Forney Fishing Guides
Forney fishing charters run lake and river trips on Lake Ray Hubbard, Lake Tawakoni, and the Trinity River for largemouth bass, crappie, catfish, white bass, and hybrids.
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Forney, TX Fishing Guide
Forney, TX sits on the east side of Dallas, so captains here have quick options: Ray Hubbard for close strikes, Tawakoni for numbers and big catfish, and the Trinity River (including the East Fork) when you want current. Most trips are half-day or full-day; summer adds night fishing to beat the heat and target schooling fish under lights. Typical run times are short—10–20 minutes to Ray Hubbard, 30–45 minutes to Tawakoni, and similar for nearby Trinity access. Launches depend on the plan: public ramps on the west side of Ray Hubbard near the I‑30 bridges, Lake Tawakoni State Park or the Two‑Mile Bridge area, and small river ramps where depth allows.
This fishery is straightforward: windblown points, riprap, bridge pilings, and offshore humps for bass and white bass; brush piles, docks, and standing timber for crappie; river bends, ledges, and main-lake channels for blue, channel, and flathead catfish. In Forney you’ll fish what’s in front of you—no long ocean runs—so more time lines-in. Electronics matter. Side imaging finds crappie on brush in 12–25 feet. On windy days we drift or slow-troll cut shad for blue cats along channel edges. When shad push shallow in fall, we power-fish: squarebills, lipless baits, and topwater on Ray Hubbard’s rocks and marina walls.
Spring in Forney is a shallow game: bass on flats and secondary points, crappie on brush and docks. Summer shifts deeper—Carolina rigs, deep cranks, vertical jigging, and live-bait rigs. Fall is bait-driven; we chase birds and graph for schools, then throw slabs and small swimbaits. Winter slows the lake bite but keeps catfish steady; we anchor on ledges with fresh cut bait and work crappie vertically over deeper timber. Specialty trips include spring white bass runs up creeks, trophy blue cat hunts in winter, and summer night trips under lights for white bass, hybrids, and crappie. Forney, TX stays consistent year-round because you can always pivot between Ray Hubbard, Tawakoni, and the Trinity. That flexibility is why many guides base here—close ramps, dependable patterns, and a simple shot to fishable water.
Fishing Seasons in Forney
Spring (March–May)
Water warms into the 60s and everything moves shallow. Bass stage on secondary points, then fan beds in protected pockets. Crappie stack on brush and move to docks when fronts pass. White bass push up the creeks after rain and will crush small jigs, roadrunners, and small crankbaits. On Ray Hubbard, we cover water with spinnerbaits and squarebills around riprap and marina corners; on Tawakoni, we slow down with soft plastics in 3–8 feet around timber. The Trinity’s mild flow makes cut-bait sets productive for channel cats. Most Forney charters run early starts, and half-days produce because the morning window can be all you need when fish are shallow and aggressive.
Summer (June–August)
Heat drives a depth shift. We fish first light for schooling white bass and hybrids on main-lake humps, then slide deeper for largemouth with Carolina rigs, football jigs, and deep-diving cranks in 12–20 feet. Crappie hold tight to brush and bridge pilings—vertical jigs or minnows, light line, and boat control are key. Catfish become the headline: drift fresh shad across channels on Tawakoni or anchor on ledges with slip-floats and cut bait on the Trinity. Night trips are common from Forney—set lights around bridges or marina walls and work small spoons and jigs once the bait stacks. Expect shorter mid‑day windows; we plan around wind direction, thermocline depth, and shade.
Fall (September–November)
Cold fronts and shad pushes wake the lakes up. Bass feed on windblown banks; squarebills, lipless cranks, and small swimbaits cover water fast. When birds start diving, we throw slabs and tail-spinners for white bass and hybrids on offshore structure. Crappie slide shallower on sunny afternoons and suspend over mid-depth brush—slow presentations get more bites after fronts. Catfish remain steady on cut bait along drops. Forney captains often mix patterns in one trip: morning schooling fish, late-morning brush for crappie, then a short anchor set for a few cats before heading in. Boat traffic thins out, water clarity improves, and stable post-front days can be the best numbers of the year.
Winter (December–February)
Bass slow but still eat on warming afternoons—jerkbaits and Alabama rigs over bait schools, plus jigs on steep rock. Crappie group tight on deeper timber and bridge pilings; precise vertical jigging with small profiles is the play. Trophy blue cats are the main draw from Forney in winter. We graph deep channels and ledges, then anchor and soak fresh gizzard shad; bites can be subtle, but the fish aren’t. On the Trinity, river holes and outside bends hold consistent channel cat numbers. Wind matters for boat positioning and safety; many winter trips are shorter windows timed with stable pressure. Dress warm, bring hand warmers, and expect fewer bites but heavier fish.
Gamefish in Forney
- Largemouth Bass – 1–6 lbs typical, with 8–10 lb shots. Spring/fall on Ray Hubbard rocks and points; summer/winter on humps and ledges with worms, jigs, and deep cranks.
- Crappie (Black/White) – 0.75–2 lbs. Brush piles, docks, and bridge pilings; jigs or minnows, vertical in summer/winter, shallower in spring/fall.
- White Bass – 1–2.5 lbs. School on humps; spring creek runs. Slabs, tail-spinners, and small crankbaits.
- Hybrid Striped Bass – 2–8 lbs. Chase shad on main-lake structure; slabs and swimbaits when birds are working.
- Blue Catfish – 5–30+ lbs. Main-lake channels and river holes; fresh cut shad while drifting or anchored, best in winter and summer
- Channel Catfish – 1–8 lbs. Edges and flats near channels; punch/stink bait or shrimp under slip-floats, strong in warm months.
- Flathead Catfish – 8–40+ lbs. Deep timber and river bends at night; live bait on stout tackle.
Forney Fishing FAQ's
What launch points do guides use near Forney?
Most trips use public ramps on Lake Ray Hubbard near the I‑30 bridges, Lake Tawakoni State Park or Two‑Mile Bridge, and small Trinity River ramps when water levels cooperate. Your captain will pick the ramp based on target species and wind.
How long are typical Forney trips?
Half‑day (4–5 hours) and full‑day (8 hours) are standard. In summer, many captains add night trips to work schooling fish under lights and avoid daytime heat.
Is tackle provided, or should I bring gear?
Guides provide rods, reels, tackle, and bait. Bring any confidence lures you love, but keep it simple so we can stay efficient on the deck.
Do I need a fishing license?
Yes—anyone 17+ needs a valid Texas fishing license. Buy online or at local retailers before your trip; conservation officers do check ramps and bridges.
When is the best time to fish around Forney?
Spring and fall are top for bass and crappie. Summer and winter are reliable for catfish, with summer nights and winter blue-cat sets producing consistently.
What techniques should I expect on a charter?
Light‑tackle casting for bass, vertical jigging for crappie, drifting or anchoring with cut bait for catfish, and slab spoons or tail‑spinners for schooling white bass and hybrids. We adjust to wind, bait, and water clarity.
What species are most common for Forney charters?
Largemouth bass, crappie, white bass, hybrid stripers, and the catfish trio—blue, channel, and flathead. The mix shifts with season and lake choice.
How many anglers can you take?
Most bay/center‑console setups handle 2–4 comfortably. Larger crews can split boats or book a second captain; that keeps everyone fishing without tangles.
Do you offer specialty trips?
Yes—spring creek runs for white bass, winter trophy blue cat hunts, and summer night trips under lights. Forney’s location makes it easy to pivot between Ray Hubbard, Tawakoni, and the Trinity to match the bite.