My 17 year-old son and I had to wait until after little brother's piano recital was done to head out to Palestine, but it was still worth it.

I was anxious to drag some perch over a spot on the lower end of the lake that I was pretty sure was still holding some good hybrids. It was after 5pm by the time we caught our bait and got near the spot, but we got in 2 good hours of fishing.

First hook-up didn't take long and was a fat 9lb 7oz. Score one for dad. It ended being the big fish of the day, with me adding a pair of 7's, a pair of 6's, a couple 4's and a few undersized ones.

My son was both excited to be catching the 8 fish he got, but frustrated that his largest was a 4-8. I reminded him that there had been days earlier this year that he and I would've been glad for a chance to catch fish like that.

One aspect of live bait that I don't care for is that we ended up deep-hooking a few that we had to reluctantly put in the livewell. Fortunately, there was a bank fisherman and his little boy at the ramp and they were very happy to take those 15 lbs worth of hybrids off our hands.

One of the undersize ones that my son caught early-on was a floater, but about 30 minutes later, here comes a bald eagle that swoops down and grabs it about 40 yards away. Very cool.

DaJudge--
I have not live baited alot for the last
couple of year, but I have been experimenting
with circle hooks. The early results are
very positive, with zero gut hooked fish.
In saltwater I have caught most everything from
specs to tarpon on circle hooks.
A couple of things I have noticed, use a circle
with no offset, the offset circles will result in
deep hooked fish. Second, you can land very
large fish on very small circle hooks. I think
you need to match the size hook to the bait, not
to the size fish you think you will catch,

Remember, with a circle , you do not set the hook. Just wait until there is a bend in the rod
and start winding.
Good luck
MO

Judge,

That's awesome. What sized perch were you dragging? Were they the famed Cherry Bream?

Were the fish in the favorite 17-19ft depth? Curious as to when the thermocline sets in.

Great job.

Circle hooks are the only way to go for live bait. You won't have near as many "swallows".

Good trip! I've heard of several bald eagles nesting on the lake. I bet that was majestic. I've seen osprey but no bald eagles this year.

Was camped there this weekend and the guys next to me had some perch in a trap and told me i could have some. Kept forgetting when i went out to fish. But didnt do bad, picked up a 10lber and 6 lber sunday morning trolling. But soon as I got there, im saying to myself, dang, forgot those perch again. Next time.

MO, I've been on the lookout for some offset circle hooks around here for that very reason, but I haven't seen any yet. Does Porter's have them?

Curt, fish were ranging from 13.5 to 16 on my graph. You could tell when you passed over the right spots when you could see them bunched near the bottom. We had a variety of perch. We both started with those that were more red, but by the end used whatever was left (including dead, chewed-up ones).

Darn digital camera was with the wife at the piano recital.

Sounds like some good catches! I am heading to Palestine as soon as my kids get out of school thursday. I haven't been there in 2 yrs. now. I can't wait. I will be fishing hard till the following wendsday. I thought maybe you guys might be able to give me some hints on where to start looking for crappie. I would like to get on the hybrids to, I have never caught one before, sounds like fun. Thanks for the help! Good luck to you all!
George

Dajudge--
you want circles with no offset. In other
words ,the hook will lie flat on a flat surface.
I don't get to Porter's very often. I buy
a lot of stuff from Offshore Angler ( division
of BPS).
Good luck
MO

You can usually take the offset out with a pair of pliers .

Does anybody know if goldfish work as well as perch?

No.
Shad, Perch, trotline size shiners are all
much better than goldfish (IMHO)

good luck
MO

OUR AREA WALMART CARRIES CIRCLE HOOKS MADE BY OWNER HOOKS, THEY ARE GOOD SHARP HOOKS. I USE THEM FOR STRIPERS AT CANYON LAKE. I TELL PEOPLE TO WAIT UNTIL THE ROD TIP IS PULLED TO THE WATER BEFORE THEY PICK UP THE ROD OUT OF THE HOLDER. THIS WILL PREVENT PREMATURE EHOOKULATION COMMON AMONG NEWBIE CIRCLE HOOKERS. CIRCLE HOOKS ARE GREAT NOT ONLY FOR NOT GUT HOOKING, BUT ALSO YOU MIIS LESS FISH BY THE SIMPLE FACT YOU DON'T HAVE PICK UP THE ROD AS FAST THEREFORE YOU CAN FISH PUT MORE RODS IN THE WATER. THIS WOULD ALLOW TO FISH VARIOUS DEPTHS TO FIND WHICH IS MOST PRODUCTIVE(ONE OR FOUR CRANKS OFF THE BOTTOM)

A QUESTION, I'VE SEEN BLACK SALTY'COAST FOR SALE AT THE COAST. HAS ANYONE TRIED THEM IN FRESH WATER FOR STRIPERS OR WIPERS? SOMEONE NOT AFFILIATED WITH THE COPMPANY ANSWER PLEASE.

PARDON ME, I DID PROOF MY POST. SORRY TRYING TO GET KID READY FOR SCHOOL AND TYPE, NO WONDER I HAVE NO HAIR.

PARDON ME, I DID PROOF MY POST. SORRY TRYING TO GET KID READY FOR SCHOOL AND TYPE, NO WONDER I HAVE NO HAIR.