What's Biting
I'll periodically post fishing reports that could be of interest to you in planning your trip to Lake Palestine.
Check this page often for updates.
Fishing Article, 22 June
Updated: Fri Jun 26, 2015
Fishing Article, 22 June. I often talk to people who are using the "remote" fishing techniques, trot lines and jug lines. These are very effective ways to fish for catfish and other non game fish, and are relatively easily done.
The trot line is a horizontal line which can be anchored from the shore, from a tree stump in the lake, or from a float out in the water. This line can have up to 50 hooks and cannot use metallic stakes at either end. Often a 3 or 4-float setup is used out in open water, with an anchored float at each end of the line and one or two floats in the middle to suspend the line.
The jug line is a vertical line, hanging down from a float or jug. This line can have up to 5 hooks and may be weighted at the end to anchor it on the bottom.
The are no restrictions as to how many of these lines a person may put out, other than a max length of 600 feet for a trotline, and I can find no restriction on the number of hooks that may be put out, except that hooks may not be closer than 3 feet apart.
The law does require a "gear tag" be attached to each line. A gear tag is nothing more than a marking, which can be on the float or jug, that includes a person's name, address, and a date. The date must be within the last 10 days. For jug lines, this gear tag must be attached within 6 inches of the float, but for trot lines a gear tag must be attached at both ends and within 3 feet of the first hook at that end.
The floats for these lines can be anything, just don't use orange colored ones; orange is reserved for commercial use. Since Lake Palestine isn't a commercial-designated lake, use of orange will only invite Game Warden scrutiny.
Knowing what a legal trot or jug line is will help you if you become tangled if you accidentally run into one with your fishing line or motor. If it appears legal, try to minimize damage to it while getting free. But if it is clearly an illegal line, don't feel bad at all about whatever it takes to get free, just try not to leave a floating hazard for someone else to run into.
It is important to note that these lines are only for the taking of catfish and non-game fish, such as carp, buffalo, drum, and gar. Any game fish caught on these lines must be released. Another important Lake Palestine restriction is that no more than 5 cats, channels and blues combined, over 20 inches may be kept.
Jim
Newer Fishing Reports
If you're interested, you can see what the conditions on Lake Palestine were like on:
Older Fishing Reports
If you're interested, you can see what the conditions on Lake Palestine were like on:
