The smallmouth bass fishing is getting good now with quality fish being caught on a consistent basis. In fact, all fishing is really good now with Bryce and his clients catching around 25 to 30 fish on average per day.
Editor’s Note: Thanks for the report Bryce. Book your next fishing trip with Bryce Archey by visiting his website at
Aspiring Pro Mike Diehl sent in the following tips on how to winterize your boat:
**Most manufacturers will advise to store the tanks full to ensure that there’s no condensation. Some of the smaller motors can have their fuel lines disconnected and run dry; this doesn’t eliminate all gas from the motor and can lead to gummed up carbs, etc., come Spring. Having stabilized gas throughout the motor ensures that gaskets don’t dry out and there’s no chance of the gas turning to varnish.
2. Run the motor for 10-15 minutes to ensure that stabilized gas is in all of the lines, carbs, etc. (I take mine for a run after stabilizing the gas; I want to make sure that I’ve used up all of the un-stabilized gas that was in the fuel line, etc., and that only stabilized gas is in the system.)
3. Before shutting the motor off, you will want to fog the engine by spraying a fogging oil (storage seal) into all of the carbs (or the EFI system).
**Check your owner’s manual for specific instructions on how to fog your particular engine. (Some of the newer engines are not to be fogged.) Follow the instructions on the can; you will want to have the motor smoking “big time”, this ensures that you have the engine properly fogged.
**Fogging oil puts a coating of oil on all of the cylinder walls and throughout the engine; it prevents rust from occuring during the winter storage months.
4. Remove the spark plugs and spray fogging oil into each of the plug holes. (About a 3-4 second spray in each.) Replace the spark plugs and disconnect your kill switch. Turn the motor over 3-4 times to distribute the oil into the cylinders.
**Not everyone does this step, but I figure that it’s extra insurance that the entire engine is well fogged. After the first run in the Spring you might want to consider putting in new spark plugs, don’t put in new ones in the Fall, they will just get “messed up” with the fogging oil.
5. Remove the prop and check for fishing line behind it. Grease the shaft and replace the prop.
**If you have any nicks or dings on the prop you might want to have it repaired during the winter when the “prop guys” aren’t too busy, rather than waiting until Spring.
6. Change the lower unit lube, (or at least check to ensure that there is no water present in the oil to ensure that it can’t freeze during the winter. If there’s water in the oil, it will be at the bottom and will come out first, or the lube will be a milky color which indicates water present.
8. Fill the oil tank(s) to the top to prevent condensation during the winter.
9. Remove all batteries and store them inside. Charge them about every 6 weeks or so to keep them “topped up”.
**You might want take the wires from each battery and put a cable tie (or piece of wire) through them to keep them in “sets” so that you know which ones go where come Spring. Label them as well, if need be.
10. Check to ensure that you don’t have any water in your livewells, bilge pumps, etc. If in doubt you might want to add some RV antifreeze to them.
11. To make sure that the water in your water pressure line doesn’t freeze during the winter and damage your gauge, you might want to disconnect the line and drain the water out.
12. Check your trailer tires to ensure that they are at the maximum tire pressure (probably 50#). Depending on where you store your trailer you might want to consider putting the trailer on blocks to keep it from sitting on the tires all winter.
13. Check the trailer hubs to see if they need grease added.
16. Make sure that you store your motor in the “down” position to ensure that all water has drained out.
Editor’s Note: Wheu! Thanks Mike. I’m sweaty and tired just thinking about it! Maybe I’ll just keep fishing through the winter and just wear heavier clothing.
Fishing is a little slow right now and with the cold fronts and wind pounding us at the moment. Bass are still being caught but the bite is slow. Try fishing spinner baits in about 8 foot of water. Hybrid are scattered and can be caught drifting jigs or on small spinners and crank bait. Crappie seems slow right now as they have not grouped up near brush piles or points yet. Not sure about the cat fishing, but I have not seen any jugs bouncing while on the lake.
Editor’s Note: Thanks for the report Mike! Great advice about the life preservers too…
For the last 3 weeks the birds have been all over the lake and the only thing you could catch was small fish. Well the fall blast has just began, at the mouth of Washita Point and Platter Flats the 4 to 6 pounders started surfacing under the birds. There was only one problem – 4 to 6 foot waves; we were soaked to the bone!
Try a rattle traps; blue and chrome, 1/2oz, and hang on! Now is a great time to take someone that has never seen fish feeding on the top.
Editor’s Note: Thanks for the report Frank. Sounds like you had loads of fun. And Frank is right. Hold on to your pole! Those topwater stripers hit so hard they can pull the rod right out of your hand!!
Editor’s Note: Thank for the picture and report Mike. I haven’t ever heard of a Mean Mouth Bass before. Hope I catch one someday! If you would like to become Mike’s sponsor on the bass tour, please contact him at: diehlfam65@yahoo.com
Lake Texoma Fishing Guide G.W. Chisholm of Trails Guide Service sent us the following information on an unbelievable Free Lodging Fishing Trip Offer at Lake Texoma.
From November 15th through February 15th, 4 person groups (or more) booking a fishing trip with G.W. will receive free lodging at Alberta Creek Resort & Marina!
The striper fishing at Lake Texoma is excellent year round, and in the fall & winter months, the monster catfish are great too. In January, G.W. caught a 62 lb cat!
To book this fantastic Free Lodging Fishing Trip Offer, call G.W. directly on his cell at 580-564-5398 or toll free at 877-277-4350.
Editor’s Note: WHAT A DEAL! Don’t let this one pass you by!!!!!! Fishing with G.W. is a hoot!
He says, “Did some hybrid fishing yesterday for the first time. I had a blast, the wind was blowing 2 foot swells on tom steed but I stuck it out and it paid off.
He also asks, “Please excuse the hair Bad Hair Day.”
Editor’s Note: Thanks for the report Mike! No problem with the bad hair day. As you said, it was very windy. Just goes to show you that the old saying is right – The weather only bothers the fisherman!
He has been catching mostly slot largemouth bass and decent sized spotted bass.
He also says that smallmouth fishing is hit and miss right now but will improve with cooler weather.
Editor’s Note: Thanks for the report Bryce! Check out Bryce’s site at:
We received this comment on our “To Tip or Not to Tip” posting:
Editor’s Note: Thanks for the input Mike. We would like to hear your comments. Email us at info@oklahomafishingguides.com
Editor’s Note: Thanks for the report Mike. Nice bass too! Looks like you have a future Bassmaster champ on your hands there.
