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Targeting Smallies here in North Texas....Help?
#12105344
02/21/17 09:23 PM
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Joined: Jan 2012
Posts: 338
metalruch1
OP
Angler
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OP
Angler
Joined: Jan 2012
Posts: 338 |
I have been fishing the North Texas area off and on for over 20 years... I have never caught a Smallmouth... I would love to mark that off my fishing bucket list...
Any pointers from you guys on tactics and or locations to try out?
I don't want your spots, but rather what to look for and target...And what types of lures or plastics and techniques to use...
Thanks in advance for the replies!
Last edited by metalruch1; 02/21/17 09:23 PM.
BOOMER SOONER
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Re: Targeting Smallies here in North Texas....Help?
[Re: metalruch1]
#12105360
02/21/17 09:31 PM
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Joined: Dec 2004
Posts: 27,653
Fish Killer
Big Sexy
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Big Sexy
Joined: Dec 2004
Posts: 27,653 |
Really only have about 4 choices on lakes where you may be able to target them
Wheeler Branch Grapevine Texoma Bridgeport
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Re: Targeting Smallies here in North Texas....Help?
[Re: metalruch1]
#12105367
02/21/17 09:38 PM
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Joined: Jan 2012
Posts: 338
metalruch1
OP
Angler
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OP
Angler
Joined: Jan 2012
Posts: 338 |
Grapevine surprises me...Thanks Fish Killer...Any tactics that you would recommend?
BOOMER SOONER
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Re: Targeting Smallies here in North Texas....Help?
[Re: metalruch1]
#12105374
02/21/17 09:43 PM
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Joined: Apr 2016
Posts: 543
Nathan_Flovin
Pro Angler
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Pro Angler
Joined: Apr 2016
Posts: 543 |
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Re: Targeting Smallies here in North Texas....Help?
[Re: metalruch1]
#12105382
02/21/17 09:48 PM
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Joined: Nov 2015
Posts: 218
HDVS
Outdoorsman
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Outdoorsman
Joined: Nov 2015
Posts: 218 |
Texoma for sure. Fish the rocks and points around Eisenhower with a crankbait or drag a green pumpkin tube on a jig head around and u should find one pretty quick right now.
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Re: Targeting Smallies here in North Texas....Help?
[Re: metalruch1]
#12105387
02/21/17 09:49 PM
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Joined: Nov 2008
Posts: 7,610
361V
TFF Celebrity
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TFF Celebrity
Joined: Nov 2008
Posts: 7,610 |
The term "targeting" smallmouths to me is a tough one for Texas. Lots of lakes with a large enough population to "catch some" but in my opinion Texoma is the only lake in Texas(barely) to go and specifically target them...with expectations of catching a bunch. Next closest "target" lake to me in Texas is Belton. I have lucked into a few through the years at Wheeler Branch, Ray-Bob, Grapevine, Stillhouse... Does it need to be a genuine Texas Smally? If not drive a few miles over the border to Lake Murray and easily catch more SMB than LMB. Speaking of "borders" the biggest concentration and size I have ever seen and fished was the Devils River which is a tributary of the Rio Grande on the Mexico border. Honestly, past these couple choices in Texas I find SMB fishing in Texas just a "[censored] shoot" .
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Re: Targeting Smallies here in North Texas....Help?
[Re: Nathan_Flovin]
#12105388
02/21/17 09:49 PM
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Joined: Dec 2004
Posts: 27,653
Fish Killer
Big Sexy
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Big Sexy
Joined: Dec 2004
Posts: 27,653 |
For me, Wheeler Branch would probably be your best bet, but now that they don't allow bass boats (only yaks/canoes) Everytime I have been down there I would catch 2-3 bass fishing. Great top water bite out by the rock pile
Last edited by Fish Killer; 02/21/17 09:53 PM.
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Re: Targeting Smallies here in North Texas....Help?
[Re: Nathan_Flovin]
#12105393
02/21/17 09:53 PM
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Joined: Dec 2008
Posts: 497
davetexas22
Angler
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Angler
Joined: Dec 2008
Posts: 497 |
I caught this guy on Ray Roberts this weekend. I should've had my scale with me.....lol It was a toad. However, this was my first smallmouth on ray roberts.
Last edited by davetexas22; 02/21/17 10:06 PM.
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Re: Targeting Smallies here in North Texas....Help?
[Re: davetexas22]
#12105422
02/21/17 10:07 PM
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Joined: Dec 2008
Posts: 497
davetexas22
Angler
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Angler
Joined: Dec 2008
Posts: 497 |
Finally got the picture added. Yeah, would probably have a better chance on Lake Murray in Oklahoma or Texoma than Ray Roberts for darn sure.
Last edited by davetexas22; 02/21/17 10:14 PM.
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Re: Targeting Smallies here in North Texas....Help?
[Re: metalruch1]
#12105444
02/21/17 10:22 PM
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Joined: Mar 2009
Posts: 314
TyBU
Angler
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Angler
Joined: Mar 2009
Posts: 314 |
That looks like a spotted bass in that photo. Heck of a fish though.
Last edited by TyBU; 02/21/17 10:23 PM.
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Re: Targeting Smallies here in North Texas....Help?
[Re: TyBU]
#12105454
02/21/17 10:27 PM
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Joined: Dec 2008
Posts: 497
davetexas22
Angler
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Angler
Joined: Dec 2008
Posts: 497 |
Yeah, I actually have a better picture of it on my other phone that shows the bronze.
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Re: Targeting Smallies here in North Texas....Help?
[Re: metalruch1]
#12105486
02/21/17 10:46 PM
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Joined: Aug 2004
Posts: 2,709
Bass Buster1
Extreme Angler
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Extreme Angler
Joined: Aug 2004
Posts: 2,709 |
Go to Texoma and fish the bluff walls with jerk baits and crank baits in shad patterns, you will catch plenty.
See you on the lake and have a great day!
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Re: Targeting Smallies here in North Texas....Help?
[Re: metalruch1]
#12105569
02/21/17 11:57 PM
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Joined: Jun 2008
Posts: 284
topconmm
Angler
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Angler
Joined: Jun 2008
Posts: 284 |
Take the drive up here to Murray and you will find them on any point.
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Re: Targeting Smallies here in North Texas....Help?
[Re: metalruch1]
#12106411
02/22/17 02:16 PM
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Joined: Jan 2012
Posts: 338
metalruch1
OP
Angler
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OP
Angler
Joined: Jan 2012
Posts: 338 |
Davetexas22...That's a chunk! Thanks guys for the info. I do need to go up to Murray...I love that lake...I just never think about going up there...
BOOMER SOONER
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Re: Targeting Smallies here in North Texas....Help?
[Re: metalruch1]
#12106465
02/22/17 02:52 PM
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Joined: Mar 2010
Posts: 848
TxAgfisher
Pro Angler
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Pro Angler
Joined: Mar 2010
Posts: 848 |
Belton has a great population of smallmouth. It and the Devils river are home to probably the best smallie populations in Texas - just not exactly north Texas.
Saved by the Lord... glad to be an Aggie!
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Re: Targeting Smallies here in North Texas....Help?
[Re: metalruch1]
#12106476
02/22/17 02:58 PM
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Joined: Jun 2015
Posts: 239
Kyle405
Outdoorsman
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Outdoorsman
Joined: Jun 2015
Posts: 239 |
Lake Murray is not a bad drive from DFW area and they are plentiful in that lake.
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Re: Targeting Smallies here in North Texas....Help?
[Re: metalruch1]
#12106759
02/22/17 05:20 PM
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Joined: Jan 2004
Posts: 2,995
AdvTX
Extreme Angler
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Extreme Angler
Joined: Jan 2004
Posts: 2,995 |
I really want to catch some Texoma smallies the only place I've ever caught them is at the Devil's river. Would the cold front this weekend shut them down? Would anyone shoot me a PM with any helpful info I would greatly appreciate it.
Last edited by AdvTX; 02/22/17 05:20 PM.
The day after catching a lot of fish is still a good day.
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Re: Targeting Smallies here in North Texas....Help?
[Re: AdvTX]
#12106950
02/22/17 06:50 PM
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Joined: Jun 2008
Posts: 284
topconmm
Angler
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Angler
Joined: Jun 2008
Posts: 284 |
I really want to catch some Texoma smallies the only place I've ever caught them is at the Devil's river. Would the cold front this weekend shut them down? Would anyone shoot me a PM with any helpful info I would greatly appreciate it. I'm headed over there tomorrow to try and beat the front. I was planning a trip this weekend but after seeing the weather coming in, I think I will try it tomorrow.
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Re: Targeting Smallies here in North Texas....Help?
[Re: topconmm]
#12106958
02/22/17 06:55 PM
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Joined: Aug 2003
Posts: 30,306
RedRanger
burro desagradable
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burro desagradable
Joined: Aug 2003
Posts: 30,306 |
I really want to catch some Texoma smallies the only place I've ever caught them is at the Devil's river. Would the cold front this weekend shut them down? Would anyone shoot me a PM with any helpful info I would greatly appreciate it. I'm headed over there tomorrow to try and beat the front. I was planning a trip this weekend but after seeing the weather coming in, I think I will try it tomorrow. Smallies for me usually come the first hour of light early in the morning
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Re: Targeting Smallies here in North Texas....Help?
[Re: metalruch1]
#12107262
02/22/17 09:45 PM
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Joined: Jul 2007
Posts: 50,829
Trickster
Super Freak
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Super Freak
Joined: Jul 2007
Posts: 50,829 |
I have had decent luck on Texoma using following. Catch one nearly every trip. Once the sun gets up it gets a little tougher for me. Bandit 200 crankbaits in a craw pattern and Strike King perfect plastic caffeine shad in Smokey shad. Drag and pop the caffeine shad around the rocks. http://www.tacklewarehouse.com/Strike_Ki...page-SKPCS.html
Last edited by Trickster; 02/22/17 09:46 PM.
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Re: Targeting Smallies here in North Texas....Help?
[Re: metalruch1]
#12107416
02/22/17 11:18 PM
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Joined: Jan 2012
Posts: 338
metalruch1
OP
Angler
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OP
Angler
Joined: Jan 2012
Posts: 338 |
Trickster...Thanks for the detailed info. Seems like the consensus is Texoma in N Texas and Murray in Oklahoma... So I need to hit up both soon. Thanks Fellas!
BOOMER SOONER
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Re: Targeting Smallies here in North Texas....Help?
[Re: metalruch1]
#12107535
02/23/17 12:49 AM
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Joined: Mar 2008
Posts: 1,817
MikeSouza
Extreme Angler
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Extreme Angler
Joined: Mar 2008
Posts: 1,817 |
If you come to Murray, let me know and I'll help you out. I live a few minutes from the ramp
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Re: Targeting Smallies here in North Texas....Help?
[Re: metalruch1]
#12107576
02/23/17 01:10 AM
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Joined: Jan 2012
Posts: 338
metalruch1
OP
Angler
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OP
Angler
Joined: Jan 2012
Posts: 338 |
Mike...I will take you up on that. Thanks brother! When is the best time to get up there? Now, or in a month or so when it gets a little warmer?
Last edited by metalruch1; 02/23/17 01:11 AM.
BOOMER SOONER
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Re: Targeting Smallies here in North Texas....Help?
[Re: metalruch1]
#12107713
02/23/17 02:15 AM
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Joined: Oct 2001
Posts: 3,562
Thad Rains
TFF Team Angler
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TFF Team Angler
Joined: Oct 2001
Posts: 3,562 |
There used to be some in Lake Whitney, but it had a fish kill and do not know what happened to them then. Look at the Texas records and you will see that Ron Gardner has most of the bigger smallies caught in Texas. Hope this helps. OH, I would go to Texoma and fish the rock bluffs, or the dam. Tight lines, keep safe and good luck.
Thad Rains
Tight lines, keep safe and good luck.
Thad Rains
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