I was directed to Lake Belton only about 15 minutes from where I was. Boat in tow, with a bucket of minnows, and a box of night crawlers I headed out to see what kind of success I would have.
I ended up going to about four different spots spending roughly two hours only to have my bait stolen off the hook.
I started getting discouraged until I spotted an elderly man about three hundred yards away fishing from the bank. I noticed this gentleman pulling his stringer from the water and to my surprise he had two full stringers of channel cat catfish ranging in weight from about two and half to fifteen pounds!
I asked him what he was doing to be so successful and he said the first stringer came from trot lines he had set up over night. When I asked what he was using for bait I was completely astounded by his answer. He pulled a small bag from his tackle box and revealed to me about a dozen small cut up pieces of ivory soap. I couldn't believe it, I was dumbfounded. I asked how it worked, and the old timer simply said "I don't know, my grandfather taught me this over forty years ago".
When I asked about his second and soon to be third stringer of catfish, he pulled his bait bucket from the water and showed me little creatures I have never seen or heard before. Helgamites was the name of the odd insects. Small shrimp like insects with an armor plated exoskeleton and huge ant like pinchers on their heads.
These creatures can draw blood and it hurts when they latch on to your finger, so use caution. These insects can be found in rocks close to the banks of rivers and fresh water lakes. The old man told me he always uses them along with another secret fishing tip. When the lake water drops a little the old man goes out and digs a hole about twenty to thirty feet off the bank, and drops a foul smelling brick of maze into the hole. The smell attracts the catfish in droves, and they hang around all day.
The old timer told me he catches about thirty to forty keepers every time he fishes. That day the old man and I caught fifty three catfish. As far as fresh water fishing for catfish is concerned, the old timer provided me with the ultimate total fishing tips.
Fresh Water Fishing Tips
Texas crappie fishing is an enjoyable experience, especially since the location has so many opportunities for outstanding catches. You will find crappie located throughout the state, including in many of the larger lakes that dot the landscape. If you are an avid angler, catching crappie here will not be difficult. In fact, you may find it readily available to you throughout the region. Knowing where to look and how to catch them is the best advice you can have.
About The Fish You'll Find
Texas crappie fishing means you'll be going after either black crappie or white crappie. Here, black crappie are often about two and a half to three and a half pounds, some smaller and some larger. The state's record is only three pounds and nine ounces, while the world record is all of six pounds. The other option here is white crappie. These are likely to be about three pounds to four pounds, with the state record being four pounds and nine ounces. The world record in white crappie is five pounds and three ounces.
The next important thing to know about Texas crappie fishing is the type of water these fish like to be found in. First, you'll find them in water that is about 68 to 74 degrees, not much colder or much warmer, unless they have to be in it. They prefer shade over sun, which means you will find them lurking in brush and hiding under the overhangs of trees. These are ideal locations to find them. Also, they prefer locations that have less of a current or even no current at all. The water should be clear to slightly murky, but they do not like dark water.
Where You'll Find Them
In your search for Texas crappie fish, start with just about any major lake in the state! They are found in virtually all of them, and you will have a hard time finding a lake without at least a small school of fish, assuming they are situated in prime conditions. If you wish to find the largest fish and would like to do this by fishing in the same location where the state records were held, that's easy enough to do. For black crappie, you will want to head to Lake Fork. White crappie records were broke in Navarro Mills Lake.
Some lakes to take into consideration include:
Belton Lake: Located on Leon River in both Bell and Coryell County, about 12,380 surface acres of water.
Diversion Lake: Located about 30 miles out from Wichita Falls right on the county line of Archer County and Baylor County, about 3100 acres of surface area.Lake Buchanan: Located on the Colorado River in the county of Burnet and Llano, just west of the city of Burnet, about 22,200 acres of water surface area.
Lake Lewisville: Located in Denton County near Lewisville, on Elm Fork portion of the Trinity River, about 29,500 acres of water surface.
Lake Texoma: This is a Red River impoundment that is located on the boarder of Oklahoma and Texas, just northwest of Sherman and Denison and west of US Route 75, About 74,700 acres of water surface area.
Both Shane Brooks & are contributors for EditorialToday. The above articles have been edited for relevancy and timeliness. All write-ups, reviews, tips and guides published by EditorialToday.com and its partners or affiliates are for informational purposes only. They should not be used for any legal or any other type of advice. We do not endorse any author, contributor, writer or article posted by our team.
Shane Brooks has sinced written about articles on various topics from Finances, Mortgage Marketing and Finances. Shane Brooks is a self employeed writer who simply enjoys living life one day at a time.More fascinating fishing articles can be found here along with
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