Now is the Time to Be Out on the Water Watch for spring rains, and work the headwaters of creeks for all spawning species.
• • •
WEST TEXAS HOTSPOTS
LOCATION: Lake Alan Henry HOTSPOT: Gobbler and Ince Creeks GPS: N 33 1.506, W 101 9.3179 (33.0251, -101.1553)
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: East Side of Devil’s River GPS: N 29 30.708, W 100 58.256 (29.5118, -100.9709)
Reported by DEAN HEFFNER
W
ATER TEMPERATURES on West Texas Lakes are getting into the 60s and fish are spawning and migrating. So are the baitfish. Now is the time to be out on the water. Stripers, hybrids, largemouth and others are either spawning or fixing to. Stick to natural colors, but mainly fish the right length baits to up your catch numbers. On the bigger lakes, such as Possum Kingdom and Amistad, watch the birds, as many of them haven’t migrated yet. Blue herons will put you on fish. So will turtles. Catfish action is great on cut shad and hotdogs fished under deeper docks and creek entrances. Black bass action is excellent on soft plastics worked near bedding grounds. In April, crappie will be at peak activity. Bring jigs in white and chartreuse, pink, red and pearl. Their spawn is nearing its end on most water bodies, and these tasty species are moving out to deeper docks and structure. Best bait for crappie are small jigs or small minnows. Catfish are spawning and can be found in the backs of creeks and are good on cut shad, worms and prepared baits. Passing cold and storm fronts will continue dominate the weather patterns through March.
56
|
M A R C H / A P R I L
TexasOutdoorNation-2103-DIG.indd 56
2 0 2 1
SPECIES: Largemouth Bass BEST BAITS: Shad colored crankbaits, Shakey Head jigs with a blue, camo, or green pumpkin worm, Bomber Fat Free Shad in Foxy Shad Color, Strike King XDS in Sexy Shad color SOURCE: Norman Clayton’s Guide Services 806-792-9220 TIPS: Look for the warmest water you can find, and you will find the bass. Even though Big Grape is a south creek, it still is one of the warmest creeks in the early spring. If you do not have any luck in the creeks, go to the steep banks close to deep water, and throw a shaky head jig and worm. LOCATION: Amistad HOTSPOT: Rough Canyon Area GPS: N29 34.20456, W100 58.4892 (29.570076, -100.974820)
SPECIES: largemouth bass BEST BAITS: Jigs, plastic worms, crankbaits, soft plastic jerkbaits CONTACT: Stan Gerzsenyl 830-768-3648 |
T E X A S
F I S H
&
SPECIES: Largemouth Bass BEST BAITS: Jerkbaits, crankbaits SOURCE: Stan Gerzsenyl 830-768-3648 TIPS: Fish flats to the back during spawn, early morning through the afternoon. LOCATION: Fort Phantom Hill Reservoir HOTSPOT: Old Water Intake GPS: N 32 34.833, W 99 41.197 (32.580545, -99.686617)
SPECIES: Crappie BEST BAITS: Ghost minnows, crappie tube jigs SOURCE: Natalie Goldstrohm, TPWD Natural Resources Specialist 325-692-0921 TIPS: Springtime is great crappie fishing at Fort Phantom Hill. The old water intake facility is only accessible by boat. Fishing this spot while the water temperatures are still below 65° might pay off big if
G A M E ®
3/1/21 3:46 PM
