Texoma at the TSA tournament

We, team Lonepalm, fished the TSA tournament out Little mineral, yesterday. Let me first say that Little Mineral resort is a great place with friendly folks and the very best cheeseburger I've eaten in years. Also, fishing this last tournament of 2013 was by far our best showing.

We started out down by the state park. Staying away from anyone else and doing our thing. Had a side bet with Shark on first double digit of the day. Within 30 min of working up the shore line we had already taken a few fish up to 9.57 pounds. Getting close to Butterfly, we hooked up to a good fish on the starboard long line and knew she was a keeper. Got her to the boat and she weighed 10.03#. A quick call to Shark put the side bet to rest.

Continued working our way up the lake and got to table top around 9:30-10:00 am.

We've been doing good there in the afternoon and I had marked good fish on the edge the day before so we had decided to just work the area some.
We weren't disappointed. Started quickly loading fish in the 8-10 lb range. With some bigger ones and a few smaller ones mixed in.

We just never left the area, working it till time to go in. We only saw one TSA boat, BradnonA, all day. As we kept getting our weights higher and higher, we must of safely released over 200 lbs of good fish to fight another day. (Texasfivegun has built a deep water release apparatus that works like a champ).

At the weigh-in, things got interesting. As other teams weighed in, it was obvious to us that we had bigger fish. We weighed a 10* something and a 12+something for a total of 23+ pounds. Only team Shark would beat us with a 24+ bag.

"Redemption" and her Lonepalm crew finally was able to produce at a tournament, like we felt like we should.

We did not get the chance to fish but three tournaments this year, sadly, but TSA is a great bunch of folks that we really enjoy fishing with.

I want to say thank you to team Shark and her captain and mate, Alan and Greg. Y'all's efforts and work are much apreatiated. Fished three years with you as Pres and enjoyed every min.

Also congrats to Sea Perch for AOY. And BrandonA, for runner up.


We,Team Lonepalm, look forward to next year and hopefully getting to fish with this bunc again. I encourage ALL striper and hybrid fisherman to try TSA. It's a lot of fun and you can win with artificial bait.

Texasfivegun with a good 'in


Cousin Steven


The Other Chad


Had to kiss one goodbye till next time.


Me and part of my crew

Wow great fish!

Thats a great read man congrats on a great day

Capt. John, I enjoyed the story of your day fishing the TSA. Congrats to you and the team! Can you tell me more about the "Deep water release" mechanism you mentioned above. We all need one this time of year when we catch them out of 25-45 fow.

John very happy you guys pulled through and had it all come together.

On the release mechanism, we have a large hook with about a pound if lead fixed to the eye. Barb is ground off smooth. The line is attached to the bend of the hook and all you do is hook the fish and drop it down to the depth your catching at. When you get there, give the line a good pull and hook will come out. Leaving the fish to swim off without being bloated. Seems to work great. Thank Texasfivegun for making it. He researched this idea and came up with his own design. I'll try to get a picture of the device today and post it.

Downrigging?

Yes, we downrigged and also pulled deep running road runners. Used trolling weights to get them down.

Thanks for sharing. Provide a picture so I better understand the concept you detailed

Please do I want to make one that's a great idea

Thanks. I was out there saturday and sunday morning same area and got skunked using slabs, but never did see a big school of striper. I'm new to the slabbing technique. Its frustrating....... I could see big fish reacting to them on the finder. Could see them streaming up and then back down. Tried jigging it, droping and quickly reeling up, nothing. Saturday morning sunrise I was just outside EYC in the open and they were hitting the surface all around the boat. Only managed a few misses on a small plug. Caught a drum on a slab at the EYC docks and a few catfish on some bait.

Interesting report....I always was told that Texoma was a no cull lake...have to keep first 10 caught regardless of size? Is that incorrect?

Meadowlark you were always told wrong

Team LonePalm got a trophy!?!?

Well, if anyone on the squad deserves one, it is that rat-bass-tard crew, I mean Team Lone Palm

Congrats to you guys! Looking forward to seeing the final results posted!!!

I knew it was gonna take 20+ lbs to win...but I didn't expect so many teams to be over 20...
Congrats to y'all !!!