Fishing Basics
A day on the lake or at the river doesn't have to be
complicated. All you need for success is a rod & reel and a
hook, line and sinker. And bait.
Equipment
You can get a rod & reel combo that's pre-strung with line for
a decent price at Academy and Wal-Mart. You'll also need
weights -- buy some mid-sized egg sinkers and some split
shot weights -- and hooks. For the occasional angler, a good
bet is to buy a package of crappie hooks. These are
mid-sized and will handle pretty much any species.
Bait
The most all-around productive bait in Central Texas waters
is the earthworm. Boxes of these creatures are available at
area bait shops. When baiting a hook with a worm, put the
hook through the head end and thread it through the body,
pushing the hook through about halfway to better secure the
worm to the hook. Let some of the lower half of the worm
hang off the bottom of the hook to allow movement that will
better attract fish. (Be aware that some worms are longer
than others and sometimes you'll only need about half a
worm to do the trick.)
Where to fish
When choosing a place to fish, look for structure like
submerged rocks, trees or stumps, live vegetation or other
features in the water. These provide protection for smaller
fish as well as ambush opportunities for bigger fish. Casting
near structure will improve your chances of catching.
Landforms are also keys to catching fish. Points, steep bank
dropoffs, underwater ridges or humps, submerged creek or
river channels, gravel or sand bars, and other natural features
attract fish just like other structure.
Make sure the water you're fishing in has enough depth.
Areas shallower than 2 feet will probably not yield many fish.
You can check the depth of water by attaching a bobber to
your line and moving the bobber down the line toward the
hook until the bobber turns up on its side. This indicates that
your bait is sitting on the bottom.
Rigging and tying hooks
How you rig your pole depends on what you're going after.
The most basic method is tying a hook on the terminal end
end of the line (click diagram for Palomar knot to the right)
and clamp a split shot weight roughly 6 inches above the
hook. Then, attach a bobber to the line 2 to 3 feet above the
weight. Remember to adjust the bobber to change the depth
of the bait. Sometimes, fishing just a foot deeper or
shallower will make the difference in catching fish or skipping
rocks.
Another rigging method is the Carolina Rig (click diagram to
the right). This is a good way to fish near the bottom while
allowing the bait to float or swim.
SPRING FISHING @
LAKE WACO
This is a great time of year to catch fish in Central Texas.
Many species are moving in to shallow waters to spawn, and
it's just a fact that fish are often easier to catch nearer the
shore.
Having a boat is not a prerequisite for finding success this
time of year, but obviously, people in boats will have access
to more fishing areas. But this is truly the best time of year
for those without boats to load up on some excellent Central
Texas fishing.
For crappie, find a shoreline with good structure near the
edge of the water. Stickups, grass beds or laydown timber
will all work. Fish all around these structures with minnows
and a bobber rigged shallow. Pinch-on weights should be
heavy enough to keep the minnow at the desired depth.
Often, crappie can be caught in a foot or two of water. And
remember, once you catch one crappie, there'll likely be
dozens more around. Make note of the depth and location,
and get the stringer ready!
White bass can be caught upstream in rivers and creeks this
time of year. They head up from the main body of lakes to
spawn, and they're just as voracious and aggressive in
feeding as they are any other time of year. Use live minnows
fished near the bottom or try small jigs, small suspending
crankbaits, small spinnerbaits or virtually any bait that
imitates a wounded baitfish. Fish along steep-dropping banks
and the deep dropoffs from gravel or sand bars for best
results.
Largemouth bass will be moving into the shallows to spawn
and will be relatively easy prey for those who sight-fish using
beds or nests to locate fish. Polarized sunglasses will aid in
seeing more effectively into the water. Plastic worms or soft
jerkbaits are excellent baits to use during the spawn, but
virtually any bait moved through a nesting area will likely
result in a defensive strike.
Good luck, and send your results and digital photos to
mail@centexoutdoors.com.
And don't forget to have fun out there!
-- Todd
A day on the lake or at the river doesn't have to be
complicated. All you need for success is a rod & reel and a
hook, line and sinker. And bait.
Equipment
You can get a rod & reel combo that's pre-strung with line for
a decent price at Academy and Wal-Mart. You'll also need
weights -- buy some mid-sized egg sinkers and some split
shot weights -- and hooks. For the occasional angler, a good
bet is to buy a package of crappie hooks. These are
mid-sized and will handle pretty much any species.
Bait
The most all-around productive bait in Central Texas waters
is the earthworm. Boxes of these creatures are available at
area bait shops. When baiting a hook with a worm, put the
hook through the head end and thread it through the body,
pushing the hook through about halfway to better secure the
worm to the hook. Let some of the lower half of the worm
hang off the bottom of the hook to allow movement that will
better attract fish. (Be aware that some worms are longer
than others and sometimes you'll only need about half a
worm to do the trick.)
Where to fish
When choosing a place to fish, look for structure like
submerged rocks, trees or stumps, live vegetation or other
features in the water. These provide protection for smaller
fish as well as ambush opportunities for bigger fish. Casting
near structure will improve your chances of catching.
Landforms are also keys to catching fish. Points, steep bank
dropoffs, underwater ridges or humps, submerged creek or
river channels, gravel or sand bars, and other natural features
attract fish just like other structure.
Make sure the water you're fishing in has enough depth.
Areas shallower than 2 feet will probably not yield many fish.
You can check the depth of water by attaching a bobber to
your line and moving the bobber down the line toward the
hook until the bobber turns up on its side. This indicates that
your bait is sitting on the bottom.
Rigging and tying hooks
How you rig your pole depends on what you're going after.
The most basic method is tying a hook on the terminal end
end of the line (click diagram for Palomar knot to the right)
and clamp a split shot weight roughly 6 inches above the
hook. Then, attach a bobber to the line 2 to 3 feet above the
weight. Remember to adjust the bobber to change the depth
of the bait. Sometimes, fishing just a foot deeper or
shallower will make the difference in catching fish or skipping
rocks.
Another rigging method is the Carolina Rig (click diagram to
the right). This is a good way to fish near the bottom while
allowing the bait to float or swim.
SPRING FISHING @
LAKE WACO
This is a great time of year to catch fish in Central Texas.
Many species are moving in to shallow waters to spawn, and
it's just a fact that fish are often easier to catch nearer the
shore.
Having a boat is not a prerequisite for finding success this
time of year, but obviously, people in boats will have access
to more fishing areas. But this is truly the best time of year
for those without boats to load up on some excellent Central
Texas fishing.
For crappie, find a shoreline with good structure near the
edge of the water. Stickups, grass beds or laydown timber
will all work. Fish all around these structures with minnows
and a bobber rigged shallow. Pinch-on weights should be
heavy enough to keep the minnow at the desired depth.
Often, crappie can be caught in a foot or two of water. And
remember, once you catch one crappie, there'll likely be
dozens more around. Make note of the depth and location,
and get the stringer ready!
White bass can be caught upstream in rivers and creeks this
time of year. They head up from the main body of lakes to
spawn, and they're just as voracious and aggressive in
feeding as they are any other time of year. Use live minnows
fished near the bottom or try small jigs, small suspending
crankbaits, small spinnerbaits or virtually any bait that
imitates a wounded baitfish. Fish along steep-dropping banks
and the deep dropoffs from gravel or sand bars for best
results.
Largemouth bass will be moving into the shallows to spawn
and will be relatively easy prey for those who sight-fish using
beds or nests to locate fish. Polarized sunglasses will aid in
seeing more effectively into the water. Plastic worms or soft
jerkbaits are excellent baits to use during the spawn, but
virtually any bait moved through a nesting area will likely
result in a defensive strike.
Good luck, and send your results and digital photos to
mail@centexoutdoors.com.
And don't forget to have fun out there!
-- Todd
