White Bass Run in Austin - 2017

Well as of today (Feb 11) the consensus seems to be that the run hasn't started. I last went out on Feb 4 to "the steps" at the San Gabriel west of Granger Lake. I caught zero whites and only 1 largemouth on minnows. There was another guy there also using minnows who caught 8 but I'm not sure if he was there all day or not. I also tried rooster tails, grubs, and marabous but no luck.

Does anybody know if the run has picked up anywhere else in the Austin area? I know east Texas starts first, but I'm just talking about Austin.

I'm in the same boat as you, we're in Waco. I've spoken to about 2 dozen anglers and we're only seeing a handful of whites on the Bosque river.

We spend about 30 mins with the local game warden and he seems to believe we need a few more good days of heat and warmer nights. He thinks 1-2 weeks and the run should be in full swing.

I hope the warden is right! I have a camping trip planned at Inks Lake this weekend. It would be so epic if the run started while I'm there. Especially because I'm bringing my little boys who haven't seen a real "run" yet.

East Texas is probably last.. Maybe south east Texas starts earlier.. However, the Nueces run has arguably come and gone.. It started back in December.. The Guad at Canyon Lake is doing good right now.. So Austin area is probably next with some consistent warm days. I'd say 2 weeks and it'll be good.

That lake is small and they surface all day long. Start in the am early before dark go straight across the lake and stay on the left side and find those 3 lights u will catch a few stripers, hybrids and whites there then at first light start looking for them busting shad I always use zorra mini spooks and silver cast masters to catch them. Follow them around with a trolling motor. I can tell u where the catfish are too

So when you say they "surface" all day, do you recommend top waters?

I pretty much have jigging spoons and a whole bunch of 1/8 jigs. I don't have any deep-diving crankbaits. I guess I will follow the left edge like you say and mostly use vertical jigging. They seem to be pretty deep still anyway.

caught one white at the steps on Friday evening, two largemouth at the WMA just downriver on Sunday morning. all fish caught on minnows, 4-6 foot under a slip bobber.

U will see them busting shad on top water. Big boils hard to miss. U can throw just about anything and catch them.

when the dogwoods bloom, the run has started

Mayfly's then Redbuds and Bluebonnets that order when the Frogs start croaking and the Indian Paint Brushes bloom go back to the lake ! In Central Texas that is. Tight Iines to all !

anyone been out lately? was at san gabriel at the steps last week and seeing a lot of fish being caught

Just went out this evening to the steps. Caught 4 in two hours using white rooster tail. Some people around me were catching quite a few, others looked like they got skunked. Didn't see any female whites. I'd guess another 1-2 weeks STILL until it maxes.

Not Austin, but went above still house lake on the lampasas river with a friend today. I'd say its about that time!