My 14yr son and I might fish San Gabriel this weekend any good locations, what type fish hitting on what lures,colors ,baits.. Any info would be greatly appreciated... Thx

Also there looks like there is a lake or pond in Taylor, Texas that's where my son has his basketball tourney is that a public lake or pond? Any fish? Thx

The steps or wild area

Roofish where do I find this "steps" or "wild area" ... Thx bud I'm here in Taylor now..

The internet is a great tool. Here is a link to the Granger Lake COE maps.

http://www.swf-wc.usace.army.mil/granger/Information/Maps.asp

Thx brotha!!

Headed to there tomorrow with my kayak. I doubt the whites are running much yet, but we'll see.

To get to the steps from Taylor: Head north on 95, after you cross the San Gabriel River Bridge take a right on CR 347, the steps are about a mile down on your right. You will most likely see several vehicles parked on the side of the road. To the wild area: take CR 347 until it makes a hard left turn (about 2.5 miles from 95) and the entrance to the Wilderness area is there on the right. You can walk back on the trail to the right of the parking lot and there is a pretty good spot where the river bends about 1/4 mile down the trail. Good luck. Send me a pm if you need more info.

Let us know how you do, might take my kayak out Saturday.

Something came up and was not able to go. Have not heard any reports yet. Depending on weather, I'll shoot for next Friday.

Thx throsenblad I didnt go after all but on thinking of going next weekend thx for the info brotha

No problem. Anyone interested in Kayaking Friday morning? I have two extra 'yaks but one of them is limited to someone under 200lb. The other can hold a fat boy like me. I have paddles and pfvs. Let me know. Weather permitting I will be there about 7:45am to launch.

Does anyone know.

Did the steps area get alot water last week? I'd think it would be almost dried out just before the rains last week.
I'm sure there's water downstream by the primitive boat ramp though.
I put my 14ft jon boat in there couple years ago (at the primitive ramp). It was fun getting it back up the bank. even with 4 guys hauling it out. I may have to tray that again, but I'll have to figure out how to hook up a wench or something to launch and retrieve my jon boat.

I hope someone may know.

thx.

I'm going to try to make it out there tomorrow afternoon...
Will be just bankfishing though...

I am going to resist the urge with that one.

??????
Oh, now i get it...

Anyhow, didn't make it out there today...But with rain forecasted over the weekend...
Hoping to try out "the steps" next week.

Love campin out at the primitive boat launch, not the best fishin but always worth the trip. Fishinfool- I would say get a wagon(one of the ones with big wheels) cut the sides off, take a tie down strap and strap the boat to it. Use a rope to pull it up the hill. That or tie a rope to the boat then your hitch, and pull it up using your truck. If you go slow it shouldn't hurt the boat.

I didn't even realize... LOL.

I was going to try and get out there this weekend. Rain kept me at home. I'd appreciate any info. At this time and point, even the good old fashion fishing "lies" will be acceptable.

I'll check it out one day this week and let every one know what is going on or what I think will be going on in the weeks ahead.

I might fish out there this week during the morning 6A-12P if we get a little warmer weather.

How's the bankfishing been at Granger lately?

I'm looking forward to those summer nights fishing for cats 1A-12P.

I have yet to go down there, but I'm reading post on other forums where they are catching some whites at the steps.

Any reports on whites at the steps yet?

Well, I couldn’t resist the temptation of catching some whites on ultra light tackle, so I went to the steps to check it out. From what I heard from several anglers I talked to, last Thursday was a good day. It was the day before the rain. Any how, I didn't catch a white, but I did mange one small black. Some other guys were catching some whites downstream from the gravel bar in the bend. They were catching them on a white Rooster tail and live bait. One guy had a white grub tied on the bottom with a white feather jig tied above and he was doing okay. The water has cooled down therefore the bite has somewhat slowed down. The fish seem to be gathered tight in the deeper water lying on the bottom. There was this one big stump on the shore line, which would be the first stump from the gravel bar that everyone was hooking up with some whites.

My post is a few days late, but I filmed the river right below the steps so everyone could get an idea of what the water conditions are. This area is the only area in which I was able to film because I got my camera wet and today was the first time I was able to get the data off the flash card. Still not sure if the camera works right or not, but I do know that the flash card is fried. Here’s the video I shot.

Nice report and video fishytx

Thanks, for the updated report and video fishytx...

Still looks pretty shallow at the steps, was hoping it would be a little higher with the past rains.
Planning a trip down there early tomorrow morning, if it's not raining to bad...But if it does, that's fine.
For we definitely, still need all we can get.

Nice video Fishytx. The water looks to be a pretty low there. But, I'm sure it's only a matter of time before this Spawn thing gets going at the steps anyway. This place probably has more water than most creeks/rivers. I heard the yegua may have overflowed its banks last week. I hope a mess of whites made it past the hump at sommerville into nails or the yegua. I haven't heard yet.

Regardless, a good fishing report anywhere will have me down very soon to see for myself.

Tight lines.

I spent a couple hours at the steps last Sunday, after the rains. I felt that the river flow was really good, not too high, not too low. Went up stream to the first honey hole, spent an hour fishing deep with white/green/grey clousers, picked up 2 whites. Seemed pretty random, so I don't think any spawners are stacking up. Didn't see much catching going on, saw one black bass caught and saw a crappie caught.

Fish Gods Were With Me...
Only caught 11 Whites, but all keepers 11"-15"...With 9 of those 13"-15" and very healthy,(chunky,chunky,chunky)...Haven't cleaned the fish yet, but guessing I got about 4 or 5 Females.

Anyhow, drove-up to the "steps" about noon today, with about 8 vehicles there...There was a few light sprinkles and still a few dark clouds around, so I decided to go to the "primitive launch"...Mainly being I wasn't sure if it was going to rain, but also I'd never been there before and wanted to see if there was an easy access for a Kayak in case I'd might want to try to take mine down there someday.

There was 1 truck there, with a guy sitting inside...Talk to him and he said he'd caught several or more upstream, but they where spotty or seemed to be spread out a lot...Buy that time, it looked like it was clearing up a little...So I decide to try upstream from there...Walk about 10-15 minutes and found a nice gravel bar close to the water(or easy accessible from the bank) and caught about 5or6 keepers in about hour in that area...Then next 30 minutes or so, nada...Worked my way back downstream, and caught 5or6 more...Had to move around a lot to find-em, but all fish caught were in (basically) just in 2 different spots.
Got back to my car about 4:00, ate a sandwich and had a couple of cold ones...Headed back downstream about 4:30, fished till dark or around 6:30, nada...

All-in-All, not a bad day...Hoping to go back when it warms up again...Peace

Oh yeah, all fish were caught on a 1/8th oz. Pink jig-head with a 1"(Swimmin-Minnow-"Northern-Lights") clear/silver-speck curly-tail--- bounced off the bottom.

http://www.wunderground.com/cgi-bin/findweather/hdfForecast?query=78620
29*F...

nice report. I'm thinking about going out "somewhere". But it's still a little cool for me. I might get motivated by mid day.

I made the trip to Circleville yesterday afternoon. It was Cold! My truck gauge was reading 44 degrees when we got there at 2pm, and 42 degrees at 6pm. The sun was shinning but it was cold in the shade.

I fished the "primitive" boat launch area with no luck. I walked quite a ways upstream from there. (towards the steps) I didn't see anyone catching anything. I didn't even get a bite. I was using a 1/16 ounce rooster tail, and white road runners. My girl was using minnows.

I didn't stop at the steps this time. I only drove past them. There were not as many vehicles as I expected to see at the steps. I'll have to try again soon when it is a little warmer.

If we had three times that much water flow in the river, then the whites would be up there right now. It's all about a good rise with muddy water to show the fish how to get upstream. We need one really good rise to get this spawn going good. That way, everyone is catching.

Cleaned the 11 Whites yesterday, that I caught on Friday...And had 5 females of the 11 caught...Eggs were not at all bloody...So I'm (guessing), still 4-6 weeks of decent fishing down there for the Whites...Also forgot to mention, talked to a guy in a kayak around 3:00p.m. that day...And he said the water temp. was 56 degrees...But with this recent cold-front, (guessing) it's dropped a lot.

Anyhow, soon as it warms-up a little...I'll be back for sure...Cold and rain predicted for tomorrow...
So maybe. Tuesday or Wednesday, being I was just told I'll be off of work this week...Or at least till Thursday...Peace

It sure is turning out to be a nice day today. I'm stuck in the office thinking about being on the bank fishing "the Steps". It can't be much longer now.

Yeah, I was thinking the same thing ...Being I couldn't make it out there today either.

But just read another report on another site...And they said it was still slow below "the steps", fished 1-3p.m. nada...
And only seen a few other people with just a few small ones...

Anyhow,if the forecasted rain clears up before noon tomorrow...
My try my luck tomorrow, if able...Peace

http://www.wunderground.com/radar/radblast.asp?ID=GRK&region=c3&lat=30.73007965&lon=-97.43598175&label=Granger%2c%20TX

Looks like the rain is going SouthEast...
Going Fishing...

I'm headed there today after work myself. My girlfriend booked my afternoon for me tomorrow, and in essence made the choice for me today.

I'll be near the steps or just upstream (to the right) from it. I'm going to be using my fly rod 1st then I might try some Roadrunners. I'll have a camo short sleeve shirt and camo cap. Stop by and say hello if you get a chance. I'm ready to rip some lips (hopefully).

Tight lines all!

Fished hard for 6 hours 10:30-4:30 p.m. yesterday...Wound-up with 14 nice keeper Whites 11"-15"...Didn't catch any in the 2 spots I caught fish at on last trip...But moved around a lot and found 2 other nice spots...
Wanted to go back today, but had other things to take care of.
Anyhow, if we get some more rain this weekend and some warmer temps...Should be even better next week.Peace

so the steps are lookin good now. might have to head out there soon.

I didn't have much luck Wednesday. managed only 1 fish from 3pm to 6. not much water at the steps so went upstream, crossed the creek and around the bend. (to the right) Started working my way back to the steps later on.

Man, I'd forgotten how "out of shape" I was. Whew!

I didn't see many people leaving with fish. Saw only 1 guy with 8 or so, (I think he walked a long ways towards the lake to find those) and one more guy with about 3 small ones.

Maybe a couple more weeks yet. depending on this incoming rain, I might try again next week. It might be time to bust out the yak and put it in at the primitive launch.

Tight Lines all!

Nice to see some reports from this place. Thanks.

I went to check the San Gabreil here at our home town which is downstream from Granger Lake and it's up about five feet and muddy. I just hope the river before Granger is the same way. If so, then look for a good bite by next weekend.

Was the same at Jonah this a.m.

Did much did it rain in that area Fri/Sat? How is the water there today (sun) after this rain? Muddy or clear? I'd appreciate any info. It's 60 miles for me to drive up to find out myself.
Thx.

Heard they got a lot...Not sure how much Lake Granger has gone up...
But Lake Sommerville is almost up to 234 feet...
http://www.swf-wc.usace.army.mil/reports/SOMT2.TXT

Anyhow, if I don't get called to go to work...
I'm going to wait till at least Wednesday or Thursday to go back to SGR myself...
Supposed to be in the 70's on Wednesday and 80's on Thursday.
And just IMO, with all the rain yesterday and colder temps...
I'm (guessing) it will take several days to pick back up again at the SGR...

http://www.swf-wc.usace.army.mil/reports/fish.htm


http://155.84.70.101/gage/lakes.htm
Willis Creek Granger
[WGRT2] TIME STAGE FLOW
DATE CST (FEET) (CFS)
------------------------------------------------------------
19FEB2012 1000 10.25 582.
19FEB2012 0900 10.41 617.
19FEB2012 0500 10.22 576.
18FEB2012 2000 11.18 818.
18FEB2012 0900 12.66 1360.
18FEB2012 0700 14.25 2130.
18FEB2012 0500 12.62 1350.
18FEB2012 0400 9.77 479.
18FEB2012 0200 5.59 2.
17FEB2012 0100 5.10 0.
"Holy Smokes"

I made it out here today. Im here right now. Water is up and muddy. No one catching any. I'll post again after I get home or start catching.

Well... No luck today. I didn't see any one with fish. Maybe later in the week.

Yeah, I'm (guessing) it will at least be Wednesday before it settles down...And I'll be "playing by ear" till then...

But if Yegue or Nails Creek settles just a little by then, that's where I'll be headed...

I'll be back to Circleville later in the week or weekend. It's closer to me than other places. I think this otta get good real soon. I've been hearing stories about sizable fish caught there the past weeks. That was encouraging. I hope they are bigger this year. that would be nice. The fish I've caught in the past are usually not very big. 11" - 12" is common for fish I've caught.

I'm with you on the Yegua and nails. I'll have to make that trip too. ...The yegua & nails is finally gonna happen this year... It's hard to believe. Only last week there was a slim chance. Of course I've been rain dancing for the past 3 weeks. Now I need to Sun Dance so we can Rip some Lips!

I kind of expect the whitebass in Somerville to be bigger on average this year because most of these fish are a full year older then usual. No creek spawn last year means that very few whitebass fry were able to survive to adults. There were no major fish kills reported on lake Somerville over the summer and fall so the adult population of whitebass are a year older and bigger. A year old whitebass will be between 9 to 11 inches and at two years old some lakes will produce 14 to 17 inch fish. Hybrids are a whole different subject and growth rates vary from lake to lake but Somerville has good forage so growth rates are at the top end of what is possible..

I live in Drippings Springs, and when going to Nails Creek Park...It only takes me about 1-1/2 hours...

I take Hwy 71, then turn left on Hwy 21(just outside of) Bastrop...Then turn right on hwy 290, then your only about 15 miles from Giddings...

Last trip home from SGR, it took me almost 2 hours....Dealing with all the I-35 traffic...

If you don't mind paying the tolls you can take Mopac to 45, and cut-over to 135, which will take you to Hwy 79. Reverse on the way back of course. That should cut about 15-20 minutes off your drive.

I'm stuck in a meeting until 3pm today. After that, I'm headed out there to take a look see. I'll post any fishing info later.

If any kayakers are going tomorrow let me know. I think I might go and if I know someone else is I will bring the seine net for river minnows. Going in the am off by 3 at the latest.

Give me a holler/PM when the shad are running?

Late report, but still a report.

I went out after my meeting yesterday Wed 2/22/12. I got on the water by 4pm. Alot of people and cars. Water was "almost" back to normal. Water flow was still moving pretty good.

After locating a place on the bank and selecting a rooster tail spinner lure, I began my fishing day. I did not catch a fish or even get a bite all afternoon. It just wasn't my day. However, others were catching. A few had limits, and others had a dozen or so. I saw alot of whites mixed in with sizable crappies. Most people had fish. Well, except me.

A guy using an unknown lure had a limit by 5:30pm. Another guy using river minnows, had 12 to 20 on a stringer. Others using shinners had 5 to 10. My buddy caught only one. We were throwing our lures in the same hole as the other guy with a limit caught most of his. He had the lure the whites liked, we didn't. I think he had a small chrome rat-L-trap shaped lure? I threw white, yellow, blue, chartruse & white, road runner, & same color roostertails. I threw a chrome and silver 1/2 oz rat-l-trap too. Nothing.

I'd imagine free-linning river minnows, or shinners would be a way to go. I'm taking minnows next time.

All-in-all, I'd say: "The Spawn is ON" there at Circleville. I could only imagine the fishing getting better. The place is already getting crowded. I might try it again next week. But, I can only imagine what it will be like this weekend. Crowded for sure.

I'll post again next time I visit. It'll be good so see some stories from Circleville in the coming days.

Thanks for the report.

Looking for a weekend report... Did y'all catch em all?

Everybody was at Somerville.

I went sunday morning along with 100 others. I saw one fish caugh for the whole two hours I wa there. The river is flowing nicely.

Wonder what happened to turn them off?

Yeah, I was wondering the same thing...
It's been almost 2 weeks since I was there last, but the eggs of the females I caught then where just barely bloody...And figured once the water settled after the big rain after that, the fish would be stacked-up in there now...

Anyhow, I messed-up my left shoulder pretty bad on Sunday...
And it seems it's going to be a couple of more days before I'm able to go fishing again... But when it gets better, will probally be just making the longer drive to Sommerville this year.

I tell ya what, the steps are just a hop and skip from my home but I have to fish the Yegua due to size of the fish. I almost went this afternoon, but said heck no, I'll go fish Yegua in the morning.

l was at the yegua yesterday. Newman bottom to be exact. I managed 13 big mammas. My neighbor caught his limit in 3 hrs. All big whites.

I'm still wanting to hit "the steps" again. I was skunked there a week ago while others were catching fish right in front of me.

went to yegua today with HL&S it was good.

cates, that must have been a tough paddle to get into the Yegua. Did you get any Crappie, or just Whites and Cats?

I see three kitties and twelve whites myself.

Hl&S caught two crappie

Nice stringer Cates. The whites at the yegua are big.

I'm like fishytx; Circleville/"The Steps" is a closer drive for me. (55 miles) But the size of the whites at the Yegua make that longer trip worth it. (90 miles)


Any San Gabriel reports? I guess they must be too busy "catching" to post. I hope so. I'm wondering if the San Gabriel is still producing some big whites like it was a week & 1/2 ago. I saw some good ones come out of there then.

tight lines!

I ended up with three crappie and several nice whitebass but I only caught 1 of the crappie so the other two must have surrendered on their own..

I was there this last sat afternoon and again Sunday. I guess the cold snap turned them off not many catching that I saw or heard about. I was told they were hitting flies... White jigs and rooster tails were the bait of choice.

What would you say about throwing a little George in a river. Never done it except in the lake. What do you think?

I heard the bite was on like no other earlier in the week. Last Monday through Wednesday.

Good luck

Scott

I was out this past Monday and yesterday afternoons after work. I got there about 4pm each day. I fished the deep hole in the bend of the river downstream from the steps.

Monday I caught 8 keepers, two 14 inchers, the others were 12".
Yesterday I caught 5 keepers and one 8" dink.

I didn't see many fish being caught on either day. I talked with a fly fisherman Monday as I was leaving. He said he had been limiting out each time he's gone there except for Monday. He had only 10 fish.

I saw 2 guys yesterday with 15 fish between them. They seined & used River minnows from there. The bite was slow. I caught my fish on both days with white/silver 1/8 oz roostertails. They didn't bite on anything else I threw.

I wonder if the 2-3 inch rain that is predicted this weekend will improve the fishing any? Certainly the spawn there can't be done...?

Anybody now how things are looking at Willis Creek?

Heading back home for spring break and was hoping the bite would be on while I was back. I've always preffered Willis Creek over the San Gabriel. No real reason, just a personal preference I guess.

Thanks in advance for any reports!

Will be heading to Granger tomorrow for business. After I take care of that and if weather is permitting might try my luck over there.

Would whites be biting in this weather? I'm from San Marcos was thinking of heading out there if weather picks up .. Just wondering if I will b skunked in circleville...thx guys

I'm wondering how this rain will affect the white bass fishing there too. The bite was slow there this past week. I was hoping the rain might bring the river up a bit and get the whites going again.

I may try to get out there next Monday or Tuesday next week to see if things have changed.

I'll post if I do.

Thx bud

was just out there and man its hit'n like crazy. there 4 two hours and bag out also crappie are just active. dont forget ur waders. and goodluck.

No kidding! In the rain yesterday? Good for you! PM sent.

The sun is trying to come out. My girlfriend and I are bored. We were cooped up at home all day yesterday watching movies. I'm sick of watching movies now. Thinking reel hard about going this afternoon. Cabin fever is setting in. Gotta get outta here!

Nice report Hookfish! you've got me pumped up.

That didn't take long. My girl came up with some "honey dos", I told her Hookfish caught some fish yesterday. I convinced her the "honey dos" can wait. We're headed out there. I'll post later.

We got to Circleville "the steps" about 3pm. Lots of cars/people already there. The people kept coming throughout the afternoon too. It looked like a circus around the steps area. So I stayed away from there. Instead, we walked upstream from the steps.

The water was up a little and running good. Water was stained but not chocolate. it looked really "fishy".

My girlfriend caught her first whites of the year. 6 keepers. She caught & released about 4 dinks (8 inchers) too. All on medium shinners. I managed 2 keepers using silver/white 1/8 oz rooster tails. Missed several fish though. We didn't move much because she didn't have waders to cross the river. And, she likes to sit and fish with minnows.

It was a beautiful day to be on the water after being stuck in the house for several days. I'm headed back this afternoon without my lady. It's easier to find the fish without her. But her company, and the fact that she loves to fish is worth taking her.

I'll let you know how it goes at the steps. I not had much luck with lures or fly fishing. So, I'm all free-lined shinner Minnows today!

Tight Lines All!

crazyfish73, It's time to go!

I was out there yesterday afternoon after work. My buddy got there before me and was fishing just left of the steps. He had a few, but he said several limits came out of the hole near where he was fishing. By the time I got there the bite had slowed. After catching a few big fish (bigger than normal for there) I decided to leave. As I was headed up the steps, I stopped and looked back. I saw alot of the fish rolling in the water everywhere. I havent' seen them do that in a long while there. So, my opinion is: It is time to get at them real soon.

I'll be back in the next several days. Unfortunately, I'm stuck at work this week. I have to take off work one day this week, and next week to get out there. Early AM seems best. There are alot of cars and people there early. Bring your sack lunch and catch some fish.

Rip some Lips!

Good luck.

Headed out to river this morning post news later hopefully its good.

Keep us posted. I'm gonna try and get out there tomorrow after work (on the water by 4pm). Hopefully there will be enough room for me.

Well didn't catch a single fish we fished on the primitive area and walked to the right side up stream saw plenty of gar. As far the steps go well I passed by there around 830 and it was jam packed at least 25 cars lined up.
Guess I will have to try again another day.

A lot of limits are being caught at the steaps. I caught 19 today and only four of those fish were males, the rest were females with egg sacks about to bust. I'll post pictures tomorrow. But go get em while you can.

The steps are what they are. You can catch big fish and small fish. I guess I caught around a dozen throw backs. People were also telling me that the river has dropped a foot from the day before and that the fish were not biting like they were the day before. I was told that a lot of limits were taken the day before.

I have fished the steps for the past three days and I think I have burn myself out. I’ll probably take about a three day brake. On Tuesday I caught 19, on Wednesday I caught 19, but today I made a point to stay a few more hours so I could limit out. The fish are in there, but they’re a little skittish due to the abundance of commotion that is going on from others all through out the day non stop. It’s a circus for sure.

Here’s a snap shot of to days catch. Oh yeah, I also caught a crappie.

Nice fishies. Did you have to walk far?

Just upstream a little.

you got one more

I got one more what?

I was up there Wed morning. My fly rod let me down. I managed 7 all morning. A saw a few limits though. those were with river minnows. It certainly is a circus there right now. Lots of parents with their kids. Lots of people seining minnows.

I might try one last go at Circleville next week. I may have to give in and take my throw net and catch me some river minnows. I get frustrated when trying to fish and people are throwing nets or pulling a 20ft seine next to you. But they are the ones catching fish. Let me throw my net next to them when they are fishing and see what happens. I guess I shouldn't be complaining though. It absolutly gorgeous out there on the San Gabriel this time of year. I was just happy to be off from work and fishing with my son.

FishyTX, too bad about the coming rain @ Yegua and Sommerville. I'm headed to Nails or Cedar Creek tomorrow. Ole Royce is up on Cedar Creek/Nails creek today. He'll be by later this evening with his stories. I'll let you know how he does, and how I do Saturday.

He was at the steps on Friday. He didn't drive to Somerville as far as I know.

Aw brotha I've been busy with my daughter .. They had a softball tourney this week!!! It's her last year playing..@ everyone THX for the reports I'm thinking of going the weekend of 24th I'll keep checking report ...I'm pumped now!! Thx again brotha!!!

Royce told me he went to circleville instead. He said he saw you there too.

He and I, and my other buddy went to Cedar Creek and Newman Bottom yesterday (Sat). We did OK. We missed you there. maybe next time?

any reports?

I'm heading there sat. Then camping Taylor or Willis creek park.. Will post

@ " The Steps " every one that I saw had stringers full of whites .. Went Sunday

did you get a few Crazyfish73?

Lol my son caught 1!!! But we were there for bout 1hr .. There were tons a people there so by time we figured out where ta catch em , guess the heat slowed down the hits.. Then everybody left.. So we were everywhere but nothing..lol but were planin on going back in a couple of weeks..

Anyone been out in the last day or so? How is the river level? Any stringers?

be goin past 2 days not that many whites still some run might be over

Thinking of going back Friday or saturday .. Any new reports?? Thx