striper pictures

[Brent-T]

I just thought I would post some pictures of my favorite trophies. These were both caught in Arkansas, where I go looking for the big boys, but I love to go home to Lake Texoma for those ho-hum hundred fish days. You know it's been good when at 11:00 AM you put the rod down, fish still going bonkers, rub your elbow, smile, and call it a day. There are times when I love challenging, technical fishing, and then there's times when you just love to slay 'em.

[Bigmagic]

Hey Brent hook me up with the how and where. I primarily fish for catfish but I love Hybrids,Whites and Stripers as well. Thanks

[Brent-T]

No problem. We moved to Branson from Hot Springs, where I fished Lake Ouchita, Hamilton, and Catherine extensively for stripers and whites. Ouchita was a beautiful lake, but these big guys came out of Hamilton. It's basically tailwater fishing by boat. I liked the idea of knowing there were trophy stripers in such a contained area. Both of these fish came on a 4" Storm Wildeye Shad, pearl color (soft swim bait) , but we also caught a ton of fish on Zara Spooks. The fish in this clear water are extremely spooky, but early and late day topwater in summertime seemed to be the best. What's kind of cool is the different number of species of fish you will catch in a day on the Wildeye Shad. The day I caught the 32 pounder, I also caught 4 big walleye, a pickerel, a 22" rainbow, a huge drum, a black bass, and several other big stripers. It was just an awesome day. Basically I was drifting the middle of the water, where I could reach both banks, and making long casts in both directions. I would allow the shad to sink, then begin a slow, stop-and-go retrieve. Kind of bottom bouncing the shad. I actually got to see the take on the 50 pounder. A 15 pound fish had come by and sideswiped my lure, so I just killed it dead in the water and let it fall straight down. The 50 was waiting underneath for an easy meal and took it on the drop. Too cool. I usually just looked for the scum line where the cold water and warmer water met, and would start from there. There always seemed to be a lot of bait in that area, and we had some good success there. Good luck, and if you need any more info, just let me know. If you do go, just have some heavy tackle, like 7 ft. medium heavy to heavy action rods, 20 lb. test, and saltwater hooks, because these big fish are tackle wreckers.

[Wayne SW/MO]

What part of Texoma do you fish?

[jay bird]

Great looking fish. That 50 is huuuge!!!!!

[Brent-T]

I have fished every piece of water on the lake. My Dad knows every hump and bump after full time guiding it for 20 years. We usually put in at Lowes Highport because it's not too far from the house, but sometimes Little Mineral when we need to fish the other side by the dam, or want to head north past the railroad bridge. Fishing has been fantastic this year, with the bigger fish making a real strong comeback after a big killoff a few years ago. The sheer number of stripers and bait in that lake are absolutely staggering. With Dallas getting bigger and bigger, the number of boats can be staggering too. This is my favorite time of year to fish, because the fish are on structure, and you have the lake all to yourself. It's also the best time of year to catch a big fish.

[jay bird]

I have fished every piece of water on the lake. My Dad knows every hump and bump after full time guiding it for 20 years. We usually put in at Lowes Highport because it's not too far from the house, but sometimes Little Mineral when we need to fish the other side by the dam, or want to head north past the railroad bridge. Fishing has been fantastic this year, with the bigger fish making a real strong comeback after a big killoff a few years ago. The sheer number of stripers and bait in that lake are absolutely staggering. With Dallas getting bigger and bigger, the number of boats can be staggering too. This is my favorite time of year to fish, because the fish are on structure, and you have the lake all to yourself. It's also the best time of year to catch a big fish.

Did you ever fly fish for the striper on Texoma.

[Brent-T]

I've done quite a bit of flyrodding on Texoma. Typically, the guides on Texoma are split into two camps: Live baiters and artificials (each will tell you why they're better). There are actually times for both on the lake, but the artificials seem to be so much more versatile and mobile, that for the bulk of the year, they are superior. As for the flyfishermen, I haven't seen a ton of it done on the lake, but have enjoyed some great success, you just have to pick your season. There are certain times of the season, namely anything other than winter, when you can do very well with the long rod. At first light in spring, summer, and fall, we will work the shallow water sand banks. You won't see any topwater action, but you can bring them up with a shad imitation popper or slider. The saltwater standby's such as a clouser would probably get you through just about any situation there. Chartreuse and whites rule, as the water is almost always somewhat stained due to the sediment brought in by the Red River. I don't think realistic patterns matter as much there as they do in the clear lakes of Arkansas, where realistic colors and lighter lines rule. It's more action and visibility there. After working banks early with a floating line, it's time to switch to a fast sink line, look for birds or topwater action, and keep an eye on your graph. These fish are so fast, and move so much in the open water, that it's pretty much run-and-gun fishing. The fly tackle can't usually keep up fish for fish with the conventional tackle, but the connection to the fish on the flyrod is unbeatable.

[jay bird]

Brent thanks for the above info. I was wondering if I could pick your brain for a couple more. How is the fishing in Mid-March? How long of a drive is it down there? And most imporant is this lake a lower unit killer like some of the other lakes in Texas? Thanks Jason