I have never been Shafter laket before labor day weekend. I fished for several hours and caught a good amount of small blacks and spots. I researched online for tournaments and found that most tournaments seem to be won with pretty low weights, so I was wondering if there are many "overs" caught out of the lake and also how the smallies are since it looks like a clear/deeper lake?

Thisguy3836 to the TFF. There are plenty of "overs" in Bridgeport. Fishing should be getting better and better as we head towards cooler weather and water. I have had my best days this time of year up in the river area just past the power lines with jigs for the bigger bite.

Beautiful lake too!

to the TFF


Unfortunately, I've never fished the lake...

Better quality fall thru spring. Still over will be caught during warmer months but generally luck into them. Nights is good for the bigger fish. Not a lot of smallies. You see people saying they caught a bunch of little ones but I'd bet those are spots and can't tell the difference. I've only caught 3 this year. The whole lake has fished good this year and just about on any bait. Pretty much have to have at least one over to win out there. Think 14lbs won crosstimber during summer.

I'm heading there in the AM, never been. Any cautions running the lake or river yall could share?

I won the Devon tournament last month, there were 51 teams,, there were 4 overs weighed in that day and me and my partner had 2 of them.. We had 2 overs, a nice spot and 2 under for 13.61 .. Our biggest fish was 3.91 ... It took 4.11 to win big bass.. And about the small mouth, in the colder months I can usually catch a few 3+ through out the year.. There are some really nice smallies, 5,6+lbers caught through out the year.. And u can run most all of the lake without worrying to much, just be careful around the island up by Runaway Bay area... Good luck,,,

Just wondering how the lake has been fishing any info as to where to start and bait selection? Are you able to get under the 380 bridge to fish that side haven't been there for awhile any info appreciated. Thanks

You might can get under bridge on calm day. I doubt it's low enough yet. There's a ramp across the road from marina

There's no getting under the 380 bridge any time soon, it's up way to high,, but there is a ramp on ether side of the bridge.. And the fishing has been real good for me here of late..

I have fished Bridgeport twice this past week and the bite is VERY good right now. I have only been able to spend about 4-5hrs each trip but 35-50 fish days each day. They have not seemed to move way far back in the creeks yet and are grouped up in the first 1/4 or so back as that is where the bait is. As it cools and the shad move farther back so will the fish. There are some massive schools of shad out there right now. Most I have seen in a year out there.
When you find them they will be stacked in that area. Been throwing a Texas rig craw into bushes and other shallow cover as well as catching some on a sexy french peral Megabass S Crank 1.2 squarebill. The bait doing the most damage is a 3/8 white shad pattern Megabass V4 buzzbait. Makes no difference if its cloudy or not. They are smashing it like crazy.

I switched up and hit Grapevine yesterday and while I had a good day I still wish I had went back to Bridgeport as its that good out there now. Have not caught anything over 3-3 1/2 but with the numbers I am getting a big fish will show up. Throw in the fact that the smallmouth really turn on in October and I will be out there a bunch more. Lake is in great shape and is full. TONS of flooded cover. Good water color and the temps are 78-81 out there and falling a bit with the cooler nights. Never any crowds out there either.

You are correct Mark...

Bridgeport has smallmouth??

Yep. I have caught one over 6lbs out there.

Same here. There are some huge Smallies in that lake.