TexomaOkie

I bass fished Taney with Phil last week. We caught all largemouths by mainly fishing laydowns and brush piles. Most of the fish were caught on 5" Senkos (smoke w/black and purple flake). We had some limited success just before dark with topwater poppers. We fished from downtown Branson to the old pirate cruise gold mine. If you look back to last week, Phil posted fishing reports about bass fishing on Taney. Texoma Okie I should have mentioned that we fished the Senkos Texas-rigged with no weight. TexomaOkie

Check out the attached article and the study conducted on Blue Catfish in particular. The number of years these fish live is mind-boggling. The study results will definitely affect my perspective as it relates to the harvest of these fish, especially the big ones. TexomaOkie Biologists examine blue catfish populations During a recent research project, Oklahoma Department of Wildlife Conservation fisheries biologists collected a 24-year-old blue catfish. More surprising than the fish's impressive age was its diminutive weight. The catfish weighed only two pounds. "That fish was not normal but, in short, we found that it takes a long time for a blue cat to grow very large. Generally speaking, it takes 13-16 years for a blue catfish to reach 10 pounds. They have a long lifespan compared to most Oklahoma fish, but they grow slowly," said Jeff Boxrucker, senior fisheries research biologist for the Wildlife Department. "We still have a lot to learn about blue catfish, but this research will help us better understand these great fish." Biologists spent months gathering samples and analyzing data from blue catfish populations on seven Oklahoma lakes. However, all is not equal in the realm of blue cats. That 24-year-old, two-pound fish was caught in Lake Ellsworth in southwest Oklahoma, but this spring, biologists aged a 78-pound fish caught by an angler from Texoma that was 19 years old. "Some fish, particularly blue catfish in certain lakes, just grow slower than others," Boxrucker said. "In our study we found that blue catfish grow faster in Texoma, Waurika, Grand and Keystone lakes. On the flip side, they grow relatively slower in Hugo, Ellsworth and Eufaula lakes." Boxrucker and his fellow biologists will continue to study these unique fish in order to give fisheries managers the knowledge they need to make informed management decisions. In the meantime Boxrucker has one suggestion for anglers. "Keep all the small blue cats that you can eat and the law allows. But consider releasing the really big fish. These trophy blues are a great resource for all anglers and because of their age they can be hard to replace," Boxrucker said. For more information about blue catfish research in Oklahoma log on to wildlifedepartment.com and go to "Fishing," then click on "Fisheries Research Projects." gillman@odwc.state.ok.us

This is exciting news for us Okies. Hopefully, it's not a one time phenomenon. Be sure to click the link to the picture of the baby trout. TexomaOkie

I spent eight days over the past week plus on Lake Texoma. It’s an annual trip that’s become a family tradition. We experienced the typical mixed bag of Oklahoma spring weather. Lot’s of wind and some rain. We fished in three foot swells in cloudy, rainy weather a couple of days. However, that’s perfect striped bass weather. We didn’t catch the big stripers this spring, but lots of fat, healthy four to five pounders. We also jug lined for catfish. We didn’t do as well as usual on the big ones, but caught more fish than usual. Our biggest was a blue cat that weighed thirty-one pounds. We caught the catfish on live shad in twenty-five feet of water along the edge of the Washita river channel that runs through the lake at forty-five to sixty feet deep. The pattern on the stripers was to fish windy points or flats. Most of the time, the shad are found on the windy side of the lake and the stripers run them into shallow water on the points and flats. Occasionally, they would force the shad to the surface on the open lake. When that happened, sea gulls were the best indicator to look for. Chrome and black Chug Bug Big Bugs worked best when there was surface action, and a chartreuse ½ oz. Little George worked best when they were feeding below the surface. We also caught lots of white bass mixed in with the stripers. Just be sure you don’t call them white bass around Texoma. Only the hardcore fishermen will know what you’re talking about. In those parts, they’re known as sand bass. Texoma Okie

Here's an update to the fishing report for Lake Texoma. Striped Bass fishing is excellent in the Big Glasses arm of the lake on the windy side of points. Top water lures in low light conditions and slabs in bright light conditions have been consistent producers. This pattern should remain consistent until a weather change moves in late Monday and early Tuesday. This usually causes the fish to move to deeper water where drifting live shad is the best bet. By Thursday, the wind is forecasted to return from the south and the striper fishing should be hot and heavy on the points using artificial lures again! Catfishing has been good on cut and live bait and is usually not effected as much by weather changes. I plan to be there for the next seven or eight days, so I'll try to let you know how we fare. TexomaOkie

Happy Easter to all as we celebrate the resurrection of Christ. I can't imagine my life without Him as my Lord and Savior. He makes my difficult times more bearable. He causes good times to be richer and more fulfilling. Because Christ paid the price with His death, it's the best offer you'll ever recieve. It's FREE! Best of all, the price He paid includes the "icing on the cake", eternity in Heaven. God Bless and Good Fishiing! TexomaOkie

That's awesome! For those interested, both games are scheduled to be broadcast live, back to back, on channel 610 (CSTV) via satellite on DirectTV. Should be great national exposure for C of O. I'll be watching! Go Cats! TexomaOkie

I plan to be on Taney next week, but have a dilemma. I grew up fishing heavy tackle on Texoma Lake. Although I'm learning, I've yet to master fly fishing. I'd like to try night fishing below the dam. However, I doubt fly fishing in the dark would be an enjoyable experience for someone with my skill level. I've caught Taney trout on light spinning tackle during the day, but never tried it at night. Can night fishing on Upper Taney with light spinning tackle be good this time of the year? If so, what types of lures and line work best at night? Thanks for the help! Okie

It was 90 on Tuesday and 97 yesterday here at Ada, in southern Oklahoma! No fires, but lots of HOT wind. On the positive side, the warm weather has made for an earlier spring bite in the large ponds and watershed lakes in our area. Fished a 10 acre watershed Tuesday afternoon and had a blast. Caught several nice largemouths up to a fat 6lb.+ beauty caught by my dad. Not bad for a guy that will soon be 80 years old! Plus, I had the pleasure of netting it for him.

Wayne: The lake has started to silt in a lot in that area. You can no longer get a boat from the main lake into the Cumberland Cut. However, the fishing is still very good in that area. Last spring we caught blue cat that weighed 60, 56, and 45 pounds each and several more that weighed between 5 and 20 pounds near the Washita River channel around the oil wells. We also caught a lot of sripers up to 14 pounds on top water lures in the same area. The Tishomingo NWR on the Washita River arm of the lake is still full of willow stands that produce some great pre-spawn slab crappie. Fishing from a tube and doodling jigs or minnows is the way to go. The sand bass spawning run is usually a highlight of the spring time in that same area. However, this year there may not be enough water flowing down the creeks and rivers to support a run unless we get some big rains.

Darth: That was the most curious situation I've ever seen with a coach. I agree that you have the best coach. He's a native Okie and I think his heart said go home, but his head said stay with the best job. As far as baseball goes, you have the better job. Longhorn Fan: Drawback? I thought that was a plus! Oh well, after five years I have to give you longhorn fans your due props this year. Boy, that was hard! Now, let's move on to a more pleasant subject. Do you guys expect any white bass runs in the White River area while we're there the middle of March? If not, surely the Taney trout will bite. The great thing about the White River area is that if one bite's not on, another always seems to be! It will be the prime time for a white bass run here. However, we don't have enough water flowing into the lakes from the tributaries to support much of a run. On the positive side, the lake level on Texoma is in good shape (about 1 foot below power pool), so spring stripers should be good! Can't wait for the April topwater action!

We'll be there in a couple of weeks.

I’m a sinner saved by grace, unworthy of all I’ve been blessed with. But blessed I’ve been! The love of my life is my wife and family. God blessed me with a wife who is more than I ever hoped for. My three children, a son and two daughters, complete my life! All three love to fish. My son is now a U.S. Marine and fishing’s just not the same without him. All those hours we've spent together on the water are now treasured more than ever. I miss him dearly. My daughters melt my heart. If you have daughters, you understand. I live less than an hour from Texoma Lake and grew up fishing and primitive camping on the upper end of this huge border reservoir. The majority of my time on the water is still spent there chasing striped bass, white bass (known as sand bass in these parts), and big catfish. Even though drifting threadfin shad is consistently the most productive method for catching stripers, I prefer artificial lures. There’s nothing like that heart-stopping moment when a twelve to fourteen pound striper tries to kill a big top water lure before he eats it! Our family has been blessed with the friendship of the Lilley’s. We try to make it to Taneycomo three or four times a year. I love being on the water when I’m there, whether it be Table Rock, Taneycomo, or Bull Shoals. Fly fishing gives me fits, but I’m trying! Lots of practice and tools like this unbelievable web site should help greatly.