Texas Catfishing Hot Spots, Guides
Bob McNally 01.03.17
Texas catfishing is excellent on a number of lakes near Dallas and Fort Worth, notably Lewisville, Grapevine, and Tawakoni. Good-eating cats run all sizes, with most weighing 3 to 10 pounds, but some are bigger. Prime places for fishing on the lakes noted are wind-blown points, wind-blown pockets, main-lake humps, ledges, and creek channels.
To locate fish, follow baitfish (shad), follow birds (gulls, herons, egrets), follow wind direction and forecasts, trust your boat electronics to tell if fish or bait are below the boat.
When fish are not hitting, keep fresh baits in the water, change locations, depths and structure, or even try a different lake. If catfish aren’t biting in one spot after 15 to 30 minutes, move. There is no need to waste time if there are no fish in the area or trying to catch fish that are not active.
Who To Contact: For Lakes Lewisville and Grapevine, guide Bobby Kubin is the man to see, phone 817-455-2894; www.bobby-catfishing.com, Call (817) 455-2894
On Lake Tawakoni, contact guide George Rule, phone 214-202-6641; www.trophycats.com.
Gear You Need: Heavy bass tackle works well for catfish, spinning, or bait-casting. Natural baits are best, and while cats can be caught on almost anything, specialized baits and rigs work best for Lone Star whisker fish.
Favorite baits include fresh shad (cut, whole, or live) and cut bluegill, carp, buffalo, and drum, all which work especially well for blue cats. Prepared baits are good for channel catfish, with “Secret 7 Dip Bait” and Berkley Gulp “Crab” local favorites.
Fish these baits on a simple Carolina Rig with a 1 oz egg sinker, swivel, 18-to-36 inch leader tipped with 3/0 to 8/0 Team Catfish Double Action Circle Hook.
