Beginner Catfish & Crappie Trip - Lake Texoma
Private Trip
Lakes/Reservoirs/Ponds Fishing
Sixhour guided fishing trip targeting striped bass, catfish, and crappieBeginnerfriendly instruction with all fishing gear and equipment providedSmall group experience limited to two guests maximum
Looking to spend some quality time on the water without the pressure? This 6-hour fishing adventure with Captain Tim on Lake Texoma is exactly what you need. We're talking about a laid-back day where you'll learn the ropes while targeting some of the lake's best eating fish - catfish and crappie - plus getting shots at those famous Lake Texoma stripers. Tim's got the patience of a saint and knows these waters like the back of his hand, so whether you've never held a rod or just want to get back into fishing, you're in good hands. The boat holds just two anglers, so you'll get plenty of personal attention and won't feel rushed or crowded.
Captain Tim runs a top-rated operation that focuses on making sure everyone has a blast, regardless of skill level. You'll start the day targeting those hard-fighting striped bass that Lake Texoma is famous for - these fish will give you a workout and put a huge smile on your face. Once you hit your striper limit (and trust me, Tim knows where to find them), the day shifts to crappie fishing for steady action and a cooler full of excellent table fare. The beauty of this extended half-day trip is there's no rushing around - plenty of time to learn proper techniques, ask questions, and really get comfortable with different fishing methods. Tim provides all the gear, so you just need to bring your Texas fishing license and be ready to have some fun. The boat is equipped with everything from rods and reels to tackle and nets, plus Tim knows exactly what the fish are biting on each day.
This trip is all about learning the fundamentals while catching fish. For stripers, you'll likely be using live bait or working lures around structure - Tim will show you how to read your electronics and understand what you're seeing down below. When we switch to crappie, expect to learn about jigging techniques and how to work those brush piles where crappie love to hang out. Tim's patient teaching style means you'll pick up on things like setting the hook properly, playing fish without losing them, and reading water conditions. The catfish action usually involves bottom fishing with the right baits in productive spots - Tim knows where these whisker fish like to feed and will put you on them. You'll get hands-on experience with different rod actions and learn why certain techniques work better for specific species. By the end of the day, you'll have a solid foundation in multiple fishing methods that you can use anywhere.
Striped Bass are the crown jewel of Lake Texoma, and these fish don't mess around. They'll typically run anywhere from 3-10 pounds, with bigger ones always possible. Spring through fall offers the best action, and they're known for their incredible fights - long runs and head-shaking jumps that'll get your adrenaline pumping. Tim knows their seasonal patterns and where they school up, making your chances of connecting with quality fish much higher than fishing on your own.
Crappie fishing on Texoma is world-class, especially during spring spawns and fall feeding periods. These slab-sided beauties run from 10-14 inches typically, with some real slabs pushing bigger. They're excellent eating and provide consistent action once you locate schools. Crappie love structure - brush piles, creek channels, and drop-offs - and Tim has years of waypoints marking productive spots. They're also great for beginners because they fight hard enough to be fun but aren't overwhelming.
Channel Catfish are abundant year-round and perfect for anglers wanting to learn bottom fishing techniques. These fish typically range from 2-8 pounds and are known for their strong, steady fights. They're most active during warmer months but can be caught throughout the year. What makes them special is they're fairly predictable - find the right structure and bait, and you'll usually get bit.
Blue Catfish are the heavyweights of the catfish world in Texoma. These bruisers can push 20+ pounds and provide serious battles on medium-heavy tackle. They prefer deeper water and main lake structures, making them a bit more challenging but incredibly rewarding when you hook into one. Late spring through early fall typically produces the best blue cat action.
Flathead Catfish are the ultimate predators in the lake. These fish can grow massive - 30, 40, even 50+ pounds - and they're absolutely thrilling to catch. They're primarily night feeders and prefer live bait, making them a specialty target. When you hook a big flathead, you'll know it immediately - they fight like nothing else in the lake and will test every bit of your tackle and technique.
This customer-favorite trip fills up fast, especially during prime fishing seasons. Tim's reputation for putting beginners on fish while teaching proper techniques has made this one of the most sought-after trips on Lake Texoma. Six hours gives you plenty of time to learn, catch fish, and really enjoy being on the water without feeling rushed. Whether you're looking to get into fishing, want to learn new techniques, or just need a relaxing day catching some dinner, this trip delivers exactly what you're after. The small group size means personalized attention, and Tim's laid-back approach keeps things fun and educational. Don't wait too long to secure your dates - the best fishing days book up weeks in advance, and you don't want to miss out on what could be your new favorite way to spend a day on beautiful Lake Texoma.
Meet The Falcon, your fishing platform for chasing catfish and crappie on Lake Texoma. This dual console motorboat got a complete makeover in 2020, bringing together classic 1989 bones with modern fishing tech. The 225HP Chevrolet engine pushes you across the lake at a solid 35 knots, getting you to the fish fast and back to the dock comfortable. Captain Tim keeps this rig equipped with GPS and fish finder tech to locate those productive spots where catfish hang deep and crappie school up. The icebox keeps your drinks cold during those long summer afternoons, while the onboard toilet means no cutting trips short. There's even a bed for anyone who needs a break between bites. The boat handles two anglers with room to move around and work different techniques. Wheelchair accessible design means everyone gets a shot at Lake Texoma's fish. Whether you're learning to read the fish finder or perfecting your catfish presentation, The Falcon gives you a stable, well-equipped base for a proper day on the water.
Ictalurus FurcatusBlue catfish are the giants of Lake Texoma's catfish world, regularly hitting 20-50+ pounds. These slate-blue bruisers are built for battle with their massive heads and powerful bodies. Look for them in the deeper main lake areas, channels, and river bends where they patrol the bottom hunting everything from shad to crawfish. They prefer deeper, cooler water but will move shallow to feed. Summer through early fall provides peak action, especially during low-light periods. What draws anglers to blues is their incredible size and strength - a 30-pound blue will give you a workout you won't forget. They're also excellent eating despite their size. The key difference from channels is their squared-off anal fin and bigger head. My go-to method: fresh-cut skipjack or shad on a Carolina rig in 25-40 feet near drop-offs where they ambush baitfish.
Ictalurus PunctatusChannel catfish are perfect for anglers wanting steady action and great table fare. These whiskered fighters typically run 2-8 pounds in Lake Texoma, though we catch some pushing 15+ pounds. They've got that classic forked tail and smooth, scaleless body covered in slime. You'll find them in deeper holes, creek channels, and around structure where they use those sensitive barbels to hunt by smell and taste. They bite best during warmer months, especially at night, but we catch them year-round. What makes channel cats special is they're always hungry and put up a solid fight, plus their mild, sweet meat makes excellent eating. They're also great for beginners since they're forgiving on the hookset. Local secret: fresh-cut shad or chicken liver on the bottom near creek bends usually produces the most consistent action.
Pomoxis NigromaculatusCrappie are some of the most reliable fish in Lake Texoma, running 7-12 inches and weighing up to a pound. You'll find both white and black crappie here - whites have vertical bars, blacks are speckled all over. They love hanging around submerged structure, fallen trees, and brush piles in 8-20 feet of water. Spring spawning season is prime time when they move shallow, but they bite year-round. What makes crappie special is their sweet, flaky white meat - some of the best eating fish in the lake. They travel in schools, so when you find one, there's usually more nearby. Here's a local tip: when fishing around structure, try dropping your jig straight down and barely jigging it - crappie have soft mouths and often just swim up and suck it in.
Pylodictis OlivarisFlathead catfish are the apex predators of Lake Texoma's catfish family, reaching 3-4 feet and 40-80+ pounds. These olive-colored monsters have that distinctive flat head and slightly notched tail that sets them apart from other cats. They're ambush hunters that prefer deep pools, creek mouths, and areas with plenty of cover like fallen trees or rock piles. Unlike other catfish, flatheads want live bait - they're picky eaters that prefer their meals squirming. Spring through summer nights are prime time when they move shallow to hunt. Anglers target them for the trophy potential and superior meat quality - many consider flathead the best-eating catfish. They're also incredibly strong fighters that can strip drag for minutes. Here's the trick: use live bluegill or small channel cats on heavy tackle near deep cover at dusk.
Morone SaxatilisStriped Bass are the main attraction here on Lake Texoma, and for good reason. These silver powerhouses average 20-40 pounds but can push 50+ pounds, making them serious fighters that'll test your gear. You can spot them by those distinctive black stripes running down their sides. They're structure-oriented fish, so we target them around points, humps, and creek channels in 20-40 feet of water. Spring through fall offers the best action, especially early morning and late evening when they push baitfish to the surface. What guests love most is the raw power - these fish make blistering runs and fight hard to the boat. Plus, they're excellent eating with firm, white meat. Pro tip: watch for birds diving on surface activity - that's usually stripers busting shad, and that's when the action gets fast.
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