Lake Texoma Striper Fishing Blog

A Series of Events?  While trying to pull anchor the rope gets caught in the lower unit?  The guide not wanting to lose the anchor decides to go swimming and unhook the rope?  Said guide can not get back in the boat after getting the anchor cut loose?  The four guys in the boat all get to one corner in the back of the boat to help get guide back in the boat?  At this unfortunate time a big wave hits the boat at the wrong angle overtaking said boat?  Said boat flips and starts going under?  Captain gets Charter tethered together watch the boat go under and the group wait to be rescued?

Just one series of events we overheard at a local watering hole last evening?  

Well we just got home from one of the popular watering holes on Lake Texoma and found out more information.   From the info we recieved tonight, Kudos should go out to Mr. McCullough.  Once he knew the boat was in trouble he did not panic and was able to get his charter into their vests, tethered together where they could stay as a group and rode out the rough conditions for over an hour until they were spotted and plucked from the water.  We commend Mr McCullough for his actions.

There are still much speculation as to the "series of events" issue with several theories being bandied about.  When we learn more we will report what we discover.

A fund has been set up on the Six Old Geezers board to help out Mr. McCullough. If you would like to help out go to 
http://sixoldgeezers.com/discus/messages/1/18243.html?1276656843

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KXII has aired a report on Monday nights 10 pm broadcast and published a story on their website regarding the sinking of Wayne McCullough's boat which we initially reported on Saturday the 12th. 

In their broadcast KXII reports Mr. McCullough as saying "I looked up the boat was already upside down or sideways, at that point I knew the boat was sinking. I had no warning, I had half a second, a millisecond."   They further report thet he says he did have type 1 life vests, instead of the common, less buoyant and thinner type 3’s.  Unlike the type three vests that you have you put your arms through, and zip up, the type 1 vests simply slip over your head. Wayne says the vests kept him and his passengers afloat for more than hour, until a passing boat picked them up.

The Lake Texoma guide community has become unusually tight lipped regarding this incident.  From all we have been able to gather this was nothing more than a tragic accident but one that under a closer look becomes a tad fishy.  Granted the only official version we have heard of the accident is the one Mr. McCullough spoke with KXII about.

Our curiosity is perked up however from some of the statements of other guides on a message board that is popular among many of the guides.  On this board the usual posters tried hard to keep the whole incident under wraps.  One poster asked about the inicident and was blasted by a couple of the "older posters". 

One poster who goes by the screen name "Bandit" wrote "It's not tip toing around the subjec. The only one's that know the whole story are the guide,his customers and the guide that rescued them and they aren't talking. So everything anyone else say's is hearsay. And if it's true I don't think the guide will appreciate your comment Van. Not good customer relations."   

Two other guides offer a point that begs for questions.  The first Ricky posts "I talked to Wayne. As usual it was not an event but a series of events. glad to hear he and all are fine."  Basscat writes "I was over at Wayne house yesterday and had a long chat with him. If Wayne wants to talk about it on the board how and what happened it's up to him. But I can tell you this, it was a series of events, and could of happened to me or other people just as easy."

First, Mr. McCullough says in his KXII interview that the sinking was a quick occurence "had half a second, a millisecond."  The two guides who communicated with Mr. McCullough both state that is was "a series of events".  Secondly, we initially heard that their were other boats nearby area and another guide/s rescued the guys in the water fairly quickly.  Basscat's post supports this as he says "The only one's that know the whole story are the guide,his customers and the guide that rescued them and they aren't talking."  In the KXII interview it seems to be infered that it was just a passing boat that rescued the group after they were in the water for an hour.   It would be interesting to hear what these "series of events" were but as Basscat posted "they aren't talking." .

It is our opinion that anytime an accident like this happens it is best to be open and forthright.  This leads to a greater trust of the Lake Texoma Guide profession and community.  The statement that it's "Not good customer relations" only brings up images of the current BP Gulf PR Disaster which is definately not what Lake Texoma community wants or needs.

The new licencing from the Coast Guard require a report be submitted anytime any incident involving a guide's boat or charter.  Hopefully after this process in completed we may be able to get a good picture of what happened that fateful day.

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The US Fish and Wildlife Service and Texas Parks and Wildlife put out a flyer on the Zebra Mussell problem.

Click here for full sized flyer.

Click here for full sized flyer.

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Thankfully what could have resulted in tragic consequences was averted with help from other guides on Lake Texoma.  StriperGuideFishing has learned that yesterday Wayne McCullough, an Oklahoma guide who fishes mainly of out of Catfish Bay and Alberta Creek, was fishing off Washita Point with four customers.  The conditions on Lake Texoma were rough, winds in the 20-25 mph range with gusts higher and 3 to 4 foot waves.  From what we have heard, Mr. McCullough was anchored when a large wave broke over the bow of the boat and swamped and sunk it. The charter and guide all went into the water but fortunately the life jackets were readily accessible and all were able to vest up.  The folks were rescued by other boats nearby and from our info all are doing fine.  Wayne's boat was lost and all that was salvaged were two chairs and his bait tank. 

Wayne states on this web site that he "fishes year-round, weather permitting in my boat 1999 22’4” Red Fin with a 2003 Yamaha 225 HP motor that handles Lake Texoma real well. It's equipped with several fish finders, GPS, VHF radio and trolling motor to go along with the necessary safety equipment."  As of today his website has been taken down.

Safety should is your number one concern when out on Lake Texoma.  If you are going out in your boat make sure you have plenty of high quality life vests.  A vest that can save your life is something you don't want to skimp on.   Also make sure you have a horn or whistle you can use as a distress signal should the need arise.  If you are chartering a trip with a guide on, ask up front about the condition of his boat, what safety equipment he has on board and his safety record.  As the guides on Lake Texoma are now required to be licensed and go through Coast Guard Safety classes all the above should be readily provided.

The weather on Lake Texoma also should not be taken lightly.  The lake gets very rough with high waves during windy conditions.  It can get rough in a hurry so be sure to keep aware of the what the weather is doing.

Remember, SAFETY FIRST and then you will be able to come back to have another fun day enjoying the beauty of Lake Texoma. 

With the Memorial Day Holidays behind us and the June days heating up, the striper fishing on Lake Texoma is at it's best.  Limits of stripers are being caught all over the lake.   Although I have caught some fish on top-water, live bait is still my preference at this time.

Read StriperMaster's Lake Texoma Striper Fishing Report.

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Needless to say the fishing has been just as awesome as expected for this time of year. It is as fast as you can drop your bait in the water and limits are coming in on average of about an hour leaving plenty of time to catch and release, cat fish, or look for bigger fish. We are forecasted to have our first 100° weather here in the first week in June. I can’t believe just 2 months ago in the first week in April we still had snow on the ground. With the water temperature rising, the big fish are starting to venture out into the deeper water. Most of my fish are coming in 50-60 ft. but I’m sometimes still finding the bigger fish in the 35-40ft range, but not always. Live bait is still the ticket and should remain so until the beginning of July. Most importantly, if you’re not beating the water, you’re not catching fish.

I took most of Memorial Day weekend off with the exception of Friday morning and Saturday morning. Fishing was still good and it wasn’t as crowed out there as I was expecting. It was nice to finally take a couple of days off to relax a little. Wednesday I was right back after it and the fishing just picked right back up where I had left off.

For more info visit StripersInc.

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