Luke Clayton has been an outdoors writer for almost four decades and his byline appears in many different outdoor publications. Luke also pens a weekly outdoors column that runs in 41 Texas newspapers. For the past 15 years, Luke has hosted his radio show, CATFISH RADIO with Luke Clayton and friends which currently airs on 32 terrestrial radio stations and now as a weekly podcast right here on your favorite podcast app! Larry Weishuhn, aka “Mr. Whitetail” has shared a segment of the show with Luke since shortly after the show first aired. Topics are varied each week with four guests talking about everything from catching stripers at Lake Texoma on the Texas/Oklahoma border to hunting wild hogs to shooting and hunting with big-bore airguns. So each week, it’s a good bet Luke and his guest will hit on your favorite topic or discuss something you will be interested in. Luke frequently wraps up the show with “A visit with Luke” where he gives an account of a recent outdoor adventure. There’s always a bit of outdoor cooking talk in every show. Luke has enjoyed camp cooking and especially using his Dutch Kettles outside over embers from a campfire for most of his adult life. For several years, Luke wrote an outdoor cooking column for a major Texas newspaper and he weaves outdoor recipes into many of his newspaper columns as well as here on his podcast. So, settle back, turn the volume up, and see where Luke and his guests take you this week. A new radio show airs each week and the current show will be hosted right here.
Luke Clayton has been an outdoors writer for almost four decades and his byline appears in many different outdoor publications. Luke also pens a weekly outdoors column that runs in 41 Texas newspapers. For the past 15 years, Luke has hosted his radio show, CATFISH RADIO with Luke Clayton and friends which currently airs on 32 terrestrial radio stations and now as a weekly podcast right here on your favorite podcast app! Larry Weishuhn, aka “Mr. Whitetail” has shared a segment of the show with Luke since shortly after the show first aired. Topics are varied each week with four guests talking about everything from catching stripers at Lake Texoma on the Texas/Oklahoma border to hunting wild hogs to shooting and hunting with big-bore airguns. So each week, it’s a good bet Luke and his guest will hit on your favorite topic or discuss something you will be interested in. Luke frequently wraps up the show with “A visit with Luke” where he gives an account of a recent outdoor adventure. There’s always a bit of outdoor cooking talk in every show.
Luke has enjoyed camp cooking and especially using his Dutch Kettles outside over embers from a campfire for most of his adult life. For several years, Luke wrote an outdoor cooking column for a major Texas newspaper and he weaves outdoor recipes into many of his newspaper columns as well as here on his podcast. So, settle back, turn the volume up, and see where Luke and his guests take you this week. A new radio show airs each week and the current show will be hosted right here.
Show Notes: Catfish Radio with Luke Clayton
Date: January 3, 2026
Episode Summary To kick off the new year, Luke and Larry Weishuhn discuss the onset of the deer breeding season in South Texas. The show then welcomes Wade Derby from Crosshair Consulting for a two-part discussion on booking bucket-list adventures, ranging from Alaska to Africa. Finally, Luke wraps up the hour with a solo segment on the growing world of big-bore airgun hunting, sharing tips on getting within range of game.
Segment 1: Campfire Talk with Larry Weishuhn
Topic: The Rut in South Texas & Late Season Strategies.
Discussion: Larry “Mr. Whitetail” Weishuhn joins Luke to report on the “second rut” occurring in North Texas and the primary rut just kicking off in the brush country of South Texas.
Field Notes: Larry shares a story about rattling in a buck recently and emphasizes that despite the calendar turning to January, the hunting season is far from over. He notes that scrapes are being freshened up again and bucks are actively responding to rattling horns.
Segment 2: Crosshair Consulting with Wade Derby
Topic: Planning and Booking Hunts.
Discussion: Wade Derby of Crosshair Consulting joins the show to explain the role of a hunting consultant. He discusses how he helps clients navigate the complex logistics of tags, travel, and outfitter selection.
Featured Hunts: The conversation touches on accessible hunts for the “working man,” such as black bear hunting, which Wade notes is a fantastic and affordable adventure compared to high-dollar sheep hunts.
Segment 3: Worldwide Hunting with Wade Derby
Topic: International Adventures & The “Bucket List”.
Discussion: Wade continues the conversation by shifting focus to international destinations. They discuss the appeal of African safaris, particularly for plains game like kudu and impala, which remain a high-value option for hunters.
Insight: Wade advises listeners to stop putting off their dream hunts (“someday I’ll go”), encouraging them to book now while health and opportunity align, rather than waiting for a perfect moment that might never come.
Segment 4: Airgun Hunting with Luke Clayton
Topic: The Challenge of Big Bore Airguns.
Discussion: Luke closes the show discussing his passion for hunting with big bore air rifles (specifically .45 and .50 caliber). He explains that unlike long-range centerfire rifles, airguns require getting close—typically within 75 to 100 yards.
Technique: Luke describes the satisfaction of the stalk and the necessity of getting “bow range” close, which brings the excitement of the hunt back to the basics of woodsmanship.
Sponsors & Mentions
Smokin Tex Electric Smokers: smokintex.com
Butcher Packer Supply: butcher-packer.com
Catfish Radio: catfishradio.org
Crosshair Consulting: crosshairconsulting.com