Another Go at Denison Dam Tailrace

Another fishing trip Saturday to Denison Dam.  No generation, so minimal water flow.  Fished a pool downstream and enjoyed steady action.  Like other trips, Shad seemed to be the bait of choice!

More Fishing at Denison Dam Tailrace

Went up the road today for another round of fishing at Denison Dam.  Arrived when the Power Plant was not generating.  Fished the Texas Wall at first, catching small Stripers.  Moved downriver to try our luck.  Did well,... with two of us managing to limit out.  Caught and released most of them, keeping those that were deep hooked.

On the way back, stopped at Dave's Ski and Tackle for something to drink.  Noticed the sign on the microwave.  Must be in a good fishing area!

Also, while filleting our catch, noticed something different in the stomach of one fish.  Looks like a piece of a plastic Curly Tail Grub and a Fluke.  Might need to remember this next round!

Steady Action at Denison Dam

Been a while since we fished Denison.  Had the chance to go today, so we headed up the road. Fished around Noon to about 4PM.  Caught Gaspergou (Freshwater Drum), a Gar, and a few small Stripers. Caught them using frozen Shad.... Fun stuff!

Click-on 2012's COAF Fishing Leader Board to checkout top fish caught this year by our readers. Also, click-on One Fishing Fly Challenge to checkout the Field Team's flyfishing informal contest. Feel free to join; it's simple!

Denison Dam Has Been Generating Power For Awhile.... Cold Weax Increasing Demand!

Checked out the Denison Dam Real Time Release schedule.  Looks like the cold weather has put a significant demand on power.  The Power Plant has been generating what looks like 24 hours +.  For more info and the link to the schedule, checkout our archived post from several years back - FYI - Real Time Release For Denison Dam.

Click-on 2011's COAF Fishing Leader Board to checkout top fish caught this year by our readers. Also, click-on One Fishing Fly Challenge to checkout the Field Team's flyfishing informal contest. Feel free to join; it's simple!

Bass On A Red And White Clouser!

Fished a Red and White Clouser for a chance at the Bass in Bethany Lakes this evening.  Normally the Field Team uses this pattern for Striped Bass at Denison Dam; have not tried it in the local ponds till now.  Pleasant surprise, hooked and landed a Bass (about 12" in size).

Bass On A Red And White Clouser!

Slow But Steady Action At Denison Dam!

Fished Denison Dam Tailrace today with NucLaroche.  Slow but steady action made the heat bearable.  Started around 8:30AM, left around 2:30PM.  Caught little Stripers using Shad for bait.  Did land a skinny one that went 17.5" in size.  Else, the sizes ranged from 12" to 16" in size.   Strikes were tentative and light with a number running in on the line.  Did try Cork and Jig Rigs but without a hit.  Did observe one group leaving with a nice stringer.  Stripers are there....!

Click-on 2010's COAF Fishing Leader Board to checkout top fish caught this year by our readers. Also, click-on One Fishing Fly Challenge to checkout the Field Team's flyfishing informal contest. Feel free to join; it's simple!

Steady Action at Denison Dam

Made it to Denison Dam Tailrace this morning for another go at Stripers. Fished before the power plant started generating when waterflow was minimal. Also, fished after the plant started up making for accurate casting into the eddies and pools, else lost rigs were the norm.

Action was steady with a number of Stripers caught and released. Fishing partner and I left when they were still biting.... kept a limit each.

Side Note: Had a tough go catching Shad this week with our cast nets, ended up buying bait at Academy.  Also, been playing around with shock leaders and rigs. Lessons learned/suggestions noted to date listed below:

• Really like the 50lbs braided line compared to the 60lbs mono line we had been using. Observing less breakoffs and more time spent fishing.
• When snagged the 15lbs mono line that is tied to the hook readily breaks off.  Weight and Barrel Swivel remains intact.  Loss of tackle is minimal - Hook and 2'-3' of 15lbs mono line.
• Especially like the "Christopher Knot(?)" to tie the 20lbs mono mainline to the 50lbs braided line shock leader.  Have not had a knot failure as of yet!

Good Luck and Good Fishing!

Bratonia Park For Shad

Stopped by Bratonia Park on Lake Lavon yesterday to catch a few Shad.  Making preparations for another run up to Denison Dam's Tailrace.  Really like using Shad for bait when the water flow permits.

 

Took the jon boat and drifted around the buoy by the boat ramp, then worked the shoreline.  Normally, we are able to catch enough bait for a trip in about 30" with our cast nets.  This time, caught 5 Shad only.

 

Not sure where they are lurking; may hit another place later today.  Else, will buy Shad at Academy or Dave's Bait and Tackle.  It will work in a pinch but really like the ones we catch as they are usually bigger and are definitely fresher!

 

Till then... Good Luck and Good Fishing!

 

COAF Field Team

Hot Temps At Denison Dam Today!

Fished the Denison Dam Tailrace today.  Enjoyed good waterflow with the plant still generating when we left @ 6PM.  Had Stripers striking on Cork and Jig Rigs but no Bruisers.   Switched to Shad fo bait and had several good hits but was unable to land them successfully.  Did come away with a 19" Gaspergou caught by Nuclaroche!

Click-on 2010's COAF Fishing Leader Board to checkout top fish caught this year by our readers. Also, click-on One Fishing Fly Challenge to checkout the Field Team's flyfishing informal contest. Feel free to join; it's simple!

Cork and Jig Rig Results in One Bass At Bethany Ridge This PM

Used a Cork and Jig Rig at Bethany Ridge Park this evening.  Caught one Bass on a cast that crossed the pond!  Spent more time reeling than fighting the little guy. Still... good practice for Denison Dam and its Stripers!

Click-on 2010's COAF Fishing Leader Board to checkout top fish caught this year by our readers. Also, click-on One Fishing Fly Challenge to checkout the Field Team's flyfishing informal contest. Feel free to join; it's simple!

Denison Dam Tailrace Generating But...

Stopped by Denison Dam Tailrace this afternoon.  A little misty and definitely cold.  No one  was fishing.  Did see a few folks warming up by a bonfire on the Oklahoma side, else it looked like everyone was waiting for the action to start.  Wanted to stay and hopefully see a few fish caught but work was calling and had to get back on the road.
 

Click-on 2010's COAF Fishing Leader Board to checkout top fish caught this year by our readers. Also, click-on One Fishing Fly Challenge to checkout the Field Team's flyfishing informal contest. Feel free to join; it's simple!

Trout Limits at Waterloo; Field Team's First Limit for 2010!

Ran up to Denison Dam to scout out the Striped Bass action this afternoon. Fished without success for about 2 hours, then called it quits. Shifted gears from Striped Bass to Trout and fished Waterloo Park Pond. Limited out in about 30" using Orange Powerbait. Pond was frozen save for the area near the fountain. Regardless, the Trout were active and hungry. Not a bad outing with the first Trout Limit taken by the Field Team in 2010!

Click-on 2010's COAF Fishing Leader Board to checkout top fish caught this year by our readers.

5 White Bass at Lake Lavon's Tailrace!

Fished Lake Lavon's tailrace this morning. Caught 5 White Bass using surfcasting gear and Cork and Jig Rigs like we used at Denison Dam's tailrace. Fun to stretch a line!

 

Click-on COAF Fishing Leader Board to checkout top fish caught this year by our readers.

Small White Bass, But Lots of Action!

Stopped by Brockdale Park this evening for a go at the White Bass. Fish were schooling off the point despite the low water level. Caught and released 20+ small White Bass. Only one was a keeper that went about 10.5" in size. Used Surfcasting gear and Cork and Jig Rigs. Same set-up we use when fishing Denison Dam's tailrace. Jigs used were a Wildeye Shad, Yellow Crappie Jigs, and White Crappie Jigs. Fun stuff regardless of their small size! Click-on COAF Fishing Leader Board to checkout top fish caught this year by our readers.

Small Stripers this AM

Fished Denison Dam this morning. Only small Stripers this round but did see others hooking up on Stripers going 18" plus in size. Caught the small Stripers on Shad. Caught larger ones using Cork and Jig Rigs with either Flukes or Wildeyes.

Click-on COAF Fishing Leader Board to checkout top fish caught this year by our readers.

Tailrace Action Remains Steady.

Back to Denison Dam this morning. More small Stripers but did manage two that went about 16". All were caught on Shad. Another fun but hot and tiring day! FYI: Game Warden checked our cooler as we were leaving. We were good but heard others did not fare so well. Fishermen beware and follow the regulations. Click-on COAF Fishing Leader Board to checkout top fish caught this year by our readers.

Morning Bite at Denison Dam - One 20.5"

Fished the morning bite a Denison Dam this morning. Mostly small Stripers to keep things interesting but did manage to land one that went 20.5". All were caught on Shad. We did see others fishing live Perch racking up some nice stringers of 18"+ Stripers. Stuck it out till the early afternoon and managed to catch a few on Cork and Jig Rigs using 3" Wildeyes for the jig. Fun but hot and tiring day! Click-on COAF Fishing Leader Board to checkout top fish caught this year by our readers.

Another Go at Denison Dam.

Decided to hit Denison Dam again this morning. Spent yesterday afternoon catching Shad at Highland Park on Lake Lavon. Was tough going with "onesite, twosies" but caught enough for a trip to the Tailrace. A few rainshowers on the way, else it was dry at the Tailrace. Steady action on small Stripers like we had Friday evening. Also, caught a few small Catfish. Fished with Shad under a float and on the bottom. Caught fish using both techniques but noted the larger fish tended to strike on the bottom-rig. Observed others having similar results and a few working on some nice stringers when we left. Not a bad morning. Do bring SHAD for bait!

Click-on COAF Fishing Leader Board to checkout top fish caught this year by our readers.

Denison Dam Stripers - Small but Steady Action.

Fished Denison Dam Friday evening. Steady action on small Stripers with 40+ caught and released. Size ranged from 12" to 14" and were caught on Cut Bait - Shad. Did try a Cork and Jig Rig with similar results - small Stripers. Also, others using Ghost Minnows were getting hits as well. Click-on COAF Fishing Leader Board to checkout top fish caught this year by our readers.

Denison Dam - July 18 PM to July 19 AM

Decided to hit Denison Dam hard this weekend. Arrived around 10PM, July 18 and departed the following morning. Started the trip fishing the Texas Wall, struck out but did observe others having consistent action on Striped Bass, small Catfish, and in once instance, a large Catfish that went well over 3 feet in length. Moved downriver around 2AM, July 19. Partner and I caught three small Stripers using Bombers and had steady strikes but no hookups using live Perch. Although the fishing action was slow for us, others enjoyed steady action and nice stringers. Kept fishing in hopes the action would pickup. It finally did at sunrise! Had a blast catching small 12" to 14" Striped Bass on a modified cork and jig setup. Bite lasted about 40" but did make up for the slow action earlier. Click-on COAF Fishing Leader Board to checkout top fish caught this year by our readers.