Hey there, Randy here. I've been out on these Texas lakes and rivers chasing bass for more than 20 years now, starting back when I was just a kid messing around on the Colorado River with an old reel. Spring down here is honestly the best time to get out and fish, but man, it comes with its share of headaches. The weather changes faster than you can blink, and if you don't stay on top of things, you could wind up with an empty stringer or worse, stuck in a downpour.
I'm just passing along what I've figured out from all those trips—nothing too technical, just stuff that's helped me avoid a bunch of frustration.
Weather: The Biggest Wildcard
Weather's probably the biggest thing to keep an eye on in spring. It's all over the map in Texas. You could be out in shorts one morning, feeling that nice warmth, and then a cold front barrels through and drops everything 20 degrees by lunch. I remember being on Lake Fork back in March, all geared up for what looked like a perfect day, when the wind kicked in hard and turned the water choppy as heck. Bass don't like that kind of mess; they get real picky when the pressure's swinging wild.
I always peek at the forecast a few times before heading out, but honestly, don't bet the farm on it—Texas skies have their own agenda.
Timing Your Trip
Those calm stretches right after a warm spell are where it's at. Once the water hits around 55 to 65 degrees, the prespawn kicks in, and bass start easing up shallow to get ready for bedding. That's prime time if you play it right. But if a snap of cold weather hits, just hang back and work deeper spots. I blew off a warning once and ended up casting into nothing but gusts for hours. Now? I throw in extra jackets and stuff, even if it feels balmy at first light.
Speaking of first light, that's when you want to be on the water. Spring fish seem to love those early hours—the dim light gets them moving bold in the shallows, hunting for breakfast. I've landed some real hawgs right at dawn on Lake Travis, way before the pleasure boaters start buzzing around.
Evenings aren't bad either; the bite often picks up again as the sun goes down. Just don't get caught off guard by those random thunderstorms—they sprout up like weeds this time of year. Had one roll in on the Brazos River and chase me straight back to the ramp quicker than I'd like to admit. Lightning's no joke; always know your way out fast.
Gear Recommendations: Keep It Simple
For gear, I like to keep it pretty straightforward, especially in spring. Lighten things up a bit—a medium-light spinning rod with 8-10 pound line covers most of what I need for bass. Fluorocarbon's good for those sneaky presentations, and braid if I'm dealing with thick weeds.
- Cooler Water: When it's still on the cooler side early in the season, I stick with slow stuff like jigs or Carolina rigs with some crawfish-looking trailers.
- Warmer Water: Once it warms, I switch over to things that get a reaction, like spinnerbaits or crankbaits in shad colors.
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Go-To Lures: Gotta say, I've always had a thing for Texas-rigged worms; they just slay around submerged trees or brush. I've also been messing with some Bassdash swimbaits lately—their SwimPanfish multi-jointed ones do a solid job mimicking bluegill, which really fires up those prespawn bites, and they're a decent size at about 3.5 inches without costing an arm and a leg.
If I'm after crappie on the side, live minnows or shiners do the trick. The main idea is to match whatever's naturally around—pay attention to the bugs hatching or the baitfish darting, and copy that. I got suckered into buying some pricey new lures from a catalog once, all shiny and promising, but they flat-out flopped. Went back to my tried-and-trues and started catching again. Lesson there: don't make it more complicated than it needs to be; saves money and headaches.
Finding the Right Spots
Finding the right spots is huge in Texas spring fishing. We're lucky with all the choices—massive lakes like Toledo Bend for those trophy hunts, twisty rivers like the Guadalupe, or even little urban holes in places like Houston or Dallas if you're pinched for time.
But zero in on those in-between areas. Bass are shifting from their deep winter hangs to shallower spawning zones, so creek channels dumping into coves, gravelly points, or the outside of hydrilla beds are money. On clearer water like Amistad, you can actually spot the bedders if you're quiet about it—polarized shades on, ease in slow, and don't splash around. I've crept up on some absolute units that way, pulse racing the whole time. If you're stuck on the bank, state parks are gold; tons of walk-in access.
Spring showers can turn everything muddy in a hurry, though. After a good rain, head for the clearer water coming in from tributaries—that's where the bait piles up. Learned that one after a big flood on the Trinity River made the main stretch look like coffee, but the edges perked up first and the catfish went nuts.
Fish Behavior & Conservation
The way fish act changes a ton come spring. It's basically all tied to the spawn. The females pack on weight and slide shallow, while the males set up shop on beds and get all protective. If you're targeting those nests, do it right—hook 'em, snap a quick pic if you want, and let 'em go fast, especially the bigger girls. I release pretty much anything over five pounds; wanna make sure there's plenty left for the next folks.
Crappie bunch tight in brush piles, catfish start roaming the channels after some runoff, and bluegills are scattered everywhere—perfect for taking the kids along.
Safety and Etiquette
But heads up on the other critters stirring: snakes slithering out, gators getting active. Texas nature keeps you on your toes. Had a cottonmouth glide right by the boat one trip; I just eased away and chuckled about it after. Safety stuff isn't glamorous, but ignore it and regret it.
- Bugs & Hydration: Bugs are everywhere in spring—mosquitoes that could carry off a small dog, ticks lurking in the grass. Hit yourself with some bug spray or you'll be scratching for a week. Drink plenty of water too; even mild days can dry you out quick.
- Regulations: And don't forget your fishing license—Texas wardens are out patrolling, nice enough but they mean business. I got popped once without mine handy; turned a relaxing day into a paperwork nightmare.
- Equipment Check: If you're trailering a boat, give those tires a once-over; those bumpy backroads chew 'em up. Wading? Test the flow first—spring currents can pull harder than they look.
One thing that really grinds my gears is seeing garbage strewn along the shores. Come on, pack your trash out. A spot goes downhill fast with litter everywhere. And be cool with other anglers; plenty of water for all of us. I've shared tips with strangers and had 'em return the favor—makes the whole thing better.
Final Thoughts
At the end of the day, fishing's about that calm vibe, the sudden yank on the line, watching a big one leap. Spring just cranks it up with everything greening up, birds chirping, flowers popping. It's like free therapy.
All in all, spring bass fishing in Texas can be awesome if you roll with the punches. Pay attention to the weather, get a feel for what the fish are doing, stick to simple gear, scout those key areas, and don't cut corners on safety. You'll end up with some solid catches and stories to boot. I've had killer days and complete duds, but each one's taught me a little more. Head out, soak it in, and hey, maybe you'll top my old eight-pounder from Rayburn. Tight lines—keep at it.
