Fish Across Texas

Where To Fish In Texas To Catch Big One

admin — Thu, 16 Jun 2011 00:00:00 +0000

On March 19, 2011, the largest largemouth bass ever caught at Hord’s Creek Lake was landed by Gary Comedy. The largemouth bass weighed in at 12.96 pounds. The fish was 26″ long and was caught on crankbait.
Conditions at Hord’s Creek Lake, located 8 miles west of Coleman, Texas on FM 153, are ideal as the water has reached above 64 degrees. However, fisherman need to hurry as the fish will e going into a slower pattern for a few weeks before they get into the more active summer pattern. Some spawning is still going on at the lake. While it may be difficult to catch the largemouth bass, the smallmouth bass will be feeding very aggressively. The fishing for crappie has also been great lately as they are starting to spawn on the gravel bottom. Fishermen are having the most luck using grub baits in the shallowest water.
The largest largemouth bass ever caught in Texas was caught at Lake Fork on January 24, 1992.
Hord’s Creek Lake was built in late 1947 and early 1948, and is currently experiencing drought conditions. It is operated by the US Army Corp of Engineers. The lake is regularly stocked with largemouth bass, crappie, channel catfish, blue catfish, flathead catfish and bluegill.

Texas Fishing Can Be Rewarding If Done Right

admin — Fri, 03 Jun 2011 00:00:00 +0000

Texas is a great location for bass fishing, there are many lakes and rivers that are perfect havens for these tasty fish! The trick is to know when and how to fish for them. Bass are a hunting fish, and you will have to employ new fishing methods to get the best catches. When in doubt, ask local fishermen what works the best for the waters you are fishing.

The key to a rewarding and successful bass expedition is using the right bait. Night crawlers or frogs work well, but take caution with the frogs. Large mouth bass have a tendacy to devour them. Rubber worms will suffice also. If lures are more to your liking, use a spin and pull motion on the lure to make it appear like a struggling fish.

If you are fishing in the cool part of the day, you will have your best luck near the shores or under hanging ledges. Bridge pilings and man made objects can also prove to be a rewarding location for fish to be caught. When the waters and tempuratures are warmer, bass will be in the deeper waters down in cool holes. If you are looking for white bass, striped bass, large or small mouth, there are plenty to be found in the state of Texas!

Five Types Of Fish To Be Caught In Texas

admin — Mon, 16 May 2011 00:00:00 +0000

Texas has a wide variety of locations and a vast array of fish species. Here are five locations to find five different kinds of fish.

One under appreciated fishing spot is in Grapevine Texas. The lake has an abundance of largemouth bass and white bass. Other types of fish are crappie spotted bass and catfish. Grapevine lake has many places where largemouth love to hide, and the area there called twin coves has a good amount of flooded timber. Grapevine has many amenities and is conveniently located near two highways.

If Catfish is what you are after, Granger lake in Granger Texas is the perfect place for you. Catfish and Crappie levels are excellent. There are many varieties of catfish in Granger lake including Channel and blue. The reservoirs are a great place to angle for a big cat fish. There is plenty of cover in the old creek channels in the lake, and the San Gabriel river inflows there, sometimes bringing in White Bass.

Caddo Lake on the Big Cypress on the Texas Louisiana border is an enchanting and inviting place. The Spanish moss and many flooded bald Cypress make great cover for the largemouth bass and sunfish that call it their home. There is great deal of vegetation, and is challenging for many fisherman, though the fish there are well worth the effort.

75 miles west of Fort Worth is Possum Kingdom. White Bass are the predominant fish in this reservoir near the Brazos. Catfish and Crappie are abundant also. The water here is very clear, so the fish tend to stay deeper than ten feet. Very large blue catfish have been caught here, as are many largemouth bass.

Corpus Christi is a hot vacation and spring break spot, but it is also a great destination for fishermen. Lake Corpus Christi has an assortment of fish species that few lakes can offer. From blue gill and redear sunfish to catfish and white bass, the lake has a great reputation for diversity.

Amistad Reservoir

www.fishacrosstexas.com — Mon, 13 Dec 2010 00:00:00 +0000

In Spanish, “Amistad” means friendship, a pleasant sentiment similarly evoked by the Amistad Reservoir in Southwest Texas. Located just outside of Del Rio, straddling the Mexican-American border, Amistad Reservoir serves as a welcome retreat to many South Texans, hailing from as far away as San Antonio and Austin. With plenty of fishing combined with on-site hunting grounds, Amistad lives up to its friendly moniker by serving as a great escape for outdoor enthusiasts with bonding opportunities around every rocky curve of the shoreline. The lake itself, covers 64,900 acres, reaching depths of 217 feet. Be advised, however, that due to the size of the lake it does extend into international waters, thus recreational fisherman looking to try their bait in Mexican territory should acquire a Mexican fishing license beforehand, sold at the Amistad Marine in Del Rio. As far as fish populations are concerned, whether hailing for Mexico or the United States, Amistad Reservoir’s largemouth bass supply is the most commonly found and sought after species in the water. Largemouth anglers historically have the most success on Amistad when fishing in the winter, spring and summer months. In the summer months and at midday temperatures, fishing in deeper and more heavily covered waters (by vegetation or shade) will likely produce more promising results, as many will seek shelter from the sweltering border temperatures. The waters also house sizable numbers of both channel and blue catfish, alongside white and striped bass. White bass fisherman should plan their trip in the spring spawning season. Also present are smallmouth bass, though in relatively smaller numbers compared to the largemouth variety.

Toledo Bend Reservoir

www.fishacrosstexas.com — Thu, 19 Aug 2010 15:40:40 +0000

Aside from the Gulf of Mexico, the Toledo Bend Reservoir is the biggest body of water Texans have easy local access to. The largest lake or reservoir with waters on Texas grounds, the Toledo Bend runs north south along the Texas-Louisiana border. While the Sam Rayburn Reservoir is the largest lake with borders shores explicitly inside the state’s borders, the Toledo Bend is an even larger lake still in Southeast Texans’ close proximity. The massive manmade reservoir covers an impressive 185,000 acres with water as far as the eye can see, making it not only the Texas’ biggest lake but the largest in the entire South and 5^th in the United States in terms of surface acreage. In total, the lake hold an estimated volume of almost 4.5 million acre-ft, with a maximum depth of 110 feet (60 feet on average). The lake’s expansive boundaries hold plenty of room for all sorts of recreation, from full-fledged family fun to quiet camping retreats. The area his home to a wide selection of public and private facilities dedicated to swimming, boating, dining, hunting and attractions, however none are more celebrated than the lake’s freshwater fishing opportunities.Like many lakes throughout the state, the largemouth bass is the most well documented occupant of the Toledo Bend, which provides reasonable returns on largemouth fishing year round. Fall, Winter and Spring will see very active largemouth populations, venturing into shallow water for an easier all-day catch. Summer’s heat will slow the largemouths, though they are still plenty catchable, particularly from late evening to early morning. When the sun is at its peak and temperatures are up, the fish will tend to congregate around the shady refuge of submerged vegetation, wood or brush. The lake also boast impressive numbers of sunfish. The less cunning species makes a great target for less experienced fishermen. Crappie and catfish can be caught year round as well. Though striped bass do not spawn naturally in the waters, they are imported in large quantities to add to the fish diversity.

Sheldon Reservoir

www.fishacrosstexas.com — Thu, 19 Aug 2010 15:36:31 +0000

For the states southernmost dwellers, Sheldon Reservoir offers a nice fishing reprieve if they can bear the sweltering heat. Dating back to 1943, the reservoir was originally created to provide freshwater for shipping on the Houston Ship Channel during World War II. It’s proximity to Houston is now one of the lake’s biggest assets, lying just 16 miles east of the city’s downtown district. Sheldon Reservoir does not approach the size of some of the gargantuan pools that lie to its northeast, covering a mere 1,230 acres, with a deepest point of just 10 feet. Surprisingly, the shallow depths of Sheldon served as Houston’s main water supply for an entire decade, until the much larger Lake Houston was created in 1953. Sheldon Lake was then purchased by the Texas Parks and Wildlife Department, after which its primary function has been to serve as a fishing locale and waterfowl sanctuary. The area’s wildlife is still its trademark feature to this date. In 1984, the lake and surrounding land was christened the Sheldon State Wildlife Management Area.The catfish and crappie are the most common catches in the reservoir; however, moderate largemouth bass and sunfish populations are supported as well. It should be noted that anglers in the area are restricted to traditional pole and line methods only. Fishing is not the only draw for outdoorsmen to Sheldon Lake. While the water is kept well stocked with a variety of fish, the open air and treetops can be just as intriguing. A recent 5-year survey and inventory counted 249 distinct bird species in the area, migrating in and out over the course of the year. In the spring months, over 200 individual bird species can be found on site. Though only around 160 species are regularly viewable in winter months, it is recommended as the best season for birdwatchers. A variety of birds less common to the region make their way towards Sheldon’s warm waters, boasting over 90 species of wintering birds in the area per day.

Sam Rayburn Reservoir

www.fishacrosstexas.com — Thu, 19 Aug 2010 15:32:00 +0000

Sam Rayburn Reservoir is quite simply a monstrous body of water, covering an estimated 114,500 square acres with a water volume of nearly 4 million acre-ft . Constructed over the latter part of the 1950s and early 1960s, the reservoir has since served as a hydroelectric power generator and water conservation side, in addition to aiding flood control efforts for Southeast Texas. Sam Rayburn is the largest lake to be located exclusively in the state of Texas. Not only known for its size, Sam Rayburn reservoir is well documented as fertile fishing grounds, where some of the country’s best anglers cast out a line and set up shop. The largemouth bass is the lake’s most sought after inhabitant. The species’ abundant numbers beneath the Sam Rayburn surface combined with its expansive area has made it a well traveled destination for bass fishing tournaments. The site plays host to over 300 tournaments annually, including some of the most prestigious bass fishing competitions in the country with big time sponsors, namely the ESPN/BASSMasters Classic, BASS Champs, WalMart BFL, FLW Outdoors, Anglers’ Quest, Bass-n-Bucks and McDonald’s Big Bass Splash.For amateurs who hope to reel in big largemouth bass just like the professionals, fishing advice is best dictated by the season. The lake boasts a year round supply of largemouth bass, however, prime locations change throughout the year. The cooler months of fall, winter and spring will find more active largemouths, tending to make their way towards shallower water. The summer heat will restrict the best bass fishing to evening, night and early morning, with fish rarely venturing out of deeper waters. Aside from the largemouths, several other game fish species call Sam Rayburn Reservoir home, including the catfish, crappie, white bass and sunfish. Crappies are in abundant supply year round, with optimum fishing areas in deeper water near brush buildups.

Lake Whitney

www.fishacrosstexas.com — Thu, 19 Aug 2010 15:26:17 +0000

Located on the main stem of the Brazos River, Lake Whitney is a popular destination for vacationers from both directions. Situated conveniently between the Dallas-Fort Worth metro area (80 miles south) and Waco (30 miles north), the lake is subject relatively high traffic water on weekends throughout the year, though skiers, jet skiers and fisherman alike manage to operate simultaneously without getting in each other’s way. With an area of just over 37 square miles, the comparatively small lake is a relatively large tourist draw for its size, home to several scenic parks and marinas. Regarded as one of the most aesthetically-blessed lake spectacles in the state, Lake Whitney is also noted for its diversity below the water level, proving to be a truly remarkable experience for fisherman of all skill levels. Lake Whitney’s waters provides Texas with some of the best smallmouth bass, catfish, white bass and striped bass fishing in the state. The lake also offers substantial largemouth bass, crappie and sunfish populations, though it is better known for the other species.The striped bass is arguably the most popular of Lake Whitney’s game fish. Striped bass fishers will have the best luck in the months March through May, when they are most active. The striped bass can be caught either from the boat or from the shore. Boat fishermen should keep an eye out for large schools of shad, on which striped bass love to feed, often accumulating around brush, log and wood buildups. The later summer months will see the striped bass retire to deeper depths and cooler waters, so fish accordingly. In the fall, striped bass can be found swimming on all depth levels, making both fishing off the top and the bottom a viable strategy. White bass, the other popular bass in the area, are best fished in the main reservoir from April to November, commonly found along submerged wood and in shallower water. Spring is the spawning season sending a large contingent of the white bass population up the Brazos and Nolan rivers.

Grapevine Lake

www.fishacrosstexas.com — Thu, 19 Aug 2010 15:21:49 +0000

For a great fishing weekend without having to travel too far out of town, a lot of Dallas residents head up to Grapevine Lake for a quick getaway. Only about 20 miles northwest of the city, and just north of the town of Grapevine, the lake offers a brief reprieve from the hustle and bustle of city life, just far enough removed to be a true escape but still close enough by to be convenient. Grapevine is actually a man-made lake, created by Army engineers back in 1952 by damming Denton Creek, which still feeds into it. Though the lake was created primarily as a water reservoir and solution to flood control, today Grapevine Lake offers some of the best fishing and family fun in North Texas. Actually, Grapevine is the only freshwater lake in the North Texas area.The lake is a rather large body of water, spanning approximately 7,280 acres across Tarrant and Denton Counties, with a maximum depth of 65 feet. Swimming around in the Grapevine’s fast water is a supple supply of fish, tempting anglers with every nibble. The most popular of the sport fish found in the waters is the largemouth bass, though it is also the most heavily regulated catch. Lake rules allow for largemouth bass to be kept as long as they are either under 14 inches or over 18 inches long. Largemouths between the size of 14-18 inches must be released. There is also a daily bag limit of 5 black bass (which incudes the largemouth) of all species, combined any which way. The lake is also home to spotted bass, catfish, crappie and white bass populations. The lake floor is subject to drop-offs and miscellaneous underwater structures, serving as a gathering point for larger quantities of largemouth bass. Largemouth fisherman should also be advised to cast around the lake’s rocky shoreline and boathouses in hopes of reeling in a heavyweight.