Catfish Radio with Luke Clayton & Friends Podcast

Catfish Radio – August 29
This week on Catfish Radio with Luke Clayton and Friends, Luke and his guests cover fishing from the Texas coast to two of the state’s most productive inland lakes.

Larry Weishuhn shares stories from a memorable coastal fishing trip with Jim Zumbo and Rick Lambert. Bill Carey provides a late-summer and early-fall striped bass report from Lake Texoma, while Tony Pennebaker explains how anglers can catch both channel and blue catfish on Lake Tawakoni.

Luke and Larry close the show with wild-hog trapping advice, game-meat cooking, specialty hunting knives and a reminder that Catfish Radio is built around useful information, outdoor fellowship and positive conversation.

Segment 1: Campfire Talk with Luke and Larry

Luke Clayton and Larry Weishuhn open the show with another relaxed campfire conversation about hunting, fishing, friendship and preparing for the approaching fall season.

Larry discusses sighting in rifles and Taurus handguns with Hornady ammunition, along with using Stealth Vision scopes and red-dot sights. He also reflects on his continued work with the Dallas Safari Club in conservation, education and hunter advocacy.

The conversation then moves to Larry’s recent trip to the lower Texas coast with legendary outdoorsman Jim Zumbo and songwriter Rick Lambert, whose songwriting credits include work with his daughter, Miranda Lambert. Calling themselves the “Three Amigos,” the friends enjoyed fishing for red snapper, speckled trout and sheepshead near Port Mansfield.

Larry describes catching a sheepshead measuring more than 22 inches while using live shrimp and light spinning tackle. He and Luke discuss the fish’s strength, its tendency to run toward barnacle-covered pilings and why sheepshead may be one of the most underrated eating fish along the Texas coast.

The trip also involved Tom and Mike Snyder and Mike’s wife, Mary Beth, whose work with Trinity Oaks helps provide outdoor experiences for wounded veterans, terminally ill children, families and young people.

Luke and Larry then look ahead to a Dallas Safari Club gathering where Larry plans to cook buffalo burgers made from meat provided by Steve Hornady. Luke is responsible for preparing pulled wild pork.

That leads to a hilarious story about Luke’s lightweight aluminum hog trap. During a previous trip with Larry and Jeff Rice at the Buck and Bass Ranch, four young hogs managed to wedge their heads between the trap’s bars. After several unsuccessful attempts to free them, Larry tapped the bars with a hammer, allowing each hog to pull loose and escape before anyone remembered the original barbecue plans.

Luke now has the same trap set near his home, where trail cameras are showing two sounders containing approximately 15 to 20 hogs. This time, he promises to keep a hammer nearby. 

Segment 2: Bill Carey’s Lake Texoma Striper Report

Bill Carey of Striper Express joins Luke with an update on striped bass fishing at Lake Texoma as the lake begins transitioning from its summer pattern into early fall.

Bill explains that the stripers are beginning to leave deeper water and move up ledges onto flats. Anglers are still catching fish by working slabs near the bottom, but the changing pattern can also produce sudden topwater action when stripers push schools of shad toward the surface.

Luke recalls a recent trip with Bill when they caught a mixture of larger stripers and smaller “box fish” while drifting slabs up a ledge and onto a flat in approximately 30 feet of water.

As September progresses, the fish will continue moving onto shallower flats. Topwater activity may still be inconsistent at first, but anglers should remain prepared because a school of stripers can erupt on the surface without warning.

Bill also explains that gulls will begin returning to Texoma toward the end of September. By November, thousands of birds can help anglers locate feeding schools of stripers, sometimes proving even more useful than expensive sonar equipment.

October brings another exciting opportunity as falling water temperatures move baitfish toward the banks. Stripers follow, creating excellent conditions for blind casting large pencil poppers, Choppos and other topwater lures.

Bill emphasizes that anglers should focus on banks with nearby deep-water access, creek channels, ditches and other natural travel routes. Even when no fish are visible, subtle clues such as a bird sitting along the bank or a swirl on the surface may reveal the presence of feeding stripers.

The aggressive nature of striped bass makes this fishing especially exciting. Fish frequently follow hooked stripers or chase lures all the way to the boat, sometimes striking just as an angler lifts the plug from the water.

The segment also highlights Lake Texoma as a family-friendly destination, with convenient lodging and guided fishing opportunities available through Striper Express. 

Segment 3: Tony Pennebaker’s Lake Tawakoni Catfish Update

Tony Pennebaker joins Luke from Lake Tawakoni with a late-summer report on channel and blue catfish.

Channel catfish are actively feeding around baited holes in approximately 10 to 25 feet of water. Tony recommends looking for creek channels, humps or other forms of structure and using sonar to locate fish before locking the boat into position.

A small amount of soured corn, cattle cubes or other chum can attract fish and keep them concentrated beneath the boat. Tony often throws out a cup of corn and a handful of cubes before fishing with his Tony P’s punch bait.

Luke prefers a number-four treble hook because the larger hook is easier to remove from a catfish’s mouth and holds slightly more bait during hot weather. Tony notes that a number-six hook is also popular, but the additional bait carried by a number-four hook may provide another bite or two before the hook needs to be re-baited.

Tony recommends keeping cheese-based punch bait cool during hot weather. Once the bait reaches the bottom, anglers should raise it slightly and wait. Tony often receives a bite within 60 seconds.

When a fish pecks at the bait without getting hooked, anglers should avoid immediately reeling in. Leaving the bait in place may produce another strike, and Tony says some of his largest fish often come after the second or third bite.

The discussion then shifts to blue catfish. Although many anglers associate blues with cooler weather, Tony reports that Tawakoni produced excellent blue-cat fishing during July. Summer anglers may catch fewer blues than channel cats, but the blues are often larger and can produce considerably more fillet meat.

For the best flavor, Tony and Luke stress the importance of removing the red meat from blue-catfish fillets. Anglers should keep the knife slightly above the skin instead of scraping away every possible piece of meat. On larger fish, the center strip of darker meat should also be removed.

Luke and Tony compare the eating qualities of channel cats, blue cats and flatheads, with both selecting properly cleaned blue catfish as a favorite.

Tony can also be contacted for guided fishing trips or Tony P’s punch bait through **BestCatfishBait.com**. 

Segment 4: Hog Trapping, Wild-Game Cooking and Hunting Knives

Larry returns to close the show with Luke and continue their discussion about wild hogs and the upcoming Dallas Safari Club dinner.

Larry explains that landowners who want to reduce hog populations should attempt to remove an entire sounder rather than catching only one or two animals. He mentions lightweight net-style traps that allow hogs to enter beneath the netting but prevent them from escaping.

Luke’s immediate goal is more culinary than population control. He plans to trap enough young wild hogs to provide approximately 25 pounds of meat for pulled-pork sandwiches.

Because wild pork is usually very lean, Luke plans to cook it with domestic pork shoulder. The added fat will keep the meat moist while it cooks with garlic, jalapeños and seasoning. After the pork becomes tender, Luke recommends chopping it across the grain with a cleaver instead of serving it as long, stringy pieces.

The pulled pork will be served alongside buffalo burgers prepared by Larry using meat donated by Steve Hornady.

Luke and Larry also discuss Matt Burgess and **Dispatch Hunts**, a booking service capable of arranging hunting adventures ranging from squirrel hunts to international expeditions. Dispatch Hunts also offers specialty outdoor knives, including Larry Weishuhn signature models.

Larry explains that the designs of his knives are based on more than 70 years of experience as a hunter, guide and wildlife disease specialist. Some limited-edition models feature handles made from antlers or horns collected from animals Larry personally hunted.

Luke then shares plans for a future episode of **A Sportsman’s Life**, available through CarbonTV. Trail-camera and conventional footage will document Luke’s hog-trapping process and may help viewers learn how to approach trapping on their own property.

Once Luke catches a hog, he plans to arrive at daylight with plenty of ice and quickly remove the quarters and backstraps. For his purposes, he does not need to open the body cavity because the hog population provides plenty of opportunities to obtain additional meat.

The show closes with Luke reflecting on a listener’s message praising the program’s positive tone. Luke and Larry emphasize that Catfish Radio is not built around politics, arguments or attacking other people. Its purpose is to provide useful outdoor information, enjoyable stories and good-natured conversation.

After 20 years on the air, that commitment to fun, friendship and the outdoor lifestyle remains at the heart of the show. 

In This Episode

* Larry Weishuhn’s fishing trip with Jim Zumbo and Rick Lambert
* Red snapper, trout and trophy-sized sheepshead
* Trinity Oaks and its outdoor outreach programs
* Preparing for the Dallas Safari Club dinner
* Luke and Larry’s hilarious hog-trap escape story
* September striper patterns on Lake Texoma
* Fishing slabs along ledges and deep-water flats
* Early-fall topwater fishing and the return of the gulls
* Baiting holes for Lake Tawakoni channel catfish
* Punch-bait hooks, presentation and hot-weather storage
* Summer blue-cat fishing and fillet preparation
* Catching entire sounders of wild hogs
* Preparing pulled wild pork and buffalo burgers
* Dispatch Hunts and Larry Weishuhn signature knives
* Outdoor education through A Sportsman’s Life
* Twenty years of positive outdoor radio

From sheepshead on the lower Texas coast to aggressive Texoma stripers, hungry Tawakoni catfish and wild hogs destined for the smoker, this episode offers plenty of practical information and good outdoor storytelling.

It is another reminder that hunting and fishing are about more than the harvest. They are also about friendship, tradition, learning something new and enjoying time together in the outdoors.

Catfish Radio – August 29
This week on Catfish Radio with Luke Clayton and Friends, Luke and his guests cover fishing from the Texas coast to two of the state’s most productive inland lakes.

Larry Weishuhn shares stories from a memorable coastal fishing trip with Jim Zumbo and Rick Lambert. Bill Carey provides a late-summer and early-fall striped bass report from Lake Texoma, while Tony Pennebaker explains how anglers can catch both channel and blue catfish on Lake Tawakoni.

Luke and Larry close the show with wild-hog trapping advice, game-meat cooking, specialty hunting knives and a reminder that Catfish Radio is built around useful information, outdoor fellowship and positive conversation.

Segment 1: Campfire Talk with Luke and Larry

Luke Clayton and Larry Weishuhn open the show with another relaxed campfire conversation about hunting, fishing, friendship and preparing for the approaching fall season.

Larry discusses sighting in rifles and Taurus handguns with Hornady ammunition, along with using Stealth Vision scopes and red-dot sights. He also reflects on his continued work with the Dallas Safari Club in conservation, education and hunter advocacy.

The conversation then moves to Larry’s recent trip to the lower Texas coast with legendary outdoorsman Jim Zumbo and songwriter Rick Lambert, whose songwriting credits include work with his daughter, Miranda Lambert. Calling themselves the “Three Amigos,” the friends enjoyed fishing for red snapper, speckled trout and sheepshead near Port Mansfield.

Larry describes catching a sheepshead measuring more than 22 inches while using live shrimp and light spinning tackle. He and Luke discuss the fish’s strength, its tendency to run toward barnacle-covered pilings and why sheepshead may be one of the most underrated eating fish along the Texas coast.

The trip also involved Tom and Mike Snyder and Mike’s wife, Mary Beth, whose work with Trinity Oaks helps provide outdoor experiences for wounded veterans, terminally ill children, families and young people.

Luke and Larry then look ahead to a Dallas Safari Club gathering where Larry plans to cook buffalo burgers made from meat provided by Steve Hornady. Luke is responsible for preparing pulled wild pork.

That leads to a hilarious story about Luke’s lightweight aluminum hog trap. During a previous trip with Larry and Jeff Rice at the Buck and Bass Ranch, four young hogs managed to wedge their heads between the trap’s bars. After several unsuccessful attempts to free them, Larry tapped the bars with a hammer, allowing each hog to pull loose and escape before anyone remembered the original barbecue plans.

Luke now has the same trap set near his home, where trail cameras are showing two sounders containing approximately 15 to 20 hogs. This time, he promises to keep a hammer nearby. 

Segment 2: Bill Carey’s Lake Texoma Striper Report

Bill Carey of Striper Express joins Luke with an update on striped bass fishing at Lake Texoma as the lake begins transitioning from its summer pattern into early fall.

Bill explains that the stripers are beginning to leave deeper water and move up ledges onto flats. Anglers are still catching fish by working slabs near the bottom, but the changing pattern can also produce sudden topwater action when stripers push schools of shad toward the surface.

Luke recalls a recent trip with Bill when they caught a mixture of larger stripers and smaller “box fish” while drifting slabs up a ledge and onto a flat in approximately 30 feet of water.

As September progresses, the fish will continue moving onto shallower flats. Topwater activity may still be inconsistent at first, but anglers should remain prepared because a school of stripers can erupt on the surface without warning.

Bill also explains that gulls will begin returning to Texoma toward the end of September. By November, thousands of birds can help anglers locate feeding schools of stripers, sometimes proving even more useful than expensive sonar equipment.

October brings another exciting opportunity as falling water temperatures move baitfish toward the banks. Stripers follow, creating excellent conditions for blind casting large pencil poppers, Choppos and other topwater lures.

Bill emphasizes that anglers should focus on banks with nearby deep-water access, creek channels, ditches and other natural travel routes. Even when no fish are visible, subtle clues such as a bird sitting along the bank or a swirl on the surface may reveal the presence of feeding stripers.

The aggressive nature of striped bass makes this fishing especially exciting. Fish frequently follow hooked stripers or chase lures all the way to the boat, sometimes striking just as an angler lifts the plug from the water.

The segment also highlights Lake Texoma as a family-friendly destination, with convenient lodging and guided fishing opportunities available through Striper Express. 

Segment 3: Tony Pennebaker’s Lake Tawakoni Catfish Update

Tony Pennebaker joins Luke from Lake Tawakoni with a late-summer report on channel and blue catfish.

Channel catfish are actively feeding around baited holes in approximately 10 to 25 feet of water. Tony recommends looking for creek channels, humps or other forms of structure and using sonar to locate fish before locking the boat into position.

A small amount of soured corn, cattle cubes or other chum can attract fish and keep them concentrated beneath the boat. Tony often throws out a cup of corn and a handful of cubes before fishing with his Tony P’s punch bait.

Luke prefers a number-four treble hook because the larger hook is easier to remove from a catfish’s mouth and holds slightly more bait during hot weather. Tony notes that a number-six hook is also popular, but the additional bait carried by a number-four hook may provide another bite or two before the hook needs to be re-baited.

Tony recommends keeping cheese-based punch bait cool during hot weather. Once the bait reaches the bottom, anglers should raise it slightly and wait. Tony often receives a bite within 60 seconds.

When a fish pecks at the bait without getting hooked, anglers should avoid immediately reeling in. Leaving the bait in place may produce another strike, and Tony says some of his largest fish often come after the second or third bite.

The discussion then shifts to blue catfish. Although many anglers associate blues with cooler weather, Tony reports that Tawakoni produced excellent blue-cat fishing during July. Summer anglers may catch fewer blues than channel cats, but the blues are often larger and can produce considerably more fillet meat.

For the best flavor, Tony and Luke stress the importance of removing the red meat from blue-catfish fillets. Anglers should keep the knife slightly above the skin instead of scraping away every possible piece of meat. On larger fish, the center strip of darker meat should also be removed.

Luke and Tony compare the eating qualities of channel cats, blue cats and flatheads, with both selecting properly cleaned blue catfish as a favorite.

Tony can also be contacted for guided fishing trips or Tony P’s punch bait through **BestCatfishBait.com**. 

Segment 4: Hog Trapping, Wild-Game Cooking and Hunting Knives

Larry returns to close the show with Luke and continue their discussion about wild hogs and the upcoming Dallas Safari Club dinner.

Larry explains that landowners who want to reduce hog populations should attempt to remove an entire sounder rather than catching only one or two animals. He mentions lightweight net-style traps that allow hogs to enter beneath the netting but prevent them from escaping.

Luke’s immediate goal is more culinary than population control. He plans to trap enough young wild hogs to provide approximately 25 pounds of meat for pulled-pork sandwiches.

Because wild pork is usually very lean, Luke plans to cook it with domestic pork shoulder. The added fat will keep the meat moist while it cooks with garlic, jalapeños and seasoning. After the pork becomes tender, Luke recommends chopping it across the grain with a cleaver instead of serving it as long, stringy pieces.

The pulled pork will be served alongside buffalo burgers prepared by Larry using meat donated by Steve Hornady.

Luke and Larry also discuss Matt Burgess and **Dispatch Hunts**, a booking service capable of arranging hunting adventures ranging from squirrel hunts to international expeditions. Dispatch Hunts also offers specialty outdoor knives, including Larry Weishuhn signature models.

Larry explains that the designs of his knives are based on more than 70 years of experience as a hunter, guide and wildlife disease specialist. Some limited-edition models feature handles made from antlers or horns collected from animals Larry personally hunted.

Luke then shares plans for a future episode of **A Sportsman’s Life**, available through CarbonTV. Trail-camera and conventional footage will document Luke’s hog-trapping process and may help viewers learn how to approach trapping on their own property.

Once Luke catches a hog, he plans to arrive at daylight with plenty of ice and quickly remove the quarters and backstraps. For his purposes, he does not need to open the body cavity because the hog population provides plenty of opportunities to obtain additional meat.

The show closes with Luke reflecting on a listener’s message praising the program’s positive tone. Luke and Larry emphasize that Catfish Radio is not built around politics, arguments or attacking other people. Its purpose is to provide useful outdoor information, enjoyable stories and good-natured conversation.

After 20 years on the air, that commitment to fun, friendship and the outdoor lifestyle remains at the heart of the show. 

In This Episode

* Larry Weishuhn’s fishing trip with Jim Zumbo and Rick Lambert
* Red snapper, trout and trophy-sized sheepshead
* Trinity Oaks and its outdoor outreach programs
* Preparing for the Dallas Safari Club dinner
* Luke and Larry’s hilarious hog-trap escape story
* September striper patterns on Lake Texoma
* Fishing slabs along ledges and deep-water flats
* Early-fall topwater fishing and the return of the gulls
* Baiting holes for Lake Tawakoni channel catfish
* Punch-bait hooks, presentation and hot-weather storage
* Summer blue-cat fishing and fillet preparation
* Catching entire sounders of wild hogs
* Preparing pulled wild pork and buffalo burgers
* Dispatch Hunts and Larry Weishuhn signature knives
* Outdoor education through A Sportsman’s Life
* Twenty years of positive outdoor radio

From sheepshead on the lower Texas coast to aggressive Texoma stripers, hungry Tawakoni catfish and wild hogs destined for the smoker, this episode offers plenty of practical information and good outdoor storytelling.

It is another reminder that hunting and fishing are about more than the harvest. They are also about friendship, tradition, learning something new and enjoying time together in the outdoors.

AUGUST 22nd Radio Show Summary

Coastal Fishing with the "THREE AMIGOS" - Campfire Talk with Mr. Whitetail

Luke kicks things off around the campfire with outdoor legends Larry Weishuhn, Jim Zumbo, and Rick Lambert. The "Three Amigos" discuss their ongoing advocacy work with Trinity Oaks and the DSC Foundation before recounting a highly successful coastal fishing trip. The group shares stories of limiting out on red snapper and sheepshead, enjoying Jim Zumbo’s chicken-fried nilgai, and previewing an upcoming trip to Lake Tawakoni for schooling hybrid stripers.

 

Wild Game Cooking Tips and Pulled Pork Preparation

• Sponsor Highlights: Luke kicks off the segment by recommending Ultramatic Feeders as a one-stop shop for hunting blinds and game feeders. He also highlights Smokin Tex electric smokers, a brand he has relied on for nearly two decades.

• Upcoming Event: The group discusses an upcoming September dinner for the Dallas Safari Club, where they plan to serve pulled pork sandwiches to the members.

• Wild Hog Harvesting: To prepare for the dinner, Luke plans to catch some prime wild hogs using an aluminum trap. He emphasizes targeting younger hogs under 100 pounds for the best meat quality, intending to mix the wild pork with domestic pork shoulder.

• Preparation Strategy: Luke shares his detailed cooking method, which involves boning out choice cuts (backstraps, hams, and shoulders), poking holes in the meat, and loading it up with slivers of jalapeño and garlic before placing it in an aluminum pan.

• Smoking the Meat: He recommends smoking the meat uncovered in a Smokin Tex smoker using hickory wood for 4 to 5 hours until the internal temperature reaches 170 to 180 degrees.

• Slow Cooking Finish: Afterward, he advises adding BBQ sauce and water, covering the pan tightly with heavy-duty foil, and letting it slow-cook overnight at 190 to 200 degrees until perfectly tender.

 

Lake Tawakoni Hybrids

• Luke Clayton connects with Lake Tawakoni fishing guide Tony Parker to discuss early-morning strategies for catching hybrid stripers.

• Parker emphasizes the importance of getting on the water right at daylight and finishing up by 11:00 AM to beat the brutal 100-plus degree Texas heat.

• The anglers are having great success targeting schooling hybrids and stripers in 30 to 35 feet of water using artificial lures rather than live bait.

• The discussion then transitions to wild game cooking, where they detail a method for preparing wild pork.

• They recommend mixing smaller wild hogs with domestic pork shoulder, injecting the meat with jalapeño and garlic, and slow-smoking it over hickory wood.

Nocturnal Feral Hog Hunting with the Hog Fader

Returning to the interviews, Luke welcomes John Austin to the show to dive into the challenges of night hunting for feral hogs. Austin introduces his invention, the Hog Fader, which is a solar-powered, motion-activated lighting system designed specifically for wary pigs. They discuss the critical flaw in standard feeder lights—sudden illumination that creates spook-inducing shadows—and explain how the Hog Fader solves this by slowly brightening over a 70-second period, allowing hunters to take an unhurried, ethical shot.

CATFISH RADIO AUGUST 15th, 2026
Segment 1: Campfire Talk with Larry Weishuhn

• DSC Highlights & Awards: Host Luke Clayton kicks off the show with his long-time friend Larry Weishuhn. They recap the Dallas Safari Club (DSC) summer show and gala, notably celebrating Steve Hornady receiving the Legacy Award.

• Hunting Season Prep: The duo looks ahead to the upcoming hunting seasons, discussing the South Carolina lowlands opening on August 15th, the fast-approaching dove season opener, and specklebelly geese arriving in October.

• Outdoor Cooking: Luke shares his cooking plans for an upcoming DSC event in Farmers Branch, Texas. He details a mouth-watering recipe for a mix of wild and domestic pork shoulder—seasoned with jalapeños, garlic, and brown sugar—cooked on a Smokin Tex electric smoker, alongside buffalo burgers from a bison harvested by Steve Hornady.

Segment 2: Crappie Fishing at Cedar Creek Lake

• Late-Summer Patterns: Guide Chris Webb joins the show to discuss summer crappie fishing on Cedar Creek Lake. He explains that early in the morning, fish can be found in 6 to 9 feet of water, but as the sun rises and temperatures climb, schools of crappie retreat to submerged brush piles in 15 to 25 feet of water.

• "Move Fast, Fish Slow": Webb’s primary strategy is to quickly scan different structures for active fish, but to drastically slow down the presentation once a school is located.

• Finesse Tactics: He recommends dead-sticking a minnow pinched in half (to release scent) right above the fish's head. Because summer bites can be incredibly subtle, he advises anglers to watch for a soft "pressure bite" rather than a traditional aggressive strike.

Segment 3: Texas Exotic Wildlife with Ken Yancey

• Ground Zero for Exotics: Ken Yancey, Executive Director of the Exotic Wildlife Association (EWA), joins the show to discuss the deep history of exotic ranching in Texas, tracing the organization's roots back to its founding in 1967.

• Species Spotlight: Yancey highlights the popularity of Axis deer for their exceptional meat and mentions that the EWA registry currently includes over 22,000 Fallow deer, alongside majestic species like the Scimitar-horned Oryx, Bongo, and various Gazelles.

• Conservation Through Commerce: A major focus of the segment is the ongoing legislative effort, specifically House Bill 2608 introduced by Congressman August Pfluger. The bill aims to remove certain thriving exotic species from endangered list restrictions, allowing ranchers to continue breeding and hunting them to fund global conservation and repopulation efforts.

Segment 4: Dove Hunting Tips & Wrap-Up

• Pond Strategies for Doves: Following a quick recap of Chris Webb's fishing tips, Larry shares a practical, on-the-ground strategy for the upcoming dove season. Knowing that doves flock to water late in the afternoon, he recommends using a weed whacker or mower to clear open landing spaces on overgrown pond banks, while intentionally leaving a few tall patches of vegetation for hunters to use as natural blinds.

• Closing & Sponsors: The show wraps up with the hosts thanking their guests and pointing listeners toward resources like the EWA website, while acknowledging their sponsors, including Arkansas Pond Stockers, CVA muzzleloaders, Pyramid Air, and Dash for Cash Pawn Shop.

Welcome to the August 8th edition of Catfish Radio, airing alongside Outdoors with Luke Clayton and Friends. In this episode, hosts Luke Clayton and Larry Weishuhn bring you a packed hour of outdoor talk, covering mid-summer crappie fishing, wild hog hunting history, and essential updates for the upcoming white-tailed deer season.

🎣 Segment Breakdown

• DSC Expo & Deer Season Prep: Larry Weishuhn recaps his visit to the Dallas Safari Club Summer Expo and the DSC Foundation Gala. He highlights Steve Hornady winning the prestigious Legacy Award. Larry also provides a timely wildlife update, noting that white-tailed deer antler development is currently peaking and will harden over the next two weeks.

• Cedar Creek Lake Crappie Fishing: Guide Chris Webb joins the show to share his highly effective summer crappie pattern. Chris recommends hitting the water right at sunrise and targeting active fish on brush piles in 6 to 16 feet of water. His top tactic right now is "dead sticking" live minnows, keeping the bait completely still until the fish bites.

• Feral Hog Trapping: Anthony Chew introduces listeners to the PIG Hog Trap system. He explains how this portable, UV-resistant netting trap allows for continuous catches without a traditional gate. Hogs simply root under the netting to enter, making it a highly effective tool for capturing entire sounders at once.

• Wild Hog Hunting Nostalgia: Luke Clayton reflects on his long history of hunting wild hogs, dating back to the 1970s in Red River County. He shares the story of harvesting a 100-pound Choctaw Mulefoot hog at the Choctaw Hunting Lodge in southeast Oklahoma. The unique catch was recently turned into a beautiful custom mount by Joe Parker of All American Taxidermy.

 Lake Texoma Striper Fishing with Bill Carey

Topwater Tactics: Guide Bill Carey discusses the thrill of early morning topwater schooling action for striper bass on Lake Texoma. He emphasizes the importance of patience, advising anglers to wait for the fish to pull back before setting the hook.

Harvesting and Rules: Carey highlights the abundance of "box fish" (stripers under 20 inches) and the catch-and-release regulations for larger fish to preserve the breeding stock.

Cooking Catch: The segment concludes with Carey’s personal recipe for blackened striper, which utilizes Backwoods blackening seasoning, butter, dry basil, and garlic powder in a dry skillet.

️ DSC Expo, Agara Coffee, & Dispatch Hunts

Expo Recap: Co-host Larry Weishuhn recaps the Dallas Safari Club (DSC) Summer Expo, specifically celebrating Steve Hornady receiving the prestigious Legacy Award.

Healthy Coffee & Upcoming Seasons: The conversation shifts to the health benefits of Agara Coffee with Bobby Winfrey, followed by excitement for the upcoming September dove season and tips for smoking wild turkey breast.

Global Hunts: Weishuhn highlights Matt Burgess and Dispatch Hunts, praising their premier worldwide guided hunts and their custom line of signature outdoor knives.

 Mid-Summer White-Tailed Deer Scouting

Antler Development: Larry Weishuhn pivots to the importance of late-summer deer scouting, explaining how bucks' antlers begin to harden and form points as the season approaches.

Trail Cameras: He emphasizes getting out to hunting leases early to track bachelor herds with trail cameras, giving hunters a head start before the fall bow and MLD seasons kick off.

  Outdoor Gear & Pond Management

Optics and Feeders: The hosts highlight top-tier hunting gear, including Stealth Vision optics and Ultramatic Feeders for game management.

Meat Processing: Luke Clayton shares his 15-year positive experience using Smokin Tex electric smokers for wild game.

 

CATFISH RADIO - JULY 25TH PODCAST EDITION

Segment 1: Hog Trapping Innovations with Anthony Tew

• Topic: Effective and accessible wild hog control for landowners.

• Guest: Anthony Tew, co-owner of a hog trap company (thepighogtrap.com).

• Key Takeaways:

  • Anthony discusses his company's user-friendly, shippable hog traps made from heavy-duty, baseball-style netting.

  • The traps feature a massive 60-foot diameter, catching entire sounders at once without harming non-target animals like deer.

  • The system is highly accessible; a single person can easily set it up in about 30 minutes using standard T-posts and ground anchors.

Segment 2: Canada's "Pigloos" and Wild Boars

• Topic: The history and challenges of hunting feral hogs in Canada.

• Guest: Brad Fenson, Canadian outdoor writer and wildlife biologist.

• Key Takeaways:

  • Brad explains the origins of Canada's wild pigs, which are hybrids of escaped European boars (imported in the 1990s) and domestic feral hogs.

  • These highly intelligent animals survive harsh Canadian winters by building burrowed nests in cattails and forests, affectionately referred to as "pigloos."

  • Despite eradication efforts and bounties, their learned behavior and adaptability make them incredibly challenging to hunt.

Segment 3: Northern Pike Fishing and Camp Cooking

• Topic: Big game fishing in Saskatchewan and wild game culinary skills.

• Guest: Brad Fenson (Continuing).

• Key Takeaways:

  • The conversation shifts to a recent fishing trip at Cree River Lodge in Saskatchewan, highlighted by an impressive story of catching a 50-inch Northern Pike in shallow water.

  • Luke and Brad discuss traditional Canadian shore lunches and Brad’s expertise as a camp chef, covering techniques for cooking and canning wild game and fish.

Segment 4: The DSC Summer Show and Event Updates

• Topic: Upcoming outdoor events and hunting opportunities.

• Guests: Larry Weishuhn (Mr. Whitetail) and an introduction by producer Dustin Vaughn Warncke.

• Key Takeaways:

  • Luke and Larry talk about the Dallas Safari Club (DSC) Summer Show happening July 25th at the Kay Bailey Hutchison Center, featuring major exhibitors and auctions.

  • The segment highlights hunting opportunities and booking services through Dispatch Hunts.

  • The hosts share a casual conversation over Agara Coffee, highlighting its unique cognitive benefits for outdoor enthusiasts.

Featured Sponsors Mentioned Across Segments:

• Outdoor Gear & Firearms: Pyramid Air, CVA Muzzleloaders, Stealth Vision Optics.

• Hunting & Wildlife Management: Ultramatic Feeders, Choctaw Hunting Lodge, Dispatch Hunts.

• Lifestyle & Auto: Smokin Tex Electric Smokers, Platinum Cadillac Chevrolet, Dash for Cash Pawn Shop, Agara Coffee.

Catfish Radio – July 17th Podcast Summary

Host: Luke Clayton Guests: Larry Weishuhn & Jeff "Crypto Hulk" Stewart Show Highlights: Celebrating 20 years of Catfish Radio, preparing for the upcoming deer season, and sharing expert culinary tips for feral hog.

Show Overview & Announcements

• 20-Year Anniversary: Luke Clayton and producer Dustin Vaughn Warncke kick off the episode by celebrating two decades of broadcasting Catfish Radio.

• Upcoming Outdoor Events: Larry Weishuhn breaks down his time at the Texas Wildlife Association convention and previews the upcoming DSC Summer Expo and Foundation Gala.

• Agara Coffee: Larry shares his latest obsession with Agara Coffee, joking that its special blend has been doing wonders for his memory and focus out in the field.

Segment 1: Deer Season Prep & Crossbow Hunting

• Antler Biology: The hosts discuss the approaching deer season, noting that trail cameras show bucks currently in bachelor herds. They dive into the biology of antler growth and how rising testosterone levels cause bucks to shed—and often eat—their own velvet for energy conservation.

• Crossbow Mechanics: Luke highlights his positive experiences with his new 10-Point crossbow, noting how its advanced design takes the hassle out of cocking and decocking compared to older models.

• Black Bear Hunt: Larry reveals he is gearing up for a black bear hunt at the Choctaw Hunting Lodge, where he plans to put his 10-Point crossbow to the test.

• Season Kickoff: The team reminds listeners that early deer seasons are right around the corner, with South Carolina’s low country opening as early as August 15th.

Segment 2: Feral Hog Management & Wild Game Cooking

• Hog Eradication Work: Jeff "Crypto Hulk" Stewart joins the program to share insights from his feral hog eradication efforts helping East Texas landowners protect their pastures and hay meadows.

• Select Table Fare: Jeff and Luke debunk myths about wild pork, explaining that it is naturally leaner, redder, and richer in flavor than store-bought pork due to their active lifestyle. They recommend targeting younger boars under 125 pounds or young gilts for optimal flavor.

• Dutch Oven Pulled Pork: Jeff walks through his preferred recipe: smoking cubed wild pork in beef broth inside a Dutch oven on a pellet grill using mesquite pellets, garlic, onion, and cilantro for perfect taco meat.

• Chili & Pork Schnitzel: The crew shares their favorite ways to stretch wild game, including smoked hog chili using Wicks Fowler mix, smoked hog shoulder rubbed in real butter, and a wild pork schnitzel tenderized using a lactic-acid-rich buttermilk soak before being fried in lard.

• Cookbook Resource: Jeff highlights his text, Texas Jack's Wild Game and Venison Cookbook, for listeners looking to expand their wild game kitchen repertoire.

Featured Destinations & Sponsors

• Choctaw Hunting Lodge: Highlighted as a premier Southeast Oklahoma destination for trophy white-tailed deer, eastern turkey, and wild hog hunting.

• Sponsor Acknowledgments: Show notes credit Stealth Vision optics, CVA muzzleloaders and centerfire rifles, Pyramid Air, Dash for Cash Pawn Shop, Smokin Tex electric smokers, Ultramatic Feeders, and Platinum Cadillac/Chevrolet in Terrell, Texas.