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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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Mudman63 Offline OP
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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.

Moritz Chevrolet - 9101 Camp Bowie W Blvd, Fort Worth, TX - Monte Coon (817) 696-2003
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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Lake Conroe, its about 60 miles from Houston.

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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GIG'EM AGGIES Offline
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Toledo Bend.


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.
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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Billy Blazer 300 HPDI Online Content
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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
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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DBFishing83 Offline
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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 .......

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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CCTX Offline
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If you feel like you have plateaued; fishing regularly with someone that is better than you can be an efficient way to improve.


[Linked Image]
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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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.
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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Phnx#22 Offline
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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)

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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popcork Offline
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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).

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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Texascajun69 Offline
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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.
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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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
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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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.
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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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.
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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Mudman63 Offline OP
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Thanks for the suggestions, much appreciated.

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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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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