Spring & Summer Fishing on Lake Texoma

The Striper Fishing can't get any better than it is right now, we are catching limits of Striped Bass on every fishing trip we take out and should through July and well into August. Don't miss out on the fun and the the rewarding feeling of being on the water and the fight of a Striper at the end of your fishing line time and time again.

Catch and Release Kills Stripers!

I am asked many times a year “when we catch our limit of stripers are we done”, I have always tried to explain the reasons why we shouldn't, and most people understand and agree that we have to protect the fisheries not only for my livelihood but for our children and their children to come.

A study has shown that recreational anglers may be killing over 1.3 million striped bass a year unintentionally, these are fish that are hooked in the mouth (not gut or gill hooked) and it’s due to the stress and trauma of the catch.

Research conducted at the Texas Tech Department of Range, Wildlife, and Fisheries Management published in the North American Journal of Fisheries Management their findings on hooking mortality of some 1,200 striped bass, a huge and quite meaningful sample size from fish caught and released from across the southern United States. They pulled information from previous hooking mortality studies done in North and South Carolina, Maryland, Tennessee, Oklahoma and Texas. The findings could have implications to striper fisheries across the country.

Dr. Gene Wilde led the research looking into how type of baits and water temperature affected the mortality rate of striped bass practicing catch and release. The study essentially asked: Are fish caught on live baits more susceptible to die from injury than one caught on artificial baits? And temperature, the warmer the water the worse for wears? Here's what Dr. Wilde and his team’s research found.

Regardless of bait type, 29 percent of striped bass caught and released died within three days. But compared between bait types, it was higher for fish caught on live baits, 42 percent. For artificial baits mortality was a much lower 25 percent.


But bait type alone didn't explain the variation. Water temperature figures prominently in whether fish will survive. Simply put, the warmer the water, the more likely a released striper is to perish, regardless of size. Water temperatures climbing into the 80s, nearly 70 percent of stripers caught on natural baits and 57 percent caught on artificial baits, perished.

According to Dr. Wilde, the exact implications of his findings to striper populations will vary from water to water, but to him, one thing is clear.
"Our results do call into question catch-and-release fishing, especially in summer," said Wilde. Catch and release is viewed as having little effect on populations, but when more than 30 percent of fish die, even in cooler water, I have a hard time justifying releasing fish.

This evidence is convincing to me and I hope it is for you. When and how you fish for stripers has a lasting impact on our fisheries. According to Wilde's research, we do have a choice. Go out, have fun, try to catch your limit, and come back another day to do it all over again.

Visit Stripers Galore Guide Service for more information.

Hush Puppy Recipe

You can't have fried fish without these babies.

(2 lb.) bag yellow cornmeal
1 c. flour
1 med. to large onion, finely chopped
1 egg
1 can beer
1 can creamed corn (optional)
Jalapeno peppers, chopped to taste, (optional)
Salt & black pepper to taste
Peanut oil (enough to deep fry the hush puppies)

Mix all ingredients. Drop by teaspoonsful into hot oil. Fry until floating on top of the oil and golden brown. If you are deep frying fish, try cooking them with the fish. The flavor is wonderful.

Get More Recipes

Sunday, January 14, 2007

Winter Striper Fishing

Winter fishing on Lake Texoma is very productive and a lot of fun. The problem is that most people won't brave the cool weather and get out of the house to have a little fun. There is a solution: 1.) You don't have to depart the marina at the crack of dawn, wait until mid morning for it to warm up a little. 2.) Dress in layers so as the day warms you can remove the extra clothing as needed. There are advantages to winter fishing on Lake Texoma: 1.) You don't have a hundred boats encroaching on your fishing hole scattering your schooling fish. 2.) Your chances of catching a Trophy Striper are considerably higher. 3.) You will most likely see our National Bird the Bald Eagle in the wild, there are several of pairs that winter at Lake Texoma. How many more reasons do you need? Visit http://www.catchstripers.com for more information and to book your winter fishing trip.

Stripers Galore - Lake Texoma Fishing Blog

Lake Texoma tops the list as one of the best striper fishing lakes in the world known as "Striper Capital of the World" with the most liberal catch limit in the United States, Lake Texoma is located along the Red River on the border between Texas and Oklahoma. Lake Texoma's location and environment make it one of the premier striper lakes in the world. With 89,000 acres of water and more than 580 miles of shoreline, Lake Texoma has an abundant population of shad which produce stripers in excess of 34 pounds. A professional guided striper fishing trip on Lake Texoma will be a memory you will not soon forget. Visit Stripers Galore @ http://www.catchstripers.com for more information on a guided fishing trip at Lake Texoma.

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