My son has become very interested in catching various different species of fish and wants to target chain pickerel. I have caught them in the past on caddo, Tyler and Hawkins but it was always on accident while bass fishing. I remember reading an article where they were specifically targeting pickerel with inline spinners on caddo and catching tons of them at a certain time of year. Does anyone know what time of year and techniques to use to specifically target these fish?

Thanks, Jason

I used to catch them at Caddo, but don't really know the best time of year.
Like you we caught them bass fishing, then I tried different lures and a small green crank bait and this Roostertail worked best.

I would go back to Hawkins and throw in-line or regular small spinner baits in shallows and bet you'll catch several

Lake o Pines chart white spinnerbait caught 3 while we were trying to catch a few bass

If you are going to intentionally target them toothy critters, get a spreader so you can get your lure back safely with less injury to you or the fish. I catch them by accident when bass fishing and they are a chore to deal with otherwise.

Dec thru Feb/Mar is the best time, mostly its the only time to catch them, they spawn in winter and on those really cold cloudy nasty days they are biting the best, over top of weeds in shallow bays , anything flashy I have caught a bunch on rattletraps and I swear yellow is their favorite color.

I used to catch them a lot while bass fishing too. So when we went to catch them on purpose we would use a wire leader so as not to get bit off.

They are actually quite good eating but bony.

They really go for yellow top water lures and will give one heck of a fight, jumping much like a smallmouth. The bigger fish (up to 7lb) fight very hard but you can wear them out so if you are not keeping the fish try not to completely exhaust them.

Like said spinner baits also work well. I liked the white, double willows with some red in the feathers.

I once had a picture of the world record that a friend of mine caught in a lake about the size of Hawkins. He used a minnow. I think it was 9 lb 2 oz. Long time ago.

I'd go to Hawkins, throw small spinnerbaits, or something like the owner flashy swimmer with a small swimbait... anywhere around the reeds and grass. Guaranteed to get your line tight!

This time of the year you can catch all you want at Dangerfield State Park. They are small, but numerous.