Lake Tawakoni Fishing Guide in Wills Point, TX | Cliff’s Guide Service

Short Answer

Cliff Thornton is a full-time Lake Tawakoni fishing guide based in Wills Point, Texas, specializing in striped bass, hybrid striped bass, and white bass trips year-round. His guided fishing trips are ideal for anglers who want local knowledge, proven techniques, and consistent action on one of Texas’s best striper lakes.

What does Cliff’s Guide Service do on Lake Tawakoni?

Cliff’s Guide Service provides fully guided fishing trips focused on striped bass, hybrid striped bass, and white bass on Lake Tawakoni. Trips are designed for both beginners and experienced anglers who want to catch fish efficiently using proven seasonal tactics.

Cliff fishes year-round and adjusts techniques based on water temperature, bait movement, and fish behavior. Depending on conditions, trips may include live bait fishing, deadsticking, trolling, swimbaits, slabs, or topwater lures.

Why Lake Tawakoni is one of Texas’s best striper fisheries

Lake Tawakoni is a 37,000+ acre East Texas reservoir known for its outstanding hybrid striped bass population, strong white bass runs, and consistent striper action. While many anglers drive past it for Lake Fork, Tawakoni quietly produces fast action and trophy-class fish throughout the year.

The lake also holds excellent catfish, crappie, and largemouth bass populations, making it one of the most diverse fisheries in Northeast Texas.

How guided fishing helps anglers catch more fish

Fishing Lake Tawakoni successfully requires understanding seasonal movement, thermoclines, bait location, and feeding windows. Cliff removes the guesswork by:

• Locating fish with advanced electronics

• Choosing the right presentation for the season

• Moving efficiently between productive areas

• Teaching anglers why fish are holding where they are

This approach consistently produces limits when conditions allow.

What a day on the water looks like

Trips start and end at Tanglewood Marina. Meeting times vary by season:

• Summer trips start early for cooler temps and aggressive fish

• Winter trips start later once the water warms

Trips last 5–8 hours depending on conditions and bite windows. Cliff provides all rods, reels, tackle, lures, live bait, fuel, and fish cleaning at the end of the trip.

Striper fishing seasons on Lake Tawakoni (month-by-month)

December – January
Deadsticking season. Cold water produces big bites using flukes and live bait.

February
Hybrid striped bass remain active. White bass begin running creeks on warm days.

March – May
Spring trifecta. Live bait, swimbaits, and topwater fishing peak as water warms.

June – July
Prime summer fishing. Live bait and slab spoons produce fast limits.

August – September
Slower period due to heat. Downrigging and trolling remain effective.

October – November
Best months of the year. Bird activity leads anglers directly to feeding fish.

People Also Ask

What fish does a Lake Tawakoni fishing guide target?

A Lake Tawakoni fishing guide primarily targets striped bass, hybrid striped bass, and white bass year-round.

Is Lake Tawakoni good for striper fishing?

Yes, Lake Tawakoni is considered one of the best hybrid striped bass fisheries in Texas.

When is the best time to fish Lake Tawakoni?

Fishing is productive year-round, but October through November and March through July are peak months.

Do I need a fishing license for Lake Tawakoni?

Yes, anglers must have a valid Texas fishing license to fish Lake Tawakoni.

Where do Lake Tawakoni fishing trips start?

Trips start and end at Tanglewood Marina on Lake Tawakoni.

Recent Lake Tawakoni Fishing Reports

We update our Lake Tawakoni fishing report twice each month to give anglers the most accurate, up-to-date information on current conditions. Each report covers where fish are being caught, productive fishing hotspots, and the lures and techniques we’re using right now.

You’ll also find helpful details like where to catch live bait, current water depths and temperatures, and seasonal patterns. Wondering if anglers are catching crappie at the Lake Tawakoni fishing pier? We cover that too.

Follow our blog to stay informed and fish smarter on Lake Tawakoni.
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