Sunday on the lake

Sunday, May 25, I launched my little canoe from Kings River Park on Lake Houston to hunt for some catfish. Put the canoe in the water about 8 A.M. and headed for one of my favorite fishing spots. Along the way, met some fellows anchored up and fishing bulkheads for catfish. They'd been fishing since 4 A.M. with little luck. Flippantly, as we fishermen sometimes speak, I said that the catfish on L. Houston don't even wake up until noon.

Got to my fishing spot and anchored. But the wind was pretty heavy and waves rolling. After about 30 minutes, decided that was not the place to be. The wind was getting harder and, in the distance, I could see waves starting to white cap. I pulled anchor and went looking for a protected place to fish.

Wandered around a bit, checking lake depths with my depth finder, a handy device to have on a kyak or canoe used for lake fishing. Paddle into the W. Fork of the San Jacinto channel and landed on an island to answer the call of nature. Afterward, I looked around and decide this would be a good place to bank fish. I set out five rods baited with shad and bluegill.

It didn't take long before I had the first bite. Landed a pretty good size blue catfish. In quick secession, I landed 4 more, all nice ones. From 11 A.M. until 2 P.M., I caught 9 blues ranging from 13" to 24". By 2, I decided it was getting awfully hot...I had no shade...collected my rods and loaded up.

It was a nice productive day. By finding the place to bank fish, I avoided heavy Memorial weekend boat traffic, as well as a fight with the wind. The day shows that boats have a usefulness in fishing, but its not always fishing from them. Sometimes, its best, especially when fishing for catfish, the get out and fish from the bank. A boat provides the opportunity to do it from places where others aren't able to get to without one.

Memorial Day I fried up those catfish and we had a nice feast. My catch fed 6 adults and one little person. The meal was a pleasant end to the holiday.

Bluegill fishing on Toledo bend Resevoir

Spent Tuesday afternoon, May 20, fishing for bluegill, commonly called bream in the South, on Toledo Bend Reservoir located, for those who do not know, on the Sabine River, bordered by both Texas and Louisana. I fished out of Indian Mound Recreational Area, a Sabine National Forest facility. In three hours of fishing, caught 21. Most were in the 8-11 inch range, good eating size.

I fished from an Wenonah Sandpiper solo canoe, 13.5 ft. long. Though Toledo Bend is a large lake, with the attendant wind and wave problems associated with big water, there are lots of creeks and inlets made for fishing from and paddling canoesa and kayaks. Go if you can, you won't regret it.

large Tilapia