Surfcasting Without The Surf

Here is a fishing rig that the Field Team uses when fishing Denison Dam's Tailrace.

It comes in handy when the action shifts from the surface to the bottom and back to the surface again, allowing quick change from float to sinker and vice versa.

The fishing rig uses a large Snap Swivel. The main line and the leader are tied to the upper ring of the Snap Swivel. A float or sinker is then attached as needed. See picture.

FYI: The weighted bobber in the picture is a 1-3/8oz "Launcher" made by Flexcoat. A favorite among the Field Team.

Here is a fishing rig that the Field Team used when fishing on piers and other elevated locations. It is a Slide Rig, also called a Trolley Rig. It can be used with one or two rods.

With one rod, a heavy weight is casted for distance. There is no other terminal tackle used. Then, the Slide Rig with an attached hook and leader, are placed on the line. Gravity then pulls the Slide Rig into the water.

With two rods, one rod is used as the Anchor Rod which is casted for distance like in the case above. A second rod is the Fishing Rod which holds the baited line. The Slide Rid with an attached Release Clip is placed on the Anchor Rod's line. The Fishing Rod's baited line is attached to the Release Clip, and then Gravity pulls the Slide Rig, Release Clip, and baited line into the water.

This setup comes in handy when using large or fragile baits that cannot be casted for distance. Also, the higher the elevation the easier the Slide Rig slides down the line.

Surfcasting outfit that uses a collapsible fishing rod bought in Japan 15 years ago and an Ambassadeur 5000 reel bought 20 years ago. When extended, rod measures 10 feet in length.

Combo worked well on a trip to the local lake. Caught 40+ White Bass working the shallows off a point. Small fish but still fun to catch!

Posted: August 22, 2009.

Made it to the coast and was able to do a little surfcasting with the surf this trip. Caught a number of scrappy Saltwater fish but no Bruisers. Highlight though was catching a little Shark!

Braved the hot temps at the Tailrace and fished for Stripers. Caught mainly small ones but did land one skinny 17.5" Striper! Steady action on Shad for bait!

Back to Denison Dam Tailrace for another go at Stripers. Fished before the power plant started generating and waterflow was minimal. Also, fished after the plant started up. Action was steady with a number of Stripers caught and released. Fishing partner and I left when they were still biting.... kept a limit each.

Fished Denison Dam today. Wateflow was good and the Stripers, Carp, and Gaspergou were active. Stripers were small but did manage one 19" Gaspergou! Not a bad day, just very hot.... Stay hydrated!

Note: Picture says June 6; it is a typo. Should be June 5.

Hit the point for a chance at White Bass on Surfcasting Gear. Lucked out with a mix bag of White Bass, Yellow Bass, and a little Largemouth Bass. Left with the fish biting and ended the trip with 5 keeper size White Bass. Largest went almost 15" in size!

Still waiting for the White Bass to show up in the local Lake's point. Till then, practicing at local ponds using a Cork and Jig Rig and surfcasting gear. Caught this one this evening - a little Bass.

Stopped by Lake Lavon to see if the Yellow Bass and White Bass were back in the main part of the lake and its points. Windy day with no strikes. Going to give it a few more weeks; by then we should get some action!

For now going to hit a local pond and see if a Cork and Jig Rig on surfgear will produce....

Success in 2010... a little Bass and a Bluegill caught on a Cork and Jig Rig and surfcasting gear!

Stopped by Denison Dam for a quick look at the action. Overall, looked like no action despite the generators running and a strong current flow. Fished with Cork and Jig Rigs - specifically, Jig and Flukes and Wildeyes. No luck. Hope things pick up later in the year!

Stopped by Denison Dam to scout out the area. Looks as if the action is slow despite the generators running creating a lot of current. Will keep an eye out as when the bite is on, Denison Dam is the place to be!

Scouted Denison Dam tailrace for Striped Bass action. No action, so we shifted gears from Striped Bass to Trout and fished a local pond down the road. Limited out with 5 Trout!

Cold morning here in North Texas. Luckily the fish were not bothered by it. Especially this 18 pound Catfish caught at Lake Lewisville's tailrace (also known as Lake Lewisville Ecological Learning Area).

Checked out the Tailrace after catching our limit of Trout at the local pond. Water level was low and turbines were not generating, so no water was flowing.

Casted out Cork and Jig rigs and Rattle-Traps without a strike. Others reported no action save for a few small Stripers caught by flyfishermen using Clouser Minnows.

Decided to call it a day and cook up the Trout we caught earlier!

Recent rains brought higher than normal lake levels which was good news for the Team. Able to fish Lake Lavon's tailrace in much the same way as we do at Denison Dam.

Although the tailrace was crowded, there was room to cast. Managed to land 5 White Bass; only one met the minimum size length. However, there were a number of full stringers taken with some nice sized ones in the mix.

Back to Lake Lavon's Tailrace to check out the action. Only one gate open when we arrived; however, more gates were opened the past few weeks due to more rains. Managed to cast a few lures using a Cork and Jig Rig but only had a few missed strikes. Others were catching and releasing undersized White Bass, else best bet is to fish the morning!