Q: What should I bring?
A: It’s up to you how much (or how little) you want to bring. I have lots of equipment for people just looking to travel without gear or people that want to try carp fishing for the first time. Bait is difficult to travel with so often most of my clients will bring over their end tackle and rig tools in their checked baggage. Many people also desire to use their own reels which is allowed, just know that most of the locations we fish require a minimum of 30 lb test braided mainline for fish safety in the snags. Bringing a pillow or a sleeping bag is also encouraged but I have rentals if needed. Rain gear is definitely a must, and regardless of the time of year you must pack for all seasons. Texas weather can change on a dime.
Q: Where is the nearest airport?
From Nacogdoches, the nearest airports are Shreveport (2 hrs), Houston (2 hrs 30 min), Dallas-Fort Worth (3 hours 30 min)
Q: We’ve all heard those dangerous Texas wildlife stories. What should I be prepared for?
A: Spiders and other creepy crawlies are pretty common here. Most of the animals here will for the most part avoid you unless provoked, so I definitely don’t advise handling anything. Keep in mind that we have venomous snakes, alligators, scorpions, and a couple dangerous spiders around here, so watch where you step. It’s just a part of the session life in Texas.
Q: What fishing license do I need to fish in Texas?
A: To fish any of our public waters, all you need is a non-resident Texas fishing license (or a resident license if you reside in TX). You can buy a full year or by the day. They can be obtained from many stores including Wal-Mart and Bass Pro Shops along with many smaller tackle stores or gas stations. They can also be obtained online here
Note that every person is responsible for ensuring that they have the proper license for the water that we will be fishing. Your guide is not responsible for citations by Texas Game Wardens, US Forest Service Rangers or other law enforcement that patrol the lakes.
Q: What is considered “big” in Texas?
A: In Texas, our stock of fish is entirely and completely wild. All of the fish are grown in nature in massive reservoirs with absolutely no management. They also fight much harder when compared to carp that have been fed boilies for their entire lives.
For Carp, a fish over 30 lbs is considered to be a big one. Anything over 40 lbs is extremely special and rare. Many waters in Texas don’t have many carp over 20, let alone 30s and beyond. East Texas and Central Texas have many more large carp because of their size, fertility, forage base, and lower stock of carp.
For Buffalo, a fish over 50 lbs is considered big. Anything over 60 lbs is extremely special and rare. Big buffalo are often very solitary in nature and are seldom caught. To catch one takes a monumental amount of bait, time, and effort.
For Grass Carp, a fish over 40 lbs is considered big. Grassers in Texas are almost all stocked fish that are sterile and have a low lifespan because of the sterilization methods used before stocking. As a result, many grass carp will have deformities of the body and fins. The special ones that grow to massive proportions and live for a very long time are extremely rare. I have personally witnessed 5 or 6 grass carp over 60 lbs, the largest of which was nearly 7 feet long and estimated at over 80 lbs, a true submarine!
CarpPro Texas Guide Service 