Hunting Adventures, Spring Bass Strategies, Jug Line Catfishing, and Legendary Bluegrass Musical Guest. Larry Sparks

Catfish Radio – February 28th Show Notes

Join Luke Clayton and friends for an action-packed episode featuring hunting adventures, spring fishing strategies, and a legendary musical guest.

Segment 1: Campfire Talk & International Hunting

Luke is joined by his long-time friend Larry Weishuhn for their weekly "Campfire Talk". Larry shares highlights from the Dallas Safari Club Convention and discusses his upcoming trip to England on March 1st to hunt unique species like the Chinese Water Deer (known for its long fangs instead of antlers) and Muntjac.

The Rendezvous: Luke and Larry invite everyone to the 7th Annual Outdoor Rendezvous in Greenville, TX, on March 28th. Expect live music, campfire cooking, and plenty of storytelling.

Segment 2: Spring Bass Patterns on Lake Fork

Luke checks in with veteran guide Dennis Canada to discuss transition patterns as March approaches.

Water Temps & Wind: Dennis emphasizes that even a 4-5 degree difference in water temperature can drastically change fish activity. He advises targeting the northern, shallower ends of the lake which warm up faster in the afternoon sun.






Lure Selection: Early March is prime time for jerkbaits, glide baits, and chatterbaits on secondary points as big bass begin to move shallow.






Pro Tip: Don’t fear the wind! Wind stirs up plankton and pushes baitfish toward the banks, creating ideal feeding conditions for lunkers.

Segment 3: The Art of Jug Line Fishing

Luke and Jeff Rice recap a successful trip to Donnie Rice’s private lake, where they caught a haul of blue catfish using modern "jug lines".

Modern Gear: Instead of old glass milk jugs, they use swimming pool noodles with PVC pipe cores.






Strategy: They use cut bait and set lines to drift with the wind across the lake. Jeff notes the importance of checking lines frequently, as big catfish can often pull the noodles completely underwater.






Where to Watch: You can see the footage of this trip on A Sportsman’s Life on YouTube or CarbonTV.com.

Segment 4: Bluegrass Legend Larry Sparks

In this special segment, Luke interviews the iconic Larry Sparks, a pioneer in Bluegrass music.

Musical Journey: Larry reflects on his 63-year career, starting at age six when he earned five dollars for singing in church. He discusses his time playing lead guitar for the Stanley Brothers in the mid-60s before launching his own solo career.






Philosophy: Larry credits his success to keeping his music natural and "becoming the song". He maintains a hands-on approach to his business, managing his own bookings and social media.

Sponsors mentioned in this episode:

Pyramid Air






Smokin Tex Electric Smokers






Stealth Vision Optics






Ultramatic Feeders






CVA Muzzleloaders






Choctaw Hunting Lodge