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Advice for a newbie - Lake Tawakoni from the bank #12502758 11/14/17 02:50 AM
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MichaelDFW Offline OP
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Hi folks, have enjoyed reading all the posts, but wondered if anyone could provide some decently specific advice.

There is a small group of fathers and sons (6yr olds) heading to Lake Tawakoni this weekend to camp out and I've landed the job of "fishing guide" some how, probably because I have a few rods and my son and I love fishing. That said, we're new to real catfishing and so I'm worried about getting skunked.

We will be fishing from the bank somewhere near the TWPD campsite and I'm planning on rigging a few rods with bobbers and hooks baited with bacon or sweetcorn for bluegill, and a few rigged for punchbait / dip bait for smaller cats.

I also have a long rod I plan to rig a bit bigger for the "why not, nothing to lose" also known as "go big or go home" situation for a long cast and a 9/0 circle hook.

So my ask is - given your experience - all suggestions are welcome, please let me know what you'd do in my situation. My only goal is for the boys to have fun so they get hooked on fishing. Pun intended... Sorry.

Also suggestion on where to get shad (fresh-ish) between Dallas and the Lake would be awesome. Never thrown a net in my life, and never been to Tawakoni either.

Thanks in advance.


Just a father trying to help his sons realize the joys of the outdoors.
Wet Rooster Jigs Fishing Super Store
Re: Advice for a newbie - Lake Tawakoni from the bank [Re: MichaelDFW] #12502785 11/14/17 03:24 AM
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Chief262 Offline
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Get some 20 percent range cubes and throw a handfull out every 30 minutes or so and use punch bait.

Re: Advice for a newbie - Lake Tawakoni from the bank [Re: MichaelDFW] #12502862 11/14/17 05:20 AM
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Catfish Lynn Offline
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Hmm, not familiar with the lake. Looking at my Catfish Calendar, it is BC (BlueCat days) for Thurs/Fri (16/17). Then ZIP the next 3 days for Sat/Sun/Mon (18/19/20). And BC come back for Tues/Wed (21/22).

So, definitely trying to attract some in, will for sure help. Since you are bank fishing, you are depending upon what is there or comes by.

I would have a variety of baits handy, especially ones that have a smell. Also have on hand, some live minnows, shrimp, beef liver, chicken liver, and such. Some might even marinate some chicken breasts or thighs (just the meat) in Dead Red Spray.

Most important is to teach the kids that getting away & camping is great for anybody. Learn what you can, share, and help one another. While it is nice to catch fish, sometimes we are taught & learn various tactics & baits. And then when the fish are really biting, they can say, look out fish, here we come.

Even though ZIP seems to be looming over the weekend, BC Friday will have Bleedover into Saturday. So I am thinking early on, get fishing just before or at daybreak. Fish hard, as Bleedover will taper off about Noonish.

However, in my estimation, about 25% to 33% (1/4 to 1/3) of Yellows, Blues, and Gator Gars do not follow the standard pattern that my Catfish Calendar covers. I refer to them as "rogue", as they dance to a different tune (pattern).

Anyway, Good Luck & have fun! If you plan future trips, check my calendar thread ahead of time. If you need to map out a month ahead, just send me a PM.

Oh, for me, usually BFT (Buffet) Days are when I seem to catch ChannelCats.


Lynn
aka "Catfish"
Re: Advice for a newbie - Lake Tawakoni from the bank [Re: MichaelDFW] #12503095 11/14/17 03:10 PM
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kodys'papa Offline
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Not a big bluegill population here. Might be better off with worms for perch...
Weekend looks like a cold front will arrive which means a north wind and that sets up great to be fishing from the state park as the wind will be in your face

One bait that works for us when we can't catch shad is the "all meat" red weenie made by bar s, and we usually add garlic powder to them..

Good luck


Hooking a fish is like playing string with a cat. The exact size, shape, color of string matters less than how you wiggle it- and little cats are easier to fool than big ones. John Gierach
Re: Advice for a newbie - Lake Tawakoni from the bank [Re: MichaelDFW] #12504022 11/15/17 04:57 AM
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Catfish Lynn Offline
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That's two items I forgot. Worms & Bar S wieners. As to the Bar S wieners, Dave always soaks either chicken breast or Bar S wieners in Dead Red & catches a mess of Blues on his jugs. Looks like 3 fronts coming, as to us down here in the B-CS area. Might be different up there at Twok.

Regardless, hope you & the group have a blast, whether you use the marshmallows as bait, snack, or both!


Lynn
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Re: Advice for a newbie - Lake Tawakoni from the bank [Re: MichaelDFW] #12504061 11/15/17 09:34 AM
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Nickbyrd Online Happy
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Fishing with kids that young is hard brother . Lots of patience lol . That being said hope those kiddos land lots of fish and y’all have a great time to remember for years to come

Re: Advice for a newbie - Lake Tawakoni from the bank [Re: MichaelDFW] #12504776 11/15/17 11:20 PM
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MichaelDFW Offline OP
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Folks,
Thank you all for the comments and advice. Will look to expand the bait selection for sure.

Will let you know if we have any success !

Thanks again.


Just a father trying to help his sons realize the joys of the outdoors.
Re: Advice for a newbie - Lake Tawakoni from the bank [Re: MichaelDFW] #12510206 11/20/17 02:09 PM
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kodys'papa Offline
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How did the trip go?


Hooking a fish is like playing string with a cat. The exact size, shape, color of string matters less than how you wiggle it- and little cats are easier to fool than big ones. John Gierach
Re: Advice for a newbie - Lake Tawakoni from the bank [Re: MichaelDFW] #12512197 11/22/17 02:36 AM
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Catfanman Offline
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I usually use Danny kings punch bait on a bare Treble hook and I have good success with it.

Re: Advice for a newbie - Lake Tawakoni from the bank [Re: MichaelDFW] #12513530 11/23/17 04:03 AM
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forsanmedic Offline
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CJ's shad flavor has done me good on Twak when we couldn't catch shad or get by an oriental store for carp or drum.

Re: Advice for a newbie - Lake Tawakoni from the bank [Re: MichaelDFW] #12517096 11/27/17 12:01 AM
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stubby77 Offline
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You might try stubbys cheese over there wind point carrys it.



Re: Advice for a newbie - Lake Tawakoni from the bank [Re: MichaelDFW] #12517481 11/27/17 04:59 AM
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Catfish Lynn Offline
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I am anxious to hear how the trip went, as to fishing & camping too. But I understand the delay due to being followed by a short work week (by some) & a 4 day holiday stretch (by some).


Lynn
aka "Catfish"
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