32 minute read
FISHING HOTSPOTS
UPPER COAST: Some Hot Chocolate for Chilly Days
LOCATION: Chocolate Bay
HOTSPOT: Chocolate Bayou
GPS: N 29 11.622, W 95 9.948
(29.1937, -95.1658)
Chocolate Bayou
SPECIES: Speckled Trout BEST BAITS: Soft Plastics with a 1/4 oz. jig head CONTACT: Capt. Mike Williams 713-256-9260 www.galvestonfishingguides.com TIPS: “The fish are going to go deep. Best days are bright sunny days when the sun has had a chance to warm the bottoms. Fish gravitate to a combination muddy/shell bottoms.” Capt. Williams
LOCATION: Matagorda
HOTSPOT: Colorado River
GPS: N 28 40.542, W 95 58.08
(28.6757, -95.9680)
Colorado River
SPECIES: Speckled Trout
BEST BAITS: Soft Plastics with a 1/4 oz. jig head
CONTACT: Capt. Mike Williams 713-256-9260 www.galvestonfishingguides.com
TIPS: “Rivers, creeks and bayous will produce the most fish.” Capt. Williams
LOCATION: Sabine Lake
HOTSPOT: Coffee Ground Cove
GPS: N 29 58.1, W 93 46.09
(29.9683, -93.7682)
Coffee Ground Cove
SPECIES: Speckled Trout
BEST BAITS: Soft Plastics with a 1/4 oz. jig head
CONTACT: Capt. Adam Jaynes 409-533-2058 amjaynes@gmail.com www.justfishsabine.com
TIPS: “If you are looking to catch a lot of fish, switch to soft plastic bait,” said Capt. Jaynes. His favorite colors are Texas Roach or Glow/Chartreuse. Color choice depends on water quality.
LOCATION: Surfside/Freeport
HOTSPOT: Dow Plant
GPS: N 28 56.438, W 95 19.825
(28.9406, -95.3304)
Dow Plant
SPECIES: Speckled Trout
BEST BAITS: Soft Plastics with a 1/4 oz. jig head
CONTACT: Capt. Mike Williams 713-256-9260 www.galvestonfishingguides.com
TIPS: Capt. Williams says the Brazos River in Freeport, around the Dowell Chemical Plant is a “wellkept secret”. “A lot of trout come from the river in the colder months.” Capt. Williams
LOCATION: West Galveston Bay
HOTSPOT: Offatts Bayou
GPS: N 29 16.819, W 94 51.507
(29.2803, -94.8585)
Offatts Bayou
SPECIES: Speckled Trout
BEST BAITS: Soft Plastics with a 1/4 oz. jig head
CONTACT: Capt. Mike Williams 713-256-9260 www.galvestonfishingguides.com
TIPS: In January catches of numbers of fish probably will not happen, so concentrate on catching bigger fish.
LOCATION: West Galveston Bay
HOTSPOT: Redfish Cove
GPS: N 29 6.101, W 95 6.569
(29.1016, -95.1094)
Redfish Cove
SPECIES: Speckled Trout
BEST BAITS: Soft Plastics with a 1/4 oz. jig head
CONTACT: Capt. Mike Williams 713-256-9260 www.galvestonfishingguides.com
TIPS: “In January the fish will exit the flats to find the deeper, warmer water. But that’s not to say you can’t catch a big trout in January on the flats.” Capt. Williams
Rock Some Specks at Rockport
LOCATION: Rockport-Fulton
HOTSPOT: Long Reef
GPS: N 28 3.618, W 96 57.679
(28.0603, -96.9613)
SPECIES: Speckled Trout
BEST BAITS: Down South & Kelley Wiggler soft plastics
CONTACT: Ray Ortega 361-571-1030 rayortega@quailtools.com
TIPS: Whatever soft plastic you choose, make sure to fish slow across the bottom.
LOCATION: Corpus Christi Bay
HOTSPOT: Nueces Bay
GPS: N 27 51.894, W 97 21.132
(27.8649, -97.3522)
SPECIES: Speckled Trout
BEST BAITS: Soft Plastics
CONTACT: Capt. Randy Best 361-533-2058 captrandyb@yahoo.com www.lagunamadresightcasters.com
TIPS: Gulp New Penney and any other soft plastic in purple are Capt. Best’s favorite colors.
LOCATION: Espiritu Santo Bay
HOTSPOT: Contee Lake
GPS: N 28 17.779, W 96 33.157
(28.2963, -96.5526)
SPECIES: Redfish
BEST BAITS: Cut crab, Carolina Rigged
CONTACT: Ray Ortega 361-571-1030 rayortega@quailtools.com
TIPS: Ray Ortega is not a licensed guide, but extensive knowledge on how to fish the Port O’Connor area.
LOCATION: Espiritu Santo Bay
HOTSPOT: Pats Bay
GPS: N 28 15.787, W 96 37.382
(28.2631, -96.6230)
SPECIES: Redfish
BEST BAITS: Cut crab, Carolina Rigged
CONTACT: Ray Ortega 361-571-1030 rayortega@quailtools.com
TIPS: “In January, if I’m fishing from my boat, I will be fishing the back lakes for redfish over mud and shell.” Ray Ortega
LOCATION: Espiritu Santo Bay
HOTSPOT: Long Lake
GPS: N 28 16.772, W 96 36.698
(28.2795, -96.6116)
SPECIES: Redfish & Speckled Trout
BEST BAITS: Cut crab, Carolina Rigged
CONTACT: Ray Ortega 361-571-1030 rayortega@quailtools.com
TIPS: If weather permits, he likes to fish the same type of spots along the south shoreline of Espiritu Santo Bay.
LOCATION: Espiritu Santo Bay
HOTSPOT: Long Lake
GPS: N 28 16.912, W 96 35.776
(28.2819, -96.5963)
SPECIES: Redfish
BEST BAITS: Cut crab, Carolina Rigged
CONTACT: Ray Ortega 361-571-1030 rayortega@quailtools.com
TIPS: Carolina rigging: “a fixed weight, swivel, about a 12 inch leader and number 5 hook.”
LOCATION: Mesquite Bay
HOTSPOT: Cedar Bayou
GPS: N 28 6.708, W 96 49.812
(28.1118, -96.8302)
SPECIES: Speckled Trout
BEST BAITS: Down South & Kelley Wiggler soft plastics
CONTACT: Ray Ortega 361-571-1030 rayortega@quailtools.com
TIPS: Ortega likes the round body of Down South soft plastics, the new willow tail of Kelley Wigglers that’s dipped in Garlic
LOCATION: San Antonio Bay
HOTSPOT: Cedar Point
GPS: N 28 14.184, W 96 39.659
(28.2364, -96.6610)
SPECIES: Speckled Trout & Redfish
BEST BAITS: Live Shrimp under a popping Cork
CONTACT: Ray Ortega 361-571-1030 rayortega@quailtools.com
TIPS: Live shrimp under a popping cork is another of Ortega’s favorite ways of fishing back lakes.
LOCATION: San Antonio Bay
HOTSPOT: Guadalupe Bay East Shore
GPS: N 28 24.803, W 96 45.342
(28.4134, -96.7557)
SPECIES: Speckled Trout & Redfish
BEST BAITS: Live Shrimp under a popping Cork
CONTACT: Ray Ortega 361-571-1030 rayortega@quailtools.com
TIPS: If he’s wading, he will be concentrating his efforts around Panther, south of Panther and Cedar Bayou
LOCATION: Upper Laguna Madre
HOTSPOT: King Ranch Shoreline
GPS: N 27 29.134, W 97 21.108
(27.4856, -97.3518)
SPECIES: Speckled Trout
BEST BAITS: Slow Sinking Artificial Baits
CONTACT: Capt. Mark Franklin 361-720-4003 captmarkbb@gmail.com baffinbayhuntingandfishing.com
TIPS: “The color of the lure I use depends on whether it’s sunny or cloudy. Early in the morning I like to use a brighter color. Pink is one my favorite colors.” Capt. Franklin
Lower Coast: Slow Sinkers for Baffin Specks
LOCATION: Baffin Bay
HOTSPOT: Cat Head, North Shore
GPS: N 27 18.382, W 97 26.263
(27.3064, -97.4377)
SPECIES: Speckled Trout
BEST BAITS: Slow Sinking Artificial Baits
CONTACT: Capt. Mark Franklin 361-720-4003 captmarkbb@gmail.com baffinbayhuntingandfishing.com
TIPS: Favorite slow sinking artificials: Fat Boys and Corky lures
LOCATION: Baffin Bay
HOTSPOT: Tide Gauge Bar
GPS: N 27 18.248, W 97 26.263
(27.3041, -97.4377)
SPECIES: Speckled Trout
BEST BAITS: Slow Sinking Artificial Baits
CONTACT: Capt. Mark Franklin 361-720-4003 captmarkbb@gmail.com baffinbayhuntingandfishing.com
TIPS: “Throw it out there and let it sink to the bottom, leave it there for a while. Jig or pop it a little bit to cause the bait to move off the bottom.” Capt. Franklin
LOCATION: Baffin Bay
HOTSPOT: Tide Gauge Bar
GPS: N 27 18.388, W 97 27.54
(27.3065, -97.4590)
SPECIES: Speckled Trout
BEST BAITS: Slow Sinking Artificial Baits
CONTACT: Capt. Mark Franklin 361-720-4003 captmarkbb@gmail.com baffinbayhuntingandfishing.com
TIPS: “The fish usually hit the lure as it sinks back down to the bottom.” Capt. Franklin
LOCATION: Laguna Madre
HOTSPOT: Nine Mile Hole
GPS: N 27 5.159, W 97 24.621
(27.0860, -97.4104)
SPECIES: Speckled Trout
BEST BAITS: Slow Sinking Artificial Baits
CONTACT: Capt. Mark Franklin 361-720-4003 captmarkbb@gmail.com baffinbayhuntingandfishing.com TIPS: “If you use a real light color in the morning. The fish are looking up and the light color is sticking out.” Capt. Franklin
FRESHWATER
Piney Woods: Play Chicken on Toledo Bend
LOCATION: Toledo Bend Lake
HOTSPOT: “Chicken Coop” Area
GPS: N 31 31.512, W 93 46.746
(31.5252, -93.7791)
SPECIES: Crappie BEST BAITS: Crappie jigs
CONTACT: Mike Knight 936-635-2427 notechmike@hotmail.com www.easttxfishingguide.com
TIPS: Graph for man-made brush piles on top of the ledges. Best baits should be heavy jig/plastic combos. If water temps drop into the 40’s, crappie should pile up on the legendary “chicken coop” area about 4 miles north of Pendleton Bridge.
LOCATION: Caddo Lake
HOTSPOT: Big Cypress River
GPS: N 32 43.9559, W 94 8.682 (32.7326, -94.1447)
SPECIES: Largemouth Bass
BEST BAITS: Crankbaits and umbrella rigs in shad or white color, 1/2 oz. chrome jigging spoons
CONTACT: Caddo Lake Guide Service/Paul Keith 318-455-3437 caddoguide1@att.net www.caddolakefishing.com
TIPS: Concentrate on the bends and cuts in this main channel. When the bass are active, throw the shad or white colored crankbaits and umbrella rigs. When they are not feeding well, drop a 1/2 oz. chrome jigging spoon in these same areas and vertically jig off them off the bottom. Watch visibly and on your electronics for balls of shad to increase your odds of finding these wintertime schools of bass.
LOCATION: Lake Conroe
HOTSPOT: Main Lake
GPS: N 30 22.3499, W 95 33.342 (30.3725, -95.5557)
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 schooling around ledges along the river channel. Find the schools of shad and you will find the hybrids. This time of year they will run shad up on these ridges during the day they will move deeper around the area. Find the depth the bait are in and you will find the fish. As the water temperatures drop, they will be in the 30 to 40 foot depths. Live shad will be the bait of choice in deeper water, but the swim shad will work as long as you can control your retrieve to keep the bait in the depth the fish are going to be in. The depths will vary from one day to the next. Today they may be in 20 foot of water and tomorrow they may be in 40 foot. It all depends on the schools of shad. Good luck and good fishing! Bank Access: Stowaway Marina
LOCATION: Lake Fork
HOTSPOT: Woodpecker Island or Dam Area GPS: N 32 49.2839, W 95 32.934
(32.8214, -95.5489)
SPECIES: Crappie BEST BAITS: Crappie jigs: 1/8 oz. jig head, pink in color with a chartreuse/pink jig body CONTACT: Doug Shampine 940-902-3855 doug@lakeforktrophybass.com www.lakeforktrophybass.com TIPS: January is the month we look deep for the schools of crappie located on deep humps and creek channels on Lake Fork. It’s also one of the months you are required to keep the first 25 per person you catch. There is, however, no length limit for the months of December, January and February. The humps I like to fish are around the damn area or the flats in the mouth of Little Caney. I also fish the deeper flats off of Woodpecker Island or point. I look for the crappie in 30-45 foot of water and you will see the bait fish and the crappie will be around them. This is the time of year you will need good electronics and calmer winds to hold in the open water. Once you locate the crappie, throw out a marker buoy and get out your favorite jig or crappie poles and go to work. If the jig bite is working, I like to put 2 jigs on the pole about 18 inches apart, using a 1/8 oz. head, pink in color and use a chartreuse/pink jig body. This will catch you a good mess in no time. If you are interested in a crappie trip call or text me for open dates or check out our website for booking details. I have been guiding on Lake Fork for 18 years.
LOCATION: Lake Fork
HOTSPOT: White Oak Branch
GPS: N 32 55.608, W 95 40.824
(32.9268, -95.6804)
SPECIES: Largemouth Bass
BEST BAITS: Lipless rattle baits, spinnerbaits, Finch Nasty Thumpers, GrandeBass Air Pro, Texas rigged 6.5 Mag Rattlesnake
CONTACT: Lance Vick 903-312-0609 lance@lakeforkbass.com www.guideonlakefork.com
TIPS: “Happy New Year! On Lake Fork the bass are moving into pre-spawn stage. Rattle baits, spinnerbaits and Finch Nasty Thumpers work well on the windy days. On sunny days weightless soft plastics like the GrandeBass Air Pro, a salt heavy stick bait with the airtail chamber so you can put scent or rattles in it, or a light Texas rig with a 6.5”” Mag Rattlesnake. Work secondary points and creek channel swings on flats. Lay down logs and any vegetation are great cover this time of year. Its big fish season!”
LOCATION: Lake Livingston
HOTSPOT: Bedias Creek
GPS: N 30 54.858, W 95 36.9059
(30.9143, -95.6151)
SPECIES: White Bass
BEST BAITS: Sassy Shad, Blue Fox, Rat-L-Traps, Tsunami Cocktail spinners, road runners
CONTACT: David S. Cox, Palmetto Guide Service 936-291-9602 dave@palmettoguideservice.com www.palmettoguideservice.com
TIPS: January brings in the start of the incredible white bass spawn on Lake Livingston. Spring white bass fishing is met with a fanatical following here. Whites will move into upper Lake Livingston creeks in huge numbers to spawn. Bedias Creek is famous for white bass fishing in January. However, many factors need to come together to get in on the great fishing here in January. Current conditions can dictate the fishing as one day can be feast and the next day, famine. Water conditions, temperature and fluctuating levels can dictate success or failure. Typically the best time to go is with a warming trend bringing a southeast wind following a recent local rain. The moving water from run off will pull the fish up stream and stack them up in deep holes far up Bedias Creek. The “shoals” is a well-known area here where the whites stack up under the right conditions. Launch at the county ramp on Bedias Creek and go far up stream looking for clearing or “tea” colored water. Key in on the downstream side of sandbars in deep holes. Make a long cast and work the baits slowly. One of the biggest mistakes I see people make is fishing the baits too fast. With lower water temperatures in January the whites’ metabolism is lowered making for a less aggressive bite. BANK ACCESS: County ramp on Bedias Creek off Highway 247 north of Huntsville.
LOCATION: Lake Sam Rayburn
HOTSPOT: Five Fingers
GPS: N 31 7.92, W 94 7.71
(31.1320, -94.1285)
SPECIES: Largemouth Bass
BEST BAITS: 6” - 7” suspending jerk baits, red Rat-L-Traps, bass jigs, Carolina rigs, deep diving crankbaits
CONTACT: Mike Knight 936-635-2427 notechmike@hotmail.com www.easttxfishingguide.com
TIPS: January is one of the three best months of the year to catch a bass over 10 pounds on this lake. If the winter is mild, look for big pre-spawn females to move into big bays and stage in drains and ditches that are 8 to 15 feet deep. Best baits will be 6” - 7” suspending jerk baits and the Rayburn standby, red Rat-L-Traps. If the winter is cold/bitter, try ledges and channel swings in 15 to 25 feet with jigs, Carolina rigs and deep cranks.
LOCATION: Toledo Bend North
HOTSPOT: Brown’s Bend
GPS: N 31 42.324, W 93 47.8199
(31.7054, -93.7970)
SPECIES: White Bass
BEST BAITS: Slab spoons, Rat-L-Traps, tail spinners
CONTACT: Greg Crafts, Toledo Bend Guide Service and Lake Cottages 936-368-7151 gregcrafts@yahoo.com www.toledobendguide.com
TIPS: In January, the White Bass will be feeding heavy, bulking up before making their annual run up the river to spawn. The whites will be holding on the north end river channel sandbars. If we receive a lot of rain and have a strong river current, you will start seeing some action in the river proper. Otherwise, work the main lake sandbars with slab spoons, Rat-L- Traps and tail spinners. Use your electronics to locate the bait fish and you’ll locate the whites. Your daily limit is 25 fish per person.
Prairies & Lakes: Granbury Stripers Go Out on the Ledge
LOCATION: Lake Granbury
HOTSPOT: Deep water ledge on the lower ends
GPS: N 32 23.014, W 97 42.55
(32.3836, -97.7092)
SPECIES: Striped bass BEST BAITS: ¾- to 1-oz. jig heads with 5 inch swimbaits/jerkbaits in blue/chartreuse
CONTACT: Michael W. Acosta, Unfair Advantage Charters 817-578-0023
TIPS: Work over structure slowly and work deeper until you locate the best depth. Granbury water temperatures continue to be in the upper 40s and low 50’s. Winter patterns are in full force with an early spring just around the corner. Stripers are active and are moving back and forth from the river to deeper water on the main lake. The warmest water on the really cold days is near the bottom of the channel. Find the bait, find the fish. Wintering Birds are in place and are pointing anglers to active feeding fish from the dam to the river above Granbury. Passing cool fronts continue to dominate the weather pattern. White bass and stripers are hovering around deep baitfish. Small jigs with soft plastics are putting sandbass in the boat. 5 inch swimbaits and jerkbaits worked slowly is the best pattern for striped bass. Crappie action is good near deeper structure like bridge pilings. Catfish action is great on cut shad and hotdogs fished under docks near deeper water. Some good catfish are being taken in the river on the deeper bends. Black bass action is good to 6lbs on Carolina rigs worked on drop offs near lake points.
LOCATION: Bachman Lake
HOTSPOT: Bridge or Dam Areas
GPS: N 32 51.5699, W 96 51.3839
(32.8595, -96.8564)
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: Lower Main Lake
GPS: N 32 13.8899, W 96 5.0219
(32.2315, -96.0837)
SPECIES: Hybrid Striper & White Bass
BEST BAITS: Swimbaits, buck tail jigs, flukes on jig heads
CONTACT: Jason Barber 903-603-2047 kingscreekadventures@yahoo.com www.kingscreekadventures.com
TIPS: This month we are “dead sticking” for hybrids and whites. Fish the lower main lake in 30’-50’ of water with shad imitations such as swimbaits, buck tails, flukes on jig heads, etc. Present your bait vertically to fish relating to suspended schools of shad.
LOCATION: Eagle Mountain Lake HOTSPOT: South of Pelican Island GPS: N 32 54.304, W 97 30.237 (32.9051, -97.5040)
SPECIES: Blue catfish
BEST BAITS: Whole or cut shad
CONTACT: Johnny Stevens 817-597-6598 johnnystevens@1scom.net johnnysguideservice.com
TIPS: This area is surrounded by two channels, Walnut creek on the west and Trinity river on the east. This area is 4- to 10 feet deep. The water warms up during the day. The shad go up in the shallow water and the blue cats follow them. I like to anchor the front and the back of the boat to eliminate sway. I use a Carolina rig with circle hooks. If you don’t find them in a few minutes move until you find them. They tend to stack up in one area.
LOCATION: Fayette County Reservoir
HOTSPOT: Hog Pond Trees
GPS: N 29 55.2779, W 96 43.23
(29.9213, -96.7205)
SPECIES: Catfish
BEST BAITS: Shad, CJ’s punch bait
CONTACT: Weldon Kirk 979-229-3103 weldon_edna@hotmail.com www.fishtales-guideservice.com
TIPS: Stumps in the area. North winds are blocked here by the trees. Fishing a tight line due to winds this time of year helps keep bait in the prime area. There is lots of brush in this area to get hung up on so get your fish to your boat as soon as possible.
LOCATION: Gibbons Creek Reservoir HOTSPOT: North Eagle Point GPS: N 30 38.118, W 96 3.0779 (30.6353, -96.0513)
SPECIES: Catfish
BEST BAITS: CJ’s punch bait, shad
CONTACT: Weldon Kirk 979-229-3103 weldon_edna@hotmail.com www.fishtales-guideservice.com
TIPS: This lake is full right now. Gibbons Creek comes close to shore here. Tight line this area for blues and channels. Use kahle hooks with shad or treble hooks with punch bait.
LOCATION: Granger Lake
HOTSPOT: Main Lake
GPS: N 30 42.402, W 97 20.91
(30.7067, -97.3485)
SPECIES: Catfish BEST BAITS: Shad, cut bait, Zote Soap
CONTACT: Tommy Tidwell 512-365-7761 crappie1@hotmail.com www.gotcrappie.com
TIPS: Not much except catfishing is going on right now at Granger. The blues are still biting good on various baits. Cold fronts seem to turn them on and blow the shad to the windy banks. Fish those areas and you will have the best luck. Jug lines work well this time of year. I like to use Zote Soap, but shad are preferred by many. The larger blues are better on shad or large pieces of cut bait. Drift fishing with the wind is a good technique to put some of the good tasting blues in the boat. Good luck and good fishing.
LOCATION: Lake Lavon
HOTSPOT: Island and Dam Area
GPS: N 33 3.0119, W 96 28.416
(33.0502, -96.4736)
SPECIES: White Bass & Crappie
BEST BAITS: Live minnows, flukes in white or chartreuse
CONTACT: Carey Thorn 469-528-0210 thorn_alex@yahoo.com TexasOklahomaFishingGuide.com
TIPS: Crappie will be suspended next to the dam in 18-25 feet of water. Spider rigging minnows is your best bet. White bass will be near the island and out towards the dam. Concentrate your fishing efforts in 20-30 feet of water. Dead sticking Berkley Gulp Minnows, dead sticking live minnows, or dead sticking a 3” to 4” fluke in white or chartreuse just one foot above the school when you find them usually produces the best catches.
LOCATION: Lake Palestine
HOTSPOT: Flat Creek
GPS: N 32 12.522, W 95 31.782
(32.2087, -95.5297)
SPECIES: Largemouth Bass
BEST BAITS: Big Eye jigs, Texas Spinnerbaits
CONTACT: Ricky Vandergriff 903-561-7299 or 903-530-2201 ricky@rickysguideservice.com www.rickysguideservice.com TIPS: This time of year there are a few locations that I will focus on, all in the Flat Creek area. There is standing timber so fish your lure around all your trees and any tree you find up near the creek bends. Take extra time fishing this area and cast to the tree several times. Lures I will use will be my Big Eye jigs and the Texas Spinnerbaits. The best Jig colors will be black/brown amber, black/blue and blue candy. These colors will work in clear, stained and muddy water. Spinnerbaits in chartreuse/white and black neon will work well too.
LOCATION: Lake Ray Roberts
HOTSPOT: Johnson Branch
GPS: N 33 23.753, W 97 0.801
(33.3959, -97.0134)
SPECIES: Crappie, white bass
BEST BAITS: Minnows, ¾ to1oz. slabs
CONTACT: Justin Wilson 214-538-2780
TIPS: Start of the year is here along with cold temperatures but the fishing is still great. White bass bite has been consistent. Look for big schools of fish stacking up on points and humps close to creek channels in 20-30 feet of water. Slabs off the bottom have been the best with bucktail teasers tied on as well. Light boat traffic has made it easier to stay on fish once you find them. Keep an eye out for diving gulls making easy meals off bait fish being pushed up from schooling fish. The crappie bite has been good. Crappie have been on brush piles in 20-30 foot of water. Jigs are working well but the quality of fish seem to be better on minnows.
LOCATION: Richland Chambers Lake
HOTSPOT: Crab Creek
GPS: N 31 57.348, W 96 19.914
(31.9558, -96.3319)
SPECIES: Catfish BEST BAITS: Danny King’s Punch Bait
CONTACT: Royce Simmons 903-389-4117 simmonsroyce@hotmail.com www.gonefishin.biz
TIPS: Bundle up, take a thermos of coffee and get ready to catch some really nice blue cats on Richland Chambers. While we fish all winter for catfish, January and February are the best months to catch some of the bigger blues. Our target is “eater size” blues and channel cats but almost every trip someone will hook into a really big blue. We’re fishing in the heavy timber in Crab Creek and along the Richland Creek channel in 25’-35’ using Danny Kings Punch Bait on a # 4 treble hook. If you want to stock up on catfish filets, the winter is the time to do it on Richland Chambers!
LOCATION: Lake Somerville
HOTSPOT: Big Creek Park Shoreline
GPS: N 30 19.2419, W 96 34.908
(30.3207, -96.5818)
SPECIES: Catfish
BEST BAITS: Shad, cut bait
CONTACT: Weldon Kirk 979-229-3103 weldon_edna@hotmail.com www.fishtales-guideservice.com
TIPS: Good area to drift fish. Drift at speed of 1/2 mph. Use 4/0 hook, three foot leader and a 1 oz. “no roll” weight. This is also a good area for jug lines this time of year if you are going after big cats.
LOCATION: Lake Texoma
HOTSPOT: Paw Paw Creek and Willis Bridge
GPS: N 33 53.9879, W 96 53.796
(33.8998, -96.8966)
SPECIES: Striped Bass
BEST BAITS: Live shad, Road Runners and Sassy Shad jigs
CONTACT: Bill Carey 903-786-4477 bigfishlaketexoma@gmail.com www.striperexpress.com
TIPS: “January is a big fish month at Lake Texoma. The cool water winter fishing is legendary. Large stripers up to 20 pounds will hold on structure. A 7-foot medium heavy fishing rod with 20-pound test is recommended. The 1 oz. Road Runner jig with a white 9-inch worm will produce fish located on main lake points and the mouths of creeks and humps with deep water nearby. The cooler the weather the better the fishing holds true for these fighting fish. Bait fishing with live shad is also an excellent way to catch stripers. Pay attention to the weather forecast and dress warm. Our charters depart at 10:30 a.m. in the winter. The fish will bite all day and the solar heat can help keep you warm. Keep your eyes on the seagulls as they can be your best fish locator. Bank Access: The Oil Wells and Texas Flats (Using the same baits mentioned, shad will work best on the banks, tie on jigs if the seagulls are working near you.)”
LOCATION: Lake Whitney
HOTSPOT: State Park and Brazos River at the mouth of Nolan Rive
GPS: N 31 55.074, W 97 21.8219
(31.9179, -97.3637)
SPECIES: Striped Bass & White Bass
BEST BAITS: 3” chartreuse swim baits from RSR lures and chartreuse Bass Assassins
CONTACT: Randy Routh 817-822-5539
teamredneck01@hotmail.com www.teamredneck.net
TIPS: SLOW IS THE NAME OF THE GAME! The water temp has dropped. The shad have been pushed from the creeks, ganging up in a “safety in numbers” type of pattern in the open water. The stripers and whites are following and gorging on them. The water is cold, the bait fish are lethargic and not moving as fast as normal so when you think your fishing slow enough, slow down even more. Two patterns are putting stripers and whites in the boat right now. Wild Eyed chartreuse swim baits cast out behind the boat slow trolled with the trolling motor covers a lot of water and presents your baits to more fish. Again SLOW is the name of the game. Watch your graph and when you do come up on a school of bait and fish, mark the fish, stop the boat and switch over to 5 to 6” Bass Assassins with 3/4 oz. lead heads. Drop them down to just above the fish then “DO NOTHING!” Hold the bait dead still (dead sticking). Every so often raise your rod tip slowly then drop it back down slowly and get ready for a quick hook set. The bite will more often than not feel like the tap of a small fish. Be quick on the trigger, set the hook, and hang on to the rod!
Panhandle: Catting Around with Henry Bass
LOCATION: Lake Alan Henry
HOTSPOT: Cat Hollow
GPS: N 33 2.868, W 101 5.9039
(33.0478, -101.0984)
SPECIES: Largemouth Bass
BEST BAITS: Deep diving crankbaits, bass jigs, spoons
CONTACT: Norman Clayton’s Guide Services 806-792-9220 nclayton42@sbcglobal.net www.lakealanhenry.com/fishing-guides.html
TIPS: “January will find the bass following the shad and perch into deep water. Everything will depend on the weather and the cold fronts that roll through. Some bass will remain shallow if the water temps stay in the 50’s. If the water drops below 50, the bass will move into the deep water, chasing the shad. Use your electronics to find the balls of shad and you will find the bass. I can’t tell you where the bass will be because the shad can be anywhere. You just have to search until you find the shad. Fish fun and fish safe!”
LOCATION: Lake Possum Kingdom
HOTSPOT: Carter Island GPS: N 32 57.677, W 98 25.122
(32.9613, -98.4187)
SPECIES: Striped & white bass, hybrids
BEST BAITS: Live shad, cut bait, slabs, crankbaits
CONTACT: Dean Heffner 940-329-0036 fav774@aceweb.com
TIPS: We had a lot of floodwaters come in October and November, so a lot of fish are already staged at the mouths of the major creeks and rivers that feed the lake. But this month’s hotspot will still be close to the mouth of the mighty Brazos River. Live shad is best, but cut bait will work. If you can find clearer water, then you can clean up with slabs. Mixed species will be staged waiting for any water flow to start the spring migration up the river. Chartreuse and white are the color palettes this month. You can also catch fish trolling RatLTraps and cranks.
Big Bend: Wrap Up Some Arapahoe Bass
LOCATION: Amistad
HOTSPOT: Arapahoe Ledges
GPS: N29 36.36912, W100 57.6816
(29.606152, -100.961360)
SPECIES: largemouth bass
BEST BAITS: Sassy Shad jigs, plastic worms
CONTACT: Stan Gerzsenyl 830-768-3648 stan@amistadbass.com amistadbass.com
TIPS: There are several rock ledges near the channels with stumps here. Fish small jigs or finesse worms on light line on the ledges in 18-25 feet of water and set the hook at the slightest tap. Fish slowly and gradually work deeper as the sun rises.
Hill Country: Canyon Stripers & White Bass
LOCATION: Canyon Lake
HOTSPOT: Potters Creek Park
GPS: N 29 54.1799, W 98 16.14
(29.9030, -98.2690)
SPECIES: Striped Bass & White Bass
BEST BAITS: 1 oz. red jigging spoon
CONTACT: Capt. Steve Nixon, Fishhooks Adventures 210-573-1230 capt.steve@sanantoniofishingguides.com www.sanantoniofishingguides.com
TIPS: “Fish from the point back to the swim beach casting out the spoon and try to maintain a depth of 20 to 40 feet, the Striped Bass and White Bass like to school in this area this time of year. Tight lines and Fish On!”
LOCATION: Lake Buchanan
HOTSPOT: Paradise Point and Rocky Point Areas
GPS: N 30 50.022, W 98 24.2879
(30.8337, -98.4048)
SPECIES: Striped Bass & White Bass
BEST BAITS: Live shad, slabs
CONTACT: Clancy Terrill 512-633-6742 centraltexasfishing@gmail.com www.centraltexasfishing.com
TIPS: “January should be the ending month of the transition for all species moving from fall and winter patterns to early spring patterns. Striper and white bass fishing should be good in the upper half of lake from Rocky Point to Paradise Point. Focus your efforts on early and late in the day using live bait and jigging slabs in 20 to 40 feet of water near ridges and humps close to the river channel.”
LOCATION: Lake Buchanan
HOTSPOT: Shaw and Garret Island
GPS: N 30 50.85, W 98 24.8424
(30.8475, -98.4140)
SPECIES: Stripers, Hybrid Bass & White Bass
BEST BAITS: Jigs, slabs, Rat-L-Traps
CONTACT: Ken Milam 325-379-2051 kmilam@verizon.net www.striperfever.com.com TIPS: Stripers are going to around the Shaw and Garrett Island area of the lake. The upper end of the lake seems to be the best area this time of year. Watch for seagulls. White bass will be on the upper end of Lake Buchanan as well, getting ready for the white bass run! Troll along the river channel in the Paradise and Silver Creek area. Just try something different if what you start with doesn’t work!
South Texas Plains: Zoom In for Coleto Creek Bass
LOCATION: Coleto Creek Lake
HOTSPOT: Main Lake
GPS: N 28 45.906, W 97 11.1959
(28.7651, -97.1866)
SPECIES: Largemouth Bass
BEST BAITS: Zoom pearl white or watermelon Fluke using a 4/0 worm hook, rigged weedless
CONTACT: Rocky’s Guide Service 361-960-0566
TIPS: Starting the new year out right has always been important to me. I like to go to bed at a decent hour get up rested and spend the first day of the new year on the water. I figure I have a better chance of the rest of the year going right compared to getting off on the wrong foot (hungover)! January is kinda a relaxing month to fish. Fishing is a little slower as a rule along with presentation. If you watch the water, usually, most everything is moving slower. So to look natural, slow your baits down and enjoy. I hope everyone has a great new year! May your bites be big and your fish be healthy!
