From the Campfire to the Coast: Striper Action and Galveston Bay Fishing

Catfish Radio with Luke Clayton and Friends for May 16: Segment 1: Campfire Talk & Texoma Striper Fishing • Show Intro: David Fox introduces the segment, kicking things off with Luke Clayton and Larry Weishuhn (Mr. Whitetail). • Shooting & Conservation: Larry discusses his involvement with the Dallas Safari Club (Biggame.org) and mentions some recent target practice using his Taurus handguns and a new rifle equipped with a Stealth Vision scope. • Lake Texoma Recap: The group reflects on an action-packed striper fishing trip on Lake Texoma with Bill and Chris Carey of Striper Express. • Fishing Tactics: They discuss the excitement of topwater fishing versus "slabbing" and emphasize the importance of properly fighting the fish to the boat. • Wild Game Cooking: Larry shares a simple but delicious recipe for cooking striper: dust the fillets with garlic powder, salt, pepper, and lots of dry sweet basil, then broil or bake them. • Upcoming Adventures: Larry mentions he is preparing for a trip to Tazin Lake in Saskatchewan to fish for massive northern pike. Segment 2: Lake Texoma Updates with Bill Carey • Post-Spawn Patterns: Luke connects with Bill Carey from Striper Express, who reports that the striper spawn is officially complete and the fish are moving back into the main lake. • Topwater Action: Anglers are experiencing non-stop topwater action targeting huge schools of "dinks" (yearling stripers around 12 inches long). • Safe Catch and Release: To protect these younger fish, guides will trim off one hook using side cutters, making it easy to release them without tearing their lips. • Slabbing for Giants: For those wanting to target larger stripers or magnum sand bass (white bass), dropping heavy lead slabs vertically beneath the boat is highly effective. • Bait Source: The lake is currently loaded with billions of threadfin shad, which is fueling the feeding frenzy. • Hunting Update: The conversation briefly shifts to the woods, noting that whitetail fawns and turkey poults are hitting the ground, and bucks are beginning to develop their antlers. Segment 3: Galveston Bay Fishing with Capt. Derek York • Meet the Guide: Luke introduces Capt. Derek York from Spot Stalker Guide Service to talk about fishing the Texas coast. • Bay Complex Overview: Derek explains that Galveston Bay offers over 600 square miles of water, harboring a huge variety of species including speckled trout, redfish, flounder, sheepshead, sharks, and pelagics. • Sheepshead Regulations: Derek clarifies the current sheepshead limits, noting that anglers can keep up to 5 fish per person, and they must meet a minimum length requirement of 15 inches. • Flounder Gigging: They discuss flounder gigging and give a shoutout to local gigging expert Trey Schmidt, also known as the "Fishin' Mortician." • Bull Reds: Derek notes that while redfish are always around, the major run for massive "bull reds" typically kicks off in August and September. Segment 4: Early Summer Coastal Strategies • Summer Fishing: Derek continues sharing his tips for early summer fishing (May and June) along the coast. • Targeting Redfish: Anglers are finding great success catching redfish near the jetties and throughout the bay. • Bait and Tackle: Live shrimp fished under a popping cork or on a bottom rig is a reliable bait, but artificial lures like soft plastics and topwater plugs are also producing strikes. • Summer Flounder: Although the peak flounder run happens in the fall, fishermen can still catch plenty of them during the early summer by focusing on marsh drains. • Outdoor Safety: Derek shares a valuable tip for summer hunting and outdoor activities: heavily spray your clothing with Sawyer's Permethrin to effectively keep ticks and chiggers away.