I would like to make a trip to Caddo lake but I've never been there. Should I pull my 18' bass boat, rent a boat there, or hire a guide? If I pull my boat, where is best ramp for easy lake access? Where is best lodging...at the lake or in town? Also, should I go in the fall (October or November) or wait til spring? Thanks for any advice!

Interested in feed back on this topic as well. My dad always said this was his favorite lake to fish in the Fall, but I've never made the trip...

It's been on my bucket list for a few years...maybe I will make it up there soon.

I fished with Randy Deaver last November on Caddo. I would recommend him highly.

http://caddoprobass.com/

He fishes there regularly and has a partner that is also very familiar with the lake. Randy fishes the FLW circuit.

http://www.flwoutdoors.com/bassfishing/b...d/#.VCmEcTd0y70

No info on how you did last November, lures, depths, etc?

Feel free to give me a call and check out my website: www.caddolakeguideservice.com
Fall or Spring is real good, your choice.
It has been a little inconsistent, but this weekend was pretty good. They are starting to move into that fall pattern.

I just got back from my annual trip to Caddo. I have always stayed at the Shady Glade Resort in Uncertain Tx. They have cabins or trailers with reasonable rates. There is cafe and marina there to launch your boat. I suggest taking your own boat. There are a great deal of waterways you can explore in both directions from the resort. North takes you to the river which extends up past the state park and south takes you to the main lake area. Give Dave a call and he can set you up. Here is the web location: http://www.shadygladeresort.com/

Thanks Bass Coach and Redtide00 for the info...I'll make a call and make my plans afterwards. Thanks again!

Bring a boat or rent? It all depends on how many days you are going to fish. The 1st time we went, we hired Paul Keith to show us around. The truth of the matter is that with a GPS and a Caddo lake map, you really don't need a guide. Caddo has numbered poles that create "trails" all over it. My choice between Fall and Spring is Fall.

Thanks Rayzor, I will plan to fish 3 days and my Lowrance has gps with a Navionics card. Just wasn't sure about water depth and launching a heavy glass boat. All the pics looked marshy and stumpy so I was thinking small aluminum boat. Appreciate the help.

good morning,

get a map!!!!!!!!!!!!..........soft plastics around the cypress trees...........

good luck,
PURA VIDA,
bluebonnet2

Water getting low....and its a good idea to get someone to show you around. Lots of stumps starting to show theirselves!

I paddle out at Caddo some and have not had much luck finding boats for rent. There seems to be one or two houses for rent that will also rent their pontoon boat. Crips Camp has small jon boats for rent but I heard they are closed down now. I am going out there in a few weeks so will check on that.

As others said, Shady Glade is probably a good place to stay. Check out the weevil ranch if you stay there. Greater Caddo Lake Assoc. of Texas is harvesting salvinia weevils to try to help control the salvinia problem. Donate if you can.

The State Park is nice if you like to camp. Yopu could rent a site with a screened shelter. They also have some small cabins but my guess is they fill up quickly.

Plus 1 for Shady Glade . Cafe has excellent food. The ramp is a little steep but I launch my skeeter just fine.
The lake has been on the fall for awhile now. You really dont have to run a lot on that lake. It is a target rich environment just drop the Tmoter and go to work.

Obviously you can do whatever you want. I am just trying to save you 3-4 hundred dollars. A guide is not going to be able to show you where all of the stumps are. Believe me, you will freak out when you see all of the numbered "trails" on this lake. Get a map, take your time and you'll be fine. Right now it is -.87.

Make sure you fish top-waters in the morning!

Thanks all for the info....I'll get a map and might hire a guide for one day to get familiar with the place. Plan to bring a camera and get some nice pictures of this historic place also. I can fish my home waters of Toledo and Rayburn anytime, this is more of an adventure. Thanks again!

I agree with rayzor. Fishing is good anywhere on Caddo. Save your money. My son guided on Caddo. He was amazed at the people who didn't want to try to fish by themselves. Just drop your TM and fish. Even with the lake markers it is easy to get lost. Have fun

Boat4Life, I'm not saying you need or have to hire a guide, but I am saying lake is getting low and in some of the boatlanes its not but a foot deep and yes some do have a stray stump or two in or "very" close to being in the lane. Yes "fishing" is good anywhere on Caddo, but "catching" is a different story. Talk with some of the locals where you are staying and they should be able to help you out some. Good Luck and enjoy beautiful Caddo Lake!

If you are not familiar with the lake I would suggest hiring a guide for at least a half day to get on a pattern. The problem with Caddo is the whole lake looks like it will hold fish but thats not the case. If you want to catch fish, hire a guide. If you want to take pictures, don't hire a guide.

This is coming from a local, Caddo is the most finicky lake i've ever fished.