Looking for any tips or tactics for catching reds or stripers on Calaveras or Braunig. I have heard about trolling at 20-25 feet is best but don't know the rest of the story. Lures, baits, areas of the lake, Can anyone help?
Can someone help me and my friend land at least one fish this weekend by offering some real tips and tactics????

i'm not sure wpwells, but if you find out...please let me know...fellow san antonian here ready to land a freshwater red...

This is not a guarantee, but it is probably the place that you will stand the best chance for someone taking a first trip out there.

After launching at the main boat launch in front of the concession stand, head straight across the lake. You will see a jetty jutting out from the main powerplant. This is what is known as the "WALL", it is a concrete barrier that seperates the lake from the intake channel. It is directly in the middle of the lake and seperates the two main branches of the lake. You cannot miss it. You can tie up to the wall with your anchor, but make sure you take bumpers to protect your boat from the waves and wakes by boats that will pass in front of the wall. You can crawl out of your boat and walk on and fish off this wall. Some guys use ballons to take their bait further into the channel with the prevailant south east wind that usually blows. Also early morning and late is prime time when the reds seem to school up the shad and tear into the surface. Any type rattletrap bait or surface bait will work when this happens. Most use live talapia, so purchase a cast net and learn how to use it for free bait, that will catch those reds.

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Jimbo, even i don't have a boat, just want to say THANKS A BUNCH for all your help since i've been on this forum...you have given me tons of tips and pointers...it's really appreciated!!!...if you ever need a partner, you know who to contact...thanks bud...

Trolling is ok, if you don't mind doing it. I catch plenty of hybrids using chicken liver. It works wonders there. Reds can be caught using crawfish or finding the bait surfacing and throwing rattletraps or, as you said, you can downrig a Tony Acetta spoon. That does pretty good. Reds also will eat the small tilapia.

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Thanks for the information but how deep do you fish chicken liver or how do you rig it. I have never used liver before except for catfish. Do you look for structure such as humps or rocky banks, tree stumps? I have no clue!

Is the water temperature that Texas Parks & Wildlife is reporting, 90 degrees, correct? If you look at past reports, it is always in the 60s-70s. Brauning is also reporting in the 90s. Did they change something this year?

that temp could be correct if taken near the discharge. i remember fishing w/ goldfish @ night in the summertime and the heat from the water would kill them (they would feel hot to the touch).

fish chicken liver on carolina rig. at brauning try anywhere around the rocks, the intake, the discharge, the dead tree and in the back by the old bird blind (15-25'). you might also try laying it right next to the reeds as if you were in saltwater. i've always wanted to try this, but never got around to it.

do not use frozen liver, it will fall off too quick - has to be fresh and has to be chicken. reason is they feed them chicken protein in the hatchery.