The lake record as of this writing is 69 1/2 pounds -- but considering all the interest that trophy blues have generated there, I don't expect that record to stand much longer.

One of King's favorite spots for catching a mixture of blues and channels during early summer is the standing timber on the north end of the lake. But the isolated humps out from the mouth of Wolf Cove in the lower lake can provide hot action during the summer months as well.

"I look for water 12 to 20 feet deep when baiting holes," said King. "Keep in mind when fishing baited holes that the boat is usually positioned right over the baited area; it's easy to spook fish in water less than about 12 feet. At times, we do bait holes off to the side of a tree we use to tie our boat and cast to the baited areas using floaters. This is a good way to fish baited holes in shallow water."

Another less-publicized lake that King favors is little Lake Bonham, a few miles north of its namesake. About this time last year, I joined King and guide Tinker Toney for some fast-paced blue and channel catfish action over baited holes. We were using Danny King's Punch bait, of course, in water 6 to 12 feet deep and within 30 yards of the shore in the back of coves, close to creek channels.

Cedar Creek Lake is another well-know hotspot for catching blues. I fish here with guide Chris Watson regularly and always return home with plenty of fillets. Watson uses fresh shad exclusively and begins his day by catching his bait with a cast net.

"It's the blood and oils in shad that attract catfish and it's important to use fresh bait," Watson offered by way of a tip. "When it's warm, I always ice my bait down in the morning and keep it fresh. Catfish will hit fresh shad 10 to 1 over shad that has been frozen."

Watson says that windy shorelines can be especially productive during early summer. "Big schools of shad are attracted to the plankton on vegetation that is pushed shallow during periods of high winds," he explained, "and where there's bait, you can bet the catfish will be nearby to enjoy the easy pickings."

Chris often slices his shad through the middle, using the head and tail sections for bait. When the fishing slows, he instructs his client to "flash the bait" by quickly jerking the rod a few inches in order to move the bait along bottom. I've noticed that strikes often occur the instant the bait pauses.

Lake Limestone, about 15 miles southeast of Groesbeck, is chock-full of blue and channel catfish. Guide Keith Ginsel, who's been fishing the lake for years, finds the deep flats within a half-mile of the dam and adjacent to the Navasota River channel to be good for drift-fishing during the summer. Ginsel prefers what he calls a "Santee Cooper rig" -- a basic Carolina rig with a 3- or 4-foot leader and a small floater positioned about 10 inches above the hook. This little float keeps the bait suspended up off bottom, making it easier for the catfish to grab as the bait drifts by.