Half Day Catfish & Party Island Adventure
Private Trip
Lakes/Reservoirs/Ponds Fishing
Fourhour combination catfish jugging and party island visitIncludes guide, gear, bait, fuel, and fish cleaning serviceAccommodates up to six guests on 25foot Shearwater boat
Captain Charles has put together something special on Lake Texoma – a laid-back fishing trip that combines the patience of jug line catfishing with the fun of Party Island. This isn't your typical grind-it-out fishing charter. You'll spend four hours on the water doing what locals have perfected for generations: setting jugs along the old river channels, then cruising down to one of Texas's most famous party spots for some beach time while your lines do the work. It's fishing the smart way, and you'll head home with a cooler full of fresh fillets and stories worth telling.
This trip starts with Captain Charles loading you onto his 25-foot Shearwater, which comes packed with all the modern electronics you need to find fish and navigate safely. The beauty of jug line fishing is that it lets the lake do most of the work while you enjoy the ride. You'll cruise out to proven catfish spots along the old river beds – these underwater channels are highways for hungry cats moving between deep holes and feeding flats. Charles knows exactly where to drop those five jug lines to give you the best shot at hooking into some serious fish. Once your jugs are working, you'll motor down to Party Island where you can soak up some sun, take a swim, or just relax on the beach while waiting for the cats to find your bait. The whole setup is perfect for families, first-time anglers, or anyone who wants to fish without standing over a rod for four straight hours.
Jug line fishing is an art form that's been perfected on Southern lakes like Texoma. Each jug gets rigged with a strong hook and the right bait to tempt catfish cruising those old river channels. The technique works because cats are always moving, especially along structure and drop-offs where the jugs get positioned. Captain Charles handles all the rigging, bait selection, and line management – your job is to enjoy the ride and help pull in the fish when those jugs start dancing. The 25-foot Shearwater gives you plenty of room to move around and comes equipped with fish finders and GPS to mark productive spots and navigate safely to Party Island. All your fishing gear, bait, and fuel are included in the rate, plus Charles will clean and bag your catch at the end of the trip so you can head home with restaurant-quality fillets ready for the freezer.
Channel Catfish are the bread and butter of Lake Texoma, and they're perfect for jug line fishing. These fish typically run 2-8 pounds, with plenty of 10+ pounders mixed in to keep things interesting. Channels are active year-round but really turn on during late spring and summer when they move into shallower water to spawn and feed aggressively. They're not picky eaters, which makes them ideal for this style of fishing, and they put up a solid fight when hooked. What anglers love most about channels is their consistency – you can count on them to bite, and they make excellent eating with firm, white meat that's perfect for frying or grilling.
Blue Catfish are the giants of Lake Texoma's catfish population, and landing one on jug lines is always a highlight of any trip. These fish can push 20-40 pounds or more, turning a relaxing day into an arm-burning battle. Blues prefer deeper water and stronger current, which is why those old river channel spots are so productive. They're most active during cooler months but can be caught year-round if you know where to look. The thrill of seeing a jug suddenly disappear or get dragged across the surface usually means a big blue has found your bait. They're incredible table fare too – that extra size means thick fillets that are perfect for blackening or making into fish tacos.
Flathead Catfish are the wildcards of this fishery, and they're what keep experienced catfish anglers coming back for more. Flatheads are predators that prefer live bait and structure-rich areas like those old river beds. They can grow massive – 30, 40, even 50+ pounds – and they fight like nothing else that swims in Lake Texoma. Summer nights are prime time for flatheads, but they'll bite during the day if conditions are right. What makes them special is their fighting ability and the pure excitement of not knowing what size fish you've hooked until it comes to the surface. Even smaller flatheads in the 5-10 pound range are scrappy fighters that'll give you a workout.
This half-day adventure gives you the best of both worlds – serious catfish action combined with the legendary Party Island experience that makes Lake Texoma famous. Captain Charles has designed this trip for everyone from hardcore anglers to families just wanting a fun day on the water. The jug line approach means you're not tied to a fishing rod all day, and the island stop adds that perfect Texas lake vibe that keeps people coming back summer after summer. With space for up to three anglers per boat and options to coordinate multiple vessels for larger groups, this trip works whether you're planning a quiet family outing or a big group adventure. Give Captain Charles a call or text at (817) 506-1600 to check availability and get your spot locked in. Lake Texoma's catfish are biting, Party Island is waiting, and those fillets aren't going to catch themselves.
Your fishing platform for this Lake Texoma adventure is our freshly rebuilt 25' Shearwater Center Console - a serious fishing machine powered by a 300HP Yamaha that'll cruise at 55 knots when you need to cover water fast. This boat was completely rebuilt in 2025 and rigged specifically for these catfish and Party Island runs. The Lowrance electronics package will help us mark those underwater river channels where the big cats like to hang out, while the wireless trolling motor keeps things quiet when we're setting jug lines. There's plenty of icebox space for your drinks and snacks during the beach time at Party Island. The center console design gives everyone easy access to move around when we're checking lines or just enjoying the ride across the lake. With room for up to three anglers, you'll have space to fish comfortably without bumping elbows, plus the GPS keeps us on track between our jug line spots and the island.
Ictalurus FurcatusBlues are the giants of Lake Texoma's catfish world, regularly hitting 20-40 pounds with some monsters pushing 60+. They've got that slate-blue color and squared-off anal fin that sets them apart from channels. These bruisers hang out in the deeper river channels and love those holes where old creek beds meet the main lake. Spring through fall is prime time when they're actively feeding. What guests love most is the raw power - once hooked, blues make long runs and test your drag. The meat quality is top-notch too. Pro tip: when targeting blues, use bigger bait and heavier tackle than you think you need. These fish don't mess around.
Ictalurus PunctatusChannel cats are Lake Texoma's most reliable catfish, averaging 2-5 pounds with some pushing 20+ pounds. These olive-yellow fish have deeply forked tails and those trademark whiskers that help them hunt in murky water. They love the old river channels we target with our jug lines, especially during warmer months when they're most active. What makes them great for beginners is they're not picky eaters and put up a solid fight without being too overwhelming. The meat is excellent eating too - firm and mild. Here's a tip: when you see that jug start dancing, give it a minute before we check it. Channel cats like to mouth the bait first.
Pylodictis OlivarisFlatheads are the trophy hunters of our catfish trips, with their distinctive flat heads and yellow-brown coloring. These predators can reach 30-50 pounds and prefer live bait - they want something moving. You'll find them in the deeper holes and around timber structure where they ambush prey. Summer nights are prime time when they're most active. Guests love flatheads because they're the ultimate challenge - powerful fighters with superior table fare that's firmer and milder than other cats. The thrill of potentially hooking a 40-pounder keeps people coming back. My advice: if you hook into one, keep steady pressure and don't try to horse it up too fast.
Lake Texoma