did more looking than fishing but I caught some good fish. My first fish was a 38LB Blue Cat, then I started trying to snag a big Gator Gar but I could not get one . I saw a few but all I could snag was 5 Paddlefish up to 40 LBS and a 35 LB Grass Carp. Them paddle fish can really peel some drag. They are not as strong as a big grass carp but they sure can move fast. I a 21 LB Blue Cat and a 25 LB Flathead at the same time, It not easy working to rods at the same time. I need 4 hands. The 2 flatheads came from the same hole and I think I lost 2 more big fish in that hole. I have the 14th,18th,and 19th open this month.
November 8,2003
Fished a group of 5 today. Anchored up and caught 27 small fish then we went looking for some better action. We found a big bunch of birds working and caught them as fast as we could go on bait then we went slabbing and caught some bigger fish under the birds. The fish are really going on a feed right now and should feed really heavy for the next 4 to 6 weeks depending on how fast the water cools off.
November 6,2003
Fishing was good today. The wind was strong and cold out of the north. We limited out on live bait then found a group of birds working on a good school of fish, we dropped some slabs down and caught about a dozen before they left us.
November 2,2003
Fished a group of four on the lake today. Anchored up and caught them as fast as we could go. Great time to take the kid's fishing with nonstop action on live bait.
November 1,2003
Fishing was slow on the river today. We only caught a few cats and the biggest was only 20 LBS. We caught a Gator Gar that was 6 ft. 4 inches long and probably weighed in the 125 LB range. We also caught a small Spoonbill. We are seeing a lot of Bald Eagles on the river. When we fish the river it's not just a fishing trip it's an adventure.
October 31,2003
Fishing was very good this morning on bait. Limited out early then went looking for some fish to catch on lures, No luck. We caught released one really nice fish that was 8 LBS.
October 30,2003
Fished Red River today for big catfish. Ended up with 4 big fish 23,35,36,and 50 LBS .They were all released after the photos as are all the big cats we catch.
October 28,2003
Fished this afternoon with live bait and slabs and we killed them. The fish are really going on a feed now that the weather has cooled off. Lot's of over 20" fish today.
October 26,2003
Started out slow this morning then we found some birds working. It was the biggest school of fish I have seen in a while. They were 20 foot thick on the graph. We dropped anchor on them and hurt them pretty bad for a while then we had to pull anchor and chase them down again. I think these fish could have been caught on slabs but we were using live bait and it worked fine. This cold front really grouped up the fish and I cant wait to take myself fishing and try some slabbing. There were 5 fishermen in my group today and we limited out with 50 fish.
October 25,2003
I fished a group of three this morning and the fishing was really good for us. I heard some of the other guides on the radio struggling but it was good for us. I am not the best guide on the lake but I can consistantly put fish in the boat as well as anyone. I do think that I have the best boat and equipment on the lake. I have thrown away better rod's than I see on some of the guide boats up here on Texoma. Anyway back to the report here. I fished another group of 3 in the afternoon and it was very windy. I bet we had wind to 40 MPH. We could not get on the main lake so we had to stay in the Little Mineral arm. Not to bad, we boxed 25 and threw back a few dinks.
October 24,2003
I did not fish again today but my partner Dale had a double today. They easily caught their 50 fish limit this morning and 30 fish limit in the afternoon. You have to go to catch them.
October 23,2003
Fishing is good but you have to go to catch them. Where is everyone ? I have had a busy month now all I have booked is the weekend's. The fishing is usually better during the week so pick a day and call in sick! I received the following e-mail's from Bill and Rita who fished with me on the 21 st. It was Bill's birthday, I won't say how old Bill is but I might later if they don't book another trip soon.
