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

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

doug@lakeforktrophybass.com

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

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

caddoguide1@att.net

www.caddolakefishing.com

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.

 

Power-Pole C-Monster

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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

Main Lake

SPECIES: Hybrid Stripers

BEST BAITS: Live shad, Storm Swim shad

CONTACT: Richard Tatsch

936-661-7920

admin@fishdudetx.com

www.fishdudetx.com

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

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

lance@lakeforkbass.com

www.guideonlakefork.com

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

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

dave@palmettoguideservice.com

www.palmettoguideservice.com

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)

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

gregcrafts@yahoo.com

www.toledobendguide.com

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!

 

Toledo Bend Lake Country

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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

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

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

thorn_alex@yahoo.com

TexasOklahomaFishingGuide.com

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

Mid to Upper Lake

SPECIES: White Bass and other Species

BEST BAITS: Fresh shad, shrimp, crawfish

CONTACT: Jason Barber

(903) 603-2047

kingscreekadventures@yahoo.com

www.kingscreekadventures.com

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

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

johnnystevens@1scom.net

johnnysguideseverice.com

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

Joe’s Jigging Hole

SPECIES: Catfish

BEST BAITS: CJ’s Punch Bait

CONTACT: Weldon Kirk

979-229-3103

weldon_edna@hotmail.com

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

Crappie Hole

SPECIES: Crappie

BEST BAITS: Minnows, grey crappie jigs

CONTACT: Weldon Kirk

979-229-3103

weldon_edna@hotmail.com

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

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

crappie1@hotmail.com

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

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

Lake Lavon: Main Lake

SPECIES: Crappie

BEST BAITS: Crappie jigs

CONTACT: Carey Thorn

469-528-0210

thorn_alex@yahoo.com

TexasOklahomaFishingGuide.com

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

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

ricky@rickysguideservice.com

www.rickysguideservice.com

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

Apache Cove Island

SPECIES: Catfish

BEST BAITS: CJ’s Punch Bait/Crawdad

CONTACT: Weldon Kirk

979-229-3103

weldon_edna@hotmail.com

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

Paw Paw Creek & Mill Creek Cut

SPECIES: Striped Bass

BEST BAITS: Road Runner jigs, Sassy Shad jigs

CONTACT: Bill Carey

903-786-4477

bigfish@striperexpress.com

www.striperexpress.com

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

Whitney Creek

SPECIES: Striped Bass & White Bass

The Bass University

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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

teamredneck01@hotmail.com

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

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

simmonsroyce@hotmail.com

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

Pickwick Bridge

SPECIES: All species

BEST BAITS: Jigs, RatLTraps, crankbaits, live shad

CONTACT: Dean Heffner

940-329-0036

fav7734@aceweb.com

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

Bonitaville

SPECIES: Largemouth Bass

BEST BAITS: Crankbaits-RatLTraps

CONTACT: Dean Heffner

940-329-0036

fav7734@aceweb.com

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

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

Rocky Creek

SPECIES: Largemouth Bass

BEST BAITS: Crankbaits, jigs, and jerk baits

CONTACT: Norman Clayton’s Guide Services

806-792-9220

nclayton42@sbcglobal.net

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

Rough Canyon Area

SPECIES: largemouth bass

BEST BAITS: Jigs, plastic worms, crankbaits, soft plastic jerkbaits

CONTACT:

Stan Gerzsenyl

830-768-3648

stan@amistadbass.com

amistadbass.com

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

Caballo Canyon

SPECIES: largemouth bass

BEST BAITS: Deep-diving Bombers, Rat-L-Traps

CONTACT: Larry Scruggs Amistad Lodge

fisherofmenlrs@hotmail.com

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

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

capt.steve@sanantoniofishingguides.com

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

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

lakeaustinfishing@yahoo.com

www.LakeAustinFishing.com

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

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

centraltexasfishing@gmail.com

www.centraltexasfishing.com

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

Lake Buchanan Main Lake

SPECIES: Striped Bass & Hybrid Striper

BEST BAITS: Live shad

CONTACT: Ken Milam

325-379-2051

kmilam@verizon.net

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

Rocky Point/Garret Island Area

SPECIES: Catfish

BEST BAITS: Cut bait

CONTACT: Clancy Terrill

512-633-6742

centraltexasfishing@yahoo.com

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

Guadalupe River Mouth Area

SPECIES: Crappie

BEST BAITS: Crankbaits, minnows and jigs

CONTACT: Teach ‘Em to Fish Guide Service-Barry Dodd

210-771-0123

barry@teachemtofish.net

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

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

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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