17" Catfish On Doughbait And A Surprise Guest At Bethany Lakes This Evening!

Went back again with another variation of the Homemade Doughbait to test.  Caught more Catfish with the largest going 17" in size.  Had a late start, so ended up fishing in the dark.  While fishing noticed several Water Snakes chasing fish close to shore.

While unhooking the 17" Catfish, looked up and saw a four foot Water Snake had worked its way out of the water and was about 2 feet away from me eyeing the Catfish.  Surprise, surprise, surprise.... First time had one actually come out of the water for a fish!

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!

New Season Is Near....

A new Hunting Season is near as September 1 approaches!  Have to take care of a few admin things to prepare for the upcoming Season.

• Hunting License


• Duck Stamp


• Local Lake Permit (Lake Lavon is requiring a Hunting Permit for 2010/2011).

That said, hope this Season is good one.  Last year was tough with record rain and lake levels!



Good luck and good hunting!

More Catfish At Bethany Lakes On Doughbait....

Went back to Bethany Lakes this evening to try out a homemade Doughbait.  Worked well... caught several Catfish with the largest going just over 16"!  But, did lose a Bruiser that broke the line.  Not a bad outing; really like the Circle Hooks I picked up while on the coast.  Getting a lot more hook-ups and no deep-hooked fish!

More Catfish At Bethany Lakes On Doughbait....

Baited Hook, Doughbait, and Circle Hook

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!

Catfish At Bethany Lakes On Dough Baits...!

Fished Bethany Lakes this evening and caught several Catfish on Dough Baits.  Fun stuff on light tackle!  Even had a few Bruisers, estimating a couple that went 17"+!

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!

One Way Slide Rig

While surfing the net noticed a fishing tactic used for fishing piers and other elevated locations....

Tactic calls for casting a heavy weight for distance, then attaching a "Slide Rig" (also called a "Trolley Rig") that holds the bait.  The bait then slides down the line until it reaches bottom.  Works well for heavy baits that are too heavy for casting and "fragile" baits that may break up on the cast or on impact with the water.

After checking a few sites online, managed to construct a "One Way Slide Rig" using materials on hand.  Then, tested it out at Bethany Lakes.  Worked well for fishing "fragile" dough bait; however, next test will use a heavier weight. 

Also, the key to using this rig is elevation; higher elevation allows the bait to slide more readily down the line.

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 Bass and a Turtle At Kroger Park This Evening!

Fished Kroger Park this evening and caught two Bass and a Turtle on a Black Bead Head Leech Streamer.  First Bass hit the fishing fly on a slow retrieve; second Bass struck immediately after the fishing fly landed in the water.  Second Bass was the larger of the two, measuring just over 12.5" in size.  Not a Bruiser but enough to take the lead in August's One Fishing Fly Challenge!

Two Bass and a Turtle!

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!

A Few Surprises At Bethany Lakes' Feeder Creek!

Stopped by the feeder creek that runs into Bethany Lakes this morning.  Noticed some surface activity despite the shallow water.  Tied on a Bead Head Leech Streamer and soon after landed a little Bass.  Then, lost a bigger Bass, then caught some Bluegill and Sunfish.  Surprised the shallow water held so many fish.... A lot of small ones but there were a few bigger ones mixed in as well!

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!

A Few Fish Right After The Rain Storm Passed Bethany Lakes.

Caught  a few fish - Sunfish and a Bluegill, right after the rain storm passed Bethany Lakes.  Fish seemed tough to locate and water was murky from the rain runoff.  Managed to find a few fish lurking in the shallows but no Bruisers!

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!

Squidoo Lens Article - "Bob Hall Pier Fishing"

Check it out when you get a chance....

Our Squidoo Lens article, "Bob Hall Pier Fishing" that offers fishing information about the Pier located on North Padre Island.

Recent trip brought back memories from when we fished the area on a daily basis....

Packery Channel and Sea Turtles Closeout The Coast.

Checked out Packery Channel - North Jetty to closeout the trip to the Coast.  Observed a number of Sea Turtles swimming about.  Pretty cool to see them; saw very few if any back in the 80's.  Looks like they are coming back to the area!

Still Working the Coast

Still working the coast... so far no Bruisers.

Did catch a lot of Hard Heads, had fun with Mullet, and caught a few other fish and... a few waves. 

Regardless, fun is fun especially when fishing....!

Fish....

And a few waves!

While Out and About Got To Try Other Places To Fish!

While on the road got to stop by Padre Island's Bob Hall Pier.  Had a fun time fishing for saltwater fish.  Had a lot of bites, missed a lot of Bruisers, and so far only managed to catch a scrappy little Shark!  Fun stuff,... here on the coast.

Also, did some flyfishing at one of the jetties.  Caught and lost a little Tarpon on the Red/White Clouser.  Then, hooked into a nice Speckle Trout.  But, lost it as well.  Needed to remember to switch leaders from freshwater to saltwater.  Four pound test is way too light for the coast.

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!

Today's Results - Two Bluegill On A Yellow Grasshopper.

Another tough day.  Started fishing at Bethany Lakes.  Had one strike - estimated a two-pound Bass on a Bead Head Olive Leech.  Quickly broke off after setting the hook.  Retied another Leech Streamer and had zero hits.

After running a few errands, went to Kroger Park and had a few strikes on the Leech Streamer.  But,.. lost it later to a "Tree Fish".  Tied on a Yellow Grasshopper and fished just after dark.  Caught two Bluegill...!

Today's Results - Two Bluegill On A Yellow Grasshopper.

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!

Hubpages Article: Leech Streamer Fishing Flies

Another hot day, too hot to hit the local ponds. So, while waiting for the weather to cool a little, lets write about fishing....

Here is one for our Readers' for reference, "Leech Streamer Fishing Flies".

Check it out when you get a chance!

BH Olive Leech Streamer Gets Two Bass and Sunfish This Morning!

Fished Bethany Lakes this morning to try for a Bruiser on a Bead Head Olive Leech Streamer for the August's One Fishing Fly Challenge!   Caught two Bass with one going 11" in size.  Also, caught a Sunfish on the pattern.  Sent the one picture to the Challenge, taking third place this month so far.  Field Team is holding the #1 slot for a Bass larger than 12" caught using a Leech Streamer.

BH Olive Leech Streamer Gets Two Bass and Sunfish This Morning!

PS:  Pictures of the Red/White Clousers used yesterday and the BH Olive Leech Streamer used this morning.

Red/White Clousers and BH Olive Leech Streamers

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!

Mixed Bag At Bethany Lakes This Morning

Fished Bethany Lakes this morning trying to catch a Bruiser on a Bead Head Leech Streamer.  Was starting out good until a "tree fish" struck.

Switched to a Purple/Green Crappie Jig Variant.  Landed a few little Bass and Sunfish, and then lost the fishing fly to another "tree fish".  Tied on a Pearl/Green Crappie Jig Variant and caught more fish.

Ended the outing fishing the Lower Pond by the Waterfall.  Used a small Bead Head Leech Streamer and caught fingerling Bass and little Sunfish with the occasional scrappy Sunfish!

Fun, fun, fun,...!

Today's Pictures

100 Degree Temps This Afternoon Make It Tough At Stoney Hollow!

Hit Stoney Hollow Park in Plano this afternoon.  Brutal to fish in 100 degree temps; managed a little Bass and a Sunfish on a Bead Head Leech Streamer....  Had a Bruiser take the fly but broke the tippet soon after setting the hook.  Best bet is to fish early morning or late evening.

100 Degree Temps This Afternoon Make It Tough At Stoney Hollow!

Bethany Lakes And Kroger Park This Morning....

Fished Bethany Lakes and Kroger Park this morning.  Caught Sunfish and a fingerling Bass in the Lower Pond at Bethany Lakes on a Leech Streamer.  Caught Bluegill and a 10" Bass at Kroger Park also on a Leech Streamer.  Really hot temps with another 100+ degree forecasted high anticipated!  Sampling of today's catch posted below:

Sampling of Today's Catch

Kroger Park and a Sunfish....

Quick trip to Kroger Park this evening to see if the Bead Head Leech Streamer could bring in a Bruiser.  No go.... Only a Sunfish!  Better luck next round.

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!