Big Winter Bass on Lake Fork, Deer Hunting Campfires, Mule Deer Hunts, and MORE!

CATFISH RADIO with Luke Clayton and Friends - Show Notes for December 13th

Segment 1: Campfire Talk (12:44) Luke and his guest, Larry Weishuhn, share a "Campfire Talk" focusing on Larry's unique hunting experience in Far West Texas and a few outdoor announcements.

Carmen Mountain Whitetail Hunt: Larry is currently in the Big Bend country hunting the Carmen Mountain Whitetail, a small subspecies found only in the mountains of West Texas and Northern Mexico (4,500 feet elevation and above).

Subspecies Discussion: Larry explains that the Carmen Mountain Whitetail is arguably the smallest whitetail subspecies in North America, with bucks often field-dressed at only 45–60 lbs. and rarely scoring more than 80–100 Boone and Crockett points. The sheer size and remote habitat make the hunt unique.

Hunting Conditions: Larry describes glassing and hunting the mountain terrain with the aid of his Stealth Vision optics and rangefinders.

Announcements:

DSC Convention: Reminder that the Dallas Safari Club (DSC) Convention is set for February 6th, 7th, and 8th in Atlanta.

Sponsors: Mentions sponsors Hornady and Stealth Vision Optics.

Future Hunt: Luke and Larry discuss their plans to hunt oryx at the Choctaw Hunting Lodge in the near future.

? Segment 2: Harry Wood NM Mule Deer Hunts (14:14) Luke interviews Harry Wood, a seasoned guide and outfitter who has been running hunts in New Mexico for almost 40 years. This segment focuses on an affordable and exciting archery-only mule deer hunt during the rut.

The Hunt: Discussion of a five-day, archery-only mule deer hunt in southeastern New Mexico (between Artesia and Mayhill) during the rut (January 1st–15th).

Pricing and Location: The hunt is presented as an exceptional value at $1,800 per person, with an over-the-counter license fee of $340. The ranch is over 9,000 acres in the foothills of the Sacramento Mountains.

Drop Camp Details: The hunt is a drop camp setup, providing a heated tent, cots, lights, and gear—hunters bring their own food and handle their own cooking. Hunters are advised to bring a 4x4 vehicle.

Hunting Methods: Harry explains the primary techniques used: spot and stalk, setting up at water sources (dirt tanks and troughs) during midday, and the effectiveness of calling and rattling (even using a predator call) to bring deer in, often resulting in close-range shots (20–30 yards) from brush or ground blinds.

Contact Information: Harry provides his contact details for booking: 903-536-7130 (home) or 512-968-4430 (cell).

? Segment 3: Winter Bass Fishing (10:44) Luke talks with Dennis Canada, a longtime fishing guide on Lake Fork, about techniques for catching trophy bass during the cold winter months.

Trophy Season: Dennis confirms that winter is a prime time for serious trophy hunters as female bass are at their heaviest weight of the year.

Weather Sensitivity: He stresses that Lake Fork bass are highly sensitive to consistent weather. Once the weather stabilizes—whether it's consistently cold or warm—the fish will start to pattern. Sudden temperature drops will often shut down the bite.

Recommended Techniques:

Jigs: Dennis's main bait is a jig, which he fishes in a wide range of depths, sometimes as shallow as four to six feet in heavy cover.

Carolina Rig: He considers the Carolina rig a year-round finesse option.

Carolina Rig Setup: Dennis provides specifics on his preferred setup:

Weight: 1-ounce bullet or barrel weight.

Swivel/Keeper: Uses Carolina Keepers instead of a traditional knot and swivel.

Leader: A leader of 36 inches up to four feet.

Hook: A smaller hook to allow the bait to "free float".

Action: A slow, bottom-dragging retrieve, often inch-worming the bait with the rod tip. The bite is often a subtle pressure change, not a sharp strike.

Contact Information: Dennis Canada can be reached at 903-335-6524 for booking.

Segment 4: Luke Shares a Great Winter Catfish Technique (6:34) Luke shares a unique and effective winter catfishing technique known as "Splating." This method gets its name from the sound of bait hitting the water, mimicking the droppings of cormorants (a migratory bird protected under federal law) that roost in trees over the water. This segment covers:

The Origin of Splatting: How cormorants feeding habits create a specific feeding pattern for catfish.

The Technique: Using a heavy cork/float (like a popping cork) and a piece of cut bait (such as shad or bream) to create a loud "splat" when cast near cormorant roost trees.

Best Conditions: Explains that this technique works best on calm days near visible "cormorant trees" (trees whitewashed by droppings) in the upper ends of lakes.

Tips and Caution: Advises on using cut bait and warns listeners to keep a safe distance from dead timber to avoid falling limbs.