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East Texas

HotSPOTLight: Lower Lake Fork

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LOCATION: Lake Bob Sandlin
HOTSPOT: Dam Area Ridge
GPS: N 33 4.672, W 95 0.374
(33.0779, -95.0062)

SPECIES: Largemouth Bass
BEST BAITS: Live and artificial trout bait
TIPS: Morning through afternoon are best times for this spot.

. . .

LOCATION: Brandy Branch Reservoir
HOTSPOT: Cove to Island Ridge
GPS: N 32 26.447, W 94 29.01
(32.4408, -94.4835)

SPECIES: Largemouth Bass
BEST BAITS: Soft plastics
TIPS: Fish the ridge and edges of hydrilla. In colder weather, fish the cove; dawn, morning.

. . .

LOCATION: Caddo Lake
HOTSPOT: Alligator Bayou and Big Cypress Bayou
GPS: N 32 41.5019, W 94 2.2319
(32.6917, -94.0372)

SPECIES: Largemouth Bass
BEST BAITS: V&M Paddletail Frog and V&M Porkpin Worm
TIPS: Fish the edges of these creeks on the upper end of Caddo Lake with the white frogs on top and 1/8 oz. weighted Junebug colored worms on the bottom along the edges of the grass. Give extra attention to the bends and points.

. . .

LOCATION: Lake Conroe
HOTSPOT: Little Lake Creek Power Pole
GPS: N 30 24.683, W 95 37.318
(30.4114, -95.6220)

SPECIES: Crappie
BEST BAITS: Minnows, jigs
TIPS: Work vertically in brush with minnows or green/red jigs; should produce action all day.

. . .

LOCATION: Lake Cooper/Jim Chapman
HOTSPOT: Deep Well
GPS: N 33 18.574 , W 95 41.189
(33.3096, -95.6865)

SPECIES: Largemouth Bass
BEST BAITS: Crankbaits
TIPS: Fish gold or firetiger deep crankbaits. Work them down and stop. Dawn through afternoon.

. . .

LOCATION: Lake Fork
HOTSPOT: Horseshoe Ridge
GPS: N 32 51.824, W 95 37.146
(32.8637, -95.6191)

SPECIES: Largemouth Bass
BEST BAITS: Soft plastics
TIPS: Fish soft plastic Carolina rigs and dropshots on the break lines; afternoon.

. . .

LOCATION: Lake Houston
HOTSPOT: McKay Bridge
GPS: N 30 0.845, W 95 7.468
(30.0141, -95.1245)

SPECIES: Catfish
BEST BAITS: Minnows
TIPS: Cut minnows, use Mudcat flagging juglines.

. . .

LOCATION: Lake Livingston
HOTSPOT: Ann’s Lump
GPS: N 30 41.346, W 95 2.737
(30.6891, -95.0456)

SPECIES: Hybrid Striped Bass
BEST BAITS: Jigs, shad
TIPS: Jig yellow jigs or live shad off the bottom; dawn through dusk.

. . .

LOCATION: Lake Murvaul
HOTSPOT: Dam Hump
GPS: N 32 2.08, W 94 25.827
(32.0347, -94.4305)

SPECIES: Largemouth Bass
BEST BAITS: Crankbaits
TIPS: Hit top in spring, perimeter the rest of year; dawn, morning, dusk, night

. . .

LOCATION: Lake Nacogdoches
HOTSPOT: Loco Bend #4
GPS: N 31 38.236, W 94 48.229
(31.6373, -94.8038)

SPECIES: Largemouth Bass
BEST BAITS: Soft plastics
TIPS: Drag your lure over the edges. Fish move between the bends. Avoid midday.

. . .

LOCATION: Lake O the Pines
HOTSPOT: Pleasure Point Cove
GPS: N 32 50.614, W 94 40.232
(32.8436, -94.6705)

SPECIES: White Bass
BEST BAITS: Minnows, RatLTraps
TIPS: Watch for birds. Morning through midday.

LOCATION: Lake Sam Rayburn
HOTSPOT: Buckmore
GPS: N 31 10.219, W 94 03.575
(31.1703, -94.0596)

SPECIES: Crappie
BEST BAITS: Roadrunners, minnows
TIPS: Work 4- to 6-foot water with white/chartreuse Roadrunners or live minnows. Dawn to late morning, dusk and night.

. . .

LOCATION: Toledo Bend
HOTSPOT: Brittains Bend
GPS: N 31 36.954, W 93 49.547
(31.615900, -93.825783)

SPECIES: Catfish
BEST BAITS: Tail-spinnerbaits
TIPS: Hit the river bend bottom near sand bars with chrome tailspinners; dawn through morning, dusk.

. . .

LOCATION: Lake Wright Patman
HOTSPOT: Moss Creek
GPS: N 33 16.285, W 94 24.259
(33.2714, -94.4043)

SPECIES: Catfish
BEST BAITS: Live bait on jugline
TIPS: Juglines work great here. Drift about 3 feet off the bottom. Morning through night.

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Central Texas

HotSPOTLight: Lake Lyndon B. Johnson

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LOCATION: Lake Austin
HOTSPOT: Main Lake
GPS: N 30 19.464, W 97 50.316
(30.3244, -97.8386)

SPECIES: Largemouth Bass
BEST BAITS: V&M Wild Thang 8.5, V&M Chopsticks, Picasso Shake E Football, Picasso Shad Walker, V&M Pacemaker Jigs mated with V&M Twin Tail Trailer or Split Tail Beaver
TIPS: This is the time of year to start working the Picasso Shad Walker and V&M Bayou Frog early in the morning as the fish are up feeding around the bank edges. Once the top water bite ends, I start working the Chopstick and Wild Thang with a T-rig and Carolina rig in 10-15 feet. If the water temps start off above 84 degrees or there’s a lot of boat traffic, I’ll go from the topwater bite to throwing Picasso Shake E Football with a Wild Thang or a Pacemaker Jig in 15 feet of water. The keys to August fishing at Lake Austin are to fish top waters at dawn and dusk then deeper water with jigs, T-rig, and Carolina rig during the day and night. You can get the V&M and Picasso baits at Fisherman’s Corner by Canyon Lake, Tightlines Premium Fishing Tackle in Killeen, and Marine Outlet in Temple.

. . .

LOCATION: Bachman Lake
HOTSPOT: Main Lake
GPS: N 32 51.1859, W 96 52.014
(32.8531, -96.8669)

SPECIES: Largemouth Bass
BEST BAITS: Small rooster tails and small creature baits (3-4 inches long)
TIPS: Bass are on fire shallow along the banks. Fish in 1-5 feet of water. Cast along the banks parallel as the fish are no more than five feet from the banks. At the time of this report, 1-to-8-pound fish are being caught!

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LOCATION: Lake Belton
HOTSPOT: Westcliff Ramp
GPS: N 31 06.879, W 97 30.782
(31.1147, -97.5130)

SPECIES: Largemouth Bass
BEST BAITS: RatLTraps
TIPS: Work RatLTraps around the ramp, dock, flat and shoreline.

. . .

LOCATION: Lake Buchanan
HOTSPOT: Main Lake
GPS: N 30 45.7619, W 98 25.638
(30.7627, -98.4273)

SPECIES: Striped Bass and White Bass
BEST BAITS: White 1/2 oz. jigs with either white or chartreuse flirts or worms, Long A 15’s or 16’s in black or blue back gold or silver flash, both of the above on downriggers, live shad, live bluegills
TIPS: Stripers will be in the main lake looking for cooler water! Trolling white 1/2 oz. jigs with either white or chartreuse flirts or worms is a good tactic. Trolling Long A 15’s or 16’s in black or blue back gold or silver flash is another good bet. Use all of this with your downriggers! Live shad or blue gills will be the best baits overall. White bass will be in mid lake area around Garret Island or Shaw Island. Fish treetops along the old riverbed as well.

. . .

LOCATION: Cedar Creek Lake
HOTSPOT: Main Lake
GPS: N 32 16.11, W 96 7.7279
(32.2685, -96.1288)

SPECIES: Hybrid Striper
BEST BAITS: Deep diver crankbaits
TIPS: Be sure and fish the point near the drop off slowly. Work the shallows early and then move into the deeper depths. Bass are in their summer homes and, with the weather being warm, are not apt to be aggressive in nature. Use a heavy weight 7-foot rod for Carolina rigging. This rod can handle anything you get into and then some. Good summer colors include, watermelon red, blue fleck, Junebug, watermelon candy.

. . .

LOCATION: Eagle Mountain Lake
HOTSPOT: 300 Yards from Dam
GPS: N 32 52.709, W 97 28.044
(32.8785, -97.4674)

SPECIES: White bass
BEST BAITS: Slab with a fly 12 in. above
TIPS: This area just north of the dam is a series of humps and ridges. This area was created to supply dirt that was used to build the dam. Use your electronics to check the slopes and humps. When you locate the fish anchor on them and use a vertical jig method on them. If you prefer to cast to them, locate them and put out a buoy marker so you can cast to them. Use a slab and jig combo and let it go to the bottom and hop it back to boat.

. . .

LOCATION: Fayette County Res.
HOTSPOT: Point Off Third Boat Ramp
GPS: N 29 55.878, W 96 43.368
(29.9313, -96.7228)

SPECIES: Catfish
BEST BAITS: CJ’s punch bait
TIPS: Hit right side of dam, look for brush in 7-14’ top to bottom; action is good here all day.

. . .

LOCATION: Granger Lake
HOTSPOT: Standing Timber and San Gabriel River
GPS: N 30 39.894, W 97 23.094
(30.6649, -97.3849)

SPECIES: Crappie & Largemouth Bass
BEST BAITS: Crappie: jigs and minnows | Largemouth; Bass: crankbaits, worms, spinnerbaits
TIPS: Water is 20 feet deep here off the point. Anchor and chum straight down. Use a tight line fishing just off from the bottom.

. . .

LOCATION: Lake Joe Pool
HOTSPOT: Fireman’s Hump
GPS: N 32 37.551, W 97 01.045
(32.6259, -97.0174)

SPECIES: White Bass
BEST BAITS: Topwaters, RatLtraps, spoons
TIPS: Graph the area to find depth, then use topwaters and RatLTraps in the upper depths, spoons deeper. Avoid midday.

. . .

LOCATION: Lake Lavon
HOTSPOT: Little Ridge Point
GPS: N 33 3.7859, W 96 27.792
(33.0631, -96.4632)

SPECIES: Largemouth Bass & White Bass
BEST BAITS: Largemouth Bass: white & chartreuse spinnerbaits, square bill crankbaits, Series 5 Sexy Shad; White Bass: white top water lures
TIPS: Troll with a Hellbender or chunk a silver Pet spoon. Avoid midday. Good spot for night fishing.

. . .

LOCATION: Lake LBJ
HOTSPOT: Lighthouse Point
GPS: N 30 33.694, W 98 21.405
(30.5616, -98.3568)

SPECIES: Catfish
BEST BAITS: Shad, prepared bait
TIPS: Work the point and brush with live or cut shad or prepared bait; avoid midday.

. . .

LOCATION: Lake Lewisville
HOTSPOT: Twin Tree Cove
GPS: N 33 5.55, W 96 59.338
(33.0925, -96.9890)

SPECIES: Largemouth Bass
BEST BAITS: Natural plastics, crankbaits
TIPS: Fish the bushes & trees; dawn through morning, dusk.

. . .

LOCATION: Lake Limestone
HOTSPOT: Sanders Creek
GPS: N 31 25.411, W 96 20.233
(31.4235, -96.3372)

SPECIES: Crappie
BEST BAITS: Jigs
TIPS: White or chartreuse jigs, Fish the large trees in 15-20 feet of water with white or chartreuse jigs; dawn through dusk.

. . .

LOCATION: Lake Palestine
HOTSPOT: Flag Bay
GPS: N 32 11.058, W 95 27.33
(32.1843, -95.4555)

SPECIES: Largemouth Bass and Crappie
BEST BAITS: Bass: Indian swim jig w/ Mister Twister Hawg Frog as trailer; Crappie: jigs
TIPS: Bass fishing is good around boat docks and along the creek in the county line area. Concentrate on stumps and other structure. For crappie action, fish brush piles in 15 feet of water and under bridges.

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LOCATION: Lake Ray Hubbard
HOTSPOT: Rush Creek
GPS: N 32 49.292, W 96 29.929
(32.8215, -96.4988)

SPECIES: Hybrid Striped Bass
BEST BAITS: Hellbender/spoon
TIPS: Troll about 20 feet with a silver Hellbender/Pet spoon combo; midday

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LOCATION: Lake Ray Roberts
HOTSPOT: Marina Flats
GPS: N 33 21.9376, W 97 4.9271
(33.3656, -97.0821)

SPECIES: White bass
BEST BAITS: Minnows, jigs
TIPS: Fish live minnows or vertical jig the trees with red/black jigs; morning through afternoon.

. . .

LOCATION: Richland-Chambers Res.
HOTSPOT: 309 Flats
GPS: N 31 58.368, W 96 6.99
(31.9728, -96.1165)

SPECIES: White Bass and Hybrid Striper
BEST BAITS: Clear or White Tiny Torpedos
TIPS: July is often the HOTTEST month of the year in Texas! It can also yield some of the HOTTEST White Bass fishing you’ll experience the entire summer! The White Bass on Richland Chambers normally begin their early a.m. & late p.m. topwater schooling activity in July and it will last through September! Check out the Hwy 309 Flats on the North Shoreline directly across from Fisherman’s Point Marina. Look for the terns and egrets picking up bait over large schools of Whites. Sometimes, the schooling fish will literally be chasing shad in 1-to-5-acre size schools. Tie on a Clear Tiny Torpedo or just about any small silver or white bait and you’re in business. This is a thrill you won’t soon forget!

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LOCATION: Lake Somerville
HOTSPOT: Little Crappie Point
GPS: N 30 18.5001, W 96 31.7601
(30.3083, -96.5293)

SPECIES: Crappie
BEST BAITS: Minnows, jigs in light blue or grey
TIPS: Fish 1/16 oz. jigs. Try free falling jig and try lowering jig to brush pile slowly. Minnows under a cork, fished right above brush or large rocks, works as well.

. . .

LOCATION: Stillhouse Hollow Res.
HOTSPOT: Pecan Grove
GPS: N 31 1.127, W 97 34.331
(31.0188, -97.5722)

SPECIES: Catfish
BEST BAITS: Topwaters, slabs
TIPS: Fish silver/white topwaters or slabs, use electronics for schools; avoid midday, night.

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LOCATION: Lake Tawakoni
HOTSPOT: Arm Point
GPS: N 32 52.228, W 96 0.183
(32.8705, -96.0031)

SPECIES: White Bass
BEST BAITS: Slabs
TIPS: Fish the tip of the point with chartreuse slabs; dawn through afternoon.

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LOCATION: Lake Texana
HOTSPOT: Simons Creek
GPS: N 28 54.889, W 96 34.166
(28.9148, -96.5694)

SPECIES: Largemouth Bass
BEST BAITS: Spinnerbaits, buzzbaits, soft plastics
TIPS: Fish spinnerbaits, buzzbaits, or soft plastics on Carolina rig; all day

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LOCATION: Lake Texoma
HOTSPOT: Table Top
GPS: N 33 53.167, W 96 36.941
(33.8861, -96.6157)

SPECIES: Catfish
BEST BAITS: Slabs
TIPS: Drop chartreuse slab to bottom and use a fast retrieve, drift in 32-42 feet; morning through dusk.

. . .

LOCATION: Lake Waco
HOTSPOT: Old Highway 6 South
GPS: N 31 32.646, W 97 12.93
(31.5441, -97.2155)

SPECIES: White Bass
BEST BAITS: Work black/silver RatLTraps along roadbed, watch for birds
TIPS: Work black/silver RatLTraps along roadbed, watch for birds; morn-afternoon

. . .

LOCATION: Lake Whitney
HOTSPOT: Hwy 22 and McCowan Flats
GPS: N 31 57.2879, W 97 25.224
(31.9548, -97.4204)

SPECIES: Striped Bass
BEST BAITS: Down riggers with a 1/2 oz. buck tail jig with plastic trailers
TIPS: The thermocline has set in, and the stripers are hanging out on top of it. This time of year, turns into a reaction type strike a lot of times. The fish will feed early, late or even at night when it’s cooler. Using down riggers with a 1/2 oz. buck tail jig with plastic trailers. Troll the flats and ledges and edges anywhere from 13’ to 18’ down. Keep in mind the thermocline usually sets in at 22’ on Whitney so keep your baits above it.

 

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West Texas

HotSPOTLight: Lake Brownwood

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LOCATION: Lake Alan Henry
HOTSPOT: Crappie Bluff
GPS: N 33 2.779, W 101 2.36
(33.0463, -101.0393)

SPECIES: Crappie
BEST BAITS: Jigs, minnows
TIPS: Work 15 to 30 feet deep with live minnows or 2-inch white/yellow crappie jigs; morning-afternoon.

. . .

LOCATION: Lake Arrowhead
HOTSPOT: Upper End of Lake
GPS: N 33 41.369, W 98 24.029
(33.6895, -98.4005)

SPECIES: Catfish
BEST BAITS: Punch bait, shad
TIPS: Fish under cormorant nests with punch bait or cut shad; productive all day.

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LOCATION: Lake Brownwood
HOTSPOT: Docks Along McCartney Island
GPS: N 31 51.008, W 99 00.427
(31.850133, -99.007117)

SPECIES: Crappie
BEST BAITS: Jigs, minnows
TIPS: Fish along the docks with jigs or live minnows.

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LOCATION: Lake Granbury
HOTSPOT: Lower Ends
GPS: N 32 22.659, W 97 42.009
(32.37765, -97.70015)

SPECIES: Striped Bass
BEST BAITS: Live Shad and Perch. White or Chartreuse Curly Tail trailers on large pony head jigs for downrigging. Alabama rigs with swimbaits are effective as well.
TIPS: Granbury water temperatures are in the upper 80’s, and summertime is in full force. Best action is typically early and late with these hot days. Striped bass are on the lower ends to midlake. Work channel ledges near feeding flats. Fish large live baits behind the boat under a balloon for the bigger stripers to 12lbs. If possible, let the bait drift under the balloon near shallow points/flats where top water action is taking place.

. . .

LOCATION: Possum Kingdom Lake
HOTSPOT: Lower End of Lake
GPS: N 32 51.332, W 98 26.346
(32.855536, -98.439095)

SPECIES: Striped Bass
BEST BAITS: Live bait, jigs, spoons
TIPS: Stripers will be in the summer patterns with water temps in the 80-90° range. Fishing early in the morning and late in the afternoon is your best bet when targeting stripers. Midday action will be slow. Live bait and downriggers will be the best ways to catch them. Jigs with some form of tail on them will be best for downriggers. Some may be able to be caught using large spoons. Chartreuse, white, silver, and the occasional pink are typically the best colors. Look at points, ledges and even treetops. It is definitely an early morning and late evening bite. You may see some surface action early in the mornings and late in the evenings so be prepared with your favorite topwater tied on ready to go.

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