I'm out on Palestine about once or twice a month and just now getting into fishing for cats out there. I'm looking for a good place to set jugs and tightlining both. Any suggestions? Any lake specific bait preferences? I'm kinda new to the layout of the lake too so I don't know alot of the spot's names. My house is in Sabine Bay. Thanks!

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If it were me I would go to Flat Creek Marina and put in there. I take it you meant Saline Bay??
I have always fished on the upper to middle parts of the lake so I may not be of much help. I do know that the area around Flat Creek where the old Neches river channel runs through has some big resident flatheads. Trotlines in the channel (sunk on both ends with huge weights) baited with perch or cutbait willproduce some good catches but the time of the year for that started in early April and will end in about 2 weeks as the fish start spawning.
If you want to tightline trotline then get in the trees as close to the channel. I would try one in about 14-20 feet and then one in about 6 feet and test the water.
That lake is full of catfish so you shouldn't have trouble finding them.

Here's a map for the names.
http://www.tpwd.state.tx.us/fishboat/fish/recreational/lakes/palestine/access.phtml

I fished there about a month ago at the BPS tournament. I prefished and fished the tournament and caught over 100 blues and channels while I was there. I fished around the shallow humps and points. There are lots of cats in that lake for sure. I caught them up to 8 lbs with the SECRET 7 Dip Bait and the DEAD RED dip tubes.

Awesome. Yah, I bought some of your Secret 7. I'm hoping to try it out in a couple of weeks when I get back out there.

Thanks for the tips scooter. Its a bit of a gas burner to get all the way to Flat Creek from Saline Bay, but from your tips, we might just have to make the trip.

I haven't gotten real good with my cast net yet but I'm working on it. That'll be the next step: get some good cut bait.

Hey Team Catfish, what kind of rig do you use? I've been using a hook---leader---barrel swivel----egg weight---line to rod. On the hook I use either a treble or a circle depending on the bait. Any tips there? Anything lake specific?

I used to catch a lot of fish around the island just east of the 315 bridge south of Chandler. We would launch from the ramp right there at the bridge. Any of the shallow flats in that area should produce fish this time of year. It's a pretty short boat ride. Just watch out for all of the stumps. Use Secret 7, shad or punch bait on corks along wind-blonw banks and brush. You shouldn't have any problems catching plenty of eating size fish in this area.

Bobby, how am I going to win any tournaments if you tell about my secret spots :)lol. All joking aside, this is a great area of Palestine to catfish. There are lots of stumps for sure so be careful in the really shallow water.

I was using a slip sinker rig (Carolina rig) with the DEAD RED Dip Tube and the FURRY THaNG Bait holders plus brand new product we offer called the SINKER BUMPER. We just got the SINKER BUMPERS on the website yesterday and the response has been great.

If you like to use plastic beads as sinker stoppers and knot protectors you'll love the SINKER BUMPER. Here is the picture.

Thanks for the tips Bobby. After looking at your guiding site, I reckon you're a man who knows what he's talking about. I'm pumped to get some of that Secret-7 working. Tight lines!

Chasen, I too have fished that part as well but that is even farther for you than what I mentioned. It is aslo very hard to get around in when the lake is the least bit low.
When I was a kid we used to fish the area between Brookshires lake property and the Shadybrook community. We'd find a tree on a point to tie the line to and then use a heavy weight on the other end which was set straight out into the lake.
There is a cove near Brookshires that one night we went up in. The shad were so thick that I don't think you'd ever get your cast net back into the boat if you tried to use it. This cove had a sand bottom. It's been a while for me now on Lake Palestine....I miss it.

Wow, that sounds perfect. I'm looking to fill the freezer up with big gizzard shad. I want to use my vacuum packer on them. At least thats the plan. I gotta find 'em first. Thanks for the tips. Seems like Palestine is one of the least traffic'ed lakes I've been on in recent years. Even when its heavy, it aint that heavy. I'm so glad we ended up with the house on Palestine instead of Lake Tyler. I've heard that one is crazy crowded.

I'm not familiar yet with the communities you've mentioned. But my parents grew up in the area. They might have a better idea. I don't have my lake map with me right now. I bet its on there.

Thanks again for all the help guys. I didn't do much fishing while I was a kid. Since we got the house on Palestine, I've gotten really into it. Keep the tips coming!!

OK so where can I buy Secret 7 in the DFW area? WOuld like to pick some up to take with me east today...or is it only avaliable online?

Might want to PM Team Catfish for that one.

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