Licensed & Professional Striper Guide Service
Lake Texoma Fishing Report
May 20, 2013...This past week has been busy for me, and each day a new adventure. Fish are everywhere, but you have to find the ones feeding. I am using live bait, the choice of stripers, and getting limits each day. I did struggle a little yesterday, May 18, with 25-30 mph winds. I got my customers good fish, topped off with some real big fish. Conditions other than the high winds, I usually always get good fish, and a limit for each customer,so figure that is my job, right. I have a nice boat, well maintained, safe for all ages, with the best equipment money can buy. I keep my boat in a slip, which is easy accessible, just step from the dock into the boat. I have a "T" top, which provides some shade on those hot days. My website www.striperfish makes it easy to view all facets of my business. I am a certified sixpack, boat captain, certified by the US Coast Guard. I also have a gift of gab, sometimes comical, keeping the atmosphere fun, instead of business like. I clean, remove red meat and bag your fish, all while you sit and relax in my boat slip. There is also other fish under my slip, catfish, brim, crappie, which you can fish for, while I clean fish. Think once you use my service, you will return time and time again. There is lodging available, of your choice, with moderate rates. I also furnish gift certificates upon request. I can handle large groups, and handicap customers. Anyway, good fishing "JD".
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May 11 and 12, 2013...Two completely different days, with a double, morning and evening trip, 11th. Only thing I can say is they are the same, but I get more rest on a one trip day, Caught lots of big fish, but did not reach 40 fish limit. 12th, I say what is suppose to happen during May, with a limit of fish by 9:30a, with big fish at 10 lbs, with a 7 and 5, and all quality fish, They are still full of milk and eggs, I did try to make my wife realize, it was a good day fishing, but a bad day in that it was mothers day, and I missed church. The water temp was 62.5 and I caught all my fish near the Oklahoma side, with live bait. Bait is easy to get, if you can get up at 3 and throw a cast net, have a boat, count, and like lots of coffee. Otherwise, call me, I have a few days left the last two weeks of May, and June booking fast. I am pretty proud of myself as far as the fishing goes, with all the variables in the weather, I have provided fish, good size, and lots of fun for my customers. I am good, but my lord and savior deserves all the credit. Good Fishing......JD
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May 9, 2013...Since I have been guiding since 1994, I have never seen the type of weather we have been having on Lake Texoma. It makes a difference in fishing techniques, as well as the patterns of the stripers. Even though we are getting limits, it has been taking a full trip, almost 6 hours, to get a limit of quality stripers, or at least over 40 fish. One day is entirely different than the other, and there is no way that someone will end up in the same fishing hole, catching the type fish, they so desire. This is really beneficial to the one booking the trip as they get a full day, with a good variety of 18-19 inch fish, with an occasional 10-12 pound fish. This is the way it is at least with live bait, which is the method I use, as bait is the primary food (shad) for stripers. Those using artificial might get some bigger fish, but not the box of fish as comes with live bait. That's sort of the way, the cooler spring days have turned out, but the warmer it gets, the more likelihood of top water action. I love artificial fishing, I do not have to get up at 3am, and throw for bait. That is the biggest advantage between the two. My trips have all been good, with the occasional high winds days, which forces the rock and roll of the waters. Even then we have stuck it out and got our fish. 10 boat trip today, some did very good, and some struggled, but that's fishing. Usually this time of year it is a no brainer, either way you fish, but cold has changed that to a degree. As I always say, where ever you go, it does not get any better than this lake, under any conditions. It is a lake 88,000 acres, filled bank to bank with stripers. All we have to do is find which bank. Good Fishing "J.D.".
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April 29, 2013…Boy, it sure seems I get behind with my website, when I get busy with guided trips, but both go together. I had a call while on the lake from a potential customer who was curious about my spring break comment on not re-fishing trips during this time, and if the fishing was still poor. It is not that the fishing has been poor, the weather/wind cause havoc during this period and I do not have control of it, to prevent bad days fishing, is the reason for that decision. You can bet on one thing as far as Lake Texoma, if you going to fish anywhere near this area, this lake is the best. A recent survey on the lake by Oklahoma and Texas has come up with the following:
Fishing Forecast: Anglers can expect excellent fishing in 2013. A great mode of box fish is present and is anchored by several year classes of mature fish. Recent winter fishing has been tremendous as these large fish have been eager to feed. Also, the shad population is in great shape and will be spawning in May.
I can attest to great fishing by almost all my trips in April, even though hampered by still cold weather and winds. The water temperature of the lake, surface, changes naturally in different areas, but hold average of around 61 degrees. The water is clean and nice even though a warning has been put out on the blue-green algae again, which was a joke the last time we went through with such warnings, and feel it is again. Our local authorities will handle this situation again, to avoid millions of lost dollars in lake revenue because of this warning. We will assure you we will take every means to protect you, whether it the water itself or boating/fishing. I will have to make a new requirement on my services, as recently I was of the opinion I would have 4 people on a booking and 2 showed up. I get up as early as 3am, to get live shad for the trips, and gather that bait on the basis of how many will be fishing that day. If I am not told beforehand, (to keep from throwing that heavy cast net for more bait at 3am) I will heretofore charge a surcharge. It is very important to me, to know exactly how much bait I will need, prior to the trip. Hope you understand. Fishing has been getting increasingly better each warm day we have, and will do so, the rest of the year. Most of my weekends are gone in May, except the 5th, 12th, 25th and 26th. Weekdays better, less traffic. You need a Lake Texoma fishing license, $12 almost anywhere, unless you are over 65. I have been doing this guiding on Texoma for 19 years, backed by having a nice big off shore boat, which is clean, and Coast Guard certified, required by guides on this lake. I love fishing children, and although they are charged full price, by taking a space and a limit of fish, I help build life time memories for years to come. Enjoy the latest pictures, and if I left anyone out, it's because I don't like you, not really, just kidding, missed it by mistake, As my navy days, anchor away boys (now girls too I guess) "JD".
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April 1, 2013...Glad to report I had a customer pull in 36 lb. striper this day, and he is having it mounted. APRIL FOOLS. Well glad March is over, as things have been getting better, especially the weather. I had decided with the striper taking their time biting, I would put out some jug lines. This is where I have jug lines out and we run them while heading out to fish for stripers, then back and forth until we have a good combination of both stripers and catfish. Catfish brought in today was 25 lbs., and it should be good like this until it gets real hot. Biggest stripers sorry to say was only 7 lbs., but they are all fat, and healthy. I had to reschedule three trips because of the stripers being out to lunch, or rather in a spawning. This will be over soon, as the water temperature is 55, edging upward, and by the time it reaches 60 degrees, it's time for stripers to be back and hungry. I have almost booked all my weekends, but one, in April, I have several days open during the week. It's time for light clothing and lots of sun tan oil. I am leaving from boat house 14 at Little Mineral Marina, 7:30 now, will fish for 6 hours or until we get a limit, (10 fish per person) I am somewhat less expensive than most guides, but a lot lot prettier. (just kidding) Any way it's time to get those kiddos up, and head the family down to the best fishing at the Striper Capital of the World. FISHING LAKE TEXOMA, sort of has a ring to it, don't it. Hope to hear from you soon, "JD"
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March 9, 2013...The fishing has been tough with the winds of March. It looks like I will have to change my policy regarding re fishing a trip, if
it turns out to be a bad fishing day, January to April. The early part of the year, when it is still cold, the water temperatures are still in the 40's. It is a good time to catch big fish, but most my time has been looking for some places out of the winds. The gas prices on the lake are extremely high, and I am burning lots of fuel to get to where I need to be, just to be confronted with high winds, and a good place with fish. I have done this for 20 years, and March is the hardest time, with spring break, lots of people eager to fish, but confronted with too many obstacles, most of the time, to do any good. I will therefore limit April-December the time I will re fish the trips, if we do not get fish, as I work hard and run a long ways, just to be burdened with winds, etc., poor days fishing. March is also a month with lots of fog. I work hard to show you a great time, and catch fish, but March days, you never know when you can fish, or if you have a decent chance to get to where you need to be. So far two drift socks, has not slowed me enough to catch fish. If I am on the North end of the lake, I should have been on the West, where ever I can get, but if I could predict the weather, I would probably be a rare commodity, if I got it right. If you have time to re book, when the weather is better, it would be in your best interest to do so, rather than have a poor, cold windy day on a lake with 88,000 acres of water. This is the greatest lake to fish for stripers, but in all reality, some days the fish are just not going to bite. If they do not April-December, and I feel it was in some way my fault, I will re fish for you at a later time. I have a big investment in a nice big boat, with all the fishing equipment, but
that does not guarantee catching fish on cold hard days. If you are a true fisherman, you will understand, as you probably witnessed it yourself. Do I sound, frustrated? I do get that way, when the weather interferes with my charters. Another complaint on Lake Texoma, is catching fish too fast! All I can say, is you should have come in March. Hope I have not scared you off, Good Fishing.....JD
February 22, 2013...I thought last year was so good, and kept me busy, but this years bookings are out of site. God is Good, all the time. I guess it has paid off, going the extra mile, insuring that my boat is always clean and all equipment is in good working condition, not to mention arranging the best possible lodging accommodations for my guest, even to the point of putting champagne in rooms for special occasions. I have a great knowledge of the lake, having done it for 20 years, and go to extremes to make sure everyone catches fish, each trip. This year looks to be extraordinary in that the fish are huge, and hungry. Its good to have complaints that we just catch too fast, but its the law here, 10 fish, per person, 2 over 20 inches, and that when we quit. We do catch and release only to the point of not hurting the fish, but plan on getting on the fish, lots of action, lots of fun, and back to clean fish and rest. We are catching fish now, although they are a little sluggish because it is cold, but they are biting, and are big. Now dont think it is easy. I start at 3am, getting live bait, ready for your arrival, and we depart at sunup. Fish have a mind of their own, so sometimes it is slow, and they might not bite, but I guarantee results, and will refish it, if I have too. I want you to have fun, and to come again and again. This does not happen a lot, but it does happen about once a year. Not bad for fishing over 200 trips a year. Week days are better as not as much traffic on the water, but I know everyone has weekends off mostly, so weekends book fast. Get a head start now, and call before that date you wanted is gone, as I also guarantee that this lake is the best place to catch stripers, the reason it is called "The Striper Capital of the World". I handle lots of Company trips, large groups, and use only competent guides to assist me, those that are like me, coast guard approved, and competent. I also created, "Operation Welcome Home", a free fishing trip each year for 80 injured and disabled soldiers, assisted by others guides, VFW, American Legion, Elks, with numerous sponsor donations, towards.... transportation, lodging, food, fishing, and fun. Call me for that next fishing trip, you wont be sorry....."JD"
February 09, 2013...The last of 2012 was difficult, in that fish were easy to find and bring in a limit, but I have a real problem with my right shoulder. I have apparently torn the rota-tor cuff, and in physical therapy, with surgery a possibility. I figure if I can handle the repair of my nets, and all the other things tied into guiding, I can overcome the shoulder issue. I have just returned from my winter vacation, and starting to book some fishing trips, with old and some new customers. If shoulder surgery is necessary I will have to wait a time to recover, or work one handed. I am still booking guide trips, and hoping for the best. Big fish are running now, on artificial, and will be, until around the middle or March. Then its back to casting for live bait, and so on. Give me a call, I have plenty of good days still open, and you can expect big fish to run year round, as fish are showing up everywhere, in big schools on the depth/fish finder. Anyway, hope to hear from you soon......"JD"
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