Finally finished the new fence & road project up at the front of the property last weekend (31st), so now its time to switch gears for catfishin'.

Well, the past 2 days (& a half as I started Friday night), getting it all ready for the start up of our fishing season for 2010/2011. We start in November, be it the weekend or several in front of Turkey Day holidays (Thanksgiving Catfish Trip). And we may end it anywhere between May & July, depending upon several factors (Catfish Calendar, heat, water conditions, ongoing side projects, and of course the available funds). Usually we pull the "Planter" trotlines off the bottom of the lake due to thermocline, heat, and huge waves from skiers & such about mid-May. This not only prevents dead fish, but also saves on mowed over fender floats (which we use on each ends of the "Planter".

We do tend to still set jugs still over at the corner of the bottom of the lake. It is not completely out of the way of skiers, but the biggest traffic of them, and still helps to pull in some nice ones (catfish, not skiers).

So far, for me & my uncle (fishin' partner), I have 1 BW ("The Planter" design) & 1 SW trotlines built. BW is Big Water or Deep Water) & SW is Shallow Water). Still have one more each. I have already made leaders (24") for over 150 new assorted hooks (Mustad 6/0 SS, Eagle Claw 5/0 SS, Tru-Turn 6/0 Perma-Steel, Tru-Turn 7/0 Perma-Steel, Eagle Claw 5/0 Lazer Sharp Circle Sea tin, Eagle Claw 9/0 or 10/0 SS, and Mustad 9/0 SS Stump hooks). We'll also be using some Mustad 7/0 SS stump hooks. I have not figured out yet which type to use, how big, or if 2 or 3 hooks for "Big 'Un 2" on one end of "Planter" (where I set it out), as it hits every now & then and bends hooks out or makes a mess of the line. Figure it at about a 100 pounder. Probably a wise old Op.

Anyways, got the boat off the trailer, to clean the boat out thoroughly (done once a year) & add any new apparatus (devices), as well as do some work on the trailer (needs new tail lights & other work on the side rails & front braces).

Already mixed concrete & have 3 of the 4- 3.5 gallon anchor weights (about 72 pounds each) done for the "Planter" trotlines. One bucket is to be repaired as iot has a slit in the bottom. My uncle will epoxy, then I have trimmed an old lid to set it bottom to brace just in help. I try to use my older 3.5 gallon buckets up, if possible. I get them at Lowe's.

Mixed 20 of the 24 standard quart weights for standard use on trotlines & juglines. Had 4 already poured back in the summer (from extra concrete leftover from chain link fence work). Plus poured an extra 2 weights, plus a 2.5 quart weight (this is for one special jugline to slow a big one from running off with it to far).

Already have 27 of the 36" leaders made for them & double knotted.

All hook leaders, weight leaders, end of all main lines, will have the fray burned/melted, as this prevents unraveling or knots coming undone. It is something one of my 2 YellowCat teachers taught me.

So I'm off to a good start. Set-out is planned for Sunday AM 21st. I am hoping for once, that I can get it all ready beforehand so it won't be a rush the night before, or also a rush the night before Wednesday 24th, as they both usually are. We'll see if I can accomplish that goal this year.

All fender floats cleaned & washed, along with a few new jugs. Still have to scrub the ice chests up. Now comes the hard part, appropriating the meager funds accordingly and as far as they will stretch. I am sure you know what I mean.

Research/ Research/ Research ...

Great info catfishlynn. Been reading your posts since mid-year.Used to fish north end of lake livinston, where the river meets the lake. Biggest cat being a 21 lb op. Started trotline and jug fishing Lake Houston in 01/2010. Calender has been very helpful. Have a 40 foot hole lined out for big blues. Am getting another ready for the same area. Since following your advice and calender, my catch rate has almost tripled. thanks for all you have given to all fellow cat fishermen. God bless.

Hope to see you out there Lynn. I defintley will be out there either by myself or another TFF member not sure yet. How long you staying that week?

Hi "raycat",

Glad the info has helped. Not bad, tripled. I too tend to go for the Blues, even though I have been taught by two separate teachers on Yellows/Ops. If you are running set lines, be it in Livinston or Houston, the calendar will help you extremely well. Don't worry about the big ones. They will come along eventually. The best thing you can also do, is keep a log. Does not have to be extensive, just mainly notes concerning baits, when you baited, what type of bait, weather, water conditions, and such. You will be amazed, if even you only glance at it once, as to how it will help you see other patterns.

Been awhile since I fished Livingston. Once (1982) we dropped on TX 21 bridge on the Trinity, went 7 bends down & spent the night up in the creek. Then got up the next morning & headed past the next 2 bends at the 40 foot hole there (many cottonwood trees there), then under the Fort Trinidad pipeline about 9:55 AM. Average speed was 10 to 15 MPH breaking in a new 15 HP. Made Bedias Creek about Noon. Then Riverside Bridge on 19 about 2:30 PM. Then White Rock Creek about 4:30 PM.

Last time to Livingston was a weekend in the first of October 2002. Was ready to hit the Chalk Bluffs in the 40 foot area there for some big Yellows (below where White Rock Creek feeds in). Naturally, the thermocline was still in full bloom & the fish were dying constantly & no Yellows. I was disappointed. Messed up my favorite pair of sunglasses & got a nice sunburn spot on my forehead wearing my cap backwards. Oh well, another time perhaps.

Jungle is also good for big Yellows, as one of my YellowCat teachers was with a group there in April 1979. He showed them how to put a big Yellow (over 30#) to sleep.

I fished plenty upriver about 20 to 25 bends down from TX 21 on the Trinty. Never been to Lake Houston.

Anyways, May the ONE Bless You in your catches!

Hey "catangler",

As far as I know, we'll be arriving at RB Sunday AM 21st. Hard to say exactly when. You know how it is, when you have to get everything ready, then oversleep, or something else delays departure. For instance, one morning my uncle cut the bend too tight at the house here, hit my slide-in camper with the PVC roof rack, so we wound up duct taping that for a good 30 minutes or so. Then he caught the rack on the bridge by RB. Just wasn't his day.

It will take awhile setting the 2 BW lines ("Planter" trotlines) at the bottom of the lake. Then we'll probably set jugs over at the Near Corner next (by water pump station on west side- where the 3 no diving buoys are). Coming back into the No Wake Zone as we head back to RB, setting 2 SW lines in the shallows.

Then we'll be heading back on in at RB & leaving the boat & trailer. And be back Wednesday (24th) late afternoon, so if you are out just before dark, we hope to be out taking fish off & rebaiting. We will be staying until Sunday. I have not heard from Jeff or James yet to see if they are going to be there. Darrell at RB has already asked if I have heard of their plans. This father & son team, along with a friend of theirs, are the first ones I have shared a lot of YellowCat tips on, and the catfish calendar. And when they do good, I smile, because it means I had a part in it. Darrell always makes it like a contest between us.

We always, be it setting out or rebaiting, head out to the Big Water 1st, so if the wind gets up, we get those lines before it gets too bad or worse. The bottom of Limestone can be treacherous in only a few minutes if high winds shift in suddenly. Then we will be running the lines at least once a day thru Sunday.

But you really need to be there if possible, when we set out, so you can see my "Planter" design trotline & those 72 pound anchors. I'll get with you as we get close to the 21st.

Talk to you soon,

Lynn forgot to tell you RB ramp is low low i dont beleive u can launch a boat there might call Darrell and ask before u head out

Lynn can always launch at RB. But between bend after road bridge & just before the ramp at what used to be Herman's Hideaway, can be tricky, as I tilt the motor & add weight to the front of the boat. I can ease thru 1.3 feet deep. I have a URL for Lake listings for depth. I'll post it Thursday night.

It would be nice to see exactly how low though. Anyways, rain may be coming, as we have two big chances this weekend.

Also, I forgot, but with 4 anchors in the boat, she will sit lower, so I guess I'll put them up further to the front until we clear the low spot.

So far, even at the lowest, I have made it thru heading out of RB. But from Jeff & James, there might have been one tiome that I might not have, but I was not fishing at that time.

I think now think it is 2' at ramp saw guy push his prop in the mud backing down it

At RB, have you seen how much water is in the fork that goes to the right, just after the boat ramp & gas pier/dock? We camp in one of the sites in that fork. One year, I had to kill the motor & raise it, then paddle into fork. Another time, it was even lower & I had to keep (park) the boat to the right of the boat ramp.

Got the boat stickers the other day at P&W in CS on Wed. & met a Game Warden who will be runnin' with one of the lake rangers at Limestone. He knew several of the previous ones I knew that ran on the lake.

Well, supposed to be a good chance of rain Friday & more on Sunday-Monday. Was there any there today? As the clouds were building up & headed thataway.

Hey "Catfish Lynn"
Getting ready for next week on lake houston. Getting a planter line ready for the channel. About 30' deep there. Rain forecast here thu monday. Will be on the water 18 & 19. BC days.
Yes I do keep a logbook. And it does help to spot patterns. Used to fish Livingston quite often as I used to live at Ed's Marina. Now Outback Marina. Ive fished the jungle, north in the trinity river, south up white rock, and south to the chalk cliffs. Caught many blues in the jungle and a few ops. Fish mostly at lake houston now. It being close to home and duessen park charges nothing to launch boat. Was wondering if there are any other cat fishermen that live and fish houston. Good luck on getting ready for this season of catfishing. I have feelings of this being a very productive season. Thanks to for adding me to email list.

To all who read this, may God bless,
Ray aka raycat

Sorry catangler,

I forgot to post the link Thursday night that Darrell gave me some time ago & again the other day. Remembered as 'puter (U-6 aka Unit #6) was shutting down. Then I cratered last night (just like Wednesday night), so just now getting to Email.


For most lakes in Texas, you can get the current levels online from this Web-Dress (URL):
<http://www.swf-wc.usace.army.mil/reports/fish.htm>

Lake Limestone is listed in the Brazos River Basin set or table group.


Currently:
Report Generated 13 NOV 2010 @ 1418 GMT
RESERVOIR CONSERVATION POOL FLOOD POOL ELEVATION (feet) RELEASE (cfs)
LIMESTONE 363.0 ----- 359.96 25

They normally keep Limestone 6 inches low for safety & flooding purposes (my assumption), according to Darrell at RB as to what an engineer who is over that who told him.

So, 363.0 minus 359.96 (we'll round it off to 360) is 3' low minus the half foot they normally keep it at puts us at 2.5 feet low.

Should be no problem for us, be it at the ramp (I know which side & angle to run trailer depending upon depth of lake) or getting out past bridge to make the low area from bend (I call it "The Flat") to out from the ramp at what used to be Herman's Hideaway.


Here was the listing a few weeks ago, so it is down only another quarter of an inch since then.
RESERVOIR CONSERVATION POOL FLOOD POOL ELEVATION (feet) RELEASE (cfs)
LIMESTONE 363.0 ----- 360.23 25
Report Generated 31 OCT 2010 @ 0618 GMT

"raycat",

Recently a guy from Lake Houston was at RB on Limestone & we were talking about trotline designs. I explained hopw my "Planter" operates & her thought it was neat & said it was similar to what he sets out in Lake Houston. Sort of same principle, but definitely different in operation. His might be something similar to a See-Saw. That is about all I can describe it best. It used heavy weights, but a pulley system. However, there floats stayed underwater & they had to snag one side to check the lines. In a sense, both of ours might be described as a squared "U" from a distance (his may be closer to a squared "V"), but his uprights are where is hooks are & mine are on the crossbar.

Our river trip on Trinity put us at Ed's (was Hank's before that). We stayed in one of the screened in cabanas that night. But it was hot & humid in August '82 & we found heaven in the air-conditioned bath & shower room. We almost slept in there.


Good on keying in on the BC days. I am hoping to key in on Blues & Yellows/Ops on T-Day trip. I set lines out ahead due to looking at calendar. I may set out the weekend ahead or 3 weekends ahead. I alsio study out the forecast of November in the Farmer's Almanac (not the Old Farmer's Almanac) for the winds & storms & then base when to plan set-out. But other factors are also figured in.

Best thing to find out as to any catfishing in Lake Houston is to post a thread & see.

think that website is wrong cause I know its at least 5' low and I'm guessing it is 7' cause usually at the pier at limestone marina is 12' now it is 5 ' and there is numerous boats hanging in slings with dry ground under them

Every time I ask Darrell about the level lately, he refers me to the website. Guess I will have to make a marker sign for the level at RB & see if Darrell will let me plant it somewhere safe. Then I could ask him where its at according to the sign level.

We already have a huge 2x6 stepladder we placed a few years back in the fork on the right a lot or 2 over from where we normally stay at. This was due to the lake in the past 5 years dropping so much (like some lakes do to lower water). I forgot & left it after one T-Day Trip (I think 2008). I apologized to Darrell & said I would get it next time. He said it was OK to leave, as we made it sturdy. Kids love it to perch on when the lake is up higher.

Darrell & I have discussed dredging, but the costs are outta-site, plus you have to go thru red tape with the authorities.

And even if you dredged the fork & mouth at RB, that won't get you into the lake from the bend to the ramp I spoke of.

When I fished 25 bends down from TX 21 on the Trinity River, I would check the pillars by the boat ramp on TX 21 as somebody had it marked with black paint. Then once down at the "Park" where we would set camp, I would set my marker gauge in for the remainder of that trip to keep an eye on the level as the days went by.

Meanwhile, we'll hope for more rain.