Rio Maverick

From the pics it looks like the kind of place that I love to fish.

You offered and he accepted, sounds like it is yours. In 90 I purchased new 89 Tracker TF1800 w/ 110 Evi and still use it and like it. I fish heavy cover so the boat has some marks, but it is still a sound fiberglass boat. Its not real fast 43, but it gets me there. Good fishing.

Ok, this is what I elected to go with. Rod - Cabela's 3 Rivers 9', 8wt, 2 piece Reel - G-Loomis Venture 7 Cabela's installed the backing, line and leader. Total - $150.00 Now all I have to do is practice and fish. Thanks everyone for your help.

Thank you all for your input, it is a big help.

A reel that fits your hand well, with good bearings. You don't have to spend a lot, maybe 75-100$. Stay away from the cheap stuff, if possible. I use several brands which are rigged differently. Rod, 6ft med. action is a good choice, I think for general usage. I really like my Garcia XLT and Falcon rod with 17lb Big Game for all around use. I wish they still made the XLTs. Remember the fish don't care what reel, rod or boat you are using. Line may be a different case!

What fly fishing equipment do you recommend for fly fishing on east Tx lakes? I want to try something different from bait casting.

Yes, having your name on record catch is just another goal and would be great! No one expects it or shouldn't, it like the lottery. But it would be nice.

I fished Bob's east side in the middle part of the lake. Water temp 55-58, in 4-6ft deep, used white spinner/small gold & med silver willow-leaf blades (they would not hit gold blades only), black& blue lizard, and silver/blue rattle trap. Friday afternoon 5p-6:30p - limited out 1.5 to 3.5 lb range. Sat. morning 7a-9a same result w/one 4.5lb. Sat. afternoon 6p-7:30p same result as Friday. All within 1/2 mile N & S of my boat house. Practice catch & release, so we all can have fun.

Fish don't seem to care if you spend a little or a lot $.

Drove to our place on Bob Sandlin afternoon 3/24. 3/25, wind howling all day, didn't get the boat wet. 3/26, wind clam, site fishing, didn't see stump boat bumped, I fell in, water is still VERY COLD. :-[ 3/27, wind howling all day, didn't get boat wet or me. 3/28, drove home. 4/3, 12 more days before I can go again. But I am ready to go. Have fun and be careful out there...

Welcome aboard! I'm in Arlington, but I try to get to Bob Sandlin as often as possible, usually once or twice a month. I love east Texas.

My favorite live worm on a Roadrunner (RR) with the dress removed, so you have worm and RR spinner. I like to use a fly rod and drop RR stright down along stickups and concrete walls. You invest less $ and catch more fishing for crappie. Be on guard, you never know what it down there. TX record BASS from Lake Fork was caught on a minnow by a crappie fisherman

This will sound strange, but you may want to visit a local pawn shop. A lot of hunter/fishermen visit them to look for deals and the pawn dealer may have some info on clubs.

I never made a cast in KS, but I think you will find LA and TX to offer considerable choices. There will be local differences and terms to learn, but you have that anywhere. You don't have to worry about the snakes to much, the gators have eaten a lot of them. An you get to eat mudbugs (crawfish), what more could you want. Welcome and keep in touch.

It is time for the spring fishing and we are getting a light snow fall in northeast Texas; can you believe it? I'm ready for spring.