Ready to turn those blips and blobs on your fish finder into a treasure map for catching more fish? Carey Thorn Fishing's Electronics Training Trip on Lavon Lake is your ticket to unlocking the full potential of your boat's tech. This ain't your grandpa's fishing - we're talking cutting-edge sonar that can show you exactly where the big ones are hiding. Whether you're a weekend warrior or a tournament angler, this hands-on course will have you reading those screens like a pro in no time.
Picture this: You're out on the sparkling waters of Lavon Lake, the sun's just peeking over the trees, and you're about to dive into a crash course in modern fishing tech. For two solid hours, you'll be elbow-to-elbow with a seasoned pro, getting the inside scoop on how to make sense of all those fancy gadgets on your boat. We're talking Live Scope, Side Imaging, Down Imaging, and good ol' 2D sonar - the works. This ain't no classroom snooze-fest; you'll be putting what you learn into practice right away, scanning the lake bottom, identifying structure, and spotting fish in real-time. By the time we're done, you'll be seeing the underwater world with new eyes, and trust me, the fish won't know what hit 'em.
Alright, let's break down what you'll be getting your hands on during this trip. First up, Live Scope - this bad boy gives you a real-time look at what's swimming around your boat. It's like having x-ray vision for the water. Then we've got Side Imaging, perfect for scanning large areas and finding those sweet spots where fish are stacked up. Down Imaging is your go-to for getting a crystal-clear picture of what's directly below you - great for pinpointing fish-holding structure. And don't forget about trusty 2D sonar, the backbone of fish finding that's been helping anglers for decades. We'll cover how to tweak your settings for different conditions, interpret what you're seeing on screen, and most importantly, how to use this info to put more fish in the boat. By the end of our session, you'll be navigating these high-tech tools like a seasoned pro.
Look, I've seen it time and time again - anglers show up thinking they know their gear, only to have their minds blown by what they've been missing. This ain't just about pushing buttons and watching screens; it's about understanding how fish behave, where they hang out, and how to use technology to your advantage. One guy told me he doubled his catch rate after taking this course. Another said it was like someone turned on the lights underwater. Whether you're targeting crappie, bass, or catfish, this knowledge is a game-changer. Plus, we tailor each trip to your specific setup and fishing goals. Want to focus on finding brush piles for crappie? We've got you covered. Need help locating those elusive white bass schools? No problem. It's all about making you a better, more efficient angler.
Crappie are the stars of the show on Lavon Lake, and for good reason. These tasty panfish love to school up around submerged timber and brush piles. With your newfound electronics skills, you'll be able to spot these honey holes from a mile away. Spring is prime time for crappie, but with the right know-how, you can catch 'em year-round. They might not be the biggest fish in the lake, but when you're pulling in one after another, size doesn't matter.
White bass, or sand bass as the locals call 'em, are the speed demons of Lavon. These hard-fighting fish school up and chase shad, creating surface explosions that'll get your heart racing. They're most active in the spring during their spawning run, but fall can be dynamite too. Using your electronics to find bait balls is key to locating these silver bullets.
Channel catfish and blue catfish are the heavyweight champs of Lavon. These whisker-fish can grow to impressive sizes, with blues potentially hitting the 50-pound mark. They love to hang out near drop-offs and channel edges - exactly the kind of structure your newly-tuned side imaging will pick up. Summer nights are prime time for catfish action, but these hardy fish bite year-round.
Don't overlook the humble bluegill. These scrappy little sunfish are perfect for introducing kids to fishing or just having a blast with ultralight tackle. They hang out in the shallows near vegetation and structure, and your down imaging will help you find the motherlode. Plus, they make for some mighty fine eating if you're looking to fill a frying pan.
Listen, if you're serious about stepping up your fishing game, this Electronics Training Trip is a no-brainer. For $250, you're getting personalized, hands-on instruction that'll pay for itself in no time with the amount of fish you'll be putting in the boat. Whether you're a weekend warrior looking to make the most of your time on the water, or a competitive angler aiming for that tournament edge, this trip will change the way you fish. Lavon Lake is teeming with fish, and now you'll have the skills to find 'em like never before. Don't let another season go by wondering what you're missing on those screens. Book your spot now, and get ready to fish smarter, not harder. Trust me, your future self (and your fishing buddies) will thank you.
Blue cats are the bruisers of our catfish family, often hitting 20-40 pounds with some real giants out there. They prefer deeper, moving water, so target river channels and deep holes, especially where tributaries come in. Blues are active year-round, but winter can be prime time for trophy hunting. Anglers love them for the bone-jarring strikes and epic battles - these fish don't give up easily. They're good eating too, though I usually release the big ones. Fresh cut bait is key - skipjack herring if you can get it. Here's a tip: use heavy tackle and fish on the bottom with a three-way rig. Let your bait drift naturally with the current, and hang on tight. When a big blue hits, you'll know it!
Bluegill are the perfect fish for a fun, relaxed day on the water. They usually run 6-8 inches, but what they lack in size they make up for in numbers and fight. You'll find them near any structure - docks, weed beds, fallen trees - typically in 2-10 feet of water. They're active all year, but spring and early summer are prime when they're spawning in the shallows. Kids love bluegill fishing because the action's often fast, and they're not too picky about bait. They're tasty too, perfect for a fish fry. My favorite way to catch them is with a simple bobber and worm setup. Here's a local trick: use a small piece of nightcrawler on a light wire hook. Bluegill have small mouths, so matching your bait size to the fish is key for more hookups.
Channel cats are a staple here, typically running 2-10 pounds with some real monsters lurking in the deeper holes. They're bottom feeders, so look for them along drop-offs, near structure, or in the bends of river channels. Nighttime's often best, especially in summer when they're most active. Folks love catfishing for the hard-fighting action and the excellent eating - fried catfish is hard to beat. They'll hit on all sorts of bait, but stinkbait or cut shad are my go-to choices. Here's a local trick: use a slip sinker rig with a circle hook, cast it out, and let it sit. The circle hook often sets itself when a cat picks up the bait, making it easier to land these tough-mouthed fish. Just be careful of those sharp spines when you're handling them!
Crappie are a popular panfish around here, usually running 8-12 inches and putting up a scrappy little fight. You'll find them hanging out near submerged brush, fallen trees, and weed beds in 5-15 feet of water. They're most active at dawn and dusk, especially in spring when they move shallow to spawn. Folks love targeting crappie for their tasty white meat and the fun of catching a bunch. They school up, so when you find one, you've often found a bunch. My top tip? Try a small jig under a slip bobber, twitching it slowly. Match the jig color to the water clarity - darker for murky, lighter for clear. And don't set the hook too hard - crappie have soft mouths, so a gentle lift usually does the trick.
White bass are feisty little fighters, usually 10-15 inches long. They're schooling fish, so when you find them, the action can get fast and furious. Look for them in open water or near points and humps, often following shad. Spring's the prime time as they run up tributaries to spawn, but fall can be hot too when they chase bait to the surface. Folks love catching white bass for their aggressive strikes and the sheer numbers you can catch. They're decent eating too, especially the smaller ones. My go-to technique is to watch for surface activity and cast small silver spoons or white grubs into the fray. Let it sink a bit, then retrieve with a steady motion. When the school's fired up, it's some of the most exciting fishing you'll find on the lake.