Do any of the bait shops in or around Austin carry goldfish (or any other large live baitfish, over 5-6")?

I have used goldfish to catch some lunkers in the retention pond behind my house. However, I have heard that using goldfish in public waters is illegal because the state worrying of them going invasive. Shame... they slay bass.

Don't get caught! fat ticket.

I'll have to check the regulations.

I've seen goldfish for sale in baitshops in other parts of the state, so I'd be surprised if they're illegal (unless they just recently changed the law and the dealers haven't caught on yet).

I hope they are still legal - big goldfish are great bait for flathead catfish.

Try this place, you'll be glad you did

Location http://jensonfishingtackle.com/contact.htm

Baits http://jensonfishingtackle.com/tackle.htm

Roofish,

Thanks for the information and the link. This is exactly what I was looking for - all of the other places that sell live bait only had small minnows, nightcrawlers, and the other "standards." It's good to know there's a place in town that will have large livebaits when I need them.

It seems that every time I try to catch perch for catfish bait, they're nowhere to be found (but they're everywhere stealing bait when I'm fishing for something else), so store-bought goldfish are a staple for me.

I can show you how to always catch perch, if you'd help me catch some catfish?

From dealing with a game warden, he said it was illegal, BUT!!!.... looking at Texas Parks and Wildlife website, they talk about people catching bass using goldfish in their "Tips and Tricks" section. I think i has somethong to do with the types of body of water.

Source: here...