Really Liking the Bamboo "Stake" Rod.... Caught And Released About a Dozen Catfish!

Returned to Bethany Lakes for more fun with the Catfish.  Used Bread for bait and the Bamboo "Stake" Rod.  Caught about a dozen Catfish and took pictures of the three largest - 19", 18.5", and 15"!  Really liking the rod, especially since it as made on the "cheap side".

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!

Another Trip to Bethany Lakes Using the Bamboo "Stake" Rod

Returned to Bethany Lakes this evening for another field test of the Bamboo "Stake" Rod.  Rod held up against four Catfish.  Largest went 18.5" in size.  Really liking the feel of the Rod; has a similar feel as a graphite rod we used way back when fishing popping corks along the oyster beds down South!

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!

Bamboo "Stake" Rod With Wine Cork Handle and Seven Catfish.

Decided to try something different and make a homemade fishing rod. Was a good exercise in tying rod guides; even better, found that the Rod Wrapping Jig we made last week worked like it was designed!

Did not want to "waste" a lot of money on rod building material.  Used bamboo stakes from Home Depot for the rod blank, old wine corks for the handle, and rod guides from Academy.

Spent several hours today putting the rod together.  Ended with a 5 foot light/medium weight spinning rod.  Calling it the Bamboo "Stake" Rod with Wine Cork Handle.

Bamboo "Stake" Rod With Wine Cork Handle

Tested the outfit at Bethany Lakes this evening.  Caught seven catfish including one that went 17" in size.  Really like the thought of hooking a Bruiser and landing it successfully on a homemade fishing rod!

Seven Catfish at Bethany Lakes

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!

Two Buegill and a Bass at Bethany Lakes This Fathers' Day 2010!

Fished Bethany Lakes this morning and caught two Bluegill and a Bass.  Not a bad start this Fathers' Day 2010.  Caught one Bluegill on a Yellow Grasshopper.  Caught the other Bluegill and Bass on a Purple-Chenille Wooley Bugger.  Had several looks from a few Bass but could not close the deal.  Seemed more content at chasing the fishing fly than striking.

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!

Summer Pattern Is Here.... Made a Rod Wrapping Jig.

Summer pattern is here, so fish early morning or late evening.  Else, fish deep or seek shady areas for fish during the heat of the day.

Or, do other things related to fishing if you cannot breakaway from other commitments.  In our case, decided to make a rod wrapping jig based on plans on the Internet.  Found one that used minimal material. 

Plan to use it to repair several rods with broken rod guides. Posted a picture below.

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!

Quick Trip to Kroger Park This Evening.

Been busy these last few days but managed to wet a line at Kroger Park.  Algae has cleared up, was able fish more than clearing the hook.  Caught two Bass on a White Grasshopper.  No Bruisers but could see them working the shallows.

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!

At Dr Pepper Ballpark....

Change of pace from fishing.  Checked out the Rough Riders at Dr Pepper Ballpark.  Good baseball game that went into extra innnings.  Too bad the Home Team lost by one. Regardless had a great time!  Even won a t-shirt in the T-Shirt Toss!

T-Shirt Toss!

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

Fishing Report by Dean!

The COAF Field Team appreciates fishing reports from our Readers.  Here is a recent one submitted by Dean about Bethany Lakes and Kroger Park (Bethany Rdige Park).  Great report and some nice pictures!

I arrived at 5:30 am on June 8th. It was a beautiful morning and I found the park to be as inspiring as the sun that slowly illuminated it. I was pleased to find "catch and release" signs posted around the area. Its a shame that so many people disregard the fragile nature of community lakes and ponds. I found myself wishing that other parks would implement the same regulations.

Top water baits seemed to rule the morning. I caught a number of bass at the Kroger pond on a variety of surface lures. The bass in the upper ponds responded to surface lures as well, although not as frequently. After a few hours, when the fishing slowed down, I switched over to texas rigged berkley

Attached is a photograph of the two biggest fish of the day. They were caught in the horseshoe pond (Bethany Lakes) and the Kroger pond (Bethany Ridge Park). I didn't have any measuring devices with me, but as you can see from the pictures, they were definitely heavy.

It was a really great little morning session. I can't say enough about the park. It was absolutely beautiful, and the fishing was wonderful.

-Dean