I live about 300yds off of the Trinity River in Arlington and I fish down there quite a bit (all catch and release. I don't eat the 3 eyed fish).

There are a bunch of log jams and I really want to try my luck at a flathead out of there. I am having a hard time convincing my buddies to "camp" out down there with me. There are a ton of coyotes (never bother me), pigs (never seen one but they are there), bob cats (never bother me), and snakes (bother me) and who knows what else.

The bank spot that we are considering is about 15' down and it is a rocky bank. Once the buurn ban is lifted, would a small fire on the bank keep snakes and animals away? Would it deter the fish? Anyone have any tips or suggestions? Snakes are fine during the day but sneaking up on you at night is not cool with me! The area doesn't get much traffic and is pretty isolated. Thanks y'all!

Your problem is not with coyotes, pigs, bob cats, or snakes. It is with trash humans. You can scare off all the wildlife by hanging a few Coleman lanterns around. You can solve the thug problem by going in a group - preferably with a couple of big guys in the bunch. When I was young we fished in some really tough places in groups of 4 - 6 or so - but not alone.

The Coleman lanterns will aid the fishing, not hurt it. Bait fish will be drawn to the insects around the lights if you hang them over the river. And you can see the snakes.

Good luck. You ought to find some really big flatheads in the river. As you say I would not eat the fish. The wartime defense plants really left a lot of cancer causing chemicals in the soil which leach into the river.

Thanks Smithaven! I have never once seen anyone down there and I am down there all the time. I carry plenty of firepower as well and always go with a buddy. It is in North Arlington and I haven't had any run-ins other than my dog getting into a scrap with a coyote and a copperhead (not in the same day). I'll go get some lanterns!

what bait u use when you fish the trinity i been wanting to try off of sylvan in dallas anybody fished there

I typically use cut buffalo. It produces well for the blues and even the channels seem to like it. My wife has caught an alligator gar on it as well. For flatheads I use live perch (bream) but have not landed one on this yet. I have only been once during the day but plan on hunting them at night this summer using the live perch.

Never been off sylvan. Are there many people around down there?

watch out for alligators in that stretch of river

I swear I think I have seen some eyes pop up once! Maybe my imagination but you never know. There was this one about 2 miles from my house a couple of years ago:

http://www.nbcdfw.com/news/local/Its-a-Gator-Not-a-Speed-Bump.html

Would they mess with us out there? I want no part of that action!

Anyone ever run into a gator in person?

I live in North Arlington and have also fished the Trinity but NEVER at night. I've fished all the way from NE Green Oaks/Fielder area (walked in down that little dirt road) through River Legacy to the River Legacy annex off Collins and have caught very few decent fish.
Seems like the river access would not be conducive to fishing comfortably at night unless it was at the boat ramp and that part closes at midnight and i've seen some unsavory characters at night there.
I hope you post about your experience after...love to hear it.

Is there any section of the Trinity that is easy to walk to? Not down a huge hill as I am n a brace and can't deal with hills well. I use to love to fish the Trinity off MacArthur in Irving. But just can't climb anymore.

The river is about 300 yards behind my house with River Legacy on the other side. There are a couple of spots that are accessable and consist of a rocky bank with fallen timber in the river. I have caught a bunch of channels and blues up to 15lbs. Nothing great but they may be in there! My wife caught an alligator gar a few months ago too.

The spots I usually fish are tough to get to. There is a clearing and I have put stakes into the ground to hold onto while getting back up the bank so that helps but the banks are fairly steep. Not the best but once you are down there it is just fine. I'll definitely post a report if it is worthy!

By the way, all I have ever caught are cats, gar and bream. What else is in the river in Arlington? I have thrown buzz baits for bass but never had any luck.

Ive spotted hogs right off eastchase so I know that they are there, coyotes too. I wouldnt be too shaken to get out there at night but id need to have a trip in the day first...... If you cant get anyone to "camp out" let me know.

I think the best bet would be to launch a canoe or kayak at the boat ramp at River Legacy (off Collins, not main park) and paddle up to Greenbelt and then float/fish back.
In this water it shouldn't be too hard b/c the river isn't flowing too quickly.
Then you could fish all of the bends and deep holes for the big catfish.

ran up on a gator once but was out with a buddy at lake caddo. they make you feel real small real quick!