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Best lake within 2 hours of Houston to improve fishing skills
#11891966
10/21/16 05:25 AM
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Joined: Oct 2012
Posts: 2,803
Mudman63
OP
Extreme Angler
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OP
Extreme Angler
Joined: Oct 2012
Posts: 2,803 |
I would appreciate the collective wisdom of the experienced bass fishing experts on the TFF.
Feel like my fishing skills have plateaued so I'm thinking about taking a year off from kayak tournament fishing and focusing on a lake or two to improve my understanding of seasonal and daily movements of fish, fishing different types of cover and structure, reading current conditions, making on the water adjustments, etc. You get my point.
In your opinion, which lake or lakes within a 2-hour drive of Houston has the best combination of structure and cover that would allow me to improve my skills?
Thanks in advance for your opinion.
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Re: Best lake within 2 hours of Houston to improve fishing skills
[Re: Mudman63]
#11892019
10/21/16 10:56 AM
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Joined: Sep 2009
Posts: 358
Basscat496
Angler
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Angler
Joined: Sep 2009
Posts: 358 |
Lake Conroe, its about 60 miles from Houston.
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Re: Best lake within 2 hours of Houston to improve fishing skills
[Re: Mudman63]
#11892027
10/21/16 11:15 AM
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Joined: May 2014
Posts: 7,737
GIG'EM AGGIES
TFF Celebrity
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TFF Celebrity
Joined: May 2014
Posts: 7,737 |
I am a Senager. (Senior teenager) I have everything that I wanted as a teenager, only 50 years later. I get an allowance every month. I have PU truck and a bass boat, I am blessed. Conscience never acquits, it either accuses or excuses.
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Re: Best lake within 2 hours of Houston to improve fishing skills
[Re: Mudman63]
#11892068
10/21/16 11:56 AM
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Joined: Aug 2008
Posts: 6,103
Billy Blazer 300 HPDI
TFF Celebrity
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TFF Celebrity
Joined: Aug 2008
Posts: 6,103 |
I would try to Fish Fayette during the week. I'd also fish Lake Houston and Sheldon Res too.
I would pass on fishing Conrole out of a Yak, but thats jus me.
Thanks, Billy
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Re: Best lake within 2 hours of Houston to improve fishing skills
[Re: Mudman63]
#11892114
10/21/16 12:38 PM
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Joined: Jun 2014
Posts: 1,895
DBFishing83
Extreme Angler
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Extreme Angler
Joined: Jun 2014
Posts: 1,895 |
Fayette County..... has all the types of fishing you need to learn: grass-- stumps -- creeks -- points -- humps -- deep water -- rocks -- ???? but Fayette is a hot water lake and will not give you the "seasonality" you are looking for. Toledo Bend .......
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Re: Best lake within 2 hours of Houston to improve fishing skills
[Re: Mudman63]
#11892144
10/21/16 12:58 PM
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Joined: Apr 2008
Posts: 41,002
CCTX
mapquest
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mapquest
Joined: Apr 2008
Posts: 41,002 |
If you feel like you have plateaued; fishing regularly with someone that is better than you can be an efficient way to improve.
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Re: Best lake within 2 hours of Houston to improve fishing skills
[Re: Mudman63]
#11892189
10/21/16 01:14 PM
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Joined: Nov 2002
Posts: 5,050
BMCD
TFF Celebrity
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TFF Celebrity
Joined: Nov 2002
Posts: 5,050 |
In my view, Fayette will give u confidence in fishing certain ways. But its not realistic. From what u described really depends on the lake. What you learn on Fayette will not translate to Livingston.
Last edited by BMCD; 10/21/16 01:16 PM.
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Re: Best lake within 2 hours of Houston to improve fishing skills
[Re: Mudman63]
#11892233
10/21/16 01:36 PM
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Joined: Apr 2005
Posts: 1,296
Phnx#22
Extreme Angler
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Extreme Angler
Joined: Apr 2005
Posts: 1,296 |
Gibbons Creek and Lake Somerville.
You can explore all facets of transition at either lake and both have excellent shore line cover. (lilly pads and other grasses/wood)
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Re: Best lake within 2 hours of Houston to improve fishing skills
[Re: Mudman63]
#11892372
10/21/16 02:35 PM
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Joined: Oct 2008
Posts: 496
popcork
Angler
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Angler
Joined: Oct 2008
Posts: 496 |
Trinity River east of Houston, fish the drains on an out-going tide with small crankbaits, top waters, and spinnerbaits. You will be surprised at the number of fish you will catch( and the types too).
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Re: Best lake within 2 hours of Houston to improve fishing skills
[Re: Mudman63]
#11892403
10/21/16 02:52 PM
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Joined: Apr 2009
Posts: 613
Texascajun69
Pro Angler
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Pro Angler
Joined: Apr 2009
Posts: 613 |
Toledo Bend. Has many access points for Kayaking that will allow you to follow the transitions and not have to fight the open water (which can get bad on many lakes). A good T- Bend Lake Map will show you all of the public parks as well as commercial ramps. Many access directly into deep water, creeks, shallow bays, etc.
Another plus is the length of the lake also allows for the seasonal migrations to be drawn out. Spawn starts in Feb. in the very north end of the lake, moves to the mid-lake area in March and peaks in the south end in April. This transition allows you to really focus on learning the fish movements over a longer period of time.
I love Sheldon Res. but I don't think I would want to get eye to eye in a Kayak with some of the gators I have seen there.
John K Fontenot Diapers and Politicians need to be changed often; and for the same reason.
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Re: Best lake within 2 hours of Houston to improve fishing skills
[Re: Mudman63]
#11892565
10/21/16 04:20 PM
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Joined: Jan 2009
Posts: 1,025
Kisndismis
Extreme Angler
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Extreme Angler
Joined: Jan 2009
Posts: 1,025 |
Those gators keep their distance, the big ones anyway. I like the Trinity River suggestion. I fish L Houston and the SanJac a lot and neither of these are easy to pattern IMO. I like the Somerville and Gibbons suggestions also, both have good fish but not easy to pattern.
Watch it happen, make it happen, or say what the hell happened. Capt. Phil Harris F/V Cornelia Marie RIP
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Re: Best lake within 2 hours of Houston to improve fishing skills
[Re: Mudman63]
#11892632
10/21/16 04:53 PM
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Joined: Jan 2009
Posts: 50,043
fouzman
Methuselah
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Methuselah
Joined: Jan 2009
Posts: 50,043 |
Lake Sam Rayburn is 140 miles from Houston. That's where I'd go. Everything you discussed and tons of good guides. Once there, you can hop over to Toledo Bend if you like.
"Things turn out best for those who make the best of the way things turn out" - Zachary Troy Schrah - a young man with vision far beyond his years.
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Re: Best lake within 2 hours of Houston to improve fishing skills
[Re: Mudman63]
#11892666
10/21/16 05:06 PM
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Joined: Jun 2013
Posts: 1,350
GeoFisher
Extreme Angler
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Extreme Angler
Joined: Jun 2013
Posts: 1,350 |
Don't underestimate Lake Houston, especially the 2 river forks and Luce's bayou. Some good fish down south as well if you are willing to do your homework.
Everything on your bass boat is broken......You just don't know it yet.
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Re: Best lake within 2 hours of Houston to improve fishing skills
[Re: Mudman63]
#11893526
10/22/16 03:09 AM
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Joined: Oct 2012
Posts: 2,803
Mudman63
OP
Extreme Angler
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OP
Extreme Angler
Joined: Oct 2012
Posts: 2,803 |
Thanks for the suggestions, much appreciated.
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Re: Best lake within 2 hours of Houston to improve fishing skills
[Re: Mudman63]
#11893763
10/22/16 12:59 PM
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Joined: Jan 2008
Posts: 13,596
Fishspanker
TFF Guru
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TFF Guru
Joined: Jan 2008
Posts: 13,596 |
Go to them all. Different things work on different lakes. Going to one lake narrows your ability not grows it.
The Sheep who only fears the Wolf is eaten by the Shepherd.
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