Whew ...




When fishing for catfish remember: “The worse it smells, the better.” When I lived in Oklahoma City, a friend and I would have it all set up to leave from work on Friday afternoons, heading to Ft Cobb Lake in search of catfish. We didn’t fish the main lake, but up in Ft. Cobb Creek that flowed into the lake.

Before heading down the highway we would pick up a gallon bucket of homemade stink bait from some older Indian lady who lived in Oklahoma City. We never knew what she put in there, but I could smell a liberal doze of oil of anise. It had its own kind of fragrant aroma that the Ft. Cobb catfish loved.

We’d launch our aluminum boat equipped with a 10 hp kicker at a ramp close to the mouth of the creek. About four or five miles up the river we had a camping spot we set up for out trips. After settling in, pitching the tent, and getting everything else ready, it was time to rig up rods with treble sponge hooks that we dipped into the magic elixir. Stir it up first with a paint paddle making sure you got a good gob of bait saturated in and around the sponge. You didn’t want to get the stuff on your hands, clothes or boat. If you did it would be there awhile.

John’s favorite way of initiating anybody he invited along would be to “accidently” brush a fully loaded sponge along the unknowing angler’s head or hat. That was my first introduction to using stink bait.

Stubby Stubblefield is a Texas catfish guide, fishes with stink bait for catfish on Lake Fork. He concocts his own cheese catfish stink bait, made of cheese, maise and a secret powdered scent; it doesn’t leave a lingering fragrance on your hands or boat. There’s no need for a paint paddle stick -- just dig into the tub with your fingers and mold the dough around the hook.
It works well soaked on the bottom or suspended using a cork. It stays on the hook extremely well.

He uses the bait in combination with a number four treble hook, spinning gear, and 30- pound test braided line. The bait is heavy enough it doesn’t need a weight to sink to the bottom.
Stubblefield targets underwater ridges, humps, points and creeks in fairly deep water that he pre-baits with range cubes. On Ft. Cobb we were dropping our baited hooks around brush piles that were numerous along the creek. Our stink baits were like lollipops to the catfish. Usually it didn’t take long and we had a bite. Time to rear back and set the hook like you were trying to drag a Mack truck out of the Creek.

Search for Stubblefield Cheese Stink Bait on the Internet, and you will find plenty of good information where you can purchase some. If you’re headed up to Ft. Cobb I don’t remember where that little old lady lived. She made her bait in the garage in the back yard. You might just want to pick up some of Stubblefield’s bait before you get on the road.

 

Photo: Stubby Stubblefield




Tell us what you think!

Toledo Bend Lake Email Updates


 

Visit our Toledo Bend Lake Sponsors!

Toledo Bend Lake on Social Media

 
       

Toledo Bend Lake Current Weather Alerts

There are no active watches, warnings or advisories.

 

Toledo Bend Lake Weather Forecast

Thursday

Slight Chance Thunderstorms

Hi: 93

Thursday Night

Slight Chance Thunderstorms

Lo: 75

Independence Day

Slight Chance Thunderstorms

Hi: 89

Friday Night

Partly Cloudy

Lo: 75

Saturday

Partly Sunny

Hi: 93

Saturday Night

Mostly Clear

Lo: 75

Sunday

Slight Chance Thunderstorms

Hi: 95

Sunday Night

Partly Cloudy

Lo: 75


Toledo Bend Lake Water Level (last 30 days)


Water Level on 7/3: 171.25 (-0.75)



Toledo Bend Lake

Fishing Report from TPWD (Jul. 2)

GOOD. Water stained; 85 degrees; 0.66 feet below pool. Rain continues to fall with more on the way, keeping the lake just a few inches below full pool. The bass bite is holding steady, with a solid shallow water bite early in the morning and again during midday. Topwater lures are producing at daylight, while midday action has been best in thick vegetation using popping frogs and flipping beaver-style baits in heavy pads and bushes. Deeper fish are being caught on Texas rigs and big crankbaits along main lake ridges in 12-24 feet of water. Crappie fishing has slowed with the heat and high water, with the best reports coming from anglers fishing at night under lighted docks or using floating flood lights–live bait is outperforming jigs. Report by Stephen Johnston, Johnston Fishing. Anticipate increased boater traffic this weekend as we celebrate our Nation’s Independence Day.

More Fishing Reports