Lake Conditions
We are finally getting a break in the weather and the surface water temperature of the Lake is starting to rise with temperatures in the high 50's over most of the Lake rising to 62 degree in the coves. The water level is just slightly over pool and there is plenty of water in the grass along the shore where water levels were low last year and at the heads of all the creeks.
Black Bass
Black Bass fishing is steadily improving with lots of fish moving onto the beds on the North end of the Lake as the water temperature improves. Good solid fish are also being caught using Texas rigged dark colored worms in blue, black and purple in the grass in 5 to 10 feet of water. There is lots of grass on the banks of most creeks .The water temperature will be slightly warmer on the North banks and in the backs of inlets and other smaller runoff creeks feeding water into the main lake. The water temperature will also always be a little warmer along the rocks and inside many of the marina areas. A degree or two make a big difference and with lots of sun in the forecast for this next week, the water temp will continue to improve. Several fishermen have reported using shad colored shallow diving crank baits and white and chartreuse spinner baits to locate fish along the grass and then switch to worms to really work the area. Sight fishing the beds is slow up North; but, some nice fish have already moved to the beds.
White Bass & Hybrids
The White Bass & Hybrids are also starting to move to the mouth of most of the creeks as they follow the movement of the shad. Several good catches of both Hybrids and White Bass have been reported trolling the main lake points and the mouth of several of the creeks in 20 - 30 feet of water. Good catches have also been reported on the South end of the Lake near the dam. Walter Stearns had a limit of hybrids and near limit of white bass on Friday 02/23/07 trolling a blue/black countdown Rapala in 20 feet of water. Several others have reported good catches trolling chrome rattletraps. Live bait is always good and many are using silver striper jigs. The fish are near the surface feeding on shad. The deep diving cranks baits and jet divers with a pet spoon are not working as well at this time. Look for the shad on your electronics and watch the birds early and late for feeding fish.
Catfish
Catfish fishing has been slow the past couple of weeks; but, the determined still manage to catch some nice fish. There have been more and more fishermen reporting good catches under the 1097 Bridge. Larger fish have been caught in 20 - 30 feet of water in the creeks where there is timber and baited holes. Range cubes and chicken scratch are still good chum. Liver, Catfish Killer Cheese Bait, Magic Bait Company "Premo" and shrimp dipped in Catfish Killer Cheese bait have all produced some nice fish. Jug line fishermen are getting a few really nice Blue Catfish on jug lines using cut bait and shad for bait. As the water warms and the shad move into the bulkheads, there will be plenty of catfish along the bulkheads in 3 - 7 feet of water. Keep a close watch on the shad.
Crappie
Crappie have been fair on minnows and pink tube jigs. Brush in 15 -17 feet of water and stands of timber at the head of creeks has been producing the best fish. Crappie have been caught in most of the marinas around the lake that have deep water and good catches have been coming from under the 1097 Bridge. The power lines in both creeks have also be producing some nice crappie where there is brush. There has been some real nice brim starting to show up with the crappie in the brush piles. A good way to draw the brim is to put some range cubes in a fish basket and lower it down two feet or so in the water. As the range cubes dissolve, if the brim are in the area, they will come up to feed on the dissolving range cubes. Just drop and small jig or nightcrawler in the water under the fish basket to check and see if they are there. If they gather, you can get a bucket full in no time at all.
Water levels, river flow and rainfall can all be view by visiting the San Jacinto River Authority website at: http://www.sjra.net/
Keep A Tight Line And Enjoy!!!
Papa John - Anchorage Marina