[cpowell]

I know there are a lot of folks here that know a LOT more about fishing/gear/motors/boats and stuff than I do but I am willing to share what I do know.
I like to put in at the 830 ramp (it's free and close to the 1097 bridge) then go up toward the north end of the lake. There are lots of stumps there so be careful. Lots of large catfish up there and some nice bass also I am told.
We catfish using chicken liver soaked in cheap hot sauce and they seem to love it! We trotline also in the farther north part using the same bait. Sometimes we have one on before we finish baiting.
Last year it was really stumpy but this year the lake is up to pool level so it shouldn't be as much a problem.
We have fished Stubblefield a bit but never had much luck up there. (The very, very north end accessible only but the very bravest boaters, or by land. You can put in a flat bottom boat there also. I am told that the spawn is great up there but don't know that first hand.
Everyone swears by the fishing at the 1097 bridge. Especially night fishing but the only thing I ever caught there was a sunburn in the daytime and someone's chum bucket at night. ha ha ha
Oh, well, catfish are good too!
This lake gets HEAVY use on the weekends and holidays. The lake stays churned till at least Tuesday evening.
April Plaza Marina is a good place to put in. It's on 105. They have live bait, snacks and fuel on the water and are very helpful with advice if you need it. Ramps are good, hard and clean with three lanes. Cost to launch is seven bucks.
The only free launch I am aware of is 830 which I mentioned already. There are also a couple that are operated by the forest service, one off 1097 on teh right shortly after the bridge, the other is way north called Cagle or Eagle depending on which map you are reading. It is also operated by the forest service. Both have a small charge for access and parking.
There are several pay per launch at marinas all over the lake usually running around seven to ten bucks per day. I'm a cheapie though...ha ha
Anyone have other info or tips to share?

[rndn]

I don't fish in Texas, but my question is do chicken livers really work for catfish? And you soak it in hot sauce before fishing? Is it just for cajun catfish? I've never heard of the hot sauce trick.

[cpowell]

Hot sauce and a clove or two of garlic smashed up, leave it to soak overnight. It makes the livers tougher and it stays on the hook better.
Don't use Tabasco sauce, use the cheapest you can find, not salsa with vegetables and stuff, just the plain old red hot sauce in the shaker bottle. One brand here is Louisiana Chef, I think it is called. Doesn't matter just cheap stuff.
Does it really work? Yeah it works. See for yourself, I swear these are from tonights fishing and swear we were using the above. We were only out about two hours. She caught these, not me. I was using worms and caught ZIP!

http://www.flickr.com/photos/the-onl...ger/701728145/

Eight and a half pounds of cats. We probably could have had more but I forgot the "nightlight" thing in the truck. Besides you probably won't believe this either but it was getting cold out there.
By the way, WITCH stands for "Woman In Total Control of Herself". I know cause she told me so...ha ha ha

[rndn]

Nice fish and thanks for the tips. Next time out I'll try your special brew. Those look like perfect eating size.