Catfish & Crappie Fishing with Capt. Tim
Private Trip
Lakes/Reservoirs/Ponds Fishing
Six-hour guided fishing trip targeting stripers, catfish, and crappieBeginner-friendly instruction with all fishing gear provided by captainSmall group experience with maximum capacity of two guests
Ready to spend a solid 6 hours on one of Oklahoma's top fishing destinations? This extended half-day trip with Capt. Tim is built for folks who want to learn the ropes without feeling rushed. Lake Texoma's massive 89,000 acres give us plenty of room to find where the fish are biting, and with just 2 anglers max, you'll get the kind of personal attention that makes all the difference. We'll start with some aggressive Striped Bass action, then switch gears to target the abundant Crappie population and hard-fighting Catfish that make this lake famous. All your gear's covered, so just grab your fishing license and get ready to put some serious bends in your rod.
This isn't your typical rushed fishing charter where you're checking your watch. Six hours gives us time to really dial in on what's working and adjust our approach as conditions change throughout the day. We'll launch early when the fish are most active, working the deeper channels where Stripers school up before moving to the shallow structure where Crappie love to hang out. Capt. Tim knows exactly where the submerged timber and rocky points hold fish, and he's got the patience to walk you through every technique. After we hit our Striper limits – and trust me, we will – there's still plenty of time to fill the cooler with some tasty Crappie and maybe tangle with a few whisker fish. The beauty of Lake Texoma is the variety, so you'll never be sitting around waiting for a bite.
We'll be running multiple techniques depending on what the fish want that day. For Stripers, we'll start with live shad on Carolina rigs, working the thermocline where these guys cruise for baitfish. When the Crappie bite turns on, we'll switch to lighter tackle with jigs and minnows, targeting brush piles and standing timber in 12-20 feet of water. The Catfish setup is where things get fun – we'll use circle hooks with cut bait and let these bottom dwellers come to us while we work other species. All rods, reels, tackle, and bait are provided, so you don't need to worry about bringing anything except your enthusiasm to learn. Capt. Tim runs quality gear that can handle whatever Lake Texoma throws at us, from 2-pound Crappie to 20-pound Stripers.
Crappie are the bread and butter of Lake Texoma, and for good reason. These slab-sided panfish average 10-14 inches here, with plenty of fish pushing over a pound during peak season. Spring and fall are prime time when they move shallow to spawn or feed up for winter, but summer fishing stays consistent around deeper structure. What makes Crappie special is their light bite – you'll learn to feel the subtle tap-tap that signals a fish, and the fight on light tackle is pure fun. Plus, they're hands-down the best eating fish in the lake when you know how to fillet them right.
Striped Bass are the lake's claim to fame, and once you hook into a school, you'll understand why anglers travel from across the country to fish here. These silver rockets average 3-8 pounds but can push well into the teens, especially during the cooler months. They're schooling fish, so when you find one, there's usually a dozen more underneath. The bite is typically best early morning and late afternoon when they're chasing shad in open water. What makes Stripers addictive is their aggressive strike and powerful runs – they'll test your drag and your arms.
Channel Catfish in Lake Texoma are consistent year-round producers, with most fish running 2-8 pounds. These whiskered fighters are most active during warmer months and provide steady action when other species slow down. They're not picky eaters, hitting everything from cut shad to prepared baits, making them perfect for beginners learning to read their rods. The fight is different from other species – more of a bulldog battle than explosive runs.
Blue Catfish are the bruisers of the bunch, often weighing 10-30 pounds with monsters pushing even bigger. These deep-water specialists prefer main lake points and channels, especially during summer when they follow the thermocline. They're less common than Channels but when you hook one, you'll know it immediately. The sustained power of a big Blue will have you questioning your tackle and technique.
Flathead Catfish are the apex predators, preferring live bait and structure-rich areas. These solitary hunters can exceed 40 pounds and provide some of the most memorable fights on the lake. They're more active at night, but we occasionally connect with them during daylight hours when targeting other species around heavy cover. Landing a quality Flathead is a badge of honor that serious Catfish anglers chase for years.
Lake Texoma's reputation as a world-class multi-species fishery isn't an accident – it's the result of excellent habitat, good management, and guides like Capt. Tim who know how to put you on fish. This 6-hour format gives beginners the time they need to really learn without feeling pressured, while still providing enough action to keep things exciting. With all gear provided and a patient instructor who genuinely wants you to succeed, this trip sets you up for a lifetime of fishing success. The lake's fishing stays consistent year-round, but the best dates fill up fast, especially during prime seasons. Don't wait until the week you want to fish – book now and secure your spot for what could be the fishing trip that gets you hooked for life.
Meet The Falcon, your ticket to a great day of fishing on Lake Texoma's productive waters. This restored 1989 dual console boat runs strong with its reliable 225HP Chevrolet engine, cruising smoothly at 35 knots to get you to the best fishing spots fast. Captain Tim knows these waters inside and out, and with the onboard GPS and fish finder, you'll spend more time with your line in the water and less time searching for fish. The boat's icebox keeps your drinks cold and your catch fresh, while the onboard facilities including a bed and restroom make those extended 6-hour trips comfortable. Whether you're targeting hard-fighting stripers, tasty catfish, or steady-biting crappie, The Falcon gives you a stable platform to learn proper techniques and land quality fish. Perfect for up to 2 anglers who want patient instruction and plenty of action on one of Texas's premier fishing lakes.
Ictalurus FurcatusBlue cats are the giants of Texoma, regularly hitting 20-40 pounds with monsters over 60 pounds lurking in the depths. These slate-blue bruisers have a squared-off anal fin and love deeper water near the main lake channels. They're active year-round but really shine in summer when they follow the thermocline. What makes blues special is their incredible size and fighting power - they'll test every piece of your tackle. They're also excellent eating, surprisingly mild for such large fish. These opportunistic feeders will hit cut bait, live bait, or whatever's available. The main channels and deep creek mouths in 25-50 feet are prime spots. My best tip is to use heavy tackle and fresh-cut skipjack or shad on the bottom during summer nights when they're most active feeding.
Ictalurus PunctatusChannel cats are reliable fighters that run anywhere from 2-15 pounds in Texoma, with some real bruisers pushing 20-30 pounds. These whiskered bottom-dwellers have smooth, slippery skin and sharp pectoral fins, so handle with care. You'll find them in deeper holes, around structure, and near creek channels where they cruise looking for food. They bite year-round but really turn on during warmer months, especially at night. What makes channel cats special is their willingness to bite when other species are finicky - they're the perfect backup plan. They also make excellent eating with mild, flaky meat. The secret here on Texoma is using fresh-cut shad on the bottom near creek bends in 15-25 feet of water. Their sense of smell is amazing, so let that bait sit and wait for them to find it.
Pomoxis NigromaculatusCrappie run 7-12 inches and typically weigh around half a pound, making them perfect for beginners and kids. You'll find both black and white crappie in Lake Texoma - the blacks have random speckles while whites show vertical bars. These fish love hanging around structure like fallen trees, brush piles, and deeper creek channels during most of the year. Spring and fall are prime time when they move shallow to spawn or feed actively. What makes crappie fishing so enjoyable is the steady action - when you find one, there's usually a school nearby. They're also some of the best eating fish in the lake with sweet, flaky white meat. My go-to tip for Texoma crappie is to fish small jigs around the timber in 8-15 feet of water, especially during low-light periods when they're most active.
Pylodictis OlivarisFlatheads are the apex predators of Texoma's catfish world, growing 20-50 pounds with true giants reaching 60-80 pounds. You can spot them by their flat, wide head and olive-yellow coloring with dark mottling. Unlike other cats, these guys want live bait - they're active hunters that prefer their meals squirming. Find them around deep timber, rock piles, and undercut banks in 10-30 feet of water. Summer nights are prime time when they move shallow to hunt. What makes flatheads special is their superior meat quality - firmer and milder than other catfish. Plus, catching a big one is a true trophy experience. The fight is powerful but different, more like wrestling a log. Here's the key: use live perch, bluegill, or small channel cats on a strong circle hook. Fish right on the bottom near heavy cover and be patient.
Morone SaxatilisStriped bass are the main attraction here on Texoma, with fish commonly running 3-8 pounds and the bigger ones pushing 15-20 pounds or more. These silver beauties with distinct dark stripes pack serious power and will test your drag system. You'll find them roaming open water chasing shad schools, often near points, humps, and creek mouths in 15-40 feet of water. Spring through fall offers the best action, especially early morning and evening when they're feeding aggressively on the surface. What guests love most is the hard fight - stripers make long runs and really bend the rod. Plus, they're excellent table fare with firm, white meat. The key trick I share is watching for birds diving on baitfish - that's where the stripers are feeding underneath. When you see that action, get there fast and throw everything you've got at them.
Pottsboro