A Quick Guide to the Best Spring Fishing in Texas
By Andy Whitcomb
Mar 18, 2024
Texas is a big state with many fishing choices and opportunities, such as casting for big bass. When spring arrives, fish activity begins to increase, and anglers will not want to miss out. Here are a few tips to get you pointed in the right direction when fishing in Texas this spring.
Generally, with a higher fish to volume-of-water ratio, a pond is a great place to start Texas spring fishing. Ponds also warm up faster than lakes and are very productive. Once you are dialed into a couple of patterns that work in ponds, you are ready for spring fishing Texas lakes or spring fishing Texas rivers or maybe even spring fishing Texas “springs.” Texas is especially well known for its big bass producing lakes, such as with Lake Fork bass fishing. In fact, Lake Fork is known as the Bass Capital of Texas.
To assist with the genetics of their big bass fishery, Texas has a ShareLunker program where giant bass over 13 pounds, are safely relocated to a hatchery to help produce more giant bass. According to Mike Suchan of Bassmaster, Lake Fork has produced over half of the top 50 of the massive bass entered in this program.
Of course, there are many other popular lakes for spring fishing in Texas, such as Falcon, Toledo Bend Reservoir, and Conroe just to name a few. Lake Texoma bass are similarly popular, but this huge lake is also known for catfish and stripers. For efficiency of time for a large lake, you may want to consider hiring a local guide.
What are the best fish to catch in Texas in spring?
As mentioned above, the best spring fishing in Texas can include bass, catfish, and striped bass. Sunfish everywhere will be increasing in feeding activity as well as crappie and white bass, which are also sometimes known by the alias, sand bass. Many anglers enjoy Sam Rayburn Reservoir for crappie and white bass, as well as its notable largemouth bass fishery. The “best fish” to catch in the spring in Texas really depends on personal preference because there are so many opportunities. And this is without even mentioning saltwater species!
What are the best baits and lures for spring fishing in Texas?
There are many species to target in Texas but the potential for big bass gets much attention. When spring bass fishing Texas, these fish will want a little action to trigger a reaction. A spinnerbait is a great lure to start casting, although there may take some changes in color, blade type, or lure size to really give them what they want. Lipless crankbaits are another good lure as the water is warming. These lures often are used to cover more of the water column by letting the lipless crankbait drop and flutter down to the top of old weed beds before ripping up and repeating the technique. And even if the water is really slow to warm, another honorable mention for the best spring fishing in Texas lures is jerkbait. Vary the twitch-pause-timing and depth until you find fish, and then hang on!
