Hi folks, I am new to new to this and have been reading all I can to learn before I come to Killen area in late November. I'm 70, originally from Tenn but lived in Hawaii now for 30 years. I REALLY miss freshwater fishing, especially Catfishing. I want to take my 5 years old and 13 year Grandsons out fishing around 1 December. Just want them to catch some fish and get "hooked". Any advice where to go, rent a boat, etc., appreciated. Thought I would go out the 26th Nov by myself to get the feel of things, practice a little and so on. I can think of nothing worse than taking my Grandson's fishing for 1st time and them not catching anything. So I'm will to pull out all the plugs to get this done. Maybe even pay someone to rent the boat & guide, etc.
I remember to this day going fishing with my Grandfather on the Tennesse river when I was much, much younger.
Thanks in advance, Laroice "Dave" Davidson

Well, first of all, the weather may be unpredictable at that time. I doubt you would want a 5yo to be freezing in the boat. I don't fish for catfish much, other than the shad run in the spring.

When I was station at Ft. Hood, I would go to cowhouse creek and locatee a deep spot and bait it up and fish it durong the winter. Another thig is look at the Colorado River or Lake Buchanan you should be able to find a guide there and fish for the big cats.

Laroic,
I wish I had more info for you, I know several catfish guides here in the DFW metromess area but none in the Killeen area. There's one I know of but never used but I believe he targets more the stripers in that area. I believe he goe's by "high tech redneck here on the forum and he guides on lake Whitney, which I believe is fairly close to Killen.
http://www.teamredneck.net/front.html
If you decide to head further north I'll give you some guys in this area. Best of luck to you.

Catfishing is kinda tough around here, but I can tell you that if you go to the sportsmans center on fort hood and buy the pass, they will give you a map to several stocked ponds you can fish. Also on belton if you want to rent a boat you can rent one at both BLORA (the army's marina on the lake) and Franks Marina. Belton is much better with the whites and hybrids then catfish, but I usualy catch my catfish around the sand flats area (just ask the folks at the marina to point it out to you when you rent a boat)
Outside of killeen Buchanan is supposed to be EXCELLENT for cats and stripers.
I think on fort hood the main ponds to fish are engineer lake, hiner, and the copperas cove ponds, they sportsman center there can put you in the right direction.. Oh almost forgot, it was mentioned up above, Cowhouse creek is pretty good fishing at times, and when you get your pass they will give you a map, there is one main area most people go to (you will see it) and its not bad at all for catfishing.
I am actualy moving to Hawaii in a few weeks, what can you tell me about fishing on Oahu?
Good luck, and if you ever need any more advice on the fishing around Killeen just let me know, Ive pretty much hit up every body of water around here in the last year!

oh one more thing, BLORA has a heated indoor crappie house. So if its cold out you might want to take them fishing there. Also if you go there take some nightcrawlers with you and if you dont catch any catfish you can fish with those and small hooks and they can catch perch all day long at the crappie house! I dont know what the fees are for civilians at blora, but im sure its only a couple bucks.

Hi. My son-in-law took me to BLORA last January. I sa no one catch a thing. Between 5 of us we caught 1 small sunfish on a small hook I rigged for grandson. But that happens I know.

Comming to Hawaii. Well there is almost no fresh water fishing on Oahu. Saltwater fishing is of course available everywhere but catching fish is another thing. Guess you'll just never get the country out of me. I just love what I did as a kid, fish creeks and Tennessee River. But welcome to Hawaii. Are you in the Military? I retired from Army in 1975 and moved here and worked at Schofield Barracks for 21 years.
I would love to move back there and just go fishing but guess I'm stuck here. Wife loves it here.....
Thanks for you help.
Laroice

yeah I am in the army, and will be stationed at Schofield. Yeah winter fishing on BLORA is pretty tough. I heard surf fishing in Hawaii is pretty tough and overfished, but hopefully I can get on a few shared charters and catch some mahi mahi or something.
Well good luck, if you wanted to take a guide I know there are some on buchanan for stripers and catfish, and that lake is bout 1.5 hrs away.

We were catching cats in the Leon River today. Put in at Hwy 36 public boat ramp. Lots of good spots up there.