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Hotspots March 2018: Freshwater
Sportsman’s Daybook-Tides & Prime Times
March 9, 2018
Hotspots March 2018: Saltwater
March 10, 2018
PINEY WOODS
LOCATION: Lake Fork
HOTSPOT: Running Creek
GPS: N 32 54.354, W 95 30.8939
(32.9059, -95.5149)
Running Creek
SPECIES: Largemouth Bass
BEST BAITS: Light Carolina rig with a green pumpkin or watermelon red baby brush hog or lizard, square bill crankbait in shad color, 3/4 oz. white spinnerbait, black/blue bass jig and trailer.
CONTACT: Doug Shampine
940-902-3855
www.lakeforktrophybass.com
TIPS: March is the month you really want to come to Lake Fork and fish for big bass! The big females will be on the move looking for the areas they will spawn in. Early in the month, look in the 8-10-foot range close to a creek or ditch which moves towards the spawning flats or areas. Mid-month look in the 5-6-foot range as the big females will be feeding as they head to shallow water. By the last part of March, they will be in the 1-3-foot range especially at the north end of the lake. The north end will warm faster than the south so the spawn will start north and move south in April. Areas to check out will be Burch Creek, Little Caney Creek, Running Creek and Glade Creek. This is the time to get your trophy bass of a lifetime!
LOCATION: Caddo Lake
HOTSPOT: Turtle Shell, Hog Wallow or Red Belly Areas
GPS: N 32 42.726, W 94 6.6239
(32.7121, -94.1104)
Turtle Shell, Hog Wallow & Red Belly Areas
SPECIES: Largemouth Bass
BEST BAITS: Weightless senkos, swim jigs, chatterbaits, spinnerbaits
CONTACT: Caddo Lake Guide Service/Paul Keith
318-455-3437
TIPS: March on Caddo Lake is when the bass begin to make a big push up into the shallow cypress trees to begin the spring spawning process. Once the water temperatures get to the 57 degrees and higher range, the big push starts. In stained water, I like to work a bream colored chatterbait or spinnerbait around the trees in 1-3 ft. of water. If the water is a clear I will throw a dark colored swim jig with a small plastic craw trailer. Watermelon/red or black/blue weightless senkos thrown to the base of the cypress using a slow sink and stop retrieve works well throughout the spawn on this lake as well.
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LOCATION: Lake Conroe
HOTSPOT: Main Lake
GPS: N 30 22.5299, W 95 34.368
(30.3755, -95.5728)
Main Lake
SPECIES: Hybrid Stripers
BEST BAITS: Live shad, Storm Swim shad
CONTACT: Richard Tatsch
936-661-7920
TIPS: The hybrid stripers are doing great now and this is the time to catch trophy fish. They will be all around the lake on main lake points and humps. The use of electronics is a necessity! Find the schools of shad and you will find the hybrids. This time of year, they will range in the water column from 28 feet to 40 feet. Find the depth the bait are in and you will find the fish.
Live shad will be the bait of choice but the Swim Shad will work if you can control the depth. Good luck and good fishing! Bank Access: Stowaway Marina.
LOCATION: Lake Fork
HOTSPOT: Main Lake
GPS: N 32 53.262, W 95 39.4139
(32.8877, -95.6569)
Main Lake
SPECIES: Largemouth Bass
BEST BAITS: Pro Model Thumper from Finch Nasty Jigs with a Grandebass Kickback Swim’r, weightless Grandebass 6.5-inch Rattlesnake
CONTACT: Lance Vick
(903) 312-0609
TIPS: Lake Fork during March! What more is there to say? The biggest bass lake in Texas during the height of spawn season? Count me in! How and where? Shallow spawners are the deal. Most of my fishing is done in 5 feet of water or less. You can sight fish or blind cast for lunker bass. Three techniques during this time frame are on my deck: a weightless Grandebass Air Tail Pro or 6.5 rattlesnake on 17 lb. fluorocarbon with a 4/0or 5/0 hook.
a light Texas rig with the same lures or a Kickback Swim- R
swimbait. I really fish areas slow when using the Texas rig and weightless rig, casting to sides of stumps and edges of grass. Remember, you are blind casting for breeding fish so move lures slow. If you’re moving too fast you will pull your bait thru beds too fast and you’re not going to catch them. Slow down and catch the lunker of your dreams! Good fishin’ to all!
LOCATION: Lake Livingston
HOTSPOT: Harmon Creek
GPS: N 30 51.7019, W 95 26.586
(30.8617, -95.4431)
Harmon Creek
SPECIES: White Bass
BEST BAITS: White Sassy Shad rigged on 1/8 oz. red ball jig head, 1/4 oz. White Tsunami Cocktail spinners, 1/4 oz. Chrome-Blue Rat-L-Traps
CONTACT: David S. Cox, Palmetto Guide Service
936-291-9602
TIPS: March white bass fishing can be very volatile as spring conditions can change quickly. Mid-March is the peak of the spawn with egg-laden females stacking up the northern creeks on Livingston. Harmon Creek is known as the white bass fishing capital of the world. Try to key in on getting up the creek after a recent rain and fish tea colored moving water. Cast in the deep holes off sandy points. BANK ACCESS: Harmon Creek Marina or Hwy 19 Bridge
LOCATION: Toledo Bend
HOTSPOT: Anderson Island Area (Car Body Hole)
GPS: N 31 42.543, W 93 46.3019
(31.7091, -93.7717)
Anderson Island Area (Car Body Hole)
SPECIES: Largemouth Bass
BEST BAITS: Rat-L-Traps, soft plastics, frogs, tubes, jigs, spinnerbaits, top water baits, stick baits, shallow diving crank baits, just about anything in your tackle box
CONTACT: Greg Crafts, Toledo Bend Guide Service and Lake Cottages
936-368-7151
TIPS: Statistics show that more lunker bass weighing ten pounds or more are caught in March than any other month of the year. If you are lucky enough to land a lunker and have it weighed and certified at a registered Toledo Bend lake Association station, the TBLA will give you a mounted replica! What a deal! Visit the TBLA website for more information. The bass are in shallow water moving in and out of the spawning flats. If a cold front moves in, the fish will stay in the same area but will move out to the closest drop-off into deep water. Start off with a fast-moving bait like a Rat-L-Trap or spinnerbait to cover a lot of water to locate the fish. If you catch one, slow down because there will usually be more fish in the same area. With the increase in boat traffic, please be courteous to your fellow fishermen!
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PRAIRIES & LAKES
LOCATION: Lake Ray Roberts
HOTSPOT: Sand Branch Point
GPS: N 33 23.729, W 97 0.78
(33.3955, -97.0130)
Sand Branch Point
SPECIES: Crappie/White
BEST BAITS: Minnows, White/chartreuse spinners, white/ shad colored crankbaits
CONTACT: Justin Wilson
214-538-2780
TIPS: March is one of my favorite times of the year to catch white bass on this lake. The fish are loading up getting ready for spawn and are feeding heavy. Look for schools of fish stacking up on points and humps close to creek channels in 20-30 feet of water. Keep an eye out for gulls working. Slabs and just about anything bright colored will catch them but I like tying on a bigger deep diving crank bait and catch good quality fish. Hold onto your rod too because there could be a largemouth or two feeding beneath the whites. The crappie bite is getting better and starting to see more keepers. Crappie have been on brush piles and bridge pillars in 15-25 foot of water. Jigs are working well but the quality of fish seem to be better on minnows.
LOCATION: Bachman Lake
HOTSPOT: Main Lake
GPS: N 32 51.1859, W 96 52.014
(32.8531, -96.8669)
Bachman Lake
SPECIES: Largemouth Bass and Crappie
BEST BAITS: Bass: spinnerbaits and Rat-L-Traps | Crappie: minnows and jigs
CONTACT: Carey Thorn
469-528-0210
TIPS: For bass, throw spinnerbaits and Rat-L-Traps along the weed lines. Bass fishing is especially good at the dam, by the banks and near the timber under the bridge. Crappie are under the bridge at night this time of year. Minnows and jigs are your best bet right now.
LOCATION: Cedar Creek Lake
HOTSPOT: Mid to Upper Lake
GPS: N 32 21.2442, W 96 11.616
(32.3541, -96.1936)
Mid to Upper Lake
SPECIES: White Bass and other Species
BEST BAITS: Fresh shad, shrimp, crawfish
CONTACT: Jason Barber
(903) 603-2047
TIPS: Try fishing very shallow areas near points in the mid to upper end of the lake this time of year. Fish with a small Carolina rig and focus on wind-blown points and shorelines in 2’ to 10’. Use a tight line. In doing this, you should find cats, sandies, hybrids and yellow bass.
LOCATION: Eagle Mountain Lake
HOTSPOT: Mud Flats East of Church Point
GPS: N 32 55.492, W 97 30.051
(32.9249, -97.5009)
Mud Flats East of Church Point
SPECIES: White Bass
BEST BAITS: Slab with a fly 12 above. A spinner with shiny blade.
CONTACT: Johnny Stevens
817-597-6598
TIPS: This area is composed of many slopes and humps. Water depth is normally 12 to 24 foot deep. When the water approaches 60 degrees, many sand bass will spawn on these slopes and humps. Look on each slope and hump with your electronics until you see a series of small humps on the bottom. Throw out a marker and anchor over them and jig up and down with a slab and a fly 12 above it. On many occasions, you will catch two at a time. Another productive is to cast to the hump with a lure that has a lot of flash to it.
LOCATION: Fayette County
HOTSPOT: Joe’s Jigging Hole
GPS: N 29 55.572, W 96 43.3739
(29.9262, -96.7229)
Joe’s Jigging Hole
SPECIES: Catfish
BEST BAITS: CJ’s Punch Bait
CONTACT: Weldon Kirk
979-229-3103
www.fishtales-guideservice.com
TIPS: Put out a marker buoy here. Water is 40’-50’ deep here and there is sunken timber and a sunken bridge. Chum around the buoy, then fish tight line straight down close to the buoy.
LOCATION: Gibbons Creek
HOTSPOT: Crappie Hole
GPS: N 30 36.7079, W 96 4.0019
(30.6118, -96.0667)
Crappie Hole
SPECIES: Crappie
BEST BAITS: Minnows, grey crappie jigs
CONTACT: Weldon Kirk
979-229-3103
www.fishtales-guideservice.com
TIPS: The crappie spawn is close. The power plant is not running. Use a cork and cast around the rocks and work the cork slowly back to the boat. Stop the cork a minute at a time.
LOCATION: Granger Lake
HOTSPOT: San Gabriel River and Willis Creek
GPS: N 30 39.2759, W 97 24.3119
(30.6546, -97.4052)
San Gabriel River and Willis Creek
SPECIES: White Bass
BEST BAITS: Road Runners, plastic grubs, Marabou jigs, Rooster Tails
CONTACT: Tommy Tidwell
(512) 365-7761
www.gotcrappie.com
TIPS: Now is the time to catch the spawning white bass. They are up the creek and river in large numbers. Look for eddy areas where the current swirls as the fish are holding in these spots. Late evening, during the last hour of daylight, is a prime time for them to turn on. Just cast out and use a slow retrieve keeping the bait just off the bottom. This is the one time of year that you do not need a boat to fill the freezer. Good luck and good fishing.
LOCATION: Lake Granbury
HOTSPOT: River near Tin Top
GPS: N 32 34.559, W 97 49.295
(32.5760, -97.8216)
Brazos River near Tin Top
SPECIES: Crappie
BEST BAITS: Small jigs with soft plastics in Electric Chicken and Chartreuse colors worked near structure near banks/docks
CONTACT: Michael W. Acosta, Unfair Advantage Charters
817-578-0023
TIPS: Swim or bounce your jigs across the bottom. Work the bends in the river and look for fish either in the deeper holes and when active on top of flats adjacent to the deeper water. Crappie will be spawning most creeks and sloughs all over the lake and in the river.
LOCATION: Lake Lavon
HOTSPOT: Main Lake
GPS: N 33 2.124, W 96 29.0459
(33.0354, -96.4841)
Lake Lavon: Main Lake
SPECIES: Crappie
BEST BAITS: Crappie jigs
CONTACT: Carey Thorn
469-528-0210
TIPS: Crappie are spawning shallow in 1-10 feet of water this time of year. Look for them on wood, gravel, sand, and rocks. If the lake is up at full, look in the submerged willows and standing timber. You can also try fishing a jig and bobber the rocks.
LOCATION: Lake Palestine
HOTSPOT: Kickapoo Creek and Cades Lake
GPS: N 32 18.0119, W 95 26.9639
(32.3002, -95.4494)
Kickapoo Creek and Cades Lake
SPECIES: Largemouth Bass
BEST BAITS:
shimmy shakers, Big Eye Jigs trailed with Mister Twister Pocket Craws Black? Blue and on Texas Rig the Mister Twister Swim Station water melon Red
Shimmy Shakers, Big Eye Jigs trailed with Mister Twister Pocket Craws in black/blue, Texas Rigged Mister Twister Swim Station in Watermelon Red, Mister Twister 5-inch Pocket Raiser black/blue
CONTACT: Ricky Vandergriff
903-561-7299 or 903-530-2201
TIPS: Bass fishing is really good right now in both of these areas. The best depth 2-5 feet. Fish as slow as you can and use as little of weight on your worms as you are able to use and still fish effectively.
LOCATION: Lake Somerville
HOTSPOT: Apache Cove Island
GPS: N 30 20.412, W 96 34.4399
(30.3402, -96.5740)
Apache Cove Island
SPECIES: Catfish
BEST BAITS: CJ’s Punch Bait/Crawdad
CONTACT: Weldon Kirk
979-229-3103
www.fishtales-guideservice.com
TIPS: Deep water comes close to this island point. Fish the windy side of this island. Use a slip cork and drift your bait in towards the island.
LOCATION: Lake Texoma
HOTSPOT: Paw Paw Creek & Mill Creek Cut
GPS: N 33 53.9879, W 96 53.796
(33.8998, -96.8966)
Paw Paw Creek & Mill Creek Cut
SPECIES: Striped Bass
BEST BAITS: Road Runner jigs, Sassy Shad jigs
CONTACT: Bill Carey
903-786-4477
TIPS: In March the white bass have already spawned and the stripers are staging up the main tributaries. Structure like main lake points, ditches and creeks will hold stripers. 1oz. Road Runner and Sassy Shad jigs in white or chartreuse will work best. Fish the creeks in 12’ to 20’ of water with slow retrieve for the fish up to 20lbs.
Pay attention to the seagulls as they can be your best fish finder.
When you are fishing under the birds keep your lure in the top 15’ of water. Most activity will be west of the Willis Bridge and north of the railroad bridge on the
Washita arm of the lake. Bank Access: Slickem Slough, Paw Paw creek
LOCATION: Lake Whitney
HOTSPOT: Whitney Creek
GPS: N 31 55.2, W 97 20.6939
(31.9200, -97.3449)
Whitney Creek
SPECIES: Striped Bass & White Bass
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BEST BAITS: Wild-eyed Shad, Flutter Jigs from RSR Lures.com, 1/2 oz. jigs and 7 Snake Trailers from Stripersniper.com, Stripaholic Jigs and sassy shads RSR Lures.
CONTACT: Randy Routh
817-822-5539
www.teamredneck.net
TIPS: Look for stripers in the mouths of creeks. We’re using 3 baits to target these fish. The wild-eyed shad swim bait in Chartreuse, the 1 oz. Stripaholic lead head with swim baits from RSR Lures and last but not least the buck tail jigs with 7 snake trailers from Striper Sniper Tackle throwing them up along the shoreline in the grass making a medium to fast retrieve. Also, we’re backing off later in the morning and strolling these lures behind the boat. We’re making long cast out behind the boat and using the trolling motor to drag these baits through big schools of fish. You can also anchor up on these schools and use the 1oz Flutter Jigs from RSR Lures and catch these fish. Of course, you can use live shad as well. I just like fooling them over feeding them. Be sure and carry a set of binoculars and look for herons and cranes chasing bait on the shoreline. A good top water bait can also be handy this time of year up shallow. Good luck and may God bless you and I hope someday soon to see ya on the water!
LOCATION: Richland Chambers Lake
HOTSPOT: Highway 309 Flats
GPS: N 31 59.106, W 96 7.944
(31.9851, -96.1324)
Highway 309 Flats
SPECIES: White Bass and Hybrid Striper
BEST BAITS: 1 oz. Silver Glitter RSR Shad Slabs (www.rsrlures.com)
CONTACT: Royce Simmons
903-389-4117
www.gonefishin.biz
TIPS: Watch for the gulls and pelicans dipping down to pick up shad off the surface. Concentrate on drop-offs and ridges in the 309 Flats Area in water depths ranging from 20’-30’. Bounce the slab off the bottom and when the strike occurs, HOLD ON! It might be a BIG Ol’ Hybrid! BANK ACCESS: Fisherman’s Point Marina (903-389-5218)
PANHANDLE
LOCATION: Possum Kingdom Res.
HOTSPOT: Pickwick Bridge
GPS: N 32 54.780, W 98 27.942
(32.913, -98.4657)
Pickwick Bridge
SPECIES: All species
BEST BAITS: Jigs, RatLTraps, crankbaits, live shad
CONTACT: Dean Heffner
940-329-0036
TIPS: The spawn is on, so either fish are running upstream or coming back into the lake from spawning. Of course, all of this depends on rainwater coming in and temperatures. But the mighty Brazos is the main tributary. Some fish spawn up Cedar and other creeks coming into the lake, but most are staged up to go up the Brazos. The lake is full of shad and now is the time to be fishing live shad. Also, downrigging, trolling and various artificials are working this time of year. We are tipping our jigs with Mister Twister curly tails and also trolling RatLTraps and crankbaits. Live shad for multiple species and fresh dead cut shad for catfish.
LOCATION: Possum Kingdom
HOTSPOT: Bonitaville
GPS: N 32 58.067, W 98 29.032
(32.9678, -98.4839)
Bonitaville
SPECIES: Largemouth Bass
BEST BAITS: Crankbaits-RatLTraps
CONTACT: Dean Heffner
940-329-0036
TIPS: Black bass will be moving up on the rocks most anywhere the water temp is right-but I see a lot of beds in coves on the South and North banks. South is best in the morning and North best evenings. TPWD and bass clubs have put out a lot of bushpiles (see the TPWD website for a map). PK has a lot of Hogs. After a 25-year flood rebound from drought conditions PK has come back with a vengeance—so quit wishin’ and go fishin’!
LOCATION: Hubbard Creek Res.
HOTSPOT: Brushy Creek Arm
GPS: N 32 46.65, W 99 0.006
(32.7775, -99.0001)
Brushy Creek Arm
SPECIES: Largemouth Bass & White Crappie
BEST BAITS: Jigs, crankbaits, spoons
CONTACT: Michael Homer, TPWD
325-692-0921
TIPS: March should be a great month to rack up on your daily limits for largemouth bass and crappie. Consider fishing with deeper water lures such as jigs, deep diving crankbaits, spoons, and football jigs off of the submersed timber given surface temperatures may still be considerably cool.
LOCATION: Lake Alan Henry
HOTSPOT: Rocky Creek
GPS: N 33 1.0619, W 101 6.888
(33.0177, -101.1148)
Rocky Creek
SPECIES: Largemouth Bass
BEST BAITS: Crankbaits, jigs, and jerk baits
CONTACT: Norman Clayton’s Guide Services
806-792-9220
www.lakealanhenry.com/norman_clayton.htm
TIPS: In March the water will began to warm. Look for the warmest water in the lake. This will usually be found way up the Brazos River, and up the creeks. Look also up Ince, Big Grape, Gobbler, and Rocky Creeks. If you don’t find bass up the creeks, go to any steep bank that the direct sunlight is hitting, and try crankbaits, jigs, and jerkbaits. Up the creeks, try the same lures as on the steep banks. Fish fun – fish safe!
BIG BEND
LOCATION: Amistad
HOTSPOT: Rough Canyon Area
GPS: N29 34.20456, W100 58.4892
(29.570076, -100.974820)
Rough Canyon Area
SPECIES: largemouth bass
BEST BAITS: Jigs, plastic worms, crankbaits, soft plastic jerkbaits
CONTACT:
Stan Gerzsenyl
830-768-3648
TIPS: Fish the shallow pockets in the various arms off the river channel. Start at the mouths of the coves and work your way to the back of them slowly. On bright days, make long casts with soft plastic jerkbaits and Carolina-rigged worms.
LOCATION: Lake Amistad
HOTSPOT: Caballo Canyon
GPS: N29 30.54078, W101 18.0942
(29.509013, -101.301570)
Caballo Canyon
SPECIES: largemouth bass
BEST BAITS: Deep-diving Bombers, Rat-L-Traps
CONTACT: Larry Scruggs Amistad Lodge
210-789-1645
TIPS: Search for water in 20-30 feet near spawning areas. It is imperative anglers buy a Mexico fishing license when fishing south of the international river markers. Fisherman’s Headquarters in Del Rio at Highways 277 South and 90 West has them.
HILL COUNTRY
LOCATION: Canyon Lake
HOTSPOT: Guadalupe River
GPS: N 29 54.468, W 98 17.3759
(29.9078, -98.2896)
Guadalupe River
SPECIES: Striped Bass, White Bass, Crappie
BEST BAITS: Luhr-Jensen Radar 10 in chrome blue or chartreuse
CONTACT: Capt. Steve Nixon, Fishhooks Adventures
210-573-1230
www.sanantoniofishingguides.com
TIPS: Troll the Luhr-Jensen Radar 10 in the main river channel from the rapids of the river to the mouth of the lake until you locate the fish and then fish the area of the river you find them in. This is one of my favorite times of year on Canyon Lake! On any cast you may catch a white bass, striped bass, largemouth bass, crappie or even catfish.
LOCATION: Lake Austin
HOTSPOT: Main Lake Flats-Shallows and Docks
GPS: N 30 20.484, W 97 50.7719
(30.3414, -97.8462)
Lake Austin Flats-Shallows and Docks
SPECIES: Largemouth Bass
BEST BAITS: Picasso Swim Jig-Picasso Shake E Football-V&M Pulse Swim Jig-V&M Thunder Shad-V&M Super Shakeyhead-Amphibia Sports Eyegear
CONTACT: Brian Parker – Lake Austin Fishing
817-808-2227
TIPS: March is highly considered “the month” for all anglers because of the size of the spawning bass in Texas lakes. I personally do not search out beds on a regular basis but when a client ask to do so-I tie on swim jigs and shakeyheads-clean my high clarity Amphibia sunglasses and begin to work the flats-shallows-and docks in shallow water. I typically like to use a bluegill or sunfish pattern swim jig as these are the predominate egg eaters in these situations on Lake Austin. When using the shakeyheads, I will use a V&M Thunder Shad as this will resemble a small fish eating the eggs and has produced strikes from the males and females.
LOCATION: Lake Buchanan
HOTSPOT: Upper Half of Main Lake
GPS: N 30 52.5606, W 98 26.874
(30.8760, -98.4479)
Lake Buchanan Upper Half
SPECIES: Striped Bass and White Bass
BEST BAITS: Striper: live shad | White Bass: white or chartreuse jigs
CONTACT: Clancy Terrill
512-633-6742
TIPS: Striper fishing prospects are excellent in upper half of the main lake. Find 30-40 foot of water and fish live bait 25 -30 foot down.
Fish drifting or anchored and early or late in the day are the best fishing times. White bass can also be found in this same water fishing with white and chartreuse jigs.
LOCATION: Lake Buchanan
HOTSPOT: Main Lake
GPS: N 30 52.5239, W 98 27.588
(30.8754, -98.4598)
Lake Buchanan Main Lake
SPECIES: Striped Bass & Hybrid Striper
BEST BAITS: Live shad
CONTACT: Ken Milam
325-379-2051
www.striperfever.com.com
TIPS: March is a great month for catching fish on Lake Buchanan! Stripers will be on windy points where the threadfin shad are running. Find the baitfish and you will find the stripers!
LOCATION: Lake Buchanan
HOTSPOT: Rocky Point/Garret Island Area
GPS: N 30 50.22, W 98 25.74
(30.8370, -98.4290)
Rocky Point/Garret Island Area
SPECIES: Catfish
BEST BAITS: Cut bait
CONTACT: Clancy Terrill
512-633-6742
www.centraltexasfishing.com
TIPS: Catfish prospects are good. Use cut bait on rod reel or jug lines and fish in 15 to 20 ft. of water. Concentrate on fishing at the upper half of lake from Rocky Point to Garret Island.
LOCATION: Canyon Lake
HOTSPOT: Guadalupe River Mouth Area
GPS: N 29 53.58, W 98 18.42
(29.8930, -98.3070)
Guadalupe River Mouth Area
SPECIES: Crappie
BEST BAITS: Crankbaits, minnows and jigs
CONTACT: Teach ‘Em to Fish Guide Service-Barry Dodd
210-771-0123
www.teachemtofish.net
TIPS: Water temperature will vary from the mid 50’s to mid 60’s in March and this is the time of year for the bass and crappie to be spawning. Look for prime areas for spawning in shallow water. This is approaching the best times of the year to fish the back of coves and other shallow water areas. Bass and crappie will hit just about anything during the spawning season. Use soft plastic baits and minnows in the 2” to 3” range. The best fishing occurs just before frontal passage and then a couple days after when the winds return from the west or south. Generally, the best fishing is in the afternoons on north banks protected from the north winds and areas that receive lots of sunshine.
SOUTH TEXAS PLAINS
LOCATION: Coleto Creek Lake
HOTSPOT: Main Lake
GPS: N 28 43.806, W 97 10.2899
(28.7301, -97.1715)
Coleto Creek Main Lake
SPECIES: Largemouth Bass
BEST BAITS: Bass jigs, spinnerbaits, 10 inch or bigger soft plastics, Rat-L-Traps
CONTACT: Rocky’s Guide Service
361-960-0566
TIPS: Spring is here and the water is getting more active. Depending on weather, we can have early spawns. The big females will be feeding hard this time of year. Bigger baits mean bigger fish. Big bass like big baits. You might not get as many bites but you will get better quality bites. If you’re looking for numbers, spinnerbaits cover more water along with Rat-L-Traps. For big bass, focus on spawning flats with deeper water near. Early in the morning, fish deeper and, as the water warms during the afternoon, go shallower. Spinnerbaits are good locators. I prefer white with maybe a little chartreuse. The Eagle Nest area is a good spawning area. May your bites be big and your fish be healthy!
LOCATION: Coleto Creek Lake
HOTSPOT: Creeks and Shallow Flats
GPS: N 28 44.964, W 97 10.152
(28.7494, -97.1692)
Creeks & Shallow Flats
SPECIES: Largemouth Bass
BEST BAITS: Buzzbaits, White spinnerbaits-large worms and jigs.
CONTACT: Rocky’s Guide Service
361-960-0566
TIPS: Winter is about over for us and fish are heading to spawn. Usually pre-spawn is starting up now. Big females are moving up shallow during the day and trying to eat as much as possible. Big baits are on the menu. Buzz baits can be productive this time of year as well as spinners (white)-large worms and jigs. Record bass have been caught this time of year. Concentrate on the back of creeks or shallow flats close to deep water. Where you find one fish, there will be others. Usually places protected from the wind are your best bet.
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