Yesterday evening I get a text from HankS asking if I want to go with him to blow the cobwebs off his center console boat on Texoma. Not getting to fish over the weekend, this was like offering candy to a baby - and I bit. We launched at Highport, ran the boat around a bit and of course we brought tackle along and had to make sure it was still functional as well. We hit a point we like to yak fish and it was ON! from the first cast. Although we didn't have a working FF, we didn't need one - we stayed on the point and for the next 45 minutes proceeded to boat limits of stripers with some nice overs in the mix. We were throwing big topwater pencil poppers and the ferocity of the fish at times was almost comical. We had the lures getting knocked out of the water several feet in the air and several fish going airborne when they hit and tailwalking like tarpon. We were just wishing we were in our yaks -


Anyway, I have open fishing days for the first part of this week - I plan to yak fish Monday (today 7/14) evening and then Tuesday and Wednesday mornings and/or evenings. The infamous Tino M. will be making an appearance, Dianne D. plans to make a morning and I'm sure Hank will find a day(s) to fish but would like to open it up to anyone who has a desire to fish. My schedule is pretty flexible those days but I usually prefer early morning (on the water by 6am) and evening (on the water about 5pm) and fish for 4-6 hours or as long as we are on fish. Most likely will launch Highport (free yak launching/parking BTW if you put a note in your windshield that you are a yakker thanks to the great folks at Highport Marina) and hit spots within about 2 miles of the ramp. Total paddling is usually about 5-6 miles just to give you an idea. The more the merrier and having multiple yaks often makes it easier to find fish......so my open invite has its own selfish motive as well. I'm not set on targeting just stripers - may look for some greenies/cats/buffs/gar as well -whatever floats your boat - equal opportunity angling ya know. Post up or msg me here or on FB.

FYI - there is also a Saturday group of about 6 of us going. Highport 6am. Possibly Eisenhower depending on results/reports between now and then.

Those of us with jobs will not be there.

I've had several asking about lure selection so here is my recommendation for a minimum:



Lure suggestions:

Topwaters: Pencil poppers or chug bugs. Silver with blue/black is a good standard. The white/red pencil popper was working good last night. Don't be afraid to go big but be prepared to throw it and work it loud and fast (ie, rod with decent backbone in it and a reel with reasonably fast retrieve).

Pencil Popper (Pic courtesy of Cabelas):



Chug Bug (Pic couresty of Academy):





Swimmers - 4" sassy shads in white/glow or bright chartuese are a standard. 1/2 and/or 3/4 jig heads (I like the triangle type). Not necessary to match the body color IMO - white works well for all color bodies but if you want to match, it doesn't hurt. Storm Wildeyes can work as well. Wouldn't hurt to have some cocahoe minnow bodies also - sometimes they prefer the sleeker bodie as opposed to the sassy shad body. White/glow/chart again.

Example of sassy shad body (Pic courtesty of RSR lures - a N. Tx company)



Example of cocahoe minnow body (Pic courtesy of ReAxtion Lures - a N. Tx company)


Example of jig head (Pic courtesy of RSR Lures - a N. Tx company)



More jig heads -these have screw locks (Pic courtesy of MT Pockets Tackle - a N. Tx company)







Slabs - a guide just sent me some info this morning about the slab bite starting to turn on. I usually keep a few of each from 1oz to 2oz in various styles (shad and minnow style) and various colors although silver/chrome with black and blue tend to be standards.

Examples of slabs (more shad style): Picture courtesy of Moes Tackle (made right here in N.Tx)


Examples of slabs (more minnow style): Picture courtesy of ReAxtion Lures (made right here in N. Tx)







Other choices - prior years we have done well with throwing the large Roadrunner style with long trailers. I'll find a pic. Crankbaits can produce as well - squarebills such as KVD sexy shad.

Rods/reels - baitcasters or spinning with M/MH rods are fine. I usually spool with #10-14 mono/fluoro but many use braid and a leader. Texoma water is pretty clear so direct braid is not the best choice IMO.

And if you want to target other stuff - black bass, bait fish for cats/gar then bring what you would for anywhere else. I promised to get Tino on some smallmouth bass so prob do some smallie fishing at ESP at some point. Matt, I sure could use your help here!


I usually have some extras of the above mentioned lures so if you don't want to invest in everything, I may have enough for a few to borrow.


Henry/Michael/Adrian/others - what am I missing?

I might be down for Saturday.

I might be down for Saturday as well.

Roger, thanks for sharing. As we've been discussing, I'll be there along with 4 others. Would you mind sharing a link/map to the launch point?

Dang you retired guys sure do have a lot of time on your hands...

I'm going to try to make it Wednesday morning and Saturday. Just hop this front doesn't shut them down

I might make it Saturday. If I go Saturday, I'll probably go Sunday too.

Addresses:

Highport Marina: 120 Texoma Harbor Dr, Pottsboro, Texas

Eisenhower State Park: 50 Park Road 20, Denison, TX 75020

Man, Roger, that's a lot of great information!! I'll be in Cancun, fishing for tarpon, snook, bones and permit. James had already invited me, and I should have known you and Henry were involved. Sounds like some great fishing will be had by many! Hope you guys all have a great, safe time. I plan to, too.

Solunar voodoo looks good for Saturday morning (and evening).

Im just asking but is it hard for a paddler to keep up with a peddler? Especially covering distance.

Guys I will not be fishing Wednesday, I just got a call that my sweet mother-in-law passed away this evening. She had been in poor health. Thank you for the Texoma invite I would like to join you soon.

I just got my kayak and I would love to make this trip. I can't make it this week, but if you do something next week let me know.