“Hang on,” I exclaimed. It gets shallow here just ahead going into Robb’s Lake. I’m going to hit it on plane so we don’t bog down.” I twisted the throttle on the 40 HP tiller Johnson motor and the Weldcraft aluminum boat jumped. We blasted through the shallow cut into the huge open expanses of Robb’s Lake. “Look,” my excited client pointed to the sky. We had startled thousands of resting ducks and the sky turned black with a whirlwind of scattering birds. “Stop the boat” my client excitedly yelled back to me. “I need to get a GPS reading, this is incredible” he said. Thousands of Bluewinged Teal, Shovelers, Canvasbacks and a sprinkling of Mallards buzzed around us providing an unforgettable show of wild ducks. Ducks were everywhere. We just sat in the boat as the ducks resettled back into Robb’s Lake, now unconcerned with our intrusion.

Watching ducks, I recalled just a few minutes earlier when back at Cove Marina as we looked over a Lake Livingston Map, my client asked, “Do you think we will see any ducks today?” “Maybe,” I answered. What an understatement! I chuckled to myself.

We were on a scouting mission. The gentlemen had hired me to teach him about duck hunting on Lake Livingston. I had to appreciate the dedication of a hunter scouting for ducks in September.. After all it’s only a month until the season opens. Realistically, more people should prepare for duck season now. Waiting until November to scout is too late. A person that is serious about successful duck hunting here on Lake Livingston’s vast public properties will be far ahead in the game by spending time on the water now. Studying maps, talking to locals, and spending time with a guide now will help you when the season opens. Look for access points on your map and marinas closest to the area you want to hunt. Ask about property boundaries. You could get into big trouble by venturing onto private property. Use a GPS as my client did recently to mark your route, possible blind locations and bird concentrations. Ask about different specific habitat ducks are attracted to and when and where different types of ducks will be there.

If you plan to hunt Lake Livingston ducks this coming Fall, a scouting mission now will put more ducks on your strap in November. Pre-scouting is the number one factor in successful duck hunting here and now is the best time to do it. Simply put, now is the time to scout. Who knows, you might even see some ducks!

Bluewinged teal are headed toward Lake Livingston. By late August, early migrating Bluewinged Teal will be dropping their landing gear and cupping their wings over Lake Livingston. Bluewinged Teal are all ready beginning their long migration South. Mature drakes are the first to leave breeding grounds in Saskatchewan in late Summer, followed by adult hens and juveniles. Bluewinged Teal migrate earlier, fly faster and farther then any other duck species. Blue wings will stop to rest and feed on Lake Livingston in September in route to their wintering areas in Mexico, Latin America and the Caribbean.

The past several years have been a time of plenty for Blue wing Teal hunters on Lake Livingston. Hunters straps have been heavy here in recent years and indications are this will be another great year for the special September early Teal season. Over 6 million Teal are predicted to migrate South this year and Lake Livingston is in great shape now to attract and hold Teal. Lake Livingston has remained in good shape throughout the Summer and recent rains this year have Lake Livingstons shorelines lush with duck attracting vegetation.

Look for Teal to invade The Jungle, Robbs Lake, Little Robbs and White Rock Creek by September 1st. Family groups of Teal will buzz the shoreline looking for a place to rest and feed.

Techniques for Teal hunting are similar to regular season duck hunting, but a few adjustments could bring added success. Foremost is concealment. Build a natural brush blind and you are on your way to fast action on opening day. While Teal are not as wary as late season Mallards or Pintails, they have excellent eye site and will flare off from unnatural movement or shinning faces. Secondly, early season ducks are mostly dark in color. Therefore, I leave colorful Mallard drake and Pintail drake decoys at home, using only the darker hens. This will give your spread a more natural look. I use 3 dozen decoys or more, mixing in Teal decoys with regular size blocks. Leave an opening in your spread right in front of your blind with a couple of the little Teal decoys in the middle for teasers. The Teal should set down right in front of you.

Blue wings make a sort of a short raspy quack. There are several types of Blue wing calls on the market now and they can be very effective. A few short burst of raspy quacks when birds are bumping your spread should convince them to pull on in. I combine the short raspy quacks of the Blue wing Teal with a peep peep whistle sound of the Green wing Teal. Be patient and bring the birds in close for select shots and clean kills.

Texas Parks and Wildlife Department (TPWD) proposed hunting rules for all migratory game birds at the Commission meeting on April 3-4, 2002. Executive Director, Robert Cook signed an executive order June 27, 2002 making some of them effective. These rules were adopted in late June 2002, but will not be final until the United States Fish and Wildlife Service (USFWS) sets final federal framework in late July. USFWS only approved a 9-day teal season to open the second Saturday in September. Note that this year, September 1 falls on a Sunday. Statewide hunting dates for Teal (blue-winged, green-winged and cinnamon) are 9 consecutive days beginning on the second Saturday in September (September 14 -22, 2002). Shooting hours are one-half hour before sunrise to sunset. Bag and possession limit are 4 and 8 in the aggregate, respectively.

I expect that the early Teal season on Lake Livingston this year will be another great one. The Lake is in great shape, Teal numbers are up and Lake Livingston duck hunters will soon have a chance at bagging a Blue wing Teal. Brush up your blinds, camo your faces and prepare for fast fun action on Lake Livingston in September!!

The exciting thing about August is that it is the beginning of the end. The end of Summer doldrums and the beginning of a new waterfowl season. September 1st begins a new year for bird hunters. The dog days of August is the time to get gear in shape for the coming season. Once Dove season opens September 1st, the days seem to fly by with Teal season, duck and goose season openers fast approaching.

Take the time now to get ready and things will go smoother on opening day of duck season. Decoys, dogs, shotguns, boats, motors and blinds are just a few things that need maintenance before opening day. Duck hunting is hard on equipment which is often neglected after closing day of last years season. Decoys should be washed and tested for leaks. Holes should be patched with silicone caulk. Paint jobs should be touched up with a good oil based paint. This is a good time to sort your decoys according to species so your Teal decoys will be ready for the early Teal season. Also, order new decoys in August to avoid back ordering delays. Check your decoy bags, repair or replace them now. There is nothing worse than leaking waders on opening day. Take the time now to patch or replace them. My Browning BPS pump gets abused. It’s a rugged piece of equipment. Shotgun failure can ruin a hunt. I recommend that the avid duck hunter take his gun to a good gun smith every Summer for a complete disassembly and thorough cleaning. If you hunt the river you know that your boat and motor has to be in optimum operating condition. A failure could mean more than a ruined hunt. It could mean life and death. No one wants to be stranded on the river in freezing temperatures. Duck boats and motors should be tuned up and maintained every Fall by an authorized service dealer such as Riverside Marine in Riverside, Texas. Preventive outboard motor maintenance could save you thousands of dollars and missed hunts. Your retriever is your best friend and one of your most important pieces of equipment. A good retriever will prevent wastage of cripples and lost birds. A retriever needs training and physical conditioning. This should be an ongoing process, but if you have been slack with “Fido,” August is the time to get serious. Dog discipline is important, but the lack of physical conditioning could get your dog in trouble with heat stroke. The young and the old are the most vulnerable. Regular exercise is imperative. Dove and Teal hunting are often during hot humid days. Dogs can get into trouble fast. For dogs sake, hunt early mornings and late evenings and when Dove hunting, hunt near a lake or stock tank where your dog can cool down. When training dogs in the Summer, don’t push repetitive retrieves. If a dog shows he is losing interest or tiring, it is past time to stop. A good way to exercise your dog in the Summer is to practice with water retrieves in order to keep him cooled down.

Yes, it is hot in August but this is when you need to scout new areas and re-build blinds. At least there is always water around to cool down in. Bring your retriever with you and practice some retrieves from your blind. This is also a great time to practice your duck calling. On a final note, get your license and stamps ahead of time so you’ll be ready on opening day and not standing in a long line.

Duck hunting is a demanding sport. It is hard on equipment and hunters. Last year at the hunting and fishing show in Houston, a salty looking older gentleman stopped by the Texas Sportsguide booth and said to me, ” Son, there ain’t no such thing as an old duck guide.” Take time now in August to get equipment, dog and yourself in shape. Duck hunting is about specifics, detail and preparation. The more time you put into it now, the more successful you will be this Fall. 

Sitting in the blind during the pre-dawn morning of opening day of the 2003-2004 duck season, I was hoping that the chill in the air that brought a north wind had not pushed the ducks out of the Trinity River bottoms. For several days before the November 8^th opener, upper Lake Livingston was holding thousands of ducks. I kept my optimism to myself for fear of fueling my opening day clients with higher expectations than could be realized. “There has been a lot of ducks in the area, but things could change” as I spoke to my clients. Now with the orange amber glow of a new day on the eastern horizon, I gave the “lock and load” command. “Let’s get focused, get mad at the ducks, take no prisoners” I said. The minutes slowly ticked away to legal shooting time with a dead calm. Suddenly, the sound of wings blew through our spread. “Take-em boys!” Fire erupted from barrels, ducks spooled and splashed, the new season had begun.

Teal, Gadwall, Shovelers, singles, pairs and small family groups locked wings and turned into the wind to set down in our huge decoy spread. More ducks fell, Dusty made the long retrieves. I made the short ones and within a couple of hours, shot gun barrels cooled down and we admired our opening day limit of Trinity River bottom ducks. Finally, I breathed easier with smiling clients. Scouting, blind brushing, concealment, calling and decoy placement had all come together for another great opening day.

Expectations are high this year for another great season as Ducks Unlimited reports central flyway duck numbers are up due to late season Spring rains in Southern Saskatchewan. An astounding 162% increase from 3.5 million birds in 2002 to 9.3 million this year. Mallards up 74%. Gadwalls up 199%. Blue-winged Teal up 188% and Canvasbacks up 166%. Last Spring there were an estimated 1 million breeding Pintail in the central flyway. Again this year, Pintails may only be taken the last 39 days of the season. North zone hunters will again get the advantage of hunting ducks a seek later when more late migrating Mallards will be abundant until the season ends January 25, 2004.

If our opening day hunt is any reflection on what is to come, its going to be another great year of duck hunting on the Trinity River bottoms.

Lake Livingston anglers are coming down with the fever and the fever is hot! Every February and March, White Bass fever spreads to fisherman here at an epidemic rate. The fever has been diagnosed as White Bass Fishing Fever. It begins in early February especially after a warming trend. The first words of a “White Bass run” and folks just get sick. The only cure is a day on Lake Livingston chasing spawning White Bass.

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 March when the environmental conditions are right.

The last few years the White Bass fishing on Lake Livingston has been nothing less than world class and I expect this year to be another great year.

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. One secret technique that I have used is to pull into a cut bank in a creek then tie the bow of the boat off, put the motor in reverse and give it some gas. Cast out while the motor is thrashing the water. Also, you can beat on the side of the boat with a paddle. The technique seems to scatter bait fish and create a feeding frenzy of Whites.

A warming trend with rising water temperature, moving water and a Southeast wind and White Bass fishing in March is sure to bust wide open. A sudden cold front with a drop in water temperature will kill a great bite. The fish’s metabolic 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.

In the event that you come down with the White Bass Fever this Spring, the only cure is a day on Lake Livingston chasing spawning White Bass. A boat load of Whites and a skillet full of filets can bring the fever under control.

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

“Where are your decoys?” Asked my client as we idled out of Harmon Creek Marina.  “Right there in the bottom of the boat” I answered.  A Mojo Mallard Hen and two batteries operated quivering hens.  “Is that all we’re taking?” He asked with a puzzled expression.

Mojo, Robo, Duck Machine or whatever you call one of the new flying duck decoys, the question is, do they work?  Duck hunting experts know that adding motion to your spread on a calm, windless day will pull ducks in. The jerk string and the Stuttgart Kick have fooled many a duck into locking and dropping.  Never before has there been so much technologically advanced equipment available to duck hunters.  The new flying duck decoys are offered in several different models with long lasting batteries and even remote turn-ons.  Vibrating, quivering, splashing and remote controlled swimmers are all available to duck hunters.

The true effectiveness of the Mojo Duck and two quivering hens was realized on this recent hunt.  Distant passing flights of Mallards would turn for a closer look at Mojo Mallard, lock and drop, trying to land next to the mechanical decoys.  Very little calling was used on this hunt.  There was no doubt Mojo Mallard works!  The question now, will ducks get wise to Mojo?  I think so, but I want to contribute to their education.  This year, you can bet that Mojo Madness will be flapping in my spread.

As we return to Harmon Creek Marina, my clients, with smiles on their faces, took snapshots of their heavy string of Mallards.  There was no questioning the effectiveness of 3 motion decoys in an oxbow off the Trinity River.  Mojo Mallard and 2 quivering hens did all the magic on this day.

Dave S Cox

With clients posing for pictures with their heavy stringer of Trinity River White Bass I reflected on the events of the day. Recent warming weather and a south east wind had made the morning duck hunt tough.  As I met clients for an afternoon duck hunt I was concerned.  “It’s probably a better fishing day,’’ I casually mentioned as we stood and talked in short sleeve shirts.  “Have you been catching any fish” one of my clients asked?  “No I answered, but I think it would be worth a try.” Within the hour we launched my Ranger Boat into the creek and headed upstream.  Recent rains had muddied the water and I knew that if we were going to catch White Bass on this day it would have to be upstream.

We began trolling in the first “tea” colored water we found and I remember saying, “guys there is a chance that we may not catch a single fish today”.  Within seconds of posting the waiver a rod went down. “Fish on’’ my client exclaimed.  A chunky 13 inch male White

Bass was fought to the boat side. I cut the key off on the Evinrude 225 and dropped the trolling motor.  We began casting Bearpaws jigs into

the cut bank using the stop, drop and pop technique. When the bait would fall a hard fighting White Bass would attack it.  It was on!!  Fish after fish was fought to the Ranger boat.  “Bearpaws boys” I said.   The White Bass are literally eating them up.  We were throwing a new jig that had been custom poured for me by Bearpaws Hand Poured

Bait co.  Pearl Red Flake Goby.  A what someone asked? “Goby” I answered.  I first saw the Goby on www.bearpawshandpouredbaits.com.  and immediately became excited.  For years I had been taking three

inch Sassy Shad and by using my thumb nail and forefinger pinched the belly straight with little ridges and also adding a touch of red paint to the gill area.  It looks much like the touts used in saltwater.

“What is a Goby”?  I asked Bearpaws. “A bait fish common in the north east. Good Small Mouth bait” I was told.  Ok, “Can you pour me some in pearl red flake”?  The 3” plastic body jig is poured in a mold with lifelike detail including the belly ridges that I had been duplicating.  The soft plastic body will last through several hookups and is impregnated with Mega Strike natural amino acid scent.   Today was the first day that I had to field test the bait and all my beliefs came true. Fish after fish gobbled up the Goby.

As the sun began to sink in the west we caught a few more fish, then we spooled up and headed for the fish cleaning table. Smiling clients is my business and I felt good.  A slow duck hunting day was turned into a great fishing day. The water conditions, the right weather, along with Lake Livingston’s great White Bass fishery and Bearpaws new Goby, all came together on this day to put fish in the boat and a memory for a lifetime.

 He’s got it!”  I spoke excitedly as I watched the 20lb. line move off through the flooded vegetation. “ Give -em a good hook set,” I coached.  Then, with the power of the Falcon Lowrider Casting rod a solid hook was set and the battle was on.  “ Let off the drag that’s a good fish, play him down, keep steady pressure I encouraged.”  The water boiled near the Ranger boat and tense moments played out as I finely lipped the 4.3/4lb. Black Bass for my excited client.  There were hugs of joy as we took pictures of the trophy fish.  “Thank you Dave,” the gentlemen spoke, “this is the largest fish of my career.”

    Later that day as we headed back to Bethy Creek Resort spirits were high and I felt that I had done my job as a Black Bass fishing guide on Lake Livingston.  I recalled earlier that morning at day light when I spoke about technique, equipment and lure choices.  It had all come together for a successful trip.

“Bass fishing is about specifics and good equipment is essential for success,” as I spoke to the gentlemen and his young son.   “Today we will be fishing Texas rigged Bear Paws Plastic Creature Baits and using Falcon Graphite rods. Confidence is a major part of fishing and that is what you get with Bear Paws and Falcon rods.”

   Bear Paws, the secret of the pros for years is  finely out. www.BEARPAWSHANDPOUREDBAITS.com has splashed into Lake Livingston grabbing fish for myself and my clients.   Over 85% of professional Bass fishermen fish with hand poured baits and do a lot of damage when it comes to fishing big tournaments.  These baits are on the cutting edge and very secretive among the pros.  Bear Paws are poured one bait at a time, not mass-produced for your benefit of a consistent pour every time.  Bear Paws are durable with a life like natural texture and a chance to catch multiple fish on one bait.  Bear Paws plastic is made with different types of salt and spices added to the mix and are now fortified with Mega Strike, the best amino acids (proteins) in the world.  Proteins are necessity for fish to survive and the introduction of Mega Strike (www.megastrike.com) in Bear Paws baits allows the fish to not only accept the presentation of the bait but also, accept the the smell of the amino acids in the baits for the fish to hold on to the bait longer for a proper hook set.  Bear Paws not only catch fish but they are an experience and they come with a personnel touch.  Bear Paws will customize baits to your specifications.

           Successful Bass fishing is about specifics and attention to details.  Technique, quality equipment and lure choices all came together for success on this recent guided trip on Lake Livingston.  Falcon Rods and Bear Paws hand poured baits will be grabbing Black Bass for me on my guide trips and tournament fishing from now on.

Standing dockside at the Marina on Lake Conroe I watched as happy clients took pictures of their morning catch of  Channel Cats. “ Please don’t hurt your back trying to lift that stringer ,” I spoke to my client.  It was an impressive stringer as onlookers gathered.

“Nothing to it,” I answered someone asking details.  Honestly, the morning had been a real challenge.  I was very happy with the outcome of this  trip but  If people only new the details and what was going on behind  the scene.  My thoughts began to drift as I reflected on the mornings events that had just unfolded.  I don’t know if  I’m good or lucky , I pondered.  What ever, the fact is that on this trip I was prepared, I used my electronics, my gut feelings,  and had a little help from a friend and fellow guide.

It all started on this morning with the boat in the water before daylight ready to go. Waiting  on clients gave me time to go through the mental check list. The motor was warmed up, safety  equipment in order, chum on board, rods and reels rigged and ready, bait on ice.

Good to go, I waited patiently.

I like to provide tackle including rods and reels when guiding for catfish.  I know what

works for different types of situations and would just as soon have the proper tackle rigged and ready so time is not lost once we get to the hole.  When structure fishing for channel cats I rig a shorter rod, 5 1/2  to 6 ’ medium heavy action.  You want a fast hard hook set.  I use 12 to 15 lb mono  rigged on  a good bait casting reel.  When you get into the fish remember to re-tie after several fish are caught.  Catfish teeth are rough on mono and you don’t want to loose a good fish do to a break off. Set your spool tension loose on your reel so you can get the bait down to the fish in a hurry.  Also, sometimes smaller fish are suspended above the bigger fish so you want to get the bait by them without them grabbing it first..  Set your drag tight to prevent slippage on the hook-set, after the hook is set get a feel for the fish, if he feels like a stronger fish back off on the drag as needed to prevent pulling the hook out or breaking off.  On the business end of the line when fishing over deep structure I use a small treble hook baited with fresh chicken liver.  I use a ¼ oz egg sinker above the hook.  Let the sinker slide freely on the line so it rides tight to the hook.  This gives you better control of your rig and a better feel for a strike.  Channel cats have a small mouth, I have used bait keeper or stinger type hooks but I like the treble.  I have caught Channel cats and Blues on many different baits over structure but chicken livers are hard to beat.  Keep your livers fresh.  I keep them iced as I am using them especially on warmer days. Generally , the fish are structure oriented and will be close to the bottom or on ledges or slopes.  As oxygen levels  and water temperatures change the fish will seek out comfort zones. Let your bait go all the way to the bottom, point your rod tip at the water and reel a couple of cranks or un till your line is tight. It is important to keep your line tight so you can feel the slightest bite.  Raising your rod tip up and down slowly will often trigger a strike.

When fishing over structure I anchor the boat on both ends.  I do not want the boat to have any drift do to wind or wave action.  I want to stay right on top of the fish.  Once the boat is secured the next thing I do is get the chum out. First I spread my secret  formula of soured chicken scratch evenly around the boat being careful not to get any in or on the boat.  Next, I throw out liberal handfuls of range cubes.  I make the  soured chicken scratch at home in trash cans and transport  both the soured grain and range cubes in  spill proof containers.

Still reflecting back on the mornings events I recalled my cell phone ringing as customers arrived.  The sun was now up and boats were running the lake.  “Dave, somebody is already on your fist hole,” my friend told me.  He had gone by there on the way to his spot  and tipped me off.  We had pre-fished  the evening before and had found fish in two different spots, dumped chum and left them biting.  Ok time for plan B, Ill go to the second hole and set up. With clients on board I  idled out of the Marina and hammered the throttle on the 225.  Minutes later as I looked across the horizon my worst case fear seemed to appear like a mirage across a desert.  I slowed the boat grabbed my binoculars and was shocked to see a boat setting up on my back up hole.  What now? I thought as excited clients wiped water from their eyes.  It just doesn’t pay to run late on the weekend I said to myself.

The past couple of weeks I had been catching Channel Cats consistently off the river channel in 20 to 25’ of water fishing on the bottom.  I was confident about our chances for success on this trip.  Now with plan  A and B gone it was time for plan C, problem is that I did not have a plan C.  My cell phone rang again, “Dave are you set up on the second hole?”  My friend and fellow guide asked.  “No” I answered.  “We have not even lost a bait over here,” my friend spoke.  A real sick feeling came over me, things were not going well.  A slight cold front had moved through during the night.  The wind had changed from the typical south east to a  slight north west breeze and the barometric pressure was rising.

I really didn’t think it was a enough to effect the bite but now it crossed my mind.  I checked my  water temperature gauge,  the water had dropped several degrees overnight.

Maybe we need to fish a little shallower I theorized to myself.   “Hey Dave,” my friend spoke on the phone,  “We might need to fish a little shallower with this drop in water temperature and all.” “Good idea” I said.  We discussed a main lake creek about ¾ mile east of where I was, meet you there we agreed. I hadn’t fished there in years.

Watching my electronics running 6-8’ suddenly dropped to 12’ then 15’ and back to 8’ again.  I made a U turn found the drop off  on the creek and began setting up.  I anchored both ends of the boat right over the creek edge and began dumping chum over the side. “ Ok, lets bait up, drop it all the way to the bottom reel up two turns, keep your rod tip pointed down,”    I coached. “Be patient,  It may take the fish a few minutes to come to the chum.”  Moments later as I tried to pour a cup of coffee a rod slapped the side of the boat. “ Fish on” my client exclaimed excitedly as she heaved a  pan sized  Channel Cat into the boat.

“Good job, that fish is a real confidence builder” I commented.  Typically when fishing over baited structure for Channel Cats you don’t catch just one.  They come in schools.

Now, my friend and fellow guide had anchored his boat across the creek from us within talking distance, I got one I heard someone exclaim from his boat.  Things are looking up I thought as I took another fat Channel Cat off for my customer and flipped him into the live well.  The party was on.  Another rod went down.  For the next 2 hours we had steady action on hard fighting Channel Cats from 14 – 20 in. We did catch a few small Blues but mostly Channel Cats.  When ever the bite seemed to slow down I would re- chum and the bite would start up again.  Most of the Channel Cats bellies were full of the chum.  I stayed busy taking fish off the hook until the sun got high in the sky and we ran out off bait.

Every one was smiling as we headed back to the Marina.  At dock side after pictures were taken and hands shaken I was relieved that we had a good trip. Lake Conroe has a great Channell Cat fishery and by being prepared, using some gut instinct ,good electronics and little help from a friend , customers are going home to fry fish.

Dave Cox
Palmetto Guide Service

A new technique for catching trophy Flathead Cats  on the Trinity River has evolved after years of fishing for the wary sport fish.  Almost by accident I began targeting Flatheads and log jams.  While fishing for Black Bass in log jams off of the Trinity river  last summer I caught several   big Ops in the 10 -20lb. Class.  While it is not uncommon to take a big cat on artificial lure a pattern seemed to develop.  I f  Flatheads would occasionally take a plastic crawfish dropped in a opening in a log jam what would happen  using the same  technique with a live crawfish or live perch.  Carolina rigging the bottom with live bait in cut banks and sand bars produces fish, however dropping a live bait in a log jam , I thought has got to be effective.  I began to refine the technique specifically geared to hauling a big cat out of  the submerged tangle of a log jam.

Big cats will hold tight to log jams using the wood for shade and cover  lying in ambush waiting for unsuspected prey.   The log jams big cats prefer are always over deep water 14-30ft. on cut banks.  Find a log jam that extends out away from the bank over a deep hole and it will hold Flatheads.   The elusive fish will suspend from 4-10ft. down depending on oxygen levels and water temperature.  The warmer the water in the spring the more aggressive the fish will be.

Similar to fishing for Black Bass the technique involves silently easing the bow of the boat into a log jam and dropping a live bait into openings in the jam.  Try several spots in the jam, fishing quietly and methodically before moving.  Keep your rod tip low to the water level and line tight. Strikes are often sudden, aggressive and powerful.  A strong quick hook set is needed to turn a fish and hoarse him out of the brush.  Any slack line and a big cat will surge through the jam tangling and cutting monofilament line.

Fishing vertically in log jams calls for heavy tackle.  A good quality bait casting reel with a tight drag set is a must.  Rig it on a 5 ½’ heavy action rod.  The short rod will give you better control of your bait making it easier to drop a bait vertically into a small hole and provide a quick strong hook set.  Corks are not necessary although a cigar type float with a preset depth can be helpful to some anglers.  Spool your reel with 40lb. Mono or 20lb braided line.  Rig for the big cats with a  Carolina rig using a 3/16th oz bullet weight with  the weight turned backwards  the pointed end up sliding above a black barrel swivel.  You want the concave end of the bullet weight to ride snugly on the swivel. Peg the weight with a tooth pick to prevent it from slipping.  This will help minimize getting hung up in the brush. Make your leader 8-10” in length, no longer using 20lb.flourocarbon leader line.  The short leader will enable you to control the rig better and  prevent live bait from tangling  in limbs.  Fluorocarbon  leader line is less visible  providing a more natural presentation of live bait.  Tie on a #2 or #3 khale or “stinger hook”. Baits that have worked best for me in log jams are live perch and live crawfish.  Size is important, use a bait in the 3-4” class .  Fresh bait is imperative.  Flat Head Cats will rarely take a dead bait.   Hook a perch in the middle of the back, never in the tail. This keeps the bait perpendicular in the water and more natural looking.  Hook a crawfish in the horn avoiding his brain to prevent killing the bait. Remove the pinchers on crawfish so they cannot grab and hold on to limbs.   The strike of a Flathead in a log jam is powerful and heart stopping.  A fish hooked on short line in a log jam   is what we call “green and on a short leash”.

Heavy tackle is a must to prevent a fish from  going deep in the jam, tangling and cutting mono.  A trophy fish hung up can be trouble, you  have  to put pressure on them and get them out quick.

Recently, fishing the Trinity River I dropped a live crawfish into a log jam.  The bait never stopped as a fish grabbed it and headed deep.  I engaged the reel  and hammered a hook set on the heavy action rod.  The water boiled, my line stretched but I was to slow.  The fish, in a instant had buried deep into the brush and was hung up.  I could tell it was a good fish as I tried to give him slack in dim hopes of the fish untangling  himself.  We see sawed back in forth for what seemed like an eternity.  I could feel him thumping when I put pressure on.  I just new my line was going to break  as I could feel it chaffing on a log.   There was only one  thing left to try as sweat was now running down my forehead.  I applied all the pressure I could muster, a limb broke the fish freed and the battle was on. However, nearing the surface the fish hung again. My heart dropped, so close but yet so far.  I rested as the see saw battle resumed.  The fish was now only a  few feet from the surface.  Frustrated I sat the rod down, I’M GOING IN AFTER HIM, I  told my partner.  Just grab me by the belt of my pants I instructed  as I  slid head first over the side of the boat holding my breath. Under water, I found my line and followed it to a limb. Reaching the limb I went deeper, grabbed it and pulled.  The limb broke and the fish freed.  My partner pulled me back into the boat by my britches. I grabbed the rod and cranked.  Now, the exhausted fish came to the surface, I eased my hand under his gills and heaved him into the boat.

Finley I had won the battle, admiring the 15lb. Flat head Cat.

Reflecting on this experience I am certain. Log Jamming for Flat Head Cat Fish is a exciting fun way to fish and is a technique that works for me on the Trinity River in east Tx. and will work on similar river systems throughout the country.

Proper river conditions,  good technique, equipment, tackle and  fresh live bait will produce Flatheads in the Log Jams for you like it has for me.  This is one of the most exciting and productive ways to catch a giant cat.

Dave Cox

Palmetto Guide Service