Author: Guide

ATHENS, Texas — “Fly fishing — it’s easier than you think” is the theme of the 6th annual Fly Fish Texas to be held at the Texas Freshwater Fisheries Center March 5.

A long list of fly-fishing professionals will be on-hand to prove that slogan true, providing seminars and hands-on instruction about everything from fly tying to solving casting problems. Special classes will be offered for beginners and young people.

Although drifting dry flies down a mountain stream in the Rockies may be the picture most people have of fly fishing, there are plenty of opportunities closer to home. Mark Marmon guides urban fly fishers in the Houston area and will share secrets of where and how to fish close-to-home waters. Colby “Pops” Sorrells, a certified casting instructor from Mansfield, will speak about fly fishing for Texas bass. Tye Green grew up fishing the Guadalupe River and will share his knowledge of Texas Hill Country streams.

If fishing Colorado streams is your aim, you’ll want to hear Steve Rawls and Marty Cecil. Rawls guides for B&B Outfitters of Fredericksburg during the winter months and for Elk Trout Lodge in Kremmling, Colorado during the summer. Jim Partin of ArkAnglers will reveal the secrets of reading Colorado trout streams.

There will be sessions for advanced anglers as well. TPWD’s own Bill Johnson, a fisheries technician from Bryan, will teach wade fishing in one of TFFC’s ponds. Ron Sheepstra and Bill Huegel will show how to cast using two-handed long rods. And Ronnie Ray of Austin, another TPWD employee, will speak about fishing large rivers for warm water species.

After you’ve worked up an appetite tying flies, paddling kayaks and casting for rainbow trout in TFFC’s streams and ponds, a visit with Ann Carr and John Jackman at the Dutch oven cooking demonstration area will be in order. They will have fruit cobblers and fresh-baked bread available for sampling.

Fly Fish Texas will take place from 9 a.m. to 4 p.m. on the grounds of TFFC, which is four miles east of Athens on F.M. 2495. Athens is 75 miles southeast of Dallas. All seminars, demonstrations and instruction are included in the regular price of admission, $5.50 for adults, $ 4.50 for seniors and $3.50 for children ages 4-12. For more information or directions, call (903) 676-2277.
Seminar Schedule

(All in the Anheuser Busch Dive Theater)

* 9:10 a.m. Bass Buggin Texas Style – Colby “Pops” Sorrells
* 10:10 a.m. Guiding Rivers in Texas -Tye Green
* 11:10 a.m. Fly Fishing for Carp – David Speer
* 12:10 p.m. Urban Fly Fishing – Mark Marmon
* 1:10 p.m. Fishing Texas and Colorado Rivers – Steve Rawls and Marty Cecil
* 2:10 p.m. Fishing a Small Stream – Jim Partin
* 3:10 p.m. Fishing Large Rivers and Warm Water Species – Ronnie Ray

Special Classes and Demonstrations

(Tents outside Visitor Center, Wetlands Pond, Fishing Pond)

* 9:10 – noon Junior Fly Fisher Program, first session
* 10:10 a.m. Solve Your Casting Problems – Colby Sorrells
* 10:10 a.m. Kayak Fishing – Paul Lara and Dave Bradley
* 10:10 a.m. Rigging the Fly Rod for Trout Fishing – Jim Partin
* 11:10 a.m. Fly Fishing Texas Rivers and Streams – Ronnie Ray
* 12:10 p.m. Long Rod Casting – Ron Scheepstra and Bill Heugel
* 12:10 p.m. Roundtable Discussion of Problems and Solutions – Jim Partin
* 1:10 pm. Wade Fishing – William and Bill Johnson
* 1:10 p.m. Texas Hill Country Guide Program – Steve Rawls
* 1:30 pm. “ 4 p.m. Junior Fly Fisher program, second session
* 2:10 p.m. What It’s Like to be a Fly Fishing Guide – Tye Green
* 2:10 p.m. Casting Demonstration, Slow Versus Fast Rods – Mark Marmon
* 3:10 p.m. Kayak Fishing – Paul Lara and Dave Bradley

Day-Long Activities and locations

Commercial Exhibits (TFFC Visitor Center)

* Fly Action/Fish Pursuit by the Dallas Fly Fishers (Visitor Center aquaria)
* Fly Tying (Anglers Pavilion)
* Casting Instruction (East side of fishing pond)
* Western River Style Raft Display (East side of Anglers Pavilion)
* Kayak Tryouts (Wetlands Pond)
* Fly Fishing for Trout, Bluegill and Bass (Fishing stream east of Anglers Pavilion)
* Dutch Oven Cooking (East side of Anglers Pavilion)
– Lake Mohave

If you are like most fisherman who work full-time during the week spending lunches and any chance they get to daydream and do research for their upcoming weekend tournament or fishing adventure then you are part of the bass fishing and tournament society known as the “weekend warrior”.

Being successful in tournaments can be a challenge since you have had no or limited time on the water. Typically, you are arriving at the lake late the night before or early the morning of the tournament or fishing day. You have ideas as to what you are going to do, but will end up spending the first half of the day trying to quickly put together a pattern for the day. So how do you consistently compete? Part of the challenge is the average angler does some, but not enough pre-planning for the day of bass fishing.

I have found the following steps to be necessary for consistent success:

One- If you can get to the lake the weekend before your tournament or the day before, known as “pre-fishing”, it will help you a lot in the tournament. Most likely, it will not help you establish a pattern for the bass because this will change as fast as the day or weather changes. What it will do, is help you become familiar with the water and eliminate water based on seasonal movements of the bass and locate structure and cover that you like or don’t like to fish. Since time is of the essence in tournament fishing, you don’t want to waste it trying to figure out how to run a lake or find a particular area of the lake.

Two- you have to understand the bass. You have to know the creature you are pursuing, their habits, and how they relate to their environment. By knowing this, you can put together a likely pattern before you even get to the lake that will take only minor adjustments during the first part of the day.

Third- putting together a preliminary pattern for a tournament feeds off the two points above. Hopefully you have had a chance to get on the lake prior to the tournament. If not, or even if you have, you should have a detailed contour map in your possession and get access to the internet. From the internet you can gather some important data as follows and set yourself up for a successful day:

• Find out what the current conditions for the lake are; water color, rising or falling water, schedule of water releases from the dam, tidal fluctuations, water temps going up, down, or stable, and the weather patterns in the area for 3 days leading up to the tournament and during.
• Find a history of fishing reports for the lake you are going to. Match the report history to the current conditions. This will give you a starting point.
• Lay your map out flat and begin to eliminate water based on the reports and conditions you are facing given the seasonal movements of the bass. This will help you isolate some areas of the lake that should have active bass.
• Pick one area, like the lower section of the lake or a section of a river arm feeding the lake. By breaking the lake down into smaller chunks, it will be less overwhelming and will keep you focused on fishing rather than “running and gunning” all over the lake. Within this area, look for smaller areas and special contours on your map that would be overlooked by the average angler. Learning how to read a contour map is very important in your tournament success.
• Based on the forage base in the lake, the report history you have, and the current conditions, you can pick some lures that will
  allow you to cover a variety of structure and depths in the area you have mapped out.
• Make a mental or physical list of an action plan. This will usually have you fishing fast at first to find active bass. You may then plan on slowing down or using a different approach or changing locations in the area based on what this initial strategy tells you. By having an action plan, you won’t have to do a lot of thinking on the water and your changes will allow you to capitalize on catching bass faster.

Minor adjustments for success will be second nature to you as you gain more and more experience.

Tournament angling or just having successful days on lakes takes a fair amount of study prior to being on the water if you want consistent success. Nobody is very successful at anything without putting the time in on the fundamentals. The level of competition is getting tougher every year as more and more information is shared. Just know that most anglers won’t put in the time to plan and prepare. This will allow you to have an edge over 50% or more of the field as soon as you hit the water. Your skills and experience will allow you to beat the rest.

Being a successful “weekend warrior” requires you to take more action off the water if you want consistent success. Become a student of the water you are fishing and the behaviors of the bass. This will put you ahead of most of your competition and with time on the water, you will quickly advance well beyond the competition. One last point I would like to make is this: NEVER get sidetracked from your planning by listening to the “dock talk” that takes place by the water’s edge or at the place you are staying. Have confidence in your abilities and the information you have gathered. Most of this talk is B.S. and half truths anyway. If you are going to listen to it, just file it away in your brain to use as an extension to your current plan, but don’t let it sidetrack you.

Best wishes –

David Burlington
Bass Fishing? Ask Dave…
Professional Guide and Tournament Angler
www.bassfishingaskdave.com – Lake Mohave

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– Lake Mohave

ALAN HENRY

Water lightly stained; 49 degrees; .07′ low. Black bass are fair on
shad-colored jerkbaits and jigs suspended in trees. Crappie are good on
minnows and jigs.

AMISTAD

Water fairly clear; 58 degrees. Black bass are very good on Carolina
rigged watermelon seed, watermelon seed red, and red shad soft plastics
and deep diving crankbaits. Striped bass are fair on striper jigs and
slabs in the Castle Canyon area and up the rivers. White bass are fair
on striper jigs and slabs in the Castle Canyon area and up the rivers.
Crappie are slow. Channel and blue catfish are fair on cheesebait over
baited holes in 5 – 40 feet. Yellow catfish are slow.

ARROWHEAD

Water muddy in upper end; 54 degrees; 3.7′ low. Black bass are slow
around rocky areas and flooded vegetation on shallow running crankbaits
and spinnerbaits. Crappie are good on minnows and jigs suspended 13-15
feet near the derricks. White bass are fair on mud flats on
shad-imitation crankbaits and larger jigs with inline spinners. Blue
catfish are good on cut shad and prepared baits just off the river
channel in the mid-lake area and above.

ATHENS

Water stained; 50-57 degrees. Black bass are good on soft plastics and
Rat-L-Traps in 8-12 feet around man made brush piles. Crappie are fair
on live minnows in 10-15 feet around docks with brush. Catfish are fair
on prepared baits fished over baited holes in 12-15 feet.

BASTROP

Water murky. Black bass are slow on silver spinnerbaits and shallow
diving crankbaits. Crappie are fair on minnows. Channel and blue
catfish are fair on stinkbait. Yellow catfish are slow.

BAYLOR

Water lightly stained; 48 degrees. Black bass are slow. Crappie are slow on minnows. Catfish are slow.

BELTON

Water murky; 4.00′ high. Black bass are slow. Hybrid striper are slow.
White bass are slow. Crappie are slow. Channel and blue catfish are
slow. Yellow catfish are slow.

BOB
SANDLIN

Water clear; 50-56 degrees; 0.15′ low. Black bass are good on red
Rat-L-Traps and plastic worms in 10-18 feet; most bass still around the
mouth of creeks with adjacent shallow flats. Crappie are fair on jigs
and minnows around heavy brush in 15-25 feet. White bass are good on
jigging spoons in 20-24 feet. Catfish are fair on jug- and trotlines
with live bait.

BRAUNIG

Water stained; 71 degrees; Black bass to 8 pounds are fair along the
shorelines and near structure. Striped bass to 6.5 pounds are fair on
chicken livers and Tony Accetta spoons. Redfish to 18 pounds are fair
on live perch and tilapia. Channel catfish are fair on shrimp, liver,
and stinkbait. Blue catfish are fair on chicken livers, shrimp,
stinkbait, and nightcrawlers. Yellow catfish are slow.

BRIDGEPORT

Water stained; 50-56 degrees. Black bass are fair on Texas rigged worms
and shad pattern medium running crankbaits. Crappie are fair on minnows
in 12-18 feet. White bass are fair to good on slabs and live shad in
15-20 feet. Hybrid striper are fair on live bait. Channel catfish are
good on cut bait and worms in 15-20 feet in holes baited with soured
grain.

BROWNWOOD

Water murky; 51 degrees; 0.68′ high. Black bass are fair on black/blue
jigs and waterbug colored Sweet Beavers and brush hogs in the rivers
and in the main lake in wind-blown rocky areas. Hybrid striper are
slow. White bass are slow. Crappie are fair on small tubes and minnows
in the rivers and at Kirkland docks. Channel catfish are slow. Yellow
catfish are slow.

BUCHANAN

Water clear; 55 degrees; 0.46′ low. Black bass to 5 pounds are good
dead-sticking bubblegum Snap Back soft jerkbaits, ¼oz. crawfish
Rat-L-Traps, and suspending Rogues in 5 – 15 feet. Striped bass are
good trolling ½oz. Hyper Striper jigs with trailers around The Willows
in 30 feet, and on large diving shad-imitators and chrome Spin Traps in
surfacing schools. White bass are fair to good on 2in. Spoiler Shad
swim baits, Tiny Traps, and white Road Runners just inside the mouth of
large creeks and the main river channel below Mud Island. Crappie are
fair to good on white and chartreuse Curb’s crappie jigs and live
minnows under baited docks. Channel catfish are slow. Yellow and blue
catfish are slow.

CADDO

Water stained; 51-56 degrees; 1.13′ high. Black bass are good on orange
belly Rogues and black or grape 6″ plastic worms in 3-6 feet around
single cypress trees. Crappie are fair on chartreuse or
black/chartreuse jigs and live minnows in 4-6 feet in Johnson’s Woods.
Yellow bass are excellent on baby crawfish in channels with current.
White bass are good on slabs and spoons in 8-10 feet at channel
intersections below Johnson’s Ranch. Channel catfish are excellent on
limb lines baited with small pieces of hot dog soaked in garlic and
olive oil.

CALAVERAS

Water stained; 70 degrees; Black bass to 7 pounds are good on plastic
worms and grubs around the reed beds along the shorelines. Striped bass
to 6 pounds are fair on chicken livers and shad. Redfish to 16 pounds
are fair on perch, tilapia, and shrimp on the bottom. Catfish to 4
pounds are fair to good on nightcrawlers, shad, and liver in 10 – 20
feet.

CANYON LAKE

Water clear; 57 degrees; 0.35′ high. Black bass to 10 pounds are very
good on pumpkin/chartreuse Snap Back lizards, crawfish Rat-L-Traps, and
Texas rigged pumpkin plastic stickbaits along points in 5 – 12 feet.
Striped bass are fair to good vertically jigging ½oz. silver Pirk
Minnows, 3″ Spoiler Shads, and white bucktails with grub trailers along
channel break lines in 35 feet. White bass are very good (staging for
the spawning run) on ¼oz. silver Pirk Minnows, 2″ Spoiler Shads, and
Blade Runners in 25 – 40 feet. Smallmouth bass to 5 pounds are good on
crawfish tubes, pumpkin Sliding Weight crawfish, and root beer/green
curl tail grubs. Crappie are slow. Channel catfish to 4 pounds are fair
upriver. Yellow and blue catfish to 19 pounds are good on juglines.

CEDAR CREEK

Water stained; 60-55 degrees; 0.14′ high. Black bass are fair on
spinnerbaits and plastic worms around vegetation in 6-10 feet. White
bass are good on slabs in 18-22 feet on main lake humps. Hybrid striper
are fair on 4″ glow Sassy Shad under the birds; better catches coming
between Crappie Island and the dam. Crappie are good on tube jigs in
20-25 feet around heavy man made brush piles. Catfish are good in 4-15
feet on fresh shad just out from windblown banks.

CHOKE CANYON

Water stained; 60 degrees; 0.14′ high. Black bass to 10 pounds are
excellent on gold sparkle spinnerbaits with chartreuse skirts in the
backs of major creeks in 3 – 6 feet early. White bass are excellent on
Riverside Mystic Shad, chartreuse 1.5in. YUM Wooly Hawgtails, 1/16oz.
chartreuse Road Runners, and large minnows at the Hwy. 99 Bridge.
Crappie are good on gray crickets, 1/16oz. white Road Runners, and live
minnows over brushpiles and pilings. Channel and blue catfish are fair
on live minnows, nightcrawlers, and Lewis King punchbait. Yellow
catfish are fair on trotlines and juglines baited with live hybrid
perch.

COLEMAN

Water slightly stained; 51 degrees; 0.41′ high. Black bass are very
good on chartreuse/white Senkos, cherry seed lizards, chartreuse spider
grubs and crankbaits, white spinnerbaits, and black/blue jigs. Hybrid
striper are slow. Crappie are slow. Channel and blue catfish are slow.
Yellow catfish are slow.

COLETO CREEK

Water murky; 68 degrees (76 degrees at hot water discharge); 0.19′ low.
Black bass to 6 pounds are good on Carolina rigged soft plastics in 6 –
8 feet. Striped bass are slow. White bass are slow. Crappie to 1 pound
are excellent on minnows in 10 – 12 feet. Channel and blue catfish to 2
pounds are fair on perch and liver in 10 – 12 feet. Yellow catfish to 6
pounds are fair on trotlines baited with perch and cutbait.

COLORADO CITY

Water clear; 53 degrees; .9′ low. Black bass are slow. Crappie are
slow. White bass are slow. Redfish are slow. Catfish are slow.

COLORADO RIVER

(At Colorado Bend State Park) Water murky. Black bass are slow. Striped
bass are slow. White bass are slow. Crappie are slow. Channel and blue
catfish are slow. Yellow catfish are slow.

CONROE

Water stained; 0.23′ high. Black bass are good on watermelon seed and
watermelon red spinnerbaits and shallow diving crankbaits in 1 – 6
feet. Striped bass are slow. Crappie are fair on minnows and small tube
jigs. Catfish are good on liver, stinkbait, and shrimp.

COOPER

Water stained; 50-55 degrees. Black bass are fair in 6-8 feet on white
spinnerbaits and soft plastic shad imitations. Crappie are slow to fair
on Betts Crinkle jigs and minnows on main lake brush piles. Catfish are
good on prepared baits in 8-16 feet along creek channels. White bass
are fair.

DUNLAP/MCQUEENEY

Water stained; 50 degrees. Black bass are good on 3/8oz. black and red
Oldham’s jigs with black Uncle Josh’s pork trailers around docks in 8 –
15 feet, and on 4″ red worms with 3/16oz. standing weights around
docks, break lines, and brushpiles near the river channel in 8 – 15
feet. Crappie are slow on live minnows and 1/8oz. white Curbs crappie
jigs around brushpiles at night under lights. White bass are slow.
Channel and blue catfish are slow. Yellow catfish are slow.

FAIRFIELD

Water clear; 51-75 degrees; normal pool. Black bass are good on worms
fished around mid-lake points and reed beds. Crappie are slow. Catfish
are good on fresh shad and shrimp in 12-18 feet drifted on mid to lower
lake points and around the hot water discharge. Redfish are good with
surface schooling action on large Rat-L-Traps and Sassy Shad on 1/4oz.
heads; several fish in the 15-25 pound range landed the past week.

FALCON

Water fairly clear; 62 degrees. Black bass to 13 pounds are very good
on chartreuse and white spinnerbaits and dark soft plastics. Striped
bass are slow. Catfish are very good on liver and frozen shrimp. Yellow
catfish are slow. Mexican fishing licenses and boat permits are
required to fish in Mexican waters. Everyone in the boat must have a
Mexico Fishing License whether fishing or not.

FORK

Water stained; 50-56 degrees; 0.36′ low. Black bass are fair to good on
red Rat-L-Traps and white/chartreuse spinnerbaits in 8 feet along main
lake grass lines. The deeper bite (18-26 feet) is fair on silver/black
backed suspending Rogues around main lake points with grass. Crappie
are fair on minnows in 30-36 feet on the deep flats on the lower end of
the lake. Catfish are fair on minnows and prepared baits in 20 feet.
Yellow bass are good on small jigs in 20-22 feet. TFF Lake Fork Open
Team Bass Tournament held March 26 – see texasfishingforum.com/lakefork
or call (817) 488-8824.

FT. PHANTOM HILL

Water clear; 51 degrees; .4′ low. Black bass are slow. Crappie are fair on live bait. White bass are fair. Catfish are fair.

GIBBONS CREEK

Water stained. Black bass are good on watermelon red and watermelon
seed spinnerbaits and soft plastics, and on shallow diving crankbaits.
Crappie are fair on minnows and white tube jigs. Catfish are good on
stinkbait and shrimp.

GRANBURY

Water murky; 0.47′ low. Black bass are slow on watermelon and
chartreuse soft plastic worms and lizards. Striped bass are slow. White
bass are slow on silver slabs and live bait. Crappie are fair on
minnows and small tube jigs. Catfish are fair on stinkbait and live
bait.

GRANGER

Water murky; 58 degrees; 1.17′ high. Black bass are fair on Rat-L-Traps
and Stanley Jigs near the mouth of the river. White bass are fair on
twister tail jigs and small white marabou jigs up the river near
Circleville. Crappie to 2.4 pounds are fair on Bass Assassin Jigs and
minnows in 5 – 20 feet. Blue catfish are fair on cutbait and prepared
baits. Yellow catfish are slow.

GRAPEVINE

Water stained; 50-55 degrees; 0.22′ high. Black bass are fair on
Carolina rigged worms and shad pattern crankbaits in 8-15 feet around
submerged vegetation and brush. Crappie are fair on minnows around
docks with brush. White bass are good on jigging spoons and slabs
around humps and points in 20-24 feet. Catfish are good on punchbait
and fresh shad in 15-20 feet in baited holes.

GREENBELT

Water lightly stained; 47 degrees; 24.25′ low. Black bass are fair on
slow-rolled shad-colored spinnerbaits and suspending jerkbaits along
secondary points. Crappie are good on minnows and jigs. White bass are
good on live bait and shad-colored jerkbaits worked along the dam.
Smallmouth bass are fair on live bait and jerkbaits. Walleye are fair
on live bait. Catfish are good on minnows.

HOUSTON COUNTY

Water stained; 61 degrees; 0.98′ high. Black bass are good on black
buzzbaits with black and white skirts, orange/black Rat-L-Traps, and
orange crankbaits near subdivisions and near ledges in 8 feet, and on
purple worms with chartreuse tails and gold spinnerbaits with
chartreuse and orange skirts near grass edges and sandy banks in 2
feet. Crappie are fair on live minnows and yellow/chartreuse beetle
spinnerbaits near piers at night in 3 – 6 feet. Catfish are slow.

HUBBARD CREEK

Water lightly stained; 54 degrees; 11.4′ low. Black bass are slow.
Crappie are fair on minnows and jigs. White bass and hybrid striper are
fair on live bait. Catfish are fair on chicken liver and shad.

JOE POOL

Water stained; 50-55 degrees; 0.32′ high. Black bass are fair in 6-10
feet on Rat-L-Traps and Texas rigged worms. Crappie are fair on minnows
and jigs around Corps of Engineers brush piles and bridge columns in
12-20 feet. White bass are good on chrome or white jigs in 20-24 feet
around main lake points and humps. Channel catfish are fair drift
fishing fresh shad and prepared baits around points and humps in 10-20
feet.

LAKE O’ THE PINES

Water stained; 50-55 degrees; 0.27′ high. Black bass are fair on worms
and crawfish pattern crankbaits; some fish landed on jigging spoons
from deep water by anglers fishing for white bass. Crappie are fair on
minnows in 18-24 feet around standing timber and brush. White bass are
fair on jigging spoons and live minnows in 15-20 feet. Catfish are fair
in 15-20 feet on nightcrawlers and cutbait on holes baited with soured
grain.

LAVON

Water stained; 50-54 degrees; 0.44′ high. Black bass are fair on
Rat-L-Traps and soft plastic worms in 8-15 feet. Crappie are fair on
minnows in 20 feet around standing timber and man made brushpiles off
main lake points. White bass are fair on white/chartreuse slabs fished
vertically on main lake points in 20-22 feet. Catfish are good drift
fishing cut bait in 30-40 feet around mid-lake points.

LBJ

Water clear; 55 degrees; 0.50′ low. (Refilling began Feb. 21) Black
bass are very good on Texas Red Terminator spinnerbaits, ¼oz. #46
Rat-L-Traps, and wacky rigged black/blue Wacky Sticks tight to deep
brushpiles and stumps along channel break lines. White bass are fair
vertically jigging Pirk Minnows, chrome Tiny Traps, and Spoiler Shad
swim baits in channels and ditches in the main lake. Crappie are fair
on Curb’s crappie jigs and live minnows under docks. Channel catfish
are slow. Yellow and blue catfish are fair on trotlines.

LEWISVILLE

Water stained; 50-55 degrees; 0.06′ high. Black bass are fair on jigs
in 10-12 feet around docks with brush and tire breakwaters. Crappie are
fair to good on minnows in 15-20 feet around boathouses. White bass are
good on jigging spoons in 20-24 feet around main lake points and humps.
Catfish are good drift fishing fresh cutbait on main lake points and
humps in 20-30 feet.

LIVINGSTON

Water stained; 60 degrees; 0.88′ high. Black bass are good on
spinnerbaits, crankbaits, and soft plastics. Striped bass are slow.
White bass are slow. Crappie are very good on minnows. Channel and blue
catfish are good on brown crawfish. Yellow catfish are slow.

MACKENZIE

Water lightly stained; 46 degrees; 66.7′ low. Black bass are fair on
jigs. Crappie are good on minnows and jigs. White bass and striped bass
are fair on minnows. Smallmouth bass are fair on live bait. Walleye are
fair on live bait and jerkbaits. Catfish are fair on shad and chicken
liver.

MARTIN CREEK

Water clear; 51 degrees mid-lake, 76 at hotwater discharge; normal
pool. Black bass are good in 3-8 feet on jigs and lizards fished in the
hotwater discharge cove. Crappie are fair on minnows in 20-30 feet over
submerged brush and timber. Channel catfish are good on prepared baits
in 15-20 feet around baited holes.

MEDINA

Water stained; 61 degrees; 0.53′ high. Black bass to 4 pounds are good
on gold shad JoBabies, gold Nichols spinnerbaits, and green pumpkin YUM
Houdini Shads off main lake points in 4 – 8 feet. Striped bass to 8
pounds are fair trolling Hellbenders off main lake points in 15 – 18
feet. White bass are very good on chartreuse Berkley Blade Dancers and
large minnows upriver in 8 – 10 feet, and trolling firetiger Bomber As
off main lake points. Smallmouth bass to 3 pounds are good on
black/blue Terminator Finesse jigs with junebug YUM Wooly Hawgtail
trailers over rock piles and steep ledges. Crappie are fair on live
minnows, gray crickets, and pink Fle-Flys around brushpiles and
pilings. Channel and blue catfish are fair on Lewis King punchbait,
chicken livers, and live minnows in 6 – 12 feet. Yellow catfish are
fair on live perch, comets, and jumbo minnows.

MEREDITH

Water lightly stained; 45 degrees; 22.77′ low. Black bass are fair on
minnows and suspended jerkbaits off secondary points in coves. Crappie
are fair on jigs tipped with minnows. White bass are fair on jigs
tipped with minnows. Smallmouth bass are fair on jerkbaits and slabs
tipped with minnows. Walleye are good on bottom bouncers and minnows
along main lake points. Channel catfish are fair.

MONTICELLO

Water clear; 50 degrees upper end, 76 degrees at hotwater discharge.
Black bass are fair to good in shallow water on soft plastics; females
are on nests in shallow water around shorelines close to the hotwater
discharge. Points adjacent the railroad bridge are good spots to
intercept bass migrating into shallow water to spawn. Crappie are slow.
Channel catfish are good on prepared baits in 20-30 feet in the center
of creek channels on holes baited with soured grain and drift fishing
shrimp in the hotwater discharge area.

MURVAUL

No report available.

NASWORTHY

Water lightly stained; 48 degrees. Black bass are slow. Crappie are
fair. Redfish are fair. White bass and striped bass are fair on
minnows. Catfish are fair on chicken liver.

NAVARRO MILLS

Water clear; 1.73′ high. Black bass are slow. White bass are slow.
Crappie are fair on minnows. Channel and blue catfish are slow. Yellow
catfish are slow.

O.H. IVIE

Water lightly stained; 55 degrees; 22′ low. Black bass are fair on live
bait and Carolina-rigged dark plastics tipped chartreuse fished along
humps and creek channels. Crappie are good on minnows and jigs. White
bass are good on live bait. Smallmouth bass are fair on live baits.
Channel catfish are fair on prepared and live bait.

OAK CREEK

Water lightly stained; 49 degrees; 24.25′ low. Black bass are fair.
Crappie are fair on jigs and minnows. Catfish are fair on live bait. No
boat ramps open. 4×4 vehicles can unload on the dirt road near the dam.

PALESTINE

Water clear lower lake, stained upper end; 50-55 degrees; 0.47′ high.
Black bass are good on jigs and trick worms in 8-12 feet around
boathouses with brush and along the river on the upper end around
stickups. Crappie fair on minnows and chartreuse/black jigs in 15-20
feet around standing timber and heavy submerged brush. Catfish are good
on fresh cutbait along channels in 20-24 feet. White bass are good on
Road Runners and soft plastic shad imitations along the river channel
in the upper end of the lake. Hybrid striper are fair on live shad and
Sassy Shad.

PALO DURO

Water lightly stained; 44 degrees; 43.25′ low. Black bass are fair.
Crappie are fair on jigs and minnows. Smallmouth bass are fair on live
bait. Walleye are fair. Catfish are good on prepared baits.

PAT MAYSE

Water stained; 49-54 degrees; normal pool. Black bass are good on white
spinnerbaits and Carolina rigged Top Dog lizards in 6-8 feet. Crappie
are fair on black/chartreuse Betts Crinkle jigs and small live minnows
in 24-27 feet on main lake brush piles. Catfish are fair on prepared
baits and nightcrawlers in creek channels. White bass are fair on slabs
in 20-28 feet around mid lake humps. Hybrid striper are good on
suspending crankbaits.

POSSUM KINGDOM

Water clear; 55 degrees; .75′ low. Black bass are fair. Crappie are
slow. White bass are good near Carter Bend. Striped bass are slow on
live bait fished vertically in the lower part of the lake. Channel and
blue catfish are fair just above the reservoir on trotlines baited with
shad. Note: Golden alga is affecting fewer shoreline areas with a shad
die-off.

PROCTOR

Water murky; 2.91′ high. Black bass are slow. Striped bass are slow.
White bass are slow. Crappie are slow. Channel and blue catfish are
slow. Yellow catfish are slow.

RAY HUBBARD

Water stained; 48-54 degrees; normal pool. Black bass are fair on Texas
rigged worms with a light weight in 6-12 feet around rip rap. Crappie
are fair on minnows and jigs at the fishing barges in 12-18 feet and on
the main lake on man made brush piles in 20 feet. White bass are good
on slabs and Sassy Shad fished close to bottom around Robertson Point
and The Peanut. Hybrid striper and striped bass are fair in 20 feet on
4″ Sassy Shad. Catfish are fair on fresh shad and prepared baits in
24-28 feet on holes baited with soured grain.

RAY ROBERTS

Water stained; 49-55 degrees; 0.19′ high. Black bass fair on
Rat-L-Traps around isolated cedar trees in 6-10 feet; some fish still
being landed on jigging spoons in 24 feet at mouth of creeks. Crappie
are good on minnows and black/chartreuse jigs in 28-30 feet around main
lake points and humps with submerged brush. White bass are excellent on
silver jigging spoons and slabs in 22-28 feet. Catfish are good on
prepared baits in 12-20 feet along sheltered creeks.

RICHLAND-CHAMBERS

Water stained; 50-56 degrees; 0.46′ high. Black bass are slow. White
bass are excellent on white or chartreuse slabs fished close to the
bottom in 20-24 feet around Pelican Island and Wind Sock Point. Hybrid
striper to 8 pounds are fair on Sassy Shad and slabs; some topwater
schooling on the edge of The 309 Flats. Crappie are slow on minnows in
20-30 feet around heavy brush and timber. Catfish are good drift
fishing fresh shad in 15-20 feet around the 309 Flats.

SAM RAYBURN

Water stained north, lightly stained south; 58 degrees; 2.86′ high.
Black bass are good on watermelon and green pumpkin Wacky Worms,
Senkos, lizards, and tubes in buck brush. Crappie are fair on live
shiners and pink/white jigs near brush tops in 25 – 30 feet. Catfish
are good on juglines baited with live bait and prepared bait.

SOMERVILLE

Water stained; 1.90′ high. Black bass are slow. Hybrid striper are
slow. White bass are fair on spinnerbaits and spoons. Crappie are good
on minnows and jigs. Channel and blue catfish are slow. Yellow catfish
are slow.

SPENCE

Water lightly stained; 54 degrees; 48.35′ low. Black bass are fair on
Carolina-rigged dark red plastics. Crappie are fair on minnows and
jigs. White bass are fair. Striped bass and hybrid striper are slow.
Catfish are slow.

STAMFORD

Water lightly stained; 53 degrees; 4.12′ low. Black bass are slow.
Crappie are fair on jigs and minnows. White and striped bass are fair
on slabs tipped with minnows. Catfish are fair.

STEINHAGEN

0.27′ high. No report available.

STILLHOUSE

Water fairly clear; 57 degrees; 1.98′ high. Black bass are fair on
Carolina rigged soft plastics. White bass are slow. Smallmouth bass are
slow. Crappie are fair on minnows. Channel and blue catfish are fair on
shrimp and chicken livers. Yellow catfish are slow.

SWEETWATER

Water lightly stained; 54 degrees; 30.63′ low. Black bass are slow.
Crappie are fair on minnows and jigs. White bass are fair on live bait
and roadrunners. Catfish are good on live baits and prepared baits.

TAWAKONI

Water stained; 50-55 degrees; 0.09′ high. Black bass are fair on
plastic worms around marinas and docks with brush in 8-12 feet. Crappie
are fair on live minnows jigs in 12-18 feet at the Duck Cove Fishing
Barge and around man made brush piles; best bite during low-light
conditions. White bass are good on 1oz. white or chartreuse slabs
fished close to the bottom around upper lake humps and ridges. Striped
bass and hybrid striper are fair on 4″ Sassy Shad and 1 to 2oz.
slabs
fished close to the bottom in 20-24 feet. Catfish are excellent on
fresh shad and prepared baits in 15-20 feet around points close to the
mouth of creeks – larger blues hitting large pieces of fresh cutbait on
5/0 circle hooks in 35-40 feet.

TEXOMA

Water clear; 50-55 degrees; 0.57′ high. Black bass are fair to good on
jigs and soft plastics fished around boat docks in sheltered waters
with cover. Crappie are fair on minnows around boathouses in 20-30
feet. Striped bass are excellent on live bait, Sassy Shad and slabs in
30-40 feet along the river ledges. Blue catfish are excellent on cut
bait and live shad along the submerged river ledges and adjacent flats.

TOLEDO BEND

Water stained north, lightly stained south; 60 degrees; 2.22′ low.
Black bass are fair on Carolina rigged lizards and French Fries around
main lake grass beds on the south end, Texas rigged soft plastic
lizards and worms around shoreline cover at mid lake, and on
spinnerbaits and shallow running crankbaits around shoreline cover and
jigging spoons over deeper drops in the north end in 15 – 25 feet.
Crappie are fair on shiners over planted brush tops in the Chicken Coop
area above the Pendleton Bridge.

TRAVIS

Water murky; 57 degrees; 2.10′ high. Black bass to 4 pounds are good on
red shad worms, brown jigs, and white drop shot rigs in 15 – 42 feet.
Striped bass are slow. White bass to 1 pound are fair on shad rap
crankbaits and jigging spoons in 10 – 35 feet. Crappie to 1 pound are
fair on minnows and pink and blue tube jigs in 12 – 32 feet. Channel
and blue catfish to 4 pounds are fair on fresh cutbait and
nightcrawlers in 30 – 40 feet. Yellow catfish are slow.

TYLER

No report available.

WALTER E. LONG

Water clear. Black bass are fair on minnows and small crankbaits.
Hybrid striper are good on minnows, silver spoons, Rat-L-Traps, and
gold and black shysters. White bass are good on minnows, silver spoons,
and Rat-L-Traps. Crappie are good on minnows. Channel and blue catfish
are fair on shrimp, stinkbait, nightcrawlers, and frozen shad. Yellow
catfish are slow.

WHITE RIVER

Water lightly stained; 55 degrees; 18′ low. Black bass are fair on
black/blue jigs and shad-colored crankbaits. Crappie are good on jigs
and minnows. Walleye are fair on minnows. Channel catfish are fair on
live bait.

WHITNEY

Water stained; 1.78′ low. Black bass are slow on shallow diving
crankbaits. Striped bass are slow. White bass are slow. Crappie are
fair on minnows. Catfish are fair on stinkbait and shrimp.

WICHITA

Water clearing; 55 degrees. Black bass are slow. Crappie are slow.
White bass and hybrid striped bass are fair on large minnows and white
twister-tails along the dam. Channel catfish are fair on trotlines
baited with shrimp, punchbait or shad. Note: East and north boat ramps
are open.

WRIGHT PATMAN

Water stained; 50-55 degrees. Black bass are slow to fair on Texas
rigged worms and red Rat-L-Traps around brush and stick-ups in 6-12
feet. Crappie fair on live minnows and chartreuse jigs at Kelly Creek
Marina and over submerged brush in 12-18 feet. Catfish are good in
15-20 feet on prepared baits in holes baited with soured grain.
– Lake Mohave

Shakespeare’s top of the line

Shakespeare’s new Catera® Front and Rear Drag Spinning Reels are sure to be a hit for 2004. Sleek new styling and design make this reel not only functional but attractive as well. Available in four models rated for applications from ultralight to medium freshwater in the front drag, and three models rated for applications from light to medium freshwater in the rear drag, Shakespeare’s new Catera® Spinning Reels will just about cover it all. Features on these reels include:

* 5 ball bearings
* One-way clutch instant anti-reverse bearing
* Long cast aluminum spool
* Anti-twist titanium line roller and bail wire clicker
* Smooth multi-disc drag system
* Left/right convertible fold down handle
* On/off anti-reverse switch
* Spare aluminum spool

– Lake Mohave

Cross Trail Outfitters today announced its 2005 Youth Hunting and Fishing Photo Contest. The organization is looking for the very best amateur photographs of young people having fun hunting or fishing.
The theme of this year’s contest is, “Fun in God’s Great Outdoors.” The grand prize winner who submits the best photo will win a choice of a free parent/child Axis deer hunt or guided kayak bay fishing trip.
Photos will be judged both on photographic quality and on how well they represent the theme. All photos must include at least one young person in a fishing or hunting setting.
Finalists will be selected by a panel of outdoor writers, and the final prize winners will be determined by an online vote on the CTO website, http://www.teamcto.org.
Entering the contest is free, and participants may submit as many photos as they wish. Photos may be submitted either hard copy (prints) or online (digital).
In addition to the grand prize hunting or fishing trip, three additional winners will receive valuable gift certificates good toward tuition to the 2005 CTO Hunting and Fishing Summer Camps.
CTO is a non-profit Christian club for boys and young men ages 7-20 who have an interest in hunting and fishing. In addition to popular summer camps, the club offers year-round hunting and fishing trips, skills training, fun shoots, and other activities.
Deadline for submission is March 31, and the winners will be announced in late April.
For complete details on the contest, including the rules, prizes and how to enter, log in to http://www.teamcto.org/photo or call 210-286-4875.
– Lake Mohave

Friends and fellow anglers, So far the winter of ’04-’05 has been very kind. All watersheds in Northern NM and Southern Colorado are over 100% of the 30 year average and its only the beginning of March. Traditionally our wettest months are March, April and May so the forecast is for adequate water for our finned friends this season. Hopefully this pattern is more than a brief respite from the drought of the past 5 years. Heres my predictions on what to expect this year.

The Cimarron should have adequate flows thru June even if they don’t release water from Eagle Nest Lake. The drought drastically reduced levels in Eagle Nest so I expect them to hold back as much water as possible to to build up their storage. Flows from the tributaries below the dam should keep flows between 20-50cfs. thru the Stonefly hatch in June.

The Costilla which opens July 1st has had a banner snow year. Reports say that most north facing canyons have up to 6′ of standing snow. Last year releases from Costilla Resevoir were a lot better [ higher weekend flows and lower flows on weekdays ]than at any time in its 20 year history. I expect flows between 40-90cfs thru mid September. Commance Creek may also make a comeback this year. We have a new piece of private water on the lower Costilla also.

Sanchez Resevoir above the Culebra was close to empty at the end of last year. Depending on how they manage the water it should be best from early April thru July and then we’ll have to see what the summer rains bring.

The Red is its usual self with springs warming the flow and as of now there are caddis, mayflies and little brown stoneflies hatching. Fishing should be great here until runoff which will start in mid April [depending on the weather] and will last into June this year. After runoff the Red fishes well thru November.

The Rio Grande will be back to its pre drought condition. If it stays cool thru April we could have a decent caddis hatch. The bugs will be there the only question is the clarity of the water. After runoff starts, fishing on the Rio will be over until September when lower flows and clearer water will usher in the best fishing of the year on the Grande.September and October are the best months here.

The Conejos will have significant runoff this year and probably won’t be fishable until late June or early July. Fishing should be great thru October. The Pinnacles should be real good when flows get low enough by late July or early August.

The Embudo, Santa Barbara, Pueblo and Chama will all be fishable after runoff thru September.

Rita returns from 4 months of fishing in Patagonia in May and we look forward to seeing you this season

Tight Lines, Ed Adams [505-586-1512]
– Lake Mohave

ATHENS, Texas—With hundreds of fly-fish enthusiasts filling the air with lines and lures March 5 as they cast for rainbow trout, one had to walk carefully around the grounds of the Texas Freshwater Fisheries Center.

While fishing occupied many people, hands-on learning and informal education about subjects as varied as the importance of water quality and tying knots caught the attention of others.

Would-be fly fishers learning how to “match the hatch” by scooping tiny insect larvae from streams and identifying them buzzed about. Experts from Arkansas, Colorado and Texas whetted appetites for fishing with seminars about where and how to fool fish with flies. Fly tyers guided novices through the intricacies of creating insect look-alikes from feathers, foam and thread. And for those who’d rather eat than fish, food vendors and demonstrators turned out hundreds of tacos, catfish dinners and Dutch oven fruit cobblers.

An estimated 1,250 people attended the event held under the auspices of Fly Fish Texas, an organization dedicated to increasing participation in fly fishing. – Lake Mohave

Springtime abounds with nature fulfilling it’s clockwork course of destination.

A magnificent wake up call to the plant and animal kingdom to start their yearly ritual of mating, multiplying, and growing. This mysterious time of year surrounds our world with beauty, life, and energy that awakens our deepest feelings and senses to a level of childish excitement. For all these signs tell us – SPRING IS HERE, and to an angler, it means fishing time again.

Fishing in the spring is much more enjoyable for anglers because the weather is usually warmer, and the bass are beginning to be more active in their feeding binges after their long winter metabolic slow down. The days are getting longer, and the warm sun rays gleaming down begin to warm the water, triggering a call to the male bass to come to the shallower water and prepare a bed for the ladies in waiting. Bass movements are centered around their spawning, and the spawning is centered around water temperature.

Therefore, if the weather cools, the male bass will move back out into deeper water, but will remain close to the spawning areas waiting for a warming trend again. This pattern may occur several times before the male bass feels it’s time to make the actual bed. When the water temperature reaches about 55 degrees, the males start cruising the shallow water, feeding actively on available bait fish, storing up for the long, energy draining part he plays in the actual spawn. During this time, the female bass are in a period known as staging, and will be located in deeper areas such as points, edges of creek channels, sides of humps, or breaklines. They are waiting for their magic water temperature, which is in the mid 60’s, to signal it is time to move toward the spawning grounds. The male bass courts his lady by bumping his nose into her side, guiding her to his nest. She deposits her eggs and he fertilizes them with his milt. A few days late r, her job is finished, and she moves back out in deeper water for rest and recuperation. Left to his own demise, the male becomes full time guardian of the eggs. Once the fry are hatched, his instincts dictate that he stay with them for a short time protecting his young from hungry intruders.

But, soon he grows wary and hungry, and his will to survive overpowers his parental calling. Gorging his own babies for instant nourishment, he then leaves the vulnerable fry unprotected, letting nature choose it’s destiny.

From the millions of fry that are born, only a small percentage actually reach adulthood, because they are so vulnerable when small. Predators, lack of forage, water temperature drops, and mankind all play a critical role in how many baby bass will reach adulthood.

The north side of lakes and coves will warm the quickest, because it receives the sun for a longer period of the day, and is less volatile to the cold northern wind. Once the bass start their trek up the major creek channels, efforts should be concentrated in the secondary creek channels on the northwest side, and the shallow flat areas at the back and sides of the secondary creek channels. Usually, the murkier the water, the more shallow the bass will spawn. Pre-spawn, spawn, and post spawn will be in different areas of the lake, at different times, making it difficult for the weekend angler to establish a consistent pattern, because each phase does not last very long. However, bass will be spawning somewhere on the lake, from late February through April or May, following the same sequence of patterns of pre-spawn, spawn, post spawn. Study the spawning sites, the creek channels that lead the bass there, and the points at the beginning of the coves. Start a fishing diary of where bass spawn, and note the routes, cover, and structure they use to get there.

Then return there next year, because bass return to their spawning areas year after year, following the same routes. If you notice male bass swimming along the shoreline in a spawning area, then you can be assured that the egg laden females are close by. Within a couple of days to a week, the girls will be moving in to join the boys., providing the water temperature remain warm and constant.

Spawn time is so interesting to watch and study. Witnessing the precise timing of each stage, and to know that each bass that reaches
maturity has overcome great and numerous obstacles to reach catchable size. Our bass need to be respected and handled very gently during this time, and released as quickly as possible. Better yet, just leave the nesting bass alone to natures call. A good pair of polarized sunglasses allows you to witness the beautiful bass romance which is performed underwater.

There is an old do*****entary on video, entitled “Big Mouth”, which shows the life of a bass from birth to death, including the spawn. It can be rented at most video stores, and I highly recommend it to learning anglers for a better insight of how a bass lives, the spawn, and how it relates to the world underwater. Please practice catch and release, and safe handling of bass.

Sherry D. Ruslink
Licensed Bass Fishing Guide – Lake Fork
owner – Anglers Educational Seminars
http://www.texs.com/ladybass
email: ladybass@onramp.net
817-572-3675 phone & fax
903-473-1016 Lake Fork
– Lake Mohave

Post spawn generally causes anglers to question their ability in locating and catching bass. Many anglers are presently facing the inevitable question: Where are the bass hiding? Rest assured the bass are there, close to their spawning flat, traveling the route they utilized to enter areas for nesting. Post spawn is characterized by bass moving back to areas they call home. During this time of rest and recuperation, bass show a tendency towards lethargy and inactivity, which generally lasts about 2 weeks. Post spawn may
deal anglers a low blow in catching numbers of bass, but remember, it won’t last long, and the bass will still bite.

On any given lake, not all bass are doing the same thing at the same time. Given this premise that bass have individual biological time clocks, will help ease the blues while fishing for post spawn bass. Starting in the upper end of lakes, bass will begin the first wave of their spawn on the northwest sides of the lake and coves. Like a giant wave, the spawn will creep slowly down the lake to the lower end over a period of several weeks to a couple of months. The water temperature must be conducive to eggs warming enough to hatch, and with that knowledge the upper ends will warm the quickest, while the lower end will be the last area to warm enough for a spawn to take place. As well, most female bass will not lay all their eggs in one nest with one male partner. Fear that their eggs will be destroyed, females will wave in and out of nesting areas, mating with different males over several weeks. Therefore, an area may have prespawn, spawn, and post spawn going on at the same time. Females stage and recuperate in the same areas, which are most apt to be secondary points right off of a creek channel that leads to a protected spawning territory.

The difference in a prespawn and post spawn female is the activity level. Post spawn bass will not expend much energy in chasing baitfish because they are physically spent. They will suspend in more open water, during the transition period from post spawn to summer phases, and basically be in an inactive state for several weeks. On the other hand, male bass have a tendency to hang around in the shallows and feed more actively on vulnerable forage, before transistioning to summer homes.

While experiencing post spawn in one area of the lake, try fishing other areas that might still be in prespawn or spawn, or has transistioned from post spawn already. Prime post spawn and transitional structure is long sloping points, humps, roadbeds ditches, and tankdams that will serve as migratory routes for bass to travel. Stopovers from one area to another need to have ideal cover which will serve as shade and offer them protection from other predators. Stumps, trees, grass, ledges, tire reefs, and rocks will give bass a place of comfort and security, and give them an advantage in ambushing their prey.

While fishing for post spawn bass may not be to the liking of most anglers, there are alternatives to the actual post spawners, as mentioned above. Experiment a little and attempt to find what stage of the game the bass are in, and then move to the upper end or lower end according to the different stages until all bass are through with the 3 phases of prespawn, spawn, and post spawn.

Sherry Ruslink is a professional tournament angler and guide on Lake Fork. She owns Anglers Educational Seminars which specializes in lady angler education. She may be reached at 817- 572-3675, 903-473-1016, email: ladybass@onramp.net, homepage: http://www.texs.com/ladybass – Lake Mohave

Points are one of the most common types of structure found in a lake. Structure is defined as any contour change in the lakes bottom, and that includes points. There are many different types of points, depending on the particular lake and it’s bottom composition. Points can be structured with rocks , sand, mud, or clay, and may also offer cover on some points, such as trees, grass, stickups, tire reefs, and lay downs. Points (structure) coupled with grass or trees (cover) is an automatic magnet for bass, and other species of fish. Points are heralded as probably the best overall structure a lake has to offer for bass hangouts.

All points are not created equal! There are about four different types of points used for identification. Bar points are found in shallow reservoirs, and are usually flat, sandy rises which offer no irregularities, and run long distances under water before falling off into the main lake river channel. Sometimes bar points may even be separated from the shoreline, and will be situated at the main lake river and a ditch, or secondary creek.

Primary or main lake points are two distinct points on either side of the mouth of a feeder creek, where the two creeks join the main lake. Main lake points that drop into the main river channel, enriched with cover, are key bass hangouts. Secondary points are located in mouths of small coves or pockets that extend back from the main creek arm. These are usually shallower and not as large as primary or bar points. Bluff points fall into two categories: main bluff points, where the channel cuts away from a bluff and forms a shoal which has gravel or rock that lines the turn; and rock bluffs form a continuous ledge underwater, moving deeper and deeper as it parallels the creek channel.

Creeks and rivers also offer points within the tributary, which will be on the bends where years of current has etched away the contour as the river traveled downstream. Channels wind their way across and around the lake floor in every reservoir, cutting across many irregularities and undulations that form points.

When a creek channel runs in close to the bank or a point, it is definitely a place that bass will hangout sometime during the four seasons. Tight bends in creek channels offers a bluff and shoal, where the flow of current has etched it’s way along contour changes. Underwater humps or ridges c an offer points that are either formed naturally, or were formed during construction of the reservoir. Workers push and pile dirt and trees in a given location which forms a point, and naturally serves as home to many fish.

Bass instinctively follow contour changes in a lake during their daily movements, preparing for their annual spawn, and adjusting to seasonal changes.

A bass’ movements are governed by several influences: oxygen, spawning, and feeding. Bass use points as stopovers in their travels to and from

spawning. When the spawn is completed, points again serve as a magnet for bass to grab an easy meal. However, they don’t just relate to points at random. Patterns are followed, using specific type of points and sub-structure on those points, under predictable cir*****stances. Being able to understand these patterns and habits, and key in on which points bass may be relating to is essential in consistently being able to locate bass.

Bass habits can be patterned by the time of year. When spawn movements dictate, they swim into the creeks, and move to the primary points first. As the water warms, bass then move back in the creeks to the secondary points and hold for the conditions to signal the proper time for nesting. After spawning, they reverse their route back to the secondary points, then on to their summer homes.

Bass like points for locating baitfish, which makes points prime feeding locations for predator fish. Water on points is churned through wind and boat traffic, which in turn creates oxygen being rejuvenated in the lake. Points on lakes and reservoirs will normally have some type of cover, whet her it is man made or natural. This makes a point even better. If you are lucky enough to find more than two covers, such as grass and trees on a points, then the point deserves a good look with an LCD. Bass will be there somewhere!

Use a good topo map to locate points and creek
channels. Research and homework should be accomplished before journeying to a lake, eliminating potentially unproductive water. Use a marker buoy system to clearly get a picture of how the point is located. Once the layout of the point is established, lock in the coordinates on a GPS unit, or triangulate position by using landlocked reference points.

Sherry Ruslink is owner of Anglers Educational Seminars, specializing in ladies bass fishing classes. She is a licensed bass fishing guide on Lake Fork, touring pro on the Bass’n Gal circuit, and a freelance outdoor writer – member of Texas Outdoor Writers Assoc. She may be contacted by calling 817-572-3675, 903-473-1016, email: ladybass@onramp.net, homepage: http://www.texs.com/ladybass

Sherry D. Ruslink
Licensed Bass Fishing Guide – Lake Fork
owner – Anglers Educational Seminars
http://www.texs.com/ladybass
email: ladybass@onramp.net
817-572-3675 phone & fax
903-473-1016 Lake Fork – Lake Mohave

Crankbaits are great fish finders, and are productive twelve months of the year. Baitfish can be imitated through various styles, colors, and patterns of crankbait lures. Some are large, fat, and big billed and have a big wobble when retrieved through the water; others are more narrow, compact in size, and have a smaller bill, and travel more fluidly with a tighter wobble; and still other crankbaits possess small bills and barely dive under the water. These crankbaits are generally referred to as lipped or billed crankbaits and all float when not being retrieved. The bill, shape, size, speed of reel, and line size will influence how the lure will respond when retrieved under the water. Then, there is another classification of crankbait which is the lipless version. Most of the lipless crankbaits are sinkers rather than floaters, therefore depth and speed are dependent on retrieve, line size, and reel gear ratio.

Crankbaits imitate baitfish, usually shad, crawfish, bream, or some other forage base particular to that lake. They dive under the water, have an erratic movement, and will tweak a bass’s interest, if presented correctly. Lure manufacturer’s use different material compositions to manufacture their lures. Some use balsa wood, others use plastic, and combinations of rubber, plastic, metal, and wood have been used. Each
crankbait has it’s own particular personality, and reacts differently when retrieved.

Many retrieve methods can be applied to give crankbaits a different action. Straight retrieve, crank-crank-pause, three cranks-pause, all these techniques would make the lure react differently under the water. Sometimes a more subtle approach would be warranted, however other times a more erratic movement would be the most appealing to bass. Line size, reel gear ratio, and even rod action also affects the reaction of crankbaits. The best way to see the reaction of a lure is in clear water, possibly a swimming pool. Therefore, when fishing, a better imagination can be used when working the lure.

Crankbaits are great lures to use on schooling bass, but they are also good when bass are suspending on structure, and can appeal to bass that are hidden in cover if bounced around in the cover. Bass are curious by nature, and are competitive for their food source. Crankbaits appeal to bass as easy, vulnerable prey!

Every color in the rainbow can be found in crankbaits, however natural forage base lures are the best colors to use. Shad imitations, crawfish colors, black, bream or perch color are all good colors to start with on any given lake. Too many times anglers change colors way too often, and should try changing the lure speed, action of the lure, or lure size before changing the color.

Crankbaits can also serve as cover and structure locators. Many pros, such as David Wharton use this technique so as not to disturb the water with their trolling motor. Cast out, and crank back with an easy retrieve, until the lure bumps something. Stop the retrieve, let the lure float up, then start the retrieve again. Most people are a little intimidated by crankbaits because of their reputation to snag cover easily, however staying in tune to what the lure is doing, and stopping on an impact will get lures back. If it snags, then try popping the line while holding the rod taut.

For more versatile fishing, try some crankbait fishing. Summer is a good time to try them out where bass are holding on points, roadbeds, and creek channels. Crankbaits are fun, catch bass, good twelve months of the year, and are very versatile lures.

Sherry Ruslink is a licensed, full time bass fishing guide on Lake Fork. She offers day and night trips, corporate trips or group trip coordination, and gift certificates. Sherry is a professional tournament angler, and owner of Anglers Educational Seminars (specializing in lady angler education). For information on Lake Fork guide trips, Ladies Bass Fishing classes, or Ladies Casting classes, Sherry can be reached at 903-473-1016, email: ladybass@koyote.com , or URL: http://www.texs.com/ladybass/fork.htm
She is sponsored by: Triton Boats/Mariner Motors, Four Seasons Marine, Castaway Rods – Factory Team, Lowrance, Motorguide – Power Gator, McCoy’s Fishing Line, Gene Larew, Pro-Line, Bass Assassin, Top Brass Tackle, and Norman Lures.
– Lake Mohave

Successful anglers most often possess a quality of self confidence in their abilities to locate, tempt, and catch bass. As with all things in life, the more one knows about what they are doing, the more adept they become at that situation. The old saying “Practice makes perfect” certainly holds credence, in that one either becomes better through trial and error, or discouragement sets in and another situation is sought. Not all people will be good at what they attempt to do, however learning as much as one can about the skill desired can equal successful bass fishing.

There is the angler that seems to always catch fish, share knowledge, have a positive attitude, and have everything together. And, there is the angler that catches fish at random, always secretive about what he knows, seemingly negative about life in general, and never is quite ready for anything. Do you know these two anglers? An angler can tell you much about his everyday personality through a fishing excursion. The successful angler has confidence, and it carries over into his everyday life situations. He carries confidence in his abilities to be successful, simple as that! This person has taken the time to learn as much as he can about angling, and it is paying off in his fishing endeavors! People refer to the successful angler as “Lucky”, but luck can only play a very minor part in locating, tempting, and catching bass. Successful anglers carry within their minds a confidence that all too often, unsuccessful anglers don’t possess.

Learning about bass behavior, how it relates to it’s environment, structure and cover, seasonal changes, proper equipment, lake compositions and conditions, weather, topographical maps, and electronics are all important in becoming successful at bass fishing. The successful angler is not just content to chunk and wind, hoping the big one attaches itself firmly to a hook, but he learns all there is to know about what he is pursuing. The more he learns, the more confident he is in being able to put all the variables together to have a auspicious fishing experience. Research and planning are key elements in a fishing adventure. Doing your homework before going to the lake will often lead to time spent catching bass, instead of racing around the lake in total confusion. Confident anglers have learned to read topo maps and their electronics. Homework is started by calling the various water body controls and finding out what the soil composition is, the natural cover of the lake, what the local baitfish are, whether the lake is constant, rising, or falling, and talking to local marinas about depth fish are being caught. Listening to weather conditions, and knowing how these conditions might affect bass, are some key variables that can affect how you might approach your fishing excursion. Confident anglers have studied, and learned the many variables that influence bass fishing, and they adjust accordingly. Instead of trying to locate another anglers honey hole, and fishing exactly the same color of lures, the successful angler does his homework to be successful.

There are a number of ways to increase your fishing knowledge. Classes in fishing have become popular in recent years, and are a good way to increase your knowledge through interaction with pros. Instructional videos and books are out on most aspects of fishing, and can be bought, rented, or borrowed. Talking to successful anglers about what they feel is important in catching fish. Hiring a recommended guide can help on learning discoveries about lakes, structure, cover, and bass behavior in a particular lake. Planning and research into the fishing trip is very important in learning as much as you can about the area, lake, and fish.

Depending upon your own wisdom, and watching your knowledge grow through each fishing experience will most definitely help in fishing success. And, success equals confidence.

Sherry Ruslink is a licensed bass fishing guide on Lake Fork, owner of Anglers Educational Seminars, Bass’n Gal Touring Pro, and freelance outdoor writer (TOWA). She can be reached at 817-572-3675, 903-473-1016, email: ladybass@onramp.net, URL: http://www.texs.com/ladybass

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Sherry D. Ruslink
Licensed Bass Fishing Guide – Lake Fork
Anglers Educational Seminars – owner
Bass’n Gal Touring Pro
Outdoor Writer – TOWA
http://www.texs.com/ladybass
http://www.texs.com
http://www.bassworld.com/lakefork/
– Lake Mohave

Many anglers have fished for years, not understanding the physical and mental make-up of a bass’s system. To increase productivity in anything, one must first do some homework on what makes anything “tick”. And, that includes the bass. A bass’s senses include sight, hearing, smell, taste, and feel, however they are different than human’s senses because their brain is more primitive. Because of this, their senses must react to their environment differently. Humans can think and reason, animals react. Their lives are governed through genetics, and their existence is programmed through their senses. The physical and mental make-up of a bass is simple, but yet sophisticated compared to other animals.

A bass’s eyesight is excellent, and is absolutely the most important sense it has. Without eyesight, a bass would have a short life span. It is the dominant force used for seeking and selecting food. A fish’s retina is made up of cones for color vision and rods for black, white, and shades of gray vision. A bass’s eyes can receive up to 5 times more light than a human, and this allows them to distinguish shapes, sizes, movement, and color patterns that the human eye can’t, even under varying water clarity and light conditions. They do not have lids, but are able to change the shape of the eyeball to varying conditions of light. They have wide field vision, a full 180 degrees for each eye. Bass’s eyes improves with age, and will continue to grow throughout it’s life. Bass can see color, extensive experiments have been done on color and bass perception. Yellow and blue are both less distinct than other colors. Bass see red and violet best, and green second best, but they can discriminate between all colors.

Hearing – The lateral line is a hearing organ designed for sounds close to the fish. It extends from behind the gills to the tail on either side of the fish. It is as accurate as a radar in pin pointing the presence of an object. Anything moving through the water must displace water molecules. It is this displacement that is picked up by the lateral line, and the fish can strike the source of that sound as effectively as if it were seen with the eyes. The lateral line works only with near field sounds, those that are within a few feet of the bass, but is a deadly system

Hearing – The ear system is inside their heads, although they do not have external earflaps as we do. Their bodies act as a sounding board, and they can hear and react to sounds a long distance away. This organ is real sensitive, and through their ears is what makes bass spook away sometimes.

Bass’s sense of smell is keen, but sense of smell and taste does not really affect their behavior. Sense of smell is called olfaction. Sharks, catfish, and salmon has been studied in depth, and are known to have a greater sense organ, and use it more fully in their lives. Bass use their smell for foraging and protection. Bass preyfish are made of amino acids, building blocks of protein. And. can smell small frightened preyfish up to 25 feet away. They use it to find their way back to certain feeding and spawning areas. Their migrating abilities allows them to return home through their olfactory perception. Smell is used in reproduction, territorial claims, and communicating with each other. Located on each side of the head. Chemoreception is the most primitive sense in the universe, and it is used to avoid harmful PH conditions, flee from harmful chemicals, to find food, and find suitable dissolved oxygen content. It forms the basis
of the bass’ entire behavior.

Scents – potions for adding to the lure, are the rage. They generate 40 – 50 million dollars in sales. They are slow to permeate the water, and are quickly carried off by the water. Scents may make the lure more positive, mask human smell, and make the bass hold the bait longer. You can overpower the olfactory system by saturating the water with scent. Someone who strongly reeks with perfume tends to repel people! Naturally, the manufacturers want you to use it a lot, so they tell you to soak it. Possibly, the optimal time to use scent is in cold water, where water doesn’t displace as quickly. Manufacturers claim their products work on inactive bass, but obviously active bass will hit anything! On the other hand, WD 40 has been used, anise oil, fruit flavored vaseline, and all sorts of home remedies have been claimed to work. You be the judge, of course if you catch a fish, using anything, you then have confidence in the item. But, whose to say that bass wouldn’t have hit your bait, had you not had the scent on?

Taste works the same way. A bass has already sized up whether he wants your lure or not. So you must appeal to his other senses. Sight first, hearing, so he can hone in on your bait, smell and taste so he will hold on to it longer.

As one can see, a bass’s senses is important for the bass to live out a full life. But, it is equally important that an angler understand a bass’s senses to aid in their pursuit of this beautiful creature – the LARGEMOUTH BASS.

Editors Note: Sherry Ruslink is sponsored by Triton Boats/Mariner Motors, Four Seasons Marine, Lowrance, Castaway Graphite Rods – Factory Team, Gene Larew Lures, McCoy’s Mean Green Fishing Line, Pro Line, Motorguide, Top Brass Tackle, and Lockhart Lures.. She is a licensed guide on Lake Fork, Touring Pro, member of Texas Outdoor Writers Assoc., instructor and seminar speaker on bass fishing, TPWD angler educator, and owner of Anglers Educational Seminars. You can reach her at 1-877-523-9227, email: ladybass@koyote.com, URL: http://www.texs.com/ladybass/fork.htm

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Sherry D. Ruslink email: ladybass@koyote.com
Rt 1, Box 190-D-8 http://www.texs.com/ladybass
Emory, TX 75440 http://www.texs.com/ladybass/fork.htm
903-473-1016 http://www.texs.com
1-877-523-9227 http://www.texs.com/lvl
Anglers Educational Seminars http://www.wmi.org/Bassfish
Prof Tournament Angler http://www.tbbu.com/magazine/index.htm
Outdoor Writer ICQ – 2138299
– Lake Mohave

Of all different aspects of tournament fishing, without a doubt the least understood by the average angler is the matter of prefishing. Even the word “prefishing” itself is awfully ambiguous. Just mention that word to someone who knows nothing about bass tournaments, and you caii get some funny looks.

What I am going to discuss today are the two dift’erent types of prefishing. The first being the practice or prefish that takes place a week or two prior to the event, and the second being the practice which takes place immediately prior to the competition, Both practice sessions can be an integral part of a successful tournament, but if they’re improperly conducted, they can ruin your performance.

I have spent as much time prefishing before tournament off limits periods as anybody in the last ten years, and I think I’ve learned some things that can really pay off for both pro and amateur alike. When I was starting my pro career out West, I literally lived out of my van. I would travel from lake to lake, prefish, tournament fish, and then move on to the next lake. I would say I averaged about 7 days of prefishing for each tournament. Nowadays, because of time constraints and plenty of experience, I don’t prefish nearly as much. I prefish for about 1/3 of my tournaments these days. I think it’s important to prefish on lakes and rivers I’ve never seen before, and these new bodies of water are where I spend my time.

The main objective I am trying to accomplish during this advance prefish is to learn where everything is at inde lake. I want to know what the personality of the lake is. That is, where the different types of structure are, changes in water color, depths, just your basic stuff That way, when I come back for the tournament and I find bass holding on a particular type of cover, I know where I can run to find some more without wasting valuable practice time.

No angler will be able to learn the whole lake in
one week, so just try to become intimate with one or two areas of the lake that look like they will be good when you come back. Don’t bite off more than you can chew. It is far better to spend a lot of time in just a couple of areas, than to spend a little bit of time in many areas.

The one thing that can really mess you up prefishing this early is catching a lot of Rsh. I’ve seen this happen so many times I’ve lost count. A sherman will catch a really nice stringer a couple weeks prior to the tournament, and instantly get totally locked in to that pattern and area. They go back for the tournament and try the same stuff that worked two weeks earlier in the same area, and they fail miserably. Fish change daily, and most of the time they change a bunch in two weeks.

I’ve learned not to be concerned with catching a lot of Gsh during this prefishing period. Sure, I want to catch a few to get a little confidence, but I’m mostly just concerned with learning the lake.

I worry about how to catch them during the oflicial practice period.

If you are not able to spend any time on a lake before the cutoff period, don’t worry about it. Some of my best finishes have come on lakes that were new to me that I had no time to prefish. The whole key in this situation is being able to commit yourself to one part of the lake, and not being at all concerned with what goes on in the rest of the lake. It is hard to gain confidence in a part of the lake without ever seeing it before, so you’ll have to rely on information from past tournaments, advice from other fishermen, or just your natural intuitions. I must comment that this is a very exciting way to fish a tournament. You just have to believe that the bass live in the area you’ve chosen, and figure out how to catch them.

Let’s move now to a discussion on the official days of prefish. Most tournament circuits aUow the fishermen two days of practice before the competition starts. How you spend the time should largely be determined by how many days long the tournament is. The short tournaments of one or two days require that the angler be on the fish right out of the box. There is no time for catch up in these short events. So it is important in the prefish period to determine where you are going to fish, and what you’re going to throw.

The longer tournaments of three or four days like we fish on the B.A.S.S. tour require a different approach during the official prefish. -En this situation,-I-am often just-seeking to-determine what the seasonal pattern is for the area of the lake I plan to fish. I want to get a few bites in prefish, but mostly I’m just looking for that comfort zone; that is an area and technique that fits the seasonal pattern. I’ve learned so much in these long tournaments, and really prefer them over the short ones.

The Bassmaster Pro-Ams have a three day prewash period followed by a three day contest. On those prefish days, I am not thinking so much about present cir*****stances as I am about how I am going to catch fish on the third and fourth days of the tournament. I guess that is why I generally move up in the standings each day of the tournament. I am always thinking ahead.

A lot of guys have a record of busting a big stringer on the first day, and then they slowly slip away as the event progresses. While on the other hand, some guys move up in the standings each day. The difference is their prefish strategy.

To win a one day tournament, you have to be right on the fish from the start. But the longer tournaments require a different approach. I generally get more in tune with the Gsh with each passing day, so I don’t concern myself with catching too many during this o%cial practice period. What I’m looking for, again, is a key area and technique that should produce some quality fish for the existing seasonal pattern.

One of the biggest mistakes people make during this official prefish is trying to cover too much water. Big mistake. I recommend picking an area that you like, then dropping your trolling motor and fishing the whole area. This way nothing will be overlooked, and you will find out what they want and where they are. I can’t tell you how many times I was fishing too fast in practice, and passed right over a huge bunch of Gsh. The faster you fish and the more water you cover in prefish, the better chance you have of overlooking a true honey hole.
I generally don’t set the hook too often during prefish. It is good to catch a couple of fish to see how big they are, but then I shake off the rest of my bites. Remember, what you catch in practice doesn’t count.

The average weekend pro has the tendancy to spend his tournament fishing the same area where he got bit in practice. This is fine if you are truly in tune with the fish, and know exactly what time of day they are active, and what they are biting on. But if you are fishing one area for 30 minutes, then running 5 miles to another spot where you got bit in prefish, then moving again to another spot where you got bit, chances are you are just spot fishing, and not fishing the Ash. You might do 0.K. in a one day event by spot fishing, but this wont hold up for the long tournaments.

When I talk about fishing the fish, I mean keeping an open mind every day to changing conditions. Bass change all the time, and the successful anglers are the ones who learn to adjust with them. Just about eery tournainent I fish, I notice the bass changing from the prefish period to the competition days. That is why your top pros aren’t the ones who catch the big stringers during practice. In the longer tournaments, the prewash days should just give you an idea of where to start, then you have to simply be ready for what each new day has in store.
– Lake Mohave

For the past two years I’ve been hearing about all the big fish being caught at Falcon. Not that any fisherman has every been known to misstate a fact but the tales of so many 20 pound plus 5 fish catches were a bit hard for me to believe at first.

These stories started coming more frequently when a couple fishing buddies of mine, Ed Parten and Bruce Shuler, started fishing south Texas bass tournaments last year. Parten, a well known bass fishing fugue around the State, had told me several times that a 20 pound weight in a tournament wouldn’t make a check and that it frequently took 30 plus pounds to win. For those readers who aren’t avid tournament fishermen 20 pounds usually wins a tournament in Texas where we have a five fish limit. In fact it probably would win in most states for a two day catch.

In mid March I made lodging reservations for a trip to Falcon to find out first hand what this lake was all about. The Oso Blanco Lodge in Zapata came highly recommended and a call to them was answered with what Texans know as that special kind of hospitality that can only be found in the Rio Grande Valley. Sonia Delorme, lodge manager, graciously explained the facilities at Oso Blanco and made our reservations.

Falcon is a 6 to 7 hour scenic drive from Houston so our early Sunday morning departure got us to the lake shortly after noon. Us was my beautiful wife, Paulette and a fishing buddy and touring BASS pro, Phil Whittemore. After checking in at Oso Blanco we still had a few hours of daylight and the weather was absolutely beautiful, mid 80’s, sunny with a comfortable breeze from the Gulf, so we decided to get in a couple hours of fishing before dark.

After getting our Mexico fishing licenses we headed east, toward the dam, so that we could fish the lake from one end to the other in the next few days. Falcon State Park is near the dam so that is where we launched. We headed for the first major creek we found on the Mexico side and went to the back of a small feeder creek on the southeast side of the creek. We hadn’t been fishing 15 minutes and got our first fish. In the next hour we caught eight more fish, the largest of which was around 6 pounds. These fish are not the timid garden variety bass we are used to around Houston, when you stick on of these babies you’d better have a firm grip on you rod handle or they’ll take your stuff away from you. By dark, which was just a couple hours, our best five fish would have weighed around 18 pounds. On the ride back to the lodge we talked about the prospects of doing this every day for the next two days.

Next morning we headed out for Old town of Guerrero where we had been told the fishing was good. Old Guerrero is usually partially submerged in Falcon but because the lake was 28 feet low it was high and dry and we couldn’t get to it for the shallow water. We did a little fishing but spend most of the morning exploring.

At 11 we headed back to Oso Blanco for lunch. We me owners Dave and Sonia Delorme in the Lodge lobby and had a very nice visit. Dave and Sonia are a couple of likable Snowbirds who, like many, could make the trip back to New York after the Rio Grande Valley experience. They have been in Zapatta for eight years now where the operated an RV Park before Oso Blanco. It’s very easy to see why they like it so much there. The place has everything you could ask for, spacious and very comfortable newly remodeled rooms, a swimming pool with BBQ pits, RV Park, on site, Oso Loco Restaurant from which you can enjoy a gorgeous view of the sun setting over old Mexico, enclosed fishing pier and even an on site tackle shop.

After lunch we headed to the tackle shop, Lunkerville Tackle, where the owner, Chip Harmon, gave us some tips for catching Falcon bass. Chip and his wife LeEtte run a very well stocked tackle shop and were very helpful in providing us with the right stuff to throw. They have five guides that wok for them and say they often come in with 10 pound class bass. That’s pretty classy in my book. Chip explained that although Falcon may not provide many State Record class bass it did have a very good population of bass in the six to 10 pound range. Our experience on this trip found that to be true.

Following one of Chip’s tips we decide to fish the creek is on. We caught fish in several
areas of the creek throughout the afternoon. Although we didn’t get any big fish, our biggest was around 4 pounds, we did plenty nice fish. The sunset that evening was really spectacular.
The next morning we set out early for some serious bass fishing. We caught fish all morning with our biggest fish just under 7 pounds. No 10 pounders but more than enough quality fish to convince us that this lake was everything I had hear and more. The fishing was probably tough when we were there, especially for big fish, due to bright full moonlit nights. The hospitable atmosphere of the Rio Grande Valley, the gorgeous weather, the excellent fish population and the mean attitude of the bass combined to make this one of the most enjoyable fishing trips I can remember.

For lodging information call Dave or Sonia Delorme at the Oso Blanco Lodge.(210-765-4339) For fishing information, Guide Trips or tackle call Chip or LeEtte Harmon at Lunkerville Tackle & Guide Service.(210-765-3939) – Lake Mohave

The fish are on the move; however, the lake dropped over a foot in a one week period and on Friday, they received over 9″ of rain which had the bass pulled back out of the buck brush and they were relating more to mainlake points, secondary points and inside and outside weedlines. The frontal and post-frontal winning pattern was a Carolina rigged pumpkin green lizard or chartreuse pepper french-fry fished anywhere from 2-10′. The majority of the fish were located 1/2 way back in the creeks and as far back as you could maneuver your boat. Some fish were holding just outside the grass in the coves and pockets with smaller creeks and/or ditches located in the back.

Bill Ritzell and his partner, Allen Mittinen, won our local Port City Bass Club tournament on Toledo Bend using the above pattern and ended up with a two day combined weight of 41#. They were using CastAway Honey Carolina rods with Team Diawa TD1 reels spooled with Trilene Big Game 15# line. And, had it not been for Bill’s sponsor, Boots Follmar Marine in Houston doing some last minute repair work on his engine, Bill might not have had his boat in time to fish the tournament. Luckily, the boat was quickly repaired and he was able to go on and compete; and, win the tournament.

The 2nd place team of John Montgomery and Gary Mittinen, caught their fish primarily on Rat-L-Traps fished on bends and points off the feeder creeks to wind up with a team stringer of over 34 pounds. While 3rd place team of myself and Rusty Traylor caught our fish on spinnerbaits, Carolina rigs and Rat-L-Traps. We caught most of our fish on Sunday in anywhere from 6-25′. We also found our early fish on Sunday to hit Rat-L-Traps holding in front of the grassline in a mainlake cove at about 6-8′. I had big bass of the tournament, caught on Sunday on a CastAway Honey Carolina graphite rod with a Daiwa TD2 reel spooled with 15# Big Game Trilene line with a 3-foot 10# leader and a chartreuse/pepper Riverside Floating Air Fry. Big Bass was just over 5#’s and she was holding off a mainlake island on the outside grassline in 25′. The grass was deep out off the island and grew out as far out as 18′. Due to the recent cold fronts and rains, the bigger fish were staging, getting ready to move into the creeks and were holding in front of the grasslines. They had not yet moved into the backs of the creeks to perform their annual rituals. Due to strong North West winds and frontal conditions of Saturday, they would not bite, but the high bluebird skies and light winds on Sunday found several that went to the scales.

The massive fish kills of last summer on our East Texas lakes has had a dramatic effect on the fishing this spring. Both numbers of fish caught and size of fish being caught are directly affected by the fish kill. Big bass this time of year should be 8+ pounds, instead, we’re lucky to see a 5# bass being caught. There just not catching any big fish this year, and, what big fish are being caught are darn few!

The results of the Texas Oilman’s tournament sponsored by Skeeter Boats and Yamaha Outboards also showed a decline over year’s past in the number of big fish coming to the scales. The predominant pattern was the Carolina rig dragging a lizard or centipede in anywhere from 2-14′ water off of mainlake and secondary points. With all the rain, cold fronts and heavy winds the pre-spawn fishing has definitely been affected and continues to be affecting these migrating fish. They don’t know whether to go in and lay their eggs or back off. If the fish don’t move in by this coming weekend with the full moon, it will be April before the spawn is in full bloom. If you haven’t had a chance to get to the lake, now’s your chance, you haven’t missed a thing and chances are, you’ll be right on target for some of the best fishing the year will offer. – Lake Mohave

For the past month, Big Sam has been as temperamental as most all our East Texas lakes have been, especially in giving up numbers of bass. The high winds, rain and weekend cold fronts have kept the bass hanging out, and as of yet, they have not moved onto the beds to do their spring thing! The last weekend of the month will see a full moon and if the stubborn bass don’t move up then, it will be April before we see any signs of eggs being laid on the beds. In the last few weeks, we’ve seen some small but catchable buck bass move into the shallows in the backs of the creeks. There were signs of some of the bigger fish trying to move into the really shallow water last weekend, but they are so skiddish, they just won’t settle down and can’t be caught (at least not by this angler!)

We were fishing a club tournament last weekend and my husband, Norman, was fishing with his partner, 15 year old John Haehn. They were fishing in our Boots Follmar Marine Skeeter 210 with a Yamaha 225 EFI which had no trouble getting to their fishing spots around the lake in the high winds and rough water. Norman caught nine keepers on Saturday around the outside of the bushes in 2-4 foot depths. While I was in the other boat with my partner, Jan Shaw, and we struggled on Saturday and ended up with just one keeper that Jan managed to scratch out of the same area. We were all using the same pattern we have been on for the past six weeks using CastAway medium action graphite spinning rods, Shimano Spirex 2000FB spinning reels spooled with 10# Trilene Big Game and rigged Texas style with Riverside Floating Air Fry’s and lizards and Zoom centipedes and lizards. When we went to weigh-in on Saturday, eight of our members, including this writer, had big fat zeros, which is very uncommon for the caliber anglers we have in our Club. There were a lot of our members with only one or two fish and that’s strange, for this time of year.

On Sunday, we went right back to the same area hoping to repeat Norman’s prior day’s success story; however, the fish just wouldn’t cooperate as we only caught small one’s where keepers had been the day before. Since nothing was happening in the shallows, we fanned out and went in different directions trying to scratch out some keeper fish for Sunday’s weigh-in. Jan and I went South and fished some mainlake points dragging Carolina rigged lizards and centipedes and Texas rigs with the same baits. I finally caught a keeper in 8-10′ of water off a secondary point on a watermelon Riverside Floating Air Fry and was very thankful for the one fish! Norman and his partner went up North on the lake to investigate some of his other places that fish had been holding but to no avail, they ended up coming back down South and finished up in the same area he started in on both days. Big fish of the tournament was a 4.42# bass caught on a Carolina rig.

On Sunday afternoon, several of our members got into some keeper fish that were caught on spinnerbaits and Texas rigged worms in the very backs of a creek on the south side of the lake and managed to catch ___ keepers from one little area. All in all, the fishing was very poor this last weekend and it was difficult for most everyone to even catch five keepers.

I talked to Scott Soission of Needmore Tackle today and he indicated that last Friday they caught a 7# bass using a “Wacky” worm and were throwing to the outside of the bushes, but it was a cloudy day, and that during the week, they had been catching their fish in the bushes in about 6-7′ depths, using “Wacky” worms on the cloudy days. On the bright days, they were catching most of their fish on Carolina rigs on the mainlake dragging on the slick or bald spots with some kind of grass nearby. He also said that fishing mainlake spots over the weekend was almost nil due to the high winds on the lake. On Monday, an 8.84 and one over 5 pounds were caught dragging Carolina rigs anywhere from the bank to about 10-foot. He also confirmed that the fish should be moving up anytime now and that when they do decide to move in the fishing is going to be fast and furious.
– Lake Mohave

The holiday season is a good time for reflection. A time to be grateful for all that we have. A time to give just for the good feeling we get from giving.

One of the most important things that we all can be thankful for, after good health and good fortune for ourselves and our families is this great land we live in. From coast to coast it is filled with the most wondrous places. Our beautiful mountains, oceans, rivers, streams and lakes that we too often take for granted are truly things to be thankful for. They are great gifts placed here in our land to be enjoyed by all.

Along with these great gifts comes an important responsibility to care for them and preserve them so that future generations can enjoy the pleasures they provide us all. Many of our great rivers and lakes, once on their way to becoming “Toxic Reservoirs” full of “Mutant Aquatic Lifeforms”, are now well on their way to being restored to the condition they were a few hundred years ago when our ancestors settled this great land. The result of this turnaround is largely due to the efforts of a relatively small group of people called conservationists. Not the extremist groups, concerned with protecting some tiny insect from extinction, but ordinary folks with good common sense and, thankfully, a very high degree of responsibility, who have come together to focus attention on the care of our natural resources.

One doesn’t have to have been around too long on Lake Conroe to remember the days when the water was so clear that you could see your toes when you stood or swam in it. That was before “Mother Natures” natural filtration system was removed. Today that wouldn’t be possible even if you were 6 inches tall.

“Remember the Alamo”, huh! “Remember Lake Conroe”. Remember when it was easy for the occasional fisherman to catch a bass.

One doesn’t have to look to far, less that 100 miles, to our north south east or west to see fine examples of what proper conservation methods can do to preserve the pristine cleanliness of our lakes that are teeming with fish that can still be caught by the occasional fisherman. Properly managed these great reservoirs still provide the beautiful clean waters and abound with aquatic life even better than when our forefathers came to this country.

Give your children, grandchildren, great grand children, and so on, the gift of a beautiful and bountiful place to enjoy. Do you part if it’s only by giving something to those who are working hard every day, on a voluntary basis, to keep our lakes and rivers clean in the State of Texas.

Texas Black Bass Unlimited is one such organization. Dedicated to the preservation and conservation of our great lakes and rivers this group of volunteers is working every day, doing things to improve and enhance natures resources. Ordinary hard working every day Joe’s like you doing what they can to make it better for us all.

“Remember Lake Conroe”. Let’s put it back the way it was when you didn’t have to be 6 inches tall to see you feet or “Angler of the Year” to catch a fish.

Give a friend a membership for Christmas. For information call 713-580-1469 or 214-381-0748. Subscribe to “Our Inland Fisheries” magazine today. You can make a difference.
– Lake Mohave

Some 40 odd years ago a grey haired man stood on a bridge with a young boy looking at a bobber floating below in the Arkansas River in Wichita, Kansas. As the old man leaned over the railing to look at some ducks that were swimming by under the bridge something fell from his shirt pocket and into the river. Ploooop ! Well there goes my teeth Grandpa told me with a wry smile on his face and lips flapping, as they tended to do when he talked without his teeth. I was about 6 years old at that time and don’t remember whether we caught a fish or not but that memory was the first I have of Grandpa taking me fishing and one that I’ll have and cherish for the rest of my life.

My dad wasn’t much of a fisherman but was always willing and ready to go along when Grandpa wanted to take me fishing. I remember a trip we went on out of Rehobeth Beach, Maryland in the Atlantic. I was around 8 years old. It was the first time I had gone salt water fishing. I don’t remember whether we caught fish or not but I do remember my poor Dad either hanging over the side of the boat, and he wasn’t dropping his glasses either, or laying in the cabin on the bunk moaning. Poor Dad.

Those early fishing trips kindled a fondness for fishing in me that has grown into a passion. There isn’t much I’d rather be doing than fishing. Even though I’m guiding full time now it is still the best way for me to relax and get things into perspective. Whether it’s just watching the line peel off my reel after a cast and float gently to the water or watching a Heron stalk breakfast along the bank across the cove I’m fishing I can’t imagine a better way to relax. And of course hooking a largemouth and watching him thrash the surface on the end of my line isn’t too bad either, but just being on the water is still often a very magical time for me.
I see that same magic on the faces of the young children I occasionally get the privilege of taking fishing. Every summer there is a tournament on Lake Conroe to benefit the Sunshine Kids. These kids are very special indeed, and I usually benefit much more than they do from the fishing trips we enjoy together. You can feel the excitement in the air the morning of the tournament when the Ladies from Houston Fish, the Bass Club that sponsors the tournament each year, are pairing up the young anglers with their guides for the day. There isn’t money enough in the world to buy the kind of satisfaction one gets from taking a kid fishing.

It doesn’t matter whether you are cat fishing, white bass fishing, crappie fishing or bream fishing children always enjoy themselves.

It doesn’t have to be in a fancy boat or even a boat at all. Some of my fondest memories are fishing a small pond or creek from the bank.

You don’t even have to catch a lot of fish just point out the wonders of nature that are always around us but not often enjoyed.

You don’t need a lot of fancy equipment either. A cane pole will do just fine.

If you aren’t a regular fisherman ask the guy at the local tackle store or marina for some help or look up a local fishing guide and tell him you need some help. You’ll find that all fishermen will be willing and often eager to help you enjoy your fishing more.

Make taking a kid fishing a regular event in your life. Take your son or daughter, niece or nephew or just one of the neighborhood kids.

You’ll be giving them a gift that money can’t buy, they can’t lose, the dog won’t chew up and that they will have for the rest of their life. Hopefully you’ll spark in them what my Grandpa did for me and that fishing will be as good for their soul as it will be for yours. – Lake Mohave