Trophy Striper Hunt at Lake Texoma
Private Trip
Lakes/Reservoirs/Ponds Fishing
Fivehour weekend charter targeting trophy striped bass over 22 inches.Specialized trolling methods with heavyduty tackle and lures included.Professional guide service with fish cleaning and refreshments provided.
When you're serious about landing the big ones, this weekend half-day charter with Bigfoot Stripers is where you want to be. Guide Zach McClendon has built his reputation around one thing: putting anglers on quality striped bass that'll make your arms burn and your drag scream. This isn't your typical numbers game – we're talking about targeting fish that most weekend warriors only dream about. Starting at 7 AM sharp from Friday through Sunday, you'll have five solid hours to hunt down Texoma's legendary stripers using methods that separate the pros from the weekend crowd.
Lake Texoma isn't just another impoundment – it's a striper factory that's been cranking out trophy fish for decades. This charter focuses on quality over quantity, which means we're not messing around with schoolie bass under the birds. Captain Zach uses specialized trolling techniques designed to trigger strikes from those mature stripers lurking in the deeper structure. You'll be working with heavy-duty tackle and big lures that can handle fish pushing 15 to 20 pounds or more. The five-hour window gives us real time to cover water and adapt to what the fish are doing that day. Some mornings they're stacked on main lake points, other days they're relating to creek channels or suspended over deep water. That's the beauty of having an experienced guide who knows how to read the signs and adjust on the fly.
This charter runs on proven trolling methods that consistently produce bigger fish. We're talking about pulling large swimbaits, umbrella rigs, and deep-diving crankbaits through prime striper territory at precise speeds and depths. The tackle provided is built for battle – heavy action rods paired with high-capacity reels that can handle long runs and sustained pressure from trophy fish. While live bait comes into play when conditions call for it, the primary focus stays on artificial lures that attract those aggressive strikes from fish over 22 inches. The trolling approach covers serious water and lets us target specific depth zones where mature stripers spend their time. Captain Zach reads his electronics like a road map, marking schools and structure that hold the quality fish we're after. When we find them, that's where the real fun starts.
Striped Bass are the main event here, and Lake Texoma grows them big and mean. These fish average 22 to 28 inches on this charter, but don't be surprised when something over 30 inches grabs your lure and heads for the next county. Texoma stripers are known for their aggressive nature and incredible fight – they'll make multiple runs, jump, and test every inch of your drag system. Peak action typically runs from early spring through fall, with summer mornings producing some of the most consistent trophy fishing. What makes these fish special is their willingness to hit big lures and their tendency to travel in schools of similar-sized fish. When you find one quality striper, there's usually more in the area.
White Bass might seem like small potatoes compared to their striped cousins, but don't underestimate these scrappy fighters. They often mix with small stripers and provide steady action when the big fish are being finicky. These silver bullets hit hard and fight well above their weight class, making them a customer favorite when they're thick in the water. Spring and fall see the best white bass action, especially when they're feeding aggressively in shallow water. They're perfect for keeping the rods bent between trophy striper encounters.
Channel Catfish in Lake Texoma grow fat and healthy on the abundant shad population, often reaching 5 to 10 pounds or better. While they're not the primary target on this charter, they'll sometimes grab the same lures we're using for stripers, especially when we're working deeper structure. These fish provide a nice change of pace with their bulldogging fight style. They're most active during warmer months and can surprise you with their size in Texoma's fertile waters.
Blue Catfish represent the true heavyweights in Lake Texoma's catfish population. These giants can exceed 30 pounds and provide the kind of arm-burning fight that creates lasting memories. They're opportunistic feeders that will occasionally hit large lures, though they're more commonly caught on cut bait when specifically targeted. Summer and early fall typically offer the best chances at blues, particularly around deeper structure and main lake areas where they patrol for food.
Flathead Catfish are the ultimate ambush predators in Lake Texoma, lurking around cover and structure waiting for an easy meal. These brown-colored bruisers can reach impressive sizes and provide one of the strongest fights you'll encounter in fresh water. They're primarily nocturnal, but occasionally grab lures during daylight hours, especially in deeper water or heavy cover situations. When a big flathead hits, you'll know it – they fight dirty and use every piece of structure they can find to try to break off.
This weekend half-day charter represents serious value for anglers who want to experience Lake Texoma's world-class striper fishing without settling for mediocre results. With all heavy-duty tackle included, plus water and professional fish cleaning service, you're getting everything needed for a top-rated fishing experience. Captain Zach's focus on trophy fish and specialized techniques has made this a customer favorite among serious anglers. The five-hour duration provides ample time to work different areas and techniques while the weekend schedule fits perfectly with most fishing plans. If you're tired of average catches and ready to target the fish of a lifetime, this charter delivers the goods. Lake Texoma's reputation for producing monster stripers isn't just talk – it's backed up by decades of consistent results and guides who know how to put you on them.
Hit the waters of Lake Texoma aboard our freshly restored 24ft Bay Hawk, your floating command center for trophy striper hunting. This center console beauty packs a reliable 200HP Suzuki that'll get you to the fish fast, while the wireless trolling motor keeps things whisper-quiet when you're stalking those bigger bass. The boat's loaded with everything serious anglers need – GPS to navigate Texoma's vast waters, radar for those early morning runs, and fish finder tech to locate where the big stripers are holding. An onboard icebox keeps your drinks cold during those long fights with 28+ inch fish. With room for 4 anglers plus Guide Zach, there's plenty of space to work those heavy lures and handle the rods when a Texoma giant decides to make a run. This clean, well-maintained rig is built for serious striper fishing, giving you the platform you need to target those trophy fish that make Lake Texoma legendary among bass anglers.
Ictalurus FurcatusBlue cats are the heavyweights of Texoma's catfish family, with fish over 30 pounds being caught regularly. These bruisers patrol deep river channels and main lake structure, feeding aggressively on shad and anything else they can swallow. What sets them apart is their size potential and fighting ability - they'll take you into your backing. The meat is excellent, and they're active year-round, though summer nights are prime time. Blues prefer deeper water than channels, typically 15-30 feet along drop-offs and ledges. They're opportunistic feeders but respond best to fresh-cut bait. My secret is fishing the old river channel with big chunks of fresh shad or skipjack, letting it sit on bottom near structure. Use heavy tackle - these fish will straighten light hooks and test your drag system to its limits.
Ictalurus PunctatusChannel cats are steady producers that run anywhere from 2-15 pounds in Texoma, with occasional monsters pushing 20-plus. They hang around structure like creek channels, brush piles, and rocky points, feeding heavily at night and during overcast days. What makes them great targets is their willingness to bite and excellent table fare - firm, mild meat that's hard to beat. These whiskered fighters prefer deeper water during summer heat but move shallow in spring and fall. They'll eat just about anything, but fresh-cut bait works best. Here's what works for me: fish the creek channels with fresh shad or chicken liver on the bottom, especially where the channel bends or intersects with structure. Use a good fish grip when handling them since those pectoral fins are sharp and they're slippery as can be.
Pylodictis OlivarisFlathead cats are the ultimate catfish trophy, with 20-40 pounders being caught in Texoma's deeper holes and creek mouths. These ambush predators have a different appetite - they want live bait only, which makes them challenging but rewarding targets. The payoff is incredible table fare, widely considered the best-eating catfish with firm, white meat. Flatheads are solitary and territorial, hanging around deep structure like logjams, undercut banks, and creek bends. Summer nights are prime time when they move shallow to feed. Unlike other cats, they're picky eaters that prefer live bluegill, perch, or small bass. Here's the key: fish live bait near heavy cover in 10-20 feet of water after dark. Use stout tackle because when a big flathead grabs your bait, it's heading straight back to its hole.
Morone SaxatilisStriped bass are the apex predators in Texoma, with our bigger fish running 25-35 inches and weighing 8-15 pounds. These powerful fighters cruise deep channels, creek mouths, and main lake structure year-round, but spring and fall offer the best trophy opportunities. What draws anglers back is their raw power - they'll test your drag and make long runs. The meat quality is outstanding, firm and mild. Stripers are structure-oriented, so we focus on deep humps, creek channels, and drop-offs where they ambush shad. They're most active in low light conditions and cooler water temps. My go-to technique is slow-trolling large swimbaits or umbrella rigs near bottom in 25-40 feet of water. The key is covering water until you locate a school, then working that area thoroughly since they tend to group up.
Morone ChrysopsWhite bass are schooling fish that run 12-18 inches and fight way above their weight class. You'll find them roaming open water and chasing shad near the surface, especially during spring and fall when they're most active. They love main lake points, creek mouths, and anywhere baitfish gather. These silver-sided fighters are perfect for families since they bite aggressively on small jigs, spinners, and live minnows. What makes them special is how they school up - when you find one, there's usually a bunch more nearby. The meat is excellent when filleted properly, white and flaky. Here's a tip: watch for birds working the surface in the mornings. That usually means white bass are pushing shad up, and you can cast right into the action with a small white jig or spoon.
Lake Texoma