Howdy all!

Found a great deal on Group-on for a bed n breakfast near Utopia, (on the Sabinal river) so the fianc�' and I are headed down this weekend. She doesn't know it yet, but there will be much river fishing! I did some research online, and it looks to be great place for small Largemouth, Bream/Perch, and Rio Grande Perch/Texas Cichlid.

Anybody have any tips on location, lures to use, and/or technique? I'm planning on taking some road runners, rooster tails, small poppers, crappie jigs, ect. I'm also going to bring the mask/snorkel and GoPro camera for some underwater footage hopefully.

Also - anybody fish the Frio in or around Garner State Park? What about the Sabinal up in Lost Maples?

Last question - what, if any, of these rivers hold good populations of Guadalupe bass? And, how can I tell the difference between Guads and regular LMB? Spotted lateral line versus a straight lateral?

Okay now last question - any bodies of water around that hold smallmouth?

Cheers!

River is in Great Shape. Fished it several times during July and did well. Fished from a Jon Boat. Fish are hanging around grass beds,drop offs,and brush piles close to the bank. Caught about 50 nice Sunfish including several bass in the two pound range. Saw a couple of bass that would go over five pounds. I was using live night crawlers (Texas Rigged).




Side Note: You need to eat at the Lost Maples Cafe in Utopia. GREAT FOOD!

Thank you, I can't wait. I will post pics when I get back next week. Only 4 more days of work until I get stream-side...

That Sabinal Valley is one very nice place to visit,relax,and fish! Love spending time in that area for sure. Hope you have a great visit!.

Hopefully this will be the first of many trips. So much to do, so much to fish.

Lost Maples is worth the trip up there ...probably my favorite Texas State Park. I have caught fish (largemouth and some big sunfish) on the Can Creek that flows along the West Trail. The small pond on the West Trail also holds fish. I have not ever fished the actual Sabinal inside the park that follows the East Trail. I was flyfishing so small buggers, leeches and small nymphs worked well. Even if you do not fish the hiking alone is worth the trip to the park.

Yes sir we plan on hitting Garner and Lost Maples. I read that the Sabinal ( especially inside of Lost Maples), along with the headwaters of the Nueces river, are possibly the last two places on earth to find genetically "pure" Guadalupe Bass that have not been corrupted by hybridization of non native smallmouths. I'm looking forward to catching and releasing a beautiful state fish of Texas species, and then drinking a Lone Star beer while taking in the scenery... Too bad Lone Star Beer has been corrupted by the hybridization of Miller-Coors...

I'm back! I wish I was still there. What a beautiful and amazing place. That is the prettiest part of Texas, by far. Of course I've never been to Big Bend or the Guadalupe mountains.

No Guadalupe Bass or Rio Grande Perch, but I did catch a nice little LMB and a nice sunfish. I didn't get as much fishing in as hoped, but we did a lot of hiking, swimming, and sightseeing. I can't wait to go back and spend some more time.

Pics and vids to follow. Got some great underwater footage of what I estimate to be about a 5 lb largemouth under a tree in the Sabinal River.

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