Help getting started.

Im a new angler not new but haven't fished in well over 7 years. I live in the oak cliff area and am willing to travel. just want to get my wife and kids on some good fish. what are some hot spots to bank fish. this past weekend tried Ray Hubbard as well as lake Lewisville which is where i used to fish before. any and all advise is greatly appreciated.

My view/opinion for fishing the DFW area so far is this...

If you fish a lake, you might get lucky and find a spot that produces from the bank, but a boat is always better. Being mobile on large bodies sure helps "locate."

As for ponds, creeks and streams, south Dallas, North Dallas, east or west, most all of them are roughly the same.

There might be a few ponds that are more stocked, or more depleted, but overall, on any given day, they "feel" the same no matter what part of DFW you choose to fish.

If I lived in Oak Cliff, I'd simply hit all the ponds and creeks within 10 miles.

If I wanted to hit lakes and I was bank fishing, well, I guess it wouldn't matter. I'd probably hit "docks" and "marinas" first.

Addendum: Other fishing members will undoubtedly chime in, and possible give more sage advice, or should I say, "opinions."
Addendum II: Here's to good fishing! IN65/joe

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I would start with this link (below). This has been an amazing resource for me and fishing with the family. I mostly carp fish with the kids, but this map can tell you what to expect and what to consider using for bait. The place I go to catch LARGE carp is not on this map, but I found it from using the map and fishing at another location.

https://www.google.com/maps/d/viewer?mid=14Bo6cJ0jDfCcRxRZXK9ANZePLRA&ie=UTF&msa=0&ll=31.580013595981466%2C-97.83158000000003&z=7


**If the link I posted doesn't work, go to the main "Bank fishing page" and it has the original post flagged "Bank fishing map"**

Check with state parks close to you. Many have fishing programs to introduce new anglers. Many also have loaner fishing rods and reels. And a fishing license is not required when fishing in a state park.

Thanks for the advice i will look at the map and see where it goes should be going back out this weekend will keep you guys posted

The map will point you to some fun places. A few may be outdated, but most are spot on. If you're looking for just "fun" fishing with kids, try fishing carp. Nothing better than getting kids on a double digit fish. Mine won't fish for bluegill no more. They got spoiled on BIG fish. This one below is from last week. He caught 3 to my 1. All caught on corn on a pond in Lewisville in an industrial area.

PM sent and to the forum!!!

I live in oak cliff as well, and I can tell you that @indianation65 is right. Don't travel further than 10 miles. Any body of water produces fish. My number one tip for any angler is focus on small fish first. They are easier to catch and will boost morale.

Get some worms and get to catching. Once you have fun with the little ones then you can target larger fish. If you don't catch fish you won't stick with the hobby. It's better to get hooked on the feeling of catching something than nothing at all.

Lightweight rods will make fish feel heavier than they are and that's half the fun. Either real worms or Berkleys fake worms will work. Size 6 hooks and a couple of bobbers should do you right.

Thanks guy i will take everything y'all said into consideration before i make my next trip out.

Don't forget to post your catch photos.All the best to you and your family

Tip of the hat for all the TFFers who provided some great information! Looking forward to seeing how you do!

My best advice to get kids/newbs into fishing is to hire a guide and go crappie fishing. Likely to catch a bunch of fish, not work too hard for them, and have a really good fish fry. Once they are hooked, then ponds for bream and anything that will bite. Use worms and small hooks.

FamilyFishing, due to my lifetime of buying more and more rods and reels, I am willing to contribute to your new family hobby. The DFW daughter is visiting our ranch this weekend, and I could send 2 or 3 rod/reel combos home with her. You’d have to go get them in Carrollton. They’d be closed face reels. I think the line, though not brand new, is still not old.

With the understanding that everyone has an agenda...mine is a new rod/reel I have my eye on. So I need to create an opening in the rod racks.

A guy called me years ago and tried to sell me some Wilson Pro Staff golf irons. I said no. He lowered the price. I said no, and he offered to just give them to me. I said “Bob, what’s going on”. He admitted that he had 3 sets of irons and his wife knew that. But, she couldn’t tell one set from another, but just that he had 3 sets. Sooooo, if he gave me one set, he could replace it with the new ones he had his eye on, and she’d never know. I took the irons. Never used them.

Some very good replies. Also to the TFF!