TPWD Shad Question Answered!

Of note is a question about Shad for bait posed to the Texas Parks and Wildlife Department. May be of interest to Texas Fisherman!

Check out more at our archived blog Stocker Trout Fishing

"Can I catch shad with a cast net from one lake, freeze them for later use at another lake?"

TPWD Answers Our Question about Shad!

We like using Shad for bait but at times cannot purchase them because the local bait store is out of stock. This is why we like to catch our own plus it saves us money – cost of the cast net and time and effort to catch them, etc…

However, due to restrictions related to aquatic invasive species and the transfer from one body of water to another, we have followed Texas Parks and Wildlife Department’s (TPWD) regulations that limit using Shad for bait to the same body of water where they were caught.

Our understanding was the same body of water limitation was for live, fresh, and frozen shad. For clarification, we contacted Texas Parks and Wildlife Department via their online “Submit a Question” form.

The question we asked and the answer provided are shown in the picture below!

Looks like we can catch Shad from one lake, remove any of the water with the fish, using a net to move the fish from one container to another so no water is transferred from lake to lake!

PS: We did not ask about transferring live Shad as we prefer to limit using live Shad to the body of water we caught them from to avoid the risk of transferring aquatic invasive species.

iFishNews Fishing Podcast #14 - Three Lessons Learned Fishing Denison Dam #fishing

This podcast we talk about three lessons learned from our recent trips to Denison Dam. It’s a short podcast compared to others but we feel others could benefit on the lessons learned mentioned in the podcast. Do check it out… and Good Luck and Good Fishing!

Denison Dam Fishing for Gar... by Chance Anyone?

Fished Denison Dam Saturday morning. Initially, planned to bring a Switch Rod to fish Clousers in the runs, pockets, and pools before they started generating power.

Quick check of the real-time hydroelectric data and the planned schedule showed two generators online for 24 hours Friday and into Saturday, and possibly Sunday.

Adjusted to surf casting gear:

• Okuma Rockaway Surf Rod – 12′ Med Heavy: https://amzn.to/2BL9s76
• Pflueger President Spinning Reel – Sz40: https://amzn.to/387MmDH
• Rodmaster Surf Rod 10′ Heavy: No longer available
• Penn Battle II 6000 Spinning Reel: https://amzn.to/3i2XdTU

Fished Shad and Chicken Livers… no strikes when fishing a bottom rig. Action was all with Shad fished 2′ to 4′ from a float.

Do check back will add details on the float rig we used in the video. Float used was the… Launcher Float size 5″, 1-3/4OZ: https://amzn.to/2NACWal

Fished from sunrise to 2PM in the afternoon… No Striped Bass. It was all Gar that were biting this round!all fish caught and release were Gar. Looked like the Striped Bass were not wanting to bite this round.

Fun times still!

Fishing Allen's Old Stone Dam #flyfishing #switchrod

TBT to Allen’s Old Stone Dam. Have not fished the dam in some time although we have checked out the area and its improvements recently. Liking the bridge, bank reinforcements, and expanded trails.

Been itching to fish it for awhile… able to do so yesterday. After a little tweaking of the pattern and searching spots, found a Damsel Fly fished under a strike indicator worked!

Do check out the video, and do stay tuned for more “learn to fish by our trials and errors” videos!

MaxCatch 2wt Fly Rod: https://amzn.to/2UfM8FG
Orvis Hydros Sl1 Fly Reel: https://amzn.to/2UiRCPS
Rio Trout Max (200 grain): https://amzn.to/2HiT2Bs
Rio SlickShooter Running Line (35lbs): https://amzn.to/2GGIVsZ

Orvis Practicaster and Echo Ion Flyreel aka #microflyrod #microflyfishing

Having fun fishing with the Orvis Practicaster practice fly rod with an Echo Ion 2/3wt flyreel zip tied to the handle.

Combo cast well… have a Cabelas 2wt WF flyline on the reel, and casting a tiny microfly scud and microfly pink midge.

Caught a number of small Sunfish and Bluegill but none as small as the little Bass our fishing partner caught this past weekend.

Fun stuff!

Orvis Practicaster: https://amzn.to/2YkqMbD
Echo Ion Fly Reels (2/3wt, 4/5wt, 6/7wt, 7/9wt, 8/10wt, 10/12wt): https://amzn.to/2UIsyC3

Catch and Cook Denison Dam Striped Bass #denisondam #stripedbass #recipe

Had a fun time at Denison Dam – tailrace to Texoma, on Saturday June 20! Opted for live bait of Bluegill and Sunfish to try for Striped Bass and Catfish.

Turned out only one Striped Bass. It was a nice one that went 19″ in length. Went for a 3″ Bluegill. Did a few more bites but nothing solid.

Go to bait for others that were limiting out on small “schoolies” was frozen shad, shrimp, and chicken livers. Next round, will make it a point to bring bait and not go all in on live bait.

That said, the Okuma 12′ MH Rockaway Surf Rod and Pflueger Spinning Reel worked well… can cast far with minimal effort. A much lighter combo compared to the 10′ Rodmaster and Penn Battle II 6000.

Given only one fish this round, posted a catch and cook showing how we clean and prep and then cook a striped bass. For its size, we opted to steak the striped bass and skillet fry it… tasty!

Ingredients:

• Soy Sauce
• Tuna Fish Sauce
• Ginger
• Garlic

Fry 4″ to 5″ each side

Gear Used:

• Okuma 12′ MH Rockaway Surf Rod: https://amzn.to/2CqBO6J
• Pflueger Spinning Reel: https://amzn.to/2zRIdXI
• Penn Battle II 6000: https://amzn.to/2NmFuZq
• Rodmaster 10′ Spinning Rod: Not Available – Discontinued

iFishNews Fishing Podcast 12 - Micro Fly Rods and Micro Fly Fishing

This rounds iFishNews Fishing Podcast we talk about micro fly rods that we use for micro fly fishing on our local ponds. Several DIY rods we have made by converting Pen Rods, repurposing a broken fly rod, and building one with an ice fishing blank and wine corks for the rod handle.

Recently, courtesy of a Viewer’s tip to use practice fly rods from Orvis and Redington, we have started mounting 2wt and 4wt fly reels to make a micro fly rod.

Simple zip ties to hold the reels to the rods makes for a quick conversion to fly fishing rod instead of practice rods!

Below is a link that shows how we converted a Pen Rod to a Micro Fly Rod:
https://skyaboveus.com/fishing/MicroFlyRod

Additionally, here is a past video where we caught a nice catfish using the re-purposed broken fly rod: https://youtu.be/I16KkjXkbcI

Also, here are links to Amazon showing the practice fly rods we converted to micro fly rods:
Redington Form: https://amzn.to/3esIjV2
Orvis Practicaster: https://amzn.to/2YkqMbD

COAF Live Chat - Quick Update Denison Dam, Surf Rod and Reel, and Micro Fly Rod

This round we talk briefly of the run to Denison Dam where we only caught one Striped Bass using live bait – Bluegill! But, it’s enough for a catch and cook… so do stay tuned for more!

Of note, the Okuma Rockaway Surf Rod and Pfleuger President Spinning Reel worked well. Can cast a mile and do it all day as it is lightweight and balanced well with the live bait rifg we used today!

Lastly, the micro fly rod and micro fishing bug has us on a roll again at our local ponds. Two piece Micro Fly Rod has been a workhorse for the us. Then, a Viewer gives up a tip… use a practice fly rod!

Liked the idea,… ordered Redington’s and Orvis’ rods… able to catch a fish or two with the Redington; Orvis one arrived this morning. Not fished it yet but did try the 2wt Echo Ion Fly Reel and WF 2wt line… it works nicely!

Do stay tuned for more updates on fishing!

Live Update at Denison

Do Fish Like Gulp Marinade #underwatervideo #fishing

Been wanting to try Gulp Marinade as a teaser scent to our lures. But, not certain if fish would like it. It has a garlic scent similar to the Berkley Power Bait we like to use when trout fishing.

Decided to test the Gulp Marinade by applying it to a fishing fly and observe how fish react to it compared to the same fishing fly but without the scent applied. Rigged two scuds to the underwater video rig we put together for filming underwater action shots of fish.

Key take aways this round:

1. Results were inconclusive given only one test. But, it does look promising. Do need to continue testing before we make a suggestion.
2. It does appear that fish like the Gulp Marinade, tending to prefer the scud with scent over the scud without scent after the initial application.
3. Once the scent washed out, it was not certain if there was a preference for one over the other.
4. Do need to re-apply the scent as it does wash out.
5. Bait still is preferred over artificials.

Next round, plan to:

1. Use a smaller hook as the fish in the test pond tended to be small for the hook used. Often times a fish would be hooked but then would be able to break free after a short struggle.
2. May try live bait to mix things up as well.

Also, do note a catfish “smells” the scented scud at one point, and watch how a fish would be hooked and then free itself, and immediately after another fish would strike… may explain how we will get a bite but miss the hookset, but soon after feel another tug on the line!

Do stay tuned for more, plan to do another “test” in the near future!