I have a small pond in Grimes county ( East Texas)and saw a bass going after a bait. As I watch what appear to be a small smake turn out to be what I have heard called a water dog or mud puppy. It had a head about the size of a penny, six inches long and small appendages (feet) right behind the head. I have heard that bass like these. I have had this pond for over 2 years and this is the first one I have seen. I know nothing about these creatures so any info is welcomed.

Dick,

I can tell you for a fact...LMB absolutely love water dogs. They are a killer bait. If you were to ask me for the top "killer bait" for LMB, I would have to put the water dog in the top two, with small BG the only thing that comes even close.

If you have them, consider yourself fortunate indeed.

Can you perhaps tell us anything about your pond that makes it unique in habitat that it would support these marvelous creatures?

Dick and ML :

Waterdogs {salamanders} and BG are good baits. I try to match the hatch and use what they are eating in the pond. But when in doubt I use a live crawfish. It is slow and noisy and easy for a bass to catch.

That is what makes fishing fun -- trying to know what is best to use at any given time. ewest

I can't think of anything that's different with my pond. I met my neighbors wife the other day and they and I guess a new 2 to 5 acre lake (2 years) and she said they have alot of those ugly creatures. I told her I was pretty sure the we beneficial. So I guess it's just location.

They aren't just good bait as EWEST suggests, they are fabulous bait especially for large LMB. They are outlawed for use on many lakes because of that.

Maybe just location, but I expect you have something they like...I sure would like to know what that is.

I belive water dogs are mostly found in oxbows, bogs & swamp like old ponds(trees & vegation) and a low PH level

Will,

Do you think they would transplant to a "regular" pond?

ML :

Look at this site for your Texas Gulf Coast Waterdog under Herps of Texas . ewest

http://www.zo.utexas.edu/research/txherps/salamanders/

What I have foud in wild of Harris Montg. Livingston County is Eastern siren on ewest gulf coast site. They likely can't last long in a pond with many BG or bass (eggs & adults A choice food). maybe in a grow out pond with fat head minnows.

Water dogs are amazing. When I was a kid in Northwest Texas, there were no real lakes nearby. Stocktanks were strictly for cattle. However, one neighboring farmer had about a 20 acre low spot in his field. When we got really good rains, it would create a temporary lake. Water dogs abounded. When it dried up, they burrowed down into the mud to wait for the next rain. During the dry times, the guy plowed and farmed the field. Didn't seem to bother the mud puppies. I assume they just kept digging down into the water line.

Dick,
When I was young waterdogs were infrequently caught in a local river. I have not heard of anyone even seeing one in recent years. Probably due to polution & then after that was taken care of siltation I'm guessing is the cause.
They are found in clear clean water around here. I infrequently find one in trout streams, though I am not looking for them.
My small pond was thick with newts (gilled salamenders) before it was stocked but they were never seen after stocking. Intrestingly they must have survived at some level since the returned in great numbers after I drained & seined the pond.

Here's another link on waterdogs:
http://www.livingunderworld.org/caudata/database/proteidae/