Should I take a trip to Texas ?

[FishingTheNorth]

Living in Canada is amazing and has a large variety of fish species to offer. However, I'm debating whether i should take a trip to Texas to try to break my personal best. The question is, is it worth spending the time and money to travel to southern Texas. I'm hoping you guys can maybe make a pros and cons list, excluding  the price. Thx

[Angry John]

Pro your in Texas and the bbq is amazing.  Pro its already warm and you can get a break from the cold north...

[J._Bricker]

On 2/20/2017 at 5:37 PM, FishingTheNorth said:

Living in Canada is amazing and has a large variety of fish species to offer. However, I'm debating whether i should take a trip to Texas to try to break my personal best. The question is, is it worth spending the time and money to travel to southern Texas. I'm hoping you guys can maybe make a pros and cons list, excluding  the price. Thx

 

'Welcome to the Forums FishingTheNorth!  I haven't been to Texas to fish, but I'm sure the Texans here could answer your questions. And the BBQ and Southwestern food with out a doubt would be great!

 

Just a few questions, my first would be what time of year would you be going?

Did you only want to fish for Largemouth bass?

Were you going alone, with a fishing partner, or the family?

Have you considered Florida, with the prospect of Largemouth and Peacock bass?  (See "Peacock Bass Tournaments" in the Other Species section by @Tyler Schmidt and I think you'll understand why I brought this up.)

Spring Training (Citrus League) and Disney World if you get tired of fishin'

 

I envy your decision, 'cause it should be a fun trip! JB

[bighed]

I'd like to encourage you to come on down and give it a try.  Many, many fine bass lakes in the state although we lack much of the natural beauty you enjoy at home.  Here's a couple my son and I got a couple weeks ago.  Feel free to PM questions if you have any.  Bert 

[lonnie g]

heck yes! my PB  just came from there. lake fork  north of tyler tx. they do have slot limit you cant keep anything under 24". that's why they are noted for big bass. and now is the time. they are tying to come to bed. lots of stumps and trees,  be careful.  I would deffinatly go back.

[Sprocket]

Hell yes, go to Texas.  Don't have to go to south Texas.  A bunch of really good lakes east of Dallas.  

 

SE Kansas grass grower

[PAPADUDE]

I'm planning on heading down to Lake Fork next month myself. Thought about Table Rock but the Boss Lady said we should go to Texas before we get old. Dang I'm 71 now I don't know what her idea of old is but I like the idea of Lake Fork. We've talked about going for a couple of years so I think it's time.

[WIGuide]

Pro's: you're fishing water that has many many bass bigger than you can ever catch where you currently reside

Con's: you won't want to leave haha

 

I would encourage you to do it at least once in your life. If nothing else you'll be making memories that'll last a lifetime. You aren't guaranteed to catch a giant, but your chances are better down south than anywhere else. 

[DubyaDee]

I'm headed to San Antonio in a week or so for some work vacation. Any good lakes there to check out?

 

 

[S. Sass]

Definitely don't come here. The food sucks, the fish are huge and hard on equipment. Stay north get a sled, or a bigger big screen TV for entertainment, or whatever you guys do when the water is froze. 

 

I'm kidding we have plenty of big fish though. I will say your best odds if you're limited on time are to get a guide. It might save you hauling your gear and should increase your odds a lot to beat your personal best.  

 

Our biggest issue right now is the numbers of people that are coming for the same reason as you. Lake Fork and many other lakes are full of boats trying to hook that once in a lifetime fish. I'm about 50 minute drive to Fork and I'll be back on on it Saturday doing the same thing with my brother. It's hard not to join in on the party even when there are boats everywhere.   

[wdp]

YES!!!! Go to Texas. And take me with you. 

[Bass Turd]

2 hours ago, DubyaDee said:

I'm headed to San Antonio in a week or so for some work vacation. Any good lakes there to check out?

 

 

Most places you need a boat. Look up Lake Dunlap. It is an urban lake anymore but there are 10 pounders in it. Try to avoid weekends during the warmer months because of jet skies and water skiers. Here's a web link to tournament results held on Thursday nights throughout the summer. http://thursdaynighters.com/ There are guides that fish this like if you want to go that route. 

 

I've been fishing Medina Lake lately. It was 20% full two years ago and filled up to 85% full one year and overflowing the next. Bass were stocked and it is basically a new lake. Lots of new cover grew up and the bass are just now reaching keeper length. They are hungry and will hit anything. I also caught my PB a few weeks ago. Over 8. She had survived the drought.

 

Lake Amistad is two hours away as well. Plenty of guides there too.

 

-Danny 

[npl_texas]

On 3/29/2017 at 2:05 PM, Bass Turd said:

Most places you need a boat. Look up Lake Dunlap. It is an urban lake anymore but there are 10 pounders in it. Try to avoid weekends during the warmer months because of jet skies and water skiers. Here's a web link to tournament results held on Thursday nights throughout the summer. http://thursdaynighters.com/ There are guides that fish this like if you want to go that route. 

 

I've been fishing Medina Lake lately. It was 20% full two years ago and filled up to 85% full one year and overflowing the next. Bass were stocked and it is basically a new lake. Lots of new cover grew up and the bass are just now reaching keeper length. They are hungry and will hit anything. I also caught my PB a few weeks ago. Over 8. She had survived the drought.

 

Lake Amistad is two hours away as well. Plenty of guides there too.

 

-Danny 

Don't sleep on Canyon Lake either.  I fish there regularly.  Very low pressure and I've been catching numbers.  A few 3 and 4lber's in the mix and I've caught larger.  I know they are there.