I checked out my local creek yesterday to see how it was holding up against the drought we are in and it wasn't good. The section that went to is 90% dry and the holes that are left are only 12-18 inches deep. One of these holes is holding a lot of really nice fish, and I know they won't last much longer if the drought continues. So should I try to pull them out by rod and reel? Or "noodle" (I know pulling fish out of a ft of water is hardly noodling) them out?

I should probably mention that there are plenty of much deeper holes miles up stream and the creek is run off from a stocked reservoir, so I'm not worried about the creeks ability to produce good fish in the future.

I dont believe the noodling bill has been signed into law yet.

I think you should go the noodling route. Being an okie you would think that I was an original member of the "Oklahoma Family Noodling and Sister Marrying Club". But, I only married my sister. I know some dudes who actually consider snake attacks, beavers gnawing fingers off, etc. to be fun.

the bill passed, and you go noodle today if you want
http://www.legis.state.tx.us/BillLookup/BillStages.aspx?LegSess=82R&Bill=HB2189

I'll be building me some "homes" for some cats this summer!

It's always interested me!

What kind of "homes"?

I'm going noodlin! Thanks guys

I too say give it a whirl. Let us know how it works out. Good luck!

If you watch those noodling shows most of the ones they catch by hand are in some type of enclosure...whether it's a log, rocks, or little wooden hole made out of 2x4.

55 gal drums with the end cut out.

Mash the end of that barrel to form an oval with about a foot or so clearance, and it's easier to block of the entrance or their exit, and the shape kind of keeps it from rolling along the bottom making it easier to anchor.

Noodle those fish out and take them upstream to a new home. Then go get your poles and try to catch them the proper way. It's more fun anyway to catch them on a rod and reel.

Note: I am not against noodling at all.I am for the fun of sport.

Thanks guys for all the advice. I'm going out some time tomorrow and ill definitely post some pics of my catches.

Big_Jake,
You read my mind and I agree that catching fish on rod & is more fun and sporting. Nothing against any one who noodles, but it is a little more difficult to land a fish that with a rod. Not to mention safer. If I couldn't see the bottom of the water in that hole, I wouldn't think about going in for them.