Spend the Day Fishing.
We’ll Handle Everything Else.
Bring your spouse, friends, kids or grandkids for a day on the water. We provide the boat, bait, tackle, instruction when you want it, and fish cleaning afterward. Whether you fish often or it’s someone’s first trip, we’ll help you choose an outing that fits your group and the season.
Looking for a relaxed day with steady action or a winter shot at a trophy blue? We’ll recommend the right trip for the season. Trips run on Eagle Mountain Lake, our home water; other North Texas lakes are available by request, depending on season and scheduling.
Leave the boat, bait, gear and cleanup to us. Enjoy a day on Eagle Mountain Lake with your spouse or friends.
We’ll help you choose a trip that fits your group and the season. First-timers get the instruction they need, while experienced anglers can settle in and fish.
Explore year-round catfish trips, winter trophy-blue trips and available seasonal trips before you book.
Prices are for 1–2 anglers, +$100 per extra angler. All trips keep the same rates on weekends, with a 3-person minimum on weekends and a 4-person minimum on spring break, holidays and summer holiday weekends (confirmed in booking). Every trip includes the boat, rods, reels, bait and tackle. You bring food, water or soft drinks (no alcohol at any time) and a Texas fishing license.
MEET AT LAKEVIEW MARINA · 6600 PEDEN RD, FORT WORTH · EAGLE MOUNTAIN LAKE
Families, kids, first-timers and mixed groups. The easiest trip to say yes to.
Action-oriented: the best chance at steady bites on eating-size catfish, mostly 1–10 lb. Numbers vary by day and season. Keeper cleaning included.
Groups who want more time on the water, and anglers who fish often.
Action-oriented, with more time for numbers and a better shot at a bigger fish. Keeper cleaning included.
Anglers after one big blue catfish who are fine with slower fishing.
Targeting 20–50+ lb blues. Expect fewer bites than an action trip, and a big fish can’t be guaranteed. All catfish over 5 lb are photographed and released; cleaning is an add-on.
Serious trophy hunters who want the longest window.
Same honest odds as the 5-hour trophy trip, with more time for the right bite. No guaranteed trophy. Limited dates.
Never booked a guide trip before? Book, meet at the ramp, fish, and take home your cleaned keepers. Here's exactly what happens, start to finish.
Pick an open date online or text Chad. A $100 deposit holds it; reschedule free (same calendar year) with 15+ days' notice. We'll help you choose the right trip for your group and the season.
Meet Chad at Lakeview Marina, 6600 Peden Road, Fort Worth, at your scheduled time. Trip instructions are sent before your date.
We provide everything: the boat, rods, reels, bait and tackle. Chad baits hooks, takes fish off and gives as much instruction as you want.
We clean and bag your legal keeper fish at the end of the trip. Catfish over 5 lb are photographed and released. Bring a cooler with ice.
Real reviews from real clients, straight from Google.
"One of the best days I have had fishing in my life! Chad had us catching fish within the first 5 minutes on the water, and it did not stop until our time was up. Chad clearly knows his stuff and he knows the lake like the back of his hand. DO NOT hesitate to book a trip — you will not regret it."
"His boat is awesome — top of the line and comfortable. I do a lot of fishing, and Chad's knowledge of the lake and where the fish would be was unmatched. He was a professional and went above and beyond. We slayed them. My buddy even caught about a 27-pound blue cat on light tackle."
"Best fishing guide service. Never disappointing trip. We have done like 6 trips. Will continue. If you are looking for a fun fishing trip, Chad F is the person to call."
Peak season fills 30–60 days out. Lock yours in now.
"All you do is show up and fish. We take care of the rest."
I've been fishing the lakes around Fort Worth for as long as I can remember, and I've been a full-time professional catfish guide for 29 years. Catfishing isn't a hobby or a side gig for me — it's my livelihood, my profession, and the life I've built for my family.
I've spent thousands of days on the water learning seasonal patterns, weather changes, fish behavior, and how these lakes set up day to day. My job is simple: put people on fish. Whether you've never held a rod before or you're chasing the biggest catfish of your life, I work to read the conditions, locate active fish, and give you the best opportunity possible to catch them.
When clients step onto my boat, they're not getting a weekend guide who fishes occasionally. They're fishing with someone who lives this every single day.
Outside of guiding, I run Catfish Edge, design products for Whisker Seeker Tackle and manage their marketing, and contribute regularly to outdoor publications, fishing television shows, and the fishing industry. But at the end of the day, the place I'd still rather be is on the water — watching rods load up and people make memories they'll talk about for years.
Clients fishing with Chad have broken 29 documented state and water-body records across blue, channel, and flathead catfish — most of them junior-angler records set by kids who'd never held a catfish rod before.
The biggest of them all: a 66.28 lb blue catfish on Lake Worth — set by Chad's son Lane Ferguson in December 2011. That one fish set 7 records and earned a Big Fish Award, including the Texas State Junior Angler blue catfish record and the Lake Worth water-body record.
A brief overview of what we fish for on Eagle Mountain Lake, our home water, and — by request — other North Texas lakes. We also share what we know about longnose gar.
Available year-round and the species of choice for most clients on our blue catfish trips. We follow seasonal patterns using rod & reel baited with fresh-caught shad and cut bait — cats average 2–10 lbs with bigger ones mixed in. Best months are October through April for both numbers and trophies.
Channel catfish are plentiful on every lake we fish and average 1–5 lbs. We use ultra-light tackle and our own Secret Channel Catfish Rig for fast, furious action. During peak times it is not uncommon to catch 100+ channels in a morning. Great-eating fish and a great day on the water.
Our trophy blue catfish trips target giant blues in the 20–50+ lb range. The lakes we fish hold trophy blues that grow well over 100 lbs — Trophy trips mean fewer bites, and a big fish can’t be guaranteed — some days the giant doesn’t eat. All catfish over 5 lb are photographed and released.
Flatheads bite hard and fight harder. Slow, patient fishing — typically evening, night, or early morning. When the right time comes the payoff is huge, but this style of trip is not for everyone. Tight summer window with limited availability.
Fast-paced light-tackle white bass fishing when the schools are active and feeding. Great for kids and family groups who want steady action. White bass trips are available May through October; the best months are May through July.
Crappie trips are seasonal, subject to availability and limited to two guests. Light tackle, jigs and minnows around brush piles and bridges. A good introduction to North Texas freshwater fishing for the family. Text Chad to check availability.
Catfishing in North Texas is good in every season. The species mix, the techniques, and the lakes change — but the bite doesn't quit. Here's what to expect month by month.
FALLFall brings great channel and blue catfish fishing, typically with fast action and good-quality fish. September and October can also offer good opportunities for flathead catfish and white bass. Bring your friends or family—we’ll handle the boat, bait and gear.
WINTERThe best time of year to chase trophy blue catfish—and a great season for catching numbers of channel and blue catfish. Fishing is typically good to excellent, with plenty of quality fish and a real chance at a trophy, even on trips focused on numbers.
SPRINGMarch and April bring excellent blue catfish fishing with one of the most fun patterns of the year—and a chance at a trophy. May delivers some of the year’s best channel catfish action, with big numbers of big, fat fish. It also kicks off a great white bass bite.
SUMMERSummer brings consistent channel catfish fishing, typically with fast action and big numbers. June and July also usually offer a great white bass bite. Bring the kids, grandkids or friends—we’ll handle the boat, bait and gear.
We guide year-round on Eagle Mountain Lake, our home water. Other North Texas lakes are available by request, depending on season and scheduling.
See All LakesEagle Mountain Lake is our home water. Other North Texas lakes are available by request, depending on season and scheduling. Text Chad before booking if you'd like one of them.
6600 Peden Road
Fort Worth, TX 76179
Our home lake and main booking offer. Year-round catfish, keeper-size action and winter trophy blues.
Large Denton County reservoir. Blue, channel and flathead catfish, with trophy potential.
Inside Fort Worth city limits. Catch and release only (consumption advisory). Site of the 66.28 lb record blue catfish (7 records + Big Fish Award).
Scenic, less-developed water north of Denton. Channel, flathead and blue catfish.
Near DFW Airport. Channel and blue catfish, plus large flatheads.
Southwest Fort Worth. Channel and blue catfish on quieter water.
Wise County. Deep water with blue and channel catfish.
Recent catches and trips. Real clients, real fish.
What's biting, where, and how — straight from the boat.
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North Texas Catfish Guide Service is Texas' longest-running dedicated catfish guide service. I've guided full-time out of Fort Worth for 29 years, with Eagle Mountain Lake as home water. Catfish is what we do best, and we also run white bass, crappie and hybrid striped bass trips.
Trips launch from Lakeview Marina, 6600 Peden Road, Fort Worth, TX 76179, on Eagle Mountain Lake in northwest Fort Worth. Anglers drive in from Fort Worth, Azle, Saginaw, Keller, Weatherford, Arlington, Denton and Dallas. Drive times are approximate, outside rush hour.
Directions to Lakeview Marina ↗This form is for questions only — not bookings. To check availability and reserve a date, open the scheduler →.
Booking 30–60 days out in peak season. Dates tight? Join the cancellation list: text CATFISH to (817) 518-7440 and you'll hear first when a date opens up.
