Lake Livingston has long been recognized as a great cat fishing lake. This is rightfully so as action is again heating up. The Blue Cat is the top draw on Lake Livingston where there is an incredible population of the hard fighting sport fish. The action usually peaks in mid-May as Blue Cats move into shallow water.

There are three techniques for catching Blue Cats on Lake Livingston that I have used over the years to consistently put fish in the boat. (1) Baited holes, (2) The upper river and (3) The lower lake flats. Using either one or all of these methods in May and you should be on your way to catching Blue Cats.

(1) Baited Holes – This technique takes some prep work but is almost a guaranteed ace in the hole for catching Blue Cats. First, you need to prepare your bait. Pick up a 50 lb bag of chicken scratch from the feed store. Pour it in a trash can and add 2.5 gallons of water and 2 quarts of beer or several packages of yeast. The yeast will speed up the fermenting process. Stir the mixture up and let set in the sun for at least 5 -7 days. Now that your bait is ready, the question is where to put it? I usually bait three holes at different depths and locations. This way with the fluctuating water temperature of Spring, you will be sure to bait an area the fish are comfortable with. I use my depth finder to locate depths of 4 -5 feet, 6-15 feet and 16-25 feet deep. Key on areas where there is a creek bend, drop off or a sand flat. After I have selected the locations, then start baiting 2 days prior to fishing. Spread the grain liberally in the areas and it should sink as it hits the water. On the third day, anchor over the baited hole and immediately throw out more bait to further attract the fish. Rig your rods to tight line straight down letting your weight out until it hits the bottom and then reel in the slack until your line becomes tight. This will keep your bait right on bottom and allow you to feel the slightest strike. A small treble hook baited with chicken liver, fresh cut shad, minnows or one of the prepared cheese baits will work. Don’t be surprised if the Blue Cats you catch look like they just finished Thanksgiving Dinner as their bellies will be sticking out from eating all the soured grain.

(2) Upper River – This technique depends on some help from mother nature but when conditions are right, you can load up on Blue Cats. First, by referring to the upper river, I mean the river channel north of Lake Livingston, basically from The Jungle northward. Look for cuts in the river where creeks come in. Nose the bow of the boat onto the North side of a cut and cast downstream into the river channel. Use a small Khale (or stinker hook) on a Carolina rig with a 3/4 or 1 oz egg sinker. The heavy sinker is needed to keep the bait on the bottom. The best fishing on the river is when the river is swollen from rains and the current is swift. There can be times when there is too much current or not enough current. Hit it right and a Blue Cat will inhale a piece of cut shad, night crawler or minnow as soon as it hits the bottom. Catalpa Worms are another great bait to use in the river. Swift currents in the river can be dangerous to navigate and also watch out for floating logs and trees.

(3) Lower Lake Flats – With a sustained water temperature over 72 degrees in May, Blue Cats will then migrate onto the shallow flats of lower Lake Livingston. This is where the real bonanza gets heated up and anglers of all capabilities can get in on the hot action. Simply casting a cork rigged shallow and baited with chicken liver or shad off of a bulkhead can produce fish. I often meet my parties at the 190 bridge where before daylight I throw out a cast net and catch fresh shad. Anchor up on a main lake point or sandbar at daylight and cast cut shad Carolina rigged on the bottom. The action is often fast and furious until the sun gets up and the fish pull back to deeper water. On overcast days, the action can stay hot throughout the day.

Blue Cat fishing on Lake Livingston in May can be outstanding fun for the entire family. Keep in mind these techniques and tackle, pay attention to current conditions of the lake and you will be on you way to a 25 fish, 12 inch minimum length limit of Blue Cats on beautiful Lake Livingston.

Portable Boom Boxes blasted cries of Snow Geese across the Katy Prairie with the opening of the special Snow Goose conservation season January 21st. Electronic calls, unplugged shotguns and no bag limit were once again legalized for the third consecutive year. The fanfare of the opener three years ago seems to have dwindled as outfitters report only marginal interest in “electronic call goose hunts.” Opening day results reflect the capabilities of the once believed ace in the hole tool for hunting Snow Geese. Boom Box Bust might best describe most hunts January 21st. A knot in my stomach best describes my feelings on the morning of January 21st as disappointed clients assured me that “we just didn’t have any weather.” It was unfortunate that the weather for the much anticipated boom box opener turned Bluebird sunny with no measurable wind. The fact of the matter is, the electronic call pulled flight after flight of Snow Geese throughout the morning to our spread of over five hundred North winds, shells and silhouettes. The geese would come but with no cloud cover or wind they would circle high over the decoys out of range and then drift away. There were a few singles and pairs that dropped in lower, but the larger groups of geese the electronic caller pulled in had too many eyes and too much time to look at imitation geese.

With two seasons of electronic call hunts under my belt and several hunts already this year, my opinion of the electronic call is that it works. It works incredibly good. The electronic call is a tool that will help you bag more Snow Geese but it cannot work alone. There are many other factors that must come together in order to make a great electronic call hunt.

As far any goose hunt the weather is a major factor for decoying geese. Foggy, windy days are best. Low cloud ceiling is always a plus but wind is the most important factor in regards to weather.

Concealment, especially when hunting late season Snow Geese is another important factor. Remember, the Snow Goose is the most challenging of all waterfowl species. These birds are smart. It has been estimated that the average age of a Snow Goose is 15 years old. By the time the special Snow Goose season opens, even first year birds have been “educated.” I tell people all the time, “the most important factor in successful waterfowl hunting is concealment.” Even electronic callers cannot bring the wary Snow Goose in shotgun range with shining faces and bobbing heads. Snow Goose hunters have got to max out on total body concealment. Head to toe camo. Especially hands and faces. You move your hands and face more than any other part of your body while hunting. Gloves, face mask or camo face paint are mandatory. When painting your face with camo paint, don’t halfway do it, put the paint on. If you wear a mask, make sure you are comfortable with it and can see to shoot. Keep two types of masks, one for colder weather and one for warmer weather. Practice wearing your mask and look in the mirror to make sure your skin is completely concealed.

When guiding a Snow Goose hunt, one of the first thing I look for in a field is how and where to conceal hunters. A brushy fence line, a ditch or a rice levy may dictate where I set up. If there is a wind blowing, set your decoys 50 – 100 yards upwind from the cover. The geese will approach the decoys from downwind flying into the wind and pass over hidden hunters. In a plowed field, if there is no place to hide, you can dig a shallow pit to lie in.

Another important factor in successful goose hunting is also the most overlooked. Shooting capabilities. It is heartbreaking to go through all of the effort to hunt Snow Geese and then miss the birds. On slow days, missed opportunities could loom big at the end of the hunt. Hunters should practice and get acquainted with their gun. You can shoot sporting clays year round and should try to make as many Dove hunts as possible in September. As a waterfowl guide it is not fair for someone to shoot a box of shells and grumble about only harvesting a couple of birds.

Tactics for electronic call goose hunts are much the same for hunts without the boom box. I keep in mind three basic decoy spreads. The horseshoe pattern, the triangle and the wagon wheel spread. The wagon wheel is used in fog. The horseshoe and triangle are designed to pull geese into a landing zone as geese will always land into the wind. On windy days, if the geese are “bumping” the spread, position hunters downwind of the decoys where the geese will pass over the hunters before they bump out. Also, put 1 – 3 hunters in the downwind side of the spread. This covers everything as long as the shooters in the spread understand that the hunters downwind are going to shoot the geese before they get to them. The hunters in the spread will get the geese that come in from the side or drop right into the spread. With the electronic call hunts, the call operator always stays in the downwind or front of the spread. When using the electronic call crank up the volume when geese are a long distance, turn the volume down as they approach closer. Also, aim the speaker ahead of the birds in order to lead them with the sound. On windy days you will have better luck calling birds that are downwind. I hold the speaker at arms length and keep it away from my ears. It works well to have one person running the electronic caller and another person calling the shots. You will notice that the geese tend to “lock up” higher and farther out with the electronic call. Several different tapes are available for electronic callers. I normally try different tapes to see what the geese are responding to best and stay with that. It may be the sound of thousands of feeding geese or the sound of a single calling goose. The Johnny Stewart CT36A Snow Goose Call is one tape that I have used successfully. It has excited feeding geese and single highballs. Another tape I have had good success with is called Snow Goose Sounds. This tape is of a large flock of feeding geese in the rice fields of Southwestern Louisiana and was digitally recorded, mixed and mastered for superb quality.

Yes, electronic calls work and they work good. Some of the best hunts with electronic calls have occurred when setting up near a roost or between two groups of feeding geese on a foggy or windy day. Under the right conditions, the electronic call can produce staggering results. Many factors have to come together to produce a great hunt. Weather, concealment, shooting capabilities, a “hot field” and an electronic goose call are all the factors that need to come together to produce an outstanding goose hunt.

An out of state caller recently inquired about a Snow Goose hunt. The caller stated, “we just want to come down there and slam a bunch of Snow Geese.” His expectations seemed higher than reality to me. I told the caller that I felt good about shooting Snows but reminded him that Snow Geese are the most challenging of all waterfowl. The caller never called back.

The apparent loss of interest with the extended Snow Goose season is puzzling to me. Many waterfowl hunters made an electronic call hunt or two the last couple of years to see what it was all about. Many hunters were disappointed. The extended Snow Goose season adds extra days of opportunity for waterfowl hunters to match wit against the Snow Goose. Yes, Snow Geese are hard to hunt. That is where the challenge is. No matter how you measure success, you are a winner by being a field. Every hunt should be a learning experience. No hunt is a failure. Hunters should put more emphasis on the experience and the challenge than bragging rights of how many birds they bagged. Not every hunt will yield high numbers of birds but the hunter that hunts more often will be successful.

Snow Geese are estimated to be around three hundred percent higher than the carrying capacity of their wintering grounds in Northern Canada. The special Snow Goose season with the legalizing of electronic calls is designed to lower the Snow Goose population returning to Canada. It is working but there are concerns about the loss of interest in the hunting community. Ducks Unlimited has scheduled an online chat session on the issue in an effort to educate the public about Snow Goose management and also generate more interest by hunters. DU will host the chat session beginning February 5th at 8:00 P.M. on its website www.ducks.org. DU’s Bruce Batt and USF&WS’s Paul Schmit, deputy director for migratory birds and state programs will be online.

I am more excited about the extended Snow Goose hunting season than ever. The geese are here and with the addition of the electronic call, hunts are more exciting than ever. Area hunters should take advantage of the extra days offered by the Snow Goose Conservation Act to spend a day a field and to challenge the smartest of all waterfowl, the elusive Snow Goose. 

With two dozen Snow Goose silhouettes, two dozen Snow and Blue Goose shells, three White Front floaters, two Snow Goose magnet flyers plus five dozen duck decoys loaded in the 15 foot Weldcraft boat, I turned the bow into the wind and opened the throttle on the 40 horsepower Johnson. I wondered if the extra load of goose decoys would pay off. In the previous couple days of scouting the Trinity River bottoms I had seen increasing numbers of Snow and White Fronted geese. White Fronted geese or Specs as they are called are especially attracted to the habitat of the Trinity River. My mind was made up and I was going full blown for a combination duck and goose hunt.

The next morning we slipped into our blind and sipped steaming black coffee. With all the decoys put out the evening before, all we had to do was wait for legal shooting time. It was a clear night and I could see the goose decoys behind the blind with the remaining moonlight. As I fumbled in the dark for another cup of coffee, I heard the unmistakable distant call of a Speckle belly Goose. I found my Haydel Spec Call hanging from my neck and knew I had to make a crisp call. The call came out clean and the Spec answered. I called back and he answered again. Suddenly, I could see the outline of the bird silhouetted against the moonlight as he came over the blind. The goose saw the decoys, cupped his wings and sat down. The extra effort of putting out the goose decoys had already paid off. We waited quietly until legal shooting time and harvested the goose as he flared out of the decoys.

While Mallards and Pintails dominate the interest of reservoir hunting there is always a chance of a bonus goose. Harvesting a Snow Goose, Speckle belly or even a Canadian Goose is a great addition to a river hunt. Already this year, guided hunters with Palmetto Guide Service have harvested several geese on our duck hunts here on the Trinity River. The extra effort of putting out goose decoys can pay off handsomely.

I add three Specklebelly full body floaters on all my duck hunts. Where conditions allow, I put out at least two dozen Snow Goose silhouettes. Remember to put the goose decoys upwind from your blind in order to pull the birds over the blind as they approach into the wind. Another thing I have learned here is to let Pelicans come into your spread. All kinds of ducks and geese are attracted to the white Pelicans and on occasion, you will see a Snow Goose flying with the Pelicans. What better decoys than live birds. We recently harvested a Snow Goose and a Eagle Head Blue Goose that dropped out of the ozone level to fall into our live Pelican decoys.

Using Snow Goose decoys along with traditional duck spreads will attract more ducks to your blind. I have observed many flights of Pintails attracted to a Snow Goose spread on the Katy Prairie. Why wouldn’t they be attracted to the white here on Lake Livingston? Certainly, your chances of turning a single Snow, Spec or Canadian Goose your way are greatly increased with a few goose decoys behind your blind.

Go full blown for a Trinity River goose. The extra expense of a couple dozen goose decoys and the effort to put them out could pay off with a bonus goose on your next duck hunt. 

A RECIPE BY: KAY COX

6 DUCK BREAST – CUT INTO PIECES

1 CUP FLOUR

1 CUP OIL

2 ONIONS- CHOPPED

2 BELL PEPPERS- CHOPPED

3 CELERY RIBS – SLICED

4 – 5 QUARTS HOT WATER ( I USE CHICKEN BROTH AND RESERVED OYSTER LIQUID)

SALT / BLACK PEPPER / RED PEPPER – TO TASTE

TABASCO SAUCE – TO TASTE

1 QT – OYSTERS (RESERVE LIQUID)

STEAMED WHITE RICE

1 BUNCH CHOPPED GREEN ONIONS

GUMBO FILE

MAKE ROUX BY MIXING FLOUR AND OIL IN HEAVY BLACK IRON POT. COOK SLOWLY OVER LOW HEAT UNTIL DARK BROWN IN COLOR (ALMOST LIKE COLOR OF MELTED CHOCOLATE). STIR CONSTANTLY WHILE COOKING MAKING SURE NO PARTICLES STICK TO THE BOTTOM. DON’T COOK TOO FAST OR IT WILL REACH THE DONE POINT TOO FAST AND BURN. WHEN ROUX IS DONE, TURN FIRE OFF IMMEDIATELY, CONTINUING TO STIR. ADD 1 CUP OF CHOPPED VEGETABLES TO LOWER THE TEMPERATURE; THEN ADD THE HOT WATER (BROTH/OYSTER LIQUID) AND TURN LOW FIRE BACK ON. ADD THE REMAINING VEGETABLES AND SEASONINGS. CONTINUE TO COOK SLOWLY WHILE TENDING TO NEXT STEP.

SEASON DUCK PIECES WELL WITH YOUR CHOICE OF SEASONING ( I PREFER TONY’S) AND LIGHTLY BROWN IN OIL OR BUTTER. ADD TO GUMBO AND CONTINUE TO COOK OVER LOW HEAT FOR APPX. 2 – 3 HOURS, OR UNTIL DUCK IS EXTREMELY TENDER.

AFTER DUCK IS TENDER, ADD THE QUART OF OYSTERS AND COOK ANOTHER 10 MINUTES OR UNTIL OYSTERS ARE THOROUGHLY HEATED.

SERVE OVER STEAMED WHITE RICE; TOP WITH CHOPPED GREEN ONIONS AND GUMBO FILE IF DESIRED.

ALSO, HOT, CRUSTY FRENCH BREAD IS A MUST!!

Its nearing time once again for the race to catch spawning Lake Livingston White Bass! Rising water temperature, moving water and longer days around the first of February will trigger the annual spawn of the White Bass. Generally, Lake Livingston White Bass are the first fish on the move to spawning grounds where they migrate by the thousands in search of spawning beds when the environmental conditions are right. This is the time each year that I and fellow anglers look forward to loading the boat with spawning Whites.

Fishing for spawning White Bass can be a hit or miss situation. Rarely is there an “ace in the hole.” During dry Spring conditions, the fish will spawn in the river channel. A wet Spring will draw fish far up the creeks. White Bass will migrate up and down the creeks with fluctuating water levels and constant changing water quality. Volatile Spring weather can wash out a pattern just as it emerges. I have been “on the fish” prior to a guided Spring spawn trip, when shockingly the day of the trip, the fish move. Moving up or down the creeks a short distance, depending on the water level, could get you back on the fish.

Look for White Bass to spawn on major feeder creeks on upper Lake Livingston. White Rock Creek, Harmon Creek, Caney Creek, Nelson Creek, Kickapoo Creek, Carolina Creek and Bedias Creek are the creeks that are most likely to be loaded with spawning Whites. Following a local rain, White Bass will move into the upper reaches of these major creeks by the thousands. The fishing can be fantastic, but timing is critical. Whites will move as far upstream as they can as long as they feel moving water. Often times, their movement is blocked by obstructions such as a rock shoal. As the current subsides, the fish will move downstream as the water level in the creek drops. Under these conditions, anglers should run up major creeks as far North as they can shortly following a rain, find where the water is beginning to clear and start fishing downstream until you find the fish. One of the biggest mistakes fisherman make is waiting too long following a local rain to go fishing. 48 hours is too long! Its the moving water that concentrates the fish in small pockets of creeks where feverish action will take place. The last thing a fisherman wants to hear is, “you should have been here yesterday!”

Keep in mind that White Bass feed mostly on shad in the lake much of the year. When Whites move into creeks, they feed on minnows. Therefore, I use more minnow imitation lures. Small lures like 1/4 oz Clatter Shads or Rat-L-Traps and 1/8 oz jigs are top choices. When the water is stained or off colored, I will use chartreuse tinted baits. Clatter Shads, Rat-L-Traps and in line spinners provide vibrations that can help attract fish in off colored water. In clear water and bright skies, chrome/blue or chrome/black Clatter Shads or Rat-L-Traps are excellent baits. My personal favorite for Whites in clear water without a doubt is a jig. The Shadow Minnow made by Regal Lures Company and the one inch Power grub by Berkley are deadly on spawning Whites. I take the one inch Shadow Minnow and pinch the belly portion off, making the body appear more like that of a minnow instead of a shad. I am a firm believer in red! I always add red paint to my jigs, Clatter Shads and Rat-L-Traps.

White Bass tend to get more aggressive as water temperature rises, therefore in early spring, the afternoons are often better fishing. Vary the speed of your lure until you find a pattern that the fish want. Remember to slow down! Many people fish too fast in early spring. Fish a jig for Whites much like you would a plastic worm for Black Bass. Keep contact with the bottom and jiggle your rod tip. Strikes will often come during the jiggle. A faster retrieve will work when the water is moving and fish are more aggressive. To fish a cut bank, throw your jig into the bank, pick up your rod tip, then let the jig fall. Now, bounce it twice with you rod tip and get ready to get bit

Trolling for White Bass is an effective method for locating fish. Once a fish is caught, come back and cast into the area. Remember when you are trolling that you need to let enough line out so your jig maintains contact with the bottom. If the fish won’t bite after casting, then go back to trolling. Trolling stirs water and moves bait fish causing a feeding frenzy by the Whites. Trolling will often work when nothing else will.

I recall many successful White Bass fishing trips on Lake Livingston, but one I particularly enjoyed was with friend and client, Michael Williams. We launched out of Harmon Creek Marina and Resort at day light. We made our way upstream, navigating narrow creek beds and several sandbars. The water begin to clear and I killed the motor and told Michael, “Lets try here.” I handed Michael a two inch grub and a 1/8 oz lead head jig. I then pitched my own grub upstream and before it could settle it was slammed by a high energy fish. The party was on! I nosed the bow of my boat into a sandbar and Michael and I settled into some world class White Bass fishing at it’s best. By 9:00 A.M. we had checked back in at Harmon Creek Marina and Resort with our two man, 50 fish, 12″ minimum length, limit of White Bass.

I encourage everyone who loves the sport of catching fish to take advantage of this wonderful time of year on Lake Livingston. It is outstanding fun for the entire family. Many of the creeks I mentioned are easily accessed by Marinas in the area that offer excellent facilities for lodging and camping. Have fun fishing for White Bass on Lake Livingston! 

It is nearing time once again for the race to catch spawning Lake Livingston White Bass! Rising water temperature, moving water and longer days around the first of February will trigger the annual spawn of the White Bass. Generally, Lake Livingston White Bass are the first fish on the move to spawning grounds where they migrate by the thousands in search of spawning beds when the environmental conditions are right. This is the time each year that anglers look forward to loading the boat with spawning Whites.

Fishing for spawning White Bass can be a hit or miss situation. Rarely is there an “ace in the hole.” During dry Spring conditions, the fish will spawn in the river channel. A wet Spring will draw fish far up the creeks. White Bass will migrate up and down the creeks with fluctuating water levels and constant changing water quality. Volatile Spring weather can wash out a pattern just as it emerges. I have been “on the fish” prior to a guided Spring spawn trip, when shockingly the day of the trip, the fish move. Moving up or down the creeks a short distance, depending on the water level, could get you back on the fish.

Look for White Bass to spawn on major feeder creeks on upper Lake Livingston. White Rock Creek, Harmon Creek, Caney Creek, Nelson Creek, Kickapoo Creek, Carolina Creek and Bedias Creek are the creeks that are most likely to be loaded with spawning Whites. Following a local rain, White Bass will move into the upper reaches of these major creeks by the thousands. The fishing can be fantastic, but timing is critical. Whites will move as far upstream as they can as long as they feel moving water. Often times, their movement is blocked by obstructions such as a rock shoal. As the current subsides, the fish will move downstream as the water level in the creek drops. Under these conditions, anglers should run up major creeks as far North as they can shortly following a rain, find where the water is beginning to clear and start fishing downstream until you find the fish. One of the biggest mistakes fisherman make is waiting too long following a local rain to go fishing. 48 hours is too long! Its the moving water that concentrates the fish in small pockets of creeks where feverish action will take place. The last thing a fisherman wants to hear is, “you should have been here yesterday!”

Keep in mind that White Bass feed mostly on shad in the lake much of the year. When Whites move into creeks, they feed on minnows. Therefore, I use more minnow imitation lures. Lures like 1/4 oz Rat-L-Traps and 1/8 oz jigs are top choices. When the water is stained or off colored, I will use chartreuse tinted baits. Rat-L-Traps and in line spinners provide vibrations that can help attract fish in off colored water. In clear water and bright skies, chrome/blue or chrome/black

Rat-L-Traps are excellent baits. My personal favorite for Whites in clear water without a doubt is a jig. The Shadow Minnow made by Regal Lures Company and the one inch Power grub by Berkley are deadly on spawning Whites. I take the one inch Shadow Minnow and pinch the belly portion off, making the body appear more like that of a minnow instead of a shad. I am a firm believer in red! I always add red paint to my jigs and Rat-L-Traps.

White Bass tend to get more aggressive as water temperature rises, therefore in early spring, the afternoons are often better fishing. Vary the speed of your lure until you find a pattern that the fish want. Remember to slow down! Many people fish too fast in early spring. Fish a jig for Whites much like you would a plastic worm for Black Bass. Keep contact with the bottom and jiggle your rod tip. Strikes will often come during the jiggle. A faster retrieve will work when the water is moving and fish are more aggressive. To fish a cut bank, throw your jig into the bank, pick up your rod tip, then let the jig fall. Now, bounce it twice with you rod tip and get ready to get bit

Trolling for White Bass is an effective method for locating fish. Once a fish is caught, come back and cast into the area. Remember when you are trolling that you need to let enough line out so your jig maintains contact with the bottom. If the fish won’t bite after casting, then go back to trolling. Trolling stirs water and moves bait fish causing a feeding frenzy by the Whites. Trolling will often work when nothing else will.

I recall many successful White Bass fishing trips on Lake Livingston, but one I particularly enjoyed recently was with my long time friend and former professional pitcher for the New York Mets and California Angels, Dave Smith. We launched out of Harmon Creek Marina and Resort at daylight and made our way upstream. It wasn’t long before we were on the fish as Dave heaved a 14 inch White into the boat. We checked back in at Harmon Creek Marina and Resort that afternoon with our two man, 50 fish, 12″ minimum length, limit of White Bass.

I encourage everyone who loves the sport of catching fish to take advantage of this wonderful time of year on Lake Livingston. It is outstanding fun for the entire family. Many of the creeks I mentioned are easily accessed by Marinas in the area that offer excellent facilities for lodging and camping. Have fun fishing for White Bass on Lake Livingston! 

“Alright boys, hunker down! We got a flight of Pintails crossing out front moving right to left. They’re a long ways out but they are looking at the spread. We can turn these birds and bring ’em in of we hunker down and hunt!”

As I looked at the strap of Teal hanging in the blind recently on opening morning of the Lake Livingston duck season, I thought the only thing that could add to a great hunt would be to bag a couple of Pintail Drakes. “The big ducks fly later” I said. “We will have to be patient, hunker down and hunt.” We sat low in the blind and I spoke about duck hunting techniques.

The most important factor in successful duck hunting is concealment. Ironically, I often see hunters go to great extremes, but drop the ball on concealment. If the ducks see you the deal is blown. Whether you hunt out of a blind or natural cover, concealment is the number one priority. A hunter caught standing in the blind with incoming birds should remain frozen. It is the movement that often flares birds. A camoed hunter can blend in if he remains still. “Get down” is not used in my blind. Hunters suddenly dropping to their seats will flare birds every time. Hunters should stay low in the blind with the guide or designated watch peering through the brush describing bird movements. Keep gun barrels low and remain motionless until the shot is called. Shinning faces should be covered with a camo mask or face paint.

The next most important factor in successful duck hunting on Lake Livingston is scouting. You need to hunt where the birds want to be. This is the biggest understatement of all times. A few hundred yards can make a big difference. As water levels go up and down it will move the ducks. Ducks are attracted to a certain type of habitat. Hunt where the ducks want to be. Once ducks are found, then how are you going to hunt them? This brings you back to the number one most important factor in successful duck hunting, concealment. Always use natural concealment if it is available. I have had some great hunts by simply, hunkering down on a bucket in the cattails. If ducks are out in an open flat with no natural hiding place for hunters, then you can construct a temporary blind. While there are many ways to build a quick set blind, I’ve learned to set a few 2 inch poles in the mud, tie string around them and weave brush in the string. Camo material attached to the string with clothes pins goes along way toward filling in the gaps. Pruning shears and a machete are always in my boat to cut brush with. The blind should be brushed until you can’t see through it. Also, set some brush inside the blind for better concealment. Always set up your blind with the sun to your back. On clear days this will blind the incoming ducks and make shooting easier. For a morning hunt, you should set up facing the northwest and with a southeast wind, you will have ducks cupping in your face.

No Pintails were taken on this recent hunt, but we hunkered down and we hunted hard. After the hunt, as we admired the heavy strap of Teal and Shovelers, I knew that scouting and concealment was the key to our success. There will be another day for a chance at a Pintail Drake as more ducks migrate down the Central Flyway.

Decoys, spread arrangements, calling and shooting skills are all important factors in putting together a successful duck hunt on Lake Livingston. The two most important techniques for success are scouting and concealment. The extra time and effort spent pre-scouting and providing concealment will put more birds on your strap. With record numbers of ducks coming down the Central Flyway and arriving daily on Lake Livingston, it is now time to hunker down and hunt!

ecently following a guided duck hunt on Lake Livingston, my client asked me the big question. “When do the White Bass come up the creeks to spawn? February I answered. “Really, that early”, he said.

A combination of rising water temperature, moving water and longer days around the first of February will trigger the annual spawn of the White Bass. Lake Livingston White Bass will migrate by the thousands in search of spawning grounds in February when the environmental conditions are right.

Look for White Bass to spawn on major feeder creeks on upper Lake Livingston. White Rock, Harmon, Nelson and Bedias creeks are the creeks that are most likely to be loaded with spawning Whites. Moving water is the most important factor to remember when searching for spawning White Bass. The moving current of the creek or river will pull White Bass upstream like a magnet. This can have several effects on where you want to fish. First, in a dry Spring, the river channel will remain low and may provide the only current White Bass will detect. Therefore, White Bass will spawn in the river channel never moving into tributary creeks. If it’s a dry year, you can bet the river will unload tremendous catches of 12 – 16 inch White Bass from the Jungle area North and above Bedias Creek. If creeks remain low, White Bass fishing in the creeks will be marginal. Second, following local rains White Bass will then move into upper reaches of major creeks by the thousands. This fishing can be great but timing is critical. Whites will move as far upstream as they can as long as they feel moving water. As the current subsides, the fish will move downstream as the water level in the creek drops. Under these conditions, anglers should run up major creeks as far North as they can shortly following a rain. Look for clearing water and start fishing downstream until you find the fish. One of the biggest mistakes fisherman make is waiting too long following a local rain to go fishing. 48 hours is too long. It’s the moving water that concentrates the fish in small pockets of creeks where feverish action will take place.

As far as techniques and tackle for Whites, remember a couple of basic rules. Generally, when fishing the river use bigger baits, ex. 1/4 oz Rattle Traps. When fishing the creeks, use smaller baits, ex. Tiny Traps and minnow imitation baits. Whites feed more on minnows up the creeks and shad in the river channel. When creek fishing, I use 8 lb test spinning gear. One of my favorite White Bass lures is a plastic Shad in pearl blue black 2 inch or 1 inch rigged on 1/4 oz or 1/8 oz jig heads. Take a red Marks-a-Lot and paint the gills. One of the biggest mistakes that I see people making when fishing for White Bass is fishing too fast. Yes, White Bass will get aggressive and slam a fast moving bait. More often, the conditions will require a slower moving bait. Contact the bottom with a jig and you will catch more fish. I use what I call “the tickle technique”, much like fishing a plastic worm for Black Bass. Cast out and let the jig settle to the bottom then raise your rod tip and bounce or tickle it slightly. Also, try a slow steadily retrieve and stop. The fish will often hit the falling bait. When the fish are real aggressive, rip a Rattle Trap and hold on! Trolling for Whites in the creeks and river is a great method for locating fish. Once the fish are located, come back and cast into the same place. Often times trolling seems to be the only way you can get them to bite. I believe this is due to the boat motor scattering bait fish and the lure contacting near the bottom.

A warming trend with rising water temperature, moving water and a Southeast wind and White Bass fishing in February is sure to bust wide open. A sudden cold front with a drop in water temperature will kill a great bite. The fish’s metabolism rate slows down with dropping water temperature and they become dormant. A falling barometric pressure will always encourage aggressive fish and a good bite. Rising barometric pressure behind a cold front and fishing will get tough. I have seen White Bass fishing go from a fanatical feverish pace in one day to no bite at all following a cold front.

Guiding White Bass trips during the spawn is always a challenge. There is never an “ace-in-the-hole” when fishing for spawning Whites. The key is to move until you find the fish. Keep your bait in the water and don’t waste time in unproductive areas.

Please give us a call and our guides at Palmetto Guide Service will work hard to provide a fun, safe and successful fishing experience for you and your family!

There is something about a lizard that Lake Livingston Black Bass cannot resist. Whether you are fishing upper lake, lower lake, the river channel or one of Lake Livingston’s feeder creeks, Black Bass all over Lake Livingston will aggressively attack and eat a lizard, Spring, Summer or Fall. The 6 inch Texas-rigged lizard is a top producing lure for Lake Livingston Black Bass.

Lake Livingston has often been referred to as a spinner bait lake. Also, the fire tiger crank bait is a well known fish producer here. While these baits have produced more than their share of fish, the Texas-rigged lizard is in my book the “go to bait”. I usually start fishing with lizards in early Spring for spawning Bass. As water temperature rises in late Spring and Summer, I key on grass, wood or rocks near 4 – 10 feet of water. In mid-Summer and Fall, fish the river channel with plastic lizards and key on log jams.

Black Bass are conditioned to eating lizards as they are a natural prey just like crawfish or perch. Lizards or “chameleons” will come down to the water edge in search of insects. Here, an unexpected swim could be fatal.

I tie a 6 inch Texas-rigged lizard on a #2 owner power hook with a 3/16 oz bullet weight. Peg the inside of the bullet weight with a toothpick to keep it from sliding down the line. Lizards are Chameleons, they change colors to blend in with their natural surroundings. Keep this in mind when choosing what color lizard to fish with. I look at two things, water quality or visibility and shoreline cover. Considering water quality, basically use darker lizards in water with less visibility and lighter color lizards in clearer water. Considering shoreline cover, choose a lizard that matches the color of the surrounding vegetation, rocks or wood. A green or watermelon lizard would be a good choice for clear water with cattails or grass. Pumpkinseed is good for fishing around rocks and June bug is good for fishing around wood and stained water. Some of my favorite lizards are manufactured by Berkley, V&M, Riverside and Regal Lure Companies. Black/Chartreuse, Black/Blue, Watermelon, Pumpkinseed and June bug are all great colors for Lake Livingston.

Also, I like to use a good fish attractant such as Kick-N-Bass. This not only attracts the fishes sense of smell, but allows the lizard to slither through grass and limbs without sticking. Lizard fishing takes technique and focus. I enjoy fishing plastic lizards because I can get into it mentally concentrating on the movement of the bait.

Recently, while guiding a fishing trip, I had the great pleasure to witness a young woman catch her first ever Black Bass while fishing with plastic lizards. Sara, diligently and patiently pitched and flipped a 6 inch lizard with a Abu-Garcia Abumatic reel and Falcon Rod. After several missed strikes and much coaching, Sara finally nailed a hook set with the Falcon rod into a solid fish. The water boiled and Sara fell back into the boat. The maddened fish made a run for a nearby brush pile. I jumped on the trolling motor button and steered to open water. Now, as we regained our composure, the Bass suddenly blasted the surface and did a tail dance. “Oh my gosh! He is huge” Sara exclaimed as a white froth of foaming water hit us in the face. We tightened the drag on the Garcia and Sara played the fish down. The hook set stayed true as the fish was lipped and brought aboard. Sara has decided to have her “trophy” mounted. I sighed a heavy breath of relief looking at the smiles. I thought to myself, another successful guide trip thanks to a 6 inch plastic lizard and a hungry Lake Livingston Black Bass.

The only thing that is permanent is change. So goes the challenge of catching spawning White Bass on the upper Trinity River north of Lake Livingston. Constant changes of the ecosystem make catching spawning Whites an annual challenge. Over the last 18 years or so I have witnessed many changes in the White Bass fishing here. Droughts and flash floods have drastically changed many creeks. Constant silting in due to deposits from run off has lowered some creek levels to where they have become inaccessible by boat. Sandbars now appear where creek channels once flowed. Where fish were caught last year may not be the case this year. Anglers have to recognize changing conditions in order to be successful.

Last year was a dry year with little or no run off from local rains. With no rains to move water down the creeks, White Bass never moved into the creeks. The river channel was low and clear this time last year and was really just a big creek itself. The river channel is where the White Bass spawned last year. The river unloaded some of the best fishing for Whites I have ever seen. Limits of 12 – 15 inch 25 fish per person were common.

Time changes everything. This year, weather patterns are more typical. The river is flowing full and keeping local run off backing up into the creeks. When the creeks are holding water and are then hit with moving water, this is when you can expect great White Bass fishing in the creeks. This has been the case recently. White Rock, Harmon, Nelson, Bedias and other creeks have been loaded with spawning Whites.

Fishing the creeks this time of year can be hit or miss. Timing is crucial. Local rains can muddy a creek and wash out a pattern in a matter of hours. I once put a party on 75 White Bass one morning as the creek was swelling from a nights rain. My afternoon party was a washout.

Go up the creeks 24 to 48 hours after a rain and look for clearing water and shad. “Tea-colored” water can be the sign you are looking for. You can see the difference between tea, stained or muddy water as you go up the creek. Start fishing with chartreuse colored baits. As the water clears, use more natural shad pattern baits.

The White Bass fishery on Lake Livingston has had its ups and downs over the years. The last couple of years has seen some great fishing. Anglers that have changed with the conditions have been rewarded with outstanding catches. The creeks or the river, finding the fish is the challenge. Wet years will put the fish in the creeks. Dry years will put the fish in the river. The only thing that is permanent about White Bass fishing is change.

Recognizing the changes in weather patterns from year to year will help you catch more White Bass on Lake Livingston during the spawn whether it be in the river or the creeks.