Well... Not really mad. I bit disappointed though. TPWD was supposed to be starting stocking catfish in neighborhood ponds the 3rd week of this month (This week by my count). I check the website today to see if they had any new info and wha'd'ya know? They have an exact date! ...the 26th, which by my count is definitely NOT the 3rd week.

I was all looking forward to doing some easy pond catfishing this week to break the boredom of the last couple of weeks, since all the reports I'd heard of mudcat being in atleast one of the ponds near me proved to be lies and slander. At least according to the plethora of baits I threw in that damned pond. Hotdogs, worms, livers, 4 kinds of dip bait, cut bait, live bait, cheese.. I'm here to tell you there ain't no mudcats there or I'd have gotten at least ONE over the past two weeks of trying.

*sigh* Oh well, I can wait another week, or suck it up and hit the creek. lol I guess I'm just b!@#hy cause I'm out of cigarettes AND catfish to eat.

White bread at Chisholm park in hurst will get you mudcats all day long.

What has your experience been at the neighborhood ponds during the stocking times? Do they get fished out before the next stock date? Or do you find the fishing to be good any time?

I just found out there is one (Tom Bass I) near my house that is in the program and I'm really looking forward to heading out with my son on the weekend after the 26th. But, was wondering if the 29th would be too late or if we'd still find some good fishin'.

Personally I wouldn't eat cigerattes or mudcats....... ......getcha some range cubes and a cpl kinds of stinky bait and some livers and go lake and chum/fish around rocks-riprap and/or weeds/grass in shallows.........might work

Depends on your pond and how many people around there fish really. The one I used to go to when I lived in Denton was generally decent most of the time.

I don't know about the ponds where I'm at currently because I moved here in August so I havent been able to fish while being stocked yet. I been scoping them out and trying to gauge the general number of people that are there on a regular basis. I'll be trying to fish the ones with the least amount of average traffic.

I aint been able to make it to the lake in a couple'a weeks. thats why I was looking forward to the pond stockings. lol.

The park I was speaking of in my OP was Chisolm. =/ I didnt try white bread but for mudcats hotdogs and nightcrawlers never fail me. plus with all the other kinds of baits I threw in there I just don't seem em being in there. I may walk down there tomorrow and give it another go with the white bread on an ultralight this time.

How do you normally fish it? I was fishing on the bottom with small circle hooks. What kind of presentation works best for you over there?

I'd try bobber fishing and adjust the depth till u get bites......

+ 1

Ball up the bread and squeeze it around the hook. Throw a few bread balls in when you first get to your spot. Try the areas where you see people feeding the ducks most often.

Chisholm park gets heavy pressure after the stockings...often by people that do not respect the limit. Nightcrawlers under bobbers are your best bet once it has been stocked with channel cat.