By Ray Sasser, Staff Writer

It's been a weird winter. We've had record cold, followed by record heat and who knows how many times that cycle will repeat? It's uncomfortable, if not outright dangerous, to go fishing with a big cold front forecast. In spite of weather extremes, Dallas-area fishing has been surprisingly good.

In fact, Lake Texoma striped bass action has been about as good as it gets, according to Bill Carey of Striper Express Guide Service. His boats are averaging about 50 fish a day. The big fish usually weighs about 12 pounds. An 18-pounder is the heaviest thus far in 2017.

This time of year, the Striper Express boats don't begin their fishing day until 10:30 a.m. Carey said the water temperatures result in an all-day bite, and the late start gives most customers an easy drive and a better boat ride on a sunny day.

Carey advises anglers to look for flocks of birds circling over feeding schools of fish. To avoid spooking the fish, circle upwind and drift back into the surface action or use an electric motor to approach close enough for a cast.

A half-ounce Blakemore Bucktail Roadrunner with a white plastic worm trailer has been a productive lure. Stripers evolved in cold, offshore waters. Winter water temperatures don't bother them.

Largemouth bass, on the other hand, are notoriously affected by cold fronts and the high pressure in their wake. Florida-strain largemouths are even more temperamental than the northern strain of largemouth bass that once populated most Texas waters. From now through spring, bass fishing will be best on the warm-ups that follow cold fronts.

Call 903.786.4477 today to talk fishing with Bill Carey or visit striperexpress.com