01/05/2026
Lake Lavon Fishing Report - January 5, 2026
Took the kids out on Lake Lavon today because they were begging to catch a big catfish. We set up for drifting with cut shad trailed behind the boat at a super slow 0.3 mph, hoping for some channel or blue cats.
Almost immediately, I noticed schools of white bass (aka sandies) shadowing the boat—likely drawn in by the kids' excited chatter and boat noise. These curious fish stuck with us the whole trip!
The little one wanted to target the sandies, so we switched gears and dropped straight down. The action was nonstop! For over 2.5 hours, we rarely went more than 3-4 minutes without a fish on. The kids were absolutely worn out from reeling them in—every drop produced.
We missed a few solid takedowns on the catfish rods out back (probably due to oversized hooks), but keeping the kids hooked up and grinning was the priority.
Tried heavier 1-ounce slabs first, but the white bass ignored them. Switched to lighter creek/crappie setups: 4-pound line, 1/16 oz jig heads tipped with small flukes. The key? Position the jig right in front of their faces using live scope (drop into the transducer beam), give it a subtle twitch to grab attention, then slowly reel up.
**Pro Tip:** There's a "magic" retrieve speed—steady and gradual, like a baitfish casually swimming away (not fleeing). Too fast or too slow, and they'll ignore it. Once you dial it in, hookups are explosive!
Over 90% of our catch were fat females loaded with eggs, averaging 13 inches. This bodes well for a strong white bass spawn this spring.
No live scope? No problem—use traditional 2D sonar. Look for those telltale "spaghetti lines" (schools of sandies) directly under the transducer and drop straight down. Twitch, slow reel, repeat.
Light 4-pound line held up fine (proper drag set)—we didn't lose a single fish, even to some bigger ones. Boat noise helps a ton: Use a thumper or splasher to attract these curious sandies underneath you.
If a 9- and 10-year-old can hammer them like this, anyone can! Get out there—the sandies are schooled up and aggressive right now.
Tight lines! 🎣
Lake Lavon Fishing Guide Report:
Rated # 1 Multi-Species Fishing Charter
Full time Fishing Guide ( not a part-time guide )
Boat, Bank, and Wade Fishing Trips Available!
Fly Fishing & Conventional Gear
Dallas:
Lake Lavon
Lake Ray Hubbard
Lake Lewisville
Lake Fork
Oklahoma:
Lower Mt. Fork River
Red River Denison Dam
Striper, White Bass, Catfish, Black Bass, Crappie, Trout, Walleye, Smallmouth, Carp, Hybrid Striper, Freshwater Drum, Sunfish
Professional Fishing Guide in Dallas,Texas and surrounding areas
Capt. Carey Thorn
-Half Day 4 hours
-Full Day 8 Hours
($400/ 2 people) half day
($650/ 2 people) Full day
469-528-0210 ( texting best way to get me)
$150 person wade & bank trips in DFW metro February through the end of April.
( 2 person minimum; or private 1 on 1 @ 250 )
$400/ 1-2 people ( Boat Trips @ 4 hours )
-$100 each additional persons
or private 1 on 1 @ $300
*All fish cleaned and bagged except on Bank and Wade trips. Or take your fish home and clean them , or Catch & Release.
$250 for electronics trips @ 2 hours. Tweeting your electronics. You will learn what your seeing and catch more fish using your Live Scope System or Side Imaging, Down Imaging, or 2D.
Lowrance
Humminbird
Garmin
Simrad
Fish & Fun Guaranteed
~The Dream is the Journey~
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Book now and bring the kids!