Brazos River below Possum Kingdom

A group of us are taking a canoe trip down the Brazos in middle April.Just wondering if anyone has any suggestions on catching a few bass or catfish while we float the river. I think We will be catfishing after we set up camp. Any advice will be greatly appreciated.

I did that once in high school, we did ok on spinners. We also got rained on that night, so don't forget some rain gear.

roadrunners
sasy shad
small rapalas

I've done that run four of five times. You need to check the USGS discharge report and see how much there are letting out.

http://waterdata.usgs.gov/tx/nwis/uv?dd_...ite_no=08088610

We went last October they were only releasing between 60-100 CFPS. We scraped the [censored] out of our rented canoes, and walked a lot. Also if you are renting from Rochelle's call ahead for reservations. They can be a real pain in the [censored] to deal with, but they are the only game in town. One of our group members almost got into a fist fight with their pick up guy after they took his personal paddles and didnt want to give them back.

~gober

i did the two day trip one time out of rochelle's....water level was great. Then came day 2 with 25-30 mph winds from the south it was h-e-l-l I caught a bunch of gar and it was a blast.still got a scar on my foot from one of them to remind me of that trip.

For kicks sometimes we take an umbrella and let the wind do the work.

Thanks for all the advice and tips. I'll be sure and pass it on to the other members of my party.

The Brazos river below Lake Whitney is another good float from what I hear. Been there once last Memorial day and caught several nice fish and am planning a club float trip this spring.

How long is the float behind Whitney?

We did this trip this past weekend in a 14' canoe. Water flow was 120 cfm. Only had a couple of places that we scraped bottom.

Good camping 1/2 way.

In the water at 10 on Saturday, out at Rochelle's by 12 Sunday. Lots of fishing along the way.

Red/gold Mepps spinners
Black or Olive Wooly Buggers

Fish the water coming out of rapids.

Mike A, the float under Whitney to Dick's Outpost (first bridge) is about 9 miles. He has a website. He'll shuttle you back to Riverside Park at the dam for $20 if you arrange it ahead of time. It's a very nice float, you can easily make it a day trip or you can camp overnite. Go on a weekday and you'll be alone....

Mike A:
Highway 16 to hwy 4(rochelles) is1.5day trip with norml flow(120 pluscfs) and a 2 day trip wioth low flow and some dragging over the shallow spots. Good sand bars for camp all along the way. If the wind is up and out of the N.E. the last 3 miles is tough padling. East winds,S.e. winds make tough paddling .hope for consistent southwesterly .
The above fishing advice on lures and where to fish are excellent.
Rochelles can provide shuttle service at a price and as far as I know the only game in town.
the trip from hwy 4 to hwy 180 is another 19 mile overnighter.
My favorite is the 35 mile 2 nighter from180 to hwy 281 but a good take out is hrd to find. Might make arrangements with a place about 3 miles up from 281,if the owner of campground there is still alive.
There are camp ground on both sides of the river at int20 that could helpyou in shuttles.
It will be a tip that will bring you back many times. Take plenty of drinking water.
PM if you think I can be of further assistance.
Eddie Lane

Bet you could go from highway 4 to 180 tomorrow or sunday in about 2 hours or less. Going to drive up to int 20 crossing and 281 tomorrow just to se what the brazos looks like with water init.

ITS Beautiful with water. The water is within 2 feet of the topsof the arches on hwy 16 bridge. 30,000 cfs at tintop. on the USGS website the water is still rising. Trout fishing at PK is now relocated to the interstat 20 area.. Bet the stripers are having a feast in the tailrace below PK.

it is beautiful
i was there Sunday.
cant wait to fish it once it calms down
hopefully the stripers got some of those trout before they washed away

Thanks again for all the information. We have a group of 10 set to go the weekend of April 14 & 15 from hwy 16 to rochelle's.

it should be perfect for you
now you will have to make sure you dont pass a good camping spot.
there will be plenty of fish & water

Does the Golden algae kill affect the river fish?

Mike A:
J wondering if you are on THE RIVER right now and how the water is looking. Give me a post when you get back. Was it cold ?

I was thinking about floating from 180 to I-20? how long of a trip would that be? is it worth the shot (fishing/timewise)?

Bowtie
It is about 47 miles by river with much to experience and to fish. The put in at 180 is rough and I would not leave a vechcle there over night. There are two faclicities at Int 20 for take out , Possibly the could arrange a shuttle.
Right now with recent rains there is excellent water to canoe. Give me a shout if you want further information. If it to be your first time on THE RIVER I would say go from hwy 16 to hwy 4 a 19 mile trip.
EWddie Lane

Eddie:
would you feel safe leaving a vehicle at Hwy. 16 ?
i went to the other end of the lake, Rock Creek, and had some people mess with my jeep.

Butch:

I am sorry to say I agree with you but do think it is worse the further you go down the river. A couple of years ago hile sleeping on a sandbar by Soda springs was almost run over by a couple of drunbks in a pick up and I was at least 5 miles from the nearest road. I think if I was going to leave a vehicle at 16 I would make arrangements to leave at the hatchery.

I did the Hwy16 to Hwy4 trip a month or so ago. Rochelle's charged $30 to shuttle my truck back and lock it up in their lot.

I would not leave my truck at Hwy16.

it used to be safe at 16
Rock Creek is known meth territory.
probably worth the $30 to have a nice trip

that'll be a great trip, good variety too, stripers in the tailrace and in a few deep holes beyond, rainbow trout, then bass, bluegill, and catfish.