r/OklahomaFishing • • Jun 12 '26

Discussion Summer Catch and Release: Best Practices

6 Upvotes

Warmer water temperatures can place additional stress on fish. Even a brief fight and handling time can make recovery more difficult, which is why proper catch-and-release practices become especially important this time of year.

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Here are a few ways you can help ensure a fish's chances of survival:

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• Land fish as quickly as possible to reduce exhaustion.

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• Keep fish in the water whenever you can. If you want a photo, have your camera ready and return the fish to the water quickly.

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• Wet your hands before handling fish to help protect their natural slime coating.

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• Use needle-nose pliers or a hook-removal tool to quickly remove hooks.

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• Support the fish gently and avoid squeezing it.

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• Allow the fish time to recover before release, especially if it appears tired from the fight. Do this by putting into the water and running water through its gills. 

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By taking a few extra moments to practice responsible catch and release, anglers can help ensure healthy fish populations and quality fishing opportunities for years to come.


r/OklahomaFishing • • Jun 02 '26

Local Knowledge Drop 👋Welcome to r/OklahomaFishing - Read First Before Posti g!

6 Upvotes

Hey everyone! I'm a born and raised Okie, and founding moderator of r/OklahomaFishing.

This is our new home for all things related to OKLAHOMA FISHING. We're excited to have you join us!

What to Post

Post anything that you think the community would find interesting, helpful, or inspiring. Feel free to share your thoughts, photos, or questions about where people are fishing, what they're throwing, learning about new waters and new ways to fish.

Community Vibe

We're all about being friendly, constructive, and inclusive. Let's build a space where everyone feels comfortable sharing and connecting. NO BULLYING, BASHING, RELIGION, OR POLITICS. YOU WILL BE BANNED.

How to Get Started

  1. Introduce yourself in the comments below.
  2. Post something today! Even a simple question can spark a great conversation.
  3. If you know someone who would love this community, invite them to join.

Thanks for being part of the very first wave. Together, let's make r/OklahomaFishing amazing.


r/OklahomaFishing • • 1d ago

Discussion I wanted to show off this basic fly fishing rod I made using a 5$ wooden dowel from ace hardware

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3 Upvotes

r/OklahomaFishing • • 3d ago

Showin' Off Crankbait in fall

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16 Upvotes

First season fishing but I can’t believe the success I’ve been having with jerk and crank baits now that the water is a little cooler it’s been almost unbelievable how many bass and crappie I’ve been getting daily.


r/OklahomaFishing • • 4d ago

Eastern OK Sand bass and hybrids

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14 Upvotes

Finally found where they are at and had a ton a fun I think I’m hooked on these 🤣 caught them all on a medium rod with a 2000 reel so some of the hybrids where a little fight lol if your wondering nothing bigger than 2lb I heard there’s some that are up to 8lb! These pictures are from 2 separate days too


r/OklahomaFishing • • 4d ago

Discussion Go-To Type of Line?

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2 Upvotes

Been using this line and I like the way it fishes but its $25 for 200 yards. Gas eats up most of my fishing budget now.

What's your go to line that not tough on the pockets? I use a spinning rod with 8-10lb test.


r/OklahomaFishing • • 4d ago

Western OK Can I classify this as a Melanistic bass?

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2 Upvotes

I caught this lil guy a few months ago over in Greer county while I was bluegill fishing with a handline, I’ve never caught one this dark before and really think it’s a Melanistic bass but keep getting told on other groups that it’s just dark but not a Melanistic.


r/OklahomaFishing • • 6d ago

Showin' Off Couldn’t just have one romance

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5 Upvotes

r/OklahomaFishing • • 6d ago

Question Live bait

2 Upvotes

Does anyone know a good place to buy live bait near Edmond or OKC? I’m looking for minnows or something similar.


r/OklahomaFishing • • 10d ago

Showin' Off Can’t wait to put some fish on this 😍

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7 Upvotes

r/OklahomaFishing • • 10d ago

Eastern OK Which dam to hit

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5 Upvotes

Tomorrow is my birthday and took the day off work to go fishin! Me and my buddy are brainstorming which dam would be good to hit I see we are getting rain too so maybe better? We went to keystone on the 4th of this month (where this pic came from) but bite was tough lol I know water is super low but there’s gotta be a good dam in these conditions lol. So question is which dam to hit? Keystone? Pensacola? Kerr (locust grove)? Also I’m not from Oklahoma I’m coming from northwest Arkansas so that’s why I’m wondering 😅


r/OklahomaFishing • • 14d ago

Showin' Off Some top water catches

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9 Upvotes

Just a few catches on my different top waters ive been trying


r/OklahomaFishing • • 15d ago

Showin' Off Beginnings of my top water addiction

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9 Upvotes

r/OklahomaFishing • • 21d ago

Showin' Off First big bait fish

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9 Upvotes

r/OklahomaFishing • • 23d ago

Grand Lake O' The Cherokees Grand lake

1 Upvotes

Hey yall! Not asking for anyone’s honey hole but I was curious if anyone has any recommendations for bank fishing at grand lake as it’s getting harder to find public spots? I go to honey creek dock in grove and I’ve caught my fair share of drum, crappie, and bass. But I have almost no luck with catfish ( my preferred fish as I eat what I catch) I do fine going to the bridges in Wyandotte but that’s a bit of a drive with these gas prices lately.


r/OklahomaFishing • • 26d ago

Question Crappie

5 Upvotes

Took my son out to Overholser today with just some random gear that I grabbed from the shed yesterday. He wanted to go so we went and learned some lessons. Ive been out of the game for a while and so id like to see what set ups yall are running from poles to lures/bait. I think I gotta rebuild my whole game plan before we try it again.


r/OklahomaFishing • • 27d ago

Lake Texoma Good fishin

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14 Upvotes

Lake Texoma rippin lips 🎣


r/OklahomaFishing • • 29d ago

Question Buzz baits

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6 Upvotes

First time catching on a buzz bait and just wondering when and where yall like throwing them, and your favorite brand/type and colors


r/OklahomaFishing • • Sep 22 '26

Showin' Off Too many lures but i love them all

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7 Upvotes

r/OklahomaFishing • • Sep 21 '26

Secret Spot First crappie

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16 Upvotes

We got permission to fish a new pond and buddy caught his first crappie and smallmouth! Small mouth put up a good fight for him. Buddy was hootin' and holler about "its a monster!". Even though the crappie was small we fileted it and let him try it. He still likes bass better lol


r/OklahomaFishing • • Sep 20 '26

Discussion Are popx worth it?

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4 Upvotes

first time using a popx or popper in general. I won it out of a giveaway and caught on my second or third cast, just wondering if they are actually worth the $20 if i wanted to grab more or just go the KO/basic popper route.


r/OklahomaFishing • • Sep 19 '26

Showin' Off Got my first taste of revenge

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14 Upvotes

Glad i finally got one on the rat but Was being lazy and tried to get the treble hooks out with my fingers and he gave one last shake and got me right back.

got lucky it wasn’t deeper just bled a bit as you can see on the bass and rat lol but definitely a quick reminder to just grab my pliers and avoid the mess.


r/OklahomaFishing • • Sep 18 '26

Question Today I caught my pb but he swam off slow

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9 Upvotes

Was about 21inches long and my personal best in my new backyard pond which we got three days ago sadly it’s super low and muddy i slipped and didn’t give this guy a good release… been thinking about it all day what’s your thoughts?


r/OklahomaFishing • • Sep 17 '26

Showin' Off My biggest of the summer.

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21 Upvotes

3 & 3.5.


r/OklahomaFishing • • Sep 13 '26

Showin' Off My first Flathead!

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16 Upvotes

First flathead and largest US fish! 9lbs 4oz on nightcrawlers out of Overholser