Los Banos, game refuge

Boxfrain, Noodling is on my list of things to accomplish

Bill,   I've been to McClure and it is a real nice lake, I haven't taken my kayak there yet. I always wind up at McSwain,
its a little closer, about 45min to get there. So I hit McSwain/Merced river during the week after work.
McSwain has a 5mph speed limit on the lake, makes it nice. Here are some pics of McSwain and the river below the dam.

Good stuff!!   I use hotdogs, sometimes i freeze them on a hook first.   I find that steak works pretty well to and stays on the hook.. but this is more for cats..    Any bread product is good for both.


I love seeing people fish in places like this!..  I used to bring a rod to the golf course and catch lmb's all day.. some big ones too!

noodlers!,
Used to noodle for cat's in SW texas lakes (conroe mostly). A friend turned me on to it and it is fun, sometimes a piece of bacon in your hand will bring em to the front of their hole so you can grab em by the lip or stick your fist down their throat and open your fingers. Iether way, hang on! Long sleeves are a must else you get shredded.
The only thing that spooked me is the fact you are in prime serpant water while reaching down till your ear is in the water.
As for the carp, a blast! To make a dough bait for these guys we used to add big red soda to a ziplock baggie with your favorite cheap bran cereal, mix well and let sit to fatten a bit, consistancy is up to you, if possible rig hooks and leaders and  encase the hooks in the dough and let dry a day or so to toughen em up a bit. Fish this dough bait near weeds and brush, usually no weight needed.
For catfish bait we would buy chicken livers from the store and add a pack of strawberry-banana jello to the container, stir it up and put in icebox till ready, smells better than most catfish bait! Works well as the jello toughens the liver a bit.
 Hope this gets you noodling!