Introduction/New in TX/Taking my 8 Year Old fishing

First post her after a few weeks of reading. Seems like a good group of anglers, so howdy!

I moved to Plano over the summer from Southern CA (not Toyota but job related). I was born and raised fishing the oceans near Long Beach CA and only have limited freshwater fishing experience. Most of that was stream fishing in the Sierras while on backpacking trips, where an 8" brown trout was a trophy caliber fish :0 I also did some lake fishing as a kid with limited success. But now that I'm 5 hours from the ocean, I guess it's time to figure out how to fish lakes and ponds.

Besides not knowing much about the local freshwater fishing scene, my fishing buddy (my 8 year old daughter) has been fishing off the pier in CA with me since she was 4 and is quite used to catching fish. There, even on a slow day, we'd catch a dozen calico bass in a few hours.

I've found the Google Maps file of all the places to shore fish around me, but am wondering about tackle, time of year to go, etc. I'm guessing a small hook, a worm and a bobber on 4lb test would be where to start but is it like ocean fishing where spring and early summer is when the fish are most active? I remember talk of spawning season being better too.

Any thoughts on how to not make our first trip suck would be most appreciated!

Thank in advance.

I would suggest to start out fishing for the sunfish. Bluegill,Green Sunfish,Redbreast,Longear,Warmouth,and Redear. They are active during spring through fall. Right now the sunfish bite is slowing down. Search for a nice community pond or a State Park in your area that has a water body to fish. Light tackle is not expensive and easy to handle. 6 lb test line,size 6 or 8 hooks and a size five split shot. Live night crawlers work great for bait. Starting out your daughter catching some sunfish will teach her to target bigger ones in the future. You can also check the trout stocking reports in your area. Texas Parks&Wildlife will start stocking Rainbow Trout December 1 all the way till early February. The trout are easy to catch and a lot of fun. They are also super good eating. One other idea. You may want to get a guide and go after some Crappie. Great eating fish and a blast to catch. The guide can also tell you about tackle,fish patterns,and places to fish. Texas is loaded with great places to fish.


Side Note: To the Texas Fishing Forum!

Welcome!
I know where your coming from since i moved from NY down here about 5 years ago. I'm out of the flower mound area - My son is a bit younger but loves fishing from the bank (he loves catching but hates being stuck on the boat/kayak even if we catch more fish) :^^:

1) check the trout stocking - great easy way to start this time of year They actually start around DFW in 1.5 weeks! - schedule has been posted to the twpd site yesterday.
2) see banker's statements above
3) depending on how patient your daughter is or finding someone w/ local knowledge you could have some luck on community ponds trying for Catch&Release catfish (my son's personal favorite - mostly because he can take breaks on nearby playgrounds & explore)

As for time of year - the fish slow down in the winter... but that doesn't mean the fishing does! :^^: As with any type of fishing there are patterns.

outside of that - though there is a learning curve and they are a bit harder (or take more prep/knowledge) - I have targeted from the bank - white bass, crappie, catfish, and trout successfully this time of year (i generally have ignored sunfish to date & i keep getting tempted to go for carp/gar... but not with my son yet)

Great ideas guys. Thank you.

I'll get on the Texas Parks & Wildlife website and see if I can figure out where they're stocking trout near me. I also found a post here on the ponds of Plano which has been helpful.

I'm guessing the Texas Parks & Wildlife also manage fishing licenses?

Yes, TPW administers both hunting and fishing licenses. You can go to their website for more information. You can buy a license at numerous retailers through the state. Academy is my retailer of choice.

Note: for anyone who has lived here less than 6 months, the law requires a non-resident license. No license is needed for kids 16 and under.

Also, no license is required when fishing within a Texas state park.

Try the fishing barges. Lewisville has one, Ray Hubbard has at least one, as does Joe Pool Lake, Lake Weatherford has one. Winter crappie fishing can be good to excellent, and for the little one, the bluegills seem to hang around the barges all year long, a light to ultralight action combo, 6 lb test, #4-#6 hooks, bobber and split shots,and a box of night crawlers, might make for one happy tyke.

Good luck and welcome to Texas, one mighty fine Fishing hole!

Rudy

There are several trout stockings that will happen near you in Plano/Frisco/Prosper/N Dallas.....

Eric

Good stuff y'all. Thanks!

They used to have barges on the pacific that were great sometimes of year. Quick boat ride out, usually good burgers in the galley and they looked the other way if you had a beer or two

FYI if targeting sunfish, nightcrawlers work but the hands get messy. Small insects work (like crickets from the pet store), slim jim, bread, etc.

Eric

Welcome Nate, I was from CA too.

I am going fishing at Lake Lewisville tomorrow morning.
PM me if you want to hook up.