newbie in central texas

[jesse.seybold]

Hey guys, I'm a new bass guy. I've fished trout for over 20 years, however the bass thus far have been elusive. I was curious if anyone knew any good fisheries around killeen/ fort hood? I was just medically retired from the ARMY, and I'm looking to enjoy a little bit of free time! I'd love some insight, also be advised I'm a bank fisherman. I've tried almost everything on fort hood and stillhouse and I swear the only thing I've caught is a cold (over exageration). I've caught a couple 1-2 lb LMB, however thats after over 10 outings, 2 fish LOL!

[Big Swimbait]

Give Belton Lake a try. I think the LMB record there is 13 lbs. There are also smallmouth in there.

[Bass Turd]

Thank you for your service and sacrifice.

Stillhouse Hollow like is below Belton. Look into joining a bass club if possible. Most have a club tournament each month and there are usually lots of co angler seats available. Not only will you get out on the water but you will learn from everyone you fish with.

[WRB]

Welcome to the BR site and retirement.

You should get some good advice from the Texas members on this site.

What type of tackle do you have? It helps to know so we can suggest some presentations and lures to use from shore.

Tom

[A-Jay]

Hello and Thank You for your Service

Welcome to Bass Resource ~

A-Jay

[jesse.seybold]

2 hours ago, Bass Turd said:

Thank you for your service and sacrifice.

Stillhouse Hollow like is below Belton. Look into joining a bass club if possible. Most have a club tournament each month and there are usually lots of co angler seats available. Not only will you get out on the water but you will learn from everyone you fish with.

i didn't know about the extra seats, I would love to get out on a boat! I'm saving for a kayak at the moment so i can get out there and get them fish. I've pulled a few out of still house, but this heat has the bass deep and its hard to keep a caronlina rig/ texas/ deep crank etc in the strike zone long. 

 

2 hours ago, WRB said:

Welcome to the BR site and retirement.

You should get some good advice from the Texas members on this site.

What type of tackle do you have? It helps to know so we can suggest some presentations and lures to use from shore.

Tom

as for tackle i have alot of cranks (deep shallow and lipless), some zaras, poppers, frogs, jigs, shakey heads, and soft plastics galore. I've aquired quite a bit over the years. Most everything i have is either white/ silver, watermelon, or black/ blue. Have some weird colors but nothing too crazy.

 

Also little update. Talked to a game warden today and apparently one of these lakes i've been fishing the past 3/4 days is completely devoid of bass!!!!  i was wondering if i was that bad at fishing but its pretty encouraging to know i wasn't catching fish simply because bass weren't there. A bass would love it though there were at least 2,000 young blue gills and i saw dozens of craws that were over 5 inches long... need to catch a couple lunkers and put them in there for a personal lake  

Also thank you guys so much for the advice and the warm welcome... definitely an awesome community 

[WRB]

From the lure selection you use you more than likely use medium heavy baitcasting rod and reel, not common for most trout anglers.

Tom

[Darren.]

Welcome aboard!

[jesse.seybold]

29 minutes ago, WRB said:

From the lure selection you use you more than likely use medium heavy baitcasting rod and reel, not common for most trout anglers.

Tom

I actually just got into the bait casters a few weeks ago... it was a huge pain in the a$$ to figure out, but i've got the hang of it now... i have a mh rod w/ fast action tip 

[WRB]

Bass fishing to me is a seasonal thing; winter or the cold water period, spawn broken down into pre spawn, spawn and post spawn followed by summer warm water period and fall.

Now we are in the summer period when bass have lots of prey sources and choices. You are handicapped somewhat by having only the shoreline to fish. During the summer period low light or night is your prime times to fish shallow shoreline areas. Sun rises the bass either move over deeper water or under heavy cover.

Your baitcasting tackle works good for a wide variety of presentations, spinning is better for finesse presentations and both have thier place. Soft plastics T-rigged or C-rigged and swimbaits or wake baits with baitcasting and drop and slip shot with spinning are your higher % presentations during summer.

Good luck with your bass fishing

Tom

[jesse.seybold]

Thanks tom!

[Kidflex]

I was stationed at ft hood for 6 years. 1st cav! There are many great places to fish around the area. Belton and still house are pretty difficult to fish from the bank but can be done. Also lake Buchanan near lampasas is good too. The ponds around ft good are actually excellent for bass. Nolan lake and larned lake near BLORA is pretty good(back in the day these two lakes were used to stock the other lakes on base. They eventually shut down operation and had  outside folks bring fish in to stock up). Airfield lake when open is fantastic. My personal favorite was bratcher lake near gray airfield. It's small and overlooked but loaded with nice bass. This info is based on when I was there from 95-2001. Good luck