Tips for Catching Fish in Lake Tawakoni During Winter

Get tips from a local fishing guide to catch the biggest fish in Lake Tawakoni this winter.

No doubt, living in West Tawakoni will lead you to the lake. Most of the year you can get out on a boat, go swimming, or get your suntan on. Many who live here just love to fish.

Lake Tawakoni has all kinds of great fish that include blue catfish, hybrid striper, white bass, and striped bass which can actually be fished all year round on Lake Tawakoni. The catfish here are outstanding. There’s a reason it’s called the Catfish Capital of Texas!

If you are new to our lovely lake area, you may not realize the fishing potential. We got some tips from our friend, Mickey Casey, a local Lake Tawakoni Fishing Guide.

Top Lake Tawakoni Fishing Tips 

Tip #1

Sometimes fishing can be like hunting. Striped bass, white bass, and hybrid striper will move a lot and follow the shad around Lake Tawakoni. If you are fishing a spot and do not catch a striper, white bass, or hybrid striper, move to another spot. Keep moving until you find fish that are feeding. 

Tip #2

Never use frozen bait for Lake Tawakoni blue catfishing. Fresh and frisky bait is very important to your catfishing success on Lake Tawakoni. 

Tip #3

Make sure your boat batteries are charged up and ready for a full day’s use. Add distilled water to your batteries twice a year and keep them charged.  You may have to run your trolling motor all day if the wind is up.

Tip #4

If you fish live bait, make sure you have a quality tank to keep fish alive. Casey suggests you spend money on your bait tank and also treat the water with rock salt or chemicals. 

Tip #5

Many find luck with blue catfishing slow drifting across flats on Lake Tawakoni. Drift speed is very important and you should always have a drift sock out. If you have a big boat two drift socks may be needed.

Additional Fishing Tips for Striped Bass and Blue Catfish

Striped Bass

• Cover as much water as possible. If you are not catching fish in twenty minutes, try another area.
• Start your summer trips before daylight.  Take a break from 11 a.m. to 4 p.m.  The bite from 5 p.m. to dusk can be great.
• Winter stripers like warmer water, from 11 a.m. to 4 p.m. is a good time to catch them.
• If you are using live bait, make sure your tank battery is fully charged and you have added rock salt to the water.
• Lake Tawakoni stripers love silk chartreuse slab spoons and sassy shad. Shad happens to be a great local baitfish you can find in Lake Tawakoni.

Blue Catfish

Lake Tawakoni is the Catfish Capital of Texas, and each winter you will find anglers from all over the USA trying to put a trophy in their net.   

• Never use frozen bait
• Use fresh-caught gizzard shad — the bigger the better. Fresh-cut bait puts trophies in the net, frozen will not.
• Use a drift sock to slow your boat.
• Use the proper rods, reels, and fishing lines. 

Keep Calm and Fish On

Hopefully, if you’re new to The Cloisters of West Tawakoni, you can get out on Lake Tawakoni and catch yourself a tasty catfish or bass thanks to these tips. Happy fishing!

Experience the Great Outdoors at The Cloisters of West Tawakoni

By Leslie Radford