SoTxJoe Loc: Rockdale, Texas

Grew up in west Texas where fishing was an exotic and rare event. Lived in south Texas for 25 years surrounded by great fishing, but was too busy (and poor) to take up a new hobby. Retired and bought a place outside of town in a new area a couple of years ago about a half hour from Granger Lake. Bank fishing a couple of times a month, but have never caught more than seven catfish in a day; usually just one or two or none. Bought a kayak last week which should greatly increase my range, but i still don't know how to fish. Will take any advice anybody offers.

orion72 Loc: Southern Maryland

What type fish are you targeting?

SoTxJoe Loc: Rockdale, Texas

i'm hoping for crappie, bass, and catfish. i don't want to run at trotline, just poles. Been using chicken liver and hearts for catfish bait and have had some luck with bass using several different lures in a friend's pond, but never in a legit lake.

orion72 Loc: Southern Maryland

Three different fish, three different strategies. For bass you don’t need a ton of tackle. Grab a couple squarebill crankbaits, maybe a chatterbait or two, some wide gap hooks with worm weights and a small assortments of soft plastics. Frogs are good for heavy grass beds. Lots of manufacturers of every kind of bait out there. Most lure makers have videos online that will show why their lures are better than all the others (LOL) and will provide how-to instruction. Most importantly is TOW (time on water). You’ll learn what works and what doesn’t. Read about the changing conditions as the seasons change and how to adapt. Good luck. Hopefully those catfish and crappie fishermen will add some pointers.

SoTxJoe Loc: Rockdale, Texas

Thanks for the info. I'm going to try it ASAP. I'm afraid i've already amassed a ton of info on what doesn't work. Dying to collect any data at all on what does work. At my friend's pond, i've discovered that some things work better than others at particular times, and what worked last time may not work this time. For the lake, i ordered a portable fish finder. i'm hoping it helps and doesn't just expose me as an imposter wannabe fisherman.