Don Mattern Sr.

Mattern Guide Service

Hello Everybody,

Galations 2: Verse 20: I have been crucified with Christ; it is no longer I who live, but Christ lives in me; and the life which I now live in the flesh I live by Faith in the Son of God, who loved me and gave Himself for me.

Well I was on Lake Fairfield today with strong 20-25 miles an hour North winds. Water temps. were 64 around the Lake and in the high 70's in the discharge.

Bass fishing was Fair with about 25 Bass comming to the boat in a half day trip.

Bass were hitting the Nichols Creature in watermelon red and Green Pumpkin pepper and dipping the tails in Spike it Chartruse. Be sure and call David Nichols with Nichols Lures at 903-589-8100 and mention Mattern Guide Service sent you it will really help.

The bite was difficult today with the redfish bite being slow and the Bass. The Carolina Rig with the Nichols Creature was all I could get the Bigger Bass to Hit.

I fished drop offs along sand bars and points in 1-12 feet of water. When you found the Bass they were schooled up tight but in schools.

A carolina rig consist of an egg sinker in about 1/4 to 1/2 ounce put on first with a bead of glass to protect the line attached to a swivel with about a 2 foot leader tied to a 3/0 hook in a wide gap version.

Use about 15 lb. mono for all around line and leader for most cases unless you are in some real giants then beef up to 20 or 25 lb. test.. I like a 7 foot Jeff Friendly Custom rod in a special medium heavy fast tip version. Cast alog the breaks or drop offs around sand bars and point drops and simply drag the egg sinker along. Usually you will feel the line feel heavy or a slight tap just set the hook and try to keep her head down when she jumps.

At Lake Fairfield on days when the North wind is not guting with a cold front blowing in you can catch redfish and Bass on the Nichols Creature rigged this way. I have had days when I caught up to 9 Redfish with 3 over 10 lbs. and the Biggest 15 lbs. with a load of Bigger Bass up to 6-7 Lbs. You know how fishing is some days its chicken and then some days its feathers. Like today I only got 1 redfish up to about 2 lbs.

Deer Hunting starts Saturday and the Lakes are wide open with little or no pressure.

Well good fishing and May God bless if you want to book a trip to Fairfield just give me a call at 903-478-2633 or 903-724-1203. The Spawn begins around January and the Bigger Females move up and that is a really good time to Fish this Lake When other Lakes are in the 40,s to 50,s for water temps and Fairfield is sitting at a warm and toasty 63 degrees.

Great Products that help me every trip out-

Jeff Friendly Custom Rods-

Nichols Lures- 903-589-8100

Phantom Tackle

Date Added: 2006-11-02

Type of Fishing: Bottom Fishing

Charter Service Name: Mattern Guide Service

Email Guide or Angler: donmat@earthlink.net

Website URL: http://

Captains Name: Don Mattern Sr.

Region You Fish: Texas

Biz Phone: 903-478-2633

Fish Species: Bass and Redfish
Bait Used: Nichols Baits
Tackle Used: Johnny Morris and shimano reels on Jeff Friendly Custom Rods spooled with 15 lb.
Method Used: Carolina rigs
Water Depth: 1-12
Water Temperature: 64
Wind Direction: North
Wind Speed: 20-25

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Don Mattern Sr.

About The Author: Captain Don Mattern Sr.

Company: Mattern Guide Service

Area Reporting: Lake Palestine Texas

Bio: Don Mattern Sr. has been fishing Lake Palestine since 1994 and guiding full-time since 2002. He was born in Houston, Texas and moved out to the country at 20 years old. He's been married 35 years and has 2 sons. Don currently guides and tournament fishes full-time.

903-478-2633
Click Here For Past Fishing Reports by Captain Don Mattern Sr.