I saw some people fishing this summer. Thats wild about the ramp. I've got to drive out there and take a look.

Seems the city is extending the ramps, thats according to TPWL facebook page for abilene. They also commented that there is a low-water ramp at Phantom at the west end of Johnson Park.
no word yet on the time frame.

going to check out kirby this morning afetr my doctors appointment, if I do any good I'll post a report

I had to go to Abilene to the SS Admin office today, and was going to stop by Lake Kirby when I finished. I didn't get out of the offices until almost 5, so I came on home.

Went out to Kirby for a few hours yesterday. I was quickly reminded how much I hate bank fishing from there. Lost to much equipment. Not a bite. I was using some shad I froze earlier this year but it's to much trouble trying to get past all the rocks. My boats always ready to go if anyone has 4x4. My truck struggles to much on that ramp. Last time didn't think I was going to get out.

Thats what I have been afraid of with my boat. I wont use the ramp till the lake comes up or I get a 4X4. Wish you would have had better luck, but that is how my luck has been the last few times I have went out there. May still try next week if I have time.

I am planning to go do some banking out at Lake Abilene next weekend. I saw on the Texas Wildlife site that they caught some 15in 2lb crappie in their traps recently while testing the population. they said there are plenty of crappie in there.

I'll have to look into that. Love me some crappie fishin!

Me and my buddy are stationed at Dyess and we are wanting to get out on the lakes here but since the drought hit we have been limited from the bank. If there are any guys in the area that have a boat and want to get out on the water we are willing to pay for gas for the boat and lunch if we can get a seat out on the water. If any one would be interested please PM me or shoot me an email @ marrekus1983@gmail.com. Thanks

I know this thread is oooold but I'm bout to be getting back out there after several months of long hours at work. Any Kirby/Phantom/Lake A reports? Also was curious to know what the spawn is usually like at Kirby?

Gonna bump this as my first post, planning on getting out to either Kirby or Phantom next week and would like some reports if anyone has them. We went out to Phantom last week and tried some spots but nothing, was gonna try some of the places listed in here previously.

Was at Kirby on the bank this past saturday....WINDY!!! Got shut out pretty hard but also didn't hit all the spots I wanted to. Don't really have a good report yet. Kinda wanting to check out the submerged grass on the west side at kirby next week. Not sure how deep it is right there.

Anybody finds dip net at Kirby let me know, on south east bank.

We got out Tuesday to Phantom and hit up some spots on the east side but had zero luck, not sure if it was the wind or just nothing is biting out there.

Bump. I'm putting the boat in the water this week. Hopefully this warm up will have the fish biting.

I was born and raised in Abilene and moved to Ft. Worth when I was 13. Now that I'm 45 and have my own boat. Definitely want to fish those lakes. Let me know how you do.

Whites and hybrid are really good at phantom, pm for details.

Pm and bump

Replied

Got out to Kirby yesterday evening from around 5pm to midnight. Just went to the eastern side around the middle of the lake, right off the last part of the paved Kirby Dam road between two coves. Lots of things jumping, most looked like shad but unsure of two bigger things jumping completely out of water. We had six poles out and with various baits but we only caught 3 little catfish (a guy south of us caught a small one as well).

We may try a little further north next time near that small bluff section.

I haven't had any luck at Kirby or Phantom this year, but my brothers friend lives on lake lytle and he catches HUGE fish.. recently a 45lb cat and an 8lb bass.. wouldn't believe it if I didn't see the pics! Does anyone know where you can bank fish at lytle? I know there is a creek by Cal Young park, going to try it out today..

I fished just across from the hockey rink and the key city baseball field from the bank.. I believe you can fish it without getting a ticket a cop drove right pass me and didn’t stop. I didn’t stay long and didn’t get a bite. However, I saw some large fish jumping and there was about a 3 lb bass in the parking spot next to me.. looks to be a good spawning area

Went out again, took the exit off Maple right after Colony Hill Rd (going south)... that oilfield area. We didn't catch a thing at our first spot so moved there and still nothing.

Was wondering though, entering the northern part on Kirby Dam Rd you get that sign saying it closes at midnight and you can only use two poles. If you're on another part of the lake, say that southern area or the west side, do those rules still apply?

I think those rules apply for the whole lake, but I've never seen em strictly enforced. That area past the tank batteries have been producing, nothing huge but have got a few.

Darn, was hoping to get an all-nighter in down there... though I don't know how well it would have went anyways since we usually don't get bites after 10 it seems.

And yea I've never seen a warden there, nor Phantom for that matter, but I'd rather not risk it if it may not even be worth it.