Stocker Trout Fishing News

What is in our tackle box when ultralight baitcasting aka BFS Fishing? Here is a video short detailing what we like! Of note are the Super Dupers in Copper, Gold, Silver, and Rainbow Trout!  Fish them low and slow when the trout are holding deep.  If active in the upper part of the water column, then fish them with a steady retrieve. Additionally, if no takers on either retrieve, then try a "stop and go retrieve" by reeling in, and then pausing for a second or two.  Wait for a strike as Super Duper slowly sinks and flutters on the pause! Also, Mepps Inline Spinners in Copper, Gold, and Silver hold a spot in our tackle box. Fish them with a steady retrieve and when the trout are holding in the upper part of the water column. Adjust the retrieve by reeling faster or slower until you get a strike. A "stop and go retrieve" may be called for on occasion.  But, typically, it is lure blade color and the trout's location in the water column that matter more. Rooster Ta...

Try holding your rod high when slow reeling a Super Duper for rainbow trout. Do let us know if it worked for you!

Here is a follow-up fishing video that describes five fly fishing presentations that have worked well for us when trout fishing in Oklahoma – specifically, the Blue River, Broken Bow (also known as the Lower Mountain Fork), and Turner Falls. The five fly fishing presentations are: – Upstream – Upstream 45 degrees – Cross Stream – Downstream 45 degrees – Downstream Of note, one must continue to maintain a drag free drift to ensure the fishing fly mimics a natural moving “bug”. PS: Video includes one more presentation that is a variation of several them.

YouTube Shorts video that shows a suggestion we learned from fishermen in Missouri or was it Arkansas. No worries… we like it! How to check if your hook is barbless especially in those special regulation areas that require the use of barbless hooks! Give it a try and let us know if it works for you! Suggested Trout Fishing Supplies Fly Fishing Tying Suggestions

A quick upgrade to the old jon boat… seat clamps, padded seat, and a diy tool to tighten the bolts easier. Really comfortable, plus can move it from the bow to stern seat easily! Suzuki Outboard Suggestions

A simple test to determine if Fluorocarbon line gets weaker after it sits overnight in freezing temperatures. Need more samples to answer the question, but did notice that the results so far suggest paying attention to the knot and worry less about the cold! Check out the video for more details and our plans to continue to testing! A simple test to determine if Fluorocarbon line gets weaker after it sits overnight in freezing temperatures. It does plus learned a few other things while testing the line! Check out the video for more details!

Had some fun this past weekend fishing for Texas Rainbow Trout at Pottsboro Lake in Pottsboro, TX. Brought the @GoFish Cam to get some underwater video; able to capture some of the action. But, was sidetracked on a quest… Which technique works best for trout? We tried the “Cranky, No Yanky” technique that calls for keeping a tight line and reeling faster when the trout strikes. This one worked the best; no need to use the rod to set the hook, just reel faster. And, we tried the “Rip Thy Lips” technique… this was not the preferred method for limiting out. This technique calls for setting the hook immediately and with a strong pull of the rod at any indication of a strike. Was a fun time; windy conditions… but we limited out. Do check out the video; added underwater footage of the trout moving about at the end of the video.

Here is the follow-on video of yesterday’s kayak fishig trip to Lake Lavon. Bought new kayak fishing sandals from the Columbia Allen Outlet Store to replace the ones that “blew a flat” last year. Had to give them a “test drive” and take them fishing. Decided on putting in at Lavonia South Ramp. Lots of boats and jet skis but did manage to catch a nice Catfish, several Yellow Bass, and a Crappie. All caught bottom bouncing a Slab and Jig Rig by backpaddling the kayak along a drop off near the boat ramp. Fun stuff… do stay tune for more videos and be on the lookout for the new kayak fishing sandals, our footwear of choice in the Summer!

Back in the day… We would drive by the boat ramp on the Nueces River, and when we saw lots of cars, trucks, and boat trailers, we would put in the jon boat. Then, using a 2hp motor, we trolled upstream a Johnson Minnow. Flat lining the spoon until we got a strike, then we stopped to cast or troll the area either catching more, or moving on if no other takers! We would continue to head upriver, repeating this pattern and as we reached a shallow, sandy area… typically, a bend in the river, we would wade the area and concentrate efforts in hopes of catching a school of spawning white bass. Now a days… We prefer to wait till warmer weather and when the spawn is over and the White Bass are schooling on the lake. More often than not, we kayak fish for them, trolling a slab and jig rig or multiple tandem rigged jigs tied sabiki style. Also, sight casting to breaking schools feeding on shad near the water’s surface. Else, we bank fish and surf cast “without the surface” on win...

Here is a video that details how to fly fish without a fly rod using two methods – Bubble Fly Rigs and Spoon and Fly Rigs. The Bubble Fly Rig is a proven method for fishing flies use a bubble float cast with a spinning rod and reel. It targets fish feeding on the surface, just under the surface, and in the upper part of the water column. The Spoon and Fly Rig is not as well known and limited information can be found online. But, it has been a consistent fish getter for those situations where fish are in the lower part of the water column, actively feeding on baitfish and other “tasty morsels”! Do give them a try and keep them at the ready when fish flies are the go to pattern but you don’t have a fly rod, still learning to cast one, or the situation warrants spinning gear over a fly fishing gear!

Updates from this weekend’s fishing fun! Had lots of fun this past weekend fishing for trout at Frisco Commons! It’s Monday, February 10 Updates from this past week Frisco trout stocking happened Lots of people limited out Saturday was sunny. Go to lure, bait, and flies… Lures – Super Duper, Rooster Tail, Kast Master PowerBaits – Trout Bait and PowerWorms Fishing Flies – Dry Flies, Near Deare, OWB, RBW Bubble Fly Rig Variant – replace with Kastmaster and trailing fly Sunday was a misty morning , then a rainy day. Go to fishing flies… Olive Near Deere no indicator – short pulls, steady retrieve worked well initially. Later, a 6 count pause to let the fly sink, followed by long pulls and pauses Dry Flies – do match the hatch, pattern less important than size and color Like to have a Griffiths Gnat sz 18 as a backup 5PM Hatch! Keep an eye out for it! Gear Notes MaxCatch 2wt 10ft Fly Rod Echo Ion 2/3 Wt Fly Reel Rio Trout Max Shooting Head ...

While surfing the net, checked out Texas Fishing Forum’s fly fishing thread. Noted a question that got our attention. “How do I know if a cut off to much of my fly line……..? I’m a newbie and I’m wondering if I cut off to much. I am also looking for some lessons. I want to fish for trout in the future so I want to be able to lay the line down on the water softly. Thanks in advance” This video provides our suggestions and fits our Team’s goal… “Learn to fish by our trials and errors” which we have made lots of errors over the years. Short answer to the question… “Don’t cut your fly line… Please!”

Here is a video and infographic we created to detail our approach to fishing for trout using spinning gear. Normally, we use fly fishing gear but we do like to have spinning gear at the ready! Do stay tuned… we plan to demo this strategy on our next trout fishing trip hopefully in the near future!

Fly fishing suggestions from a non-expert… thoughts and tips from recent interactions with Readers. May be of interest to some wanting to try fly fishing. PS: Link to article mentioned in video… https://hubpages.com/sports/FlyCasting  

Saw a question on the Texas Fishing Forum about leaders. Liked the question so much, decided to provide an answer.  Here is our answer: Been using this for Trout… 30lbs mono for a 36″ butt section, 17lbs mono for an 18″ mid section, 12lbs and 4lbs mono of 18″ each to make a 36″ tippet section. Makes a 7-1/2′ leader. If I want it longer will increase each length proportionally to get the overall length wanted. For Striped Bass on Clousers, 30lbs mono for a 60″ butt section and then 17lbs mono for a 48″ tippet section…, then tie the Clouser directly to the 17lbs mono. Comes to 9′ and works with a 11′ Switch Rod as well as a 9′ 5wt Fly Rod. Knots used – Perfection Loop for the butt end, then Uniknots for the rest… easier to tie than blood knots. Will use knot-less tapered leaders bought on sale; but, only use them in the Spring when the Cottonwood start clobbering the local ponds with “cotton” w...