5.0(7 Reviews)Half Day Morning Catfish And Bass Trip
5.0(7 reviews)
Private Trip
Inshore Fishing
Top Rated
5-hour morning trip targets striped bass and catfish$400 base price covers two anglers on Lake TawakoniProfessional guide service accommodates all skill levels
Lake Tawakoni delivers some of the best freshwater fishing action in East Texas, and this morning trip puts you right in the thick of it. We're talking about a solid 5-hour adventure that starts early when the fish are most active and the lake is calm. Captain Jay and the Staley Adventures crew know every drop-off, creek mouth, and structure on this 37,000-acre lake like the back of their hand. You'll target everything from hefty striped bass to whisker-laden channel catfish, with plenty of white bass mixed in to keep your rod bent. At $400 for two anglers, this trip gives you serious bang for your buck – and if you need to bring a third or fourth person, it's just $100 per additional angler.
Your morning starts at first light when Lake Tawakoni is at its prime. The guides launch from one of the main ramps and head straight to where the fish are holding – could be deep water humps for stripers, creek channels for catfish, or shallow flats where white bass are busting bait. This isn't a casual cruise around the lake; it's a focused fishing mission designed to put fish in the boat. The crew runs modern bass boats equipped with the latest electronics, so they can mark schools of bait and fish quickly. You'll cover both inshore structure and open water depending on what's producing. The guides stay in constant contact with each other throughout the day, sharing intel on where the bite is happening. When conditions get tough, they adapt – moving locations, switching baits, whatever it takes to keep you hooked up.
Lake Tawakoni fishing means versatility is key. For striped bass, you'll typically troll with live shad or throw topwater plugs and slabs when they're busting on the surface. The guides provide all the rods, reels, and tackle you need – medium to heavy action setups that can handle anything from 2-pound white bass to 15-pound stripers. Catfishing involves a different approach entirely, with bottom rigs baited with cut shad or prepared baits fished near structure. The electronics on board include high-quality fish finders and GPS units that mark productive spots season after season. Live bait is the go-to here – fresh shad caught in cast nets or from the marina's bait tanks. The guides know when to switch from trolling to casting, when to move shallow or deep, and how to read the lake's moods based on weather, water temperature, and seasonal patterns.
"Jay worked hard on a tough day to put our group on the fish and made it a successful outing." - Gary "We had a great time, the lake was flooded and conditions were far from perfect… but Jason and Debbie went ABOVE and beyond to help us have a great time. We were fishing in a guided tournament and even though we didn't place, Jay made sure we made it to the checkin on time and took us back to our vehicle. We caught fish and caught a buzz. Perfect day or friends, fun and fishing." - Binx "Our guide Tyler was exceptional. he went above and beyond with our group. Tyer will have a story to tell future groups he takes out about our adventure. He put us on fish right way and went home with enough fish for all." - Fred
Striped bass are the crown jewel of Lake Tawakoni and the reason many anglers make the trip. These silver rockets can grow over 20 pounds in Tawakoni's fertile waters, though most catches range from 3 to 8 pounds. They're incredibly aggressive when feeding, often busting baitfish on the surface in spectacular fashion. Spring and fall are prime time when they school up and chase shad, but summer mornings can produce excellent action too. What makes stripers so exciting is their fight – they make screaming runs and jump clear out of the water. Plus, they're excellent table fare with firm, white meat that's perfect for grilling.
Channel catfish in Tawakoni are plentiful and chunky, with fish ranging from 2 to 10 pounds being common. These whiskered fighters love the lake's creek channels, submerged timber, and dam areas. They bite best during low-light periods, making this morning trip perfect timing. Channel cats are notorious for their bulldogging fights, using their broad tails to put serious pressure on your drag. They're also fantastic eating – sweet, flaky meat that's perfect for a fish fry. The lake's healthy population means you'll typically catch several during your trip.
White bass provide non-stop action when you find them schooled up. These silver speedsters rarely exceed 2 pounds but make up for size with sheer numbers and aggressive strikes. They often feed in massive schools that can keep every angler busy for hours. Spring spawning runs up the creeks are legendary, but they can be caught year-round in deeper water. White bass hit everything from small jigs to live minnows, and their willingness to bite makes them perfect for kids and beginners. They're also underrated on the dinner table – firm, mild flesh that's excellent fried or baked.
Barred sand bass, also known as white perch locally, are a bonus species that adds variety to your catch. These chunky fighters prefer deeper, cooler water and are often caught while targeting stripers. They're scrappy fish that fight harder than their size suggests and are actually excellent eating. Sand bass are less predictable than other species, making them a pleasant surprise when they show up in your livewell. They typically bite the same baits as stripers but tend to stay deeper during the warmer months.
Lake Tawakoni's reputation as a top-rated multi-species fishery keeps growing, and morning slots fill up fast, especially
This restored 24' Blazer Bay center console is your ticket to productive morning fishing on Lake Tawakoni's prime catfish and bass waters. Built in 2012 and completely refreshed in 2021, she's powered by a robust 350HP Yamaha that'll get you to the honey holes fast, cruising at up to 45 knots when conditions allow. The boat's equipped with everything serious anglers need - a quality fish finder to locate structure and schools, GPS navigation to mark your best spots, and a wireless trolling motor for stealthy approaches in shallow cover where big bass like to hide. The multimedia system keeps things entertaining during longer runs between fishing areas. With space for up to 6 anglers total but capped at 2 guests for this trip, you'll have plenty of room to work the water without bumping elbows. The center console layout gives everyone easy access to the action whether you're casting for largemouth around fallen timber or anchoring up with cut bait for channel cats. Perfect setup for Lake Tawakoni's diverse fishery.
Paralabrax NebuliferBarred Sand Bass aren't typically found in Lake Tawakoni since they're a Southern California saltwater species. These coastal fish prefer sandy bottoms near rocky structure in 60-100 feet of water along the Pacific. They average 10-14 inches but can reach over 20 inches. May through October is prime season when they school up and become aggressive feeders, especially during evening hours and full moon periods. What makes them popular is their willingness to bite almost anything - live squid, anchovies, or plastic lures all work well. They fight harder than their size suggests and make decent table fare. Since this is a freshwater lake trip, you won't encounter these particular fish here. Instead, focus on our local bass species like White Bass and Striped Bass which offer similar exciting action and are perfectly suited to our Texas waters.
Ictalurus PunctatusChannel Catfish are reliable fighters that average 2-5 pounds, but don't be surprised when a 15-20 pounder grabs your bait. These whiskered fish love deeper holes, creek channels, and areas with cover like fallen timber or rock piles. They feed year-round but really turn on during warmer months, especially at night when they move shallow to hunt. What keeps folks coming back is their steady bite and excellent eating - firm, white meat that's perfect fried or grilled. They're not picky eaters, taking everything from nightcrawlers to cut bait and stinkbait. The key is getting your offering down to the bottom where they're rooting around. Here's something most people don't know: these fish have taste buds all over their body, so don't be afraid to let them mouth the bait for a few seconds before setting the hook. That extra moment makes all the difference.
Morone SaxatilisStriped Bass are the prize fish here, typically running 20-40 pounds with some real giants pushing 50-plus. These powerful fish love structure - rocky points, submerged timber, and drop-offs where they ambush baitfish. Spring and fall are prime times when they're most active, especially during low-light periods at dawn and dusk. What draws anglers back is their incredible fight - they'll make long runs and test your drag system. Plus, the meat is outstanding with a sweet, firm texture that's hard to beat. These fish are smart and can be picky, so matching the hatch with your bait size matters. Here's a local trick: when you're fishing deeper structure, let your bait sink to the bottom, then slowly work it back up through the water column. Stripers often hit on the fall or as you're lifting the bait off the bottom.
Morone ChrysopsWhite Bass are scrappy fighters that run 10-12 inches on average, though some push 18 inches. These silvery fish with dark horizontal stripes love to school up in open water and around structure like points and drop-offs. They're most active during spring spawning runs and again in fall when water temps cool. You'll find them cruising mid-depth during the day, then moving shallow at dawn and dusk to feed. What makes them special is their aggressive nature - when you find one, there's usually a whole school nearby. They bite fast and fight hard for their size, plus they make excellent table fare with sweet, flaky meat. My tip: when you locate a school, work quickly with small jigs or spoons because they can disappear as fast as they showed up. Watch for birds diving or surface activity - that's your signal to get over there fast.
5.0 out of 5.0Jay worked hard on a tough day to put our group on the fish and made it a successful outing.
We had a great time, the lake was flooded and conditions were far from perfect… but Jason and Debbie went ABOVE and beyond to help...
Awesome captain. Great knowledge of the fishing we were doing and the lake. Got tips during the day from other guides. all trying ...
Our captain Tyler put us on the spot all day, even answered a million questions from my nephew, and we never had a Chance to not h...
Our guide Tyler was exceptional. he went above and beyond with our group. Tyer will have a story to tell future groups he takes ou...
Captain Mike got us on a good run of fish after a slow start. He kept calling others and checking the best spots until we hit the...
We had a great time on our trip! The crew was very attentive to our needs and made it fun for us. We highly recommend using them f...
Texas