Steve Hollensed

Sample of Typical Itinerary

As stripers are early risers for the most part, your trip starts early. Usually 5:30am to 6am in the summer and later starts for the spring and fall. Winter trips often start around 10am or noon, based upon fishing conditions. For most trips, we meet and launch from Eisenhower Yacht Club located in beautiful Eisenhower State Park.

Half-day trips consist of 4 hours of fishing.This is an excellent choice in the summer during the striper blitz. We are on the water for the peak of the fishing and off before the temps start climbing.

Full-day trips involve a full morning of fishing and then docking at a lakeside restaurant for a hot lunch. You can order from a full menu with a wide selection of menu items. After lunch, we return to the fishing for the balance of the trip. Full-day trips consist of at least 8 hours of fishing. Although starting early in the morning is, in most cases, the most productive in terms of fishing, schedules are flexible. And for the vast majority of the trips, we are within a comfortable reach of a full-service marina with restrooms and stores.

Frequently booked options are:
• One full day and one half day.
• Two full days and one half day.

Season:

Year-round. December-February is contingent upon weather and conditions.

Species:

Striped bass, smallmouth bass, largemouth bass (striped bass being the predominate target).

Region/Terrain:

Lake Texoma is an 89,000-acre lake with over 500 miles of shoreline. It is not remote, as it lies about halfway between the Dallas/Ft. Worth and Oklahoma City areas. However, lakeshore development is very limited and it has retained its natural setting and its “off the beaten path” experience. Although there is a lot of variation, the average length of the boat ride to the fish is about 15 minutes.

Typical Weather:

Variation in weather can be extreme between seasons. Spring can be cool to warm. Summers are almost always warm to hot. Fall is variable but generally very nice. Winters here are usually mild but we can experience periods of weather too cold to be on the lake.

Rates:

Rates start from: $375.

What is Provided:

All fly-fishing gear is provided, if needed. This includes, rods, reels, leaders, tippet, and flies. Clients are welcome to bring their gear if they prefer. Snacks and drinks will always be onboard. Lunch at a lakeside restaurant will be provided on full-day trips (unavailable on very limited occasions, when a lunch will be packed).

Gear Recommendations:

During most fishing, 8 to 9 wt. rods are recommended. At times, 6 or 7 wt. rods are a good match for schoolies on top. Lines are important. Floating bass taper lines or any floating line that turns over big flies will work well for topwater presentations. Sink-tip lines such as the Orvis Class V Sink Tip is perfect for fishing along rocky banks and points. For deeper presentations, a 300-grain Orvis Depth Charge matched to an 8 wt. rod or a 350 grain Orvis Depth Charge matched to a 9 wt. is perfect. 15 to 20 lb. leaders are needed but they do not need to be fluorocarbon.

What to Bring (Additional):

Sunglasses and other personal gear. During summer, sun protection and warm weather clothing. For fall and spring, be prepared for a variety of conditions by dressing in layers with outer shells. Winter requires heavy clothing in layers.

Additional Activities:

Golfing year-round. Wingshooting, fall and winter.