Twice a month, OklahomaFishingGuides.com awards free lures, tackle and bait to lucky fishing report subscribers. In addition, once a quarter a lucky subscriber also wins an Original Readi-Lure tackle box from Tackle Tech.
This week’s winner is Matt from Fort Sill, Oklahoma. Matt
will receive an assortment of lures, bait and tackle valued up to $150.00, from:
The fishing at Grand Lake will be getting even better in the near future now that the Oklahoma Department of Wildlife Conservation has stocked close to 104,000 striped bass hybrids in the huge eastern Oklahoma reservoir.
“Striped bass hybrids prefer open water habitats, feed in schools and travel long distances following shad, their main staple,” said Jim Burroughs, northeast regions fisheries supervisor for the Wildlife Department. “The forage base is large enough to support the striped bass hybrids as well as other popular sport fish in Grand Lake.”
The hybrids were provided by the Wildlife Department, and Burroughs said it will not be too long before anglers could see these fish in their livewells. “These are fingerlings, meaning they will reach catchable size in about two years,” Burroughs said.
Grand Lake has been stocked in the past with striped bass hybrids – the hatchery-produced cross between the Oklahoma native white bass and the striped bass. This stocking of hybrids is the fifth in the last 10 years.
“We look forward to continued cooperation with the Grand River Dam Authority to improve fishing opportunities at Grand Lake,” Burroughs said.
As a sport fish, hybrids are well-known for their rapid growth and fighting ability and have reached weights of 18-20 pounds in Grand Lake When fishing lakes, productive baits for catching striped bass hybrids include live shad, topwater plugs, slabs, spoons and jigs.
For more information about striped bass hybrids, or for license and fishing regulations, log on to www.wildlifedepartment.com or consult the current “Oklahoma Fishing Guide.”
I had the opportunity to take some friends kids fishing at Lake Texoma during the Free Fishing Days and boy did we have fun! It was Zane’s first time striper fishing and TJ’s second time.
We were about 300 yards west of TI Point around 12:30pm when the bite kicked in. All 6 rods were going at once! We would reel them in, rebait, recast, and pow, another fish on.
When it was all said and done, there were stripers all over the floor of the boat and TJ had caught an 18 lb’er!
Send us your free fishing day pictures and stories for inclusion on Hawg Blawg.
Aspiring Pro Mike Diehl sends us this poignant reminder:
“There is a time and place for everything.”
I don’t know how many times as a child I heard this old saying but boy it sure rings true at the boat ramps. I don’t think I could even count the number of times I have tried to either put my boat in or take my boat out of the water and had to wait up to 25 minutes for someone to quit messing around on the launch ramp.
We are talking about boat ramp etiquette, the often lost art of getting the rig ready before parking the trailer in the middle of the ramp. The simple courtesy to preparing your boat off to the side in the parking lot instead of the middle of the ramp seems to be a thing of the past. This simple courtesy will not only prevent you from making others mad but will insure you yourself are not rushed and forget important things like the old drain plug.
Another problem that is just as bad is pulling your rig three feet from the water line and stopping right there to pack up and go home. If you need to drain the bilge or empty the wells, just simply pull the boat up and out and head for the parking lot.
No one wants to wait in the sun for there turn at the ramp but especially while someone is spending their time on the ramp either prepping there boat or going through all the steps to head home. Not only does this set the mood for a possible confrontation but it’s just plain rude to everyone.
Rest assured at the ramp that we all want the same things, to get the boat wet and the hooks wetter. Lets give each other a break and show each other that the fishermen and boaters are not only the friendliest people on the water but the same goes at the ramp.
Editor’s Note: Thanks for the words of wisdom Mike. And how true they are for everybody. Who knew that being considerate of others will get us on and off the water faster too!?!
The largemouth and spotted bass are hitting smooth spoons with red hooks in the flooded willows and grass patches. Limit reached in keeper bass in 12 minutes. Best time was 10:00AM to 11:AM for 4 mornings in a row.
Editor’s Note: Thanks for the report John! Sounds like you had a great time!! Got any pictures to share with us?
Readi-Lure Tackle Boxes, made by Tackle Tech, are the most unique, versatile tackle boxes on the market.
On the first Friday of March, June, September and December, four lucky fishing report subscribers will receive an original Readi-Lure Tackle Box! This quarter’s winner is Cory from Edmond, Oklahoma.
Want a chance to win a new tackle box? Sign up here!
Editor’s Note: Congratulations Cory and good luck with all your fishing adventures this year!
Twice a month, OklahomaFishingGuides.com awards free lures, tackle and bait to lucky fishing report subscribers. In addition, once a quarter a lucky subscriber also wins an Original Readi-Lure tackle box from Tackle Tech.
This week’s winner is McGill from Lawton, Oklahoma. McGill
will receive an assortment of lures, bait and tackle valued up to $150.00, from:
Have you procrastinated too long in making your plans for this holiday weekend? If so, you are in luck! Introducing the new Bear’s Glen Cabins at Lake Keystone.
Bear’s Glen Cabins are situated on 15 private acres with lake access via walking trails to Bear’s Glen Cove. Washington Irving South Recreation area is 7/10 mile from the cabins and has boat ramps, swimming beach, playground, camping areas and RV sites.
Twice a month, OklahomaFishingGuides.com awards free lures, tackle and bait to lucky fishing report subscribers. In addition, once a quarter a lucky subscriber also wins an Original Readi-Lure tackle box from Tackle Tech.
This week’s winner is James from Enid, Oklahoma. James will receive an assortment of lures, bait and tackle valued up to $150.00, from:
Anglers hoping to introduce someone to the sport of fishing this year have a chance to take them for free June 2-3.
Oklahoma’s Free Fishing Days allow people to fish without state fishing licenses or permits (including trout licenses and fishing and hunting legacy permits).
“These are some of the best days to take a newcomer or youth fishing with you,” said Damon Springer, aquatic education coordinator for the Oklahoma Department of Wildlife Conservation. “There’s no state fishing license requirements, so someone who has never been before can just wake up in the morning and head out for a fun day of fishing. And someone from out of state can come enjoy what Oklahoma’s waters have to offer without having to worry about license requirements.”
Fishing in Oklahoma normally requires a license and a fishing and hunting legacy permit, which are purchased from the Department at its offices or various sporting good vendors across the state. Anglers should also note that certain city permits may apply to specific fishing areas.
“License sales are one of the primary sources of funding for the Department,” said Barry Bolton, assistant chief of fisheries for the Wildlife Department. “Sportsmen pay for conservation projects when they buy a license. The Department’s Free Fishing Days can help us introduce new anglers and ensure that great fishing and habitat work will continue for years to come. There’s no excuse not to take someone fishing on June 2 and 3. The weather is great, the fishing is great and, best of all, it’s free.”
Oklahoma was the first state in the nation to offer free fishing days 25 years ago and has since been followed by dozens of other states that have established similar days.
Anglers should be aware of and abide by all Texas fishing license and permit requirements when fishing the Texas portion of Lake Texoma June 2-3. The Texas Free Fishing Day is June 2, so anglers will be able to fish both Texas and Oklahoma portions of the lake for free that day. On June 3, free fishing will only be allowed on the Oklahoma portion of the lake. Anglers must follow all other fishing regulations.
