I need some help guys. I have been looking for a map of belton and/or stillhouse topo maps so I can find some structure and depth to fish from the bank. Google hasent shown me any thing. I just want to try some new spots.

Aso, my family is wanting my christmass wish list. I'm wanting to get some upgraded/new gear. What I have right now is. Is some 20lb berkly big game, 1 foot. Steel leaders, asorted bank and egg weights, eagle claw 0/5 and 0/4 circle hooks, a okuma avenger abf50 reel, a quantim optix 60 reel, a shimano fx s-80 mhb2 rod and a 7' ugly stick rod.

I'm a bank fisher. What I would realy like is a cast net. I had one as a kid, bit it was a 7 foot net. What size should I ask for? I'm getting sick and tire of using froze shad fillets (a med. Sized macem jar full is $6.50 and the pieces are 2 inches long) and frozed shrimp, and beef/rabbit/chicken liver. I also would like to up grade to braided line. I like the spider wire stealth 65lb, but I can only find it in 125 yard spools. And I would also like to get away from the steel leaders.

I also would like to get some 10' rods. Not shure what way to go. I saw the okuma reel on here, and couldent beat the price at $45. But not shure as to he quality of ether of my reels. Also, my rod holders are the cheep $1 walmart ones. And they can't take the 5 to 8lb channels I normaly get in to.

Any thoughts and ideas on any of his would be awsome. I have learned a lot frm here. I'm constanly reading and baely post. I'm still learing now. And I can't thank the ttf catfishing community enough. So I figure if I have the right gear, I can focus on my techinque and tatics. And sence I nowhave been tasked with teaching my father in law how to fish, I want to do it right. And it would mean a lot to me to show him a good time, as I see fishing just about the only way him and I can get to connect, and that's verry important to me. As he's the only real dad I have now.

Army, Academy sports carries a good fishing map. It's called a Hook and line map. It has Belton on one side and Stillhouse on the back. It's a big fold out map and shows structure,depth changes and channels. I have one and has helped me out when planning on where to fish. Also on a sunny day in the winter you can load up on Big gizzards at Mcgregor park right off the bank at Belton usually late in the day. I like to use Power Pro braid,and have found the best deals on ebay. Tug o war from team catfish is also good.

i can show you some place to go on my off day and as rod holders i can show you somethings that works for me if you are up to it give me a pm and i will send you my number and do you know how to work a boat.

Hound, I don't have any experience in runing a boat. But any help is much needed, PM SENT! Thank you soo verry much

For rod holders, I buy 2" pvc and 3/8 or 1/2" rebar. Cut the pvc into 1 or 1.5 foot section use 2 or 3 foot prices of rebar, and use hose clamps or duct tape to hold em together. I wrapped mine in duct tape 3 times tip to bottom, and they aren't going anywhere.

As for rods, the 10' pro angler rods are awesome, and are some where around $50 each, hard to beat it. I have several of their 7.5' rods, and I love them, and I know the 10' rods are the same quality. As far as a cast net, get at least a 5' net (10' across) I use a 6' and I like it, but I will be getting a 7' when this one bites the dust. If you are limited to the bank, I would go with a cheaper net ($30 or so at academy) as it seems like they get hung up more from the bank, and you don't want to rip up a $100 net.

The reels you picked should be good. I have 2 quatum optix 60s myself. They are a good reel, I just don't use mine much as I prefer bait casters. and I think that shimano rod is the same ones my optix are on. They are fine rods.

That's all I got for you right now.

I don't know how to set up and tune a bait caster. That's why I used spinners. ill try that idea fr rod holders! I've been thinking about how to makemy own, just haven't had time

i like the pro anglers rods too!!! well worth the money!!

i am a bank fisher too!! and i too use the pvc and rebar method for rod holder!! takes about 20 minutes to build 3-4!!

as far a line i like to use the suffix 65# braided line!


i am looking for a topo map for my lake arrohead, and someon here finally had had one!!! so maybe someone can help you here out!!

I have a really good topo map for Belton. Send me your email address and I'll send it to you.

You can find that spider wire stealth in 2,000 yard spools at fishermans factory outlet. Ffo.com

10' Pro Angler rods will run $45.00 for Eva handles.

Tuning a bait caster isn't difficult but spinning gear is great too.
Those optix 60's are good and most Academy's carry the 80's now as well.

Lose the steel leader unless you're down at the coast.

how heavy should I go to for. Leader? If I'm usng 65lb braid, then the leader should be 70 to 80lb fluro or mono, righ?

how heavy should I go to for. Leader? If I'm usng 65lb braid, then the leader should be 70 to 80lb fluro or mono, righ?

yep, right around there should be fine.

What about slinky sinkers

What about slinky sinkers

in my opinion, if you are banking it, you dont need slink sinkers. in fact, when i bank fish, i will often take my slinky weights off and switch to no rolls. i like to be able to get my line nice and tight from the bank, and the slinkys make that kind of difficult.

i would stick with no rolls (if you use santee cooper rigs) or bank sinkers (for 3 way rigs)

Just got that topo map. Thank you soo much. It is a great resource.

Glad I could help you out. Thanks for your service as well.

I am also a Belton Lake bank fisherman. We need to link up and go out sometime. Most of my fishing buddies are either deployed or PCSed. Do you go out during the day or night?

As far as the cast net, I just tore up a brand new net at the 36 bridge. Only got 3 throws out of it. For that reason, I usually just go with the nets at Academy or Wal-Mart. You can get a 7' net for about $40. You can usually tear the shad up near the 36 bridge, but the water has been so low, I have had trouble finding them.

I have a 12' Shakespeare rod with an Optix 60 reel and I love it. I usually just use 20-30lb Big Game Hi-vis, and I haven't had any complaints about that either. As far as rod holders, I just stick it in the stake holes on the bed of my truck. At night, I use a paerclip and a chemlight, and it works great. My buddies like to give me hard time that I am going to bring in a helicopter one of these nights!

I had an 08 chevy, traided it in fr an 02 long bed HD. Th stake holes is how I used to do it. I have never been up to the 36 bridge. Now that I'm with out wheels, I have to depend on a ride. I hate "the great place" so much, I don't wat to be there if I don't have to. That's why I'm looking for new spots. I want to go to braid for its cast ability. Rght now I can't get but about 75 to 100 yards per cast. But that's lso on 7'6" and a 8" rods. From the looks of the map bobby sent me (big thumbs up on tha one) there's a sweet little spot on the very edge of blora.

You will be fishing better water from the bank around Blora than at 36 bridge.
36 has a lot of pressure from bank fisherman.
I have fished all over Belton from a boat.
My best fishing is up the cow house after a good rain.

UsArmy,

first of all thanks for ur service. Im up Hillsboro area north of waco. I have a cheap 7' castnet that is just sitting around the house in a bucket. If we can make arrangements to get it to u, it is urs. Im too short too throw this size from my boat, i use a 5'. I also have several sticks of 2-3" pvc that are at least 2' in lenght. i will be taking them off of my boat, and replacing them with some rod holders wife got me. u can have them also. im offshore right now and will be home 12/8/11. my bil is stationed at ft. hood also, and i should be seeing him over the holidays, he does not fish, but i will get these to ft hood with him to give to u. send me a pm with ur contact info. and if u can ever get up my way, i will take u out boating on Aquilla (good supply of blues) or we will hit whitney up, as long as we are able to launch.

Doc,

That's an amazing offer! And ill be honored and most greatful to have your supplys! And if I'm in the area, illl be ready to hit the lake. I'm staying in the area for he holidays as my in laws live 15min away. And as always, I'm avalable for any one to contact me. Best way is thrugh e mail @ armyguy2470@gmail.com . This addy is linked directly to my cell as I only use my phone for the internet. Ill be out of the army by 2013. I plan to work offshore as well.

Freeman,

I do understand about cow house. That place is incredible. But for a banker, its a good hr drive in to an area you haveno cellphone coverage. And th baks are pretty steep.