If you could pick one high percentage big bass lake in Texas to fish for a week….

[bowhuntermac]

Which one would you choose? My son and I had issues with our Africa trip again, once again because of Covid, and I hAve a lot of vacation time built up. I told him we would go do something fun, and one of the ideas we are throwing around just taking our new bass boat down to Texas and chasing big fish for a week. If you had a week to fish, and wanting to catch a lot of bass with the opportunity for a longer or two in there, where would you go?

[fulmer34]

Lake O.H. Ivie has been on fire again this year, with sharelunkers.

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[xman59]

probably lake fork at least for me,,,, although it's not "known" as a big bass lake, i would love to fish Caddo lake again also

[Mayhem]

Fork, but be careful it’s filled with stumps and the water is low. Could be real easy to tear up a new boat.


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[Quackerbox]

Why texas?

Why not alabama?

[Hoggslayer]

This time of year is hot. Not hot as in catching, just HOT. Last two weekends, the heat ran me off the water by noon. I've never fished Ivie but I hear its got some big'uns in it. Fork is still the GOAT lake for now.

[adam_p]

When has a lot to do with where I would suggest.

If you wait until it starts cooling off Choke Canyon would be high on my list. Lots of fish with chance at a big one.

East Texas is nice because you have so many options. Small lakes, big lakes, off shore structure lakes, grass lakes etc.

If you are wanting to come soon get here before August. August can really suck down here. The fish have been beat up all summer and they start to suspend a lot. And it is going to be hot.

If you just want to hunt a giant and you have livescope or equivalent, wait until Jan/Feb and fish OH Ivey or sleeper pick Possum Kingdom.

[CTR0022]

Coming from Colorado?

Allen Henry has some big fish in it. As mentioned it's hot and your beat bet at a double digit has passed. Come next spring.

[wes]

night fishing lake fork but like mayhem said water is low and if you don't know the lake it's not one you would want to run with all the stumps in it.

[bowhuntermac]

This will be a summer trip like in the next few weeks since we got screwed out of Africa. And to answer the question about why Texas and not Alabama, Texas is a hell of a lot closer lol

[Quackerbox]

Originally Posted by bowhuntermac

And to answer the question about why Texas and not Alabama, Texas is a hell of a lot closer lol

LOL...I get it.

If it was me Id do a couple days on fork and move the rayburn. Or rayburn then t-bend. Both T-bend and big sam are beautiful lakes. Id think accommodations would be much better at those than Ivie as well

[Mayhem]

What about Table Rock or Bull Shoals? They are closer than Texas and the weather is probably better.


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[Rubi513]

It’s been awhile but Falcon lake was great.

[hogslayer78]

Rayburn is one of the best around for overall quality bass. The top water bite is on fire right now early mornings in the grass. Toledo bend is exceptional also and there 30 mins apart. Get the best of both worlds. Fish each one 2 or 3 days each.

[JeffJ]

Camelot Bell

[bloodtrailer28]

If you asked me about 5 years ago I'd have said Lake Austin. Txpw ruined it though with introducing grass carp by the thousands went from one of the top lakes in the state to being a mud hole. That being said it would either be fork Rayburn ect for me or Amistad.

[diamond10x]

Falcon

[adam_p]

Originally Posted by bowhuntermac

This will be a summer trip like in the next few weeks since we got screwed out of Africa. And to answer the question about why Texas and not Alabama, Texas is a hell of a lot closer lol

Go to east texas then. Fork, Athens, Nacogdoches, Sam Rayburn, Toledo Bend. Lots of choices.


I'd probably pick Fork or Rayburn. Rayburn you'll probably catch more fish but my understanding is big ones have been hard to come by for the past couple years. Athens is between the 2 and you can fish it if the wind get to stiff, I know it has grass right now. Probably won't be too many windy days here coming up but this has been the windiest year I can remember.

Big worm, c-rig and 10XD would be my main baits.

[Clay6x45]

Because of the time of year go chase big striper instead. Go to Texoma and get a guide for a half day. Then just repeat what you learned for a week with your own boat. Run some jugs for catfish at night as well when it's cool. Lots of fun and a great meat run as well.

[sticknstring]

If I was bass fishing - it would be between toledo bend or Sam Rayburn.

[Artos]

Alabama might be closer than falcon...

It's real low as well...

[150class]

OH Ivie
Falcon
Fork
And Choke Canyon (this lake is heating up)

[Mexico]

Originally Posted by sticknstring

If I was bass fishing - it would be between toledo bend or Sam Rayburn.

I can tell you for a fact not Tbend. Them fish there got me all confused.

[Snowflake Killa]

Originally Posted by diamond10x

Falcon

This

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[Slew]

Originally Posted by Mexico

I can tell you for a fact not Tbend. Them fish there got me all confused.

They’re not used to a turquoise ocean perch sled!! Get you a glitter rocket and then ditch pickles will just jump right in!!

You’ll probably die coming from Colorado to fish E Tx this time of year! Heck my ditch pickle buddies here go up North this time of year! Minnesota for numbers or Michigan or New York for smallmouth!

[Pedernal]

Falcon is at 14% of capacity and Amistad is at 25%…. I would not fish either lake on a trip coming from Colorado.

[Smart]

Living in Colorado, I'd be heading to Minnesota. To heck with Texas bass fishing in this heat. Fishing season is open for them as of May. I used to go every year for 1-2 weeks dragging my bass boat all the way. We'd have 100+ fish days with smallmouth and largemouth mixed in plus you could grab a white spinner bait and wear out the pike. Stayed at my buddy's place on Lake Bell Taine near Nevis, MN and fished all the area lakes. Very little pressure as most folks were chasing walleye and pike. The land of 10,000 lakes and its probably loser to 15,000 (counting ones without formal boat ramps. Caught a lot of 3-6 lbs fish.....caught a lot of 1-2 lbers too. I got so spoiled up there I stopped bass fishing in Texas and went to strictly crappie. Plus the temps and scenery are incredible compared to this hot summidge.

[Grant2]

If I had a week it would be Falcon. With the lake that low the fish will be bunched up on main lake points and a lot of them and your chances of catching a lot of solid fish are very high. I would find the rock points and throw cranks and c- rigs all day.

[Kevin]

I haven’t bass fished in a while, but when I did, Purtis Creek was awesome.

[bloodtrailer28]

Originally Posted by Smart

Living in Colorado, I'd be heading to Minnesota. To heck with Texas bass fishing in this heat. Fishing season is open for them as of May. I used to go every year for 1-2 weeks dragging my bass boat all the way. We'd have 100+ fish days with smallmouth and largemouth mixed in plus you could grab a white spinner bait and wear out the pike. Stayed at my buddy's place on Lake Bell Taine near Nevis, MN and fished all the area lakes. Very little pressure as most folks were chasing walleye and pike. The land of 10,000 lakes and its probably loser to 15,000 (counting ones without formal boat ramps. Caught a lot of 3-6 lbs fish.....caught a lot of 1-2 lbers too. I got so spoiled up there I stopped bass fishing in Texas and went to strictly crappie. Plus the temps and scenery are incredible compared to this hot summidge.


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One of my bucket list trips is to go north and catch some smallest for a week or 2.

[Rambow]

I'd go to Fork with your son for balance between both size and numbers. If you are above average with forward facing sonar and want to focus on specifically catching big ones then OH Ivie.

[HOOKNBULLET2]

I drove by Fork last week. Lots of boats out there on a Thursday and lots of stumps exposed. From the bridge we were on, it appeared to be really tough to navigate.

My buddy fished Ivie and he said forward facing sonar is a must. Without it, your just wasting your time.

We’ve been on Texoma the last two days and didn’t see anything outstanding.

I’d agree with Smart and head north.

[Ouch]

What Smart said. No way I'd be coming this direction if I was in CO.

[Zjesse22]

Falcon

[Bowtech32]

Fork is easier to navigate now with the water low then normal pool, was there for the Skeeter owner tournament and was very nervous before going, but most of the stumps are exposed. The lake fork boat lanes gps chip is a must though, well worth the price

[mcbZX225]

Hubbard Creek has been very good lately.

[tdwinklr]

Originally Posted by hogslayer78

Rayburn is one of the best around for overall quality bass. The top water bite is on fire right now early mornings in the grass. Toledo bend is exceptional also and there 30 mins apart. Get the best of both worlds. Fish each one 2 or 3 days each.

Am with you on Toledo Bend ... big lake, lots of big fish. Still think I would go to Fork first.

[snappertapper]

Smart is on point. Smallies are more fun anyway.

[Hoggslayer]

Originally Posted by Bowtech32

Fork is easier to navigate now with the water low then normal pool, was there for the Skeeter owner tournament and was very nervous before going, but most of the stumps are exposed. The lake fork boat lanes gps chip is a must though, well worth the price

I was there in March. I realized how lucky I was for many years not to have hit a stump. I was running through stump fields that I never knew were there.

Well... I say never knew, maybe "in denial" is a better description. Lucky for sure.

[rut-ro]

Originally Posted by Mexico

I can tell you for a fact not Tbend. Them fish there got me all confused.

have you tried the voodoo shrimp in there?

[cactusassjohn]

Lake McConaughy in western nebraska,large and smallmouth bass,lake trout,walleye,stripers,catfish, and a lot closer then texas,they have guides there also.

[rebelbow]

falcon

[Hoss163]

Why not California?

It’s to hot in Texas to fish . Catching is a lot harder this time of year. You still can catch some but it’s work . Go right before daylight fish tell noon and don’t go back until about 7pm fish into the darkness.

Ivie has the big girls no doubt

But I would probably pick Sam Rayburn for quantity and could catch a couple bigs as well

Amistad is to low

Falcon is to far to low and Hot Hot Hot right now .


If you go to Ivie I would call Brandon Burks Burks fishing are Kyle Hall Kyle Hall fishing. Pay the extra money go out with them a day while your there . They can put you on some fish and definitely can get you a chance at a DD fishing with one if those guys !

[buck_wild]

Not sure about fishing, but most of "Africa" has reduced their Covid measures. No reason you can't make it there and back relatively easily. No bass lake can beat being in Africa.

[hogslayer78]

Here are few from Rayburn just a week or two ago from fathers day weekend. My son took my buddy out bass fishing the lake on top waters and my wife caught hers crappie fishing. There are lots of quality bass in Rayburn. I know of 2/9lbers just caught during practice on the same day.

[Mitchell8]

Awesome times fishing. Ready to plan a trip!

[Dale Moser]

I'd still do Fork, and Ray Roberts, like I used to....deep water this time of year. Lake Canton for a little sleeper.

[breederbuck33]

Originally Posted by Mexico

I can tell you for a fact not Tbend. Them fish there got me all confused.

We have a lake house on Toledo Bend. Mexico is correct, its a tough place to fish right now. Rayburn on the other hand is a lot easier to figure out if you are just coming in for a week.

[PhotonSlinger]

Table rock lake! When your tired of chasing them on table rock head below the dam to Taneycomo and fly fish for trout!

[twosixteens]

Originally Posted by PhotonSlinger

Table rock lake! When your tired of chasing them on table rock head below the dam to Taneycomo and fly fish for trout!

Or run up to Lake of the Ozarks during the week fish the west side Niangua arm of the lake