Fishing

STRIPER CAPITAL OF THE WORLD

Lake Texoma is known as the "Striper Capital of the World." This lake is one of the few reservoirs in the nation where striped bass reproduce naturally. Other popular species include largemouth and smallmouth bass, white bass, hybrid striped bass, white crappie, black crappie, channel catfish and blue catfish.

As a fishing enthusiast, I learned about Lake Texoma in 1992. Still employed at the time, I spent every weekend learning the techniques of catching bait early in the mornings, how to keep it alive and finding the elusive striped bass at various locations on the lake. There are certainly other methods other than bait, but shad is the primary food of the striper. It didn’t take long before I could no longer stand it, so I took an early retirement to go to work as a striper guide. My first trip was in 1994 in Oklahoma. I have marveled over the years at the vast population and reproduction of the striper. When I started guiding, I was told there were about 350 guides on the lake making a living fishing. It is one of the few occupations, where one can make a living, doing what they love the most. The initial cost to get started is staggering if you have a very nice boat as well as all the equipment needed in this craft. If you figured the pay per hour, you really don’t make that much money, but if you consider it is something you love to be doing, then it is well worth it.

Just think, this beautiful lake, surrounded by marinas full of boats, cabins, places to eat, camping sites, businesses, anything you could want, and a lake abundantly filled with fish. Lake Texoma is also thought to be the "Playground of the Southwest”. Overnight accommodations, boat rental, slip rental and supplies are available at many of the commercial concessions located adjacent to the lake. It is situated in the middle of the Red and Washita Rivers dividing Texas and Oklahoma, with beautiful real estate, surrounding it, and abundantly filled with fish. What more could a person ask for if he was going to go fishing.

Since I have moved to the Texas side in 2003, I have learned, yep its right, everything is bigger, even the fish. Pottsboro, Texas, has all you could ask for, with its body of land extending into the lake on a peninsula in the center of Lake Texoma. Guide prices for fishing will vary, but one thing you don’t want to employ is a guide who is not Coast Guard Certified, which is a requirement on this lake. You can fish on this lake year round, but I prefer the warmer months myself. They mentioned blue-green algae was a problem last year: it is no longer an issue and the lake is open. If you don’t like to fish, there are lots of other things to do here, even chase a little white ball around a course or two, check out some shops, look for real estate investments, visit one of our fine restaurants or churches, and if I am not doing this, you’ll find me on the water, fishing.

Written by Jerry Dorsey,
Cross Creek Guide Service

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