Late Fall is a Great Time to be on the Water

Reported by TF&G STAFF

 

NOVEMBER IS A prime month for fishing East Texas lakes. Besides the pleasant weather with cool mornings and warm afternoons, the views from the water can be mesmerizing with the fall foliage and waterfowl migration. Besides soaking in all the glorious surroundings of nature, the fish will be feeding like crazy bulking up for winter.

Largemouth bass, in particular, will be gobbling shad in the shallows. They will also tend to school up.

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Location: Lake Bob Sandlin
Hotspot: Cypress Dam
GPS: N 33 3.467, W 95 8.281
(33.0578, -95.1380)

Species: Catfish
Best Baits: Liver, worms
Source: Texas Lakes & Bays Fishing Atlas
800-725-1134
Fishgame.com/fishgamegear
Tips: Use liver or worms on a Carolina rig, fish stumps and chum; morning, night

Location: Caddo Lake
Hotspot: Jackson’s Arm and Alligator Bayou
GPS: N 32 43.1699, W 94 5.4359
(32.7195, -94.0906)

Species: Largemouth Bass
Best Baits: Chatterbaits, spinnerbaits and swimbaits
Source: Caddo Lake Guide Service/Paul Keith
318-455-3437
www.caddolakefishing.com
Tips: Any type baits listed above in light or shad colors work well. Watch for shad grouped up along the grass edges and you will find the bass.

Location: Lake Conroe
Hotspot: Main Lake
GPS: N 30 26.226, W 95 35.508
(30.4371, -95.5918)

Species: Largemouth Bass
Best Baits: Pop’r, buzzbaits, spinnerbaits, Bass Assassin shad
Source: Richard Tatsch
936-291-1277
www.fishdudetx.com
Tips: Baits like Pop’rs and buzzbaits will work good on overcast days. If you’re on the water this time of year immediately after a cold front (up to the 3rd day after) and it is at daylight or an overcast day, locate the rip rap rock around the lake and start by throwing a small single blade spinner bait at the rocks then retrieving it back at a very fast rate where the bait is waking the surface.

Location: Lake Chapman/Cooper
Hotspot: Buggy Whip Creek
GPS: N 33 17.591 , W 95 40.00
(33.2932, -95.6667)

Species: Largemouth Bass
Best Baits: Spinnerbaits
Source: TPWD District Fisheries Office
903-593-5077
Tips: Fish white/green spinnerbaits. Follow and fish the creek edges. Dawn to dusk.

Location: Lake Fork
Hotspot: Creeks, Deep Points, and Road Beds
GPS: N 32 48.498, W 95 36.684
(32.8083, -95.6114)

Species: Largemouth Bass
Best Baits: Back of Creeks and Around Creek Channels: Top water lures, crankbaits, spinnerbaits. Deep points and road beds: spoons and Alabama rigs
Source: Lance Vick
903-312-0609
www.guideonlakefork.com
Tips: Look for schooling activity in the back of creeks around creek channels. Key to succeed this time of year is to find shad activity. Enjoy the cooler weather and hungry fish! Good fishing all!

Location: Lake Houston
Hotspot: South of Railroad Tracks
GPS: N 29 58.891, W 95 7.755
(29.9815, -95.1293)

Species: Catfish
Best Baits: Worms, liver or cheesebait, freeline
Source: Texas Lakes & Bays Fishing Atlas
800-725-1134
Fishgame.com/fishgamegear
Tips: Freeline your choice of bait.

Location: Lake Livingston
Hotspot: The Pocket
GPS: N 30 55.662, W 95 15.054
(30.9277, -95.2509)

Species: Largemouth Bass
Best Baits: Soft Plastics and jigs
Source: David S. Cox, Palmetto Guide Service
936-291-9602
www.palmettoguideservice.com
Tips: Flip docks, lay downs, boat houses and rocks with Charlie’s June Bug 6 inch Gecko and Charlie’s 1/4 oz. Green Pumpkin Swimming Jig tipped with Charlie’s Chunk Green Pumpkin Blue Flake.

Location: Lake Murvaul
Hotspot: Tinkle Park Ramp
GPS: N 32 1.203, W 94 26.155
(32.0201, -94.4359)

Species: Catfish
Best Baits: Shad, stink bait
Source: Texas Lakes & Bays Fishing Atlas
800-725-1134
Fishgame.com/fishgamegear
Tips: Live or cut shad, stink bait, chum area, fish bottom; all day; all day

Location: Lake Nacogdoches
Hotspot: Hidden Point
GPS: N 31 36.173, W 94 49.400
(31.6029, -94.8233)

Species: Largemouth Bass
Best Baits: Just about any artificial
Source: TPWD District Fisheries Office
409-698-9114
Tips: Try your entire artificial arsenal until you find what works. Fish deep & shallow until you find the bass. Avoid midday.

Location: Lake O the Pines
Hotspot: East Point Johnson Creek
GPS: N 32 46.321, W 94 32.207
(32.7720, -94.5368)

Species: Crappie
Best Baits: Minnows
Source: TPWD District Fisheries Office
903-938-1007
Tips: Bounce minnows on the bottom with a spinning rig. Morning through midday

Location: Lake Sam Rayburn
Hotspot: Boggy Branch
GPS: N 31 12.685, W 94 05.423
(31.2114, -94.0904)

Species: Crappie
Best Baits: Minnows, jigs
Source: Texas Lakes & Bays Fishing Atlas
800-725-1134
Fishgame.com/fishgamegear
Tips: Fish live minnows, or slow roll crappie jigs over grass.

Location: Toledo Bend
Hotspot: Huxley River Channel
GPS: N 31 44.5248, W 93 49.764
(31.7421, -93.8294)

Species: Crappie
Best Baits: Shiners and crappie jigs
Source: Texas Lakes & Bays Fishing Atlas
800-725-1134
Fishgame.com/fishgamegear
Tips: On the north end of the lake the crappie will start moving and bunching up along the ledges of the river channel. A good stretch to cover is the river ledges between Still Water and Bayou Seipe. Use your electronics to locate the bait-fish and natural cover or drop your own brush tops. As the water temperature falls the Crappie will move deeper. Either shiners or jigs will load up an ice chest of Crappie.

Location: Lake Wright Patman
Hotspot: Herron Creek and Malden
GPS: N 33 16.441, W 94 19.298
(33.2740, -94.3216)

Species: White Bass
Best Baits: Slabs
Source: TPWD District Fisheries Office
903-938-1007
Tips: Fish chartreuse slabs. Bounce them off the bottom, then reel in a fast retrieve. Dawn through dusk.

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Fall Becomes Winter in the Next Two Months

Reported by TF&G Staff

 

FALL PATTERNS give way to winter between November and December. Fish will head for shallower water and will be chomping down on bait in anticipation of winter chill.

Docks will be good spots to find crappie, while the best places to seek largemouth and stripers will be in much shallower water near banks and points. 

 

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Location: Lake Aquilla
Hotspot: Deep Humps
GPS: N 31 54.21, W 97 12.174
(31.9035, -97.2029)

Species: White Bass
Best Baits: 1 oz. chartreuse slabs from RSRLures.com
Source: Randy Routh
817-822-5539
www.teamredneck.net
Tips: Watch your graph along humps and you will see the White Bass stacked up on the edges of the humps. Drop slabs down and bounce off bottom making contact with the bait as it falls. Carry binoculars and glass the lake occasionally, watching for the birds to be diving on shad. The White Bass push the shad to the surface and quick limits are coming from under the birds.

Location: Lake Austin
Hotspot: Steiner Ranch Lake Club
GPS: N 30 19.551, W 97 55.052
(30.3259, -97.9175)

Species: Largemouth Bass
Best Baits: Crankbaits
Source: Texas Lakes & Bays Fishing Atlas
800-725-1134
Fishgame.com/fishgamegear
Tips: RatLTrap, lipless crankbait; all day.

Location: Bachman Lake
Hotspot: Upper Lake
GPS: N 32 51.5699, W 96 51.396
(32.8595, -96.8566)

Species: Largemouth Bass and Crappie
Best Baits: Bass: spinnerbaits, Rat-L-Traps | Crappie: minnows, crappie jigs
Source: Carey Thorn
469-528-0210
whitebassfishingtexas.com
Tips: For bass, throw spinnerbaits and Rat-L-Traps along the weed line. Crappie are under the bridge this time of year. Minnows and jigs are your best bet right now.

Location: Lake Buchanan
Hotspot: Main Lake
GPS: N 30 49.572, W 98 23.658
(30.8262, -98.3943)

Species: Striped Bass
Best Baits: Top water lures, slabs and jigs
Source: Ken Miliam
325-379-2051
www.striperfever.com
Tips: Stripers will be around mid-lake. Watch for top water fish. Look for seagulls working. Any top water lure will work as well as slabs and jigs for under water lures.

Location: Canyon Lake
Hotspot: Canyon Park Point
GPS: N 29 53.2559, W 98 13.638
(29.8876, -98.2273)

Species: Striped Bass
Best Baits: Hogies 4” Super Shad Pearl / Black Back
Source: Steve Nixon, Fishhooks Adventures
210-573-1230
www.sanantoniofishingguides.com
Tips: Look for the Striped Bass to be shallow (20-40 feet). They will be suspending over the river channel and feeding on the point in this area. Fishing the Super Shad close to the bottom produces fish in this area. Tight lines and Fish-On!

Location: Cedar Creek Lake
Hotspot: Main Lake Docks
GPS: N 32 19.044, W 96 10.0139
(32.3174, -96.1669)

Species: Largemouth Bass
Best Baits: Jigs, spinnerbaits and crankbaits
Source: Jason Barber
903-603-2047
www.kingscreekadventures.com
Tips: Fish all docks throughout the lake with jigs, spinnerbaits and crankbaits. Fish 2 to 10 inches and cover everything. Any rocks you find in shallow water can be good as well.

Location: Lake Corpus Christi
Hotspot: Cliffs Area Submerged Timber
GPS: N 28 5.488, W 97 54
(28.0915, -97.9000)

Species: Catfish
Best Baits: Shad, cheesebait
Source: Texas Lakes & Bays Fishing Atlas
800-725-1134
Fishgame.com/fishgamegear
Tips: Live or cut shad, cheesebait, use heavy line, wire leaders; this spot is good all year.

Location: Eagle Mountain Lake
Hotspot: Boat Docks
GPS: N32 57 38, W97 29 26
(32.960556, -97.490556)

Species: Crappie
Best Baits: Jigs
Source: Kolby Kuhn, Final Cast Guide Service
817-243-5858
kolbymkuhn@gmail.com
Tips: In November, the crappie are feeding up on shad for the winter. Look for them under or around boat docks that are near creek channels and deeper water. They’ll use these docks to ambush bait but also for the shade that is under them. The best way to catch these fish is by shooting or skipping jigs under the docks and letting them fall down to the fish.

Location: Fayette County
Hotspot: Northwest side Main Point
GPS: N 29 56.5679, W 96 44.0639
(29.9428, -96.7344)

Species: Catfish
Best Baits: CJ’s punch Bait
Source: Weldon Kirk
979-229-3103
www.fishtales-guideservice.com
Tips: Concentrate on fishing timber here in 8-12’ water. Chum around the boat, use tight line and expect very light bite even for big fish.

Location: Gibbons Creek
Hotspot: Employee dock area
GPS: N 30 37.602, W 96 4.5899
(30.6267, -96.0765)

Species: Catfish
Best Baits: CJ’s punch bait/perch
Source: Weldon Kirk
979-229-3103
www.fishtales-guideservice.com
Tips: Fish concentrating on 7-8’ water next to the lilly pads. Use Cj’s punch bait under corks. At night use perch. along pads for yellow cats.

Location: Granger Lake
Hotspot: Main Lake
GPS: N 30 41.952, W 97 23.22
(30.6992, -97.3870)

Species: Crappie
Best Baits: Marabou jigs
Source: Tommy Tidwell
512-365-7761
www.gotcrappie.com
Tips: The crappie are in shallow water this time of year and are being caught in 3 to 7 feet. Use Berkley Crappie Nibbles on your jigs and loop knots to get the best action. Any cover will hold crappie at this time of year and they will be big after feeding heavily on shad all summer. Good luck and good fishing.

Location: Lake Joe Pool
Hotspot: Lynn Creek Treeline
GPS: N 32 37.754, W 97 03.026
(32.6292, -97.0504)

Species: Crappie
Best Baits: Minnows, shad, jigs
Source: Carey Thorn
469-528-0210
whitebassfishingtexas.com
Tips: Fish the treeline along creek channel. Avoid midday.

Location: Lake Lewisville
Hotspot: Pockrus Hump
GPS: N 33 5.289, W 97 0.097
(33.0882, -97.0016)

Species: Hybrid Striped Bass
Best Baits: Shad
Source: Texas Lakes & Bays Fishing Atlas
Fishgame.com/fishgamegear
Tips: Fish live shad on bottom rigs; all day

Location: Lake Palestine
Hotspot: Back ofFlat Creek Near the Dogwood Point
GPS: N 32 12.912, W 95 31.548
(32.2152, -95.5258)

Species: Largemouth Bass
Best Baits: Big Eye Jig and Texas Spinnerbait
Source: Ricky Vandergriff
903-561-7299 or 903-530-2201
www.rickysguideservice.com
Tips: Bass fishing is good mid-lake fishing the back of Flat Creek near the dogwood point. Fish the creek and shallow water around the islands. Best lures will be the Big Eye Jig along the creek and the Texas Spinnerbait around the islands and grass.

Location: Lake Ray Hubbard
Hotspot: Harbor Bay Marina
GPS: N 32 53.8, W 96 29.004
(32.8967, -96.4834)

Species: Largemouth Bass
Best Baits: Shad Pop-R
Source: Texas Lakes & Bays Fishing Atlas
800-725-1134
Fishgame.com/fishgamegear
Tips: Fish the Shad Pop-R on Texas rig, fish north bank of marina brush; dusk-dawn

Location: Richland Chambers Lake
Hotspot: 309 Flats
GPS: N 31 58.368, W 96 6.99
(31.9728, -96.1165)

Species: Catfish
Best Baits: Danny Kings Blood Punch Bait
Source: Royce Simmons
903-389-4117
www.gonefishin.biz
Tips: If this fall turns out like the last couple of years and the Whites and Hybrid Stripers get tough to find, check out RC for an AWESOME Catfish bite. Both Blues and Channels will congregate in the timbered areas up the Richland Creek Arm of the Lake. You can also find them off the Hwy 309 Flats along the edges of drop offs in 20’ plus water depths. Punch Bait fished near the bottom will result in a nice box of quality Cats ranging from 2lbs. to 5lbs.

Location: Lake Somerville
Hotspot: Brushy Creek
GPS: N 30 20.94, W 96 33.2039
(30.3490, -96.5534)

Species: Catfish
Best Baits: CJ’s punch Bait/Crawdad
Source: Weldon Kirk
979-229-3103
www.fishtales-guideservice.com
Tips: Anchor here, chum around the boat, fish tight line on the outside of the cane.

Location: Lake Tawakoni
Hotspot: Hickory Cove
GPS: N 32 56.293, W 96 1.473
(32.9382, -96.0246)

Species: Crappie
Best Baits: Live minnows, jigs
Source: Texas Lakes & Bays Fishing Atlas
800-725-1134
Fishgame.com/fishgamegear
Tips: Fish live minnows, 1/8 oz. jigs, work these in the shallows; dawn, midday, dusk.

Location: Lake Texoma
Hotspot: Five Creeks
GPS: N 33 54.8339, W 96 42.3959
(33.9139, -96.7066)

Species: Striped Bass
Best Baits: Sassy Shad jigs and live shad
Source: Bill Carey
903-786-4477
www.striperexpress.com
Tips: The stripers should be running in large schools by now. Pay close attention to the seagulls. They will locate the stripers ambushing large bait balls. The favorite artificial are 4 Sassy Shad on a 1oz. jig head. The best colors are white glow and chartreuse fleck. Live shad fishing is also a great way to catch stripers. You can anchor or drift live bait.

Location: Lake Whitney
Hotspot: Big Rocky Creek
GPS: N 31 52.794, W 97 23.682
(31.8799, -97.3947)

Species: Striped Bass
Best Baits: Storm’s Wild Eyed Shad in chartreuse, white 1/2 oz. Bucktail jigs and chartreuse snake tail trailers by www.stripersniper.com
Source: Randy Routh
817-822-5539
www.teamredneck.net
Tips: Cast out 30 feet behind boat and turn trolling motor on medium speed. Drag baits behind boat in mouth of creek and hump just out from creek. Stripers have baits pushed up in the mouth of Big Rocky and they are gorging on them.

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Getting Prepared for the Big Chill

Reported by DEAN HEFFNER

 

NOVEMBER IS THE first real transition month since summer heat descended months ago. Water temperatures will continue to fall into the 60s across most of the region.

As the water cools, most species will change toward their winter patterns. Fish will start actively feeding to stock up for the cold season and passing cool fronts dominate the weather pattern.

Once Thanksgiving has passed, the real winter fishing will begin to fire up. Best action will occur as the barometer falls, signaling the approach of a cold front.

 

Email Dean Heffner at ContactUs@fishgame.com

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Location: Lake Alan Henry
Hotspot: Mouth of Major Creeks and Coves
GPS: N 33 2.6279, W 101 3.7379
(33.0438, -101.0623)

Species: Largemouth Bass
Best Baits: Chatterbaits, jigs with blue worms, crankbaits, top water lures and Red Eye Shad
Source: Norman Clayton’s Guide Services
806-792-9220
Tips: Bass fishing in November will really start to pick up action as cool fronts cool the water. Check for schooling shad up Big Grape, Little Grape, Ince, Gobbler and Rocky Creeks.

Location: Lake Abilene
Hotspot: Elm Creek, Abilene State Park
GPS: N 32 14.140, W 99 53.412
(32.235664, -99.890207)

Species: Rainbow Trout
Best Baits: Small spinnerbaits, corn, cheese
Source: Natalie Goldstrohm, TPWD
325-692-0921
Tips: Fish for Rainbow Trout in the one-acre pond at Abilene State Park. During the winter months, Rainbow Trout will be stocked throughout Texas. Use light tackle since they have excellent eyesight. Try small white inline spinners or a small cricket hook with a sinker.

Location: Fort Phantom Hill Reservoir
Hotspot: Shorelines
GPS: N 32 33.471, W 99 41.265
(32.557855, -99.687753)

Species: Largemouth bass
Best Baits: Spinnerbaits
Source: Natalie Goldstrohm, TPWD
325-692-0921
Tips: Look for areas of standing timber or dead flooded terrestrial brush along the shoreline because bait fish will be schooling in the shallow water and attract bass to the area.

Location: Lake Granbury
Hotspot: Lower ends by Pump Station
GPS: N 32 23.014 W 97 42.550
(32 23.014, -97 42.550)

Species: Striped Bass
Best Baits: Swim baits in glow and chartreuse, live shad
Source: Michael W. Acosta, Unfair Advantage Charters
254-396-4855
Tips: Slow troll using your trolling motor with your bait in 20 to 25 feet of water near channel ledges. Look for birds to point you to active fish. Bigger stripers are typically under the smaller fish feeding shallow.

Location: Lake Granbury
Hotspot: Rough Creek
GPS: N 32 24.935, W 97 47.260
(32.41559, -97.78767)

Species: White and Black Crappie
Source: Michael W. Acosta, Unfair Advantage Charters
254-396-4855
Best Baits: Live minnows and small jigs (electric chicken, blue ghost, and chartreuse and white)
Tips: Work over structure slowly and work deeper until you locate the best depth. Bridge pilings can also be a great choice on those colder days.

ocation: Lake Possum Kingdom
Hotspot: Peanut Patch
GPS: N 32 53.267, W 98 30.998
(32.887783, -98.516633)

Species: Striped Bass, Hybrids
Best Baits: Swim baits, live shad
Source: Dean Heffner
940-329-0036
Fav7734@gmail
Tips: Well, it’s time for some slabbin’ and thumpin’ so get your coveralls and headgear out. Look for the birds to give you a heads up on where the fish are. However, your graph will put you right on them. Look for the fish to be running the 20- and 30-foot breaklines. These are their natural highways to the flats and shallows, where they push bait up. Once you catch a fish, pay attention to how deep the water is where and when you made the catch. Stay at that depth and you’ll determine the correct fishing depth faster.

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