How we will be fishing
What techniques I use
There are many different ways to catch striped bass on Texoma. I provide high quality tackle and equipment to do whatever it takes to put fish in the boat. However some methods may require an angler to be little more skilled accomplish.
The most productive and popular is live bait. This technique is suitable for any fisherman or experience level and works year round. I will have live bait for use most on every trip.
- I catch live gizzard or threadfin shad from the lake before each trip and provide for my customers. In live bait fishing I will bait your hook and you lower the bait over the side of the boat to the depth I see the fish on sonar. Rods then may be held or placed in a rod holder while waiting for a bite. When a fish hits/bites lift the rod quickly but smoothly and immediately get the reel handle cranking. Crank the fish steadily to the surface of the water. It is not necessary to pump the rod just steady pressure by turning the reel handle is the best. Hold the fish at the surface until I can net it. Be careful not to reel the weight all the way to the rod tip. This causes damage to the rod tip. I will take your fish off and get you rebaited and back to the fish as quick as possible.
- Top water can be one of the most effective and exciting techniques there is. However it will require an angler to have a little more skill to be able to cast and retrieve a lure in a desired way to entice a strike. Trips using this method are usually in the spring, summer and through early fall and are not for large groups. As we will be casting large lures with mutable treble hooks, a maximum of 4 people on top water trips. This technique is usually accomplished by a stop and go or a slight jerk of the rod tip and quickly retrieve the slack and repeat. strikes can be explosive and often the entire fish will breach the surface to ponce on a lure. no need to set the hook with this method, simply wait to feel the fish pull and get the reel handle turning as fast as possible. I will net the fish and take it off. Please don't try and remove a top water caught fish yourself. Many anglers and guides get hooked every year from stripers slinging their heads with a top water in their mouth. They are extremely strong and violent when they come in the boat.
- Slabs or spoons are another effective technique that I employ. A slab is simply a chunk of metal or led in the shape of a bait fish and painted in a color to attract game fish. This lure may be casted or lowered over the side of the boat to the desired depth and pumped or jigged back to the surface to entice a strike. This is an effective technique in the late spring and summer and can accommodate most anglers skill levels and party sizes.
- Swim baits can be another effective choice of lure for striped bass. These are a soft plastic or rubber lure in the shape of a bait fish in an array colors paired with a jig head of varying weights. This technique can be effective year round but is most prevalent in the fall and winter. This method does require some skill in the form of being able to cast but is not overly difficult. This technique also better serves smaller parties on the boat because of having to cast.
- My favorite for last! Dead sticking, this is a technique that I absolutely love and is super simple in application but can be a tad difficult to get the hang of for some. This simple method involves dropping a soft plastic shad body on a heavy jig head to fish suspended in the water column and just letting it set there in their face. We will drift these lures over large flats near the mouth of the rivers that feed into the lake. When a fish bites it will typically feel like a very light "tick" on the line. That's your que to set the hook hard and get that reel handle turning before the fish drops it. We will usually catch multiple large fish doing this on any given trip and makes for some outstanding fun. This is a cold water technique that is used exclusively in the winter months, late November through March and does require a bit of skill to feel the bite but does not require casting and will accommodate a small or large party.
- Juglines are the technique I use for catfish and will run these trips as a catfish only or a catfish striper combination trip. Please specify at booking, striper/jug combo, striper only or catfish only. A jugline is a tactic used by many people across the country and extremely effective way to catch catfish. It is simple in application consisting of a line with up to 5 hooks suspended vertically in the water column. This line is held in place by a weight at the bottom and a float or commonly a jug at the surface. I will typically bait these lines before daylight after I catch bait and allow my customers to retrieve them after we have finished striper fishing. This is a method that can produce some of the largest catfish in the lake with some weighing in access of 50 pounds!
MY Boat
MY Boat
MY Boat
My boat is a 2020 Excel bay pro 230 powered by a Suzuki 250
MY Boat
MY Boat
what you should bring on the boat
Dress for the weather conditions
Be sure to dress for the conditions.
- Summer time on Texoma can be extremely hot. loose fitting lightweight clothing that keeps the sun off the skin is preferred. A hat and sunglasses will also be helpful additions that you should bring. DON'T forget the sunscreen. The glare off the water can intensify the sun's rays and if you have exposed skin you will burn.
- Rain Gear: We will fish in the rain. Striper fishing can be at it's best in foul weather. If a chance of rain or windy conditions is in the forecast for your trip, a lightweight rain suit will be helpful to keep you dry from the rain or water spray.
- Cooler/winter weather. When the water cools off on Lake Texoma the Striper fishing heats up! To take advantage of these cooler temps be sure to dress in layers. Start with a thin layer of wool, or fleece next to the skin and layer out with thicker insulating layers. Add an outer shell consisting of a wind/waterproof layer for maximum comfort.
- Be sure to protect your feet. Your feet can burn in the summer and freeze in the winter making an otherwise enjoyable trip miserable. Lightweight breathable shoes for the summer. and insulated waterproof shoes or boots in the winter.
- Gloves are another great idea when it's cool outside to keep your hands comfortable.
Food and drinks
You may bring your own small ice chest on the boat with whatever you would like to make your trip more enjoyable for you. Please keep the size of ice chest small to conserve space on the boat. Alcoholic beverages are allowed but please be responsible when you drink.
Motion sickness or sea sickness
Lake Texoma can produce some very rough conditions at time so be prepared if you know you are veronable to motion sickness or have never been on a large body of water. There are several over the counter motion sickness medications available that may make your trip more enjoyable.
Booking a Trip
What you should expect when you book a trip
Booking a trip
There are 2 ways to book a trip.
- Call or text Southern Wind Guide Service (580)320-8476
- Messenger through our Facebook page at Southern Wind Lake Texoma guide service
When To Book
The best time to book a trip is when you can go! Striper fishing on Texoma is great year round, however some months are better that others. The prime months are late September Through March and May through June. April can be good as well but can be unpredictable because of the spawn. July and August can be difficult months because of the heat and hot water conditions. I will still run some really successful trips during this time but it is not optimal. But if this is the only time you can go we will make it happen. If you want a date in one of the prime months I suggest you book as far in advance as possible because they fill up fast.
How many people can go and what ages
I can fish up to 6 people on my boat. However I have a network of other guides on the lake that we often help each other out to accommodate any number of people that you or your company or organization may need to get out on the water. Young or old, bring them all! I love to have kids on the boat. I have children of my own who love to fish and have a lot of experience with kids in the outdoors. I like nothing more that to see folks of any age catch catch the fever of Striper fishing.
Trip Deposit
I charge a $130.00 deposit to hold a date. This deposit can paid in person with cash, sent by mail in the form of a check Made payable to Southern Wind Guide Service ,or paid by credit or debit card over the phone using square.
Payment for trip
Payment for the remainder of the trip minus the deposit will be expected in cash or check made payable to Southern Wind Guide Service on the dock at the time the trip has ended.
You may pay for the trip in full in advance if you wish.
A 20% tip is customary in most outdoor guide service related industries. However a tip is what you personally feel the experience is worth. Any amount is greatly appreciated and certainly no amount is demanded.
Gift certificates or prize/donated trips
Lucky You!
If you have received a gift certificate as a gift or won/received a donated trip by Southern Wind Guide Service please book that trip as soon as possible. Dates fill up fast and when their gone their gone. Gift certificates are good for 1 year from date of purchase.
Cancelation policy
I understand things come up and I will do my best to accommodate any scheduling changes and find an alternate date that works for us both. However some things are out of my and your control. I reserve the right to cancel any trip due to unsafe weather or water conditions. We will discuss any weather related cancellations but in the end I have final say if and when my boat leaves the dock. A refund of your deposit will be issued only if one of the following criteria is met.
1. You have given me at least 48 hours notice of your need to move the date or will not be able to make it on the agreed date and a reschedule date cannot be reached.
2. I have canceled the trip due to unsafe weather or water conditions and a rescheduled date cannot be reached.
3. I have canceled the trip because of a mechanical failure preventing us from getting on the water and a rescheduled date cannot be reached.