Stocker Trout Fishing News

Finished the video of today’s kayak fishing action on Texoma sooner than later. Had a fun time even though we did not hook many. Cannot wait to give it another try again. Next time, will bring more Slabs and definitely the depth finder! Also, video has some snippets of a school of helicopters?, Denison Dam tail race, and brief mention of a couple of homemade fish stringers we have been using!  

Cooler temps this morning but did make the run to Texoma and put in a Spillway Ramp. Had one school pass and was able to catch one Striper. Later, worked a school of shad and was able to catch a Gaspergou. All was quiet, trolling, jigging, and sight casting but no more schools breaking the surface like the other two trips. However, did get one more Striper while casting to point. Still working on the video; will get it out in the next few days. PS: Having the depth finder (Lowrance Hook 3X DSI) made a difference in locating schools of shad! #kayakfishing this morning to #texoma for #stripedbass …first breakfast of champions! #coffee and #nutterbutter cookies …went with pants instead of shorts but still have kayak sandals, cooler temps this morning A post shared by COAF Field Team (@coaf.field.team) on Jul 30, 2017 at 5:02am PDT

Finally got it done but it’s done! Posted the article on how we made the kayak jug fishing lines and why we are switching to them. We still have our other jug lines, but for jug fishing in a kayak, these are much easier to deploy in the limited space of the kayak. Also, we like how they can be dropped in the water and left to set itself, while we move on to set the next jug line! Using the Jugger Jug Line design by Top Brass and combining it with the function of a Marker Buoy, we were able to make the Do-It-Yourself Marker Buoy Jug Lines using readily available material at our local stores. Plus with the relaxation of the white colored jug lines in Texas, any color but orange works but we are leaning toward pink/magenta… much easier to see compared to white especially when the wind is kicking up! Do check it out, and do give it a try at making your own for kayak fishing!

Murphy’s Law struck hard today with one Striped Bass caught, then soon after our line broke. While re-rigging had schools breaking the surface as they passed near the kayak! Also, had issues with our second camera, so had to work with only one POV for most of the trip. Still had a fun time with several missed hook ups on the Tandem-Rigged Bucktail/Fluke Rig that our fishing partner was using. Also, met another fisherman who gave some great tips on working the schools! Hope to try those tips out sooner than later on our next trip to Texoma!

Follow-up video of the action we saw while scouting a local pond for Catfish. Had a number of Catfish look at our bait and many more Sunfish and Bluegill peck at our bait. Fun time but ended this round without a Catfish. One did bend our hook to get away though!  

Still working on the underwater video edits from our quick trip to Celebration Park the other day. We posted a video snippet of a turtle stealing our bait but not the remainder of the video as of yet. Hope to get it done soon. But, till then, we did come across another great product review from Hank Patterson! Orvis nippers… and maybe a fly rod in the near future, too!

Been itching to kayak fish Texoma for some time but kept getting sidetracked with other things until this morning! Made the run up to Texoma and put in a Spillway Ramp. Been awhile since we been up here… Dave’s Ski and Tackle is now a Lonestar Store and the Ramp fee at Spillway Ramp is $5.00 now. No worries though, Lonestar carries the Blue/White Bucktail Jigs we like to use when fishing Texoma. We would tie them ourselves but for some reason, these do better than ours… must be their mojo is on for Texoma! Was hoping to be at the ramp at 7:00AM but was delayed an hour. Plus we stopped at Krispy Kreme for our breakfast of champions – coffee and donuts! Lots of surface action until around 10AM, then it was sporadic.  Did not get any bites trolling but did have a Striped Bass break-off on a Tandem Rigged Bucktail Jig and Fluke Rig. And, while they were busting around the kayak, managed to catch one – went 20″ in length. Also, while working a surface popp...

Fished the North Pond at Celebration this evening. Brought bread for bait and the Water Wolf Camera to capture the underwater action. Got a number of video clips; still putting the video together. But, did want to get this clip out… it shows one turtle skillfully stealing our bait without getting itself hooked! Thought it was a fluke but, we saw several other turtles make the same move… position the baited hook in their mouth so the hook pulls free when they pull the line with their front leg. Ended up striking out; had one Catfish on the line but our light wire hook was not enough to hold the Catfish.  Luckily we did get it on video. Will get it posted later… likely next week. Trying to hit Texoma tomorrow!

Been out of pocket this past week but did make it the Bethany Lakes this evening to end the work week and to start the weekend. What better way to do so, then wetting a line and fishing a pond! This round it was two Bass, and then several Bluegill and Sunfish. All went for a Green Foam Grasshopper… bummer though, lost the fishing fly to a snag to end this round.

Several months ago we had two hats embroidered with out website’s address – StockerTroutFishing.com. It was actually one hat with the StockerTroutFishing.com address. The other hat was a typo; we forgot the Trout in StockerTroutFishing.com. To remedy the situation, we hand-embroidered the word Trout onto the hat; however, it was hard to decipher the word from a distance. The letters tended to blur with one another and the shapes were in a cursive style that made it even harder to read than the “Times New Roman” font of the original lettering. Luckily, your’s truly found an old Mepp’s patch (“TROUT”) we earned when we caught a Rainbow Trout in a stocked pond in Rhode Island way back when. We used a Mepps Anglia Silver Bladed inline spinner to catch a 17″ trout which met Mepp’s length requirement for a patch! The program still exists today; for more details see Mepps Master Angler Program ! In short order, we added the patch to t...

Rain had us delayed this morning but after the “cloud” passed was able to set jug lines. Today’s catch was four Catfish – one caught kayak fishing, three caught jug fishing. Smallest was 13″, then 15″, 18″ and 20″ in length. Used four different jug lines – the ones we made recently, Jugger jug lines, flagging jug lines, and Free Floating jug lines. One Catfish on each type except for the Free Floating one; no takers on them. Overall was a fun time; will like go back to the new jug lines we made that act like a marker buoy. Did add weights to several of the Jugger jug lines; should work like the new ones we made! Although white is no longer a requirement for jug line floats in Texas, we saved the link from Amazon where we purchased them in the past: Also, someone asked about the clips we use to attack our hooks to the main line. We use Trot Line Clips:

Lot of reports and banter on this location!     Brad R: Re: Squaw Creek Tilapia Yes, Squaw gets very hot with the water getting up into the 90s as I recall, maybe a bit warmer than that. During the cold winter months, it attracts lots of boats. Tilapia once caught are not allowed to be released back into the lake; you either keep them for the fridge or leave them on the bank. There are that many out there! It is a blue tilapia strain and it is one of the most cold tolerant of the species capable of surviving in waters down to mid 40s as I recall, so if the power generators were ever shut down during the winter months, they'd likely survive. Yes, to the fish going up in the rivers to escape the heat. But, boaters aren't going back up in there to catch tilapia so much as the bass. Few people target tilapia out there from boats. And, tilapia have no issues with the hot water so while the river/creek shallows would...

More on Squaw Creek…     Littlefeather: Re: Squaw Creek Tilapia I've not been to Squaw since Winter but caught a whole box of Tilapia and big channel cats. Squaw is the hottest water lake I've ever fished so Winter really pays off! Generally in the warmer months almost every fish in the lake goes as far up the river as they can go so they escape the hot power plant water circulating. Sometime you can just step from one boat to the next to the next up the river in the Summer. I wouldn't think the bank fishing areas would be very good right now but January and February should be non-stop action. We generally just use a slip float, small hook, and regular old worms. It's one heck of a good channel cat lake too! Good luck! Please report back! Thanks!     Retrieved from http://texasfishingforum.com/forums  

Great info on Tilapia at Squaw Creek… just west of Fort Worth!     Brad R: Re: Squaw Creek Tilapia I have caught them while bass fishing, some really large. I'd recommend something similar to a drop shot rig with a small hook and I'd likely go with a minnow or a worm. Any of the coves will do if you are on the bank. A better spot at times would be up in the feeder creeks. There are cleaning stations at the boat launch so you can clean them there before you take them home. Brad Photo of Squaw Creek tilapia below. Retrieved from http://texasfishingforum.com/forums  

Since the run to the Galveston last month, we have been missing the Texas Coast and the saltwater fishing that it offers.  Although we have had several rounds of kayak fishing in since then locally, one cannot catch a Shark in Lake Lavon! Luckily, we have several Readers asking about information and lessons learned from out trips to Galveston. Always willing to help other, we collated the our notes and published, “Fishing in Galveston”. Do check it out; we hope it helps others planning a trip to Galveston!

Been getting questions from Readers recently related the fishing we have been posting about. One of question asked about the kayaks we use for fishing and our thoughts about them. To better answer questions, we have noticed publishing online articles and referencing the link has been working well. Here is our latest article, “Kayak Buying Tips” . Do check it out when you get a chance! PS: Don’t forget about other articles we have posted too!

Made a quick run to Highland Park this morning on Lake Lavon. Was hoping to catch a fish or two with the new jug lines, but ended up striking out. Did get a couple of hits but was not able to hook up. Was promising in that we saw one fisherman with a number of Catfish on his stringer. But, it looks like the “early bird” gets the worm; he had caught all his prior to 9AM. No worries though, we were able to test the jug lines as well as a pvc rig we out together to mount a Versabrella Shade on one of the kayaks. Worked well! Going to play with the design more; thinking about adding a “Tee” connector to mount our a camera. Do stay tuned for an article on how we make the jug lines as well as the pvc rig for the Versabrella. PS: Had a question concerning the color of jug lines we use. White is no longer a requirement in Texas per TPWD … Tagging and Marking Requirements Must be used with a valid GEAR TAG (see Definitions) attached within 6 inches of the free-floating device; gear tag is valid...

Made it to Tickey Creek today; tested another kayak jug fishing design. Test went well; liking the ease of deployment! Just no bites. Luckily, did get some video of what was lurking below! Also, had a hard time catching shad with the cast net but did catch enough to set lines. Trolled jigs and slabs with a light strike here or there but no hook ups. Overall, had a fun time! Quick snippet of the Kayak Jug Line used today… fun time on #lakelavon #kayakfishing …tried the new #juglines …liking the ease of deployment! A post shared by COAF Field Team (@coaf.field.team) on Jul 8, 2017 at 7:57pm PDT

Posted the short snippet of a Gaspergou looking at our lure as we trolled while kayak fishing at Clear Lake Park on Lake Lavon. Fishing buddy caught a Catfish that went for a Slab with a Berkley Fish Gulp in shrimp flavor as a teaser. He also snagged a Gaspergou that was on a line that broke off. Your’s truly struck out; my mojo continues to be off! No worries, did get to see what was lurking below. Also, learned that the lower part of the water column was the area to concentrate on versus the top water bite. Hope to be ready next time… that is, once Clear Lake Park opens again. Road repairs in progress for the next few weeks!

Been modifying things and making updates to the website. Received a notice from Amazon that they were retiring the Amazon Store function in the next few months. After a little updating here and there, the Field Team Store is ready for the change! Do check out our Field Team – Amazon Picks ! We listed various fishing “things” we have purchased over the years and still use at various times of the year. We started the page to answer a frequently asked question concerning the lures, baits, equipment we use. Do take a look at it when you get a chance! Also, do check out our COAF Field Team Store on Amazon!

More info on Taneycomo!     robert hunter: Re: Taneycomo Fishing Grey,tan,olive,uv,and black scuds sz 16-22. Also small 16-18 yellow soft hackles as a dropper if not going double scud. The best soft hackle fishing I've had on the Taney was single fly often swinging it producing best. If you want to try and tangle with a giant in the dark shoot me a pm and I can probably help. Fished the Taney hard last 12 years or so but the last ten of have been almost 100% at night targeting big Browns. If going double scud I like a 16 followed by an 18-22 still to early right now for good egg fishing imo hold that for fall thru spring.     Retrieved from http://texasfishingforum.com/forums

  Great update on Taneycomo!   Riverdog: Re: Taneycomo Fishing oh and BTW - if you are looking for food...the following is "usually" inhabited by locals rather tourists. The good is good and reaonable and you can avoid the strip. http://dannasbbq.com/ If you are looking for a top shelf meal - https://www.keetercenter.edu/Dining.aspx It is located at College of the Ozarks - a college that requires it's students to work and not borrow money for the college. Every student graduates debt free. My wife and I found it when we toured of the campus.It is one of the top two or three resturanunts in Branon. I had a chance to talk with the chef...an amazing man. He and two more professionaly trained chefs run the place and train the students. The remainder of the staff are students who from all over the world staff the frontend, backend, and kitchem who rotate through semester by semester as part of the...

Still editing the video from yesterday’s kayak fishing at Clear Lake Park (Lake Lavon). Struck out but fishing buddy did catch two fish. Trolled various lures with some Berkely Gulp for added attraction. Good to know at least one fish was interested!   #waterwolfcamera video editing still ongoing but did get a glimpse of a #fish from yesterday’s #kayakfishing #lakelavon A post shared by COAF Field Team (@coaf.field.team) on Jul 5, 2017 at 4:38pm PDT

Another great report from Texoma!!     texoma1231: Fly fishing Lake Texoma July 5th Put in at Eisenhower State Part this morning at 6:00am. Just missed the rain. Actually it sprinkled some as we were putting the boat in the water. We were using 8wt fly rods today in hopes of some larger stripers. Our first fish came just at the west corner of the cove at Eisenhower and it was a nice 2 1/2 lb small mouth. Followed by the same size large mouth. It was not long until we spotted some fish on the surface just out from the marina. We could tell that the fish were not large but it was the first top water action since fishing in Little Mineral trip a few days ago. We never got out of sight on Eisenhower and caught stripers and sand bass on top water most of the morning. We did catch some on clousers also. We were off of the water by 10:45 and had boated at least 35 fish between the two of us. All fish were between 13-14 in...

Struck out kayak fishing at Lake Lavon’s Clear Lake Park again. Fishing buddy caught a Catfish and a Gaspergou. Actually snagged the line the Gaspergou was attached to… still counts! Got a great workout in and hope to see fish in the Water Wolf Camera that we trolled behind us. Maybe see what did not bite today and post video of it at a later date… Happy 4th of July!   tough round #kayakfishing #lakelavon today. one of us got two fish. yours truly struck out but got a great workout plus uw video with the #waterwolfhd …hope to see what did not bite on video! A post shared by COAF Field Team (@coaf.field.team) on Jul 4, 2017 at 11:45am PDT

Windy day at Clear Lake Sunday; had struck out Saturday fishing Lavonia South and Little Ridge. Storms and lightning sidelined us for a little bit. But, still struck out. Sunday with the weather clearing fished the afternoon at Clear Lake Park. Windy conditions as well as a couple of jet skiers who came too close, too fast… no side numbers on their jet skies, suspect they did not take the PWC Course for operating one… good thing we always wear life jackets. Four of us fished Sunday but only two managed to catch fish… two Yellow Bass, one White Bass, and a Crappie. (PS: Added a short snippet on the Railblaza II Rod Holder showing it being used with a fly rod else not much fishing action footage; really windy for us). Railblaza Rod Holder: http://amzn.to/2qoYhp1 Lowrance Hook 3x DSI: http://amzn.to/2qAnHjA Lesson learned this outing: Always be mindful of other watercraft while in a kayak, but pay extra attention for jet skiers without side numbers. Strong likelihood that...

 Yesterday morning fished Celebration Park’s North Pond . Used a Water Wolf Camera to get underwater video of the fish lurking in the pond – Bluegill, Sunfish, and a couple of Catfish. Caught several Bluegill and Sunfish using the Micro Fly Rod! Used a size 10 Pink Near Deere that they were readily striking. But, should have went “micro” as the fishing fly was way too big for the scrappy fish. Later in the evening, fishing buddy suggested fishing the East Pond as Celebration Park. No need to twist this fisherman’s arm to go fishing… rigged up a couple of spinning rods and grabbed some bread for bait. Prefer to use bread for bait when fishing local ponds as the Catfish have become “trained” by people feeding the ducks with bread. (Liked this method so much, wrote two articles about it… “ Fishing with Bread ” and “ Fishing with Bread: Fishing Rigs “). The evening round saw lots of strikes and misses – suspect the smaller fish like the Bluegill and Sunfish were having a feeding frenzy...