1. It's fishing and NOT catching. 2. Possibly. Actually depends on how many people will be in the boat and how we will be fishing. If we are baitfishing there probably will be no problems, but if we are throwing top-water lures, it gets a little tricky with people standing around. State fishing regulations do require everyone on the boat to be licensed as if they were actually fishing. 3. Plenty of beverages and whatever food you might want. I good day of fishing always works up a appetite. Most of of the nearby marinas are still open for meals or even to purchase snacks till sometime in November. 4. I will have more than enough rods/reels onboard but you are welcome to bring your own. Actually, if you are like me, I prefer my own when I am tossing topwater lures. My livebait and slabbing reels are mostly the Abu Garcia 6500 series. I also have a varied assortment of baitcast and spincast reels plus some spinning rods in that's your preference. Prior to your trip, we can discuss rod/reel selection for your trip. 5. I suggest you purchase a Lake Texoma license($12.00) which is valid from Jan 1 to Dec. 31 and will allow you to fish in both the Texas and Oklahoma portions of the lake. We will often travel in and out of both of these states and boundries are very dificult to determine since it is the Red River which became part of the lake when the dam was erected. Individual Oklahoma and Texas licenses will also work, providing that you have both. Certain persons and age groups as well as those from other states should check current the current regulations on-line or at a licence sale retailer.
Actually, while it's usually pretty good, there are times when it stinks. You can visit my yearly trips pages by clicking on the buttons on the page edge or just call me. Best times are 4-7PM.
A good sun block is still a must, even on cooler days and don't forget your camera.
Local lake area businesses such as Texoma Tackle sell licenses.
Current Oklahoma and Lake Texoma licensing regulations can be checked and licenses can be purchased on-line by going to the link below.
Since the fishing trips often start very early in the morning, I suggest that a license is obtained in advance.
6. Each person can keep up to 10 stripers per day, with only 2 of these 20 inches or greater. Culling is not allowed and neither is tossing back injured/dying fish The guide is not allowed to keep any Texas and since we often travel into their waters, I will not keep any. In Texoma there are other species of fish that we might try catching during different times of the year. I do run a few juglines for catfish during the colder months
7. Raingear is not a bad idea even on sunny days and early morning temps are quite cool, especially when everything early in the morning is damp & wet. Strong winds and wakes from other boats sometimes produce swells that will sometimes splash over the boat. If you have a long drive home, I suggest you carry a complete set of dry clothes and shoes in your car.
8. I'll show you how I do it. However, I normaly will clean(fillet) and bag all the fish. If you are planning on grilling some of the bigger fish, I'll leave the skin on one side of the fillets. This will hold the fish together on the grill and will peel off after grilling.
You will need
to keep them well iced in a cooler until you get them home.
9. I personally prefer to eat the fish within 48 hours, if not, I'll freeze them in water or I'll vacum seal them. This method is supposed to preserve the flavor for much longer periods. It definately reduces the amount of freezer space. I also recommend that you cut away the "red meat" prior to freezing or prior to the cooking of the fresh fish. The red meat is the lateral line and most folks find the flavor objectionable.
10. I'm a full-time guide. I'm on the water 12months a year. If not guiding, I'll be out there fishing or scouting during the slower times of the year. As a fisherman, January is becoming one of my favorite months. Lake Texoma is very peaceful then and quite often, I see more bald eagles than people. Plus, while the fish are fewer, they sure are fatter. My biggest Texoma striper and smallmouth bass both were caught during this time as the fish are fattening up in preparation to spawning.
11. There are several motels close by in addition to lots of campsites and cottages for rent. They get very busy during the summer months and holidays, so booking in advance are recommended. Let me know what you are looking for and I can get you some information or contacts.
12. Advance booking are extremely important, especially on weekends to get the fishing date of your choice. We are approaching what is normally my busiest time of the year and because of the great fishing forecast, even more so.
13.No problem. I will refund your entire deposit when given one weeks notice. Refunding or rescheduling of a last minute cancellation will be evaluated on a case by case basis. NO-shows lose the deposit
14. Probably 1978.
There are still 20+ pounders caught here on Texoma, but I haven't heard of any 30 lbs. and up. I think the last really big fish were caught in the river below the dam, but even that's been awhile. Texoma is a great fishery, but those days of "really big" are over for whatever reason.
You'll have to look elsewhere for those big ones, probably the closest lakes are in Arkansas. Actually, I'd like to see a big Texoma striper. If anyone has a picture of a "recently caught" striper, I'll post it for everyone to see. Heck, if a guide was responsable, I'll even post a link to his site so that you can contact him to take you after the bigguns.
15. I currently accept NO credit cards.
I will accept checks or money orders for the deposit/downpayment but require CASH for the balance at the end of our fishing trip
16. The label in the boat says 9 persons. The largest group that I have taken out fishing was 4 adults, 4 chilkdren and myself. BIG mistake.......I have had enjoyable fishing trips with 5 adults, either baitfishing or slabbing. Any more may pose a safety problem. If we are top-water fishing, 2 or 3 is probably ideal though I have taken out more and everyone took turns catching fish. This is because of the extra room needed to cast a large lure with 2 or 3 very sharp treble hooks. Slabbing or live bait fishing are basicly letting the slab or bait fall straight down and there is very little chance of sticking a fishing partner.
If the fishing party is larger, I can make arrangements for as many additional boats as we need.
17. Hopefully, we will never need any safety equipment.
However, I carry a cell phone and a VHF radio to call for assistance if needed. The VHF radios "Weather Alert" will keep us informed of the ever changing weather conditions on Lake Texoma . There is also a fire extinguisher and first aide kit on-board. In addition to individual life jackets, there are throw cushions. A large trolling motor with its own 3 batteries will insure that we can always get back shore if all else fails.
The GPS will also prevent us from not knowing exactly where we are if visability were to suddenly become poor as there are times when heavy fog suddenly rolls in during calm mornings. Multiple depth finders will nsure that we will always know the depth of the water and working with the GPS, will insure a safe return back to the dock in ANY weather conditions.
18. Sure. Call or e-mail me and we can discuss anything that you may have in mind. My response is on a case by case basis and often depends on the time of the year and what my schedule is.
Some folks have requested evening fishing trips while others are seeking to fish for 1/2 day or in a couple cases, early morning top-water only.
19. I fish at night during the summer and for fun only.
While I have considered guiding at night, at present, I do not.
Fishing at night limits the style of fishing that can be done and also the location of where you can fish. Logging lots of miles while searching for the schools of stripers can't be done in the dark, even with a GPS, because it's unsafe to travel much faster than at a idle speed.
20. This depends on several factors.
Some being your preferences, weather conditons, time of the year and finally the prevailing fishing patterns. Lake levels will also influence my selection of ramps, especially now with the lake falling nearly 10" per week. I would also like to talk with you in advance of the trip to go over these and some other details along with any other questions or concerns you might have.
21. Normally, no. Hopefully, everyone will bring/wear enough of the proper clothing to keep themselves dry & warm.
We will come ashore whenever it becomes unsafe. Normally, this means whenever there is lightning in the area or high winds. I will also delay leaving the ramp in the morning under these same conditions.
