Texas Fishing Forum

Lake Somerville

Posted By: J-Moe

Lake Somerville - 04/02/15 10:27 PM

Since we had such great reports and updates on the white bass run in the creeks, I would like to keep a thread going in this section.

I'll start it off:

Overlook Marina - Fishing is still slow with the dam being opened and closed. Lake level is 1.7 ft high and releasing 1575 cfs. Normally at this time of year the crappie fishing would be on fire. Bass and bluegill are also still slow around this area.

White bass - I have not heard any reports but middle to late April last year they were catching limits around Rocky Point.
Posted By: Coolshot

Re: Lake Somerville - 04/02/15 11:19 PM

flag thumb
Posted By: Jay In Somerville

Re: Lake Somerville - 04/03/15 02:02 AM

I havent heard of anybody really doing anything around Somerville.
Posted By: The reel pro

Re: Lake Somerville - 04/03/15 10:28 PM

i caught sandies, hybrid and a couple crappie at the spillway a couple days ago
Posted By: J-Moe

Re: Lake Somerville - 04/04/15 06:12 PM

Heard a report of 60 white bass being caught trolling in front on the dam.

Report from Jardelle creek was poor, no crappie caught. Also, white bass aren't schooling near Rocky yet, at least not in great numbers.

Hook-Line&Sinker posted a video of catching some white bass on the Yegua.

Still big crowds fishing below the dam.

LMB are moving shallow. Bluegill are staging.

Lake is at 239.3. 1.3 feet above normal and releasing 1567 cfs.
Posted By: Lou r Pitcher

Re: Lake Somerville - 04/04/15 06:31 PM

Quote:
I havent heard of anybody really doing anything around Somerville.


Not visited the meth boards/arrests reports lately? eeks
Posted By: Lottfisher

Re: Lake Somerville - 04/05/15 12:59 AM

Thanks J-Moe for getting this thread started, I think it's a great idea. I will be fishing the lake on a weekly basis starting in a couple of weeks, and will report my catches on this thread...Lawton
Posted By: J-Moe

Re: Lake Somerville - 04/05/15 02:10 AM

Originally Posted By: Lottfisher
Thanks J-Moe for getting this thread started, I think it's a great idea. I will be fishing the lake on a weekly basis starting in a couple of weeks, and will report my catches on this thread...Lawton


Excellent, Thanks Lottfisher thumb
Posted By: SpeciesFisherman

Re: Lake Somerville - 04/06/15 06:32 AM

Is there a website to show the water release of the spillway? Dose anyone know when the spillway will start and top releasing water? Me and my son would like to go to somerville. Do you guys have any tips for some white bass and crappie action? Any spots to fish from? Please keep me updated. Thanks in advance!
Posted By: J-Moe

Re: Lake Somerville - 04/06/15 12:45 PM

Originally Posted By: SpeciesFisherman
Is there a website to show the water release of the spillway? Dose anyone know when the spillway will start and top releasing water? Me and my son would like to go to somerville. Do you guys have any tips for some white bass and crappie action? Any spots to fish from? Please keep me updated. Thanks in advance!


http://www.swf-wc.usace.army.mil/somerville/

The lake is 1.3 feet above normal and releasing 1567 cfs. The spillway will stay open until the lake is back to normal level. That's at least another week without rain. If there is a large heavy rain they will close the dam for a couple of days to allow water to recede downstream. It's a zoo below the dam though.

Some of the best white bass fishing will be out around Rocky Point in a couple of weeks. White bass will start schooling around that area. Seine up some ghost minnows or shad. Wade out and cast as far as you can.
Posted By: whitewing maniac

Re: Lake Somerville - 04/06/15 08:19 PM

Hey J-Moe is the action good on lures as well off rocky or is the best action off live bait? Do they usually hang around the bottom or stage towards the surface? Trying to get to go early in morning Saturday before the bluebonnet fest I have to go to again. Having carpal tunnel surgery done on 15th so that will keep me from fishing for a week or 2
Posted By: SpeciesFisherman

Re: Lake Somerville - 04/07/15 02:45 AM

J-Moe i just checked the water data... the spillway is flowing pretty fast. Do you think that they will still release by Friday evening?
Posted By: J-Moe

Re: Lake Somerville - 04/07/15 02:56 AM

Originally Posted By: weta hook
Hey J-Moe is the action good on lures as well off rocky or is the best action off live bait? Do they usually hang around the bottom or stage towards the surface? Trying to get to go early in morning Saturday before the bluebonnet fest I have to go to again. Having carpal tunnel surgery done on 15th so that will keep me from fishing for a week or 2


Yes, you can use lures but the fish will probably be on bottom. I lost a lot of lures to hangs all around that area. So try reeling it fast enough to keep it off the bottom to start with an hope they will take it.
Posted By: J-Moe

Re: Lake Somerville - 04/07/15 03:01 AM

Originally Posted By: SpeciesFisherman
J-Moe i just checked the water data... the spillway is flowing pretty fast. Do you think that they will still release by Friday evening?


The lake is receding very quickly. It may be closed by Friday but that will be a good thing. The fishing is actually better right after the dam closes. The fish will pool up in that area for a period of time. They usually start to lower the discharge as the lake approaches normal level. In this case it would probably be best if they pulled it down quickly. The crappie spawn is getting ready to begin and it would be bad if they laid their eggs and then the lake level dropped.
Posted By: ag_angler

Re: Lake Somerville - 04/07/15 03:09 AM

is big creek good for crappie fishing now?
Posted By: SpeciesFisherman

Re: Lake Somerville - 04/07/15 10:10 PM

I just checked the water data. The lake is releasing only 1068 cfs. What are your predictions on the fishing. Where should me and my son go? Rocky creek sounds good.
Posted By: J-Moe

Re: Lake Somerville - 04/08/15 12:37 PM

Originally Posted By: ag_angler
is big creek good for crappie fishing now?



I have not heard any reports or been by there in a while. Maybe someone else can help. Big Creek is 20 to 30 feet deep and people almost always catch crappie there. Also, the white bass will school around that area as well. There is a sandy beach area with a point to the right of the store that will get hot in the spring.

On the other hand, Overlook is only 10 to 15 feet deep. But normally, during the pre-spawn and spawn the crappie fishing will be great at Overlook. The release of water, as well as, the opening of the dam have slowed the fishing down in that area.
Posted By: J-Moe

Re: Lake Somerville - 04/08/15 12:41 PM

Originally Posted By: SpeciesFisherman
I just checked the water data. The lake is releasing only 1068 cfs. What are your predictions on the fishing. Where should me and my son go? Rocky creek sounds good.


I have been to the dam a couple of times. On both occasions people were catching whites, drum and hybrids. But it is an absolute Zoo down there. If you do go get there well before sunrise to get a good spot. Problem is people will crowd around you very tight as they start trickling in.

A friend of mine fished for white bass at Rocky Creek last Friday but didn't have much luck. It could pick up any time though.
Posted By: SpeciesFisherman

Re: Lake Somerville - 04/08/15 04:29 PM

The spillway is now releasing only 659cfs. Is that enough water to trigger white bass action? I am going their this Friday because I been researching and when the water is releasing is it really like a zoo? My son and I would like to get on this zoo action. We are traveling from Austin for this once in a year action. Am I too late? How dose the fishing work when the water stops? I saw some videos from YouTube and the water released from the spillway made everyone hook on fish.
Posted By: whitewing maniac

Re: Lake Somerville - 04/08/15 05:05 PM

You like fishing with a buttload of people? I hate it, lines getting crossed, people wanting to fish on top of you and such. Weekday mornings may be quite a bit better, but weekends will be swamped with peeps
Posted By: J-Moe

Re: Lake Somerville - 04/08/15 06:09 PM

Originally Posted By: SpeciesFisherman
The spillway is now releasing only 659cfs. Is that enough water to trigger white bass action? I am going their this Friday because I been researching and when the water is releasing is it really like a zoo? My son and I would like to get on this zoo action. We are traveling from Austin for this once in a year action. Am I too late? How dose the fishing work when the water stops? I saw some videos from YouTube and the water released from the spillway made everyone hook on fish.


It takes a lot of flow to actually draw the fish up to the dam, but after it has been flowing a while the fish will hold in that area until a couple days or so after the gates are closed. Yes, it is ridiculous down there. I watched a friend get tangled by other anglers twice in about 30 minutes. I got poked in the face by the end of a fishing rod. That's how close people will stand to you. Friday should not be near as bad though. Good luck!!!!
Posted By: SpeciesFisherman

Re: Lake Somerville - 04/08/15 08:39 PM

Where are the fish coming from? Are the fish coming from the dam that is releasing water? Has the fish been just scattered out in that channel and are drawn in my the water flowing? I am new to this. Thanks for all the reply's they are very helpful.
Posted By: Lottfisher

Re: Lake Somerville - 04/09/15 12:57 AM

I needed to test drive my new Zodiac 11'Wave in anticipation of running offshore for Spaniards and state snapper, and seeing that Somerville is pretty close I launched around 1:00pm today at Pecan Lake. I was mainly programing the fishfinder/chartplotter and going through some steps with the 9.9 merc. yet I did do some fishing. It was windy, but after I got the feel of this rubber boat I trolled some crank baits that run about 10 feet. I boxed 6 whites, the two biggest 14" and 15" and was back on the road home by 5:00 Not bad for a couple of hours of actual fishing. I like catching whites from the lake more so than the the creeks during the spawning run...Lawton
Posted By: SpeciesFisherman

Re: Lake Somerville - 04/09/15 02:48 AM

Nice report.
Posted By: J-Moe

Re: Lake Somerville - 04/09/15 12:15 PM

Originally Posted By: Lottfisher
I needed to test drive my new Zodiac 11'Wave in anticipation of running offshore for Spaniards and state snapper, and seeing that Somerville is pretty close I launched around 1:00pm today at Pecan Lake. I was mainly programing the fishfinder/chartplotter and going through some steps with the 9.9 merc. yet I did do some fishing. It was windy, but after I got the feel of this rubber boat I trolled some crank baits that run about 10 feet. I boxed 6 whites, the two biggest 14" and 15" and was back on the road home by 5:00 Not bad for a couple of hours of actual fishing. I like catching whites from the lake more so than the the creeks during the spawning run...Lawton


Thanks Lottfisher, Pecan Lake seems to be another great spot. I sat and talked with a guy who fishes that area often. He told me there is a drop off in the cove about 50 yards from the bank. He said he catches a lot of white bass along the edge of that drop off.
Posted By: whitewing maniac

Re: Lake Somerville - 04/09/15 01:24 PM

Might wanna get your fishing in early, like today. Good chance of storms starting tomorrow thru Monday. I dont have to wash my truck, just make plans to go fishing and its damn near a fo' sure its gonna storm bang
Posted By: SpeciesFisherman

Re: Lake Somerville - 04/10/15 11:48 AM

Going out there today. Picking up my son around 2 and heading out to the spillway. Wish me luck.
Posted By: J-Moe

Re: Lake Somerville - 04/10/15 11:49 AM

Lake Level is 238.4. 0.4 ft above normal and releasing 355 cfs.

90% chance of rain on Sunday and Monday. Hopefully we can get some good reports this weekend.
Posted By: whitewing maniac

Re: Lake Somerville - 04/10/15 02:22 PM

If anybody is thinking of heading to lake or is already on the lake, be careful, have a big line of storms coming in from the west, they are just east of San Antonio right now. Another hour or so they should be close to Somerville.
Posted By: Lottfisher

Re: Lake Somerville - 04/11/15 12:48 AM

If Monday is going to be rain and storms, then I will probably bank fish the lake then. I really don't care to fish weekends, and I think my friend Brian is off Monday. Pecan Lake, or Welch Park. I'll be the guy with 15 pvc pipe rod holders and a half mile of shore taken up...Lawton
Posted By: SpeciesFisherman

Re: Lake Somerville - 04/11/15 06:18 AM

We caught some whites. Fish was pretty mediocre since the cfs is declining. It was really fun though had a great time.
Posted By: J-Moe

Re: Lake Somerville - 04/12/15 01:04 AM

Originally Posted By: SpeciesFisherman
We caught some whites. Fish was pretty mediocre since the cfs is declining. It was really fun though had a great time.


Really fun and had a great time. Glad to hear it thumb
Posted By: J-Moe

Re: Lake Somerville - 04/12/15 01:06 AM

Crappie - I heard the crappie are biting good at Big Creek. Also, the crappie bite is picking up at Overlook in the morning. A few bass and bluegill are also being caught around Overlook.
Posted By: J-Moe

Re: Lake Somerville - 04/12/15 01:12 AM

I spent the day fly fishing for bluegill at Overlook today. Looks like it will be the next full moon at the beginning of May before the major spawn occurs.

Can anyone suggest other spots that I could fly fish for bluegill?
Posted By: HandgunHTR

Re: Lake Somerville - 04/12/15 04:12 AM

I fished this evening near the boat ramp in Lake Somerville Park.

Caught a couple of bluegill and a carp.

Wanted to fish Big Creek, but there was some sort of event going on there. Lots of bikes.
Posted By: Lottfisher

Re: Lake Somerville - 04/12/15 02:04 PM

J-Moe I have caught bluegill by castnet at Welch. The point area as you go through the pay gate, just hold that heading. Plenty of room for flyfishing all along that bank...Lawton
Posted By: J-Moe

Re: Lake Somerville - 04/12/15 02:41 PM

Originally Posted By: Lottfisher
J-Moe I have caught bluegill by castnet at Welch. The point area as you go through the pay gate, just hold that heading. Plenty of room for flyfishing all along that bank...Lawton


Thanks Lawton thumb
Posted By: The reel pro

Re: Lake Somerville - 04/13/15 10:03 PM

i catch small bluegill in my cast night at the boat ramp in welch park. might try there
Posted By: J-Moe

Re: Lake Somerville - 04/14/15 09:59 AM

Originally Posted By: The reel pro
i catch small bluegill in my cast night at the boat ramp in welch park. might try there


Thanks, That's 2 people who mentioned Welsh park. I need to comb that area.
Posted By: SpeciesFisherman

Re: Lake Somerville - 04/14/15 06:43 PM

When would the fishing heat up around rocky creek park? Any news about the spillway?
Posted By: whitewing maniac

Re: Lake Somerville - 04/14/15 08:47 PM

Originally Posted By: HandgunHTR
I fished this evening near the boat ramp in Lake Somerville Park.

Caught a couple of bluegill and a carp.

Wanted to fish Big Creek, but there was some sort of event going on there. Lots of bikes.


More than likely "Dawgs on Hawgs". They have this ride and event every year at Big Creek Park, can be a helluva party, no place for kids.
Posted By: brownpan

Re: Lake Somerville - 04/14/15 10:22 PM

My dad and I are going out here Saturday morning to fly fish. Never been to this lake. Where should we go?
Posted By: hook-line&sinker

Re: Lake Somerville - 04/15/15 09:57 PM

Originally Posted By: brownpan
My dad and I are going out here Saturday morning to fly fish. Never been to this lake. Where should we go?


Do you have a boat? If so launch anywhere and fling those flys along the hard steep shoreline where you can find it. Twin island between Overlook and Yegua Creek Park is my go-to area of Somerville for fly fishing. Whitebass should be starting to show up along the dam to Rocky creek park to Big Creek to Welch park in the early AM.
Posted By: brownpan

Re: Lake Somerville - 04/16/15 04:59 PM

Unfortunately we will be confined to bank fishing. Is it still worth it?
Posted By: Spec Chaser

Re: Lake Somerville - 04/16/15 06:39 PM

I don't know how old your dad is, but bank fishing below the spillway have really been hot! The big problem is dealing with the crazy crowd. I am planning to take my 75 year old dad to do some fishing there this Saturday morning as well. I was there last Saturday with my nephew, and you can pretty much catch a hybrid on every catch. Most of them are below the minimum limit; however, that didn't keep a lot of people from keeping them anyway.

Hell, there were a couple of Asian guys that were fishing not far from me, and they were pretty much catching something on about every cast. They pretend as I watch to measure their fish and just stringed them up. I definitely know for a fact that half of what they kept weren't of legal size.

They even came back a couple of hours later to fish after they left with their supposed daily limit. They just changed what they were wearing and fished at the same spot. I left after these guys came back with a few of their friends.

I was catching a lot as well but 90% of what I caught were around 16-17 inches. I am Asian myself, but these guys just give most Asian folks a bad name. I do have to admit a lot of the Asian people that fish up there (or any else that I have fish along the coast) have no courtesy what so ever. Sometimes it pisses me off so bad when they just squeezed in between my kids or nieces/nephews because the kids are catching fish.

My apology if I have offended any of my fellow Asians BUT you know it's TRUE!!!
Posted By: Spec Chaser

Re: Lake Somerville - 04/16/15 06:39 PM

I don't know how old your dad is, but bank fishing below the spillway have really been hot! The big problem is dealing with the crazy crowd. I am planning to take my 75 year old dad to do some fishing there this Saturday morning as well. I was there last Saturday with my nephew, and you can pretty much catch a hybrid on every catch. Most of them are below the minimum limit; however, that didn't keep a lot of people from keeping them anyway.

Hell, there were a couple of Asian guys that were fishing not far from me, and they were pretty much catching something on about every cast. They pretend as I watch to measure their fish and just stringed them up. I definitely know for a fact that half of what they kept weren't of legal size.

They even came back a couple of hours later to fish after they left with their supposed daily limit. They just changed what they were wearing and fished at the same spot. I left after these guys came back with a few of their friends.

I was catching a lot as well but 90% of what I caught were around 16-17 inches. I am Asian myself, but these guys just give most Asian folks a bad name. I do have to admit a lot of the Asian people that fish up there (or any else that I have fish along the coast) have no courtesy what so ever. Sometimes it pisses me off so bad when they just squeezed in between my kids or nieces/nephews because the kids are catching fish.

My apology if I have offended any of my fellow Asians BUT you know it's TRUE!!!
Posted By: brownpan

Re: Lake Somerville - 04/16/15 09:11 PM

Haha thanks for letting me know. I'll be watching out for them.

What are the bass taking this time of the year?
Posted By: 4x4Active

Re: Lake Somerville - 04/16/15 11:20 PM

Call the GW on their [censored]. I would like those undersize fish to spawn more fish for future fishing. I was there about 3 weeks ago. GW was called and ticket hammer a few guys with fat striped/hybrids.

I'm Vietnamese and I fish with lots of other Viet or Asian. I can tell you for sure that 90% of the time..... If that Asian dude has expansive gear. He/she is fishing legit lol. Come down to surfside. You'll be cussed for keeping illegal fish and lecture on legal size lol
Posted By: J-Moe

Re: Lake Somerville - 04/17/15 12:30 AM

Originally Posted By: SpeciesFisherman
When would the fishing heat up around rocky creek park? Any news about the spillway?


According to my fishing log, the White Bass fishing around Rocky Creek turned on around this time last year. It would probably worth a try.
Posted By: J-Moe

Re: Lake Somerville - 04/17/15 12:37 AM

Originally Posted By: Spec Chaser
I don't know how old your dad is, but bank fishing below the spillway have really been hot! The big problem is dealing with the crazy crowd. I am planning to take my 75 year old dad to do some fishing there this Saturday morning as well. I was there last Saturday with my nephew, and you can pretty much catch a hybrid on every catch. Most of them are below the minimum limit; however, that didn't keep a lot of people from keeping them anyway.

Hell, there were a couple of Asian guys that were fishing not far from me, and they were pretty much catching something on about every cast. They pretend as I watch to measure their fish and just stringed them up. I definitely know for a fact that half of what they kept weren't of legal size.

They even came back a couple of hours later to fish after they left with their supposed daily limit. They just changed what they were wearing and fished at the same spot. I left after these guys came back with a few of their friends.

I was catching a lot as well but 90% of what I caught were around 16-17 inches. I am Asian myself, but these guys just give most Asian folks a bad name. I do have to admit a lot of the Asian people that fish up there (or any else that I have fish along the coast) have no courtesy what so ever. Sometimes it pisses me off so bad when they just squeezed in between my kids or nieces/nephews because the kids are catching fish.

My apology if I have offended any of my fellow Asians BUT you know it's TRUE!!!


There are 2 distinct groups. I learned how to fish from the group that is there to feed their family and enjoy fishing. The other group is probably selling the fish. They won't talk to you or give you advice in most situations. The Game Warden's are aware of their antics and really have been working hard out there. They have spotters and are well organized at what they do.
Posted By: SpeciesFisherman

Re: Lake Somerville - 04/17/15 02:50 AM

Very true about the Asian thing. I am Asian myself. I was there last week as week caught a couple but some people were just hammering out there. Most of them did not have measuring equipment and what ever was caught was sent straight to a stringer. Its kinda sad and frustrating. I would think that wardens would have a place like this monitored around the clock since it is a hot spot for mass quantity fish.
Posted By: Spec Chaser

Re: Lake Somerville - 04/17/15 04:13 PM

Very true J-Moe!

I took my 7 and 9 years old daughters to fish the spillway afternoon after their doctor appointments on a school day. I know, bad daddy! My girls were catching a few white bass and hybrids here and there, and a couple of Korean guys were fishing about 50 yards upstream from us and noticed that we were catching fish. Well, these guys packed up and pretty much planted themselves in between where my 2 girls were fishing. They must have not been standing 5-6 feet apart between the 2 girls. I asked them why they can't stand a little further down away from the kids since the kids need some space to cast as well as they were keep reeling in the girls' lines.

Their smart [censored] remark was "this is where the fish are at!" Please keep in mind that these guys were at least in their 40's, and they are fighting with a couple of little girls for a spot that my girls have been fishing for at least the last couple of hours.

I finally made my intention well known that if they didn't moved their f****** asses that I would be more than inclined to show them a wake up call. There were a couple of other folks fishing nearby that made comments to these idiots to move as well since they saw what was going on. You can't make this stuff up, and you definitely can't teach STUPIDITY!!!

They finally moved but kept casting toward and hanging up on our lines. My girls finally say that's enough daddy and let's go home. I really felt bad since these morons had to ruin an afternoon of fun for a couple of little girls.

It's to the point now that I tried to avoid fishing the spillway unless I'm with my dad and/or relatives since that's where they like to fish.

Regarding, the GW's.....I know they are doing their best to cover all of the areas that they are responsible for. I know both of the GW's up there around Lake Somerville and was in contact with one of them last weekend. They can't be everywhere at the same time or can't get there on time when illegal activities are taking place.
Posted By: wheretofish

Re: Lake Somerville - 04/17/15 08:38 PM

This is why you need a big German Shepherd to go fishing with! No one blk, white or asian will ever mess with you and your kids.

How is the fishing these days? I have never been out here but if the fish are still biting it might be worth the 1.5 hour drive.
Posted By: brownpan

Re: Lake Somerville - 04/18/15 11:31 PM

Wanting to hit Yegua Creek with my dad tomorrow morning. Are there any good access points for bank fishing?
Posted By: J-Moe

Re: Lake Somerville - 04/19/15 08:44 PM

Originally Posted By: brownpan
Wanting to hit Yegua Creek with my dad tomorrow morning. Are there any good access points for bank fishing?


Newman's Bottom
Posted By: SpeciesFisherman

Re: Lake Somerville - 04/20/15 06:14 PM

The lake is 2 feet above normal pool. If the management release more water would that make the fishing better behind the spillway? Would they release more water? Any reports from the spillway? I only been there once and did pretty well. I am from Austin so I want that drive to be worth it. Thanks for any information.Any reports at Rocky Creek?
Posted By: J-Moe

Re: Lake Somerville - 04/20/15 06:51 PM

The release rate has only been 183 cfs over the last few days due to the flooding downstream of Lake Somerville. I would expect them to raise the release rate any time now. The fishing below the spillway has been good and should remain that way as long as water is being released. As well as, up to 2 days after the gates close.
Posted By: J-Moe

Re: Lake Somerville - 04/20/15 07:59 PM

As expected, the release rate has been increased to 967 cfs.
Posted By: Hogslayer5L

Re: Lake Somerville - 04/21/15 08:13 PM

Has the lake dropped any ?
Posted By: J-Moe

Re: Lake Somerville - 04/22/15 01:32 AM

Originally Posted By: Hogslayer5L
Has the lake dropped any ?


Not yet. It is still at 239.9. 1.9 feet above normal and releasing 967 cfs. It should start slowly receding now. Not sure if they will raise the flow any more or not. They may bump it up a little higher tomorrow.
Posted By: SpeciesFisherman

Re: Lake Somerville - 04/22/15 04:26 PM

Last time I went to the spillway the release was around 167 cfs and I only caught 4 keepers the entire day. With this new water release would the fishing increase or will it stay the same? Where are all these fish coming from? From the release or were they originally in the creek. Thanks for any advice.
Posted By: whitewing maniac

Re: Lake Somerville - 04/22/15 05:57 PM

I went below the dam a month ago when the gates were wide open and never got a bite and the only thing that I saw y hat was caught was a couple buffalo. Never know, thats why its called fishing instead of catching. Time of day, moon phase and barometric pressure play a big role in the bite.
Posted By: SpeciesFisherman

Re: Lake Somerville - 04/24/15 01:29 AM

Dose anyone know how those fish get in river? Do they just fall out of the spillway? Has anyone been at the spillway in the past couple days. I have been there couple times trying to catch some fish but never been able to catch a lot. I see guys next to me putting in fish all the time. Dose this spillway run out of fish lol? I have not been there for few weeks now so I don't know of any news. Any advice would be great! Thanks.
Posted By: Spec Chaser

Re: Lake Somerville - 04/24/15 03:15 AM

I think those fish came down from the main lake. Please feel free to correct me if anyone think that I am wrong. I talked to the GWs and they tell me the same thing. If you look at the hybrids especially, all of them have some sort of damage, cuts, bruises to their body, the eye area and especially the lower jaw. I've noticed this on all the hybrids we've caught under the spillway since I've been fishing there for the last 20+ years. I don't see it on the hybrids that we catch on main lake.

Also, we were there this past Sunday, and the bites has really slowed down quite a bit from the previous week. You can still catch your limit, but it would have taken much longer. The other thing I noticed too were they were biting a lot more on crawfish than my usual go to baits of live shad and/or perch. I would assume that the action should pick up more soon (if not already) since the water release is more significant this week than the previous couple of weeks.

If you plan to go, I would recommend getting a pound of live crawfish or so in addition to some live bait if you can get your hands on some. I am just surprised that the shad have not been as thick this time of the year as in previous years but again we have been getting a lot of rain so I don't know what to tell you.

Please give us an update if you do go this weekend since I would like to take another trip or 2 up there before we start hitting the surfs for some saltwater action. Good luck and tight lines!!!
Posted By: J-Moe

Re: Lake Somerville - 04/24/15 10:49 AM

Great report Spec Chaser. Thanks for sharing.

As I understand the fish come from both the lake and downstream from the river. That is normally the reason why fishing doesn't get good until there is a high flow rate over a period of many days. The bait fish will swim upstream because of the high oxygen levels in the water at the dam. The predator fish will follow.

If I had to venture a guess I would think that the majority of the hybrids are coming through the dam. I would also suspect that a lot of catfish may be coming all the way up from the Brazos. I may be completely wrong about that, so if anyone wants to chime in I would like to hear your thoughts.
Posted By: SpeciesFisherman

Re: Lake Somerville - 04/24/15 01:50 PM

Going there today with my son again. It's been flowing hard for the pass days. I will bring back a report. Hopefully the fishing will be good. For the crawfish is that only hybrid bait? Where do the whites come from?Dose the spillway close when there is rain? Thanks for any advice.
Posted By: Spec Chaser

Re: Lake Somerville - 04/24/15 02:48 PM

Good luck today SpeciesFisherman!

You know, I haven't seen that many white bass being caught below the spillway this year. There have been more hybrids than there are white bass. It's like a 10X more hybrids being caught than white bass that I've been this year.

Regarding the crawfish, we've caught white bass on them as well but the hybrids love the crawfish! The other thing is try to get some bass minnows if you can find a place that sells them. Those crappie minnows are a little too small, but I've seen many hybrids being caught with them as well if you fish closer to the current flow vs. further down from the spillway.

Anywho, good luck again and anxious to see how you guys do today!
Posted By: J-Moe

Re: Lake Somerville - 04/24/15 04:15 PM

Originally Posted By: Spec Chaser
You know, I haven't seen that many white bass being caught below the spillway this year. There have been more hybrids than there are white bass. It's like a 10X more hybrids being caught than white bass that I've been this year.


I noticed the same thing when I was down there.
Posted By: fmrmbmlm

Re: Lake Somerville - 04/24/15 05:44 PM

Originally Posted By: J-Moe
Originally Posted By: Spec Chaser
You know, I haven't seen that many white bass being caught below the spillway this year. There have been more hybrids than there are white bass. It's like a 10X more hybrids being caught than white bass that I've been this year.


I noticed the same thing when I was down there.
Is it a long or difficult walk from parking to the spillway? I have trouble on rough terrain or long walks
Posted By: J-Moe

Re: Lake Somerville - 04/25/15 07:05 PM

[/quote] Is it a long or difficult walk from parking to the spillway? I have trouble on rough terrain or long walks [/quote]

You will have to walk down about 50 steps or so. Then there is a path leads around the spillway to the other side. It is an easy walk on the path for the most part. Most of the best fishing is right there off the rocks which are extremely difficult to walk on. You can continue down the path a ways and find an easier place to fish from. There is another path which leads down the bank on the near side but it is a little more difficult to walk on.
Posted By: fmrmbmlm

Re: Lake Somerville - 04/26/15 02:04 AM

Originally Posted By: J-Moe
[/quote] Is it a long or difficult walk from parking to the spillway? I have trouble on rough terrain or long walks


You will have to walk down about 50 steps or so. Then there is a path leads around the spillway to the other side. It is an easy walk on the path for the most part. Most of the best fishing is right there off the rocks which are extremely difficult to walk on. You can continue down the path a ways and find an easier place to fish from. There is another path which leads down the bank on the near side but it is a little more difficult to walk on.

Thanks for the info

[/quote]
Posted By: SpeciesFisherman

Re: Lake Somerville - 04/27/15 07:54 PM

Did pretty well got about 12 white bass. All on top-water. It looks like it might slow down but you never know.
Posted By: J-Moe

Re: Lake Somerville - 04/28/15 12:04 PM

Originally Posted By: SpeciesFisherman
Did pretty well got about 12 white bass. All on top-water. It looks like it might slow down but you never know.


Top water action sounds great to me. Were you bank fishing or chasing them in a boat? What type of lure were you using?
Posted By: SpeciesFisherman

Re: Lake Somerville - 04/28/15 03:19 PM

Fished the spillway. With a small spook. Any news at rocky creek?
Posted By: SpeciesFisherman

Re: Lake Somerville - 04/28/15 03:19 PM

Fished the spillway. With a small spook. Any news at rocky creek?
Posted By: J-Moe

Re: Lake Somerville - 04/28/15 03:51 PM

Originally Posted By: SpeciesFisherman
Fished the spillway. With a small spook. Any news at rocky creek?


Wow, That's cool. I need to try that some time.

I haven't gotten any reports on Rocky.
Posted By: Csafisher

Re: Lake Somerville - 04/29/15 02:18 PM

So it's my 2nd year fishing Somerville, I have never fished the spillway... My question is what the best flow rate to fish the spillway. Right now is 989cfs. Is that a little high? Want to get out there but not sure if worth it.

Thanks.
Posted By: SpeciesFisherman

Re: Lake Somerville - 04/29/15 04:13 PM

Yeah the fishing is pretty good. You should head out there with topwater or a spoon.
Posted By: Csafisher

Re: Lake Somerville - 04/29/15 06:10 PM

May try in the morning then. Anyone been lately?
Posted By: J-Moe

Re: Lake Somerville - 04/30/15 01:26 PM

I heard they are catching white bass out at Rocky Creek. I was told it was on fire a week or so back.
Posted By: SpeciesFisherman

Re: Lake Somerville - 04/30/15 11:38 PM

Do you think it's still good at rocky creek?
Posted By: J-Moe

Re: Lake Somerville - 05/01/15 02:18 AM

According to my fishing log it was still going strong at this time last year. Best bite was early morning. If they are lined up at the gate when you get there you'll know for sure how good it has been, LOL!!!!
Posted By: Spec Chaser

Re: Lake Somerville - 05/01/15 02:16 PM

Wow, the spillway gate is wide open. Haven't been since it was trickling about a month or so ago. Does anyone has any spillway fishing reports?

We were still catching limits around Rocky Creek until June of last year; however, the water level was a lot lower last year so it may be a little different this year. If there are a lot of shads and I would assume there will still be a lot of white bass especially right before daylight and early mornings..........
Posted By: Spec Chaser

Re: Lake Somerville - 05/01/15 02:17 PM

Wow, the spillway gate is wide open. Haven't been since it was trickling about a month or so ago. Does anyone has any spillway fishing reports?

We were still catching limits around Rocky Creek until June of last year; however, the water level was a lot lower last year so it may be a little different this year. If there are a lot of shads and I would assume there will still be a lot of white bass especially right before daylight and early mornings..........
Posted By: SpeciesFisherman

Re: Lake Somerville - 05/01/15 05:05 PM

Spillway is good place to fish. topwater and spoons.
Posted By: Csafisher

Re: Lake Somerville - 05/01/15 06:15 PM

Anyone headed out this eve?
Posted By: Csafisher

Re: Lake Somerville - 05/02/15 01:16 AM



Fished a couple hours, only two bites. Tried spoons, traps, a road runner, and top water. Saw a guy across from catch one small white...
Posted By: SpeciesFisherman

Re: Lake Somerville - 05/02/15 05:00 AM

oh dang
That sucks... I think the somerville white bass at the spillway is over.
Posted By: Dmcputtz

Re: Lake Somerville - 05/03/15 04:34 PM

Originally Posted By: SpeciesFisherman
Do you think it's still good at rocky creek?


You can troll just outside the buoys East of the boat ramp side of the main point. Or go around the point and troll slowly (2mph or so)inside the buoys at any given time right now. There are two cuts (and conversely 2 humps)SE of the main point about 50-60 yds out. Water level on average is 4-12ft. Use a Rattle trap lure (every year the color changes to what is best, but typically a blue chrome or white pearl color) You can wade best towards the South end of the point where the water level stays about 3-4 feet on the flats and cast out.

Another great spot this time of year is Big Creek. Trolling Traps inside the buoys just around the corner from the boat ramp. Wade fishing from sandy beach/volley-ball pit is excellent depending upon water level. You can also cast lures from the point out towards the lake.
When trolling I would recommend using chain swivels to prevent twisting.
Example-

http://www.amazon.com/Brads-Killer-Fishing-Gear-Swivels-Pack/dp/B007LH2T7W
Posted By: timid tiger

Re: Lake Somerville - 05/04/15 03:02 PM

Two friends and I went on Sunday (5/3/2015) to rocky creek park early morning, arriving at 6am when the gate opened. We were surprised to find it's free for bankfishing.
We fished at the point using live minnows caught at the bank using nets.
We probably fished from 6:30am to 10:30am. My friend had 1 bite with 1 white bass caught. I had no bites. I used 1/8oz roadrunner but no luck there either.

There were several boats anchored there fishing as well but nobody seemed to have caught anything.
Strangely we saw along the bank, there was a belt of dead shads about 3-4 yard away from water level. What's with that? Were they dead after spawning (like salmon)?

We left and went to birch creek park fished another 1 and half hours with no bites at all. We asked the guys that were fishing there but was told fishing was very slow.

Is the white bass run on the lake still to come, or it is not happening this year?

Posted By: Spec Chaser

Re: Lake Somerville - 05/04/15 07:26 PM

My eight yr. old daughter asked me to take her fishing at the last minute on Saturday so we proceeded to ask if it was ok with my wife. Wanted to leave the house around 5am Sunday morning but we kinda overslept. We made it to the spillway parking lot around 8:30am and didn't started to fish until around 9am.

There were a lot of boats on the lake today so I hope everyone had a fun and safe time. The spillway looks like a ghost town compares to the last time I was there, granted there were still about a couple dozen people fishing both sides. Fishing was fairly slow overall with mixed bag of whites and hybrids that I saw. There were a lot of catfish around 1-3lb caught if you were targeting them or using crawfish.


It was foggy on Hwy 290 approaching the Brazos River west of Hempstead around 7:30am or so. It looks pretty cool since there
were several distinct layers of fog.




This is the first hybrid of the day that my daughter caught on live shad. It went just a little over 22".


True to her word, she not only caught the biggest fish but 2 of them that measure over 22". My hybrid is the smaller of the three. LOL!

Overall, the fishing was fairly slow, but the time spending fishing with my daughter was priceless!
Posted By: Cats_N_Crappie

Re: Lake Somerville - 05/05/15 03:27 AM

Fished for catfish sunday evening with a couple of buddies, fishing was very slow. Only thing we landed was a gar. Besides that only one other bite. We were doing really well at this spot a couple of weeks ago, im not sure why the bite stopped. Any crappie reports?
Posted By: Jimbo101

Re: Lake Somerville - 05/05/15 05:31 PM

Went out to the lake Sunday morning, arrived at about 5:30am. The shad moved in at first light, very heavy for about an hour or so. We wound up with 6 catfish no whites or hybrids. Not sure why, maybe the timing, moon phase or barometer was not right. Bait was plentiful. With the shad still shallow on the bank early I don't think whites and hybrids are done from the bank yet.
Posted By: J-Moe

Re: Lake Somerville - 05/05/15 07:37 PM

Great reports guys, keep them coming.

The big hybrids might be chasing shad up into the creeks early in the morning at this time of year. It would be worth a try.

As high as the lake is now the Yegua can be accessed pretty easy. There should be some crappie up in the creeks as well. Even the smaller creeks should start to have a few crappie in the them soon, if not already.
Posted By: Cats_N_Crappie

Re: Lake Somerville - 05/05/15 09:14 PM

I might have to try the yegua soon for crappie, do you fish closer to the lake or newmans bottom area? What kind of setup would you use this time of year?
Posted By: J-Moe

Re: Lake Somerville - 05/06/15 01:37 PM

I usually launch at Newman's bottom and kayak down to Wolf Pond. There are a few deep holes near structure that hold fish. Wolf Pond is usually a very good place to fish.

I have also seen people catching them in deep holes on Nails and Jardelle creek.

I use lightweight rod, 6 lb test line and jigs. Usually chartreuse colors.
Posted By: J-Moe

Re: Lake Somerville - 05/07/15 12:42 PM

Lake level is 240 ft. 2 ft above normal. They closed the gates due to the recent rains. Ben always says the best fishing below the dam is as soon as they close the gates. The fish pool up for a short period of time and it's easy catching. I saw this first hand a couple months ago.
Posted By: AggieBB

Re: Lake Somerville - 05/08/15 02:06 AM

Originally Posted By: J-Moe
Since we had such great reports and updates on the white bass run in the creeks, I would like to keep a thread going in this section.

I'll start it off:

Overlook Marina - Fishing is still slow with the dam being opened and closed. Lake level is 1.7 ft high and releasing 1575 cfs. Normally at this time of year the crappie fishing would be on fire. Bass and bluegill are also still slow around this area.

White bass - I have not heard any reports but middle to late April last year they were catching limits around Rocky Point.


Is Rocky Point over near Nails Creek State Park? I've heard this mentioned several times but I can't seem to find this when I'm out on the lake.
Posted By: J-Moe

Re: Lake Somerville - 05/08/15 02:06 PM

No, East of there, closer to Yeagua park

https://www.google.com/maps/place/Somerville+Lake,+Texas/@30.3167934,-96.5978669,13z/data=!3m1!4b1!4m2!3m1!1s0x8644179fc687c36d:0x38e930b57f6b5861
Posted By: SpeciesFisherman

Re: Lake Somerville - 05/11/15 04:09 PM

Are there any reports at rocky creek? Can I wade fish at rocky creek? thank you.
Posted By: J-Moe

Re: Lake Somerville - 05/12/15 05:52 PM

Yes, you can wade fish at Rocky Creek.
Posted By: J-Moe

Re: Lake Somerville - 05/12/15 05:53 PM

Lake Level is 242 ft. 4 feet above normal. Release rate was lowered to 1000 cfs with the additional rains received in the area.
Posted By: Texashorseman

Re: Lake Somerville - 05/13/15 12:21 PM

Just looked at the level this morning.....up over 5 feet now....not sure of the release...was releasing just under 800 yesterday afternoon.
Posted By: J-Moe

Re: Lake Somerville - 05/13/15 02:25 PM

Originally Posted By: Texashorseman
Just looked at the level this morning.....up over 5 feet now....not sure of the release...was releasing just under 800 yesterday afternoon.


Yep, the lake is 5.25 feet above normal and only releasing 383 cfs currently. Lots of rain in the area over the last couple of days.

Here is the link to the Corp of Engineers website which shows the release rate

http://www.swf-wc.usace.army.mil/somerville/
Posted By: J-Moe

Re: Lake Somerville - 05/14/15 12:08 PM

Lake level is 244.4 ft. That is 6.4 feet above normal. Release rate is 389 cfs.

I haven't been out to the lake but the landscape must be looking incredibly different. The fish are bound to be spread out all over.
Posted By: SpeciesFisherman

Re: Lake Somerville - 05/14/15 12:16 PM

Is fishing below the spillway over this time of year even though I think they will start to release mass amounts of water? Last time we got a report that the spillway was flowing hard but no one was there. Dose anyone know where the fish even come from? The river or the water rushing out of the spillway? I heard that they do come out of the spillway.
Posted By: timid tiger

Re: Lake Somerville - 05/15/15 02:51 AM

Speciesfisherman, I think fish below dam doesn't come from above the dam but from the river below it. Water below dam is rich in oxygen with which fish feel comfortable. Also fish (and small bait fish) migrate upstream and will (have to) concentrate at below the dam. Whether this migration is daily is unsure to me.
Tight lines!
Posted By: SpeciesFisherman

Re: Lake Somerville - 05/15/15 04:59 AM

So basically the fish population will go down as people fish the spillway more? I mean this spillway has been hammered hard for 4 weeks in a row. The fish population is getting depleted pretty quickly i assume.
Posted By: J-Moe

Re: Lake Somerville - 05/15/15 11:20 AM

The way I understand it is they come from both above and below the dam.

No question they come upstream as the dam starts to flow. The flow creates oxygen, the bait fish love the highly oxygenated water. The predator fish follow. But I also suspect that the majority of these fish are catfish that come up from the Brazos.

I was told that a lot of the hybrids being caught had marks on them from going through the gates. So I suspect the majority of the hybrids and whites are coming from the lake. This would make sense, if the flow is cut off or slowed then less fish would be coming through the gates and the overall numbers would be depleted.
Posted By: Hogflyer

Re: Lake Somerville - 05/15/15 01:43 PM

I would not worry about too many fish there, at times it seems they are gone, but believe
me there are plenty of fish to go around for everyone there! lots of fish get passed down
the system as water flows. Fishing will be really good once the rains subside and water some
what clears, look out! plenty of bait fish lost, and injured, brings big predators around!


stay dry....
Posted By: Spec Chaser

Re: Lake Somerville - 05/15/15 07:47 PM

There are still plenty of fish under the spillway with plenty of white bass, hybrids, catfish, and gaspago. We went Tuesday when it was pouring but trust me the fish are biting especially whites and catfish ranging from 1-10 lbs. I've never seen baitfish so thick in all the years we've fish there.

Tight lines!
Posted By: J-Moe

Re: Lake Somerville - 05/15/15 08:03 PM

Lake level is 245.5. 7.5 ft above normal. This is the highest it has been since 2005. Lots of water to be released.
Posted By: SpeciesFisherman

Re: Lake Somerville - 05/15/15 08:05 PM

Dose it take a couple days before the fish start to gather around the spillway?
Posted By: J-Moe

Re: Lake Somerville - 05/17/15 02:15 PM

Originally Posted By: SpeciesFisherman
Dose it take a couple days before the fish start to gather around the spillway?


Not at this point. The dam has been flowing almost non-stop since the beginning of the year. If the dam were closed for a long period of time it could take up to a couple of weeks, depending on the release rate.
Posted By: SpeciesFisherman

Re: Lake Somerville - 05/17/15 05:33 PM

I went on Friday down to somerville. Only caught three fish at the spillway. Other people were not doing so well. Fishing was poor. I went to rocky creek park to camp over night caught 7 hybrids on the tent camping area using swim baits. Then went near the boat ramp and caught about 30 gars using pieces of hybrids from the filets. Gar were small but very fun to catch with my and my buddies.
Posted By: SpeciesFisherman

Re: Lake Somerville - 05/17/15 05:37 PM

Oh yeah rocky creek is flooded beyond belief. Many campsite are underwater.
Posted By: J-Moe

Re: Lake Somerville - 05/18/15 03:42 PM

Lake level is 247.65. 9.65 feet above normal!!!!! Releasing 1565 cfs.

Heavy rains in the area. Lots of flooding everywhere.
Posted By: Texashorseman

Re: Lake Somerville - 05/18/15 08:26 PM

Went to Birch this morning....boat ramp parking lot is about the only thing above water. Fish cleaning station has about a foot of water in it. Checked the flow early this morning and it was at 1097. Checked right before I left to go fishing about 11 or so and it was at 1592. Got one little bite fishing (but did not really expect to catch anything anyway) by the cleaning station on CJ's. The sidewalk that I was setting on yesterday is now under water about a foot. Guess someone was getting to much water somewhere down south cause the gates are only open at 492 now and the level is at 9.85 high.
Hope they stay closed for another month.....catfish spawn is almost here if not already.....can you imagine the spawn in all the shallows if it stays up and what next year's fishing would be like....Hope the gates freeze up and get stuck so they can't open them any more !!
Posted By: J-Moe

Re: Lake Somerville - 05/18/15 08:53 PM

Originally Posted By: Texashorseman
Went to Birch this morning....boat ramp parking lot is about the only thing above water. Fish cleaning station has about a foot of water in it. Checked the flow early this morning and it was at 1097. Checked right before I left to go fishing about 11 or so and it was at 1592. Got one little bite fishing (but did not really expect to catch anything anyway) by the cleaning station on CJ's. The sidewalk that I was setting on yesterday is now under water about a foot. Guess someone was getting to much water somewhere down south cause the gates are only open at 492 now and the level is at 9.85 high.
Hope they stay closed for another month.....catfish spawn is almost here if not already.....can you imagine the spawn in all the shallows if it stays up and what next year's fishing would be like....Hope the gates freeze up and get stuck so they can't open them any more !!


We got 3 inches of rain in Brenham, the downstream areas really got pounded. Water is in areas I have never seen it before. No question the spawn could be ruined. Let's hope it's a while longer before the spawn begins. With more rain in the future forecast they will draw the lake down as quickly as possible.
Posted By: Texashorseman

Re: Lake Somerville - 05/20/15 02:11 AM

Lake is at 10.55 high right now. Gates are closed.....hoping it stays that way for a while...
Posted By: J-Moe

Re: Lake Somerville - 05/20/15 02:55 PM

Spillway is releasing water again at 1465 cfs.
Posted By: J-Moe

Re: Lake Somerville - 05/21/15 04:23 PM

Lake level is 249.3. 11.3 feet above normal. Releasing 1809 cfs. That's the highest release rate I have seen this year.
Posted By: hook-line&sinker

Re: Lake Somerville - 05/26/15 12:08 AM

This was Sunday May 24th


The lake is still rising on Monday it was 251.36 or 13.36 feet above pool level and it's raining like mad again.. it's gonna go over the spillway if this keeps up..
Posted By: hook-line&sinker

Re: Lake Somerville - 05/26/15 03:02 AM

251.36 @ 7PM and 251.74 @ 10PM thats 5 inches up in three hours! and that floodwater upstream hasn't even arrived yet.. yea it's going over the spillway it's just a matter of time.. and more rain, much more rain is in the forecast.. Late Friday if not sooner..
Posted By: Catfish-hunter

Re: Lake Somerville - 05/26/15 03:26 AM

The yegua and Brazos is gonna get stocked again. Sure miss that lake. My Medina lake is on the rise finally! Only 35' low!!!
Posted By: J-Moe

Re: Lake Somerville - 05/26/15 12:42 PM

Up another foot since last night. Another flash flood this morning.

Lake level is 252.8. 14.8 feet above normal. They lowered the flow to 1147 cfs but didn't close the gates completely this time.

Lake information shows the spillway crest is 258 feet.
Posted By: moonriver

Re: Lake Somerville - 05/26/15 02:06 PM

The whole Texas becomes a land of water. Our pray for rain got answer. grin
Posted By: Texashorseman

Re: Lake Somerville - 05/26/15 03:41 PM

Gates are shut....my guess it will hit the spillway sometime late tomorrow or early Thursday morning if the gates stay closed and I am guessing they will stay that way for the most part today.....at 15.14 as of 10:35 this morning and up almost a foot since midnight....its coming guys,...If the catfish spawn in May and early June, next year should be great for catfishing (if the water does not go down really fast and leave them in pools of water high and dry). Look at all the new cover the fry can hide in. Hopefully the draw down will be slow enough for that to happen but doubtful.
Posted By: hook-line&sinker

Re: Lake Somerville - 05/26/15 04:58 PM

253.12 @ high noon on May 26th, 2015 ! Lots more flood water upstream yet to arrive.. not looking good frown
Posted By: OllieC

Re: Lake Somerville - 05/26/15 05:49 PM

Went out Saturday. Took the little ferry to Overlook dock. Surreal with the high water. We caught almost 100 catfish in front of the dam along the riprap on CJ's. 3-7 feet of water. If they aren't spawning yet they are close, dark charcoal larger males and many smaller females w normal coloring. We ended up with 25 nice ones to take home, a great day on the water.
Posted By: hook-line&sinker

Re: Lake Somerville - 05/26/15 07:33 PM

253.64 @ 2:30PM May 26th, 2015..
Posted By: J-Moe

Re: Lake Somerville - 05/26/15 07:43 PM

Water is now overflowing. I was at the dam and they were closing the road off to the overflow area. Access from Somerville across the dam only. The spillway gates were closed and nobody was catching fish.
Posted By: hook-line&sinker

Re: Lake Somerville - 05/27/15 03:14 AM

it's going over and there is no way to stop it.. 254.52 @ 10PM May 26, 2015
Posted By: rockinmyshoe

Re: Lake Somerville - 05/27/15 02:49 PM

WATER LEVEL
255.76
Feet MSL

Wednesday, May 27, 2015
8:00:00 AM
Level is 17.76 feet
above full pool of 238.00

Gates are closed indefinitely
Looks like it's going over the spillway for only the second time.
FM 1948 closed below Rocky Creek Park entrance
Posted By: hook-line&sinker

Re: Lake Somerville - 05/27/15 04:14 PM

255.83 @ 11am May 27th, 2015... more rain early Wednesday morning is adding to the rise.
Posted By: jsinn01

Re: Lake Somerville - 05/27/15 05:36 PM

Wow! Anybody have a video?
Posted By: Spec Chaser

Re: Lake Somerville - 05/27/15 06:58 PM

Holy Moly! Pretty soon this is going to be similar to the early 90's (spring 92's if I recalled) when all those fish are going to be falling over and to the overflow retaining pond and going to be kill again.
Posted By: jsinn01

Re: Lake Somerville - 05/27/15 08:19 PM

I was wondering about that. With the lake and all the creeks overflowing like this it seems inevitable that some fish will die off due to getting cut off from the main lake when the water recedes.

Though, I'm sure this flooding is good for the long term health of the fish population.
Posted By: hook-line&sinker

Re: Lake Somerville - 05/27/15 08:54 PM

To lower Lake Somerville it takes about a week per foot if they open the gates fully. If it stops raining right now it will take 20 weeks to get the lake back to normal level. We are in for a very interesting summer...
Posted By: hook-line&sinker

Re: Lake Somerville - 05/27/15 08:55 PM

Originally Posted By: jsinn01
I was wondering about that. With the lake and all the creeks overflowing like this it seems inevitable that some fish will die off due to getting cut off from the main lake when the water recedes.

Though, I'm sure this flooding is good for the long term health of the fish population.


With this much water it is like a whole new lake.
Posted By: Csafisher

Re: Lake Somerville - 05/27/15 08:59 PM

Anyone know what level any boat ramp will open back up?

It's at 18.2' high now.
Posted By: hook-line&sinker

Re: Lake Somerville - 05/27/15 09:55 PM

The COE closed most every ramp at the 7 foot high mark of (245) but will discourage anyone from boating the lake under high water conditions. The debris that is being swept into the lake is going to be tremendous and present a hazard for watercraft for a long while after the flood water recedes..
Posted By: rockinmyshoe

Re: Lake Somerville - 05/27/15 10:09 PM

WATER LEVEL
256.27
Feet MSL

Wednesday, May 27, 2015
3:00:00 PM
Level is 18.27 feet
above full pool of 238.00
Posted By: Hogflyer

Re: Lake Somerville - 05/27/15 10:41 PM

Maybe so on some game fish, but the alligator gar situation will go on! was there about month before
all this rain started and fishing out past nails creek one pm til about midnight and 4 large gar came up to
our jon boat just to check us out, one was over 5' long, start to get him with the .357, didn't think park
bunch at nails would like that!

When all others are gone they will survive!
Posted By: hook-line&sinker

Re: Lake Somerville - 05/28/15 03:26 AM

There won't be many fish that get trapped in pools as the water recedes after going this high. It is likely to take the rest of the year to bring it back down and it will be a very slow draw down. Fish get trapped when the lake jumps up but recedes quickly..
Posted By: rockinmyshoe

Re: Lake Somerville - 05/28/15 09:54 AM

WATER LEVEL
256.91
Feet MSL

Thursday, May 28, 2015
3:00:00 AM
Level is 18.91 feet
above full pool of 238.00
Posted By: jsinn01

Re: Lake Somerville - 05/28/15 06:47 PM

This thread has a picture of the flooding near the dam.

http://texasfishingforum.com/forums/ubbthreads.php/topics/10878587#Post10878587
Posted By: rockinmyshoe

Re: Lake Somerville - 05/28/15 09:43 PM

WATER LEVEL
257.26
Feet MSL

Thursday, May 28, 2015
2:00:00 PM
Level is 19.26 feet
above full pool of 238.00
Posted By: hook-line&sinker

Re: Lake Somerville - 05/29/15 02:10 AM



Lake Somerville spillway 7:00 PM May 28th, 2015
lake level 257.34
Posted By: hook-line&sinker

Re: Lake Somerville - 05/29/15 03:06 AM


Posted By: hook-line&sinker

Re: Lake Somerville - 05/29/15 01:55 PM

Unusually wet spring weather and flooding throughout Oklahoma and Texas has ended drought conditions plaguing the region for years. Now there is too much water and many lakes are filled to the brim and overflowing their spillways. Lake Somerville in Central Texas reached maximum capacity on May 29, 2015 with more rain forecasted over the next week or so.

Posted By: J-Moe

Re: Lake Somerville - 05/29/15 02:17 PM

Friday, 5/29/15 at 8:30 AM. Lake level is 257.7. Water is only inches from going over the overflow.


Posted By: rockinmyshoe

Re: Lake Somerville - 05/30/15 01:12 PM

WATER LEVEL
258.02
Feet MSL

Saturday, May 30, 2015
7:00:00 AM
Level is 20.02 feet
above full pool of 238.00

Should be over the spillway this Mornin was really close at dark last night
Posted By: rockinmyshoe

Re: Lake Somerville - 05/31/15 02:28 AM

WATER LEVEL
258.13
Feet MSL

Saturday, May 30, 2015
8:00:00 PM
Level is 20.13 feet
above full pool of 238.00

Few waves pushing over the spillway, that's about it.
Posted By: TheFishWhisperer

Re: Lake Somerville - 05/31/15 04:38 AM

This vid was from 5 PM today. Should be going over by tomorrow morning.
Posted By: J-Moe

Re: Lake Somerville - 05/31/15 02:12 PM

Lake Level is 258.19. They have been slowly opening up the dam gates over the last couple of days. Flow is just over 500 cfs at 9:00 AM this morning.
Posted By: Texashorseman

Re: Lake Somerville - 05/31/15 11:50 PM

Went to check the spillway this afternoon about 4pm. It is going over the spillway but it is just a trickle....not really even enough to talk about. Lots of shad working around the spillway area though. Lots of lookers out there. Parking lot was pretty crowded and I figured that because I kept meeting cars coming from that area(I went across the dam). Did see one boat on the water around Welch but have no idea how or where he launched from.
Posted By: OllieC

Re: Lake Somerville - 06/01/15 01:25 AM

fished along the Lake Somerville dam all day today and didn't get one bite. Last Saturday we caught almost 100 in the same place. Last weekend lake 9 feet lower and on south wind. North wind today after the front made it seem like there wasn't a catfish in the lake. We keep our boat at Overlook Marina. There were quite a few whites and maybe hybrid hitting randomly just in front of the spillway. We trolled for a while but didn't get any hits. Tried quite a few places around the lake in addition to the dam. It's so bizarre everywhere you go with the high water. Pretty easy to get into Rocky Creek park flooded campsites. Looked really fishy but nothing doing. Maybe we're looking in the wrong places or maybe it was one of those days. Beautiful day on the water.
Posted By: Hunt91

Re: Lake Somerville - 06/01/15 04:15 AM

Originally Posted By: OllieC
fished along the Lake Somerville dam all day today and didn't get one bite. Last Saturday we caught almost 100 in the same place. Last weekend lake 9 feet lower and on south wind. North wind today after the front made it seem like there wasn't a catfish in the lake. We keep our boat at Overlook Marina. There were quite a few whites and maybe hybrid hitting randomly just in front of the spillway. We trolled for a while but didn't get any hits. Tried quite a few places around the lake in addition to the dam. It's so bizarre everywhere you go with the high water. Pretty easy to get into Rocky Creek park flooded campsites. Looked really fishy but nothing doing. Maybe we're looking in the wrong places or maybe it was one of those days. Beautiful day on the water.


How easily were you able to get out to your boat? Are the walkways under water?
Posted By: bowler49

Re: Lake Somerville - 06/02/15 01:21 PM

I was at the spillway yesterday. It doesn't look like the gates have been open for several days. The 500 cfs from the Army Corp. of Engineers is what is going over the emergency spillway. I think their calculation is on the high side. There was barely a trickle going over the emergency spillway yesterday and the website had the rate at 900 cfs. Sure didn't look like that much to me.
Posted By: J-Moe

Re: Lake Somerville - 06/02/15 02:28 PM

Originally Posted By: bowler49
I was at the spillway yesterday. It doesn't look like the gates have been open for several days. The 500 cfs from the Army Corp. of Engineers is what is going over the emergency spillway. I think their calculation is on the high side. There was barely a trickle going over the emergency spillway yesterday and the website had the rate at 900 cfs. Sure didn't look like that much to me.


That's interesting, thanks for the information.

Lake Level is 258.33 and showing 991 cfs being released from the dam. Or estimated from what is overflowing the spillway.
Posted By: OllieC

Re: Lake Somerville - 06/02/15 03:13 PM

They have a little ferry they shuttle you out to the dock and then it's normal. Everyone should go to Overlook Marina and check it out! There is remarkably little debris in the lake, mostly grass and reeds. I haven't seen any floating logs though I'm sure there are a few. We've been staying in open water or along the dam but it was easy and safe to get into shallow water at Rocky Creek park. Lake is beautiful. Water is gin clear. Normal fishing spots are 20 ft under water that's all :-)
Posted By: J-Moe

Re: Lake Somerville - 06/02/15 04:19 PM

Originally Posted By: OllieC
They have a little ferry they shuttle you out to the dock and then it's normal. Everyone should go to Overlook Marina and check it out! There is remarkably little debris in the lake, mostly grass and reeds. I haven't seen any floating logs though I'm sure there are a few. We've been staying in open water or along the dam but it was easy and safe to get into shallow water at Rocky Creek park. Lake is beautiful. Water is gin clear. Normal fishing spots are 20 ft under water that's all :-)


I live closest to Overlook and fish there from time to time. Are they catching anything at Overlook? Any Sunfish biting around the Marina? I like to fly fish for sunfish around that area.
Posted By: Csafisher

Re: Lake Somerville - 06/03/15 12:09 AM

Is there anywhere to launch a boat?
Posted By: J-Moe

Re: Lake Somerville - 06/05/15 12:28 PM

Lake Level is down to 258 ft. Gates are open and releasing 2441 cfs.
Posted By: OllieC

Re: Lake Somerville - 06/05/15 03:03 PM

nowhere to launch boat but the marina is open and you can fish from the dock. A few folks who have their boats at the marina are going out. If you stay in the open its fine. Its hard to get into shallow water along the banks since the water is back in the trees everywhere. There basically is no bank anywhere. Rocky Creek is very fishable from the bank but I'm not sure it's open. Boat ramps are all closed
Posted By: hook-line&sinker

Re: Lake Somerville - 06/06/15 02:46 PM

Here's a much better view of the lake..


Posted By: J-Moe

Re: Lake Somerville - 06/06/15 04:53 PM

Thanks, an incredible view of the lake. Very unfortunate situation though. Now you have a video of the Lake at it's lowest point in 2011 and highest point in 2015.
Posted By: hook-line&sinker

Re: Lake Somerville - 06/07/15 05:29 AM

Posted By: J-Moe

Re: Lake Somerville - 06/07/15 02:12 PM

I was listening to 610 radio Outdoors show this morning. Captain Mickey and Captain Benny were checking out your video of Lake Somerville. Specifically the part with Birch Creek unit with water up the eves of a building.
Posted By: J-Moe

Re: Lake Somerville - 06/08/15 02:00 PM

Originally Posted By: J-Moe
Lake Level is down to 258 ft. Gates are open and releasing 2441 cfs.


Lake level is 257.4. Still releasing 2441 cfs.

At this rate, it will take the lake about 100 days to get back to normal. Barring any further rain or changes to the release rate, it may be September before the lake is back to normal.
Posted By: hook-line&sinker

Re: Lake Somerville - 06/08/15 04:19 PM

The rate of drop will increase as the lake lowers (gets smaller).. I'm thinking that about 60 days to normal if it doesn't rain too much to quickly.. still lots of water coming in from the watershed..
Posted By: HandgunHTR

Re: Lake Somerville - 06/09/15 01:54 AM

Is there any place to launch a kayak from?

I was thinking that the rocks/trees along the dam would be a good place to catch some catfish.
Posted By: hook-line&sinker

Re: Lake Somerville - 06/09/15 04:11 AM

Welch park is open last I checked and has good access to the dam.. but really you can launch a yak just about anywhere you can get near the lake..
Posted By: HandgunHTR

Re: Lake Somerville - 06/10/15 02:39 AM

Originally Posted By: hook-line&sinker
Welch park is open last I checked and has good access to the dam.. but really you can launch a yak just about anywhere you can get near the lake..


As I don't have a trolley for my yak, I don't really feel like lugging my 90# WS Ride too far. blush

I was mostly asking which roads/launches were accessible as most of the places I normally launch from are closed. Good to hear about Welch. I will go there I guess.

BTW, great video. I love watching your stuff and would love to hook up with you sometime once the water levels come back down to normal.
Posted By: whitewing maniac

Re: Lake Somerville - 06/10/15 06:28 PM

Wow that is unreal. Plenty of places for bank fishing now
Posted By: hook-line&sinker

Re: Lake Somerville - 06/11/15 09:15 PM

Originally Posted By: HandgunHTR
Originally Posted By: hook-line&sinker
Welch park is open last I checked and has good access to the dam.. but really you can launch a yak just about anywhere you can get near the lake..


As I don't have a trolley for my yak, I don't really feel like lugging my 90# WS Ride too far. blush

I was mostly asking which roads/launches were accessible as most of the places I normally launch from are closed. Good to hear about Welch. I will go there I guess.

BTW, great video. I love watching your stuff and would love to hook up with you sometime once the water levels come back down to normal.


It may be a while but the lake will come down and I'll want to head up the Yegua to look around. I'll bet the road to Newmans Bottom is all but gone... and damage to the trailway and state park is tremendous frown
Posted By: OllieC

Re: Lake Somerville - 06/12/15 05:43 PM

You would have easy access from Overlook Marina and plenty of water back in that cove to fish. There is so much vegetation underwater. A kayak would be perfect for working along the shore and back into the trees.
Posted By: hook-line&sinker

Re: Lake Somerville - 06/15/15 03:44 AM

Posted By: jsinn01

Re: Lake Somerville - 06/15/15 07:55 PM

Cool video. And nice fish!

Thanks for sharing.
Posted By: J-Moe

Re: Lake Somerville - 06/17/15 06:32 PM

The dam is closed. With all this new rain it may be a couple days before it can be reopened.
Posted By: The reel pro

Re: Lake Somerville - 06/18/15 03:27 AM

gonna try and put the boat in tomorrow as long as its not too windy. putting in at about 5:30pm at welch park if anyone wants to join.
Posted By: hook-line&sinker

Re: Lake Somerville - 06/18/15 07:39 PM

dang lake is climbing back up.. @ 256.58 June 18th 2:35pm. Lots of rain fell in the Yegua watershed so I'm thinking it is bound to go over the spillway again by late Sunday.. Brazos river is rising again so the COE will hold back lake Somerville until the river goes down.. hang on it's gonna be a while longer now..
Posted By: The reel pro

Re: Lake Somerville - 06/19/15 04:49 AM

well I got home and it was crazy windy but decided to go out anyways. it was ruff and slowed me down. went to where the road would be just before the right turn to the ramp cause there is a crazy amount of shad there! started drifting the area with live shad and caught what I think is my PB channel on rod and reel right on the boat ramp between the light and tree. honestly I was fishing for whites/hybrids.
after that ran and fished the rocks at the dam for cats but was windy and hard to fish. didn't catch anything so went back to the road going to the ramp to fish the street lights that are now close to the water. ive been doing good on them lately. caught a bunch of drum and this 7 lb cat.

I know this is bank fishing section but hope this helps anyways. good luck yall
Posted By: fishag04

Re: Lake Somerville - 06/19/15 03:09 PM

Can we fish behind the dam or is it closed?
Posted By: Texashorseman

Re: Lake Somerville - 06/19/15 04:37 PM

Its open to fishing but was there this morning but nobody was catching anything to speak of. Was there about 20 minutes and saw one fish caught.....Gates are closed so no water flowing.....
Posted By: J-Moe

Re: Lake Somerville - 06/19/15 04:51 PM

I was out there yesterday. Lots of gaspargou being caught.
Posted By: J-Moe

Re: Lake Somerville - 06/21/15 01:53 PM

Lake level is back up to 257 feet and the dam is still closed. Small scattered showers have continued over the last couple of days with more expected in the 10 day forecast.
Posted By: J-Moe

Re: Lake Somerville - 06/22/15 01:08 PM

The dam is open and releasing 2400 cfs.
Posted By: hook-line&sinker

Re: Lake Somerville - 06/22/15 09:37 PM

Posted By: J-Moe

Re: Lake Somerville - 06/28/15 01:42 PM

Lake level is 256.85. 18.85 feet above normal. Releasing 2385 cfs. Rain in the area today.

All the boat ramps are still closed. The water needs to recede about 5 more feet before Overlook Marina boat ramp is open again. I did see a couple of pontoon boats in the Yegua, below the dam. I think they are launching at the bridge crossing on Hwy 36. I saw 3 trucks with empty boat trailers parked in that spot.

Fishing below the dam has continued to be good. The catfish bite seems to be improving, I saw a few decent stringers of catfish. Hybrids and whites have been better in the morning. The 90 plus degree days seemed to have slowed the hybrid bite in the afternoon. The parking lot at the spillway was full on Saturday.
Posted By: hook-line&sinker

Re: Lake Somerville - 07/02/15 04:55 PM

Called the COE @ Somerville and asked about a prediction of when the lake might be back to normal level (238). He said maybe late August but that it was more likely to be about 140 days out.. I inquired about the trees flooded by the high water and he indicated that many are starting to die now so by the time the lake gets back to near normal there will be catastrophic loses to all the parks. One thing is for sure.. its going to be very expensive to recover from this flood. And just like the drought of 2011 the damage done will be evident for many years to come..
Posted By: Toledo

Re: Lake Somerville - 07/03/15 12:26 PM

Originally Posted By: hook-line&sinker
Called the COE @ Somerville and asked about a prediction of when the lake might be back to normal level (238). He said maybe late August but that it was more likely to be about 140 days out.. I inquired about the trees flooded by the high water and he indicated that many are starting to die now so by the time the lake gets back to near normal there will be catastrophic loses to all the parks. One thing is for sure.. its going to be very expensive to recover from this flood. And just like the drought of 2011 the damage done will be evident for many years to come..


My best prediction will be first or second week of October before it hits 238' again. If we get any large rains that could be held off significantly. If July and August are wetter than normal it has the potential to stay high in to the winter.

Quite sad that so many mature oaks just died from drought and now many more will die from flooding. The huge creek bottom flats wont be the same for a very long time, if ever.

Is there an official water height for the powers that be to release a little control and let us use the launches again? No reason at all for the Nails Creek Launch to not be useable.
Posted By: hook-line&sinker

Re: Lake Somerville - 07/06/15 04:25 PM

Seems like some of the ramps will open when the lake reaches the ten foot high mark or below.. The rate of drop will increase as the lake gets smaller if there is no more flooding upstream. I'm betting by later this month (July) the lake will be lowered to the point where a couple of ramps can be used if they have not been damaged.

The issue with all the roads and ramps is whether the flood water has undermined the pavement. You can bet that every structure above the ground after sitting in ten feet of water for a month or two is a total loss and so the road base might also be compromised. COE parks and the lake is federal property so the process to begin repairs will be subjected to a whole host of rules and regulations. I'm not sure what the state park (TPWD) repair process and timeline will be but would expect something similar to the federal governments approach as the two are tied together in a lease agreement.

Monday July 6, 2015 the lake is at 254. That is 16 feet above pool level so the COE is making progress with the gate wide open. The summertime temperatures will help by speeding up evaporation too, and with a little cooperation from Mother Nature we might be fishing a normal lake again come September..
Posted By: jsinn01

Re: Lake Somerville - 07/08/15 05:26 PM

I'm looking forward to breaking out the kayak and exploring back in the creeks once the water gets back to normal and the temps cool off a bit. I can't even guess as to what it will look like after so much flooding.
Posted By: J-Moe

Re: Lake Somerville - 07/08/15 05:57 PM

Originally Posted By: jsinn01
I'm looking forward to breaking out the kayak and exploring back in the creeks once the water gets back to normal and the temps cool off a bit. I can't even guess as to what it will look like after so much flooding.


No doubt, I hope we can still get up and down the creek. I would suspect there are a lot of new trees laid down in the water.
Posted By: hook-line&sinker

Re: Lake Somerville - 07/09/15 03:08 AM

Posted By: J-Moe

Re: Lake Somerville - 07/09/15 06:58 PM

Looks like a light fly. Were they right on the surface?
Posted By: hook-line&sinker

Re: Lake Somerville - 07/10/15 09:42 PM

Yes the hybrids and whitebass were chasing shad up against the rocks at my feet. They moved in and out several times over a 30 minute period. Get there as early as possible and fish just a little further down from the end of the dock. I didn't see any hybrids busting the surface in the slack water, everything was in the fast moving water. It is very hard to keep the slack out of your line when the current pushes it right back at you but that was where the fish were busting the shad..
Posted By: J-Moe

Re: Lake Somerville - 07/13/15 01:24 PM

Lake level is 252.5. 14.5 feet above normal. Releasing 2300 cfs.
Posted By: OllieC

Re: Lake Somerville - 07/13/15 06:40 PM

caught 7 on Sunday against the rocks on the dam (in the lake). Aggressive bite but not many fish. Nice day though. Cj's 2-6 feet of water. Males (I think) still were colored pretty gray. I'm guessing the spawn might be over?? Kind of lonesome on the lake. No boat ramps open yet but you can see it's coming down fast. Overlook marina is open for business on weekends. It's pretty and quiet up there. Worth making the trip.
Posted By: J-Moe

Re: Lake Somerville - 07/14/15 04:44 PM

Originally Posted By: OllieC
caught 7 on Sunday against the rocks on the dam (in the lake). Aggressive bite but not many fish. Nice day though. Cj's 2-6 feet of water. Males (I think) still were colored pretty gray. I'm guessing the spawn might be over?? Kind of lonesome on the lake. No boat ramps open yet but you can see it's coming down fast. Overlook marina is open for business on weekends. It's pretty and quiet up there. Worth making the trip.


Thanks for the report OllieC!!!

Lake is still receding at just over 1/4 foot per day.
Posted By: hook-line&sinker

Re: Lake Somerville - 07/15/15 01:34 AM

Posted By: J-Moe

Re: Lake Somerville - 07/16/15 03:40 PM

Lake Somerville level is currently at 251.77. 13.77 feet above normal. Release rate is currently 2275 cfs. Lake is continuing to recede at about 1/4 foot per day.

By the end of the month, without more rain, the Lake level should be down another 3.5 feet. Around 10 feet above normal. Overlook boat ramp may be able to open up somewhere close to that time. It should be one of the first to open back up. I'll post information as I find out.
Posted By: hook-line&sinker

Re: Lake Somerville - 07/20/15 02:28 AM

July 18th the lake is at 250.92 releasing 2251cfs
Posted By: hook-line&sinker

Re: Lake Somerville - 07/22/15 03:40 AM

Posted By: jsinn01

Re: Lake Somerville - 07/22/15 05:29 PM

Cool stuff, Ben. Thanks for sharing.
Posted By: hook-line&sinker

Re: Lake Somerville - 07/23/15 03:42 PM

Gonna go again Friday.. hope to get there 30 minutes earlier and be better prepared for that 20 minutes of action..
Posted By: jsinn01

Re: Lake Somerville - 07/23/15 06:02 PM

Looks like good fishing right now, but can't justify a four hour round trip for 20 minutes of good fishing. grin

I'm glad to see the water levels dropping. Hopefully it'll be back to normal in time for the fall/winter Crappie fishing.
Posted By: hook-line&sinker

Re: Lake Somerville - 07/23/15 07:38 PM

The lake is expected to be near normal level by labor day but most of the parks won't be back online until spring..
Posted By: jsinn01

Re: Lake Somerville - 07/23/15 08:31 PM

Looks like they might at least open the boat ramp at Nails Creek State Park, giving us access to the creeks on the upper part of the reservoir.

http://tpwd.texas.gov/state-parks/lake-somerville
Posted By: hook-line&sinker

Re: Lake Somerville - 07/24/15 08:14 PM

J-Moe & I were back at it Friday morning wink

Posted By: yellowfinfever

Re: Lake Somerville - 07/24/15 11:58 PM

Well I missed the bite this morning, my pillow was just too strong. Got there about 7:15 and met Hook and j-moe who gave me the bad news. I worked it hard until 1, had 3 whites up to 3 lbs, a 4 lb hybrid, and 5 gar. All on 3.5" paddletails and 4" hard jerkbait (the gar loved it)
Posted By: J-Moe

Re: Lake Somerville - 07/25/15 02:02 PM

Originally Posted By: yellowfinfever
Well I missed the bite this morning, my pillow was just too strong. Got there about 7:15 and met Hook and j-moe who gave me the bad news. I worked it hard until 1, had 3 whites up to 3 lbs, a 4 lb hybrid, and 5 gar. All on 3.5" paddletails and 4" hard jerkbait (the gar loved it)


Great information, Thanks for sharing.
Posted By: hook-line&sinker

Re: Lake Somerville - 07/28/15 06:40 PM

J-Moe & yellowfin got there early this time wink

Posted By: yellowfinfever

Re: Lake Somerville - 07/30/15 12:54 AM

Great video. That morning I had 6 whites (5 on the fly), 1 hybrid, 2 gar and a big buffalo. Biggest white was 4.25. Released a new lake record
Posted By: hook-line&sinker

Re: Lake Somerville - 07/30/15 10:24 PM

Tuesday's morning run to the spillway found the fishing a little slower than the week before but Thursdays was almost missed entirely! Fifteen minutes tardy means a lot when the schooling started just before first light. The late start cost us our usual spot below the dam so we redirected our efforts to the north shore.

By the time I got to flinging my fly the sky was pink and gaining light fast. The bass were right at my feet chasing shad and hit my fly four consecutive times before I hooked up with the first bass. It took another 15 minutes or so before the second hybrid would come to hand.. and then a good while longer for the gar to make it's appearance. Those three fish were it for me while Joe hooked up with a few and lost a nice big runner of some sort.. It is not unusual to snag into gar, big carp or buffalo when doing this type of fishing. A big buffalo will really run and waste precious time when it's something other than a buffalo you are after..

Posted By: FISHINGFOOL40

Re: Lake Somerville - 08/01/15 07:22 AM

TFTR's and videos, thanks 4 sharing....
Posted By: hook-line&sinker

Re: Lake Somerville - 08/01/15 11:20 PM

Posted By: jsinn01

Re: Lake Somerville - 08/03/15 12:57 AM

Thanks for the video, Ben. Some great shots of the flooded areas.
Posted By: J-Moe

Re: Lake Somerville - 08/03/15 02:14 PM

Lake level is 247.13. 9.13 feet above normal. Releasing 2143 cfs. I fished below the dam Saturday afternoon. Lots and lots of gaspergou being caught.

I went over to Overlook Marina on Sunday. Water is still over the road by the marina. There were hundreds of bluegill and longear beds on the road. Lots of small fish running around. I wade fished the cove and found a bed of small green sunfish. Only problem is that all of this will no longer be under water in a couple weeks or less.

Everywhere I go around the lake I see lots of small fish, good signs the fishing will be great in the months to come.
Posted By: J-Moe

Re: Lake Somerville - 08/04/15 01:27 PM

The road from Overlook Marina to the dam is now open.
Posted By: hook-line&sinker

Re: Lake Somerville - 08/04/15 05:22 PM

Fishing gets a little squirrelly on the full moon as the fish move and feed to a odd rhythm. Last Saturday the early morning fishing in the spillway was very slow and it wasn't until nearly 8am before the fish started feeding based on the catch rate I observed. The best "catching" occured much later in the day around mid afternoon from what reports I heard.
I skipped Sunday and Monday making it out to the ranch on both of those days before returning to the spillway early Tuesday morning. The first cast of the day resulted in a nice whitebass or hybrid but it was still too dark to see well enough to positively identify that fish on camera.
Several hits and misses followed with three more fish to hand before they moved back to the deep. What is strange is that standing very near to me, throwing the same type of fly didn't result in anything to hand for my buddy on this morning run. I cannot account for the difference in catch rate in a situation like this but I have a very hard time believing that I'm doing anything different or much better than any other fishermen. I'm just lucky that way I guess..



Posted By: hook-line&sinker

Re: Lake Somerville - 08/05/15 05:04 PM

Twice in one day..
Posted By: hook-line&sinker

Re: Lake Somerville - 08/06/15 04:28 PM

Hot August days are upon us here in the south but that just makes fishing in the early morning more enjoyable. Thursday's run to the Lake Somerville spillway was ahead of schedule but getting an early start didn't result in more fish on this morning. With the half moon overhead the fish made their appearance a full twenty minutes later then usual..

Posted By: J-Moe

Re: Lake Somerville - 08/07/15 11:30 AM

Lake level is 246 ft. 8 feet above normal. Releasing 2100 cfs.
Posted By: hook-line&sinker

Re: Lake Somerville - 08/09/15 01:27 AM

Posted By: J-Moe

Re: Lake Somerville - 08/11/15 03:48 PM

Lake Level is 244.87. 6.87 feet above normal and releasing 2070 cfs.
Posted By: hook-line&sinker

Re: Lake Somerville - 08/11/15 04:40 PM

Posted By: hook-line&sinker

Re: Lake Somerville - 08/14/15 05:37 PM

Just a little late Friday morning arriving at the spillway. Took only the fly rod to start, hung a big buffalo 15 minutes into the day. Broke my fly rod on that first buff.. Boogie back up the hill to retrieve my spare fly pole and spinning gear not wanting to miss the prime time bite. Go down to the other side of the spillway. Catch another buffalo and two gar before hanging into the only hybrid on the fly for the day. Switched to conventional spinning gear rigged with a popping cork and a shad streamer fly I proceed to hook up with 10 nice whitebass over the next 30 minutes or so.. The fish are there but to catch them you have to adjust tactics and gear quickly to find and stay with the fish. All the fish caught today were within easy casting of the west side rocks. The popping cork made all the difference in the world based on what other fishermen were using but not doing as well. Makes me think that a similar setup on the fly rod (popper / dropper) might be the next thing to try.


Posted By: J-Moe

Re: Lake Somerville - 08/15/15 03:23 PM

Lake is at 243.73. 5.73 ft above normal. It's starting to look like its' old self again. Lots of boats out fishing and lots of people below the dam fishing.
Posted By: hook-line&sinker

Re: Lake Somerville - 08/15/15 06:02 PM

Posted By: rvrrat14

Re: Lake Somerville - 08/16/15 03:18 PM

Are the ramps open? Birch Creek?
thanks!

FOUND ANOTHER POST STATING POSSIBLE OPENING LABOR DAY......
Posted By: J-Moe

Re: Lake Somerville - 08/17/15 02:30 PM

Originally Posted By: rvrrat14
Are the ramps open? Birch Creek?
thanks!

FOUND ANOTHER POST STATING POSSIBLE OPENING LABOR DAY......


Welch park,Apache hills,Birch creek forest subdivision,Lake Somerville marina ramps are all open,everything else is still closed>
Posted By: hook-line&sinker

Re: Lake Somerville - 08/17/15 06:56 PM

Going again Tuesday morning.. lake is @ 243.10 / 5.1 feet above normal. The rate of drop has increased a little to about 3 inches a day.. The fish seem to be biting a little later in the morning. Being there before the sun comes up only helps get the spot on the bank you want! wink
Posted By: J-Moe

Re: Lake Somerville - 08/18/15 05:16 PM

I fished the banks of Overlook park from one end to the other with my fly rod and small popper over the last couple of weeks. The water is still high but I've gotten a general read of where the sunfish and bluegill are located in the park. Up to this point most of the fish have been small. I also caught a lot of small bass. I caught long ear sunfish around the Marina and up and down both sides of the point where the boat ramp is located. I caught bluegill in isolated pockets in the same locations. I also caught small green sunfish in the back of the main cove.




Posted By: hook-line&sinker

Re: Lake Somerville - 08/20/15 01:52 AM

Posted By: jsinn01

Re: Lake Somerville - 08/20/15 01:05 PM

Enjoyed the video, Ben. Glad you enjoyed the cool 89 degree evening. grin

& nice pics above J-Moe coolphotos
Posted By: J-Moe

Re: Lake Somerville - 08/21/15 04:27 PM

Originally Posted By: jsinn01
Enjoyed the video, Ben. Glad you enjoyed the cool 89 degree evening. grin

& nice pics above J-Moe coolphotos


Thanks
Posted By: hook-line&sinker

Re: Lake Somerville - 08/23/15 07:18 PM

The Eagle's report on the status of the Lake Somerville State park & Trailway
Posted By: hook-line&sinker

Re: Lake Somerville - 08/23/15 10:44 PM

Newmans Bottoms and the Yegua status update.

Posted By: jsinn01

Re: Lake Somerville - 08/24/15 05:12 PM

Thanks for sharing. The water looks great, but it's sad to see all the damage to the park.
Posted By: hook-line&sinker

Re: Lake Somerville - 08/25/15 02:09 PM

Posted By: J-Moe

Re: Lake Somerville - 08/25/15 09:59 PM

Lake Level is 241.44. 3.44 ft. above normal. The gates were closed due to the flash flooding downstream of the lake.
Posted By: hook-line&sinker

Re: Lake Somerville - 08/26/15 12:52 PM

Cats on a rooster!

Posted By: J-Moe

Re: Lake Somerville - 08/26/15 02:36 PM

Catfish love Chartreuse. I've had great luck catching them on Chartreuse/black and Chartreuse/White Flies.
Posted By: J-Moe

Re: Lake Somerville - 08/28/15 06:04 PM

Lake level is 240.75. 2.75 ft above normal. Releasing 1291 cfs.
Posted By: Csafisher

Re: Lake Somerville - 08/29/15 12:41 AM

Any idea when nails creek park will be back open?
Posted By: Csafisher

Re: Lake Somerville - 08/29/15 05:44 PM

or even birch creek ramp?
Posted By: hook-line&sinker

Re: Lake Somerville - 08/31/15 12:39 AM

The State park is waiting on the federal, state & TPWD inspectors to give the OK. Sources suggest that Nails creek boat ramp is likely to reopen first but the whole park is looking at mid October and will reopen a little at a time. There is significant damage to infrastructure some of which we cannot see like road base and dying but not dead yet trees. Erosion is going to be a problem for some time now until the vegetation can regrow and hold the soil.
Posted By: hook-line&sinker

Re: Lake Somerville - 08/31/15 12:41 AM

Posted By: Toledo

Re: Lake Somerville - 09/01/15 05:22 PM

How about Rocky Creek launch?
Posted By: hook-line&sinker

Re: Lake Somerville - 09/01/15 08:59 PM

Rocky creek is in bad shape but so far there is no news from The COE.

Posted By: Csafisher

Re: Lake Somerville - 09/02/15 01:00 PM

Thanks for the info! Level is about 1.75' and it looks like they have lowered the release to 1200cfs
Posted By: hook-line&sinker

Re: Lake Somerville - 09/04/15 02:58 AM

The COE had predicted way back in June that by Labor Day the lake would be back to normal level.. sounds like they know what they were talking about.. now to get all the parks back online and operational..
Posted By: rvrrat14

Re: Lake Somerville - 09/06/15 03:56 PM

http://www.swf-wc.usace.army.mil/somerville/
Posted By: hook-line&sinker

Re: Lake Somerville - 09/08/15 01:58 AM

Boat Ramps listed below are OPEN, all others are closed.
Welch Park
Apache Hills,
Birch Creek Forest Subdivision
Lake Somerville Marina and Campground
Lake Somerville Marina and Campground and Welch Park are OPEN for camping.
Rocky, Yegua, Birch Creek State Park, Nails Creek State Park and Big Creek Park are CLOSED.
Pecan Lake is CLOSED.
Posted By: hook-line&sinker

Re: Lake Somerville - 09/12/15 04:14 PM

Posted By: J-Moe

Re: Lake Somerville - 09/14/15 01:29 AM

Lake Level is 238.34. Only 0.34 feet above normal. Flow has been reduced to 355 cfs.

Lots of catfish, gou, small crappie and small bass being caught in the spillway.
Posted By: hook-line&sinker

Re: Lake Somerville - 09/15/15 07:50 PM

Still lots of folks catching fish below the dam in the spillway. The COE will be shutting off the flow or reducing it further now that the lake is near normal level. The fishing will slow down with the receding water but if you change tactics you should be able to find crappie, catfish and goo in good numbers. Anyone that likes to catch buffalo and gar should have a ball.. wink
Posted By: J-Moe

Re: Lake Somerville - 09/16/15 04:08 PM

Lake Level is 238.16. 0.16 ft above normal. Release rate has been reduced to 94 cfs.
Posted By: J-Moe

Re: Lake Somerville - 09/18/15 02:11 PM

Lake Level is 238.12. The spillway gates are now closed.
Posted By: hook-line&sinker

Re: Lake Somerville - 09/18/15 08:02 PM

Not that this is specifically bank fishing but as of this morning Friday September 18th, 2015 the boat ramp at the Nails Creek unit of Lake Somerville State Park & Trailway is open. It is the only part of the whole complex that is open currently. All other areas of the state park (Birch creek unit, the trailway and Nails creek unit) are still being evaluated for flood damage and safety issues. Many of the large trees that died in the flooded parks and on the trailway are at risk of falling so until that risk is dealt with those parts of the state park will remain closed. Most likely the park will open back up in stages starting in October and by early next year be near full operational.

Nails Creek Park
Posted By: hook-line&sinker

Re: Lake Somerville - 09/19/15 06:16 PM

We are back in business at the Nails Creek boat ramp and up the creeks!

Posted By: J-Moe

Re: Lake Somerville - 09/20/15 02:55 PM

Great video Ben thumb

One thing is for sure there are tens of thousands of little bass, crappie, sunfish etc. in the lake and creeks after the flood. As long as we don't go through a drought the lake should get better and better in the next few years. This is one of the only bright spots from the flooding disaster.



Posted By: J-Moe

Re: Lake Somerville - 09/20/15 05:07 PM

Ben and I have also been catching several small spotted bass below the dam. Pound for pound they are a great fight on the fly rod.

Posted By: hook-line&sinker

Re: Lake Somerville - 09/27/15 01:33 PM

Posted By: J-Moe

Re: Lake Somerville - 09/27/15 03:32 PM

I'm not sure this particular fish kill follows the normal dynamics of a lake turnover. The rapid change of a highly oxygenated environment to one with little to no oxygen being added; combined with a reduction in water volume by probably 75% just overstressed the environment. It will be interesting to see if this happens every time the lake releases water for a period of time and then shuts off.

Something very interesting is we didn't see a single dead crappie. I even caught a couple crappie near the 36 bridge. It seems like the crappie survived when hybrids, bluegill, white bass, shiners, mullet, buffalo and bass couldn't.
Posted By: Cats_N_Crappie

Re: Lake Somerville - 09/28/15 11:14 PM

Where is the best place to buy minnows near the lake and what time do they open? Dont know where to go since big ceeek closed. Im gonna see if i can find some crappie or catfish later this week, will hopefully come back with a good report.
Posted By: J-Moe

Re: Lake Somerville - 09/29/15 01:13 PM

Overlook Marina opens at 6 AM. You can purchase minnows there.
Posted By: Baldy Locks

Re: Lake Somerville - 09/30/15 12:05 AM

I was noticing in Bens' video that there was a break in the creek near the rail road bridge. Does this always occur at low release levels or just happen with this recent shut down. Fished there for many years and wasn't aware of this break being there.
Posted By: J-Moe

Re: Lake Somerville - 09/30/15 01:22 AM

As long as there was flow there was no break. The water was higher than that mound. The water was less than 2 feet deep between the railway bridge and dam after the flow was shut off.
Posted By: Baldy Locks

Re: Lake Somerville - 09/30/15 01:20 PM

Thanks J-Moe,I was curious about that. I have fished the creeks above and below the lake my whole life, but I seem to learn new things about them all the time. Another thing I heard years ago is that the Alcoa plant in Rockdale used Yequa water in their flushing system and back into the creek. Don't know this to be true, but I know 20 or 30 years ago I never saw the creek reach such low levels. I know the drought years will always take its' toll on water supply. I remember the water getting so clear in the Yequa, it seemed to have a bluish hue to it. Was always afraid there were chemicals being flushed into it from Alcoa. I understand the plant is shut down now, but am not sure of that. Excuse my long rant, I guess I'm just a curious old man! (that loves to fish)
Posted By: hook-line&sinker

Re: Lake Somerville - 09/30/15 10:31 PM

For many years the Alcoa strip mines pumped water out of the pits into the Yegua. That's why there was always water in the creek and partly why it would be so clear at times. The pumping stopped when the plant shutdown. The drought of 2011 was the first time I had seen the Yegua go completely dry but I only know about the last 15 years or so..
Posted By: J-Moe

Re: Lake Somerville - 10/02/15 01:40 PM

I went to the spillway yesterday evening. Buffalo were stacked in the chute so tight I could have walked across there backs for one side to the other. I caught a couple of crappie and gou on a pair of jigs. I also caught a couple of warmouth on the fly rod and popper. It's pretty clear that all the hybrids, white bass and bluegill are dead. I did see quite a few fingerling LMB in there though.

Posted By: irfishyir2

Re: Lake Somerville - 10/13/15 10:56 PM

why would the hybrids, white bass and bluegill be gone and other species make it thru the
flood?
Posted By: hook-line&sinker

Re: Lake Somerville - 10/14/15 06:16 PM

The fish that died recently were in the spillway where the water level dropped after the COE got the lake back to normal level and shut off the flow. The spillway was loaded with fish from four months of releasing all that flood water the lake was holding. Too many fish in too little of space and when the days are cloudy, still and hot there is less oxygen in the water. Certain fish are much more sensitive to low O2 levels and will die in mass like what happened in the spillway. Happens more often in the fall when the water is still warm and the days are hot and cloudy.
Posted By: J-Moe

Re: Lake Somerville - 10/27/15 02:47 PM

Lake Level is 242 ft. 4 ft above normal. Gates are still closed and more rain is expected Friday and Saturday.

Fall fishing on the lake has been excellent. I've been catching lots of bluegill on the fly rod. Lots of 12 inch bass being caught on the lake. I caught 10 in about 45 minutes on a beetle spin one day. Reports on catfish bite have been good as well. Overlook Park had lots of people fishing and catching some crappie and catfish last week.

Yegua creek was blocked off by a fell tree last week before the flood. There was limited room to get around that tree or under it. Not sure what it will look like after the latest flooding. I suspect it will be a couple weeks or more before the fishing in the Yegua gets good. Pending any more heavy rains that is.
Posted By: J-Moe

Re: Lake Somerville - 10/28/15 06:28 PM

Lake Level is 242.4. 4.4 feet above normal. COE opened the dam back up. Releasing 1315 cfs.
Posted By: Csafisher

Re: Lake Somerville - 10/30/15 05:07 PM

Looks like the yegua is about to get another good slug of water coming through.
Posted By: hook-line&sinker

Re: Lake Somerville - 10/31/15 04:06 AM

I know it looks bad when the Yegua is flooded but it really sets up the fall/winter/spring fishing for the better. Come December/January the crappie will begin to move in mass towards the creek and the fishing can get crazy good.. However a flooded muddy Yegua is no place to be fishing for crappie.. at least not for me..
Posted By: hook-line&sinker

Re: Lake Somerville - 11/02/15 11:42 PM

The Yegua is flooding and the lake is up nearly 7 feet.. might be a while before anyone can get back up the creek to catch some crappie..
Posted By: jsinn01

Re: Lake Somerville - 11/03/15 06:31 PM

Good for the White Bass run, but bad for the Crappie run I guess. frown
Posted By: J-Moe

Re: Lake Somerville - 11/03/15 07:57 PM

Pending more rain, the lake might be back to normal in about 28 days. On a normal year crappie usually move up in the creeks around Thanksgiving. I'm not giving up hope yet. The big problem is access to the creek. Newman's is still closed and there was a pecan tree across the creek on the lake side of wolf pond. Although you could probably drag a yak around the tree. The paddle from Nails boat ramp to wolf pond isn't any fun for me though.
Posted By: Csafisher

Re: Lake Somerville - 11/04/15 03:03 AM

I was in the area the other day but not that far up the creek, it was flowing like crazy and out of its banks. With all the flow, there is a decent chance the tree moved. Just have to wait and see.
Posted By: J-Moe

Re: Lake Somerville - 11/04/15 01:44 PM

The lake is almost 8 feet above normal now and they still haven't opened the dam yet. Looking like it may be closer to 40 days before the lake is back to normal. The crappie fishing may be ruined after all. But the white bass started moving into the creek in mid December last year so let's hope that the white bass run doesn't get flooded out for us.
Posted By: jsinn01

Re: Lake Somerville - 11/04/15 02:37 PM

I have a bad feeling it's going to be flooded all winter. frown
Posted By: J-Moe

Re: Lake Somerville - 11/04/15 02:44 PM

Yep, lots more rain in the forecast.
Posted By: Csafisher

Re: Lake Somerville - 11/04/15 04:11 PM

When do you think they will begin releasing water? The Brazos is starting to settle down.
Posted By: J-Moe

Re: Lake Somerville - 11/04/15 04:46 PM

I bet they open the gates today, latest tomorrow.
Posted By: J-Moe

Re: Lake Somerville - 11/05/15 02:52 PM

Lake level is 246. 8 ft above normal. Looks like they opened the gates close to wide open. Flow is 2109 cfs. At that rate the lake will recede at 1/4 foot per day. That would be 32 days to get back to normal, pending more rain either upstream or downstream of the reservoir.

The Brazos river is still high where it crosses hwy 290
Posted By: jsinn01

Re: Lake Somerville - 11/09/15 02:38 PM

Drove over the Yegua at Hwy 21 yesterday and it was out of it's banks.
Posted By: ag_angler

Re: Lake Somerville - 11/11/15 05:06 AM

where to find real time water flow?

Originally Posted By: J-Moe
Lake level is 246. 8 ft above normal. Looks like they opened the gates close to wide open. Flow is 2109 cfs. At that rate the lake will recede at 1/4 foot per day. That would be 32 days to get back to normal, pending more rain either upstream or downstream of the reservoir.

The Brazos river is still high where it crosses hwy 290
Posted By: hook-line&sinker

Re: Lake Somerville - 11/11/15 02:23 PM

Lake Levels & Release
Posted By: J-Moe

Re: Lake Somerville - 11/12/15 12:30 AM

Originally Posted By: ag_angler
where to find real time water flow?

Originally Posted By: J-Moe
Lake level is 246. 8 ft above normal. Looks like they opened the gates close to wide open. Flow is 2109 cfs. At that rate the lake will recede at 1/4 foot per day. That would be 32 days to get back to normal, pending more rain either upstream or downstream of the reservoir.

The Brazos river is still high where it crosses hwy 290


http://www.swf-wc.usace.army.mil/somerville/
Posted By: fishytx

Re: Lake Somerville - 11/12/15 06:58 PM

When ever we get a good flood in December, the whites run up the creek by the boat loads. Hmmm, wonder if they ran up early this year. To muddy right now to check, but I bet they're up there. I've noticed a little egg bulge in some fish already.
Posted By: jsinn01

Re: Lake Somerville - 11/12/15 09:46 PM

I've caught them as early as December in Nails Creek, but I think the earliest I've caught them in Yegua Creek is January. Won't be long now, that's for sure.
Posted By: Boudreaux

Re: Lake Somerville - 11/13/15 01:17 PM

If none of you have been to the lake/creek recently. Water is 8ft high in the main lake and backing up into the creek. I was able to run my boat up Yegua main branch from the main lake up almost a mile before I decided to turn back. There is water everywhere. If I didn't have GPS I would have lost the channel several times, everything looks the same out there.
Posted By: J-Moe

Re: Lake Somerville - 11/14/15 04:02 PM

I actually caught white bass on December 15th of last year in the Yegua.
Posted By: J-Moe

Re: Lake Somerville - 11/15/15 09:36 PM

I checked my fishing log. I actually caught white bass in the Yegua on 12/5/14. Ben and Jess went on 12/6/14 and caught over 20 each.
Posted By: hook-line&sinker

Re: Lake Somerville - 11/16/15 09:01 PM

It could happen again this December but there is a "Hole lotta water up in dat creek this time" ! Not reel sure if I can even find the fish..

Posted By: fishytx

Re: Lake Somerville - 11/22/15 01:56 AM

I haven't been to the creek yet, but there is a good chance some whites have already moved up in it. I'll still be fishing for LMB for about six more weeks, so hope to get I over there soon. But I can't pass up the good chew on the blacks just yet. Been boating 20 to 30 on every trip. Some nice three and four pound bass, it's fun. But the white bass fever is beginning to sink in. Catching these guys are a blast.
Posted By: Csafisher

Re: Lake Somerville - 11/22/15 03:30 PM

Originally Posted By: fishytx
I haven't been to the creek yet, but there is a good chance some whites have already moved up in it. I'll still be fishing for LMB for about six more weeks, so hope to get I over there soon. But I can't pass up the good chew on the blacks just yet. Been boating 20 to 30 on every trip. Some nice three and four pound bass, it's fun. But the white bass fever is beginning to sink in. Catching these guys are a blast.


The creek water actually doesn't look too bad, considering all the recent flow. I'm getting fed up with duck hunting and your fayette reports are giving me the fishing bug!
Posted By: fishytx

Re: Lake Somerville - 11/22/15 08:26 PM

Quote:
The creek water actually doesn't look too bad, considering all the recent flow. I'm getting fed up with duck hunting and your fayette reports are giving me the fishing bug!


I've seen some limits caught in late Dec. after a good run off, so I see no reason why some whites haven't already moved upstream. It's in their D&A, so I might swing by there some time soon to scout it out. That would be a big maybe though. I prefer to go when it's in full swing.
Posted By: jsinn01

Re: Lake Somerville - 11/23/15 02:40 PM

I'm planning a camping trip out there mid December. Hopefully the lake has receded enough by then for the fishing to be good.
Posted By: OllieC

Re: Lake Somerville - 11/23/15 05:10 PM

Spent some time in the spillway yesterday, water is pounding out of the lake. If that's not full capacity I wouldn't want to be there when it is. We caught one nice white bass on a spinner, had a hybrid hook and pulling drag but couldn't bring him in. We saw a lot of catfish caught on chicken livers fished right in the strongest current and a few nice crappie on jigs in the eddy pools. Lots of people fishing with shad caught nothing. Strange. Beautiful day to be out.
Posted By: hook-line&sinker

Re: Lake Somerville - 11/27/15 06:19 PM

Went Thursday morning.. buffalo were so thick you could not get to anything else.. I suspect the crappie are stacked up in the still water of the overflow side downstream.. you will need a boat to get at them and be a strong paddler if in a yak.. Drop in @ highway 36 bridge, head upstream to the split and stay to the left, that is the overflow channel. The major fish kill in September was absent crappie. We saw tons of dead/dying goo, whites & hybrids but few if any crappie, catfish, carp and gar. I didn't think crappie could tolerate low oxygen levels but if they did then their numbers in the spillway will be huge!

Posted By: hook-line&sinker

Re: Lake Somerville - 11/29/15 03:55 AM

Got a report Saturday that the whitebass were biting below the dam in the spillway if you could get through the buffalos..
Posted By: J-Moe

Re: Lake Somerville - 12/05/15 12:52 AM

Lake Level is 242.88. 4.88 feet above normal and releasing 2015 cfs. Lake should be at normal level by Christmas, pending any more rainfall.

Has anyone heard anything about Newman's Bottom opening back up? Anyone been to Irwin Bridge lately?
Posted By: stinkbob

Re: Lake Somerville - 12/05/15 08:42 AM

Im getting the itch to go fishing in the river again. I may call tommorow to see if NB is open. I live a good ways away but the river is my fav spot to go fishing.
Posted By: Baldy Locks

Re: Lake Somerville - 12/05/15 01:26 PM

J-moe, I was at Irwin bridge earlier this week. The south side of the creek right at the bridge was out of bank. Oddly, the water didn't look real bad. Could not find a crappie, though. The park had said NB would be open sometime in Nov., but I haven't call yet to check. The open sign was not up this week at the turn in from county road.
Posted By: J-Moe

Re: Lake Somerville - 12/05/15 05:09 PM

Originally Posted By: Baldy Locks
J-moe, I was at Irwin bridge earlier this week. The south side of the creek right at the bridge was out of bank. Oddly, the water didn't look real bad. Could not find a crappie, though. The park had said NB would be open sometime in Nov., but I haven't call yet to check. The open sign was not up this week at the turn in from county road.


Thanks for the information. I guess I'll have to be patient for another week or so.
Posted By: jsinn01

Re: Lake Somerville - 12/06/15 03:14 AM

I may take the kayak up either Nails or Yegua Creek tomorrow. If I go I'll let you know how I do.
Posted By: hook-line&sinker

Re: Lake Somerville - 12/06/15 03:21 AM

should be a beautiful day up the creek.. I'd yak Nails first it does fish well when it has water like now.. crappie for sure and maybe some whites and blacks.
Posted By: jsinn01

Re: Lake Somerville - 12/06/15 03:35 AM

I probably will try Nails first since it's a shorter paddle. The tricky part will be finding the fish with all the water in the creek right now, but hopefully I'll catch something.
Posted By: J-Moe

Re: Lake Somerville - 12/07/15 03:25 PM

Originally Posted By: jsinn01
I probably will try Nails first since it's a shorter paddle. The tricky part will be finding the fish with all the water in the creek right now, but hopefully I'll catch something.


How did it go?
Posted By: jsinn01

Re: Lake Somerville - 12/07/15 03:30 PM

I kayaked and fished Nails Creek yesterday from about 11:00 to 4:00. I went almost as far upstream as the CR 125 bridge. There was a tree down just downstream of the bridge that would have been tough to portage around. That said I did portage around one other fallen tree, and had to shimmy under, basically lay down in my kayak to get under another tree (this was just downstream of the trailway bridge. The creek has changed a bunch since I've been out there last. There are so many trees down or dead and in the process of going down. On a positive note, the log jam at the trailway bridge is gone.

There is still too much water in the creek, and the fishing was very slow. I did manage to catch some small (9-10 inch) Crappie around the trailway bridge. Other than a few small black bass, this was all I caught. Everything was caught on a jig. I had to lower the jig all the way to the bottom and reel up about half a crank. This was the only way I could get bit.

Water clarity was ok and got better the further I went upstream. If you plan on kayaking the creek, be prepared to navigate some obstacles.
Posted By: jsinn01

Re: Lake Somerville - 12/07/15 03:31 PM

Tired and sore today from all the paddling, but it was a beautiful day on the creek.
Posted By: fishr3

Re: Lake Somerville - 12/07/15 04:09 PM

Thanks for the report. I've been waiting for someone(H-L&S)to post up some pics of a few slab crappie. This colder weather is making me anxious to head up Yegua creek, but the high creek flow rates on USGS site tell me to stay home till the water gets back to normal levels.
Posted By: J-Moe

Re: Lake Somerville - 12/08/15 05:54 PM

Originally Posted By: jsinn01
I kayaked and fished Nails Creek yesterday from about 11:00 to 4:00. I went almost as far upstream as the CR 125 bridge. There was a tree down just downstream of the bridge that would have been tough to portage around. That said I did portage around one other fallen tree, and had to shimmy under, basically lay down in my kayak to get under another tree (this was just downstream of the trailway bridge. The creek has changed a bunch since I've been out there last. There are so many trees down or dead and in the process of going down. On a positive note, the log jam at the trailway bridge is gone.

There is still too much water in the creek, and the fishing was very slow. I did manage to catch some small (9-10 inch) Crappie around the trailway bridge. Other than a few small black bass, this was all I caught. Everything was caught on a jig. I had to lower the jig all the way to the bottom and reel up about half a crank. This was the only way I could get bit.

Water clarity was ok and got better the further I went upstream. If you plan on kayaking the creek, be prepared to navigate some obstacles.


Great report. Do you think I could walk into the area around iron bridge and catch fish?
Posted By: J-Moe

Re: Lake Somerville - 12/08/15 05:56 PM

Originally Posted By: fishr3
I've been waiting for someone(H-L&S)to post up some pics of a few slab crappie.


Me too, I can't get him to give up the hunting, or deer videotaping, in his case.
Posted By: J-Moe

Re: Lake Somerville - 12/08/15 06:03 PM

It is supposed to be 81 degrees on Friday. The lake should be down to less than 3 feet high by then.

I feel a sick day coming on quickly. We were catching both white bass and crappie in the Yegua this time last year.
Posted By: jsinn01

Re: Lake Somerville - 12/09/15 12:28 AM

Originally Posted By: J-Moe
Originally Posted By: jsinn01
I kayaked and fished Nails Creek yesterday from about 11:00 to 4:00. I went almost as far upstream as the CR 125 bridge. There was a tree down just downstream of the bridge that would have been tough to portage around. That said I did portage around one other fallen tree, and had to shimmy under, basically lay down in my kayak to get under another tree (this was just downstream of the trailway bridge. The creek has changed a bunch since I've been out there last. There are so many trees down or dead and in the process of going down. On a positive note, the log jam at the trailway bridge is gone.

There is still too much water in the creek, and the fishing was very slow. I did manage to catch some small (9-10 inch) Crappie around the trailway bridge. Other than a few small black bass, this was all I caught. Everything was caught on a jig. I had to lower the jig all the way to the bottom and reel up about half a crank. This was the only way I could get bit.

Water clarity was ok and got better the further I went upstream. If you plan on kayaking the creek, be prepared to navigate some obstacles.


Great report. Do you think I could walk into the area around iron bridge and catch fish?


If you're talking about the trailway bridge, you could walk in from CR125. The surrounding area is still holding a lot of water so I would wear some waders if you're going to do this. Like I said, I caught a few fish around the bridge, but nothing of any size. Doesn't mean they're not there though.
Posted By: J-Moe

Re: Lake Somerville - 12/09/15 02:11 PM

Thanks Jared
Posted By: J-Moe

Re: Lake Somerville - 12/12/15 01:01 AM

Great Day on the Yegua banana

Just not the day I expected or planned on.

Per my previous premonition I felt sick early this morning and had to take a vacation day. Not sure my illness is covered in the medical plan.

So I headed down and checked Newman's first. Gates are still closed.

I went over to Irwin Bridge. There were quite a few fisherman throughout the day fishing around the bridge. Most were catching a few, mostly undersized, crappie. No white bass were reported. Good flow and pretty good water quality for the Yegua.

I headed out exploring with a white rooster tail. There was some bank loss and a few good bank fishing spots lost in the flood. There were also some large piles of trees washed away. But for the most part all the previous fishing spots are recognizable. I found fish at only one spot though. And they weren't crappie or white bass. They were largemouth bass. I sat in that one spot and caught 13 lmb on the rooster tail before losing it in an overhead tree branch. I switched over to a pair of black and chartreuse tube jigs and caught another 7. So at 20 bass now in the .5 lb. to 3 lb. range I decided to size up to a big double bladed spinner bait to try and catch some bigger fish. I caught five more lmb about the same size.

So after catching and releasing 25 LMB, and it was only 9 AM, I decided to head over to Nails creek and walk into the trail way bridge from CR 125. There was no flow. I tried fishing around the bridge with no luck. I moved down the bank toward CR 125 a ways and tried a couple of spots but didn't find many bank friendly locations. I tried fishing with live worms around some of the trees but didn't have any luck doing that either.

I took a break for lunch and then Jess and I headed back to Irwin Bridge. We caught another 25 or so LMB and Jess caught the only crappie of the day. A fat 13 incher. We did some more exploring and ended up catching a few bluegill and longear. No more crappie and no white bass.

One thing that was very noticeable was a lot of the sticks, fishing line and other underground snags had been washed away. We weren't losing rooster tails. I told Jess the Yegua monster had gotten soft. Oops, bad mistake, she heard me. In the next 30 minutes I slipped down the muddy bank twice. Got my clothes, skin and fishing tackle snagged in the briars and lost 5 pairs of jigs. So heed my lessons, she may not eat as many of your lures this year as in years past but she still has some claws.

That was great fun Jess. The laughter and fishing cured me.



Posted By: jsinn01

Re: Lake Somerville - 12/12/15 05:59 PM

Thanks for the report, J-Moe. Glad you were able to find some fish biting.

I have three days of camping & fishing planned next weekend at Nails Creek State Park. Hopefully a can catch a few fish for the frying pan. food
Posted By: fishytx

Re: Lake Somerville - 12/12/15 10:23 PM

TFTR Yegua snags change every year. One has to keep going out there till they find the right spot to clean house on these whites with out losing a bunch of tackle. That's what I do any ways. I wont fish an area full of snags, these fish move around enough to find a good place to catch them with out hanging up all the time.
I may have get out there soon, further up the creek there are some good holes that hold some good keeper crappie. Might even be able to catch a limit. This time of the year one can get a good mix on their stringer, crappie and whites. Take some real worms fished on bottom, you should be able to get a good stringer of channel cats too.
Posted By: J-Moe

Re: Lake Somerville - 12/13/15 03:16 PM

Thanks Doug, I still haven't explored the WMA area. It's on my list of areas I hope to find time to fish this season.
Posted By: J-Moe

Re: Lake Somerville - 12/15/15 02:32 PM

Lake Level is 242.8. It came up about 1.5 feet since the flooding this weekend. They closed the gates at the dam yesterday and haven't opened them back up yet. Brazos River was very high yesterday.
Posted By: jsinn01

Re: Lake Somerville - 12/15/15 07:14 PM

Re-thinking the camping plans this weekend. There's just too much water right now.
Posted By: hook-line&sinker

Re: Lake Somerville - 12/16/15 09:53 PM

I asked the park director John Rorie when he expected Newmans Bottom rec area on the Yegua to be open again..

Inquiring minds want to know.. thousands of fishermen are asking when Newmans will be opened again..

John's response is as follows..

The Corps is predicting we will get 6 feet out of the last rain which will put us at 10 feet high again. The Newman Bottom access road looks like the Gulf of Mexico again. Any more rain in the next month would just add to the delay. I would predict that the road will not be open until sometime in the spring.

Hard to be more specific than that but realistically we could be longer than that depending on how wet of a winter we have and how high the lake gets again. We also have a bad culvert on that road that is really big that needs repair. The only way it has survived is us patching it after it goes under everytime, but without being able to get to it could spell disaster should we get another big surge of water.

Sorry to be the messenger with the bad news.

John
Posted By: jsinn01

Re: Lake Somerville - 12/16/15 10:04 PM

Thanks for the update, Ben.

This is definitely bad news. Newmans is far and away one of my favorite places to fish and the White Bass run is fast approaching. On the other hand, this could mean better fishing around the Irwin Bridge/WMA area. With the lake up so high, the fish will be forced to travel further upstream looking for flowing water.

If we keep getting these floods all bets are off though.
Posted By: hook-line&sinker

Re: Lake Somerville - 12/16/15 11:34 PM

The fish can and probably have already advanced higher up the creek than usual and are beginning to stage in the deeper pools.
If the COE is correct and the lake rises to 10 or more feet above normal and stays high this time of the year that will put the bulk of the whitebass out of reach and on private property. Right now it looks like the best springtime whitebass fishing will be way above the WMA if the lake keeps rising.
Posted By: J-Moe

Re: Lake Somerville - 12/17/15 12:28 PM

Originally Posted By: hook-line&sinker


The Corps is predicting we will get 6 feet out of the last rain which will put us at 10 feet high again. The Newman Bottom access road looks like the Gulf of Mexico again. Any more rain in the next month would just add to the delay. I would predict that the road will not be open until sometime in the spring.


I really doubt we will get 6 feet out of this last rain. Maybe after then next one. They are releasing 1500 cfs and the lake only rose 0.06 ft in the last 24 hours. The COE did shut the gates completely this week, but then opened them back up to 1500 CFS. Most of the runoff from the last rain on Sunday is already flowing into the lake.

I suspect the COE predicted it would rise 6 feet at the time they had to close the gates. The Brazos is extremely high right now but they continue to release into it.

Just my opinion, but I've watched the lake levels daily for over a year now. Or maybe I'm just hoping against hope, LOL!!!

Thanks for the update Ben.
Posted By: J-Moe

Re: Lake Somerville - 12/17/15 08:09 PM

The Lake level was at 243.38 this morning. Went up to 243.39. Then dropped to 243.38 and then back to 243.39. So it at least seems to be holding at this point.
Posted By: jsinn01

Re: Lake Somerville - 12/17/15 08:10 PM

The lake has stopped rising. Creek fishing is going to be on fire two or three weeks from now. flame
Posted By: J-Moe

Re: Lake Somerville - 12/17/15 08:14 PM

Bad news though, I caught Yegua fever again. I'm going to spend the next couple of days trying to get rid of it. I know those white bass are in there somewhere. Still trying to decide but I'm leaning toward Yakin up from Nails Creek boat ramp to the Yegua tomorrow. Man I wish Newman's was open.
Posted By: jsinn01

Re: Lake Somerville - 12/17/15 08:24 PM

Don't get lost out there. It's like navigating through a swamp when the lake is up this high.
Posted By: J-Moe

Re: Lake Somerville - 12/17/15 09:34 PM

Originally Posted By: jsinn01
Don't get lost out there. It's like navigating through a swamp when the lake is up this high.
Thanks, Jess is supposed to come with me. I'll probably hit Irwin early AM for a couple hours then we'll launch the yaks around 11 AM or so.
Posted By: Csafisher

Re: Lake Somerville - 12/17/15 11:36 PM

Good luck man. That water is flowing fast! Was up almost to newmans today.
Posted By: J-Moe

Re: Lake Somerville - 12/18/15 12:56 AM

Now you have me worried it will be too fast to paddle in.

What was the water quality like?
Posted By: Csafisher

Re: Lake Somerville - 12/18/15 01:46 AM

Not that great. Was a little better downstream. Creek was flowing fairly fast up where it was in the banks. Down by wolf pond it's out of banks and you don't notice the current as much. I think it's going to start slowing down some, judging by the creek water data.
Posted By: J-Moe

Re: Lake Somerville - 12/18/15 01:54 AM

Was the felled tree before Wolf Pond still blocking the creek?
Posted By: Csafisher

Re: Lake Somerville - 12/18/15 01:57 AM

Yep. But you can go around
Posted By: J-Moe

Re: Lake Somerville - 12/18/15 01:59 AM

We might take the flat bottom. Is there enough room to get around it with a flat bottom? We couldn't get around it last time.
Posted By: Csafisher

Re: Lake Somerville - 12/18/15 05:19 PM

Did you end up going?
Posted By: J-Moe

Re: Lake Somerville - 12/18/15 11:15 PM

I went to Irwin bridge and fished from 6:30 to 8 AM. There was only about 2 inches of visibility and high flow. I took 2 poles with a white rooster tail on one and chartreuse curly tail jig on the other. I covered about a half mile of bank and didn't get a bite. We decided not to go try the lower end. Looks like we are still a week away from decent fishing conditions. Unfortunately rain is expected again next week. What originally looked like a great white bass season is starting to look like a total washout like we had at the end of last year's run.
Posted By: jsinn01

Re: Lake Somerville - 12/19/15 05:04 AM

Still way early to give up on the run, J-Moe. The prime months are February & March so we have some time for the water to come down. Hang in there. cool
Posted By: J-Moe

Re: Lake Somerville - 12/19/15 06:46 PM

Originally Posted By: jsinn01
Still way early to give up on the run, J-Moe. The prime months are February & March so we have some time for the water to come down. Hang in there. cool


Thanks, I was feeling pretty low, you gave me new hope roflmao

There are a few other options besides just Irwin bridge too. Considering the conditions over the last year, they may even be better options.
Posted By: fishytx

Re: Lake Somerville - 12/21/15 03:44 PM

The white bass run is going to be awesome this year. All the elements for a good productive spawn are in place. Probably going to be one of the better spawns than what we have seen in years. It all depends on how much rain during February and March mother nature provides will make or break a good spawn. I know we have a lot of water right now, but you need a good muddy water rise flowing into the lake to show the fish how to get up into the creek when the right time comes.
Posted By: FishFry8

Re: Lake Somerville - 12/21/15 05:17 PM

I really enjoy the honest information that is given here. My son and I started fishing and camping at Somerville last year. My question is: With the dam discharge where is is at right now, can you make the walk on the bank from the dam to the Y below it?

Thanks
Posted By: J-Moe

Re: Lake Somerville - 12/21/15 08:57 PM

Originally Posted By: FishFry8
I really enjoy the honest information that is given here. My son and I started fishing and camping at Somerville last year. My question is: With the dam discharge where is is at right now, can you make the walk on the bank from the dam to the Y below it?

Thanks


That's a long walk, I've never attempted it. We kayak up from 36 to the Y when we want to fish there. You should be able to walk it though.
Posted By: J-Moe

Re: Lake Somerville - 12/21/15 08:58 PM

Originally Posted By: FishFry8
I really enjoy the honest information that is given here. My son and I started fishing and camping at Somerville last year. My question is: With the dam discharge where is is at right now, can you make the walk on the bank from the dam to the Y below it?

Thanks


By the way, Welcome to the forum welcome
Posted By: FishFry8

Re: Lake Somerville - 12/21/15 09:13 PM

Thanks. I hope to add some adventures here. Not only Somerville but other places that we fish/camp like Matagorda Island.

I think we may just give the spillway a try tomorrow. Last time, the gate was closed and the buffalo/carp where packed in tight.
Posted By: J-Moe

Re: Lake Somerville - 12/21/15 09:15 PM

THE RUN IS ON!!!!! banana

Posted By: FishFry8

Re: Lake Somerville - 12/21/15 10:48 PM

Nice. That's a fat one.
Posted By: jsinn01

Re: Lake Somerville - 12/21/15 11:26 PM

Sheesh! Nice fish. Glad I gave you a pep talk. thumb
Posted By: fishytx

Re: Lake Somerville - 12/22/15 03:27 PM

Nice size white. Congrats You keep posting these pics and I'm goona have to go back on my words and hit this creek before I wanted to.
Posted By: fishytx

Re: Lake Somerville - 12/22/15 06:19 PM

Well shoot, I've dug out my ultra light tackle. Time to go scout it out I guess. This will be my first trip of many more to come. You got a love this type of bank fishing at its finest.
Posted By: J-Moe

Re: Lake Somerville - 12/22/15 06:35 PM

Well after catching 6 yesterday I decided to go out again this morning. I caught 7 more, including a 15 inch plus trophy. Half the fish I have caught have been over 14 inches.

I decided to do some more exploring today. I fished from 7 to 11 am and covered over a mile of bank. The banks are still extremely slick. I wore my hiking boots yesterday and slide down twice. Once I ended up in the creek. I went bought a pair of rubber boots at Walmart, but that didn't help. I fell twice more today.

There are very few place to actually get in and fish comfortably.

I found that the white bass are holding on the bottom in very small areas, the size of a 55 gallon drum and are tight against the bank. I found 2 new spots that I had never caught fish before. In every location I could only catch 2 fish at a time before they got skittish and ran off for 20 minutes or so. Then I might catch another one.

I caught fish on white curly tail jigs, chartreuse curly tail jigs and rooster tails yesterday. Today I caught all the fish on 1/8 red jig head with a chartreuse curly tail jig. I used my rod with 12 lb mono most of the day so I could pull clean from most of the snags.

I saw people catching crappie and catfish in the creek the last couple of days as well

Posted By: Robert Hunter

Re: Lake Somerville - 12/22/15 07:24 PM

Great fish my friend. I was wondering if you were goin to pull a joke on me with one of your "trophy" fish lol. Weather stays like this the run will be over in march. We will have to get the fly rods out after them! If I can figure out how to use it boltsee if we can gather up capt. Mac and hook line. Of course with those two you and I can catch fish and they can video:)
Posted By: fishytx

Re: Lake Somerville - 12/23/15 01:03 AM

I caught six whites, two crappie and one black bass in two hours today. Not a bad trip. I'm ready to go do it again. Ran into Jammie while I was there too. He was on a bite as well.
Posted By: J-Moe

Re: Lake Somerville - 12/23/15 01:28 AM

I ended up with 9 White bass and one crappie this evening. The bite really turned on 30 minutes before sunset. I caught 5 white bass and a crappie in that last 30 minutes.
Posted By: J-Moe

Re: Lake Somerville - 12/23/15 02:12 AM

Originally Posted by robert hunter
Great fish my friend. I was wondering if you were goin to pull a joke on me with one of your "trophy" fish lol. Weather stays like this the run will be over in march. We will have to get the fly rods out after them! If I can figure out how to use it boltsee if we can gather up capt. Mac and hook line. Of course with those two you and I can catch fish and they can video:)


Sounds like fun Robert!!! I'm already getting bored catching them on conventional gear but it's almost impossible for me to use the fly rod while bank fishing the Yegua right now. I could slaughter them from the Yak right now though. Just too lazy to make that 8 mile round trip to get to the good spots. My kayak is like a barge, slow and painful to paddle. Newman's being closed is killing me.
Posted By: J-Moe

Re: Lake Somerville - 12/23/15 02:23 AM

Lake level is 242.6. 4.6 feet above normal. Flow was raised to 2000 cfs. Lake should start receding at 1/4 feet per day again. More rain in the forecast for later this week.
Posted By: fishytx

Re: Lake Somerville - 12/23/15 02:32 AM

It was good to see you out there J-Moe. Nice fat female fish you gave me, which will hit the grease tomorrow in my fish fry.
Posted By: J-Moe

Re: Lake Somerville - 12/23/15 03:58 AM

Originally Posted By: fishytx
It was good to see you out there J-Moe. Nice fat female fish you gave me, which will hit the grease tomorrow in my fish fry.


Great to see you too. You left 10 minutes too early. They caught fire when you left.
Posted By: Robert Hunter

Re: Lake Somerville - 12/23/15 04:02 AM

Yea only problem is the receding water will pull the fish out for a bit.
Posted By: LeanderLuvs2Fish

Re: Lake Somerville - 12/23/15 01:12 PM

J-Moe try using cleats on the muddy banks and spray the bottom of the cleats with non-stick cooking spray or WD40 to keep the mud from stick to the bottom.

Fishytx looking forward to running into you this whitebass run. We talked a few times at the steps when my son and I were out there.

Tony
Posted By: J-Moe

Re: Lake Somerville - 12/23/15 06:22 PM

Originally Posted By: LeanderLuvs2Fish
J-Moe try using cleats on the muddy banks and spray the bottom of the cleats with non-stick cooking spray or WD40 to keep the mud from stick to the bottom.

Fishytx looking forward to running into you this whitebass run. We talked a few times at the steps when my son and I were out there.

Tony


Thanks, that's good advice.
Posted By: hook-line&sinker

Re: Lake Somerville - 12/23/15 07:25 PM

Looks like I'm missing the fast start to the season.. Momma is recovering from a broken hip in rehab as of today. My outdoor fun time has been shortened indefinitely for the near future. Good thing I've got such a huge lead on some of you ... (J-Moe) wink By conservative estimates I should be up over the 100K mark for fish caught. 40 years of fishing twice a week all year round at a four fish average catch equals 130k or so.. it is a wonder I'm still married and to the same woman too!
Posted By: J-Moe

Re: Lake Somerville - 12/23/15 09:06 PM

Originally Posted By: hook-line&sinker
Looks like I'm missing the fast start to the season.. Momma is recovering from a broken hip in rehab as of today. My outdoor fun time has been shortened indefinitely for the near future. Good thing I've got such a huge lead on some of you ... (J-Moe) wink By conservative estimates I should be up over the 100K mark for fish caught. 40 years of fishing twice a week all year round at a four fish average catch equals 130k or so.. it is a wonder I'm still married and to the same woman too!


Let's see, thats 8 fish per week X 52 weeks/yr X 40 years = 16,640 fish. Once again your math fails you my friend. Good thing you have an Cajun Aggie Engineer as a friend.

roflmao Just like I keep telling you; It's about the quality of the fish and the fisherman; And if the State of Texas recognizes me as an Elite Angler, you should too roflmao

It just won't be the same without you Ben. Hope you can carve out some time for us mortal fisherman. bow_down
Posted By: hook-line&sinker

Re: Lake Somerville - 12/23/15 11:11 PM

That's optical migraine math... made good sense with the meds.. the label didn't warn of bad math as a side effect, just poor driving which I'm already afflicted.. 40 years X 52 weeks =2080 weeks X 7 days = something.. X a few fish every time I go fishing = a whole lot of fish.. apparently more than I can calculate without some more fishing time to think it over..
Posted By: fishytx

Re: Lake Somerville - 12/24/15 01:11 AM

I remember you Tony. And I will run into you at some point or another during this years spawn Im sure.

Robert, what happens everywhere else with these white bass does not apply to this creek. It is a totally different ball game. There are huge males and females five miles up the creek already. They will hold up in deep pockets, but they wont head back downstream to the lake like everywhere else in Texas. Now on the other creeks that are on this lake, the fish will return to the lake when the water level begins to drop, but not on the Yegua. Why this is I dont know, but it has been this way every since Ive been fishing it. It is the only creek that I know of where the females go upstream with the males at an early stage in the spawn. I have tried to figure out why this is, but I have yet to reach a conclusion. All I know is I like it, big fish at a very early stage in the spawn. Its a white bass spawn fishermens dream.
Posted By: fishytx

Re: Lake Somerville - 12/24/15 01:25 AM

J-Moe, the more you explore this creek, the more you are going to like it. The side you were on when I left has a lot to offer father upstream. I have been up it so far that the white bass quit going up that far to spawn. On a good side note, you might be up there for a long time without seeing another angler. And there are some real nice crappie up there as well. I use to fish this area a lot, but now that I have some back issues, its to far for me to tote a limit of fish back to my truck. If I see you out there again, I can point out a short cut to this area.
Posted By: fishytx

Re: Lake Somerville - 12/24/15 01:28 AM

We had one heck of a fish fry today. I fried up 50 to 60 fillets with some family members.
Posted By: J-Moe

Re: Lake Somerville - 12/24/15 11:10 AM

Originally Posted By: fishytx
I remember you Tony. And I will run into you at some point or another during this years spawn Im sure.

Robert, what happens everywhere else with these white bass does not apply to this creek. It is a totally different ball game. There are huge males and females five miles up the creek already. They will hold up in deep pockets, but they wont head back downstream to the lake like everywhere else in Texas. Now on the other creeks that are on this lake, the fish will return to the lake when the water level begins to drop, but not on the Yegua. Why this is I dont know, but it has been this way every since Ive been fishing it. It is the only creek that I know of where the females go upstream with the males at an early stage in the spawn. I have tried to figure out why this is, but I have yet to reach a conclusion. All I know is I like it, big fish at a very early stage in the spawn. Its a white bass spawn fishermens dream.


That's great information thumb
Posted By: J-Moe

Re: Lake Somerville - 12/24/15 11:17 AM

Originally Posted By: fishytx
J-Moe, the more you explore this creek, the more you are going to like it. The side you were on when I left has a lot to offer father upstream. I have been up it so far that the white bass quit going up that far to spawn. On a good side note, you might be up there for a long time without seeing another angler. And there are some real nice crappie up there as well. I use to fish this area a lot, but now that I have some back issues, its to far for me to tote a limit of fish back to my truck. If I see you out there again, I can point out a short cut to this area.


Thanks Doug, I will definitely take a hike up there this year. I went up to the CR 430 / CR 134 creek crossing and checked out that area the other day. But I haven't walked very far upstream from Irwin yet. I saw people coming out of there with crappie and catfish though.
Posted By: J-Moe

Re: Lake Somerville - 12/24/15 12:27 PM

Originally Posted By: fishytx
J-Moe, the more you explore this creek, the more you are going to like it. The side you were on when I left has a lot to offer father upstream. I have been up it so far that the white bass quit going up that far to spawn. On a good side note, you might be up there for a long time without seeing another angler. And there are some real nice crappie up there as well. I use to fish this area a lot, but now that I have some back issues, its to far for me to tote a limit of fish back to my truck. If I see you out there again, I can point out a short cut to this area.


What I want, more than anything, is to find some decent locations I could bank fish or possibly wade fish with my fly rod. I struggled to find areas to do so last year.

What complicates the issue even more is that with conventional gear I can throw an 1/8th ounce jig to get the bait down quickly if needed. With the fly rod and lighter weighted flies I have to have room to drift it into position.

Any help would be appreciated.
Posted By: fishytx

Re: Lake Somerville - 12/24/15 01:56 PM

I really can't think of a place that is fly rod friendly. A roll cast is about the best one can do on this creek. Now if you are willing to drive to Taylor TX and fish the San Gabriel river this year for whites, I can hook you up with some of the best spots to fly fish. At some point in the upcoming spawn, I would really like to make a road trip to a place where my white bass fishing first started. Head waters of Lake Travis. The water is crystal clear and you have to have chest waders to get out in the river to reach the fish. But when you hook a white in this stream, it will take you awhile to reel it in because they get completely sideways in the strong current and the line is so tight, you can hear this high pitch sound of every quiver the fish makes while this battle to land a fish takes place. On a scale from 1 to 10, I would rate it at a 12. The place is called Reimers ranch, or Reimers fishing camp. I call it a piece of heaven. One of the most beautiful places to fish. I just wish I could camp there like we use to. It's about a two hour drive from my place, so going just a few times during a spawn is about all I would be good for. But it is a breath taking place. I have fished this area for twenty plus years.
Fishinfool40 lives a few miles from this place and he should be able to post updates on the conditions this year. Now that the water level on Travis is back up, this place should be on fire this year.
Posted By: J-Moe

Re: Lake Somerville - 12/24/15 03:21 PM

Now that sounds awesome!!!!! Great post, I felt like I was there for a moment thumb
Posted By: fishytx

Re: Lake Somerville - 12/24/15 04:42 PM

I might make another trip out there today, but I will be taking some curl tail grubs to use. The water clarity is not so good, so you need something that is bright and it will put out some sort of vibration to attract these fish during a very slow roll close to the bottom. The strike zone is very limited. There are some good numbers in there, but you have to drag a bait right in front of their face in order to get bit. And fishing spots are very limited as well. One wrong step and you will end up in the drink before you can bat an eye lid. These bank conditions also make it somewhat difficult to stand in the right position where you need to be in order to make the best bait presentations. Oh yeah, if you decide to go and you plan to keep some fish, take an extra long stringer with you. In a lot of places you are not going to be able to reach the water with a short stringer, you need one with at least 15 feet of line. I had to tie my fish off at one place and fish in another, so I was doing a little walking back and forth to my stringer the other day.
Posted By: jsinn01

Re: Lake Somerville - 12/24/15 08:51 PM

Went to Irwin Bridge area this morning and ended up with 4 keeper Whites. Lost two hauling them up the steep banks. Also caught several small Black Bass and a small Crappie.

Everything 'fishytx' says in the previous post is true. I went a good ways downstream from Irwin Bridge and there just aren't a lot of places you can fish and make a decent presentation.

...and my stringer was just barely long enough to reach the water in most of the places I was fishing. Six and seven foot banks are the norm out there. And very muddy and slick. Be really careful out there. I had one pretty close call where I basically had to sit down to prevent myself from going in. Let's just say my clothes were a little muddy when I got back to my car.

All in all, not a bad day. It's only December so it will only get better from here.
Posted By: fishytx

Re: Lake Somerville - 12/25/15 04:18 AM

I hit the creek around 3 pm and fished for two hours. Caught five whites, three crappie and two black bass. Not to bad of a trip. The water has dropped 6 inches and cleared up a tad. The banks were not as slippery like they were two days a go, but you still had to walk with caution. How ever, you still are not able to get down low on the shoreline banks, if you try, you will probably end up in the creek. I know one thing, this trip was better than me staying home and doing yard work. The weather was awesome and it was nice and quite out there. Just what I needed.

Oh yeah, that fifteen foot fish stringer I had today was almost to short.
Posted By: jsinn01

Re: Lake Somerville - 12/25/15 11:17 PM

Anybody hitting the creek tomorrow morning? I'm thinking about it, but going to see what the weather looks like first. Sunday is looking like a wash out for sure.
Posted By: J-Moe

Re: Lake Somerville - 12/26/15 01:47 PM

Scattered showers in the area today. Those banks will be slick again.

Lake level is 241.7. 3.7 feet above normal. Release rate is 1981 cfs. Gates are open about 85% and the lake is receding about 1/5th foot per day.
Posted By: fishytx

Re: Lake Somerville - 12/26/15 02:29 PM

Sounds like a good idea. I did not grab any curl tail jigs the other day, but I did ok with the regular jigs I use I guess. Boy,do I really want a hit the creek one more time before the rain, nut I don't know. Standing on that bank while fishing seems to really play havoc on my lower back. I'm only good for about two hours, then I have to leave. But I sure do want to go.
Posted By: jsinn01

Re: Lake Somerville - 12/26/15 06:20 PM

I fished downstream from Irwin Bridge this morning from 7 to 10. Ended up with 6 nice keepers and lost another one trying to haul it up the bank. I brought two stringers with me today and tied them together when needed. I didn't have any curly tail jigs with me either, but the regular old tube jigs seemed to do just fine.

The rain started up just as I was leaving. I'm really glad I made it out there this morning. Who knows when it will be fishable again. Lots of rain in the forecast for today & tomorrow.
Posted By: fishytx

Re: Lake Somerville - 12/26/15 06:41 PM

The rain will bring up more fish into the creek, so it is a good thing.
Posted By: fishytx

Re: Lake Somerville - 12/26/15 07:18 PM

Jerry, you had a pretty good morning.
The fish are holding tight somewhere, or there just isn't that many up there yet, not real sure on this one just yet. Either way, for someone to be able to hook up with some nice size whites this early in the spawn, that far up the creek is pretty darn cool. The few that Ive cleaned have had some eggs that are far from being ready and the males seem to be ready to go if a female ever feels the need. Ive got one more trick up my sleeve I might try on my next trip out there. I will either hit it big if the numbers are there, or go home with just a few like I am now. Time will tell. But just five of these monster fish are enough for a decent fish fry. I need to hurry up and fry the other twenty plus bags of fillets in my freezer to make room for this years catch. And these bags have around twenty five fillets in each of them. I figured if I was going to get the peanut oil hot, I might as well cook up a bunch of them all at one time. I love eating cold fried fish though. Makes me want a go fry some up right now. For a guy who catches all kinds of fish through out the year, these are the only fish I keep for the freezer. My wife isnt all that crazy about anything else but these whites, so maybe this is why I only keep them. Personally, I would prefer to release everything I catch and when I want some fried fish, Ill order it off the menu.
Posted By: jsinn01

Re: Lake Somerville - 12/27/15 05:37 AM

All the fish I cleaned Thursday and from today were males. I'd be willing to bet the females are staging somewhere further downstream. Probably around Newman's.
Posted By: fishytx

Re: Lake Somerville - 12/27/15 03:18 PM

The females are in the big hole up by the bridge. Or that's where Ive seen them come from any how. The males can be caught from hole to hole during this time, but the females will hold tight in deeper pockets until feeding time arrives, and then they venture out of their comfort zone to feed. Thats my take on this any way. During the day light hours when spawning is on hold due to water temps being to low to successfully spawn in, females will hold in deep pockets. I dont know why this is, but its been like this for as long as I can remember. Now when the time comes to spawn, they become very active in the shallower waters and you can catch them just about anywhere, but if you take note, they will still be in like a main channel on the edge of a sand bar or in a deep depression. Early morning light is a good time to catch females returning to deeper waters. Late afternoon and I mean right before dark is another good time to get a few females going out in search for prey to forage on.
Posted By: jsinn01

Re: Lake Somerville - 12/28/15 03:18 PM

Great info, Doug. I've experienced that a few times, where the bite just goes crazy about a half hour before dark.

The lake is on the rise again after the rain we got yesterday and Saturday. I imagine the Yegua is out of it's banks or close to it, and flowing fast & muddy.
Posted By: J-Moe

Re: Lake Somerville - 12/28/15 10:39 PM

Lake Level is 243 ft. 5 feet above normal. COE cut the flow to 1000 cfs on Sunday and shut the gates today. Lake came up another 1/2 foot during the day today.
Posted By: fishytx

Re: Lake Somerville - 12/28/15 11:38 PM


I can not remember the lake being this full during a spawn in the past, so this is going to be some new stuff to take into consideration and ponder on as the months go by. Will it affect the spawn in a positive way, or a negative way? I think it should lean a little more towards a positive factor myself, but we will see how this all unfolds in the months to come. I mean, thats all we can do, right?
Posted By: J-Moe

Re: Lake Somerville - 12/29/15 01:36 AM

Originally Posted By: fishytx

I can not remember the lake being this full during a spawn in the past, so this is going to be some new stuff to take into consideration and ponder on as the months go by. Will it affect the spawn in a positive way, or a negative way? I think it should lean a little more towards a positive factor myself, but we will see how this all unfolds in the months to come. I mean, thats all we can do, right?


Did you have your best luck up in the WMA area when the lake was high in the past?

I was talking with the guy who manages the trail way a couple weeks ago and he felt they will just push further upstream and spawn. We may end up sitting on the culvert at the far end of the WMA, LOL!!
Posted By: jsinn01

Re: Lake Somerville - 12/29/15 03:32 PM

I'm just going to catch them where Hwy 21 crosses the Middle Yegua. I'll pull up my car to the edge of the bridge, put the rod tip out the window, and drop a line in the water. grin
Posted By: fishytx

Re: Lake Somerville - 12/29/15 03:34 PM

I have gone upstream so far that I reached the end of the fish. Kind a crazy that someone would go that far upstream, but I wanted to know everything about the creek. It took me around five years of exploring every inch of this creek when I first started fishing it. I guess the unknown part got the best of me. It's an awesome creek to say the least. But in order for me to understand the spawn in this creek, I had to learn and understand the creek first. But that's just who I am. I started at Irwin bridge, I did not know anything about Newman's bottom. I found it by walking and fishing the creek downstream from the bridge and started seeing anglers on the creek fishing. I asked them how did they get there and they told me. Took me several more trips before I found the right roads that lead to Newman's bottom. But back then, I didn't have the Internet or a phone with GPS to get me there.
To answer your question, the fish will only go about 3/4 of a mile upstream from the bridge. The creek gets real narrow up there, so I think that's why the majority of the fish don't go any farther upstream than what they do. But they have about 3 miles of shallow flowing water to spawn in below the bridge.
Posted By: J-Moe

Re: Lake Somerville - 12/29/15 05:08 PM

Thanks, more great information. I won't waste my time walking further than that first 3/4 mile.

I really enjoy the exploring part as well. There's always that hope to find the ultimate fishing spot, LOL!!
Posted By: fishytx

Re: Lake Somerville - 12/29/15 05:39 PM

And there are a few real good hot spots upstream. Wish I was a ten years younger again. I have put myself in some strange places to offer these fish a nice little white jig. Vertical dirt walls with tree roots to stand on as I lean back on the wall to make such offerings. LOL Climb out on trees that have fallen over the creek so I can get in the right place to make the best cast. I have been all over this creek and I know where they like to stack up to feed and spawn. But, those were yester- years. Getting all muddy wasn't an issue, I didn't let to many things stop me from fishing each and every spot from different angles to find out which jig presentation on each hole got me bit more often. Bait presentation is everything. Every hole has a spot to stand that will get you bit over and over again. Personally, I get a big kick out of drifting a jig into a hole of fish. They can not resist it. And it doesn't seem to disturb them at all, allowing one to really load up on some fish. I have never kept over a limit of fish on purpose, how ever I have gotten home with one over my limit a few times. That could have been a costly mistake. And I use a counter to help me keep up with my catch. But I use to go down there and do the catch and release thing only. I probably caught a hundred plus back in those days. I would start early and fish late. I felt like I could never get enough of it. Back when I started this white bass thing, there was no such thing as a size limit or daily bag limit on these fish. I can not tell you how many times I brought home over a hundred fish. It took me hours and hours to fillet my catch.
Posted By: J-Moe

Re: Lake Somerville - 12/30/15 03:23 PM

The dam is still closed but the lake has just about crested now. It only came up another 0.10 feet since yesterday.

Currently the lake level is 243.6 or 5.6 feet above normal.
Posted By: J-Moe

Re: Lake Somerville - 12/31/15 12:28 PM

Lake Level is 243.8. It came up 0.2 feet in the last 24 hours.

Coolshot drove by Irwin yesterday and sent me a photo. Water was still high, muddy and flowing hard.

Posted By: jsinn01

Re: Lake Somerville - 12/31/15 04:42 PM

Cool, thanks for sharing. I may give it a try on Sunday. Might fish Nails if the Yegua still looks too high.
Posted By: J-Moe

Re: Lake Somerville - 01/01/16 05:05 PM

Went by Irwin this morning. Water level has subsided some but is still out of the banks in the normal areas. Visibility was 2 to 4 inches. Flow was still pretty strong.

I caught 2 white bass and one crappie, all keeper size.

Lake level is 243.8. COE opened the gates back up either last night or early this morning. Release rate is 1500 cfs.

Fishing should be decent again in a couple more days, pending additional hard rains.
Posted By: jsinn01

Re: Lake Somerville - 01/01/16 06:53 PM

Thanks for the report, Jamie. This gives me hope for Sunday.
Posted By: J-Moe

Re: Lake Somerville - 01/03/16 06:00 PM

Fished Irwin Bridge from 7:30 to 9:30 AM. Water level had dropped 3 or 4 feet. Flow was back to normal as well. Visibility was still only about 3 inches at most. It only improved about 1/2 inch since Friday.

Instead of exploring this morning I stayed in one spot and worked on presentation. I finally got it locked in and ended up catching 14 white bass, 1 crappie and a 2.5 lb. LMB.


Posted By: white bass interceptor

Re: Lake Somerville - 01/03/16 08:07 PM

nice catch. were they suspended or on the bottom?
Posted By: hook-line&sinker

Re: Lake Somerville - 01/03/16 09:18 PM

DANG! J-Moe putting in the time and effort of the super duper fisherman!
Posted By: jsinn01

Re: Lake Somerville - 01/03/16 09:22 PM

Nice catch! Looks like you have the presentation down.

I should have went this morning. I figured the high/muddy water along with recent cold temps would make fishing tough and didn't want to make the long trip there and back for nothing. Looks like you found a bite though.
Posted By: J-Moe

Re: Lake Somerville - 01/03/16 10:01 PM

Originally Posted By: white bass interceptor
nice catch. were they suspended or on the bottom?


On the bottom, and for the most part, very close to the bank.
Posted By: J-Moe

Re: Lake Somerville - 01/03/16 10:02 PM

Originally Posted By: hook-line&sinker
DANG! J-Moe putting in the time and effort of the super duper fisherman!


Thanks Ben
Posted By: J-Moe

Re: Lake Somerville - 01/03/16 10:10 PM

Originally Posted By: jsinn01
Nice catch! Looks like you have the presentation down.

I should have went this morning. I figured the high/muddy water along with recent cold temps would make fishing tough and didn't want to make the long trip there and back for nothing. Looks like you found a bite though.


I was fishing with 2 other guys. One caught a catfish and the other a white bass off a jig I gave him. That was it. And they fish there far more often than me. I didn't catch anything for the first 30 minutes until I got it figured out. Then they quizzed me for the next hour, LOL!!! Great morning. Now I have to break out the fly rod and try to find a place I can fish.

I'm sure you would have caught a stringer full if you had went.
Posted By: jsinn01

Re: Lake Somerville - 01/03/16 10:41 PM

Originally Posted By: J-Moe
Originally Posted By: jsinn01
Nice catch! Looks like you have the presentation down.

I should have went this morning. I figured the high/muddy water along with recent cold temps would make fishing tough and didn't want to make the long trip there and back for nothing. Looks like you found a bite though.


I was fishing with 2 other guys. One caught a catfish and the other a white bass off a jig I gave him. That was it. And they fish there far more often than me. I didn't catch anything for the first 30 minutes until I got it figured out. Then they quizzed me for the next hour, LOL!!! Great morning. Now I have to break out the fly rod and try to find a place I can fish.

I'm sure you would have caught a stringer full if you had went.


If I didn't catch anything for 30 minutes I would have moved. Way to be patient and figure things out.
Posted By: fishytx

Re: Lake Somerville - 01/04/16 12:20 AM

Glad I came over here to take a peak. Looks like there is bite going on. Good job J-Moe....
Posted By: Sausage Man

Re: Lake Somerville - 01/04/16 12:23 AM

Nice catch. I stopped at Irwin yesterday from 1 to 3pm and fished for a while. Got skunked fishing at the bridge and downstream to the big horseshoe bend. First time there. The water looked a little fast and dirty still. I tried slow dragging white/chartreuse, red/white, and black/chartreuse jigs. Even tried adding a split shot to the line to get the jig deep. I saw 5 or so folks and 2 white bass caught. One guy even had crawfish and caught nothing.

I tried going upstream but it was very slick on the bank and I really couldn't find the beaten down path.
Posted By: hook-line&sinker

Re: Lake Somerville - 01/04/16 01:26 AM

Those whitebass are there in the creek but most everyone fishing for them can't find where the fish are holding. I think the fish are easily spooked and difficult to pinpoint most of the time.
Posted By: J-Moe

Re: Lake Somerville - 01/04/16 01:57 PM

Originally Posted By: fishytx
Glad I came over here to take a peak. Looks like there is bite going on. Good job J-Moe....


Thanks Doug
Posted By: J-Moe

Re: Lake Somerville - 01/04/16 01:58 PM

Originally Posted By: Sausage Man
Nice catch. I stopped at Irwin yesterday from 1 to 3pm and fished for a while. Got skunked fishing at the bridge and downstream to the big horseshoe bend. First time there. The water looked a little fast and dirty still. I tried slow dragging white/chartreuse, red/white, and black/chartreuse jigs. Even tried adding a split shot to the line to get the jig deep. I saw 5 or so folks and 2 white bass caught. One guy even had crawfish and caught nothing.

I tried going upstream but it was very slick on the bank and I really couldn't find the beaten down path.



Welcome welcome

Thanks for the report.
Posted By: fishytx

Re: Lake Somerville - 01/04/16 07:56 PM

I guess I am looking for challenge on this one, but I want to see if I can figure out or find the right top water bait to catch these whites on. I think this would be an awesome way of catching these guys. I have a few ideas, but will save it till I get this thing figured out. I catch them on top water baits in the lake all the time, now to figure out what it will take to get them to hit this in the creek during the spawn. I might have to down size, but already have these baits, so we will see. Doesnt this sound like fun? It does to me, I live for a top water bite.
Posted By: jsinn01

Re: Lake Somerville - 01/04/16 10:12 PM

Good luck with that. Those fish really like to hug the bottom in the creeks.
Posted By: fishytx

Re: Lake Somerville - 01/05/16 12:32 AM

Originally Posted By: jsinn01
Good luck with that. Those fish really like to hug the bottom in the creeks.


I know. Maybe in two months when they are on the go, darting here and there, but not any time really before this time frame. They are holding tight to the bottom and they will for at least the next six weeks or so. After the water starts to warm up and there a lot more up there, they will deplete their food sources enough to strike at one of these. It's just a thought that I have had for a few years but never have given it a try. Jigs are so much easier to use and they cost close to nothing, so losing one of those isnt so bad.
Posted By: J-Moe

Re: Lake Somerville - 01/05/16 12:48 PM

Don't try to discourage him from this mighty challenge Jarred. If anyone can figure it out, he can. Once he figures it out I can follow behind him with my fly rod and poppers roflmao
Posted By: jsinn01

Re: Lake Somerville - 01/05/16 03:01 PM

Do you catch them with top water flies? I've seen people catch Whites fly fishing in the San Gabriel, but not sure what type fly they were using.
Posted By: J-Moe

Re: Lake Somerville - 01/05/16 03:25 PM

Originally Posted By: jsinn01
Do you catch them with top water flies? I've seen people catch Whites fly fishing in the San Gabriel, but not sure what type fly they were using.


I have not caught them on top water flies before
Posted By: hook-line&sinker

Re: Lake Somerville - 01/05/16 07:31 PM

Not to discourage anyone trying something new but spawning whitebass don't respond to topwater lures or flys like they will when feeding in schools back in the lake after the spawn. Surfacing schools of whitebass and hybrids are a real hoot on the fly but really hard to keep up with in a yak. I've managed only a couple of times where I lined up on huge schools near the shore in over twenty years of trying..
Posted By: H-TownCrappieMan

Re: Lake Somerville - 01/06/16 07:58 PM

Hook Line N Sinker and J-Moe - it'd be worth it to have you teach us Somervile Anglers how to fish those back creeks on Somerville for those winter bank crappies. It'd be like a guided trip worth $50 a person or so that I'd be willing to take yu up on. I never been to the back side of Somerville and only went near Pecan Lake once.
Posted By: J-Moe

Re: Lake Somerville - 01/06/16 09:02 PM

Originally Posted By: H-TownCrappieMan
Hook Line N Sinker and J-Moe - it'd be worth it to have you teach us Somervile Anglers how to fish those back creeks on Somerville for those winter bank crappies. It'd be like a guided trip worth $50 a person or so that I'd be willing to take yu up on. I never been to the back side of Somerville and only went near Pecan Lake once.


Most of the crappie I've caught have been down below Newman's bottom. It has been closed for a while. I am having to bank fish around Irwin bridge. I've mainly been fishing for white bass. You are welcome to fish with me anytime, I would never accept money though.

Hook Line & Sinker is definitely the man when it comes to crappie fishing the Yegua. He has lots of videos you can watch that might help you to locate some good areas. Most of those are below Newman's as well though.

I have seen people catching a lot of small crappie under Irwin bridge this year.
Posted By: fishytx

Re: Lake Somerville - 01/06/16 10:23 PM

I know it will be difficult to catch a few on top water bait due to their nature in the spawn mode, but still worth trying. I never have giving this a go, so there is always a first time and it wont take long to see if it will work or not. Even if it doesn't work, at least I could then say I gave it a shot. I even thought about putting a small jig with eight inches of line behind it. Maybe with that short of line it wont get so tangled up. Always looking for something new and exciting to do. But if any of this should work, look out little fishes, Im come for ya. But Im sure Ill stick to this jig thing, I know it works.
Posted By: fishytx

Re: Lake Somerville - 01/06/16 10:30 PM

People normally use sinking flies while fly fishing. Something like this.
Posted By: jsinn01

Re: Lake Somerville - 01/07/16 02:09 AM

Ahhhh, I'll bet that's what they catch em' on in the San Gabriel. The fly fisherman seem to do really well there below the steps.
Posted By: J-Moe

Re: Lake Somerville - 01/07/16 11:19 AM

I tied up some chartreuse & white clousers with a 00 Colorado blade on them last year and caught a few in the Yegua. It's just so hard to fly fish in the Yegua. Especially now since all the sandbars are under water. Last year I could get down on that lower level of sand bars and cast.
Posted By: fishytx

Re: Lake Somerville - 01/07/16 05:06 PM

There is no guessing on this one, it is what they use. Everyone of them. Different colors of course, but same set up.
Posted By: Coolshot

Re: Lake Somerville - 01/07/16 05:11 PM

Caught a few, they're hugging the bottom!
These guys can't help themselves!!
He's in full spawn mode! Lol

Posted By: jsinn01

Re: Lake Somerville - 01/07/16 06:21 PM

Thanks for the report, Coolshot. How was the water clarity?
Posted By: FlintFish

Re: Lake Somerville - 01/07/16 06:24 PM

Happy New Year everyone. Haven't been on since last year but it's good to be back. We took the boat up the Yegua all the way up past Newman's last weekend. Landed 17 BIG whites, 6 or 7 of which were females. Caught most just downstream from Newman's bridge on chartreuse twirl tail grub with pink head. It's looking like we've got an epic season ahead of us! We're going to hit'em again Saturday morning. I'll post the report...

Posted By: jsinn01

Re: Lake Somerville - 01/07/16 07:18 PM

Yup, it's going to be a good year, FlintFish. Thanks for the report.
Posted By: J-Moe

Re: Lake Somerville - 01/07/16 07:26 PM

Thanks for the reports and pictures Coolshot and Flint Fish. It's really getting rolling now.
Posted By: J-Moe

Re: Lake Somerville - 01/07/16 07:32 PM

Originally Posted By: FlintFish
Happy New Year everyone. Haven't been on since last year but it's good to be back. We took the boat up the Yegua all the way up past Newman's last weekend. Landed 17 BIG whites, 6 or 7 of which were females. Caught most just downstream from Newman's bridge on chartreuse twirl tail grub with pink head. It's looking like we've got an epic season ahead of us! We're going to hit'em again Saturday morning. I'll post the report...


Was the tree still blocking the creek before you get to Wolf Pond? Lake is still 5 feet high so it may not have been a problem when you went through there.
Posted By: hook-line&sinker

Re: Lake Somerville - 01/07/16 09:37 PM

Looks like you-all have things well under control in my absence.. between work, wife and aging parents I'm pretty much out of the loop for the next few weeks..

from November 1st 2014
Posted By: hook-line&sinker

Re: Lake Somerville - 01/07/16 09:45 PM

the beginning of the 2015 whitebass run..

Posted By: bengo

Re: Lake Somerville - 01/07/16 10:12 PM

Is the time to go the San Gabriel river fishing now?
Thanks
DLin
Posted By: FlintFish

Re: Lake Somerville - 01/07/16 10:24 PM

We didn't see that tree JMoe. There were a couple other smaller ones that we had to skirt around, but for the most part it was smooth sailing. The water is still up quite a bit in the Newman's area. We were barely able to get under the bridge. I sure wish they'd open the gate though. Hopefully not too much longer
Posted By: FlintFish

Re: Lake Somerville - 01/07/16 11:31 PM

Originally Posted by hook-line&sinker
the beginning of the 2015 whitebass run..


Thanks for posting HL&S. Your videos have been a great help over the years. I sure wish we could find the crappie up there... Nothing beats a mess of big Ol slabs! Hopefully things slow down for you soon so you can wet a line. We'll leave a few in the creeks for ya!
Posted By: hook-line&sinker

Re: Lake Somerville - 01/08/16 12:07 AM

Originally Posted by H-TownCrappieMan
Hook Line N Sinker and J-Moe - it'd be worth it to have you teach us Somervile Anglers how to fish those back creeks on Somerville for those winter bank crappies. It'd be like a guided trip worth $50 a person or so that I'd be willing to take yu up on. I never been to the back side of Somerville and only went near Pecan Lake once.


I've worked with the state park on many guided trips up Nails creek and the Yegua in years past but this year doing the guide thing is going to be tough. These trips were free to anyone that wanted to meet up at the Nails Creek Unit or Newmans when it was open.

I've made only one trip up the Yegua since the flood and the fishing was tough then..
Posted By: J-Moe

Re: Lake Somerville - 01/08/16 01:35 PM

Lake Level is 242.86. COE opened the dam up to 2015 cfs a couple of days ago but the Lake only receded less than a tenth of a foot due to the recent rain.

Coolshot went out to Irwin yesterday. The water was already out of the banks around 2 PM. He walked back toward horseshoe. When he crossed the ditch on the way in the water was ankle deep. Less than an hour later when walked back out it was thigh deep, LOL!! Shhh!! That was a secret, so don't tell anyone I told y'all. roflmao

If anyone heads out there today please post a report. I would be interested to see how long it takes before it gets back inside the banks again.
Posted By: fishytx

Re: Lake Somerville - 01/08/16 02:48 PM

I saw a lot of water in the creek on hw 77 yesterday, it may take a few days to drop enough to be fishable again.
Posted By: jsinn01

Re: Lake Somerville - 01/08/16 05:46 PM

Originally Posted By: J-Moe
Lake Level is 242.86. COE opened the dam up to 2015 cfs a couple of days ago but the Lake only receded less than a tenth of a foot due to the recent rain.

Coolshot went out to Irwin yesterday. The water was already out of the banks around 2 PM. He walked back toward horseshoe. When he crossed the ditch on the way in the water was ankle deep. Less than an hour later when walked back out it was thigh deep, LOL!! Shhh!! That was a secret, so don't tell anyone I told y'all. roflmao

If anyone heads out there today please post a report. I would be interested to see how long it takes before it gets back inside the banks again.


roflmao That's an oh [censored] moment for sure. Always good to bring an extra set of clothes along when bank fishing the Yegua. Just in case...
Posted By: jsinn01

Re: Lake Somerville - 01/08/16 05:54 PM

Originally Posted By: fishytx
I saw a lot of water in the creek on hw 77 yesterday, it may take a few days to drop enough to be fishable again.


I had planned to make a trip out there on Sunday. Don't know if it will be fishable by then. As a back up plan, I may make a scouting trip out to Reimers Ranch on the Perdernales River. I'm really curious about the water level out there. Lake Travis is only 3.84 feet below full pool right now. It's looking like a really good year for us White Bass fisherman.

http://travis.uslakes.info/Level.asp
Posted By: Coolshot

Re: Lake Somerville - 01/08/16 06:55 PM

Man!! Nothing is sacred!! Thanks J-Moe Lol
Definitely put me in the HPF zone!!
Water looked high, but pretty normal color when i got there, then it quickly started having lots of debris moving.. spent enough there time to lose my limit, then started out... but it was a little late. My best guess is about an 18" rise, and that water is CCCCoooold!!


HPF = High Pucker Factor
Losing my limit = The Yegua monster confiscated my tackle hammer
Posted By: J-Moe

Re: Lake Somerville - 01/08/16 08:14 PM

Originally Posted By: Coolshot
Man!! Nothing is sacred!! Thanks J-Moe Lol
Definitely put me in the HPF zone!!
Water looked high, but pretty normal color when i got there, then it quickly started having lots of debris moving.. spent enough there time to lose my limit, then started out... but it was a little late. My best guess is about an 18" rise, and that water is CCCCoooold!!


HPF = High Pucker Factor
Losing my limit = The Yegua monster confiscated my tackle hammer


Yegua monster was just punishing you for laughing at me when I slid down into the creek. roflmao

I don't know about Coolshot but I always have an extra set of clothes with me Jared. I fell out of the kayak twice, filled up my waders twice and slid into the creek in the last year roflmao
Posted By: hook-line&sinker

Re: Lake Somerville - 01/08/16 10:35 PM

I have somehow avoided falling, slipping or otherwise swimming accidentally for most of the last 30 years.. yes.. I'm that good wink (or just lucky!) I've got a good fishing buddy that has gone for a dip at least four times while fishing with me.. he has the worst luck of anyone I know but is also the most persistent fisherman I know. One time the whole bank gave way right underneath him right after someone else had passed over that area.. now that is tough luck!
Posted By: WetaHook'14

Re: Lake Somerville - 01/09/16 02:20 AM

Nice catch
Posted By: fishytx

Re: Lake Somerville - 01/09/16 02:04 PM

I slid in once. I totally respect the banks out there today. I went one time last year when it was flowing strong and decided it was to risky. If I had slipped in, the possibility of drowning was very high. Log jams everywhere to get smashed into. I know all to well about swift water, it doesn't have to be very deep to pin you up against something and the power of that water flowing on and around you is so powerful, you can not get unstuck. Flood waters is nothing to play around with. Wait till the water recedes. No fishing trip is worth taking a chance of losing your life over. Not a lot of easy areas to climb back out if you fall in either. Bad idea to fish this creek while it's flowing pretty strong. Hard to get back out of and a lot of stuff to get tangled up in. Not worth it to me.
Posted By: fishytx

Re: Lake Somerville - 01/09/16 07:39 PM

If you do go, be sure to have a fishing buddy with you and maybe something in your vehicle to use to help rescue someone if something should ever happen. I keep rope with me in my tool box. Theres also some 20 ft. stalks of inch rebar on the north west side of the bridge that you could use if didnt have anything else to use. But the best thing would be to wait till this creek recedes. Fish Cedar creek, it should be good right now. I'm pretty sure that's the name of it.
Posted By: J-Moe

Re: Lake Somerville - 01/09/16 07:54 PM

I checked out Irwin this morning. Water was still out of the banks and visibility was less than 2 inches. I got to see Shea, Matt and several of the other guys I met during last years' run. We all tried fishing for about 30 minutes with no luck and moved on. Great seeing you guys again. I expect we will meet up a few times more before the run is over.
Posted By: white bass interceptor

Re: Lake Somerville - 01/10/16 09:44 PM

Did anyone check the creek today? It was very high on Friday and was wondering when it might be fishable again.
Posted By: jsinn01

Re: Lake Somerville - 01/10/16 10:17 PM

Usually when the water is out of the banks it takes one to two weeks to be fishable again. Probably mid to late this week before it's worth trying. It's a long drive for me so I usually wait for a few good reports before making the trip.
Posted By: white bass interceptor

Re: Lake Somerville - 01/10/16 11:09 PM

Fished nails creek on Friday and did pretty good. I am planning on going to Yegua on Thursday if the water drop enough. I believe that they will be very active by then. Most females seems to be ready to drop their eggs and some of the males are spewing milk when they are caught. They were biting very strong last week before the rain and I believe they are ready to explode. Caught some nice fat black bass and crappie on Friday.
Posted By: J-Moe

Re: Lake Somerville - 01/10/16 11:18 PM

Originally Posted By: white bass interceptor
Fished nails creek on Friday and did pretty good. I am planning on going to Yegua on Thursday if the water drop enough. I believe that they will be very active by then. Most females seems to be ready to drop their eggs and some of the males are spewing milk when they are caught. They were biting very strong last week before the rain and I believe they are ready to explode. Caught some nice fat black bass and crappie on Friday.


Did you bank fish Nails or go up in a boat?
Posted By: jsinn01

Re: Lake Somerville - 01/11/16 12:01 AM

Originally Posted By: white bass interceptor
Fished nails creek on Friday and did pretty good. I am planning on going to Yegua on Thursday if the water drop enough. I believe that they will be very active by then. Most females seems to be ready to drop their eggs and some of the males are spewing milk when they are caught. They were biting very strong last week before the rain and I believe they are ready to explode. Caught some nice fat black bass and crappie on Friday.


Man, wish I would have known this on Saturday. I need more timely reports 'white bass interceptor'. grin
Posted By: hook-line&sinker

Re: Lake Somerville - 01/11/16 01:26 AM

Don't overlook Cedar creek.. sometimes it can be really good.. I'm betting with the lake high and all the rain lately that most of the creeks will hold fish in good number too!
Posted By: white bass interceptor

Re: Lake Somerville - 01/11/16 05:19 AM

**^^J-MOE^^** I bank fished and found them in select places. I walked the creek and was not able to find them holding in very many deep holes or large bodies of water. I learned that the water was flowing much faster before I got there and that could have turned them off. water was plenty deep.

**^^JSINO01^^**
Sorry, next time I will post earlier so you can use it in your report.

**^^HOOOKLINFSINKER^^**
Didn't have time to check out Cedar Creek but it can really be great for whites and crappies. I think I will do some exploration just to soothe my curiosity if I have time.
Posted By: J-Moe

Re: Lake Somerville - 01/11/16 12:44 PM

Originally Posted By: white bass interceptor
**^^J-MOE^^** I bank fished and found them in select places. I walked the creek and was not able to find them holding in very many deep holes or large bodies of water. I learned that the water was flowing much faster before I got there and that could have turned them off. water was plenty deep.


Thanks, I walked into the trailway bridge a few weeks ago and there was hardly any flow at that time either. Lake was 5 feet above normal pool at that time as well.
Posted By: jsinn01

Re: Lake Somerville - 01/11/16 02:06 PM

Originally Posted By: white bass interceptor
**^^J-MOE^^** I bank fished and found them in select places. I walked the creek and was not able to find them holding in very many deep holes or large bodies of water. I learned that the water was flowing much faster before I got there and that could have turned them off. water was plenty deep.

**^^JSINO01^^**
Sorry, next time I will post earlier so you can use it in your report.

**^^HOOOKLINFSINKER^^**
Didn't have time to check out Cedar Creek but it can really be great for whites and crappies. I think I will do some exploration just to soothe my curiosity if I have time.


Thanks. Nails Creek can be really good for Crappie, but I usually have better luck when there's little to no current flow and the water is on the clear side. So far, this year has been the opposite of that. Thanks for the report.
Posted By: SabineAndy

Re: Lake Somerville - 01/11/16 03:17 PM

I am finding all of you guys info very interesting. I am puzzled by the whites being in full spawn which from the pics they certainly look to be. I say this because I fish the Sabin and Brazos and while there are a few to be caught this early they are never spawning. So my question would be has any body checked the water temp up in the areas where your catching the whites?
Posted By: J-Moe

Re: Lake Somerville - 01/11/16 03:29 PM

Originally Posted By: SabineAndy
I am finding all of you guys info very interesting. I am puzzled by the whites being in full spawn which from the pics they certainly look to be. I say this because I fish the Sabin and Brazos and while there are a few to be caught this early they are never spawning. So my question would be has any body checked the water temp up in the areas where your catching the whites?


I have not checked the water temperature but Lake Sommerville is a shallow, medium sized lake which in turn should lead to quicker changes in water temperatures than other lakes.

From what I have heard the females eggs are not ready yet. So the spawn is not quite started yet. Although I've been secreted on by several males already. The white bass start staging in the Yegua in early December if there is adequate water. It is much different from any other creeks or rivers I read about.
Posted By: hook-line&sinker

Re: Lake Somerville - 01/12/16 12:00 AM

A few observations about whitebass fishing in Lake Somerville.

The lake is located pretty far south and this area of the Brazos Valley seldom has very cold winters. The Yegua is a long shallow creek running through mostly ranch land so the quality of the water is good to better than most and rich with nutrients. It also floods frequently causing the lake to fluctuate greatly expanding to nearly twice it's normal size.

I am going to suggest that the influence of stocking hybrid stripers for nearly forty years has the whitebass favoring cooler temperatures like their striper cousins. Or it might be a water quality issue where the water in the creek is fresher in the cooler months or maybe this far south the length of daylight isn't as short. It might be all of these factors combined but one thing is for sure over the last few years frequent drought has messed up everything about every other year.

I think it is important to understand how temperature and daylight affect spawning fish. Temperature affects metabolism which increases in cold blooded fish when the water warms. That equates to more active feeding and growth rates more than the timing of the spawn. I have always correlated the whitebass spawn at Lake Somerville to be most active between the second and third full moon cycle. Almost without exception the whitebass spawn is totally over by the forth full moon of the year. Exceptional rain events that fill and flood the lake change everything and events like last summers flood are what set up this truly unique fishing opportunity before us now.

If we don't get flooded out this is shaping up to be the best whitebass fishing in years..
Posted By: hook-line&sinker

Re: Lake Somerville - 01/12/16 12:11 AM

Since the last hybrid striper stocking was in 2011 we should see very few if any undersized hybrids. In two more years the population will begin to dwindle down to just a few big fish. By 2020 it will be very rare to catch a hybrid striper unless TPWD begins to stock the lake again before then.
Posted By: Csafisher

Re: Lake Somerville - 01/13/16 03:27 AM

Anyone headed out tomorrow? Debating going out in the morning but concerned about water clarity. The level seems to have subsided.
Posted By: J-Moe

Re: Lake Somerville - 01/13/16 12:28 PM

Originally Posted By: Csafisher
Anyone headed out tomorrow? Debating going out in the morning but concerned about water clarity. The level seems to have subsided.


It would be worth a try. Wish I could. Hope we don't get anymore heavy rains this week.
Posted By: hook-line&sinker

Re: Lake Somerville - 01/13/16 07:49 PM

Just kill me now.. stuck in the office all week and on a day like this...

[Linked Image]

at least I've got my memories.. same time two years ago


Posted By: kdub#1

Re: Lake Somerville - 01/13/16 08:16 PM

I've been watching fish tales all day. Making my first trip down this weekend and can't wait. thumb thumb
Posted By: jsinn01

Re: Lake Somerville - 01/13/16 08:41 PM

See you out there, Kayl. It should be fun.
Posted By: kdub#1

Re: Lake Somerville - 01/13/16 09:14 PM

Heck yeah!!!
Posted By: fishytx

Re: Lake Somerville - 01/14/16 12:24 AM

The eggs are not ready yet. They will be by the end of next month though. The males squirt milk at a very early stage, so you can not go by that, it's the full maturity of the eggs that count. You can tell when you catch a female right now, but they are not bulging out good yet. Give it another four to six weeks and they will be going nuts.
Posted By: Jater07

Re: Lake Somerville - 01/14/16 04:52 AM

The high temp on Thursday is supposed to be 67 and Friday supposed to be 68. Think there's a front hitting saturday. If I knew how to get to the water there I'd be walking up and down that whole place friday fishing it and learning it. Is anyone going thurday or friday? I would be coming from lockhart/austin area.
Posted By: itwasalladream

Re: Lake Somerville - 01/15/16 03:46 AM

I went on Wednesday and bite was a little slow not to mention the banks were highly slippery. So please take some with you and be extremely careful. The current was a little fast and off color so i had to up the size of my road runner to 1/8 oz which helped the presentation. fished Irwin and made the long hike to newmans. All in all I managed 6 in a few hours. If this good weather keeps up then next week should be an awful lot better.

Posted By: J-Moe

Re: Lake Somerville - 01/15/16 12:27 PM

Originally Posted By: itwasalladream
I went on Wednesday and bite was a little slow not to mention the banks were highly slippery. So please take some with you and be extremely careful. The current was a little fast and off color so i had to up the size of my road runner to 1/8 oz which helped the presentation. fished Irwin and made the long hike to newmans. All in all I managed 6 in a few hours. If this good weather keeps up then next week should be an awful lot better.



Thanks for the report. Wow, that is a long hike to Newman's. How did it look? I haven't seen it in a long time.
Posted By: jsinn01

Re: Lake Somerville - 01/15/16 01:45 PM

Fishing this weekend from bank, boat & kayak. Hope to see a few of you out there. Report will be forthcoming on Monday. fish
Posted By: BCSshots

Re: Lake Somerville - 01/15/16 03:15 PM

Made my first trip to Nails Creek yesterday, hiked in from the WMA location. As a newbie this trip was mainly an exploration trip to get a feel for the creek and the terrain in preparation for future trips with my son. like most have posted here the fishing was slow, no whites caught but I did manage to bag 5 crappie on jigs. Stopped by Erwin's bridge on the way home and watched for a few minutes, bite was slow there as well. All in all what a beautiful place to fish and hike, looking forward to the coming months.
Posted By: jsinn01

Re: Lake Somerville - 01/15/16 03:54 PM

welcome

Thanks for the report, BCShots.

Nails Creek is one of my favorite places to fish. Glad you caught a few fish.
Posted By: Coolshot

Re: Lake Somerville - 01/15/16 05:03 PM

Ok!! Headed that way, will have a report hopefully soon!
Posted By: fishytx

Re: Lake Somerville - 01/15/16 06:13 PM

I may give this creek another week to clear up some before I go again. Itll also allow the muddy banks to dry out a little. Curl tail grubs in white or chartreuse work great during these conditions we are now experiencing, but I prefer a little more water clarity myself. Water clarity equals wider range of a strike zone, which means more hook ups. Thats how it calculates out for my style of fishing anyways. But I like to throw the small crappie jigs. Going down there and catching a few limits isnt that far away now. We need a small break on the rain so this thing can settle down and the water clear up a little. I have a feeling that an angler is gonna have to take advantage of the good days and load up on these guys before it floods again. With everything in the water shed above being so full and saturated, it doesnt take much to get this creek flowing strong and messing it up again.
Posted By: tosavaN

Re: Lake Somerville - 01/15/16 06:25 PM

Use to duck hunt there back when that creel was aph... never had much luck with the fishing there other than goo fish lol. Other spots though were pretty sweet. Caught a 14lb striper at the South end of the lake
Posted By: itwasalladream

Re: Lake Somerville - 01/15/16 07:29 PM

Not sure why I am unable to post pictures but I'll keep trying to do so. You can see a drastic difference in the tree line with the first 8ft of the trees all brown. I saw a boat way north of the trail way bridge so I imagine there aren't many log jams present. I fully suspect that boat is the reason I stopped catching fish. Hoping to get out there again soon.
Posted By: Coolshot

Re: Lake Somerville - 01/16/16 12:43 AM

Made a short exploration trip to the Yegua at the Irwin bridge area with J-Moe this afternoon and found a few scattered here and there!
Suspect that Fishytx hit the nail on the head! Water needs to clear up a bit, and the banks need to dry up too! There was a 72 year old lady that slipped into the creek, and was lucky enough to have three guys nearby who were able to pull her out!
*PLEASE BE CAREFUL*


THIS GUY WAS LONG AND SKINNY MUCH LIKE A STRIPER

ONLY ONE TOOTH PATCH

THIS GUY WAS ENJOYING THE WARM WEATHER

Posted By: Sausage Man

Re: Lake Somerville - 01/16/16 01:13 AM

It was gorgeous on the Yegua today. Got there around 10am with about 10-12 cars at Irwin Bridge and the parking area. I walked downstream until I went past all the people. I probably went a mile or 2. Over the next 3.5 hours, I caught my first Yegua white bass limit standing in the same spot. At first it was males but then I must have stumbled upon one of those deep holes Fishytx talks about because it was solid females for about 8-10 casts in a row. Tough walk back hauling those fish! Every fish caught on a chartreuse jig. I will echo what others have mentioned about it being slick and being careful. I helped a guy get out after he had fallen in. I am not sure if someone can get up without help with those banks like they are. Thanks to Hook Line Sinker for the heads up about using the cleaning station at Nails. That was much better than cleaning fish in the backyard.

I'll try and get a picture up later tonight.
Posted By: hook-line&sinker

Re: Lake Somerville - 01/16/16 03:22 AM

Hope to wet a line reel soon... smile fishtale to follow....
Posted By: hook-line&sinker

Re: Lake Somerville - 01/16/16 03:35 AM

Based on what I have heard and read so far I'd say that any of the smaller creeks feeding Lake Somerville should hold whitebass right now. All it takes is a higher than normal lake that followed lots of rain that put a good flow in the usually small or dry creeks. Birch creek is a reel good choice for kayaking as it is a little harder to access from land. You can have most of Birch creek to yourself weekdays or with a few other boaters on the weekends. Birch creek is rather short and narrow but with several deep holes for the fish to stage before the spawn. I've done really well when conditions are like what we have now. Birch creek also holds good numbers of LMB and crappie in the lower section closer to the lake. I'm not sure of the current status of the state park (birch creek unit) so I don't know if you can take a short cut to the creek from the Yaupon camping area or not if you are yakin it..

Posted By: Sausage Man

Re: Lake Somerville - 01/16/16 03:55 AM

Just an FYI, the state park has closed access to Cedar Creek via the state park due to unsafe conditions on the trail and the bank.
Posted By: hook-line&sinker

Re: Lake Somerville - 01/16/16 04:05 AM

Remember this??? .. we almost got slayed by the yak dragon.. several times that spring..
Posted By: Kirby12

Re: Lake Somerville - 01/16/16 04:45 PM

Thanks, I was going to try that on Monday. Stopped at the bridge and walked toward the lake last Tuesday with no luck.
Posted By: hook-line&sinker

Re: Lake Somerville - 01/17/16 03:20 AM

We did well early catching a dozen or so by about 8am then the weather shifted and the fish shut down. One thing about this winter whitebass fishing in the creeks.. a good day almost always starts early.. The morning bite is a little more predictable but there is often a good afternoon/evening (4pm) or so for those who can't meet the sunrise...

Posted By: hook-line&sinker

Re: Lake Somerville - 01/17/16 03:28 AM

I think the hardest lesson to learn about these winter whitebass is that the fish will be right where you are fishing but do not bite for most of the day. It seems to be about two hours of really hot action several times a week mostly in the early morning and then again in the late afternoon. Sometimes you simply just have to be there at the right time of the day.




Posted By: J-Moe

Re: Lake Somerville - 01/17/16 12:20 PM

Bring a few white rooster tails when you come. I've had much better luck with rooster tails than curly tail jigs the last couple of days. It has been the opposite up until then. I'm still working both of them though.
Posted By: fishytx

Re: Lake Somerville - 01/17/16 02:10 PM

Congrats on the limit. First one I've read about being caught this year. Awesome looking fish. Mega whites.
Posted By: fishytx

Re: Lake Somerville - 01/17/16 02:20 PM

Here's something I do that may be an idea for the rest. After I fillet my fish at home, I take the fish remains and freeze them. On trash day, I take them to the curb. But I also have an extra freezer in my shop to use. But man is that easy and a clean way to dispose the fish remains.
Posted By: J-Moe

Re: Lake Somerville - 01/17/16 04:02 PM

Originally Posted By: Sausage Man
It was gorgeous on the Yegua today. Got there around 10am with about 10-12 cars at Irwin Bridge and the parking area. I walked downstream until I went past all the people. I probably went a mile or 2. Over the next 3.5 hours, I caught my first Yegua white bass limit standing in the same spot. At first it was males but then I must have stumbled upon one of those deep holes Fishytx talks about because it was solid females for about 8-10 casts in a row. Tough walk back hauling those fish! Every fish caught on a chartreuse jig. I will echo what others have mentioned about it being slick and being careful. I helped a guy get out after he had fallen in. I am not sure if someone can get up without help with those banks like they are. Thanks to Hook Line Sinker for the heads up about using the cleaning station at Nails. That was much better than cleaning fish in the backyard.


Well done. That's what it's all about. Exploring and finding that honey hole. Thanks for posting the report thumb
Posted By: hook-line&sinker

Re: Lake Somerville - 01/17/16 04:02 PM

Between work, wife and life in general this is my First fish of the new year (whitebass run up the creeks of lake Somerville)..

Posted By: fishytx

Re: Lake Somerville - 01/17/16 04:27 PM

As you can see in hook lines videos, the mouth of the creek at the lake is very shallow water. There is not enough water for these fish to stay in at the lake, so when they get up into this creek channel in the deeper holes, they stay in them until it's time to spawn. Deep water in this creek is a hole with 6 to 10 feet of water. There are many spots along this creek that have these deeper holes between Irwin and Newmans bottom. They are not very long, or wide, but deep enough to hold a bunch of fish. Farther you go downstream from Newmans bottom, the more you will see the wider and longer deep holes that are available for these whites to stack up in as they leave the lake.
Just typing and thinking about a white pulling on the other end of my rod has me scratching my head and trying to figure out if I want to go after a few today. But on the other hand, do I want to stay nice and clean by hooking onto the boat and going to the lake for some blacks? Its just to much of a beautiful day to sit around the house. And I could sure use a good rod bend right about now.
Posted By: J-Moe

Re: Lake Somerville - 01/17/16 04:38 PM

Another great video Ben thumb

I'm glad you were able to sneak away for a few hours and do some exploring. Great day!!!!
Posted By: catchnrelease

Re: Lake Somerville - 01/17/16 07:11 PM

Just wondering if the gate is open at new mans bottom? Too nice of a day to stay indoors.
Posted By: Sausage Man

Re: Lake Somerville - 01/17/16 08:45 PM

The gate to Newman's Bottom was closed as of Friday. Go to Irwin Bridge and walk downstream.
Posted By: R2Fishing

Re: Lake Somerville - 01/18/16 12:41 AM

Been a good while
Since I've been on here...


Roll call

Who's all heading out in the AM?


for all who went today how was the water?
Posted By: J-Moe

Re: Lake Somerville - 01/18/16 01:07 AM

Water is fine. Fishing was on fire Friday evening and Saturday morning until the cold front hit. It slowed down quite a bit but people were still finding a few in select spots. Hopefully tomorrow will be better. I'll probably be exploring one of the creeks tomorrow. I've been looking for good places to fly fish.
Posted By: R2Fishing

Re: Lake Somerville - 01/18/16 01:15 AM

thumb


HLS video makes for a hard location choice. I'm mixed if I want to visit Nails or Irwin Bridge now.

I've never left nails empty but have always had to work for my fish. Yegua has always been my goto when run starts to kick in.
Posted By: hook-line&sinker

Re: Lake Somerville - 01/18/16 01:39 AM

Either Nails or Yegua creek will be a good choice in the early morning.. I have to work so you-all will have to forge on without me wink
Posted By: hook-line&sinker

Re: Lake Somerville - 01/18/16 01:44 AM

Newmans probably won't be open for a while longer since the culvert right before the parking lot has washed out again and there is still some damage to the trailway from the summer flooding. I find out more Monday when I call the state park manager.
Posted By: Kirby12

Re: Lake Somerville - 01/18/16 01:51 AM

I'll be out there. I'll probably start at Irwin and then probably end at Cedar.
Posted By: hook-line&sinker

Re: Lake Somerville - 01/18/16 02:19 AM

If you are entering the state park (downstream Yegua @ Irwin bridge or Nails Creek @ CR 125) you need to register. Upstream from both locations is part of the WMA and is free access but you must wear hunter orange because the WMA are open to hunting year-round. It is easiest to just go into the Nails creek unit of the state park and register there at the office 8:30-4:30 everyday. Information about Newmans Bottom can be found there as well.

Nails Creek Facebook

TPWD webpage for the state park
Posted By: Kirby12

Re: Lake Somerville - 01/18/16 02:34 AM

You can also register at the parking lot at Irwin can't you?
Posted By: Kirby12

Re: Lake Somerville - 01/18/16 02:46 AM

You can also register at the parking lot at Irwin can't you?
Posted By: hook-line&sinker

Re: Lake Somerville - 01/18/16 03:25 AM

Sometimes yes.. Honor boxes are a problem.. too many dishonest people and thieves in that area.. If I keep fish I'll stop by Nails park to clean them. I also have a annual park pass..
Posted By: Kirby12

Re: Lake Somerville - 01/18/16 03:44 AM

Just didn't want to have to drive past Irwin and go to Nails just to have to turn around and go back to Irwin esp if the park doesn't open till 8:30. Also, if I get a pass at Irwin can't I use it to get into nails and clean fish? Thanks, just haven't been out there that much.
Posted By: R2Fishing

Re: Lake Somerville - 01/18/16 03:51 AM

If your going to just clean fish at the station I'm only assuming but the ladies at the office should waive your fee. They have for deer hunters from the WMA to come inside the park to hang and clean their deer at the cleaning rack.
Posted By: Kirby12

Re: Lake Somerville - 01/18/16 04:05 AM

No, I'd have the permit from Irwin. Wouldn't use their facility without paying for a day pass.
Posted By: hook-line&sinker

Re: Lake Somerville - 01/18/16 11:37 AM

When you get a pass to any state park it is good for all state parks for the day smile I'm an annual state park pass holder and the long time President of the Partners at Nails Creek which is the friends group for the park. The partners friends group has lost it's mojo over the last few years and I haven't had time to focus much effort on the group or it's activities as of late. I'm the fisherman of the group and have spearheaded most of the events centered around kayaking and fishing. When Newmans is closed the park takes a huge hit in traffic to the creek and with it goes the revenue from about 10,000 to 20,000 visitors. Kayaking the creeks from Nails creek park has become very popular which I've been pushing through my many videos doing just that.

What this leads to is the only proven way to truly support the state park or any park for that matter.. go and have your presence there counted. Sneaky Pete doesn't get counted but loses just like the rest of us when the park closes. You have to remember that you are working with the government when entering the park or WMA and numbers matter more to the bean counters than the activities of a few stingy old fishermen.

Posted By: fishytx

Re: Lake Somerville - 01/18/16 02:51 PM

I met up with J-Moe yesterday at Irwin. We explored the upstream area. It felt great to get back on some areas I haven't fished in five years or so. We did find a few fish, but decided to head back and see if we could get into some better fishing in. But this did not happen. That cold snap has slowed the bite down big time. But on a high note, the water is starting to look really good.
Jamie, I had good time, thanks for coming back to Irwin Bridge and exploring the upper end with me. He was at Cedar creek when I texted him. Oh yeah, we did catch more upstream than what we did downstream. Our foot prints were the first ones up there. No signs of others fishing this area at all. But in order to fish this area, you have to want it. We fault a swamp and tangled up under brush to get there. No trails what so ever at this point and it's very tuff to go through. But I have covered just about every inch of this creek fishing for these whites. It has taken me many years to do it, but I cant think of an area I havent fished at some point or another. Ive only been about two miles downstream from Newmans bottom, I have yet to walk it all the way to where it meets the lake. And I see no reason to explore this any farther, thats not where they spawn. How ever, they will stack up in those holes, but they are hard to find. Give it month and those fish will continue their journey on up the creek to the spawning areas. Its a good staging area for these fish until then. Oh this creek is full of fish, when it turns on, its going to be crazy good.
Posted By: fishytx

Re: Lake Somerville - 01/18/16 03:29 PM

Hey people, if you pack items in, then it becomes your responsibility to pack it back out and leave this area as clean if not cleaner than it was before you got there. I could not believe the trash I saw yesterday. Are you kidding me, NO ONE wants to see this stuff while they are out there enjoying this envirment? Rolled up fishing line and the package your artificial baits came in will not take up much space in your pocket, please take it with you. Beer cans seem to be an issue as well. You had the extra space on you to carry it in there, bring a plastic bag to stick your empties in to carry it back out in that same space. Seems like when one starts this throw trash on th ground, it snow balls and many others will follow suit. If I see someone leaving a mess anywhere, I will ask them to pick it up and take it with them. Doing this is so wrong in so many ways. Just the other day I ran across a duck that had drowned due to being tangled up in old fishing line. If you throw it on the ground, it will find its way back into the water at some point, get hung up on something and then it becomes a booby trap for wildlife. Wadded up fishing line kills a lot of wildlife. Please dispose of it properly. It takes a long time for this stuff to rot, but a very short time to dispose of it properly. When I see someone leaving a mess, I automatically develop a negative vibe about that person. I dont get it and I guess I never will. I wasnt raised that way and Im sure most of these people were not either. They are just being lazy.
Posted By: Sausage Man

Re: Lake Somerville - 01/18/16 05:44 PM

It's a sad deal that we have to discuss people not paying the entry fee and not picking up after themselves. There are very few places like the Yegua or Nails where the public has bank access to a fantastic fishery. If everyone does their part like responsible adults, we can all enjoy the experience and hopefully our kids and grandkids can too.

Looking at the weather, Wednesday and Thursday look like prime days for the fish to go off if it doesn't rain too bad. I'll be there Saturday with my 7 year old for his first time on the Yegua. Looking forward to us getting muddy and hopefully catching a few fish again.
Posted By: jsinn01

Re: Lake Somerville - 01/18/16 10:02 PM

Camped this weekend at Nails Creek State Park with a couple friends from the DFW area.

Bank fished Friday evening and found a pretty decent Crappie bite in Nails Creek -

Saturday we kayaked up Nails hoping for more of the same, but the cold front really put a damper on things. We paddled around in the rain all morning and only managed a few dink Crappie and some small LMB.

Sunday we headed up the Yegua in my friends boat and found a few White Bass biting.

Was an awesome weekend even though the fishing was a bit slow. One thing of note, the fish cleaning tables don't have power at the park, so you may want to bring a filet knife or an alternate power source if you plan on cleaning some fish there.
Posted By: R2Fishing

Re: Lake Somerville - 01/19/16 12:12 AM

Well did what I set out to do. Got to Irwin Bridge around 8am. Got to my hole I fish every yr, of course they were there hungry like always banana

By 1pm had a 25fish limit and hiked out.


Posted By: jsinn01

Re: Lake Somerville - 01/19/16 12:20 AM

Nice! thumb
Posted By: Sausage Man

Re: Lake Somerville - 01/19/16 01:21 AM

That's a good looking stringer! It's a chore to haul a stringer like that out if you hiked a while.
Posted By: hook-line&sinker

Re: Lake Somerville - 01/19/16 02:43 AM

LOOKS LIKE HOGGWILD WENT BUCKWILD!
Posted By: J-Moe

Re: Lake Somerville - 01/19/16 12:36 PM

Originally Posted By: fishytx
I met up with J-Moe yesterday at Irwin. We explored the upstream area. It felt great to get back on some areas I haven't fished in five years or so. We did find a few fish, but decided to head back and see if we could get into some better fishing in. But this did not happen. That cold snap has slowed the bite down big time. But on a high note, the water is starting to look really good.
Jamie, I had good time, thanks for coming back to Irwin Bridge and exploring the upper end with me.


Doug, it is always great to fish with you. I have learned an incredible amount from you the last couple of years. Structure, flow, lure presentation, sink rates, the Yegua and even a bit of history about the Yegua indians. It was great fun exploring upstream and if the fish comply I even found a great fly fishing spot with NO TREES. thumb
Posted By: J-Moe

Re: Lake Somerville - 01/19/16 12:39 PM

Originally Posted By: hoggwild
Well did what I set out to do. Got to Irwin Bridge around 8am. Got to my hole I fish every yr, of course they were there hungry like always banana

By 1pm had a 25fish limit and hiked out.


Mission Accomplished, Great Job banana

What did you use for bait?
Posted By: fishytx

Re: Lake Somerville - 01/19/16 04:29 PM

Well shoot, you see a limit caught and of course you want to get in on some of that as well. Looks like J-Moe and I will be hitting the creek this afternoon. Whoop , whoop, white bass fever, got a love it.....I DO
Posted By: J-Moe

Re: Lake Somerville - 01/19/16 05:20 PM

Lake Level is 240.6. Only 2.6 feet above normal and releasing 1943. At this rate and no further rain the lake will be back at normal level in a couple of weeks.

The water is really clearing up nicely in the creeks. thumb
Posted By: R2Fishing

Re: Lake Somerville - 01/20/16 01:00 AM

1/8 oz head
White body/chart tail 2" grub


What I notice is a lot of folks retrieve to fast. The fish aren't out schooling chasing bait...

Let it sit 3-5secs and a slow steady retrieve.
Posted By: Sausage Man

Re: Lake Somerville - 01/20/16 01:36 AM

That's right. Slow retrieve worked great for me.
Posted By: R2Fishing

Re: Lake Somerville - 01/20/16 01:45 AM

thumb
Posted By: fishytx

Re: Lake Somerville - 01/20/16 02:29 AM

Fished for four hours and landed 17 whites, 1 crappie and 1 sun perch. The day turned out much better than what I had expected. When I first arrived it was one here one over there. Last hour was good, last thirty minutes was great. Wish I had kept these, that would have made a good fish fry.
Posted By: white bass interceptor

Re: Lake Somerville - 01/20/16 03:04 AM

??????????Are they moving to shallow water now or are they still holding deep? Thinking about going Thursday if the cold front isn't to strong. Went early Saturday morning and they were very sluggish. Don't want a repeat of Saturdays action.
Posted By: fishytx

Re: Lake Somerville - 01/20/16 03:06 AM

Since I always throw a 1/32oz jig, all my retrieves are very slow. They like it that way.
Posted By: fishytx

Re: Lake Somerville - 01/20/16 03:09 AM

The bite is still slow. The best bite has been in five to six feet. Still not feeding shallow in the current.
Posted By: white bass interceptor

Re: Lake Somerville - 01/20/16 03:22 AM

Thanks, if the weather continue to stay warm those whites will start stirring up the water and what a time that will be.
Posted By: SpeciesFisherman

Re: Lake Somerville - 01/20/16 03:57 AM

Is this new mans bottom? where is this irwin bridge? Im not a googan, I been to somerville many times but I have never heard of creek fishing. I only usually fly fish at the spillway. Thanks for any info. pm me!
Posted By: J-Moe

Re: Lake Somerville - 01/20/16 02:14 PM

Originally Posted By: SpeciesFisherman
Is this new mans bottom? where is this irwin bridge? Im not a googan, I been to somerville many times but I have never heard of creek fishing. I only usually fly fish at the spillway. Thanks for any info. pm me!


Newman's bottom is still closed. Irwin Bridge is where CR 124 and CR 132 intersect. Ben and I fly fished below the spillway a lot this summer. Fly fishing on Yegua creek is a very tough though.
Posted By: fishytx

Re: Lake Somerville - 01/20/16 03:31 PM

Jamie, when it heats up on the San Gabriel river, I would like to take you over there and show you where the best place is while fishing with a fly rod. I think you will have a blast. Chest waders are a requirement though. I have seen guys in some hip waders as well. It depends on water flow and lake level as to what you can use and get by with.
Posted By: J-Moe

Re: Lake Somerville - 01/20/16 04:45 PM

Originally Posted By: fishytx
Jamie, when it heats up on the San Gabriel river, I would like to take you over there and show you where the best place is while fishing with a fly rod. I think you will have a blast. Chest waders are a requirement though. I have seen guys in some hip waders as well. It depends on water flow and lake level as to what you can use and get by with.


Awesome, I have waders.
Posted By: hook-line&sinker

Re: Lake Somerville - 01/20/16 05:20 PM

I spent most of the late 80's and 90's fishing the SanGab from Granger all the way up to above Lake Georgetown. Floated the section above Granger many times all through the year. Austin and the surrounding areas have more then doubled in population since those early years and that makes for some interesting encounters on the river..
Posted By: Boudreaux

Re: Lake Somerville - 01/20/16 08:52 PM

Be careful if you head into the WMA to fish, it is still duck season till Jan 31st. People are still back there blasting with shotguns and may not be aware that people are fishing nearby. They do tend to walk the creek looking for woodies. Wear your orange.
Posted By: R2Fishing

Re: Lake Somerville - 01/21/16 02:37 AM

I have a question to ask of those who yak into the yegua for the whitebass run.
This has always been a question I've never seen an answer to.

How far into the yegua do y'all normally go before you start finding fish from the mouth of the lake?
Posted By: J-Moe

Re: Lake Somerville - 01/21/16 02:57 AM

Originally Posted By: hoggwild
I have a question to ask of those who yak into the yegua for the whitebass run.
This has always been a question I've never seen an answer to.

How far into the yegua do y'all normally go before you start finding fish from the mouth of the lake?


When I fish with HL&S we usually start fishing near Wolf Pond.
Posted By: hook-line&sinker

Re: Lake Somerville - 01/21/16 04:36 AM

From the Nails creek park boat ramp to Wolf Pond is right at two miles. I usually start fishing for crappie and then whitebass further upstream. Crappie are more predictable as they seem to like the same places every year and do not move as far upstream as the whitebass.

Posted By: R2Fishing

Re: Lake Somerville - 01/21/16 03:15 PM

Does live bait usually work well when the run really starts to heat up?

I've thought on seining ghost minnows up before and using in the creek.
Posted By: fishytx

Re: Lake Somerville - 01/21/16 03:17 PM

I caught 18 yesterday. The water continuous drop and clear up by the day. I found the best bite in pockets close to shallow moving water. I waisted my first two hours fishing deeper water with crawfish. That's bad when you can't find a bite with these. Any how, in the last hour of daylight I moved around just a little and found two areas that were holding some fish. It was the last thirty minutes of light were I hammered thesee guys, 13 fish in the last half hour of daylight. It was fun.
Posted By: jsinn01

Re: Lake Somerville - 01/21/16 03:29 PM

Nice to see you out there yesterday, Doug. I had to walk pretty far downstream to find a decent bite. I didn't have much luck up by the bridge.

Glad the bite turned on for you.
Posted By: fishytx

Re: Lake Somerville - 01/21/16 04:18 PM

It was nice seeing you again too, it's been a while.
I forgot to mention this, everything I caught yesterday were males. I have also noticed a size difference in the fish this year. I have caught smaller fish this year than ever before. I have had a few that were under size fish, which is a first for me on this creek. Average size fish here lately has been 11 to 12 inches, more 11 inch fish than the norm. I guess this is what has caught my attention on this, the number of 11 inch fish. Normally a person would catch nothing but 12 inch or better fish. Its still early though, the mega whites will show up soon, I hope.
Posted By: tosavaN

Re: Lake Somerville - 01/21/16 07:04 PM

Originally Posted by hook-line&sinker
Remember this??? .. we almost got slayed by the yak dragon.. several times that spring..


I bout beached my mud boat in that exact area jumping into Nails.. was out scouting on my own and would have been bad news... had to hit it full throttle and felt bad cuz as soon as I hit the deep water of nails I shut it down and threw a huge wake right to a kayaker. Apologize if that was you lol
Posted By: tosavaN

Re: Lake Somerville - 01/21/16 07:05 PM

Is flag pond only open to hunting or do people fish it? been a while since I seen that ole girl but love that place
Posted By: fishytx

Re: Lake Somerville - 01/21/16 07:19 PM

I've made several attempts to get my Ranger boat up into the Yegua, but I'm done with this silly idea. Last time I tried this I spun my hub on my prop. I'll stick to bank fishing from now on and keep the boat out in the main lake where it's suppose to be.
Posted By: Csafisher

Re: Lake Somerville - 01/21/16 07:24 PM

Anyone out today? I'm headed to Irwin. Be there soon. Too windy to get my boat off at the ramp. Was going duck hunting but doesn't seem safe by myself. Lol. Good thing I brought a rod
Posted By: fishytx

Re: Lake Somerville - 01/21/16 07:47 PM

Dang I wish I was on this creek today. I think that white bass fever has spread all through out my vains. I'm infected, that I do know. I can't ever seem to get enough of this type of fishing in. It's a blast.
Posted By: Froghunter

Re: Lake Somerville - 01/21/16 09:55 PM

im headed out sunday! taking the family with me for a "backpack" fishing trip. are there any fish being caught above Irwin? I have seen several post about down the creek but nothing on the upper end.
Posted By: tosavaN

Re: Lake Somerville - 01/21/16 10:54 PM

it would have been perfect this morning but its dropped temp big time after lunch
Posted By: jsinn01

Re: Lake Somerville - 01/21/16 11:08 PM

Originally Posted By: Froghunter
im headed out sunday! taking the family with me for a "backpack" fishing trip. are there any fish being caught above Irwin? I have seen several post about down the creek but nothing on the upper end.


I think the fish are there, the trouble will be getting them to bite. The water has dropped and cleared up, meaning the fish will spook easier. You'll have to sneak up on them.
Posted By: hook-line&sinker

Re: Lake Somerville - 01/21/16 11:09 PM

I guess the young males move up first and in the Yegua that might mean something different since the creek is so long. The whites we caught in one of the shorter creeks last Saturday were very healthy size 12 inches and above. No giants but just a few good fish.
Posted By: fishytx

Re: Lake Somerville - 01/21/16 11:27 PM

Well shoot, this cold snap will put the brakes on these guys. There may be bite in the morning while the water is still warm, but the creek is so shallow, it will not take it long to cool down causing the bite to come to a hault.
Posted By: R2Fishing

Re: Lake Somerville - 01/22/16 01:02 AM

Originally Posted By: hook-line&sinker
I guess the young males move up first and in the Yegua that might mean something different since the creek is so long. The whites we caught in one of the shorter creeks last Saturday were very healthy size 12 inches and above. No giants but just a few good fish.



On my stringer this past Monday I had only a handful of young males. Majority were both huge, healthy females. I never measured them but I'd have to guess 14-16"
Posted By: Sausage Man

Re: Lake Somerville - 01/22/16 01:08 AM

I caught about half females last Saturday. And the females were big and healthy fish. When you find them, they are stacked.
Posted By: Csafisher

Re: Lake Somerville - 01/22/16 02:08 AM

Ended up keeping 6 whites and 2 crappie. Caught couple more keeper whites and 3 or 4 undersized whites. Not a bad day.
Posted By: fishytx

Re: Lake Somerville - 01/22/16 03:08 AM

Wow, from what I'm reading, I must have been on a mess of the smaller fish I guess. I'll take note and move around more to locate these better fish. I know they are in there, I caught some nice ones already this year.
Posted By: fishytx

Re: Lake Somerville - 01/22/16 03:09 AM

Im a little concerned about going to the creek tomorrow morning, but probably going to give it a shot any way. As the water level drops to a consistent flow, the water will clear up and this is when my technique or style of fishing for whites really pays off for me and Im able to catch a good number of fish in a short period of time. How ever, when the water temp drops, then the bite will go dead for me. They become very lethargic and dormant. But I hope the water stays warm enough by in the morning for these fish to still be active and feed. Even though a voice with in me is telling me I shouldnt go, Im going to take a gamble on the water staying warm enough and hope I can get in on one more good catch before these cold temps shut it down for several days.
From what I saw on the news, the weather isnt suppose to start warming back up till next week Thursday and then it will take several days for the water to warm back up to get these fish feeding again, and to me thats a long time. So, Im going in the morning to check it out.
Posted By: white bass interceptor

Re: Lake Somerville - 01/22/16 03:34 AM

I am thinking about going also. I am thinking about hiking to Newman Bottom and revisit some very rewarding holes from the past. Have anyone made the trip recently to the bottom? Have had good trips in much cooler weather.
Posted By: fishytx

Re: Lake Somerville - 01/22/16 04:17 AM

A trip to Newmans sure does sound good. I like to take my mountain bike and ride in, fillet the fish, put them in a bag and ride back out. But that sounds like to much work to me these days, Irwin Bridge here I come.
White bass interceptor, from the folks I've talked to (two people) who have been there, they claim there is a good bite down there. I just can't do it with my messed up back any more; I have to settle for something close to where I can park and make the best of it. But good luck tomorrow.
Posted By: Baldy Locks

Re: Lake Somerville - 01/22/16 02:04 PM

In regards to hiking into Newmans Bottom, A friend of mine got caught in there a couple weeks ago, hiking in. A game warden let him know very emphatically that it is closed for a reason and no one is allowed in regardless of how you get in. Not trying to tell you what to do, just what I know.
Posted By: fishytx

Re: Lake Somerville - 01/22/16 02:18 PM

Thanks for the heads up. Good information right there.
Posted By: R2Fishing

Re: Lake Somerville - 01/22/16 02:29 PM

Originally Posted By: Baldy Locks
In regards to hiking into Newmans Bottom, A friend of mine got caught in there a couple weeks ago, hiking in. A game warden let him know very emphatically that it is closed for a reason and no one is allowed in regardless of how you get in. Not trying to tell you what to do, just what I know.



Doesn't make sense..

As I can easily hike to newmans from Irwin bridge.
Posted By: tosavaN

Re: Lake Somerville - 01/22/16 03:16 PM

if its private property it makes sense
Posted By: Csafisher

Re: Lake Somerville - 01/22/16 03:43 PM

Originally Posted By: hoggwild
Originally Posted By: Baldy Locks
In regards to hiking into Newmans Bottom, A friend of mine got caught in there a couple weeks ago, hiking in. A game warden let him know very emphatically that it is closed for a reason and no one is allowed in regardless of how you get in. Not trying to tell you what to do, just what I know.



Doesn't make sense..

As I can easily hike to newmans from Irwin bridge.


That's a long walk!
Posted By: fishytx

Re: Lake Somerville - 01/22/16 05:01 PM

It doesn't make any sense what so ever. But it's a rule, closed is closed I guess.
Posted By: m1aggie

Re: Lake Somerville - 01/22/16 05:23 PM

Per the Nails Creek FB page on Tues. 1/19, "Newman's Bottom will be closed for a while. Irwin Bridge is open though! Feel Free to try your line there while in the area!"

From what the office told me, no hiking in from the Newman entrance, but you CAN hike in from Irwin down to the bridge at Newman. They said you cannot go further than the bridge b/c the trail is closed.

So that's quite a walk but depends on how bad you want it.
Posted By: J-Moe

Re: Lake Somerville - 01/22/16 05:27 PM

That's my understanding as well. When Irwin Bridge was closed I was told I could not walk in through the gate and parking area but I could follow the creek down.
Posted By: ace02

Re: Lake Somerville - 01/22/16 05:31 PM

What part of nails creek isn't closed off? Is the creek accessible from the state park. I've never been there and would like to go on a recon mission to see if I can catch any whites. I've got a small 10 foot bass boat however I don't want to put in just yet. Any help would be appreciated. My wife is eager to take the trip with me so any info would be helpful my friends.
Posted By: R2Fishing

Re: Lake Somerville - 01/22/16 06:00 PM

To the veteran yegua fisherman...

Whats the difficulty level putting a 16' alum into the creek coming off main lake?
Posted By: WetaHook'14

Re: Lake Somerville - 01/22/16 10:16 PM

With the current water level it will be easy. A few years ago in the drought I had to get out and pull the boat where the Yegua meets the lake. You will not make it to the bridge in Newmans Bottom, to much debris, unless the floods have change the creek since last year. The mouth of Cedar Creek is the best spot for whites in a boat right now. Good Luck
Posted By: WetaHook'14

Re: Lake Somerville - 01/22/16 10:20 PM

The creek is accessible from the state park. Your boat will be able to make it to the horse trail on Nails Creek, which is as far as you will be able to go in a boat.
Posted By: FshrmnMike

Re: Lake Somerville - 01/22/16 10:57 PM

I'm new to this forum. Only a couple of years ago I learned about these creeks and started fishing them. I've learned that hiking these creeks can be way more fun than fishing from a boat. While I've spent most of my time exploring the creeks within the park boundaries I have a question about the smaller creeks. How does someone like me go about trekking these creeks (Cedar, Birch, etc.) without getting shot? Aren't these creeks surrounded by private property?
Posted By: Csafisher

Re: Lake Somerville - 01/22/16 11:02 PM

Crossing the lake from nails boat ramp to the yegua can get rough sometimes. Not sure how far up you could go with an outboard. Depends on log jams. There was a pretty big tree down before wolf pond. You could make it over when it was 4-5' high. Not sure at the current level.
Posted By: ace02

Re: Lake Somerville - 01/22/16 11:42 PM

From nails creek state park area do you drive the trail and park on the side of the road to get to the creek.
Posted By: bstars

Re: Lake Somerville - 01/23/16 03:08 AM

Too bad the rules have to be so difficult to follow and even harder to find out exactly what the rules even are because it is a great resource and a beautiful place.
Posted By: hook-line&sinker

Re: Lake Somerville - 01/23/16 03:32 AM

Sometimes the rules only make sense when you see the big picture or look to the long term. The trailway will be closed a while longer as the flood damage can be assessed from both the summer flooding and again in October. Repairs to the state park have been delayed for a variety of reasons but mostly due to the nature of the damage and safety issues. Since the Birch creek unit is still closed I suspect getting the state and federal agencies together and the resources to do repairs has been the issue. The lake is federal property which the state leases so issues with infrastructure are likely to involve federal, state and local government, not to mention volunteers to do much of the work..

Posted By: fishytx

Re: Lake Somerville - 01/23/16 03:54 AM

I ran into a TFFer today, Kirby 12. Nice to meet you Brian, congrats on your limit of fish. I ended my day with 14. It was slow on my end, but I still had a fun day scouting out the creek in areas I haven't fished in a long long time. I always have fun on this creek, nice quiet place.
Posted By: Robert Hunter

Re: Lake Somerville - 01/23/16 07:56 AM

When sandbass are In the creeks fly can go 20-1 on live bait. And a roll cast is almost all that it ever needed. My new sandbass creek rod is a little 7'6" 3 wt. it's a close quarter fish catching Machine. Fishytx great tips but never underestimate The versatility of what can be done with a flyrod at times I can get flies into places conventional cannot go. As well as the biggest factor you can use presentation that cannot be achieved with conventional. Jamie those pictures you text me the other day made me jealous we really need to get together again. Starting to show up in the creeks all the way up as far as Denton. I have another one that is about halfway in between us might be a good meeting spot and it has some Sabine size Sandbass at times. Ugh conventional,fly or what ever all you guys are making me jealous getting into them this early of course I guess I have been hunting a little bit hard this fall and winter. I have had pictures of Sandbass in the creeks with snow on the ground the last two years. Yet my first run will be Sunday. Are they still releasing at Somerville?
Posted By: J-Moe

Re: Lake Somerville - 01/23/16 11:17 AM

You are welcome to come down anytime Robert. We will definitely get together soon.

Yes they are still releasing water from Somerville. It is still about 2 feet above normal.
Posted By: fishytx

Re: Lake Somerville - 01/23/16 02:13 PM

If I ever said something negative about fly-fishing, then I don't remember it. I see way to many fly fisherman catching fish to ever do that. Not only that, but I too use to fly fish all the time. I like it. My shoulders won't allow me to do this anymore, otherwise I would still be out there whipping these fish with it. You can roll cast into some supper tight places where others can't reach.
Today I fish with a real light ultra light spinning rod set up. My rod is rated for 2 to 6 pound test line and the reel is rated for 2 to 8 pound test line, but I use 6. But a fly rod is almost out of the question on the Yegua creek. The Yegua is a swamp and jungle all in one. It's hard enough as it is to use a five foot rod while traveling around on the banks and then using nothing but a flip of your wrist to cast a bait. No room for a full cast, just a flip. I've done the slingshot cast in a few really tight spots, but hey, it works.
Posted By: fishytx

Re: Lake Somerville - 01/23/16 02:38 PM

I was asked a question I couldn't answer yesterday. Is the power at the cleaning station over at Nails up and working for a electric fillet knife?
Posted By: R2Fishing

Re: Lake Somerville - 01/23/16 02:44 PM

Negative
Posted By: fishytx

Re: Lake Somerville - 01/23/16 02:46 PM

Conventional hand held knife only, got cha,Thanks.
Posted By: fishytx

Re: Lake Somerville - 01/23/16 03:08 PM

J-Moe told me he was going early this morning, so I sent him a text to see how it was going. That was an hour a go and he already had two right from the get go. So there is bite going on. And that is enough info to get me excited about going. Guess I'll be rolling in that direction soon.
Posted By: m1aggie

Re: Lake Somerville - 01/23/16 03:25 PM

Originally Posted By: fishytx
J-Moe told me he was going early this morning, so I sent him a text to see how it was going. That was an hour a go and he already had two right from the get go. So there is bite going on. And that is enough info to get me excited about going. Guess I'll be tolling in that direction soon.


That is some serious dedication! Not quite worth the 1.5hr drive for me. I imagine it was probably in the upper 20s in the creek bottom around sunrise. Slight chance of rain next week and next Saturday is looking good with a high of 75.
Posted By: ace02

Re: Lake Somerville - 01/23/16 04:08 PM

Thank you for the videos. I intend to head out to Somerville soon and help with the clean up. In the meantime my wife and I will head out on a recon mission in the early morning and get to know the area around nails creek state park. Never been to lake Somerville I've heard lots of great stories. We'll also head out below the dam. I'm a saltwater fisherman however I'd like to try my hand with the white bass and hybrids. Talk to you all soon.
Posted By: ace02

Re: Lake Somerville - 01/23/16 04:16 PM

One more thing guys and gals, If you want a return of about 65% of the meat you get from your catch especially from white bass, hybrids or even redfish for the saltwater enthusiast, Check out captain Vince Russo's videos on filleting and cleaning various types of gamefish he has it down pretty good.
Posted By: jsinn01

Re: Lake Somerville - 01/23/16 05:40 PM

I'll bet J-Moe had ice forming in the line guides this morning. I've fished out there when you had to dip the rod tip in the water before every cast to clear the ice.

I'm headed out that way tomorrow. Well worth the 1.5 hour drive for me. Especially with gas prices where they are.
Posted By: Froghunter

Re: Lake Somerville - 01/23/16 06:14 PM

We should be there around 1230 tomorrow (Sunday). If you see a stressed out guy trying to keep 3 wild little boys in line WHILE catching fish come say hi. It was upper 20's in Bryan but we still managed a dawn trip to the city park and caught some nice rainbow trout for the grill. Super excited for out first 2016 wb trip!
Posted By: J-Moe

Re: Lake Somerville - 01/23/16 11:54 PM

Originally Posted By: jsinn01
I'll bet J-Moe had ice forming in the line guides this morning. I've fished out there when you had to dip the rod tip in the water before every cast to clear the ice.


roflmao Yes I did have ice on the top two guides. I couldn't figure out why my rod wouldn't cast properly roflmao
Posted By: JonL

Re: Lake Somerville - 01/24/16 01:37 AM

Will be heading out there for the first trip of the year. Hopefully there is alot of saying "Fish On!!!!"
Posted By: brownpan

Re: Lake Somerville - 01/24/16 01:53 AM

So I was planning on going to Newman's bottom tomorrow but it sounds like that is out of the question? Are there any other creeks in that area that I can fish? I've never been out there and I'm itching to get out of the house.
Posted By: fishytx

Re: Lake Somerville - 01/24/16 02:15 AM

There's still a chew going on. I arrived around 2pm (warmer weather) and the bite was dead, just a crappie here and there. Around 4pm I found a bite. After I threw 4 whites back in I decided to start keeping them. Think I have 18 whites outside ready to be cleaned. !7 or 18, not real sure about the exact number. But I'll know here in a minute. That first crappie I caught saved the day; because I thought I was in for a skunk. I was so happy with that catch; I even kissed that little fella before I released it. Crappie lips are nasty, not near as sweet as those black bass. Time to go clean some fish. Ill chime back in with the correct number on the stringer. Might even grab a snap shot.
Posted By: fishytx

Re: Lake Somerville - 01/24/16 03:11 AM

Looks like 17 to me. All males...
Posted By: jsinn01

Re: Lake Somerville - 01/24/16 03:23 AM

Nice catch!
Posted By: fishytx

Re: Lake Somerville - 01/24/16 03:51 AM

Wish I had stuck around for the night bite, would have caught a limit easy.
Posted By: fishytx

Re: Lake Somerville - 01/24/16 03:56 AM

Thanks Jarred. Sure wasn't looking so good at first. But I'm so glad I kept on looking for that bite and didn't give up.
Man, I had to turn a heater on in my shop while cleaning these fish, I was kind a cold.
Posted By: R2Fishing

Re: Lake Somerville - 01/24/16 04:56 AM

Don't empty the creeks of all the fish!

I knew I should have went out there today.
Noticed you (fishytx) use a very small jig head 1/32 I believe you said.
Do you tandem rig or just single? Mind sharing few insight into that set-up?

If not I understand. Just trying to learn different tactics to change my style up some.
Posted By: J-Moe

Re: Lake Somerville - 01/24/16 12:35 PM

Originally Posted By: brownpan
So I was planning on going to Newman's bottom tomorrow but it sounds like that is out of the question? Are there any other creeks in that area that I can fish? I've never been out there and I'm itching to get out of the house.


Irwin Bridge
Posted By: J-Moe

Re: Lake Somerville - 01/24/16 01:26 PM

Originally Posted By: hoggwild
Don't empty the creeks of all the fish!

I knew I should have went out there today.
Noticed you (fishytx) use a very small jig head 1/32 I believe you said.
Do you tandem rig or just single? Mind sharing few insight into that set-up?

If not I understand. Just trying to learn different tactics to change my style up some.


Fishtx is the master. I follow him around like a small child asking constant questions. It's not only his technique and presentation, it's how he reads the water. What I've learned from him over the last 2 years also significantly improved my fly fishing skills. The same principles of lightweight lures apply.

I fished yesterday, tried all my normal spots, and caught very few. Many people were getting skunked and left early. Most people catching fish were walking all the way down to Newman's.

Then Fishtx and I fished all the same spots again and didn't catch a single white bass. The difference is that he started looking for new locations. He showed me several spots that I would have walked right past. I was beat and walked back up to the bridge around 4. I can tell you the bite didn't really turn on. He just found a spot that everyone else walked by and used a presentation that entices lethargic fish into biting. I've seen him do it multiple times.

Warning, don't attempt this technique without a good ultra light rod, it's far to frustrating, LOL!!!
Posted By: fishytx

Re: Lake Somerville - 01/24/16 03:28 PM

I prefer to use one jig. Presentation is what it's all about. You have to present something to them that they will bite and it has to be presented correctly. If not, then they won't touch it. Basically I've taken a bait a fly rod angler would use and I'm throwing it on an ultra light spinning reel and presenting it to the fish in same way a fly fisherman would. That's the best way I can describe it. Fly rod anglers drift their bait into a strike zone when fishing current, same thing I try do with these small jigs. Very simular tactics. As the water level drops, the current will change on how it flows through a hole, which will also change the areas where the fish will stage while feeding. So every day these so called hot spots that one is on will change. There are a few areas on the creek where it seems to stay the same all the time, but not very many. It's almost like every day is a new day on this creek. You have to arrive with the mind set of, (let the search and seek games begin.)
Posted By: ace02

Re: Lake Somerville - 01/24/16 05:26 PM

Were you fishing off the bank? What part of the creeks were you fishing Nails, Yegua etc.
Posted By: ace02

Re: Lake Somerville - 01/24/16 05:28 PM

Hey my friend love your videos. What part of lake Somerville in your favorite white bass spot? Also, you should include a video on how you cook your catch. I like to see different recipes.
Posted By: fishytx

Re: Lake Somerville - 01/24/16 07:05 PM

Bank fishing the Yegua.
Posted By: fishytx

Re: Lake Somerville - 01/24/16 07:19 PM

Here's something I do that I would call the poor man's food saver vacuum system. After I have put my fillets in a bag, I will fill the bag with water. Bounce it around a little to get all the air bubbles out of the fillets, remove air and seal it. Place it upon the side of the sink, put the seal part of the bag downward in the sink and open one corner to drain water. As it drains, it will cause a syphon vacuum on the fillets with little to no water left in the bag, or any air bubbles. I seal it tight and now I have a vacuumed bag of fillets. No freezer burn and they last much longer.
Posted By: fishytx

Re: Lake Somerville - 01/24/16 07:26 PM

Who's going today? I'm thinking about going here in a little bit. I really enjoy this type of fishing, might even take a head light and fish in the moon light. Always have done well fishing under a full moon.
Posted By: Robert Hunter

Re: Lake Somerville - 01/24/16 09:11 PM

Fishy didn't mean anything like that lol. Heck for most fly fisherman there are a lot of places they would not even attempt to fish takes a lot of knowledge and techniques to get into some places with a flyrod. So no offense was taken I just worded weird. Jamie for sure on that we'll figure out something. I've got one that's about halfway in between us that it is unbelievably good very clear water lots of room to cast and for Fish this year. If you know fishytx bring him along bring Hookline while you're at it if we can do it because there's room for everybody.
Posted By: jsinn01

Re: Lake Somerville - 01/25/16 12:30 AM

Went with two friends today in a little go-devil boat up to Newman's Bottom. We could not find a White Bass bite to save our lives. I don't know what happened or where the fish went, but we did not catch a single White.

We did however, end up with a really nice mess of Crappie. food
Posted By: Csafisher

Re: Lake Somerville - 01/25/16 12:41 AM

Was it easy to pass that fallen tree about halfway to wolf pond?
Posted By: jsinn01

Re: Lake Somerville - 01/25/16 12:54 AM

Very easy. It was not an issue at all.
Posted By: catchnrelease

Re: Lake Somerville - 01/25/16 01:05 AM

I feel a sick day from work coming this week. sniffle, sniffle. Well, i better not jinx myself. I'll just ask for a day and see what happens.

My neighbor "Royce" has done pretty good there the past few times he went last week. He can find and catch the fish like "Fishytx". When he and Fishytx are on them, i know it's time to go. I don't like the hiking part though. I'll have to take some pain meds to get down there. getting old is for the birds.

Keep the fishing reports coming. I'm getting the fishing fever.

tight lines!
Posted By: WetaHook'14

Re: Lake Somerville - 01/25/16 01:26 AM

TIP: Act like a grub falling from the eroding bank into the flowing current aka changing conditions. The fish you are fishing for are called Sand Bass or White Bass. Look for a sandy part of the creek where there is a decent amount of water flow, brush piles close to a bend in the creek, or a deep hole close to a brush pile.
Murky water = dark color jigs
Clear water = bright color jigs

Good luck
Posted By: J-Moe

Re: Lake Somerville - 01/25/16 01:28 AM

Originally Posted By: robert hunter
Fishy didn't mean anything like that lol. Heck for most fly fisherman there are a lot of places they would not even attempt to fish takes a lot of knowledge and techniques to get into some places with a flyrod. So no offense was taken I just worded weird. Jamie for sure on that we'll figure out something. I've got one that's about halfway in between us that it is unbelievably good very clear water lots of room to cast and for Fish this year. If you know fishytx bring him along bring Hookline while you're at it if we can do it because there's room for everybody.


Sounds good I should have some time in early February. Will be in touch.
Posted By: hook-line&sinker

Re: Lake Somerville - 01/25/16 02:01 AM

fishytx, What brand & # of line do you use for your ultralite 1/32 oz jig pitcher?
Posted By: JonL

Re: Lake Somerville - 01/25/16 02:26 AM

Found one hole the size of a vw bug where we caught around 100 crappie most around 9 1/2" long. Of the min. length was 9 inches we would have had 75 keepers. We caught 15 keeper crappie and 7 keeper white bass. Great day for my daughters first trip to the Yegua.

Posted By: catchnrelease

Re: Lake Somerville - 01/25/16 02:29 AM

nice pics. its always good to see the little ones catching. Keeps them coming back for more. I bet that is gonna be some good eating.! Yum!

Congrats.
Posted By: JonL

Re: Lake Somerville - 01/25/16 02:36 AM

Thanks Catchnrelease. The best part was it was her birthday She had a blast reeling in all those fish
Posted By: jsinn01

Re: Lake Somerville - 01/25/16 03:05 AM

Nice catch! We really had to search around to find our keepers.
Posted By: fishytx

Re: Lake Somerville - 01/25/16 03:21 AM

Catchnrelease, I sure would like to get Royce's phone number if at all possible. I don't have much on this guy, he is a fish catching machine. And he still has a few good tricks up his sleve that he probably wont share. I like fishing with this guy, he has some awesome stories to tell, they aren't those fish tales either.
Posted By: greenyak

Re: Lake Somerville - 01/25/16 03:31 AM

I sure hope to get down there one of these days.
Posted By: fishytx

Re: Lake Somerville - 01/25/16 03:34 AM

To day was one of those days where you look back and say, man, I should have stayed home. I had some fishing reel issues, well, not the reel, but line tangles under my reel spool.
The bite did not turn on till about 5:30. But when it did, it was ok. I ended the day with just eight fish and
J-Moe caught six. He caught them all on the small jig and I think he is beginning to like this set up as he gets use to it all. Every time we go out, he learns a few extra things and he now knows what he has to do to get bit with them. In due time, he will be hauling in bunch of fish on every trip. Fishing with these small jigs is just like everything else, practice and more practice.
But back to the fishing trip, these guys had a bad case of lock jaw today. Man it was slow and tuff.
I brought home nine, but thats not saying much for the walking distance and time put in.
Posted By: JonL

Re: Lake Somerville - 01/25/16 03:42 AM

We had to search also jsinn but when we found that hole it was fast and furious for a few hours That hole had an amazing amount of fish for a small hole
Posted By: Froghunter

Re: Lake Somerville - 01/25/16 04:03 AM

Caught 1 white and lost count on the 9 1/2" crappie as well. Brought home a stringer full of legal sized crappie, my one white and a ginormous red ear perch.
Posted By: fishytx

Re: Lake Somerville - 01/25/16 04:33 AM

Ben, I like to use the Berkley Trilene XL.
Posted By: Robert Hunter

Re: Lake Somerville - 01/25/16 05:42 AM

You guys have to try seguar invisix floro best stuff above 6lb rating I've ever used.
Posted By: J-Moe

Re: Lake Somerville - 01/25/16 12:57 PM

Great Catch JonL, It was nice meeting you and your family. That was a birthday to remeber.
Posted By: J-Moe

Re: Lake Somerville - 01/25/16 01:07 PM

Originally Posted By: fishytx
To day was one of those days where you look back and say, man, I should have stayed home. I had some fishing reel issues, well, not the reel, but line tangles under my reel spool.
The bite did not turn on till about 5:30. But when it did, it was ok. I ended the day with just eight fish and
J-Moe caught six. He caught them all on the small jig and I think he is beginning to like this set up as he gets use to it all. Every time we go out, he learns a few extra things and he now knows what he has to do to get bit with them. In due time, he will be hauling in bunch of fish on every trip. Fishing with these small jigs is just like everything else, practice and more practice.
But back to the fishing trip, these guys had a bad case of lock jaw today. Man it was slow and tuff.
I brought home nine, but thats not saying much for the walking distance and time put in.


I bought an ultra light rod so I could throw that 1/32 ounce jig all the way across the creek. That made a big difference. Catching six in only about 30 minutes really helped me to build confidence and start to understand the finer points of technique. Thanks Doug, I'm really having a blast and I'll have it down to an art before the end of the run. It really is very close to the art of fly fishing and that is my true passion. The way the creek is dropping I should be able to break out the fly rod and get down on one of those sandbars soon.
Posted By: J-Moe

Re: Lake Somerville - 01/25/16 01:08 PM

Originally Posted By: Froghunter
Caught 1 white and lost count on the 9 1/2" crappie as well. Brought home a stringer full of legal sized crappie, my one white and a ginormous red ear perch.


Do you have a picture of the red ear? I only caught one red ear on Lake Somerville last year. I would be interested in knowing where you caught it. I love fly fishing for sunfish.
Posted By: J-Moe

Re: Lake Somerville - 01/25/16 01:12 PM

Originally Posted By: robert hunter
You guys have to try seguar invisix floro best stuff above 6lb rating I've ever used.


Robert, the lightest line we use in the Yeagua is 6 lbs. I have a lot of issues with line twist on my spinning reel. Does it hold memory? Would it work in 6 lb? I have had nothing but problems with floro. Every brand I've tried twists worse than mono.
Posted By: fishytx

Re: Lake Somerville - 01/25/16 01:44 PM

JonL, it looks like you had a good time with family while catching a few good fish. Congrats on a nice outing.
Posted By: Kirby12

Re: Lake Somerville - 01/25/16 02:04 PM

Fishytx, good to finally meet you 2x this weekend. Looks like going to Fayette on Sunday turned out to be OK since it was slow for you at the creek. Be back out in a couple of weeks and hope we meet up again.
Posted By: fishytx

Re: Lake Somerville - 01/25/16 02:24 PM

As much as no one would like to hear this, we need another flood in this creek. Now that these fish are becoming more developed, the drive to go upstream should be in full swing and a flood right now would really pull up a bunch of fish out of the lake and up into the creeks. All this fish catching has reduced the population a little, a flood would replenish these hard fished holes. The trails out there are beating down so much right now, they look like they would towards the end of the spawn. This creek has been hit hard. There has already been a lot of fish taken out.
Posted By: fishytx

Re: Lake Somerville - 01/25/16 02:29 PM

Kirby12, I started to text you yesterday to see how the Fayette trip went? I hope you guys found a decent bite.
Posted By: Froghunter

Re: Lake Somerville - 01/25/16 03:09 PM

No red ear pic j moe. It was big enough to fillet though.

Irwin bridge is really the only bank fishing place you can get to. Instead of having folks spread out everyone has to use the same starting point now. I agree those trails are wore out already.
Posted By: fishytx

Re: Lake Somerville - 01/25/16 04:48 PM

I forgot to mention this. I had heard that there is a very good chance that Newman's Bottom will be open to the public by next weekend. They are working on getting the road back in shape this week, so the chances are good. I got this info from a game warden by the name of Adam. Oh boy, more banks to fish from.....

><((((>`..`..`...><((((>
`.. , . .`.. >((((>
Posted By: Froghunter

Re: Lake Somerville - 01/25/16 05:00 PM

Originally Posted By: fishytx
I forgot to mention this. I had heard that there is a very good chance that Newman's Bottom will be open to the public by next weekend. They are working on getting the road back in shape this week, so the chances are good. I got this info from a game warden by the name of Adam. Oh boy, more banks to fish from.....

><((((>`..`..`...><((((>
`.. , . .`.. >((((>




and mid 70's with sun on saturday too!!!!
Posted By: jsinn01

Re: Lake Somerville - 01/25/16 05:03 PM

Originally Posted By: fishytx
As much as no one would like to hear this, we need another flood in this creek. Now that these fish are becoming more developed, the drive to go upstream should be in full swing and a flood right now would really pull up a bunch of fish out of the lake and up into the creeks. All this fish catching has reduced the population a little, a flood would replenish these hard fished holes. The trails out there are beating down so much right now, they look like they would towards the end of the spawn. This creek has been hit hard. There has already been a lot of fish taken out.


I know this to be true, but it still seems counter intuitive. I mean, why does it take a flood to move these pre spawn fish into the creeks? The lake is still two foot above pool. There's more than enough flowing water for a good solid run. Can the fish not find the creek unless there is a good flood?
Posted By: Csafisher

Re: Lake Somerville - 01/25/16 05:22 PM

It's less than one foot high right now. And will probably be back to full pool by the weekend.
Posted By: Bobbyh83

Re: Lake Somerville - 01/25/16 05:34 PM

Hello everyone. Been reading here for a while but just joined. I drove up around Somerville last weekend and want to go back this weekend. I have a kayak and may bank fish with my wife. Thinking nails creek park but open to any suggestions on where to go and also tips on bait etc. Getting back to freshwater fishing, not that I was ever overly successful, and feel lost. Thanks
Posted By: fishytx

Re: Lake Somerville - 01/25/16 05:42 PM

Yes, the muddy water shows them the way up into the creek. There is very little flow at the mouth due to shallow water, so they follow a strong flow. But if there was a way for the creek to get on a good rise with crystal clean water, they would follow that as well. The muddy part has very little to do with it, it's the amount of water flow that they are attracted to.
Posted By: R2Fishing

Re: Lake Somerville - 01/25/16 05:50 PM

Since we've turned this into a flow discussion. Off topic kinda..

The spill way.

Does the hybrids and whites caught behind spillway come up the yegua out of the Brazos River, do they stay in the creek yearly back there or do they get sucked out from main lake?
Posted By: jsinn01

Re: Lake Somerville - 01/25/16 07:03 PM

Originally Posted By: Bobbyh83
Hello everyone. Been reading here for a while but just joined. I drove up around Somerville last weekend and want to go back this weekend. I have a kayak and may bank fish with my wife. Thinking nails creek park but open to any suggestions on where to go and also tips on bait etc. Getting back to freshwater fishing, not that I was ever overly successful, and feel lost. Thanks


welcome

Welcome to the forum. Nails Creek is a nice place to camp, but only half of the sites are open right now due to flood damage. I'd recommend checking with the park on availability. If you're looking to bank fish Yegua Creek, Irwin Bridge has access. For Nails Creek, you can easily hike in from CR125. Either small jigs or minnows should catch you something. From Nails Creek State Park, both Yegua and Nails Creek are easy paddling distance in a kayak. Good luck.
Posted By: J-Moe

Re: Lake Somerville - 01/25/16 07:25 PM

Originally Posted By: jsinn01
Originally Posted By: Bobbyh83
Hello everyone. Been reading here for a while but just joined. I drove up around Somerville last weekend and want to go back this weekend. I have a kayak and may bank fish with my wife. Thinking nails creek park but open to any suggestions on where to go and also tips on bait etc. Getting back to freshwater fishing, not that I was ever overly successful, and feel lost. Thanks


welcome

Welcome to the forum. Nails Creek is a nice place to camp, but only half of the sites are open right now due to flood damage. I'd recommend checking with the park on availability. If you're looking to bank fish Yegua Creek, Irwin Bridge has access. For Nails Creek, you can easily hike in from CR125. Either small jigs or minnows should catch you something. From Nails Creek State Park, both Yegua and Nails Creek are easy paddling distance in a kayak. Good luck.


welcome

jsinn01 pretty much covered it. Chartreuse curly tail jigs will usually catch crappie, white bass and lmb in the Somerville creeks. Good luck.
Posted By: J-Moe

Re: Lake Somerville - 01/25/16 07:46 PM

Originally Posted By: hoggwild
Since we've turned this into a flow discussion. Off topic kinda..

The spill way.

Does the hybrids and whites caught behind spillway come up the yegua out of the Brazos River, do they stay in the creek yearly back there or do they get sucked out from main lake?


The Hybrids and whites go through the spillway gates from the lake. Last time they shut the dam the total water behind the dam down to the railway bridge dropped by over 80%. There was a massive fish kill. All the white bass, hybrids and bluegill died. No gar or crappie died. Only a portion of the catfish, buffalo and gaspergou died.
Posted By: hook-line&sinker

Re: Lake Somerville - 01/25/16 07:49 PM

Originally Posted By: hoggwild
Since we've turned this into a flow discussion. Off topic kinda..

The spill way.

Does the hybrids and whites caught behind spillway come up the yegua out of the Brazos River, do they stay in the creek yearly back there or do they get sucked out from main lake?


Those fish below the lake/dam in the Yegua are from the lake. The Yegua has very little water in it when the COE isn't releasing water from the lake. There is the potential that some fish go down or come up from the Brazos but there is so little public access to the creek that no one but the landowners know for sure. Downstream from highway 36 there is no public access or crossing until Highway 50 just south of Clay.



that's ten miles as the crow flies you can roughly double that if floating the creek..
Posted By: JonL

Re: Lake Somerville - 01/25/16 07:56 PM

Thanks J-moe and fishytx. It was fun watching her reel in our fish. She was very tired on the long trip back home. It was nice meeting you as well J-moe. Hope to see all you guys out there soon. Maybe this Sunday however my son has High School baseball tryouts so we will see. Good luck to everyone.
Posted By: hook-line&sinker

Re: Lake Somerville - 01/25/16 09:25 PM

Lake Somerville State Park update,
I called the park director to get the latest information on the park & trailway. Of most importance to most of you here on this TFF topic is access to Newmans Bottom. Since all of the trailway is closed currently the road leading to Newmans Bottom is closed too. The damage from the summer and fall flooding washed out the culvert on the road right before the parking area @ Newmans & the trailway bridge. Repairs are just about complete on the road so they are waiting on another safety inspection of the road and the little bridge just inside the gate at the end of CR140. The park director was pretty confident that Newmans will be opening soon and maybe sometime in the next few days. smile

Now to the bad news.. since the trailway is closed hiking down to Newmans is not permitted and the park police/rangers are probably going to start issuing citations to those of you who enter the closed area of the park on foot. The same goes for Nails creek on CR125 (downstream is the closed part of the trailway). Cedar creek @ Flag pond/CR125 is open downstream for a good distance before it gets to the state park which is closed.

The good news.. Kayakers/boaters can access the state park part of these three creeks from the lake by launching @ Nails Creek park boat ramp.

The hold up for much of the rest of the park is the many dead trees and their removal. 80% of birch creek park is closed due to the many dead or dying trees. The forest service has done their evaluation and the work has begun but the flooding in the fall set them back again until very recently.

Most all of the assessments of the flood damage throughout the state park have been completed and funds for repairs are pending. The decisions about the order & priority of repairs are still being discussed. Decision makers are a little gun shy about moving too quickly in rebuilding into certain areas that continue to be flood prone. We do learn from these types of events and try rebuilding to better fit the current realities.

The first step in making repairs to the park deals with the safety of all concerned and that means that the 200-plus dead trees have to be brought down. Crews are working now to make that part happen ASAP.
Posted By: jsinn01

Re: Lake Somerville - 01/25/16 09:59 PM

Thanks for the update, Ben.

Guess I will stick to kayak fishing for the time being.
Posted By: BBFISH

Re: Lake Somerville - 01/26/16 01:22 AM

I went to nails creek today, no luck on white bass, I caught one smallmouth bass 10in released it too. Walked two miles on the creek, then I tried nails creek state park for half hour, no luck too.
Most areas in lake Somerville is closed.
Park officer said nails creek is closed, and whoever accessing the area might can get a ticket.
Posted By: ag_angler

Re: Lake Somerville - 01/26/16 03:19 AM

Fishytx,

what rod do you use for whitebass in the creeks?


Originally Posted By: fishytx
Ben, I like to use the Berkley Trilene XL.
Posted By: JonL

Re: Lake Somerville - 01/26/16 03:41 AM

I agree with fishytx. We dont need an extreme flood but a signicant rise would flood these creeks and it would be crazy the amount of fish that would be in those creeks. I have fished this creek for over 9 years now. After fishing it for that long and more you can almost tell when there is a rise needed to help the fishing. I think it needs to be within the next few weeks though. We would like to have enough time for the creek to rise , get the fish in the creeks and settle. That way we have an extended run fishing time.
Posted By: fishytx

Re: Lake Somerville - 01/26/16 03:48 AM

Picked up 14 today. Some bigger fish at that. One was 17 1/2 inches long, it was a monster. And I double checked that fish, one tooth patch on its toung.
Posted By: fishytx

Re: Lake Somerville - 01/26/16 03:53 AM

A five foot ultra light designed to handle 2 to 6 pound test line, made by quantum.
Posted By: Robert Hunter

Re: Lake Somerville - 01/26/16 03:56 AM

Originally Posted By: J-Moe
Originally Posted By: robert hunter
You guys have to try seguar invisix floro best stuff above 6lb rating I've ever used.


Robert, the lightest line we use in the Yeagua is 6 lbs. I have a lot of issues with line twist on my spinning reel. Does it hold memory? Would it work in 6 lb? I have had nothing but problems with floro. Every brand I've tried twists worse than mono.
asking as drag dosnt engage while your reeling it should've fine that stuff has amazing knot strength and really good resisting abrasion. The 8 pound ow what I use for tippet on the fly rod.
Posted By: yota

Re: Lake Somerville - 01/26/16 04:03 AM

Wow they must have turned on toward dark today! Nice catch and good to see ya today Fishytx.
Posted By: fishytx

Re: Lake Somerville - 01/26/16 04:23 AM

Not sure I would call that turning on, but they do add up quick. I had five when you left. Picked up 9 more.
Same here Mike, it's been awhile. Maybe we can catch a few together again soon.
Posted By: J-Moe

Re: Lake Somerville - 01/26/16 01:14 PM

Originally Posted By: fishytx
A five foot ultra light designed to handle 2 to 6 pound test line, made by quantum.


Just to add on to this. I researched this and Doug confirmed what I found out. The rod he is using is a Quantum Xtralite ultralight rod. It has a moderate action, instead of a fast acting tip. I have an ugly stik ultralight rod with a faster tip. It works OK, but doesn't have quite the same consistent distance and control that a moderate action ultralight rod provides. I'm still experimenting and plan on getting another rod with moderate action.
Posted By: J-Moe

Re: Lake Somerville - 01/26/16 01:19 PM

Originally Posted By: robert hunter
Originally Posted By: J-Moe
Originally Posted By: robert hunter
You guys have to try seguar invisix floro best stuff above 6lb rating I've ever used.


Robert, the lightest line we use in the Yeagua is 6 lbs. I have a lot of issues with line twist on my spinning reel. Does it hold memory? Would it work in 6 lb? I have had nothing but problems with floro. Every brand I've tried twists worse than mono.
asking as drag dosnt engage while your reeling it should've fine that stuff has amazing knot strength and really good resisting abrasion. The 8 pound ow what I use for tippet on the fly rod.


Are you saying I should loosen the drag on my reel? I didn't understand your response.
Posted By: fishytx

Re: Lake Somerville - 01/26/16 02:03 PM


Floro carbon line sinks to fast, stay with the mono. Just do the stuff I was telling you about to get the memory and twist out, it works great. All the stuff these baits hit and tangle up in while fishing this creek, or walking the creek will destroy floro carbon line. Floor carbon line is great for open water areas, but sucks on the creek. I know because Ive used it before.
Posted By: J-Moe

Re: Lake Somerville - 01/26/16 03:07 PM

Originally Posted By: fishytx

Floro carbon line sinks to fast, stay with the mono. Just do the stuff I was telling you about to get the memory and twist out, it works great. All the stuff these baits hit and tangle up in while fishing this creek, or walking the creek will destroy floro carbon line. Floor carbon line is great for open water areas, but sucks on the creek. I know because Ive used it before.


Thanks, good information
Posted By: hook-line&sinker

Re: Lake Somerville - 01/26/16 09:06 PM

heres some good info on monofilament-vs-fluorocarbon
Posted By: jsinn01

Re: Lake Somerville - 01/26/16 09:37 PM

You know the fishing has slowed down when...

Instead of fish reports, the topic has turned to gear & line preference. roflmao
Posted By: hook-line&sinker

Re: Lake Somerville - 01/26/16 09:46 PM

I'd bet it is more about going back to work and not being able to go fishing..
Posted By: stinkbob

Re: Lake Somerville - 01/26/16 10:27 PM

I hope this rain swells up the river a bit. Im sure the banks will be very slippery too. Gotta be very careful and not slip in.
Posted By: yota

Re: Lake Somerville - 01/26/16 10:36 PM

I was back at the low water crossing in the wma last week. The flow through those pipes is pretty strong and turbulent. Does anybody know if the fish make it upstream of that obstruction without a flood or is that area a waste of time?
Posted By: BIG SHINER

Re: Lake Somerville - 01/26/16 10:51 PM

I fished the WMA Friday morning. Not much doing. Couple of black bass and small crappie. Everything has changed since the floods and most of my favorite spots are gone but one was holding fish. Probably will try again later this week down stream or over at Cedar.
Posted By: fishytx

Re: Lake Somerville - 01/27/16 12:46 AM

From my experience, I don't think the fish go to much farther upstream from the Irwin bridge. Maybe another half mile at the most. On the north side, that's about as far I've been able to catch some, the farther I went, the lower in numbers and the smaller the fish were that I caught. So, I back tracked till I got back on some good fish. I have seen some decent fish on the low water crossing caught, I've never caught any. I'm sure they can swim through the pipes and I'm sure some do. I've never fished above the low water crossing to know for sure though.
Posted By: fishytx

Re: Lake Somerville - 01/27/16 01:06 AM

I'm pretty much tied up and can't make it out there for a few days. But I sure am missing the sound of drag and a good rod bend.
Posted By: Csafisher

Re: Lake Somerville - 01/27/16 01:16 AM

Prolly not missing too much with the little cold snap. Supposed to be warming up this weekend though. Pretty sure I'll be out Thursday afternoon. Will post up if I go.
Posted By: Kirby12

Re: Lake Somerville - 01/27/16 01:32 AM

Don't let a little cold snap stop you. I went out last Friday when it was 37 and limited out. They are there and they will bite.
Posted By: hook-line&sinker

Re: Lake Somerville - 01/27/16 03:00 AM

How far up the creek the whitebass go depends greatly on how high the lake gets prior to the spawn. The fish are looking for flowing water to spawn and won't go upstream much further then they need to. Once the females spawn they head downstream and on back to the open lake but the bulk of the males will hang around until all the females are gone. First to the party and last to leave..

When the lake is near normal level it backs up into the Yegua all the way to the low water crossing below the trailway bridge @ Newmans. The section above the trailway bridge is where we usually see the current and an increase in flowing water.

The big female whitebass stay in the lower section of the Yegua waiting for the right conditions to spawn. For many years starting in December I've kayaked the Yegua up from the park to find the whitebass further up the creek with every passing week. At some point in the run the bulk of the whitebass will be above the trailway bridge and the majority of the crappie will be below that point. I prefer catching and eating crappie and don't usually join in the chaos that is the Yegua whitebass run.
Posted By: hook-line&sinker

Re: Lake Somerville - 01/27/16 03:20 AM

When talking about whitebass in the upper Yegua the most overlooked aspect of catching a few or a bunch is that the fish are very easily spooked. As the creek drops and clears this becomes a bigger problem. Add to this a hundred fishermen a day working the same stretch of water and the fish never do settle into any type of regular routine. I think that is partly why the fish bite better first thing in the morning and as thing quiet down in the evenings fading light.
Posted By: fishytx

Re: Lake Somerville - 01/27/16 02:03 PM

You want to see a beautiful place to fish for spawning white bass, then go look at the video on Reimers ranch. Crystal clear fast moving water. The deeper holes are a bright blue. This is where I learned how to catch these fish. Words can not explain this place, it is something everyone needs to experience at least once. Take your family and enjoy a day out there.
Posted By: J-Moe

Re: Lake Somerville - 01/27/16 02:42 PM

Lake Level is 238.5. Only 1/2 foot above normal level. They have reduced the flow to 355 cfs. It could be the last time to catch fish below the dam for a while. They will be closing the gates any day now.
Posted By: fishytx

Re: Lake Somerville - 01/27/16 02:59 PM

I might be able to go Thursday, but we will see. I'm getting caught up on some much needed things. Sunday and Monday should be great as the water temp warms up a tad.
Posted By: jsinn01

Re: Lake Somerville - 01/27/16 03:07 PM

Originally Posted By: fishytx
You want to see a beautiful place to fish for spawning white bass, then go look at the video on Reimers ranch. Crystal clear fast moving water. The deeper holes are a bright blue. This is where I learned how to catch these fish. Words can not explain this place, it is something everyone needs to experience at least once. Take your family and enjoy a day out there.


I agree. Reimers and Colorado Bend are two of the most scenic places to catch a White Bass.
Posted By: R2Fishing

Re: Lake Somerville - 01/27/16 05:15 PM

Originally Posted By: J-Moe
Lake Level is 238.5. Only 1/2 foot above normal level. They have reduced the flow to 355 cfs. It could be the last time to catch fish below the dam for a while. They will be closing the gates any day now.



Pink jigs will getcha great number of crappie right now with the flow like it is at the spill way.
Posted By: fishytx

Re: Lake Somerville - 01/27/16 05:46 PM

Getting things done much quicker than I expected. I might be able to squeeze a trip into the Yegua creek this afternoon.
Posted By: stinkbob

Re: Lake Somerville - 01/27/16 06:06 PM

Is fishing around Irwin bridge/Newman's bottom at night legal? Does anyone have experiences with it? What about tactics like using darker color jigs instead of light colored ones. And do you think shining flashlights into the were :(intentional or unintentional) spook the fish?

I know it will be more difficult due to all the trees and snags but I've always wanted to try this! I have some bright flashlights too but don't want to spool the fish...gotta find a medium.
Posted By: fishytx

Re: Lake Somerville - 01/27/16 06:18 PM

They won't bite with a light on.
Posted By: fishytx

Re: Lake Somerville - 01/27/16 06:36 PM

Dark colors at night work best.
Posted By: J-Moe

Re: Lake Somerville - 01/27/16 07:47 PM

Originally Posted By: hoggwild
Originally Posted By: J-Moe
Lake Level is 238.5. Only 1/2 foot above normal level. They have reduced the flow to 355 cfs. It could be the last time to catch fish below the dam for a while. They will be closing the gates any day now.



Pink jigs will getcha great number of crappie right now with the flow like it is at the spill way.


Good tip. They were really biting well when the flow dropped to this level in September. I was catching them on black/chartreuse tube jigs.
Posted By: ag_angler

Re: Lake Somerville - 01/28/16 02:43 AM

wish to hear any fish report soon


Originally Posted By: fishytx
I might be able to go Thursday, but we will see. I'm getting caught up on some much needed things. Sunday and Monday should be great as the water temp warms up a tad.
Posted By: fishytx

Re: Lake Somerville - 01/28/16 10:48 AM

I wasn't able to get on a good bite. I did see a few others doing well though. It's slow, but if you can get on a good spot, they will bite. One guy had a limit, another guy caught 17 on a fly rod. He went way downstream to get his. I caught 4 whites and countless small crappie.
Posted By: fishytx

Re: Lake Somerville - 01/28/16 01:04 PM

I've decided that I'm going to wait till the water warms up a little more before I go back. My catch rate is going down at this point, so I feel like I'm wasting my time. Warmer weather this weekend, maybe one day next week I can get back on a good bite. Seems like the better stringers are coming from way downstream. It's about a mile walk which isn't too bad, it's the walk back with a heavy stringer that will get cha. We still have two months to go, so there's plenty of time to catch these guys. I'll go fish for some black bass for a little while. What I like best about bank fishing is, there is no boat to deal with.
Posted By: Csafisher

Re: Lake Somerville - 01/28/16 01:56 PM

Thanks for the report. I'll be headed out a little after noon today.
Posted By: JonL

Re: Lake Somerville - 01/28/16 09:13 PM

Will be making the long trip from Leander on Sunday to give it a go. Hopefully I can remember the spot I caught them in last time and hope they are there again. That was a blast. Will report Sunday afternoon.
Posted By: jsinn01

Re: Lake Somerville - 01/28/16 09:24 PM

Curious. How long of a drive is it from Leander?
Posted By: fishytx

Re: Lake Somerville - 01/28/16 10:51 PM

The guy with the fly rod had an awesome fly. Very light and he would just let the fly sink as far down as his tip line on the floating line and he would just let it drift through a hole twitching it just enough to trigger a strike. They would come up off the bottom and get it.
Posted By: jsinn01

Re: Lake Somerville - 01/28/16 11:46 PM

Could you see the fish come up and hit the fly? That must have been pretty cool.
Posted By: Csafisher

Re: Lake Somerville - 01/29/16 12:54 AM

Took the boat up to newmans. Was a little slow for me. Caught 4 keepers and some tater tot crappie and LMB. The keepers were all big though.
Posted By: JonL

Re: Lake Somerville - 01/29/16 02:10 AM

J-moe it takes me about 1 hour and 40 minutes one way. But the big yegua whites are worth it.
Posted By: JonL

Re: Lake Somerville - 01/29/16 02:31 AM

Sorry meant to say Jsinn01
Posted By: jsinn01

Re: Lake Somerville - 01/29/16 02:44 AM

Yeah, takes me about 1.5 hours. Sent you a PM about a good Crappie spot a little closer to home.
Posted By: R2Fishing

Re: Lake Somerville - 01/29/16 03:26 AM

Originally Posted By: Csafisher
Took the boat up to newmans. Was a little slow for me. Caught 4 keepers and some tater tot crappie and LMB. The keepers were all big though.


This isn't what I wanted to hear.

I'm Headed there tomorrow for all weekend fishing trip with boat.
Posted By: Csafisher

Re: Lake Somerville - 01/29/16 03:40 AM

Originally Posted By: hoggwild
Originally Posted By: Csafisher
Took the boat up to newmans. Was a little slow for me. Caught 4 keepers and some tater tot crappie and LMB. The keepers were all big though.


This isn't what I wanted to hear.

I'm Headed there tomorrow for all weekend fishing trip with boat.


I bet it will pick up. Gonna be a warming trend. And the water did look good. On another note I went a ways up nails and that water was rather murky.
Posted By: JonL

Re: Lake Somerville - 01/29/16 03:51 AM

Yeah Jsinn01 but you can't catch the whites there. Especially the size of the Yegua whites. That's what I am hoping to catch. But I will take a mess of crappie if the white bass are slow to bite.
Posted By: fishytx

Re: Lake Somerville - 01/29/16 04:19 PM

Giving these guys a break today, going after some black bass instead. Come on big boys, bite. Hehehehe It doesn't matter what kind of fish is on the end of my pole, just as long as it pulls hard. Those of you going after these whites today, good luck, can't wait to read some good reports later.
Tight lines, Fishytx.......... ,<'///><
Posted By: timid tiger

Re: Lake Somerville - 01/29/16 06:19 PM

Just wondering with the 25 white bass daily limit, do we run the risk of depleting too many pre-spawn fish and affecting the fish population in the next seasons?
Posted By: Froghunter

Re: Lake Somerville - 01/29/16 09:56 PM

If that were a threat tpw would shut the fishing down.
Posted By: Froghunter

Re: Lake Somerville - 01/29/16 09:59 PM

Besides, you have to catch the 25 first!


Just picked up 2 new ultra lite rods for my 2 youngest boys. Their catfish poles were a little much, especially in a thicket. Our eta is 12:00+ tomorrow. We brought home a stronger full of crappie last week and I wasn't mad at all:)
Posted By: Sausage Man

Re: Lake Somerville - 01/29/16 11:30 PM

Went to the Yegua today. Walked downstream to the giant logjam a mile or so south of Irwin. Didn't see many whites caught. My spot that gave up a limit 2 weeks ago was empty. If there were fish there, I would have foul hooked them as many times as I drug a lure through there. Saw two whites on stringers. Got back to the Irwin parking area and there was a guy and gal fishing there that caught 45 right there within 10 yards of parking area. I think they went back to finish their limit but they had to fight off at least 5 people that were moving in tight to them. Went upstream and talked to a guy that was stringing some crappie just upstream of the bridge. I will have to meet some of you guys that go way upstream because I couldn't find the path after a little while. Had to bug out to pick up the kids from school. They probably started biting this afternoon. It was a beautiful day to be on the creek. The trash level was also considerably down from 2 weeks ago.
Posted By: m1aggie

Re: Lake Somerville - 01/30/16 01:51 AM

"...a guy and gal fishing there that caught 45 right there within 10 yards of parking area."

That's pretty awesome for them. Here we are busting the brush for miles and sometimes you just never know. The first bend near the parking lot can produce, but you'll be crossing lines and rubbing shoulders by 9am.
Posted By: J-Moe

Re: Lake Somerville - 01/30/16 02:32 AM

Well I couldn't take it anymore. I had to break out the fly rod. And man am I glad I did. God blessed me with an incredible day of fishing.

I tied a chartreuse / white bead chain clouser on my 4 weight and climbed down onto a sand bar. I cast out into a deep hole, got a bite on the first cast and every other cast for the next 3 hours. banana The fishing was absolutely on fire flame

I ended up catching 49 crappie, 3 white bass, 2 lmb and over 50 bluegill, all on the same fly. These were much bigger crappie than the ones I've been catching under Irwin bridge. At least 44 of the 49 crappie were keepers. The bluegill were also packed in so tight I couldn't hardly get to the crappie at times.

I tried to post some photos but photobucket is down for maintenance.
Posted By: jsinn01

Re: Lake Somerville - 01/30/16 02:34 AM

Sometimes it's nice to get away from the crowd even though you may catch fewer fish. There's more to enjoy about fishing than going out and catching a limit.
Posted By: jsinn01

Re: Lake Somerville - 01/30/16 02:36 AM

Wow, J-Moe! It sounds like you had an awesome day. Congrats. clap
Posted By: Csafisher

Re: Lake Somerville - 01/30/16 02:38 AM

Dang J-Moe! That's awesome! Hope it is that good tomorrow. I'll be out late morning.
Posted By: J-Moe

Re: Lake Somerville - 01/30/16 02:44 AM

Thanks guys, I plan on spending lots of time on the creeks this weekend. Enough crappie, I'll be looking for the whites tomorrow. The 3 I caught sure were much more fun than the crappie and Bluegill. But I just couldn't make myself move to a different spot today, LOL.
Posted By: hook-line&sinker

Re: Lake Somerville - 01/30/16 02:54 AM

Those fish that you educated with the fly won't be so friendly to the next guy.. Thanks J-Moe wink wish I had time to join you on the creek or Bill H. kayaking up the Yegua Saturday.. Maybe next week..
Posted By: Sausage Man

Re: Lake Somerville - 01/30/16 03:02 AM

Right? Good thing he didn't have to haul those stringers a long way. She didn't look like she could lift it. It just goes to show you these fish are more about the water depth than how far upstream or downstream you walk.
Posted By: fishr3

Re: Lake Somerville - 01/30/16 04:52 AM

Paddled the canoe up Yegua creek today from Nails Creek Park. Seven power boats and two kayaks passed by me up the creek. Very busy place. I was hoping for a white bass meat haul. I got something completely different. I caught several black bass, several drum, one crappie, and one male white bass. Paddling back across the lake in the canoe was a real battle with the gusty west wind blowing across my bow. I thought I was going to get blown clear over to Birch Creek Park at one point. It was a great day to be outside.





Posted By: SpeciesFisherman

Re: Lake Somerville - 01/30/16 04:59 AM

I will see y'all there tomarrow. I'll be there before sun rise.
Posted By: fishytx

Re: Lake Somerville - 01/30/16 01:39 PM

JMoe, you had an awesome day. Your fishing time was rewarded with a lot of catching. I don't care to much for the hard fishing part, but when you're catching something from all your efforts, the reward of the catch is why we do it. You had a great day, one most people dream of having, awesome trip man.
Posted By: JonL

Re: Lake Somerville - 01/30/16 01:39 PM

J-moe you do know that all you have to do to download pictures on this forum is to hit the icon with the blue arrow above then browse your files on the phone and select pictures.
Posted By: fishytx

Re: Lake Somerville - 01/30/16 02:33 PM

I've done this several times and it didn't download. I was trying to get pics off m y phone, not sure if that is an issue or not, because I have done it before. Sometimes it doesn't want to download though.
Posted By: JonL

Re: Lake Somerville - 01/30/16 02:42 PM

It works on my Samsung S5. At least so far it has worked everytime but I don't catch as many fish as you do fishytx so I haven't tried to download as many pictures as you have.
Posted By: fishytx

Re: Lake Somerville - 01/30/16 04:00 PM

I have the same phone, just every now and then it will tell me that the download failed. Not often, but after you try several times you just give up. Then I can try the next day and it works just fine.
Posted By: fishytx

Re: Lake Somerville - 01/30/16 04:06 PM

I received a text from J-Moe this morning, man, He is on them again. Hes catching more whites this morning and he is getting them on the fly. Awesome. I asked if he was letting it drift, but he said no, he was stripping line pretty quickly. So, these fly angler baits seem to be the ticket, these fish like what they see and sucking them up.
Whack em good Jamie.
Posted By: JonL

Re: Lake Somerville - 01/30/16 04:42 PM

Hopefully J-more will leave me some for tomorrow.
Posted By: m1aggie

Re: Lake Somerville - 01/30/16 05:18 PM

He's definitely the exception. I've been here since 7am and only caught 1 crappie. Everyone else I've seen has done about the same. Lots of empty stringers. A pair at the first bend from the parking lot have a mess of them though but had a minow bucket.
Posted By: fishytx

Re: Lake Somerville - 01/30/16 06:31 PM

I'm not sure what creek he's on though. But he's catching fish.
Posted By: J-Moe

Re: Lake Somerville - 01/30/16 06:41 PM

Originally Posted By: m1aggie
He's definitely the exception. I've been here since 7am and only caught 1 crappie. Everyone else I've seen has done about the same. Lots of empty stringers. A pair at the first bend from the parking lot have a mess of them though but had a minow bucket.


There are lots of creeks around Lake Sommerville. Birch, McCain, Cedar, Nails, Jardelle, etc.

Gig'em, Class of 87
Posted By: J-Moe

Re: Lake Somerville - 01/30/16 06:56 PM

Well, I didn't think the fishing could get any better. But it did because I was catching more white bass today. Color didn't even seem to matter. I caught several fish on a chartreuse/white clouser before I had a white break my leader. I put on blue and white and continued with the non-stop bite. I stood in that one spot and caught 40 crappie, 10 white bass, 2 LMB and 20 plus bluegill. I then went exploring with jigs and caught 10 more white bass and 7 more LMB.

I ended this morning with 40 crappie, 20 white bass, 9 LMB and lots of small bluegill.

And to clarify, I am a catch and release fisherman.



Posted By: fishytx

Re: Lake Somerville - 01/30/16 07:09 PM

Awesome fishing right there. I'm gonna wait it out till Monday. I think!!!
I already have an itch to go, so I'm not sure I can wait that long. Yesterday I was out on a lake catching blacks, really didn't get my fishing fix I needed, but it was ok.
Posted By: m1aggie

Re: Lake Somerville - 01/30/16 07:53 PM

Other creeks there are indeed.
Unless you can go in the middle of the week when the pressure is off, I'd say the Yegua between Irwin and Newman is pretty much done for most folks. Until the area gets another rain followed by more weather like today that is. I saw people using crawfish and minnows that did not pull out a single fish.
Posted By: yota

Re: Lake Somerville - 01/30/16 09:01 PM

Walked about 2/3 way to newmans. Caught 3 whites and a black bass by 8. Nothing after that. Walked in and fished out. All fish caught way downstream
Posted By: R2Fishing

Re: Lake Somerville - 01/30/16 11:17 PM

I had a back injury yesterday at work so I'm out of commission as the truck and boat were hooked to fish this weekend. Was excited about hitting the creek from boat...

Had a friend and brother go without me, they fished Irwin this morning.

They caught mess full of whites and few crappie
Posted By: fishytx

Re: Lake Somerville - 01/30/16 11:47 PM

There in there thick still. You just have to have the right stuff to get them to bite. Doesn't hurt to hit a good hole either. For the most, they're kind a laying low key. It's the cold water, as soon as it warms up a little more, they should become more active. That's what I'm hoping for anyways. Heck, my numbers have been declining and I am working hard for a bite. There is chance I'll go late tomorrow, but leaning more towards Monday before I give it another go around. Might even have to change where I fish. My so called honey holes are just a few grains of sugar here lately. Time to try something different and get back on this catching thing.
Posted By: m1aggie

Re: Lake Somerville - 01/31/16 03:29 AM

I imagine in order to do well in the Yegua today you really have to know your stuff. For most weekend warriors that certainly takes a while to accomplish and I am no where close yet. I can count on 2 hands how many times I have fished the Yegua in the last 10 years.

As for today, I'm only stating the facts of what I witnessed and conversed with other anglers as I moved up and down the creek. Most people were getting skunked. Of the few pairs I passed by that had stringers in the water, they also had bait buckets. But even then I saw others with live bait getting skunked as well. This was 7am-11am today.

Was there an afternoon/evening bite below Irwin?
Posted By: greenyak

Re: Lake Somerville - 01/31/16 03:57 AM

working on video right now. Fishing was good but the paddle back across the lake was tough.
Posted By: 24x7Fisherman

Re: Lake Somerville - 01/31/16 04:01 AM

greenyak, nice! have you reached Newman's Bottom?
Posted By: J-Moe

Re: Lake Somerville - 01/31/16 04:21 AM

Sweet Greenyak, that's a stringer full of monsters thumb

I tied up some more clousers tonight. Gonna hit it again tomorrow.
Posted By: hook-line&sinker

Re: Lake Somerville - 01/31/16 04:23 AM

Been there, done that! wink

Posted By: hook-line&sinker

Re: Lake Somerville - 01/31/16 04:30 AM

going to give it a try reel soon with that ol' Cajun buddy of mine..

Posted By: greenyak

Re: Lake Somerville - 01/31/16 05:06 AM

Miss seeing you out there Ben, this was my first trip this year hopefully will make some more out there.
Posted By: greenyak

Re: Lake Somerville - 01/31/16 05:12 AM

Originally Posted By: 24x7Fisherman
greenyak, nice! have you reached Newman's Bottom?
no didn't go all the way to Newman's
Posted By: hook-line&sinker

Re: Lake Somerville - 01/31/16 05:14 AM

Mom is back home from rehab (Saturday) so maybe I can escape to the creek a few times.. gonna stock the freezer with crappie & whites..
Posted By: greenyak

Re: Lake Somerville - 01/31/16 05:43 AM

Posted By: fishytx

Re: Lake Somerville - 01/31/16 03:24 PM

Enjoyed the video. Wish I didn't have a jacked up back, I would own one of these and fish from it a lot. I use to fish from a tube and canoe, so I know how much fun it is.
Posted By: fishytx

Re: Lake Somerville - 01/31/16 04:10 PM

Something came up and I wont be fishing tomorrow, it is totally out of the question, so it is looking more like a trip today is in my play book. Tuesday I will be there as well.(unless something else pops up) I hate it when things pop up that take away from my fishing time, but is what it is......life is good.
Posted By: Froghunter

Re: Lake Somerville - 01/31/16 08:08 PM

Me and my 3 boys fished below Irwin from the bridge to the bend and back to where the creek almost comes back together. 4 of us spread out and fished a fan pattern for about 5 min then moved on. We pretty much fished the entire creek in that stretch. Being competitive we kept up with the numbers. 145 fish in total. 80% of that were perch followed by crappie, lm bass then 2 carp(that was a surprise) we made it a point to always use different jigs till we find the one fish want. We caught fish on everything. The last hour was spent using worms and power bait. Absolutely no whites what so ever. Of the 145 only 1 crappie was legal. My kids loved it and had a great time although I was a little disappointed in the lack of whites. I did see 2 stringers, one on live bait only and one on crawfish and jigs.
Posted By: JonL

Re: Lake Somerville - 02/01/16 01:39 AM

Had another good day with my daughter. We caught around 40 crappie but with only 4 keepers. No white bass at all this time. It was nowhere near the fast paced action we had last weekend in the same spot but it was steady enough to keep an 11 year old occupied. My opinion is we need some rain to really get this run going. Catching crappie is okay but nothing like the white bass. Hopefully it gets going.
Posted By: J-Moe

Re: Lake Somerville - 02/01/16 01:43 AM

Another great day of fishing banana

Ben & I took a long hike to one of his favorite spots. I threw a jig out and caught a white bass on the first cast. Grabbed the fly rod and caught a white bass right away. We were having to roll cast and it was difficult getting it out to the spot they were holding so I walked around to the other side of the curve and was able to get down onto a submerged sand bar. I started casting but nothing. Grabbed the spinning rod and first cast I caught another white bass. So I changed flies twice and still nothing. Grabbed the spinning rod and on the second cast I caught another white bass. So now I knew it wasn't the fly, it had to be the presentation and location. I walked out about 10 feet further, cast out and let the fly sink for another second longer, one short strip to remove the slack from the line and BAM a white bass took it. I had a gray & white clouser on. I caught 10 white bass and then lost it when number 11 broke me off. Unfortunately it was the only gray & white one I had tied so I had to switch to chartreuse & white. I caught one more on the fly rod then the bite shutoff.

I ended the morning with 17 white bass. It was an absolute blast fighting those 14 inch plus white bass on my 4 weight this weekend. It made the spinning rod feel really boring, LOL.

We checked on Birch then ended the day catching a whole bunch of small crappie and bluegill. It was great to be out there fishing with you again Ben.
Posted By: jsinn01

Re: Lake Somerville - 02/01/16 01:59 AM

Originally Posted By: greenyak
working on video right now. Fishing was good but the paddle back across the lake was tough.


Nice catch, dude!
Posted By: jsinn01

Re: Lake Somerville - 02/01/16 02:01 AM

Originally Posted By: J-Moe
Another great day of fishing banana

Ben & I took a long hike to one of his favorite spots. I threw a jig out and caught a white bass on the first cast. Grabbed the fly rod and caught a white bass right away. We were having to roll cast and it was difficult getting it out to the spot they were holding so I walked around to the other side of the curve and was able to get down onto a submerged sand bar. I started casting but nothing. Grabbed the spinning rod and first cast I caught another white bass. So I changed flies twice and still nothing. Grabbed the spinning rod and on the second cast I caught another white bass. So now I knew it wasn't the fly, it had to be the presentation and location. I walked out about 10 feet further, cast out and let the fly sink for another second longer, one short strip to remove the slack from the line and BAM a white bass took it. I had a gray & white clouser on. I caught 10 white bass and then lost it when number 11 broke me off. Unfortunately it was the only gray & white one I had tied so I had to switch to chartreuse & white. I caught one more on the fly rod then the bite shutoff.

I ended the morning with 17 white bass. It was an absolute blast fighting those 14 inch plus white bass on my 4 weight this weekend. It made the spinning rod feel really boring, LOL.

We checked on Birch then ended the day catching a whole bunch of small crappie and bluegill. It was great to be out there fishing with you again Ben.


Great report! Sounds like you really killed it this weekend. thumb
Posted By: hook-line&sinker

Re: Lake Somerville - 02/01/16 02:15 AM

Birch Creek was big disappointment.. stained water but plenty of it. Walked my legs into cramps.. never had cramps like these before.. getting old ain't for sissies. We did catch fish though (but not in Birch) so it was worth the effort. If I do Birch creek again it will need to be from the yak and for crappie. Didn't look like whitebass water to me.. Seems like there is more LMB and sunfish in the creeks than ever before.




catch a couple of racing stripe crappie every trip out this time of year..

caught tons of undersize crappie Sunday..

but just a few of these..

Posted By: 24x7Fisherman

Re: Lake Somerville - 02/01/16 02:17 AM

Great report!
Posted By: hook-line&sinker

Re: Lake Somerville - 02/01/16 02:28 AM

Any of you looking for crappie from the yak might want to drop in the Yegua @ the highway 36 bridge. The COE released water from the spillway since October and the crappie were not among the fish that died back in September so they should still be hanging around somewhere.. and it is a easy paddle compared to the upper lake..
Posted By: J-Moe

Re: Lake Somerville - 02/01/16 03:34 AM

Originally Posted By: jsinn01
Originally Posted By: J-Moe


Great report! Sounds like you really killed it this weekend. thumb


Thanks Jared, it was incredible. I really learned a lot about tying good clousers this weekend as well. As the water has gotten lower and clearer the small, more realistic gray and white size 8 clouser seems to be the ticket. It's really rewarding to tie your own fly and the fish absolutely destroy it!!!!!
Posted By: jsinn01

Re: Lake Somerville - 02/01/16 04:50 AM

coolphotos

Those are some nice pics, Ben. Thanks for sharing.
Posted By: fishytx

Re: Lake Somerville - 02/01/16 05:04 AM

I thought the bite was good today. I threw 5 back in before I started keeping them. Brought home 23. I must have caught 40 to 50 under size crappie. I know one thing, I had a fish pulling on the other end most of the day.
I had fun.
For some reason, I can't get my uploaded photo to show up, I'll try again tomorrow. A small box appears after it uploads, that's it.
Posted By: crawfish16

Re: Lake Somerville - 02/01/16 02:40 PM



Had a good catch of crappie this weekend. Disappointed we didn't catch many whites though. Caught a couple nice black bass though. From what we saw, not many people had much luck catching whites either. Hoping they will pick back up again shortly, sure is fun catching nice yegua white bass.
Posted By: fishytx

Re: Lake Somerville - 02/01/16 03:25 PM

I really had a good time yesterday meeting people twice, yes twice. I was fishing down in the horseshoe area and people would walk by and chat for a few minutes. About ten minutes later, here they come again. I would burst out with a laugh and say, good to see you again. LOL They could not find the parking lot to save their life. I would then draw out a diagram in the sand on how the creek makes a horseshoe bend and explain to them what they were doing that was causing them to get on the wrong side and go in circles. Oh my, I havent laughed this hard in awhile. The expression on their faces when they would run into me the second time was priceless. They were so confused, it was written all over their face when they would approach me that second time. After I told these three guys how to get to the parking lot and they were walking away, I shouted out; see you guys in a few minutes with an out burst of laughter that followed. It was hilarious. The first encounter was an older lady by herself, I didnt laugh at her, I simply explained to her on how get back. But as this continued to be an issue with many others, I couldnt help myself, it had become a very funny thing to me. That was the highlight of my trip right there.

Oh you are going to like this one. The never of some people, Im telling you. Three guys walk up and they see me catching a fish on almost every cast and they wanted to see what I was using. No problem, I show them. Ten minutes go by and one came up to me and asked me if he could fish in the hole where I was catching these fish. I told him no. I mean, this was a very small bank area that I was fishing from and I wasnt about to give it up after I found this hole. I still cant believe he even asked me this question. After I showed him and his buddies the jig I was throwing, they still asked me if I was using live bait? Really, no bait bucket, no container with live crawfish, I guess they thought I had live bait in my pocket or something, I dont know.

The females I caught yesterday are beginning to show some good signs of egg sack maturity. Still not quite ready, but getting close. I did hear a noise downstream in the water that sounded like the white bass spawning action. Only heard it once, but with these warmer temps, it will probably increase over the next few days before this next cold front arrives and cools the water back down, which will again shut the bite down. But this is a good thing, because as soon as these females spawn out, they will leave the creek and return to the lake, as their mission has been completed. So, the longer this process of spawning gets cut back short due to colder water temps, the longer these fish will stay up in the creek for all of us to fish for them. But there is still eight more weeks of this white bass spawn to look forward to and it will only get better by the week.

Yesterday when I first started out, I was catching a fish here and a fish there. I started changing jig size, shape and color till I found the right one they liked the best. After that, it was on. I cant tell you how many back to back cast delivered a catch. But yesterday was one of my better days this year to say the least. Today should be an awesome day as well, but I dont think Im going to be able to swing a trip. But I will be out there Tuesday and Wednesday.
Posted By: fishytx

Re: Lake Somerville - 02/01/16 03:35 PM

This is the best I can do on downloading a pic, so here it is.
[img]https://scontent-dfw1-1.xx.fbcdn.net/hph...amp;oe=57283160[/img]
Posted By: jsinn01

Re: Lake Somerville - 02/01/16 03:52 PM

Originally Posted By: fishytx
I really had a good time yesterday meeting people twice, yes twice. I was fishing down in the horseshoe area and people would walk by and chat for a few minutes. About ten minutes later, here they come again. I would burst out with a laugh and say, good to see you again. LOL They could not find the parking lot to save their life. I would then draw out a diagram in the sand on how the creek makes a horseshoe bend and explain to them what they were doing that was causing them to get on the wrong side and go in circles. Oh my, I havent laughed this hard in awhile. The expression on their faces when they would run into me the second time was priceless. They were so confused, it was written all over their face when they would approach me that second time. After I told these three guys how to get to the parking lot and they were walking away, I shouted out; see you guys in a few minutes with an out burst of laughter that followed. It was hilarious. The first encounter was an older lady by herself, I didnt laugh at her, I simply explained to her on how get back. But as this continued to be an issue with many others, I couldnt help myself, it had become a very funny thing to me. That was the highlight of my trip right there.


That's hilarious. Now we know how you catch so many fish, Doug. You are somehow able to clone yourself and fish multiple spots along the creek. roflmao

They probably felt like they were in an episode of the Twilight Zone or something.

Enjoyed the report, thanks for posting. I went out to Reimer's on Saturday. It's really looking like there's going to be a run out there this year. The water is kind of high right now, but there is still some good moving water about 50 to 100 yards upstream from the boat launch. No White Bass being caught right now, but it should only be a few weeks now. I was looking through some old photos and I have some from 2010 where I caught White Bass at Reimer's mid February timeframe.
Posted By: fishytx

Re: Lake Somerville - 02/01/16 04:03 PM

The males should be moving in as we speak at Reimers. Such a fun place to fish. Not sure I can think of a place that will top it either.
Posted By: jsinn01

Re: Lake Somerville - 02/01/16 04:18 PM

Originally Posted By: crawfish16


Had a good catch of crappie this weekend. Disappointed we didn't catch many whites though. Caught a couple nice black bass though. From what we saw, not many people had much luck catching whites either. Hoping they will pick back up again shortly, sure is fun catching nice yegua white bass.


Nothing wrong with that stringer. Nice job. thumb
Posted By: crawfish16

Re: Lake Somerville - 02/01/16 04:56 PM

Definitely nothing wrong with the stringer. cheers. Just like feeling a white bass on the other end of the line cool
Posted By: fishytx

Re: Lake Somerville - 02/01/16 05:29 PM

I had a few keeper crappie, but myself, I think the size limit should be raised to 11 inches. There really is not much of a fillet on 10 inch crappie. You almost need to clean and scale one, then fry it whole. But they don't start getting some gurth on them till they reach about 11 inches.
Posted By: jsinn01

Re: Lake Somerville - 02/01/16 05:37 PM

Sometimes if I'm only keeping a few fish, I'll keep the big ones exclusively. I don't think keeping 10 inch fish will hurt the fishery by any means though. I know there are some states that don't even have size restrictions on Crappie.
Posted By: fishytx

Re: Lake Somerville - 02/01/16 07:04 PM

Hurting the fishery isn't the issue, it's the amount of fish fillet you receive from the 10 fish is what bothers me. Not that much really. All head and most of the time somewhat skinny at that length. But they taste great. Not to many people I know eat perch, but man are they ever good. Even the smaller guys fry up nice.
Posted By: R2Fishing

Re: Lake Somerville - 02/01/16 07:19 PM

Originally Posted By: fishytx
Hurting the fishery isn't the issue, it's the amount of fish fillet you receive from the 10 fish is what bothers me. Not that much really. All head and most of the time somewhat skinny at that length. But they taste great. Not to many people I know eat perch, but man are they ever good. Even the smaller guys fry up nice.


We goto Caddo every year just for the brim.

Couple thousand crickets and fill the coolers up banana
Posted By: fishytx

Re: Lake Somerville - 02/01/16 07:20 PM

Good info about other states, I didn't know that. There are some strange rules up north, like no fishing with live bait, or no fishing for black bass in certain months, weird. I'm pretty happy with our rules.
Posted By: m1aggie

Re: Lake Somerville - 02/01/16 08:04 PM

Re: "Oh you are going to like this one. The never of some people, Im telling you. Three guys walk up and..."

Yup and will only get worse as the weather and fishing gets better.

I was fishing the Irwin horseshoe bend on Sat. a few weeks back when someone walked up to me and asked if I caught anything, to which I replied I did. They angrily looked at me and said, "WHERE DEY AT?!". This guy actually wanted me to stop fishing and pull up my stringer just to prove it. I just ignored him. He was also hollering to several buddies whom I am guessing were stuck in the loop as well. There was also a gentlemen, who stated after he made 3 circles by me, "I've been walking around these woods for 20 years and never experienced this". Well, I guess he never "experienced" the bend at Irwin in his 20 years.

An encounter at "The Steps" on the San Gabriel outside of Taylor tops the list though. I was fishing a hole for a while when a family (grandfather, son, and grandson) walk right up next to me and after a brief conversation hand me a White Rooster Tail. I guess it was a gift, bribe, etc. b/c these jokers proceeded to wade chest deep, right, smack in front of me, in the very hole I was fishing just so they could cast a little further out.


Posted By: hook-line&sinker

Re: Lake Somerville - 02/01/16 08:40 PM

Best way to spend a sunny warm Sunday
Posted By: hook-line&sinker

Re: Lake Somerville - 02/01/16 08:53 PM

That carelessness, lack of manners & rudeness is mostly why I have very little interest in fishing the Yegua up at Irwin bridge.. I know of other places where there are fish to be caught that haven't seen 10,000 jigs already!
Posted By: hook-line&sinker

Re: Lake Somerville - 02/01/16 10:17 PM

As the creeks drop and clear up the crappie will move back downstream to the deeper holes where a slip cork & jig set up works best. We are quickly approaching this time .
Posted By: 24x7Fisherman

Re: Lake Somerville - 02/02/16 04:03 AM

Doug, I thought you only use 1/32 oz white jig.
Posted By: fishytx

Re: Lake Somerville - 02/02/16 05:32 AM

Every fish I caught was on a white jig. What I play with to increase a strike is in the tail hair. I have several hand tied white jigs that I make myself. When the water is this clear, just a few little things on these jigs can make a huge difference. But they are white. A bran new jig out of the package needs a little help as well, there are several things that I do to these that I feel like increases the strike rate. Little adjustments make a huge difference. If I could have gotten my 1/64 oz. jigs in the strike zone, I would have used them, but I couldn't reach the spot. I do several crazy things to these jigs that I think that works, or maybe I would like to think it works since they trigger a strike. These little things I do allow me to catch more fish and that's all the proof I need. When I refer to color, normally it's in the tail hair.
Posted By: 24x7Fisherman

Re: Lake Somerville - 02/02/16 02:00 PM

Doug, thanks for the detailed explanation. Now I remember what you showed me with that pair of scissors to trim the tails when I met you at the creek a few years.
Posted By: fishytx

Re: Lake Somerville - 02/02/16 02:54 PM

I probably showed you how I can change the tail color of my jig on the creek too? But I can't remember who all I've showed the little quirky things that I do to these jigs in order to entice fish and increase my strike rate.
Posted By: fishytx

Re: Lake Somerville - 02/02/16 04:55 PM

I'll be on the creek sometime here soon; I have a few things to tally up first, then go get my fishing on. I sure hope these fish show up for the party and we can do a dance together. I'm ready to do the ole one two, rod bend, drag sing dance myself. Or a few to do the good old fashion boot scoot and boogie dance, oh yeah. I know, I know, --- Im a half a bubble off some times with my quirky little post, but hey, its all in fun and games my friend. Seems like every day is a new day on this creek, always trying to figure out how to overcome these challenges and conquer it with success. When I get a bite dialed in and start catching fish, I feel like I have accomplished something. Catching fish on artificial baits is nothing more than tricking these guys into thinking it looks like prey to forage on. So, next time you are out, think about trying to match the hatch as they put it, I bet you will see a difference in the amount of fish you catch.
Posted By: Csafisher

Re: Lake Somerville - 02/02/16 05:04 PM

Good luck! I'm planning on headed out Thursday. Hopefully they will play ball. No rain in the forecast and it's supposed to be a little cooler the rest of the week.
Posted By: hook-line&sinker

Re: Lake Somerville - 02/02/16 05:10 PM

February 2015


February 2014


February 2013


February 2012


February 2011


Novenmber 2010
Posted By: TXfisherman12

Re: Lake Somerville - 02/02/16 05:50 PM

I love reading y'all posts. I have never fished the Lake Somerville run but hope to some day. In the meantime I live vicariously and fish local spots. I get a little confused about all the place names and creeks and such. I am old school and like maps. Can somebody recommend a good map online (or place to buy) with all these creeks and places?
Posted By: m1aggie

Re: Lake Somerville - 02/02/16 06:48 PM

Originally Posted By: TXfisherman12
I love reading y'all posts. I have never fished the Lake Somerville run but hope to some day. In the meantime I live vicariously and fish local spots. I get a little confused about all the place names and creeks and such. I am old school and like maps. Can somebody recommend a good map online (or place to buy) with all these creeks and places?

One of the better maps I have seen...
http://www.swf-wc.usace.army.mil/somerville/Information/Lake%20Map.pdf

Other maps located at...
http://www.swf-wc.usace.army.mil/somerville/Information/Maps.asp
Posted By: TXfisherman12

Re: Lake Somerville - 02/02/16 07:45 PM

Thanks m1aggie! I might try and make it up there sometime this year, so the maps will come in handy. In regards to your earlier post, I agree that it is hard for 'weekend-warriors' to catch sand bass, especially on 'off-days.' I fish a lot during the year, but have only started trying for white bass the past couple of years and have only caught less than 5 total. But I have read others share the same and then say once they caught on they consistently catch them. Just my thoughts.
Posted By: BIG SHINER

Re: Lake Somerville - 02/02/16 11:39 PM

Went out today to chase some crappie. Got there around 10:30 and fished some of the smaller creeks. Slow at first with one here one there. Then found a hole that was loaded. In 45 minutes I pulled out 23 crappie and a few bass and perch. And only one of them was big enough. Moved to another creek and found a good hole and pulled out 11 crappie with only one keeper and some bass and perch. Moved again and only a few crappie spread out throughout the creek. Caught over 50 fish and only two keepers and no white bass. Maybe next time. Beautiful day to be on the creek and saw a big herd of hogs.
Posted By: BIG SHINER

Re: Lake Somerville - 02/02/16 11:43 PM

Oh and the closed area sign is still up at Newmans but I didn't drive down to see.
Posted By: fishytx

Re: Lake Somerville - 02/03/16 01:41 AM

Wow, what a slow day. The bite didn't get going till after 4pm. Caught 19 whites. Bunch of crappie and perch. I'm gonna have to change something up, the water has become so clear that the fish would charge it and turn just before they took it. I marked a fish on my pole so I could measure it when I get home, but it was 17-1/2 to 18 inches. Here again, another huge white. Checked it's tounge again, one tooth patch in center. But that was my boot scoot and boogie fish. It was a great fight. Oh yeah, caught two under size whites today, I was shocked. Fun day though.
Posted By: fishytx

Re: Lake Somerville - 02/03/16 01:47 AM


This is the big guy, at a softball game right now, so I won't know acual size till I get home. But it was fun.
Posted By: crappie4me

Re: Lake Somerville - 02/03/16 03:39 AM

Does anyone know if big Creek Marina ever re-opened after the flood. I use to love to fish the crappie house. I know it floated off from the floods, but was just curious if anything has been done to it since the flood. Since I moved to Victoria 2 yrs. ago, I haven't had a chance to get back there.
Posted By: R2Fishing

Re: Lake Somerville - 02/03/16 12:56 PM

Anyone know if the water still deep enough to get into the creek(Yegua) coming from the lake?
Posted By: fishytx

Re: Lake Somerville - 02/03/16 02:43 PM

I took a measurement of the mark I had on my pole of that fish, it was 17-1/2 inches. That's two that size this year. So I was close on my guess.
Posted By: fishytx

Re: Lake Somerville - 02/03/16 02:54 PM

I know most of us get this idea in our head that the fish are no longer in the creek when we struggle to catch a few. Personally, I think it is still loaded. From about 5 to 7 pm, the bite goes crazy good. Where are they and why won't they bite during the daylight hours, I don't know, but they are in there. It is still early, the bite will only get better with time.
Posted By: J-Moe

Re: Lake Somerville - 02/03/16 03:09 PM

Originally Posted By: crappie4me
Does anyone know if big Creek Marina ever re-opened after the flood. I use to love to fish the crappie house. I know it floated off from the floods, but was just curious if anything has been done to it since the flood. Since I moved to Victoria 2 yrs. ago, I haven't had a chance to get back there.


No, it remains closed.
Posted By: 24x7Fisherman

Re: Lake Somerville - 02/03/16 03:09 PM

Doug, it was very nice to meet you again. Thanks for the fish. It was a beautiful day out there.
I can not ask more. So after I left, you were having a party down there all by yourself? LOL
Posted By: 24x7Fisherman

Re: Lake Somerville - 02/03/16 03:11 PM

hoggwild,Yes, I saw someone paddling above the Newman's Bottom bridge yesterday. He told me it had taken him three hours from the lake.
Posted By: fishytx

Re: Lake Somerville - 02/03/16 03:49 PM

It was good to see you again as well. And yes, the party really got going good as the lighting got a little dimmer. I guess they couldn't see the detail in the jig as well is why they bit more often. Normally the late bite gets going crazy good about that time every afternoon, so I was banking on this to happen and it did. An angler can go from zero to hero in the last hour of daylight.
Posted By: J-Moe

Re: Lake Somerville - 02/03/16 04:32 PM

Barometric Pressure is supposed to rise to 30.52 tomorrow and stay high all week. May be some tough fishing.

Lake level is 248.3. Releasing 178 cfs.
Posted By: Csafisher

Re: Lake Somerville - 02/03/16 05:07 PM

That's pretty high. Was planning on running the boat up there tomorrow. Kinda second guessing now.
Posted By: hook-line&sinker

Re: Lake Somerville - 02/03/16 10:39 PM

lake level is 238.3.. J-Moe mistyped it.. a fishing report from a friend of mine..
Ben,

Just to give you a fish report. Buddy and I went cedar creek last Thursday afternoon...got there about 12ish. Walked in toward the lake about mile and a half or more...only caught 4 small black bass. Moved down to nails creek about 3pm. Between 3 and 5:30 we caught over 150 crappie and few black bass. We kept 38 keepers between the two of us...probably released 12 ish that were close but did not push our luck with measurement. Buddy caught one that weighed over 2 pounds. Several times during the period we were catching fish on every cast and all out of same pocket of water. All caught on chartreuse curly tail grub jigs. Just thought I would share...probably won't make it back until presidents day.
Posted By: trent72

Re: Lake Somerville - 02/04/16 02:27 PM

Ben,

Is nails creek accessible by bank and if so where at?

Thanks,
Posted By: trent72

Re: Lake Somerville - 02/04/16 02:49 PM

does anyone know if Newmans Bottom is open yet?
Posted By: ace02

Re: Lake Somerville - 02/04/16 04:33 PM

From the Fish Tales videos It looks like you can get to Nails creek from the state park via the trail way road.
Posted By: fishytx

Re: Lake Somerville - 02/04/16 05:15 PM

As I continue to see this virus called Zika from mosquitoes here in Texas, I thought I would bring this to everyone's attention. The mosquitoes are really bad on the Yegua around sundown. Very very thick. So you might want a take precautions just to be on the safe side.
Posted By: R2Fishing

Re: Lake Somerville - 02/04/16 05:58 PM

Originally Posted By: ace02
From the Fish Tales videos It looks like you can get to Nails creek from the state park via the trail way road.


The trailway was closed last I heard. It may have reopened?
Posted By: BIG SHINER

Re: Lake Somerville - 02/04/16 07:36 PM

The trailway is still closed and the lady at Nails and a guy I met on the creek both said it was not a good idea to be down there. Might get ticketed. Newmans still had a Area Closed sign at 140. Anyone know when it might open?
Posted By: J-Moe

Re: Lake Somerville - 02/04/16 07:48 PM

I talked to Adam on Sunday. The plan for Newman's bottom was to repair the road on Monday and the entrance bridge was to be inspected on Tuesday. If everything went well they would open up soon after that. I haven't heard anything though so I'm not sure if any of this got done or if they made some other decision.

As far as the trailway itself, it is not expected to be open, so that presents another challenge. How do they open Newman's but still restrict access to the trailway.
Posted By: bstars

Re: Lake Somerville - 02/04/16 09:47 PM

Kind of funny that the hiking path is closed but the guys that want to be there just need to park so they can climb up and down creek banks to fish. Soon the run will be over and they won't need to open. Not good marketing.
Posted By: jsinn01

Re: Lake Somerville - 02/05/16 02:43 AM

Originally Posted By: hook-line&sinker
lake level is 238.3.. J-Moe mistyped it.. a fishing report from a friend of mine..
Ben,

Just to give you a fish report. Buddy and I went cedar creek last Thursday afternoon...got there about 12ish. Walked in toward the lake about mile and a half or more...only caught 4 small black bass. Moved down to nails creek about 3pm. Between 3 and 5:30 we caught over 150 crappie and few black bass. We kept 38 keepers between the two of us...probably released 12 ish that were close but did not push our luck with measurement. Buddy caught one that weighed over 2 pounds. Several times during the period we were catching fish on every cast and all out of same pocket of water. All caught on chartreuse curly tail grub jigs. Just thought I would share...probably won't make it back until presidents day.



Fished Nails Creek today from the kayak and...

I didn't catch 150 fish, but I did catch 4 really nice size Crappie to take home for dinner...

And also caught a few nice black bass to keep things interesting...

It was kind of a tough bite today. All fish I caught were holding really tight to cover. The creek looks great. It's nice now that the water is back down to normal level, and I can see the banks again.

Word is on the street, Newman's is going to open back up for business tomorrow (heard that from a park ranger, but you may want to wait for the official word)

Out.
Posted By: yota

Re: Lake Somerville - 02/05/16 03:33 AM

I had some time this afternoon and went to Irwin not expecting much. Got there at 3:30. Had countless nibbles by perch or crappie and 1 largemouth took the hook. Then at 5:30 just like Doug said something clicked. Caught 8 whites,8 crappie,and one perch by 6:30. Still biting when I left but couldn't see where I was casting. Tons of small strikes that didn't take the hook. Lots of perch running up to jig at edge of water. Good day as far as I'm concerned.
Posted By: fishytx

Re: Lake Somerville - 02/05/16 12:59 PM

Glad you got on a bite Mike. That place I told you would come alive at 5:30 to 7:30 paid off. It has done the same for me every trip, so I'm glad I was able to share this with you and the fish are still there.
Posted By: hook-line&sinker

Re: Lake Somerville - 02/05/16 01:31 PM

Originally Posted by ace02
From the Fish Tales videos It looks like you can get to Nails creek from the state park via the trail way road.


Yes you can if the trailway is open. Call the park and ask if you can hike to the ridge overlooking the nails & yegua basin. Phone:(979) 289-2392

Posted By: hook-line&sinker

Re: Lake Somerville - 02/05/16 01:45 PM

I'd sure like to kayak up into Nails creek for some crappie.. maybe Sunday after church (about 3PM or so).. who would like to go with me? The more the merrier! I know where the fish should be holding and I'll show how I fish for them too..
Posted By: fishytx

Re: Lake Somerville - 02/05/16 04:12 PM

I now find myself in the same shoes as Ben was in several days a go. My Mom is in the hospital and I do not know how long she will be in there. So, my little fishing trips will be on hold for a while until everything gets better and she is back home and able to care for herself. Could be days, could be weeks, or months, I don't know yet, but my Mom comes first before any situation.
Posted By: hook-line&sinker

Re: Lake Somerville - 02/05/16 04:27 PM

My mom is now back at home with the wife and I and my dad. Situations change and we re-prioritize and rearrange life to better suit the needs of others in our care and to those whom we owe everything. I've got 5 siblings so the task of caring for our parents is spread to ease the burdens it brings with it.
Posted By: R2Fishing

Re: Lake Somerville - 02/05/16 04:34 PM

I've got a good friend and his dad out on the lake today chasing down a crappie bite. They an usually fill a cooler and find a strong bite. I'll report back when I hear back from them later in the day.
Posted By: fishytx

Re: Lake Somerville - 02/05/16 05:14 PM

All that is left to care for my mom is me and her younger sister, so I have my hands full. I live kind a close, so it will be more me than her sister, which is ok with me.
Posted By: Coolshot

Re: Lake Somerville - 02/05/16 05:52 PM

Area still closed at Newman's as of yesterday afternoon
Posted By: jcovey

Re: Lake Somerville - 02/05/16 08:49 PM

Ben,
I'm planning to be up in nails in my yak, but probably on Saturday. Looks like I'll have a tailwind on the way back to the ramp. I thought about Sunday but there's a ball game I don't want to miss.
Posted By: catchnrelease

Re: Lake Somerville - 02/05/16 09:32 PM

Originally Posted By: fishytx
All that is left to care for my mom is me and her younger sister, so I have my hands full. I live kind a close, so it will be more me than her sister, which is ok with me.


God bless you and HL&S for taking care of mom and Pop. I have that to look forward to in the near future. I'm blessed that I'm not there yet.

Till then, fish on!

Tight lines!
Posted By: hook-line&sinker

Re: Lake Somerville - 02/05/16 10:08 PM

Care for the elderly parents is certainly a game changer.. Caregivers need to be very aware of the stress and the need to unplug from time to time..
Posted By: stinkbob

Re: Lake Somerville - 02/06/16 05:01 AM

My buddy and I went down to Nails Creek. Caught a total of 21 keeper crappie between us. Birch creek is open while in the park but NB still closed....
Posted By: fishytx

Re: Lake Somerville - 02/06/16 02:55 PM

I wouldn't hold my breath on Newman's bottom opening up. To many crazy stories floating around, don't know what to believe anymore myself. Even if it did open up, it sounds like I won't be able to use the trail way bridge to cross over and fish from the other side like I always do. Time will tell though.
Posted By: fishytx

Re: Lake Somerville - 02/06/16 04:41 PM

Received a text from J-Moe earlier, he said he was on an early morning bite with the fly rod. Said the presentation had to be very slow in order to get bit. I can tell you right now, they are in there, but your artificial bait has to look as close to the real deal if you want to get a strike. The fish were chasing mine the other day and turning on it as they got a closer look at it. Very picky right now, they can see the slightest little flaw in a bait and when they do, they will not bite at it period. Live bait might be the best choice right now. Hook them through the lip and free line them in the current. If only I knew the best way to catch those spot tail minnows in the Yegua. But Ive never tried and probably never will. Its hard work.
Posted By: J-Moe

Re: Lake Somerville - 02/07/16 03:12 AM

It was an interesting day today. I headed upstream and fished a few holes with conventional gear. I wasn't getting any bites. The deep holes I have been fishing are no longer very deep and are holding less and less fish.

When I finally got to one of my favorite spots I took out the fly rod and started fishing. I started with the same presentation that was working last weekend but didn't get a bite. I tried faster, slower, long strips, etc. but still couldn't get a bite. Finally, I cast it out and just let it sink. I waited about twice as long as I had the weekend before. Suddenly, the line twitched. I set the hook and caught the first white bass of the morning. That was the only presentation that worked. I kept throwing out and waiting, if nothing hit it I drug it back slowly on the bottom but never got a bite on the retrieve.

I caught 6 like this then I changed to a heavier clouser in the same grey / white color. I fished for about 10 minutes without a bite. I then changed back to a normal bead head clouser but in chartreuse & white. I fished for about 10 minutes without a bite. I went back to the original grey & white clouser and caught 2 more white bass before stopping for the morning.

I went back this evening and fished downstream with the same clouser. I found 2 holes that I caught crappie on almost every cast until I got bored. Lots of undersized crappie in both locations. Probably 3 out of 10 were keeper size.
Posted By: jsinn01

Re: Lake Somerville - 02/07/16 04:34 AM

Thanks for the report. Sounds like fishing is getting tougher and tougher up at Irwin Bridge.
Posted By: pcde123

Re: Lake Somerville - 02/07/16 06:47 AM

might have just been an off day, or someone might have fished the spot earlier, there is no way the runs already dieing out, yea the water near the bridge gets over fished but its not gonna die on us
Posted By: J-Moe

Re: Lake Somerville - 02/07/16 12:27 PM

I wasn't fishing the Yegua. I'm still fishing some of the other creeks. I've hit Jardelle, Cedar and Birch the last couple of weeks. The BP was very high yesterday morning. So fishing was tough and an indicator setup would probably have helped.

I didn't even consider that the run is dying out. I just see the size of the deep holes shrinking and the fish seem to be moving in response to this.
Posted By: fishytx

Re: Lake Somerville - 02/07/16 05:40 PM

Here's something I have done on my poles to have a quick and easy way to measure my fish. Hopefully some of you will do this as well and it will stop you from getting a fine for keeping under size fish. I put a ten inch mark on my fishing pole with some tape. Measure up the pole from the cork handle and put a ten inch mark with tape, easy to do and it will be an easy and quick way to measure your fish when you catch one as well. No more guessing the size and it will prevent you from having to pay a huge fine. The game warden doesnt care if you know the law or not, they will still give you a ticket. It is every anglers obligation to know the rules and regulations, so in the case, stupidity on your part will not win you over and you will still receive a fine for every fish you have that is illegal. So please people, put a reference mark on your pole. Not to many anglers are going to carry a measuring device with them, but having a reference mark on your pole is so easy to do when your at home with the proper tools to do it with. This mark will stay on your pole for the rest of the year. Electoral tape works great. I have seen people scribe a mark on their pole, but personally, I would not think of doing this to any of mine because it will cause some damage to the integrity of the pole, possible snapping it into under while under pressure.
The best tape I have found to use is what they call foil tape, or AC duct tape. It is very thin and the adhesive on this tape is extremely strong and the end never peals up. These tapes Ive put on my rods have been on there for several years now. But electoral tape works just fine, anything for a reference mark. Finger nail polish works too. There are different things you can use, just be smart and put one on your pole.
Posted By: Kirby12

Re: Lake Somerville - 02/07/16 07:20 PM

A silver sharpie works wonders too.
Posted By: crawfish16

Re: Lake Somerville - 02/07/16 08:31 PM

The tape idea works. Have had tape on my poles for years. Have never been stopped by a game warden, until yesterday. Had one fish that was right at the line, sure enough he went to get his measureing tape. Low and behold the fish was 10 1/4 inches. Good to know my tape is just above 10 inches. As long as you play by the rules, game wardens are nothing to worry about. He/she are just out there doing their jobs, just like you and I do during the week.

On a side note, j-moe was spot on about the prsentation. Left the creek with 12 crappie and 1 white, in about 2 an a half hours of fishing yesterday afternoon.
Posted By: yota

Re: Lake Somerville - 02/08/16 01:25 AM

Thanks to Ben and Jamie for the great kayak trip to nails today. Good day and a few fish too!
Posted By: J-Moe

Re: Lake Somerville - 02/08/16 01:54 AM

Originally Posted By: yota
Thanks to Ben and Jamie for the great kayak trip to nails today. Good day and a few fish too!


Nice meeting you. I had a great time.
Posted By: J-Moe

Re: Lake Somerville - 02/08/16 02:05 AM

Originally Posted By: crawfish16
On a side note, j-moe was spot on about the presentation. Left the creek with 12 crappie and 1 white, in about 2 an a half hours of fishing yesterday afternoon.


Glad you found some. I bet you had to catch 50 crappie in order to bring home 12, LOL!!! Great fun, no matter what.
Posted By: Centexstud

Re: Lake Somerville - 02/08/16 02:37 AM

I went out today in my two seat bass boat down the Yegua with my wife. One hell of a time getting in but finally made it in about 8 a.m. Started hitting some small ones until we got a little further in and then hit a few nice sized fully bellied whites. Broke a rod on some gigantic carp.... scared the hell out of my wife. Overall wasn't bad caught about 24 kept 9. I was told the Crappie hit well further up creek but ran out of battery on the boat before I could make it there. I plan on going back out next week Sunday hopefully its warmer than our 28F start today.
Posted By: fishytx

Re: Lake Somerville - 02/08/16 03:18 AM

I had a buddy go Saturday and he ended up with 22. But I think there were three guys fishing.
Posted By: hook-line&sinker

Re: Lake Somerville - 02/08/16 04:46 AM

Talked to a YouTube subscriber of mine back at the boat ramp that had kayaked up in the Yegua, met and fished with another guy and both of them ended up with limits of crappie.. Our time up in Nails creek was productive but only long enough to find a few quality fish..

Posted By: hook-line&sinker

Re: Lake Somerville - 02/08/16 04:50 AM

Has anyone else noticed that Nails Creek has mostly white crappie and the Yegua has mostly black crappie? Not trying to start anything but the two do differ in where they like to live most of the year..
Posted By: Centexstud

Re: Lake Somerville - 02/08/16 04:58 AM

I have never gone up nails creek... can you access it with a bass buggy and trolling motor?
Posted By: hook-line&sinker

Re: Lake Somerville - 02/08/16 05:19 AM

Originally Posted By: Centexstud
I have never gone up nails creek... can you access it with a bass buggy and trolling motor?

yes but the mouth of the creek is real shallow.. swing wide or drag over the embankment..
Posted By: hook-line&sinker

Re: Lake Somerville - 02/08/16 05:33 AM

Posted By: fishytx

Re: Lake Somerville - 02/08/16 12:38 PM

As always, another awesome video, thanks Ben. Meeting new friends and fishing with friends, it doesn't get any better.
Posted By: Lottfisher

Re: Lake Somerville - 02/10/16 01:23 AM

Hey Kirby: When will you be chasing whites next?...Lawton
Posted By: J-Moe

Re: Lake Somerville - 02/10/16 01:41 AM

Went out fishing this evening. I was using the fly rod with a grey & white bead chain clouser again today. I hit my first crappie hole and caught nothing but small bluegill, lmb and a few very small crappie. I moved to my next crappie hole and was catching a crappie on every cast but only about 1 out of 10 was keeper size. I did some more exploring but didn't find any fish so I headed to another spot I've fished before. I found a few white bass, in addition to a ton of bluegill. I ended up catching 6 white bass. They wanted a much more active presentation tonight. I started by letting it sink slowly, then pulling it on the bottom slowly, but nothing. I then started stripping it 3 times quickly and pausing, but nothing. Finally, I started stripping it very quickly 5 times before pausing and letting it sink again. That was the action they wanted. They either bit it on the 4th or 5th strip, or immediately on the pause. Fishing should be great this week!!!!!!
Posted By: rvrrat14

Re: Lake Somerville - 02/10/16 02:39 AM

Went last Sunday and checked out Newman's on the way. Gate Closed and posted no entry of any type. Called Nails Creek Park and was told unstable bridge/damage due to floods and until they could stabilize and make safe, NO ENTRY. Stated a 500.00 fine if you're caught at Newman's.

We were told we could go to Irwin, which we did. Hiked a ways and caught 13. Mostly females, full of eggs. Not bloody yet. Oh, yeah, IT WAS COLD!
Posted By: Kirby12

Re: Lake Somerville - 02/10/16 06:45 AM

Heading out this morning and Thursday.
Posted By: hook-line&sinker

Re: Lake Somerville - 02/10/16 08:49 PM

I scampered out to the Lake Somerville spillway early Wednesday morning before work to test my latest creations from the vice.. What a beautiful morning to find that my new fly design works great! Only fished for about one hour but that was just long enough to satisfy my curiosity about the fly and the fishing below the dam..

Posted By: yota

Re: Lake Somerville - 02/11/16 01:32 AM

Awesome afternoon on the creek! Started fishing at 3. 24 whitebass, 5 crappie,4 LMB and 4 perch.
Posted By: yota

Re: Lake Somerville - 02/11/16 01:48 AM


Posted By: catchnrelease

Re: Lake Somerville - 02/11/16 01:54 AM

Nice!
Posted By: white bass interceptor

Re: Lake Somerville - 02/11/16 01:56 AM

This morning I went down stream from the Irwin Bridge and got a limit of w/b. Caught most of them on crawfish. The little perch tried to clean me out. The crappie were biting on white curly tail. Had only one keeper out of ten. I put my first w/b on the stringer around 9:15 and had my limit around 2:00 pm. Had quite a few throwback. Caught them all in the same hole. There were only five female in my limit. The creek is still pretty full of fish. They still like it slow and on the bottom.
Posted By: Kirby12

Re: Lake Somerville - 02/11/16 06:26 AM

Went Wednesday and only saw 1 guy with a mess of fish. Not everyone is catching and I talked to a few guys. You have to find that right hole. Sure a lot harder than a few weeks ago when I was there and fish are a lot smaller now. All males.
Posted By: J-Moe

Re: Lake Somerville - 02/11/16 02:07 PM

Great catch Yota & White bass interceptor thumb

Today and tomorrow should be incredible fishing. I could already see the warming trend showing signs of improvement on Tuesday. They were active and feeding on a shallow sand bar.

Prior to the cold front I was fishing in one of the smaller creeks with Ben and I caught a female that had blood coming out of her. Ben also noticed some activity in the shallow water that day. It's been fun to explore all the creeks. The differences in water quality, depth, flow, etc. not only between the different creeks, but within the single creek has been a very interesting study.

In Jardelle, for example, the water is crystal clear. In Nails, the water is extremely dirty. What I did notice though is the water quality above the Flag Pond cut was much better than below the cut. Even then, it's still far more dirty than any creek with the exception of Birch.
Posted By: Hogslayer5L

Re: Lake Somerville - 02/11/16 02:36 PM

Does anyone know of a place to buy minnows in Caldwell? Thanks
Posted By: fishytx

Re: Lake Somerville - 02/11/16 02:58 PM

Nice bag of fish Mike. This warmer weather should get these fish moving around and feeding.
Posted By: crawfish16

Re: Lake Somerville - 02/11/16 07:13 PM

The texaco off 36 going towards milano has some most days. Not the new texaco, the old one past wal mart/brookshire brothers
Posted By: ladybluearm

Re: Lake Somerville - 02/11/16 08:03 PM

There is a bait shop on hwy21 and 77, Blue something, can't remember the last part of the name, they have minnows
Posted By: Big Zee

Re: Lake Somerville - 02/11/16 10:48 PM

I think it the Blue Moon.
Posted By: stinkbob

Re: Lake Somerville - 02/11/16 11:09 PM

I'm heading to Irwin bridge tomorrow, prolly pretty early. Ill post a report when i get back home
Posted By: BIG SHINER

Re: Lake Somerville - 02/12/16 01:24 AM

I will be out there tomorrow trying out some new flies I tied. Wife is due any day now but she id letting me make a short trip Probably spend most of my time on the smaller creeks. Anyone else trying with a fly rod that would be kind enough to show me how to catch whites on a fly? Watched some of the videos but never caught a white on the fly.
Posted By: catchnrelease

Re: Lake Somerville - 02/12/16 01:47 AM

My wife and I are headed to Irwin bridge tomorrow. She fishes with minnows, I'll be fishing with my fly rod and store bought clousers. If I see you there big shiner, I'll be glad to show you some stuff. Which is not much. I'm self taught But... I've caught a few w/b using my fly rod. I'm sure I can learn a thing or two too.

Years ago, I watched a fly fisherman catch one after another in one spot. He invited me and my buddies to cast our lures, minnows, the kitchen sink in the spot he was catching. He caught 3 to our 1. After that day, I bought a fly rod and taught myself to use it. LOL. I always wanted to learn, so... I just did it. I can catch w/b regularly.

Now, I just need to learn to tie my own flies. I buy my flies from Cabelas. They work OK but I'm sure the home grown ones could be much better. Maybe I see you there. I'll have a Camo shirt on, and a fisher woman in tow.

Tight lines!
Posted By: crappie4me

Re: Lake Somerville - 02/12/16 02:27 AM

There used to be a lady off county rd 430, south of dime box, that sold minnows out of her house. As soon as it turns right, the house was on the left. My dad and I always bought from her. Since my dad was from dime box, he knew just about everybody.
Posted By: fishytx

Re: Lake Somerville - 02/12/16 02:55 AM

Pulled a limit in 2-1/2 hours today.
Posted By: fishytx

Re: Lake Somerville - 02/12/16 03:08 AM


Another view.
Posted By: nelsonca

Re: Lake Somerville - 02/12/16 03:41 AM

Caught a limit today at Irwin Bridge. Took me a little longer then fishytx. Took me about 2hrs before I caught the 1st white. Didn't thingk I was going to catch anything, but once I figured out how they wanted it, it was one fish after another. On the bottom and slow retrieve was the ticket. A bunch of males were caught. I was a good way down also and that walk back to the truck with a full stringer was a haul...



Posted By: smileycntfish

Re: Lake Somerville - 02/12/16 03:55 AM

Nice fish !!!!. I've been catching nothing but females in the creek I go to and boy are they heavy !!!
Posted By: fishytx

Re: Lake Somerville - 02/12/16 04:28 AM

I have no clue what I'm doing wrong when downloading photos from my phone. It looks like it will post a pick, but it doesn't.
A small blue looking box appears, that's it. On my PC it has a red X in the box.
Posted By: J-Moe

Re: Lake Somerville - 02/12/16 12:34 PM

Originally Posted By: BIG SHINER
I will be out there tomorrow trying out some new flies I tied. Wife is due any day now but she id letting me make a short trip Probably spend most of my time on the smaller creeks. Anyone else trying with a fly rod that would be kind enough to show me how to catch whites on a fly? Watched some of the videos but never caught a white on the fly.


You are welcome to fish with me anytime. I hope to go this evening around 4, but can't confirm yet. I'll be out Saturday morning for sure. I have had the best success using lighter size 8 bead chain clousers, rather than the ones with lead eyes. You have to be patient and let them sink longer but it allows for a slower presentation and the ability to control the depth. I don't get hung up very often either, except in the trees around me, LOL.

You may have to do some roll casting but I've found several locations where I could get down on a sand bar and fish parallel to the creek. I've also found a spot or 2 where the trees are all knocked down and I can cast from the bank.

My best advice would be to throw it out, put your rod tip in the water, tighten the line, let it sink, and then retrieve it as slowly as possible to start. It can be painfully slow fishing but if you are in a crappie hole you won't get it back to you before getting bit at least once. Watch you line for any movement and feel the bite though your finger on the line. Strip set and raise the rod.

Hope that helps.
Posted By: J-Moe

Re: Lake Somerville - 02/12/16 12:39 PM

Originally Posted By: nelsonca
Caught a limit today at Irwin Bridge. Took me a little longer then fishytx. Took me about 2hrs before I caught the 1st white. Didn't thingk I was going to catch anything, but once I figured out how they wanted it, it was one fish after another. On the bottom and slow retrieve was the ticket. A bunch of males were caught. I was a good way down also and that walk back to the truck with a full stringer was a haul...


welcome

Great catch and great photos Nesonca thumb

The water is incredibly clear. Great times!!!
Posted By: Kirby12

Re: Lake Somerville - 02/12/16 01:32 PM

Fishing is definitely good and how about that weather? Beautiful day yeaterday to spend in the woods, catching fish makes it even better. J-Moe is exactly right, I saw alot of people leaving with 0 fish again. They all have 3" grubs. Although you can catch em on them, I will put mine away and downsize. I will use 1/32 or 1/16 oz feather jigs (color didn't seem to matter) and will fish holes where I can't see the bottom. Throw it out let it sink and twitch it sloooowly. Like he said I caught almost half (whitebass and crappie) by watching my line twitch after I did, as you couldn't feel the thump. They are there but not to aggressive and just sucking it in. I caught 3 in one hole 2 minutes after a guy just left it. Hope our responses help those who are not having as much success.
Posted By: fishytx

Re: Lake Somerville - 02/12/16 02:05 PM

Well, I got one photo to load, good enough.

Posted By: fishful thinking

Re: Lake Somerville - 02/12/16 02:58 PM

I've been out there past three days in a row. First time I've been out there was Tuesday. Im sure that I saw some of y'all out there yesterday, one of you told me how you were catching them by fishing with small jigs on the bottom. Whoever you were thanks for the tip, my catch rate improved after that. Ended up catching 15, which is plenty for me. If any of you saw a guy with a grey shirt and red white and blue orvis cap, that was me. Also, does anyone know about accessing the yegua from nails creek park? I figured paddling in from the mouth of the creek would be best after seeing all the log jams yesterday. Thanks.
Posted By: Gus

Re: Lake Somerville - 02/12/16 03:11 PM

Whats the best to wear down there, Rubber boots, or..??
Posted By: hook-line&sinker

Re: Lake Somerville - 02/12/16 03:59 PM

tall rubber boots.. or hip waders if considering hiking very far up or down any of these creeks. I prefer tall rubber boots.. don't cost too much and go on and off easily then throw them in the bed of the truck where the dirty things go smile
Posted By: J-Moe

Re: Lake Somerville - 02/12/16 04:26 PM

Originally Posted By: Gus
Whats the best to wear down there, Rubber boots, or..??


+ 1 on tall rubber boots or hip waders right now. If it rains and gets slick then cleats are a plus.
Posted By: J-Moe

Re: Lake Somerville - 02/12/16 04:29 PM

Originally Posted By: fishful thinking
I've been out there past three days in a row. First time I've been out there was Tuesday. Im sure that I saw some of y'all out there yesterday, one of you told me how you were catching them by fishing with small jigs on the bottom. Whoever you were thanks for the tip, my catch rate improved after that. Ended up catching 15, which is plenty for me. If any of you saw a guy with a grey shirt and red white and blue orvis cap, that was me. Also, does anyone know about accessing the yegua from nails creek park? I figured paddling in from the mouth of the creek would be best after seeing all the log jams yesterday. Thanks.


Yes, you can paddle up from Nails creek state park boat ramp into the mouth of the Yegua. It is a bit difficult to find though. HL&S has some videos and has probably posted some maps before but I don't have them handy to re-post. The first majorly wide opening you come to is Wolf Pond. There is some great fishing in that area.
Posted By: J-Moe

Re: Lake Somerville - 02/12/16 04:32 PM

Originally Posted By: Kirby12
Fishing is definitely good and how about that weather? Beautiful day yeaterday to spend in the woods, catching fish makes it even better. J-Moe is exactly right, I saw alot of people leaving with 0 fish again. They all have 3" grubs. Although you can catch em on them, I will put mine away and downsize. I will use 1/32 or 1/16 oz feather jigs (color didn't seem to matter) and will fish holes where I can't see the bottom. Throw it out let it sink and twitch it sloooowly. Like he said I caught almost half (whitebass and crappie) by watching my line twitch after I did, as you couldn't feel the thump. They are there but not to aggressive and just sucking it in. I caught 3 in one hole 2 minutes after a guy just left it. Hope our responses help those who are not having as much success.


Excellent information Kirby. Glad to know I did the right thing by putting away the conventional gear with 1/8 ounce jig heads, LOL!! Now if it rains and gets muddy again then I might be at a big disadvantage with the fly rod.

Thanks thumb
Posted By: Kirby12

Re: Lake Somerville - 02/12/16 07:23 PM

Fistful thinking, I think that was me. I had on the purple K-State shirt and hat and was about 40 yds away and you were on the opposite side. Glad you did better after we talked. I forgot my hiking boots the other day and only had my tennis shoes and never got muddy (no need to get down in the soupy stuff to catch fish, now). Until it rains hiking boots or tennis shoes are fine and alot easier to walk in esp if you go aways downstream. We need to get together and try Nails or the Yegua as I haven't ever paddled up them either. I always wanted to try and go with Ben but it seems I always have to work or back in KS on his invites.
Posted By: fishytx

Re: Lake Somerville - 02/12/16 07:57 PM

Nelsonca, looks like a tube jig you are using? Salt and peper tube jig?
Posted By: Kirby12

Re: Lake Somerville - 02/12/16 08:04 PM

Foot attire on my previous post is for Irwin Bridge only at present time. J-Moe and HL&S is good on other creeks as I have been there lately.
Posted By: fishytx

Re: Lake Somerville - 02/12/16 08:05 PM

I might be able to swing a Saturday afternoon trip if nothing comes up, but not sure I want to fight the crowd.
Posted By: Kirby12

Re: Lake Somerville - 02/12/16 08:20 PM

Fishytx, your right. With the weather the way it is and some good reports, I bet it will be a madhouse out there this weekend. Glad I have to work and will hit it again Monday and Tuesday. Let me know if you go either of those two days.
Posted By: hook-line&sinker

Re: Lake Somerville - 02/12/16 10:26 PM

If I were to go this weekend I'd probably do Birch creek or maybe Jerdelle.. problem is that neither of those creeks will produce whitebass like the Yegua or Nails.. Sometimes the crappie fishing can be good in Birch creek if you can find them.. both of Jerdelle & Birch creeks have been scraped clean from high water and flooding after the 2011 drought killed so many trees. All those dead and fallen trees makes hiking back through some areas quite a challenge..
Posted By: J-Moe

Re: Lake Somerville - 02/13/16 01:24 AM

I went out with the fly rod again tonight. It was a really frustrating evening. I just couldn't get through the bluegill tonight. I tried moving to several spots. I would catch one white bass and lots of bluegill. Or I would catch nothing. I was also stubborn and kept using the same small fly.

One technique that I've used successfully before was to ignore the first bite, let the bluegill spit it back out and it will eventually reach the bottom. Then I could work it back slowly on the bottom. That didn't work either. So I went back to laying the line out and setting the hook quickly on the fall. I caught another white bass banana, and then 8 more bluegill bang

End up with only 6 white bass, a dozen or so small crappie and far more bluegill than I wanted. I think I may have to search some new territory tomorrow.
Posted By: fishytx

Re: Lake Somerville - 02/13/16 02:07 AM

The small fish, such as perch, crappie and bkacks are abundance this year. I never caught so many undersized crappie on this creek. I would still like to see a three foot rise. Since Newman's doesn't look like it will open this year, a rise would bring some fish farther upstream where the anglers are.

I make a lot of post on fishing forums from my phone and it will put some starge words in the write up. Sems like I'm also having to go back and fix stuff.
Posted By: nelsonca

Re: Lake Somerville - 02/13/16 03:40 AM

Originally Posted By: fishytx
Nelsonca, looks like a tube jig you are using? Salt and peper tube jig?


fishytx I was using a tube jig at first but couldn't catch anything. All my fish were caught on white with grey spots rooster tail.
Posted By: hook-line&sinker

Re: Lake Somerville - 02/13/16 03:55 AM

Weather pattern looks like plenty of sunshine for a while longer.. The yegua is going to run low on fish at the rate they are being pulled out! Yakkers working the lower end up to Newmans might be the ticket now and until we get some rain.. I'm most curious about Birch creek and the crappie fishing from the lower end to about 2 miles upstream. The water is stained more then usual but that might not be a deal killer when it comes to crappie fishing.. I don't expect there to be many whitebass up in Birch without a good flow of fresh water, but since the high water last year everything about these creeks is out of whack both good and bad..

I too have noticed the small sunfish/crappie/bass population explosion all around the lake which must be a result of the flood greatly increasing the size of the lake for most of last year during the spawning season. All the little fish had places to hide, feed & grow protected from predators until the lake receded back to normal..
Posted By: fishful thinking

Re: Lake Somerville - 02/13/16 03:13 PM

Paddled my kayak across the lake from nails creek park to the yegua. Took about 30 minutes to get across. Being my first time in this part of the creek, I wasn't sure how far up the creek to go to find the crappie and white bass, so I jigged in fallen trees along the way. Ended up catching black bass like crazy. Caught 34 black bass total and one white at the end. 25 of those bass came out of one tree. There were many small ones, but I also caught some decent sized keeper fish, with one probably pushing 4lbs. Was surprised that I only caught black bass, but I guess you have to paddle further up to the creek to find the whites and crappie. One gentleman passed me on the way out and said he caught a number of keeper crappie and only three black bass.
Posted By: J-Moe

Re: Lake Somerville - 02/13/16 07:41 PM

Originally Posted By: fishytx
I would still like to see a three foot rise. Since Newman's doesn't look like it will open this year, a rise would bring some fish farther upstream where the anglers are.

So would I. I see it in the smaller creeks even more dramatically.

I went over to Irwin for the first time in a couple weeks. When I got there around 9:30 I couldn't believe how small the crowd was. I talked to a couple people near the parking lot and they were skunked. I caught one WB on the first curve drifting a clouser into the deepest part of the hole. I moved on around the horseshoe and didn't get a bite. I moved on down and talked to a few more fisherman that were skunked. I stopped at the log we fished at before. I got down on the sandbar and fished it from upstream. I had to throw the fly up against the log in such a way that the fly line landed downstream of it. That was the only way I could get it to sink quick enough to get into that sweet spot. I caught 3 there then decided to go hiking downstream and check it out. I met 3 more pairs of fisherman and they had one white bass total. Called it a morning around noon.
Posted By: BCSshots

Re: Lake Somerville - 02/13/16 10:50 PM

Can you tell the Whites and Crappie are biting, local Academy store in College Station.
Posted By: Kirby12

Re: Lake Somerville - 02/14/16 12:51 AM

Hate to say it but I'm not a fan of that Academy. Their clothes and such may be ok but their fishing dept sucks.
Posted By: greenyak

Re: Lake Somerville - 02/14/16 01:19 AM

caught a lot of fish but not a lot of keepers,bass,crappie and no white bass.
Posted By: aggie92

Re: Lake Somerville - 02/14/16 01:41 AM

It was a great day in the creek, even if the whites did not show up. Plenty of other fish decided to join the party. Your videos are getting good Sam. Now if you could just move the Yegua closer to San Antonio and Nails creek park closer to the creek to shorten the drive and paddle then you would really be accomplishing something. It was good seeing everyone. Til the next adventure....
Posted By: J-Moe

Re: Lake Somerville - 02/14/16 01:41 AM

Originally Posted By: greenyak
caught a lot of fish but not a lot of keepers,bass,crappie and no white bass.


Enjoyed the video as always. I haven't been able to fish with you this year since Newman's is closed. I don't enjoy that paddle from Nails.

I knew the white bass fishing was tough around Irwin but I didn't realize it was tough below Newman's as well. Was the water extremely clear down there as well?
Posted By: jsinn01

Re: Lake Somerville - 02/14/16 01:45 AM

Thanks for the video. Looks like you had a fun day on the creek.
Posted By: greenyak

Re: Lake Somerville - 02/14/16 01:51 AM

Originally Posted By: J-Moe
Originally Posted By: greenyak
caught a lot of fish but not a lot of keepers,bass,crappie and no white bass.


Enjoyed the video as always. I haven't been able to fish with you this year since Newman's is closed. I don't enjoy that paddle from Nails.

I knew the white bass fishing was tough around Irwin but I didn't realize it was tough below Newman's as well. Was the water extremely clear down there as well?
yes that paddle across the lake is tough my arms are sore. Water looked pretty good I don't know why 2 weeks ago we found white bass but not today.
Posted By: greenyak

Re: Lake Somerville - 02/14/16 01:52 AM

Originally Posted By: aggie92
It was a great day in the creek, even if the whites did not show up. Plenty of other fish decided to join the party. Your videos are getting good Sam. Now if you could just move the Yegua closer to San Antonio and Nails creek park closer to the creek to shorten the drive and paddle then you would really be accomplishing something. It was good seeing everyone. Til the next adventure....
glad we got to fish today it was fun.
Posted By: greenyak

Re: Lake Somerville - 02/14/16 01:53 AM

Originally Posted By: jsinn01
Thanks for the video. Looks like you had a fun day on the creek.
thank you is was good fishing
Posted By: catchnrelease

Re: Lake Somerville - 02/14/16 01:53 PM

Originally Posted By: J-Moe
Originally Posted By: fishytx
I would still like to see a three foot rise. Since Newman's doesn't look like it will open this year, a rise would bring some fish farther upstream where the anglers are.

So would I. I see it in the smaller creeks even more dramatically.

I went over to Irwin for the first time in a couple weeks. When I got there around 9:30 I couldn't believe how small the crowd was. I talked to a couple people near the parking lot and they were skunked. I caught one WB on the first curve drifting a clouser into the deepest part of the hole. I moved on around the horseshoe and didn't get a bite. I moved on down and talked to a few more fisherman that were skunked. I stopped at the log we fished at before. I got down on the sandbar and fished it from upstream. I had to throw the fly up against the log in such a way that the fly line landed downstream of it. That was the only way I could get it to sink quick enough to get into that sweet spot. I caught 3 there then decided to go hiking downstream and check it out. I met 3 more pairs of fisherman and they had one white bass total. Called it a morning around noon.


I saw that same thing at Irwin Bridge on Friday. My wife and I were out there by 9am. parking lot was 1/4 full. Some people had one, but most had no fish. We managed only small undersized black bass, and crappie. We left at noon to go eat in Giddings.

We came back to Irwin Bridge at 3pm. Same amount of people/cars. Walked down stream. I caught many small black bass and perch and only 4 whites. This time I saw two men with 10+ walking back around 5pm. I don't know how far they walked. I think I heard them tell some folks "30-45 minutes walk". These days, that is too far for me!

My wife and I caught a lot of small black bass and perch this day. only 5 whites between us. But, we enjoyed the sun and mother nature. It is nice just to be out there. Maybe this thing will going soon. We could use a little rain to help it.

We were thinking about going back today or monday. But, we might just wait and see.

Tight lines!
Posted By: fishytx

Re: Lake Somerville - 02/14/16 01:58 PM


I have them in my fishing room. Last time I counted, I had over a 100 packs of the 1/32 oz jigs. I buy them when ever I find them. The main peg boards in my fishing room are full of bass fishing tackle, the jig board is the smallest one.
Posted By: LeanderLuvs2Fish

Re: Lake Somerville - 02/14/16 02:28 PM

Hey Fishytx....Are you going out fishing today?
Posted By: TXfisherman12

Re: Lake Somerville - 02/14/16 02:50 PM

With all the stringers and people yanking whites out of the water it it makes sense that there are less fish now (just like hook-line&sinker mentioned). I was thinking of possibly making a trip this upcoming Thursday but not sure now - only have access by bank. Anybody else heading out this Thursday (2-18)?
Posted By: fishytx

Re: Lake Somerville - 02/14/16 03:19 PM

I'm going this afternoon. But reports I've read indicate a slow bite, hope I can find something. I think I will though. We will see.
Posted By: J-Moe

Re: Lake Somerville - 02/14/16 04:06 PM

Originally Posted By: catchnrelease
Originally Posted By: J-Moe
Originally Posted By: fishytx
I would still like to see a three foot rise. Since Newman's doesn't look like it will open this year, a rise would bring some fish farther upstream where the anglers are.

So would I. I see it in the smaller creeks even more dramatically.

I went over to Irwin for the first time in a couple weeks. When I got there around 9:30 I couldn't believe how small the crowd was. I talked to a couple people near the parking lot and they were skunked. I caught one WB on the first curve drifting a clouser into the deepest part of the hole. I moved on around the horseshoe and didn't get a bite. I moved on down and talked to a few more fisherman that were skunked. I stopped at the log we fished at before. I got down on the sandbar and fished it from upstream. I had to throw the fly up against the log in such a way that the fly line landed downstream of it. That was the only way I could get it to sink quick enough to get into that sweet spot. I caught 3 there then decided to go hiking downstream and check it out. I met 3 more pairs of fisherman and they had one white bass total. Called it a morning around noon.


I saw that same thing at Irwin Bridge on Friday. My wife and I were out there by 9am. parking lot was 1/4 full. Some people had one, but most had no fish. We managed only small undersized black bass, and crappie. We left at noon to go eat in Giddings.

We came back to Irwin Bridge at 3pm. Same amount of people/cars. Walked down stream. I caught many small black bass and perch and only 4 whites. This time I saw two men with 10+ walking back around 5pm. I don't know how far they walked. I think I heard them tell some folks "30-45 minutes walk". These days, that is too far for me!

My wife and I caught a lot of small black bass and perch this day. only 5 whites between us. But, we enjoyed the sun and mother nature. It is nice just to be out there. Maybe this thing will going soon. We could use a little rain to help it.

We were thinking about going back today or monday. But, we might just wait and see.

Tight lines!


In late December I was catching 15 inch females under Irwin Bridge. In early January we were catching the small males up in the WMA area. Now the small males are downstream of the horseshoe. Add to that the incredibly clear water and the difficulty of the fishing multiplies. I don't even bother taking conventional gear with me anymore. I can cast a smaller lure further and with more accuracy than my ultralight. I was fishing with Ben and his nephews last night. One of the nephews grabbed the fly rod from Ben and said "I'm sick of watching you guys catch fish", LOL!!!
Posted By: J-Moe

Re: Lake Somerville - 02/14/16 04:35 PM

I have been using the clouser pattern pictured below. It uses bead chain (like the one hanging on overhead lights or old lamps) vs. heavier lead eyes. I've also used micro lead eyes in faster current. The extra small lead eyes are even to heavy. The bead chain weights the fly in such a manner that the hook rides up. So the white is on bottom and grey is on top when fishing it. Just like most of natures creatures, the lighter colors should be on bottom.

The white and gray materials are deer hair (Buck tail). I tie some of them even more sparsely than this one. The clearer the water, the sparser the tie. I only use 4 pieces of flash. 2 on each side. The same concept, the sparser, the better. I found that the gray and white worked better than other colors like Chartreuse and white.

It was interesting. I was researching the web on some white bass flies. I read an article about how the famous Texas fly fishing guide, and inventor of the Cypert minnow fly, Charlie Cypert, actually preferred to use gray and white clousers when white bass fishing. That just reinforced my confidence in the pattern.

Posted By: fishytx

Re: Lake Somerville - 02/14/16 06:54 PM

Awesome looking fly Jamie.......
Posted By: fishytx

Re: Lake Somerville - 02/14/16 07:04 PM

Dang, I wonder who told you about this color pattern two weeks a go and also explained why it would work so well?
Posted By: J-Moe

Re: Lake Somerville - 02/14/16 07:09 PM

Originally Posted By: fishytx
Dang, I wonder who told you about this color pattern two weeks a go and also explained why it would work so well?
smile
Posted By: R2Fishing

Re: Lake Somerville - 02/14/16 07:10 PM

Found a good crappie bite on mainlake all weekend.
Fished Friday afternoon to 10am this morning.
Found fish biting in 17FOW suspended at 10-12ft

Left each day just short of 2-3man limits.

Lake temp is now above 60. It never fell
Under that all weekend
Posted By: J-Moe

Re: Lake Somerville - 02/14/16 08:47 PM

Thanks hoggwild, that's good information. I did a quick internet search on spawning water temperatures.

Spawn Water temperature by species
Bluegill: 67 to 80 degrees
White Bass: > 60 degrees
Crappie: > 65 degrees
Largemouth: 60 to 70 degrees
Posted By: 1Tacklehoarder

Re: Lake Somerville - 02/14/16 10:45 PM

I waked in at Irwin Bridge Friday afternoon. First time fishing there. I caught 2 on a rapala lipless bait in blue chrome after walking as far back as I thought I could and still get out by dark, which ended up right near the bridge.
I broke my rod after catching those 2 in about 5 minutes, then headed back out. I saw whites hugging the bank in several spots that last half mile or so. Pretty water back in there.

I Talked to the owner of the marina on the south side of the dam this morning and he said the crappie bite has been very good over there. 10-12' deep.
Posted By: hook-line&sinker

Re: Lake Somerville - 02/14/16 11:00 PM

If you saw whitebass hugging the banks then they are beginning the spawn.. early morning hours you should begin to see whitebass actively chasing in the shallow rapids..
Posted By: 1Tacklehoarder

Re: Lake Somerville - 02/14/16 11:27 PM

Big creek is closed, correct? Is there any way to get to the beach there?
Posted By: R2Fishing

Re: Lake Somerville - 02/14/16 11:44 PM

Big creek is closed still yes.

They are suppose to open back up in March.

No marina, just camp and access to lake is what I was told
Posted By: R2Fishing

Re: Lake Somerville - 02/14/16 11:46 PM

Originally Posted By: J-Moe
Thanks hoggwild, that's good information. I did a quick internet search on spawning water temperatures.

Spawn Water temperature by species
Bluegill: 67 to 80 degrees
White Bass: > 60 degrees
Crappie: > 65 degrees
Largemouth: 60 to 70 degrees


They were all full of eggs. Premature eggs but full.
Posted By: JonL

Re: Lake Somerville - 02/15/16 12:03 AM



Went to Irwin Bridge and walked to my crappie hole and it did not disappoint. Caught over 40 crappie with 2 keepers and 2 whitebass. Most of the crappie were 9 3/4 to 9 7/8. Fun day with my daughter. Hope we get some rain soon to replenish the creek with fish.
Posted By: hook-line&sinker

Re: Lake Somerville - 02/15/16 12:28 AM

Sackah-ja-weiners

Posted By: J-Moe

Re: Lake Somerville - 02/15/16 01:33 AM

Lake level is 238.1. The dam is closed.
Posted By: fishytx

Re: Lake Somerville - 02/15/16 03:28 AM

Very disappointing trip. 11 fish. A ton of small crappie and perch. My thoughts on this is, the fish have turned around and headed back towards the lake looking for a better food source. Due to the amount of small blacks, perch and crappie, there isn't anything left for these guys to feed on. I don't know what's going on, but we definitely need a two or three foot rise in this creek. I would like to think it was just a bad day, but it should have been an awesome bite going on. I'm a little confused, but I still think it has to do with the food shortage myself. I have never seen this many perch blacks and crappie in this creek like there has been this year. At least ten times more than ever before. It is what it is, sure hope someone can find a good bite, because I sure didn't.
Posted By: 1Tacklehoarder

Re: Lake Somerville - 02/15/16 05:32 AM

Hmmmm.....I certainly didn't notice many smaller baitfish. You certainly have a point. I Hardly tried to fish during my walk in, but once I got to where I wasn't seeing many footprints anymore, and I started to see whites super shallow, I started casting. I threw several different jigs and little spoons and such at them and only caught dinks other than whites. I switched over to a little ultralight rapala rippin rap in blue chrome and caught two whites in a matter of minutes before I broke my rod setting the hook on a tree bass. Those two fish absolutely choked it. I got snagged a few times but I just wrapped that 30lb power pro braid around a little stick and pulled the hook straight. Going pretty fast looking for a reaction bite with a bait like that could be a ticket. Find a bite and then slow down a little? You are bound to lose baits though. Them little dudes are $7 apiece, too.
Posted By: J-Moe

Re: Lake Somerville - 02/15/16 12:42 PM

That's interesting. I was reading last night that late in the run all that is usually left is very small bait fish. I've been using a size 8 clouser. Maybe it's time to size down to a 10 or 12 to see if that improves the bite. But with all the small fish, maybe those small bait fish are all gone too.

As the water temperature heats up the fish will become more active and go after a reaction bait. They were taking a white rooster tail prior to the last cold front. And now I see a few more people catching them on reaction baits again.

I also read that late in the run, during the warmer period, Charlie Cypert used to sink a clouser and then strip it as fast as he possibly could.

I guess anything is worth a try now.
Posted By: J-Moe

Re: Lake Somerville - 02/15/16 12:44 PM

Originally Posted By: fishytx
Very disappointing trip. 11 fish. A ton of small crappie and perch. My thoughts on this is, the fish have turned around and headed back towards the lake looking for a better food source. Due to the amount of small blacks, perch and crappie, there isn't anything left for these guys to feed on. I don't know what's going on, but we definitely need a two or three foot rise in this creek. I would like to think it was just a bad day, but it should have been an awesome bite going on. I'm a little confused, but I still think it has to do with the food shortage myself. I have never seen this many perch blacks and crappie in this creek like there has been this year. At least ten times more than ever before. It is what it is, sure hope someone can find a good bite, because I sure didn't.


That's 11 more than most people caught Doug. Well done.
Posted By: J-Moe

Re: Lake Somerville - 02/15/16 12:46 PM

Originally Posted By: 1Tacklehoarder
Hmmmm.....I certainly didn't notice many smaller baitfish. You certainly have a point. I Hardly tried to fish during my walk in, but once I got to where I wasn't seeing many footprints anymore, and I started to see whites super shallow, I started casting. I threw several different jigs and little spoons and such at them and only caught dinks other than whites. I switched over to a little ultralight rapala rippin rap in blue chrome and caught two whites in a matter of minutes before I broke my rod setting the hook on a tree bass. Those two fish absolutely choked it. I got snagged a few times but I just wrapped that 30lb power pro braid around a little stick and pulled the hook straight. Going pretty fast looking for a reaction bite with a bait like that could be a ticket. Find a bite and then slow down a little? You are bound to lose baits though. Them little dudes are $7 apiece, too.


welcome

Welcome 1Tacklehoarder, thanks for the report.

Curious, did you say you were using 30 lb. braid on an ultralight rod when you broke it? That's a unique setup.
Posted By: 24x7Fisherman

Re: Lake Somerville - 02/15/16 01:43 PM

Originally Posted By: fishytx
Very disappointing trip. 11 fish.


Not too bad. My wife and I caught 9 fish together yesterday from 11am to 3pm.
It's a very slow day. You had to work very hard to get the fish to take it.
We did not move around, and only fished one spot all the time. We have caught
a lot of small crappie as well.
Posted By: fishytx

Re: Lake Somerville - 02/15/16 01:51 PM

Since I arrived some what late, it was difficult to see the water flow, but I have noticed in my last two trips before that the water flow has really slowed down. Lack of water flow, lack of prey to feed on, it makes total since to me why thesee fish would turn around and head back towards the lake for their own survival mode of existence. A walk towards Newman's bottom will probably be ones best bet right now, but if we don't receive some rain soon, these fish will high tail it out of this creek all together. They will continue their spawn out in the lake on wind blown shorelines and shallow sand bars. This is only my take on what I think is going on, but I'm always watching every little thing that goes on during the white bass spawn and I'm always making evaluations from what I see so I can get a clearer picture of situations. I believe one has to understand what is going on if they want to stay on top of their A-game. Mother nature and wildlife will keep you going in a guessing game no matter how much you may already know, or you think you know. But one thing is for sure, I have never seen these fish stay up in this creek and allow themselves to die. When they fill threatened about being stranded, they will leave.
Posted By: LeanderLuvs2Fish

Re: Lake Somerville - 02/15/16 01:53 PM

Great looking fish there JonL. We managed only 2 out yesterday out at Granger. Let me know the next time you head out to Somerville.

Tony
Posted By: fishytx

Re: Lake Somerville - 02/15/16 01:57 PM

That's not to bad of a number for two hours of fishing, but I was expecting a much better bite.
Posted By: hook-line&sinker

Re: Lake Somerville - 02/15/16 02:45 PM

I'll bet this gray rainy morning had the whites spawning around the creek.. warm and cloudy with a little drizzle to make the yegua nice and slippery too! GOOD FUN!
Posted By: hook-line&sinker

Re: Lake Somerville - 02/15/16 03:00 PM

I talked to Meg over at the headquarters of the Lake Somerville State Park & Trailway to get the status of the park and trailway. The Birch Creek Unit remains closed as the clean up and rebuilding continues. The Nails Creek Unit is partially open, some camping and day use is permitted but the Yegua, Cedar and Nails creeks can only be accessed from the park boat ramp by water since the trailway remains closed. The pressing issue in the whole park & trailway are the dead and dying trees and their removal.

Newmans Bottom is still closed and no date to reopen has been set or discussed as far as the State park staff knows. I suspect there is still a serious issue with the little bridge just past the gate leading to the creek since the repairs to the culvert should be complete. More on this as it develops..

I can tell you that the first round of cleanup funds have been allocated so the money is there but the progress is slowed when having to coordinate efforts between state and federal agencies like the Corp of Engineers, TPWD, TDot and other public and private parties actually doing the work..
Posted By: fishytx

Re: Lake Somerville - 02/15/16 05:00 PM

I guess a long walk towards Neman's is in store if I want to catch a few. My little sweet spot close to the parking lot has dryed up on me. Oh well, that's the way it goes some times. I sure would like to see Newman's bottom open up soon, it would save me some walking.
Posted By: hook-line&sinker

Re: Lake Somerville - 02/15/16 05:04 PM

Newmans Bottom is still closed and is waiting on the structural engineer's report and plan to repair the bridge just inside the gate.
If repairs can be made by the park staff the bridge might be ready for traffic in a couple of weeks.. let's hope for that to happen!

Newmans Bottom bridge
Posted By: CroakerSoaker

Re: Lake Somerville - 02/15/16 09:18 PM


New Guy here. Enjoy reading these posts about Yegua. Brings back lots of great memories climbing those banks. Has anyone tried using cane poles and fleaflies on the Yegua(poor man flyfishing). Use to do it growing up in the 80's with Grandpa and family when nobody fished there(miss those days)and killed them. Also back then the hybrids would go up past hemorrhoid bridge, guess that doesn't happen now either. Probably not enough room and too much pressure there now. I might try to get back down there just to remember the old times but I went about 6 or 7 years ago and I said I would never go back. Trash and a lot of rude people unfortunately. I know there will always be good guys down there(everyone on here seems very polite and understands fishing etiquette), but it just wasn't the same. Good Luck.
Posted By: fishytx

Re: Lake Somerville - 02/15/16 09:46 PM

No, it is not the same at all. I remember going and I would only run into locals. Now you don't know who you might see. But it's all good. I think it's been low key this year myself. A few days there was a big crowd, but it has tapered off. Not that many fish being caught.
Posted By: Baldy Locks

Re: Lake Somerville - 02/16/16 12:41 AM

I remember going down hemorrhoid road. It was good for that or bad however you look at it. Haven't heard any one talk about that road in many years. Those days it was almost sinfully easy to catch limits of whites. And you are right, it was never very crowded. Those were the days my friend!
Posted By: 1Tacklehoarder

Re: Lake Somerville - 02/16/16 04:00 AM

Ultralight lipless crankbait....the rod was a 6 ft medium action spinning rod. I think someone may have stepped on it and damaged it previously. It was one of a dozen or so rods I let people borrow, and half are rigged with 30lb plus braid so visitors and family members don't lose so many baits. Cuts down on the mono in the creek too...... but it makes it impossible to fish a lot of the lures and flies that a lot of you guys are using. I really need to learn to fly fish. I have a little cheap fly combo, and have accumulated quite a collection of flies over the years, but I have just never taken the time to learn. I even have some fly tying stuff somewhere around here.
Posted By: 1Tacklehoarder

Re: Lake Somerville - 02/16/16 04:10 AM

Just out of curiosity....do they allow the public to do any improving of the trails up and down the creeks? Like chainsaws, or a skidsteer(long shot) maybe?
Posted By: hook-line&sinker

Re: Lake Somerville - 02/16/16 05:26 AM

Originally Posted By: 1Tacklehoarder
Just out of curiosity....do they allow the public to do any improving of the trails up and down the creeks? Like chainsaws, or a skidsteer(long shot) maybe?

nope.. not on your own..

yes if you are volunteering to work with the park staff on the trailway itself.
Posted By: hook-line&sinker

Re: Lake Somerville - 02/16/16 05:34 AM

When I first started kayaking up the yegua from Nails creek park in 2001 I never saw another kayaker, only the occasional john boat.. fast forward 15 years and it is hard to find a day of the week where you do not have the company of the plastic navy all the way up the creek.. fishing is still just as good as it ever was closer to the lake..
Posted By: J-Moe

Re: Lake Somerville - 02/16/16 12:48 PM

Originally Posted By: 1Tacklehoarder
I really need to learn to fly fish. I have a little cheap fly combo, and have accumulated quite a collection of flies over the years, but I have just never taken the time to learn. I even have some fly tying stuff somewhere around here.


I am a member of the Brazos Valley Fly Club. HL&S is the president of the club. There is a facebook page. We have monthly meetings and do a lot of fishing during the year. You are welcome to join us. You are also welcome to come out fishing with me anytime.
Posted By: J-Moe

Re: Lake Somerville - 02/16/16 12:51 PM

Originally Posted By: hook-line&sinker
When I first started kayaking up the yegua from Nails creek park in 2001 I never saw another kayaker, only the occasional john boat.. fast forward 15 years and it is hard to find a day of the week where you do not have the company of the plastic navy all the way up the creek.. fishing is still just as good as it ever was closer to the lake..


You have done an outstanding job of promoting the trailway. I suspect most people fishing there now are like me. They googled Yegua and found lots of Fishtales videos.
Posted By: 1Tacklehoarder

Re: Lake Somerville - 02/16/16 04:16 PM

Originally Posted By: J-Moe
Originally Posted By: 1Tacklehoarder
I really need to learn to fly fish. I have a little cheap fly combo, and have accumulated quite a collection of flies over the years, but I have just never taken the time to learn. I even have some fly tying stuff somewhere around here.


I am a member of the Brazos Valley Fly Club. HL&S is the president of the club. There is a facebook page. We have monthly meetings and do a lot of fishing during the year. You are welcome to join us. You are also welcome to come out fishing with me anytime.


Sounds like a plan. I'll follow the Facebook page, and I'll see y'all at a meeting as soon as I can.
Posted By: CroakerSoaker

Re: Lake Somerville - 02/16/16 09:52 PM

Yeah Hemorrhoid road was a one of a kind. Guess its paved now. Our first ultralight outfits were Barbie type rods we would steal from our little cousins. Those were the ticket. 5-6 lb hybrid in that creek on a Barbie rod was something to remember. You would only land about 1 out of 10. Are there still Hybrids in Sommerville? If so I guess they don't go up the creeks anymore. Maybe the entrance is too shallow or something(looks that way from your reports). When Yegua use to flood nobody would be fishing bc the creek was too high and muddy, the tiny creeks going into Yegua would get cut off after the water would recede and would have hundreds of whites in the holes left behind. We would take landing nets and after our limits(junior high stupidity lol), we would put hundreds back into the creek. Guess we figured we did our duty. Fun times in the early 80's.
Posted By: J-Moe

Re: Lake Somerville - 02/17/16 01:47 AM

Originally Posted By: CroakerSoaker
Yeah Hemorrhoid road was a one of a kind. Guess its paved now. Our first ultralight outfits were Barbie type rods we would steal from our little cousins. Those were the ticket. 5-6 lb hybrid in that creek on a Barbie rod was something to remember. You would only land about 1 out of 10. Are there still Hybrids in Sommerville? If so I guess they don't go up the creeks anymore. Maybe the entrance is too shallow or something(looks that way from your reports). When Yegua use to flood nobody would be fishing bc the creek was too high and muddy, the tiny creeks going into Yegua would get cut off after the water would recede and would have hundreds of whites in the holes left behind. We would take landing nets and after our limits(junior high stupidity lol), we would put hundreds back into the creek. Guess we figured we did our duty. Fun times in the early 80's.


welcome Welcome CroakerSoaker

Yes there are still hybrids in Somerville. Not many have been caught in the creeks the last couple of years though. They may not stock Somerville in the future with hybrids though.

Great stories, thanks for sharing.
Posted By: hook-line&sinker

Re: Lake Somerville - 02/17/16 05:16 AM

Last hybrid stocking was in 2011 and since that time Lake Somerville lost its allocation since TPWD couldn't prove good utilization by anglers. Those 2011 hybrids are half way through their typical lifespan and will go extinct before too long..
Posted By: white bass interceptor

Re: Lake Somerville - 02/17/16 05:25 AM

are whites still being caught in Yegua?
Posted By: fishytx

Re: Lake Somerville - 02/17/16 03:14 PM

A few are being caught, but not many. If you go to the creek, it will require a long walk downstream where a few are still holding, but from what I've been told, it's a good ways down. The trip down isn't so bad, it's the trip bach with a heavy stringer. Not sure I want to do it myself. A good rise in the creek would be great.
Posted By: JonL

Re: Lake Somerville - 02/17/16 07:23 PM



I've got my fingers crossed this rain will come and get a good rise going and flood the creek with new fish.
Posted By: jsinn01

Re: Lake Somerville - 02/17/16 10:55 PM

Some rain would help for sure.
Posted By: AdanV

Re: Lake Somerville - 02/17/16 11:09 PM

Originally Posted By: hook-line&sinker
Newmans Bottom is still closed and is waiting on the structural engineer's report and plan to repair the bridge just inside the gate.
If repairs can be made by the park staff the bridge might be ready for traffic in a couple of weeks.. let's hope for that to happen!

Newmans Bottom bridge


Hey HLS, you mind sharing where this Kayak launch is?
I've been looking for a nice scenic & quiet creek for me and my son to kayak fish in that's not too far from Katy.
We've never been to Lake Somerville, but I'm enjoying watching your YouTube channel.

We often go to the coast, but with these Spring southern winds coming in, it'll be more of a chore.
We've also been to the Colorado River in Columbus. Very nice, caught quite a number of Guads and LMBs. But a nice section of it has been closed to the public for some time now. Brazos in Sealy & Simonton is nice for catfish, but unpredictable so I don't want to risk it when I have a 9-year old with me.
Posted By: hook-line&sinker

Re: Lake Somerville - 02/18/16 03:08 AM

google directions to Newmans Bottom (Lake Somerville State Park & Trailway
By the middle of April you can have most of the creek to yourselves. I do not suggest trying to launch down at Newmans when the whitebass are up in the creek. Let the bank fishermen have their time on the creek while the fishing is good. The good black bass & crappie fishing should hold on into the summer and come next fall it is going to be great..
Posted By: hook-line&sinker

Re: Lake Somerville - 02/18/16 03:18 AM

You can always launch from the boat ramp in Nails Creek Park and paddle up either Nails or the Yegua. either creek is a very nice paddle once all the springtime fishing is subsided.
Posted By: J-Moe

Re: Lake Somerville - 02/18/16 04:24 PM

I went out to Irwin Bridge on Tuesday evening to fly fish around the bridge for Rock bass. I started under the bridge and caught small bluegill and crappie. I moved downstream and caught the same thing. I tried a couple white bass holes and caught nothing. I went back to the bridge and fished upstream. Catching small crappie on every cast just above the bridge. I never did catch the Rock bass I was looking for. I did catch one white bass under the bridge. Not that I am implying the run is over by any means, but an old man's tale is that when this size male arrives the run is nearing an end. We are dealing with a much different situation than most river fisherman anyway.

Posted By: J-Moe

Re: Lake Somerville - 02/18/16 04:32 PM

OK, I need your help guys.

I keep hearing stories of big rock bass being caught in the creeks around Lake Somerville and those connected to the Brazos river. I have never caught a Rock Bass. What i assume is like myself, I confused a rock bass for a Warmouth. Warmouth will sometimes have a small patch of red on the ear. None of the Rock bass I have seen pictures of will have this patch. Otherwise they are very similar.

Is this what y'all call a Rock Bass? Does anyone have a picture of a real Rock bass?

Posted By: thi

Re: Lake Somerville - 02/18/16 05:03 PM

Originally Posted By: hook-line&sinker
Last hybrid stocking was in 2011 and since that time Lake Somerville lost its allocation since TPWD couldn't prove good utilization by anglers. Those 2011 hybrids are half way through their typical lifespan and will go extinct before too long..


On this site: http://tpwd.texas.gov/fishboat/fish/management/stocking/fishstock_state.phtml

I see that Somerville got stocked in 2013, 2014. Is that something different?
Posted By: AdanV

Re: Lake Somerville - 02/18/16 05:33 PM

Originally Posted By: hook-line&sinker
You can always launch from the boat ramp in Nails Creek Park and paddle up either Nails or the Yegua. either creek is a very nice paddle once all the springtime fishing is subsided.


Okay thanks.
Yeah, I was seeing how narrow the creeks on you YouTube channel.
I definitely wouldn't want to be rude.
Posted By: J-Moe

Re: Lake Somerville - 02/18/16 05:38 PM

Originally Posted By: thi
Originally Posted By: hook-line&sinker
Last hybrid stocking was in 2011 and since that time Lake Somerville lost its allocation since TPWD couldn't prove good utilization by anglers. Those 2011 hybrids are half way through their typical lifespan and will go extinct before too long..


On this site: http://tpwd.texas.gov/fishboat/fish/management/stocking/fishstock_state.phtml

I see that Somerville got stocked in 2013, 2014. Is that something different?


welcome Welcome

It does show Palmettos being stocked.
Posted By: R2Fishing

Re: Lake Somerville - 02/18/16 09:45 PM

Run is far from over.....

Fish are there, just like any other water they'll bite when they want.... I was 2nd one I believe who caught a limit out of yegua this yr and when I did there was hardly reports of any whites in there..
Presentation, color choice, and right spot at right time is the key to success. We have rain sun-tues coming... Sat will be a good bite.


On second note..

I'm nowhere near a guide..but I've been on a good crappie bite on main lake.
I have 16ft alum bass boat. I always usually have room for one more...
With crappie kicking on, whites and hybrids will be soon following. I've been known to catch limits off main
Lake points and humps so I'll post when I go and see if someone would like to join.
Posted By: TXfisherman12

Re: Lake Somerville - 02/19/16 03:01 AM

Originally Posted By: J-Moe
OK, I need your help guys.

I keep hearing stories of big rock bass being caught in the creeks around Lake Somerville and those connected to the Brazos river. I have never caught a Rock Bass. What i assume is like myself, I confused a rock bass for a Warmouth. Warmouth will sometimes have a small patch of red on the ear. None of the Rock bass I have seen pictures of will have this patch. Otherwise they are very similar.

Is this what y'all call a Rock Bass? Does anyone have a picture of a real Rock bass?



A true rock bass does not look anything similar to the photo you have shown. They look more similar to a smallmouth bass. I have caught tons of red-eyes growing up in PA. I guess they are in TX too. Here is a basic link for info: https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Rock_bass
Posted By: hook-line&sinker

Re: Lake Somerville - 02/19/16 04:43 AM

My information about Hybrid striper stocking was incomplete. Lake Somerville was on the short list of lakes to get skipped if the hatchery couldn't produce enough fish.. 2013 & 2014 must have been good years at the hatchery.. I know that TPWD stocked 57,000 redfish fry in Lake Bryan last summer since they had a banner year with redfish production.
Posted By: hook-line&sinker

Re: Lake Somerville - 02/19/16 04:46 AM

Posted By: hook-line&sinker

Re: Lake Somerville - 02/19/16 04:49 AM

Warmouth.. lots of variation between both rockbass and warmouth. It is easy to confuse the two and I'm not so sure they are all that different from each other..

Posted By: hook-line&sinker

Re: Lake Somerville - 02/19/16 04:58 AM

J-Moe,
Here is one I caught in the spillway in 2005

Posted By: J-Moe

Re: Lake Somerville - 02/19/16 11:53 AM

Great stuff Ben. Finally, actual proof they do exist in Somerville and the creeks.
Posted By: R2Fishing

Re: Lake Somerville - 02/19/16 12:37 PM

I need to dig deeper into the redfish stocking last yr at Bryan Lake.

Back before 2011 fish kill at Fairfield me and a fellow TFF'er who became a real close good friend would frequently fish it and catch good fish. Wonder the odd of this lake being a close follow up with Fairfield.
Posted By: catchnrelease

Re: Lake Somerville - 02/19/16 01:43 PM

Originally Posted By: hook-line&sinker
J-Moe,
Here is one I caught in the spillway in 2005




I caught one of these the other day. I didn't know what this was. Now I do.
Posted By: J-Moe

Re: Lake Somerville - 02/19/16 02:00 PM

Cool, did you catch it in the Yegua?
Posted By: hook-line&sinker

Re: Lake Somerville - 02/19/16 02:19 PM

yes in the spillway/Yegua most likely in the rocks when the flow was low or off..

FishTales: The river quiet.

If you know what this quiet peaceful place is like then you understand where I've been and why I must return from time to time..

Posted By: hook-line&sinker

Re: Lake Somerville - 02/19/16 02:31 PM

I suspect that many sunfish naturally crossbreed in the wild so if they do it makes identifying any one of them very complex..
Posted By: hook-line&sinker

Re: Lake Somerville - 02/19/16 02:50 PM

J-Moe.. I think the key to identifying a true rock bass is in the anal fin spines.. notice the pictures above.. the rock bass has 5 or 6 spines on the anal fin where the others have only 2 or 3..
Rock Bass, Ambloplites rupestris
Rock bass
Identifying characteristics: (Native Fish) Two dorsal fins with spinous and soft-rayed portions united, large mouth, six anal spines, red eye, rows of dark dots on sides.

Rock bass are native to fresh water in east-central North America. This heavy bodied member of the sunfish family can be readily distinguished from other similar species by the six spines in the anal fin (other typical sunfishes have only three anal fin spines). These fish are a commercial species in the Great Lakes and are also an important sport fish. They are lively fighters when hooked, and their flesh is firm and delectable.

True to their name, rock bass live in rocky areas in the lake's shallows. Adults live in groups, often associating with smallmouth bass and other similar fish. Spawning takes place in late spring and when water temperatures reach 55 to 60 degrees F. Like other members of the sunfish family, the male digs a nest in the lake shallows, and guards it tenaciously. A spawning area may be heavily used with several nests very close together. As a result, males can become quite aggressive as they attempt to defend territory and attract and hold females. The male guards and fans the eggs, and later broods the young for a short time. Rock bass grow quickly and adults weigh an average of 4 to 8 ounces. An average length is six to eight inches although some rock bass reach 12 inches. Few rock bass live beyond 10 to 12 years.

Large bass, northern pike, muskie, and perhaps walleyes prey on young rock bass. Rock bass compete with smallmouth bass for food. They eat aquatic insects, crayfish, and small fish, including their own young, yellow perch, and minnows. Rock bass occasionally take food from the surface.
Posted By: J-Moe

Re: Lake Somerville - 02/19/16 03:08 PM

Originally Posted By: catchnrelease
Originally Posted By: hook-line&sinker
J-Moe,
Here is one I caught in the spillway in 2005


I caught one of these the other day. I didn't know what this was. Now I do.


Catchnrelease, did you catch it on the lake or the Yegua?
Posted By: catchnrelease

Re: Lake Somerville - 02/19/16 04:22 PM

My wife caught one at the yegua at Irwin bridge on Friday Feb. 12th; then I caught one at Lake Granger on Willis Creek Monday. It had a body like a perch but a mouth like a bass.
Posted By: J-Moe

Re: Lake Somerville - 02/19/16 04:40 PM

Originally Posted By: catchnrelease
My wife caught one at the yegua at Irwin bridge on Friday Feb. 12th; then I caught one at Lake Granger on Willis Creek Monday. It had a body like a perch but a mouth like a bass.


Seems like they prefer creek/river environments over Lake environments. Everyone I've heard of being caught in Texas so far has been in a creek/river. Thanks for the information.
Posted By: TXfisherman12

Re: Lake Somerville - 02/19/16 05:11 PM

I have always caught them in creeks/streams/rivers.
Posted By: J-Moe

Re: Lake Somerville - 02/19/16 05:13 PM

Originally Posted By: TXfisherman12
I have always caught them in creeks/streams/rivers.

Thanks
Posted By: BIG SHINER

Re: Lake Somerville - 02/19/16 06:42 PM

How is Lake Bryan doing since the levee repairs started? The water level was dropped down quite a bit. The reeds and rocks were mostly out of the water. Not much structure to fish. Might head out there for a quick trip.
Posted By: hook-line&sinker

Re: Lake Somerville - 02/19/16 07:22 PM

Originally Posted By: BIG SHINER
How is Lake Bryan doing since the levee repairs started? The water level was dropped down quite a bit. The reeds and rocks were mostly out of the water. Not much structure to fish. Might head out there for a quick trip.


dropped the level about 8 feet or so.. not very good for the crappie fishing and the boat ramp is closed. I had thought about taking the yak out and working the dam rocks for bass maybe late next week..
Posted By: J-Moe

Re: Lake Somerville - 02/20/16 01:59 AM

I had a very special day today. Not the fishing. It was about the same. 3 white bass and more undersized crappie and bluegill than I even care to count anymore. It's still fun though.

I was standing in the creek on a sand bar fishing with my fly rod. Suddenly, I heard the loudest racket coming from the sky. Wood ducks, No that's not a wood duck. Then I see what looks like a big hawk but that's not a hawk speaking. Then they come clear of the trees and circle over me. Two big, beautiful bald eagles. They circle around me right above the trees, yelling at me as they pass over. They circle once more. I can see one of them is holding something, but it isn't clear what it is. They land in the top of the trees. I take a picture and then go back to fishing. Constantly peaking up at them.

They sat in the tree for almost 5 minutes while I was fly fishing. I start to think. Eagles are great fisherman. I keep casting and catching fish. They keep watching me. Suddenly, I feel a sense of honor. They are sitting there admiring my elite fly fishing skills roflmao roflmao Hey, it's my story. I can pass it one to my grandkids some day in any fashion I want. Heck, by that time, the story may even include those Eagles stealing my record 4 lb. white bass from me roflmao

Anyway, they sat there for about 3 or 4 minutes together. One of them flew off. The other, with the food, sat there for another minute or two. Then he flew off. The moment really was special. I had never heard their chatter before. I've seen them several times, but not this close, for this long, in a moment during the twilight of a beautiful day.

Posted By: R2Fishing

Re: Lake Somerville - 02/20/16 03:19 AM

flag

I've missed those 2 all season I've searched the lake for them... Thanks for posting
Posted By: BIG SHINER

Re: Lake Somerville - 02/20/16 04:01 AM

Yes the creeks always have something special to share. Last Friday I was fishing Cedar and kept hearing some splashing up the creek. I was about to go around the bend to investigate when three otters came swimming into the hole I was fishing from behind a log jam. They sat there and watched me and my "non-elite" fly fishing skills, as if to say, " what is this guy doing? He is never going to catch a fish like that." They played alittle while and then slipped away up the creek to try their hand at finding some whites. I bet they caught more than me.
Posted By: jsinn01

Re: Lake Somerville - 02/20/16 04:17 AM

Cool story & pic, J-Moe. Thanks for sharing.
Posted By: J-Moe

Re: Lake Somerville - 02/20/16 04:37 AM

Originally Posted By: BIG SHINER
Yes the creeks always have something special to share. Last Friday I was fishing Cedar and kept hearing some splashing up the creek. I was about to go around the bend to investigate when three otters came swimming into the hole I was fishing from behind a log jam. They sat there and watched me and my "non-elite" fly fishing skills, as if to say, " what is this guy doing? He is never going to catch a fish like that." They played alittle while and then slipped away up the creek to try their hand at finding some whites. I bet they caught more than me.


roflmao I wonder if they been talking with the Eagles.
Posted By: J-Moe

Re: Lake Somerville - 02/20/16 04:39 AM

Thanks hoggwild and Jared, The sounds that they make are quite unique. Something I won't forget.
Posted By: R2Fishing

Re: Lake Somerville - 02/20/16 04:42 AM

We deer hunt the WMA there at Irwin bridge. 2 yrs ago I had my daughter out on a hunt she was trying to fill a doe tag with her cross bow. Anyhow we had both pair of eagles fly and play in the air in front of us for few minutes. It's an amazing sight and to hear their wings cut air as they dive and swoop is nothing you'll ever forget. We didn't get a deer, don't even think we seen anything that morning but to see those birds beat seeing any other animal that day.
Posted By: Hogslayer5L

Re: Lake Somerville - 02/20/16 01:16 PM

I was fishing in a little creek in college station the other day and caught about 30 bass. About a quarter of them looked like this... Super fat, super small mouth, and to me- kinda scaly compared to the other, normal large mouths. Any ideas what these are?

Posted By: TXfisherman12

Re: Lake Somerville - 02/20/16 02:03 PM

spotted bass maybe?
Posted By: J-Moe

Re: Lake Somerville - 02/20/16 09:58 PM

Today I finally decided to make a long walk downstream from Irwin to search for white bass. It was the first time I ever walked this far. Man, am I glad I did. The fishing was absolutely on fire flame flame flame

I caught 32 White bass banana

I walked approximately 35 to 45 minutes down stream from the parking lot. There are a couple of landmarks. First there is a service path/road that has been cleared out. It runs adjacent to the bank path. I walked beside it for 15 minutes or more. Other people were continuing on this path toward Newman's bottom. The other land mark is there a huge black mud pit that you can walk through or around. I started fishing within about 5 minutes walk from there.

Today, I decided to take the easy way out. In addition to the fly rod, I brought my ultra light spinning rod to explore with. I employed the infallible Fishytx techniques that utilize a single 1/32 ounce modified white marabou jig. It did not disappoint. I easily could have out fished the fly rod using these techniques today.

I caught a couple fish on the way down. I couldn't seem to find any deep holes to fish. Finally, I decided to just start fishing. The first spot I fished was a narrow bend with a fairly deep drop off. I caught 10 in about 30 to 40 minutes. I walked downstream another 5 minutes and stopped in a straightaway with a couple logs laid in the creek, parallel to the bank. When I finally zoned in one that 55 gallon drum I started catching white bass on the fly rod on almost every cast. The wife was texting so I stopped at 20 in that spot and went home. I had to leave them, not only biting, but still on fire flame

And I only caught 5 small bluegill and no undersized crappie, LOL

PS. I talked to Adam today. He said he doesn't expect Newman's to be open for another 6 months. The little bridge on the entrance road has to be repaired.
Posted By: jsinn01

Re: Lake Somerville - 02/20/16 11:05 PM

Congrats on finding them. There's rain in the forecast for Monday, so hopefully that will give the creek a good little rise.
Posted By: R2Fishing

Re: Lake Somerville - 02/21/16 12:44 AM


Lol



wopics
Posted By: J-Moe

Re: Lake Somerville - 02/21/16 01:22 AM

Originally Posted By: hoggwild

Lol
wopics


I don't string fish. I only took 3 pictures today. I guess I should have recognized that some people may take me to be a Liar. My friends know better. I'll leave the reports to those that string fish.



Posted By: 24x7Fisherman

Re: Lake Somerville - 02/21/16 01:47 AM

Hi, I guess I saw you while you were talking to Adam. Were you wearing a fly fishing vest?
I should have got there earlier and walked a few more minutes to have more fun.
Posted By: hook-line&sinker

Re: Lake Somerville - 02/21/16 02:34 AM

Originally Posted By: Hogslayer5L
I was fishing in a little creek in college station the other day and caught about 30 bass. About a quarter of them looked like this... Super fat, super small mouth, and to me- kinda scaly compared to the other, normal large mouths. Any ideas what these are?



Those lines along the belly are a sure sign it is a spotted (river) bass.
Posted By: R2Fishing

Re: Lake Somerville - 02/21/16 02:52 AM

LOL just messing with ya.

It's been a good while since I've seen a white and just wanted to feel like I was there... Lol
Posted By: J-Moe

Re: Lake Somerville - 02/21/16 02:58 AM

Originally Posted By: hoggwild
LOL just messing with ya.

It's been a good while since I've seen a white and just wanted to feel like I was there... Lol


Ha Ha, I'll post 32 different poses next time, LOL!!
Posted By: fishytx

Re: Lake Somerville - 02/21/16 03:13 AM

Everyone like fish porn, big, small, it doesn't matter, as long as there are some pics. So you did good posting those. Hey, those are from last year. LOL Just messing with ya, great report Jamie, wish I could have been there with ya.
Posted By: hook-line&sinker

Re: Lake Somerville - 02/21/16 03:20 AM

Me too! I wish I could have been there in the morning.. but then I'd of missed all this wink




Posted By: J-Moe

Re: Lake Somerville - 02/21/16 03:26 AM

Originally Posted By: 24x7Fisherman
Hi, I guess I saw you while you were talking to Adam. Were you wearing a fly fishing vest?
I should have got there earlier and walked a few more minutes to have more fun.


Yes, that was me.
Posted By: J-Moe

Re: Lake Somerville - 02/21/16 03:28 AM

Originally Posted By: fishytx
Everyone like fish porn, big, small, it doesn't matter, as long as there are some pics. So you did good posting those. Hey, those are from last year. LOL Just messing with ya, great report Jamie, wish I could have been there with ya.


Ha Ha, I wasn't using those annoying little 1/32 ounce jigs last year. Look in their lips. Case closed roflmao
Posted By: ttllhh

Re: Lake Somerville - 02/21/16 06:21 AM

1
Posted By: bowler49

Re: Lake Somerville - 02/21/16 12:53 PM

A word of caution to folks fishing along the creek. Don't leave a stringer of fish unattended for long because someone may take it. It makes me sad that somebody would take someone's fish but it happened. Oh well, saved me from having to carry 8 more fish back to the parking lot.
Posted By: fishytx

Re: Lake Somerville - 02/21/16 02:26 PM

I've had my stringer taken before as well. Some people, I'm telling ya. Oh wait, they took my fish but left me my stringer all rolled up nice and neat, That was so sweet of them. Jerks....... That is a low life person if you ask me. Oh well, guess they were hungry and needed the fish more so than I did. And I hope that was the case. If so, then it's all good, someone went to bed with a full belly.
Posted By: fishytx

Re: Lake Somerville - 02/21/16 02:32 PM

J-Moe quote ----- I don't string fish. I only took 3 pictures today. I guess I should have recognized that some people may take me to be a Liar. My friends know better. I'll leave the reports to those that string fish.

J-Moe, I get called out on fishing post all the time. I take it with a grain of salt these days. I personal know that you caught those fish. You don't have to post pics to prove anything to me, I've watched you catch fish.
Posted By: fishytx

Re: Lake Somerville - 02/21/16 03:48 PM

Originally Posted By: J-Moe
Originally Posted By: fishytx
Everyone like fish porn, big, small, it doesn't matter, as long as there are some pics. So you did good posting those. Hey, those are from last year. LOL Just messing with ya, great report Jamie, wish I could have been there with ya.


Ha Ha, I wasn't using those annoying little 1/32 ounce jigs last year. Look in their lips. Case closed roflmao

Good come back, you the man. I've been catching these fish on those jigs for many many years now. There is an art on how to use them though. But you know this all to well now.
Posted By: hook-line&sinker

Re: Lake Somerville - 02/21/16 04:04 PM

snapping turtles, otters and a few other critters will steal back their dinner too!
Posted By: ttllhh

Re: Lake Somerville - 02/21/16 04:13 PM

Does J-moe mean parking in the Park or just near the bridge and walking toward Newmans with the creek on your right side. I usually stay closer to the bridge. With limited success.
Posted By: fishytx

Re: Lake Somerville - 02/21/16 04:45 PM

Parking lot walking downstream with water on right is correct.
Posted By: J-Moe

Re: Lake Somerville - 02/21/16 05:44 PM

OK HOGGWILD, I STRUNG UP SOME FISH FOR YOU. I HAVE 50 WITNESSES banana

Posted By: jsinn01

Re: Lake Somerville - 02/21/16 05:54 PM

Originally Posted By: ttllhh
Does J-moe mean parking in the Park or just near the bridge and walking toward Newmans with the creek on your right side. I usually stay closer to the bridge. With limited success.


Be prepared to walk in about an hour to get to the area he's speaking of. There's a pretty well marked trail but it's a long haul to say the least.

I used to carry around an old Navy sea bag in my back pack. That way I could carry a limit of Whites more easily if I had to hike a long distance.

Best of luck.
Posted By: jsinn01

Re: Lake Somerville - 02/21/16 05:56 PM

Did you catch those today, J-Moe? Man, that's a mess of fish you got there. Not the most scenic location though. roflmao
Posted By: J-Moe

Re: Lake Somerville - 02/21/16 06:02 PM

Originally Posted By: jsinn01
Did you catch those today, J-Moe? Man, that's a mess of fish you got there. Not the most scenic location though. roflmao


Yes, caught them this morning. I caught 8 hybrids and 20 plus WB. I'll post a report later.
Posted By: jsinn01

Re: Lake Somerville - 02/21/16 06:06 PM

Man, what do you have against those Somerville fish? Leave them alone for awhile. roflmao

Nice catch, dude. thumb
Posted By: hook-line&sinker

Re: Lake Somerville - 02/21/16 07:41 PM

While everyone goes to the creeks at the upper end of Lake Somerville for whites & crappie I'll go back in time up another creek of history.

Posted By: J-Moe

Re: Lake Somerville - 02/21/16 07:49 PM

I drove out to the lake this morning. I drove over the dam and the spillway paking lot was already half full at 6:15 AM. They are not releasing water so I thought it was odd. I just had to check it out. I sure am glad I did.

I fished with my fly rod and gray & white clouser again. I slowly started catching fish and once I got the presentation down I started catching fish on just about every other cast. It was kind of comical. I was the only person catching fish so I kept getting asked what I was using over and over again. People even took pictures of my fly.

I ended up catching 8 hyrbrids and 20 or so white bass before being crowded out of my spot. Catching the hybrids on my 4 weight was incredible. It was way over matched for those hybrids. They hit the fly so hard a couple times that they almost jerked the rod from my hands.

There are no fly fishing records established for the Yegua so I decided to have them officially weighed at the Marina so I can submit them for water body records. I registered a 5 lb./ 22 inch hybrid, a 1.8 lb./ 16.25 inch white bass and a 5.9 lb. buffalo.

I lost 2 hybrids that were even bigger. I was using a 6 lb. tippet. I tried sizing up to a 12 lb. tippet but the fish ignored my bait and I couldn't get a bite so I had to go back to the 6 lb. tippet prior to landing the 5 lb. hybrid.



Posted By: jsinn01

Re: Lake Somerville - 02/21/16 07:57 PM

Man, that's freakin' awesome! What a day of fishing. Pretty funny that you were the only one catching. I guess those fly fishing skills are paying off.

I can't believe you landed those big hybrids on your fly rod.
Posted By: J-Moe

Re: Lake Somerville - 02/21/16 08:27 PM

Originally Posted By: jsinn01
Man, that's freakin' awesome! What a day of fishing. Pretty funny that you were the only one catching. I guess those fly fishing skills are paying off.

I can't believe you landed those big hybrids on your fly rod.


Thanks Jared, no question about it. One guy said, "I'm going to try everything in my box and then I'm going home" roflmao
Posted By: fishytx

Re: Lake Somerville - 02/21/16 09:43 PM

Awesome hybrid, congrats. That's a good day of fishing I don't care who you are. Oh yeah, thanks for the fish porn. Here I sit wishing I was fishing and looking at these pics doesn't make matters any better. LOL Great catch......
bow_down
Posted By: R2Fishing

Re: Lake Somerville - 02/21/16 10:01 PM

Originally Posted By: J-Moe
OK HOGGWILD, I STRUNG UP SOME FISH FOR YOU. I HAVE 50 WITNESSES banana




Good gosh brother!
banana
bow_down
Posted By: R2Fishing

Re: Lake Somerville - 02/21/16 10:02 PM

We fished main lake and left with 46crappie. Not a bad morning out
Posted By: R2Fishing

Re: Lake Somerville - 02/21/16 10:43 PM

Originally Posted By: fishytx
J-Moe quote ----- I don't string fish. I only took 3 pictures today. I guess I should have recognized that some people may take me to be a Liar. My friends know better. I'll leave the reports to those that string fish.

J-Moe, I get called out on fishing post all the time. I take it with a grain of salt these days. I personal know that you caught those fish. You don't have to post pics to prove anything to me, I've watched you catch fish.


I hope my comment about photos wasnt took literal. I know who all here can fish and don't need posting of pics every outing.
Posted By: R2Fishing

Re: Lake Somerville - 02/21/16 10:47 PM





Posted By: fishytx

Re: Lake Somerville - 02/21/16 11:02 PM

I don't think it was taken wrong. He knows we are messing with him.
I get called out on how many black bass I catch in one trip. People can't imagine someone catching 30 plus blacks in a single trip. Most black bass I have caught in one trip was 97. Unbelievable day for sure. That was six years ago, the most I've caught since then was 67. But even that is hard to grasp when you're talking about LMB.
Posted By: jsinn01

Re: Lake Somerville - 02/21/16 11:58 PM

Nice pics, Hoggwild. That first one is priceless.
Posted By: fishful thinking

Re: Lake Somerville - 02/22/16 12:06 AM

Nice crappie! Are they still out deep in main lake, or are they starting to move shallow?
Posted By: J-Moe

Re: Lake Somerville - 02/22/16 12:57 AM

Originally Posted By: fishytx
Awesome hybrid, congrats. That's a good day of fishing I don't care who you are. Oh yeah, thanks for the fish porn. Here I sit wishing I was fishing and looking at these pics doesn't make matters any better. LOL Great catch......
bow_down


Thanks Doug, I really appreciate it.
Posted By: J-Moe

Re: Lake Somerville - 02/22/16 01:01 AM

Originally Posted By: hoggwild
Originally Posted By: J-Moe
OK HOGGWILD, I STRUNG UP SOME FISH FOR YOU. I HAVE 50 WITNESSES banana




Good gosh brother!
banana
bow_down


Thanks Hoggwild, It's all good. I love the banter, so I couldn't resist poking back. Great Catch on the crappie thumb

I'm still looking for my first 15 inch crappie. The spawn is getting closer so I suspect I'll do some fly fishing around Overlook soon.
Posted By: R2Fishing

Re: Lake Somerville - 02/22/16 02:08 AM

Originally Posted By: fishful thinking
Nice crappie! Are they still out deep in main lake, or are they starting to move shallow?


Still catching them in 15-18ft of water
Posted By: R2Fishing

Re: Lake Somerville - 02/22/16 02:24 AM

Is the log jam still blocking birch creek or can you get into the creek?

Was told someone went in and chainsawed the log jam blocking the creek..?
Posted By: rvrrat14

Re: Lake Somerville - 02/22/16 01:36 PM

Went up Yegua in boat yesterday........lots of Black Bass. Two in the 4-4.5 range. Boated several White's and a handful of crappie. Nice day out, but not a bunch of movement yet. Fished from the mouth at the lake, up several miles. Water stained, 64 degrees, moving slowly.
Posted By: JonL

Re: Lake Somerville - 02/22/16 02:54 PM

Went Sunday and made the long stroll to my crappie hole. Got to the hole around 700am. Fished till 2 30pm when the rain started. Caught over 100 crappie with 17 keepers. I threw back at least 10 or 15 9 7/8" crappie. Good day of fishing.Great eating!!
Posted By: J-Moe

Re: Lake Somerville - 02/22/16 03:22 PM

Originally Posted By: rvrrat14
Went up Yegua in boat yesterday........lots of Black Bass. Two in the 4-4.5 range. Boated several White's and a handful of crappie. Nice day out, but not a bunch of movement yet. Fished from the mouth at the lake, up several miles. Water stained, 64 degrees, moving slowly.


I saw large mouth spawning in the creeks this weekend. Great to hear you caught a couple over 4 lbs. A guy showed me a picture of a 9.5 lb. bass he caught below the dam last week. It shouldn't be too much longer before they are spawning on the lake. Thanks for the report and information on water temperature.
Posted By: J-Moe

Re: Lake Somerville - 02/22/16 03:27 PM

Originally Posted By: JonL
Went Sunday and made the long stroll to my crappie hole. Got to the hole around 700am. Fished till 2 30pm when the rain started. Caught over 100 crappie with 17 keepers. I threw back at least 10 or 15 9 7/8" crappie. Good day of fishing.Great eating!!


Great stuff!!! Next year you may only get to make 25 casts, catch 25 keeper crappie and have to go home, LOL
Posted By: CroakerSoaker

Re: Lake Somerville - 02/22/16 10:09 PM

Buddy of mine that lives on his ranch in Lexington said he got close to a 1.5 last night. Wondering if any of that will make it down towards the lake?
Posted By: TXfisherman12

Re: Lake Somerville - 02/23/16 02:28 PM

Originally Posted by hook-line&sinker
While everyone goes to the creeks at the upper end of Lake Somerville for whites & crappie I'll go back in time up another creek of history.



As always excellent job on the video!! I have a few specific questions so sent you an IM..
Posted By: yota

Re: Lake Somerville - 02/23/16 02:29 PM

West yegua was up about 2 ft this morning near Lincoln. Should be there in a day or two.
Posted By: banker-always fishing

Re: Lake Somerville - 02/23/16 03:02 PM

Originally Posted By: J-Moe
I drove out to the lake this morning. I drove over the dam and the spillway paking lot was already half full at 6:15 AM. They are not releasing water so I thought it was odd. I just had to check it out. I sure am glad I did.

I fished with my fly rod and gray & white clouser again. I slowly started catching fish and once I got the presentation down I started catching fish on just about every other cast. It was kind of comical. I was the only person catching fish so I kept getting asked what I was using over and over again. People even took pictures of my fly.

I ended up catching 8 hyrbrids and 20 or so white bass before being crowded out of my spot. Catching the hybrids on my 4 weight was incredible. It was way over matched for those hybrids. They hit the fly so hard a couple times that they almost jerked the rod from my hands.

There are no fly fishing records established for the Yegua so I decided to have them officially weighed at the Marina so I can submit them for water body records. I registered a 5 lb./ 22 inch hybrid, a 1.8 lb./ 16.25 inch white bass and a 5.9 lb. buffalo.

I lost 2 hybrids that were even bigger. I was using a 6 lb. tippet. I tried sizing up to a 12 lb. tippet but the fish ignored my bait and I couldn't get a bite so I had to go back to the 6 lb. tippet prior to landing the 5 lb. hybrid.







Awesome fish Jamie. Keep those records coming! rockon


Side Note: I am sure glad you use a fly rod most of the time. breakdance I am also glad you mainly fish north of me. eeks Again SUPER FISH! flehan Bet the fights were GREAT! boxing
Posted By: hook-line&sinker

Re: Lake Somerville - 02/23/16 05:30 PM

never seen the spillway so trashed.. it's just sad frown

Posted By: yota

Re: Lake Somerville - 02/23/16 08:00 PM

You definitely know what they like Jamie!

I'm new to crappie. Can anyone tell me if I should be chasing them in the lower creeks at the same time as whites or are they more concentrated a little later? Ben said they would be in there all the way through late spring but I forgot to ask when the hottest time should be.
Posted By: J-Moe

Re: Lake Somerville - 02/23/16 08:14 PM

Originally Posted By: yota
You definitely know what they like Jamie!

I'm new to crappie. Can anyone tell me if I should be chasing them in the lower creeks at the same time as whites or are they more concentrated a little later? Ben said they would be in there all the way through late spring but I forgot to ask when the hottest time should be.


Thanks Yota,

The crappie are packed into the creeks. Sometimes you will catch them in the same place as white bass but they often pack in together. The problem is the crappie are small. I think JohnL said he caught 17 keepers in 100. Less than 2 in 10 has been the norm.
Posted By: J-Moe

Re: Lake Somerville - 02/23/16 08:17 PM

Originally Posted By: banker-always fishing
Originally Posted By: J-Moe
I drove out to the lake this morning. I drove over the dam and the spillway paking lot was already half full at 6:15 AM. They are not releasing water so I thought it was odd. I just had to check it out. I sure am glad I did.

I fished with my fly rod and gray & white clouser again. I slowly started catching fish and once I got the presentation down I started catching fish on just about every other cast. It was kind of comical. I was the only person catching fish so I kept getting asked what I was using over and over again. People even took pictures of my fly.

I ended up catching 8 hyrbrids and 20 or so white bass before being crowded out of my spot. Catching the hybrids on my 4 weight was incredible. It was way over matched for those hybrids. They hit the fly so hard a couple times that they almost jerked the rod from my hands.

There are no fly fishing records established for the Yegua so I decided to have them officially weighed at the Marina so I can submit them for water body records. I registered a 5 lb./ 22 inch hybrid, a 1.8 lb./ 16.25 inch white bass and a 5.9 lb. buffalo.

I lost 2 hybrids that were even bigger. I was using a 6 lb. tippet. I tried sizing up to a 12 lb. tippet but the fish ignored my bait and I couldn't get a bite so I had to go back to the 6 lb. tippet prior to landing the 5 lb. hybrid.







Awesome fish Jamie. Keep those records coming! rockon


Side Note: I am sure glad you use a fly rod most of the time. breakdance I am also glad you mainly fish north of me. eeks Again SUPER FISH! flehan Bet the fights were GREAT! boxing


Thanks Chuck. It was an incredible fight. I learned a lot from losing a couple big ones. I was much more patient and let them get though their second run before trying to bring them into shore. On a 4 weight it was and experience I'll never forget and am already craving again.
Posted By: jsinn01

Re: Lake Somerville - 02/23/16 10:40 PM

...March is shaping up to be a pretty good month of fishing, with this latest rain we just got.

popcorn
Posted By: catchnrelease

Re: Lake Somerville - 02/24/16 01:22 AM

I hope the yegua got some good rain to help improve the fishing at the Irwin Bridge around. These days, I have a difficult time walking a long ways. (too out of shape. wait... round is a shape!) Too bad Newmans Bottom won't be open anytime soon. I bet that place is full of fish!!

Anyways, I am just curious if the rain will improve the fishing nearer to the bridge. Us out-of-shape folks (my wife and I) would rather not walk too far. LOL

Appreciate any reports about the water levels and fishing reports there.

tight lines!
Posted By: catchnrelease

Re: Lake Somerville - 02/24/16 01:28 AM

Oh... congrats on your fish J-Moe. I may need to head over to the spill way and try my luck. I have a 6 wt rod. I could only imagine hanging one of those hybrids on my fly gear.

I may have missed it... were your fish lake records on the fly? Congrats if they were.

tight lines!
Posted By: J-Moe

Re: Lake Somerville - 02/24/16 01:48 AM

Originally Posted By: catchnrelease
Oh... congrats on your fish J-Moe. I may need to head over to the spill way and try my luck. I have a 6 wt rod. I could only imagine hanging one of those hybrids on my fly gear.

I may have missed it... were your fish lake records on the fly? Congrats if they were.
Cr
tight lines!


Thanks a lot Catchnrelease. I applied for them as Fly records for the Yegua because they were below the spillway rocks, which should be considered as Yegua Creek.

Just imagine sizing down to a 4 weight and hanging in to them. A bit frightening at first, then absolutely addicting roflmao
Posted By: hook-line&sinker

Re: Lake Somerville - 02/24/16 02:05 AM

Going to check out a little no name feeder creek in the morning. And then maybe check on the other upper end creeks to see if they have come up some.. adding a little flow to any smaller creek will get the whitebass already in that creek moving again.. I hope wink
Posted By: JonL

Re: Lake Somerville - 02/24/16 02:23 AM

Your right J-moe. My cousin and I have fished the same crappie hole everytime we have gone which is 5 total times. The first time when we found it we caught 22 keepers 7 being white bass the rest crappie. Definitely between the two of us caught over 100 crappie that day. The next two times I went I caught about 40 to 50 crappie with only 4 keepers each day. My cousin went a day by himself and caught over 100 crappie with 4 keepers. This Last Sunday caught over 100 crappie caught with 17 keepers. I really love eating crappie but I LOVE catching white bass. I hope I can catch the white bass like I've been catching the crappie one day this season.
Posted By: Kirby12

Re: Lake Somerville - 02/24/16 03:20 AM

Did anyone go to the creeks today? Wondering what condition they are in.
Posted By: Jimbo101

Re: Lake Somerville - 02/24/16 04:03 AM

East Yegua at 21 is up almost 3', still rising.
Posted By: catchnrelease

Re: Lake Somerville - 02/24/16 01:34 PM

Originally Posted By: Jimbo101
East Yegua at 21 is up almost 3', still rising.


Nice.
Posted By: hook-line&sinker

Re: Lake Somerville - 02/24/16 02:07 PM

I'm making a run to the lake this morning I'll report back this evening..
Posted By: R2Fishing

Re: Lake Somerville - 02/24/16 06:11 PM

Spillway is letting water back out...

Lake is just under a ft above pool. Why won't they just let it be? Levels are ideal and on a fishing perspective we can't ask for better....
Posted By: J-Moe

Re: Lake Somerville - 02/24/16 07:44 PM

Originally Posted By: hoggwild
Spillway is letting water back out...

Lake is just under a ft above pool. Why won't they just let it be? Levels are ideal and on a fishing perspective we can't ask for better....


No doubt!!! The answer they will give is it's a flood control lake, not a fishing lake. As the mouths of the creeks silt in it would awesome if they would raise the normal level up to 239 but that would require multi million dollar environmental studies. I guess we need to get our shovels out and dredge the mouth of the Yegua, LOL!!!
Posted By: R2Fishing

Re: Lake Somerville - 02/24/16 08:03 PM

Genius!

After few weeks back I tried to get back into the yegua and missed creek bed. I dredged about 150yrds with my jackplate up. So I've started!
Posted By: J-Moe

Re: Lake Somerville - 02/24/16 08:14 PM

Originally Posted By: hoggwild
Genius!

After few weeks back I tried to get back into the yegua and missed creek bed. I dredged about 150yrds with my jackplate up. So I've started!


roflmao A true redneck solution to our problem.
Posted By: J-Moe

Re: Lake Somerville - 02/24/16 08:47 PM

Lake Somerville / Overlook Marina

To all you crappie fisherman who are confined to the bank. The bite is starting to pickup at Lake Somerville Marina. Overlook is a shallow marina. Approximately 10 feet in depth with the lake at normal level. At this time of year the fish start moving shallow to spawn and their fishing docks are excellent for crappie. I've personally seen a couple 2 lb. plus crappie caught there this year. The marina is close to the dam and is usually effected for a couple days before and after closing the gates, but it should be good this weekend.

They sell minnows, worms, catfish bait and have a selection of all kinds of old and new tackle. Sherry, Bill and Solan are great people. I like to fish for sunfish and bluegill there once the water warms up.
Posted By: R2Fishing

Re: Lake Somerville - 02/24/16 09:42 PM

And she ties good looking jigs thumb
Posted By: hook-line&sinker

Re: Lake Somerville - 02/25/16 03:35 AM

Took the trip around the lake Wednesday.. all the creeks are up and running well.. whites will be moving again and in a few days the fishing should be great..
Posted By: FISHINGFOOL40

Re: Lake Somerville - 02/25/16 11:10 AM

Originally Posted By: hook-line&sinker
Took the trip around the lake Wednesday.. all the creeks are up and running well.. whites will be moving again and in a few days the fishing should be great..


TFTI, hl&s, thumb clap

IMG2T2MITFM ATIB WPRIFIDO hide2
Posted By: hook-line&sinker

Re: Lake Somerville - 02/25/16 11:39 AM




Posted By: catchnrelease

Re: Lake Somerville - 02/25/16 09:40 PM

What creek is this?
Posted By: jsinn01

Re: Lake Somerville - 02/25/16 11:03 PM

It's Nails Creek at CR 125. Nothing like busting out the old folding chair and catching a few fish from the bridge. That's classic. thumb
Posted By: hook-line&sinker

Re: Lake Somerville - 02/26/16 01:02 AM





A unique set of circumstances have to occur first for this little sandy creek to have spawning whitebass in it and it begins with the presence of water, flowing water and a good amount at just the right time of year.

This situation simply doesn't last long and often ends in a minor fish-kill. As the creek and lake drop back to normal levels these fish get trapped in shallow pools waiting on another flush of flood water to take them back to the lake... This is Texas and rain when you need it, in the amount you need it, is not likely to fall..
Posted By: jsinn01

Re: Lake Somerville - 02/26/16 01:31 AM

Great video, Ben. I had a blast today.

You really schooled me on the fly fishing, literally. I think the ratio was 10 fish for Ben, and 1 for me, but I caught my first White Bass on a fly so it was worth it.
Posted By: CroakerSoaker

Re: Lake Somerville - 02/26/16 02:32 AM


Hook Line Sinker. That video brings back a very old memory(circa1980). Those whites would get trapped and we would seine and net them and get them back to where they could make it back to the mainstream. Of course we kept our share but we saved 10 to 1 on what we kept before they would not make it. One of the first big pigs I ever saw was down there eating whites and we walked up on him(at 6-7 years old he still seems like a 500lb boar in my memory lol). Great old times.
Posted By: hook-line&sinker

Re: Lake Somerville - 02/27/16 04:36 AM

the whitebass were actively spawning Friday and anyone fishing this weekend will likely catch a few..
Posted By: J-Moe

Re: Lake Somerville - 02/27/16 10:53 AM

Originally Posted By: jsinn01
Great video, Ben. I had a blast today.

You really schooled me on the fly fishing, literally. I think the ratio was 10 fish for Ben, and 1 for me, but I caught my first White Bass on a fly so it was worth it.


Good stuff Jared, glad you caught your first white bass on the fly. You had a great teacher. Ben is a master at fly fishing the Somerville creeks. Everything I've learned about catching fish on the fly has come from Ben. And don't tell anyone, especially Ben, but he still schools me quite often too roflmao Seriously though, I learn something new about fly tying, technique or presentation every time I fish with him.
Posted By: JonL

Re: Lake Somerville - 02/27/16 03:06 PM

I guess everyone is catching fish because the reports have stopped coming in.
Posted By: jsinn01

Re: Lake Somerville - 02/27/16 03:09 PM

roflmao

I have a hunch there'll be a few limits caught this weekend.
Posted By: hook-line&sinker

Re: Lake Somerville - 02/27/16 03:13 PM

Not to make this a love-fest or anything but Jsinn01 and J-Moe are good fishermen in their own right.. I don't have anything on either of them when it comes to conventional tackle. J-Moe only recently started fly fishing (about a year now) and puts forth a tremendous amount of effort and time into learning the sport and art of the fly.. His Elite Angler status from the TPWD is well earned and is part of what drives him further into the back waters & record books. If you are catching fish and J-Moe is somewhere near by you can bet he is watching and studying what you are doing in great detail..

Sharing what you know to be true with others is the blessing of this life.. pass it on..
Posted By: R2Fishing

Re: Lake Somerville - 02/27/16 10:49 PM

There was some hybrids caught today on mainlake, by bank fisherman.
I'm not going to expose location, but they have moved into shallows....
Posted By: hook-line&sinker

Re: Lake Somerville - 02/28/16 01:11 AM

My last day off from work is spent just like the prior four with friends fishing the creeks of Lake Somerville. Fly fishing for whitebass is a real hoot when the fish are plentiful and hungry!

Posted By: jsinn01

Re: Lake Somerville - 02/28/16 03:03 AM

Great video, Ben. It was an awesome day on the creek for sure! thumb
Posted By: catchnrelease

Re: Lake Somerville - 02/28/16 04:09 AM

We had a fun day at Irwin Bridge today. We got there around 3pm and fished til dark. We weren't anywhere close to limits but my wife caught about 8 big whites. She lost several good fish right at the bank. I caught about the same. Man, those fish are big! I've gotta come back soon.

Nice video as always HL&S. I wish I could learn your spots. You always know where they are. You make it look so easy. I know it just takes times to make it out there and explore. It's been many years since I've come close to a limit here. but. Our 16 fish will make a nice meal for me and my family. My wife is cooking ours tomorrow. Brother and niece are coming over to eat some. Yum Yum.

Not many cars or people at the bridge today. maybe 6 cars? I saw 6-8 people coming out with 15-20+ on their stringers. It was good to see. We had a good day.

tight lines all!
Posted By: BIG SHINER

Re: Lake Somerville - 02/28/16 04:40 AM

Took my brother with me today as he had never fished for white bass on the creeks. Started at the WMA with nothing and Irwin's with nothing around 3. Went to find some cleaner water. Started picking up a white here and there but it was slow. Never could find any stacked in the holes. Saw a lot of spawning activity. Caught eight kept five. A couple small black bass and crappie. Nice meeting you today J-Moe. Wish I could have stayed longer and got some more tips but my wife and the new baby were waiting at the house. At least I got to get out there for a while today.
Posted By: J-Moe

Re: Lake Somerville - 02/28/16 05:09 AM

Nice meeting you too Big Shiner.
Posted By: EllerTroy

Re: Lake Somerville - 02/28/16 01:21 PM


Went to Cedar Creek yesterday morning and caught a limit of whitebass. The fishing was slow in the early because they were too busy chasing each other around. But about 10 they started feeding and the fishing got good. Left them still biting around 11:30. Glad I remembered my power converter and extension cord for the cleaning table at the park.
Posted By: EllerTroy

Re: Lake Somerville - 02/28/16 01:24 PM


Posted By: hook-line&sinker

Re: Lake Somerville - 02/28/16 02:28 PM

EllerTroy.. those photos were to big (file size)! The server allows the upload but cannot resize the file for some reason.. it use to work but seems to have a problem recently. Use your computer to downsize the photo then try again..
Posted By: rvrrat14

Re: Lake Somerville - 02/28/16 02:40 PM

After a few trips on the creek, yesterday we decided to see if we could find some whites in the lake. Took the big boat trolling. We boated 16 big females and one bonus fish; 21" Hybrid. These fish were staged in the creek channel just waiting. We arrived late in the afternoon and caught fish right up until dark. They never moved. I believe this to prove they are not at full spawn yet. Will clean fish in a bit and the eggs will tell.
Posted By: J-Moe

Re: Lake Somerville - 02/28/16 04:43 PM

Originally Posted By: EllerTroy

Caught a limit of whitebass. The fishing was slow in the early because they were too busy chasing each other around. But about 10 they started feeding and the fishing got good. Left them still biting around 11:30. Glad I remembered my power converter and extension cord for the cleaning table at the park.


I saw your stringer. You did extremely well. It was the opposite for me. I was catching them on the fly from 7 AM to 8:30 in the shallow runs, then they quit taking my fly.

That was an impressive job of angling thumb
Posted By: EllerTroy

Re: Lake Somerville - 02/28/16 05:04 PM



Thanks J-Moe. I think if you would have stayed by the bridge you would have kept catching them. Hopefully the pics turn out this time.
Posted By: EllerTroy

Re: Lake Somerville - 02/28/16 05:06 PM



Thanks J-Moe. I think if you would have stayed by the bridge you would have kept catching them. Hopefully the pics turn out this time.
Posted By: EllerTroy

Re: Lake Somerville - 02/28/16 05:08 PM

My cousin Jon is at Cedar Creek this morning, I hope he is catching them also.
Posted By: jsinn01

Re: Lake Somerville - 02/28/16 05:09 PM

That's a nice haul, EllerTroy. Great job! grin
Posted By: TXfisherman12

Re: Lake Somerville - 02/28/16 06:26 PM

Does anyone mind sharing if the wind has shut the bite down today (Sunday) in the creeks? I have never done well fishing with wind. My dilemma is a 2-hr drive and whether it is worth it today.
Posted By: J-Moe

Re: Lake Somerville - 02/28/16 07:00 PM

Originally Posted By: TXfisherman12
Does anyone mind sharing if the wind has shut the bite down today (Sunday) in the creeks? I have never done well fishing with wind. My dilemma is a 2-hr drive and whether it is worth it today.


The creeks are fairly well sheltered. I have never had much of an issue with the wind and I fly fish. I didn't fish the creeks this morning, I fished the dam. The fish were biting well.
Posted By: J-Moe

Re: Lake Somerville - 02/28/16 07:16 PM

Originally Posted by hook-line&sinker
My last day off from work is spent just like the prior four with friends fishing the creeks of Lake Somerville. Fly fishing for whitebass is a real hoot when the fish are plentiful and hungry!



Outstanding Video Ben. With the fish now in full spawn it creates a very unique set of circumstances. Instead of pulling all the fish out of deep holes they can now be caught throughout the majority of the creek system.

This is an outstanding documentary of the creek system, the spawn, fishing with conventional and especially fly gear. This a must see TFFers thumb thumb thumb

Here's my only small issue Ben:

First, you have Jared (jsinn) using a single small bucktail or small marabou jig just like Doug (Fishytx) does. And putting on an absolute clinic doing it. Man Jared, you said I was mad at them, your face was red and the veins were popping out of your neck. I never seen someone so angry at fish roflmao roflmao

Then, you have yourself putting on a clinic in small creek fishing with a fly rod. All the while narrating about everything from the woodpeckers to the subtle drift of a light fly in fast moving water.

Finally, you have the clown, J-Moe stuck shin deep in creek mud just so he can throw that annoying little marabou jig far enough to get to the fish roflmao But I caught that sucker so I guess it at least demonstrates perseverance roflmao
Posted By: J-Moe

Re: Lake Somerville - 02/28/16 07:40 PM

Originally Posted By: rvrrat14
After a few trips on the creek, yesterday we decided to see if we could find some whites in the lake. Took the big boat trolling. We boated 16 big females and one bonus fish; 21" Hybrid. These fish were staged in the creek channel just waiting. We arrived late in the afternoon and caught fish right up until dark. They never moved. I believe this to prove they are not at full spawn yet. Will clean fish in a bit and the eggs will tell.


Great report rvrrat14 thumb

Thanks for sharing
Posted By: rvrrat14

Re: Lake Somerville - 02/28/16 09:31 PM

Originally Posted By: J-Moe
Originally Posted By: rvrrat14
After a few trips on the creek, yesterday we decided to see if we could find some whites in the lake. Took the big boat trolling. We boated 16 big females and one bonus fish; 21" Hybrid. These fish were staged in the creek channel just waiting. We arrived late in the afternoon and caught fish right up until dark. They never moved. I believe this to prove they are not at full spawn yet. Will clean fish in a bit and the eggs will tell.


Great report rvrrat14 thumb

Thanks for sharing


All whites, except 2 were female. Several 16". Full of eggs. No bloody veins in eggs, proving these were not ready to spawn yet.
Posted By: 1Tacklehoarder

Re: Lake Somerville - 02/29/16 12:44 AM

Me and a friend hit the spillway today and got our limits. Threw back about 30 under 12". I caught two 2" crawdads in my dip net. Had hybrids hit both of them on a Carolina rig type setup. Landed one and the other came off at the bank.
Posted By: J-Moe

Re: Lake Somerville - 02/29/16 01:16 AM

Originally Posted By: 1Tacklehoarder
Me and a friend hit the spillway today and got our limits. Threw back about 30 under 12". I caught two 2" crawdads in my dip net. Had hybrids hit both of them on a Carolina rig type setup. Landed one and the other came off at the bank.


I was there from about 6:30 to 8:45 AM this morning. I was fly fishing. What time did you get there?
Posted By: JonL

Re: Lake Somerville - 02/29/16 01:24 AM


Decided to go to Cedar Creek after my cousin Eller,Troy caught a limit there Saturday. I did not do as well as my cousin but I did manage 14 white bass. I thought My day was going to be a quick one after the first 4 cast resulted in fish but I was mistaken. Fished till 10:30 and had 11 fish. Did not catch a fish for about 45 minutes so I drove to Irwin bridge to scope it out. Water was moving to fast for me. So I was heading back towards the state park to clean my fish and thought what the heck. I will stop off at cedar creek one more time since it was on the way. First three cast three white bass and I thought Game On but it was not to be. Fished for thirty more minutes with no fish then had to leave. It sure was fun fighting those white bass again. I have caught over 200 crappie this season and I would trade all of them for the fight of those 14 white bass. All in all a good day. I now have the WHITEBASS FEVER!!!!
Posted By: jsinn01

Re: Lake Somerville - 02/29/16 01:44 AM

Nice catch!
Posted By: hook-line&sinker

Re: Lake Somerville - 02/29/16 02:20 AM

It really surprises me how much the fish move around and change their holding places and what they will take. J-Moe and I made a late afternoon dash up a creek looking for whitebass but didn't find them where the fish had been just a few days before.. I think you need to be very sneaky when creek fishing especially if the water is low and clear. For the fly fisher that means long casts and light line with smaller flys..
Posted By: 1Tacklehoarder

Re: Lake Somerville - 02/29/16 03:07 AM

Originally Posted By: J-Moe
Originally Posted By: 1Tacklehoarder
Me and a friend hit the spillway today and got our limits. Threw back about 30 under 12". I caught two 2" crawdads in my dip net. Had hybrids hit both of them on a Carolina rig type setup. Landed one and the other came off at the bank.


I was there from about 6:30 to 8:45 AM this morning. I was fly fishing. What time did you get there?



We pulled in shortly after 5. Started off thinking we would just keep anything that measured, but once we had about 20 on the stringer we decided to be a little pickier. that added quite a bit of time to the trip. I don't think we got loaded to head out until shortly after noon. I guess from where I was I couldn't see you. The only fly rod I saw used was an older oriental gentleman catching big carp. He was fishing something under a long wooden float.
Posted By: 1Tacklehoarder

Re: Lake Somerville - 02/29/16 03:25 AM

The more I fish Somerville, the more I love it. It was certainly interesting watching all the different ethnic backgrounds represented there today. Seeing everyone employing different tactics was pretty cool.
Posted By: hook-line&sinker

Re: Lake Somerville - 02/29/16 01:56 PM

Beautiful Sunday afternoon to slip away and enjoy the great outdoors!

Posted By: TXfisherman12

Re: Lake Somerville - 03/01/16 02:23 AM

On Sunday I made the pre-mature decision to not go before I read J-Moe's post. Sounds like the bite was on. I did manage to sneak out to a local creek about 20min from Sugar Land and caught 2 whites. This may be the last year to fish it as posted signs are getting more and more each year.

Still plan to make a trip up to Somerville later this week or possibly this weekend. I am itching to get up one of those creeks and catch fish - even if it is just crappies and black bass! Of the few whites I have caught over the years , I am impressed at the fight they have in them.
Posted By: catchnrelease

Re: Lake Somerville - 03/01/16 01:29 PM

Sometimes you just have to do it. I'm 1 1/2 hrs away, and I usually consider the drive over the desire to be out here. When the spawn is on though, one just has to gas up and go. The drive home is tough, especially if you don't catch very many fish. And especially if you have to work the next day. Many of these guys here are catching limits of fish. I'm not one of those guys. It's tough burning all that fuel driving back and forth with no fish. But that one day when you find the fish and catch a near limit... its all worth it. It makes for a good story, and you'll know where to go and what to do next time. My local creeks are still 1 hr away. from me. Another 30 minutes added to my drive and the possibility of magnum sized whites, I just gas up and go.

We fished cedar creek at CR125 on Sunday. HL&S's video influenced me to seek that place out. I managed 8 fish from 4pm to 6pm. They were big fish too. Not as good as HL&S & friends but enough for a good meal. It was worth the almost 1/2 tank of gas to get there and back. I'll be back soon.

Tight Lines.
Posted By: J-Moe

Re: Lake Somerville - 03/01/16 03:39 PM

Originally Posted By: catchnrelease
Sometimes you just have to do it. I'm 1 1/2 hrs away, and I usually consider the drive over the desire to be out here. When the spawn is on though, one just has to gas up and go. The drive home is tough, especially if you don't catch very many fish. And especially if you have to work the next day. Many of these guys here are catching limits of fish. I'm not one of those guys. It's tough burning all that fuel driving back and forth with no fish. But that one day when you find the fish and catch a near limit... its all worth it. It makes for a good story, and you'll know where to go and what to do next time. My local creeks are still 1 hr away. from me. Another 30 minutes added to my drive and the possibility of magnum sized whites, I just gas up and go.

We fished cedar creek at CR125 on Sunday. HL&S's video influenced me to seek that place out. I managed 8 fish from 4pm to 6pm. They were big fish too. Not as good as HL&S & friends but enough for a good meal. It was worth the almost 1/2 tank of gas to get there and back. I'll be back soon.

Tight Lines.


Excellent Post thumb You just never know, that next log or bend in the creek may be the one. I know one thing for sure. I'm not thinking about issues at work or any of the other stresses of life. If I do, I'm probably going to be pulling my fly out of the tree branches. Either way, I'm preoccupied, LOL
Posted By: white bass interceptor

Re: Lake Somerville - 03/02/16 01:42 AM

I ventured out to the Erwin bridge on Monday and took the long walk down stream saw a lots of action in the water. A hole that I fished a week or two ago did not offer up very many fish. I keep going down stream and things begin to pick up. I got my limit around 12:30 or 1. Could have had my limit much earlier but I threw back everything under 12". Several limits came out that day and many stringers had around 20 and that was leaving around 1:00 or 1:30pm. Females were still full of eggs.
Posted By: hook-line&sinker

Re: Lake Somerville - 03/02/16 02:11 AM

I went back up Jerdelle Tuesday evening and can say that without more rain the whitebass run is over for that little creek. It is still fun to fly fish for sunfish and little bass but no where near as fun as catching mature whitebass..



Spillway is still producing some nice fish but the competition for them is ramping up daily..


Posted By: J-Moe

Re: Lake Somerville - 03/02/16 04:14 PM

I had a couple more really good days catching white bass and hybrids at the dam. Problem is, it is becoming far too crowded for me to use the fly rod down there effectively now.

It stinks because I really enjoy catching those hybrids. Trying to find them and catch them from the bank or kayak with a fly rod on the main lake is not something I've been successful at yet.

Any advice is welcome.
Posted By: J-Moe

Re: Lake Somerville - 03/02/16 04:20 PM

Originally Posted By: hook-line&sinker
I went back up Jerdelle Tuesday evening and can say that without more rain the whitebass run is over for that little creek. It is still fun to fly fish for sunfish and little bass but no where near as fun as catching mature whitebass..


I saw the quick decline at Cedar Creek and it looks like the fish are moving back downstream in the Yegua as well. We are almost back to where we were before this last rain. Lots of walking.
Posted By: 1Tacklehoarder

Re: Lake Somerville - 03/02/16 04:49 PM

Originally Posted By: J-Moe
I had a couple more really good days catching white bass and hybrids at the dam. Problem is, it is becoming far too crowded for me to use the fly rod down there effectively now.

It stinks because I really enjoy catching those hybrids. Trying to find them and catch them from the bank or kayak with a fly rod on the main lake is not something I've been successful at yet.

Any advice is welcome.



If you don't mind what you catch them on, get some little crawdad traps or a dip net and find some small to medium sized crawfish. Maybe a bait shop sells them. Rig them up Carolina rig style with a 36" leader and fish them on spinning gear. I use little razor sharp wide gap size 2, 4 or 6 hooks and steel barrel sinkers from 1/4-1/2 ounce. Chunking lures didn't seem to be producing many hybrids, and I didn't see many small shad around. I did, however, see people catching quite a few 3" crappie in throw nets and dip nets. I threw my little blue/chrome rapala rippin rap on 50lb braid and lighter wire hooks, with a white buck tail with flashabou rear treble. Caught several whites on it and had one hybrid hooked in the top of the head that came unbuttoned at the bank. I got snagged several times, but with the heavy braid I was able to pull it loose. I tried to throw it between two trees and the wind blew my line into a limb on my last cast with that lure. I came back with an intact knot and a mangled split ring. I tied on various other lipless cranks without success, switched over to a little 1/8 oz road runner with a smoke colored grub and started catching whites again about every 20 minutes. I threw probably 30 different lures of various kinds, and while many produced followers and obvious tail swipes, only the road runner and rippin rap produced for me. I saw people with multi jig setups who were dedicated to that one presentation catch a few. I use a H2O express lipless crankbait in ghost shad color with a feathered sparkly white treble beating the banks in the main lake with good success, but the water is pretty off colored for that right now it seems.
Posted By: J-Moe

Re: Lake Somerville - 03/02/16 05:34 PM

Originally Posted By: 1Tacklehoarder
Originally Posted By: J-Moe
I had a couple more really good days catching white bass and hybrids at the dam. Problem is, it is becoming far too crowded for me to use the fly rod down there effectively now.

It stinks because I really enjoy catching those hybrids. Trying to find them and catch them from the bank or kayak with a fly rod on the main lake is not something I've been successful at yet.

Any advice is welcome.



If you don't mind what you catch them on, get some little crawdad traps or a dip net and find some small to medium sized crawfish. Maybe a bait shop sells them. Rig them up Carolina rig style with a 36" leader and fish them on spinning gear. I use little razor sharp wide gap size 2, 4 or 6 hooks and steel barrel sinkers from 1/4-1/2 ounce. Chunking lures didn't seem to be producing many hybrids, and I didn't see many small shad around. I did, however, see people catching quite a few 3" crappie in throw nets and dip nets. I threw my little blue/chrome rapala rippin rap on 50lb braid and lighter wire hooks, with a white buck tail with flashabou rear treble. Caught several whites on it and had one hybrid hooked in the top of the head that came unbuttoned at the bank. I got snagged several times, but with the heavy braid I was able to pull it loose. I tried to throw it between two trees and the wind blew my line into a limb on my last cast with that lure. I came back with an intact knot and a mangled split ring. I tied on various other lipless cranks without success, switched over to a little 1/8 oz road runner with a smoke colored grub and started catching whites again about every 20 minutes. I threw probably 30 different lures of various kinds, and while many produced followers and obvious tail swipes, only the road runner and rippin rap produced for me. I saw people with multi jig setups who were dedicated to that one presentation catch a few. I use a H2O express lipless crankbait in ghost shad color with a feathered sparkly white treble beating the banks in the main lake with good success, but the water is pretty off colored for that right now it seems.


Great Post thumb

I plan on using the fly rod but the information you provided is very helpful. Thanks for sharing.
Posted By: R2Fishing

Re: Lake Somerville - 03/02/16 05:59 PM

Originally Posted By: J-Moe
I had a couple more really good days catching white bass and hybrids at the dam. Problem is, it is becoming far too crowded for me to use the fly rod down there effectively now.

It stinks because I really enjoy catching those hybrids. Trying to find them and catch them from the bank or kayak with a fly rod on the main lake is not something I've been successful at yet.

Any advice is welcome.



PM sent
Posted By: jsinn01

Re: Lake Somerville - 03/02/16 06:22 PM

More rain in the forecast for early next week. Should bring a few more fish into the creeks. thumb
Posted By: hook-line&sinker

Re: Lake Somerville - 03/02/16 07:10 PM

this morning at the dam was very slow... cool front kinda knocked 'em in the tail fins..
Posted By: fishytx

Re: Lake Somerville - 03/02/16 09:13 PM

J-Moe, I beleive I've told you of a few good spots already. Whites and hybrids........ Think back....
Posted By: J-Moe

Re: Lake Somerville - 03/03/16 01:26 AM

Originally Posted By: fishytx
J-Moe, I beleive I've told you of a few good spots already. Whites and hybrids........ Think back....

I'm not sure. You will have to jog my memory.
Posted By: J-Moe

Re: Lake Somerville - 03/03/16 01:30 AM

They dropped the flow at the dam to 357 cfs. Lake level is 238.5. 1/2 foot above normal.

I fly fished the dam for a while this evening. I finally found a good drift and caught a few. The bite didn't pickup until almost 6 PM.
Posted By: R2Fishing

Re: Lake Somerville - 03/03/16 03:05 AM

Originally Posted By: fishytx
J-Moe, I beleive I've told you of a few good spots already. Whites and hybrids........ Think back....


No need for secrets now. LOL
Posted By: 1Tacklehoarder

Re: Lake Somerville - 03/03/16 03:21 AM

Originally Posted By: J-Moe
They dropped the flow at the dam to 357 cfs. Lake level is 238.5. 1/2 foot above normal.

.


What does slower flow typically mean for the fishing there?
Posted By: J-Moe

Re: Lake Somerville - 03/03/16 10:56 AM

Originally Posted By: 1Tacklehoarder
Originally Posted By: J-Moe
They dropped the flow at the dam to 357 cfs. Lake level is 238.5. 1/2 foot above normal.

.


What does slower flow typically mean for the fishing there?


I'm not sure it changes the fishing much. It's just easier to fish and I suspect less fish are actually coming through the gates. Using a very light fly I have to drift it further to get it down to the correct depth.
Posted By: J-Moe

Re: Lake Somerville - 03/03/16 12:59 PM

One thing that the higher flows do is add more oxygen to the water. The higher oxygen will draw bait fish which in turn draws the predator fish. When they closed the dam in September last year it was still very hot. The drastic reduction in the water resulted in a massive fish kill. When they closed the dam in February the water was much cooler and the fish survived.

During the fish kill we witnessed that the majority of the hybrids, whites and bluegill died. There was also a portion of the buffalo, gaspergou and LMB that died. Surprisingly, we didn't see a single dead crappie.
Posted By: Csafisher

Re: Lake Somerville - 03/03/16 02:26 PM

Anyone headed out this afternoon?
Posted By: 1Tacklehoarder

Re: Lake Somerville - 03/03/16 03:21 PM

Maybe. I know I'm headed over tomorrow
Posted By: J-Moe

Re: Lake Somerville - 03/03/16 07:52 PM

I can't make the dam tonight. Maybe for a short period tomorrow morning.

I just noticed that the temperature in Somerville is 91 degrees. Add in the warm nights and the water temperature should be rising fairly quickly. It's getting close to that time to start looking for those LMB on the beds.
Posted By: 1Tacklehoarder

Re: Lake Somerville - 03/03/16 08:10 PM

I caught a bunch of crawdads in ditches today, so I've got plenty of those. Hopefully the fish are biting something. I'm taking artificials, too, but not a 35 lb bag of stuff like I did last time. One small clear box, lol. Gonna take Gulp nightcrawlers, a strawberry dough bait I made that stays on the hook good, strawberry sweet corn, and crawdad punch bait just in case I can't get something going on crawdads.
Posted By: fishytx

Re: Lake Somerville - 03/03/16 10:54 PM

I sure would like to go this afternoon, but it's not looking like it at this point. I'm over due for a Yegua trip.
Posted By: TXfisherman12

Re: Lake Somerville - 03/04/16 01:55 AM

I made it out to Cedar this morning/afternoon (Thurs) and fished downstream of the bridge. No whites. I did catch around 12 LMB, 1 keeper crappie and a handful of sunfish. It was my first time fishing the Sommerville creeks - was surprised that with all the deep holes downstream that I caught most of my fish in only 3 spots. Seems like there should be more fish spread out with all that water. Probably best to fish with a kayak to hit those hard-to-get to places from the bank with lots of structure.

Of the 3 other fishermen I talked to today, only 1 person caught 1 white. Heard that it was slow at Irwin bridge today with a few caught here and there this morning.

Anybody else have better luck today with the whites?
Posted By: catchnrelease

Re: Lake Somerville - 03/04/16 02:20 AM

We didn't catch many at Irwin Bridge Tuesday. We ended up with 5 total between my wife and I. We caught several undersized whites. Not a good sign. We saw 6 guys with full stringers coming from Newman bottom area. They said they walked 1 hr downstream. Too far for me. Unless they open Newman Bottom, This may be my last time here for the season. I guess I'll have to try Reimer's or the steps in Granger next.

Tight lines all and good luck!
Posted By: J-Moe

Re: Lake Somerville - 03/04/16 02:17 PM

Stopped by the dam this morning and fished from 7 to 7:30. I only caught one small white bass. I didn't see anyone else catching fish either. It was getting crowded by the time I left.
Posted By: BCSshots

Re: Lake Somerville - 03/04/16 07:03 PM

Great news! Post from the Nails Creek State Park Facebook Page
Lake Somerville Nails Creek State Park - Texas Parks and Wildlife
35 mins
Attention everyone! We have some great news!!!! Newman's Bottom is now accessible to the public by walking in. The gate to the parking area is CLOSED so people will have to park their vehicles and walk in. PLEASE do not park your vehicle blocking any of the gates that are located at the entrance at Newman's Bottom. This area has to stay open. There will be signs at Newman's Bottom that state, "No parking past this point." You will need to come to the Nails Creek Headquarters to pay your entrance fees prior to going down to Newman's Bottom. Vehicles that are parked down there will be required to have a permit on their vehicle to enter that area. Please call the park office with any questions or clarification that you may need. 979-289-2392.
Posted By: hook-line&sinker

Re: Lake Somerville - 03/04/16 07:49 PM

it is almost a mile from where you will be able to park to the trailway bridge @ the Yegua in Newmans.
google directions to the parking area fill in your zip code to get driving instructions.
Posted By: hook-line&sinker

Re: Lake Somerville - 03/04/16 07:54 PM

just remember... that is one long walk back with a limit of fish... frown
Posted By: BCSshots

Re: Lake Somerville - 03/04/16 07:54 PM

Easier than hiking downstream from Irwin's Bridge. bouncy
Posted By: catchnrelease

Re: Lake Somerville - 03/04/16 08:01 PM

Take a wagon or jetty cart. Makes carrying back your fish and gear much easier. My neighbor can pull a wagon with his bicycle. Where there is a will there is a way.

Great news!
Posted By: R2Fishing

Re: Lake Somerville - 03/04/16 08:11 PM

Crappie have started to move shallow on main lake.
Anyone that knows where the brush piles are can get a quick limit.
Posted By: TXfisherman12

Re: Lake Somerville - 03/04/16 09:21 PM

Originally Posted By: hook-line&sinker
just remember... that is one long walk back with a limit of fish... frown


Even more reason to catch-and-release. bolt

Good luck to everybody heading out this weekend.
Posted By: catchnrelease

Re: Lake Somerville - 03/04/16 09:33 PM

The Park staff says foot traffic only. No bicycles. Wagons or carts are OK.
Posted By: 1Tacklehoarder

Re: Lake Somerville - 03/05/16 12:15 AM

I got to the spillway before daylight this morning. I managed a half dozen whites, and got into some channel cats and caught about 15 goos. Everything caught on 1-2" crawdads. The shrimp bite was nearly nonexistent today. Went to the bridge at 36 and caught a couple huge female whites and a great big rock bass on a roadrunner. Couldn't get through the goos down there to fish with crawdads.

Left the lake and went to some ponds. Top water bite in and around vegetation was on fire. Used an owner flashy swimmer swimbait hook. I didn't have any real top water baits so I buzzed this over and through the salad, letting it break the surface occasionally. Looks like it will be a great bait to beat the banks on Somerville with. It has a screw lock on it, and is weedless.
Posted By: J-Moe

Re: Lake Somerville - 03/05/16 01:23 AM

Originally Posted By: 1Tacklehoarder
I got to the spillway before daylight this morning. I managed a half dozen whites, and got into some channel cats and caught about 15 goos. Everything caught on 1-2" crawdads. The shrimp bite was nearly nonexistent today. Went to the bridge at 36 and caught a couple huge female whites and a great big rock bass on a roadrunner. Couldn't get through the goos down there to fish with crawdads.

Left the lake and went to some ponds. Top water bite in and around vegetation was on fire. Used an owner flashy swimmer swimbait hook. I didn't have any real top water baits so I buzzed this over and through the salad, letting it break the surface occasionally. Looks like it will be a great bait to beat the banks on Somerville with. It has a screw lock on it, and is weedless.


Very interesting post. Thanks for that information. Please tell me you took a picture of the rock bass.
Posted By: J-Moe

Re: Lake Somerville - 03/05/16 01:26 AM

Originally Posted By: hoggwild
Crappie have started to move shallow on main lake.
Anyone that knows where the brush piles are can get a quick limit.


Thanks thumb

Did you measure the water temperature?
Posted By: 1Tacklehoarder

Re: Lake Somerville - 03/05/16 02:01 AM



Very interesting post. Thanks for that information. Please tell me you took a picture of the rock bass. [/quote]


My neighbor that was with me today caught it, and put it on ice with the rest of our catch. I was curious about how big they get, so I looked up the record and it is 1.13lbs. This one, on my wife's digital kitchen scales, weighs 1.21lbs. It is still in tact and in my yeti. May need to find some certified scales tomorrow......where do I need to send him?
Posted By: pikeadon

Re: Lake Somerville - 03/05/16 03:32 AM

My units said between 65-70 in the afternoon. I was in shallow water most of the time.
Posted By: J-Moe

Re: Lake Somerville - 03/05/16 10:26 AM

Originally Posted By: 1Tacklehoarder


Very interesting post. Thanks for that information. Please tell me you took a picture of the rock bass.



My neighbor that was with me today caught it, and put it on ice with the rest of our catch. I was curious about how big they get, so I looked up the record and it is 1.13lbs. This one, on my wife's digital kitchen scales, weighs 1.21lbs. It is still in tact and in my yeti. May need to find some certified scales tomorrow......where do I need to send him? [/quote]

Lake Somerville Marina has certified scales
Posted By: J-Moe

Re: Lake Somerville - 03/05/16 10:27 AM

Originally Posted By: pikeadon
My units said between 65-70 in the afternoon. I was in shallow water most of the time.


Thanks
Posted By: hook-line&sinker

Re: Lake Somerville - 03/05/16 04:43 PM

Posted By: J-Moe

Re: Lake Somerville - 03/05/16 07:03 PM

Walked into Newman's bottom this morning. The bite was really good early this morning. There was a fairly big crowd that made the one mile walk. I saw Troy, he was putting a whooping on them, as usual.
Posted By: jsinn01

Re: Lake Somerville - 03/05/16 08:05 PM

Based on the current weather forecast for next week, tomorrow could be one of the last days to get in on this year's White Bass run in Yegua Creek. If we get the amount of rain predicted the creeks will be flooded for two to three weeks at least which would put us almost in April. Of course, some of the smaller creeks could produce limits if conditions are right.
Posted By: thirstyswimmer

Re: Lake Somerville - 03/05/16 10:52 PM

We're planning on putting our kayaks in at Irwin bridge tomorrow morning around 8... Depending on coffee conditions.

We'll float down to at least Newman's bottom, then decide on if we are going further down depending on the bite, and how we feel. I've never been able to fish the Yegua, so this will be a blast even if we come up empty handed.
Posted By: EllerTroy

Re: Lake Somerville - 03/06/16 12:35 AM

I walked
to Newman's this morning and had my limit by9:15. It was good to be back at my usual holes. But the strange thing about my limit it was all males. I never had a limit of just males before. Carrying them out brought back memories of years ago before you could ever drive down there.
Posted By: 1Tacklehoarder

Re: Lake Somerville - 03/06/16 01:01 AM

Originally Posted By: thirstyswimmer
We're planning on putting our kayaks in at Irwin bridge tomorrow morning around 8... Depending on coffee conditions.

We'll float down to at least Newman's bottom, then decide on if we are going further down depending on the bite, and how we feel. I've never been able to fish the Yegua, so this will be a blast even if we come up empty handed.


There are several spots between Irwin bridge and Newmans that are not passable in a kayak.
Posted By: hook-line&sinker

Re: Lake Somerville - 03/06/16 02:06 AM

Originally Posted By: thirstyswimmer
We're planning on putting our kayaks in at Irwin bridge tomorrow morning around 8... Depending on coffee conditions.

We'll float down to at least Newman's bottom, then decide on if we are going further down depending on the bite, and how we feel. I've never been able to fish the Yegua, so this will be a blast even if we come up empty handed.


Be prepared to get wet, muddy and upset quite a few bank fishermen.. it is better to paddle up from the park where the kayak gives you the advantage needed to reach Newmans without walking.. Often times the best fishing starts about 2 miles up the Yegua from the park boat ramp around the Wolf Pond area. From the boat ramp it is only about 5 miles to the trailway bridge @ Newmans.. Crappie and big fat female whitebass will still be in the deeper pools anyway from the reports I heard so far..
Posted By: fishytx

Re: Lake Somerville - 03/06/16 01:18 PM

What is the water conditions like. Clear, murky, good flow, what?
Posted By: bowler49

Re: Lake Somerville - 03/06/16 01:30 PM

I went yesterday and could see the white jig I was using about 1 foot. Flow and water level is back down to what it was right before the last rain.
Posted By: catchnrelease

Re: Lake Somerville - 03/06/16 02:26 PM

Good luck to all out there at Newman Bottom today. The forecasted rains this week might make this the "last of the Mohicans" (last few days) fishing the Yegua??? That would be sad. But all good things must come to an end. I was going to try and walk in today but decided against it. I'm going to do "easier" fishing elsewhere. My son, daughter and grandson (10 yr old) are there today. I hope they catch. I'll experience the NB through them today.

tight lines all!
Posted By: fishytx

Re: Lake Somerville - 03/06/16 02:36 PM

I am thinking about going this morning due to the rain that is coming. Might be my last chance at some mega whites. The river over by Granger will rise and fall quickly, so that will be where one can finish out the fish spawn, but this creek might get wild and never settle back down to fish before the spawn is over. So I'm thinking one more trip here might be my best choice today.
Posted By: greenyak

Re: Lake Somerville - 03/06/16 06:37 PM

another nice Saturday the yegua
Posted By: fishytx

Re: Lake Somerville - 03/06/16 07:13 PM

Fished for two hours, caught six whites, two blacks, four perch and hooked into something big, it stripped drag for a while before I was able to turn it. Long story short, it wrapped me up in some brush and broke me off. I think it was a buffalo. But I did see a guy walk out with a limit. You know the drill, one has to walk way downstream to catch the fish. And I'm not walking that far.
Posted By: whitewing maniac

Re: Lake Somerville - 03/06/16 07:33 PM

Fished overlook marina yesterday from 6 a.m. til 1 p.m. for crappie, I managed 1 and my buddy from the THF side managed 3.

Was very slow, baskets of 3 to 6 fish is all we saw leaving the docks. Figure soon as spring break hits and it's crowded as heck the bite will really be on there.

There were a few caught that went from 1-1/4 lbs to 1-1/2 lbs.
Posted By: fishytx

Re: Lake Somerville - 03/06/16 08:52 PM

I just heard you can walk in at Newmans?
Posted By: EllerTroy

Re: Lake Somerville - 03/06/16 09:24 PM

Yes fishytx, you can walk in now. I did Saturday and caught a limit. Still a mile walk.
Posted By: jsinn01

Re: Lake Somerville - 03/06/16 10:02 PM

I enjoyed the video, greenyak. That's a long paddle to get to where you were fishing. It looks like you caught a nice mix of Whites & Crappie.
Posted By: jsinn01

Re: Lake Somerville - 03/06/16 10:06 PM

Originally Posted By: EllerTroy
Yes fishytx, you can walk in now. I did Saturday and caught a limit. Still a mile walk.


What about biking in, or is that road too muddy?
Posted By: thirstyswimmer

Re: Lake Somerville - 03/06/16 10:24 PM

Originally Posted By: hook-line&sinker
Originally Posted By: thirstyswimmer
We're planning on putting our kayaks in at Irwin bridge tomorrow morning around 8... Depending on coffee conditions.

We'll float down to at least Newman's bottom, then decide on if we are going further down depending on the bite, and how we feel. I've never been able to fish the Yegua, so this will be a blast even if we come up empty handed.


Be prepared to get wet, muddy and upset quite a few bank fishermen.. it is better to paddle up from the park where the kayak gives you the advantage needed to reach Newmans without walking.. Often times the best fishing starts about 2 miles up the Yegua from the park boat ramp around the Wolf Pond area. From the boat ramp it is only about 5 miles to the trailway bridge @ Newmans.. Crappie and big fat female whitebass will still be in the deeper pools anyway from the reports I heard so far..


I wish I had seen this earlier. We only got a little over a mile down from the bridge fishing the whole way with nothing to show for it. There weren't many people fishing that section. I only saw 6 or so people actually try that little section. Most people were walking down to Newman's, a we saw a few limits carried out.
We'll paddle up from the park next time, but with the coming rain, next time might be a month from now.
Posted By: fishytx

Re: Lake Somerville - 03/06/16 10:41 PM

I was told no bikes, you have to walk in. Not what I wanted to hear, because I'm not walking in. Bike ride isn't to bad, but it is a mile walk in, I've clocked it before.
Posted By: R2Fishing

Re: Lake Somerville - 03/07/16 01:46 AM

For bankers, whites have started schooling on the main lake...
All the veteran lake bankers know where to fish...

lake temp was 65-67 at big creek and closer to 70 at Welch
Posted By: hook-line&sinker

Re: Lake Somerville - 03/07/16 03:24 PM

This next rain event (if it is big enough) will "seal the deal" for the whitebass. It will do more for the fish than the fishermen ensuring the success of the whitebass spawn. One thing that might happen is the hybrids could move up into the flowing flood water as they seem to respond later than whitebass to the calling..
Posted By: fishytx

Re: Lake Somerville - 03/07/16 06:11 PM

If we receive the 4 to 6 inches like they have in the forecast, then that will seal the deal on the Yegua white bass spawn. But Cedar and Nails might be an option. We need the rain, so Im not complaining. Bring it on.
Posted By: Boudreaux

Re: Lake Somerville - 03/07/16 08:23 PM

If we get to forcasted 4-6in they are saying as fast as its supposed to come, the lake is gonna take another major rise, the creeks and low lands will flood again. Bank fishing will be done for a long while. They will close all of the walk in areas.
Posted By: yota

Re: Lake Somerville - 03/08/16 12:53 AM

Well from the sound of it in glad i went today despite the showers as I may be the last trip for the season. Went to Irwin at 5pm and ended up with 2 whites and 3 crappie. Only saw 2 other people coming from far downstream and they had a few on the stringer.
Posted By: fishytx

Re: Lake Somerville - 03/08/16 10:44 PM

The white bass bite has been slow every where. These guys should be up in the shallow waters running all over the place right now. For the past several years the action in which they spawn has been different, not real sure what to make of all this. I am always trying to figure out what they are doing and why they are doing it for future reference, but they keep me puzzled and confused here lately. It has not been the typical spawn thats for sure. Kind a weird. Oh well, just keep on casting and see what happens.
Posted By: J-Moe

Re: Lake Somerville - 03/09/16 01:42 PM

I fished below the dam yesterday evening. Fishing was slow again. I only caught 2 white bass and 2 crappie using the fly rod. Nobody else was catching fish either.

Fishing was great when the dam was closed. It was still good with the flow up around 650 CFS. Since they dropped the flow to 337 CFS I haven't caught more than 6 fish on any trip.
Posted By: fishytx

Re: Lake Somerville - 03/09/16 01:57 PM

I had a guy text me yesterday and he said the creek has come up about a foot and.a little muddy. After last night's rain, it may come up another foot or so.
Posted By: BCSshots

Re: Lake Somerville - 03/09/16 03:30 PM

I spent yesterday at Lake Somerville. Made my first stop by the spillway below the dam, caught a few Gaspagoo and the ever present Buffalo. The bite was real slow, did not see many fish being caught at all. Made a move to fish Newman's Bottom till mid afternoon, the Yegua looked great water fairly clear with great flow. When I arrived only one vehicle was in the parking area, make sure you visit the Nails Creek unit to pay and get your vehicle sticker, they are checking. After the hike in I did manage to catch a nice 2lb bass and Cat Fish as well as 12 White Bass, the majority of my fish came from upstream the Trailway Bridge on jigs. Meet a couple of guys as I was hiking out that mentioned they had limited out on Monday, I myself do not know where the honey holes are so I just fish along the creek looking for deeper water with flow. All in all a great day exploring around Lake Somerville!
Posted By: Baldy Locks

Re: Lake Somerville - 03/09/16 04:20 PM

Did I miss the news? Newmans' Bottom is open?
Posted By: catchnrelease

Re: Lake Somerville - 03/09/16 05:21 PM

NB is open to foot traffic only from the gate. However, this rain event may change that?
Posted By: BCSshots

Re: Lake Somerville - 03/09/16 05:21 PM

Newman's Bottom is currently open to pedestrian traffic only. Pay at Nails Creek unit, park outside the gate at Newman's and hike in. Current weather could change Newman's Bottom access, I would call the Nails Creek unit just to make sure.
Posted By: Baldy Locks

Re: Lake Somerville - 03/09/16 05:55 PM

Not looking for a fight here. When BCS said parking lot, I immediately thought of the actual Newmans parking lot. Was not aware you could park outside the gate and walk in. I heard many were walking to Newmans from Irwin bridge, but anyone going past trailway bridge could be subject to a fine. I understood the parks department were concerned for people below the trailway because of dead and falling trees due the flood.
Posted By: J-Moe

Re: Lake Somerville - 03/09/16 07:07 PM

Originally Posted By: Baldy Locks
Not looking for a fight here. When BCS said parking lot, I immediately thought of the actual Newmans parking lot. Was not aware you could park outside the gate and walk in. I heard many were walking to Newmans from Irwin bridge, but anyone going past trailway bridge could be subject to a fine. I understood the parks department were concerned for people below the trailway because of dead and falling trees due the flood.


Their original stance was not to allow anyone down below the trail way bridge. The entire trail way was, and still is, closed. They obviously changed their stance when they opened up Newman's to foot traffic. There was just as much chance of a tree falling at Irwin, as there was at Newman's. I assume the pressure from people to open up that area, along with the additional revenue probably swayed their decision.
Posted By: Baldy Locks

Re: Lake Somerville - 03/09/16 08:02 PM

Just and FYI for parking outside the gate at Newmans. I am a senior citizen and have fished those creeks for more years than I would like to admit. Outside the gate at Newmans is the only place I have ever had any theft issues. Several years ago someone punched my lock on my truck door while parked there. Fortunately, they hit it too hard and broke the arm inside also and were unable to get in. There was nothing inside to steal, so I may have come back to no truck. Haven't done that since. Low life have a severe advantage there because they know when you leave that truck you will probably be gone for hours. And the road doesn't carry a lot of traffic, occasional oil field worker or park employees maybe. Not trying to tell any one what to do, just be aware. As much as we'd like to think things are " like they used to be", they're really not.
Posted By: R2Fishing

Re: Lake Somerville - 03/09/16 09:48 PM

Up to just over a inch of rain at my place in Bryan.

What's everyone else's total locally?
Posted By: BIG SHINER

Re: Lake Somerville - 03/09/16 10:11 PM

Almost two inches at my house in CS
Posted By: Kirby12

Re: Lake Somerville - 03/10/16 02:54 AM

Take it the yegua is up and muddy with the rain today. Anyone get out today.
Posted By: fishytx

Re: Lake Somerville - 03/10/16 03:01 AM

I live up and around the water shed for these Yegua creeks and I can tell you they have received a lot of rain. Last time I checked, we had received 3-1/4 inches and it's still raining with another inch or two in the forecast. This creek will get going good before this is all over with. It will probably get out of its banks again.
Posted By: hook-line&sinker

Re: Lake Somerville - 03/10/16 03:34 AM


Looks like the Lake Somerville watershed (Yegua/Nails/Cedar/Birch/etc.) has received between 2-4 inches in the last 24 hours as of March 8th, 2016. That will change things up a little.. lake is beginning to climb and is at 238.36 as of 9:25pm Wednesday. You can expect the fishing to be better in the creeks that drop and clear the fastest. This might put some more whitebass up the smaller creeks and be fishable in about a week.. I've noticed that in the past when a late March-early April flood occurs the hybrids sometimes move up the creeks as the whitebass are beginning to move back to the lake. Has anyone else experienced this late run?
Posted By: R2Fishing

Re: Lake Somerville - 03/10/16 12:34 PM

I remember quite a few yrs ago when we took a good rain towards end of the run.

Hybrids had got stuck in Jardell. You could take your limit on them and move on. You'd have your dry land gaps between deeper pools of water. Fun and interesting at the same time...
Posted By: Big Zee

Re: Lake Somerville - 03/10/16 02:05 PM

we have had over 4.3" of rain over here where the East Yegua starts. It's out in our bottom.
Posted By: Boudreaux

Re: Lake Somerville - 03/10/16 03:44 PM

Nails Creek SP Ranger just posted that Newmans is closed again. The creeks are high, muddy, and moving fast, as to be expected with heavy rain we just had. Just like last year, The creek fishing is probably all but over for this year. As soon as the Brazos gets up again from all the rain from the North, they will probably shut the gates again. I hope we don't get a repeat from last years flooding. Good news is the shallow bite and the cat fishing on the main lake is probably about to get real good.
Posted By: R2Fishing

Re: Lake Somerville - 03/10/16 04:52 PM

The gates at the spillway are closed. The lake will see a good rise again.
Posted By: BCSshots

Re: Lake Somerville - 03/10/16 05:21 PM

From the Nails Creek Unit:

Lake Somerville Nails Creek State Park - Texas Parks and Wildlife
1 hr
Good morning everyone! We have some news to share. Newman's Bottom is now closed again due to the recent rains that we have received. You will NOT be able to hike in to Newman's Bottom like you were able to this last week.
Posted By: hook-line&sinker

Re: Lake Somerville - 03/10/16 05:58 PM

A trip around Lake Somerville to check the status of the creeks after a significant wave of rain showers covering most of the state.

On March 10, 2016 starting at the dam and moving west up the south side of the lake, over Jerdelle, McCain, Cedar, Nails to the upper west end and the Yegua, back down the north shore to check on Birch creek. All the creeks are flowing well with muddy flood water that should bring up another wave of spawning whitebass and maybe some hybrid stripers if we are lucky!

Posted By: R2Fishing

Re: Lake Somerville - 03/10/16 07:13 PM

Thanks for video HLS

was really wondering what it looked like.
Posted By: fishytx

Re: Lake Somerville - 03/10/16 09:34 PM

Three to four weeks left in the spawn. Some folks should get a few good limits out of all this. Just got to hit the right creeks as they drop. The Yegua may take a few weeks to be fisgable, but the other creeks should be loading up.
Posted By: fishytx

Re: Lake Somerville - 03/10/16 09:35 PM

Thanks for the videos Ben, aswesome information.
Posted By: commander1967

Re: Lake Somerville - 03/10/16 11:50 PM

I found this forum a few years back. It is helpful videos such as this, that has me running to the computer to check things out. The other day before the storm, I hiked in to Newmans Bottom. When I got there, there was a gentleman standing in the creek with a stringer full. He was about to hit the limit. I walked down creek a bit and had a good time. I came home with a stringer full. I tell ya, the hike is was not bad at all, but coming out with the fish, I was reminded, I am not a youngster anymore. Thanks for the video.
Posted By: 1Tacklehoarder

Re: Lake Somerville - 03/11/16 03:12 AM

Originally Posted By: fishytx
Not real sure if this is legal or not, but when I walk in to Newmans, I carry a fillet knife and clean the fish right there. Put the fillets in a zip lock bag and walk out. I just cut the weight back by at least 1/2 and its so much easier to pack them out. There are two big rocks by the trtail way bridge that have a flat surface to clean these fish on. One on each side of the creek.


I would be interested to know if that is legal as well.
Posted By: fishytx

Re: Lake Somerville - 03/11/16 03:54 AM

I know you can't clean fish on one side of the lake and then have them in your boat and travel to the boat ramp. But cleaning your fish before leaving the creek should be like using the cleaning station at Nails before leaving. But some times what seems to make good since doesn't always fly though. But I won't have to worry about it because I'm not walking in that far.
Posted By: hook-line&sinker

Re: Lake Somerville - 03/11/16 10:55 PM

Posted By: J-Moe

Re: Lake Somerville - 03/12/16 03:40 AM

Lake Level is 240.86. 2.86 ft. above normal. The spillway is still closed but I suspect they will open it up this weekend.

Fishing below the dam has been hit or miss. I caught 2 hybrid and 4 big white bass yesterday evening. I caught 4 undersized white bass and a bunch of bluegill this evening.
Posted By: R2Fishing

Re: Lake Somerville - 03/12/16 10:48 AM

Lake is now 241.15

I'm in snook now waiting for rain to pass.

Not sure on how good of fishing it'll be, but ill never know if I'm at home.
Posted By: commander1967

Re: Lake Somerville - 03/12/16 05:48 PM

All the fresh water.....Has anyone heard anything about the spillway?
Posted By: Kirby12

Re: Lake Somerville - 03/12/16 09:47 PM

Lake shows to be at 241.77 and 0 release. I went by there Thursday at about 2:30 and the parking lot was about 2/3 full and crowded for that time of day and esp on a weekday. J-Moe posted hit and miss last few days.
Posted By: R2Fishing

Re: Lake Somerville - 03/13/16 12:38 AM

They won't open the gates until the Brazos drops down... I was out today on the water.. Lake is FULL.

By time I left the tires no poles were visible
Posted By: J-Moe

Re: Lake Somerville - 03/13/16 04:06 AM

Lake level is 242 ft. 4 ft. above normal. Gates are still closed on the spillway.
Posted By: 1Tacklehoarder

Re: Lake Somerville - 03/13/16 04:20 AM

Originally Posted By: hoggwild
They won't open the gates until the Brazos drops down... I was out today on the water.. Lake is FULL.

By time I left the tires no poles were visible


The Brazos has dropped a few feet at highway 60 in the past 24 hrs or so. It is still rising down at Hempstead.
Posted By: 1Tacklehoarder

Re: Lake Somerville - 03/13/16 04:20 AM

Anybody doing any good on the main lake from the bank?
Posted By: R2Fishing

Re: Lake Somerville - 03/13/16 08:55 PM

I seen folks bank fishing Welch park point. I didn't ask how they were doing.
Posted By: 1Tacklehoarder

Re: Lake Somerville - 03/14/16 03:05 AM

I went to welch for a little bit today. two light bites. I only switched lures a couple times, but I wasn't very committed to my endeavor. An hour and a half and I was outta there. I didn't see any baitfish to speak of or anything up shallow.
Posted By: hook-line&sinker

Re: Lake Somerville - 03/14/16 03:15 AM

fishing the main lake from shore is best with ghost minnows tight-lined on the bottom.. did that for years up at Birch Creek park.. seine a few shad and ghost minnows and run for hours up and down the shore to the pole with the drag singing.. works on hybrids too!

Posted By: J-Moe

Re: Lake Somerville - 03/14/16 04:17 PM

Lake Level is 242.75. 4.75 feet above normal. Releasing 1321 CFS.
Posted By: BBFISH

Re: Lake Somerville - 03/14/16 05:18 PM

Hi, but now the birch creek state park is closed right ??
Posted By: EllerTroy

Re: Lake Somerville - 03/14/16 06:15 PM

Has anyone been by Cedar Creek last couple of days.
Posted By: hook-line&sinker

Re: Lake Somerville - 03/14/16 09:27 PM

Originally Posted By: BBFISH
Hi, but now the birch creek state park is closed right ??

last I heard it is still closed. frown
Posted By: 1Tacklehoarder

Re: Lake Somerville - 03/15/16 02:35 AM

Originally Posted By: hook-line&sinker
fishing the main lake from shore is best with ghost minnows tight-lined on the bottom.. did that for years up at Birch Creek park.. seine a few shad and ghost minnows and run for hours up and down the shore to the pole with the drag singing.. works on hybrids too!



I sure wanted to join the seining fun, but my buddy tapped out on me and said he didn't want to go. Too bad I have a honey-do list a mile long to do tomorrow. It looks like it would be a nice day to be out there again......and now I have a few teenage boys to drag along to help.

Can you seine in the evening and fish into the dark, or do the baitfish not come up like in the mornings? I have been at Big Creek in that little cut by the boat ramp before when every baitfish in the whole lake seemed to be stacked in that one spot.
Posted By: R2Fishing

Re: Lake Somerville - 03/15/16 11:59 AM

Originally Posted By: 1Tacklehoarder
Originally Posted By: hook-line&sinker
fishing the main lake from shore is best with ghost minnows tight-lined on the bottom.. did that for years up at Birch Creek park.. seine a few shad and ghost minnows and run for hours up and down the shore to the pole with the drag singing.. works on hybrids too!



I sure wanted to join the seining fun, but my buddy tapped out on me and said he didn't want to go. Too bad I have a honey-do list a mile long to do tomorrow. It looks like it would be a nice day to be out there again......and now I have a few teenage boys to drag along to help.

Can you seine in the evening and fish into the dark, or do the baitfish not come up like in the mornings? I have been at Big Creek in that little cut by the boat ramp before when every baitfish in the whole lake seemed to be stacked in that one spot.



Long as wind is blowing on the bank, bait will be there.
Posted By: J-Moe

Re: Lake Somerville - 03/15/16 05:13 PM

I received my certificates for the hybrid, white bass and buffalo I caught below the dam. Website should be updated the first week in April.

Posted By: R2Fishing

Re: Lake Somerville - 03/15/16 05:27 PM

Originally Posted By: J-Moe
I received my certificates for the hybrid, white bass and buffalo I caught below the dam. Website should be updated the first week in April.




Sent you a PM
Posted By: BCSshots

Re: Lake Somerville - 03/15/16 06:32 PM

J-Moe,

Congratulations on your Yegua Creek records, so well deserved! I always enjoy reading your posts and thanks for always sharing your updates on Lake Somerville.
Posted By: EllerTroy

Re: Lake Somerville - 03/15/16 07:22 PM

That's great J-Moe
Posted By: J-Moe

Re: Lake Somerville - 03/15/16 07:54 PM

Thanks guys, I appreciate it.
Posted By: Baldy Locks

Re: Lake Somerville - 03/15/16 09:33 PM

J-Moe, that's a real Texas slam there! Welcome to the club. I got mine below the dam also. Those awards are very cool!
Posted By: jsinn01

Re: Lake Somerville - 03/15/16 11:40 PM

Congrats J-Moe...you da man. grin
Posted By: J-Moe

Re: Lake Somerville - 03/16/16 01:02 AM

Originally Posted By: Baldy Locks
J-Moe, that's a real Texas slam there! Welcome to the club. I got mine below the dam also. Those awards are very cool!


Thanks, I also own the State Private Water Body Fly records for long ear sunfish, green sunfish and hybrid redear x green sunfish. I enjoy pan fishing. Just happened to catch some hybrids and buffalo in the process, LOL!!!
Posted By: J-Moe

Re: Lake Somerville - 03/16/16 01:04 AM

Originally Posted By: jsinn01
Congrats J-Moe...you da man. grin


Thanks Jared
Posted By: 1Tacklehoarder

Re: Lake Somerville - 03/16/16 04:28 AM

I slipped over to the spillway this evening for a couple hours. Stopped by my crawdad hole on the way to the lake, so that is what I used. I caught a BUNCH of goos, a couple channel cats, and a giant buffalo. I noticed a lot more gar in the water this trip compared to A week or so ago. I didn't see a single white caught, but did see a few nice hybrids caught on shad. Most stringers I saw had a few catfish and drum on them.

Anybody checked the smaller creeks lately?
Posted By: hook-line&sinker

Re: Lake Somerville - 03/16/16 03:14 PM

The creeks are ready for another round of whitebass fishing.. it's gonna be muddy, slippery bank fishing but everyone should be able to find a few fish if you find moving water.. that means going upstream.. sometimes a very long way upstream to find the fish and moving water.. crappie are just the opposite they tend to like the slow flowing deeper pools downstream. With the lake a few feet above normal the creeks are backing up with very slow moving water. Lots of the whitebass spawning activity takes place at night and is probably peaking right now for the last cycle of the year.. so get it while the getting is good!
Posted By: fishytx

Re: Lake Somerville - 03/16/16 04:01 PM

If you seine for bait at night, it is so much easier to do. They are shallow and they never see you coming. A few sweeps and you'll have more bait to fish with than you will know what to do with. And the whites will be up shallow feeding as well.
Posted By: fishytx

Re: Lake Somerville - 03/16/16 04:04 PM

I hope to make a few more trips to the Yegua before this spawn is over, but that still remains unknown at this time. Taking a grandson fishing at the steps this afternoon.
Posted By: J-Moe

Re: Lake Somerville - 03/16/16 07:01 PM

Originally Posted By: 1Tacklehoarder
I slipped over to the spillway this evening for a couple hours. Stopped by my crawdad hole on the way to the lake, so that is what I used. I caught a BUNCH of goos, a couple channel cats, and a giant buffalo. I noticed a lot more gar in the water this trip compared to A week or so ago. I didn't see a single white caught, but did see a few nice hybrids caught on shad. Most stringers I saw had a few catfish and drum on them.

Anybody checked the smaller creeks lately?


I stopped by the dam from around 3:30 to 4:15. I saw basically the same thing. One person leaving with a single crappie, a couple buffalo, a goo and a gar caught. No white bass being caught. Heard there was a couple hybrids caught.

I also stopped by the Marina, it was a little off do to the dam just being opened. It should be good for crappie fishing this weekend though.

I walked the banks but didn't see any bass on beds. I saw quite a few very small male LMB cruising the banks.

The smaller creeks should be good for fishing again.
Posted By: R2Fishing

Re: Lake Somerville - 03/16/16 08:24 PM

I'm heading out tomorrow afternoon.

Wish I knew what the yegua looks like. Now is probably best time to get your boat up in there.
That's long haul from one end of the lake to the other for dirty water. Hoping some of the other creeks look better.
Posted By: jsinn01

Re: Lake Somerville - 03/16/16 11:16 PM

Yesterday, I drove over the Yegua at Hwy 141 near Dimebox and it was still very muddy and moving fast. Might be good by this weekend though.
Posted By: Kirby12

Re: Lake Somerville - 03/17/16 12:30 AM

Fished Monday and 4 crappie at the Marina on jigs and 1 White at the Outlet. Didn't se another fish caught at the Outlet. One guy had 3 when he left but no telling how long he had been there.
Posted By: J-Moe

Re: Lake Somerville - 03/17/16 01:27 AM

I walked up into Cedar Creek this afternoon. I was looking for moving water. I walked up stream for about 30 minutes or so; about as far as I've ever been upstream. I didn't find any moving water. The lake is backed up further than at any point that I fished Cedar this year. I tried fishing a few of my spots but didn't have any luck.

I left and checked out the dam. There were a few crappie being caught, nobody had more than about 4 though.

I took my fly rod and hit the ponds. I caught a bunch of greenies so I felt better, no skunk, LOL
Posted By: hook-line&sinker

Re: Lake Somerville - 03/17/16 01:46 AM

I'll bet we can find whitebass way up Birch creek.. you will have to go up a mile or so but once you find moving water there should be fish.. With this much water you should be able to paddle straight across the field east of the birch creek estates boat ramp if it is open wink
..


Posted By: BBFISH

Re: Lake Somerville - 03/17/16 05:01 PM

I went to main lake Welch park yesterday and Sunday, on Sunday I caught two big cats on cut bait. Yesterday one goose and a small cat. This was my first experience in Welch, lake Somerville. I waited a long time in night and not a lot of bites.
I see people photos catching a lot of fish in Welch park at night,
Did I did anything wrong, I used cut bait fish for bait. Am I right.? Somebody please give advice
Overall I liked the beauty of Somerville. I need a place like this haha.
Posted By: dangitbobby

Re: Lake Somerville - 03/17/16 10:12 PM

Well its that time again when me and a few other firemen come down to somerville, we normally try and fish at Newman's Bottom....We will be on the cedar, below the dam. Irwin's Bridge... well I guess all over in search for our friend Morone Chrysops (White bass) Hope to see a bunch caught
Posted By: J-Moe

Re: Lake Somerville - 03/18/16 01:28 AM

Originally Posted By: BBFISH
I went to main lake Welch park yesterday and Sunday, on Sunday I caught two big cats on cut bait. Yesterday one goose and a small cat. This was my first experience in Welch, lake Somerville. I waited a long time in night and not a lot of bites.
I see people photos catching a lot of fish in Welch park at night,
Did I did anything wrong, I used cut bait fish for bait. Am I right.? Somebody please give advice
Overall I liked the beauty of Somerville. I need a place like this haha.


I don't fish with live bait very often myself. There were some posts on tight lining ghost minnows and shad. If you get a map of the lake you can pick out the deep channels and other structure around the point of Welsh park. I see people fishing off the point, as well as deep in the cove on the right side. They also use big popping corks to draw the white bass's attention. Hopefully someone else will chime in with some better advise.
Posted By: J-Moe

Re: Lake Somerville - 03/18/16 01:48 AM

I went fly fishing at Overlook park this evening. I used a small white popper and crawfish briminator pattern. I caught a bunch of small bluegill and longear. I saw a big bass on a bed this evening too.
Posted By: R2Fishing

Re: Lake Somerville - 03/18/16 03:15 AM

Hoggwild went HOGGWILD on the whites and hybrids this evening.
Report soon to follow! banana
Posted By: R2Fishing

Re: Lake Somerville - 03/18/16 04:10 AM

The moon, planet and stars must all of been aligned today.
Trolled few areas with nothing. Graphed a few schools but no takers.
Around 6pm the birds got to working and I was hot on the trail.
Hybrids and whites were surfacing. The graph lit up and it was on!
All on mainlake 15ft of water.

23whites, 4 hybrids



Posted By: J-Moe

Re: Lake Somerville - 03/18/16 12:27 PM

Awesome!!!!!!

Perfect day for it. Low winds and cloudy. I've never experienced that type of surfacing / fishing for whites. I hear the stories about it all the time. I'm jealous. Great job.
Posted By: R2Fishing

Re: Lake Somerville - 03/18/16 12:47 PM

We threw top water baits to them. First I've tried that and ill never throw anything else now for surfacing fish. Usually we would just cast rattletraps on them.
Posted By: timid tiger

Re: Lake Somerville - 03/18/16 05:56 PM

I am planning to yak up yegua from nails creek park ramp Sunday, to fish for whites (3/20).
Plan to fish the section between wolf pond and newmans bottom.
Does anybody know if the current in yegua has slowed down?
Thanks,
J
Posted By: bowler49

Re: Lake Somerville - 03/18/16 07:01 PM

Originally Posted By: timid tiger
I am planning to yak up yegua from nails creek park ramp Sunday, to fish for whites (3/20).
Plan to fish the section between wolf pond and newmans bottom.
Does anybody know if the current in yegua has slowed down?
Thanks,
J


Here are a couple of links showing the flow conditions for Middle and East Yegua:

http://waterdata.usgs.gov/tx/nwis/uv?cb_...date=2016-03-18

http://waterdata.usgs.gov/tx/nwis/uv?cb_...date=2016-03-18
Posted By: hook-line&sinker

Re: Lake Somerville - 03/18/16 08:03 PM

With the lake at the current level it backs up into the Yegua all the way to Newmans bottom and the trailway bridge. There will be very little flow to the creek all the way up to Newmans bottom. Don't know how this will affect the whitebass but the crappie should be in that part of the Yegua in huge numbers!
Posted By: J-Moe

Re: Lake Somerville - 03/18/16 08:21 PM

Lake level is 242.3 ft. They raised the flow to 2000 cfs.
Posted By: timid tiger

Re: Lake Somerville - 03/18/16 10:17 PM

Thanks Bowler and HLS:
Looks like west yegua creek level has already fallen and likely the flow is not dangerously quick.
Posted By: BBFISH

Re: Lake Somerville - 03/19/16 01:16 AM

Hi all,
Somebody please help me
How to catch hybrid from lake Somerville, I was in Welch for two times and didn't get anything. Somebody please help with advise. I don't have a boat too
Posted By: R2Fishing

Re: Lake Somerville - 03/19/16 04:50 AM

With the lake being up 4tt bank fishing is going to be mild at best.....
Posted By: hook-line&sinker

Re: Lake Somerville - 03/20/16 02:17 AM

J-Moe and I made a mad dash up Jerdelle Saturday late afternoon to find the creek has dropped about a foot or more and cleared up considerably. Still caught a few of everything LMB, whitebass and sunfish but the whitebass spawn is pretty much done.. Whitebass fishing gets reel tough in that tea colored clear slow moving dropping water.


Posted By: commander1967

Re: Lake Somerville - 03/20/16 01:30 PM

Today, My wife, My son and I will be traveling to Irwin bridge to take a hike and cast a line. My wife and I were out there Thursday afternoon. Biting was extremely slow, did manage to pull in a very nice Hybrid. He gave a good fight, made the trip well worth it. The creeks were down, still about 2 feet above normal. They were muddy, had a good flow. All in all, as the saying goes....."A bad day of fishing BEATS a good day at work, anytime" So we are loaded up and going to head out that way. If'n ya see a baldheaded, blue-eyed, toothless redneck.....say howdy. LOL, see yall when I see yall.
Posted By: commander1967

Re: Lake Somerville - 03/21/16 02:29 AM

So we went to Irwin bridge, hiked a little over halfway to Newman's Bottom. We fished for about 5 hours. after all said and done......stringer had a hybrid, a male white and a goo. Not much to report. The creek is almost back to normal, has a nice flow, starting to clear up, but sad to say, I am starting to think it is time to get the boat ready to hit the lake. Especially after seeing what J-Moe did out there, LOL. Anyhow, this is the first year in quite a while I have been able to get out to the creek so many times, in a long time. So now we will push the 'ole pontoon up in the creeks and get some of those bedding crappie. Thanks all for all the great reports. AWESOME year all-in-all.
Posted By: BBFISH

Re: Lake Somerville - 03/21/16 01:58 PM

Does goo fish look like a drum? Is it good to eat?
Posted By: hook-line&sinker

Re: Lake Somerville - 03/21/16 02:29 PM

Originally Posted By: BBFISH
Does goo fish look like a drum? Is it good to eat?


Yes Gaspergou it is a freshwater drum and is good to eat too! What the heck is a Goo?
Posted By: J-Moe

Re: Lake Somerville - 03/21/16 02:58 PM

Originally Posted By: commander1967
So we went to Irwin bridge, hiked a little over halfway to Newman's Bottom. We fished for about 5 hours. after all said and done......stringer had a hybrid, a male white and a goo. Not much to report. The creek is almost back to normal, has a nice flow, starting to clear up, but sad to say, I am starting to think it is time to get the boat ready to hit the lake. Especially after seeing what J-Moe did out there, LOL. Anyhow, this is the first year in quite a while I have been able to get out to the creek so many times, in a long time. So now we will push the 'ole pontoon up in the creeks and get some of those bedding crappie. Thanks all for all the great reports. AWESOME year all-in-all.


Thanks for the report. It sounds like the run is coming to an end. By the way, it was Hoggwild that killed them surfacing on the lake. Although, I will gladly take credit for all the fish he catches too roflmao
Posted By: J-Moe

Re: Lake Somerville - 03/21/16 02:58 PM

Originally Posted By: hook-line&sinker
J-Moe and I made a mad dash up Jerdelle Saturday late afternoon to find the creek has dropped about a foot or more and cleared up considerably. Still caught a few of everything LMB, whitebass and sunfish but the whitebass spawn is pretty much done.. Whitebass fishing gets reel tough in that tea colored clear slow moving dropping water.




Cool picture thumb
Posted By: R2Fishing

Re: Lake Somerville - 03/21/16 05:52 PM

Originally Posted By: J-Moe
Originally Posted By: commander1967
So we went to Irwin bridge, hiked a little over halfway to Newman's Bottom. We fished for about 5 hours. after all said and done......stringer had a hybrid, a male white and a goo. Not much to report. The creek is almost back to normal, has a nice flow, starting to clear up, but sad to say, I am starting to think it is time to get the boat ready to hit the lake. Especially after seeing what J-Moe did out there, LOL. Anyhow, this is the first year in quite a while I have been able to get out to the creek so many times, in a long time. So now we will push the 'ole pontoon up in the creeks and get some of those bedding crappie. Thanks all for all the great reports. AWESOME year all-in-all.


Thanks for the report. It sounds like the run is coming to an end. By the way, it was Hoggwild that killed them surfacing on the lake. Although, I will gladly take credit for all the fish he catches too roflmao



Negative, I only wish to be the fisherman you are!
Posted By: BBFISH

Re: Lake Somerville - 03/22/16 03:26 PM

Is there any limits for goo or freshwater drum?
Posted By: J-Moe

Re: Lake Somerville - 03/22/16 05:08 PM

No limits

http://tpwd.texas.gov/regulations/outdoor-annual/fishing/freshwater-fishing/bag-length-limits
Posted By: KillerB

Re: Lake Somerville - 03/22/16 10:32 PM



If you read the first paragraph at the above link, the last sentence is:

"For saltwater finfish species caught in the public fresh waters of this state, saltwater bag, possession and length limits apply."

That sentence implies that there ARE bag and length limits for black drum (i.e. goo) caught in freshwater because that species is regulated under the saltwater game fish. Maybe I'm wrong... I think this clause is new and/or used to be worded differently, and I don't know if they intended to change how the regulations apply to goo.
Posted By: Baldy Locks

Re: Lake Somerville - 03/22/16 11:47 PM

I believe what they are referring to is that it is quite possible to catch some salt water species in fresh water. Particularly red fish. Then the salt water limits would apply. But I believe they are referring to salt water species. Gasper goo is a fresh water species, not salt water. Correct me if wrong.
Posted By: commander1967

Re: Lake Somerville - 03/22/16 11:54 PM

J-Moe, I knew that even as I wrote it, It was Hogg that had the good time on the lake, LOL. damn old folks, LOL....saying fart when they mean @#$%......LOL. anyhow folks, getting the pontoon ready to squeeze up in the creeks for some crappie. Yell at me some time, my BOOS...aka WIFE loves to fish, but isnt always available to go....always room for a fishing buddy. I know there is a way to message some one from the forum, but dont remember how. Just yell ROGER...or a##hole....I will answer, lmao and heck will make room fer ya
Posted By: TXfisherman12

Re: Lake Somerville - 03/23/16 01:14 AM

To my understanding the black drum (Pogonias cromis) and freshwater drum (Aplodinotus grunniens) are two different species. Only the freshwater drum is commonly referred to as a goo?
Posted By: KillerB

Re: Lake Somerville - 03/23/16 05:46 AM

Originally Posted By: TXfisherman12
To my understanding the black drum (Pogonias cromis) and freshwater drum (Aplodinotus grunniens) are two different species. Only the freshwater drum is commonly referred to as a goo?


Thank you for that info. I thought they were the same species. In that regard, I agree that there are no regulations on goo.
Posted By: hook-line&sinker

Re: Lake Somerville - 03/23/16 01:33 PM

Freshwater drum (goo) are not considered to be a gamefish.. but they do eat well if you can catch the bigger ones.. the small ones are thin and hard to fillet so keep them whole..
Posted By: 1Tacklehoarder

Re: Lake Somerville - 03/23/16 10:49 PM

When do you think they are going to slow the flow at the spillway?
Posted By: J-Moe

Re: Lake Somerville - 03/24/16 01:45 AM

Lake was about 3 ft high today. The COE will usually cut the flow in half when it gets less than a foot, closer to 0.5 foot above normal. At the current rate of release the lake will take about 10 days before we get to 0.5 foot above normal. Any additional rains, will of course, change all that.
Posted By: hook-line&sinker

Re: Lake Somerville - 03/24/16 02:17 AM

The release from the lake also depends on two other factors.. #1 is what is happening downstream in the Brazos and #2 is how much water is coming into the lake.

The COE has to keep the lake near normal level to be able to control possible future flood water and provide for the water needs downstream when demand dictates.
Posted By: J-Moe

Re: Lake Somerville - 03/25/16 04:56 PM

I decided to hit Welsh Park this morning with the fly rod and clouser. Unfortunately the cold weather threw everything out of wack and the bait fish didn't come shallow. The guys in the bait truck circled for about an hour before giving up looking for them.

I spoke with one fellow throwing a cast net and he couldn't find bait either.

I spoke to some other people. They were fishing out on the point. They told me that a lot of big hybrids are being caught on crawfish. People are taking surf rods with a heavy weight and throwing them out as far as they can into the deep channel. I saw one hybrid being caught that way.

I also stopped by the dam. The fishing continues to be inconsistent but does seem to be improving slightly. Mainly a few hybrids and white bass being caught near the gates.
Posted By: TXfisherman12

Re: Lake Somerville - 03/26/16 01:52 AM

Originally Posted By: J-Moe
I decided to hit Welsh Park this morning with the fly rod and clouser. Unfortunately the cold weather threw everything out of wack and the bait fish didn't come shallow. The guys in the bait truck circled for about an hour before giving up looking for them.

I spoke with one fellow throwing a cast net and he couldn't find bait either.

I spoke to some other people. They were fishing out on the point. They told me that a lot of big hybrids are being caught on crawfish. People are taking surf rods with a heavy weight and throwing them out as far as they can into the deep channel. I saw one hybrid being caught that way.

I also stopped by the dam. The fishing continues to be inconsistent but does seem to be improving slightly. Mainly a few hybrids and white bass being caught near the gates.


[Hey J-Moe I think I talked to you this morning? I was fishing the lake side of the Dam (behind the spillway) by myself, having no luck of course. We got down there about the same time.]

I got to the spillway around sunrise and there were already 15 vehicles in the parking lot. Fished for several hours and only saw 2 drum and 2 catfish caught, but that was mostly from guys downstream a bit. I didn't get a single bite on artificials, then tried lakeside and same story. Decided to drive to one of the feeder creeks to the lake and hiked upstream quite a bit. Caught only 3 LMB and missed something that gave a good tug. Not too familiar with the creek but water seemed much higher than normal - may have thrown off the bite on just about everything? Overall, beautiful day to be off work and fishing.
Posted By: J-Moe

Re: Lake Somerville - 03/26/16 02:09 AM

Yes sir, I had the fly rod and fishing vest.
Posted By: hook-line&sinker

Re: Lake Somerville - 03/26/16 02:55 AM

I think Cedar creek needs some attention.. I probably won't go again for whitebass but maybe for the adventure and to satisfy my curiosity. Black bass and crappie bite should be getting better..
Posted By: BCSshots

Re: Lake Somerville - 03/26/16 03:16 AM

May be too late for white bass, but worth the hike in!

Lake Somerville Nails Creek State Park - Texas Parks and Wildlife
10 hrs
Great news!!!! Newman's Bottom is now open for hiking in. Please be advised that this area is very muddy! You will need to stop by the office to purchase your permit. You will need to make sure not to park blocking any of the gates down there. Please do not park past the sign at the gate. You can park on the grass along the roadway.
CR- 125 is now open on the State Park side. You will need to stop of that office to purchase that permit as well!
Posted By: fishytx

Re: Lake Somerville - 03/26/16 07:09 PM

So what does the water on the Yegua creek look like? Has anyone gone to check it out?
Posted By: fishytx

Re: Lake Somerville - 03/27/16 01:34 AM

Had a friend who went today and he said it was two feet high and real muddy. Guess there wont be any more whites caught out of there this year.
Posted By: hook-line&sinker

Re: Lake Somerville - 03/27/16 02:18 AM

I think it is over for the year up the creeks at Lake Somerville... Crappie, catfish and black bass should still be in there for the catching..
Posted By: J-Moe

Re: Lake Somerville - 03/27/16 01:22 PM

Originally Posted By: fishytx
Had a friend who went today and he said it was two feet high and real muddy. Guess there wont be any more whites caught out of there this year.


I checked on Irwin yesterday morning and can confirm that it was 2 feet high and muddy.

I also checked on Cedar. The water quality was better. I met a pair of fisherman coming from downstream of the bridge. They said it just seemed dead. I tried a short stretch above and below the bridge and got the same exact impression. Very little signs of fish and definitely no spawning activity. I too, want to try it again once it clears up some more.

Fishing below the dam is slowly improving. A few more catfish showing up. Welsh Park and the dam parking lot were packed with people yesterday.
Posted By: commander1967

Re: Lake Somerville - 03/27/16 02:57 PM

Newman's open for the HIKE in......I do believe creek walking is done for the year. But I am going to hit it ONE more time before ready'ing the boat. my son, wife and I are going to do the walk one last time. Hopefully find a few stragglers through out the creek. Hit a couple of the deep holes to check for those crappie. We shall see.....ONE LAST TIME!!!!!!!!!!!....see ya out there.
Posted By: jsinn01

Re: Lake Somerville - 03/27/16 07:35 PM

It seems like every year out of about 10 trips to this place, I have a couple that I'll remember for the rest of my life. This year was no exception. I haven't found a place yet that offers as much opportunity to the bank and kayak angler in the way of quality fishing and easy access.

I probably won't make another trip out there this season for Whites, but I can't rule out a crappie or catfish trip.

Thanks for all the posts everybody. I've learned so much from the people on this thread. fish
Posted By: commander1967

Re: Lake Somerville - 03/28/16 12:43 AM

Well Today, my wife, son and I made the hike in to Newman's Bottom. When we first arrived there were 8 vehicles parked at the grass. As we were hiking in, we past several folks leaving. NO one had any fish at all. They all looked exhausted. (WE all know that look, LOL) We cross the bridge, and hike an additional 15 minutes in towards the lake. The creek is still up, it still has a good flow to it. It is still muddy, but clearer than it was Monday. We started fishing, and my third cast......the fight was on. A nice white, we stayed in that spot for about an hour, ended up with 8 on the stringer (found a honey hole, and how they wanted it worked) We walked back towards the bridge (Easter and all, had to be back to town early) We hit a few more spots on the way out. We ended the day with 12 on the stringer, a nice hike, and a wonderful day spent with the wife and kiddo. All-in-All....we were out there for 3 and 1/2 hours. came back with 12 on the stringer. It was a wonderful last creek walk for the year. Monday, I will be pulling the toon out of it's hiding place and making it water ready. Next trip will be in the boat, up in the creek with minnows, corks and stringers. SHHHHHHHHHHHHH, be very, very quiet, we're hunting crappie. Thanks for all the bank fishing reports, yall have made it another great year. See ya when I see ya.
Posted By: hook-line&sinker

Re: Lake Somerville - 03/28/16 03:33 AM

I had only one trip out of a half dozen or more that didn't prove very fruitful.. Thanks go out to everyone that kept us all in the know about this very special place and time.. From April on is the time to chase black bass and crappie up the Yegua and from what I've read this is gonna be a banner year!
Posted By: kickingback

Re: Lake Somerville - 03/28/16 02:18 PM

Caught a few whites two days ago in Nails creek. It was muddy and lots of fresh water kept the crappie from biting but the whites were still in there. Of course they are in the main lake now. Just drive and park at Welch Park. The waders are stacked up elbow to elbow...lol
Posted By: Boudreaux

Re: Lake Somerville - 03/28/16 09:52 PM

I've been up Yegua all week. Ran all the way to the lower reaches of Newmans Bottom yesterday (by boat). Water is flowing and muddy. Fished up there off and on all week. No crappie, no whites. Ran a line or 2 and pulled several nice cats out. Nails is also muddy. Water level has gone down probably 3 feet since last weekend 3/19. The fish are schooling on the main lake, reports of limits of hybrids and whites, being caught. I did catch 4 nice fat slabs in Nails before the water dropped. Was catching really nice cats up to 8lbs in yegua until the water dropped. As the water went down, the quality and numbers of fish declined.

The fish I caught crappie and cats still had eggs in them so the have not spawned. Doubtful the creek fishing is going to get any better this year, I think its all but over.
Posted By: hook-line&sinker

Re: Lake Somerville - 03/29/16 03:36 AM

Question: How does a professional fishermen get to be a millionaire?
Posted By: hook-line&sinker

Re: Lake Somerville - 03/29/16 03:38 AM

Answer: He starts out as a Billionaire! hooked
Posted By: hook-line&sinker

Re: Lake Somerville - 03/30/16 10:36 PM

one last time..
Posted By: J-Moe

Re: Lake Somerville - 04/01/16 02:32 AM

I went out to Cedar Creek and fished the first curve upstream and downstream of the bridge from 4:30 to 5:30. I used marbou jigs, as well as, the fly rod with clousers and poppers. I was hoping to find a few crappie but all I caught was bluegill. Water was good quality and just continues to get clearer and clearer.

I checked on Irwin Bridge. The water was down close to normal level and clearing up slowly. Same results, I only caught bluegill.

I would expect the crappie can be found and caught with a little more effort but I enjoy catching bluegill and sunfish on the fly rod so I didn't do any exploring today.

Lake Level is 238.68. Only 0.68 ft above normal and releasing 1881 cfs.
Posted By: 1Tacklehoarder

Re: Lake Somerville - 04/01/16 03:47 AM

I visited with a few locals today that said that they were catching half limits or so of crappie from the bank in the creeks on minnows, but they are going through a lot of minnows to get them. The jug runners are really whining about the gar up in the coves on the main lake. The guys catching shad at daylight on the bank are reporting a quick run of whites and hybrids to the banks except after cold nights. I got carried away with jaw jacking and before I knew it it was 2:00 in the afternoon. By that time the wind had switched out of the north. I went and fished on big creek And fiddled around with some jigs for a bit, but only caught bluegill.....lots and lots of bluegill, along with a pumpkinseed and a big green sunfish I think.
Posted By: J-Moe

Re: Lake Somerville - 04/01/16 11:59 AM

Originally Posted By: 1Tacklehoarder
I visited with a few locals today that said that they were catching half limits or so of crappie from the bank in the creeks on minnows, but they are going through a lot of minnows to get them. The jug runners are really whining about the gar up in the coves on the main lake. The guys catching shad at daylight on the bank are reporting a quick run of whites and hybrids to the banks except after cold nights. I got carried away with jaw jacking and before I knew it it was 2:00 in the afternoon. By that time the wind had switched out of the north. I went and fished on big creek And fiddled around with some jigs for a bit, but only caught bluegill.....lots and lots of bluegill, along with a pumpkinseed and a big green sunfish I think.


Great report, thanks thumb

I really enjoy fishing for sunfish. Especially, big sunfish. I've been searching for green sunfish on the lake. I've found a couple colonies in the spring last year. I'll have to check out the big creek area. Also, we don't have pumpkinseed in this area, so I expect it was a Long ear sunfish. Longear are very colorful and have a white color on the tip of the ear. Redbreast actually have the really long ear flaps, not long ear.

I would love to see some pictures of the bream people catch on the lake.

Long Ear




Green Sunfish - they usually have orange on the tips of the fins

Posted By: J-Moe

Re: Lake Somerville - 04/01/16 12:06 PM

Green Sunfish

Posted By: 1Tacklehoarder

Re: Lake Somerville - 04/01/16 01:18 PM

Aha! Lol. Now I know..... I'll get you some pics and try to figure out how to post them.
Posted By: J-Moe

Re: Lake Somerville - 04/01/16 03:13 PM

Originally Posted By: 1Tacklehoarder
Aha! Lol. Now I know..... I'll get you some pics and try to figure out how to post them.


Now you owe me a trip to your super secret Green sunfish spot roflmao
Posted By: J-Moe

Re: Lake Somerville - 04/01/16 03:27 PM

The lake level is 238.44 and releasing 1871 cfs. It is really receding quickly now. I bet they reduce the flow down today or tomorrow.
Posted By: 1Tacklehoarder

Re: Lake Somerville - 04/01/16 05:07 PM

Originally Posted By: J-Moe
Originally Posted By: 1Tacklehoarder
Aha! Lol. Now I know..... I'll get you some pics and try to figure out how to post them.


Now you owe me a trip to your super secret Green sunfish spot roflmao


I actually caught that green sunfish in that little bitty creek east of big creek. There is just a small pool there on the south side of 415 rd.
Posted By: J-Moe

Re: Lake Somerville - 04/01/16 05:12 PM

Originally Posted By: 1Tacklehoarder
Originally Posted By: J-Moe
Originally Posted By: 1Tacklehoarder
Aha! Lol. Now I know..... I'll get you some pics and try to figure out how to post them.


Now you owe me a trip to your super secret Green sunfish spot roflmao


I actually caught that green sunfish in that little bitty creek east of big creek. There is just a small pool there on the south side of 415 rd.


Cool, thanks
Posted By: J-Moe

Re: Lake Somerville - 04/01/16 09:28 PM

There must have been some heavy rains somewhere in the watershed. The Lake actually started rising this afternoon. I sure was hoping they would start to reduce the discharge at the spillway this afternoon.
Posted By: R2Fishing

Re: Lake Somerville - 04/02/16 02:43 AM

Cmonnnn, don't tell me that.

It shows lake is only .4 above pool...
Posted By: J-Moe

Re: Lake Somerville - 04/02/16 10:29 AM

Looks like it's started to recede again. At a much slower rate though. I'm still crossing my fingers they will start reducing the flow sometime this weekend.
Posted By: 1Tacklehoarder

Re: Lake Somerville - 04/02/16 12:58 PM

I hope you are right. I only have to work about 20 hours next week LOL. Gonna be plenty of time to go fishing!
Posted By: J-Moe

Re: Lake Somerville - 04/02/16 05:25 PM

They dropped the flow to 355 cfs. Parking lot at the dam was full. People were catching a few crappie and hybrids. Lots of goo and buffalo as well.
Posted By: J-Moe

Re: Lake Somerville - 04/03/16 02:59 AM

I went back to the dam this evening. I used my 4 weight fly rod and grey/white clouser. The fish really turned on after the sun set. I ended up catching 14 white bass and 8 crappie. Most of the fish were under sized though.

I also broke my Yegua Creek fly rod record for a small mouth buffalo.

This one was 29.25 inches and weighed 14.1 lbs.

Posted By: 1Tacklehoarder

Re: Lake Somerville - 04/03/16 04:08 AM

See that guy down the bank from you? That's me. I was about to come down and ask if you were Jamie, then the fish started biting again for me and the next time I looked up you were gone. I'll be headed back out in the morning with a couple teenagers, so hopefully it will only get better tomorrow. I'll be wearing a fishing themed American flag summer cap, and I have a beard. If you or anyone else out there sees me, feel free to visit. My name is Mark.

The water was sure active this evening. I left them biting, and from the sound of your report, I left too dang early. Funny how all the whites you and I caught were undersized, but the ones everyone else caught were all keepers. LOL I measured five or six little whites and they were all 8.75-9.5 inches no matter how long I tried to stretch them, so I quit measuring and put all the rest I caught back in the water immediately after that. I threw some jigs and caught some dinks of several species, switched to punch bait and got all kinds of little nibbles but only caught one little channel cat. I caught all kinds of fish on shrimp. I didn't take any crawdads, but could have had a field day on the gaspergoos. I don't know how many total fish I caught in a few hours, but it was close to 40. With all the dink nibbles, it got frustrating at times having to re bait so much. Amazingly, I never caught a buffalo or carp......
Posted By: J-Moe

Re: Lake Somerville - 04/03/16 09:55 AM

Yes, I saw you. I went weighed the fish and then came back and fished off the rocks.
Posted By: 1Tacklehoarder

Re: Lake Somerville - 04/03/16 11:11 AM

I guess I'm solo today. The boys wouldn't get out of bed. 38 degrees at my house this morning. Wonder if the shad will still run to shore on the main lake this morning?
Posted By: J-Moe

Re: Lake Somerville - 04/06/16 01:22 PM

Lake level is 238.19 and releasing 355 CFS. It won't be long now before they close the gates.

The crappie bite is hot right now. Still lots of small crappie being caught but a few 12 inch are starting to show up as well. Fishing seems to be good everywhere; on the main lake, in the creeks and below the dam.

The effects of last years flood have really been great. There is an enormous amount of small fish and they are growing quickly.

Should be a great weekend of fishing. I'm taking off Friday too.
Posted By: hook-line&sinker

Re: Lake Somerville - 04/06/16 01:22 PM

Posted By: Hogslayer5L

Re: Lake Somerville - 04/06/16 06:16 PM

Anyone know if Big Creek is open?
Posted By: J-Moe

Re: Lake Somerville - 04/06/16 06:58 PM

COE Website shows the following:

Boat Ramps listed below are CLOSED, all others should be accessible.
Birch Creek State Park
Rocky Creek Park (Both Ramps)
Yegua Creek Park #1
Birch Creek State Park, Big Creek Park and Rocky Creek Park remain CLOSED.
Pecan Lake is CLOSED.
Posted By: H-TownCrappieMan

Re: Lake Somerville - 04/06/16 08:12 PM

Originally Posted By: Hogslayer5L
Anyone know if Big Creek is open?


Are you talking Big Creek marina? have you seen it since the May floods? My guess is it ain't opening until someone buys it and repairs it. The crappie house is long gone too. Does that answer your qustion? If not, sorry for rambling.
Posted By: H-TownCrappieMan

Re: Lake Somerville - 04/06/16 08:50 PM

Originally Posted By: H-TownCrappieMan
Originally Posted By: Hogslayer5L
Anyone know if Big Creek is open?


Are you talking Big Creek marina? have you seen it since the May floods? My guess is it ain't opening until someone buys it and repairs it. The crappie house is long gone too. Does that answer your qustion? If not, sorry for rambling.


Spoke too soon. I saw a post that said the owner was thinking f rebuiding in about a month or two. It was from a lady that used to work there.
Posted By: R2Fishing

Re: Lake Somerville - 04/06/16 09:54 PM

The rebuild has already started....
Posted By: Hogslayer5L

Re: Lake Somerville - 04/07/16 01:43 AM

I just want in the park
Posted By: J-Moe

Re: Lake Somerville - 04/07/16 02:14 AM

Lake Level is 238.16. COE dropped the release rate to 187 cfs. I'm still catching crappie and white bass on the fly rod. Most of the crappie are small. I caught a few nice WB tonight though. I haven't caught a hybrid in a while. I suspect it is better in the morning for hybrids. At least that's been my experience below the dam.

It's been a great year of fishing already. I can't wait for the sunfish to start spawning. It shouldn't be long now. I found a number of sandy/rocky points that held bluegill last summer. I hope to find a few trophies in those spots this year. I'm still looking for the big green sunfish, redear and longear on the lake. I guess it all depends on how much time I want to waste exploring, rather than catching. That's fun too though.
Posted By: R2Fishing

Re: Lake Somerville - 04/07/16 03:02 AM

They've been catching whites at lakeside ramp at yegua park...
The point extends out to the buoy marker... Just a helpful hint. thumb
Posted By: 1Tacklehoarder

Re: Lake Somerville - 04/08/16 01:22 AM

I just got done absolutely tearing up the channel cats and buffalo from the dam riprap on the welch park side. Caught them all on CJ's monster punch bait. The bait wouldn't stay in the water more than 30 seconds without a bite. I caught them under a cork next to the reeds and on bottom just as far as I could throw out. All the channels but two were over 18". Biggest buffalo had to have went nearly 30 lbs.
Posted By: R2Fishing

Re: Lake Somerville - 04/08/16 12:13 PM

Love when things come together as planned.
Arrived at the lake yesterday around 430pm. Ran and graphed few humps and caught few whitebass.
Got warmed up and ran to catch the days targets, hybrids

Just like always, they were staged and feeding on shad. This hole has produced good fish each trip there.
All fish caught on top waters, 2 limit of hybrid and handful of whites.





banana banana
Posted By: whitewing maniac

Re: Lake Somerville - 04/08/16 12:29 PM

Originally Posted By: 1Tacklehoarder
I just got done absolutely tearing up the channel cats and buffalo from the dam riprap on the welch park side. Caught them all on CJ's monster punch bait. The bait wouldn't stay in the water more than 30 seconds without a bite. I caught them under a cork next to the reeds and on bottom just as far as I could throw out. All the channels but two were over 18". Biggest buffalo had to have went nearly 30 lbs.


Were you on the park side of dam?
Posted By: whitewing maniac

Re: Lake Somerville - 04/08/16 12:36 PM

Any good crappie reports at overlook marina?
Headed there Sunday morning dark and early. Hoping to get a hot spot before it crowds up
Posted By: J-Moe

Re: Lake Somerville - 04/08/16 08:22 PM

Originally Posted By: hoggwild
Love when things come together as planned.
Arrived at the lake yesterday around 430pm. Ran and graphed few humps and caught few whitebass.
Got warmed up and ran to catch the days targets, hybrids

Just like always, they were staged and feeding on shad. This hole has produced good fish each trip there.
All fish caught on top waters, 2 limit of hybrid and handful of whites.


Awesome, that looks like some real fun. Makes me want to get in the kayak and go chasing hybrids on the lake. Fly rod and big popper ought to work well too.

Looks like they were coming up from 10 feet down to take a top water bait, if I read the graph properly.

You've developed a good pattern, well done thumb
Posted By: J-Moe

Re: Lake Somerville - 04/08/16 08:23 PM

Originally Posted By: whitewing maniac
Any good crappie reports at overlook marina?
Headed there Sunday morning dark and early. Hoping to get a hot spot before it crowds up


I haven't heard any reports but the crappie are biting well in the creeks and below the dam.
Posted By: CroakerSoaker

Re: Lake Somerville - 04/09/16 01:21 AM

Back in the 80's we caught hybrids that size up Yegua during the white bass run. Does anyone catch them now during the run. Just curious because they were a blast. Maybe the entrance is too silted in from ya'lls reports for them to up the creek.
Posted By: J-Moe

Re: Lake Somerville - 04/09/16 01:53 AM

Originally Posted By: CroakerSoaker
Back in the 80's we caught hybrids that size up Yegua during the white bass run. Does anyone catch them now during the run. Just curious because they were a blast. Maybe the entrance is too silted in from ya'lls reports for them to up the creek.


Very few were caught this year. I only personally heard of 2 being caught. Ben and I tried Jardelle late in the season, after a flood, in hopes of finding them. He too had caught them after a flood late in the run before. Neither of us caught a hybrid the entire run in the creeks, just below the dam.
Posted By: R2Fishing

Re: Lake Somerville - 04/09/16 01:27 PM

If anyone knows this idiot... Please teach him fishing etiquette.
Posted By: R2Fishing

Re: Lake Somerville - 04/09/16 03:47 PM

Don't get no better than this.
My boy caught his first hybrid on his own. We bout lost few rods, lost few fish but we got enough to call it a day.
Proud dad moment
Posted By: jsinn01

Re: Lake Somerville - 04/09/16 05:44 PM

Man, that's awesome! Congrats. clap
Posted By: R2Fishing

Re: Lake Somerville - 04/09/16 06:09 PM

He started at 5am with "dad I just want to go find crappie". Lol
I had to plead and convince him hybrids are exciting and fun to catch.
Well after the 3rd one he was done! Lol. He said his arms hurt, so we caught few whitebass and called it a day before the wind picked up and made lake to rough for him to enjoy the day.

All in all, was a fantastic morning out
Posted By: R2Fishing

Re: Lake Somerville - 04/11/16 01:30 AM

Started out waiting on the Hybrids to turn on... With this wind we couldn't find any schooling fish.
So we caught these green trash fish all day. thumb

Posted By: whitewing maniac

Re: Lake Somerville - 04/11/16 01:06 PM

Went to overlook marina yesterday, wife caught her 1st keeper crappie ever, I managed 1 keeper, we each had 3 throw backs. Buddy we met up there managed 7, he was working the boat slips, I was kept in 1 area due to wife not wanting to take fish off hook or put minnows on hook. But at least she got her first crappie and a few throw backs.

Said hey to J-Mo when he came walking out there. Then he went in search of some Bluegill.
You find any J-Mo?
Posted By: J-Moe

Re: Lake Somerville - 04/11/16 01:16 PM

Originally Posted By: whitewing maniac
Went to overlook marina yesterday, wife caught her 1st keeper crappie ever, I managed 1 keeper, we each had 3 throw backs. Buddy we met up there managed 7, he was working the boat slips, I was kept in 1 area due to wife not wanting to take fish off hook or put minnows on hook. But at least she got her first crappie and a few throw backs.

Said hey to J-Mo when he came walking out there. Then he went in search of some Bluegill.
You find any J-Mo?


I only caught a few bluegill. They still haven't moved shallow on the main lake. They are spawning in the shallow creeks and shallow ponds though.

I went over to the dam and ended up catching 7 nice white bass. Fishing has slowed down below the dam the last few days though.
Posted By: whitewing maniac

Re: Lake Somerville - 04/11/16 01:18 PM

On Saturday a co worker, his wife and son in law went out at 10:30 a.m. and had caught 30 hybrids by noon. Biggest was 8.5lbs caught by the wife. They all kept their 5 hybrid limit and added 7 whites to catch.
Guess the hybrids are biting like crazy right now.
Posted By: J-Moe

Re: Lake Somerville - 04/12/16 12:05 PM

Lake level is 238.08 and still releasing 94 cfs. Rain is expected all week. The bright spot is as long as they keep releasing water there shouldn't be a massive fish kill like we saw last September.

The sunfish spawn usually begins when the water temperature reaches 68 degrees.

Does anyone know the current water temperature?
Posted By: R2Fishing

Re: Lake Somerville - 04/12/16 04:26 PM

69.8 sunday
Posted By: R2Fishing

Re: Lake Somerville - 04/12/16 04:27 PM

Saturday was 71-72.

Past thurs was 74
Posted By: R2Fishing

Re: Lake Somerville - 04/12/16 04:28 PM

I'm learning that once lake temps dip even the smallest amount below 70 it's hard for me to convince a bite.
Posted By: J-Moe

Re: Lake Somerville - 04/12/16 04:45 PM

Excellent, thanks for the information hoggwild. The sunfish should be on the beds in the main lake any day now.
Posted By: Coolshot

Re: Lake Somerville - 04/12/16 09:22 PM

66 today at the sunfish hole!! lol
Caught 2 crappie, no sunnies!
Posted By: J-Moe

Re: Lake Somerville - 04/13/16 01:28 AM

Originally Posted By: Coolshot
66 today at the sunfish hole!! lol
Caught 2 crappie, no sunnies!


You're just fishing the wrong ponds. I've been killing the green sunfish in the ponds. Gray/white & Chartreuse/White clousers have been working great. Top water is still slow.

Posted By: Coolshot

Re: Lake Somerville - 04/14/16 04:52 PM

J-Moe: Not your private pond sunfish hole!! The Somerville sunfish hole!!
This is the Somerville Forum! Lol
Posted By: J-Moe

Re: Lake Somerville - 04/15/16 12:56 PM

Originally Posted By: Coolshot
J-Moe: Not your private pond sunfish hole!! The Somerville sunfish hole!!
This is the Somerville Forum! Lol


Hey now, I'm the creator of this thread. If I want to post pictures of trophy fish to annoy you, it is my right roflmao
Posted By: J-Moe

Re: Lake Somerville - 04/15/16 12:59 PM

Lake level rose about 0.3 feet with the recent rains. Level is 238.39 and still releasing 94 CFS.
Posted By: J-Moe

Re: Lake Somerville - 04/18/16 12:02 AM

I went checked on the creeks this morning. They were still in pretty good shape. I was searching for sunfish with my fly rod and small size 10 yellow Briminator pattern. To my surprise I caught a white bass. I tried for a while longer with the Briminator but didn't catch anything so I switched to the old reliable gray and white clouser. I ended up catching 9 white bass and 3 crappie out of one spot.





Posted By: R2Fishing

Re: Lake Somerville - 04/18/16 12:42 PM

Well the creek is about to turn chocolate and rise!

I wouldn't put it past the whites/hybrids to make another run up.. The run on the lake is just barely getting warmed up.
Posted By: J-Moe

Re: Lake Somerville - 04/18/16 02:33 PM

From all the stories I hear this would be just about perfect timing for a hybrid run up the creeks. I'm sure Ben will drag me up to his special place to check soon. He keeps hoping there will be a repeat of years past.
Posted By: ag_angler

Re: Lake Somerville - 04/19/16 03:47 AM

For fly fishing white bass, what line weight is good?

is line weight 8 too heavy?

Posted By: J-Moe

Re: Lake Somerville - 04/19/16 11:46 AM

I usually use a 4 weight rod due to the sensitivity it provides. It also is much more fun to fight them on. The only time I use an 8 weight is at the dam when I need to throw really heavy flies.

White bass are very skittish in the creeks and clear water so the smaller line also makes less noise and disruption in the water.

With all that being said, you can still catch them on an 8 weight if that's all you have to fish with. It is just more difficult and you have to pay extremely close attention to your line for any movement as well. Just insure you utilize a 4 lb. mono or 6 lb. fluorocarbon tippet. The presentation of the fly is the real key to getting bit.

Gig'em, Class of 87'
Posted By: hook-line&sinker

Re: Lake Somerville - 04/19/16 01:28 PM

ditto on what J-Moe says but for fishing in the creek jungle of sticks and twigs I up the tippet to 8# test mono/fluoro, That change does sacrifice sensitivity and fly action but I don't lose as many fish or flys to the line breaking.. J-Moe has developed very specific tactics to catching whatever kind of fish he is after and I'm much more of a generalist when fishing springtime creeks.. because of this specializing J-Moe often catches more fish then I do (but you will never know because I'm the camera man and the editor!) wink
Posted By: J-Moe

Re: Lake Somerville - 04/20/16 03:19 PM

Lake Level is 242.5 ft. 4.5 feet above normal. The dam has been closed the last couple of days. I've been catching a bunch of bluegill but nothing else. A few crappie are being caught in the shoot and a few catfish being caught further downstream. White bass and Hybrid fishing has been very poor since Sunday.
Posted By: fishytx

Re: Lake Somerville - 04/21/16 02:27 PM

I remember there being a big wooden sign at Newman's bottom that said, beware of alligator. This sign no longer exists, but they have photographed a huge gator at flag pond and they think there is two of them. So, watch where you step. I know there are a few bird watchers who go out there, so be careful.
Posted By: J-Moe

Re: Lake Somerville - 04/22/16 12:39 PM

I lived down in Cameron, La. in 8th grade through my first year of college. We were always in the marsh; hunting, fishing, frogging, you name it. There were tons of alligators in the marsh. Not once did I ever have a concern about them being aggressive to me. I remember putting on head lights and going frogging at night. The alligators would be mating and making a unique and scary bellowing sound. I can remember wading through channels and looking both directions and seeing 2 or 3 set of alligator eyes shining back at me in both directions. I can remember falling into their deep holes on more than one occassion. We used to canoe in one of the channels filled with gators and they never paid us any attention. I also remember walking the levees and coming up on some 10 to 12 feet gators sunning themselves. We would throw rocks at them until they finally would turn and hiss at us and then run into the water and out of our path. We knew they could out run us if they tried but they never did try. Maybe we were just lucky but I was far more fearful of the 8 feet water moccasins.
Posted By: R2Fishing

Re: Lake Somerville - 04/22/16 02:50 PM

Off topic

We're in Wharton for flood mission. Thought I'd share just few pics this weeks activity






Posted By: Johnbowman1974

Re: Lake Somerville - 04/22/16 04:04 PM

Holy cow.... that's insane. Be safe amigo.
Posted By: R2Fishing

Re: Lake Somerville - 04/22/16 04:16 PM

Believe the water has started receding.
Was close to somewhere 150 high water evacuations
Posted By: hook-line&sinker

Re: Lake Somerville - 04/23/16 03:49 AM

Somerville is 7 feet high as of 10:30pm Friday.. best case, the lake can recede 1/4 foot a day with a full release (2300+cfps) and normal inflow from the Yegua.. that is 28 days to normal level once they start the big push.... this is like last year at this time.. these months-long releases really put a lot of fish below the dam in the spillway.. might be fun.. sure was last summer wink
Posted By: white bass interceptor

Re: Lake Somerville - 04/23/16 09:43 PM

I've fished the Chocolate bayou at Liver Pool near Wharton and I can appreciate your work in that area and feel for those that are affected by the flood.
Posted By: TXfisherman12

Re: Lake Somerville - 04/23/16 11:32 PM

Originally Posted By: hook-line&sinker
ditto on what J-Moe says but for fishing in the creek jungle of sticks and twigs I up the tippet to 8# test mono/fluoro, That change does sacrifice sensitivity and fly action but I don't lose as many fish or flys to the line breaking.. J-Moe has developed very specific tactics to catching whatever kind of fish he is after and I'm much more of a generalist when fishing springtime creeks.. because of this specializing J-Moe often catches more fish then I do (but you will never know because I'm the camera man and the editor!) wink


I am just starting to get back into fly fishing after a decades absence. When you say weight or you referring to the lb. test of the leader? or the actual fly line that is attached to backing or reel? Another question, do you guys use a floating line or sink-tip or else?
Posted By: J-Moe

Re: Lake Somerville - 04/24/16 01:24 AM

Originally Posted By: TXfisherman12
Originally Posted By: hook-line&sinker
ditto on what J-Moe says but for fishing in the creek jungle of sticks and twigs I up the tippet to 8# test mono/fluoro, That change does sacrifice sensitivity and fly action but I don't lose as many fish or flys to the line breaking.. J-Moe has developed very specific tactics to catching whatever kind of fish he is after and I'm much more of a generalist when fishing springtime creeks.. because of this specializing J-Moe often catches more fish then I do (but you will never know because I'm the camera man and the editor!) wink


I am just starting to get back into fly fishing after a decades absence. When you say weight or you referring to the lb. test of the leader? or the actual fly line that is attached to backing or reel? Another question, do you guys use a floating line or sink-tip or else?


When we say weight we are talking about the rod itself. What weight fly line is in rated for. A 4 weight would be like a light weight rod vs. an 8 weight, which would be like a medium heavy rod. Some people actually over line their rods. For instance, they use a 5 weight line on a 4 weight rod. I use WF floating fly line with a fluorocarbon leader / tippet. I have a sink tip line but they are a pain to throw and are not needed in the Yegua or fishing in slow moving current. I would suggest using a weight forward floating fly line to start with.
Posted By: J-Moe

Re: Lake Somerville - 04/25/16 06:05 PM

Lake level is 246 ft. 8 feet above normal. They opened the gates approximately 50%. Flow is 1059 CFS. The Brazos is still very high.

I tried fishing for sunfish and bluegill this weekend. The bluegill still have not moved shallow on the main lake. They should be shallow before the next full moon. Lots of catfish being caught off the dam rocks between the spill way and Welsh park.
Posted By: whitewing maniac

Re: Lake Somerville - 04/26/16 02:20 PM

Any parks open on Somerville now? With all the rain lately and more on the way, it's not looking good.
Posted By: J-Moe

Re: Lake Somerville - 04/26/16 03:28 PM

Overlook Park is open. One of the 2 roads going into the ramp was under water but the other was still passable. Lake level is almost stable with the current release rate. It came up less than 0.1 feet since yesterday. More rain is expected tonight. Another couple feet in rise and Overlook park boat ramp will probably close. A lot of the camp sites should be open for a while at Overlook though.
Posted By: whitewing maniac

Re: Lake Somerville - 04/26/16 03:40 PM

Marina still open?
Was thinking about making one last crappie trip there, if it's even worth it with all the rain and level up.
Plus calling for even more rain late in week and the weekend.
Posted By: J-Moe

Re: Lake Somerville - 04/26/16 03:44 PM

Yes, the Marina found a way to stay open most or all of last year. They used a pontoon with a trolling motor to move people back and forth last year.
Posted By: BankAngler50

Re: Lake Somerville - 04/26/16 04:06 PM

Originally Posted By: J-Moe
Yes, the Marina found a way to stay open most or all of last year. They used a pontoon with a trolling motor to move people back and forth last year.
That's genius improvisation right there thumb

....
Posted By: whitewing maniac

Re: Lake Somerville - 04/26/16 05:15 PM

Well if it don't come a turd floater on Saturday, gonna head there for one last trip on the crappie. Have yet to land one on a jig. I've had the hits, just not the experience yet of getting them hooked on the jig.
To be honest, this is the first year I've ever crappie fished. And I'll be damned if my wife did not only beat me to catching the first keeper crappie, but the biggest a well. That was the morning I saw you out there J-mo.

So now she is willing to go more with me and actually looking forward to going. See how I played that? roflmao
Posted By: J-Moe

Re: Lake Somerville - 04/26/16 05:59 PM

COE raised the release flowrate to 2117 CFS
Posted By: H-TownCrappieMan

Re: Lake Somerville - 04/26/16 07:14 PM

We went to a spot several weeks ago, fishing only jigs and BAM! They lit those jigs up as soon as we cast over the side.

I wish someone would post some pictures on the lake like at Overlook Marina and near Big Creek.

I called today and they said the water was up to the bathrooms on the hill at Overlook.
Posted By: J-Moe

Re: Lake Somerville - 04/27/16 01:50 PM

Off Topic

I caught this Green Sunfish while pond fishing yesterday. It weighed 1.0 lbs. and was 10.75 inches long. I am submitting paperwork for a new State Private Water Body Fly record. I actually own the current record of 0.8 lbs.

Posted By: white bass interceptor

Re: Lake Somerville - 04/27/16 11:50 PM


spillway action


Does anyone have a report on fishing at the spillway?
Posted By: J-Moe

Re: Lake Somerville - 04/30/16 02:29 PM

Originally Posted By: white bass interceptor

spillway action


Does anyone have a report on fishing at the spillway?


A few catfish is all I've seen. Both below the spillway and on the lake side against the rocks.

Bluegill still have not moved shallow in any numbers yet.

Overlook Boat ramp and Marina are remain open and operating fairly normally.

Lake level is 245.5 ft. 7.5 feet above normal and releasing 2100 cfs. Water will be released for at least the next month.
Posted By: R2Fishing

Re: Lake Somerville - 04/30/16 07:07 PM

Still a lot of surface debri on the lake?
Posted By: hook-line&sinker

Re: Lake Somerville - 05/01/16 02:40 AM

the COE cut the flow off and the lake rose from 245.5 to 245.7 since this morning.. don't know how much rain fell in the Yegua watershed but this is beginning to look like last year.. dang..
Posted By: white bass interceptor

Re: Lake Somerville - 05/01/16 03:43 AM

Thanks Mr. J. That is not the report that I was hoping for but I know that there are better days ahead. All of this rain will definitely give us a brighter future in fishing.
Posted By: J-Moe

Re: Lake Somerville - 05/01/16 03:29 PM

They are catching a few whites, crappie an even an occasional hybrid below the dam since the gates closed. Ghost minnows have been working best on the white bass.

I checked on Cedar, Nails and Irwin this morning. Water is backed up past the bridge at all 3 locations. No water over the road any where. There were several newly fallen trees in Cedar. Water was still pretty dirty.
Posted By: white bass interceptor

Re: Lake Somerville - 05/02/16 12:35 AM

Thanks J. Moe.
Posted By: J-Moe

Re: Lake Somerville - 05/02/16 07:26 PM

Lake Level is 246 ft. 8 ft. above normal. Gates are open and releasing 2111 cfs.
Posted By: SpeciesFisherman

Re: Lake Somerville - 05/02/16 09:16 PM

There is nothing at the spillway just a bunch of gar, car and catfish.
Posted By: R2Fishing

Re: Lake Somerville - 05/03/16 12:35 AM

Originally Posted By: J-Moe
Lake Level is 246 ft. 8 ft. above normal. Gates are open and releasing 2111 cfs.


I understand the river being flooded, but I'm tired of Somerville staying above 1-2ft pool.
They need to open gates and let them run. None of this open few days and close for few days..and so.
2cents
Posted By: hook-line&sinker

Re: Lake Somerville - 05/03/16 01:19 AM

Lake Somerville is a flood control/water conservation lake just like many in the state that the COE manages. Management of these COE lakes is directed by state & federal policy and/or law with consideration of existing water rights. All the surface water in the state of Texas is already owned and each of these COE lakes serves downstream needs whenever the demands are made.. It literally takes an act of congress to make changes to these federal & state funded impoundments which is why everything takes so long to develop into something better... cycles of extreme flood and drought just bring these issue to the forefront time and time again...
Posted By: J-Moe

Re: Lake Somerville - 05/08/16 01:47 PM

Lake level is 245 ft. 7 ft above normal. Releasing 2083 cfs.

I saw lots of shad spawning in both the creeks and shallow on the main lake.

Bluegill and Long ear sunfish are starting to move shallow is significant numbers now.

I saw people catching crappie at Overlook marina this morning.
Posted By: R2Fishing

Re: Lake Somerville - 05/09/16 03:36 AM

Whitebass and crappie are being caught at spillway also,
Co Worker went Fri evening and Sat morning.
Posted By: H-TownCrappieMan

Re: Lake Somerville - 05/10/16 04:20 PM

Just how bad is Overlook Marina with the high water?
Posted By: J-Moe

Re: Lake Somerville - 05/10/16 05:11 PM

Originally Posted By: H-TownCrappieMan
Just how bad is Overlook Marina with the high water?


It's operating close to normal
Posted By: hook-line&sinker

Re: Lake Somerville - 05/11/16 03:09 PM

looks like it is time to start fishing the spillway at daybreak (before work)! Hybrids and whites on the fly are the bomb!
Posted By: fluffycharm

Re: Lake Somerville - 05/11/16 04:05 PM

Hi there...

i know u go to somerville dam quite a bit due to your youtube videos that i watch...and they are awesome!

is there a good cell signal down by somerville dam? Just wondering!

Thanks.
Posted By: R2Fishing

Re: Lake Somerville - 05/11/16 04:22 PM

Yes cell service is good at the Dam
Posted By: Jacob_Breaux

Re: Lake Somerville - 05/11/16 06:27 PM

Went yesterday evening and caught a few small hybrids, a gar, a few drum, and several crappie. Blue and white tubes on a 1/16oz jighead. I had never been there when the water was flowing that hard though, so that really made it hard for me. Saw a couple catfish caught too
Posted By: J-Moe

Re: Lake Somerville - 05/12/16 03:32 PM

Originally Posted By: Jacob_Breaux
Went yesterday evening and caught a few small hybrids, a gar, a few drum, and several crappie. Blue and white tubes on a 1/16oz jighead. I had never been there when the water was flowing that hard though, so that really made it hard for me. Saw a couple catfish caught too


Thanks for the report. You thinks it's tough with 1/16 oz jigs you should try it with a fly rod, LOL. I've been avoiding the challenge myself. But I think you convinced me to give it a try soon.

That name is very familiar to me.

Jamie Meaux
Posted By: J-Moe

Re: Lake Somerville - 05/12/16 03:35 PM

Lake level is 244 Ft. 6 ft. above normal and releasing 2050 cfs. Lake is now receding at a good rate of over 1/4 ft. per day.
Posted By: R2Fishing

Re: Lake Somerville - 05/13/16 04:15 AM

Took the afternoon to fish mainlake with my dad. He hasn't been on to many whites or hybrids this year and since I've been on decent bite I took him out.

Worked along the dam with nothing, graphed few schools but no active fish. Ran to a mid lake point that's been producing for me lately and the graph lit up like a Christmas tree. Anchored up and pulled out the slabs and got to jigging. First drop, hooked up on a white. The rest is history. Didn't see any surface action...
Posted By: J-Moe

Re: Lake Somerville - 05/13/16 11:02 AM

Originally Posted By: hoggwild
Took the afternoon to fish mainlake with my dad. He hasn't been on to many whites or hybrids this year and since I've been on decent bite I took him out.

Worked along the dam with nothing, graphed few schools but no active fish. Ran to a mid lake point that's been producing for me lately and the graph lit up like a Christmas tree. Anchored up and pulled out the slabs and got to jigging. First drop, hooked up on a white. The rest is history. Didn't see any surface action...


I assume that means y'all brought home 50 white bass and 10 hybrids. No picture of Dad holding an 8 lb. hybrid?
Posted By: R2Fishing

Re: Lake Somerville - 05/13/16 07:17 PM

No pics. Pics would give away my honey hole. bolt

Pm your way Jmoe
Posted By: 24x7Fisherman

Re: Lake Somerville - 05/13/16 10:48 PM

dd
Posted By: R2Fishing

Re: Lake Somerville - 05/14/16 12:42 AM

** JUST IN **
The Crappie House at Big Creek has been put back in place. It wasn't there yesterday but just got a pic sent to me with it sitting and tied up back in its place.
Posted By: Luck_McK

Re: Lake Somerville - 05/14/16 03:58 AM

Well, I went early this morning about to the spillway and I was able to catch a few white bass and 1 largemouth on chug bugs. Just though to report that the fishing is alright at the spillway early In the morning but you have to be in the right spot.
Posted By: rvrrat14

Re: Lake Somerville - 05/14/16 04:06 AM

Does anyone know if Birch Creek Park/Ramp is open yet?
Posted By: J-Moe

Re: Lake Somerville - 05/14/16 09:52 AM

Originally Posted By: Luck_McK
Well, I went early this morning about 7 AM to the spillway and I was able to catch a few white bass and 1 largemouth on chug bugs. Just though I ought to report that the fishing is alright at the spillway early In the morning but you have to be in the right spot because the guys in front of us where just shredding white bass like crazy (using pet spoons) while we only got occasional bites.


welcome

Thanks for the report
Posted By: J-Moe

Re: Lake Somerville - 05/16/16 07:43 PM

Lake Level is 243.9 ft. Almost 6 feet high. They reduced the flow today to 1500 cfs.

Catfish are still being caught off the rocks on the lake side and below the dam.

I tried fishing below the dam from 6:15 to 7:00 AM on Saturday with no luck. I was told that the white bass didn't start biting until after 7 AM. A couple people had caught white bass on live shad after I left.

People are doing well on LMB by pitching plastics around the submerged trees and vegetation in the back of the coves.

I've been catching bluegill on my fly rod but only in select locations. They still haven't fully moved in and started spawning in great numbers yet. It looks like the peak will be on the next full moon.
Posted By: J-Moe

Re: Lake Somerville - 05/16/16 07:49 PM

Originally Posted By: rvrrat14
Does anyone know if Birch Creek Park/Ramp is open yet?


You can check openings and closings on the COE website
http://www.swf-wc.usace.army.mil/somerville/

Boat Ramps listed below are CLOSED, all others should be accessible.
Birch Creek State Park
Rocky Creek Park (Both Ramps)
Yegua Creek Park (Ramp #1)
Birch Creek State Park, Big Creek Park and Rocky Creek Park remain CLOSED.
Pecan Lake is CLOSED.
Posted By: toddparr

Re: Lake Somerville - 05/17/16 08:16 PM

Any idea what the current water temperature is at Sommerville?
Posted By: R2Fishing

Re: Lake Somerville - 05/18/16 02:47 AM

Was there this afternoon. 81 at 5pm, 79 at sunset.
Posted By: R2Fishing

Re: Lake Somerville - 05/18/16 02:49 AM

Whites and hybrids still stacking on inner lake points.
CoWorker hooked 1 hybrid and broke his line.
Posted By: OllieC

Re: Lake Somerville - 05/19/16 01:39 PM

I'm encouraged to keep looking and trying by your recent good results.

What kind of slabs do you like to use? I've tried all different kinds out there. I used to jig Bomber slabs with my Dad at Texoma with good results but I have never been able to reproduce that kind of results in Somerville with Bomber slabs. I like the feel of using them though. Haven't completely given up hope yet? Do you jig pretty much straight up and down or do you cast and jig back? I've lost many, many spoons at Somerville w the cast and hop it back approach :-( It's hard to work it back slow enough without getting hung up. If I jig straight up and down there's less chance of hanging but you cover a fraction of the water.

I got Helix 7 sonar at Christmas time, a warranty replacement/upgrade from BassPro after 2.5 years on a 3 year warranty! I've been seeing lots of stuff down there but I am beginning to think that I need to be keep looking until I can id larger schools of fish at least at this time of year. It takes a lot of nerve to just keep looking sometimes. Still trying to figure things out but I am encouraged that they are out there somewhere and I'll eventually stumble into them if I keep looking and fishing"-)
Posted By: R2Fishing

Re: Lake Somerville - 05/19/16 07:21 PM

Ollie,

Any chartreuse or white and chartreuse slab 5/8 to 1oz will work.
Vertical jig. Swiftly raise your rod 3ft(approx) and let it free fall back down keeping in contact with lure as it falls. Allowing the slab to sit just off the bottom. You'll feel the thump.

We're finding fish in 14-20ft of water. I just have sonar/downscan. There is no doubt when you go over a school of active fish.
Posted By: R2Fishing

Re: Lake Somerville - 05/19/16 07:24 PM

Here's a shot from my graph on a small school of hybrids
Posted By: R2Fishing

Re: Lake Somerville - 05/19/16 07:28 PM

I'll also add that this is the crunch time to really get into the whites.
I'll stop chasing them 2nd week of June as it just gets to hard to pattern and stay on the fish as they will be moving chasing better O2 water and bait.
And an hr or 2 before sunset is usually best for me.
Posted By: Dmcputtz

Re: Lake Somerville - 05/19/16 08:25 PM

Originally Posted By: hoggwild
Took the afternoon to fish mainlake with my dad. He hasn't been on to many whites or hybrids this year and since I've been on decent bite I took him out.

Worked along the dam with nothing, graphed few schools but no active fish. Ran to a mid lake point that's been producing for me lately and the graph lit up like a Christmas tree. Anchored up and pulled out the slabs and got to jigging. First drop, hooked up on a white. The rest is history. Didn't see any surface action...

How is pops? I haven't seen him since that one epic trip he had on my boat where he killed em just doing circle 8s along my boat rail with only 2 feet of line out.
Time to look at some old posts since I haven't been on here in awhile. popcorn2
Posted By: R2Fishing

Re: Lake Somerville - 05/20/16 01:10 AM

Originally Posted By: Dmcputtz
Originally Posted By: hoggwild
Took the afternoon to fish mainlake with my dad. He hasn't been on to many whites or hybrids this year and since I've been on decent bite I took him out.

Worked along the dam with nothing, graphed few schools but no active fish. Ran to a mid lake point that's been producing for me lately and the graph lit up like a Christmas tree. Anchored up and pulled out the slabs and got to jigging. First drop, hooked up on a white. The rest is history. Didn't see any surface action...

How is pops? I haven't seen him since that one epic trip he had on my boat where he killed em just doing circle 8s along my boat rail with only 2 feet of line out.
Time to look at some old posts since I haven't been on here in awhile. popcorn2


Doug we do miss your knowledge and thoughts when it came to whitebass.
You were probably one of the better whitebass fisherman on the lake.

Think it's time for a reunion trip

And Pop still talks about that trip with you!
Posted By: OllieC

Re: Lake Somerville - 05/20/16 01:31 PM

there they are :-) Thanks.

I love jigging vertically it's like no other way of fishing. You just gotta keep believing and I guess keep looking because they move a lot :-)
Posted By: J-Moe

Re: Lake Somerville - 05/21/16 02:05 AM

COE closed the dam this morning. Lots of gar were stacked up below the dam. There were a few catfish and crappie being caught.

Lake level has risen to 246 ft. 8 ft. above normal.
Posted By: Dmcputtz

Re: Lake Somerville - 05/21/16 05:06 AM

Originally Posted By: hoggwild
If anyone knows this idiot... Please teach him fishing etiquette.


That kinda looks like Weldon's boat that he bought About 7-8 years ago. The guy doesn't look as old as Weldon. Lol.I know...pictures don't do it justice how close he was. Been there done that. Still doesn't beat a guy who cast across Newman's TWICE at my feet to snag my stringer of fish...accidently.
Posted By: R2Fishing

Re: Lake Somerville - 05/21/16 11:00 AM

It wasn't Weldon I've fished along him many of times for crappie this past season.
I'm
Headed to lake now. 8.3' high...
Posted By: Hogflyer

Re: Lake Somerville - 05/21/16 12:51 PM

What does this pic dictate? looks like he's fishing, or ? could be releaving himself, options are open here
i think! line going out, could be an anchor or someones else line? its all relative im my book. Been fishing 50+ yrs
ive seen it all today! nothing suprise me!

Back in early 80's i caught couple smart bucks thought they were gonna cut my trotline in front of birch creek, while
we were there crappie fishing just off shore of Birch Creek, this bass fisherman and his drunk buddy decide to cut my lines,
after pulling my smith .357 and coming up to theyre boat, one guy mess his pants, dont believe he will be doing that again,
after a short education on the water!
Posted By: J-Moe

Re: Lake Somerville - 05/21/16 04:32 PM

I caught some crappie on the spillway rocks this morning. About 1 in 6 were keepers. I used a pink jig head with a chartreuse plastic jig. The gar loved the pink jig head too, ugh bang
Posted By: R2Fishing

Re: Lake Somerville - 05/22/16 01:53 AM

Originally Posted By: Hogflyer
What does this pic dictate? looks like he's fishing, or ? could be releaving himself, options are open here
i think! line going out, could be an anchor or someones else line? its all relative im my book. Been fishing 50+ yrs
ive seen it all today! nothing suprise me!

Back in early 80's i caught couple smart bucks thought they were gonna cut my trotline in front of birch creek, while
we were there crappie fishing just off shore of Birch Creek, this bass fisherman and his drunk buddy decide to cut my lines,
after pulling my smith .357 and coming up to theyre boat, one guy mess his pants, dont believe he will be doing that again,
after a short education on the water!


He pot licked. I was on a school of hybrids. He stayed back watching us from 100yrds out or so. After the 3rd fish he moved up and anchored where I was casting. If it were just me I probably would of blew it off. He's probably weekend fisherman and doesn't know how to locate fish. But it was my sons first hybrid trip and he was excited. So when he came by and cut us off it really ticked me
Off. I'm not an angry person but I just wanted to rip him off his boat and teach him a lesson...
Posted By: R2Fishing

Re: Lake Somerville - 05/22/16 01:54 AM

Originally Posted By: J-Moe
I caught some crappie on the spillway rocks this morning. About 1 in 6 were keepers. I used a pink jig head with a chartreuse plastic jig. The gar loved the pink jig head too, ugh bang


Main lake was like that also. We seen hundreds of gar along the banks. Chasing shad, busting the surface.. Was wild.
Posted By: J-Moe

Re: Lake Somerville - 05/22/16 02:57 PM

Lake Level 247.32. 9.32 ft above normal. Gates are still closed.

I fished below the spillway again this morning. The crappie bite was good from 7 AM to 8:15 AM then it really slowed down. I was able to catch some much better fish this morning. I ended up with 7 keepers. About 1 in 3 keepers this morning. The bite was very light and I actually picked up a couple of keepers by just seeing line movement and not feeling a bite. I've been using the lightweight rod but I need to bring the ultralight gear next time I go. I've stuck with the 1/16 ounce pink jig head and chartreuse plastics. Just throwing it out an reeling it as slow as possible. Most of the fish were caught about 10 feet from the bank.

I tried in the afternoon yesterday but the bite was very slow.
Posted By: J-Moe

Re: Lake Somerville - 05/23/16 03:21 PM

Lake Level is 248. 10 ft above normal. They opened the gates to 919 cfs. this morning.
Posted By: J-Moe

Re: Lake Somerville - 05/24/16 02:30 PM

Lake level is 248.18 ft. The lake level is still creeping up at a release rate of 919 cfs. Gates are approximately half open.

Water was creeping up at Overlook park and if it goes up another couple feet the entrance road to the boat ramp will go under water and they will have to close the boat ramp. They will also have to allow some time for the roads to dry once the water recedes so they don't get destroyed.

More heavy rains are expected on Thursday and Friday. Rain in the forecast every day for a while. It's starting to look like a repeat of last year.
Posted By: timid tiger

Re: Lake Somerville - 05/24/16 09:14 PM

J-Moe Thanks for the updates.

A request:

I hope everyone who fishes below the dam would STOP DISCARDING their buffalo, gar, or various fish they "don't want" on the banks, because: 1) It makes the place stink 2) It shows you have no respect to other life forms. If you don't eat it then release it. Simply because they inconvenience your fishing of your target species doesn't give you rights to kill them. 3) Have you noticed that the dead fish causes the propagation of buffalo flies (black flies)?
Posted By: R2Fishing

Re: Lake Somerville - 05/24/16 09:48 PM

Gates are open at full as of now.

we should start to see the lake slowly dropping soon.
Posted By: J-Moe

Re: Lake Somerville - 05/25/16 01:41 PM

Thanks Hoggwild, I noticed that when I got to the spillway yesterday. There were a few more white bass and hybrids being caught yesterday.

Lake level is 248.12 so it has started to recede, but still extremely slow at this point.

Water was over the boat ramp road at Overlook in a low spot but the ramp remains open at this time. Water has also crept up quite a ways in the emergency overflow area. With the rain expected, things still don't look promising.

Posted By: J-Moe

Re: Lake Somerville - 05/26/16 03:24 PM

Lake level receded to 248 ft. 10 ft above normal and releasing 2167 cfs. It's raining again today. Hopefully, it won't get to heavy. The Brazos and the Yegua water shed are both taking on water though. I noticed the water below the dam had risen about 6 inches to a foot so the Brazos is still taking on some water from the previous rains.

Fishing below the dam has still been pretty good for white bass, hybrids and catfish.
Posted By: J-Moe

Re: Lake Somerville - 05/27/16 11:53 AM

Lake Level is 253.7 ft. 15.7 feet above normal. 19 inches of rain in Brenham. Lots of rain in the Yegua watershed to come.

Gates are currently still full open.

My prayers
Posted By: J-Moe

Re: Lake Somerville - 05/27/16 01:11 PM

Lake level is 254.5. 16.5 ft. above normal. Rising rapidly. Gates are still open.
Posted By: banker-always fishing

Re: Lake Somerville - 05/27/16 02:23 PM

Originally Posted By: J-Moe
Lake Level is 253.7 ft. 15.7 feet above normal. 19 inches of rain in Brenham. Lots of rain in the Yegua watershed to come.

Gates are currently still full open.

My prayers





WOW! That is a lot of water! 19" of RAIN! hammer I saw reports that Brenham and Bastrop got over 12"! nuts


Side Note: HURRICANE SEASON starts June 1! taz
Posted By: J-Moe

Re: Lake Somerville - 05/27/16 02:30 PM

Yes I was watching the underground weather station. 15.96 inches yesterday and another 2.97 inches after midnight. I also got a report that the Birch Creek area had about the same amount. 17 inches plus in other areas around Brenham and Lake Somerville.
Posted By: banker-always fishing

Re: Lake Somerville - 05/27/16 02:47 PM

The bright spot to all of this is that once things settle down you are going to have some SUPER fishing! thumb




Side Note: Your ponds will also be in GREAT SHAPE for the summer! cheers
Posted By: J-Moe

Re: Lake Somerville - 05/27/16 04:12 PM

Lake Level is 255.57 ft. 17.5 feet above normal and continuing to rise. Dam gates are still wide open and releasing over 2300 cfs.

I checked out the Overlook marina website. There was significant damage to the marina, as well as, there was damage to the new marina that is being built.
Posted By: pikeadon

Re: Lake Somerville - 05/27/16 04:25 PM

I feel bad for all the parks around the lake. Last year was bad and this is going to destroy a lot of work that was done to get things going again. Guessing it will be going over the spillway in a couple days.
Posted By: J-Moe

Re: Lake Somerville - 05/27/16 06:31 PM

At the rate it's climbing in may go over the emergency spillway tonight or early tomorrow morning.

Lake level is 256.18 ft, 18.18 ft above normal and over an inch more rain has fallen today.
Posted By: J-Moe

Re: Lake Somerville - 05/27/16 09:46 PM

Lake level is 257.05. Less than 1 foot from maximum level. 2417 cfs being released through the gates.
Posted By: hook-line&sinker

Re: Lake Somerville - 05/27/16 10:33 PM

The vast majority of the floodwater up in the Yegua watershed hasn't even made it to the lake yet. This is going to make history. I'll try to get a look at the lake Saturday morning if I can get to it..
Posted By: Toledo

Re: Lake Somerville - 05/28/16 01:05 AM

258.4 New record!

I'm not too concerned with any of the man made stuff but the loss of old growth oak tress from excessive flooding is worrisome. Same thing happening on the Trinity, Navasota, and other bottoms.
Posted By: Toledo

Re: Lake Somerville - 05/28/16 01:08 AM

Good precip map. Select back a few days for the full picture.

http://www.srh.noaa.gov/ridge2/RFC_Precip/
Posted By: Catfish-hunter

Re: Lake Somerville - 05/28/16 02:48 AM

Yes sir,someone please post pictures! I'm living 3 1/2hrs away now but sure worried. I can't see a dam failure,but sure concerned this go round,lots of water man! Say prayers for those who live behind the dam.
Posted By: Catfish-hunter

Re: Lake Somerville - 05/28/16 02:54 AM

Originally Posted By: timid tiger
J-Moe Thanks for the updates.

A request:

I hope everyone who fishes below the dam would STOP DISCARDING their buffalo, gar, or various fish they "don't want" on the banks, because: 1) It makes the place stink 2) It shows you have no respect to other life forms. If you don't eat it then release it. Simply because they inconvenience your fishing of your target species doesn't give you rights to kill them. 3) Have you noticed that the dead fish causes the propagation of buffalo flies (black flies)?






Some may very well be. But you'd be surprised how many die when they shut the gates and get stuck in the rocks. Yes, I seen gar go fly into rocks after being caught,but also seen a lot that were caught by accident when water goes down. Now you want to get me started? These fools dumping their trash out. PACK IT IN,PACK IT OUT!!!
Posted By: hook-line&sinker

Re: Lake Somerville - 05/28/16 03:47 AM

258.28 as of 10:45PM see: http://www.swf-wc.usace.army.mil/reports/fish.htm
Posted By: R2Fishing

Re: Lake Somerville - 05/28/16 04:20 AM

The water is flowing into the emergency spillway as of now. Just got an update w/pics.

We're in Caddo..sure wish I was there to see it right now. Hearsay I'm hearing is lake is expected to rise another 8ft
Posted By: J-Moe

Re: Lake Somerville - 05/28/16 10:06 AM

Lake level is 259.13 with a total release of 4911 cfs.
Posted By: hook-line&sinker

Re: Lake Somerville - 05/28/16 11:21 AM

The lake probably won't rise much above the overflow @258 which is the maximum height of the dam. The question is how long will it be going over the emergency spillway overflow. I suspect there is enough water up the Yegua to fill the whole lake two times or more and it is going to take a few weeks for that to subside. This is the kind of event that tests the engineering and structure of the dam. It was a foot deep going over the spillway in 1992 and it is at that level now with more to come. Lets pray the whole structure will hold together. I'm going to scout the lake and area today to video it for The Eagle newspaper.
Posted By: Toledo

Re: Lake Somerville - 05/28/16 12:48 PM

259.42' Looks like should crest today around 260'.

http://nwis.waterdata.usgs.gov/tx/nwis/u...date=2015-06-03

Posted By: J-Moe

Re: Lake Somerville - 05/28/16 02:41 PM

259.45' The gates on the dam are closed. 7151 cfs is going over the emergency spillway.
Posted By: J-Moe

Re: Lake Somerville - 05/28/16 02:52 PM

View of the emergency spillway from the spillway parking lot

Posted By: ChuChu1

Re: Lake Somerville - 05/29/16 01:41 PM

Taken yesterday.



Posted By: J-Moe

Re: Lake Somerville - 05/29/16 04:08 PM

Great pics Chu Chu, thanks for sharing.

Lake Level is 259.82 ft. Doesn't look like it has crested yet. Spillway gates still closed. 9741 cfs going over the emergency spillway.
Posted By: J-Moe

Re: Lake Somerville - 05/29/16 06:05 PM

Just checked again, The lake actually crested at 259.82. Lake level is now 259.79 with 9531 cfs going over the emergency overflow.
Posted By: Csafisher

Re: Lake Somerville - 05/29/16 06:15 PM

Where is that 2nd picture chuchu?
Posted By: Lottfisher

Re: Lake Somerville - 05/29/16 10:27 PM

I think that second pic is Irwin Bridge
Posted By: ChuChu1

Re: Lake Somerville - 05/29/16 11:22 PM

Hwy 50 between Washington and Burleson Counties
Posted By: ChuChu1

Re: Lake Somerville - 05/29/16 11:24 PM

The two pics came from Sen Lois Kolkhorst.
Posted By: hook-line&sinker

Re: Lake Somerville - 05/30/16 02:19 PM

Taken Saturday May 28th, 2016

Posted By: J-Moe

Re: Lake Somerville - 05/30/16 03:37 PM

Lake level is 259.66 with 8621 cfs going over the overflow. Receding about 0.15 ft/day at this point. At that rate it would be another week before it stops going over the emergency overflow.

High percentage chance of rain from Wednesday through next weekend.
Posted By: J-Moe

Re: Lake Somerville - 05/31/16 12:41 PM

Lake level is 259.43 so its receding at a rate of around 0.25 ft per day now.
Posted By: banker-always fishing

Re: Lake Somerville - 05/31/16 12:51 PM

Just saw the Texas forecast for this week. Another 3 to 8 inches of rain from now until Saturday! bang
Posted By: Catfish-hunter

Re: Lake Somerville - 06/01/16 12:35 AM

Thank you hook line and sinker. Great video,thanks
Posted By: J-Moe

Re: Lake Somerville - 06/02/16 12:10 PM

Lake level is 259.18 with 5641 cfs going over the emergency overflow. The area received about 0.5 inches of rain the last couple of days. More rain is on it's way.
Posted By: Big Zee

Re: Lake Somerville - 06/02/16 12:52 PM

I live over here in Milam county where the East Yegua starts. We have already had a half inch this morning and still coming down.
Posted By: H-TownCrappieMan

Re: Lake Somerville - 06/02/16 05:07 PM

Dang! Is that first pic Overlook marina area?
Posted By: J-Moe

Re: Lake Somerville - 06/03/16 03:39 PM

Originally Posted By: H-TownCrappieMan
Dang! Is that first pic Overlook marina area?


It's a picture focused on the emergency over flow area but Overlook Marina is in the background.


Lake level is 259.19. Moderate rains are holding the lake level steady at this time.
Posted By: J-Moe

Re: Lake Somerville - 06/03/16 03:44 PM

Originally Posted By: J-Moe
View of the emergency spillway from the spillway parking lot



The area in front of the emergency overflow is closed to kayakers, boats, float tubes, etc. No one should be entering this area beyond the submerged dam road.
Posted By: hook-line&sinker

Re: Lake Somerville - 06/03/16 08:53 PM

Lake Somerville is maintaining the high levels going over the emergency spillway a week after the flooding started in Central Texas. More rain fell upstream in the Yegua keeping the creek swollen with floodwater all flowing to the lake over the next few weeks. News travels fast and there are lots of curious onlookers and fishermen taking advantage of this historical event.

Posted By: ChuChu1

Re: Lake Somerville - 06/04/16 06:51 PM

Yep, news travels fast.....
Ok now we have found out that are cabins were broke into last night,they tried to break into marina ,stole people's belonging on there boats fishing rods! So please if you live in Somerville are Brenham post this let's find the kids! They had a party in the cabin with beer pong! Left the cabin a wreck! Someone is going to talk! Please post! If rhis is what going to happen that sxhool is out! We are in for it!
Posted By: J-Moe

Re: Lake Somerville - 06/06/16 02:38 PM

The lake finally started to recede again yesterday.

Lake level is 259.06 ft. 4421 cfs going over the emergency spillway. Dam gates are still closed.

The lake should be back down under 258 ft. by the weekend.
Posted By: R2Fishing

Re: Lake Somerville - 06/07/16 12:53 AM

I need to be below 240. LOL

Long ways till its fishable!
Posted By: OllieC

Re: Lake Somerville - 06/07/16 01:15 PM

When it's this high fishing out there is like fishing on the moon. everything is so foreign and you can't get oriented to any of the usual landmarks above or below the water. This time of year though you can catch catfish along the rip rap on the dam regardless of the water level and it's safe boating with no hidden underwater obstacles assuming that your boat is in the water already :-(
Posted By: J-Moe

Re: Lake Somerville - 06/07/16 03:05 PM

Originally Posted By: OllieC
When it's this high fishing out there is like fishing on the moon. everything is so foreign and you can't get oriented to any of the usual landmarks above or below the water. This time of year though you can catch catfish along the rip rap on the dam regardless of the water level and it's safe boating with no hidden underwater obstacles assuming that your boat is in the water already :-(


Or launch the kayak. Good information OllieC. I would prefer to chase bream, white bass or hybrids myself. Any suggestions?
Posted By: R2Fishing

Re: Lake Somerville - 06/07/16 03:58 PM

At what level will the ramps be back open? Anyone have a suggested level?
Posted By: hook-line&sinker

Re: Lake Somerville - 06/07/16 05:11 PM

Overlook ramp was open when the lake was 10 feet above normal.. and I think Yegua park ramp was open too at the same time but considering the damage done last year from high water I'd expect there to be as much if not more this year. What that means is even when the lake gets back to near normal level all the parks and boat ramps will need to carefully evaluated and many will need repair. I find it very difficult to be optimistic about the future of the infrastructure around Lake Somerville. The state park had yet to reopen the trailway or the Birch Creek Unit from last years flood. All of the work and resources that were poured into rebuilding the parks and roads after last years flood is now useless. I get the feeling Mother Nature is trying erase our sins against her...
Posted By: J-Moe

Re: Lake Somerville - 06/09/16 02:21 PM

Lake level is receding very slowly. Level is 258.76 with 2641 cfs going over the uncontrolled spillway. The Brazos is finally subsiding but still very high.

There are still a few bank fisherman catching catfish. Not many hybrids being caught anymore though.
Posted By: TXfisherman12

Re: Lake Somerville - 06/10/16 03:23 PM

Trying to understand the Lake Somerville system better. A number of people have mentioned this year and last yr that the flooding is beneficial to fishing the following year. Curious to why that is? Is it just the lake or feeders or both?
Posted By: Csafisher

Re: Lake Somerville - 06/10/16 03:46 PM

Well it will flush the lake out for sure... But it's gonna kill a whole bunch of trees.

Anyone know if there is a place to get a Jon boat out on the lake? Have a dump trailer and slicks so it's easy to launch
Posted By: hook-line&sinker

Re: Lake Somerville - 06/10/16 04:32 PM

Originally Posted by TXfisherman12
Trying to understand the Lake Somerville system better. A number of people have mentioned this year and last yr that the flooding is beneficial to fishing the following year. Curious to why that is? Is it just the lake or feeders or both?


In many ways it is like a new lake with much more room for all the aquatic life to grow. by late spring most fish have either spawned or are wrapping up the spawning for the year and now with lots more water all the baby fish will do better. This last spring the undersize crappie were so thick in the creeks that maybe one in 12 were keeper size. Those undersize fish are young crappie probably in their first year of life whose numbers were greatly increased because of the high water last year. Crappie & sunfish really benefit from high water in the spring and summer as do most fish. Populations of baitfish like shad will explode into new water too and when the lake gets back to normal level those baitfish support everything that feeds upon them.



Really the drawback from a flood is when the biomass of fish becomes too large for when the water recedes back to normal. Warm cloudy days in September& October will spell disaster as the aquatic vegetation begins to die off and oxygen depletes setting up for a major fish kill. Happens every year is some places to one degree or another..
Posted By: hook-line&sinker

Re: Lake Somerville - 06/10/16 05:01 PM

Posted By: J-Moe

Re: Lake Somerville - 06/14/16 01:29 PM

Lake finally stopped going over the uncontrolled spillway last night. Lake Level 257.99. Currently releasing 2200 cfs.

They have been slowly opening up the gates since last Thursday. Raising it about 400 cfs per day. I caught a few white bass on Friday and Saturday evening.
Posted By: hook-line&sinker

Re: Lake Somerville - 06/14/16 01:41 PM

met J-Moe at the overflow this morning for a quick tour through the basin. There are lots of fish in the long retaining pool at the bottom of the overflow but fishing it is going to be a challenge. Lots of brush stacked up on the submerged breakers just out of sight from the back retaining wall.


Posted By: hook-line&sinker

Re: Lake Somerville - 06/14/16 11:44 PM

Posted By: J-Moe

Re: Lake Somerville - 06/15/16 01:57 PM

Excellent video, as always, Ben. Now you have chronicled the drought, flooding of the creeks and flooding of the main lake in great detail. Plenty of historical footage in these videos.
Posted By: J-Moe

Re: Lake Somerville - 06/15/16 02:11 PM

Originally Posted By: hook-line&sinker
met J-Moe at the overflow this morning for a quick tour through the basin. There are lots of fish in the long retaining pool at the bottom of the overflow but fishing it is going to be a challenge. Lots of brush stacked up on the submerged breakers just out of sight from the back retaining wall.




I got one bite yesterday morning so I had to go back and find out what it was.

It ended up being Goo. They were fun to catch anyway. Whatever is biting, that's what species I'm fishing for that day, LOL!!

I finally zoned in on the location, fly and presentation they wanted. I ended up catching 14 and getting broke off 3 times by some bigger fish.


Posted By: hook-line&sinker

Re: Lake Somerville - 06/16/16 08:18 PM

Posted By: R2Fishing

Re: Lake Somerville - 06/18/16 06:25 PM

Not at Somerville but dunked the boat into Gibbons Creek this morning. Fish treated us good this morning.

Posted By: hook-line&sinker

Re: Lake Somerville - 06/18/16 10:31 PM

Saturday June 18, 2016 J-Moe and I spent the early morning hours catching whitebass and hybrids "on the fly". The whitebass and hybrid stripers below the Lake Somerville dam in the spillway are beginning the early morning feeding pattern that should last all summer long.. Or as long as the C.O.E. is releasing water from the flooded lake above..


Posted By: hook-line&sinker

Re: Lake Somerville - 06/20/16 07:00 PM

Posted By: hook-line&sinker

Re: Lake Somerville - 06/21/16 03:12 AM

Pretty consistent pattern seems to be developing in the spillway.. early and late whitebass and a few hybrids..
Posted By: BBFISH

Re: Lake Somerville - 06/21/16 02:49 PM

Hello all,
Is the Welch park open, anybody fished there ?
Posted By: hook-line&sinker

Re: Lake Somerville - 06/21/16 04:47 PM

Summer starts the usual way.. HOT & Humid! and making it less than pleasant to hit the water with a fishing pole in hand and catching a few bass on the brain.. This heat gives new meaning to the term "sweat equity" which is what we do in the sunny south anytime the temperature along with the humidity climb near the century mark.. time to wet wade and swim fish!


Posted By: hook-line&sinker

Re: Lake Somerville - 06/21/16 04:48 PM

Originally Posted By: BBFISH
Hello all,
Is the Welch park open, anybody fished there ?


Yes Welch park is open but there is only a tiny sliver of land above the water beyond the gate keepers station.
Posted By: R2Fishing

Re: Lake Somerville - 06/21/16 06:42 PM

JMOE

Clear your PMs sir. Your box is full.. LOL
Posted By: J-Moe

Re: Lake Somerville - 06/21/16 07:28 PM

Originally Posted By: hoggwild
JMOE

Clear your PMs sir. Your box is full.. LOL


Done, thanks
Posted By: hook-line&sinker

Re: Lake Somerville - 06/22/16 02:24 AM

Originally Posted By: J-Moe
Originally Posted By: hoggwild
JMOE

Clear your PMs sir. Your box is full.. LOL


Done, thanks


that's funny.. J-Moe doesn't talk that much when we are fishing.. I guess he likes the anonymous nature of the internet..
Posted By: J-Moe

Re: Lake Somerville - 06/22/16 03:35 PM

roflmao roflmao roflmao

That's because I can't figure out if you are narrating, talking to yourself or talking to me. No time for talking when I'm fishing anyway. Lose focus for a second and I might miss a fish bite.
Posted By: R2Fishing

Re: Lake Somerville - 06/22/16 05:46 PM

roflmao
Posted By: hook-line&sinker

Re: Lake Somerville - 06/24/16 12:15 AM

Dam spillway fishing in the summer is tough but well worth the extended effort when the fish are biting like they are now. Whitebass and hybrid stripers have razor sharp gill plates which makes handling them a risky venture.. One of those little slimy boogers got my pinky finger on Wednesday as I released it back into the water so that's the blood part of the title.. Being a glutton for punishment of the fishy kind, J-Moe and I have beaten a trail to the Lake Somerville spillway many times over the last two weeks as the fishing ramps up for the long summer season.. We never know how long this frantic feeding frenzy will last so we are just taking advantage of this moment in time..

Posted By: H-TownCrappieMan

Re: Lake Somerville - 06/24/16 04:30 PM

How many crappie did y'all catch? Just that 1 on the white jig?
Posted By: hook-line&sinker

Re: Lake Somerville - 06/24/16 05:36 PM

We would catch crappie when we changed tactics but nothing was even close to keeper size.. We were targeting the whitebass and hoping for a hybrid or two.. we go looking deep for the other fish when the whitebass move out..
Posted By: R2Fishing

Re: Lake Somerville - 06/24/16 06:12 PM

Fishing behind the spillway was in my opinion considerably slow (yesterday)
We fished 5pm-dark with 13whitebass.

All fish caught on white rooster tails
Posted By: Jacob_Breaux

Re: Lake Somerville - 06/25/16 06:25 AM

Went this evening after class and ran into J-Moe, who was kind enough to share his catch with me. Walked out with a nice stringer of white bass. I only put one on the stringer, and J-Moe did the rest of the work. Lol

I did catch this little striper though (Correct me if I'm wrong. This would be my first striper ever.), and after asking around, I'm still not sure how it got to the spillway. Any ideas?
Posted By: FishinAg02

Re: Lake Somerville - 06/25/16 02:46 PM

Wow! A striper from Somerville is quite odd... At least in my experience. Nice job!
Posted By: hook-line&sinker

Re: Lake Somerville - 06/25/16 09:04 PM

That is a first! That Striper must have got in with the hybrids during stocking..
Posted By: hook-line&sinker

Re: Lake Somerville - 06/26/16 02:07 AM

The Sunny side..
Posted By: J-Moe

Re: Lake Somerville - 06/26/16 02:20 AM

Originally Posted By: Jacob_Breaux
Went this evening after class and ran into J-Moe, who was kind enough to share his catch with me. Walked out with a nice stringer of white bass. I only put one on the stringer, and J-Moe did the rest of the work. Lol

I did catch this little striper though (Correct me if I'm wrong. This would be my first striper ever.), and after asking around, I'm still not sure how it got to the spillway. Any ideas?


Great to meet you Jacob. Great picture and great catch, congrats.

I've only seen one other caught around Lake Somerville. It was also in the Yegua. Coolshot caught one near Irwin bridge last year.
Posted By: hook-line&sinker

Re: Lake Somerville - 06/27/16 01:59 PM

The regular early and late activity cycle was bound to change but the only way to know is to keep fishing.. We narrowly avoided the skunk on this evening trip and will take a break until Thursday morning to let things cycle back into a morning and evening rhythm. But I'll bet the sunny side is great fishing almost every morning as long as the crickets are there in big numbers..

Great fly fishing is short lived in the spillway whether "time of day" or the "moon cycle" or a host of other factors (read excuses) that affect the fish and the catching of them.
Saturday evening the weather put a damper on the lake that pretty much shut the fish down altogether. If it wasn't for one nice sunfish caught on the lake side of the dam J-Moe and I were both smelling the skunk coming. The little stinker doesn't get to us very often as we will put in the extra effort to avoid him but Saturday evening was something different.
I've got a long list of excuses for my fly fish failings but haven't decided which of those might apply for last Saturday.

Posted By: jsinn01

Re: Lake Somerville - 06/27/16 05:20 PM

Originally Posted By: J-Moe
roflmao roflmao roflmao

That's because I can't figure out if you are narrating, talking to yourself or talking to me. No time for talking when I'm fishing anyway. Lose focus for a second and I might miss a fish bite.


Ain't that the truth. Usually when I'm fishing with Ben, I'm too busy catching fish to talk much.

Glad to see the lake is coming down. It looks like a complete repeat of last year, as far as water level goes. Hopefully that means there'll be lots of fish in the creeks come winter/spring just like last year.
Posted By: jsinn01

Re: Lake Somerville - 06/27/16 05:23 PM

Originally Posted By: hoggwild
Not at Somerville but dunked the boat into Gibbons Creek this morning. Fish treated us good this morning.



Nice fish!
Posted By: TXfisherman12

Re: Lake Somerville - 06/27/16 10:25 PM

Fished the spillway early this morning and caught 1 hybrid (keeper that I gave to a guy who came running over to my side when he saw me reel in the fish), and also caught 1 white bass (also keeper but released), and missed something big. All bites occurred using artificials with no luck on fly rod. The bite for me shut down once the sun was getting higher on the horizon. I fished the spillway for about 1hr 45min and did not see any other fishermen catch any fish. Tried lakeside and using a ton of different panfish flies and bass lures I managed only 1 sunfish on a fly, even though they were very active tearing up some bugs on the surface. Overall, it was a bit frustrating for me but happy I at least caught something.

On another note, I noticed that the Corps increased the outage around noon today by ~ 100 units (2157 to 2265). Not sure if this will improve what appears to be a slow bite the past few days?
Posted By: hook-line&sinker

Re: Lake Somerville - 06/28/16 03:25 AM

J-Moe and I fished the spillway again Monday evening.. extra hot and slow but a minor improvement over last Saturday.. I caught one nice hybrid, 1 whitebass, and 3 goo. J-Moe picked up a goo from the spillway and several sunfish below the tower on the lake side.
Posted By: FishinAg02

Re: Lake Somerville - 06/28/16 01:49 PM

I'm headed there this evening... so i guess we will see. Hopefully the bite picks up. Have you ever tried fishing it further downstream, like around the highway 50 bridge? Not sure it is really fishable there or not. I've watched HLS's videos fishing down towards the railroad bridge, but this is much further down...

Thanks!
Posted By: J-Moe

Re: Lake Somerville - 06/28/16 03:29 PM

Originally Posted By: TXfisherman12
Fished the spillway early this morning and caught 1 hybrid (keeper that I gave to a guy who came running over to my side when he saw me reel in the fish), and also caught 1 white bass (also keeper but released), and missed something big. All bites occurred using artificials with no luck on fly rod. The bite for me shut down once the sun was getting higher on the horizon. I fished the spillway for about 1hr 45min and did not see any other fishermen catch any fish. Tried lakeside and using a ton of different panfish flies and bass lures I managed only 1 sunfish on a fly, even though they were very active tearing up some bugs on the surface. Overall, it was a bit frustrating for me but happy I at least caught something.

On another note, I noticed that the Corps increased the outage around noon today by ~ 100 units (2157 to 2265). Not sure if this will improve what appears to be a slow bite the past few days?


Sounds like our day. Ben caught 3 fish using a 1/4 ounce jig on conventional gear in the spillway. I caught only one using the fly rod and a 1/16 ounce jig (which was too much for the fly rod but I had to try something to get it deep)

As far as the sunfish, they are bluegill. The mouth on a bluegill is very small so you have to size down. Ben and I have tied some cricket patterns on size 10. It's still difficult to get a hookset. I was missing lots of hooksets yesterday. I'm out of practice. You have to strip set and raise the rod as soon as you see a ripple. They will come out of the water and get on top of the fly so I'm actually trying to set the hook before they strike the lure. Keeping that rod tip on the water and the slack out of the line is another key technique I often get sloppy about. Ben reminds me quite often though roflmao
Posted By: TXfisherman12

Re: Lake Somerville - 06/28/16 04:37 PM

Originally Posted By: J-Moe
Originally Posted By: TXfisherman12
Fished the spillway early this morning and caught 1 hybrid (keeper that I gave to a guy who came running over to my side when he saw me reel in the fish), and also caught 1 white bass (also keeper but released), and missed something big. All bites occurred using artificials with no luck on fly rod. The bite for me shut down once the sun was getting higher on the horizon. I fished the spillway for about 1hr 45min and did not see any other fishermen catch any fish. Tried lakeside and using a ton of different panfish flies and bass lures I managed only 1 sunfish on a fly, even though they were very active tearing up some bugs on the surface. Overall, it was a bit frustrating for me but happy I at least caught something.

On another note, I noticed that the Corps increased the outage around noon today by ~ 100 units (2157 to 2265). Not sure if this will improve what appears to be a slow bite the past few days?


Sounds like our day. Ben caught 3 fish using a 1/4 ounce jig on conventional gear in the spillway. I caught only one using the fly rod and a 1/16 ounce jig (which was too much for the fly rod but I had to try something to get it deep)

As far as the sunfish, they are bluegill. The mouth on a bluegill is very small so you have to size down. Ben and I have tied some cricket patterns on size 10. It's still difficult to get a hookset. I was missing lots of hooksets yesterday. I'm out of practice. You have to strip set and raise the rod as soon as you see a ripple. They will come out of the water and get on top of the fly so I'm actually trying to set the hook before they strike the lure. Keeping that rod tip on the water and the slack out of the line is another key technique I often get sloppy about. Ben reminds me quite often though roflmao


Thanks J-Moe for the valuable insight. I didn't have a cricket pattern in my vest, so that put me at a disadvantage. The one bluegill I caught was on a black widow type spider wet fly, that was black but had a red belly. It was size 6 (I think). I did notice that there appeared to be a hatch of white/cream-colored insects and black-n-white insects. It appeared that the bluegill were also feeding off of them, but mainly the crickets.
Posted By: J-Moe

Re: Lake Somerville - 06/28/16 05:41 PM

Originally Posted By: FishinAg02
I'm headed there this evening... so i guess we will see. Hopefully the bite picks up. Have you ever tried fishing it further downstream, like around the highway 50 bridge? Not sure it is really fishable there or not. I've watched HLS's videos fishing down towards the railroad bridge, but this is much further down...

Thanks!


I've only fished there once. Water was very muddy. I hear they catch catfish there some times.

I might be out around the spillway tonight. I'll check in if I do.

Gig'em, Class of 87
Posted By: FishinAg02

Re: Lake Somerville - 06/28/16 07:21 PM

Sounds great. I plan on being there around 6pm. Hope to see you there.
Posted By: hook-line&sinker

Re: Lake Somerville - 06/28/16 08:40 PM

Yep it's summer time in Texas.. Hot and humid with the temperature and humidity nearing the century mark daily. Those two things really do a number on us fishermen who won't stay in the house when the fish are biting in the heat of the day..

Posted By: Csafisher

Re: Lake Somerville - 06/29/16 01:27 AM

How is the water clarity lake side? Probably gonna head out there thursday
Posted By: FishinAg02

Re: Lake Somerville - 06/29/16 02:02 PM

I went out yesterday evening and it was slow...

I caught two itsy bitsy crappie on the spillway side and one large bluegill on the lake side. The bluegill were biting well until the wind picked. Then i struggled getting my cricket fly to them.

Among the other fishermen there (7 others, a lot for a tuesday night) I saw 2 whites & 3 goo caught. There was a feller catching the heck out of the bluegill with nightcrawlers and that shut down too with the wind. He probably had 30 or so bluegill.

Anyways, very slow again.

Csafisher, I thought the lake side water looked pretty good, at least there around the dam.
Posted By: hook-line&sinker

Re: Lake Somerville - 06/29/16 02:29 PM

dang.. should have gone this morning.. the weather was very nice.. I doubt if the fishing would have been much different but meeting the day at the waters edge is always something special. 70 degrees and lower humidity would have been nice..

Posted By: TXfisherman12

Re: Lake Somerville - 06/29/16 05:27 PM

Originally Posted By: J-Moe
Originally Posted By: FishinAg02
I'm headed there this evening... so i guess we will see. Hopefully the bite picks up. Have you ever tried fishing it further downstream, like around the highway 50 bridge? Not sure it is really fishable there or not. I've watched HLS's videos fishing down towards the railroad bridge, but this is much further down...

Thanks!


I've only fished there once. Water was very muddy. I hear they catch catfish there some times.

I might be out around the spillway tonight. I'll check in if I do.

Gig'em, Class of 87


Follow-up to this question, in general how is the fishing 100 yds or so down from the spillway? Seems like everybody fishes right where the water comes out (cause there are a ton of fish there), but what about a little farther down?
Posted By: J-Moe

Re: Lake Somerville - 06/29/16 06:34 PM

Originally Posted By: FishinAg02
I went out yesterday evening and it was slow...

I caught two itsy bitsy crappie on the spillway side and one large bluegill on the lake side. The bluegill were biting well until the wind picked. Then i struggled getting my cricket fly to them.

Among the other fishermen there (7 others, a lot for a tuesday night) I saw 2 whites & 3 goo caught. There was a feller catching the heck out of the bluegill with nightcrawlers and that shut down too with the wind. He probably had 30 or so bluegill.

Anyways, very slow again.

Csafisher, I thought the lake side water looked pretty good, at least there around the dam.



Thanks for the report.

Agree, the water in the main lake is clear. There was a little debris from the last rain but that will clear back up quickly.
Posted By: J-Moe

Re: Lake Somerville - 06/29/16 06:39 PM

Originally Posted By: TXfisherman12
Originally Posted By: J-Moe
Originally Posted By: FishinAg02
I'm headed there this evening... so i guess we will see. Hopefully the bite picks up. Have you ever tried fishing it further downstream, like around the highway 50 bridge? Not sure it is really fishable there or not. I've watched HLS's videos fishing down towards the railroad bridge, but this is much further down...

Thanks!


I've only fished there once. Water was very muddy. I hear they catch catfish there some times.

I might be out around the spillway tonight. I'll check in if I do.

Gig'em, Class of 87


Follow-up to this question, in general how is the fishing 100 yds or so down from the spillway? Seems like everybody fishes right where the water comes out (cause there are a ton of fish there), but what about a little farther down?


Most people I see further down are using live bait and not casting and retrieving. I have seen good catfish stringers come from further down but usually not many white bass or hybrids. I don't fish that area though. Ben & I like to kayak up and fish the railroad bridge and the Y. We usually catch crappie, catfish and LMB in those areas.
Posted By: hook-line&sinker

Re: Lake Somerville - 06/30/16 02:20 AM

I've caught whites and hybrids mostly within the first hundred yards or so of the chute but don't spend much time further down than that either. It seems to depend greatly on the flow as to where we do the best. The high flows are harder to work (around 2000cfps) but anything in the 1000cfps or less is right up my alley.. the fishing will be stupid good for a few days and then go dead for a week or so.. I suspect the whites and hybrids will return to the early & late feeding pattern like last year in the spillway but ya' just can't tell until you go..

Posted By: FishinAg02

Re: Lake Somerville - 06/30/16 02:45 AM

Well guys, I'll be there tomorrow morning. And we shall see!
Posted By: FishinAg02

Re: Lake Somerville - 06/30/16 01:24 PM

Well, i had a home repair emergency and had to stay home this morning and do a little repair work. So my trip out to the dam has been postponed until this afternoon...

Did anyone go out this morning?
Posted By: Csafisher

Re: Lake Somerville - 06/30/16 02:02 PM

About to head out for a 3 hour tour. Going to main lake though.
Posted By: J-Moe

Re: Lake Somerville - 06/30/16 03:24 PM

Originally Posted By: FishinAg02
Well, i had a home repair emergency and had to stay home this morning and do a little repair work. So my trip out to the dam has been postponed until this afternoon...

Did anyone go out this morning?


Yes, Ben and I went this morning. We fished from 6:15 to 7:15 in the spillway but didn't catch anything accept a couple gar. We headed over to the other side and caught bluegill with the fly rod for about 45 minutes.
Posted By: J-Moe

Re: Lake Somerville - 06/30/16 03:25 PM

Originally Posted By: Csafisher
About to head out for a 3 hour tour. Going to main lake though.


Please post a report. I would be really interested to know how the main lake is fishing now.
Posted By: FishinAg02

Re: Lake Somerville - 06/30/16 03:51 PM

so... you are saying i didn't miss out on anything. smile
Posted By: R2Fishing

Re: Lake Somerville - 06/30/16 04:28 PM

Are the BG worth any size?
Posted By: FishinAg02

Re: Lake Somerville - 06/30/16 04:34 PM

JMoe / HLS,

Is it normal for things to go this quite on the whites when consistently releasing this much water? I mean it when from pretty darn good to awful overnight...
Posted By: FishinAg02

Re: Lake Somerville - 06/30/16 04:35 PM

The bluegill i caught and i watch being caught were fine size. most between 6-7" when a few smaller and a few larger. but that was just the one day i was there.
Posted By: hook-line&sinker

Re: Lake Somerville - 06/30/16 04:40 PM

When the daybreak action on the hybrid stripers and whitebass down in the spillway is lacking we go looking for sunnies feeding on dive bombing Kamikaze crickets. When the no-shows miss the pool party it is good to know where to look for a little fishy fix to hold us over until the next big wave.

Posted By: J-Moe

Re: Lake Somerville - 06/30/16 04:48 PM

Originally Posted By: FishinAg02
JMoe / HLS,

Is it normal for things to go this quite on the whites when consistently releasing this much water? I mean it when from pretty darn good to awful overnight...



My concern is that it is fishing pressure. When the water overflowed the emergency spillway the fishing along that wall was incredible the first day. Each day it got worse until I quit going. There were well over 100 hybrids removed during that first few days. Seems the same thing happened below the spillway. That first day Ben and I had was incredible for whites and even a few hybrids. Each day has gotten worse.

I guess if we go out this weekend and catch a limit then we can start to decide if it was the moon phase or did the fish simply move. Who knows bang
Posted By: TXfisherman12

Re: Lake Somerville - 06/30/16 04:59 PM

Originally Posted by hook-line&sinker
I've caught whites and hybrids mostly within the first hundred yards or so of the chute but don't spend much time further down than that either. It seems to depend greatly on the flow as to where we do the best. The high flows are harder to work (around 2000cfps) but anything in the 1000cfps or less is right up my alley.. the fishing will be stupid good for a few days and then go dead for a week or so.. I suspect the whites and hybrids will return to the early & late feeding pattern like last year in the spillway but ya' just can't tell until you go..



Thanks for the video Ben!
Posted By: TXfisherman12

Re: Lake Somerville - 06/30/16 05:03 PM

Originally Posted By: hoggwild
Are the BG worth any size?


The BG I saw another guy catch on worms were definitely eating size! He and his Dad pulled out 6-7 of them that looked plump. This was on this past Monday (6/27/16).
Posted By: J-Moe

Re: Lake Somerville - 06/30/16 06:21 PM

Originally Posted by hook-line&sinker
When the daybreak action on the hybrid stripers and whitebass down in the spillway is lacking we go looking for sunnies feeding on dive bombing Kamikaze crickets. When the no-shows miss the pool party it is good to know where to look for a little fishy fix to hold us over until the next big wave.



Awesome footage of the bluegill eating the crickets thumb clap
Posted By: hook-line&sinker

Re: Lake Somerville - 06/30/16 07:07 PM

Originally Posted by FishinAg02
JMoe / HLS,

Is it normal for things to go this quite on the whites when consistently releasing this much water? I mean it when from pretty darn good to awful overnight...



I think J-Moe is on the right track about harvesting of these fish being the major cause for the slow down. It is a finite resource but if things go like last year I encourage every fish eating fisherman on the planet to come get your share of fish before they cut off the water...

Posted By: Hookinup

Re: Lake Somerville - 06/30/16 11:36 PM

I made a trip today.
1rst time there & got there about 8:00am
Caught a hand full in a couple hours.
Me & the guy in tan shorts black shirt left at 10am when I couldn't stand the heat anymore.
I was soaked from the sweat of 92 degree heat.
That trip up the long hill wore me out good.

I caught some 15" whites on roadrunners & the big boys on a chrome rattle trap.
The guy in tan shorts caught 4 gaspergoos buy, nothing else.
Here's a sample of this mornings catch.


Posted By: TXfisherman12

Re: Lake Somerville - 07/01/16 02:14 AM

Originally Posted By: J-Moe
Originally Posted By: FishinAg02
JMoe / HLS,

Is it normal for things to go this quite on the whites when consistently releasing this much water? I mean it when from pretty darn good to awful overnight...



My concern is that it is fishing pressure. When the water overflowed the emergency spillway the fishing along that wall was incredible the first day. Each day it got worse until I quit going. There were well over 100 hybrids removed during that first few days. Seems the same thing happened below the spillway. That first day Ben and I had was incredible for whites and even a few hybrids. Each day has gotten worse.

I guess if we go out this weekend and catch a limit then we can start to decide if it was the moon phase or did the fish simply move. Who knows bang


I don't have much experience fishing the Somerville system, but I can say the times I have, the competition from other fishermen and trash left behind is frustrating to say the least. I think fishing pressure is a concern currently, and the same can happen on the white bass runs in the spring - there are a ton of fishermen and a ton of fish taken out. Over the years I have seen this happen at water bodies I have fished. Which brings up another controversial topic - catch-n-release culture, which has been doing well in the LMB, SMB, musky and trout fisheries.... bolt
Posted By: R2Fishing

Re: Lake Somerville - 07/01/16 02:34 AM

Somerville is such a rich whitebass and hybrid lake the fish that do get removed from main lake system doesn't even take a hit. There's literally thousands and thousands removed from Somerville a yr and each ye it will produces plentiful numbers and quality size fish. The fish behind the spillway are what's coming thru the shoot, not resident fish. They also see same lures thrown at them constantly.
Posted By: FishinAg02

Re: Lake Somerville - 07/01/16 04:18 AM

I went tonight... It was an interesting evening. Caught 4 white bass (3 keepers) from the north bank of the hwy 36 crossing downstream of the spillway around 4:30-5:30pm. Then drove around to the south bank and caught two small LMB. Then went to the spillway and... Nothing. There were a ton of people downstream fishing from the bank. I think the majority were fishing with live bait, but I don't know and I don't know if they were catching anything or not.

So... Then I proceeded to the lake side and caught 15-20 bream on night crawlers kept 10 to compliment the 3 whites in the cooler.

Went back to the hwy 36 crossing and fished maybe 15mins around 8pm and nothing. So I returned to Katy. Not a bad evening, not the best either. I saw white bass surface for a little while between the south bank and the main current. When I went around to the south bank, I realized that could not be reached without entering the water and wading out a way or from a yak... Obviously never caught any whites from there.

Saw gar at both the spillway and hwy 36 crossing.

Spend some time with Jmoe. It's always an honor to meet other honest fisherman. I enjoyed watching Jamie work that fly rod. Much better then me!

Finally... I can't believe how much trash people leave behind at be spillway. It's so disappointing. I would think that most of those fishing love to fish and love the outdoors. Can not comprehend leaving garbage behind like that. So sad. Maybe I'll organize and service project for my church or for the TFF and go clean it up. Really sad and disappointing. Almost makes me not want to return to the spillway... Well, that and not catching fish!

Happy fishing!
Posted By: BBFISH

Re: Lake Somerville - 07/01/16 04:22 AM

Did anybody fished in welch park yet? how is it looking?
Posted By: Csafisher

Re: Lake Somerville - 07/01/16 02:29 PM

Originally Posted By: J-Moe
Originally Posted By: Csafisher
About to head out for a 3 hour tour. Going to main lake though.


Please post a report. I would be really interested to know how the main lake is fishing now.


Just went bowfishing.... Which was good. The water clarity is good. Only 2 other boats on the lake that I noticed. Also just went to take a look at the lake. We went up some creeks and ran from welch around to overlook, up to jerdelles, across to big creek and back.
Posted By: J-Moe

Re: Lake Somerville - 07/01/16 03:25 PM

I went out to the spillway this morning. I was talking to a fellow. He told me that when they had the big flood in 1992 that the fishing was incredible below the dam for a long time. Also, he told me that big stripers had moved up from the river and they were catching some in the 15 lb. range. I suspect that striper that Jacob caught probably came up from the Brazos River.
Posted By: FishinAg02

Re: Lake Somerville - 07/01/16 03:54 PM

Well J-Moe, did you catch anything this morning? How about others that were there?
Posted By: J-Moe

Re: Lake Somerville - 07/01/16 06:45 PM

Originally Posted By: FishinAg02
Well J-Moe, did you catch anything this morning? How about others that were there?


We tried fishing in the spillway for about 30 minutes and caught nothing so we headed over and fished for bluegill.
Posted By: hook-line&sinker

Re: Lake Somerville - 07/01/16 07:53 PM

The Lake Somerville dam spillway continues to be tough fishing even in the early morning hours despite a dozen or so fishermen along with J-Moe and I who keep trying our luck.

I know the drill by heart now so when the hybrids and whitebass no-show in the tailrace we just jump over to the lake side and fish for sunnies. J-Moe and I both are working on tying up a good cricket fly imitation and getting close to having something that will actually stick a few of the many attempts by the feisty bluegills.

Posted By: Hookinup

Re: Lake Somerville - 07/03/16 01:51 AM

Another fine day.
75 yards down from the spillway chute & in the shade.
The 3 big ones on top are near 18".
Roadrunners in white or green or 3" silver or green swimming shad baits.
Posted By: J-Moe

Re: Lake Somerville - 07/03/16 02:12 AM

Originally Posted By: Hookinup
Another fine day.
75 yards down from the spillway chute & in the shade.
The 3 big ones on top are near 18".
Roadrunners in white or green or 3" silver or green swimming shad baits.


Well done, thanks for the report thumb
Posted By: hook-line&sinker

Re: Lake Somerville - 07/04/16 08:11 PM

FishTales: Independence Day the 4th of July

Got up extra early on the Monday holiday to catch a few fish before our 4th of July lunch celebration. I was surprised to find that only one other fisherman was fishing the hot spot in the spillway. The boys were on their way but before arriving I found the fish "on the fly". Over the course of the morning we caught several nice whitebass, goo, crappie and a couple of hybrids. The freedom to do this in a safe and secure country is what the holiday means to me..

Posted By: hook-line&sinker

Re: Lake Somerville - 07/05/16 07:06 PM

The 4th of July went so well that J-Moe and I returned to the spillway on the 5th to do it again "on the fly"! The morning was pretty much a repeat of the morning before with us finding several whitebass willing to take our offerings. J-Moe put on a show this time as I had trouble hooking up as often as he did on his fly the "magical clouser" .. The hybrid stripers were a no show this trip to the spillway but we are always looking to pick a fight with the bruiser of the bass world be it "on the fly" or any other way!

Posted By: hook-line&sinker

Re: Lake Somerville - 07/07/16 07:01 PM

Our morning run to the dam didn't quite meet the fishy expectations we had for the day. I suspect we needed more time as the whitebass seem to be feeding later in the morning as the moon goes dark.

Once again J-Moe out-fished me on the whitebass but we were pretty even on the number of fish overall for the two hours we flung the fly. I don't believe this was the morning to test the newest flys so another trip is in order to complete my research!

>>))) ;>

Posted By: dtwbcs

Re: Lake Somerville - 07/08/16 02:03 AM

Just want to say THANKS!; I enjoy your blogs in the Eagle with the videos.
Posted By: hook-line&sinker

Re: Lake Somerville - 07/08/16 12:46 PM

You are welcome.. it is sharing a part of my life that adds value to the company in unexpected ways .. and the whitebass fishing in the spillway turned off again.. J-Moe and I fought the heat Thursday evening but never found the whites.. only gar and goo for the most part.. That is tougher fishing in the evening.. not sure when we might try again.. been looking at the Brazos up at Whitney waiting for the lake to come down so we can fish the river down below.. it should be stupid good bass fishing for a while..
Posted By: FishinAg02

Re: Lake Somerville - 07/08/16 06:48 PM

Good afternoon fellow fishermen!

I went out to the dam this morning and had an... interesting morning. I was the first one there, got there about 5:45am.

Started out throwing some yellow curly tails and caught 2 gar, one white bass, and one catfish (foul hooked).

Switched to a white roostertail and caught 2 white bass in probably 5-6 casts, then lost it in the fence monster...

Switched to a yellow roostertail and hung it on something and lost it on first or second cast...

Switched to a chrome and white meps inline spinner and caught a 12lb buffalo on the first cast, then lost it on the second cast...

Switched back to the curly tails and caught three goo, one gar, and foul hooked three buffalo.

Left at 7:45am.

I was fishing on the far side, fishing mainly the backwash area where J-Moe and HLS tend to fish.

There were several people that must have been interested in what kind of deodorant i was wearing, as they kept getting closer and closer with every fish i caught. Literally moved to each side of me at one point.

There were some guys further down on the same side that were launching large sassy shad type swimming baits far out and slowly bringing them back. They seemed to hang up LOTS, but did caught a handful of large hybrids. I saw them pull at least three out, could have caught more, but there were maybe 5-6 of them fishing. I'm sure they caught more, but they did a good job of hiding it when they caught it.

The two guys that were surrounding me never caught a fish until i left, and as i walked away, I saw one catch a goo or white bass, couldn't be for sure from the stairway back up to the parking lot.

Enjoyable morning, made some new friends- they didn't speak English, but they now know the smell of my underarm deodorant, and caught some fish.

I've been thinking about running up to Lake Livingston and fishing below the dam... from Katy it would take about 20-30mins longer than going to Somerville, but i hear that the release is ideal for wade fishing now... anyone here ever done that at Livingston?
Posted By: hook-line&sinker

Re: Lake Somerville - 07/08/16 08:58 PM

Livingston dam.. maybe thats where J-Moe and I need to go next.. haven't been there in many, many years..
Posted By: J-Moe

Re: Lake Somerville - 07/08/16 09:26 PM

Originally Posted By: FishinAg02
Good afternoon fellow fishermen!

I went out to the dam this morning and had an... interesting morning. I was the first one there, got there about 5:45am.

Started out throwing some yellow curly tails and caught 2 gar, one white bass, and one catfish (foul hooked).

Switched to a white roostertail and caught 2 white bass in probably 5-6 casts, then lost it in the fence monster...

Switched to a yellow roostertail and hung it on something and lost it on first or second cast...

Switched to a chrome and white meps inline spinner and caught a 12lb buffalo on the first cast, then lost it on the second cast...

Switched back to the curly tails and caught three goo, one gar, and foul hooked three buffalo.

Left at 7:45am.

I was fishing on the far side, fishing mainly the backwash area where J-Moe and HLS tend to fish.

There were several people that must have been interested in what kind of deodorant i was wearing, as they kept getting closer and closer with every fish i caught. Literally moved to each side of me at one point.

There were some guys further down on the same side that were launching large sassy shad type swimming baits far out and slowly bringing them back. They seemed to hang up LOTS, but did caught a handful of large hybrids. I saw them pull at least three out, could have caught more, but there were maybe 5-6 of them fishing. I'm sure they caught more, but they did a good job of hiding it when they caught it.

The two guys that were surrounding me never caught a fish until i left, and as i walked away, I saw one catch a goo or white bass, couldn't be for sure from the stairway back up to the parking lot.

Enjoyable morning, made some new friends- they didn't speak English, but they now know the smell of my underarm deodorant, and caught some fish.

I've been thinking about running up to Lake Livingston and fishing below the dam... from Katy it would take about 20-30mins longer than going to Somerville, but i hear that the release is ideal for wade fishing now... anyone here ever done that at Livingston?




Thanks for the report. Sounds like a fine morning of combat fishing. Throw a fly rod. They won't get so close, LOL!!!
Posted By: J-Moe

Re: Lake Somerville - 07/08/16 09:28 PM

Originally Posted By: hook-line&sinker
Livingston dam.. maybe thats where J-Moe and I need to go next.. haven't been there in many, many years..


Never been, sounds like a plan to me.
Posted By: FishinAg02

Re: Lake Somerville - 07/09/16 01:07 AM

Let me know when and I'll try to go too!
Posted By: Hookinup

Re: Lake Somerville - 07/09/16 02:34 AM

Originally Posted By: hook-line&sinker
Livingston dam.


As close as you can get to the 3278 bridge has been best.
Roadrunners, roostertails & curly jigs worked good.
Posted By: J-Moe

Re: Lake Somerville - 07/09/16 02:39 AM

Originally Posted By: Hookinup
Originally Posted By: hook-line&sinker
Livingston dam.


As close as you can get to the 3278 bridge has been best.
Roadrunners, roostertails & curly jigs worked good.


Thanks, I will Google that area.
Posted By: FishinAg02

Re: Lake Somerville - 07/09/16 02:48 PM

Hookinup,

Does the Livingston dam get crowded? I imagine it does...
Posted By: J-Moe

Re: Lake Somerville - 07/09/16 05:26 PM

I went to the dam this morning. I was late getting there and 5 people were already in my normal spot. No worries, I moved to another good spot and found fish. Ben had to work so he wasn't there to annoy me, talk to the fish or generally try to break my focus. That made the fishing easy. roflmao

I ended up catching 14 white bass and a hybrid before people started crowding in on me. I would have caught a few more if I didn't spend about 30 minutes of peak fishing time getting my fly line unstuck from the rocks, breaking off leaders and losing the bead eyes on several flies. It was still a good morning of fishing.


Posted By: FishinAg02

Re: Lake Somerville - 07/09/16 07:01 PM

Nice job Jmoe! I thought about going this morning but couldn't get away from the littlr kids and honey do's!
Posted By: Hookinup

Re: Lake Somerville - 07/09/16 08:48 PM

Originally Posted By: FishinAg02
Hookinup,

Does the Livingston dam get crowded? I imagine it does...

Weekends can be a nightmare but, you might get lucky.
I normally go during the week as I can take off when I feel like it since I'm the boss of my own shop.

PM sent



.
Posted By: J-Moe

Re: Lake Somerville - 07/10/16 04:01 PM

Went out to the dam at 6 AM this morning. There were already 4 people fishing in my favorite spot so I fished the same spot as yesterday. I only caught 2 white bass. One at around 7 AM and the other at 7:30 AM. My arm was hurting from throwing that heavy fly rod so I gave up around 7:45 AM. I tried fishing for bluegill on the other side of the dam for about 10 minutes but it has been off since the wind started blowing the last week or so.

I didn't see anyone catching when I left. Only thing different is a weak low pressure system is moving in and it was more cloudy today. Yesterday the pressure was very stable with clear skies. It may have gotten better after I left, who knows.
Posted By: R2Fishing

Re: Lake Somerville - 07/11/16 12:37 AM

Seen photos of a limit of whites being caught from the main lake today.
Posted By: J-Moe

Re: Lake Somerville - 07/11/16 01:57 AM

Originally Posted By: hoggwild
Seen photos of a limit of whites being caught from the main lake today.


Thanks for the report.

The Lake level is 252.5 ft. 14.5 feet above normal and slowly starting to look like itself again. The road going through the uncontrolled spillway is no longer underwater but it will take a few weeks for it to dry out and pass safety inspections.
Posted By: BBFISH

Re: Lake Somerville - 07/11/16 04:12 AM

How is Welch park now ? Anybody fish there ?
Posted By: hook-line&sinker

Re: Lake Somerville - 07/11/16 03:15 PM

Originally Posted By: BBFISH
How is Welch park now ? Anybody fish there ?


Still not much dry ground around the park.. some folks are launching their boats off the point just down from the gate shack.
Posted By: hook-line&sinker

Re: Lake Somerville - 07/12/16 07:49 PM

Right on time Tuesday morning.. We arrived early and were ready when the fish came for breakfast.. 20 minutes of fast action before the whitebass and hybrid stripers moved out again.. A four hour investment for 20 minutes of catching a dozen fish if we are lucky..

Posted By: J-Moe

Re: Lake Somerville - 07/13/16 11:23 PM

Great camera angles and use of that zooming in slowly feature. That was cool. I especially like the part of that guy fighting and landing that big hybrid on the fly rod laugh
Posted By: hook-line&sinker

Re: Lake Somerville - 07/14/16 02:13 AM

that guy always steals the show... J-Moe the Magnificent with his Magical Clouser.. can't wait for the bloopers and outtakes video..
Posted By: hook-line&sinker

Re: Lake Somerville - 07/14/16 05:48 PM

Seems like we hit the fishy jackpot about every third trip to the spillway and this morning wasn't one of them..

Posted By: FishinAg02

Re: Lake Somerville - 07/14/16 06:18 PM

How many fish did y'all end up with? Looks like Jamie stole the show... once again!

Also, the slow motion of the buffalo coming out of the foam looking directly at the camera was amazing video. Thanks for sharing!
Posted By: J-Moe

Re: Lake Somerville - 07/14/16 07:29 PM

I caught 4 white bass, a crappie and a goo. Other than that, we just snagged a bunch of buffalo and gar. They were stacked in there thick.

I like that buffalo footage too. Also the slow motion footage of the fly cast.
Posted By: hook-line&sinker

Re: Lake Somerville - 07/14/16 07:35 PM

Originally Posted By: J-Moe
I caught 4 white bass, a crappie and a goo. Other than that, we just snagged a bunch of buffalo and gar. They were stacked in there thick.

I like that buffalo footage too. Also the slow motion footage of the fly cast.


I gotta do something to keep it interesting when the whitebass are a no show wink
Posted By: Toledo

Re: Lake Somerville - 07/15/16 03:44 PM

Whats going on with the lake level rising? Discharge looks unchanged, inflows look the same, no rain, but the lake is rising?

http://waterdata.usgs.gov/tx/nwis/uv/?site_no=08109900&PARAmeter_cd=00062,72020,00054
Posted By: J-Moe

Re: Lake Somerville - 07/15/16 03:56 PM

The data on this site is not valid. The lake never fell below 252 ft. yet. But I looked at another site and it does show there was an uptick in lake level of 0.15 feet.

There must have been rain somewhere in the Yegua watershed over the last week. There have been a few isolated showers.

http://somerville.lakesonline.com/Level.asp
Posted By: J-Moe

Re: Lake Somerville - 07/17/16 06:14 PM

I read something wrong, maybe the link you sent was correct.
Posted By: J-Moe

Re: Lake Somerville - 07/17/16 06:16 PM

Lake Level is 251 ft. 13 feet above normal.

The fishing below the dam has been slow but steady. People using the right lures, presentations, bait, etc. can usually pick up about a half dozen fish.
Posted By: hook-line&sinker

Re: Lake Somerville - 07/18/16 06:38 PM

Whitebass and hybrid stripers "on the fly" is good clean fun but the challenge of catching them consistently is the difficult part. Catching these fast moving schooling fish "on the fly" is hard enough but add to this task fishing through the heat & humidity of a Texas summer day and one begin to question ones' own sanity! That sanity is further questioned as we continue fishing under the cover of darkness.. We can barely see what we are doing but the fish can!

Posted By: hook-line&sinker

Re: Lake Somerville - 07/19/16 09:32 PM

Moon beams and dreams leading me to the spillway in the early hours of a hot Texas July morning..

Posted By: hook-line&sinker

Re: Lake Somerville - 07/20/16 07:33 PM

Two or three days a week I rise extra early, go to the dam, fish until 8am then head off to work... rinse & repeat.. fishing has been good but the catching varies greatly.. wink

Posted By: BBFISH

Re: Lake Somerville - 07/21/16 03:48 AM




Hi all,
Any idea what kinda eggs are these ?
Posted By: TXfisherman12

Re: Lake Somerville - 07/21/16 04:52 PM

Originally Posted by hook-line&sinker
Two or three days a week I rise extra early, go to the dam, fish until 8am then head off to work... rinse & repeat.. fishing has been good but the catching varies greatly.. wink



Had a nice time fishing with you Ben! Fished from 6am to 1pm at the spillway (and downstream) and lost count of the number of fish I caught, but probably over 50 fish (combined species - white bass, drum, black bass, gar, buffalo, bluegill, crappie). All caught -n- released. No white bass after 8am for me and using the fly rod I only caught 1 small black bass.

Nice video, as always.
Posted By: hook-line&sinker

Re: Lake Somerville - 07/22/16 08:59 PM

They could be Bryozoan Colonies, not slimy fish eggs or alien pods.



Phylactolaemata is a class of the phylum Bryozoa whose members live only in freshwater environments. Like all bryozoans, they filter feed by means of an extensible "crown" of ciliated tentacles called a lophophore.
Scientific name: Phylactolaemata
Higher classification: Bryozoa

Posted By: J-Moe

Re: Lake Somerville - 07/25/16 02:35 AM

I fished the dam this morning from 6 AM to 8 AM. I caught 7 white bass. Tough fishing with the fly rod. I'm socked in sweat by 7 AM. Fishing remains about the same, slow but steady.
Posted By: hook-line&sinker

Re: Lake Somerville - 07/25/16 03:12 PM

With expectations in line with what is probably gonna happen and Lord willing I'll be there trying my luck Tuesday and Thursday mornings for the next few weeks..
Posted By: hook-line&sinker

Re: Lake Somerville - 07/26/16 02:26 AM

one year ago...

Posted By: hook-line&sinker

Re: Lake Somerville - 07/26/16 06:20 PM

Our morning ritual of fishing the spillway just wasn't the same without J-Moe to catch the fish.. What has now become pretty typical for the spillway, it was a slow morning with about eight fishermen looking for some fish but not catching much before I had to leave for work.. But as always it is worth doing just to start the day off right...

Posted By: J-Moe

Re: Lake Somerville - 07/26/16 09:57 PM

Too funny, I think I see several of my clousers in that mess of lures on the fence. Had to go to Houston today to get my new phone, since I dunked the last one in the water last week. That's 4 or 5 dead iphones due to me slipping, falling, sinking into the water.

Looks like you caught a couple. And switched to white as well. Funny title to the video too smile
Posted By: hook-line&sinker

Re: Lake Somerville - 07/27/16 03:42 PM

yep I can't say for sure if the fish were biting when I'm the only one throwing the fly..
Posted By: R2Fishing

Re: Lake Somerville - 07/28/16 11:42 AM

Please everyone take a look at this.

It doesn't take but a quick minute to send an email.
We hold the future of Somervilles fate. Please help..

Somerville hybrid stocking
Posted By: jsinn01

Re: Lake Somerville - 07/28/16 05:51 PM

Thanks for the heads up. Just sent an email.
Posted By: hook-line&sinker

Re: Lake Somerville - 07/28/16 05:52 PM

This is what I sent to the biologist:

Fly Fishermen will spend lots of money and travel hundreds of miles to catch a cold water trout but not so much for warm water bass. The one exception to this rule might be the striper and/or hybrid striper in Texas rivers and tailrace.

Ive got many FishTales videos of hybrid striper fly fishing in the Lake Somerville spillway covering this year and last. The high water from the flooding set up the tailrace as one of the premiere hybrid striper fishing destinations in all of Central Texas. Most weekends are thick with fishermen lining the rocks and downstream banks fishing for hybrid stripers, whitebass and catfish. Weekdays are a little less crowded and often more productive.

Needless to say an absence of the hybrid stripers in the Lake Somerville tailrace would influence those fishermen making a long journey but I suspect many of those people are local and fishing for dinner and not just for sport.

Another issue I would like to approach is the management of the spillway fishing as the lake gets back to normal level and the water release from the dam is reduced and eventually cut off completely. I have every reason to believe that this September will be just like last September when the release from the lake stopped and the whole creek turned over (O2 depletion) resulting in a massive fish kill.

Ive talked to the Corp of Engineers and their rules of operation do not allow for them to prevent this fish kill probability by continuing a marginal release from the lake into Yegua creek below. What can TPWD do in these special circumstances? Can bag limits and length limits be adjusted to promote a wholesale harvest of these fish before another fish kill? I just hate to see all that fish go to waste again when it could be on someones dinner table..
Posted By: J-Moe

Re: Lake Somerville - 07/29/16 02:55 PM

I went down into the uncontrolled spillway basin to try to catch common carp on my fly rod. I used a backstabber pattern and ended up catching a bass, a couple catfish and a buffalo. I didn't see any common carp. The water is filled with algae and the fish are dying.

Does anyone know where I can fish for common carp with my fly rod?

I fished in the spillway for 20 minutes and caught one white bass. I tried yesterday and only caught a couple crappie and a goo. Fishing has been poor down there the last couple mornings. Maybe we need another school of fish to get sucked down through the gates smile
Posted By: J-Moe

Re: Lake Somerville - 07/29/16 03:01 PM

Reminder, The Hybrid restocking program at Lake Somerville has been discontinued. If we want to get it back we need to keep spreading the word and having people email the TPWD. I sent mine to Niki.


niki.ragan@tpwd.texas.gov
Posted By: R2Fishing

Re: Lake Somerville - 07/29/16 06:42 PM

Mainlake fishing has been good to those who can beat the heat. Bite has been steady from daylight till 930-10am. Boated few hybrids and whites last weekend
Posted By: GC2656

Re: Lake Somerville - 07/30/16 01:51 AM

Thanks for the heads-up Hybrid stocking. Email sent!
Posted By: hook-line&sinker

Re: Lake Somerville - 07/30/16 02:45 AM

Posted By: white bass interceptor

Re: Lake Somerville - 07/30/16 02:51 AM

Hello Joe, I talked to Niki and she told me that she had received enough responses for them to request hybrids to restock Lake Somerville. She asked that we continue to send emails because the greater our response the greater the chance of that happening. So let us continue to spread the word.
Posted By: EllerTroy

Re: Lake Somerville - 07/30/16 01:05 PM

Sent my email yesterday.
Posted By: J-Moe

Re: Lake Somerville - 07/30/16 07:01 PM

Interesting story. I was out at the dam yesterday and met a fellow fly fisherman. It didn't take me long to figure out he was both a great fly fisherman and fly tier. He helped me to catch my first common carp on the fly.

He told me he submitted an application for a State Hybrid Fly Fishing record. It was over 9 lbs. He showed me a picture of the fish. He caught it down stream of the emergency overflow when the lake was flooding over.

Kind of heartbreaking to know a fish big enough to break the State Fly record came out of the Lake Somerville stocking program and it's not currently part of the program.

Keep sending those emails.
Posted By: TXfisherman12

Re: Lake Somerville - 07/31/16 06:03 PM

Sent my email today.
Posted By: hook-line&sinker

Re: Lake Somerville - 08/01/16 02:28 PM

Posted By: hook-line&sinker

Re: Lake Somerville - 08/01/16 07:50 PM

Posted By: OllieC

Re: Lake Somerville - 08/02/16 02:37 PM

Glad to see you are back on the lake :-) Are you still jigging them up with slabs or do you have to resort to trolling?
Posted By: hook-line&sinker

Re: Lake Somerville - 08/03/16 02:45 AM

Posted By: hook-line&sinker

Re: Lake Somerville - 08/03/16 06:51 PM

Posted By: R2Fishing

Re: Lake Somerville - 08/04/16 03:25 AM

Slabs.

Moes Tackleshop slabs
Posted By: J-Moe

Re: Lake Somerville - 08/04/16 02:47 PM

Anyone fish for carp on Lake Somerville? Or have seen large groups on the flats?

Posted By: R2Fishing

Re: Lake Somerville - 08/04/16 03:33 PM

They are everywhere right now near Rocky creek.
Posted By: J-Moe

Re: Lake Somerville - 08/04/16 04:30 PM

Originally Posted By: hoggwild
They are everywhere right now near Rocky creek.


Thanks, is there any access by bank/kayak close to that area?
Posted By: J-Moe

Re: Lake Somerville - 08/05/16 07:33 PM

Lake level is 246.2. 8.2 feet high. Welsh Park boat ramp is open. Lake Somerville Marina boat ramp opened up today.
Posted By: FishinAg02

Re: Lake Somerville - 08/05/16 08:29 PM

Awesome! Thanks for the update J-Moe!
Posted By: GC2656

Re: Lake Somerville - 08/07/16 09:04 AM

Great videos as usual hook and thanks for the update on the boat ramps J-Moe. I can't wait to get back on the lake and try to catch a few fish!
Posted By: hook-line&sinker

Re: Lake Somerville - 08/08/16 12:16 PM

Posted By: Coolshot

Re: Lake Somerville - 08/08/16 02:37 PM

Overlook boatramp is open also!!
Posted By: J-Moe

Re: Lake Somerville - 08/08/16 02:45 PM

Yes
Posted By: hook-line&sinker

Re: Lake Somerville - 08/09/16 06:14 PM

Posted By: hook-line&sinker

Re: Lake Somerville - 08/10/16 04:41 PM

The graph below shows that lake Somerville is on track to be at or near pool level by mid September just like last year. I believe that this situation will develop into another major fish-kill downstream in the Yegua around the 20th of September. The COE and TPWD can do very little within the laws and rules that govern their actions to prevent this naturally occurring event. That being said I encourage everyone to fish the spillway and harvest your limit of fish as often as possible to make good use of the resource before it goes to the birds and critters..

[Linked Image]
source for graph: http://somerville.lakesonline.com/Level.asp


Posted By: BlindFish

Re: Lake Somerville - 08/10/16 05:29 PM

I would like to harvest some but cant get info on how launching a boat at hwy 36 bridge has been. Hope to get some info. Thanks
Posted By: hook-line&sinker

Re: Lake Somerville - 08/11/16 02:55 AM

I've seen may folks launch their johnboat on the north side of the bridge..
Posted By: hook-line&sinker

Re: Lake Somerville - 08/11/16 10:25 PM

I got an early start Thursday and was on the road to the lake before my alarm clock vibrated it's warning.. I was a little disappointed arriving at the lake to find a southern wind blowing towards the shore I chose to fish. The chop on the water would prevent us from being able to see the whitebass and hybrid surface feeding & schooling we had hoped would greet the morning. J-Moe did a quick scan of the shoreline and seeing no activity headed off to the spillway. I continued working the area to end up touring through the park. Welch park is open and ready for visitors but on this day the whitebass and hybrids were nowhere to be found..

Posted By: hook-line&sinker

Re: Lake Somerville - 08/16/16 06:59 PM

Up and running before dawn Tuesday to see if there was anything biting down in the spillway and to play with my new DVR Action camera. The waterproof housing allows for some shots of the fish where they live and affords a view we don't normally have of what's below the surface..

Posted By: Hookinup

Re: Lake Somerville - 08/19/16 07:55 PM

Nice underwater video.
Do you recommend that camera for all around use including underwater over the long haul ?
I was considering something like the Ion 1014W for the same price.



.
Posted By: jsinn01

Re: Lake Somerville - 08/19/16 08:41 PM

Nice video, Ben. Where did that picture of the yellow perch come from? I'm guessing it wasn't Somerville.
Posted By: hook-line&sinker

Re: Lake Somerville - 08/20/16 07:54 PM

Originally Posted By: Hookinup
Nice underwater video.
Do you recommend that camera for all around use including underwater over the long haul ?
I was considering something like the Ion 1014W for the same price..


It is a pretty nice HD camera that seems tough enough for me. I haven't looked into the ion.. can't say for sure but at $60 you can't go wrong IMHO..

Originally Posted By: jsinn01
Nice video, Ben. Where did that picture of the yellow perch come from? I'm guessing it wasn't Somerville.


Net river in Michigan's U.P. near our old deer camp.. see: The Net River @ Snicks Camp

Deer season 2004



Summer 2005








Posted By: hook-line&sinker

Re: Lake Somerville - 08/20/16 08:28 PM

Closed out that chapter of life last year, sold our Birchview deer camp and moved both parents back to Texas as their health is declining rapidly with old age.. Some of my best memories live up there along that river and at the cabin deep in the forest. Don't know if I'll ever make it back but I have had a view of life that is Michigan's U.P.



Posted By: hook-line&sinker

Re: Lake Somerville - 08/20/16 08:39 PM

J-Moes been doing pretty well on the whitebass in the spillway with the fly rod, A dozen or so whites Friday evening and three more Saturday morning. I can't put that much effort into fishing since my shoulder starting twerking and grinding.. wink
Posted By: hook-line&sinker

Re: Lake Somerville - 08/22/16 02:50 AM

COE has shut the gates at Lake Somerville down to 1000cfps or so it says on the website.. J-Moe reported catching lots of whites Sunday morning in the rain before reducing the flow.. can't say if the fishing will be good or bad.. only one way to know for sure.. ask J-Moe wink
Posted By: J-Moe

Re: Lake Somerville - 08/22/16 01:58 PM

Most of the summer Ben and I have been fishing in the slower moving water on the sides of the chute. It has continued to be less and less productive so I decided to challenge the 2200 cfs flow with the fly rod again. Finally, after 2 years I figured out how to be successful. Sunday morning was incredible fishing. I waited until 8 AM for a break in the rain. I caught 15 keeper white bass before 9 AM. It started pouring so I took a break for about 45 minutes. They started reducing the flow at about 8:30. When I started fishing again at 9:45 the bite was insane. I was catching white bass on every cast for a while. As they continued to reduce the flow the fishing slowed down as well. I finally quit about 11:30. I ended up catching around 30 keeper white bass and another 5 to 10 dinks for the day. I kept a handful for a friend.

Most of the fish were caught on a white clouser.

They actually closed the gates all the way down yesterday. I tried in the evening but there was nothing but gar and buffalo roaming around. They have since increased the flow to 1048 cfs. The lake level has risen back up to 245.5 or 7.5 feet above normal.

Posted By: FishinAg02

Re: Lake Somerville - 08/22/16 02:47 PM

Way to go J-Moe!

Did any hybrids find your clousers?
Posted By: J-Moe

Re: Lake Somerville - 08/22/16 04:09 PM

Originally Posted By: FishinAg02
Way to go J-Moe!

Did any hybrids find your clousers?


No, not a one.
Posted By: jsinn01

Re: Lake Somerville - 08/22/16 06:16 PM

Originally Posted By: hook-line&sinker
Closed out that chapter of life last year, sold our Birchview deer camp and moved both parents back to Texas as their health is declining rapidly with old age.. Some of my best memories live up there along that river and at the cabin deep in the forest. Don't know if I'll ever make it back but I have had a view of life that is Michigan's U.P.


Great pics, Ben. Northern Michigan and the U.P. is some beautiful country. I grew up fishing a lot of those waters.
Posted By: jsinn01

Re: Lake Somerville - 08/22/16 06:19 PM

Great job, J-Moe. From the posts it seems like you've been doing pretty well below the spillway.
Posted By: hook-line&sinker

Re: Lake Somerville - 08/22/16 10:57 PM

Over the last few days the lake has come up two feet to just over 245.60 and is still rising. This will probably add nearly a month of releasing water into the spillway to bring the lake back to normal level. There is an upside to extending the water release through September.. that being the cooler it is when the Yegua drops to low/no flow levels the less likely there will be a major fish kill.
Posted By: FishinAg02

Re: Lake Somerville - 08/23/16 02:41 PM

I checked today... did they shut the flow off again?
Posted By: J-Moe

Re: Lake Somerville - 08/23/16 02:44 PM

Yes, they shut the gates yesterday afternoon/evening and they were still closed this morning.
Posted By: J-Moe

Re: Lake Somerville - 08/23/16 02:54 PM

We tried fishing below the dam and at 36 bridge this morning but all we saw were a bunch of gar. The water had dropped significantly since Sunday. The environment was extremely stressed with the feeling that fish were constantly hitting the surface to obtain oxygen. If they don't open the gates today there may be another massive fish kill. I'll cross my fingers and hope for the best.
Posted By: FishinAg02

Re: Lake Somerville - 08/23/16 04:41 PM

showing they are releasing now and slowing increasing. currently @ 734cfs
Posted By: hook-line&sinker

Re: Lake Somerville - 08/23/16 07:08 PM

Posted By: hook-line&sinker

Re: Lake Somerville - 08/24/16 02:43 AM

Fishing was a little better this evening with the return of the flow.. 700 cfps.. we added a few whitebass to a buddys stringer so he left with a dozen or so and three nice hybrids.. Started out hot and fast then slowed as the sun set..
Posted By: 1Tacklehoarder

Re: Lake Somerville - 08/24/16 03:28 AM

I took some CJ's punch bait down to the end of the riprap and put the hurting on some channel cats. I couldn't keep up with more than one rod. The wind quit for a while in the middle of the afternoon and I about overheated. It almost got serious for me. I didn't realize how much fluid I had lost and lost track of time.
Posted By: J-Moe

Re: Lake Somerville - 08/24/16 04:27 PM

COE website is showing that they closed the gates again today
Posted By: hook-line&sinker

Re: Lake Somerville - 08/24/16 04:34 PM

Posted By: GC2656

Re: Lake Somerville - 08/24/16 06:28 PM

Looks like the fish are back, may have to give it a try!
Posted By: J-Moe

Re: Lake Somerville - 08/24/16 07:55 PM

I checked another site and it is still showing 742 cfs release.

http://www.swf-wc.usace.army.mil/cgi-bin/rcshtml.pl?page=Reports&report=fish

I noticed that the COE website is different now. They added wind speed and direction information.
Posted By: Hookinup

Re: Lake Somerville - 08/24/16 10:38 PM

Currently shows 1228cfs
If it wasn't a 2 hour drive for me, I'd go again.
The good fishing makes it very tempting tho.




.
Posted By: hook-line&sinker

Re: Lake Somerville - 08/25/16 02:43 AM

It figures.. about the time it starts to get good I've got commitments at work.. frown maybe Friday morning..
Posted By: J-Moe

Re: Lake Somerville - 08/25/16 03:23 PM

The COE website still isn't working:
http://www.swf-wc.usace.army.mil/somerville/

It was flowing last night so the site seems to be under some type of update.

Current flow is 1572.

I tried last night but didn't catch anything. I didn't see anyone else catching either. From what I have observed the changing flow rates seem to have a negative effect on the fishing quite often. They still have a ways to go before the gates are wide open and the flow stabilizes.
Posted By: J-Moe

Re: Lake Somerville - 08/26/16 04:16 PM

Ben and I had conflicts yesterday so we decided to hit the dam this morning. It ended up being a bad idea. Friday morning, combat fishing at it's finest.

I was fly fishing at the end of the rocks. My son was with me and he tangled up his spinning reel so bad that I decided to give him a hand. I set my rod down on the spot I was fishing and walked the 15 feet to help my son. A guy immediately walks in behind me and sets down all his stuff next to my rod. I point to my rod and tell him I am fishing in that spot. He ignores me, or pretends not to understand me and begins fishing. So I walk back over, slowly stepping over his rods, so I wouldn't accidentally break them and begin fishing shoulder to shoulder for a while. He finally slides over about 5 feet. With no room to drift my fly I gave up and moved. I lost the battle. Alas, I am not very good at combat fishing. I think I'll hit the main lake tomorrow. Probably better than going to jail.
Posted By: hook-line&sinker

Re: Lake Somerville - 08/26/16 10:36 PM

I don't have that problem (people getting to close) as I don't shower that often.. don't stand downwind either wink

Posted By: Duma

Re: Lake Somerville - 08/27/16 01:47 AM

Originally Posted by hook-line&sinker



:thumb Nice video. Thanks!! BTW you guys spray some repellents down there below the dam. I was standing fishing on them rocks and was greeted with some crawling ticks.I think they are known to carry lime disease.
Posted By: Hookinup

Re: Lake Somerville - 08/27/16 06:40 PM

Originally Posted By: J-Moe
He finally slides over about 5 feet. With no room to drift my fly I gave up and moved.


I like combat fishing.
It's the only time you get to slap them in the face while setting the hook on a fish.
If they don't learn how to respect others, life will be hard for them.

Sadly, I've encountered the same problem on rare occasions.




.
Posted By: J-Moe

Re: Lake Somerville - 08/29/16 01:10 AM

Originally Posted By: Hookinup
Originally Posted By: J-Moe
He finally slides over about 5 feet. With no room to drift my fly I gave up and moved.


I like combat fishing.
It's the only time you get to slap them in the face while setting the hook on a fish.
If they don't learn how to respect others, life will be hard for them.

Sadly, I've encountered the same problem on rare occasions.


Thanks, I was very frustrated. It's very difficult to fly fish in those rocks as it is. When it gets crowded I have to respect others and not allow my fly line to drift across them as well. So my best days are always when there is nobody fishing downstream or down current of me.

Tonight was a great example of that. I got to the dam and there was only one person fishing downstream of me. He was about 60 feet downstream of me. I started catching fish and he moved about half the distance from me to about 30 feet away. At the exact point I was picking them up. I was able to work with him fairly well but it affected how I fished. That's just part of it and I understand those things.

The good thing is the fishing was awesome when I got there. The cloud cover had the white bass chasing shad. I caught 14 before the sun came back out. Only 3 more after the sun came back out. It was a great evening of fishing.
Posted By: Hookinup

Re: Lake Somerville - 08/29/16 05:00 AM

I might go again when the weather cools off some.

Those pot lickers can't catch fish on their own & think you have some kind of fish attracting after shave on or something.roflmao


I'm equipped to take videos now, so when the whitebass run starts this winter I'll be able to show some good times of catching fish & I hope I'm wrong but, maybe give some combat fishermen 5 minutes of fame.

I have learned of a way that makes tangled lines a real pain for those who cross me.
I'll just say that their line will break before mine does.


.
Posted By: hook-line&sinker

Re: Lake Somerville - 08/31/16 03:24 PM

Posted By: hook-line&sinker

Re: Lake Somerville - 08/31/16 09:30 PM

Assuming the rate of release remains at current levels the lake will be near normal level around mid October. The fishing should be good and getting better as the days get shorter and cooler overall. I think this will help avoid another fish kill downstream from the spillway and extend catching opportunities well into winter..
Posted By: Hookinup

Re: Lake Somerville - 09/01/16 02:26 AM

I'm waiting till the weather cools off.




.
Posted By: hook-line&sinker

Re: Lake Somerville - 09/01/16 04:05 AM

Posted By: GC2656

Re: Lake Somerville - 09/03/16 01:01 AM

More great videos hook, keep'em coming!
Posted By: hook-line&sinker

Re: Lake Somerville - 09/04/16 01:44 AM

Posted By: J-Moe

Re: Lake Somerville - 09/04/16 04:41 PM

I went hybrid fishing on the main lake Saturday morning with Bruce and Brandon. It was my first hybrid fishing trip on the main lake. Or the first successful one at least. It was a great morning. I learned an incredible amount from Bruce. Brandon also shared a story about how great Grandpa was at finding and catching fish. I really had a great time. Thanks guys.

Posted By: Hookinup

Re: Lake Somerville - 09/04/16 09:06 PM

You did real good.
I can't wait for cool weather to get here.



.
Posted By: GC2656

Re: Lake Somerville - 09/04/16 11:21 PM

J-Moe looks like you found an excellent crew to go fishing with. Looks good times were had by all!
Posted By: J-Moe

Re: Lake Somerville - 09/05/16 02:14 AM

Thanks Guys,

I went to the dam around 5 PM this evening. I caught 12 white bass on a gray/white size 8 clouser (The Magical Clouser) before the rain hit. Not a single keeper. The fight wasn't much but the take is always exciting.

Posted By: Duma

Re: Lake Somerville - 09/06/16 04:57 AM

Hook line and sinker love all your video. Thanks!!
Posted By: Duma

Re: Lake Somerville - 09/06/16 05:00 AM

J-Moe You ain't seen nothing yet. Told you should of gone on Sunday. A lot of those hybrids I released had your name on it. Found Tons of whites but they were not ready to feed yet.I think I figured out a way to make them bite my lures.
I would love to put you on some hybrids and whites on a fly when they start schooling again. Give me a holler when you ready to go hybrids fishing again with me. We just might get lucky and find them surfacing. Thanks for all the hand tied fly's you gave me. I will try to catch my first white bass on a fly with it. Thanks!!
Posted By: J-Moe

Re: Lake Somerville - 09/06/16 01:42 PM

Originally Posted By: brucevannguyen
J-Moe You ain't seen nothing yet. Told you should of gone on Sunday. A lot of those hybrids I released had your name on it. Found Tons of whites but they were not ready to feed yet.I think I figured out a way to make them bite my lures.
I would love to put you on some hybrids and whites on a fly when they start schooling again. Give me a holler when you ready to go hybrids fishing again with me. We just might get lucky and find them surfacing. Thanks for all the hand tied fly's you gave me. I will try to catch my first white bass on a fly with it. Thanks!!


Sounds great Bruce. Thanks again, I really had a great time and look forward to more with you and Brandon.
Posted By: hook-line&sinker

Re: Lake Somerville - 09/06/16 02:23 PM

Posted By: whitewing maniac

Re: Lake Somerville - 09/08/16 08:08 PM

Originally Posted by hook-line&sinker



Like the popping cork method you were using, could I get a close up look at that set up, that's something I could use to help me not lose as much tackle out there.
Posted By: hook-line&sinker

Re: Lake Somerville - 09/09/16 02:23 AM

That is just a regular slip cork cut down to give it a bigger top. But popping corks come in all sizes I just like the smaller ones..
Posted By: J-Moe

Re: Lake Somerville - 09/10/16 07:08 PM

What's better than catching a hybrid. CATCHING 2 AT A TIME banana

I got invited to go hybrid fishing with Bruce and Brandon again. It was an awesome morning. We caught several trolling. Then they started surfacing. Bruce put us within range of my fly rod. I was able to catch a hybrid and a white bass on the fly rod during the short surfacing activity. We finished off our 3 limits of hybrids by 8:00.

It was another great day on the lake. Thanks Bruce and Brandon.

Posted By: hook-line&sinker

Re: Lake Somerville - 09/11/16 08:08 PM

Posted By: jsinn01

Re: Lake Somerville - 09/12/16 09:17 PM

Awesome! One of your best videos yet. Thanks for sharing.
Posted By: J-Moe

Re: Lake Somerville - 09/14/16 01:43 PM

Ben & his custom 3 piece spinning rod. Broken many times and repaired from the finest broken rods found at the spillway. It combines the feel of a broom stick with the strength of toothpick.

Maybe I should start a go fund me page to buy the poor fella a new rod roflmao roflmao roflmao

Posted By: FishinAg02

Re: Lake Somerville - 09/14/16 02:28 PM

That's awesome!
Posted By: J-Moe

Re: Lake Somerville - 09/18/16 07:51 PM

Lake Level is 241.2 ft. 3 feet above normal. I took a tour of the creeks this morning.

Jardelle is back inside the banks above the 1948 bridge. The dirt road that runs adjacent to the highway is now out of the water but still soaked and soft.

Irwin Bridge



Nails Creek




Cedar Creek


Posted By: jsinn01

Re: Lake Somerville - 09/19/16 05:57 PM

Thanks for the pics.

It won't be long and the Crappie will start moving up the creeks. fish
Posted By: hook-line&sinker

Re: Lake Somerville - 09/19/16 08:26 PM

I'd put good money on the crappie being in the lower Yegua already along with good numbers of black bass and catfish. As soon as it cools off and Nails Creek Park opens the boat ramp I hope to spend lots of time this fall up the creek..

Posted By: J-Moe

Re: Lake Somerville - 09/20/16 04:03 PM

I fished in Cedar and at Irwin but only caught small bluegill. Although I didn't put much effort into looking for crappie. I was thinking about 6 more weeks but I realized that the "Best crappie day ever" was on 11/1/14 in the lower Yegua. That means they should start moving in there at least within the next few weeks. I may have to hike down to a few of my favorite crappie holes and check things out sooner than I thought. If the pattern of the last couple years holds true we should see the white bass start to show up in early December.

My favorite time of year is quickly approaching. I'll be lost in the creeks for a few months!!!!!
Posted By: J-Moe

Re: Lake Somerville - 09/20/16 04:13 PM

Originally Posted By: hook-line&sinker
I'd put good money on the crappie being in the lower Yegua already along with good numbers of black bass and catfish. As soon as it cools off and Nails Creek Park opens the boat ramp I hope to spend lots of time this fall up the creek..


You're killing me. Those days of paddling 10 miles really suck. We need to find another place to launch. Maybe one of those oil field guys can help us out by letting us use a service road, LOL. I can definitely see other options by looking at Google earth.

What are they saying about Newman's bottom?
Posted By: hook-line&sinker

Re: Lake Somerville - 09/21/16 03:05 AM

I called the nails creek office and Jennifer said that there is no date set yet for any of the state park to reopen. The trailway is pretty much destroyed and washed away, again with no good estimate on when it will be safe to open up. I wouldn't plan on there being any access to Newmans Bottom through this coming winter. We will be lucky if the area is deemed safe by the end of the whitebass run..

For us kayakers this is bad news since Nails Creek Park is the closest boat ramp and launch area to Nails creek and the Yegua. The closest open ramp is in Birch Creek Estates and from there it is 5.5 miles just to the mouth of the Yegua. I ain't got that much life left to waste on that trip!
Posted By: hook-line&sinker

Re: Lake Somerville - 09/21/16 03:19 AM

The lake is getting close to normal level so the COE will be reducing the flow any day now. This could be a "boom or bust" sort of situation. If the weather cools enough and the flow doesn't completely stop the fish should be concentrated in the deeper pools and willing to bite. The August rains bought us about 20 days of continued flow from the dam compared to last year which goes a long way in preventing a repeat of a major fish kill.
Posted By: J-Moe

Re: Lake Somerville - 09/21/16 04:12 PM

Lake level is 240.2. 2 feet above normal and receding at a rate of 4 inches per day. I would bet they start cutting the flow back this weekend. A cool front is expected this weekend. It can't come at a better time.

The parking lot was crowded at the dam this weekend so I didn't engage in the combat. I fished yesterday and had an entire side to myself. Fishing was excellent.
Posted By: hook-line&sinker

Re: Lake Somerville - 09/21/16 09:34 PM

J-Moe is catching all those camera shy fish that disappear as soon as I show up smile
Posted By: jsinn01

Re: Lake Somerville - 09/22/16 05:34 PM

Thanks for all the good info guys. I'm really hoping that NCSP opens up by November time frame. I've already penciled in Thanksgiving weekend as a potential camping trip there. Nice to see some rain and cooler weather moving in for the weekend. I'm beyond sick of summer. Hopefully the rain will help extend the good fishing at the dam.
Posted By: hook-line&sinker

Re: Lake Somerville - 09/23/16 03:38 PM

J-Moe was correct ! The COE has reduced the flow down to less than 1000 cfps as the lake nears normal level.. If you have been thinking about going to the spillway now is the time.. the fish will be seeking out new hiding places and concentrating in whatever deeper pools they can find. The weather is predicted to cool down which might help prevent a fish kill but now is the time to harvest a share of the fish left in the spillway. I am likely to miss the whole next week due to work and other demands but that won't bother me much if all you guys go and take advantage of this situation.. load up the freezer now for what tomorrow holds is uncertain.. lake is at 239.69 as of 10:37am / Sept 23, 2016.
Posted By: J-Moe

Re: Lake Somerville - 09/25/16 01:26 AM

I went to the dam about 6 AM this morning. I started near the shoot and caught a couple of white bass, a goo and a crappie before 2 people setup on each side of me. So I moved down to the end of the rocks and caught 6 catfish. It was crazy, I was throwing the fly and holding it high in the water column. It was still dark so each time I thought I had caught a white bass. They were attacking the fly like a white bass. A few more people moved in around me so I moved again. There were a lot of people fishing but surprisingly enough there was nobody on the walkway. So I went on the walkway and started catching white bass on almost every cast. Immediately other fisherman started reeling up their poles and hurried to get on the walkway with me. 2 guys shoulder to shoulder with me and one behind. I started roll casting and caught another couple before additional fisherman moved on the walkway and on the bank cutting off even a roll cast. I tried moving again, but the fishing slowed down so I called it a day at the dam.
Posted By: Hookinup

Re: Lake Somerville - 09/26/16 03:01 AM



Potlickers suck




image hosting no register
Posted By: jsinn01

Re: Lake Somerville - 09/28/16 10:05 PM

Funny that they can't figure out it's not where you're fishing, but what you're using and the presentation. You think it would clue them in when they fish the same water as you and don't catch anything.
Posted By: J-Moe

Re: Lake Somerville - 09/29/16 01:54 AM

Originally Posted By: jsinn01
Funny that they can't figure out it's not where you're fishing, but what you're using and the presentation. You think it would clue them in when they fish the same water as you and don't catch anything.


I was laughing when I read this. That is soooooooo true. The white bass were surfacing right in front of them. I was catching them and they weren't. They moved up on the spillway and it didn't matter. Matter of fact, they didn't even recognize that they were surfacing. I was holding the rod tip high and stripping it just under the surface. Combat fishing with the pot lickers might just be hilarious if it weren't so frustrating. Thank goodness we have miles and miles of creeks to avoid the madness.
Posted By: hook-line&sinker

Re: Lake Somerville - 09/29/16 03:23 AM

October might be the time to start walking the creeks.. but bring your bug spray cause the chiggers are gonna be bad !
Posted By: 1Tacklehoarder

Re: Lake Somerville - 09/29/16 04:18 AM

I got a limit of channel cats out of the spillway this evening. CJ's monster bait and #6 & #8 treble hooks.
Posted By: J-Moe

Re: Lake Somerville - 09/29/16 12:02 PM

Originally Posted By: 1Tacklehoarder
I got a limit of channel cats out of the spillway this evening. CJ's monster bait and #6 & #8 treble hooks.


Thanks for the report.

I went to the dam last night as well. Everyone was fishing further down past the rocks. I fished on the rocks with the fly rod and just keep getting snagged on buffalo constantly. I only caught a half dozen or so decent fish. I lost a ton of jigs and flies. I got tired of fighting the buffalo to the bank and unhooking them, so I just held the fly line and when the made a run they broke me off.

In general, the fishing is improving on the main lake, creeks and below the spillway. Fall patterns are beginning. I've caught a ton of crappie, LMB and bluegill the last couple of weeks. I've also caught catfish on lures much more often in these last 2 weeks. Very aggressive feeding and schooling are picking up steadily.
Posted By: Hookinup

Re: Lake Somerville - 09/29/16 04:02 PM

Originally Posted By: jsinn01
Funny that they can't figure out it's not where you're fishing, but what you're using and the presentation. You think it would clue them in when they fish the same water as you and don't catch anything.


Bad thing is that it's always the asian guys.
They act like you're wearing fish attractant for after shave.
They do the same everywhere.
I warn them when they get to close & tell them they will go for a swim if they don't give me space.
It's that or they get slapped with the rod tip.
I'm tired of those inconsiderate morons.
Posted By: FishermenDesigns

Re: Lake Somerville - 09/29/16 04:19 PM

When is the hibernation period for snakes in Texas? Especially in the Somerville area because I would like to take my family camping and fishing along the creeks.
Posted By: Hookinup

Re: Lake Somerville - 09/29/16 09:11 PM

Originally Posted By: FishermenDesigns
When is the hibernation period for snakes in Texas? Especially in the Somerville area because I would like to take my family camping and fishing along the creeks.

Not all snakes in Texas hibernate during the winter.
Cottonmouths & Rat Snakes don't & may be others.
I've seen Cottonmouths on top of grass mounds in the marsh when I come out of the duck blind mid afternoons after the day warms up.



.
Posted By: doctorliver

Re: Lake Somerville - 09/29/16 11:10 PM

Is nails creek park really opening back up tomorrow? Anyone have any information? Just happened to see something on their FB page, but no real details.
Posted By: J-Moe

Re: Lake Somerville - 09/30/16 02:41 PM

Originally Posted By: doctorliver
Is nails creek park really opening back up tomorrow? Anyone have any information? Just happened to see something on their FB page, but no real details.


I called the Nails park telephone number. The recorded information line still states that the park is closed.
Posted By: hook-line&sinker

Re: Lake Somerville - 09/30/16 03:47 PM

Posted By: 1Tacklehoarder

Re: Lake Somerville - 10/01/16 12:21 AM

Nails will be open tomorrow, for boat launches only.
Posted By: doctorliver

Re: Lake Somerville - 10/01/16 12:21 AM

Looks like only the boat ramp at Nails will be open tomorrow and nothing else.
Posted By: jsinn01

Re: Lake Somerville - 10/01/16 04:33 PM

That's good news. May have to drag the yak out there sometime soon.
Posted By: hook-line&sinker

Re: Lake Somerville - 10/01/16 07:08 PM

Facebook notice from the park:

Hot off the press!!!! The Nails Creek State Park boat ramp will be open as of 8:00am tomorrow, October1st. The park will ONLY be open for boat ramp traffic. The rest of the park, campsites, and trails will be closed. You will not be allowed to access any other area of the park. Come and bring your boat out! We would love to see you!
Posted By: J-Moe

Re: Lake Somerville - 10/02/16 12:51 AM

The large mouth bass bite is on fire, both on the main lake and in the creeks. flame
Posted By: J-Moe

Re: Lake Somerville - 10/02/16 03:35 PM

The bluegill, green sunfish, long ear sunfish and warmouth are on fire too flame

I've been fishing the banks on the main lake with the fly rod and small poppers. They have been non-stop early and late each day.

This is an incredible time for bank fisherman. The lake has receded, leaving a strip of land free of vegetation. The old vegetation from before the flooding started 2 years ago is still there, but very sparse. The fish are all in and around that vegetation. I've seen multiple people walking the banks and catching large mouth.

Fall Fishing has began banana



Posted By: jsinn01

Re: Lake Somerville - 10/02/16 04:54 PM

coolphotos Thanks for sharing.
Posted By: timid tiger

Re: Lake Somerville - 10/03/16 02:18 PM

Hookinup most asians are great!
Get used to combat fishing LOL. 3 yard space is all your need with a slower current. Work with people around you to time casts. Share the fun.
Posted By: Duma

Re: Lake Somerville - 10/03/16 02:36 PM

Originally Posted By: J-Moe
The bluegill, green sunfish, long ear sunfish and warmouth are on fire too flame

I've been fishing the banks on the main lake with the fly rod and small poppers. They have been non-stop early and late each day.

This is an incredible time for bank fisherman. The lake has receded, leaving a strip of land free of vegetation. The old vegetation from before the flooding started 2 years ago is still there, but very sparse. The fish are all in and around that vegetation. I've seen multiple people walking the banks and catching large mouth.

Fall Fishing has began banana












































You right about that JM. I took a break yesterday on the east side of welch where all that vegetation sticks up from the water and watch fish chasing minnows. Lots of large mouth. Pretty cool.


You guys can most defiantly catch shads or perch and throw out a few rods from the banks. These cooling trends got them fish shallow within bank fisherman reach. I could of jump off my boat and swam in to shore yesterday where I was catching lots of fish. You gotta get your bait out to 10fow and beyond.
Posted By: hook-line&sinker

Re: Lake Somerville - 10/04/16 03:05 AM

release down to 170 cfps the lake is within a foot of normal pool.. the next few days will be the last of the good spillway fishing.
Posted By: hook-line&sinker

Re: Lake Somerville - 10/04/16 08:26 PM

We are about to the end of the summer flood water being released from the lake as it gets very near normal pool level. Low flow in the spillway tailrace mean lots of fish in a small area so fishermen from all around come to take their share of the harvest.

Posted By: Hookinup

Re: Lake Somerville - 10/05/16 11:28 PM

Get them while you can.




.
Posted By: J-Moe

Re: Lake Somerville - 10/08/16 03:14 AM

You see that Froggy Fly and dropper fly hanging off Ben's nose. That's what happens when you throw a popper dropper rig with a 4 weight fly rod in a strong swirling wind, LOL!!!

I was very proud of the video guy today. He left his camera at home and focused on fishing. Him and his Froggy Fly put on an impressive display of bass fishing. We both caught a couple 2 lbs plus bass on the fly rod, but he caught the big bass of the day. It went about 4 lbs. and he had to fight it around some piping and rocks to land it. It was an impressive catch and we had and excellent day of fishing.





But Alas, My target species was bluegill. I caught this Yegua Creek record bluegill on the Briminator variant I tie.

The Elite Angler and his J-Moe Briminator win again banana banana roflmao roflmao roflmao roflmao

Posted By: 1Tacklehoarder

Re: Lake Somerville - 10/08/16 04:29 AM

OOPS! That hurt.... Congrats on the big bluegill. On a side note, that patch of green behind Ben's left cheek is a great spot to bank fish for catfish as the water starts to cool. Just don't bust your butt on the rocks!
Posted By: 1Tacklehoarder

Re: Lake Somerville - 10/08/16 04:35 AM

I caught a big bluegill and put it on a good sized treble hook while standing on the walkway a few days ago. I casted
out and a few minutes later my rod doubled over. I put pressure on the beast and fought it in the current for about ten minutes. I finally got it within about 20 yards and the biggest......softshell turtle I ever saw surfaced. The hook pooped out, but I swear this thing was 3 feet across, had feet bigger than my palms and a head that looked like a baking potato. It made my hair stand up when I saw it.
Posted By: Hookinup

Re: Lake Somerville - 10/08/16 08:25 PM

Originally Posted By: timid tiger
Hookinup most asians are great!

Most might be BUT, like anything else a few bad apples blah blah blah........



Originally Posted By: timid tiger
Get used to combat fishing LOL. 3 yard space is all your need with a slower current.

That might be YOUR opinion but, like most opinions it only matters to YOU.

3 yard space is NOT enough when there's 50-100 yards on each side of a person.
If I cast sideways YOU WILL get a face full of rod tip & lure.
You should show some respect for others or..........stay home.




Originally Posted By: timid tiger
Work with people around you to time casts. Share the fun.

Don't tell me something I've known for years.
Tell the ones who simply refuse to have consideration for others.
That's a long list that will keep you busy for years to come.




.
Posted By: J-Moe

Re: Lake Somerville - 10/10/16 01:06 AM

The COE website is still not showing the correct flowrate. I have been using the link below.

http://www.swf-wc.usace.army.mil/cgi-bin/rcshtml.pl?page=Reports&report=fish

The Lake Level 238.46 ft. and releasing 91 cfs Only 0.46 feet above normal. It dropped about .05 feet in the last 24 hours. The COE is doing what it can to keep the gates open to prevent another fish kill but at the current rate it will be a maximum of 9 more days. The gates will likely be closed earlier than that though. So this may be the last week of fishing below the dam for a while.

I have been fishing below the dam with my fly rod. I have been using poppers and briminators and catching a ton of Bluegill and small bass. Fishing is still good everywhere. The creeks, the main lake and the spillway are all producing plenty of fish.
Posted By: 1Tacklehoarder

Re: Lake Somerville - 10/10/16 11:44 PM

The whole yegua is chock full of catfish all the way to the Brazos from the spillway.
Posted By: 1Tacklehoarder

Re: Lake Somerville - 10/10/16 11:45 PM

I've caught 15-20 fish per hour at the 36 bridge and the 50 bridge on punch bait
Posted By: hook-line&sinker

Re: Lake Somerville - 10/11/16 01:58 AM

I believe that! Lake Somerville and the creeks that feed it are well stocked with quality catfish. I'd say that it might be one of the best catfishing lakes for miles around.
Posted By: J-Moe

Re: Lake Somerville - 10/11/16 12:49 PM

Originally Posted By: 1Tacklehoarder
The whole yegua is chock full of catfish all the way to the Brazos from the spillway.


As well as, where it feeds into the Lake and all the other creeks feeding into the Lake as well. The shad are thick in the creeks, and so are the catfish. I walked into Big Creek the other day and there were shad flashing everywhere under the water.

I also noticed that the Brazos itself has actually cleared up slightly. It's always muddy, but it was the first time I was actually tempted to try fishing it.

The crappie fishing below the dam has slowed down substantially but the LMB and bluegill fishing is still crazy good.
Posted By: Hookinup

Re: Lake Somerville - 10/11/16 03:14 PM

Originally Posted By: 1Tacklehoarder
I've caught 15-20 fish per hour at the 36 bridge and the 50 bridge on punch bait


Would that be the 36 bridge near Sweet Water Creek ?
25 Channel Cats 2-lbs plus would be a good haul.
As cool as the mornings are right now I'm tempted to go.




.
Posted By: J-Moe

Re: Lake Somerville - 10/12/16 01:25 AM

Originally Posted By: Hookinup
Originally Posted By: 1Tacklehoarder
I've caught 15-20 fish per hour at the 36 bridge and the 50 bridge on punch bait


Would that be the 36 bridge near Sweet Water Creek ?
25 Channel Cats 2-lbs plus would be a good haul.
As cool as the mornings are right now I'm tempted to go.


He means the Hwy 36 bridge coming into Somerville. Hwy 50 crosses the Yegua in Clay.
Posted By: Hookinup

Re: Lake Somerville - 10/12/16 02:08 AM

Originally Posted By: J-Moe

He means the Hwy 36 bridge coming into Somerville. Hwy 50 crosses the Yegua in Clay.


I know 36 goes into Sommerville.
There's 2 bridges on 36 near the city of Sommerville.
One is near Sweet Water Creek (north).
The other is where Wolf Creek goes under the bridge on 36 (south).

I'm assuming it's the bridge at Sweet Water Creek since it is much wider.

I may go Friday a.m. if the weather cools enough for my liking.
If I had a yak I would go for Crappie instead.



.
Posted By: hook-line&sinker

Re: Lake Somerville - 10/12/16 08:35 PM

Posted By: J-Moe

Re: Lake Somerville - 10/13/16 09:47 PM

Another excellent video Ben thumb

That East wind sure stunk up the fishing. The birds and scenery made up for it. Glad to fish out of Yegua Creek Park again. Lots of good bluegill holes within a short paddle of the park.
Posted By: hook-line&sinker

Re: Lake Somerville - 10/14/16 02:50 PM

Even though the fishing in the spillway is slowing it is still pretty good for crappie and catfish. There are a few decent whitebass and hybrids let but they are really tough to find and catch with any consistency.
Posted By: J-Moe

Re: Lake Somerville - 10/14/16 03:47 PM

It rained in Somerville yesterday and granted another day or 2 of fishing in the spillway. Lake Level is 238.41 and releasing 93 cfs. Another good rain sure would be nice.
Posted By: J-Moe

Re: Lake Somerville - 10/14/16 05:10 PM

It's raining again banana
Posted By: J-Moe

Re: Lake Somerville - 10/14/16 05:17 PM

Ben spent some time cleaning up one of our favorite creeks the other day. We should all take his lead.

I'm amazed at how much beer fish drink, and how many worms they eat. I just can't figure out how they get to Walmart to buy all this beer and food hmmm

I simply can't understand how people think the world is their trash can. Is it pure laziness or arrogance?

Posted By: ag_angler

Re: Lake Somerville - 10/15/16 01:40 AM

thumb up.
Posted By: J-Moe

Re: Lake Somerville - 10/15/16 09:30 PM

Originally Posted By: ag_angler
thumb up.



Gig'em, Class of '87
Posted By: hook-line&sinker

Re: Lake Somerville - 10/17/16 01:52 AM

Well it ain't bank fishing but for you guys that have kayaks or even a flat bottom boat the Nails creek boat ramp is open which makes accessing the Yegua and Nails creek possible.
Crappie, catfish and black bass are in those creeks in really good numbers but do require extra effort to get to, find and catch. I've done this type of creek fishing most of my life and enjoy this fall season the most.

As it cools down on into winter these creeks will produce some very impressive fish in size and number. Any significant rainfall that causes a rise in the lake will entice the whitebass and crappie to begin moving up the lake and into the creeks.

The whitebass often show up very early in the year if there has been some flooding in November or December but the majority of the whitebass move up into the creeks some time in February. Lake Somerville isn't very big and only the Yegua has significant length so for the most part any whitebass that move into the creeks can return to the lake any time conditions dictate and there is enough water.

If you have been thinking of expanding your fishing opportunities into kayaking these Lake Somerville creeks are a very good place to start. Let me take you back to one of the trips up the Yegua..



Posted By: J-Moe

Re: Lake Somerville - 10/18/16 04:24 PM

Lake Level is 238.36. Releasing 93 cfs. These last 2 rains have really helped to maintain the lake level. I'm not sure if the COE will close the gates at exactly 238.00 or not. Either way, we have a few more days to fish the spillway with some flow to it.

I have continued to catch a variety of fish, depending on the flies and techniques I use. I've caught white bass, catfish, drum, crappie and an incredible amount of largemouth bass and bluegill. I usually catch a couple of largemouth in the 2.5 lb. range every time I fish. That's fun on the 4 weight.

I located a couple colonies of green sunfish and longear sunfish and have been spending some time catching them. Only problem is they are small, as normal. If anyone knows some good public fishing holes where I can catch big green sunfish or big longear, please PM me. I've only found big ones in private ponds.


Posted By: Hookinup

Re: Lake Somerville - 10/18/16 07:34 PM

Would a 14' jon boat be doable in those creeks right now ?
Posted By: J-Moe

Re: Lake Somerville - 10/18/16 07:51 PM

Originally Posted By: Hookinup
Would a 14' jon boat be doable in those creeks right now ?


Yes, no problem. We took an 18 feet boat up the Yeagua to the low water crossing a couple weeks ago. Nails is no problem up to at least the flag pond cut.
Posted By: Quang.Nguyen

Re: Lake Somerville - 10/20/16 12:35 PM

Can anyone please show me how to get to Yegua creek at the upper 36 bridge (the railroad bridge) by foot ? I've heard it is a good bank catfishing spot.
Posted By: hook-line&sinker

Re: Lake Somerville - 10/20/16 02:30 PM

I'm not sure your information is correct.. You can park right there below the highway 36 bridge on either side but to get to the railroad bridge you will have to crash through some swampy brush just to find that there is no clear bank access around the bridge. see this satellite image from google

Posted By: J-Moe

Re: Lake Somerville - 10/20/16 02:56 PM

That's the area where Sweetwater creek comes in. The area Hookinup was talking about. Maybe he has some insight. Ben & I have only fished it from the kayak.
Posted By: Hookinup

Re: Lake Somerville - 10/20/16 07:52 PM

I wanted to go Fri. morning but, it's raining here I need to attend to some things around here.

There's a small parking area on the south side of the 36 bridge but, I don't know anything about fishing access around the bridge.
I wanted to make a trip for catfish & see what else may be available.



.
Posted By: 1Tacklehoarder

Re: Lake Somerville - 10/20/16 11:22 PM

I bushwacked my way almost up to the railroad bridge last weekend from the south side. I stopped and fished at a little sandbar/slough 75-100 yards before you get to the bridge. There was a major difference in the amount of fish at the 36 bridge compared to up by the railroad. I caught a bunch up there, but I threw them all back. The trek back there isn't that far, but there is no trail and it is thick thick thick.
Posted By: J-Moe

Re: Lake Somerville - 10/21/16 03:40 PM

Originally Posted By: 1Tacklehoarder
I bushwacked my way almost up to the railroad bridge last weekend from the south side. I stopped and fished at a little sandbar/slough 75-100 yards before you get to the bridge. There was a major difference in the amount of fish at the 36 bridge compared to up by the railroad. I caught a bunch up there, but I threw them all back. The trek back there isn't that far, but there is no trail and it is thick thick thick.


roflmao roflmao roflmao

I found my new bank fishing buddy. That's hilarious. Even I wouldn't have tried to trek through that mess. As I recall you are about 6 feet 2 inches so you could clear a huge path for a little short nothing like me roflmao

Man, so many new places I want to explore. Like all these small creeks, unfished, but covered in brush. And like I tell Ben, I don't have to be faster than that pig or alligator, I only have to be faster than you roflmao
Posted By: Hookinup

Re: Lake Somerville - 10/22/16 03:33 AM

Originally Posted By: J-Moe
I don't have to be faster than that pig or alligator, I only have to be faster than you roflmao


Gators can run 30mph for almost a minute.
After that you're home free.



.
Posted By: 1Tacklehoarder

Re: Lake Somerville - 10/22/16 05:17 AM

MmmmHmmmm..... what was even worse is, I took a wrong turn heading back out and it took me almost 30 minutes to make it out of that mess. I bought one kayak, and traded for another this Summer, but have yet to even purchase a paddle. I might have to go get one tomorrow so I can paddle back to the railroad bridge, hopefully before they shut the flow off. I don't know if I'll make it up there in time. Im busy most of the day tomorrow, and my wife wants to go fishing with me Sunday, so we are going to a honey hole on private land.

J-Moe, my wife would feel a whole lot more comfortable about my adventures at Somerville if I had somebody with me. I would be more than happy to fish with you. I still need to get a grasp on fly fishing anyway, and I know you and Ben are the local experts smile
Posted By: J-Moe

Re: Lake Somerville - 10/22/16 09:47 PM

Originally Posted By: Hookinup
Originally Posted By: J-Moe
I don't have to be faster than that pig or alligator, I only have to be faster than you roflmao


Gators can run 30mph for almost a minute.
After that you're home free.


I grew up in Cameron, La. I spent many days among the alligators. I am well versed on them. Either way, he ain't going to eat both of us roflmao
Posted By: J-Moe

Re: Lake Somerville - 10/22/16 09:50 PM

Originally Posted By: 1Tacklehoarder
MmmmHmmmm..... what was even worse is, I took a wrong turn heading back out and it took me almost 30 minutes to make it out of that mess. I bought one kayak, and traded for another this Summer, but have yet to even purchase a paddle. I might have to go get one tomorrow so I can paddle back to the railroad bridge, hopefully before they shut the flow off. I don't know if I'll make it up there in time. Im busy most of the day tomorrow, and my wife wants to go fishing with me Sunday, so we are going to a honey hole on private land.

J-Moe, my wife would feel a whole lot more comfortable about my adventures at Somerville if I had somebody with me. I would be more than happy to fish with you. I still need to get a grasp on fly fishing anyway, and I know you and Ben are the local experts smile


Sounds good, The Yegua, Nails and Cedar are my favorite Fall and Winter fishing locations. I was in Nails in the kayak today and then went over to Irwin Bridge and fished for a while.
Posted By: jsinn01

Re: Lake Somerville - 10/22/16 09:52 PM

Funny how you've added Nails to your list of favorites... grin
Posted By: hook-line&sinker

Re: Lake Somerville - 10/23/16 12:17 AM

Originally Posted by jsinn01
Funny how you've added Nails to your list of favorites... grin


and here is why wink

Posted By: J-Moe

Re: Lake Somerville - 10/23/16 03:11 AM

Here is a picture from Irwin bridge. The water at the bridge is as clear as I've ever seen it. I've been reading and hearing lots of good reports. I've also been catching lots of fish. Fall fishing continues to be great.

All the creeks, even the small ones like Big creek are full of shad. Unfortunately, there is little water in Jardelle or Cedar. Large sections of the creek are isolated and the crappie have not moved up very far into them. Small bluegill and small bass can be found in some of the isolated pockets.

There were also large mouth bass chasing shad off the point near the boat ramp at Yegua creek park. I tried for 30 minutes to catch them on the fly rod with no luck. So I grabbed a conventional rod with a rooster tail and caught one just to make sure it was LMB.

Posted By: J-Moe

Re: Lake Somerville - 10/23/16 03:20 AM

If you've been reading this thread for a while you know I've been trying to catch a Rock Bass. I've never caught one before or actually seen one. Today I finally think I caught one. Correct me if I'm wrong.

Posted By: J-Moe

Re: Lake Somerville - 10/23/16 03:19 PM

Originally Posted By: J-Moe
If you've been reading this thread for a while you know I've been trying to catch a Rock Bass. I've never caught one before or actually seen one. Today I finally think I caught one. Correct me if I'm wrong.



Well, It looks like I was wrong again. I was told this is a Warmouth. I've caught 4 distinct colors and patterns of Warmouth now. Maybe one day I'll catch that Rock Bass.
Posted By: J-Moe

Re: Lake Somerville - 10/26/16 12:31 AM

COE shut the gates yesterday. Lake Level was 238.15 this morning. I caught a few small crappie this morning but it was completely dead this afternoon.

The main lake reports have been poor the last few days. I've heard a few people speculating that the lake turned over.
Posted By: hook-line&sinker

Re: Lake Somerville - 10/26/16 04:02 AM

Generally Lake Somerville doesn't suffer when it turns over being shallow and open but the fish do change their habits as the water cools. I think the schooling fish like whites and hybrids scatter and move more in search of shad which also spend more time at depth and not on the surface. Either way the turn over will continue until spring to one degree or another. I wonder if that (lake turnover) is the reason many fish head up into creeks and rivers in the late winter to spawn.
Posted By: hook-line&sinker

Re: Lake Somerville - 10/27/16 07:15 PM

About the spillway this summer!
Posted By: hook-line&sinker

Re: Lake Somerville - 10/28/16 10:28 PM

Posted By: 24x7Fisherman

Re: Lake Somerville - 10/29/16 01:03 AM

Hi, is the Rocky Creek Park still closed? Can we use it to launch kayak? Thanks.
Posted By: J-Moe

Re: Lake Somerville - 10/29/16 01:33 AM

Originally Posted By: 24x7Fisherman
Hi, is the Rocky Creek Park still closed? Can we use it to launch kayak? Thanks.


Yes it is still closed. No you can't enter the park.

Yegua Creek Park, Nails Creek, Overlook and Welsh boat ramps are all open
Posted By: Coolshot

Re: Lake Somerville - 10/29/16 02:06 AM

FYI:
Be careful on Somerville Saturday!! Huge High school bass tournament!!
The lake was covered with boats this afternoon!!
Expecting 150+ boats

http://www.texashighschoolbassassn.com/houston-division.html
Posted By: hook-line&sinker

Re: Lake Somerville - 10/30/16 12:16 PM

The 2015 & 2016 floods pretty much removed the namesake trees for Birch Creek anywhere near the lake. The flood also knocked down most every willow tree for the last quarter mile of the creek blocking access to it from the lake. Birch Creek is now only accessible over land which means that any adventurous kayaker willing to fight the yak dragon can have the creek to themselves as we did on a warm Saturday in late October.
Posted By: 24x7Fisherman

Re: Lake Somerville - 10/30/16 02:49 PM

J-Moe, thanks.
Posted By: 1Tacklehoarder

Re: Lake Somerville - 10/30/16 08:05 PM

Looks like you guys found where the catfish went! Lol
Posted By: hook-line&sinker

Re: Lake Somerville - 10/31/16 04:02 PM

Certainly not as many fish up Birch creek as in Nails or the Yegua but still worth the effort IMHO.. J-Moe probably doesn't agree with me on this one wink
Posted By: J-Moe

Re: Lake Somerville - 10/31/16 07:51 PM

Originally Posted By: 1Tacklehoarder
Looks like you guys found where the catfish went! Lol


No doubt, I caught 5 catfish on a curly tail jig. Just think how many we could have caught on punch bait.
Posted By: J-Moe

Re: Lake Somerville - 10/31/16 07:54 PM

Originally Posted By: hook-line&sinker
Certainly not as many fish up Birch creek as in Nails or the Yegua but still worth the effort IMHO.. J-Moe probably doesn't agree with me on this one wink


It's not my favorite but I'm usually up for your kayak trips anyway. It was clearer than I've seen it. Also, since no boats can get in the creek it was quite intriguing. I ended up with 11 LMB, 5 catfish, 2 crappie and 2 bluegill in 7 hours of fishing. Too much work for me, LOL!!!
Posted By: 1Tacklehoarder

Re: Lake Somerville - 10/31/16 08:21 PM

Originally Posted By: J-Moe
Originally Posted By: 1Tacklehoarder
Looks like you guys found where the catfish went! Lol


No doubt, I caught 5 catfish on a curly tail jig. Just think how many we could have caught on punch bait.


I've never caught 5 catfish on lures in one outing in all my years of fishing. Sometimes if I catch a couple on lures, I'll just grab a jar of punchbait and catch a limit real quick. Sounds like the fishing will be good for a while. I just saw a post on the bass forum that said the high school tournament had 133 teams, took 25+ to win, and 14+ to place in the top 25.
Posted By: 1Tacklehoarder

Re: Lake Somerville - 10/31/16 08:30 PM

On a side note, I took my little pelican sit-in kayak pond fishing the other day. I found out real quick that I'm going to have to use a sit on top that I can stand up and move around on. I get stoved up really quick.
Posted By: J-Moe

Re: Lake Somerville - 11/01/16 02:05 AM

Stand up kayaks are usually heavy and expensive.
Posted By: hook-line&sinker

Re: Lake Somerville - 11/01/16 05:54 PM

I'm getting to that time of life too! A little bit of stiffness, sore joints and muscles is just part of the deal now. Nothing moves well anymore but I will forge onward for as long as I can. Get a yak that your legs do not have to be straight out in front of you with a quality supportive seat. Those two conditions will go a long way to keeping you on the water and in the fish!
Posted By: doctorliver

Re: Lake Somerville - 11/02/16 01:23 AM

Stand up kayaks with quality seats can be expensive, but doing a little research and hoping onto craigslist can nab you a good deal. Just need to make sure the yak is in good working order. I use a 10.5 foot Jackson Coosa, which has a nice seat and lumbar support that I bought here in Houston at close out. Has a high and low position, but the legs are up. I can stand, but generally avoid standing on the yak when kayaking cold water. I will in the summer, since falling in warm water beats a falling in a cool 50 something degree creek....I speak from experience. It is heavy (80lbs), tracks slow, but I can sit on the darn thing for hours and not end up with a heating pad on my lower back and a bottle of advil at my side after a long day of fishing.
Posted By: J-Moe

Re: Lake Somerville - 11/06/16 01:14 AM

I fished at Irwin Bridge today. There were a few fisherman catching crappie but they were all undersized. Lots of small bluegill being caught too.

One angler was catching some warmouth. He commented to me that ever since the floods there are more warmouth around the bridge area than he has ever seen before.
Posted By: J-Moe

Re: Lake Somerville - 11/07/16 12:21 AM

I saw a white bass caught at Irwin Bridge today. Maybe this rain will pull a few males into the creeks.
Posted By: R2Fishing

Re: Lake Somerville - 11/07/16 03:47 AM

Crappie bite on main lake has been great.
Brought in 28 this morning for the grease.

Caught few in smoke/grey jigs but most came from minnows in 19ft of water fishing 12-14ft.

Posted By: J-Moe

Re: Lake Somerville - 11/07/16 02:00 PM

Originally Posted By: hoggwild
Crappie bite on main lake has been great.
Brought in 28 this morning for the grease.

Caught few in smoke/grey jigs but most came from minnows in 19ft of water fishing 12-14ft.


Great catch. Thanks for the report and details.
Posted By: Coolshot

Re: Lake Somerville - 11/07/16 06:37 PM

Thats how you stink up some grease!! Nice box of slabs!
Posted By: hook-line&sinker

Re: Lake Somerville - 11/08/16 03:10 PM

The past, present and predicted wet weather will certainly bring a rise in the Yegua and with the lake at or above pool level already the first wave of whitebass and crappie will begin to move into the creeks. The next 4 months of fishing the creeks of Lake Somerville is likely to be the best creek fishing within memory. Another warm winter will provide many opportunities to enjoy the outdoors without having to fight the elements looking for slow cold fish.
Posted By: J-Moe

Re: Lake Somerville - 11/10/16 12:50 AM

I went to Irwin Bridge today. The creek is up about a foot and muddy. Only 2 inches of visibility on my white jig. I'll have to find another place to fish this weekend.
Posted By: J-Moe

Re: Lake Somerville - 11/12/16 12:26 PM

Coolshot put us on some big white bass yesterday. I caught this one on a fly rod. I had it officially weighed. It was 16.25 inches and weighed 1.6 lbs. I will be submitting the application for a new Lake Somerville Fly rod record and the Lake Catch and Release record. Thanks Jess.

Posted By: TXfisherman12

Re: Lake Somerville - 11/13/16 03:05 PM

Originally Posted By: J-Moe
Coolshot put us on some big white bass yesterday. I caught this one on a fly rod. I had it officially weighed. It was 16.25 inches and weighed 1.6 lbs. I will be submitting the application for a new Lake Somerville Fly rod record and the Lake Catch and Release record. Thanks Jess.



Congrats on the catch and pending records! Catch from the bank or boat?
Posted By: J-Moe

Re: Lake Somerville - 11/13/16 06:31 PM

From the boat
Posted By: J-Moe

Re: Lake Somerville - 11/13/16 06:32 PM

I checked on Irwin Bridge again yesterday. Visibility improved to about 4 inches. It should be fishable again next weekend.
Posted By: hornedfrog

Re: Lake Somerville - 11/15/16 04:00 AM

I noticed your post--I am under the impression that a Warmouth is the correct technical name for the Rock Bass(slang name) Ive caught many in my life. We have always called those rock bass---up north in wisconsin some up to 1/2 pound!
Posted By: J-Moe

Re: Lake Somerville - 11/15/16 01:44 PM

Originally Posted By: hornedfrog
I noticed your post--I am under the impression that a Warmouth is the correct technical name for the Rock Bass(slang name) Ive caught many in my life. We have always called those rock bass---up north in wisconsin some up to 1/2 pound!


No, they are Warmouth. I verified with the TPWD as well. Rock Bass are a different species. We don't have many of them thriving in Texas. If you go to the TPWD website you can see that Warmouth and Rock Bass are 2 different and unique species. People around here also call them Rock Bass. All the time people tell me stories of catching big rock bass and all I end up finding are Warmouth and Green sunfish. I still have not caught a Rock bass or saw anyone else catch one in person. Ben posted a picture of one he caught once.
Posted By: Fish Chaser

Re: Lake Somerville - 11/15/16 02:09 PM

[quote=J-Moe]Coolshot put us on some big white bass yesterday. I caught this one on a fly rod. I had it officially weighed. It was 16.25 inches and weighed 1.6 lbs. I will be submitting the application for a new Lake Somerville Fly rod record and the Lake Catch and Release record. Thanks Jess.

Keep up the great work, Jamie! You'll soon have more lake records than I do! It's fun, isn't it!!
Posted By: J-Moe

Re: Lake Somerville - 11/15/16 02:24 PM

Originally Posted By: Fish Chaser
[quote=J-Moe]Coolshot put us on some big white bass yesterday. I caught this one on a fly rod. I had it officially weighed. It was 16.25 inches and weighed 1.6 lbs. I will be submitting the application for a new Lake Somerville Fly rod record and the Lake Catch and Release record. Thanks Jess.

Keep up the great work, Jamie! You'll soon have more lake records than I do! It's fun, isn't it!!


Thanks, it is great fun to target a variety of fish species. Especially big ones, LOL!! Particularly on the fly rod, using flies you tied yourself.
Posted By: TXfisherman12

Re: Lake Somerville - 11/16/16 03:37 PM

Fished Yegua Creek yesterday under Irwin bridge and then walked downstream. Water clarity is still fairly muddy (as J-Moe has reported) and fish were hard to come by, until I found the right lure. Once I got the right color schematic going on curly tails I caught some fish. Caught between 20-25 total fish (white crappie, black bass, sunfish) in a stretch of the creek a ways downstream. Most were small but a few keepers that were caught-n-released Caught only 2 fish under the bridge. The bite was good in the morning and tailored off significantly after high noon. Overall had a great time and even caught a quick glimpse of a bald eagle flying overhead. Thanks to J-Moe for pointing me in the right direction. Here are some pics, not the best quality, of some of the bigger fish caught:





Posted By: J-Moe

Re: Lake Somerville - 11/16/16 09:00 PM

Great job in some difficult conditions. We are planning on kayaking the Yegua from Nails creek boat ramp on Saturday.

Right jig and color. Let me guess red head / chartreuse curly tail jig
Posted By: TXfisherman12

Re: Lake Somerville - 11/16/16 10:34 PM

J-Moe: I did not try that combination although I do have in my tackle box. I shoot you a text later.
Posted By: J-Moe

Re: Lake Somerville - 11/18/16 12:33 PM

Expected to be 36 degrees with 14 mph winds on Saturday morning. That cancels the long kayak trip from Nails boat ramp to the Yegua for me. Looks like I'll have to walk the creeks. 95% chance of rain today so I might be sliding around in the creeks.

I fished below the spillway for a little while yesterday evening. Lots of bluegill are being caught. They are small though.
Posted By: hook-line&sinker

Re: Lake Somerville - 11/18/16 04:03 PM

Saturdays weather looks to be sunny but windy, so walking the Yegua is about the best option. The cool front and blue bird skies might make the fishing difficult but the time in the woods will be nice.
Posted By: Fishbonz

Re: Lake Somerville - 11/18/16 04:39 PM

Originally Posted By: hornedfrog
I noticed your post--I am under the impression that a Warmouth is the correct technical name for the Rock Bass(slang name) Ive caught many in my life. We have always called those rock bass---up north in wisconsin some up to 1/2 pound!
The next time you catch one, Warmouth/Rock Bass,check the anal fin. The RockBass has 6 anal fin spines but the Warmouth has only 3.This is the giveaway. thumb
Posted By: johnnykayak

Re: Lake Somerville - 11/18/16 10:08 PM

Is there a pay station at the parking lot near the trailway/newmans bottom?
Posted By: hook-line&sinker

Re: Lake Somerville - 11/18/16 10:36 PM

Originally Posted By: johnnykayak
Is there a pay station at the parking lot near the trailway/newmans bottom?

currently the whole area is closed to foot traffic to Newmans and the trailway. The state park director is looking into options to get the are open as soon as possible for the whitebass run. Right now the only option is to come up the creek from the lake in a boat or yak.
Posted By: johnnykayak

Re: Lake Somerville - 11/18/16 11:05 PM

Darn. Was hoping to get out on the kayak on saturday but that windy forecast has me second guessing it.
Posted By: hook-line&sinker

Re: Lake Somerville - 11/18/16 11:24 PM

I'd wait until later in the day to see what rolls out. No need to jump out early to find that strong north wind pushing big waves towards the boat ramp when you want to go up the Yegua..
Posted By: johnnykayak

Re: Lake Somerville - 11/18/16 11:37 PM

Sound advice. Thank you sir
Posted By: jsinn01

Re: Lake Somerville - 11/19/16 12:59 AM

Loading up the kayak and headed to the creek tomorrow morning and possibly Sunday morning as well. It's been way too long since I've wet a line. I actually like the cold and windy weather, so I say bring it on. If the wind is really bad out of the North, I'll fish Nails instead of Yegua. The paddle to Nails is not bad at all, even on windy days. I best start getting my gear together. I may or may not post a report depending on how I do. roflmao
Posted By: J-Moe

Re: Lake Somerville - 11/19/16 01:56 AM

Originally Posted By: Fishbonz
Originally Posted By: hornedfrog
I noticed your post--I am under the impression that a Warmouth is the correct technical name for the Rock Bass(slang name) Ive caught many in my life. We have always called those rock bass---up north in wisconsin some up to 1/2 pound!
The next time you catch one, Warmouth/Rock Bass,check the anal fin. The RockBass has 6 anal fin spines but the Warmouth has only 3.This is the giveaway. thumb


Thanks
Posted By: J-Moe

Re: Lake Somerville - 11/19/16 01:57 AM

Originally Posted By: jsinn01
Loading up the kayak and headed to the creek tomorrow morning and possibly Sunday morning as well. It's been way too long since I've wet a line. I actually like the cold and windy weather, so I say bring it on. If the wind is really bad out of the North, I'll fish Nails instead of Yegua. The paddle to Nails is not bad at all, even on windy days. I best start getting my gear together. I may or may not post a report depending on how I do. roflmao


Fish Beware bolt
Posted By: hook-line&sinker

Re: Lake Somerville - 11/19/16 10:30 PM

J-Moe had one of those rare epic days Saturday.. I'll let him do the report if he wishes.. Mine was great but nothing to write home about.. although with the clear blue skies and front passing through I really didn't expect the fishing to be worth a darn.. boy was I wrong wink


Posted By: johnnykayak

Re: Lake Somerville - 11/20/16 12:31 AM

What is the earliest time one can access the Nails Creek boat ramp?
Posted By: J-Moe

Re: Lake Somerville - 11/20/16 12:33 AM

Originally Posted By: johnnykayak
What is the earliest time one can access the Nails Creek boat ramp?


Anytime, there is a self pay station at the gate house. $4 entry fee.
Posted By: hook-line&sinker

Re: Lake Somerville - 11/20/16 11:27 AM

Posted By: J-Moe

Re: Lake Somerville - 11/20/16 05:20 PM

Originally Posted By: hook-line&sinker
J-Moe had one of those rare epic days Saturday.. I'll let him do the report if he wishes.. Mine was great but nothing to write home about.. although with the clear blue skies and front passing through I really didn't expect the fishing to be worth a darn.. boy was I wrong wink




I too, was worried that the fishing would be poor with 35 degree temperature and 15 mph north wind blowing. But when I checked the barometric pressure chart on Underground weather I saw one of those unique situations in which the pressure rose at a moderate rate all day long. That was obviously the key to an absolute epic day of fishing banana banana

I caught 35 plus white bass, 3 hybrids, 18 LMB, 15 plus crappie, and a dozen or so bluegill and longear. It didn't matter where I fished during the day, the fish were biting. The fish were big too. The crappie were 12 to 13 inches. The white bass were 14 to 16 inches. Including one 16 inch plus white bass that would have broken my current record by 3 ounces, but I didn't bother to register it. The biggest hybrid weighed 4 lbs.



Posted By: sac-a-lait jeff

Re: Lake Somerville - 11/20/16 08:12 PM

which creek is this?
Posted By: jsinn01

Re: Lake Somerville - 11/20/16 09:03 PM

I fished Yegua Creek Saturday. Launched my kayak from the Nails Creek boat ramp at around 9:30am into a stiff North wind. It was a long slow paddle to get in the creek. The spray from the waves kept me energized though.

Once in the creek the weather was absolutely beautiful. The trees and creek banks blocked most of the wind and there was plenty of sunshine to keep me warm. The fishing was slow for me, but I did catch several nice size crappie, the biggest channel cat I've ever caught, and a nice bass in the 3lb range. I never could find a consistent bite. I would catch one or two fish on a brush pile and then nothing. There was only one presentation the crappie seemed to like and that was dropping the jig all the way to the bottom and reeling up one crank. Apparently the fish were right on the bottom and staying put.

The creek is in awesome shape. Plenty of water, a little off color, but it cleared up the further upstream I went. I paddled almost to the low water crossing at Newman's (yes, I'm a little sore today). I was completely exhausted by the end of the day, but it was still a fun day on the water.

I plan on going back next weekend to fish with some friends. Hopefully the bite is a little better. fish
Posted By: jsinn01

Re: Lake Somerville - 11/20/16 09:06 PM

Congrats on the epic day, J-Moe. It sounds like you and Ben really put a hurtin' on those fish. thumb
Posted By: hook-line&sinker

Re: Lake Somerville - 11/21/16 08:43 PM

J-Moe put the hurtin on them I just videoed it!
Posted By: J-Moe

Re: Lake Somerville - 11/23/16 05:31 PM

I caught 2 of these shad in the spillway yesterday. Something tells me I need to be tying bigger flies, LOL.

Posted By: jsinn01

Re: Lake Somerville - 11/23/16 10:05 PM

Did you get much rain out that way. I plan on camping/fishing the creeks this weekend with some friends, so hoping the water is not too muddy.

That's a huge shad, J-Moe. Used as bait, it may catch a whopper of a catfish. grin
Posted By: J-Moe

Re: Lake Somerville - 11/24/16 02:59 AM

Originally Posted By: jsinn01
Did you get much rain out that way. I plan on camping/fishing the creeks this weekend with some friends, so hoping the water is not too muddy.

That's a huge shad, J-Moe. Used as bait, it may catch a whopper of a catfish. grin


I checked on the creeks today. They muddied back up just a bit but they should be fine this weekend. Crappie are biting well so you should have a successful weekend.

Catfish are biting well in the spillway.
Posted By: jsinn01

Re: Lake Somerville - 11/24/16 03:10 PM

Thanks for the report!
Posted By: J-Moe

Re: Lake Somerville - 11/24/16 03:55 PM

I went by the dam this morning. I started early before anyone got there trying to chase white bass and hybrids in the chute. I have fished the spillway 7 times since they reopened the flow to 94 cfs last Friday and each day it has gotten worse for white bass. I caught 25, 35, 7, 7, 6, 3, 1 and only one again this morning. Although I did lose a big hybrid after fighting it for a short period.

By 7 AM the crowd was big. People were catching crappie but at a rate of about 20 undersize to 1 keeper. All I caught were small crappie as well.

Catfishing should continue to be good.

The creeks are fishing good as well. Lots of crappie are starting to show up. I caught about 20 yesterday and at least 5 were keeper size.

Posted By: jsinn01

Re: Lake Somerville - 11/24/16 10:17 PM

Glad to hear it. Thanks for the report.
Posted By: sac-a-lait jeff

Re: Lake Somerville - 11/25/16 12:31 AM

anybody going out by kayak in the next 3 days and wouldn't mine a tag along please PM me. Know how to fish just don't know this area
Posted By: hook-line&sinker

Re: Lake Somerville - 11/25/16 02:56 PM

I'm thinking about kayaking up the Yegua Saturday if the weather cooperates. This time of year I plan to be at the Nails Creek Park boat ramp to launch before 6:30AM to go out along/or in front of the duck hunters so we don't have to pass through their set up or hunting areas. The morning hunt for the duck hunters is the best time for them so I try to give them their time on the water with as little interference from me as possible. If I don't make the predawn departure time then it is best to wait until after about 9:00am as the hunters come in from the morning hunt. The last thing I want to do is interfere with the hunters since their time on the water is limited by the duck season and my fishing "season" is not.
Posted By: hook-line&sinker

Re: Lake Somerville - 11/25/16 03:06 PM

I might just plan to fish a creek at daybreak then launch from Nails Creek park around 10am.
Posted By: sac-a-lait jeff

Re: Lake Somerville - 11/25/16 04:34 PM

I would like to tag along just let me know what time and where and I will be there.
Posted By: greenyak

Re: Lake Somerville - 11/26/16 12:12 AM

I kayaked up the yegua yesterday,a lot of bass and found some crappie also.
Posted By: hook-line&sinker

Re: Lake Somerville - 11/26/16 01:04 AM

I ain't got all of Saturday to fish (play) like I thought, might not even go until after lunchtime if at all.. which means there is not enough daylight left to yak up the Yegua either. Not sure what I'll end up doing or where. Ya'll have fun and good luck on the water!
Posted By: J-Moe

Re: Lake Somerville - 11/26/16 01:48 AM

Nice Job Greenyak thumb

What types and color baits were y'all using to catch the bass? No white bass?
Posted By: sac-a-lait jeff

Re: Lake Somerville - 11/26/16 01:59 AM

anybody else going early and wouldn't mined a tag along just let me know Thanks Jeff
Posted By: greenyak

Re: Lake Somerville - 11/26/16 02:01 AM

Originally Posted By: J-Moe
Nice Job Greenyak thumb

What types and color baits were y'all using to catch the bass? No white bass?
I was using roadrunner and a small swim bait. No white bass, just black bass ,crappie and one catfish.$
Posted By: J-Moe

Re: Lake Somerville - 11/26/16 02:03 AM

We got some more rain in the watershed today. I'm not sure how much effect it will have.
Posted By: J-Moe

Re: Lake Somerville - 11/26/16 06:58 PM

WARNING, If you plan to fish the Somerville creeks please bring a fire extinguisher because the fishing is on fire flame




Posted By: J-Moe

Re: Lake Somerville - 11/27/16 03:46 PM

Originally Posted By: greenyak
Originally Posted By: J-Moe
Nice Job Greenyak thumb

What types and color baits were y'all using to catch the bass? No white bass?
I was using roadrunner and a small swim bait. No white bass, just black bass ,crappie and one catfish.$


Thanks, Y'all were really destroying them. Some big largemouth and a big catfish. If there were white bass in there those lures would have caught them. I did see someone catch a white bass at Irwin bridge yesterday. I've seen 2 caught so far. In 2014, I caught some on the 5th of December so they should start to show up in about 2 weeks, depending on the weather.
Posted By: hook-line&sinker

Re: Lake Somerville - 11/28/16 12:00 AM

I think if we get a really good rain event any time from now to the first of the year we will have the beginning of the whitebass run. Some fish can get into the Yegua right now but the whitebass really need a good push of floodwater to move up in big numbers..
Posted By: TXfisherman12

Re: Lake Somerville - 11/28/16 06:14 PM

Originally Posted By: J-Moe
Originally Posted By: hook-line&sinker
J-Moe had one of those rare epic days Saturday.. I'll let him do the report if he wishes.. Mine was great but nothing to write home about.. although with the clear blue skies and front passing through I really didn't expect the fishing to be worth a darn.. boy was I wrong wink




I too, was worried that the fishing would be poor with 35 degree temperature and 15 mph north wind blowing. But when I checked the barometric pressure chart on Underground weather I saw one of those unique situations in which the pressure rose at a moderate rate all day long. That was obviously the key to an absolute epic day of fishing banana banana

I caught 35 plus white bass, 3 hybrids, 18 LMB, 15 plus crappie, and a dozen or so bluegill and longear. It didn't matter where I fished during the day, the fish were biting. The fish were big too. The crappie were 12 to 13 inches. The white bass were 14 to 16 inches. Including one 16 inch plus white bass that would have broken my current record by 3 ounces, but I didn't bother to register it. The biggest hybrid weighed 4 lbs.







Freakin' awesome Jamie!
Posted By: J-Moe

Re: Lake Somerville - 11/29/16 03:38 AM

Thanks Alan
Posted By: theburgh15

Re: Lake Somerville - 11/29/16 09:01 PM

I plan on heading to Somerville on Friday. I am strictly a bank fisherman and have only fished below the dam. Does anyone have any suggestions for different places to fish? I am not afraid to walk.
Thanks
Russ
Posted By: jsinn01

Re: Lake Somerville - 11/30/16 01:29 AM

Rain in the forecast this weekend. Who knows, maybe it'll be enough to get some White Bass moving up the creeks?
Posted By: jsinn01

Re: Lake Somerville - 11/30/16 01:34 AM

Originally Posted By: theburgh15
I plan on heading to Somerville on Friday. I am strictly a bank fisherman and have only fished below the dam. Does anyone have any suggestions for different places to fish? I am not afraid to walk.
Thanks
Russ


welcome

It's kind of tough for bank fishing right now because Nails Creek State Park is still closed. You could try the creeks in the Wildlife Management Areas. I think Yegua and Nails Creek have areas that are fishable in the WMA's.
Posted By: J-Moe

Re: Lake Somerville - 11/30/16 02:50 PM

Originally Posted By: theburgh15
I plan on heading to Somerville on Friday. I am strictly a bank fisherman and have only fished below the dam. Does anyone have any suggestions for different places to fish? I am not afraid to walk.
Thanks
Russ


welcome

Go to Irwin Bridge. Fish the bridge area and work your way downstream.
Posted By: theburgh15

Re: Lake Somerville - 12/01/16 02:15 PM

Thanks for the info guys. Looking forward to a day out of the office.
Posted By: J-Moe

Re: Lake Somerville - 12/01/16 03:27 PM

Wish I could join you. Be aware that if it starts raining those banks get really slick. I, as well as, others have slid down into the creek before. LMB, crappie and bluegill should be biting. Most of the fallen trees in the deeper holes have fish holding tight to them.

Also if you walk downstream of the Irwin Bridge parking area the creek makes a horseshoe. Once again I, as well as, others have walked around in circles trying to find our way back to the parking lot, LOL.

White marabou jigs, 2.5 inch chartreuse curly tail jigs and small rooster tails all work well in the Yegua. They will catch white bass too, if any have started to move in yet. Not likely, but possible.

Good luck and report back.
Posted By: Baldy Locks

Re: Lake Somerville - 12/01/16 08:48 PM

J-Moe is right on both counts regarding the Yequa. I thought I was going to have to spend the night out there once when I walked in a circle for an hour in fading daylight. J-Moe I thought the area from Irwin to the lake is still closed to foot traffic. Or is that not considered part of the trailway? I thought you could only fish on the WMA side.
Posted By: J-Moe

Re: Lake Somerville - 12/01/16 09:13 PM

Originally Posted By: Baldy Locks
J-Moe is right on both counts regarding the Yequa. I thought I was going to have to spend the night out there once when I walked in a circle for an hour in fading daylight. J-Moe I thought the area from Irwin to the lake is still closed to foot traffic. Or is that not considered part of the trailway? I thought you could only fish on the WMA side.


The parking lot at Irwin bridge is open and the self pay box has tickets in it. I have been doing some fishing down there but haven't walked all the way to the trailway. Other people have been doing the same. The parks department is also talking about allowing people to walk in at Newmans. So as far as I know its OK to fish below the bridge as long as you don't walk all the way to the trailway. Even so, If they were to say something then I would just ask why is the pay station and parking lot open if you can't fish the creek.

That's funny about walking in a circle.
Posted By: YorkshireAngler

Re: Lake Somerville - 12/01/16 10:08 PM


I went out to Irwin Bridge on Sunday with my 2 sons - we walked downstream a little and fished also. I do feel less embarrassed about our circles in the horseshoe now...

We spoke to a TPWD Ranger also while we were downstream from the bridge - he had no problems with where we were at.
Posted By: 1Tacklehoarder

Re: Lake Somerville - 12/01/16 11:21 PM

Well, it looks like another turd floater is on the way. KBTX just showed their precipitation forecast map, and the immediate area should get somewhere around a half-a-foot of rainfall by Monday. Some other prediction models show up to 8 inches possible.
Posted By: J-Moe

Re: Lake Somerville - 12/02/16 12:27 AM

Originally Posted By: YorkshireAngler

I went out to Irwin Bridge on Sunday with my 2 sons - we walked downstream a little and fished also. I do feel less embarrassed about our circles in the horseshoe now...

We spoke to a TPWD Ranger also while we were downstream from the bridge - he had no problems with where we were at.


welcome

Thanks for the information.
Posted By: J-Moe

Re: Lake Somerville - 12/02/16 12:29 AM

Originally Posted By: 1Tacklehoarder
Well, it looks like another turd floater is on the way. KBTX just showed their precipitation forecast map, and the immediate area should get somewhere around a half-a-foot of rainfall by Monday. Some other prediction models show up to 8 inches possible.


banana banana banana Here come the white bass
Posted By: J-Moe

Re: Lake Somerville - 12/02/16 12:36 AM

I've still been going down to the dam to fish. I haven't caught a white bass since Sunday morning. Lots of crappie, but the ratio is still about 20 undersize to 1 keeper. I get bored real quick. I threw a popper on the fly rod for a while tonight as well. That was a little better. I caught a couple of nice bass, some bluegill and a couple warmouth. Darn 6 inch crappie even wanted the popper.
Posted By: jsinn01

Re: Lake Somerville - 12/04/16 05:23 PM

This rain should get the fish moving up the creeks. clap
Posted By: theburgh15

Re: Lake Somerville - 12/05/16 06:29 PM

Thanks for the info. Not a bad day 7 smaller LMB and 1 bigger one that put up a decent fight. and 2 legal crappie that I tossed back. Did a lot of walking and scouted out some places for when the water rises. I also marked the parking lot on my GPS before I started walking. I can see how you can get in trouble out there.

Already planning my next trip.
Posted By: jsinn01

Re: Lake Somerville - 12/06/16 12:58 AM

The creeks will be high and muddy for a while after all this rain, but in a few weeks there should be some White Bass to be caught.
Posted By: white bass interceptor

Re: Lake Somerville - 12/06/16 04:49 AM

Will the recent rain improve the white bass fishing below the spillway this late in the season? I know the creeks should be great after the water recedes and clear up some. Your knowledge about the spillway fishing will be very helpful.
Posted By: J-Moe

Re: Lake Somerville - 12/06/16 05:40 PM

I wish I could figure them out. The bait fish will move toward the highly oxygenated current so the white bass should follow. I haven't seen the white bass show up at the dam yet though. There is a ton of shad in the area and a ton of birds working them, so where are they? Downstream or has the limited amount of fish already been harvested?

The gates are open about half way so more fish should come through the gates and provide for some better fishing.

It has just been hit or miss since July 5th. I'll just keep fishing it and eventually a school will come through the gates or show up from downstream. They move around just like they do on the lake.
Posted By: 1Tacklehoarder

Re: Lake Somerville - 12/06/16 09:30 PM

There are a few spots on the lower yegua that make it hard for fish to come up from the Brazos, unless there is substantial flow.
Posted By: white bass interceptor

Re: Lake Somerville - 12/07/16 04:52 AM

Thanks for the information guys. I will give it a try as soon as the weather settle.
Posted By: Panhandleag18

Re: Lake Somerville - 12/07/16 08:27 AM

Howdy all,
I've been lurking on this thread for quite a while now, and finally decided to register and make a post. A buddy and I plan on taking a break from finals and heading to from college station Saturday morning For a trip to the yegua, but we have a few questions though so I thought this would be the best place to ask.
First of all, where is the best place to launch our yaks from? I've seen a million different answers for this so I figured I would get a current answer. Secondly, this will be the first time for both of us to fish off the main lake, so what kind of tackle should we be bringing? We're targeting bass and crappie, and if the white bass have moved in by them they will be on the hit list as well. My final question is, what kind of structure should we look for in the creek to find fish? I'm sure there will be downed trees all throughout, so what differentiates them? Again, I am excited that after months of following this thread I am finally able to make it out to actually fish, and I appreciate all the information posted on here and any advice we receive.
Thanks and gig'em!
Posted By: J-Moe

Re: Lake Somerville - 12/07/16 01:59 PM

welcome

The only place within reasonable distance of the Yegua from the lake is Nails Creek State Park boat ramp. Newman's bottom is closed. You could possibly launch from around the Irwin Bridge area and float downstream but I expect there are some big log jams that would give you problems.

I use 2 1/2 chartreuse curly tail jigs with 1/16 ounce jig heads; 1/32, 1/16 or 1/8 ounce marabou jigs; 1/8 or 1/6 ounce rooster tails. Road runners, bettle spins and other spinner baits work well on the white and black bass. I normally use white or chartreuse but black may be a better alternative in the dirty water this weekend.

Usually, the crappie will be around the trees in the deeper holes but I just jig around all of them. Big bass are often laying among the trees near the bank in shallow water.

If I were to be using conventional gear I would take an ultralight rod with 6 lb. test and a light or medium weight rod with 10 lb. test.
Posted By: hook-line&sinker

Re: Lake Somerville - 12/07/16 10:10 PM

The lake has come up a little more than a foot over the last week with a good release from the dam into the spillway. That means the Yegua is dumping lots of floodwater into the lake and that there is current enough to guide the whitebass into the creek. We are setting up very nicely for some great whitebass/crappie fishing this winter and coming spring.
Posted By: 1Tacklehoarder

Re: Lake Somerville - 12/10/16 01:12 AM

Anybody fish the spillway in the past couple days?
Posted By: J-Moe

Re: Lake Somerville - 12/10/16 01:21 AM

Yes, the flow is 950 cfs. Fishing has been poor for the most part though. Very few fish being caught, people come, fish and leave pretty quickly. There has been no white bass surfacing. I hope it will improve after this high pressure system moves out in a couple days. Or maybe a big school of fish will get pulled through the gates.
Posted By: 1Tacklehoarder

Re: Lake Somerville - 12/11/16 03:52 PM

Well, J-Moe, that LMB that young fella had at the chute was 20" and I'm gonna guess between 6 and 7 lbs. It was a fat slob. He caught it on a little tube jig.

I kept downsizing baits until I started catching bluegill, and then I decided to use a couple for cut bait. I caught catfish on the guts, but nothing on the flesh, no matter how small the piece and hook. I switched over to CJ's punchbait and caught 15 keeper channel cats for the grease. They all had empty stomachs, with the exception of some milo and wheat in a couple. I thought that was interesting.

I never caught a gaspergoo...wonder if they left, or if people started taking them home? They were all really skinny last time I caught a bunch down there.
Posted By: Duma

Re: Lake Somerville - 12/11/16 06:17 PM

I went yesterday up on the main lake in a boat. Scan many areas of the lake with side scan and found very few whites on the main lake. Most found are small. I caught a ratio of 15 small to 10 large white bass all between 10"- 15". Just two weeks ago it was magnum big fat white bass every where,but now seems the lake are thinning out with those big mature white bass. They all had good noticeable egg sacks. I myself truley think all the mature big whites are well up the Northern side part of the lake and maybe even a lot of them has made their way into all creeks. I did not not have time to check further North up the lake or into the creeks yesterday but are making plans to go up the yegua creeks two weeks from now. I honestly think those creeks already are loaded with whites and they had migrated up there since the last good pouring of rain and with the dam releasing waters. How else can one explain the lack of big white bass on the main lake.
I probably be looking for J Moe's pretty soon. This guy really knows his creeks!! Impressed with all the knowledge he shared last time I went up the yegua with him. One thing for sure is lots of large mouth bass action. We were getting pretty good hook ups rate last tome we were up there. This year run looks very promising. I think it's gonna be a wet one.







All my fish caught yesterday were hanging out in 8-10' fow. They seems to be well acclaimated to the cold water already. Fish were cold to the touch when I unhooked them. Water was a chilly 53-54 degree s all day yesterday. Somerville is a much shallower lake then most lake that I am used to fishing. They act and patterns a lot differently then all other lakes. Bait presentation was a slow retrieve. Any faster and them whites would ignore the bait.




Caught and released this big fat healthy fellow measured at over 21"



Fish fry tonight!!





Posted By: J-Moe

Re: Lake Somerville - 12/11/16 11:27 PM

Excellent Report Bruce thumb

Thanks for sharing
Posted By: J-Moe

Re: Lake Somerville - 12/11/16 11:32 PM

I checked out Yegua creek this weekend. It is still up a couple feet and fairly muddy. Visibility is about 4 inches. I took off Thursday and Friday so I hope it will clear up enough by then.

I fished Cedar downstream toward the lake. All I caught were bluegill. The Cedar watershed didn't get near enough water to pull any white bass upstream. There are still some isolated pockets. It will require a heavy rain in order for us to catch white bass in it.

Posted By: fishytx

Re: Lake Somerville - 12/12/16 01:56 AM

It takes a good flood to pull a bunch of whites up the Yegua this time of year, but I'm sure there are some that have already moved in. If we could get a three foot rise, it would really bring em in. But I do look for it to be another good white bass run.
Posted By: fishytx

Re: Lake Somerville - 12/12/16 01:58 AM

A flood out of its banks would really do the trick this time of year, it would bring up hundreds up on hundreds of them up early. Weird year we are having though, my trees still have green leaves on them. Only a few trees have dropped leaves, but that's it. Crazy Texas weather.
Posted By: J-Moe

Re: Lake Somerville - 12/12/16 01:52 PM

The water did actually leave the banks at Irwin bridge. The bank in the picture, at my feet, was under water earlier in the week. I'll check it out this weekend, if the white bass haven't showed then I should at least catch plenty of crappie, bass and bluegill.
Posted By: Hookinup

Re: Lake Somerville - 12/12/16 04:01 PM

Originally Posted By: brucevannguyen
I went yesterday up on the main lake in a boat. Scan many areas of the lake with side scan and found very few whites on the main lake. Most found are small. I caught a ratio of 15 small to 10 large white bass all between 10"- 15". Just two weeks ago it was magnum big fat white bass every where,but now seems the lake are thinning out with those big mature white bass. They all had good noticeable egg sacks. I myself truley think all the mature big whites are well up the Northern side part of the lake and maybe even a lot of them has made their way into all creeks. I did not not have time to check further North up the lake or into the creeks yesterday but are making plans to go up the yegua creeks two weeks from now. I honestly think those creeks already are loaded with whites and they had migrated up there since the last good pouring of rain and with the dam releasing waters. How else can one explain the lack of big white bass on the main lake.
I probably be looking for J Moe's pretty soon. This guy really knows his creeks!! Impressed with all the knowledge he shared last time I went up the yegua with him. One thing for sure is lots of large mouth bass action. We were getting pretty good hook ups rate last tome we were up there. This year run looks very promising. I think it's gonna be a wet one.







All my fish caught yesterday were hanging out in 8-10' fow. They seems to be well acclaimated to the cold water already. Fish were cold to the touch when I unhooked them. Water was a chilly 53-54 degree s all day yesterday. Somerville is a much shallower lake then most lake that I am used to fishing. They act and patterns a lot differently then all other lakes. Bait presentation was a slow retrieve. Any faster and them whites would ignore the bait.




Caught and released this big fat healthy fellow measured at over 21"



Fish fry tonight!!









.
Posted By: fishytx

Re: Lake Somerville - 12/12/16 05:18 PM

I may have to swing by there soon then. That should have brought up some of the bigger whites.
Posted By: J-Moe

Re: Lake Somerville - 12/12/16 08:34 PM

Originally Posted By: fishytx
I may have to swing by there soon then. That should have brought up some of the bigger whites.


Cool, text me if you decide to go. I can drag you back if your new knees give out smile
Posted By: fishytx

Re: Lake Somerville - 12/13/16 04:08 AM

Thanks, I haven't been drug around in years. LOL Normally a red head jig with a chartreuse curl tail on that jig will get you bit. They can really see that cooler in murky water and they detect all the vibration from that curl tail to help guide them to the strike zone. As the water continues to clear, the white tail woks great as well. When all else fails, live bait is the best.
Posted By: hook-line&sinker

Re: Lake Somerville - 12/13/16 04:53 PM

Thinking about kayaking up the Yegua Saturday morning but the weather forecast is really odd.
Posted By: J-Moe

Re: Lake Somerville - 12/13/16 05:27 PM

Originally Posted By: fishytx
Thanks, I haven't been drug around in years. LOL Normally a red head jig with a chartreuse curl tail on that jig will get you bit. They can really see that cooler in murky water and they detect all the vibration from that curl tail to help guide them to the strike zone. As the water continues to clear, the white tail woks great as well. When all else fails, live bait is the best.


I always have a pocketful of pink and red lead heads. I always have a pocketful of 2.5 inch chartreuse curly tail jigs or the 2.5 inch chartreuse crappie magic curly tail swim baits.

And of course, two pockets full of the 1/32 ounce white marabou jigs that you use so successfully. Good thing is I found I can use the them on my 4 weight fly rod. Now I don't have to throw those annoying little jigs on my ultralight spinning rod, LOL!!!!

I'll be fishing the Yegua later this week so I'm hoping to find a few.
Posted By: jsinn01

Re: Lake Somerville - 12/13/16 11:49 PM

Thinking about trying the Irwin Bridge area on Saturday.
Posted By: J-Moe

Re: Lake Somerville - 12/14/16 12:26 AM

I plan to kayak up the Yegua from Nails Creek boat ramp on Thursday. Conditions look good with a slowly rising pressure pre-front. I suspect it will still be a bit too muddy for the fly rod so I'll be throwing jigs and rooster tails to search for crappie and white bass. I hope they are piled up in Wolf pond so I don't have to kayak too far trying to find a few. If things go well on Thursday I'll bank fish from Irwin bridge downstream on Friday.

I was at the dam again this evening. Still no signs of white bass. A few decent sized crappie and some nice catfish are being caught. Crappie on minnows and catfish on chicken livers.
Posted By: fishytx

Re: Lake Somerville - 12/14/16 03:48 PM

What are the chances of me getting my ranger boat up into the yegua? Now that have the chip, it should allow me to stay in the creek channel.
Posted By: J-Moe

Re: Lake Somerville - 12/14/16 04:35 PM

We took a 16 foot flat bottom all the way up to the low water crossing when the lake was at normal level. It is up about a foot. Problem was that we had to negotiate around a couple of fallen trees. It would be difficult to get your boat around them or rather push through them.
Posted By: hook-line&sinker

Re: Lake Somerville - 12/14/16 06:32 PM

That extra foot of water helps a lot for those stump busters that draft a little deeper.
Posted By: fishytx

Re: Lake Somerville - 12/15/16 12:39 AM

Originally Posted By: J-Moe
It would be difficult to get your boat around them or rather push through them.

Probably. I use to run a swampy river with this due and trust me log jams were nothing for this guy. I remember the first one we came to, he said, hold on. I'm up front thinking, oh no, surely this isn't about to happen. But it did. He hit these things pretty good and we flew right over them. After the first one, I was ok with the rest. But honestly, I'm not so sure this dude was the brightest light on the Christmas tree. But I did have some great times with him running fish traps and frog gigging on that river. He knew his away around on that swampy river that's for sure. He was the only guy I knew who ran a motor powered boat in it, if that tells you anything.
Posted By: fishytx

Re: Lake Somerville - 12/15/16 12:44 AM

I have so many things going on right now, I'm not sure when I'll be able to fish next. I hope things settle down some in a few months though. I'm taking care of my Mom, she is not in a good place right now. She fell off her front porch last week and broke a rib. Recovery time is going to be slow and my Mom comes before pleasure and other things as well.
Posted By: c.g

Re: Lake Somerville - 12/15/16 12:57 AM

sorry to hear. Hope she will recover fully
Posted By: J-Moe

Re: Lake Somerville - 12/15/16 01:35 AM

Hope all goes well Doug.

Someone reminded me today how long that paddle is just to get to Wolf pond. I was also told it was a muddy mess on Sunday. I'll probably bank fish tomorrow instead of getting in the yak.
Posted By: hook-line&sinker

Re: Lake Somerville - 12/15/16 05:10 AM

good call on the bank fishing Thursday wink I've only got some time in the morning but need to be back at work around 10:30ish..
Posted By: fishytx

Re: Lake Somerville - 12/15/16 02:42 PM

Thanks guys. Yeah, my mom means everything to me, so I will make sure she is well taken care of first.
I'm sure I'll catch a few limits this year. That's the plan any way. LOL
Posted By: Hookinup

Re: Lake Somerville - 12/15/16 04:18 PM

It's going to be cold & frosty
Posted By: GC2656

Re: Lake Somerville - 12/15/16 08:17 PM

The next couple of days may be the best we have in a while. Good luck to all and I may even try to get over that way myself!
Posted By: J-Moe

Re: Lake Somerville - 12/15/16 09:47 PM

THEY ARE BACK banana banana banana



Posted By: J-Moe

Re: Lake Somerville - 12/15/16 11:03 PM

I fished downstream of Irwin Bridge. It is Ok to bank fish downstream of Irwin bridge as long as you don't go all the way to the trail way bridge. Newmans Bottom and the trail way are closed to all foot traffic.

The water is still up about a foot or less and the banks are .muddy. I was not able to get down to any of my favorite crappie holes. If I had tried I would have slid straight into the water or never been able to get back up. There are a ton of fell trees on the end of the horseshoe. I never made it to the end of the horseshoe due to all the limbs and debris. Tackleholder can bust through that first, LOL!!!

The water quality is acceptable to good in some locations.

I started the day by fishing with 2 conventional rods. One with a pair of jigs, 2.5" chartreuse curly tail grub / white marabou. The other rod with an 1/8 ounce white rooster tail. I worked my way all the way down past the low swampy area that you have to cross a creek. 2nd or 3rd small creek. All I caught was one small crappie.

So I walked out and went over to Cedar. I caught a couple of small bluegill and a small bass on the jigs but I was missing bites and not catching much. I grabbed the fly rod and started catching small crappie, bass and bluegill on almost ever cast. I was like GEEZ Jamie, why didn't you use the fly rod this morning.

So I headed back to Irwin bridge and fished one of my favorite white bass spots that I could luckily slide down to and get back up. I caught 3 white bass on the fly rod in about 30 minutes and then nothing. I tried several different flies for about another 45 minutes and then went home.

It was only 3 but that's enough for me to know they are moving in and probably stacked up in the areas only boats can access. I just can't seem to find the motivation to kayak up there from Nails though. I told myself last time I did it I would never do it again, LOL!!!

I'll be out there somewhere tomorrow. Either by bank or yak. More than likely I'll venture further down by bank. Only problem is there is a lot of newly fallen trees and brush to deal with this year as well. Bring the hedge clippers when y'all come, LOL!!!

Yaking Nails is not a bad option either. Not sure if there are white bass in there or if it's clear enough to catch them though.
Posted By: jsinn01

Re: Lake Somerville - 12/15/16 11:56 PM

Excellent report, J-Moe. Thanks for posting.

That's all I needed to hear to make the trip out there on Saturday morning. Sounds like you did ok. It's hard to be greedy about numbers this early in the run. A successful trip for me will be walking the banks for a few peaceful hours away from all the crowds on the roads and at the malls, and maybe catching a few fish in the process.

Sounds like the banks are still pretty slick. If the brush is as thick as you say it is I may just carry one rod. It helps to carry a light load when beating through the brush.

Was the parking lot at Irwin bridge in decent shape? I wouldn't want to get my car stuck out there.

fish
Posted By: J-Moe

Re: Lake Somerville - 12/15/16 11:59 PM

The parking lot was in good shape. There was only one other group of 2 guys fishing near the bridge. They caught a few crappie but no white bass.
Posted By: J-Moe

Re: Lake Somerville - 12/16/16 07:48 PM

I went back to Irwin Bridge this morning. I didn't venture to far downstream this morning. There was a sprinkling rain on and off all morning. Not good for the already slippery banks.

I fished from 7 to 8 for white bass and only caught one on the fly rod. I tried throwing an 1/8 ounce rooster tail for a while. I also threw a 2.5 inch curly tail jig with a 1/16 ounce pink head with no luck.

I left and went fished over at the pipe on CR 134. I only caught one lmb.

I went back to the bridge and fished for crappie with Ed, Lee and Mike x 2. We had a decent morning catching a few keeper crappie. It was a lot of fun.

I went back downstream and tried fishing for white bass again for about 45 minutes. I caught one on the fly rod then switched back to conventional again. I tried throwing a few different colors of 1/16 ounce jigs with no luck. I put on a 1/32 ounce jig and finally caught a white bass on conventional gear.

I sure am glad I learned the Fishytx method of white bass fishing. Otherwise, I wouldn't have caught a single white bass the last couple of days. Instead of drifting and presenting a light lure I would have been trying to knock them in the head with a 1/8 ounce jig to catch them, in his words, LOL!!!!! There just ain't enough of them at Irwin bridge yet to pull off that style of fishing.

The COE lowered the release rate to 350 cfs.
Posted By: jsinn01

Re: Lake Somerville - 12/17/16 01:13 AM

Thanks for the report. It sounds like you're doing really well to catch a few under tough conditions. It can definitely be really spotty this time of year, but I've also ran into the motherlode a few times in Dec/Jan timeframe. I really believe that finesse fishing is the way to go with these White Bass in the creeks. The lighter the gear and the smaller the tackle & line, the better. I typically don't go heavier than 6lb line, and will use 4lb on occasion.
Posted By: jsinn01

Re: Lake Somerville - 12/18/16 01:38 AM

Went to Irwin bridge today. Fished downstream of the bridge and caught a mix bag of fish. Kept 6 white bass for the frying pan, released several small whites, along with lots of small black bass and a few undersize crappie. All fish were caught on 1/16oz maribou jigs. Water clarity and flow are really good right now. The bite was pretty slow up by the bridge, but seemed to get a little bit better further downstream. The fish seem very spotty and picky about where they are holding. It's not fast and furious out there right now, but if you're willing to put in the work you should be able to catch a few.

Nice fishing with you, Ben and Jamie. You are a menace to fish everywhere with those fly rods. fish
Posted By: J-Moe

Re: Lake Somerville - 12/18/16 02:01 AM

Always great fishing with you Jared. Your are among the best of white bass fisherman I know. I was hoping one of you guys would show up to make sure they were actually there, LOL!!!

The warm overnight temperatures, overcast skies, and fairly stable pressure made for good fishing.

I ended the day catching 11 white bass, 20 plus crappie and several lmb and bluegill. The ratio on the crappie was good. About 1 in 3 were keepers. I actually caught 8 of the 11 white bass in one spot. The presentation had to change to catch all of them. I caught half by a slow drifting presentation. The other half by pulling the fly faster and higher in the water column. I was in heaven though for that period of time. Man, I love fly fishing for white bass in the creeks.
Posted By: hook-line&sinker

Re: Lake Somerville - 12/18/16 03:05 AM

Each of us have slightly different approaches to the creek and fishing in general. This makes for some very valuable time on the creek when it comes to finding and catching fish. When one of us finds the fish we quickly tune in on the "what, when, where and how" to catch fish. J-Moe spends the most time on the creek living the closest and being obsessed, I have a long history of fishing the Yegua, where Jared is a very good creek fisherman and puts fish on the table consistently. This shared experience is the most enjoyable part of what we all do on the Yegua.
Posted By: R2Fishing

Re: Lake Somerville - 12/18/16 03:47 AM

Glad to get on here and see fish are already moving into the creek. last yr I was able to put a full limit on the stringer mid-late Jan so y'all aren't to far from being covered in fish in the creek. I haven't been out on main lake in quite sometime.cooler temps and water temps make it hard to find concentrated fish. Did get a good report of whites and hybrids still being caught on main lake though. Curious on what the artic blast of air is going to do to the creek fishing in the upcoming days.
Posted By: hook-line&sinker

Re: Lake Somerville - 12/18/16 02:16 PM

It has been a while but we are finally back on the creek and catching whitebass. We fly fishers wait all year for this special time when the fish charge into the creeks and rivers to get their groove on.

The boys show up early and the fat girls follow fashionably late to get the party started. In our part of the country the party runs until about the first of April or as long as there is water. Floods greatly influence both the spawn and the fishermen's access to productive water and on the Yegua it is often boom or bust.

On this Saturday it was certainly more on the BOOM side of fishing with a mixed bag of whitebass, black bass, crappie and sunfish. The creek is absolutely full of fish but they hold tight to very specific cover or structure usually just off the main current in the back-flow. Under cut steep banks that allow for vertical jigging are my favorite places as there is just something about pulling fish out from under your feet..

Posted By: hook-line&sinker

Re: Lake Somerville - 12/20/16 04:38 PM

Thinking about making another run to the Yegua.. but might yak it this time.. Wednesday or Thursday.. weather will determine if I walk or yak.. I'm expecting the water to be really clear..
Posted By: R2Fishing

Re: Lake Somerville - 12/20/16 10:38 PM

Is the creek channel going into Yegua silted up bad from the floods? Or can boats still get in/out fairly easy?
Posted By: hook-line&sinker

Re: Lake Somerville - 12/21/16 03:09 AM

Originally Posted By: hoggwild
Is the creek channel going into Yegua silted up bad from the floods? Or can boats still get in/out fairly easy?


It is no different then before the floods as far as I can tell. When the lake is at normal level (238) the mouth of the Yegua is less then a foot deep. If you can "thread the needle" running hot and high on plane it should be no problem but not very many boaters can do that well.
Posted By: hook-line&sinker

Re: Lake Somerville - 12/22/16 03:04 AM

We made the run up the Yegua Wednesday and it was one of the best kayak fishing trips I've had in a very long time.. The creek is full of black bass, whitebass & crappie and is producing the best mixed bag in my 16 years of fishing the Yegua.

Posted By: R2Fishing

Re: Lake Somerville - 12/22/16 04:20 PM

HLS

You thinking nails is holding any good numbers of crappie yet? Usually Jan we can start filling coolers of fish in there.
Posted By: Hookinup

Re: Lake Somerville - 12/22/16 05:04 PM

I know where I want to be when I take vacation next week.
Posted By: hook-line&sinker

Re: Lake Somerville - 12/22/16 05:47 PM

Originally Posted By: hoggwild
HLS

You thinking nails is holding any good numbers of crappie yet? Usually Jan we can start filling coolers of fish in there.


Yes it is! (or was the last two times up a month ago) The rain we got last pushed a good bit of floodwater into the lake and I think it was enough to get the run started for both creeks. Any good amount of rain from here on out will just make things better.. I'm thinking of kayaking up Nails on Saturday depending on what the other guys want to do.
Posted By: R2Fishing

Re: Lake Somerville - 12/22/16 07:15 PM

I tell ya what Sir- I'm thinking on going in the morning with the son and a friend. It's easy fishing in there for him. Throw a rooster tail on for him and you can catch anything that swims in there. I'll post a report for ya if we go.
Posted By: hook-line&sinker

Re: Lake Somerville - 12/22/16 07:26 PM

Here's a video to help find the creeks..

Posted By: CoachPayne

Re: Lake Somerville - 12/22/16 08:46 PM

Great Videos!!!! I'm wanting to take my father in law this weekend and find a few crappie. We have a 18 ft pontoon boat, you guys think we could get into the creek. It will float in about a foot of water. We are more of creek guys than main lake guys and I've never fished Somerville before. Any help would be very much appreciated.
Posted By: jsinn01

Re: Lake Somerville - 12/23/16 12:27 AM

Nice video, Ben. Looks like you all had a great day on the water.

Hopefully I can find the fish biting at Irwin Bridge tomorrow.
Posted By: hook-line&sinker

Re: Lake Somerville - 12/23/16 01:49 AM

Originally Posted by CoachPayne
Great Videos!!!! I'm wanting to take my father in law this weekend and find a few crappie. We have a 18 ft pontoon boat, you guys think we could get into the creek. It will float in about a foot of water. We are more of creek guys than main lake guys and I've never fished Somerville before. Any help would be very much appreciated.


I would not advise anyone in anything other than a kayak or canoe, or those with experience in this creek with a shallow draft flat bottom or bay boat to even attempt going up the Yegua or Nails unless the lake is more than two foot above normal level. Current level is 238.14 and is very near normal level which makes breaching the mud flats at the mouth nearly impossible. I've seen many people attempt to get up the Yegua but few make it past the muddy mouth if they can even find it. I've been going up the Yegua for years and this last trip I couldn't find the mouth of the creek nor the channel on the way out which should be a no-brainer! The floods two years in a row has really done a number on the lake and shoreline. So many dead trees are falling with every storm that passes and many end up in the creek. That lower unit on your outboard is gonna take a beating up this creek..

This is the way to go up the Yegua!

Posted By: R2Fishing

Re: Lake Somerville - 12/23/16 02:35 AM

Gonfish the tires for crappie. At old Big Creek Marina. Start at 15-18ft below surface.
Posted By: fishr3

Re: Lake Somerville - 12/23/16 03:39 AM

[quote=hook-line&sinker]We made the run up the Yegua Wednesday and it was one of the best kayak fishing trips I've had in a very long time.. The creek is full of black bass, whitebass & crappie and is producing the best mixed bag in my 16 years of fishing the Yegua.

Thanks for another very informative report and video.
Posted By: Big Zee

Re: Lake Somerville - 12/23/16 02:38 PM

Originally Posted By: hoggwild
Gonfish the tires for crappie. At old Big Creek Marina. Start at 15-18ft below surface.


Is the marina even opening anymore? We use to use it to launch our boat.
Posted By: hook-line&sinker

Re: Lake Somerville - 12/23/16 10:33 PM

the whole floating marina is gone and the store on the parking lot was destroyed by the two floods. I've not heard when or if they will rebuild.. Same goes for Rocky Creek Park and the state park. So much damage to everything and the dead trees are a serious hazard. At the 9:45 mark in the video below shows Big Creek Marina with the water up to the roof top.


Posted By: R2Fishing

Re: Lake Somerville - 12/24/16 04:33 AM

Fished nails today with little to report. Was able to get the boat in there without serious problems. If you know where the creek channel and mouth is you can keep it pad and skim right in...

Started fishing past flag pond cut to just near the trailway bridge. NOTHING
Water was real off colored and visibility was little. Ran back to the tires and caught a few. Crappie at tires are holding deep...20ft
Grey baby shad jigs tipped with chartreuse tail only thing we could draw bites on. Water temp mid-high 50s
Posted By: greenyak

Re: Lake Somerville - 12/24/16 12:40 PM

Caught a bunch of fish in the yegua kept 20 keepers
Posted By: hook-line&sinker

Re: Lake Somerville - 12/24/16 03:58 PM

Way to GO! We didn't do nearly as well way up the Yegua!

Posted By: Big Zee

Re: Lake Somerville - 12/24/16 04:36 PM

Thank you for the update on the Marina. May each and everyone have a wonderful Christmas.
Posted By: jsinn01

Re: Lake Somerville - 12/24/16 09:30 PM

Nice catch, Greenyak! That'll make for a good Christmas dinner. thumb
Posted By: TXfisherman12

Re: Lake Somerville - 12/25/16 01:26 AM

Originally Posted by hook-line&sinker
Way to GO! We didn't do nearly as well way up the Yegua!



Nice video, as always, Ben. Had a great time fishing with you guys and hope to do it again sometime, preferably when the banks are drier and the fish are a bit more cooperative smile. Hopefully JMoe isn't too sore over the new guy jinx realmad ???? The Yegua is a beautiful meandering creek with lots of fishy looking holes, eddies, undercut banks and more. But the creek isn't as easy to read, and hence fish, as I expected. I see now how you can put a lot of effort into fishing it and get little reward in return as far as fish count goes. At the last spot when Jared and you went downstream I went upstream to a log jam (per Jared's advice) and picked up 4 quick black bass, but then snagged my spinner on brush and lost it - time to go home when you lose one of your go-to lures and need to be back in town by 4 pm. With the sun starting to peep through it seemed that the bite might have been improving and I found a good lure. Wished I could have stayed a little longer but there is always another time. The whole Somerville fishery is a really phenomenal fishing opportunity!

Merry Christmas!
Posted By: greenyak

Re: Lake Somerville - 12/25/16 05:13 AM

We had a great day even though it rained. 12-23-2016
Posted By: J-Moe

Re: Lake Somerville - 12/25/16 04:27 PM

Originally Posted By: TXfisherman12

Hopefully JMoe isn't too sore over the new guy jinx realmad ????


I looked at the barometric pressure and it was falling rapidly while we were fishing. I was ready to forgive you until I saw Greenyak destroying them realmad

Ha ha, it was obvious the fishing was much better down at Wolf pond than it was at Irwin bridge. The other fisherman I spoke with had a poor morning of fishing near the bridge as well.

I enjoyed meeting you and hope to fish together again soon. I'll just do like I do with Ben and keep a 50' barrier between us. That's usually enough for me to keep catching fish roflmao

Posted By: J-Moe

Re: Lake Somerville - 12/25/16 04:31 PM

Great stuff greenyak !!!!!!

That peddle yak looks like the way to go for that long trip to the Yegua.
Posted By: greenyak

Re: Lake Somerville - 12/25/16 08:35 PM

Originally Posted By: J-Moe
Great stuff greenyak !!!!!!

That peddle yak looks like the way to go for that long trip to the Yegua.
Thanks, I think the lure kayak has a peddle drive that will fit your kayak.
Posted By: TXfisherman12

Re: Lake Somerville - 12/26/16 02:20 AM

Originally Posted By: J-Moe
Originally Posted By: TXfisherman12

Hopefully JMoe isn't too sore over the new guy jinx realmad ????


I looked at the barometric pressure and it was falling rapidly while we were fishing. I was ready to forgive you until I saw Greenyak destroying them realmad

Ha ha, it was obvious the fishing was much better down at Wolf pond than it was at Irwin bridge. The other fisherman I spoke with had a poor morning of fishing near the bridge as well.

I enjoyed meeting you and hope to fish together again soon. I'll just do like I do with Ben and keep a fifty barrier between us. That's usually enough for me to keep catching fish roflmao



roflmao We will have to do it again......
Posted By: J-Moe

Re: Lake Somerville - 12/26/16 05:34 PM

Originally Posted By: greenyak
Originally Posted By: J-Moe
Great stuff greenyak !!!!!!

That peddle yak looks like the way to go for that long trip to the Yegua.
Thanks, I think the lure kayak has a peddle drive that will fit your kayak.


Now that's a good thought. I'll have to investigate to see if the lure peddle drive will actually fit on my moken.
Posted By: Hook2Fish

Re: Lake Somerville - 12/27/16 03:34 AM

Hey all, does anyone know if Newman Bottom gate is open?
Posted By: J-Moe

Re: Lake Somerville - 12/27/16 11:07 AM

Originally Posted By: Hook2Fish
Hey all, does anyone know if Newman Bottom gate is open?


No, Newman's is not open to car or foot traffic.
Posted By: hook-line&sinker

Re: Lake Somerville - 12/27/16 09:16 PM

The floods compromised the bridges leading to the Newman's Bottom parking lot & killed most of the trees along the creek which presents safety issues all down the Yegua and are the major hold up in reopening the area.

I talked to the Lake Somerville State Park complex director back a few weeks ago and he was hopeful that some new access options would present themselves in the new year.

The damage done to the trailway is extensive and getting worse as more trees die and continue to fall. Both park units (Birch & Nails) have significant infrastructure damage that will take months to repair if those areas are to be rehabilitated at all. The fact is that the Birch Creek unit had not reopened after the 2015 flood, where as the Nails creek unit faired a little better and was on track to open fully about the time the lake flooded again in 2016.

I suspect everyone involved with the state park rehabilitation is a little gun-shy especially those that pay the bills. Efforts have to be coordinated between local, state & federal agencies including TPWD, TexDot, C.O.E, Burleson and Lee Counties, several civic and volunteer groups to name a few. These things take time and the chances of the lake flooding again to 7 foot or higher above pool level are significant ( IMHO ) which puts much of Birch and Nails under water again.
Posted By: GC2656

Re: Lake Somerville - 01/02/17 02:28 AM

Where are all you regulars? I am going in the morning and was looking for a little guidance. I'll let ya'll know how I did when I get home!
Posted By: jsinn01

Re: Lake Somerville - 01/02/17 02:32 AM

If you're fishing out of a kayak or boat I'd try the lower Yegua. Should be a good crappie bite. Bank fishing at Irwin bridge will probably be a little slow until we get another good rain.
Posted By: J-Moe

Re: Lake Somerville - 01/02/17 02:36 AM

I had the week off between Christmas and New Years day. I took the time to fish most of the creeks. I fished both from the bank and in the kayak one day. The fishing was absolutely incredible. All the creeks are loaded with large mouth bass, crappie and bluegill. I had a couple days in which I caught over 35 largemouth and I never caught less that about 20. I worked a lot of new areas and found some great new fishing spots. If the crappie were small in an area I just moved on until I eventually found bigger ones.

I only caught white bass in the Yegua and most were caught over a mile or more downstream of Irwin bridge. My best day was only 9 but it is improving slowly.







Posted By: jsinn01

Re: Lake Somerville - 01/02/17 02:39 AM

Man, I'm jealous. What a great way to spend the week. Cool pics.
Posted By: Naggler

Re: Lake Somerville - 01/02/17 06:19 AM

You guys are killing me...gotta make time soon before the crowds move in!!
Posted By: 1Tacklehoarder

Re: Lake Somerville - 01/02/17 12:53 PM

And there's the rain.....will it be enough?
Posted By: J-Moe

Re: Lake Somerville - 01/02/17 08:36 PM

Originally Posted By: 1Tacklehoarder
And there's the rain.....will it be enough?


Just enough to muddy up all the creeks and cripple the fishing today.

Doug always says they follow the muddy water upstream from the lake so maybe it will be enough to pull a few fish into the Yegua and possibly Nails. The water has been very clear up to this point. Cedar and Jardelle didn't get enough water to make a difference.

If we don't get a good flooding rain then I'll have to spend most of my time white bass fishing in the Yegua this year. I went ahead a bought a $70 park pass today. It's good until 1/31/18 so I'll get my monies worth.
Posted By: white bass interceptor

Re: Lake Somerville - 01/02/17 11:21 PM

Happy new year to all. I would like to know if the hunting season is over and are we allowed to walk into the bottom to bank fish?
Posted By: hook-line&sinker

Re: Lake Somerville - 01/03/17 12:57 AM

Originally Posted By: white bass interceptor
Happy new year to all. I would like to know if the hunting season is over and are we allowed to walk into the bottom to bank fish?


Newmans bottom is in the state park where they only do draw hunts a few times a year. I don't think TPWD had any hunts this year along the trailway because of the dead trees and flood damage. At any rate the deer season ends shortly so to park at Irwin bridge and walk downstream into the state park is OK but you do need to pay the $4 fee to be legal. Upstream of the bridge is the WMA and is free to fishermen but you need to wear hunter orange since there is duck and hog hunting still going on.
Posted By: white bass interceptor

Re: Lake Somerville - 01/03/17 01:11 AM

Thanks, I was thinking about walking in and fish below Newman bridge.
Posted By: hook-line&sinker

Re: Lake Somerville - 01/03/17 01:13 AM

That storm blew in wet and violent putting just enough water in the Somerville creeks to muddy them up. That did a number on the fish and they got a bad case of lock-jaw. I am reel confident they are still there but judging from how few fish J-Moe and I caught Monday morning you wouldn't know it! As I drove up to Nails Creek Park I crossed over Jerdelle, McCain and Cedar creeks which looked nice in the morning but by 2 PM they were all flowing and muddy. It took a few hours for the water to reach the lake. There is a slight chance that little flush of fresh muddy water will bring up a wave of whitebass from the lake but I wouldn't plan on it.
Posted By: ML56

Re: Lake Somerville - 01/03/17 01:27 AM

Fished the main lake this afternoon, whites still around humps and sandbars. They were much more tight lipped, and tough to get a strike from today, only 12 to take home, but most were big fat females.
Posted By: J-Moe

Re: Lake Somerville - 01/03/17 03:20 PM

Originally Posted By: ML56
Fished the main lake this afternoon, whites still around humps and sandbars. They were much more tight lipped, and tough to get a strike from today, only 12 to take home, but most were big fat females.


Thanks for the report.
Posted By: J-Moe

Re: Lake Somerville - 01/03/17 03:20 PM

Originally Posted By: GC2656
Where are all you regulars? I am going in the morning and was looking for a little guidance. I'll let ya'll know how I did when I get home!


How did you do?
Posted By: TXfisherman12

Re: Lake Somerville - 01/03/17 05:11 PM

[quote=J-Moe]I had the week off between Christmas and New Years day. I took the time to fish most of the creeks. I fished both from the bank and in the kayak one day. The fishing was absolutely incredible. All the creeks are loaded with large mouth bass, crappie and bluegill. I had a couple days in which I caught over 35 largemouth and I never caught less that about 20. I worked a lot of new areas and found some great new fishing spots. If the crappie were small in an area I just moved on until I eventually found bigger ones.

Based on this report, I am still thinking Ben and you held back from the good spots when I tagged along. grin
Posted By: J-Moe

Re: Lake Somerville - 01/03/17 05:45 PM

Originally Posted By: TXfisherman12
[quote=J-Moe]I had the week off between Christmas and New Years day. I took the time to fish most of the creeks. I fished both from the bank and in the kayak one day. The fishing was absolutely incredible. All the creeks are loaded with large mouth bass, crappie and bluegill. I had a couple days in which I caught over 35 largemouth and I never caught less that about 20. I worked a lot of new areas and found some great new fishing spots. If the crappie were small in an area I just moved on until I eventually found bigger ones.

Based on this report, I am still thinking Ben and you held back from the good spots when I tagged along. grin


We didn't even bring you to the best creek roflmao Next time we'll bring you to the right creek but walk in the wrong direction roflmao
Posted By: GC2656

Re: Lake Somerville - 01/04/17 12:30 AM

J-Moe, that must have been you getting an annual pass when I was going into the park. I guess I did OK according to the reports, ended up with four keeper crappie and about a dozen throwbacks early and then they pretty much quit. I was up the Yegua.
Posted By: J-Moe

Re: Lake Somerville - 01/04/17 12:40 AM

Originally Posted By: GC2656
J-Moe, that must have been you getting an annual pass when I was going into the park. I guess I did OK according to the reports, ended up with four keeper crappie and about a dozen throwbacks early and then they pretty much quit. I was up the Yegua.


Thanks, as that water was coming down the watershed it seemed to get dirtier. So that makes sense that it quit after a while. I caught 6 crappie early and then only one more fish after that.
Posted By: J-Moe

Re: Lake Somerville - 01/06/17 01:50 PM

It is expected to be 25 degrees with a barometric pressure of over 30.7 in the morning. Not exactly good fishing weather. Or could I be wrong?

If you start backlashing on every cast, check your guides because they are probably iced over, LOL!!!!
Posted By: hook-line&sinker

Re: Lake Somerville - 01/06/17 02:10 PM

if it wasn't for the wind it wouldn't be too bad wink
Posted By: J-Moe

Re: Lake Somerville - 01/06/17 05:21 PM

Originally Posted By: hook-line&sinker
if it wasn't for the wind it wouldn't be too bad wink


Wind speed will only be 10 mph and declining through the day so you should be all good to go fishing in the morning.
Posted By: T-rey

Re: Lake Somerville - 01/06/17 05:47 PM

Was thinking yesterday about going fishing today after work.

I'm thinking about re-adjusting my thinking. sarcastic
Posted By: hook-line&sinker

Re: Lake Somerville - 01/06/17 08:51 PM

Like J-Moe says.. other than being cold it ain't gonna be that bad... So is anyone besides myself going cold up the Yegua this weekend?
Posted By: J-Moe

Re: Lake Somerville - 01/07/17 03:45 PM

It was 19 degrees at the house this morning. Wind chill was 8 degrees. Luckily, I had to play taxi cab dad this morning. That's a good excuse for not venturing out in this mess. I might make a tour this afternoon to see who the true crazies are. Pressure will remain steady until about 10 am tomorrow morning but it will be at around 30.7. I would love to hear reports from anyone who fished this morning.
Posted By: fishytx

Re: Lake Somerville - 01/07/17 10:28 PM

With everything I have going on right now I may have to wait till the bite gets going strong before I go. I hope everything on my end slows down a tad around late Feb. I'm itching to get on some whites. Heck, I'm itching for a bite in general. My boat hasn't moved in some time now and the blacks are feeding like crazy.
Posted By: J-Moe

Re: Lake Somerville - 01/07/17 11:56 PM

I took a tour and talked with a few anglers. Surprisingly the fish were actually biting today. Quite a few crappie and a few white bass were caught in the creeks. Catfish and a few crappie were caught at the dam.
Posted By: R2Fishing

Re: Lake Somerville - 01/08/17 02:54 AM

I think you could throw empty hook in Nails and catch a 7-8" crappie all day
Posted By: jsinn01

Re: Lake Somerville - 01/08/17 11:48 PM

I spent Saturday on an area creek practicing with the fly rod. After about 15 minutes of casting I couldn't figure out what was wrong. Then I looked and every single one of my rod guides was frozen through. grin

Hope you guys caught a few this weekend.
Posted By: hook-line&sinker

Re: Lake Somerville - 01/09/17 04:48 PM

Crappie & bass creek fishing is picking up again with the rising temperatures.
Posted By: GC2656

Re: Lake Somerville - 01/12/17 03:06 PM

Anyone going to try their luck this weekend?
Posted By: EllerTroy

Re: Lake Somerville - 01/12/17 06:22 PM

Everybody must be too busy catching fishing to post any news.
Posted By: J-Moe

Re: Lake Somerville - 01/13/17 11:20 AM

Originally Posted By: GC2656
Anyone going to try their luck this weekend?


The fly club is fishing the Navasota above Fort Parker Saturday but I should be out there Sunday and Monday.
Posted By: J-Moe

Re: Lake Somerville - 01/13/17 11:21 AM

Originally Posted By: EllerTroy
Everybody must be too busy catching fishing to post any news.


Troy is back, it must be getting close to white bass season!!!!!
Posted By: hook-line&sinker

Re: Lake Somerville - 01/13/17 01:08 PM

The crappie & blackbass bite should be good all weekend and if it rains enough we might get a whole new rush of whitebass up the Yegua.
The smaller creeks need a lot of rain to make anything whitebassy happen up them but the blackbass and crappie are everywhere.
Posted By: EllerTroy

Re: Lake Somerville - 01/13/17 05:42 PM

J-Moe, I've been watching, just been to busy to go yet. It's a long drive crom Austin, so waiting a little bit to go. Tying up some jigs getting ready. Even making some differant styles. [img]http://[/img]
Posted By: R2Fishing

Re: Lake Somerville - 01/14/17 01:37 AM

Whites and crappie behind spillway
Posted By: JonL

Re: Lake Somerville - 01/14/17 02:10 PM

I went one time to my crappie hole in December and only caught a few. I am waiting for my scout Troy Eller to go during the week and let me know where the fish are.
Posted By: hook-line&sinker

Re: Lake Somerville - 01/15/17 08:28 PM

I here J-Moe did OK this morning up the Yegua.. waiting for the report!
Posted By: J-Moe

Re: Lake Somerville - 01/16/17 02:06 AM

The number of white bass in Yegua creek is definitely increasing and so are the number of anglers.

I caught 24 white bass (all male and keepers) and a dozen or so crappie this morning. I found white bass in 4 spots. All the spots I found fish were over half way to the trail way bridge. I met several anglers on my way out. Most had caught a half dozen or so white bass. They reported catching more undersized white bass closer to Irwin bridge.

The white bass were in their typical staging pattern. They were holding deep, against the bank and very tightly packed. You had to put the lure into that 5 gallon bucket.

I also caught a red ear sunfish. My first in the Yegua.





Posted By: hook-line&sinker

Re: Lake Somerville - 01/16/17 04:50 AM

and here comes the rain...

Posted By: Big Zee

Re: Lake Somerville - 01/16/17 01:48 PM

Over here where the East Yegua starts we caught 1" in 30 minutes Sunday afternoon. Then last night we got another 8/10". Almost 2" in 12 hours.
Posted By: lotuslover

Re: Lake Somerville - 01/16/17 06:15 PM

Hopefully it does not flood the creek.
Posted By: hook-line&sinker

Re: Lake Somerville - 01/17/17 03:01 AM

Originally Posted By: lotuslover
Hopefully it does not flood the creek.


I hope it just comes up a foot or so to draw up the fish but not blow out the fishing for weeks on end.. that would be a big disappointment knowing what it could be with just the right amount.
Posted By: 1Tacklehoarder

Re: Lake Somerville - 01/17/17 01:09 PM

I still haven't made it up to Irwin Bridge to make the trek down to Newmans, but this rain has got me thinking I had better get over there the end of the week. I'd better find my cleats and stocking foot waders, lol.
Posted By: Big Zee

Re: Lake Somerville - 01/17/17 02:45 PM

We got another half inch last night on our place. I was told they got more over towards Caldwell and Lexington. Looking at the data gauge in Dime Box the East Yegua is at 7.02, yesterday at this time she was 2.65. The Middle Yegua is at 8.04, yesterday at this time 3.09. We are suppose to get heavier rains this evening and into Wed morning. Sounds like time to go honk the horn and get the cows out of the bottom. Good luck if ya'll go this weekend. Full stringers and good times wished for ya'll.
Posted By: 1Tacklehoarder

Re: Lake Somerville - 01/17/17 05:53 PM

Well, [censored]. That's probably too much water. On the bright side, the gate should be opened wide at the spillway soon, and that makes all the spots on the lower yegua fill back up with fish. I've caught a few monster hybrids in the lower yegua in the past couple weeks, and there seems to be a bunch of 15-16" hybrids down there too.
Posted By: hook-line&sinker

Re: Lake Somerville - 01/17/17 07:03 PM

That's the nature of the Yegua.. too much-too little but it all evens out over time. This will certainly promote a very big run of whitebass over the next few weeks so it is all good.. I will probably avoid walking the Yegua for the next week or so or until it settles down. Might plan a big kayaking trip up the Yegua for the 28th of January if conditions permit.
Posted By: voodew

Re: Lake Somerville - 01/17/17 09:14 PM

I would venture to guess that those 15" -16" hybrids were large whites. Unless the 'sterile' hybrids have evolved and started spawning on there own (Don't think nature wont change the biologists plan) all the fish from previous stocking should be well over 18"
The stopped stocking hybrids due to lack of interest - hopefully it will start being stocked again next year
Posted By: 1Tacklehoarder

Re: Lake Somerville - 01/17/17 09:31 PM

They weren't big whites......two tooth patches and well pronounced broken stripes. I know about the stockings, and was thinking the same thing. I told my wife they must have come downstream from Whitney and then up the yegua.
Posted By: hook-line&sinker

Re: Lake Somerville - 01/17/17 10:18 PM

Only the eggs of the female hybrid are not viable. The male will spawn with all the rest of the whitebass. Since they are free spawners even the odds of 1 in a million are pretty good when every spring trillions of eggs are released. It is pretty well known that in the hatchery cross back spawning is possible but the hybrid vigor is diminished with each generation. Those huge 15 to18 inch hybrid looking whitebass are very likely carrying some of the genes. The Somerville hybrids last stocked should be well into or above the 18 inch minimum keeper size. Always error on the side of caution and conservation let'em go let'em grow!
Posted By: J-Moe

Re: Lake Somerville - 01/17/17 11:40 PM

Originally Posted By: 1Tacklehoarder
They weren't big whites......two tooth patches and well pronounced broken stripes. I know about the stockings, and was thinking the same thing. I told my wife they must have come downstream from Whitney and then up the yegua.


That makes sense. I've heard stories of strippers being caught after the floods. I also saw Jacob catch a stripper at the dam this summer. It had to come from the Brazos.
Posted By: hook-line&sinker

Re: Lake Somerville - 01/18/17 01:23 PM

All those spotted/guadalupe bass we caught below the dam and in the Yegua downstream from the spillway must have done the same migration up from the Brazos. I can't say if I've ever caught a spotted/guadalupe bass in the lake or in the spillway in years past but since the two floods lots of things have changed, some for the better!
Posted By: Big Zee

Re: Lake Somerville - 01/18/17 02:00 PM

Back in 1975 Texas Parks and Wildlife stocked the Palmetto Bass along with Walleye. From 1973 to 1975 they placed almost one million walleye. http://tpwd.texas.gov/fishboat/fish/action/stock_bywater.php?WB_code=0680. I actually caught a Walleye in the Yegua back in 1976 south of Rockdale. Never again. Thought I was seeing things when I caught it. I threw that fish back. Is the Palmetto Bass the Hybrid Bass we catch at Somerville?
Posted By: J-Moe

Re: Lake Somerville - 01/18/17 04:01 PM

Yes, Palmetto bass are hybrids.
Posted By: hook-line&sinker

Re: Lake Somerville - 01/18/17 06:19 PM

Lake is coming up quickly.. this is only a problem in the short term but will really set the stage for the whitebass run of the century!
Posted By: EllerTroy

Re: Lake Somerville - 01/18/17 06:37 PM

Ben, do you tbink there was enough rain for Cedar Creek.
Posted By: hook-line&sinker

Re: Lake Somerville - 01/18/17 07:06 PM

Palmetto bass verses Sunshine bass is different only by which parent fish is female.

Hybrid striped bass are produced two different ways. Some of these fish are produced by fertilizing eggs from white bass with sperm from striped bass; the resulting fish are also called "sunshine bass" or "Cherokee bass". Others are produced by fertilizing eggs from striped bass with sperm from white bass; the resulting fish is called a "palmetto bass".

Produced in hatcheries, the most common hybridization is the female striped bass Morone saxatilis and the male white bass M. chrysops. This is due to the high number of eggs produced by the female striped bass. This hybrid cross, palmetto bass, typically produces a faster-growing offspring which attains larger size than the sunshine bass. The female striped bass is injected with human gonadotropin which stimulates her to lay. Usually, around a dozen male white bass are in the tank when the spawn occurs. Once the eggs are fertilized, the brood fish are removed and the eggs must stay adrift in artificial current for about 48 hours to hatch. Natural hybridization occurs between the species, but it is usually the reverse cross which would be male M. saxatilis x female M. chrysops, since the white bass eggs do not require the same degree of flotation to hatch.


Wikipedia on Hybrid bass
Posted By: hook-line&sinker

Re: Lake Somerville - 01/18/17 07:16 PM

Originally Posted By: EllerTroy
Ben, do you tbink there was enough rain for Cedar Creek.


YES and then-some!

All the creeks should have whitebass in them now after this much rain! Coupled that with a 2 or 3 foot rise in the lake and it will "seal the deal" for the whole run. The possibility now is that the lake will rise and flood us fishermen out for several weeks.. lets hope that doesn't happen!

This is the site I watch for Lake Somerville
Posted By: 1Tacklehoarder

Re: Lake Somerville - 01/18/17 07:45 PM

When do you think they will open the spillway up a little more? Just curious if there is a rhyme or reason to how they operate the spillway...
Posted By: hook-line&sinker

Re: Lake Somerville - 01/18/17 09:56 PM

There are pretty strict rules for how the COE operates any of the lakes they manage.

The two COE directives are flood control and water conservation which all depends on downstream needs.

If it is flooding downstream they hold water, if there is need for water they let it out.

What is most important to understand about the state of water in Texas is that all surface water is already owned by somebody and ground water is to be viewed the same as any other mineral rights (as in oil and gas).

Somebody already owns all the water in Lake Somerville so when they want it they get it.

There are other agencies that manage water and their directives are about the same as the COE except where money is to be made. That is the part that is so very often messy and sometimes criminal.

Posted By: 1Tacklehoarder

Re: Lake Somerville - 01/19/17 01:34 PM

Well, that certainly answers my question. Thanks. The Houston area is getting hammered and was already experiencing flooding, so I guess the flow will be held to somewhere close to what it is now. With the yegua at Dime Box at 10' currently, the lake will come up rapidly. I'm going to fish somewhere this weekend, but I don't really know where I'll end up. I will be fishing with fresh caught crawdads. The amount of them in ditches and waterways is incredible this year, and with all this rain, I think the fish will be eating them pretty good.
Posted By: Big Zee

Re: Lake Somerville - 01/19/17 02:06 PM

Thanks guys for the answer on the Hybrids. We got another 1" of rain Wednesday morning. It has not rained sense.
Posted By: johnnyFisherman

Re: Lake Somerville - 01/19/17 04:37 PM

Hey 1Tacklehoarder where and what is the best method to catch crawdads? I only know of one small creek that has them (and they are huge), but there are not many of them there and I don't want to over harvest smile I have many creeks around my house (Lick creek in south College Station) but I am never able to see or find any crawdads around there. Do you just use a net or do you catch them in a trap? How do you figure out which ditches have them and which don't?
Posted By: 1Tacklehoarder

Re: Lake Somerville - 01/19/17 05:42 PM

I usually target agricultural drainage ditches in the river bottom. If you see chimneys from adults, there will be plenty of babies, too. Academy sells traps for 4.99 that work well. You can use a knit cotton glove filled with bait, or a perch head.
Posted By: 1Tacklehoarder

Re: Lake Somerville - 01/19/17 05:45 PM

I use a good, fine mesh dip net most of the time. I sew on extra protection for the net at the hoop with denim and braided fishing line to help preserve the net. There are grass shrimp in the Brazos bottom too. They are also excellent bait, especially for the whites at the spillway.
Posted By: 1Tacklehoarder

Re: Lake Somerville - 01/19/17 05:47 PM

There are also lots of creeks around the shopping centers and stuff around college station. The ditches around the ponds in creek meadows, castle gate, etc all have good numbers as well. They did in the past anyway.
Posted By: J-Moe

Re: Lake Somerville - 01/20/17 01:58 AM

Lake level is at 240 ft. 2 ft. above normal.

COE raised the flow rate to 968 cfs this afternoon.

The only thing I saw being caught at the dam today were a few bluegill and goo.

I wonder if that's enough flow to allow fish to swim upstream past the waterfalls and other obstructions between the dam and the Brazos.
Posted By: 1Tacklehoarder

Re: Lake Somerville - 01/20/17 01:29 PM

There is a lot of water that comes into the lower yegua from old Brazos and several other creeks, so that combined with the 1000 +\- cfs from Somerville should be plenty. I went and drove over to Carlos yesterday and looked at lower Gibbons Creek and there was a bunch of water coming down from the lake. I wonder if the whites will find there way up there too? I have heard the flathead fishing can be phenomenal at the spillway when conditions are right.
Posted By: bigbassman90

Re: Lake Somerville - 01/20/17 09:21 PM

Has anyone seen the creeks(nails, middle yegua) after all of this rain? Will they be reachable on foot to fish this weekend?
Posted By: timid tiger

Re: Lake Somerville - 01/20/17 09:26 PM

Just wondering:

Current USGS water system website shows east yegua and middle yegua are still flowing strong - combined discharge rate about 1500 CFS? Based on the trend, I would guess by Saturday morning there should still be about 500 CFS flow between Newmans bottom and lake entrance, which could translate to about 0.5-1 mph (or more) water flow?

Does this mean kayak fishing up yegua or even bankfishing down irwin bridge is out of the question?
Too muddy, too dangerous and maybe dislodged log jams? Also fish flushed out of the normal holes?

Update: Saw another thread on fishing post-flood river. Seems not a good idea, especially in a kayak. Better safe than sorry. Hopefully after one week the creeks becomes fishable.
Posted By: fishytx

Re: Lake Somerville - 01/21/17 10:34 PM

I have been to the Yegua when I didn't think it was safe, so I turned back and went home. You slip and fall in and the current wraps you up into a log jam, you're probably not getting out. Moving water has a force that is unreal. I have been trapped by flood waters once, it wont happen again. Thought I was a goner. It doesn't take much to pin you down either. Catching a few fish is not worth taking a risk.
Posted By: J-Moe

Re: Lake Somerville - 01/23/17 01:57 AM

Yegua Creek at Irwin Bridge today

Posted By: J-Moe

Re: Lake Somerville - 01/23/17 01:58 AM

Nails Creek at CR 125 today

Posted By: GC2656

Re: Lake Somerville - 01/23/17 03:53 AM

Thanks for the pictures J-Moe, I am going to try one of the creeks during the middle of this week. Judging from the level of the Yegua it will most likely be Nails or Cedar. Good luck and see ya'll on the creeks.
Posted By: EllerTroy

Re: Lake Somerville - 01/24/17 12:07 AM

Finally getting a chance to go fishing. I will be trying Cedar in the morning. Will fish my convictional rods first and hope to catch a few and then try and break in my new fly rod.
Posted By: 1Tacklehoarder

Re: Lake Somerville - 01/24/17 12:49 AM

I fished nails for a couple hours this afternoon. Caught a couple whites and a couple catfish on jigs. No crappie at all.....strange. Then I went to the spillway to try to catch some shad, and all I caught was crappie, lol!
Posted By: J-Moe

Re: Lake Somerville - 01/24/17 04:55 PM

Lake level is 240.6 ft. Releasing 1600 cfs.
Posted By: hook-line&sinker

Re: Lake Somerville - 01/24/17 05:09 PM

With nearly perfect timing on rain fall and the rise of the lake this years whitebass run will go down in history as one of the best ever! When the Yegua recedes and is safely fishable again there will be tons of whitebass being harvested around Irwin bridge and on upstream.
Posted By: J-Moe

Re: Lake Somerville - 01/24/17 05:45 PM

Originally Posted By: hook-line&sinker
With nearly perfect timing on rain fall and the rise of the lake this years whitebass run will go down in history as one of the best ever! When the Yegua recedes and is safely fishable again there will be tons of whitebass being harvested around Irwin bridge and on upstream.


I haven't spent much time upstream. That might be an interesting adventure. I have my hunter orange ready to go.
Posted By: fishytx

Re: Lake Somerville - 01/24/17 08:38 PM

The flooded head waters of the Yegua went down real fast around Hw. 77. So it should recede pretty quick this time. But it does take a week or two to clear up. Red head jig with chart grub works great in murky water for these whites. Just a heads up. Big white grub with curly tails work better as water begins to clear.
Posted By: fishytx

Re: Lake Somerville - 01/24/17 08:41 PM

South side Yegua creek upstream from Irwin bridge clears faster than the north side, just saying. I'm trying to help you guys as much as possible. Drive to pay booth on west side of road, that creek channel is the south side that I'm talking about.
Posted By: EllerTroy

Re: Lake Somerville - 01/24/17 10:20 PM

Fished Cedar this morning. Not much luck. 1 small crappie, 3 small black base, and finally when I was leaving caught a whitebass by the bridge. Went to Erwin Bridge and caught a whitebass there also. Creek back in it's bank.
Posted By: hook-line&sinker

Re: Lake Somerville - 01/25/17 01:46 AM

J-Moe and I managed a dozen or so "on the fly" Tuesday afternoon until dark. Lots of water in all the creeks will help keep things going in the right direction..

Posted By: J-Moe

Re: Lake Somerville - 01/25/17 01:50 AM

Originally Posted By: fishytx
South side Yegua creek upstream from Irwin bridge clears faster than the north side, just saying. I'm trying to help you guys as much as possible. Drive to pay booth on west side of road, that creek channel is the south side that I'm talking about.


Thanks, you took me up there once. That was the only time I went up there.
Posted By: EllerTroy

Re: Lake Somerville - 01/25/17 02:36 AM

If anybody is fishing Cedar, keep an eye on the trees. Saw three get blown down this morning. One really big tree came down about 15 minutes after I walked by it. Could of been really bad.
Posted By: hook-line&sinker

Re: Lake Somerville - 01/25/17 11:30 AM

Good call Troy.. It is like a war zone out there along any of these creeks so be very watchful and aware of these big dead trees coming down. The dead trees is the main reason the state park& trailway is still closed.
Posted By: hook-line&sinker

Re: Lake Somerville - 01/25/17 11:33 AM

Birch creek is totally blocked at the mouth by several fallen trees at last check. So unless somebody gets in there with a chainsaw it is walk-in or drag yak access only.
Posted By: TXfisherman12

Re: Lake Somerville - 01/26/17 06:19 PM

Fished Cedar creek yesterday (Wed) and caught-n-released a total of 11 white bass, ~9-10 black bass and a sunfish. No crappie. Found whites both upstream and downstream of bridge. I would say within 200 yds of the bridge, up or downstream, there are plenty of whites to be caught this weekend. Chartreuse colored curly tails were the ticket for me, whereas other colors were not productive. Some interesting observations (at least to me) - Except for 3 of the whites the rest were caught in pairs with 1 female and 1 male at each hole. In the hole by the south side of the bridge, I saw on several occasions some white bass come to the surface briefly and then drop down. Looked like their active spawning routine but unsure if it is too early for that. Here are a few pics, including 2 whites and a lunker largemouth:



Posted By: FishinAg02

Re: Lake Somerville - 01/26/17 10:06 PM

Nice job Allen!
Posted By: jsinn01

Re: Lake Somerville - 01/27/17 12:22 AM

Nice catch! Thanks for the report.

Definitely sounds like conditions are setting up well for this weekend. thumb
Posted By: ML56

Re: Lake Somerville - 01/27/17 01:21 AM

water looks pretty nice in Cedar. Happy for the timely rains.
Posted By: GC2656

Re: Lake Somerville - 01/27/17 04:44 PM

Finally made it to the Yegua yesterday morning and did pretty well. Water was still a little muddy, but ended up catching about 40 white bass and keeping 24 over 12" (7 females).
Posted By: TXfisherman12

Re: Lake Somerville - 01/27/17 05:53 PM

Originally Posted By: FishinAg02
Nice job Allen!


Thanks David! It was nice meeting you for the first time.
Posted By: hook-line&sinker

Re: Lake Somerville - 01/27/17 05:57 PM

Originally Posted By: GC2656
Finally made it to the Yegua yesterday morning and did pretty well. Water was still a little muddy, but ended up catching about 40 white bass and keeping 24 over 12" (7 females).
Around Irwin bridge or up from the park in a boat?
Posted By: GC2656

Re: Lake Somerville - 01/27/17 06:09 PM

Up from the park in a boat near where you launch your yak @ Newman's bottom!
Posted By: J-Moe

Re: Lake Somerville - 01/27/17 07:27 PM

Originally Posted By: GC2656
Finally made it to the Yegua yesterday morning and did pretty well. Water was still a little muddy, but ended up catching about 40 white bass and keeping 24 over 12" (7 females).


SWEET!!!!!!!!! That's what I like to hear. Well done thumb
Posted By: R2Fishing

Re: Lake Somerville - 01/27/17 07:35 PM

Originally Posted By: GC2656
Up from the park in a boat near where you launch your yak @ Newman's bottom!



wopics
Posted By: J-Moe

Re: Lake Somerville - 01/27/17 07:36 PM

Originally Posted By: FishinAg02
Nice job Allen!


And he did that in spite of me giving him false information and leading him on wild goose chases. I'll send him to Big Creek to catch white bass next time roflmao
Posted By: R2Fishing

Re: Lake Somerville - 01/28/17 12:01 AM

Y'all bank beaters will like this update

Posted By: R2Fishing

Re: Lake Somerville - 01/28/17 12:06 AM

It's began

Posted By: jsinn01

Re: Lake Somerville - 01/28/17 12:19 AM

Thanks for the info & updates, hoggwild. Between Newman's and Irwin Bridge, there's going to be some good fishing this weekend.
Posted By: R2Fishing

Re: Lake Somerville - 01/28/17 12:22 AM

Thinking about hooking the boat up and making the run tomorrow myself. The banks will be straight combat fishing this weekend with me posting that here and from it being a FB post. But it's what everyone's been waiting for... get after'em!!
Posted By: J-Moe

Re: Lake Somerville - 01/28/17 12:43 AM

Originally Posted By: hoggwild
Y'all bank beaters will like this update




Wow, that's good news. That means the bridge must be able to meet inspection if they open the parking lot up as early as next.
Posted By: JonL

Re: Lake Somerville - 01/28/17 01:33 AM

WooooHoooo!!!!! Let the games begin!!! I am an old school Newmans Bottom fisherman and I know where the holes are there more than anywhere else. I guess I will need my walking shoes. See you guys out there. Good luck to all!!!!
Posted By: hook-line&sinker

Re: Lake Somerville - 01/28/17 02:26 AM

Somebody needs to warn the fish of the pending assault! Good Luck and for the guys coming up from the lake be careful and watch for duck hunters..
Posted By: R2Fishing

Re: Lake Somerville - 01/28/17 03:41 AM

Does Nails SP have fish cleaning station?
Posted By: JonL

Re: Lake Somerville - 01/28/17 03:48 AM

Yes but last year it had no power so you had to use your vehicle with an inverter and some long extension cords.
Posted By: GC2656

Re: Lake Somerville - 01/28/17 12:00 PM

When I was there Thursday the water was working at the fish cleaning station, but the electricity was still not working. The blocks of wood to lay your fish on when filleting them were also gone.
Posted By: catchnrelease

Re: Lake Somerville - 01/28/17 02:04 PM

Oooohhhh Yeah!
Posted By: R2Fishing

Re: Lake Somerville - 01/28/17 09:05 PM

Posted By: jsinn01

Re: Lake Somerville - 01/28/17 09:24 PM

roflmao

What hoggwild, is that pic foreshadowing for your upcoming report?

Looks like it'll be a good one.
Posted By: jsinn01

Re: Lake Somerville - 01/28/17 09:29 PM

Made the long trek into Nemwman's today and have to say it was worth it. I never really did find the honey hole, but caught plenty enough to keep me happy. Had to move around quite a bit, 2 & 3 fish per hole. Current was a little on the strong side so kept looking for slower water and that was where the fish were hanging out. Ended up with a dozen white bass and one bonus crappie for the mix. The walk back to my car seemed about 10x as long carrying those fish out. Great day on the water. Plenty of good stringers out there today. Looking forward to hearing some other reports.
Posted By: R2Fishing

Re: Lake Somerville - 01/28/17 10:10 PM

I kept a dozen. Don't need fish that bad but it's been awhile
Since I've walked the creek. Enjoyed it a lot. Fished 1 hole I always fish year after year.. water did have a steady quick flow. Bites were light and didn't see any spawn activity. Stuck with 2 baits today. White rooster tail and 1/16oz chart jig head with a white/chart curly tail. Caught must have been 20 undersized crappie. And 2 keepers. All crappie came from jig/float combo.
Posted By: J-Moe

Re: Lake Somerville - 01/28/17 10:23 PM

Originally Posted By: hoggwild
I kept a dozen. Don't need fish that bad but it's been awhile
Since I've walked the creek. Enjoyed it a lot. Fished 1 hole I always fish year after year.. water did have a steady quick flow. Bites were light and didn't see any spawn activity. Stuck with 2 baits today. White rooster tail and 1/16oz chart jig head with a white/chart curly tail. Caught must have been 20 undersized crappie. And 2 keepers. All crappie came from jig/float combo.


You decided to bank it I see. I was actually doing better on the white curly tail jig over the chartreuse one day last week as well. Good information that you were catching crappie on the jig/float combo. I actually rigged up one of my fly rods with a popper dropper setup a few days ago. I'll have to bring it with me too.
Posted By: J-Moe

Re: Lake Somerville - 01/28/17 10:27 PM

Originally Posted By: jsinn01
Made the long trek into Nemwman's today and have to say it was worth it. I never really did find the honey hole, but caught plenty enough to keep me happy. Had to move around quite a bit, 2 & 3 fish per hole. Current was a little on the strong side so kept looking for slower water and that was where the fish were hanging out. Ended up with a dozen white bass and one bonus crappie for the mix. The walk back to my car seemed about 10x as long carrying those fish out. Great day on the water. Plenty of good stringers out there today. Looking forward to hearing some other reports.


Thanks for the report Jared, glad you had a good time.
Posted By: JonL

Re: Lake Somerville - 01/28/17 10:32 PM




Man am I glad they opened Newmans Bottom to foot traffic. Well worth the walk. Caught 23 today all before 10:30. 18 or 19 was from one hole I found. Caught them using mostly red head chartreuse body. I wish I did not lose the five I lost would of had a limit. I really really really tried to catch the last two but the morning bite was over. Should be a good white bass run this year.
Posted By: rhw

Re: Lake Somerville - 01/29/17 01:21 AM

j-moe hoggwild hook line makes this site.everybody scared the fish are biting. keep it up where us old people can see whats happening.the greatest web site. oh and bruce sometimes.lol
Posted By: R2Fishing

Re: Lake Somerville - 01/29/17 02:53 AM

I've heard boats and yakers really getting into the fish just upstream of Wolf Pond.

I've got to get my batteries charged in the boat.

Any of y'all remember few yrs back (3-4yrs) there were so many whites in full spawn mode you'd see the rush of them come thru the skinny water and thru the jams? I talked to few others out today about that and it hasn't happened since then. Not sure if lack of or too much of water has effected that.
Posted By: GC2656

Re: Lake Somerville - 01/29/17 02:37 PM

Keep those reports coming! I'm stuck at work today, but I will be on the creeks tomorrow morning. Hoggwild, the reason I do not post pictures is that I'm so computer illiterate it would take up a lot of fishing time trying to figure it out. Maybe I'll take a few pictures tomorrow and get my son or grandsons(7 & 9 years old and better on a computer than I am) to help me figure it out. Good luck and tight lines, see ya'll on the creek!
Posted By: 1Tacklehoarder

Re: Lake Somerville - 01/29/17 05:29 PM

Will they let you drag a cart back to newmans bottom?
Posted By: jsinn01

Re: Lake Somerville - 01/29/17 05:41 PM

Sure, saw a couple guys toting a wagon yesterday. If you plan on keeping a limit of fish, that's probably the way to go.
Posted By: J-Moe

Re: Lake Somerville - 01/29/17 05:46 PM

Originally Posted By: 1Tacklehoarder
Will they let you drag a cart back to newmans bottom?


They did last year so I would assume they are allowing at again. Shouldn't be an issue. They didn't allow bikes last year though.
Posted By: J-Moe

Re: Lake Somerville - 01/29/17 05:48 PM

Originally Posted By: rhw
j-moe hoggwild hook line makes this site.everybody scared the fish are biting. keep it up where us old people can see whats happening.the greatest web site. oh and bruce sometimes.lol


welcome Thanks rhw Give us a report if you make it out.
Posted By: J-Moe

Re: Lake Somerville - 01/29/17 05:52 PM

I took a quick tour this morning. Only one vehicle was fishing Cedar. I tried around the bridge for about 15 minutes but didn't get a bite. I drove by Nails, not a single person was parked near the bridge. I went by Irwin. There were lots of people there and a lot more showing up. They caught a few keeper crappie near the bridge but the bite completely shut down by 8:30 AM. Most of the people were leaving the bridge to walk downstream to search for white bass.
Posted By: fishytx

Re: Lake Somerville - 01/29/17 06:44 PM

The most white bass I have seen before was out at Reimers ranch. I can't tell you how many years a go that was, but I'm guessing 30. But there were so many fish that one could have walked to the other side on top of them. You could not see the river bottom. I'll probably never see that many fish in one area again. I know this sounds a little far fetched, but it's the honest to God truth. Saw a few hawks grab a few fish on the fly, it was breath taking to say the least.
I have seen them supper thick in the Yegua as well. That particular year there were big schools of shad up the creek like I had never seen before too. But it was a great year, that I also remember.
Posted By: greenyak

Re: Lake Somerville - 01/29/17 10:30 PM

fishing was slow for me on Saturday only had 8 keepers but always good to be on the creek
Posted By: fishytx

Re: Lake Somerville - 01/29/17 11:19 PM

Greenyak, you put together a nice video, really did enjoy watching it. Thanks, I almost felt like I was there fishing alone side ya.
Posted By: greenyak

Re: Lake Somerville - 01/29/17 11:55 PM

Originally Posted By: fishytx
Greenyak, you put together a nice video, really did enjoy watching it. Thanks, I almost felt like I was there fishing alone side ya.
Thank you
Posted By: Hookinup

Re: Lake Somerville - 01/30/17 04:58 AM

You guys should catch all you can & pack the freezer for the long hot summer ahead when they won't be there.




.
Posted By: R2Fishing

Re: Lake Somerville - 01/30/17 12:45 PM

Originally Posted By: Hookinup
You guys should catch all you can & pack the freezer for the long hot summer ahead when they won't be there.



I caught them up until Oct last year. Theese fish aren't going anywhere for a long time.
Posted By: catchnrelease

Re: Lake Somerville - 01/30/17 01:09 PM

We stopped at the Irwin bridge about 1030am Sunday to pay our way into Newman Bottom. there were a lot of cars parked there. We stopped and talked with a couple folks. They told us they caught a few fish at Irwin bridge Saturday, but none Sunday. We left there and headed to Newman's.

The wife and I walked in to NB about 11:30 and left at 4pm. Not many people or fish seen. we managed 4 keeper whites. I caught mine on blue/white clousers. the wife was fishing with med. shiners.

We didn't move around too much. the walk in wore me out. We fished by the foot bridge for a couple hours then moved upstream until 4pm. I'm too out of shape. that walk in to NB, and the walk back is rough on this old man. At this rate, and by the end of the spawn, I'll be back in good shape. LOL.

The water looked perfect. it was flowing fast in places. lots of trees and brush in there too. I lost half dozen lures/flies. It was a beautiful day to be out there. I'll be back soon.

tight lines!
Posted By: Heath419

Re: Lake Somerville - 01/30/17 02:33 PM

A buddy and I went and scoped it out yesterday as well. We walked from Irwin's Bridge towards Newman's Bottom. We didn't have much luck except 1 small crappie. I look forward to going back and having some better luck in a week or two!
Posted By: hook-line&sinker

Re: Lake Somerville - 01/30/17 02:41 PM

As the weather warms up so will the fishing! I'm having a lot of trouble staying indoors especially since I have lots of vacation time to burn and the fish are calling me to the creek!
Posted By: catchnrelease

Re: Lake Somerville - 01/30/17 03:07 PM

Originally Posted By: hook-line&sinker
As the weather warms up so will the fishing! I'm having a lot of trouble staying indoors especially since I have lots of vacation time to burn and the fish are calling me to the creek!


LOL. I know the feeling. I have a lot of time too. Mater of fact... Yesterday was so beautiful outdoors, and my soreness from all that walking was kicking my butt this morning, I didn't go to work today thinking I'd hit the San Gabriel river (the steps). then I remembered that I have a Dr. Appt. at 3:30, and my wife has an online class at 6. Dang it.

There's always tomorrow. He He. (no... I'll be at work...) C'mon Saturday!

Tight Lines!
Posted By: EllerTroy

Re: Lake Somerville - 01/30/17 04:18 PM

I will be going on Wednesday morning. It's nice bden semi retired. I nust work on weekends.
Posted By: JonL

Re: Lake Somerville - 01/30/17 10:51 PM

I was Troy's scout this time so he should be on the fish Wednesday and I will hit the creek again Saturday. Hope the road is open however it does keep the crowd down a little.
Posted By: FishinAg02

Re: Lake Somerville - 01/31/17 09:12 PM

I just talked to Birch and Nails creek people and they have no plans to open NB to vehicle traffic due to culvert repair needing to be made... that's what they said. Good luck! I'll be somewhere tomorrow, can't decide whether to hoof it to NB or try my luck at Nails or Irwin...
Posted By: nd1225

Re: Lake Somerville - 01/31/17 09:56 PM

Good luck, hope you slay em
Posted By: hook-line&sinker

Re: Lake Somerville - 02/01/17 01:58 AM

It looks like the whitebass fishing in Cedar and Nails has gone cold... So the long paddle/walk to Newmans on the Yegua is our only option until it rains again.
Posted By: GC2656

Re: Lake Somerville - 02/01/17 02:17 AM

Hook, the fishing yesterday morning up the Yegau was pretty slow too. I fished about 5 hours and only caught 4 white bass, talked to three bank fisherman that had none. I'm not complaining to much, because it was a nice quiet morning with plenty of fishing room.
Posted By: BIG SHINER

Re: Lake Somerville - 02/01/17 03:49 AM

Yes Cedar and Nails were dead. Caught a few LM bass, a huge sunfish that Jmoe would have drooled over , and found one hole holding crappie but no keepers. Tried the WMA near Irwins with nothing but a bunch of small perch. Beautiful day though.
Posted By: FishingMi

Re: Lake Somerville - 02/01/17 04:00 AM

Same here. Went Irwin this morning and fishing for 5 hrs. No luck for whites. Caught one crappie. Most people did not catch much either.
Posted By: T-rey

Re: Lake Somerville - 02/01/17 02:00 PM

For those that may hit overlook marina, are the crappie starting to bite there yet, or is it still to early?

Taking the wife on Friday, just not sure how she would do walking the creeks out there.
Posted By: J-Moe

Re: Lake Somerville - 02/01/17 02:57 PM

Originally Posted By: T-rey
For those that may hit overlook marina, are the crappie starting to bite there yet, or is it still to early?

Taking the wife on Friday, just not sure how she would do walking the creeks out there.


Yes, the fishing at the Marina is picking up. I was there on Saturday. I've heard the week between Valentines day and Presidents day is usually when it reaches it's peak at Overlook.
Posted By: J-Moe

Re: Lake Somerville - 02/01/17 02:59 PM

Originally Posted By: BIG SHINER
Yes Cedar and Nails were dead. Caught a few LM bass, a huge sunfish that Jmoe would have drooled over , and found one hole holding crappie but no keepers. Tried the WMA near Irwins with nothing but a bunch of small perch. Beautiful day though.


Yes, you have peaked my interest. Did you catch them in Nails or Cedar? Nobody cares about perch other than me so you can share the details grin
Posted By: FishinAg02

Re: Lake Somerville - 02/01/17 05:52 PM

Took a friend to NB this morning. We were on a tight time crunch, so unfortunately needed to be headed to the truck by 9am. Found fish at 8:30 smile Ended up catching 15-16 WB and 1 LB. ALL whites were males. Caught two extremely nice ones, 16.5" & 17". Large males. But all males none-the-less. Fun morning!

Edit: We could certainly have caught more. Left because of work... also, it took a while to find the lure they wanted. Once we found the lure, we caught consistently. Tried all kinds of white/chart combos of curly tails, road runners, roostertails, and sassy shads. Any guess to what lure worked?

Posted By: J-Moe

Re: Lake Somerville - 02/01/17 07:55 PM

Originally Posted By: FishinAg02
Took a friend to NB this morning. We were on a tight time crunch, so unfortunately needed to be headed to the truck by 9am. Found fish at 8:30 smile Ended up catching 15-16 WB and 1 LB. ALL whites were males. Caught two extremely nice ones, 16.5" & 17". Large males. But all males none-the-less. Fun morning!

Edit: We could certainly have caught more. Left because of work... also, it took a while to find the lure they wanted. Once we found the lure, we caught consistently. Tried all kinds of white/chart combos of curly tails, road runners, roostertails, and sassy shads. Any guess to what lure worked?



White marabou jig
Posted By: hook-line&sinker

Re: Lake Somerville - 02/01/17 08:06 PM

Originally Posted By: FishinAg02
Once we found the lure, we caught consistently. Tried all kinds of white/chart combos of curly tails, road runners, roostertails, and sassy shads. Any guess to what lure worked?



The last one you used?
Posted By: FishinAg02

Re: Lake Somerville - 02/01/17 09:19 PM

Originally Posted By: hook-line&sinker
Originally Posted By: FishinAg02
Once we found the lure, we caught consistently. Tried all kinds of white/chart combos of curly tails, road runners, roostertails, and sassy shads. Any guess to what lure worked?



The last one you used?


Winner winner chicken dinner!

2.5" pearl sassy shad. Leftover lures from when I'd fish the yegua run when in college. 16 years ago!
Posted By: EllerTroy

Re: Lake Somerville - 02/01/17 10:52 PM

A friend and I walked in at Newman this morning. My friend caught 7 whites and I caught 13 whites and 2 keeper crappie. My friend gave me his 7 so l had a nice mess of fillets. Had to fish hard to get what we got. Only 1 small female in the bunch.
Posted By: JonL

Re: Lake Somerville - 02/01/17 11:15 PM





These are the fish Troy and I caught today.
Posted By: jsinn01

Re: Lake Somerville - 02/02/17 12:36 AM

Thanks for the reports. Sounds like the fish are still there, just need to find the right spot, right lure, etc. Not sure if I want to make the trip this weekend or fish closer to home. Thinking of trying my luck at the steps area on the San Gabriel. I never really catch anything there, but it's a good excuse to go to Louie Mueller's BBQ in Taylor. food
Posted By: J-Moe

Re: Lake Somerville - 02/02/17 11:44 AM

Originally Posted By: FishingMi
Same here. Went Irwin this morning and fishing for 5 hrs. No luck for whites. Caught one crappie. Most people did not catch much either.


welcome Thanks for the report
Posted By: J-Moe

Re: Lake Somerville - 02/02/17 11:58 AM

Originally Posted By: FishinAg02
Originally Posted By: hook-line&sinker
Originally Posted By: FishinAg02
Once we found the lure, we caught consistently. Tried all kinds of white/chart combos of curly tails, road runners, roostertails, and sassy shads. Any guess to what lure worked?



The last one you used?


Winner winner chicken dinner!

2.5" pearl sassy shad. Leftover lures from when I'd fish the yegua run when in college. 16 years ago!


Man, Ben proves his superior intelligence once again bang

2.5" pearl sassy shad sounds just like a Magical clouser to me. Guess I'll have to dump the popper dropper and put one on my 2nd rod this weekend. Overnight temperatures will continue to stay up with it dropping to a low of only 45 degrees so I'm expecting some excellent fishing in the next few days. We are getting a few showers though, hope it doesn't muddy up the water.
Posted By: FishinAg02

Re: Lake Somerville - 02/02/17 02:42 PM

I'll be AWOL from the Yegua until next week, maybe wednesday... no way to make it out this weekend.

When i cleaned the fish last night, there were two females in the bunch. So, we caught 2 females and 13 males. The females egg sack was not mature yet, which is why I miss identified them.

Good luck everyone!
Posted By: J-Moe

Re: Lake Somerville - 02/02/17 05:24 PM

Lake level is 238.87. The COE dropped the flow to 950 cfs.

It's interesting to note that the video Ben produced on the fish kill below the dam 2 years ago has made an impact on the COE. This year in the fall I heard one of the COE employees say they were keeping water flowing to prevent another fish kill.

It has been clear over the last 2 years that they are dropping the flow down quicker to try and extend the flow for as long as possible. They even flowed it a 41 cfs for a week or so to try to keep from closing it off completely.

In the past the stance was it's a flood control lake and not a fishing lake. Now, it's a little bit more of a common sense approach to the overall environmental impact.

Kuddos to Ben and the COE thumb
Posted By: 1Tacklehoarder

Re: Lake Somerville - 02/02/17 05:28 PM

A 2.5" sassy shad would match the size of the threadfins perfectly. There is a lot of forage available for the fish at the spillway right now, and the fish down there are showing off their thick shoulders and fat bellies.
Posted By: FishinAg02

Re: Lake Somerville - 02/02/17 05:45 PM

Tacklehoarder, did you fish the spillway? What were you catching?
Posted By: 1Tacklehoarder

Re: Lake Somerville - 02/02/17 10:58 PM

A couple nice crappie, a little white, a huge goo, and a big channel cat last I went. There hasn't been much being caught down there. It should improve now that they turned the flow down some, but it may take a while. I threw a spoon for a couple minutes and kept reeling in little 2.5" threadfins snagged on the treble.
Posted By: 1Tacklehoarder

Re: Lake Somerville - 02/02/17 11:01 PM

I should really just move to the lake with as much fuel I have been burning going back and forth over there. Anybody have a lot in Apache Hills they wanna sell me? Lol
Posted By: Naggler

Re: Lake Somerville - 02/03/17 01:14 AM

So can you park up top at Newmans and walk down now? Or do you have to walk in from Irwin bridge?
Posted By: jsinn01

Re: Lake Somerville - 02/03/17 01:16 AM

You can park at the top of Newmans. Did it last weekend. Just don't catch a lot of fish and your walk back will be a lot easier. grin
Posted By: Naggler

Re: Lake Somerville - 02/03/17 01:27 AM

I am STOKED!!! good exercise and better fishing. CAN'T WAIT! They should put a $ collection box up there where you park.
Posted By: Naggler

Re: Lake Somerville - 02/03/17 01:31 AM

To be honest, I would prefer it to be walk-in only. I bet the trash would go down exponentially since you have to carry everything in. This is one of my favorite spots in the world...glad it's open again!!
Posted By: white bass interceptor

Re: Lake Somerville - 02/03/17 02:46 AM

I made the trip to Newman today for my health (LOL) and it is beautiful down there. Fishing was pretty slow. I saw stringers with one fish and some did not have any. Water was a bit low and it seems as if the fish are in retreat. Will probably need a good rain to give the fish another big push into the creeks. I caught a 17" black bass six large white bass lost a good fish and threw back one white and one 10" crappie. Whites were males.
Posted By: hook-line&sinker

Re: Lake Somerville - 02/03/17 03:19 AM

I fished the top end of the Yegua WMA both east and middle forks of the creek. Everything looks great but no whitebass only sunfish and small crappie. Finished the day at Nails with J-Moe catching a few sunfish and crappie early then right at dark had a bass try to take a little crappie right at my feet. Changed flys and caught three largemouth and one big whitebass. Sometimes I pay attention and learn! I'm very sore now but thats what I get for not acting my age crawling all over the creek and through the thicket like a hog. Speaking of hogs I had a group of about thirty or so (sows with babies) come up on me in the middle of the WMA.. I thought about catching one of the little ones but then I came to my senses when big momma and her sisters showed up..
Posted By: white bass interceptor

Re: Lake Somerville - 02/03/17 04:07 AM

hope you can climb a tree or can out run wild hogs (lol).
Posted By: fishytx

Re: Lake Somerville - 02/03/17 02:56 PM

I fished Irwin yesterday for about an hour. Ended up with two nice size blacks and one crappie. Went back home, grabbed a bite to eat and drove to the steps. Fished it for 45 minutes, caught one white. So one might say I gave it my all with little reward. Oh well, every time I go I feel like I'm educating myself with the snags on the bottom and where I think the best bite will take place when it does get going strong. I only fished like three spots on the creek, I wasn't going to search and search that hard. I talked to several anglers who were returning from a long walk downstream that caught nothing, so that's why I chose to stay close to my truck and give that area such a work over. I was able to lose about five jigs, I was pitching to some tight cover.
Posted By: fishytx

Re: Lake Somerville - 02/03/17 02:58 PM

I'll probably just hook my boat up and go catch some blacks this weekend. Yesterdays fishing did nothing for me. I need a good fishing trip fix.
Posted By: fishytx

Re: Lake Somerville - 02/03/17 03:06 PM

I can't see them opening the gate to drive in at Newmans bottom any time soon. I had heard that the little bridge did not pass inspection and they claim they have no money to fix it. So get use to the idea of walking in if you plan to fish newmans. To bad they won't allow people to ride a bike in. I don't understand the bike rule at all.
Posted By: J-Moe

Re: Lake Somerville - 02/03/17 03:25 PM

Originally Posted By: fishytx
I fished Irwin yesterday for about an hour. Ended up with two nice size blacks and one crappie. Went back home, grabbed a bite to eat and drove to the steps. Fished it for 45 minutes, caught one white. So one might say I gave it my all with little reward. Oh well, every time I go I feel like I'm educating myself with the snags on the bottom and where I think the best bite will take place when it does get going strong. I only fished like three spots on the creek, I wasn't going to search and search that hard. I talked to several anglers who were returning from a long walk downstream that caught nothing, so that's why I chose to stay close to my truck and give that area such a work over. I was able to lose about five jigs, I was pitching to some tight cover.


The white bass have not come up to Irwin in numbers this year. I've had to walk over half way from Irwin to Newman's at a minimum to catch whites in any numbers at all. Not sure those new knees you got are up for that long walk. Maybe you can find a few in that special creek you found them in last year. Thanks for the report, I know not to even bother with Irwin tomorrow. Hope to fish together soon. I'll be in touch.
Posted By: Boudreaux

Re: Lake Somerville - 02/03/17 10:04 PM

Before the rain a couple weeks ago, the crappie bite in Yegua was getting better. Fished the lower end of the creek and had trolled up over half way to up to Newamn's, ended with several nice crappie and a lot more throwbacks. Looks like I'll be on the main lake until the WB bite picks up.
Posted By: fishytx

Re: Lake Somerville - 02/03/17 10:44 PM

Originally Posted By: J-Moe
The white bass have not come up to Irwin in numbers this year. I've had to walk over half way from Irwin to Newman's at a minimum to catch whites in any numbers at all.


Are you sure about that statement? A good friend of mine caught 30 Saturday real close the bridge but only kept a limit. He went back Sunday and didn't catch a one, go figure. Those are the facts I have to go by. Oh and the fact that I didn't catch one either. LOL Sounds like they have gone back downstream to Newmans. If I go back soon, it will be to Newmans for sure. I dread the walk in and out, but it will be worth the time put in.
Posted By: R2Fishing

Re: Lake Somerville - 02/03/17 11:26 PM

Has the kayakers been doing worth a darn fishing the upper end of Yegua??
Posted By: Kai

Re: Lake Somerville - 02/03/17 11:54 PM

Since Yegua slows down recently, anyone knows where are white bass right now on main lake? Still hanging on humps or sandy banks? I tried several humps, but not seeing them at all on graph.
Posted By: hook-line&sinker

Re: Lake Somerville - 02/04/17 12:29 AM

Posted By: hook-line&sinker

Re: Lake Somerville - 02/04/17 12:30 AM

Originally Posted By: hoggwild
Has the kayakers been doing worth a darn fishing the upper end of Yegua??


I tell you after Saturday wink
Posted By: catchnrelease

Re: Lake Somerville - 02/04/17 01:20 PM

I was thinking about fishing Irwin bridge tomorrow (Super Bowl Sunday) but after reading the previous posts it seems like the white bass bite has turned off. Hmmmmm. I may just have to wait a little longer before I head back to the Yegua. I sure am getting the white bass fishing fever though. Last Sunday's trip to the NB was nice. I'd love to go back there but that long walk in/out and all around the creeks wore me out. I think I'll let the youngsters walk in and let us know when the bite turns back on before I walk in at NB again. LOL.

tight lines!
Posted By: fishytx

Re: Lake Somerville - 02/04/17 07:45 PM

I'm with ya on that one catchnrelease. I can no longer go hunt these guys down like I use to. Catchnrelease I know you and I've fished with you from time to time, but I can't remember your name. But I think it's Rousse.
Posted By: R2Fishing

Re: Lake Somerville - 02/05/17 12:18 AM

For you all with a boat I'm receiving reports of whites and hybrids stacking up on spawning ground on main lake. I wasn't out today, fished Gibbons and smooth wore the crappie out. But maybe worth something to check it out...

Today at Gibbons Creek
Posted By: hook-line&sinker

Re: Lake Somerville - 02/05/17 01:06 AM

Myself and about a dozen of my TFF/YouTube friends (that I know of) kayaked/walked or boated up into the Yegua. Several of us found crappie and a few black bass but very few whitebass. Crappie were up about halfway between wolf pond and the trailway bridge. Found a few here and there all the way up but the majority came from two main areas.

Lots and lots of undersize crappie, ratio was about 3 dinks to 1 really good keeper. I spent about half the time fishing for black bass which really knocked down my catch rate but I wanted to test a couple of flys and a different approach and today was the day.

You know what they say.. Old dog.. new trick..

Left the creek for the boat ramp about 3:00PM to be home in Bryan just after 5:00PM. All in all not a bad day up the Yegua. Caught fish all day and sent Gordon home with a mess of crappie for his party Sunday..




Posted By: jsinn01

Re: Lake Somerville - 02/05/17 01:19 AM

Originally Posted By: hoggwild
For you all with a boat I'm receiving reports of whites and hybrids stacking up on spawning ground on main lake. I wasn't out today, fished Gibbons and smooth wore the crappie out. But maybe worth something to check it out...

Today at Gibbons Creek



Nice mess of fish! Congrats.
Posted By: jsinn01

Re: Lake Somerville - 02/05/17 01:23 AM

Cool pics, Ben. Thanks for the report. Strange about the lack of White Bass. Do you think the mouth of the Yegua is too silted in for them to come up in large numbers? Just seems like they're in retreat mode or something ever since last weekend.
Posted By: hook-line&sinker

Re: Lake Somerville - 02/05/17 02:13 AM

It is very shallow at the mouth of the creeks so the fish know they are vulnerable when crossing the upper lake. All I know for sure is that when it floods at the right time of the year the creek fills up with fish. However I'm very confident that once the whitebass enter the creek they stay there until the spawn is over.

It makes no sense to me that the whitebass would return to the lake before the party ends and then go back up the creek on the next rise. I think it is more likely the whitebass will retreat to the lower creek around Wolf Pond and downstream from there and wait for mother nature to call again..

I do know that when in cold water fish in general do not feed as much and will often go quiet for hours at a time. This feeding schedule is affected by the number of fish in any given area and available forage especially when speaking of whitebass. The question most fishermen have about whitebass in the creeks is where do they go? It is important to consider that whitebass are a schooling fish that roam around vast areas looking for dinner most of their lives. When they first enter the creeks they can easily swim up and down miles a day which is what they have been doing all over the lake prior to moving into the creeks.
Posted By: fishytx

Re: Lake Somerville - 02/05/17 01:57 PM

I have seen days where I wasn't able to get a signal bite and I wondered where in the world did these fish go. But then a guy walks up using live bait and is catching a white on almost every cast. Or a guy with a fly rod walks up and gets into them hot and heavy. So I've come to learn that just because I am not getting bit on doesn't really mean the fish are no longer there. It sounds crazy I know, but I have had this happen to me several times, so I know it to be true. I'm talking I would have swore on the fact that the fish had vanished, but when someone else has the right bait they want, they kill it. So now when I am not catching fish I have to ask myself, are they really not around at all or do I need to try something else and figure out what they are looking for?
Posted By: J-Moe

Re: Lake Somerville - 02/05/17 05:39 PM

The word is out, Crappie are being caught below the dam





Getting a prime fishing spot is a challenge. You have to get up pretty early to beat the 4 AM Katy express roflmao

Posted By: Duma

Re: Lake Somerville - 02/05/17 06:17 PM

This was Saturday 4th



Posted By: 24x7Fisherman

Re: Lake Somerville - 02/05/17 07:01 PM

LOL, it's like a big fishing party. Love it. Actually it's not that bad.
Posted By: 24x7Fisherman

Re: Lake Somerville - 02/05/17 07:03 PM

NB is the place to go right now. Once you find them, you are going to have some fun.
Posted By: moonriver

Re: Lake Somerville - 02/05/17 10:08 PM

Katy Express roflmao
Posted By: 1Tacklehoarder

Re: Lake Somerville - 02/05/17 10:49 PM

I went down there this morning and reminded myself why I don't fish on the weekends at the spillway. Had one little dude try to sit in my lap while I was sitting on a rock tying a hook on. Also, I had a boy with me and we were standing 10 feet apart, I caught one, and I'll be danged if 3 of them suckers didnt come stand between us. Stepping all over my stuff and everything. I'm too short fused for idiots with no sense of personal space or respect. Heck with that crud. That's the motivation I needed to get my boat going, I guess.....lol
Posted By: ag_angler

Re: Lake Somerville - 02/06/17 05:15 AM

I can see where is hot spot!
Posted By: Catfish-hunter

Re: Lake Somerville - 02/06/17 02:04 PM

Originally Posted By: brucevannguyen
This was Saturday 4th




Looks like white bass/gou fishing the way they are so close to each other. High water/fast water I caught crappie 90deg to right and left of the catwalk in those slacker waters.
I'd have to see their stringers of fish before I'd believe they were catching crappie like that.
Posted By: fishytx

Re: Lake Somerville - 02/06/17 02:32 PM

And I thought the creek banks were bad on weekends. Oh I couldn't do this kind of fishing. I had some Katy express guys ask me last year if they could throw their line in a spot where I was catching some fish and the spot I was standing on only had enough room for me to barely stand to fish from. I looked at the guy and said, you are kidding me right? Well. I'm sorry my friend, but I'm not giving up my spot so you can fish it. Go look for the fish, that's how I found this place. Some times you got a work hard and hunt these guys down.
But to be totally honest, strange and weird people entertain me by the stuff they say and do, therefore I ignore it and move forward. But I will say this, what some people will ask of you or do will catch you off guard big time. I have been shocked in disbelief before, but I keep on casting my bait back out there in hopes to get another bite. I mean what more can you do, right? It does make for a good conversation with the wife when I get home if nothing else though. LOL
Posted By: J-Moe

Re: Lake Somerville - 02/06/17 03:24 PM

Originally Posted By: Catfish-hunter
Originally Posted By: brucevannguyen



Looks like white bass/gou fishing the way they are so close to each other. High water/fast water I caught crappie 90deg to right and left of the catwalk in those slacker waters.
I'd have to see their stringers of fish before I'd believe they were catching crappie like that.


It's crappie. I've stood there many days and caught them. There is a sand bar in front of where the majority of the fisherman are standing. There haven't been many white bass caught lately. Current flow is around 600 cfs
Posted By: Catfish-hunter

Re: Lake Somerville - 02/06/17 04:05 PM

Alright man,I believe you. i just never seen it myself. Water flowing like that,gous and whites. Occasional channels 1' from the bank is what I've caught and seen. Now turn the water off and those crappie will be all in there and the catwalk will be a hot spot. I lived .3 a mile crow fly from the dam and fished it often. Trying to put a face on you J moe,you have a son that made crappie jigs for you? I know we had to of met.
Posted By: GC2656

Re: Lake Somerville - 02/06/17 05:40 PM

Kind of slow for me yesterday morning. Made a quick trip up the Yegua before the super bowl and caught 10 white bass, all males. Talked to several bank fishermen that weren't having much success and one other boat angler that had about a dozen crappie and a couple white bass.
Posted By: J-Moe

Re: Lake Somerville - 02/06/17 06:27 PM

Originally Posted By: Catfish-hunter
Alright man,I believe you. i just never seen it myself. Water flowing like that,gous and whites. Occasional channels 1' from the bank is what I've caught and seen. Now turn the water off and those crappie will be all in there and the catwalk will be a hot spot. I lived .3 a mile crow fly from the dam and fished it often. Trying to put a face on you J moe,you have a son that made crappie jigs for you? I know we had to of met.


No sir, that's not me. I usually have a fishing vest on and fly rod. I've posted several pictures on this site and I'm in a lot of Hook-Line&Sinkers videos. Although most of the time it's from the back, that's my best side. roflmao
Posted By: J-Moe

Re: Lake Somerville - 02/06/17 06:28 PM

Originally Posted By: GC2656
Kind of slow for me yesterday morning. Made a quick trip up the Yegua before the super bowl and caught 10 white bass, all males. Talked to several bank fishermen that weren't having much success and one other boat angler that had about a dozen crappie and a couple white bass.


Thanks for the report. 10 is not bad. That front really seemed to slow down the fishing. Maybe now that it has passed the fishing will improve.
Posted By: Csafisher

Re: Lake Somerville - 02/06/17 06:50 PM

Well guys I'm gonna hit the yegua in th morning. Just can't decide if I should bank fish or take the boat and fish the lower end. What do y'all think? Hopefully th warmer weather will help the bite.
Posted By: GC2656

Re: Lake Somerville - 02/06/17 07:32 PM

Csafisher, I always take the boat if the lake is high enough to get into the creek. I can easily get all the way up to Newman's bottom if I choose to go that far. The water up there was getting pretty low and clear when I was there yesterday morning. Good luck, have fun, and post a report.
Posted By: J-Moe

Re: Lake Somerville - 02/06/17 07:33 PM

Originally Posted By: Csafisher
Well guys I'm gonna hit the yegua in th morning. Just can't decide if I should bank fish or take the boat and fish the lower end. What do y'all think? Hopefully th warmer weather will help the bite.


Take the boat, that way if you can't find white bass you can at least vertically jig for crappie. Sure easier to access wolf pond and the stretch above it too.
Posted By: J-Moe

Re: Lake Somerville - 02/06/17 08:29 PM

I was looking at the TPWD records for Somerville this weekend. Someone caught a 21 inch / 4.5 lb. white bass in December.
Posted By: FishinAg02

Re: Lake Somerville - 02/06/17 08:34 PM

WOW! That's an amazing WB!

I have plans (if work cooperates) to return to the Yegua on Wednesday. Weather is stacking up to be perfect...
Posted By: GC2656

Re: Lake Somerville - 02/06/17 09:14 PM

Originally Posted By: FishinAg02
WOW! That's an amazing WB!

I have plans (if work cooperates) to return to the Yegua on Wednesday. Weather is stacking up to be perfect...
That work thing sure is a downer during the white bass run in the creeks. After Thursday I'll be off for a while so I'm looking forward to a good report. Good luck and tight lines!
Posted By: Csafisher

Re: Lake Somerville - 02/06/17 10:53 PM

Well boat it is. Will post report tomorrow evening.
Posted By: fishytx

Re: Lake Somerville - 02/07/17 07:01 PM

The guy holding the white bass record should thank me. I was the one who told him that he needed to let those guys inside the bait tackle shop look at it, it was probably a state record. It was a huge female full of eggs caught on the Colorado river below long horn dam. Somewhere around 1975 is what I'm guessing. I was there at river side tackle shop buying some more white flea fly jigs at the time and as I was leaving they were parked next to me. We started talking and that's when he showed me the fish. It weighed five pounds something. I saw the write up in Austin American Statesmen a few days later and it had a picture of the guy holding the white bass. I had only been fishing for white bass like maybe three years back then, just beginning to learn a thing or two about spawning whites. But I sure do remember that fish. It filled up that small ice chest they had.
Posted By: Csafisher

Re: Lake Somerville - 02/07/17 10:35 PM

Well ended up catching about 12-14 lmb. 1 small white and 3 goo. Talked to a few other yak fisherman and couple bank fisherman who weren't having any luck.
Posted By: jsinn01

Re: Lake Somerville - 02/08/17 01:04 AM

Thanks for the report. Where have all the white bass gone? That is the question.
Posted By: J-Moe

Re: Lake Somerville - 02/08/17 01:12 AM

Originally Posted By: Csafisher
Well ended up catching about 12-14 lmb. 1 small white and 3 goo. Talked to a few other yak fisherman and couple bank fisherman who weren't having any luck.


Thanks for the report.
Posted By: J-Moe

Re: Lake Somerville - 02/08/17 01:22 AM

Originally Posted By: jsinn01
Thanks for the report. Where have all the white bass gone? That is the question.


The second curve downstream of the tree that looks like a scarecrow. On the deep side, holding on bottom.
Posted By: jsinn01

Re: Lake Somerville - 02/08/17 03:52 AM

Yeah, so much for the great run this year on the Yegua. Looks like you're going to have to bust out your fly gear and catch some nine inch whoppers on the San Gabriel, Jamie.
Posted By: fishytx

Re: Lake Somerville - 02/08/17 01:19 PM

The whites at the steps are very slow too. We need a rain to muddy up the water a little. Plenty of water flow, just something to get the fish out of the deeper holes and feeding is all we need. But a one to two foot rise on the yegua would bring up that many more fish as well. But I too don't understand why these fish are not thick and feeding good right now. I understand it is still a tad bit early, but water conditions are great and the weather has been nice so to speak. I may get out this morning and see if I can find a few. Not real sure where to go though, no one is really on anything.
Posted By: catchnrelease

Re: Lake Somerville - 02/08/17 02:56 PM

Originally Posted By: fishytx
I'm with ya on that one catchnrelease. I can no longer go hunt these guys down like I use to. Catchnrelease I know you and I've fished with you from time to time, but I can't remember your name. But I think it's Rousse.


You're thinking of my neighbor - Royce.

But I have met you before.. 4 or 5 years ago at NB. i was with Royce that day.

Hope to see you out there this year!
Posted By: FishinAg02

Re: Lake Somerville - 02/08/17 06:22 PM

I got out this morning for a couple of hours. Walked into NB and went downstream a little ways. Caught 6WB from 7-8:15 and one 5lb channel cat to boot. From 8:15-9:00 it was much quieter, though I saw a couple being caught during that time... but it was much slower.

Everything just looks perfect... first fish caught was a massive female. All others were males, most over 14". Large fat and healthy fish.
Posted By: JonL

Re: Lake Somerville - 02/09/17 12:19 PM

1 to 2 inches of rain for Monday and Tuesday. That should kick things off again.
Posted By: J-Moe

Re: Lake Somerville - 02/09/17 02:03 PM

Lets' hope. Underground is only predicting about 0.75 inches for Somerville, which may not be enough to get Cedar or Nails going. But if we get 1 to 2 inches in the Yegua watershed it will definitely muddy up the water and give them that mud trail to follow that Fishytx talks about.

Looking back at my fishing log from last year the peak fishing for me was approximately Feb 19 thru Feb 28. This should be really good timing and maybe we will get lucky enough to get a quick run of whites in Nails and Cedar like they did during this last rainfall event.
Posted By: KIKINBAK

Re: Lake Somerville - 02/09/17 02:12 PM

Anybody been to newmans looking to see if gate is open coming from austin tryin to see if i need to bring a bike to nice to stay at home Going to try upstream of irwin bridge fisrt anyone been catching ?

Thanks in advance cant wait to wet a line
Posted By: FishinAg02

Re: Lake Somerville - 02/09/17 03:04 PM

I was at Newman's yesterday and the gate is still closed... however, it looks like they are preparing to open soon. Call Nails Creek State Park and ask, they will know for sure.
Posted By: fishytx

Re: Lake Somerville - 02/09/17 04:48 PM

Last I read on here, they do not allow people to ride a bike in either. ????? Maybe that has changed????
Posted By: 24x7Fisherman

Re: Lake Somerville - 02/09/17 05:05 PM

I guess the parking lot will be open within a week, so you don't need a bike anyway.
The fishing is getting better over there.
Posted By: J-Moe

Re: Lake Somerville - 02/09/17 05:27 PM

They repaired the culvert, the equipment was still in the parking lot on Saturday, but I haven't heard that the bridge had passed inspection. I spoke with Adam last week and he did not think they would be opening up the gate to vehicle traffic anytime soon. There seems to be some conflicting information. I sure hope they open up the gates, but I'm not banking on it.
Posted By: J-Moe

Re: Lake Somerville - 02/09/17 07:03 PM

Lake level is 238.14. COE dropped the release to 354 cfs today.
Posted By: fishytx

Re: Lake Somerville - 02/10/17 04:00 PM

I agree with J-Moe. Hey folks, Jamie (J-Moe) or Ben (Hook line n sinker) are the only two guys that post information about things being open or closed on Somerville that I would put 100% trust in believing. They are up to date with their info. So now you know. LOL
Posted By: Crappiefever

Re: Lake Somerville - 02/10/17 07:00 PM

Originally Posted By: J-Moe
They repaired the culvert, the equipment was still in the parking lot on Saturday, but I haven't heard that the bridge had passed inspection. I spoke with Adam last week and he did not think they would be opening up the gate to vehicle traffic anytime soon. There seems to be some conflicting information. I sure hope they open up the gates, but I'm not banking on it.
From what I heard from park, they will not open up the gate in short time, what they are using is just setting up a collection box for pass. In this way, you do not need to go to nail's park for the ticket pass.
Posted By: 24x7Fisherman

Re: Lake Somerville - 02/11/17 01:27 AM

LOL, I saw a few new portal toilets over there, thought that was all they had needed to open for business. To be honest, that bridge is solid to me eye even though I am not an expert on this. I understand they don't want to take any chance for it.


Originally Posted By: J-Moe
They repaired the culvert, the equipment was still in the parking lot on Saturday, but I haven't heard that the bridge had passed inspection. I spoke with Adam last week and he did not think they would be opening up the gate to vehicle traffic anytime soon. There seems to be some conflicting information. I sure hope they open up the gates, but I'm not banking on it.
Posted By: J-Moe

Re: Lake Somerville - 02/11/17 01:42 AM

Originally Posted By: Crappiefever
Originally Posted By: J-Moe
They repaired the culvert, the equipment was still in the parking lot on Saturday, but I haven't heard that the bridge had passed inspection. I spoke with Adam last week and he did not think they would be opening up the gate to vehicle traffic anytime soon. There seems to be some conflicting information. I sure hope they open up the gates, but I'm not banking on it.
From what I heard from park, they will not open up the gate in short time, what they are using is just setting up a collection box for pass. In this way, you do not need to go to nail's park for the ticket pass.


welcome Thanks
Posted By: catchnrelease

Re: Lake Somerville - 02/11/17 03:23 PM

I was told the culverts were repaired, and the bridge is waiting to pass an inspection. this inspection might happen in a few weeks. Like J-moe says... i wouldn't bank on it. We'll see it when we see it.
Posted By: J-Moe

Re: Lake Somerville - 02/11/17 06:20 PM

The new collection box is setup by the gate at Newman's bottom.
Posted By: J-Moe

Re: Lake Somerville - 02/11/17 06:34 PM

I walked into Newman's bottom this morning. On the way in I meet with a couple of college age guys walking in. It was there first time there so they didn't know anything about the area. Since one of them was a fellow Aggie I had to help them out.

I put them in one of my favorite spots and headed to a different spot. I fished for about 20 minutes in that spot and only caught one so I went to a heavier fly. I caught 2 in the next 5 minutes so I figured they were in there. I went back and checked on those guys and they hadn't caught a thing. So I brought them to the next spot and tried to help them out a bit more. I hooked another one in the spot I told them to fish and moved on again.

I went on a bit farther and located some more fish. After I found them it was going good. I caught 5 in the next 8 casts. I put 3 on a stringer and went back to see how the guys were doing. They still hadn't caught a thing so I put them in the next spot and gave them my fish. They still couldn't catch any so I jumped back down and tried again but I couldn't get a bite either.

I left it to them. I ended up with just those 8 white bass. No crappie or bluegill this morning either. I was very surprised with the temperature in the 70s. Hardly anyone was catching. Just one here and there.
Posted By: 24x7Fisherman

Re: Lake Somerville - 02/11/17 09:18 PM

J moe i add it up, it's 9 fish banana
Posted By: moonriver

Re: Lake Somerville - 02/11/17 10:04 PM

You are a very nice person thumb
Posted By: J-Moe

Re: Lake Somerville - 02/12/17 03:39 AM

Originally Posted By: 24x7Fisherman
J moe i add it up, it's 9 fish banana


Nope, I said I hooked one. I lost it before I got it to the bank grin
Posted By: J-Moe

Re: Lake Somerville - 02/12/17 03:41 AM

Originally Posted By: moonriver
You are a very nice person thumb


Thanks Moonriver, I would be a very poor guide though roflmao
Posted By: 24x7Fisherman

Re: Lake Somerville - 02/12/17 04:06 AM

Lol


Originally Posted By: J-Moe
Originally Posted By: 24x7Fisherman
J moe i add it up, it's 9 fish banana


Nope, I said I hooked one. I lost it before I got it to the bank grin
grin bang bang
Posted By: greenyak

Re: Lake Somerville - 02/12/17 01:56 PM

The lady's were listening to Michael Jackson and fishing in the creek, having a good time.
Posted By: hook-line&sinker

Re: Lake Somerville - 02/12/17 03:01 PM

if it rains any significant amount and the Yegua rises and muddies up the big females will join the race upstream. If it floods big time the run will be much bigger but the "catching" will be delayed!
Posted By: J-Moe

Re: Lake Somerville - 02/12/17 03:58 PM

Originally Posted By: greenyak
The lady's were listening to Michael Jackson and fishing in the creek, having a good time.


Enjoyed the video, as always. I'm not sure I ever saw that many kayakers on the Yegua at one time before.

Looks like the bass were loving that crayfish crank bait. How long was that bass you netted?

I can't believe you didn't catch any white bass, that's just crazy that they aren't stacked up in the lower end.

I still haven't caught a bowfin on my fly rod before. I might try to target them in the Yegua one of these days. They are aggressive when spawning.
Posted By: jsinn01

Re: Lake Somerville - 02/12/17 05:44 PM

I really enjoyed that video, greenyak. It looks like you had an awesome day on the creek. Those were some nice looking bass you were catching. I don't think I've ever seen a Bowfin caught in the Yegua. I hope those guys gave you a tip for landing that fish. thumb

Quite a few yaks on the water for sure. It looked like I-35 on a Monday morning.
Posted By: greenyak

Re: Lake Somerville - 02/12/17 05:54 PM

The bass was 18". I normally wouldn't take a crank bait but there's been a lot of bass in the creek so I figured it would be fun try to find a big one.
Posted By: jsinn01

Re: Lake Somerville - 02/12/17 05:54 PM

I've given up on White Bass mania for now. Fished Nails Creek for crappie yesterday morning. Found one spot where I caught one on every cast for about an hour or so. Tons of undersize fish, ended up keeping five good sized ones for the frying pan. Was nice and peaceful out there. A dad and group of kids showed up so I let them have the spot. Walked the banks and caught a few more. It seems they are starting to move up shallow. Left around 10:30. As soon as the clouds broke up, it warmed up in a hurry. I had to crank the AC when I got in my car.
Posted By: greenyak

Re: Lake Somerville - 02/12/17 05:56 PM

Originally Posted By: jsinn01
I really enjoyed that video, greenyak. It looks like you had an awesome day on the creek. Those were some nice looking bass you were catching. I don't think I've ever seen a Bowfin caught in the Yegua. I hope those guys gave you a tip for landing that fish. thumb

Quite a few yaks on the water for sure. It looked like I-35 on a Monday morning.
that's the 3 bowfin I've seen this year, and I didn't catch any of them. Lol
Posted By: J-Moe

Re: Lake Somerville - 02/13/17 04:52 PM

Lake Level is 237.96 and releasing 354 cfs.

That is the first time I have seen them keep the gates open after the lake has reached normal level. Not sure if they will close the gates today or if they are assuming more rain is coming and they are going to keep them open.
Posted By: hook-line&sinker

Re: Lake Somerville - 02/13/17 05:33 PM

Inflow is also a consideration for the C.O.E so if the Yegua is running strong they will continue releasing to maintain the 238 pool level.
Posted By: Crappiefever

Re: Lake Somerville - 02/13/17 06:01 PM

Originally Posted By: J-Moe
The new collection box is setup by the gate at Newman's bottom.

Great, 10~20min saving
Posted By: Crappiefever

Re: Lake Somerville - 02/13/17 06:14 PM

Originally Posted By: J-Moe
Lake Level is 237.96 and releasing 354 cfs.

That is the first time I have seen them keep the gates open after the lake has reached normal level. Not sure if they will close the gates today or if they are assuming more rain is coming and they are going to keep them open.

they did close it today, I am right. They did not work on SUNDAY roflmao
Posted By: 1Tacklehoarder

Re: Lake Somerville - 02/13/17 08:00 PM

Did they shut it all the way off?
Posted By: J-Moe

Re: Lake Somerville - 02/13/17 09:06 PM

Originally Posted By: Crappiefever
Originally Posted By: J-Moe
Lake Level is 237.96 and releasing 354 cfs.

That is the first time I have seen them keep the gates open after the lake has reached normal level. Not sure if they will close the gates today or if they are assuming more rain is coming and they are going to keep them open.

they did close it today, I am right. They did not work on SUNDAY roflmao


That's good information. Both the COE and Lake Release websites are still showing 354 cfs. I guess those sites only update daily. hmmm
Posted By: Crappiefever

Re: Lake Somerville - 02/13/17 09:38 PM

Originally Posted By: J-Moe
Originally Posted By: Crappiefever
Originally Posted By: J-Moe
Lake Level is 237.96 and releasing 354 cfs.

That is the first time I have seen them keep the gates open after the lake has reached normal level. Not sure if they will close the gates today or if they are assuming more rain is coming and they are going to keep them open.

they did close it today, I am right. They did not work on SUNDAY roflmao


That's good information. Both the COE and Lake Release websites are still showing 354 cfs. I guess those sites only update daily. hmmm

You should see their Hourly data for Somerville Lake
Posted By: TXfisherman12

Re: Lake Somerville - 02/14/17 03:11 AM

Originally Posted By: J-Moe
I walked into Newman's bottom this morning. On the way in I meet with a couple of college age guys walking in. It was there first time there so they didn't know anything about the area. Since one of them was a fellow Aggie I had to help them out.

I put them in one of my favorite spots and headed to a different spot. I fished for about 20 minutes in that spot and only caught one so I went to a heavier fly. I caught 2 in the next 5 minutes so I figured they were in there. I went back and checked on those guys and they hadn't caught a thing. So I brought them to the next spot and tried to help them out a bit more. I hooked another one in the spot I told them to fish and moved on again.

I went on a bit farther and located some more fish. After I found them it was going good. I caught 5 in the next 8 casts. I put 3 on a stringer and went back to see how the guys were doing. They still hadn't caught a thing so I put them in the next spot and gave them my fish. They still couldn't catch any so I jumped back down and tried again but I couldn't get a bite either.

I left it to them. I ended up with just those 8 white bass. No crappie or bluegill this morning either. I was very surprised with the temperature in the 70s. Hardly anyone was catching. Just one here and there.


So that's the ticket. If you tell J-Moe you are a graduate of A+M he will show kindness and reveal the good spots. Otherwise you get misdirected. hmmm
Posted By: FishinAg02

Re: Lake Somerville - 02/14/17 11:53 AM

Yes... that is accurate. Thanks J-Moe!
Posted By: J-Moe

Re: Lake Somerville - 02/14/17 12:32 PM

Originally Posted By: FishinAg02
Yes... that is accurate. Thanks J-Moe!


Gig'em thumb
Posted By: J-Moe

Re: Lake Somerville - 02/14/17 12:44 PM

Originally Posted By: TXfisherman12
[quote=J-Moe]

So that's the ticket. If you tell J-Moe you are a graduate of A+M he will show kindness and reveal the good spots. Otherwise you get misdirected. hmmm


The young Aggie told me he had a bad reputation. Every time he went fishing with other people they never caught fish. I was thinking about you when he said that. I put that 100 foot buffer between us and I could catch fish. Just like I told you, you can come fishing with me again as long as you don't come within 100 feet of me. So don't try to deflect the truth and make me look bad when you know it is you that is just cursed with bad fishing luck mad roflmao
Posted By: hook-line&sinker

Re: Lake Somerville - 02/14/17 08:30 PM

Posted By: fishytx

Re: Lake Somerville - 02/14/17 08:54 PM

Almost an inch of rain fell in the upper end of the water shed area. Not a lot of run off.
Posted By: Naggler

Re: Lake Somerville - 02/14/17 09:15 PM

Another great video sir thumb
Trying to recruit the Mother in Law to watch my 7 month old next week Thursday so I can hit the creeks. Never been to Cedar so I want to check it off the list, but will definitely hit Nails with a slip bobber for crappie. Can't wait till my baby is old enough to go make some memories out there...might be my favorite place besides my ranch!
Posted By: J-Moe

Re: Lake Somerville - 02/15/17 12:23 AM

Hey, I recognize this guy

http://tpwd.texas.gov/fishboat/fish/programs/fishrecords/
Posted By: ML56

Re: Lake Somerville - 02/15/17 02:04 AM

If that's you thumb on the big fat crappie!
Posted By: J-Moe

Re: Lake Somerville - 02/15/17 01:29 PM

Yes, that is me.

Posted By: FishinAg02

Re: Lake Somerville - 02/15/17 09:31 PM

I think you picture just broke my computer screen!! roflmao
Posted By: J-Moe

Re: Lake Somerville - 02/16/17 10:37 AM

OUCH!!!! All this time I was thinking I looked like Brad Pitt in a River Runs Through It. Or was that Buddy Hackett grin
Posted By: fishytx

Re: Lake Somerville - 02/16/17 05:12 PM

I can't get on this web site any more. Every time I do I get hacked. BYE
Posted By: hook-line&sinker

Re: Lake Somerville - 02/17/17 03:02 AM

Originally Posted By: fishytx
I can't get on this web site any more. Every time I do I get hacked. BYE


Ghostery will stop the ads from most sites which carry the hackers carp.
Posted By: Lou r Pitcher

Re: Lake Somerville - 02/17/17 04:57 AM

....and reviews say ghostery itself spies on youand sells your browsing history and thats why it is free to get you to install it.
Posted By: hook-line&sinker

Re: Lake Somerville - 02/17/17 04:54 PM

the lessor or two evils..
Posted By: Crappiefever

Re: Lake Somerville - 02/17/17 05:37 PM

Originally Posted By: J-Moe
Yes, that is me.



Con, JMoe
Posted By: J-Moe

Re: Lake Somerville - 02/17/17 07:15 PM

Thanks Crappiefever
Posted By: Heath419

Re: Lake Somerville - 02/17/17 07:57 PM

Thinking about checking out Yegua tomorrow morning with a buddy. Any current reports on the whites?
Posted By: jsinn01

Re: Lake Somerville - 02/18/17 12:56 AM

Congrats on the record, J-Moe. That's a stout looking Crappie, nice bright colors too.
Posted By: bigbassman90

Re: Lake Somerville - 02/18/17 02:15 AM

Hey Heath419 I'll be at Yegua tomorrow walking towards Newmands bottom from Irwin bridge. I saw the creek today and it looked good, just a little murky but fairly clear. Hopefully we can catch a few whites, but I think next week will be best after the good rain we are expected to get Sunday and Monday.

Good luck out there fish
Posted By: J-Moe

Re: Lake Somerville - 02/19/17 01:12 AM

Originally Posted By: bigbassman90
Hey Heath419 I'll be at Yegua tomorrow walking towards Newmands bottom from Irwin bridge. I saw the creek today and it looked good, just a little murky but fairly clear. Hopefully we can catch a few whites, but I think next week will be best after the good rain we are expected to get Sunday and Monday.

Good luck out there fish

welcome

How did you do today?
Posted By: R2Fishing

Re: Lake Somerville - 02/19/17 01:59 AM

PENDING new lake record Crappie caught today (not myself) but witnessed it being caught. 2.8lb
Posted By: bigbassman90

Re: Lake Somerville - 02/19/17 02:32 AM

Well it was slow today, only 2 whites and two largemouth bass. Both whites were male, they hit a white grub/shad with a curly tail on a 1/8 oz white jig head.

I saw and talked with about 5 other guys fishing and they did not catch anything.

I sure hope we get some good rain the next two days so it will allow the whites to truly start running up the creek.
Posted By: R2Fishing

Re: Lake Somerville - 02/19/17 04:49 AM

Plenty of Crappie and Whites caught today on main lake. Was able to see birds work first time this yr so far as I was leaving the lake.
Posted By: catchnrelease

Re: Lake Somerville - 02/19/17 03:41 PM

The weather in Austin calls for the Giddings area to get 1-2 inches of rain Monday. I hope it is not too much to flood the creeks again. But that and the coming warmer weather may be what it takes to kick start this thing.

My trees in my yard already have new leaves on them. So we are close. all we need now is for the blue bonnets to bloom. Mother Nature... so unpredictable.
Posted By: ML56

Re: Lake Somerville - 02/19/17 07:10 PM

Caught quite a few small males in Birch creek park area yesterday, they're staged and ready for the rain.
Posted By: 1Tacklehoarder

Re: Lake Somerville - 02/19/17 09:19 PM

Redbuds are blooming at my house....
Posted By: 1Tacklehoarder

Re: Lake Somerville - 02/20/17 12:26 AM

And birch creeks Facebook page just shared pictures of the first bluebonnet of the year.
Posted By: J-Moe

Re: Lake Somerville - 02/20/17 01:52 AM

Originally Posted By: hoggwild
PENDING new lake record Crappie caught today (not myself) but witnessed it being caught. 2.8lb


I was at the Marina today. I saw a picture of the new pending lake record. The new record is now 2.9 lbs. The lake record has been broken 3 times this year.
Posted By: J-Moe

Re: Lake Somerville - 02/20/17 01:53 AM

Thanks for all the reports. Rain, Bluebonnets, Redbuds, and staging males sure sounds like a pending invasion to me banana
Posted By: J-Moe

Re: Lake Somerville - 02/20/17 02:17 AM

I went to the dam this afternoon. I was fishing with my 4 weight and a size 10 J-Moe Briminator. I was throwing out the light fly and catching bluegill in the upper part of the water column for a while. Then a started throwing it out and waiting a long time for it to reach bottom. I pulled it across the bottom really really slow and gave it a slight jigging action every once in a while. I started catching drum. I ended up catching close to 30 drum. Then I hooked a fish that I thought was a hybrid. It made a long run and I had to fight it for a long time, being careful not to break off the 6 lb. tippet, before I finally wore it down.

It wasn't a hybrid this time. Instead, it was a 5 lb. 12 ounce carp. I will submit it to establish a Yegua Creek common carp record.





PS: David, this picture is far uglier than the last one. I hope you spit your coffee on your keyboard and ruin it grin
Posted By: moonriver

Re: Lake Somerville - 02/20/17 03:20 AM

Nice catch thumb
Posted By: T-rey

Re: Lake Somerville - 02/20/17 04:33 PM

Wife and I, plus another couple fished overlook marina Saturday.

Crappie bite there was just really, really slow.
Most caught were in the 12"-13" range, with my wife's being the biggest at 13-1/2".
Heard about the 2.9lb caught that day.
Tires at big Creek I think.
I'm pretty new to fishing crappie, I overheard a couple people saying the crappie should be coming in close to bank soon, when does this usually happen and for how long?
Posted By: 1Tacklehoarder

Re: Lake Somerville - 02/20/17 06:27 PM

They should be hanging around shallow til the water gets about 70 degrees. They start spawning around 60. The lake should come up a few feet with all this rain, and the crappie may go right up to the bushes on the bank in certain areas over the next few days. It looks like the yegua will get about as high as it did after the last rain event, so the whites should really get active as the water recedes in the creek towards the weekend or first part of next week.
Posted By: bigreave

Re: Lake Somerville - 02/20/17 07:29 PM

Is the overlook Marina a official weigh station ?
Posted By: hook-line&sinker

Re: Lake Somerville - 02/20/17 08:04 PM



Looks like the Yegua basin received between 1 to 2 inches from this last front passing through. Should make for enough flow to really get the whitebass moving up for a great weekend of bank fishing the creeks.
Posted By: J-Moe

Re: Lake Somerville - 02/20/17 08:21 PM

Originally Posted By: bigreave
Is the overlook Marina a official weigh station ?


Yes
Posted By: J-Moe

Re: Lake Somerville - 02/20/17 08:24 PM

Somerville got 3.75 inches. That should be enough to get Nails and Cedar going good too.
Posted By: Jefe

Re: Lake Somerville - 02/20/17 09:55 PM

Originally Posted By: J-Moe
Originally Posted By: hoggwild
PENDING new lake record Crappie caught today (not myself) but witnessed it being caught. 2.8lb


I was at the Marina today. I saw a picture of the new pending lake record. The new record is now 2.9 lbs. The lake record has been broken 3 times this year.


Back when I was in school we had a weekly cash tournament at Big Creek. There were several 3#s caught but no one cared about being in a record book- just wanted the cash. Im sure that 2.9 will be broken this year when spawn is full swing.
Posted By: FishinAg02

Re: Lake Somerville - 02/20/17 10:01 PM

Way to go Jaime! Thank goodness i wasn't at work today. Cell phone is water proof... so we're all good smile But seriously, congrats!
Posted By: AdanV

Re: Lake Somerville - 02/20/17 10:57 PM

I went to middle Yegua creek on Friday. First time there.
I've scouted the other creeks (Nails & Cedar) and there were was maybe 1-1/2 foot of water, plus a few pools.
With the rain we got today, yall maybe will have better luck.

Hooklinesinker was right, that place looks like a warzone from all the dead trees and log jams.
I fished the Irwin bridge for a few hours. It was pretty slow. The other folks around said the same thing, but I did see them catch at least 2 white bass.

I myself caught a Yellow catfish, small but I'm very happy as I can now officially say that I've caught every species of Texas freshwater catfish there is.


Hopefully, me and my son will be back out there soon.


PS: While at Irwin bridge, a guy in camo came up asking me if I've seen hogs. He had the TPWD map with him and was trying to make sure where he was. I've pointed to him where we were at. I didn't know the were public hog hunting grounds in Somerville too.
Posted By: jsinn01

Re: Lake Somerville - 02/21/17 01:43 AM

Drove over all branches of the Yegua on Hwy 21 today and everything is completely flooded.
Posted By: hook-line&sinker

Re: Lake Somerville - 02/21/17 02:25 PM

This is all good and necessary for the whitebass run to be the best it can be. A 10 day delay to fish the Yegua is nothing when you consider the number of whitebass that will be caught when we can get back on the creek. The lake is up about 2 foot and that is enough to bridge the gap of shallow water at the mouth of every creek feeding the lake. I look for there to be whitebass up most if not every creek around the lake.

I will suggest that the parts of the Yegua and Nails creek in the WMA is worth exploring if you are looking for less crowded water and fresh fish.
All that is required to fish the WMA is to wear hunter orange vest so the hog hunters can see you are not a hog.
Posted By: WillEng

Re: Lake Somerville - 02/22/17 02:30 AM

Any updates? Looking to head up there in the next few weeks.

First time I will be going, any advice?
Posted By: ML56

Re: Lake Somerville - 02/22/17 05:06 AM

WillEng,

Bring lots of bug spray, they can be fierce in the flooded bottoms with the mild temps we've been having.
Posted By: Hookinup

Re: Lake Somerville - 02/22/17 02:26 PM

Originally Posted By: ML56
WillEng,

Bring lots of bug spray, they can be fierce in the flooded bottoms with the mild temps we've been having.

And maybe snake chaps or Gator guards ?



.
Posted By: Csafisher

Re: Lake Somerville - 02/22/17 03:25 PM

Originally Posted By: Hookinup
Originally Posted By: ML56
WillEng,

Bring lots of bug spray, they can be fierce in the flooded bottoms with the mild temps we've been having.

And maybe snake chaps or Gator guards ?.


Ya they like to sun themselves on the creek banks.
Posted By: J-Moe

Re: Lake Somerville - 02/23/17 02:00 PM

Lake Level is 240.89. Flow rate is 1284 cfs.
Posted By: catchnrelease

Re: Lake Somerville - 02/23/17 04:03 PM

I guess this rain isn't going to help open NB parking lot anytime soon...
Posted By: hook-line&sinker

Re: Lake Somerville - 02/24/17 12:03 AM

Took Thursday morning to make a run to the creek and saw that the whitebass are moving up.

I didn't catch any whitebass but the best bite has been later in the day anyway.

Not sure if the creeks will produce much by this weekend if they are all still running high and stained but it will not be very long before limits will be caught.

Lots of erosion and mud everywhere between all the dead trees that have fallen from the high winds last Monday morning.

Looks like a war zone so be very careful when working your way back to the honey hole.

https://youtu.be/bTRe3-Z2RTU
Posted By: hook-line&sinker

Re: Lake Somerville - 02/24/17 05:41 PM

Went out again this morning.. more fish and more activity.. Go if you can and good luck to all that do!
Posted By: Naggler

Re: Lake Somerville - 02/24/17 08:15 PM

I couldn't wrangle any child care so no fishing for me this week. Hoping next week I will have a day to get out and get some exercise on Cedar or Nails. Will be interesting to see the reports from this weekend!!! Git em yall!
Posted By: hook-line&sinker

Re: Lake Somerville - 02/25/17 02:44 PM

On Thursday morning and again on Friday morning I ventured up into two different little feeder creeks of Lake Somerville to check on the spawning whitebass.

Based on what I saw both mornings the stage is set for the annual whitebass spawning run to begin in earnest over the next few weeks. Another major rain event will seal the deal for the fish and put the 2017 run in the history books as a success at least for the fish and Mother Nature but the fishermen will have to earn their success up the creeks for themselves...

This is not as easy as it looks wink

Gook Luck & Tight Lines to you all!
Posted By: J-Moe

Re: Lake Somerville - 02/26/17 12:59 AM

I fished Cedar creek this morning for a couple hours and only caught 1 white bass. I went back this evening and tried again. I worked a lot of creek and only ended up catching 4. I talked to lots of fisherman this morning and a few again this evening. Hardly any white bass were caught. Very disappointing.
Posted By: hook-line&sinker

Re: Lake Somerville - 02/26/17 01:25 AM

I'm tied up with home duties this whole weekend so the fish will have to wait until Monday at the earliest.. I know they are in there somewhere!
Posted By: fishytx

Re: Lake Somerville - 02/26/17 02:02 AM

I heard the Yegua is running pretty swift right now and is real muddy. Not so good for bank fishing.
Posted By: J-Moe

Re: Lake Somerville - 02/27/17 12:56 AM

I fished the Nails Creek WMA above 125 today. I worked my way up about a quarter mile or so and didn't get a bite so I gave up.

I headed over to Cedar about 1:30 and fished my favorite spot. I ended up catching 9 in that spot in an hour. Including a big female. I went to a different spot and fished for another 45 minutes without a bite and gave it up for the day. Still nothing great but a lot better than yesterday.

Posted By: 24x7Fisherman

Re: Lake Somerville - 02/27/17 01:53 AM

J-Moe, thanks. Do you know when they will reopen Newman's Bottom again?
Posted By: J-Moe

Re: Lake Somerville - 02/27/17 02:45 AM

Originally Posted By: 24x7Fisherman
J-Moe, thanks. Do you know when they will reopen Newman's Bottom again?


No, I have not checked on this. I would assume it will be closed until the Lake level gets back close to normal. I'll try to check on this.
Posted By: jsinn01

Re: Lake Somerville - 02/27/17 04:05 AM

Thanks for the report, Jamie. Glad you found some fish biting. I didn't make it out today. From the sounds of it the water is still pretty fast moving and muddy. Not really great conditions for Crappie fishing.
Posted By: FishinAg02

Re: Lake Somerville - 02/27/17 02:31 PM

I'm going to try my best to manage my work schedule and go out to NB on Wednesday morning... what's your guys thoughts? Think the water flow down the Yegua will be manageable by then?
Posted By: J-Moe

Re: Lake Somerville - 02/27/17 02:49 PM

Newman's bottom is still open to walk in traffic but there are no tickets in the box so you have to check in at Irwin or Nails Creek park. They said they are still working on the bridge but no news on when it will open to automobile traffic.
Posted By: J-Moe

Re: Lake Somerville - 02/27/17 02:52 PM

Originally Posted By: FishinAg02
I'm going to try my best to manage my work schedule and go out to NB on Wednesday morning... what's your guys thoughts? Think the water flow down the Yegua will be manageable by then?


It should be worth a try. Post a report sir.
Posted By: FishinAg02

Re: Lake Somerville - 02/27/17 02:54 PM

You know I will!
Posted By: Csafisher

Re: Lake Somerville - 02/27/17 03:26 PM

Has anoyone been to the yegua lately? Was thinking of going in the morning but don't want to make the long drive if it's still pretty muddy
Posted By: Boudreaux

Re: Lake Somerville - 02/27/17 05:32 PM

Fished the main lake by boat this weekend. No crappie or white to be found. Water is still stained, lake level is about 2 feet high and dropping a couple inches a day. Caught a mess of cats including a 58lb blue that was released. Full report in the freshwater reports section.
Posted By: J-Moe

Re: Lake Somerville - 02/28/17 03:35 AM

Originally Posted By: Csafisher
Has anoyone been to the yegua lately? Was thinking of going in the morning but don't want to make the long drive if it's still pretty muddy


I didn't drive over and check it out. I assumed it wouldn't be very fishable with the fly rod this last weekend.
Posted By: J-Moe

Re: Lake Somerville - 02/28/17 03:37 AM

Originally Posted By: Boudreaux
Fished the main lake by boat this weekend. No crappie or white to be found. Water is still stained, lake level is about 2 feet high and dropping a couple inches a day. Caught a mess of cats including a 58lb blue that was released. Full report in the freshwater reports section.


Wow, 58 lb. blue. That's awesome, congrats thumb
Posted By: J-Moe

Re: Lake Somerville - 02/28/17 01:39 PM

Lake Level is 239.9 ft. Release rate is 1932 cfs.

There have been floods in the middle of March the last 2 years that really hurt the bank fishing. These next couple of weeks may be our window. It was really warm when I woke up this morning. I sure wish I could have been out there fishing. I may give it a try this evening.
Posted By: hook-line&sinker

Re: Lake Somerville - 02/28/17 01:45 PM

I know where this guy lives J-Moe and maybe a few of his buddies wink


Posted By: bigbassman90

Re: Lake Somerville - 02/28/17 02:53 PM

That sure is a nice one hook-line&sinker, J-Moe do you eat these? Or just enjoy catching them?
Posted By: Crappiefever

Re: Lake Somerville - 02/28/17 05:08 PM

Originally Posted By: J-Moe
Newman's bottom is still open to walk in traffic but there are no tickets in the box so you have to check in at Irwin or Nails Creek park. They said they are still working on the bridge but no news on when it will open to automobile traffic.

As long as I have the paper ticket, i put it there instead of check in at Irwin, rite?
Posted By: J-Moe

Re: Lake Somerville - 02/28/17 07:09 PM

Originally Posted By: bigbassman90
That sure is a nice one hook-line&sinker, J-Moe do you eat these? Or just enjoy catching them?


No, just catch and release
Posted By: J-Moe

Re: Lake Somerville - 02/28/17 07:12 PM

Originally Posted By: Crappiefever
Originally Posted By: J-Moe
Newman's bottom is still open to walk in traffic but there are no tickets in the box so you have to check in at Irwin or Nails Creek park. They said they are still working on the bridge but no news on when it will open to automobile traffic.

As long as I have the paper ticket, i put it there instead of check in at Irwin, rite?


I would assume they are still checking the box at Newman's but the lady at the gate house said to check in at Irwin or Nails.
Posted By: FishinAg02

Re: Lake Somerville - 02/28/17 09:31 PM

Has anyone been to the spillway lately?
Posted By: Crappiefever

Re: Lake Somerville - 02/28/17 10:10 PM

Originally Posted By: J-Moe
Originally Posted By: Crappiefever
Originally Posted By: J-Moe
Newman's bottom is still open to walk in traffic but there are no tickets in the box so you have to check in at Irwin or Nails Creek park. They said they are still working on the bridge but no news on when it will open to automobile traffic.

As long as I have the paper ticket, i put it there instead of check in at Irwin, rite?


I would assume they are still checking the box at Newman's but the lady at the gate house said to check in at Irwin or Nails.

frown
Posted By: J-Moe

Re: Lake Somerville - 03/01/17 02:42 AM

The creeks are heating up flame.

I caught 11 white bass, 4 keeper crappie, 4 bluegill, 2 lmb and 3 catfish today. The white bass bit until about 4:30 and then seemed to quit. The best bite seems to be between 1:30 and 4:30 right now. Billy showed up around 5 pm and he had about the same luck as I did. He caught some crappie and lmb, but only one white bass.

The crappie, lmb and catfish bite really picked up from about 5:30 to dark. I sure wish I could be out there tomorrow. There will be a rising pressure tomorrow. The last time I fished in those conditions was one of the best days of my life.



Posted By: 24x7Fisherman

Re: Lake Somerville - 03/01/17 03:05 AM

J Moe nice report. thanks. Did you walk from Newman bottom?
Posted By: FishinAg02

Re: Lake Somerville - 03/01/17 02:56 PM

Nice job Jaime. I failed to go this morning. Next opportunity might be friday.

Jamie, Did you catch those on Cedar?
Posted By: J-Moe

Re: Lake Somerville - 03/01/17 04:08 PM

Yes Cedar, not Newman's. I'll probably fish Newman's on Saturday when I have enough time to walk in. I bet the crappie bite in Nails is on fire too.
Posted By: EllerTroy

Re: Lake Somerville - 03/01/17 07:33 PM

I'm planning on going to Newman's Bottom on Friday. Nust before the rain on Saturday.
Posted By: J-Moe

Re: Lake Somerville - 03/02/17 12:19 PM

I was listening to the Outdoor show on the radio this morning. Simon was talking about how crazy good the white bass fishing was yesterday. That day before the storm has proven to be the best fishing over and over again. Anybody fish yesterday? Any reports? Man, I sure hate having to work for a living bang

On a side note, the little bass are going crazy in the ponds. I caught about 60 small bass in the ponds the last couple of evenings. They kept striking my fly line so I put on a topwater popper and wore them out one day. First signs of a good top water bite beginning. I'm also seeing some beds in a couple of the ponds. The sunfish bite has still been slow though. Guess I'll have to steal some Tedrick Hair bugs from the video guy and catch me a few of those big green carp grin
Posted By: J-Moe

Re: Lake Somerville - 03/02/17 12:22 PM

Originally Posted By: EllerTroy
I'm planning on going to Newman's Bottom on Friday. Nust before the rain on Saturday.


I have no doubt you will fill a stringer with that magic rooster tail. You better bring a cart. Twenty-five one and a half pound white bass is aweful heavy to carry all the way from the creek to the parking lot grin
Posted By: J-Moe

Re: Lake Somerville - 03/02/17 12:25 PM

Originally Posted By: FishinAg02
I failed to go this morning. Next opportunity might be friday.


You probably missed the best day of the year, dumb Aggie roflmao
Posted By: rhw

Re: Lake Somerville - 03/02/17 01:51 PM

what station is the outdoor show on.thanks
Posted By: J-Moe

Re: Lake Somerville - 03/02/17 01:59 PM

Originally Posted By: rhw
what station is the outdoor show on.thanks


610 AM, Thursday thru Sunday. Like 4 to 7 in the morning.
Posted By: FishinAg02

Re: Lake Somerville - 03/02/17 04:21 PM

J-Moe... making me cry!

I'm all in for tomorrow. I think I'll start at NB, but won't be rushed... plan to take the day off and enjoy some time in the woods!
Posted By: pikeadon

Re: Lake Somerville - 03/02/17 09:06 PM

Been a couple years since I have been in the creeks at Somerville. What are the pay requirements? I know newmans bottom and below irwin bridge require honor box payment or at nails creek park. What about fishing in the WMA above irwin bridge, the WMA on nails creek, or cedar creek?
Thanks
Posted By: hook-line&sinker

Re: Lake Somerville - 03/02/17 10:49 PM

The WMA are free access but you are required to wear a hunter orange vest so the hog hunters won't shoot you by mistake. Cedar is open access @ CR125
Posted By: Jing

Re: Lake Somerville - 03/02/17 11:21 PM

so to fish Cedar Creek you don't need to pay $4 as in Nails Creek and Newman's bottom?
Posted By: hook-line&sinker

Re: Lake Somerville - 03/03/17 12:59 AM

that is correct
Posted By: white bass interceptor

Re: Lake Somerville - 03/03/17 05:04 AM

I fished Newman Bottom and the Erwin bridge this morning and it was really slow. Took along some crayfish and did not do well at all. The water color was pretty good. Did see a lot of activity in the water but managed only three keepers.
Posted By: J-Moe

Re: Lake Somerville - 03/03/17 10:56 AM

We had about the same luck in Cedar creek. Between 3 of us we only caught 2 white bass. That cold north wind seemed to shut them down
Posted By: catchnrelease

Re: Lake Somerville - 03/03/17 01:06 PM

Originally Posted By: white bass interceptor
I fished Newman Bottom and the Erwin bridge this morning and it was really slow. Took along some crayfish and did not do well at all. The water color was pretty good. Did see a lot of activity in the water but managed only three keepers.



Wow. I was thinking about heading to Irwin Bridge this weekend. Maybe the coming weather might change things? Why is it sunny during the week days, and it always rains on the weekends when I'm off work? go figure...
Posted By: catchnrelease

Re: Lake Somerville - 03/03/17 01:07 PM

cough cough sniffle. I feel a sick day coming on...
Posted By: csyakker

Re: Lake Somerville - 03/03/17 02:57 PM

Hey Guys,
I saw that there was comments that a bridge was closed near NB. I have not been out that way recently. Which bridge is closed?
Thanks
Posted By: J-Moe

Re: Lake Somerville - 03/03/17 03:47 PM

Originally Posted By: csyakker
Hey Guys,
I saw that there was comments that a bridge was closed near NB. I have not been out that way recently. Which bridge is closed?
Thanks


welcome

The small bridge that you have to cross over when you pull off of 140 and go through the gates to Newman's bottom.

You can park up above the gates and walk into NB only at this point. No automobile traffic allowed.
Posted By: csyakker

Re: Lake Somerville - 03/03/17 05:42 PM

Great. Thanks for the info. I thought maybe it was one of the bridges closer to the creek. Has there been any more news about Nails Creek? Trying toget out tomorrow morning and trying to decide which one to fish.
Posted By: J-Moe

Re: Lake Somerville - 03/03/17 08:01 PM

Originally Posted By: csyakker
Great. Thanks for the info. I thought maybe it was one of the bridges closer to the creek. Has there been any more news about Nails Creek? Trying toget out tomorrow morning and trying to decide which one to fish.


No reports but if I bet the crappie are biting in Nails.
Posted By: Boudreaux

Re: Lake Somerville - 03/03/17 08:21 PM

They sure weren't biting in nails last weekend.....
Posted By: J-Moe

Re: Lake Somerville - 03/03/17 08:40 PM

True, I tried Nails with no luck last weekend too. But Cedar has been picking up. From my personal experience Nails usually fishes very similar to Cedar. I would try it if my focus was on Crappie. Then again, I wouldn't bet my paycheck on it grin
Posted By: jsinn01

Re: Lake Somerville - 03/04/17 12:19 AM

Originally Posted By: J-Moe
True, I tried Nails with no luck last weekend too. But Cedar has been picking up. From my personal experience Nails usually fishes very similar to Cedar. I would try it if my focus was on Crappie. Then again, I wouldn't bet my paycheck on it grin


You struck out at Nails because you took Ben's advice and fished the WMA part. roflmao
Posted By: jsinn01

Re: Lake Somerville - 03/04/17 12:20 AM

Originally Posted By: catchnrelease
Originally Posted By: white bass interceptor
I fished Newman Bottom and the Erwin bridge this morning and it was really slow. Took along some crayfish and did not do well at all. The water color was pretty good. Did see a lot of activity in the water but managed only three keepers.



Wow. I was thinking about heading to Irwin Bridge this weekend. Maybe the coming weather might change things? Why is it sunny during the week days, and it always rains on the weekends when I'm off work? go figure...


I hear ya brother. Sometimes us weekend warriors can't catch a break with the weather.
Posted By: fishytx

Re: Lake Somerville - 03/04/17 06:10 PM

The white bass run has been so off. Everything is in place for an awesome year, but yet everyone is having issues. Crazy, crazy year.
Posted By: jsinn01

Re: Lake Somerville - 03/04/17 07:46 PM

Maybe the fish are confused by this weather. I know I am.
Posted By: bigbassman90

Re: Lake Somerville - 03/04/17 09:32 PM

Well I went out to Yegua today, walked from Irwins bridge about 2 miles and found 17 white bass and one good size crappie, I'll be eating good for a few days, that walk gives ya a good appetite. They like the white shad with a spinner
fish



Posted By: J-Moe

Re: Lake Somerville - 03/04/17 11:33 PM

Originally Posted By: bigbassman90
Well I went out to Yegua today, walked from Irwins bridge about 2 miles and found 17 white bass and one good size crappie, I'll be eating good for a few days, that walk gives ya a good appetite. They like the white shad with a spinner
fish


Great catch, thanks for posting thumb

I walked into Newman's bottom this morning and fished from 7 to 10 AM. I used the fly rod and caught 17 too banana

I spoke with Mike and Lee. They walked in from Irwin on Friday. They didn't find any near Irwin and had to walk about the same distance or even further yesterday to find fish. They both limited out. They said Friday was even better than today.

Neither I or they caught any females though.
Posted By: bigbassman90

Re: Lake Somerville - 03/05/17 12:18 AM

J-moe we caught 2 female whites, both were the largest whites and the crappie was also a female.

I also saw 3 other guys with a stringer full of whites.

It looks like the run started, should be pretty good fishing in the creeks for the next few weeks. bouncy
Posted By: bigbassman90

Re: Lake Somerville - 03/05/17 12:28 AM

What's the closer walk to that area, from Irwins bridge or from newmans bottoms gate??
I feel like it's a mile from newmands bottom trail way bridge, but the walk from newmands bottoms gate to the trail way is a good walk I hear. I've only waked in from Irwins.
Posted By: J-Moe

Re: Lake Somerville - 03/05/17 01:10 AM

Originally Posted By: bigbassman90
What's the closer walk to that area, from Irwins bridge or from newmans bottoms gate??
I feel like it's a mile from newmands bottom trail way bridge, but the walk from newmands bottoms gate to the trail way is a good walk I hear. I've only waked in from Irwins.


Newman's Bottom is only about 1/2 mile walk from the parking lot to the creek. Nice easy walk compared to coming down from Irwin.
Posted By: J-Moe

Re: Lake Somerville - 03/05/17 01:15 AM

Actually I just went to google and measured it. It was almost a mile. I still prefer the walk.
Posted By: J-Moe

Re: Lake Somerville - 03/05/17 04:58 PM

I went by Cedar this morning and fished for about 30 minutes in a couple spots. I only caught one white bass. Up to this point the rain has had no effect on either Cedar or Nails. Both are extremely clear. It was clear on Friday, as well. The only way I have been able to catch white bass in there was to size down to a size 12 yellow briminator. This fellow was even blind in one eye and still wanted a small fly.

I fished near the bridge at Irwin and caught one white bass so I tried to go downstream below the parking lot. The banks were far too slick though and I couldn't get down on the lower level and fish.


Posted By: fishytx

Re: Lake Somerville - 03/05/17 05:50 PM

It is much closer to walk in from the gate to Newmans bottom than it is to walk there from Irwin bridge. Much easier too, good clean road to walk down.

Can someone give up some info on water conditions? Running swift, color of water etec, etc.
Posted By: timid tiger

Re: Lake Somerville - 03/05/17 09:36 PM

Fished this morning in the rain at the newmans bottom.
Water flow was not fast not too slow, tan color, not muddy not too clear.
White bass was biting well. Many females too. it appears the fish were swimming up as we got spurs of activity up to 15-20 min each period, as if each period is caused by new school of fishing coming up.
Posted By: J-Moe

Re: Lake Somerville - 03/06/17 01:41 PM

Originally Posted By: timid tiger
Fished this morning in the rain at the newmans bottom.
Water flow was not fast not too slow, tan color, not muddy not too clear.
White bass was biting well. Many females too. it appears the fish were swimming up as we got spurs of activity up to 15-20 min each period, as if each period is caused by new school of fishing coming up.


Excellent observations, great report thumb

I was scared of the rain on Sunday so I didn't make that 1 mile walk into Newman's. Another stupid Aggie hammer
Posted By: Jing

Re: Lake Somerville - 03/06/17 02:39 PM

hi, J-Moe, it was nice to meet you (twice) at Cedar creek. at the end of the day, I caught one WB right bellow the bridge where there is running water over sand bar. but no more.
Posted By: Jing

Re: Lake Somerville - 03/06/17 02:41 PM

the pile of tree branches above the bridge shields lots of crappies, but all undersized.
Posted By: Jing

Re: Lake Somerville - 03/06/17 03:03 PM





Posted By: J-Moe

Re: Lake Somerville - 03/06/17 03:18 PM

Great meeting you to Jing. You had a good day with lmb, bluegill, crappie and white bass. Thanks for the report thumb
Posted By: Jing

Re: Lake Somerville - 03/06/17 03:19 PM








Posted By: fishytx

Re: Lake Somerville - 03/06/17 08:09 PM

It is always a pleasure to get outside in the spring. So much beauty is being brought back to life....
Posted By: WillEng

Re: Lake Somerville - 03/07/17 03:27 AM

I might try to make a run up there sometime this week. Any suggestions on where to try after these rains? Place must be a mud pit right now.
Posted By: 1Tacklehoarder

Re: Lake Somerville - 03/07/17 05:35 PM

Quite a few whites are being caught at the spillway. Mostly 10" males, but a few big females mixed in.
Posted By: hook-line&sinker

Re: Lake Somerville - 03/08/17 02:11 AM

I'd say it's about to bust loose up in them creeks! Lots of activity in Nails Creek this evening and to my surprise it was the clearer of the three (cedar, Yegua and Nails)
Posted By: 1Tacklehoarder

Re: Lake Somerville - 03/08/17 02:27 AM

What time does Welch park open on weekdays?
Posted By: Lottfisher

Re: Lake Somerville - 03/08/17 02:46 AM

I fished the Yegua this morning, Tuesday. I started out walking the WMA upstream from Irwin bridge, gave that about 45 minutes with no success. I checked in at the Irwin bridge self pay and parked at the lower parking area. I fished and walked and walked and fished downstream to about 1 1/2 miles and caught zero white bass. I only saw one other person, a nice guy fishing the other side of the creek about mid point between Newman's bottom and Irwin bridge. We talked at length, yet I did not catch his name. He had one white bass on his stringer. I walked and fished and fished and walked every inch back to the parking area with 2 LMBs total. The guy I talked to is from Hockley, just down the road from my place in Fields Store, if you read this please reply or pm me...Lawton
Posted By: hook-line&sinker

Re: Lake Somerville - 03/08/17 03:03 AM

Originally Posted By: 1Tacklehoarder
What time does Welch park open on weekdays?
I don't think they lock the gate so if you arrive early you can pay on the way out or they might come by and remind you to pay.
Posted By: 1Tacklehoarder

Re: Lake Somerville - 03/08/17 03:28 AM

Thanks HLS! I have my wife going with me tomorrow so I need some easy bank access. I got her talked into arriving before sunrise so hopefully we can get into something. I guess if we don't have any success by 8 or 8:30 at Welch we will make the trek down the hill at the spillway. There is always something willing to bite down there.
Posted By: Catfish-hunter

Re: Lake Somerville - 03/08/17 03:40 AM

Originally Posted By: Lottfisher
I fished the Yegua this morning, Tuesday. I started out walking the WMA upstream from Irwin bridge, gave that about 45 minutes with no success. I checked in at the Irwin bridge self pay and parked at the lower parking area. I fished and walked and walked and fished downstream to about 1 1/2 miles and caught zero white bass. I only saw one other person, a nice guy fishing the other side of the creek about mid point between Newman's bottom and Irwin bridge. We talked at length, yet I did not catch his name. He had one white bass on his stringer. I walked and fished and fished and walked every inch back to the parking area with 2 LMBs total. The guy I talked to is from Hockley, just down the road from my place in Fields Store, if you read this please reply or pm me...Lawton


You keep fishing like that,you'll be in good shape in no time thumb need to hit Rocky point and Wade fish at daylight. Or welch toward Apache hills should be great. Water's still cold,better take waders. Chunk rattle traps till your cooler is full. I bet it's time. Live shad lip hooked is also hard to beat. I sure miss that mud hole. Good times and tight lines
Posted By: J-Moe

Re: Lake Somerville - 03/08/17 03:54 AM

Originally Posted By: Lottfisher
I fished the Yegua this morning, Tuesday. I started out walking the WMA upstream from Irwin bridge, gave that about 45 minutes with no success. I checked in at the Irwin bridge self pay and parked at the lower parking area. I fished and walked and walked and fished downstream to about 1 1/2 miles and caught zero white bass. I only saw one other person, a nice guy fishing the other side of the creek about mid point between Newman's bottom and Irwin bridge. We talked at length, yet I did not catch his name. He had one white bass on his stringer. I walked and fished and fished and walked every inch back to the parking area with 2 LMBs total. The guy I talked to is from Hockley, just down the road from my place in Fields Store, if you read this please reply or pm me...Lawton


Thanks for the report. Its been tough fishing this season near Irwin. We walked into Newman's this afternoon. The water was up about 2 feet, flowing faster and much more stained than it was this weekend. We only fished for about 30 minutes, had no luck, so left. I plan on going back on Friday. I hope it clears up some by then.
Posted By: 1Tacklehoarder

Re: Lake Somerville - 03/08/17 04:20 AM

Anybody ever stood on that island at Welch and fished off of that? I was thinking of using my little kayak to access that spot if the other good spots are claimed by the Katy express
Posted By: BBFISH

Re: Lake Somerville - 03/08/17 06:57 PM

I heard birch creek state park in the lake is open, did anybody went there yet? Any fishing report ?
Thanks
Posted By: EllerTroy

Re: Lake Somerville - 03/08/17 09:49 PM

I walked to Newman's Bottom this morning and got 4 white bass. Water still up about 2 feet and running to fast for how I like it. Maybe about right by Friday J-Moe, but it depends on the rain the next few days. I think I should have went to The Slab today.
Posted By: SweetRay

Re: Lake Somerville - 03/08/17 10:14 PM

Most of Birch Creek state park is still closed. The boat ramp is closed. Only a few camping sites are open and the part of the trail that is open is only open to campers. Google the parks and you can find out there status.

Facility Closure Alert . . .
less info
Mar. 3, 2017 - Cleanup from flooding is ongoing.
* Birch Creek Unit: Some campsites and some trails are open; the boat ramp is closed.
Posted By: 1Tacklehoarder

Re: Lake Somerville - 03/09/17 01:24 AM

Nothing at Welch this morning but a couple small largemouths. Went to the spillway at 9 and had a hybrid come off at the bank and caught a few goos and buffalo and a couple catfish. Left about 11 to go pond hopping and glad I did. I caught a couple spawned out sow bass that were 7-8 lbs or so. 25.5 and 26.25 inches long. The smaller bass in the area ponds I have access to have not spawned yet, but the bigguns have.
Posted By: J-Moe

Re: Lake Somerville - 03/09/17 02:23 AM

Originally Posted By: EllerTroy
I walked to Newman's Bottom this morning and got 4 white bass. Water still up about 2 feet and running to fast for how I like it. Maybe about right by Friday J-Moe, but it depends on the rain the next few days. I think I should have went to The Slab today.


Thanks Troy
Posted By: bigbassman90

Re: Lake Somerville - 03/09/17 06:03 PM

I want to go fish Yegua on Saturday morning, but it looks like rain. Could it still be worth it to fish through the rain?
Last weekend paid off, but it was only light rain in the morning, this could be a little more heavy rain.

bang why does it always rain on the weekend!!
Posted By: hook-line&sinker

Re: Lake Somerville - 03/09/17 07:36 PM

You get a few hours to fish after it starts raining if it is not too heavy. If it rains Friday night or early Saturday morning I'd probably think twice before slipping on down to the creek.. I'll bet today and Friday will be good..
Posted By: J-Moe

Re: Lake Somerville - 03/10/17 10:04 PM

Yegua is still up about half foot or so, still flowing quickly and stained. The fish were tough to pinpoint, but if you hit the right place at the right time you could pickup 8 to 10 fish. I saw a few nice stringers, it took them about 6 hours or so to get them though. They were using heavy jigs and bouncing them off the bottom. Tight to the bank or logs. Lots of empty stringers too.

I fished 5 spots thoroughly and only caught fish in one spot. I caught 8 white bass, no crappie, bluegill or large mouth.
Posted By: 24x7Fisherman

Re: Lake Somerville - 03/10/17 11:00 PM

J Moe, nice report. Thanks. Did you walk from Irwin bridge today?
Posted By: J-Moe

Re: Lake Somerville - 03/11/17 12:15 PM

No, I walked into NB but I also checked Irwin. Water seemed to be even dirtier at Irwin and the reports I got were poor.
Posted By: SweetRay

Re: Lake Somerville - 03/11/17 12:20 PM

Walked nails yesterday from bridge to bridge could not find any white bass. Slipped right into a nice little hole though. The water came up over my waiste. Glad it was a nice warm day.
Posted By: J-Moe

Re: Lake Somerville - 03/11/17 05:53 PM

Originally Posted By: SweetRay
Walked nails yesterday from bridge to bridge could not find any white bass. Slipped right into a nice little hole though. The water came up over my waiste. Glad it was a nice warm day.
Thanks for the report.
Posted By: J-Moe

Re: Lake Somerville - 03/11/17 05:55 PM

Originally Posted By: 1Tacklehoarder
I caught a couple spawned out sow bass that were 7-8 lbs or so. 25.5 and 26.25 inches long. The smaller bass in the area ponds I have access to have not spawned yet, but the bigguns have.
Wow thumb Didn't your wife tell you to bring me with you for safety purposes grin
Posted By: Naggler

Re: Lake Somerville - 03/11/17 07:21 PM

OK!!! Secured time next week...right smack in the middle of Spring Break...to take my buddy down there. Can you primitive camp anywhere besides Nails Creek SP down there? I used to at Newman's but am assuming that since the Trailway is closed that is not an option. Would rather not have to go to Birch...we don't mind roughing it especially if it gets us away from any crowds. Any suggestions?
Posted By: hook-line&sinker

Re: Lake Somerville - 03/12/17 12:21 AM

Posted By: rvrrat14

Re: Lake Somerville - 03/12/17 01:20 AM

GW told us last weekend Birch ramp will open SOON.
Posted By: bigbassman90

Re: Lake Somerville - 03/12/17 02:30 AM

A great day on Yegua today for me and my dad. We caught 28 white bass(3 female) together, and 2 catfish. We battled the wet slick banks and rain and it paid off.



fish
Posted By: 1Tacklehoarder

Re: Lake Somerville - 03/12/17 03:02 AM

3 females. Where are they?
Posted By: J-Moe

Re: Lake Somerville - 03/12/17 10:44 AM

Originally Posted By: bigbassman90
A great day on Yegua today for me and my dad. We caught 28 white bass(3 female) together, and 2 catfish. We battled the wet slick banks and rain and it paid off.

fish


Great day of fishing thumb That water was very stained. What did y'all use to catch them?
Posted By: SweetRay

Re: Lake Somerville - 03/12/17 02:58 PM

Nice job bigbassman
Posted By: bigbassman90

Re: Lake Somerville - 03/12/17 03:44 PM

The females are in the picture.

We used a bettle spin with a white jig head 1/8 oz and white curly tail grub, and a black jig head with a yellow and orange grub.
Posted By: J-Moe

Re: Lake Somerville - 03/12/17 04:44 PM

Originally Posted By: bigbassman90
The females are in the picture.

We used a bettle spin with a white jig head 1/8 oz and white curly tail grub, and a black jig head with a yellow and orange grub.


Thanks, Glad to hear white/white worked. The males were so big it was difficult to tell which ones were female. Great stinger!!!!!
Posted By: jsinn01

Re: Lake Somerville - 03/12/17 05:23 PM

Originally Posted By: bigbassman90
A great day on Yegua today for me and my dad. We caught 28 white bass(3 female) together, and 2 catfish. We battled the wet slick banks and rain and it paid off.



fish


Nice catch, dude. thumb
Posted By: fishytx

Re: Lake Somerville - 03/13/17 03:57 PM

Nice haul. Last trip I made out there the water still looked like a mud flow. Wish it would clear up some, I would like to get out there and catch a few mega whites. Tired of catching these smaller whites on the San Gabriel. But I'm catching something and I guess that's better than nothing at all.
Posted By: fishytx

Re: Lake Somerville - 03/13/17 03:59 PM

Did you guys fish Irwin or walk in at Newman's bottom?
Posted By: bigbassman90

Re: Lake Somerville - 03/13/17 05:33 PM

We walk in from Irwins, but we walk down a good ways, we end up only being about a mile from the Newman's bottom crossing bridge!

The past two Saturdays that we went it rained on us all day and was overcast sky's, I guess the white bass get a bit more active then.
Posted By: Naggler

Re: Lake Somerville - 03/15/17 12:42 AM

Headed out early manana...state parks are full so we are camping at yegua park. Trying to decide between cedar or nails to start...will prob try for crappie first and if they arent cooperating go after whites at Newmans. Anybody been out last couple days?
Posted By: hook-line&sinker

Re: Lake Somerville - 03/16/17 02:26 AM

Good reports coming out of Newmans.. go soon if you can!
Posted By: Naggler

Re: Lake Somerville - 03/16/17 03:42 AM

Good day today! 40 fish with a mix of whites, blacks, and crappie. Got a late start too.
Posted By: J-Moe

Re: Lake Somerville - 03/17/17 12:24 PM

Originally Posted By: Naggler
Good day today! 40 fish with a mix of whites, blacks, and crappie. Got a late start too.


Wednesday was a excellent day of fishing. I walked into Newman's bottom and fished from 4 PM to 8 PM. I caught 26 white bass. The fish were in the shallower water and I found them in just about every spot I fished.

Thursday evening, not so much. I walked back into Newman's and started fishing around 4 PM again. There were reports the fishing was good in the morning but nobody was catching when I was there. After 45 minutes and hitting 3 spots without a bite I was ready to call it quits, it was just dead. I kept fishing though and eventually caught 3 by roll casting an extremely heavy fly into the deepest parts of the creek. I left about 6 PM and tried Cedar. I caught only 1 there. I didn't see any spawning or movement in the shallow runs.

The creek around Newman's bottom is still flowing well, back close to normal level and clearing up pretty well.

Lake level is 238.1 and releasing 94 cfs.
Posted By: fishytx

Re: Lake Somerville - 03/18/17 03:12 AM

Tuesday and Wednesday were great days, the bite was on fire. On both days I took home a limit in 2 hours, it was fun.
But my fish were caught on the San Gabriel river above Granger Lake.
(also known as steps)
Posted By: white bass interceptor

Re: Lake Somerville - 03/19/17 11:27 PM

does anyone have a report on fishing from the Erwin bridge?
Posted By: J-Moe

Re: Lake Somerville - 03/20/17 02:04 AM

I walked into Newman's bottom on Saturday morning and fished until around 9:30 AM. I caught 9 white bass.

I left Newman's and went kayak fishing for crappie. I met up with bigbassman90 (Luke) in his new kayak. We caught some big, beautiful crappie. One even going 1.5 lbs. Enjoyed fishing with you Luke.



Posted By: bigbassman90

Re: Lake Somerville - 03/20/17 02:33 AM

It was a great day on the creek, I enjoyed fishing with you also J-Moe.

I went up nails this morning and the shad were jumping all along the banks, I used a shallow crank bait that looks like a small sunfish and caught 4 keeper crappie and 3 small ones, and 3 largemouth bass.

The 4 crappie I kept all were females and full of eggs.




fish fish
Posted By: catcrap

Re: Lake Somerville - 03/20/17 07:01 PM

well, yall have officially convinced me to give up on granger/san gabriel for a while. I hope I have as much luck as yall when I head out to somerville this weekend. wish I lived closer. got me lookin at places to rent out there in giddings.
Posted By: hook-line&sinker

Re: Lake Somerville - 03/20/17 07:29 PM

Unless we get another good rise in the Yegua the whitebass run will wind down quickly and will be all but over by early April. I'm not sure why but there have been noticeably fewer large females up the Yegua to add to the stringers of males. One thing to keep in mind is the crappie and blackbass fishing should remain good to great well into May or later if there is fresh water.
Posted By: Coolshot

Re: Lake Somerville - 03/20/17 10:04 PM




Big boys still on the main lake.
Hybrids 22" to 24"
8 Whites over 16"
CPR
Posted By: fishytx

Re: Lake Somerville - 03/21/17 01:30 AM

Nice catch coolshot. Wish I had answers for this years spawn, it has been weird to say the least. Plenty of water flow, warm weather, but very few good bite days. Weird, weird, weird.... If only I had some answers.....
Posted By: Naggler

Re: Lake Somerville - 03/21/17 04:06 AM

I have been fishing NB for 20 years and haven't ever caught as many largemouths in one day as I did last week. Healthy, pretty fish all around 1.5-2 lbs...I am getting my butt back up there asap to try for some crappie. Park attendant said that Big Creek Marina may not re open...that would be a shame. Great crappie dock. We should all pitch in and make a TFF crappie dock out of it!
Posted By: 1Tacklehoarder

Re: Lake Somerville - 03/21/17 04:30 AM

So is it leased from the corps or privately owned?
Posted By: J-Moe

Re: Lake Somerville - 03/21/17 02:23 PM

Originally Posted By: Coolshot


Big boys still on the main lake.
Hybrids 22" to 24"
8 Whites over 16"
CPR


Great catch, you trolling or casting? Are they deep or on the sandy points?
Posted By: Coolshot

Re: Lake Somerville - 03/21/17 02:54 PM

Casting! Bigger fish are 14' to 18' lots of small fish on sandy points!
Posted By: bigbassman90

Re: Lake Somerville - 03/22/17 05:40 PM

1Tacklehoarder I believe that Big Creek is privately owned... Ever since 2015 when it got flooded out, their facebook page has gone quiet. I don't believe they are going to open it this year, nor sell it. It just seems to be locked up.

It is sad because it was a good place to go for fishing, swimming and just spending time with family there.
Posted By: toddparr

Re: Lake Somerville - 03/22/17 06:50 PM

any update on water temperature on the main lake?
Posted By: Boudreaux

Re: Lake Somerville - 03/22/17 07:41 PM

Caught this big girl in a deep cove of the main lake a week and a half ago.

Posted By: Coolshot

Re: Lake Somerville - 03/22/17 08:04 PM

69-70 degrees Sunday
Posted By: R2Fishing

Re: Lake Somerville - 03/22/17 09:40 PM

Leave my hybrids alone Cool. cheers
Posted By: J-Moe

Re: Lake Somerville - 03/23/17 01:21 AM

Originally Posted By: Coolshot
69-70 degrees Sunday


That's sunfish spawning temperatures woot
Posted By: thi

Re: Lake Somerville - 03/23/17 01:27 AM

Surface temp was 69 at 11am today
Posted By: catchnrelease

Re: Lake Somerville - 03/23/17 06:27 PM

We fished Irwin bridge last Sunday afternoon. From 5pm to 7:30pm. We caught 1 big white and a lot of undersized crappie. We saw a group with a stringer of nice crappie. We didn't see many other fish coming out from there.

I guess we need to get our walking shoes on and get to walking the NB mile. Sounds like that place is having more luck.

Tight lines!
Posted By: Coolshot

Re: Lake Somerville - 03/24/17 03:51 PM

Originally Posted By: hoggwild
Leave my hybrids alone Cool. cheers

I put them all back!! They are right where i found them! CPR
frkazoid
Posted By: greenyak

Re: Lake Somerville - 03/26/17 04:19 AM

Fished yegua Saturday
Posted By: J-Moe

Re: Lake Somerville - 03/27/17 01:11 PM

The COE closed the dam down late last week. I fished out there a couple evenings. Lots of undersized crappie, bluegill and a few nice catfish were being caught. Along with lots of buffalo, LOL. There have been very few white bass or hybrids caught. One interesting thing is that a couple undersized hybrids were caught below the dam. That's another confirmation that fish have come up from the Brazos.

The parking lot has been full at the dam but not all people are fishing below the dam. There were fisherman with about 5 poles each lined up all the way down the lake side of the dam. They have been catching catfish and hybrids. The shad have been schooling around that area and the hybrids have followed.

No signs of sunfish spawning on the main lake yet but they have started spawning in the creeks.
Posted By: white bass interceptor

Re: Lake Somerville - 03/28/17 05:04 AM

hello J-Moe, how far up the creek did you go? What kind of white bass activity did you notice? I had planned on taking two of my young nephews to the creek on Saturday but if it is still slow I think a trip to the marina on Friday night might be a better choice.
Posted By: J-Moe

Re: Lake Somerville - 03/28/17 11:41 AM

Originally Posted By: white bass interceptor
hello J-Moe, how far up the creek did you go? What kind of white bass activity did you notice? I had planned on taking two of my young nephews to the creek on Saturday but if it is still slow I think a trip to the marina on Friday night might be a better choice.


I haven't been back to Newman's or the Yegua. I pretty much gave up on the white bass run. The lower end of the Yegua should continue to be good for catching crappie, bluegill and lmb.
Posted By: CTXhunter

Re: Lake Somerville - 03/31/17 10:37 PM

Has anyone had any luck catching white bass in the creeks after the rain on Wednesday? This is only my second year chasing them, it's addicting. Have not gone in 2 weeks, but things seemed to be slowing down. Is the run usually over by late march, early April? May go try them one last time in the morning.
Posted By: 24x7Fisherman

Re: Lake Somerville - 04/01/17 01:58 AM

It's very bad right now, water is over the bank at Newman's Bottom.
Posted By: Hookinup

Re: Lake Somerville - 04/01/17 05:55 AM

Maybe you guys will get some heavy rains so the spillway will start up again.




.
Posted By: J-Moe

Re: Lake Somerville - 04/01/17 12:46 PM

Originally Posted By: CTXhunter
Has anyone had any luck catching white bass in the creeks after the rain on Wednesday? This is only my second year chasing them, it's addicting. Have not gone in 2 weeks, but things seemed to be slowing down. Is the run usually over by late march, early April? May go try them one last time in the morning.


welcome

Yes, the run is winding down now. After the last 2 rains a few whites ran up in Nails and Cedar creeks. If the Yegua is out of the banks and a mess then you might try those creeks. Last year, on 4/19/16, I was fishing for bluegill with a size 10 yellow briminator in Cedar creek and ended up catching 9 white bass out of one spot. Not likely you will catch a limit but if you size down you may catch a few, along with some bluegill, crappie and lmb.
Posted By: J-Moe

Re: Lake Somerville - 04/01/17 12:51 PM

Originally Posted By: Hookinup
Maybe you guys will get some heavy rains so the spillway will start up again.

.


Lake level is at 238.31. 0.31 ft above normal and has been rising the last couple days. It's likely the COE will crack open the dam in the next couple of days.
Posted By: J-Moe

Re: Lake Somerville - 04/03/17 11:24 PM

Lake Level is 238.5 ft. COE opened the gates to 500 cfs today.
Posted By: fishytx

Re: Lake Somerville - 04/04/17 01:45 AM

Rule of thumb is to put away white bass gear first of April for me. You can still catch a few, but boy will it be slow. Just my rule of thumb, that's all.
Posted By: CTXhunter

Re: Lake Somerville - 04/05/17 02:52 PM

Thanks for the feedback. Fished Nails Saturday afternoon, it was pretty slow, managed to catch 6 keepers, 3 white bass and 3 crappie, but I had to work for them.
Posted By: T-rey

Re: Lake Somerville - 04/07/17 04:44 PM

What's a go to crank bait for y'all guys for whites?

Saw 4 guys wading and spanking the heck out of white bass last Saturday.
One guy brings up a 5 gallon bucket full of whites. Asked what they were using and he said crank baits.
Well they were casting straight into those 30 mph winds, so I'm figuring a 1/2 oz shad rap.

What y'all suggest, I'm hitting it in the morning.
Posted By: J-Moe

Re: Lake Somerville - 04/09/17 01:55 PM

I went out to Yegua Creek Park to do some bank fishing on Friday evening. I was not allowed in to bank fish. They gave me a sheet of paper with a new policy.

NEW NOTICE 2017: Access will not be allowed in the park when campsite occupancy is 75% or greater.

The lady at the gate house said that is basically every Friday, Saturday and Sunday.
Posted By: J-Moe

Re: Lake Somerville - 04/09/17 02:22 PM

The bluegill are finally starting to move shallow. The topwater bite is also improving. There are some bass bedding and trying to run them out of the shallows though. The long ear and green sunfish have not showed up shallow yet. I've only been catching bluegill. I caught 2 of the biggest bluegill I have ever caught on Lake Somerville and in Yegua Creek. Both going close to 10 inches and weighing over 3/4 lb.

People are catching lots of catfish and bluegill in the spillway. They are also still lined up along the lake side of the dam.

Posted By: Kirby12

Re: Lake Somerville - 04/09/17 06:07 PM

So is this the rule for all the parks? Won't be able to bank fish Birch Park if it is 75% full? I believe Welch is private and should be able to fish there.
Posted By: Kirby12

Re: Lake Somerville - 04/09/17 07:14 PM

OK, a little more research shows Overlook Marina (but not Park), Welch and Big Creek are privately owned. Website showed that Overlook Park is operated by the Army COE, is this correct? Did they say that the rule is for Federal parks such as Yegua Creek and Rocky Creek only? Nails and Birch are State operated so they may be exempt? Guess, I call the parks to find out.
Posted By: Duma

Re: Lake Somerville - 04/09/17 07:15 PM

I will not be going to Yegua any more to launch my boat. Yesterday they also handed me a note with the new revise rule. If I launch my boat at Yegua and envites friends or anyone to come fish with me they will not be able to enter the park. Only the actual car that's pulling the boat may enter. I think that is just a bit a little too extreme. I never had that problem at Welch. People at Welch would go out of their ways to provide for people's. I remember last year instead of just closing down the park to boaters because the boat ramp had flooded out they let us launch right off the banks. I will not be visiting Yegua anymore.

Posted By: J-Moe

Re: Lake Somerville - 04/09/17 07:21 PM

Originally Posted By: Kirby12
So is this the rule for all the parks? Won't be able to bank fish Birch Park if it is 75% full? I believe Welch is private and should be able to fish there.


This is only for Yegua Creek Park, so far. You pay $5 if you bank fish Overlook and $2 to bank fish Welsh. If they open Rocky Creek park they may institute the same policy but we'll have to wait and see.
Posted By: T-rey

Re: Lake Somerville - 04/10/17 01:02 PM

Originally Posted By: J-Moe
I went out to Yegua Creek Park to do some bank fishing on Friday evening. I was not allowed in to bank fish. They gave me a sheet of paper with a new policy.

NEW NOTICE 2017: Access will not be allowed in the park when campsite occupancy is 75% or greater.

The lady at the gate house said that is basically every Friday, Saturday and Sunday.


Went there Saturday morning, lady told me same thing. Gave me a pass with the paper, gave the sad eyes,
It worked, but it was a bust, the 2 night's of cool weather must of turned the bite off. Fished 2 spots at yegua park and all we got was small bait steelers (Fishing for cats).

Ended up at overlook where I wasted $10 to fish off the concrete bank, same thing there, little nibbles and lost bait.
No crappie action on the docks either.
The wind is really being a pain in the butt.
Posted By: J-Moe

Re: Lake Somerville - 04/18/17 05:12 PM

Big D posted on the white bass section that the TPWD is stocking hybrids in Somerville today. banana

Lake level is 238.6 and releasing 500 cfs.

The parking lot at the dam has remained full with people fishing on both the lake side and in the spillway.
Posted By: pcde123

Re: Lake Somerville - 04/18/17 05:14 PM

If i were to fish the spillway this weekend, would there still be adequate flow? Any recommendations on baits to catch some hybrids? how do yall go about not getting your lines stuck in the current?
Posted By: Catfish-hunter

Re: Lake Somerville - 04/18/17 05:49 PM

I moved from the lake,giving up my best bank fishing spots since you spoke of the dam,here's my best spot.
. Park in far SW corner at spillway parking lot. Walk down the hill and cross the road towards the main lake.when you near the water,head along the edge towards the dam 15yds or so. There's a mud flat normally 4' deep that the channels flock to this town me of year. 2' up a cork and cj's shad or crawfish punch bait. Best at daybreak because of wind. Once sun comes up you may have to switch to a bottom rig. IF THE WAVES ARENT FIGHTING YOU,the wind direction is wrong and you may not catch any. Wind in face rule applies. Don't go to far towards the intake or you'll be in deep water and you won't catch the channels. Need some grass line nearby. Stay in the 2-8'. Bring 2 stringers because 25 channels on 1 is too much.
Posted By: J-Moe

Re: Lake Somerville - 04/18/17 05:59 PM

Originally Posted By: pcde123
If i were to fish the spillway this weekend, would there still be adequate flow? Any recommendations on baits to catch some hybrids? how do yall go about not getting your lines stuck in the current?


Crawfish tails are one of the most effective baits. Live shad works as well. For artificial, large swim baits work well.

The dam will probably be still flowing 500 cfs this weekend. I've caught them with no flow on a couple of occasions. I catch all mine on my fly rod.
Posted By: J-Moe

Re: Lake Somerville - 04/18/17 05:59 PM

Originally Posted By: Catfish-hunter
I moved from the lake,giving up my best bank fishing spots since you spoke of the dam,here's my best spot.
. Park in far SW corner at spillway parking lot. Walk down the hill and cross the road towards the main lake.when you near the water,head along the edge towards the dam 15yds or so. There's a mud flat normally 4' deep that the channels flock to this town me of year. 2' up a cork and cj's shad or crawfish punch bait. Best at daybreak because of wind. Once sun comes up you may have to switch to a bottom rig. IF THE WAVES ARENT FIGHTING YOU,the wind direction is wrong and you may not catch any. Wind in face rule applies. Don't go to far towards the intake or you'll be in deep water and you won't catch the channels. Need some grass line nearby. Stay in the 2-8'. Bring 2 stringers because 25 channels on 1 is too much.


Great information, I think I met you in that spot while I was fly fishing for bluegill.
Posted By: Catfish-hunter

Re: Lake Somerville - 04/18/17 06:06 PM

Originally Posted By: pcde123
If i were to fish the spillway this weekend, would there still be adequate flow? Any recommendations on baits to catch some hybrids? how do yall go about not getting your lines stuck in the current?

What bait are you using? Live shad and medium minnows are good for most keeper fish behind the dam.whites,striper,cats,etc.
I was shown this rig a while back. Passing it on. Heavy bronze #8 hook(I only found in those plastic circle assortment packs or snelled pack) yes small #8,it is way strong enough, come up a foot and add a split shot,come up another foot add a split shot and again if water is fast. Hook your bait under nose with barb coming out on top.
Now you can fish like a weedless rig, toss to edge of current,it will drop to bottom and weights and bait will be facing the current and flutter while slowly working its way down the current. Very seldom snag anything.
If you are thinking of using stink bait,stay on south side of river and walk your way down. You won't really find deep water,just fishy spots. Mostly 4-5'
Posted By: Catfish-hunter

Re: Lake Somerville - 04/18/17 06:08 PM

Originally Posted By: J-Moe
Originally Posted By: Catfish-hunter
I moved from the lake,giving up my best bank fishing spots since you spoke of the dam,here's my best spot.
. Park in far SW corner at spillway parking lot. Walk down the hill and cross the road towards the main lake.when you near the water,head along the edge towards the dam 15yds or so. There's a mud flat normally 4' deep that the channels flock to this town me of year. 2' up a cork and cj's shad or crawfish punch bait. Best at daybreak because of wind. Once sun comes up you may have to switch to a bottom rig. IF THE WAVES ARENT FIGHTING YOU,the wind direction is wrong and you may not catch any. Wind in face rule applies. Don't go to far towards the intake or you'll be in deep water and you won't catch the channels. Need some grass line nearby. Stay in the 2-8'. Bring 2 stringers because 25 channels on 1 is too much.


Great information, I think I met you in that spot while I was fly fishing for bluegill.

Did I have 2 stringers of catfish? hmmm
Posted By: Catfish-hunter

Re: Lake Somerville - 04/18/17 06:23 PM

I'll keep it quick. I was at that spot one morning at daybreak. Channel cat were feasting on shad in the shallow grass. Boom boom boom. Couldn't fish with 2 poles,They were so aggressive. I had a lot of fish on my stringer and some Houston boys came up on a boat to see what I was catching. They were chunking slabs for whites. I wanted to leave but didn't want to show my stringer to them. When I had my limit, I had to go. I pulled that 15' saltwater stringer out and those boys flipped out. Like catfish always do,they twisted and flopped so I had 6-8' of fish. I couldn't hardly carry it. Looped it like a garden hose and left. Would have made a great picture or video.
Posted By: J-Moe

Re: Lake Somerville - 04/18/17 06:50 PM

Originally Posted By: Catfish-hunter
Originally Posted By: J-Moe
Originally Posted By: Catfish-hunter
I moved from the lake,giving up my best bank fishing spots since you spoke of the dam,here's my best spot.
. Park in far SW corner at spillway parking lot. Walk down the hill and cross the road towards the main lake.when you near the water,head along the edge towards the dam 15yds or so. There's a mud flat normally 4' deep that the channels flock to this town me of year. 2' up a cork and cj's shad or crawfish punch bait. Best at daybreak because of wind. Once sun comes up you may have to switch to a bottom rig. IF THE WAVES ARENT FIGHTING YOU,the wind direction is wrong and you may not catch any. Wind in face rule applies. Don't go to far towards the intake or you'll be in deep water and you won't catch the channels. Need some grass line nearby. Stay in the 2-8'. Bring 2 stringers because 25 channels on 1 is too much.


Great information, I think I met you in that spot while I was fly fishing for bluegill.

Did I have 2 stringers of catfish? hmmm


Nope, must have been mistaken. I got a similar story from a fisherman in the same spot. Maybe they will take a fly. I'll have to give it a try. Thanks again for the information.
Posted By: J-Moe

Re: Lake Somerville - 04/18/17 06:53 PM

Originally Posted By: Catfish-hunter
I'll keep it quick. I was at that spot one morning at daybreak. Channel cat were feasting on shad in the shallow grass. Boom boom boom. Couldn't fish with 2 poles,They were so aggressive. I had a lot of fish on my stringer and some Houston boys came up on a boat to see what I was catching. They were chunking slabs for whites. I wanted to leave but didn't want to show my stringer to them. When I had my limit, I had to go. I pulled that 15' saltwater stringer out and those boys flipped out. Like catfish always do,they twisted and flopped so I had 6-8' of fish. I couldn't hardly carry it. Looped it like a garden hose and left. Would have made a great picture or video.


No doubt it would have. Good story.
Posted By: Duma

Re: Lake Somerville - 04/18/17 08:04 PM

[quote=J-Moe]Big D posted on the white bass section that the TPWD is stocking hybrids in Somerville today. banana

https://m.facebook.com/TPWInlandFisherie...3&source=48
Posted By: R2Fishing

Re: Lake Somerville - 04/18/17 10:29 PM

Originally Posted By: brucevannguyen
[quote=J-Moe]Big D posted on the white bass section that the TPWD is stocking hybrids in Somerville today. banana

https://m.facebook.com/TPWInlandFisherie...3&source=48


Dustyn did a miraculous job heading that to keep hybrids stocked in Sville.
It'll take few years for us to find and fish those guys.

Until
Then I'll continue picking out the biggens. &#128540;
Posted By: pcde123

Re: Lake Somerville - 04/18/17 11:35 PM

when you mean walk towards the dam, do you mean walk towards the intake area of the spillway? like once im at the main lake, facing the water, walk right?
Posted By: H-TownCrappieMan

Re: Lake Somerville - 04/19/17 07:04 PM

What is this land mass on Jerdelle Creek close between the main lake and FM 1948?

Posted By: J-Moe

Re: Lake Somerville - 04/20/17 02:43 PM

It's a sand bar that formed. It then got washed out again. The 2 floods changed the creek quite a bit. The trees cover the lower end of the creek now too.
Posted By: J-Moe

Re: Lake Somerville - 04/21/17 03:33 PM

Just FYI, The dam parking lot has been closed all week for maintenance on the dam. I'm not sure when it will reopen.
Posted By: T-rey

Re: Lake Somerville - 04/21/17 05:00 PM

I work with Dustyn, he needs to quit being sick all the time(fishing), and come to work.hahaha.
Posted By: J-Moe

Re: Lake Somerville - 04/23/17 12:48 PM

The bluegill have finally moved shallow in good numbers banana The males were building nests and chasing each other around this week. I walked the shore line and tossed my fly on top of the grass along the first drop off and caught about 20 or so on Friday evening. I still haven't seen the long ear sunfish come shallow yet.

The white bass fishing continues to be on fire on the main lake. People were lined up on the banks along the dam and Welsh park yesterday.

I went out yesterday morning in the kayak. When I launched the yak there were millions of shad sparkling the water along the shore line. I fished along the bank for about an hour and didn't catch anything. I worked my way back and finally got into a school. I caught 3, got broke off by a big hybrid, and then the northern hit. I caught a 4th and the wind blew me, the fish, and the kayak into the bank. I couldn't paddle against the wind so I had to drag the yak back to the truck. I'll be looking for a few calmer days to try that again.

The parking lot at the dam is still closed. There were a few people that parked on the circle on the other side of the emergency overflow and walked in below the dam to fish.
Posted By: big D

Re: Lake Somerville - 04/23/17 03:43 PM

Originally Posted By: T-rey
I work with Dustyn, he needs to quit being sick all the time(fishing), and come to work.hahaha.


They give us sick days Trey!!!

I call them "sick of work" days!!!!

I got rid of coworkers on my Facebook and now I gotta watch what I post on here, lol
Posted By: pcde123

Re: Lake Somerville - 04/24/17 04:00 AM

Did pretty decent at the dam, I parked at the loop further down since dam parking was closed off.

Caught 5 Catfish on rattle traps, smallest going 2 lbs biggest being well over 10lbs.

Caught several buffalo, Gar. SOmetimes foul hooked, sometimes in the mouth.

Saw 2 hybrids get caught, Im pretty sure i had one on, but broke off.

Also caught 1 HUGE crappie off a jerk bait, and 2 LMB.

Saturday morning, 800CFS out the dam, nice cool weather.
Posted By: T-rey

Re: Lake Somerville - 04/24/17 12:32 PM

Originally Posted By: big D
Originally Posted By: T-rey
I work with Dustyn, he needs to quit being sick all the time(fishing), and come to work.hahaha.


They give us sick days Trey!!!

I call them "sick of work" days!!!!

I got rid of coworkers on my Facebook and now I gotta watch what I post on here, lol



roflmao
Posted By: hook-line&sinker

Re: Lake Somerville - 04/29/17 02:37 AM

Gonna creep around the Yegua Saturday to see what might be lurking around the creek. Hope to find some bass, crappie and sunfish.
Posted By: hook-line&sinker

Re: Lake Somerville - 05/03/17 02:12 PM

The last day of April rolled in cool and clear after a very warm and muggy Saturday the day before. J-Moe and I fished both days working the upper Yegua early Saturday but finding nothing there we jumped over to Nails Creek with pretty much the same results.

The COE had shut the flow to the spillway now that the lake is at normal level and the fish are stacked up close to the chute. J-Moe found a few goo and sunfish but not much else between the herds of buffalo and gangs of gar. We called it quits after lunch and headed home.

The cool front that blew in Sunday morning brought with it lots of sunshine and cooler temperatures which greatly aggravates my ability to stay on task for the things I need to do at home. After a wonderful church service and a quick lunch I headed off to the creek once again. The sights and sounds of Nature on a sunny April Sunday afternoon are pretty hard to beat as therapy for a busy sometimes hectic life.

Posted By: J-Moe

Re: Lake Somerville - 05/03/17 05:52 PM

Great video, I especially like the part around the 10 minute mark when J-Moe catches that big hybrid grin
Posted By: J-Moe

Re: Lake Somerville - 05/08/17 01:27 PM

Lake is at normal level with no flow being released.

I fished below the dam a few times since the COE shut off the flow. I'm catching lots of bluegill. Lots of crappie but only 1 in 15 keeper size. Other people have been catching some nice catfish as well. Lots of buffalo and gar stacked up.

The shad are still pushing shallow on the main lake in the mornings and the white bass are following. It was finally calm enough to launch the yak on Saturday morning. I caught a few on the fly rod but they didn't stay shallow for long. There were other bank fishermen doing well catching them on rattle traps.
Posted By: J-Moe

Re: Lake Somerville - 05/15/17 02:22 AM

I went to the dam on Friday evening and fly fished in the spillway with a couple of my fellow fly fishing buddies. We caught about 10 buffalo (in the mouth), snagged too many to count, 2 white bass, 1 hybrid, a few gar, crappie, bluegill and largemouth as well. Someone came down and said the white bass were surfacing on the lake side. So we headed over to the lake side and saw them down a ways. We ran and caught up to them and started catching them on the fly rod. We had to keep moving quickly to keep up with them until they turned around and started heading back in the opposite direction. We chased them a bit longer before they finally disappeared.

It was an absolute blast banana
Posted By: J-Moe

Re: Lake Somerville - 05/16/17 01:43 PM

I took the yak out to the main lake last night. Once again, I found white bass surfacing right at sunset. I ended up catching 13 or 14 before it started getting dark and I headed home. I might have to do this a few more times this year grin
Posted By: J-Moe

Re: Lake Somerville - 05/18/17 11:39 AM

I went back out to the main lake again yesterday evening. The pattern was about the same. The white bass start surfacing around 7:30 and it was over around 8:15. I'm having to use the yak to get to them with the fly rod but they could be easily reached with a surf rod or even normal rods at times. Most of the ones I am catching are around 11 to 12 inches.
Posted By: J-Moe

Re: Lake Somerville - 05/28/17 08:56 PM

The Lake level is 238.02 ft with no release

The Yegua at Irwin bridge is up about 2 ft. and muddy.

The other creeks are in good shape and packed with bluegill. I've been catching them on every cast when I find them.
Posted By: Catfish-hunter

Re: Lake Somerville - 05/28/17 10:18 PM

A good place is just towards main lake from apache hills. The point south of that cove on way to welsh used be great for white bass at daybreak. Chuck rattle traps in 5-6' thumb
Posted By: Catfish-hunter

Re: Lake Somerville - 05/28/17 10:20 PM

Originally Posted By: J-Moe
Great video, I especially like the part around the 10 minute mark when J-Moe catches that big hybrid grin

roflmao setting up a plug for your own catch,I'll have to watch it now clap
Posted By: J-Moe

Re: Lake Somerville - 05/28/17 10:26 PM

Originally Posted By: Catfish-hunter
Originally Posted By: J-Moe
Great video, I especially like the part around the 10 minute mark when J-Moe catches that big hybrid grin

roflmao setting up a plug for your own catch,I'll have to watch it now clap


Shameless self promotion, ain't it roflmao
Posted By: Catfish-hunter

Re: Lake Somerville - 05/28/17 10:27 PM

Nice one thumb another record?
Posted By: J-Moe

Re: Lake Somerville - 05/28/17 10:29 PM

No record, although a couple of the bluegill were big enough to break my current record.
Posted By: Catfish-hunter

Re: Lake Somerville - 05/28/17 11:52 PM

cheers
Posted By: J-Moe

Re: Lake Somerville - 06/03/17 09:39 PM

Yegua creek is still up about a foot an dirty. The rest of the creeks are still fishing well for bluegill.

Nothing but gar and buffalo below the dam.

I went out to Welsh park this morning. The shad were shallow and the LMB were chasing them. I put on a popper dropper (froggy/magical clouser) and caught 10 standing in the same spot for about an hour. No signs of the white bass coming shallow this morning.
Posted By: J-Moe

Re: Lake Somerville - 06/11/17 09:04 PM

The creeks came up about a foot after the last rain but receded back to normal very quickly. The Yegua was still too dirty for me to fish but the others are in good shape. I've been catching some big bluegill in both the creeks and on the main lake. Somerville is quickly moving from a good to very good Bluegill lake.

I went back out to Welsh park to chase the bass again but the shad did not show up in numbers and neither did the LMB. I caught only 2.

I tried below the dam but it's just to depressing. So many buffalo and gar. There was a large crowd there on Saturday. I'm not sure if they are catching anything.

I went out to Overlook park this morning to search for longear and green sunfish. I did finally find some long ear sunfish but didn't find any greenies. I caught quite a few big bluegill and a couple bass during my search.




Posted By: J-Moe

Re: Lake Somerville - 06/19/17 05:50 PM

I went to Irwin bridge this weekend. The Yegua is back to normal and clearing up slowly. I caught 2 small bass and about a dozen bluegill. This heat has made the after noon fishing pretty slow in the creeks. I haven't been on the lake in the last week nor heard any reports.
Posted By: BBFISH

Re: Lake Somerville - 06/23/17 10:17 PM

I went to Welch park yesterday, caught 2 gars and a small bass. Released them all.
But when I cast netted for shad, I got a lot of white bass babies and I saw some wiper babies.
Does anybody know did they release any new wipers to lake somerville?
It was so interesting to see those in my cast net, sorry I didn't get a chance to take a picture
Posted By: J-Moe

Re: Lake Somerville - 06/25/17 02:51 AM

I went out to the dam this evening and saw white bass surfacing on the lake. I walked down and there was a guy fishing out there but he said they were too small and he couldn't catch them. So I started by throwing my normal clousers and marabou jigs and I had the same problem. I went through multiple clousers, marabou jigs, briminators, and rubber legged dragons and had only caught about 6. Finally, I put on a size 10 chartreuse rubber legged dragon and started catching them on almost every cast until I got bored. I put on a small popper and caught a couple. I finally thought I had caught a keeper but it ended up being a big bluegill. I picked up a couple LMB as well.

There were acres of these little guys and they stayed there feeding from around 7 PM to 9 PM. No keepers, but I still had fun for a while.


Posted By: FishermenDesigns

Re: Lake Somerville - 06/26/17 06:19 PM

Looking for some guys to launch with me to the Yegua Wall on Friday. Launching from Nails Creek. Just wanting to get out and enjoy the day.
Posted By: BBFISH

Re: Lake Somerville - 06/26/17 09:17 PM

I caught same size white basses with the cast net, they are everywhere
Posted By: BBFISH

Re: Lake Somerville - 06/26/17 09:20 PM

I maybe droved like 15 times to Somerville from Houston from last year till now to catch whitebass and wipers. Never caught either of them and everytime ending up with catfish and gar. Wiper is my dream fish.
Posted By: J-Moe

Re: Lake Somerville - 06/27/17 11:12 AM

Originally Posted By: FishermenDesigns
Looking for some guys to launch with me to the Yegua Wall on Friday. Launching from Nails Creek. Just wanting to get out and enjoy the day.


After these rains I would expect the Yegua to be up and muddy. It never fishes well under those conditions. You should launch and fish somewhere else on the main lake.
Posted By: J-Moe

Re: Lake Somerville - 06/27/17 11:19 AM

Originally Posted By: BBFISH
I maybe droved like 15 times to Somerville from Houston from last year till now to catch whitebass and wipers. Never caught either of them and everytime ending up with catfish and gar. Wiper is my dream fish.


Man, that's just bad luck. I saw some bigger fish surfacing a couple days ago but they were further out. If you have a surf casting rod and popping cork setup you might be able to catch a few. The smaller ones have continued to surface in front of the dam every night. I expect the same is going on in other areas such as Yegua creek park and Rocky creek park.
Posted By: big D

Re: Lake Somerville - 06/29/17 01:07 PM

Originally Posted By: J-Moe
I went out to the dam this evening and saw white bass surfacing on the lake. I walked down and there was a guy fishing out there but he said they were too small and he couldn't catch them. So I started by throwing my normal clousers and marabou jigs and I had the same problem. I went through multiple clousers, marabou jigs, briminators, and rubber legged dragons and had only caught about 6. Finally, I put on a size 10 chartreuse rubber legged dragon and started catching them on almost every cast until I got bored. I put on a small popper and caught a couple. I finally thought I had caught a keeper but it ended up being a big bluegill. I picked up a couple LMB as well.

There were acres of these little guys and they stayed there feeding from around 7 PM to 9 PM. No keepers, but I still had fun for a while.




Lake Somerville was stocked with 60K hybrid fingerling a few months ago! The fish you are holding in the pic looks like a hybrid from the recent stocking! This is very good to see from an avid hybrid angler! If you are seeing acres of them boiling the surface, then the future is looking bright! They haven't stocked them since 2014.
Posted By: BBFISH

Re: Lake Somerville - 06/29/17 08:17 PM

Big D
I caught lot of baby hybrids in the cast net while casting for shad. It is a good sign. But I didn't know they stocked recently
Posted By: BBFISH

Re: Lake Somerville - 06/29/17 08:18 PM

One he holding is a white bass not hybrid I guess
Posted By: big D

Re: Lake Somerville - 06/29/17 09:26 PM

https://www.facebook.com/TPWInlandFisheriesCollegeStationHouston/videos/1446376355412512/
Posted By: J-Moe

Re: Lake Somerville - 06/29/17 11:32 PM

Originally Posted By: big D
Originally Posted By: J-Moe
I went out to the dam this evening and saw white bass surfacing on the lake. I walked down and there was a guy fishing out there but he said they were too small and he couldn't catch them. So I started by throwing my normal clousers and marabou jigs and I had the same problem. I went through multiple clousers, marabou jigs, briminators, and rubber legged dragons and had only caught about 6. Finally, I put on a size 10 chartreuse rubber legged dragon and started catching them on almost every cast until I got bored. I put on a small popper and caught a couple. I finally thought I had caught a keeper but it ended up being a big bluegill. I picked up a couple LMB as well.

There were acres of these little guys and they stayed there feeding from around 7 PM to 9 PM. No keepers, but I still had fun for a while.


Lake Somerville was stocked with 60K hybrid fingerling a few months ago! The fish you are holding in the pic looks like a hybrid from the recent stocking! This is very good to see from an avid hybrid angler! If you are seeing acres of them boiling the surface, then the future is looking bright! They haven't stocked them since 2014.


No doubt it was a combination of both white bass and hybrids. I was hoping that 2 years of flooding would result in this type of situation. Adding the hybrids into the mix really makes it special. The sun had set and the water was splashing up and down the dam. It was a special experience and a sign of truly great fishing ahead. The shad are healthy. There are a ton of new hatchlings that they were feeding on.

Posted By: BBFISH

Re: Lake Somerville - 06/30/17 02:58 AM

How long does it take for hybrid to get big?
Posted By: BBFISH

Re: Lake Somerville - 06/30/17 02:58 AM

Thanks for the video BIG D
Posted By: big D

Re: Lake Somerville - 06/30/17 12:54 PM

Originally Posted By: BBFISH
How long does it take for hybrid to get big?


From what I read and see on the lake, it takes 2-2-1/2 years to grow to keeper size (18"min).

Age and growth
*
Hybrid striped bass grow when
water temperatures are above 15 C.
However, optimum growing conditions
occur when water temperatures
are 25 to 27 C. Hybrids grow
rapidly during their first two years of
life. Growth to 275 to 375 mm in
length and 225 to 350 grams in the
first year and 450 to 550 mm in
length and 1 to 1.5 kg in the second
year is common. Growth rate
declines rapidly with increasing age
and is similar in males and females.
Maximum reported weight for a
hybrid striped bass is approximately
10 kg. The typical size of hybrids
caught by fishermen generally ranges
from 2 to 5 pounds, but fish in
the 10 to 15 pound range are not uncommon.
The usual life span of
hybrid striped bass is 5 to 6 years--
more similar to white bass than to
striped bass (30 to 40 years).
Posted By: BBFISH

Re: Lake Somerville - 06/30/17 02:07 PM

Thanks
Posted By: BBFISH

Re: Lake Somerville - 06/30/17 02:09 PM

I heard only 10 percentage only will survive. So from 60k it will be like 6k. Hopefully they all will survive
Posted By: J-Moe

Re: Lake Somerville - 07/04/17 07:39 PM

They opened the gates up about 10 days ago to 94 cfs. I was told that there was white bass and hybrids caught the first day but it was poor after that. They said the hybrids were really skinny, indicating they never made it out of the Yegua. I tried one time last week and just caught gar. They opened the dam to 187 cfs a couple days ago. I haven't been over to check on it though.

Huge crowds at the lake for the long 4th of July Holiday weekend.

God bless to all those who gave us our freedom and protect it every day.
Posted By: J-Moe

Re: Lake Somerville - 07/14/17 01:57 PM

I went out to Welsh park this morning. The largemouth were along the shoreline chasing shad as normal. I caught several largemouth and bluegill this morning.

I saw alot of white bass surfacing a little bit further out then I could cast from the bank but they looked like the small ones I've been catching in front of the dam.
Posted By: J-Moe

Re: Lake Somerville - 07/17/17 07:17 PM

I went out in front of the dam last night. The small white bass were surfacing, as usual. I caught them on almost every cast for about an hour and a half. Not a single keeper though.
Posted By: BBFISH

Re: Lake Somerville - 07/18/17 03:50 AM

What you guys think about this?
Hybrid bass or wiper spawning ?

https://youtu.be/3a2IiPda9iU
Posted By: J-Moe

Re: Lake Somerville - 07/18/17 02:34 PM

I'll come catch them and let you know grin. Looks like a fantastic place.
Posted By: J-Moe

Re: Lake Somerville - 07/18/17 02:36 PM

I suspect it is white bass. Hybrid bass and Wiper (White Bass / Striper) are the same thing. They don't reproduce but I'm not sure they don't try to go through the motions. I know I would still try roflmao
Posted By: BBFISH

Re: Lake Somerville - 07/18/17 03:42 PM

If you go through that YouTube channel, you can see they catching hybrids,
In the comments they said they reproduce every year
Posted By: J-Moe

Re: Lake Somerville - 07/31/17 06:19 PM

I haven't been out to lake but once over the last couple weeks. I fished Yegua Creek Park one evening. I caught a couple bass off a top water froggy fly. The white bass started surfacing right before dark, as normal.

I went and checked the creeks this weekend. I started at Irwin bridge. I assumed the water would be low and fairly clear. It was low, but very dirty.

I checked on Nails but when I go down into the creek there was a big water moccasin in my path so I left. I checked on Cedar. The duck weed is starting to grow on top of the water there, as well as, in Nails.

We need a good heavy rain to flush all the creeks.
Posted By: hook-line&sinker

Re: Lake Somerville - 07/31/17 07:19 PM

I'm waiting until late September or after the next good rain event to yak up the Yegua. The only other option in this heat is if the COE releases lots of water into the spillway and we hit it early in the morning at first light.
Posted By: J-Moe

Re: Lake Somerville - 08/02/17 03:50 PM

I went out to the lake for about 45 minutes this morning to see if I could catch some bass on a popper dropper. There was hardly any shad near the shore. I didn't catch anything but a couple small bluegill. I didn't see any surfacing activity either.
Posted By: TXfisherman12

Re: Lake Somerville - 08/02/17 04:41 PM

J-Moe I thought you weren't afraid of snakes? grin
Posted By: J-Moe

Re: Lake Somerville - 08/03/17 02:54 AM

Originally Posted By: TXfisherman12
J-Moe I thought you weren't afraid of snakes? grin


Non-poisonous ones don't scare me grin
Posted By: J-Moe

Re: Lake Somerville - 08/04/17 01:49 AM

Went out and fished the lake across from the dam tonight. I only caught 3 bass and a dozen or so bluegill. There were quite a bit of shad spawning on the shore. Surprisingly no white bass and not many lmb in shore feeding on them.
Posted By: J-Moe

Re: Lake Somerville - 08/06/17 03:37 PM

I fished at Yegua Creek park this morning. The bluegill are spawning again. I ended up catching between 40 and 50. A large portion of these were in the 8 to 9 inch range.

The white bass started surfacing around 8 AM. They were out of range of my fly rod but there was another fisherman reaching them with a surf rod. He wasn't catching any though as the ones surfacing near the bank looked to be very small. I saw some bigger fish surfacing but they were out of range, even for a surf rod.

Posted By: J-Moe

Re: Lake Somerville - 08/25/17 02:53 PM

Lake Level is 237.35. Over 10 inches of rain is expected this weekend. With this type of rains it would be expected that Brazos will be out of its banks and the COE won't be able to open the gates for several days before the Brazos starts to subside. The lake will possibly swell 8 to 10 feet above normal. That should lead to some good fall and winter fishing both below the dam and in the creeks. Currently the creeks are extremely low and full of duck weed so a good flushing was in order. I pray the flooding is minimized but if it stalls, like some models are projecting this could get ugly like the past 2 years' Memorial day floods.

Normally, the lake will subside about 1/4 ft per day with the gates wide open. So we can expect a month or more of water being released.

Bank fishing has been slow on the lake and I haven't seen much white bass activity. There are still lots of small shad near the banks but the predator fish haven't been feeding on them in shallow water in any numbers. We are dead into the dog days of summer.
Posted By: R2Fishing

Re: Lake Somerville - 08/26/17 03:45 AM

Lake isn't going to release any water in near future. Brazos is already backing up and it's going to get worse. ALOT worse.

Stay safe Gents. This isn't over yet.
Posted By: hook-line&sinker

Re: Lake Somerville - 08/27/17 09:47 PM

Two epic floods in 2015 and again in 2016 rewrote the story of the lake with lots of new chapters yet to be read. All the parks & creeks were affected but based on this last year of bass fishing the flooding had a bright side.

This current hurricane will very likely push Lake Somerville up to record levels again making it three years in a row.. At the very least we will have high water well into the fall if not the new year.

The lake is up 3 feet in the last 36 hours and the majority of the flood water has yet to arrive. I don't like dire forecasts but this tropical event looks like a major train wreck in the making.

The whole lower Brazos river will be flooded for weeks to come and that means Lake Somerville will hold back any water it can until it breaches the emergency overflow spillway. The only question is how long will the lake take to fill.

Hold on to your hat this is going to be a rough ride..
Posted By: Csafisher

Re: Lake Somerville - 08/28/17 12:55 AM

Yep. Here we go again. They won't be able to release for quite some time. It's gonna get really high again. Pray for Houston and the coastal areas north of corpus.
Posted By: R2Fishing

Re: Lake Somerville - 08/28/17 04:31 AM

Weldon Kirk had posted it should hit emergency spillway sometime Tuesday. I blame the rebuilding of Big Creek for this. He started rebuilding last year as we took aflood. Started the rebuild this year and guess what happened? I think the past 3yr floods will see a negative effect this spring. What hybrids we had left and the new stock will majority fallover the spillway. Lake fishing was 'average' at best this year... we will keep seeing it decline.
Posted By: J-Moe

Re: Lake Somerville - 08/28/17 02:27 PM

Lake level is at 248 ft. 10 ft. above normal.
Posted By: J-Moe

Re: Lake Somerville - 08/29/17 11:55 AM

Lake level is 251 feet. 13 feet above normal.
Posted By: R2Fishing

Re: Lake Somerville - 08/30/17 12:17 AM

On route today from our deer lease to check on things in Lee Co stopped by Irwin Bridge...


Pic was took just otherside of the Yegua going towards 1697
Posted By: J-Moe

Re: Lake Somerville - 08/30/17 12:33 AM

The road to the dam is closed on both ends. Water has started creeping over the uncontrolled spillway road. The good news is the rate of rise is decreasing. It increased less than a foot in the last 12 hours.


Posted By: J-Moe

Re: Lake Somerville - 08/30/17 11:39 AM

Lake level is 252.6. 14.6 feet above normal.
Posted By: BBFISH

Re: Lake Somerville - 08/31/17 01:28 PM

Are we going to lose all that hybrids they stocked ?
Posted By: shimanotoshort

Re: Lake Somerville - 08/31/17 01:47 PM

Originally Posted By: BBFISH
Are we going to lose all that hybrids they stocked ?


Yup!
Posted By: J-Moe

Re: Lake Somerville - 08/31/17 03:51 PM

Lake Level is 254.4. 16.4 feet above normal.
Posted By: hook-line&sinker

Re: Lake Somerville - 08/31/17 05:54 PM

not likely lose all of the hybrids that were stocked recently but if the lake goes over the spillway again many will go over the wall and end up in the spillway basin. With the recent history of flooding in 2015 and 2016 it really made the fishing below the dam in the spillway better once the lake settled down. Fish follow their food so if a bunch of shad go over the spillway wall you can bet that the whites and hybrids will be in hot pursuit. It doesn't appear that the lake will breach the spillway this time but with another hurricane brewing comes the risk of more rain and more flooding.. that will be bad news all the way around frown
Posted By: J-Moe

Re: Lake Somerville - 09/01/17 12:49 PM

Lake Level is 254.6. 16.6 ft above normal and leveling off.
Posted By: J-Moe

Re: Lake Somerville - 09/02/17 03:29 PM

Lake Level is 254.8. 16.8 ft above normal.

Welsh park is still open with very limited bank space near the check station and down to the right. There have been a few people fishing for catfish but with very little luck.

I haven't seen any white bass surfacing.

I went to Overlook park this morning in my kayak. The attendant told me that no motorized vehicles are allowed on the lake at this time. I'm not sure if this is true as I saw a couple large boats and jet skis out on the water at Welsh both last night and today.

I launched in the cove near the boat ramp and worked my way along the bank towards the marina. I fished with a popper dropper for LMB first, but only caught one and lost a couple more. I tried fishing with a rubber legged dragon and a small bluegill popper along the bank at the marina with no luck. I put on a couple jigs and tried crappie fishing around the boat houses with no luck either so I called it a day.

Posted By: J-Moe

Re: Lake Somerville - 09/05/17 05:49 PM

Lake level topped out at 255 ft. 17 feet above normal. COE opened the gates. Flow is 2362 cfs.
Posted By: Toledo

Re: Lake Somerville - 09/05/17 06:06 PM

So does "closed" mean the launches are closed or you aren't allowed on the lake? Can I get in trouble if I go put in on one of the many flooded spots?
Posted By: k close

Re: Lake Somerville - 09/05/17 08:54 PM

Hey J moe I'm coming down to visit the Mother in law this weekend. Is it safe to plan on fishing the spillway?
Posted By: J-Moe

Re: Lake Somerville - 09/05/17 09:51 PM

Originally Posted By: k close
Hey J moe I'm coming down to visit the Mother in law this weekend. Is it safe to plan on fishing the spillway?


It is safe to fish but they had both roads going into the parking lot closed. At this point you would have to park at the visitors overlook and walk across beneath the emergency overflow area. I am going to check it out tonight.
Posted By: k close

Re: Lake Somerville - 09/05/17 09:54 PM

Great post to let us know. How long of a walk is that ? I'm getting kinda old and fat wink
Posted By: R2Fishing

Re: Lake Somerville - 09/05/17 10:51 PM

Originally Posted By: Toledo
So does "closed" mean the launches are closed or you aren't allowed on the lake? Can I get in trouble if I go put in on one of the many flooded spots?


Lake isn't closed. People need to understand the wording of marinas closed and lake closed.
Welch park is open and you CAN launch there. Just not using the ramp.
Posted By: J-Moe

Re: Lake Somerville - 09/06/17 12:18 AM

Originally Posted By: k close
Great post to let us know. How long of a walk is that ? I'm getting kinda old and fat wink


The road is still closed off on both ends. Its about 1/3 or a mile or so to walk there. Another option might be to fish below 36 bridge.
Posted By: bowler49

Re: Lake Somerville - 09/06/17 06:40 PM

I fished the spillway this morning and didn't get any bites. I parked at the visitor's overlook and walked to the spillway beneath the emergency overflow as J-Moe suggested. I met another fisherman there and he walked across the emergency overflow area where the water was less than knee deep so that is also an option.
Posted By: J-Moe

Re: Lake Somerville - 09/06/17 07:59 PM

Thanks for the report bowler49.
Posted By: k close

Re: Lake Somerville - 09/06/17 09:12 PM

Thanks for the posts J-Moe and bowler49. Bowler 49 were you using bait or lures? I'm amazed nothing was biting the sandies and crappie are usually on fire below the dam in a high volume water release situation
Posted By: bowler49

Re: Lake Somerville - 09/06/17 10:12 PM

Just lures. I tried rattle traps, pet spoons and sassy shad. There was only one other person and I didn't see him catch anything either. Something I just thought of: I saw a post saying there was a thermocline all over Somerville this past weekend. I think this might be why fish wouldn't be going through the spillway since they are probably hanging out in shallow water.
Posted By: J-Moe

Re: Lake Somerville - 09/06/17 10:18 PM

The road to the visitors overlook is now closed
Posted By: J-Moe

Re: Lake Somerville - 09/06/17 11:11 PM

Posted By: J-Moe

Re: Lake Somerville - 09/06/17 11:26 PM

I've been hearing rumors for a while that they would close offf the spillway to fisherman. People trashed the place so bad before was the reason I heard. Just a rumor I can't confirm but it sure seems that way. Maybe someone can give us some information on why.
Posted By: R2Fishing

Re: Lake Somerville - 09/07/17 01:07 AM

Originally Posted By: bowler49
Just lures. I tried rattle traps, pet spoons and sassy shad. There was only one other person and I didn't see him catch anything either. Something I just thought of: I saw a post saying there was a thermocline all over Somerville this past weekend. I think this might be why fish wouldn't be going through the spillway since they are probably hanging out in shallow water.



Those reports came from Bruce-don't pay no attention to that guy. You'll learn over time he's a snake and gives false reports. But that's a whole nother story.
Posted By: hook-line&sinker

Re: Lake Somerville - 09/11/17 07:31 PM

Nothing kills a conversation faster than speaking ill of someone else.
Posted By: R2Fishing

Re: Lake Somerville - 09/12/17 01:03 AM

Just spreading the gospel. Nomore details needed or will be said.

I drove around the lake yesterday. I missed the major flood of 2015 being deployed. So seeing lake at where it is was amazing to me. I was surprised when I seen Nails was flooded over the road and so was Rocky.
Fall time hybrid fishing is usually good if not excellent on Sville.... don't see that panning out well this year.
Posted By: FishinAg02

Re: Lake Somerville - 09/14/17 01:48 PM

so, has anyone tried this week to access the spillway?
Posted By: R2Fishing

Re: Lake Somerville - 09/14/17 07:45 PM

Sunday the gates were closed before the Overlook site parking and at Welch going over the Dam. Did see guys/boats fishing there on 36 downstream of spillway.
Posted By: J-Moe

Re: Lake Somerville - 09/17/17 09:30 PM

I went to Welsh park on Saturday evening. There were quite a few people launching their boats and coming in. I talked with several people. There were a few hybrids caught and a few keeper white bass caught but the overwhelming story is the huge numbers of undersized white bass. People just kept going on about how good the spawn must have been these last couple of years. A friend and I kayaked all the way around the island and caught nothing but a bunch of small white bass.

This morning I fished around Lake Somerville Marina and caught a couple small lmb and a couple small white bass. I kayaked around twin island but only caught a couple bluegill.

I got a report from someone who kayaked up from 36 bridge to the spillway today. Same results, lots of undersized white bass, no keepers.
Posted By: 24x7Fisherman

Re: Lake Somerville - 09/18/17 12:16 AM

Thanks. Can you fish at the spillway now?
Posted By: J-Moe

Re: Lake Somerville - 09/18/17 01:45 AM

No, they still have it all blocked off. But you can put a boat or kayak in at 36 bridge and come up. There is a sign identifying the point that you can't go past.
Posted By: J-Moe

Re: Lake Somerville - 09/30/17 02:18 AM

Lake Level is 249.5 // 11.5 feet above normal.

The dam, visitors overlook and spillway are still closed.

Hwy 1948 is now open.
Posted By: J-Moe

Re: Lake Somerville - 10/04/17 12:54 AM

I took the kayak out tonight and found lots and lots of these guys. I thought they were going to jump in the yak and take the magical clousers out of my fly box grin

Almost all of them were in the 10 to 12 inch range.


Posted By: Razorback

Re: Lake Somerville - 10/04/17 02:06 PM

Is there a boat ramp suitable for launching a fiberglass bass boat at FM 1948?
Posted By: hook-line&sinker

Re: Lake Somerville - 10/04/17 02:14 PM

Don't know if there is any ramp open but I suppose a muddy launch is possible around the Jerdelle creek crossing just down from Rocky creek park. I'm about to wrap up the ranch house rehab and maybe fish a little.. J-Moe is probably wondering if I'm still alive wink
Posted By: Razorback

Re: Lake Somerville - 10/04/17 02:21 PM

Thanks. I am just trying to figure out a place to launch, anywhere on the lake. It looks like all the Corps ramps are still closed.
Posted By: J-Moe

Re: Lake Somerville - 10/04/17 07:54 PM

Razorback, I don't know of any place to launch on 1948. The water is up to the side of the road near Jardelle. The only place I have seen people launching is at Welsh park from the bank. Last year they opened up Lake Somerville Marina boat ramp when the water got down to about 10 feet above normal. The lake level is 10.3 feet above normal now so you might give them a call and see when they expect to reopen the boat ramp.
Posted By: J-Moe

Re: Lake Somerville - 10/04/17 08:09 PM

Originally Posted By: hook-line&sinker
J-Moe is probably wondering if I'm still alive wink


No, I'm aware you are alive. It is very painful to know that I rank below a statue named Hobo Bob and a kitten name Bugs Buddy though grin
Posted By: Razorback

Re: Lake Somerville - 10/05/17 07:40 PM

Originally Posted By: J-Moe
Razorback, I don't know of any place to launch on 1948. The water is up to the side of the road near Jardelle. The only place I have seen people launching is at Welsh park from the bank. Last year they opened up Lake Somerville Marina boat ramp when the water got down to about 10 feet above normal. The lake level is 10.3 feet above normal now so you might give them a call and see when they expect to reopen the boat ramp.


Thanks. I called them and the marina does not plan to open their ramp until next weekend (weekend of October 14-15). Very frustrating...
Posted By: T-rey

Re: Lake Somerville - 10/05/17 08:39 PM

Is the marina open, can you even get on it walking?



Will answer my own question, yes it is.
Posted By: J-Moe

Re: Lake Somerville - 10/06/17 05:10 PM

I've been out in the kayak the last 3 evenings. Last year I couldn't paddle upstream against that 2300 cfs flow in my Moken 10. But it's not a problem in the Native I bought.

There was no cloud cover yesterday so the white bass weren't surfacing early like the previous days. So I put on a pair of flies and fished deep. I ended up catching lots of doubles. 5 casts in a row with doubles on at one point. Usually one undersized and one about 11 inches.

There are lots of small fish but a stringer of 10 to 12 inch fish is possible. I haven't been catching many of those 13.5 to 14.5 inch fish we usually catch during the white bass run.



Posted By: T-rey

Re: Lake Somerville - 10/07/17 11:35 AM

Anyone know if there is any crappie action at the Marina?
Posted By: J-Moe

Re: Lake Somerville - 10/08/17 01:53 AM

It's been a couple weeks since I was there. The reports at that time were poor.
Posted By: J-Moe

Re: Lake Somerville - 10/08/17 01:30 PM

Originally Posted By: J-Moe
It's been a couple weeks since I was there. The reports at that time were poor.


Trey, I went and checked this morning. There were about 20 people or so fishing. Which is a good indication some fish are being caught. I watched them fish for about 15 to 20 minutes. I saw 2 fish caught, both undersized. It wasn't worth my time so I left.
Posted By: J-Moe

Re: Lake Somerville - 10/08/17 01:45 PM

I launched the Yak from 36 bridge and fished upstream again on Saturday morning and Saturday evening. In the morning, the fishing was slow. I caught about 20 white bass between 7 and 11 am. Half of them undersized. The guys fishing with me with conventional gear couldn't even get a bite until we got back to the 36 bridge. We found a few fish biting under the bridge.

In the afternoon I started at the bridge with no luck so I headed upstream again. As the evening approached the fishing was on fire flame I caught 31 using a single fly. If I had been using a pair I could have caught a lot more. This time the fish were much bigger. I caught alot of 13 inch plus fish. Only 5 of the 31 were undersized. I spoke to someone who fished on the rocks at the dam. He had actually caught some even bigger white bass in the 14 inch plus range.

There are also reports of a lot of 16 lb. blue cats being caught at night in the creek.

Bad news is we are losing a lot of good fish from the lake that we will never get back. It should be combat fishing at it's finest when they reopen the spillway.
Posted By: T-rey

Re: Lake Somerville - 10/09/17 04:21 PM

Originally Posted By: J-Moe
Originally Posted By: J-Moe
It's been a couple weeks since I was there. The reports at that time were poor.


Trey, I went and checked this morning. There were about 20 people or so fishing. Which is a good indication some fish are being caught. I watched them fish for about 15 to 20 minutes. I saw 2 fish caught, both undersized. It wasn't worth my time so I left.


LOL, I was there to, on the boat docks. Came out of there with 6 keepers.
One guy fishing in the square dock snagged 2 really nice slabs, 14-1/2 and the other just under 15".
Wasn't easy fishing, they are scattered from 5' to 15'. SO couldn't get a specific depth on em.
Posted By: J-Moe

Re: Lake Somerville - 10/13/17 11:56 AM

I paddled upstream from 36 bridge again yesterday. I launched about 4:30 PM. It was hot and the fishing was dead when I started. There were water turkeys in the creek gorging on the shad. When I was paddling upstream I thought it was white bass chasing shad. Darn birds never got full all evening either. They just keep gorging themselves.

There were lots of big gar around. The gar have been feeding on the shoreline. I caught a couple last week, as well as, a couple crappie and lmb throwing the fly up against the bank. I hooked into a gar last night. I fought it for a while, I had to give it line and it started to pull me around for a bit. After a short time I got impatient, as normal, and started to horse it up to the surface to see what I had hooked into. When I got it to the surface my eyes got big. It was the biggest long nose I had ever seen. It turned it's head, snapped the 8 lb. test line and took my magical clouser with it bang

Finally, as the sun started to set the white bass turned on. It was non-stop for about 30 to 45 minutes and then it quite again. I caught about 15 to 20 fish. Only one was undersized. The biggest was 14.5 inch / 1.5 lbs.
Posted By: J-Moe

Re: Lake Somerville - 10/18/17 01:20 AM

I hit the Yegua again this evening. The fishing was on fire flame I had the entire place to myself. Darn shame I keep running off all my fishing buddies cry

I've fished it enough now that I've narrowed down the presentation, as well as, a couple areas in which I can catch some slightly bigger fish over 12 inches.

I even caught one that went 16 1/4 tonight. About another month of flow. Then it will be time to hit the other end of the lake and fish for big crappie

banana

Posted By: greenyak

Re: Lake Somerville - 10/19/17 11:45 PM

Originally Posted By: J-Moe
I hit the Yegua again this evening. The fishing was on fire flame I had the entire place to myself. Darn shame I keep running off all my fishing buddies cry

I've fished it enough now that I've narrowed down the presentation, as well as, a couple areas in which I can catch some slightly bigger fish over 12 inches.

I even caught one that went 16 1/4 tonight. About another month of flow. Then it will be time to hit the other end of the lake and fish for big crappie

banana


If I lived closer I would come fish with you.
Posted By: hook-line&sinker

Re: Lake Somerville - 10/20/17 02:09 AM

Hang in there Jamie.. I'm almost done with the Ranch House.. about another week or so if I work at it hard enough!
Posted By: J-Moe

Re: Lake Somerville - 10/22/17 11:20 PM

Lake Level is 243.5 ft. 5.5 feet above normal.

I took a tour of the creeks, Cedar (Flag Pond road), Nails (CR 125) and the Yeagua (CR 124) at Irwin Bridge. The creeks are within the banks and receding. Hopefully they will be fishable in a couple weeks.



Posted By: J-Moe

Re: Lake Somerville - 10/27/17 12:59 PM

Lake Level 242.25. 4 1/4 foot above normal.

I went out to Irwin bridge about noon yesterday. I tried fishing for crappie and LMB around the bridge and just downstream aways with no luck. There were a couple crappie fisherman there but they only caught one small crappie. The water is back to normal level at the bridge and very clear.

I checked on Nails and Cedar as well. They are still backed up from the lake. The water was clear in both the creeks but there was lots of duck weed.

This cold front should push the shad, crappie and lmb up into the creeks. With the water looking as great as it does I can't wait to get in there with the kayak.
Posted By: timid tiger

Re: Lake Somerville - 10/29/17 03:25 AM

J-Moe, Is nails park still closed? I checked park status on army website and only found yegua and rocky parks closed (http://www.swf-wc.usace.army.mil/lake/lakefacilities.htm)
Thanks in advance.
Posted By: J-Moe

Re: Lake Somerville - 10/29/17 09:44 PM

Yes, I hope it opens back up on the 1st. I need to call them. I hope to launch from Nails this weekend.
Posted By: J-Moe

Re: Lake Somerville - 10/30/17 03:05 PM

I found this on TPWD website. States that Nails will open on November 1st.

From Websit:
Park Closure Alert . . . Oct. 27, 2017 - The park is closed, due to flood damage. The Nails Creek Unit will re-open to the public on Nov. 1, 2017. Some camp areas are closed and no equestrian equestrian use is allowed in the park until further notice. The Trailway from the Nails Creek Unit to the Nails Creek Bridge is open to foot and bicycle traffic only. The Birch Creek Unit remains closed due to flood damage. Check here for updates or contact the park for more information

Looks like Saturday will be perfect day to catch 14 inch crappie and 3 lb. largemouth in Yegua and Nails creeks banana
SAT
NOV 4
Mostly Cloudy
84// 66
20% SSW 8 mph 76%
Posted By: J-Moe

Re: Lake Somerville - 10/30/17 03:13 PM

I spoke to someone at the Nails creek park and they confirmed the park will reopen on the 11/1/17.

Newman's bottom is closed and the bridge has still not been repaired. Still no schedule on when the area will reopen to automobile traffic. Looks like we will have to walk in again this year.
Posted By: J-Moe

Re: Lake Somerville - 10/31/17 03:15 PM

Lake Level is 241 ft. 3 feet above normal.

Rain is expected tonight and tomorrow. It will be just my luck that the beautiful, clear creeks I saw last weekend will turn into mud pits this week. I sure hope not. I'm looking forward to getting in there this weekend.
Posted By: jsinn01

Re: Lake Somerville - 11/01/17 11:56 AM

Wow, it's been awhile since my last post. Thanks for the updates, J-Moe. I'm thinking about walking back into the Nails Creek area on Saturday morning.
Posted By: J-Moe

Re: Lake Somerville - 11/01/17 01:16 PM

Originally Posted By: jsinn01
Wow, it's been awhile since my last post. Thanks for the updates, J-Moe. I'm thinking about walking back into the Nails Creek area on Saturday morning.


Why not take the yak? Nails should be open but we can also drag it in from the WMA parking lot. We got a lot of rain last night though, I'm afraid it may mess up the fishing this weekend.
Posted By: Lottfisher

Re: Lake Somerville - 11/02/17 12:09 AM

I don't think the creek flows increased much, yet with 3 Yeguas and multiple stations I'm probably not the best at evaluating this. If Nails Park boat ramp is indeed open I may do a midday launch tomorrow (Thursday) looking for crappie in Nails Creek...Lawton
Posted By: J-Moe

Re: Lake Somerville - 11/02/17 01:12 PM

Originally Posted By: Lottfisher
I don't think the creek flows increased much, yet with 3 Yeguas and multiple stations I'm probably not the best at evaluating this. If Nails Park boat ramp is indeed open I may do a midday launch tomorrow (Thursday) looking for crappie in Nails Creek...Lawton


Thanks Lawton, I hope you are right, the creeks were looking great. Let us know how you do and what the water quality looks like.
Posted By: Lottfisher

Re: Lake Somerville - 11/03/17 12:01 AM

Nails Creek is open or at least the boat ramp (I don't know about any other areas). I launched the Zodiac in stained water with 8" vis at noon and headed up Nails Creek. My second stop produced a 12" crappie, and that's it. I jigged hither and yon for 5 1/2 hours and just caught one crappie just this side of hither. I noticed large LMBs busting the surface once in a while. If you want to pursue them throw something loud, maybe a topwater because the visibility is not good. Past the cutoff water looked better yet on closer inspection there was areas of algae growth giving the water a greenish tint. I might try running up the yegua tomorrow...Lawton
Posted By: J-Moe

Re: Lake Somerville - 11/03/17 02:10 AM

Thanks for the report. I was hoping for better. Maybe the Yegua will produce.
Posted By: J-Moe

Re: Lake Somerville - 11/05/17 06:06 PM

I launched the yak from Nails creek state park boat ramp around 6:15 AM on Saturday. Since it was still dark I decided to just head up Nails rather that looking for the entrance to the Yegua. I headed up stream a ways past the flag pond cut before I started fishing. I fished up to the trailway bridge without getting a bite. I started my way back fishing the stick-ups and dropoffs. I hit one of the stick-ups in the middle of the creek and caught 3 crappie immediately, then nothing. I was fishing along the bank and found a drop off with lmb hanging on it. I hooked 5 bass in that one spot but lost 3 of them before getting them in the boat. I went back and tried the stick-up I had caught crappie on, as well as, fishing my way back downstream but didn't catch anything else.

The water looks great and there are lots of shad. Enough that I actually snagged 2 of them in the 5 inch range.

I went over to 36 bridge and launched at 1:15. I fished in the center channel, where the larger fish are at. I caught white bass in the 12 inch range on almost every cast for over an hour and a half until I had to quit because my wrist was swelling. Fighting those fish in that moving water is always lots of fun.


Posted By: J-Moe

Re: Lake Somerville - 11/05/17 09:33 PM

Lake level is 1.9 ft. above normal. The COE cut the release back to 1264 cfs. The roads to the spillway were still closed yesterday.
Posted By: J-Moe

Re: Lake Somerville - 11/06/17 08:18 PM

When I called the COE after they closed off the roads they told me there was a safety issue with people being on the spillway dock. I assumed once they cut the flow in half they would reopen the spillway as it wouldn't be an issue with safety anymore as no water would be splashing over the dock.

I called them again this morning and they said it was closed for maintenance. I asked what maintenance and just got a short answer "I don't know". I haven't seen any type of maintenance going on and I've paddled up to the spillway on several occasions.

The rumors early on were they were going to keep it closed because people trashed the place out so badly. I'm starting to think those rumors are actually true.
Posted By: ag_angler

Re: Lake Somerville - 11/08/17 03:45 AM

NICE REPORT
Posted By: J-Moe

Re: Lake Somerville - 11/10/17 03:26 PM

Lake is now 1 foot above normal. The COE cut the flow down to 665 CFS. The fish will be bunching up even more.
Posted By: J-Moe

Re: Lake Somerville - 11/11/17 09:59 PM

I went back to 36 bridge yesterday evening. It's hard to say the fishing was better when you are catching them on almost every cast. But it was because I didn't need to use the yak. I put on the hip waders and man was that less stressful on the wrist, elbow and shoulder. I caught them again on almost every cast. I caught over 20 before I caught my first undersized too. Only 4 undersized the entire evening.

This morning I launched the yak and headed up to the spillway. I stopped at the point where no boats are allowed past. I was targeting hybrids initially. I was using a sink tip line and a heavy half n' half fly. I just kept catching big white bass though. I switched back to a floating line and moe-beta and the onslaught was on. I hate to say the fishing got better. But it did. Not only was I catching white bass on almost every cast but they were those monsters we catch in the creek. Several in the 16 inch plus range.

When I got back to the 36 bridge around 10:30 AM there were 3 fisherman in the exact spot I fished the evening before. They had not caught anything except a few small white bass. It will be interesting to see if they come back in the afternoon or have all pushed up to the spillway with this lower flow.

Lake is falling a little over a tenth of a foot per day. Depending on if they cut the flow in half again or not we have about 8 days or so left. Lake is currently 0.86 ft. above normal.



Posted By: c.g

Re: Lake Somerville - 11/12/17 12:00 AM

Nice!
tftr


flehan
Posted By: J-Moe

Re: Lake Somerville - 11/12/17 09:41 PM

I paddled upstream in Nails this morning. Lots of hunters going in and out messing up the water below the flag pond cut. I fished from above the cut to the trailway bridge and only caught one bass. I started working my way back downstream and caught one more bass and a bluegill before I decided to do something different. There were still shad in the creek but no bass activity at all. It was just dead.

I left and went over to Irwin bridge. The water was incredibly clear, it looked great. The fishing was excellent too. I switched back and forth between catching bluegill and crappie. The majority of the crappie were undersized. I would say about one in eight keeper. But the action was non stop and a lot of fun. As a bonus I caught a couple nice redear. I haven't caught many around Lake Somerville.
Posted By: J-Moe

Re: Lake Somerville - 11/12/17 09:43 PM

Originally Posted By: c.g
Nice!
tftr


flehan


Thanks c.g.
Posted By: J-Moe

Re: Lake Somerville - 11/13/17 12:04 AM

Curiosity got the best of me. I made a run out to 36 bridge. The fish were in there thick but they were all small. I doubt I caught anything over 11.5 inches.
Posted By: J-Moe

Re: Lake Somerville - 11/13/17 04:16 PM

Lake level is 238.67. The COE cut the release rate in half again. Currently releasing 355 cfs.
Posted By: FishermenDesigns

Re: Lake Somerville - 11/14/17 01:42 PM

Has anyone been up the Yegua through the mouth to Wolf Pond? I wonder how the fishing is now back in the creek. Itching to go soon.
Posted By: greenyak

Re: Lake Somerville - 11/17/17 02:34 AM

I might try to go out to the yegua Saturday morning.
Posted By: TXfisherman12

Re: Lake Somerville - 11/17/17 07:12 PM

Had the pleasure to fish the Yegua creek with J-Moe yesterday. In total, I think he probably caught over 100 fish - including a mixture of lmb, crappie, white bass and sunfish. I caught my share but not nearly as many. The crappie fishing was good at various spots under and around Irwin bridge. We also fished at the 36 bridge and had some luck with a couple schools of white bass, almost all of which were undersized but fun to catch. I forget the tally for each of us for white bass, so maybe J-Moe will recall. A guy across the creek under the bridge was tearing up the catfish with chicken livers. All said, a great day of fishing and hope to do it again this winter during the WB run.
Posted By: J-Moe

Re: Lake Somerville - 11/18/17 07:49 PM

Originally Posted By: TXfisherman12
Had the pleasure to fish the Yegua creek with J-Moe yesterday. In total, I think he probably caught over 100 fish - including a mixture of lmb, crappie, white bass and sunfish. I caught my share but not nearly as many. The crappie fishing was good at various spots under and around Irwin bridge. We also fished at the 36 bridge and had some luck with a couple schools of white bass, almost all of which were undersized but fun to catch. I forget the tally for each of us for white bass, so maybe J-Moe will recall. A guy across the creek under the bridge was tearing up the catfish with chicken livers. All said, a great day of fishing and hope to do it again this winter during the WB run.


It was a great time.

It took an extra month but Fall fishing has finally reached full strength. I went back Friday morning and continued where we left off. It was non stop again until the wind picked up and the bp started falling. I caught a lot of undersized crappie, a 10 inch bluegill and a couple red ear sunfish.

I went out to the ranch ponds this morning and the big crappie and bass were biting there too.

It's one of those peak fishing times of year flame






I caught this crappie pond fishing this morning. With the mouth closed and tail pinched it was just under 15 inches. I mean barely. I couldn't stretch it. bang

Posted By: greenyak

Re: Lake Somerville - 11/20/17 01:48 AM

I went to yegua Saturday got a view keepers
Posted By: J-Moe

Re: Lake Somerville - 11/20/17 04:35 PM

Thanks for the report and video greenyak.

You didn't have to go far to find lmb, crappie and even bowfin. I can only imagine how good the fishing is around Newman's bottom. The Newman's bottom area is still closed to even walk in traffic right now. I'm finding crappie everywhere I go so it may be time to try Nails again.

I've never caught a bowfin. It would be awesome to catch one on my fly rod. I'm sure I'll catch one by accident some day.

When I saw 20 to 30 mph winds on Saturday I assumed you would have made other plans. You are a brave man to venture out in those winds. Me, not a chance. I learned one fault of my Native. It doesn't handle waves and wind very well.
Posted By: J-Moe

Re: Lake Somerville - 11/20/17 04:36 PM

Lake Level is 238.25 ft. COE dropped the flow to 188 cfs.
Posted By: TXfisherman12

Re: Lake Somerville - 11/21/17 01:05 AM

Originally Posted By: J-Moe
Originally Posted By: TXfisherman12
Had the pleasure to fish the Yegua creek with J-Moe yesterday. In total, I think he probably caught over 100 fish - including a mixture of lmb, crappie, white bass and sunfish. I caught my share but not nearly as many. The crappie fishing was good at various spots under and around Irwin bridge. We also fished at the 36 bridge and had some luck with a couple schools of white bass, almost all of which were undersized but fun to catch. I forget the tally for each of us for white bass, so maybe J-Moe will recall. A guy across the creek under the bridge was tearing up the catfish with chicken livers. All said, a great day of fishing and hope to do it again this winter during the WB run.


It was a great time.

It took an extra month but Fall fishing has finally reached full strength. I went back Friday morning and continued where we left off. It was non stop again until the wind picked up and the bp started falling. I caught a lot of undersized crappie, a 10 inch bluegill and a couple red ear sunfish.

I went out to the ranch ponds this morning and the big crappie and bass were biting there too.

It's one of those peak fishing times of year flame






I caught this crappie pond fishing this morning. With the mouth closed and tail pinched it was just under 15 inches. I mean barely. I couldn't stretch it. bang





Nice crappies and sunfish. Was that private body caught crappie almost a record?
Posted By: greenyak

Re: Lake Somerville - 11/21/17 01:14 AM

Originally Posted By: J-Moe
Thanks for the report and video greenyak.

You didn't have to go far to find lmb, crappie and even bowfin. I can only imagine how good the fishing is around Newman's bottom. The Newman's bottom area is still closed to even walk in traffic right now. I'm finding crappie everywhere I go so it may be time to try Nails again.

I've never caught a bowfin. It would be awesome to catch one on my fly rod. I'm sure I'll catch one by accident some day.

When I saw 20 to 30 mph winds on Saturday I assumed you would have made other plans. You are a brave man to venture out in those winds. Me, not a chance. I learned one fault of my Native. It doesn't handle waves and wind very well.
the north wind came around about 1 oclock and the trees started to fall so had to go.
Posted By: J-Moe

Re: Lake Somerville - 11/21/17 11:59 AM

Originally Posted By: TXfisherman12


Nice crappies and sunfish. Was that private body caught crappie almost a record?


It was a tenth of a pound under my current record.
Posted By: J-Moe

Re: Lake Somerville - 11/21/17 12:55 PM

Originally Posted By: greenyak
the north wind came around about 1 oclock and the trees started to fall so had to go.


That's something important to note. When the winds started blowing last year while we were bank fishing it became like a war zone with trees falling everywhere. Another 17 feet rise in the lake ain't gonna make it any better this year.
Posted By: J-Moe

Re: Lake Somerville - 11/22/17 03:12 PM

Lake Level is 238.2 ft. COE dropped the release rate to 94 cfs.
Posted By: jsinn01

Re: Lake Somerville - 11/22/17 10:16 PM

Planning on a little camping at Nails Creek State Park this weekend. Hope to find a few fish as well. grin
Posted By: jsinn01

Re: Lake Somerville - 11/24/17 01:15 PM

Looks like great weather for the weekend! Hope to see a few of you out there.
Posted By: J-Moe

Re: Lake Somerville - 11/24/17 03:40 PM

When the COE dropped the flow down last weekend the crappie and catfish started to bunch up around the 36 bridge. It didn't take but a few days before the bait buckets, beer cans, soda cups and plastic bags showed up. I took a trash bag with me and cleaned up. I'm starting to identify the offenders. Maybe if I start carrying trash bags in my pocket and trying to educate anyone I see with a bait bucket of beer can I might make a difference.

It's always been a struggle for me between promoting the parks or protecting them. I realized long ago that even if I didn't post the word got out on hot fishing. Facebook seems to be a greater media. I also realized that a lot of the offenders I see trashing the place probably don't even have a computer.

So that will be my goal going forward. Instead of getting angry, I'll be proactive first. Maybe I can at least influence some of the youngsters as they grow up in this great country.


Posted By: hook-line&sinker

Re: Lake Somerville - 11/24/17 04:27 PM

The thing I'm most disappointed about with todays Texas is the excessive littering. Littering seems to get worse every year to the point that it becomes normal behavior for those that do the offending. If the COE closed the spillway this last summer for more than the stated "safety" reasons I fully understand and support the effort at stemming the littering. I will no longer support the open access to the spillway (or any other public byway) if the littering doesn't stop. We all pay the price for the crime of littering.
Posted By: J-Moe

Re: Lake Somerville - 11/24/17 05:38 PM

Originally Posted By: jsinn01
Looks like great weather for the weekend! Hope to see a few of you out there.


PM sent. Let me know your plans.
Posted By: J-Moe

Re: Lake Somerville - 11/25/17 12:53 AM

I headed back to the dam this evening. Same thing, if you get in the right spot you can catch white bass continuously. I'm spoiled now. Catching multiple 16 inch white bass too. I still haven't caught a hybrid though. I guess that's the only thing that would make it better.

On another note. I picked up a bag full of trash when I got to the bridge. There were a couple groups of fisherman that I picked up trash around their feet. One old man actually got up and helped me. And when I got back they had all picked up their garbage before leaving. Maybe it's enough to shame people into cleaning up after themselves.
Posted By: 24x7Fisherman

Re: Lake Somerville - 11/25/17 01:00 AM

Thank you very much!&#128077;
Posted By: SweetRay

Re: Lake Somerville - 11/25/17 06:35 AM

The littering in Texas is rediculous. However I will never support shutting down or closing any area to public access. If this is the case they should shut down the lakes entirely. Every Lake I have been to with public areas has litter and you cant walk two feet with out finding glass. The only way to stop the littering is to fine those who litter. The spill way is closed so there is more litter at the other two locations. Closing the spillway only moved the litterers to another location. It did not stop the littering. The glass can be stopped entirely by not allowing glass containers at our lakes.

I respect hook-line&sinker and consider him my friend. But closing areas is not the answer, that only allows people breaking laws to take away even more from us. It needs to be stopped.
Posted By: greenyak

Re: Lake Somerville - 11/26/17 02:27 AM

Posted By: J-Moe

Re: Lake Somerville - 11/26/17 08:33 PM

Enjoyed the video. Looks like it is improving week by week.

I drove out to the Nails creek boat ramp Saturday morning. I saw the guy with the motorized kayak leaving the boat ramp. I decided to try out the kayak cart I built and drag my kayak into Nails. The first test of the kayak cart was a failure. It was pretty much a failure this time too. I have to redesign it to fit my hull properly.

I fished for about an hour in Nails and only caught one catfish. I guess I'll wait until January before I try it again.

Posted By: Bug-e

Re: Lake Somerville - 11/26/17 08:37 PM

Fun video!!
Posted By: TXfisherman12

Re: Lake Somerville - 11/27/17 12:08 AM

Nice video! If you dont sharing green-yak what lures were you using to catch the crappie?
Posted By: greenyak

Re: Lake Somerville - 11/27/17 01:57 AM

Originally Posted By: TXfisherman12
Nice video! If you dont sharing green-yak what lures were you using to catch the crappie?
just some little jigs, crappie jigs
Posted By: greenyak

Re: Lake Somerville - 11/27/17 01:59 AM

Originally Posted By: J-Moe
Enjoyed the video. Looks like it is improving week by week.

I drove out to the Nails creek boat ramp Saturday morning. I saw the guy with the motorized kayak leaving the boat ramp. I decided to try out the kayak cart I built and drag my kayak into Nails. The first test of the kayak cart was a failure. It was pretty much a failure this time too. I have to redesign it to fit my hull properly.

I fished for about an hour in Nails and only caught one catfish. I guess I'll wait until January before I try it again.


https://youtu.be/3V4MqLK7Lp8. This is how I did mine.
Posted By: jsinn01

Re: Lake Somerville - 11/27/17 03:32 PM

Originally Posted By: J-Moe
Originally Posted By: jsinn01
Looks like great weather for the weekend! Hope to see a few of you out there.


PM sent. Let me know your plans.


Sorry, J-Moe. Was away from the internet most of the weekend, busy camping/fishing. My buddy and I fished Yegua out of his go-devil boat on Friday & Saturday. The crappie fishing is really good right now. Caught a lot of undersize, but some really nice ones too. Fished Nails on Sunday from kayaks, and fishing was definitely a little slower, although my buddy caught the biggest fish of the weekend. We only caught one non-crappie, a black bass, all weekend long, and that was in Yegua.
Posted By: J-Moe

Re: Lake Somerville - 11/28/17 12:37 PM

Can anyone tell me how big the new crop of hybrids are currently in the lake?

I caught several in the 15 to 16 inch range in the spillway. I'm not sure if they came up from the Brazos or came from the lake. I did catch a stripper this weekend so I know some fish came up from the Brazos, as usual.

Make sure you are looking at that tongue patch before stringing up fish.
Posted By: Duma

Re: Lake Somerville - 11/28/17 02:55 PM

They are the exact size of big white bass on the lake. I caught and released 30-50 one trip. By next fall they should be way too big to be whites.
Posted By: J-Moe

Re: Lake Somerville - 11/28/17 05:29 PM

Originally Posted By: brucevannguyen
They are the exact size of big white bass on the lake. I caught and released 30-50 one trip. By next fall they should be way too big to be whites.


That's exactly what I saw. Only difference is that first impact when they struck the fly caused serious damage. Fly broke off twice. Leader broke once. Straightened a hook once. And the usual extended fierce fight resulting in a little drag having to be given up.

Man I love catching hybrids on the fly rod. I haven't hung into any of the older crowd lately. But saw some pictures of that group. They seem to be in the 24.5 to 27.5 inch range. 7 to 9 plus pounds.
Posted By: J-Moe

Re: Lake Somerville - 11/28/17 05:42 PM

Wow, I took the first picture on 6/28/17. The second picture on 11/26/17. The growth is incredible in 5 months.


Posted By: Duma

Re: Lake Somerville - 11/28/17 06:04 PM

There's still some of those old hybrids up there, but for some reasons they are not schooling on tops like they did last year. And then there's days they will take a bait readily and than there's day they wouldn't care if baits were hitting them in the face. They would just move over and let the bait swim on by. Those small hybrids are like fish on steroids. They are growing at an incredible rate. Pretty soon you will have your fly rods tested to the max. Get ready Jamie!! They are growing fast !!

As for whites. Omg !! Lets just said the past few spawns was very successfull. You creek guys just might have an incredible run this year up them creeks.

Them hybrids the size of big white bass has a very distinct double tooth patch. So no excuse not to see it and retain them as whites. Hope the game warden out there checking,because I think a lot will be mistaking for whites.
Posted By: J-Moe

Re: Lake Somerville - 11/28/17 06:14 PM

Interesting. One of the guys told me when he cleaned a couple of those 24 inch hybrids they didn't have anything in their stomach. Very picky right now for sure.
Posted By: raiderLUVjen

Re: Lake Somerville - 12/13/17 10:31 PM

Hello J! It's been along time. How's it been in Somerville? Has Ben been fishing/posting? Since I moved I mostly fish the run on the trinity, so I thought I'd drop in and say hi!
Posted By: jsinn01

Re: Lake Somerville - 12/14/17 01:20 PM

Hey Ryan, nice to see your post. Been a long time for sure. Crappie fishing in Yegua is decent right now. No White Bass in the creeks yet and probably won't be until we get a good rain or two. What do you fish for in the Trinity? I've fished it above Livingston a few times and caught crappie & whites.
Posted By: TXfisherman12

Re: Lake Somerville - 12/15/17 09:34 PM

Originally Posted By: J-Moe
Interesting. One of the guys told me when he cleaned a couple of those 24 inch hybrids they didn't have anything in their stomach. Very picky right now for sure.


Do the fingerling hybrids have 2 tooth patches like the adults?
Posted By: raiderLUVjen

Re: Lake Somerville - 12/15/17 10:27 PM

Jsinn, it's been two years since I've timed the run just right on the Trinity. Either I can't get time off from work or the rain has messed it up, but I catch whites mostly. I usually go to the lock n dam and walk aways from the crowd. I used to think NB was crowded when we would fish there....this place is nuts! I found some sand bars and holes away from the crowds that usually do well if the conditions are ok. I sure do miss Somerville.
Posted By: Naggler

Re: Lake Somerville - 12/17/17 05:08 PM

Have they opened Newman's back up for camping? I miss it badly...
Posted By: J-Moe

Re: Lake Somerville - 12/19/17 02:11 PM

TPWD stocked trout in the ponds at Nails Creek and Birch Creek State parks yesterday. Since I was the only one fishing for them at Nails creek park I figured this is one occasion I better promote the fishing. Otherwise, if people don't show up and pay their $4 it's not likely they will waste the time to stock them again.

I have fished for the stock trout at Central Park in College Station 3 times. I have only caught one trout in those 3 trips. Every time I go there the same man is there fishing for them. And every time he laughs at me and tells me he has never seen a trout caught out of that pond with lures. Not so in the Nails pond though. I caught about 10 using Briminator variants in crawfish, chartreuse and chartreuse/black colors.


Posted By: Naggler

Re: Lake Somerville - 12/20/17 01:27 AM

I may have to give it a day run...check out Newmans and catch some dinner trout! Just got my first fly combo...looks like a great place to practice!
Posted By: jsinn01

Re: Lake Somerville - 12/22/17 02:48 PM

Cool post, Jamie. Those little trout can be fun on light tackle and artificial baits. I've caught them on in-line spinners before. Must have been fun on the fly rod.
Posted By: irfishyir2

Re: Lake Somerville - 12/22/17 10:30 PM

i thot the limit was 5 trout.......
Posted By: cwil

Re: Lake Somerville - 12/23/17 02:26 AM

Originally Posted By: irfishyir2
i thot the limit was 5 trout.......


Yes 5, but you don't have to keep them.
Posted By: jsinn01

Re: Lake Somerville - 01/03/18 11:01 PM

May have to give it a try this weekend. Looks like a warming trend which can only help the fishing. Any reports of white bass in the creeks yet?
Posted By: Naggler

Re: Lake Somerville - 01/04/18 09:00 PM

Oooooooo...no comments! You know what that means! They are limiting every day! Or that nobody is fishing. Or that nobody has been lately...or that they haven't been on to post. Or the fishing is average. Or any other number of scenarios I suppose. Either way, come the end of this month, I know where I'll be! fish clap bannana2
Posted By: hook-line&sinker

Re: Lake Somerville - 01/04/18 09:12 PM

One year ago..





Posted By: hook-line&sinker

Re: Lake Somerville - 01/04/18 09:14 PM

two years ago..
Posted By: hook-line&sinker

Re: Lake Somerville - 01/04/18 09:16 PM

three years ago..
Posted By: hook-line&sinker

Re: Lake Somerville - 01/04/18 09:18 PM

four years ago..
Posted By: TXfisherman12

Re: Lake Somerville - 01/05/18 01:49 AM

I am itching to get out myself. Thinking maybe the water temps are still too cold for a lot of males to go upstream. But still would like to get out there.....
Posted By: R2Fishing

Re: Lake Somerville - 01/06/18 01:09 AM

Main lake temp is 46-48 if yall are curious.

They were in low 50s before the artic blast.
Posted By: R2Fishing

Re: Lake Somerville - 01/06/18 03:22 AM

Rumor on the street as of this evening is stringers of Crappie are being caught at Irwin Bridge..Im not a bank walker so you all can have fun with that. Lol
Posted By: greenyak

Re: Lake Somerville - 01/07/18 12:14 AM

No crappie for me today.
Posted By: Naggler

Re: Lake Somerville - 01/07/18 12:57 AM

Thanks for sharing the videos guys...made reservations for end of the month for brother in law and myself to hike down to Newman Bottom and bank fish. Excited! loco_2
Posted By: Fish Zone

Re: Lake Somerville - 01/07/18 04:42 AM

Today was a nice day to be on the water , thanks for sharing .
Posted By: doctorliver

Re: Lake Somerville - 01/07/18 02:33 PM

Hi all, has anyone heard any news regarding Newman's Bottom and it's status? I'm guessing it will be a long while before we see it open again.
Posted By: R2Fishing

Re: Lake Somerville - 01/07/18 03:45 PM

IF you arent at Irwin Bridge. You missing out. Its a Walmart parking lot there. Just drove by
Posted By: Naggler

Re: Lake Somerville - 01/07/18 06:00 PM

Called Nails SP yesterday and was told they will open Newman to foot traffic only on the 15th. Campgrounds still closed.
Posted By: GC2656

Re: Lake Somerville - 01/10/18 04:34 PM

OK, I would think that some of the regulars have been up the creeks chasing crappie. I am going to head up the creeks next week with my boat, weather permitting. Anyone have any reports?
Posted By: R2Fishing

Re: Lake Somerville - 01/10/18 09:01 PM

Heard some whitebass and good stringers of Crappie coming in from Irwin Bridge.
GC- theres club tourn this weekend on Sville. So prepare for some boat traffic.
Posted By: GC2656

Re: Lake Somerville - 01/10/18 09:47 PM

Thanks hoggwild, I usually fish during the week.
Posted By: hook-line&sinker

Re: Lake Somerville - 01/12/18 05:33 PM

Based on a long history of fishing the Yegua the first good stringers of whitebass and crappie should be coming out of the creek this coming week. But you do have to find the fish as they stage and move into and up creeks. The whitebass will move a lot all up and down the creek stopping in the deeper areas just long enough to rest and wait for conditions to change in their favor. Whitebass tend to be very time sensitive when it comes to feeding in the creek, generally they hunt from daybreak until late morning and again in the afternoon. Crappie are very different and likely to be holding in the deepest areas in good numbers until the water warms and days get longer. There are several deep holes up the Yegua that have held fish year after year and I suspect little has changed since last season. I hope to get up the creek later this month as I feel a sick day coming on... wink
Posted By: moonriver

Re: Lake Somerville - 01/12/18 06:03 PM

Nice information. Thanks.
Originally Posted By: hook-line&sinker
Based on a long history of fishing the Yegua the first good stringers of whitebass and crappie should be coming out of the creek this coming week. But you do have to find the fish as they stage and move into and up creeks. The whitebass will move a lot all up and down the creek stopping in the deeper areas just long enough to rest and wait for conditions to change in their favor. Whitebass tend to be very time sensitive when it comes to feeding in the creek, generally they hunt from daybreak until late morning and again in the afternoon. Crappie are very different and likely to be holding in the deepest areas in good numbers until the water warms and days get longer. There are several deep holes up the Yegua that have held fish year after year and I suspect little has changed since last season. I hope to get up the creek later this month as I feel a sick day coming on... wink
Posted By: catchnrelease

Re: Lake Somerville - 01/12/18 09:33 PM

Feel a Sick day coming on! Cough - Cough - cough - crappie - crappie. Its getting worse.
Posted By: fishytx

Re: Lake Somerville - 01/14/18 06:05 PM

I think I'm gonna lay low on the white bass this year. I say low, but what that means is I'm planning on waiting till the spawn gets going good in March. I messed up my right shoulder last year casting so much, so when the fish come up in the creeks hot and heavy, I'll go catch them during that time frame. Even when I go black bass fishing from my boat I'm having some issues with my right shoulder and I have to cut my time on the water short. But we will see how well my thoughts go on this for I get the white bass fever like crazy. I love this type of fishing, or should I say catching.
Posted By: Lottfisher

Re: Lake Somerville - 01/15/18 01:10 PM

Today (Monday) looks to be the only good weather window this week. I am going to paddle up the Yegua from Nails ramp for some scouting. I think it's still early for the whites, so maybe the crappie will be there...Lawton
Posted By: catchnrelease

Re: Lake Somerville - 01/15/18 03:36 PM

My wife and I found a little time Sunday afternoon so we drove up from San Marcos and visited the Irwin Bridge to see what we could see. We arrived around 2:30. It was about 55 degrees and sunny. We hoped to find a nice deep hole with crappie, so we walked downstream a little way. We were using shiner minnows under a bobber and free-lining. We fished downstream of the 124 bridge for a couple hours with only 1 tiny large mouth bass to show for it. Around 4:30, we decided to go upstream and fish around the 124 bridge. 5:15, my wife caught her first 9inch white bass. A few other people were there (6-7 cars) but no one else was catching. Most appeared to be using lures/Jigs. My wife missed a few strikes, and lost a couple of fish near the bank. (she forgets to set the hook) LOL. We were all watching my wife's bobber getting dragged under water and saw her missing the hook sets.

So, It wasn't too long before a few of the other people moved in near us and began casting in the area where she was getting bites. One boy eventually caught a 10 inch white. Shortly after, it began to get cold and dark. We left at 6:00. She ended up with 3 and I caught 2 undersized whites. Of course, all released. We didn't catch any crappie like we had hoped. But we left satisfied that we saw what we came to see.

The water looks nice, but is flowing slowly. A few whites are already up stream. The beginning of the spawn is approaching. Anticipation....
Posted By: sellmore=fishmore

Re: Lake Somerville - 01/15/18 04:56 PM

My son and I spent the entire day Kayaking Yegua on Saturday with no luck. When we left the ramp it was 29 degrees - yes, mom, we were dressed appropriately - and before we hit the creek a little ice had formed on my son's waders. It was a beautiful day. The water temp in the creek was 48 degrees. The fish finder did not mark lots of fish, so when we saw a few in 10+ ft of water near some structure we did some jigging, but to no avail. We saw one other fisherman up there and he said his fishing was also very slow. We also set out six catfish tree/drop lines baited with chicken liver and/or zote soap but they all still had the bait on the hook after hours of being in the water. We go when we can around baseball tournaments, Scouts and such and hope to be able to make it back up the creeks while there are still some crappie and white bass in 'em.

Where is the closest place to buy minnows around Nails Creek SP? We come up from Katy through Sealy, Bellville, Brenham and Burton.
Posted By: ag_angler

Re: Lake Somerville - 01/16/18 03:57 AM

I was fishing at Irwin Bridge on the last Saturday. only caught one undersized crappie and one white bass.
Posted By: SweetRay

Re: Lake Somerville - 01/17/18 05:28 AM

Coming from Brenham the gas station on the corner of 36 and 1948 where you turn to go towards the lake has minnows.
Coming from college station the gas station in Lyons off 36 has minnows.
Posted By: sellmore=fishmore

Re: Lake Somerville - 01/17/18 04:47 PM

Thanks SweetRay. We go to the State Park from Katy via Sealy, Bellville, Brenham and Burton. It's looking like we'll have to take a detour to find minnows to take up Yegua and Nails Creeks for crappie fishing.
Posted By: DonFromAustin

Re: Lake Somerville - 01/18/18 05:15 PM

I usually catch minnows from a pond in my neighborhood and bring the minnow bucket with an aerator to the state park.
Posted By: DonFromAustin

Re: Lake Somerville - 01/18/18 05:22 PM

I paddled into the Nails creek last Saturday. I left the ramp at around 2pm and fished in the creek for 4.5 hours. Only one undersized crappie was caught in a 15 minute time window close to sunset when bites occurred.
Posted By: DonFromAustin

Re: Lake Somerville - 01/18/18 10:22 PM

I heard Newman's Bottom is now open. Has anyone had any luck there?
Posted By: Naggler

Re: Lake Somerville - 01/18/18 11:30 PM

With this cold snap, I would imagine the fish are holding deeper and therefore bank fishermen may have somewhat limited access to them. I will be out there next Friday and Saturday and will report...I fish artificial only mainly because of the hike down to the creek!
Posted By: R2Fishing

Re: Lake Somerville - 01/19/18 02:03 AM

What I dont see guys post or talk about much on here anymore is the use of jig/slip float. That is KILLER on the creek... just a helpful hint for yall.. waters cold- those fish arent going to chase a bait...
Posted By: Naggler

Re: Lake Somerville - 01/19/18 02:29 AM

IMO the most addicting way to catch em too...I will be doing that exclusively on my trip!
Posted By: jsinn01

Re: Lake Somerville - 01/19/18 07:31 PM

Originally Posted By: hoggwild
What I dont see guys post or talk about much on here anymore is the use of jig/slip float. That is KILLER on the creek... just a helpful hint for yall.. waters cold- those fish arent going to chase a bait...


Hoggwild, I've had success with this method for Crappie, but not so much for White Bass. Is there a trick to it?
Posted By: jsinn01

Re: Lake Somerville - 01/19/18 07:34 PM

Originally Posted By: DonFromAustin
I paddled into the Nails creek last Saturday. I left the ramp at around 2pm and fished in the creek for 4.5 hours. Only one undersized crappie was caught in a 15 minute time window close to sunset when bites occurred.


Thanks for the report, Don. Nails can be very slow at times, but it makes for a nice paddle.
Posted By: R2Fishing

Re: Lake Somerville - 01/20/18 01:22 AM

Twitch twitch sit? Lol. The lake temp is 43.. thats COLD. Slow prevention will getvthe bites. Im sure most of the guys fishing the creek are cranking that bait as if we are in late March and whitebass are schooling. Slow it down. Use a slip float and work the standing timber. Youll find the fish. &#128077;&#127995;
Posted By: J-Moe

Re: Lake Somerville - 01/21/18 12:43 AM

No doubt this has been one of the coldest winters we have had in a while. I've had snow at the house 3 times this winter.
I have caught over 15 white bass 3 times this month and all 3 times I caught them between 2 PM and 5 PM. I've caught very few before noon and they shutdown around 5 PM.

When the water is this cold early in the run the fish will bunch very tight, hold right on the bottom of a deep hole against a vertical wall. Which means I usually find them very close to the bank. I equate it to putting the fly into a 5 gallon bucket.

It's all about presentation. I roll cast a jig head fly. White marabou tail, white body, white 1/32 ounce jig head with a crystal braid collar. The fly or lure must produce good action on its own. I usually don't impart any action to the fly but just let it fall and watch my line for movement of any type. The lighter jig head will fall very slowly so sometimes I have to wait 15 seconds or more before I get a bite. The lighter the line the better. I normally use 6 lb. fluorocarbon tippet.

Fishytx used to drill me on this method but I always had problems using light line on my spinning reel and fluorocarbon just twisted so bad I finally gave up on the spinning reel. The 6 lb. fluorocarbon I use is as small as 4 lb. mono. Using a fly rod is far easier for me to cast the light jig head and I don't have to deal with all the tangles.


Posted By: jsinn01

Re: Lake Somerville - 01/21/18 02:36 AM

Them's some healthy looking White Bass, Jamie. Nothing better than catching them on light tackle.
Posted By: fray

Re: Lake Somerville - 01/21/18 01:57 PM

Nice fish
Posted By: Naggler

Re: Lake Somerville - 01/22/18 12:47 AM

Headed up Friday for a 2 night camp at Nails SP...can't friggin wait! I reckon its a bit early, but hopefully yall get some rain today/tomorrow and after a warm week, who knows!
Posted By: DonFromAustin

Re: Lake Somerville - 01/22/18 04:37 AM

Nice fish. Which location did you catch them at?
Posted By: J-Moe

Re: Lake Somerville - 01/22/18 04:10 PM

Thanks for the comments. I caught 2 or 3 big females on Saturday. The first I have caught this year. On 1/5/18 I caught 23 and 19 on the 1/6/18 but they were all males. About 1/3 of them were undersized.

I caught these close to Irwin bridge. I walked into Newman's Bottom twice but I have not had any luck. Both times I fished there was in the morning though. I just haven't had any luck in the mornings. The best I have done in the mornings has been 6, all males, and all close to Irwin bridge. Crappie fishing has been very slow for everyone I talked to as well.

We could sure use a good 5 inch rain.
Posted By: Naggler

Re: Lake Somerville - 01/23/18 01:58 AM

Ya'll get any rain this past weekend?
Posted By: J-Moe

Re: Lake Somerville - 01/23/18 01:09 PM

Originally Posted By: Naggler
Ya'll get any rain this past weekend?


Very little
Posted By: Naggler

Re: Lake Somerville - 01/26/18 01:24 AM

Headed down tomorrow for a couple nights...just in time for the rain! Going to try Yegua all over till we hopefully find a few. Will report Sunday fish clap bannana2
Posted By: GC2656

Re: Lake Somerville - 01/26/18 11:41 AM

Took the boat up the Yegua yesterday afternoon. The fishing was slow but the creek was beautiful. Water is very clear with almost no flow until you get all the way up to Newman's Bottom. Did not make it to Nails, But would think the water would be clear with very little if any flow. Ended the day only catching and releasing about a dozen small black bass. Had a relaxing afternoon on the water!
Posted By: EllerTroy

Re: Lake Somerville - 01/27/18 05:14 PM

Come on run.
Posted By: Naggler

Re: Lake Somerville - 01/28/18 06:27 PM

We hiked from the bridge at Newman upstream a ways...water low and clear. Hiked downstream from bridge over 2 miles looking for better water, but then it started pouring and we cut our loses and went back to camp. Need a big rain to get it going this year!
Posted By: TXfisherman12

Re: Lake Somerville - 01/29/18 12:40 AM

I fished at Irwin bridge today for a few hrs and did not catch any whites or any other fish mad No one else was was having much luck either. Tried downstream from the cedar creek bridge to try and catch some bream and largemouths. Struck out there too. Fished under the highway 36 bridge and further upstream and had no luck. I expected the white bass fishing to be slow but a little surprised I didnt catch any other fish. Hopefully others had luck today?
Posted By: jsinn01

Re: Lake Somerville - 01/29/18 03:09 PM

I don't think the White Bass will move up the creek without some type of monumental rain event. Everybody do a rain dance. banana
Posted By: hook-line&sinker

Re: Lake Somerville - 01/29/18 03:49 PM

Yes it does take a good rise in the creeks and lake to get the whitebass, crappie and shad moving in mass up into the creeks. The lower end of the Yegua does hold a good number of resident crappie and black bass in wet years like the last three in a row. A big rain event anytime from January through April will lead to the mass migration of whitebass and crappie.
Posted By: yota

Re: Lake Somerville - 01/30/18 06:42 PM

HL&S, You planning a Super Bowl weekend Kayak trip for Crappie this year?
Posted By: R2Fishing

Re: Lake Somerville - 01/30/18 07:59 PM

Seen a new pending record on black crappie was caught this past weekend.
2.71lb
Posted By: R2Fishing

Re: Lake Somerville - 01/30/18 08:02 PM

Wont let me post the pic. I can txt it if someone knows how.
Posted By: hook-line&sinker

Re: Lake Somerville - 01/30/18 08:32 PM

I doubt I'll make it up the Yegua anytime soon as we still have many details to wrap up with my parents estate and lots to do at the ranch.
Posted By: fishytx

Re: Lake Somerville - 01/30/18 08:41 PM

Kevin caught the monster crappie. He's a crappie guide who just moved to the Somerville area, but he use to live around Austin, so he fishes this lake as well as others. The old record was 2.6 something.
Posted By: fishytx

Re: Lake Somerville - 01/30/18 08:43 PM

I thought he had the record black crappie on Lake Austin too, but I looked the other day and it wasn't there. I know he had the record a year or two ago, I remember him posting a pic.
Posted By: fishytx

Re: Lake Somerville - 01/30/18 08:45 PM

Until we receive a good rain fall with a rise of about a foot of dirty water flow going into the lake, this years spawn will be slow on the start.
Posted By: fishytx

Re: Lake Somerville - 01/31/18 12:47 AM


This is it if it will load.
Posted By: fishytx

Re: Lake Somerville - 01/31/18 12:50 AM

Kevin is a friend of mine. This guy can catch crappie.
Posted By: fishytx

Re: Lake Somerville - 01/31/18 12:58 AM

Kevin had a few clients back in early fall on Somerville and they hooked up with 8 lb black bass while fishing on a brush pile for crappie. Nice looking fish.
Posted By: Hook2Fish

Re: Lake Somerville - 01/31/18 02:48 AM

Do you need a fishing licence to fish down on Newman's Bottom? Is it considered part of a state park? Aren't you allowed to fish on a state park without a fishing licence?
Posted By: J-Moe

Re: Lake Somerville - 02/01/18 03:15 AM

I went out to the Yegua and fished from 2 PM to 6 PM today. I caught 32 white bass, 2 crappie and 15 plus bluegill. Over half the white bass were undersized though.



Posted By: J-Moe

Re: Lake Somerville - 02/01/18 03:19 AM

Originally Posted By: Hook2Fish
Do you need a fishing licence to fish down on Newman's Bottom? Is it considered part of a state park? Aren't you allowed to fish on a state park without a fishing licence?


It is part of the State Park and no fishing license is required.
Posted By: R2Fishing

Re: Lake Somerville - 02/01/18 03:33 AM

Originally Posted By: J-Moe
Originally Posted By: Hook2Fish
Do you need a fishing licence to fish down on Newman's Bottom? Is it considered part of a state park? Aren't you allowed to fish on a state park without a fishing licence?


It is part of the State Park and no fishing license is required.


Had a buddy stopped bout 4yrs ago at Irwin Bridge. Bout inbetwren Newmans and Irwin. Park Police made him goto Nails SP to purchase a license. So, id play safe and purchase one... thats long walk back to get a license and walk back to tour spot...
Posted By: Hook2Fish

Re: Lake Somerville - 02/01/18 11:00 AM

Anyone know if the gate at Newman's Bottom is open? I plan on heading out there this evening and trying my luck.
Posted By: J-Moe

Re: Lake Somerville - 02/01/18 12:51 PM

Newman's Bottom is open but the gate is closed. You have to park and walk about a half mile. There is a self pay box at the gate.
Posted By: DonFromAustin

Re: Lake Somerville - 02/01/18 07:47 PM

J-Moe, nice report rock Did you catch them at Irwin Bridge?
Posted By: J-Moe

Re: Lake Somerville - 02/02/18 02:48 PM

In that general area.
Posted By: jsinn01

Re: Lake Somerville - 02/02/18 04:59 PM

Originally Posted By: J-Moe
In that general area.


By 'general area' he means 100 mile radius. Lol, spoken like a true fisherman, J-Moe.
Posted By: fishytx

Re: Lake Somerville - 02/02/18 10:08 PM

Way to wack em J-Moe. TFTR
Posted By: J-Moe

Re: Lake Somerville - 02/03/18 02:25 AM

Originally Posted By: jsinn01
Originally Posted By: J-Moe
In that general area.


By 'general area' he means 100 mile radius. Lol, spoken like a true fisherman, J-Moe.


roflmao roflmao
Posted By: J-Moe

Re: Lake Somerville - 02/03/18 02:28 AM

Originally Posted By: fishytx
Way to wack em J-Moe. TFTR


The fishytx techniques never fail
Posted By: J-Moe

Re: Lake Somerville - 02/03/18 02:44 AM

I went back out today and fished from 3:45 to 5:45 and caught 7 white bass. I spoke with several people that were leaving when I got there. They all said it was slow today. One group of 3 fisherman had caught a total of 6 keepers. They said a friend of their's had limited out on Thursday. The fishing improved after about 4:30. There was another guy that fished along side me and caught about 8 or 9 with a rooster tail. The normal patterns seem to be returning as we have had several warmer days. I might walk into Newman's bottom tomorrow morning and give it another try.
Posted By: Jing

Re: Lake Somerville - 02/03/18 04:49 AM

Is Newmans bottom open now? If so I may give it a try.
Posted By: DonFromAustin

Re: Lake Somerville - 02/03/18 05:16 AM

Yes, it is open.
Posted By: Jing

Re: Lake Somerville - 02/03/18 01:47 PM

Walk in or drive in?
Posted By: EllerTroy

Re: Lake Somerville - 02/03/18 02:30 PM

Walk in only.
Posted By: J-Moe

Re: Lake Somerville - 02/03/18 06:59 PM

I walked into Newman's bottom this morning. I caught 12 white bass, 9 of those were keeper size. Those are the first I've caught at Newman's bottom this season. The males were secreting. That's the first I've seen this season as well. Most of the people I spoke with had caught a few as well.
Posted By: TXfisherman12

Re: Lake Somerville - 02/03/18 09:16 PM

Great job Jmoe on slaying the white bass. If you look at those photos real close it is not hard to figure out their location. Especially if you fished with the Ragin Cajun before.
Posted By: Jing

Re: Lake Somerville - 02/04/18 01:17 AM

My friend and I went to Cedar Creek and caught countless crappie. All are undersized except two keepers.
Posted By: Jing

Re: Lake Somerville - 02/04/18 01:20 AM

Then we switched to Nails Creek. At one single sweet hole we landed over 20 keeper size white. Bass and through back about 10 undersized.
Posted By: Jing

Re: Lake Somerville - 02/04/18 01:28 AM


Posted By: J-Moe

Re: Lake Somerville - 02/04/18 01:54 AM

Thanks for the information Jing. I've been wondering about Cedar and Nails. Great job on finding them.
Posted By: J-Moe

Re: Lake Somerville - 02/04/18 02:04 AM

Originally Posted By: TXfisherman12
Great job Jmoe on slaying the white bass. If you look at those photos real close it is not hard to figure out their location. Especially if you fished with the Ragin Cajun before.


Not sure I've fished with the Ragin' Cajun before. Never been very good at hiding my spots anyway grin
.
Posted By: bobbyinbryan

Re: Lake Somerville - 02/04/18 10:45 PM

Where to park if walking in to Newman's Bottom?
Posted By: Hook2Fish

Re: Lake Somerville - 02/04/18 11:53 PM

Anywhere there at the gate. Usually to the left of the gate. Just don't block the ROW or the other gates. I've seen it where the cars are lined up down the side or the road.
Posted By: J-Moe

Re: Lake Somerville - 02/07/18 11:00 PM

We got about 1/2 inch of rain in Somerville & Brenham today. Unfortunately the remainder of the Yegua watershed received only about a tenth of an inch. Every little bit helps though. Unfortunately the banks will be slick this weekend so be careful out there.
Posted By: EllerTroy

Re: Lake Somerville - 02/08/18 12:19 AM

Thanks for the update J-Moe. Kicking around the ideal about going Friday, have to see how I feel about it that day.
Posted By: J-Moe

Re: Lake Somerville - 02/08/18 01:44 AM

Winds will be back out of the south with temps in the high 60s on Friday and Saturday so it should be good fishing. Give us a report if you go.
Posted By: fishytx

Re: Lake Somerville - 02/09/18 05:13 PM

Come on rain, we need a good two inches or more to get this spawn thing going good this year.
Posted By: fishytx

Re: Lake Somerville - 02/09/18 05:15 PM

The ground up around the main watershed is still wet enough to allow a good run off if we should get some, so pray for some rain, we all could use a little.
Posted By: EllerTroy

Re: Lake Somerville - 02/09/18 10:55 PM

I'm with you fishytx, we need rain really bad. Sorry to disappoint, but I did not get to go fishing today. I had too many honey do's to get away. Maybe next week when it warms up again.
Posted By: fishytx

Re: Lake Somerville - 02/10/18 03:52 PM

Today would be a good day to go. Weather is almost just right. It would be slippery, but the fish should be active.
Posted By: J-Moe

Re: Lake Somerville - 02/10/18 06:09 PM

I walked into Newman's bottom this morning. I caught 17. Only the last 2 I caught were undersized. The fish quit biting around 9 AM. Just like last weekend.

The fish are extremely skittish. I didn't catch any more than 3 fish in a single spot at any given time. Nobody that I talked to or seen with a stringer had caught more than 2 fish. I was glad to be fishing with the fly rod. At one point I was fishing on one end of a curve. I gave a guy 2 fish. He had only caught one fish on the other end of the curve. He asked me to come and fish the spot he was in. I caught 3 fish in the spot he was fishing. He said, "I'm gonna get me a fly rod, that's the 2nd time you have done that to me. Two weeks ago, me and my buddies fished at Irwin bridge the entire day and didn't catch a single white, then you showed up and started catching them immediately with your fly rod, LOL"

They wanted a slightly faster presentation today. I had to keep the fly moving with short 1 inch strips to get a bite. I tried pulling it slowly on bottom, making long strips and pausing and even reeling it in and never got a bite. I didn't see anyone fishing with a rooster tail though, that might be the ticket with conventional gear. I also heard there were people catching them with live bait near Irwin bridge yesterday.
Posted By: EllerTroy

Re: Lake Somerville - 02/10/18 10:35 PM

Thanks for the report J-Moe. I am going for sure next Thursday. I will have to try and brake in my fly rod but I also have a few tricks for my spinning rod when the fish are spooky.
Posted By: R2Fishing

Re: Lake Somerville - 02/11/18 02:08 AM

Ran the boat into Nails today. Seen fee other boats a d bank beaters with stringera of crappie from flag pond cut to trailway bridge.
Posted By: Csafisher

Re: Lake Somerville - 02/11/18 02:25 AM

Originally Posted By: hoggwild
Ran the boat into Nails today. Seen fee other boats a d bank beaters with stringera of crappie from flag pond cut to trailway bridge.


How was the water clarity?
Posted By: jsinn01

Re: Lake Somerville - 02/11/18 05:23 PM

Originally Posted By: J-Moe
I walked into Newman's bottom this morning. I caught 17. Only the last 2 I caught were undersized. The fish quit biting around 9 AM. Just like last weekend.

The fish are extremely skittish. I didn't catch any more than 3 fish in a single spot at any given time. Nobody that I talked to or seen with a stringer had caught more than 2 fish. I was glad to be fishing with the fly rod. At one point I was fishing on one end of a curve. I gave a guy 2 fish. He had only caught one fish on the other end of the curve. He asked me to come and fish the spot he was in. I caught 3 fish in the spot he was fishing. He said, "I'm gonna get me a fly rod, that's the 2nd time you have done that to me. Two weeks ago, me and my buddies fished at Irwin bridge the entire day and didn't catch a single white, then you showed up and started catching them immediately with your fly rod, LOL"

They wanted a slightly faster presentation today. I had to keep the fly moving with short 1 inch strips to get a bite. I tried pulling it slowly on bottom, making long strips and pausing and even reeling it in and never got a bite. I didn't see anyone fishing with a rooster tail though, that might be the ticket with conventional gear. I also heard there were people catching them with live bait near Irwin bridge yesterday.


Great report, Jamie. Sounds like fly rod is the ticket right now.
Posted By: R2Fishing

Re: Lake Somerville - 02/11/18 05:41 PM

Originally Posted By: Csafisher
Originally Posted By: hoggwild
Ran the boat into Nails today. Seen fee other boats a d bank beaters with stringera of crappie from flag pond cut to trailway bridge.


How was the water clarity?



Dirty (visibility maybe a ft?) with ZERO low.
Posted By: greenyak

Re: Lake Somerville - 02/12/18 01:26 AM

Fished yegua yesterday before the cold front from 7am to about 1230 , brought home 19 mix of whites and crappie.
Posted By: J-Moe

Re: Lake Somerville - 02/12/18 02:38 AM

Enjoyed the video, as always. Great catching as well. It looks like there are few females starting to move into the Wolf Pond area. Maybe they will start moving upstream soon.

When I was out Saturday morning it was dead calm and I was thinking it would be a great day to take the yak out. By the time I got home the wind was blowing. After watching your video I sure am glad I didn't. That looked like one rough ride back to the boat dock.
Posted By: greenyak

Re: Lake Somerville - 02/12/18 03:34 AM

Originally Posted By: J-Moe
Enjoyed the video, as always. Great catching as well. It looks like there are few females starting to move into the Wolf Pond area. Maybe they will start moving upstream soon.

When I was out Saturday morning it was dead calm and I was thinking it would be a great day to take the yak out. By the time I got home the wind was blowing. After watching your video I sure am glad I didn't. That looked like one rough ride back to the boat dock.

yeah it was rough as soon as I came out of the creek, Im glad I left when I did, there was a few people past wolf pond Im sure they wished they would have left earlier.
Posted By: fray

Re: Lake Somerville - 02/12/18 11:51 AM

Nice video.
Posted By: J-Moe

Re: Lake Somerville - 02/13/18 03:32 PM

I went out to Irwin bridge yesterday. From 4 PM to 5:15 PM I caught only 3 white bass. Then a combination of things occurred. The fish started biting better and I finally figured out the presentation they wanted. For the next hour I caught them fairly steady. At least on every 3rd or 4th cast I got a bite. They would only take the fly on the fall so I made long fast strips and let the fly fall. There were 7 of us fishing in the area. One guy yelled at me, "You are the only one catching fish, that's just not fair." So I gave away 12 fish to a couple different people. I threw back another 12 or so smaller males. So as most of you expert white bass fisherman know, it's all about the presentation, especially in these low, clear water situations. I hate to sound like I'm bragging, especially since I've fished with many of you guys that are better fisherman than me, but I find it hilarious at times. I took a friend of mine with me last week. We both used a fly rod. I caught 8 and he didn't catch a single one. You just never know from day to day what type of presentation is needed.
Posted By: fishytx

Re: Lake Somerville - 02/13/18 03:58 PM

Presentation is everything my friend, especially in clear water conditions.
Posted By: J-Moe

Re: Lake Somerville - 02/13/18 04:07 PM

Originally Posted By: fishytx
Presentation is everything my friend, especially in clear water conditions.


That is what you taught me, along with reading the water, and many other tricks. You are the master.
bow_down
Posted By: jsinn01

Re: Lake Somerville - 02/13/18 04:17 PM

I was fishing with a guide one time and he was trying to explain presentation to my wife. He said "Pretend you are playing with a cat. Move the cat toy in different ways and see which way it likes best." I thought it was funny at the time, but actually applicable to fishing. Sometimes our cat will play with just about anything, other times she's only interested in specific toys or household objects, and then there are times when she is in nap mode and dead to the world. Much like fish I guess.
Posted By: J-Moe

Re: Lake Somerville - 02/13/18 04:34 PM

Originally Posted By: jsinn01
I was fishing with a guide one time and he was trying to explain presentation to my wife. He said "Pretend you are playing with a cat. Move the cat toy in different ways and see which way it likes best." I thought it was funny at the time, but actually applicable to fishing. Sometimes our cat will play with just about anything, other times she's only interested in specific toys or household objects, and then there are times when she is in nap mode and dead to the world. Much like fish I guess.


roflmao That's a great point. And everyone has their own techniques. Thankfully, guys like yourself, Troy, Shea, Fishytx, Ben and others are always willing to share their knowledge with the rest of us.
Posted By: fishr3

Re: Lake Somerville - 02/13/18 08:10 PM

Originally Posted By: J-Moe
They would only take the fly on the fall
I had a similar experience fishing a jig on Yegua. The crappie would hit after I stopped reeling and waited a couple seconds. I wondered if they were picking it up off the bottom. I have difficulty fishing that slow, but it's definitely the way to get that "thump" on a cold day.
Posted By: J-Moe

Re: Lake Somerville - 02/13/18 08:28 PM

Originally Posted By: fishr3
Originally Posted By: J-Moe
They would only take the fly on the fall
I had a similar experience fishing a jig on Yegua. The crappie would hit after I stopped reeling and waited a couple seconds. I wondered if they were picking it up off the bottom. I have difficulty fishing that slow, but it's definitely the way to get that "thump" on a cold day.


Thanks Fishr3, Excellent information and great insight into crappie behavior.
Posted By: R2Fishing

Re: Lake Somerville - 02/14/18 03:29 AM

The whites are there for 1 thing and 1 thing only.. and its not chasing bait.

Ill share my trick as i dont fish the creek anymore.

Use a light 1/16oz jig head with tube bait. Perferably a white/chart combo. Not the curly tails..those are junk.

Toss to far bank and swim that jig back by just moving your rod tip up and back down..repeat till its at your feet. Youll catch more fish in shorter time. Id bet my boat on it.

Have fun and enjoy the creeks fellers.
Posted By: EllerTroy

Re: Lake Somerville - 02/14/18 02:48 PM

Thanks for the report J-Moe. A lot of good information been shared here. I-very always try to use as light of a night as possible to keep the night in the zone as long as possible. I will be walking into Neumans Bottom tomorrow morning. I will let y-ll know how it goes.
Posted By: J-Moe

Re: Lake Somerville - 02/14/18 03:09 PM

Originally Posted By: EllerTroy
Thanks for the report J-Moe. A lot of good information been shared here. I-very always try to use as light of a night as possible to keep the night in the zone as long as possible. I will be walking into Neumans Bottom tomorrow morning. I will let y-ll know how it goes.


Totally agree with using lighter weight. It's much easier to throw the light weight lures/flies with the fly rod. The heaviest I use is 1/32 ounce and when they are actively spawning and in shallower water I will use bead chain clousers. Look forward to the report.
Posted By: TXfisherman12

Re: Lake Somerville - 02/14/18 07:02 PM

Comparing the reports from this years Somerville run to previous years it seems the fish are harder to catch, and it truly brings meaning to the statement "10% of the fishermen catch 90% of the fish." Seems like a select few are catching most of the sand bass. Hopefully catching will be more frequent in the near future.
Posted By: J-Moe

Re: Lake Somerville - 02/14/18 07:04 PM

The COE has been releasing 94 cfs for about a week now. I'm not sure if there are any crappie or white bass near the spillway, but I'm curious. I tried to convince one of my buddies to paddle up and give it a try today. Not sure he will do it though. Last time I was there (Beginning of December 2017) the COE showed up and made me move back past the rocks to the "No boats past this point" sign even though I was fishing from the bank. All the fish were close to the dam at that point though and I couldn't reach them with the fly rod so I never went back.
Posted By: EllerTroy

Re: Lake Somerville - 02/14/18 07:42 PM

I tied some 1/64 marabou jigs yesterday to try. Tied white, chartreuse with red heads, and blue. Will try two tied to my spinning rod and will try one tied to my fly rod. Don't know if I can throw a single 1/64 on my spinning rod but will try at some point. I have not problem throwing a 1/32.
Posted By: FishermenDesigns

Re: Lake Somerville - 02/14/18 07:49 PM

I've been wondering the same thing. I just didn't want to make that trip to the Spillway if they weren't biting and then have to turn around and head to Nails. Please keep the newbies posted J-Moe.
Posted By: EllerTroy

Re: Lake Somerville - 02/15/18 11:55 PM

I went to Newman's Bottom this morning. I tried up stream from the bridge at three of my favorite holes and got nothing. I decided to go down stream from the bridge to my Cuz and mine crappie hole to see what was happening there. It's about a mile and 1/2 walk to it. Got there and saw some other fisherman there and they had 2 or 3 each. I walked back up stream to the S curve just above the low water crossing. There was a spot I though I could try role casting my four of. It was a little pass 10:00 by then and I decide to try a 1/32 blue bucktail jig with my spinning rod. I caught 18 white in the next 20 minutes and then it slowed down. I caught another 7 in the next hour or so. I caught all 25 in 1 hole and all on the same jig. With the light jig and the wind I had to keep an eye on my line and would see it jump when I fish would hit. No throw backs and 8 big females. Sorry no pics, the battery on my phone died.
Posted By: EllerTroy

Re: Lake Somerville - 02/15/18 11:57 PM

I got to get me a cart to bring with me. I'm getting to old to haul out 25 big whites now. I will be paying for it for the next few days.
Posted By: J-Moe

Re: Lake Somerville - 02/16/18 01:32 AM

Great stuff Troy thumb 8 big females banana

I went to Irwin Bridge around 4:30. The bluegill were crazy active. Every time the fly hit the water they attacked it. I caught 21 white bass but only gave away 6. All the rest were under 11 inches. No big females for me. When the sun set I started catching crappie. I caught 7 but 6 of those were undersized. So even though I didn't catch many quality fish it was non stop action. The weather was incredible and it is supposed to be great again tomorrow. Wish I could skip work and walk into Newman's tomorrow.
Posted By: TXfisherman12

Re: Lake Somerville - 02/16/18 03:26 AM

Originally Posted By: J-Moe
Great stuff Troy thumb 8 big females banana

I went to Irwin Bridge around 4:30. The bluegill were crazy active. Every time the fly hit the water they attacked it. I caught 21 white bass but only gave away 6. All the rest were under 11 inches. No big females for me. When the sun set I started catching crappie. I caught 7 but 6 of those were undersized. So even though I didn't catch many quality fish it was non stop action. The weather was incredible and it is supposed to be great again tomorrow. Wish I could skip work and walk into Newman's tomorrow.


J-Mo, Anyone else catching them at the bridge?
Posted By: J-Moe

Re: Lake Somerville - 02/16/18 12:39 PM

Originally Posted By: TXfisherman12
Originally Posted By: J-Moe
Great stuff Troy thumb 8 big females banana

I went to Irwin Bridge around 4:30. The bluegill were crazy active. Every time the fly hit the water they attacked it. I caught 21 white bass but only gave away 6. All the rest were under 11 inches. No big females for me. When the sun set I started catching crappie. I caught 7 but 6 of those were undersized. So even though I didn't catch many quality fish it was non stop action. The weather was incredible and it is supposed to be great again tomorrow. Wish I could skip work and walk into Newman's tomorrow.


J-Mo, Anyone else catching them at the bridge?


No, I was the only person catching white bass again. That's not to say you can't catch them though. Troy and Greenyak confirmed what I found out though that the bigger fish are closer to the lake. I had similar results when I went to Newman's. I caught only smaller fish above the trailway bridge. Last year was similar as well. As the water receded the fish moved back closer to the lake. It's a good sign that the females are starting to move upstream finally. As they actively start to spawn we should see more fish moving upstream. Right now, I would look for the deepest holes you can find. There is a deep channel at Irwin. That is where I have been catching them there. When I was at Newman's last week I was only catching them in the deep holes and didn't see any sign of active spawning other than the males are milking. But no active spawning in the shallow runs.
Posted By: EllerTroy

Re: Lake Somerville - 02/16/18 01:33 PM

I caught mine in the first good hole after the first moving water. When ever I had a female on there was always 1 or 2 males following her. It's getting close. A 2 foot rise and it would be lights out action.
Posted By: J-Moe

Re: Lake Somerville - 02/16/18 01:56 PM

Originally Posted By: EllerTroy
I caught mine in the first good hole after the first moving water. When ever I had a female on there was always 1 or 2 males following her. It's getting close. A 2 foot rise and it would be lights out action.


Now you really got me excited. I feel a doctor's appointment coming on this afternoon. I got President's day off on Monday as well. The peak of the spawn was around the 25th of February last year so that makes sense. Thanks for the information.
Posted By: Csafisher

Re: Lake Somerville - 02/16/18 02:35 PM

Looks like there is a decent chance for rain next week, hopefully it is enough to put some water in the creek.
Posted By: jsinn01

Re: Lake Somerville - 02/16/18 03:12 PM

Originally Posted By: EllerTroy
I went to Newman's Bottom this morning. I tried up stream from the bridge at three of my favorite holes and got nothing. I decided to go down stream from the bridge to my Cuz and mine crappie hole to see what was happening there. It's about a mile and 1/2 walk to it. Got there and saw some other fisherman there and they had 2 or 3 each. I walked back up stream to the S curve just above the low water crossing. There was a spot I though I could try role casting my four of. It was a little pass 10:00 by then and I decide to try a 1/32 blue bucktail jig with my spinning rod. I caught 18 white in the next 20 minutes and then it slowed down. I caught another 7 in the next hour or so. I caught all 25 in 1 hole and all on the same jig. With the light jig and the wind I had to keep an eye on my line and would see it jump when I fish would hit. No throw backs and 8 big females. Sorry no pics, the battery on my phone died.


Great report! And congrats on the nice catch. That is definitely a long ways to haul 25 'Yegua' size White Bass. grin
Posted By: jsinn01

Re: Lake Somerville - 02/16/18 03:15 PM

Really wish I lived closer to this place. It gets to be a longer drive every year with all the growth and additional traffic lights in South Austin & Bastrop. frown
Posted By: EllerTroy

Re: Lake Somerville - 02/16/18 04:35 PM

Yes I agree, I live in South Austin also
Posted By: TXfisherman12

Re: Lake Somerville - 02/16/18 05:33 PM

Originally Posted By: EllerTroy
I went to Newman's Bottom this morning. I tried up stream from the bridge at three of my favorite holes and got nothing. I decided to go down stream from the bridge to my Cuz and mine crappie hole to see what was happening there. It's about a mile and 1/2 walk to it. Got there and saw some other fisherman there and they had 2 or 3 each. I walked back up stream to the S curve just above the low water crossing. There was a spot I though I could try role casting my four of. It was a little pass 10:00 by then and I decide to try a 1/32 blue bucktail jig with my spinning rod. I caught 18 white in the next 20 minutes and then it slowed down. I caught another 7 in the next hour or so. I caught all 25 in 1 hole and all on the same jig. With the light jig and the wind I had to keep an eye on my line and would see it jump when I fish would hit. No throw backs and 8 big females. Sorry no pics, the battery on my phone died.


Troy: Great job on catching the white bass! It sounds like they are very particular to the lures they are hitting??
Posted By: EllerTroy

Re: Lake Somerville - 02/16/18 07:39 PM

Yes they are. The lighter is the best right now. I was kind of using my spinning rob light of fly rod, letting the wind and the current move my jig. Most of the time I just saw my line move and not feel the bite.
Posted By: BIG SHINER

Re: Lake Somerville - 02/17/18 04:02 PM

Tried a couple spots yesterday. Caught a few black bass in Jerdelle. Stopped by Cedar and Nails and no luck. Also no flow. Stopped by Irwins and fished a while. J-Moe, saw you with the fly rod. Caught a few black bass, one decent sized. My friend caught the only white bass on a small rattle trap. Didn't see much else caught besides bream and small catfish. J-moe, if you want to paddle up to the dam give me a shout. I will bring my canoe and we can give it a try.
Posted By: fishytx

Re: Lake Somerville - 02/17/18 04:34 PM

I was going to wait till March before catching these whites this year but I might have to give in and go here pretty soon. March is when whites in our area are really on the move with the spawn. Mid Feb till the last of March has always produced good numbers though, much better after a few warm nights.
Posted By: J-Moe

Re: Lake Somerville - 02/17/18 05:40 PM

Originally Posted By: BIG SHINER
Tried a couple spots yesterday. Caught a few black bass in Jerdelle. Stopped by Cedar and Nails and no luck. Also no flow. Stopped by Irwins and fished a while. J-Moe, saw you with the fly rod. Caught a few black bass, one decent sized. My friend caught the only white bass on a small rattle trap. Didn't see much else caught besides bream and small catfish. J-moe, if you want to paddle up to the dam give me a shout. I will bring my canoe and we can give it a try.


I only stayed for about 45 minutes, didn't get a bite. So I tried Cedar. All I caught were a bunch of of undersized crappie. No flow and no white bass. They shut the flow back down below the spillway so it probably isn't worth the paddle now. Thanks for the offer though.
Posted By: J-Moe

Re: Lake Somerville - 02/17/18 05:49 PM

Wow banana, what a great morning this morning though.

I walked into Newman's bottom. I caught 17 but 11 of those were huge females. 15 inches are better and weighed 1.4 lbs. or more. I weighed 3 of them and they were 1.4, 1.6 and 1.8 lbs. each. I didn't even measure or weigh the 2 biggest ones I caught. They had to be around 16 inches and just under 2 lbs. Awesome fights on the fly rod.

I caught 14 of them before 8:30 then walked a long ways downstream hitting multiple spots. I only caught 3 in the last hour and a half. But I figured out why they quit biting, they were actively spawning.

The long shallow runs both above and below the trail way bridge were just lit up with spawning activity. That's the first active spawning I've seen this season. And it was just crazy how much activity there was in those stretches.
Posted By: EllerTroy

Re: Lake Somerville - 02/18/18 03:39 AM

Great report J-Moe. Guess I caught them staging on Thursday. Those big females are sure fun to catch, but as far as cleaning and eating I prefer big males. I have not seen active spawning on the Yeagua for a while. The last time I seen it was at Cedar Creek. I sure wanted to be there this morning also, but I semi retired and work security on the weekends. Should tell my boss I need off January, February, and March. I can't get away again until toward the end of next week, I will have to see how much rain we get.
Posted By: J-Moe

Re: Lake Somerville - 02/18/18 06:19 PM

The Yegua is on fire flame

I walked into Newman's bottom and fished until 10:30 this morning. I caught 27 and left them biting.

I started in my favorite spot using a 1/32 ounce white fly and only caught 2 in the first 30 to 45 minutes. I moved to a new spot and still wasn't catching anything so I changed over to a 1/32 ounce yellow marabou fly I tied last night. The first 7 casts I caught white bass. I ended up catching 12 in that spot.

I then decided to go upstream of the bridge. I caught 1 in the first spot I fished, 3 in the next spot and 9 in the final spot I fished.

The majority of the fish I caught below the bridge were in the 14 to 16 inch range. The biggest was 16.5 inches and weighed 1.7 lbs. The majority of the fish I caught upstream of the bridge were in the 12 to 14 inch range.

There was a big crowd and almost everybody was catching at least a few. The fish are everywhere. One pair of guys were fishing in a shallow run with rooster tails and had 14 on the stringer. I bet even the Fishtales dude could have caught a couple fish this morning. Well that might be stretching things a bit, but you get the idea. grin roflmao
Posted By: J-Moe

Re: Lake Somerville - 02/18/18 06:25 PM



Posted By: TXfisherman12

Re: Lake Somerville - 02/18/18 06:59 PM

Good job JMoe! You think we can get the fish tales guy out tomorrow?
Posted By: fray

Re: Lake Somerville - 02/19/18 10:22 AM

Cool
Posted By: hook-line&sinker

Re: Lake Somerville - 02/19/18 11:53 AM

Sorry guys but I have to work since we do not get a Monday holiday until Memorial Day. 24/7 news cycle and I'm the only tech supporting the business at the moment.. welcome to corporate ownership in the information age. Wet weather is gonna make for some interesting fishing on the creeks! Watch yourselves and don't go swimming wink
Posted By: T-rey

Re: Lake Somerville - 02/19/18 04:44 PM

Left overlook Marina yesterday looking at the new black crappie lake record, 3lbs., caught at birch creek.
Posted By: J-Moe

Re: Lake Somerville - 02/19/18 09:01 PM

Originally Posted By: T-rey
Left overlook Marina yesterday looking at the new black crappie lake record, 3lbs., caught at birch creek.


Wow, it was broke twice last year and twice this year. Both times in January and February. Great stuff. Thanks for the information.
Posted By: J-Moe

Re: Lake Somerville - 02/19/18 09:27 PM

Alan (TXfisherman12), Jacob and I went to Newman's bottom this morning. We filled up a stringer of just the bigger fish, 13 to 16 inches for Jacob to take home. Then Jacob had to leave so Alan and I decided to do some exploring. We started fishing every place we could get down on the bank.

That is when Alan put on an absolute clinic. The first hole I caught 4 and he caught 15, then next hole I caught 1 and he caught 9, the next hole I caught 4 and he caught 11. This continued almost all the way down the creek. It wasn't until the last 2 holes that I caught 2 more fish than him. So since I out fished him when the fishing got the toughest that makes me the better fisherman, doesn't it? roflmao roflmao roflmao

I ended up catching 30, but no lie, Alan ended up catching around 70 fish.

I donated lots of flies to the Yegua monster today, but it was great fun fishing with 2 outstanding anglers.

PS: Don't ask me what type of lure Alan was using. I've been sworn to secrecy. grin

Posted By: T-rey

Re: Lake Somerville - 02/19/18 11:33 PM

Originally Posted By: J-Moe
Originally Posted By: T-rey
Left overlook Marina yesterday looking at the new black crappie lake record, 3lbs., caught at birch creek.


Wow, it was broke twice last year and twice this year. Both times in January and February. Great stuff. Thanks for the information.


To add to that, the crappie bite at marina is off and on, great 1 day, crappie the next (pun intended).
Friday and Sunday bite was VERY slow, Saturday it was on.
Electric chicken jigs were the best ticket.
Posted By: TXfisherman12

Re: Lake Somerville - 02/20/18 12:43 AM

Originally Posted By: J-Moe
Alan (TXfisherman12), Jacob and I went to Newman's bottom this morning. We filled up a stringer of just the bigger fish, 13 to 16 inches for Jacob to take home. Then Jacob had to leave so Alan and I decided to do some exploring. We started fishing every place we could get down on the bank.

That is when Alan put on an absolute clinic. The first hole I caught 4 and he caught 15, then next hole I caught 1 and he caught 9, the next hole I caught 4 and he caught 11. This continued almost all the way down the creek. It wasn't until the last 2 holes that I caught 2 more fish than him. So since I out fished him when the fishing got the toughest that makes me the better fisherman, doesn't it? roflmao roflmao roflmao

I ended up catching 30, but no lie, Alan ended up catching around 70 fish.

I donated lots of flies to the Yegua monster today, but it was great fun fishing with 2 outstanding anglers.

PS: Don't ask me what type of lure Alan was using. I've been sworn to secrecy. grin


Originally Posted By: J-Moe
Alan (TXfisherman12), Jacob and I went to Newman's bottom this morning. We filled up a stringer of just the bigger fish, 13 to 16 inches for Jacob to take home. Then Jacob had to leave so Alan and I decided to do some exploring. We started fishing every place we could get down on the bank.

That is when Alan put on an absolute clinic. The first hole I caught 4 and he caught 15, then next hole I caught 1 and he caught 9, the next hole I caught 4 and he caught 11. This continued almost all the way down the creek. It wasn't until the last 2 holes that I caught 2 more fish than him. So since I out fished him when the fishing got the toughest that makes me the better fisherman, doesn't it? roflmao roflmao roflmao

I ended up catching 30, but no lie, Alan ended up catching around 70 fish.

I donated lots of flies to the Yegua monster today, but it was great fun fishing with 2 outstanding anglers.

PS: Don't ask me what type of lure Alan was using. I've been sworn to secrecy. grin


Originally Posted By: J-Moe
Alan (TXfisherman12), Jacob and I went to Newman's bottom this morning. We filled up a stringer of just the bigger fish, 13 to 16 inches for Jacob to take home. Then Jacob had to leave so Alan and I decided to do some exploring. We started fishing every place we could get down on the bank.

That is when Alan put on an absolute clinic. The first hole I caught 4 and he caught 15, then next hole I caught 1 and he caught 9, the next hole I caught 4 and he caught 11. This continued almost all the way down the creek. It wasn't until the last 2 holes that I caught 2 more fish than him. So since I out fished him when the fishing got the toughest that makes me the better fisherman, doesn't it? roflmao roflmao roflmao

I ended up catching 30, but no lie, Alan ended up catching around 70 fish.

I donated lots of flies to the Yegua monster today, but it was great fun fishing with 2 outstanding anglers.

PS: Don't ask me what type of lure Alan was using. I've been sworn to secrecy. grin




J-moe thanks for putting me on the fish! I had a great time fishing with Jacob and you. I dont know if I will ever have a day like today again but hopefully so. One of my favorite catches today was hooking up a white bass while a tree on the opposite bank was falling down. The wind sure picked up today but thankfully the bite was still on.
Posted By: J-Moe

Re: Lake Somerville - 02/20/18 12:13 PM

J-moe thanks for putting me on the fish! I had a great time fishing with Jacob and you. I dont know if I will ever have a day like today again but hopefully so. One of my favorite catches today was hooking up a white bass while a tree on the opposite bank was falling down. The wind sure picked up today but thankfully the bite was still on.

[/quote]

We will do it a again soon. I'm still amazed at how well that one lure worked so much better than any other lure or fly we used. The fact that you got hung far less than me also gives me an insight into the presentation. Great job again!!!
Posted By: J-Moe

Re: Lake Somerville - 02/20/18 12:15 PM

Originally Posted By: T-rey
Originally Posted By: J-Moe
Originally Posted By: T-rey
Left overlook Marina yesterday looking at the new black crappie lake record, 3lbs., caught at birch creek.


Wow, it was broke twice last year and twice this year. Both times in January and February. Great stuff. Thanks for the information.


To add to that, the crappie bite at marina is off and on, great 1 day, crappie the next (pun intended).
Friday and Sunday bite was VERY slow, Saturday it was on.
Electric chicken jigs were the best ticket.


What do you call a great day there? Are you catching limits?

Any big crappie being caught there? I just never seem to have very good luck there.
Posted By: jsinn01

Re: Lake Somerville - 02/20/18 02:55 PM

Alan/J-moe, congrats on the amazing day of fishing! Those are the kind of days that keep you coming back. grin
Posted By: J-Moe

Re: Lake Somerville - 02/20/18 03:31 PM

Originally Posted By: jsinn01
Alan/J-moe, congrats on the amazing day of fishing! Those are the kind of days that keep you coming back. grin


Thanks Jared. Alan had one of those days like you had last year when you caught over 50. It's about time you get back down here. I'm not sure how much rain we will get or how long it will take the creeks to recover but I'll do my best to keep you informed. Last year, after a heavy rain, the fish ran up Nails creek and we had about 3 days of awesome fishing in it. Including catching a bunch of crappie near the 125 bridge. We may even get lucky enough for a bunch of them to run up into Cedar. I sure am missing fishing Cedar creek this year.
Posted By: jsinn01

Re: Lake Somerville - 02/20/18 06:32 PM

You're definitely right about me needing to get back down there. I actually spent yesterday with my father-in-law catching black bass on Lake Travis. It was fun, but there's nothing quite like catching spawning whites in the creek.

Looks like the rain might put a damper on things in the short term, but March is shaping up to be a really good month. Keep catching em'. wink
Posted By: EllerTroy

Re: Lake Somerville - 02/20/18 08:48 PM

It maybe about time to check on Colorado Bend soon. They already got some rain this week and will be getting more. That's where I caught my first white bass when I was young. It would be a great place for the fly rod wading the Colorado River.
Posted By: J-Moe

Re: Lake Somerville - 02/20/18 09:02 PM

Originally Posted By: EllerTroy
It maybe about time to check on Colorado Bend soon. They already got some rain this week and will be getting more. That's where I caught my first white bass when I was young. It would be a great place for the fly rod wading the Colorado River.


Had to google it and check it out. Looks like a fantastic place. 3 hours and 15 minutes from my house though frown

I sure hope to fish the San Gabriel with someone this year too. I heard it was a great place to fly fish as well.
Posted By: J-Moe

Re: Lake Somerville - 02/20/18 09:10 PM

Originally Posted By: J-Moe
Originally Posted By: BIG SHINER
Tried a couple spots yesterday. Caught a few black bass in Jerdelle. Stopped by Cedar and Nails and no luck. Also no flow. Stopped by Irwins and fished a while. J-Moe, saw you with the fly rod. Caught a few black bass, one decent sized. My friend caught the only white bass on a small rattle trap. Didn't see much else caught besides bream and small catfish. J-moe, if you want to paddle up to the dam give me a shout. I will bring my canoe and we can give it a try.


They shut the flow back down below the spillway so it probably isn't worth the paddle now. Thanks for the offer though.


The lake is rising again Big Shiner. I bet they will open the spillway back up again. If they do and the creeks become a muddy mess I might decide to paddle up there. I'll let you know if I decide to do so.
Posted By: T-rey

Re: Lake Somerville - 02/21/18 12:25 AM

Originally Posted By: J-Moe
Originally Posted By: T-rey
Originally Posted By: J-Moe
Originally Posted By: T-rey
Left overlook Marina yesterday looking at the new black crappie lake record, 3lbs., caught at birch creek.


Wow, it was broke twice last year and twice this year. Both times in January and February. Great stuff. Thanks for the information.


To add to that, the crappie bite at marina is off and on, great 1 day, crappie the next (pun intended).
Friday and Sunday bite was VERY slow, Saturday it was on.
Electric chicken jigs were the best ticket.


What do you call a great day there? Are you catching limits?

Any big crappie being caught there? I just never seem to have very good luck there.


There were a few that were close to limits. As for me, landing 12 was a great day for me in a morning. 3 were 14" and 4 were 13" to 13-1/2". The rest were in the 11"-12" area.
Posted By: stinkbob

Re: Lake Somerville - 02/21/18 12:47 AM

My buddy and I hit up Newman's Bottom yesterday. I got 21 gigantic whites, and he get 15. They were hitting clousers, slow and on the bottom, with a short tug every 2 seconds. I've had stringers of 25 weigh in much less than the 21 I caught yesterday, all within 150 yrds of the trailway bridge. Got there at 8:30 and left about 2.

I would love to yak into the creek. Those white bass are HUGE right now and would enjoy getting some crappie.
Posted By: J-Moe

Re: Lake Somerville - 02/21/18 01:24 AM

Originally Posted By: stinkbob
My buddy and I hit up Newman's Bottom yesterday. I got 21 gigantic whites, and he get 15. They were hitting clousers, slow and on the bottom, with a short tug every 2 seconds. I've had stringers of 25 weigh in much less than the 21 I caught yesterday, all within 150 yrds of the trailway bridge. Got there at 8:30 and left about 2.

I would love to yak into the creek. Those white bass are HUGE right now and would enjoy getting some crappie.


Great stuff!!!! Hope you had something to carry them out. Carrying a 30 lb. stringer a half a mile has got to be tough. I wouldn't even try it, LOL!!!

I sure wish we could drive into Newman's bottom with the kayaks like we used to. I just hate that long paddle from Nails creek boat ramp.
Posted By: J-Moe

Re: Lake Somerville - 02/21/18 01:26 AM

Originally Posted By: T-rey
Originally Posted By: J-Moe
Originally Posted By: T-rey
Originally Posted By: J-Moe
[quote=T-rey]Left overlook Marina yesterday looking at the new black crappie lake record, 3lbs., caught at birch creek.


Wow, it was broke twice last year and twice this year. Both times in January and February. Great stuff. Thanks for the information.


To add to that, the crappie bite at marina is off and on, great 1 day, crappie the next (pun intended).
Friday and Sunday bite was VERY slow, Saturday it was on.
Electric chicken jigs were the best ticket.



There were a few that were close to limits. As for me, landing 12 was a great day for me in a morning. 3 were 14" and 4 were 13" to 13-1/2". The rest were in the 11"-12" area.


Thanks for the information.
Posted By: J-Moe

Re: Lake Somerville - 02/21/18 01:40 AM

The wife and daughter were busy tonight so I took the opportunity to make a run out to Irwin bridge. I worked my way down from the bridge for about 45 minutes but as I expected the banks are already extremely slick. I was able to get down the bank (barely) in a couple spots but there was no chance in most. Unless I wanted to slide into the creek or crawl on my belly to get back up. I only caught 4 big male white bass and a keeper crappie. I saw no signs of spawning in the area either. I went back to the bridge and caught crappie on just about every other cast but only 2 more keeper size. More crappie are definitely showing up though.



Posted By: Lottfisher

Re: Lake Somerville - 02/21/18 02:31 AM

I am hoping to run up the Yegua in the Zodiac from Nails ramp tomorrow morning during the storm. I wanted to hit the white bass spawn before a major creek rise. If the upper Yegua water shed gets 3 or 4 inches tomorrow (Wednesday) then being able to access the creek, on top of water clarity, could shut catching down for a few days...Lawton
Posted By: stinkbob

Re: Lake Somerville - 02/21/18 02:36 AM

The wind looks decent for a run, 5-10mph coming in from the SSE with a good chance of rain. Are you looking for white bass and crappie? I am really wondering how wolf pond is for crappie, been getting a big itch to do a fish fry with them.
Posted By: R2Fishing

Re: Lake Somerville - 02/22/18 03:03 AM

Another crappie record was broke Sunday. 3.2lbs
Posted By: J-Moe

Re: Lake Somerville - 02/22/18 04:22 AM

Originally Posted By: hoggwild
Another crappie record was broke Sunday. 3.2lbs


Wow, that's incredible. Now it's been broken 5 times in the last 2 years. Do you know where it was caught?

I wonder if this is being driven by the lack of pressure due to the floods, the boat ramps being closed and the loss of common places they were caught such as Big Creek Marina. Or if these big fish were always there, maybe even caught and just not officially weighed. Maybe it's just the explosion of bait fish helped by the flooding and the protection the additional flooded areas provided. Or a combination of all the above. Very intriguing.
Posted By: EllerTroy

Re: Lake Somerville - 02/22/18 04:14 PM

How much rain has the Yeagua watershed gotten so far.
Posted By: J-Moe

Re: Lake Somerville - 02/22/18 04:38 PM

We received about 1.5 inches around Brenham yesterday but the actual Yegua watershed only about a 1/2 inch from what I saw yesterday. I checked Rockdale, Milano, etc. multiple times on Underground weather yesterday and in all cases it only showed about 1/4 to 1/2 inch. I'm not sure how accurate that was. Burton showed about 3/4 inch. So not near as much as expected, either way. The lake level hasn't really started to rise as of yet. But that normally takes about 36 hours.
Posted By: EllerTroy

Re: Lake Somerville - 02/22/18 05:19 PM

Thanks J-Moe. I was thanking about going in the morning but will wait until Monday. It looks like it will be a nice day on Monday.
Posted By: R2Fishing

Re: Lake Somerville - 02/22/18 06:34 PM

Originally Posted By: J-Moe
Originally Posted By: hoggwild
Another crappie record was broke Sunday. 3.2lbs


Wow, that's incredible. Now it's been broken 5 times in the last 2 years. Do you know where it was caught?

I wonder if this is being driven by the lack of pressure due to the floods, the boat ramps being closed and the loss of common places they were caught such as Big Creek Marina. Or if these big fish were always there, maybe even caught and just not officially weighed. Maybe it's just the explosion of bait fish helped by the flooding and the protection the additional flooded areas provided. Or a combination of all the above. Very intriguing.


I think the previous yeara flooding and abundance of bait has rocketed the size of all fish.
Heres the new pending record
Posted By: R2Fishing

Re: Lake Somerville - 02/22/18 06:40 PM

Posted By: J-Moe

Re: Lake Somerville - 02/22/18 06:52 PM

Awesome, thanks for the information. Sounds like there might be a lot of species benefiting from the explosion of bait fish. banana
Posted By: Jimbo101

Re: Lake Somerville - 02/23/18 01:29 AM

Looks like East Yegua is up about 1.5' still rising. West Yegua up about .5' and steady, according to NOAA.
Posted By: Csafisher

Re: Lake Somerville - 02/23/18 02:15 AM

Originally Posted By: Jimbo101
Looks like East Yegua is up about 1.5' still rising. West Yegua up about .5' and steady, according to NOAA.


Hopefully it's just enough to keep them coming
Posted By: TXfisherman12

Re: Lake Somerville - 02/23/18 02:48 AM

This explains why all the white bass I caught on Monday were pushing 2 lbs sarcastic
Posted By: J-Moe

Re: Lake Somerville - 02/23/18 12:38 PM

Originally Posted By: Jimbo101
Looks like East Yegua is up about 1.5' still rising. West Yegua up about .5' and steady, according to NOAA.


I went to Irwin Bridge yesterday and that's exactly what I saw. It was up about 1.5 ft. It was a little murky with streaks of muddy water but still in good condition. Nails creek was also up about a foot or so. There were a couple guys catching white bass near 125 bridge. Nails might be good this weekend. They will usually make a run up Nails after a good rain and fishing is usually really good for about 3 days before they start retreating again.
Posted By: J-Moe

Re: Lake Somerville - 02/23/18 12:46 PM

The lake has only come up about 0.2 ft so far. It's at 238.37 ft. It only came up about .04 ft. overnight.
Posted By: white bass interceptor

Re: Lake Somerville - 02/23/18 04:54 PM

Is hunters orange required upstream of the 125 bridge on nails creek? On Monday the 19th those big females (white bass) felt like hybrids. I actually hooked two hybrids and my 8lb test didn't stand a chance. We cleaned 20 bass and only three were (big) males. We threw back eight or more bass because we were only keeping 12" and greater. Didn't know there is a ten inch minimum. Looks like better days ahead.
Posted By: bigbassman90

Re: Lake Somerville - 02/23/18 05:45 PM

I believe you are suppose to wear hunters orange in the state park hunting area. Ive never seen it enforced though, but people could be out there hog hunting.
Better safe than sorry with a ticket or being shot at on accident.

Does anyone want to guess if the weather will hold off to take a kayak up the creeks tomorrow morning... I am still debating on making the trip.
Posted By: J-Moe

Re: Lake Somerville - 02/23/18 09:10 PM

Originally Posted By: white bass interceptor
Is hunters orange required upstream of the 125 bridge on nails creek? On Monday the 19th those big females (white bass) felt like hybrids. I actually hooked two hybrids and my 8lb test didn't stand a chance. We cleaned 20 bass and only three were (big) males. We threw back eight or more bass because we were only keeping 12" and greater. Didn't know there is a ten inch minimum. Looks like better days ahead.


I too believe Orange is required. The WMA parking areas are both at 125 and 1697 close to Nails creek so I would wear it.

That's awesome that you hooked two big hybrids. Did you actually see them? Otherwise, our rule is you have to call it a buffalo roflmao roflmao Just kidding, where did you hook up with them? I haven't caught but one in the Yegua at this time of year. I've seen them run up in the creeks after the white bass run is over though.
Posted By: J-Moe

Re: Lake Somerville - 02/23/18 09:13 PM

Originally Posted By: bigbassman90
I believe you are suppose to wear hunters orange in the state park hunting area. Ive never seen it enforced though, but people could be out there hog hunting.
Better safe than sorry with a ticket or being shot at on accident.

Does anyone want to guess if the weather will hold off to take a kayak up the creeks tomorrow morning... I am still debating on making the trip.


It shows a 35% chance of scattered showers. If it does rain I doubt it will be more than just passing showers. The fishing continues to be red hot so I wouldn't miss out on giving it a try.
Posted By: J-Moe

Re: Lake Somerville - 02/23/18 09:34 PM

I took a looooong lunch break today and ran out to my secret spot (not the Yegua). I caught 12 white bass in 45 minutes, including a new Lake Somerville Fly rod record white bass. It officially weighed 2.1 lbs. and was 16.25 inches long. The fishing is really heating up now flame

Posted By: bigbassman90

Re: Lake Somerville - 02/23/18 09:58 PM

So would you suggest we go up nails or yegua?
I hope they are fired up in the morning breakdance
Posted By: J-Moe

Re: Lake Somerville - 02/23/18 10:23 PM

Originally Posted By: bigbassman90
So would you suggest we go up nails or yegua?
I hope they are fired up in the morning breakdance


The Yegua is usually the best.
Posted By: white bass interceptor

Re: Lake Somerville - 02/24/18 12:11 AM

J Moe I saw the hybrids. They came up on their sides and there is no mistaking their stripes nor their aggressive fight. A buffalo don't fight nearly as hard as a striper. We were catching buffaloes on rocky point and some of them were actually lazy. I thought I was hung on a limb a few times. One was caught about 250 to 300 yards down stream from the trail way bridge and the other one where the creek turns.
Posted By: fishytx

Re: Lake Somerville - 02/24/18 01:16 AM

Congrats on personal best j-moe. Nice looking fish....
Posted By: fishytx

Re: Lake Somerville - 02/24/18 01:19 AM

Buffalo fight like crazy in these creeks. But you can tell the difference in the fight between a hybrid and buffalo. Buffalo pull hard, hybrid pull hard and very fast upstream then downstream and strip drag like it wasn't even there. Buffalo strip drag but at a slow pace or in a quick burst. The hybrid is all out from hook set till you get your hands on it.
Posted By: JonL

Re: Lake Somerville - 02/24/18 01:44 AM

Going to Newman's Bottom tomorrow if I wake up tomorrow early and the radar looks good.. I have waited long enough. Hopefully the rain showers are light. My cousin Troy Eller is usually my tell me where they are at guy but this time I am that guy. Will post results tomorrow night. See ya'll down there.
Posted By: bigbassman90

Re: Lake Somerville - 02/24/18 02:13 AM

Do yall think they will be closer to the lake or towards Newmans bottom in the morning?
Ill make the trip from nails creek state park up yegua in the morning and let yall know how we do!
Posted By: J-Moe

Re: Lake Somerville - 02/24/18 03:54 AM

Originally Posted By: white bass interceptor
J Moe I saw the hybrids. They came up on their sides and there is no mistaking their stripes nor their aggressive fight. A buffalo don't fight nearly as hard as a striper. We were catching buffaloes on rocky point and some of them were actually lazy. I thought I was hung on a limb a few times. One was caught about 250 to 300 yards down stream from the trail way bridge and the other one where the creek turns.


That's great there are a few hybrids up in the creeks. I've caught plenty of both below the dam. Hybrids also make multiple runs as compared to a buffalo. It's just a joke that Ben and I used to tease each other about. He would say I just got broke off by a big hybrid and I would tell him, Nah, that was just a worthless buffalo, LOL!!!

Thanks for the information.
Posted By: white bass interceptor

Re: Lake Somerville - 02/24/18 05:41 AM

Thanks J Moe. I clearly understand fisherman talk. That is one of the things that I appreciate most about being in the company of such great people. Most fisherman have a great sense of humor. Catching fish don't make our day it just adds to it. Keep up your fish tales. I know that some of the pictures you post are the same fish you just turn them over(lol).
Posted By: J-Moe

Re: Lake Somerville - 02/24/18 11:15 AM

Originally Posted By: white bass interceptor

I know that some of the pictures you post are the same fish you just turn them over(lol).


roflmao Now that's funny. I wasn't smart enough to think about that. Now I can catch twice the fish I did before roflmao Fixing to head out and try a new creek today.
Posted By: fishytx

Re: Lake Somerville - 02/24/18 05:02 PM

Due to some joint issues I've been holding back from chasing these whites. Normally I would start looking for them in late December, but I chose to wait this year till they were in full spawn mode. I guess that time has come, so onward to do some bank fishing I go. I hope to run into a few of you out there this year as well. Going over to a river this morning to see how that is doing first, but hope to hit the creek a few times next week.
Posted By: J-Moe

Re: Lake Somerville - 02/24/18 06:56 PM

I would say that white bass fishing was great this morning but I would be lying. It was insane nuts

Jason and I went out this morning and I caught 80. Jason can attest to it because I counted out loud to him every time I caught one roflmao

He was ready to go when I got to 78 but I made him stay for 2 more as I told Alan I would catch 80 today and I did, LOL

EVERYONE was catching fish. It didn't matter which lure, line size, etc. I think you could have caught them on cigarette butts and 50 lb. line this morning.

That means if I turned them over and took pictures of both sides I caught 160 White bass interceptor roflmao roflmao

What an incredible day




Posted By: white bass interceptor

Re: Lake Somerville - 02/24/18 09:56 PM

Hey Joe great job. leave some till Monday. Even the one you are holding looks like one you had on a previous post (lol).
Posted By: JonL

Re: Lake Somerville - 02/24/18 11:13 PM

Jmoe I agree. The fishing was on fire. I did not catch 80 but I did catch 32 at Newmans. Caught my limit by 10:15am after starting fishing around 7:30. Caught 26 in one hole which had mostly females and caught 6 at the first spot which were all males. Also I had a run in with a hybrid. I threw my line out and my spool got tangled. When I got it untangled and and started reeling it felt heavy and then it came out of the water with its bluish tint and fat belly. Thankfully it spit the hook.It made a hell of a splash when it hit the water. It was CRAZY!!!!!
Posted By: J-Moe

Re: Lake Somerville - 02/24/18 11:29 PM

Originally Posted By: white bass interceptor
Hey Joe great job. leave some till Monday. Even the one you are holding looks like one you had on a previous post (lol).

Man, you are asking for it. My Cajun grandpa taught me a potent curse. Just ask Ben. He kept taunting me and I put it on him. He went 6 months without catching a decent fish grin

Great job JonL, thumb
Posted By: JonL

Re: Lake Somerville - 02/24/18 11:41 PM

Here are some pics from today.

Posted By: Bug-e

Re: Lake Somerville - 02/24/18 11:45 PM

Is the mouth of the Yegua hard to find from the main lake right now? Thinking of taking my kayak out tomorrow.
Posted By: fishytx

Re: Lake Somerville - 02/25/18 12:42 AM

My first trip wasn't so bad, ended up with 41. But I got a get back over there on some Summerville fish due to the quality of those fish.
Posted By: Ledeez

Re: Lake Somerville - 02/25/18 03:20 AM

Nice pescados! Swole much! thumb
Posted By: yak dog

Re: Lake Somerville - 02/25/18 03:48 AM

Met up with bigbassman90 this morning in Summerville, my first time there. We had a good time caught some nice whites and lost a lot more jigs. I ran out of my hot color for the day and the bite got slow. Bigbassman90 was on fire all day , that guy has got this white bass nailed down . Really good dude there, over all it was great day and this wont be my last time to fish the creeks. Biggest fish of the day was 16 1/2 and 2.3 lbs.!!!!!
Posted By: J-Moe

Re: Lake Somerville - 02/25/18 04:23 AM

Wow!!!!! That's a pig Jon. I wonder what that thing weighed.
Posted By: sic'em

Re: Lake Somerville - 02/25/18 04:41 AM

Wow, nice catches. After seeing the day all of you had, I would love to be able to get out there tomorrow. Looks like the weather situation has really deteriorated for tomorrow though.
Posted By: fray

Re: Lake Somerville - 02/25/18 01:52 PM

Nice fishing
Posted By: fishytx

Re: Lake Somerville - 02/25/18 02:41 PM

Don't listen to the weather guys, heck they said Saturday was gonna be real nasty and it turned out be a beautiful day. Or the weather channel I listen to said that anyway. They were calling for hail, strong winds, tornados and flooding. I thought it was gonna be a wash out type day, so I went to the river before the rains arrived and the rain never showed up, but the fish did.
Posted By: Bug-e

Re: Lake Somerville - 02/25/18 02:48 PM

Its storming in College Station. My kayak is staying in the garage today. bang
Posted By: yak dog

Re: Lake Somerville - 02/25/18 03:38 PM


2.3 lbs. and 16 3/4'' to be exact !! banana grin caught yesterday in the creek . Bigbassman90 really put us on some good ones.
Posted By: jsinn01

Re: Lake Somerville - 02/25/18 03:53 PM

Great reports, all! Sounds like some nice fish are being caught. thumb
Posted By: JonL

Re: Lake Somerville - 02/25/18 04:22 PM

J-moe I did not have anything to weigh the big one. All I know is the walk back from Newman's Bottom was hell with that stringer. My shoulder still hurts. Hope the rain does not disturb things to much. My cousin Troy Eller and I are going tomorrow. Gotta go when the fish are there. You never know when it will be over. We are one big flood from the run being over. Will report what we catch tomorrow afternoon.
Posted By: jsinn01

Re: Lake Somerville - 02/25/18 06:30 PM

Does anybody else get annoyed about the unpredictability of fishing for spawning White Bass? I have had some amazing days, but also plenty of days catching next to nothing. Sometimes it seems easier to target crappie or black bass.
Posted By: JonL

Re: Lake Somerville - 02/25/18 06:41 PM

I agree jsinn. Of all the years I have been fishing the Yegua I have only caught more than 15 a handful of times. I have made the hour and a half trip from Leander many times and have not caught anything. So I chose to really soak in how great those good days are like yesterday. If I lived closer and had a more flexible schedule I definitely could tip the scales in my favor to have more trips that were successful.
Posted By: C.M.

Re: Lake Somerville - 02/25/18 09:04 PM

Originally Posted By: yak dog

2.3 lbs. and 16 3/4'' to be exact !! banana grin caught yesterday in the creek . Bigbassman90 really put us on some good ones.


Gotta close it's mouth wink
Posted By: fishytx

Re: Lake Somerville - 02/26/18 01:54 AM

Had a buddy fish there today and he limited out pretty quick. He had to take a break once when the rain came and then went back out and finished up.
Posted By: TXfisherman12

Re: Lake Somerville - 02/26/18 01:54 AM

Originally Posted By: jsinn01
Does anybody else get annoyed about the unpredictability of fishing for spawning White Bass? I have had some amazing days, but also plenty of days catching next to nothing. Sometimes it seems easier to target crappie or black bass.


This is a good point you make Jason.Every year for me its frustratingm. I took the drive up to the Yegua in January of this year and didnt catch a single fish of any species. I went on Presidents Day this month and struck gold. With a busy schedule it is hard to make the trip for me. I really wanted to get out yesterday but couldnt find the time. There have been sometimes in previous years when I couldnt make it until late March and the run was over but fortunately the black bass were biting. I hope to find property in the area so I can escape more on the weekends. I love fishing those creeks!!

Did you catch any yesterday Jason?
Posted By: JonL

Re: Lake Somerville - 02/26/18 02:05 AM

What creek did your buddy fish at today?
Posted By: jsinn01

Re: Lake Somerville - 02/26/18 03:29 AM

Originally Posted By: TXfisherman12
Originally Posted By: jsinn01
Does anybody else get annoyed about the unpredictability of fishing for spawning White Bass? I have had some amazing days, but also plenty of days catching next to nothing. Sometimes it seems easier to target crappie or black bass.


This is a good point you make Jason.Every year for me its frustratingm. I took the drive up to the Yegua in January of this year and didnt catch a single fish of any species. I went on Presidents Day this month and struck gold. With a busy schedule it is hard to make the trip for me. I really wanted to get out yesterday but couldnt find the time. There have been sometimes in previous years when I couldnt make it until late March and the run was over but fortunately the black bass were biting. I hope to find property in the area so I can escape more on the weekends. I love fishing those creeks!!

Did you catch any yesterday Jason?


I haven't been out there since December. I usually target the crappie more than I do the white bass.
Posted By: fishytx

Re: Lake Somerville - 02/26/18 04:44 PM

He didn't mention that, but I'm guessing the Yegua. I am thinking about a trip that way today myself. Catch and release is all I will be doing though. I still have a ton of fish in the freezer from last year. I need to start giving it away to make room for new, because my freezer is full.
Posted By: fishytx

Re: Lake Somerville - 02/26/18 05:04 PM

Catching a limit of these fish is a hit or miss deal. I've seen it on fire one day and cold as ice the next. Crazy I know. But they are in there and finding a few hot spots is really the deal. You can move fifty yards to another hole and pull out a limit some times. Crazy how they will stack up in a hole. And if someone else has fished that hole dry, you're not going to pull very many out of a hole someone just depleted. I'm sure that's why you see big stringers early in the morning, most holes have filled up with new fish. The moon is just right for these guys to be traveling upstream at night. I realize there hasn't been much light from the moon, but the gravitational pull from the moon still gets them on the move. If we can get a few clear skies at night, the moon light would allow a lot more to migrate upstream than we are seeing right now. A good flow of muddy water would be best, it really brings them upstream.
Posted By: hook-line&sinker

Re: Lake Somerville - 02/26/18 05:48 PM

I think you all might agree that this amount of rain we have received is enough to kick the fishing up a notch without washing away the opportunity to get at them.

If looked at from the fishes (whitebass) perspective more flowing water is better for spawning and inversely anything that reduces their numbers (like over fishing) will curb the success of the spawn.

Where lake Somerville is concerned it would be nearly impossible to adversely affect the crappie/whitebass population by legal fishing means but Mother Nature, man-made environmental issues and illegal fishing methods could destroy the whole lake & fishery in an instant.

Looking back over the history of the Yegua it is very clear to me that the annual springtime harvest of crappie and whitebass has never had any long term affect on the overall health of the fishery. So fill your freezer with fresh fish and be thankful for the opportunity. Play by the rules, be respectful of others and the environment so this great fishery can last for many future generations of fishermen.
Posted By: EllerTroy

Re: Lake Somerville - 02/27/18 12:07 AM

Will said Ben. My Cuz Jon Luxe and I went out today. Started out at Nails Creek at day break. There was a lot of fish there but the were not biting because they were to busy chasing each other around. We spent about 20 minutes there and caught 1 each. So we decide to over to Newman's Bottom and it was hot there. I caught 50 plus fish and my Cuz caught 30 plus fish. They are there go get them while you can.
Posted By: J-Moe

Re: Lake Somerville - 02/27/18 12:25 AM

Originally Posted By: EllerTroy
Will said Ben. My Cuz Jon Luxe and I went out today. Started out at Nails Creek at day break. There was a lot of fish there but the were not biting because they were to busy chasing each other around. We spent about 20 minutes there and caught 1 each. So we decide to over to Newman's Bottom and it was hot there. I caught 50 plus fish and my Cuz caught 30 plus fish. They are there go get them while you can.


Great stuff, I was wondering how the recent rain would effect the fishing. Glad to here the fishing is still hot. Thanks for the report.
Posted By: fishytx

Re: Lake Somerville - 02/27/18 01:38 AM

Just got home from the creek, awesome day with a catch of 45. Nice huge whites, very fun day.
Posted By: J-Moe

Re: Lake Somerville - 02/27/18 01:50 AM

Great job Doug. Y'all are killing me. Work, Soccer games, taxi cab dad and husband duties are really hampering my fishing time.
Posted By: JonL

Re: Lake Somerville - 02/27/18 03:57 AM

Newmans Bottom is still on fire. Troy Eller and I had a great day today both catching our limits and then some. Troy catching more than me with his damn special made jigs but I had a blast anyway. The white bass I caught were mostly big Yegua ones. I really cherish these days because it will be over before you know it. Here are the pics.

Posted By: J-Moe

Re: Lake Somerville - 02/27/18 01:31 PM

Did you claim all the pigs on the one side of the table? grin And find a way to carry them all back?

Troy, you want to share the information on those special made jigs? I tie my own as well. You can PM me if you want to give away your secrets grin grin

Fantastic spread of fish guys thumb
Posted By: jsinn01

Re: Lake Somerville - 02/27/18 02:54 PM

Nice haul! thumb
Posted By: EllerTroy

Re: Lake Somerville - 02/27/18 06:06 PM

J-Moe, it is just my blue deer tails jigs. I keep my deer tails and die them even blue. That is what I catch 95 % of bass.
Posted By: white bass interceptor

Re: Lake Somerville - 02/27/18 06:27 PM

I went to the Irwin bridge yesterday and it was slow. Went up and down stream saw some action in the water but they weren't biting. Saw black and white bass chasing shads. Was there from 6:45 until around 10am and saw very little fish being caught. Went to Nails creek and fishing was much better there. Limits was being caught and if you could get on a good hole you could get your limit in a couple of hrs. I must admit that Newman bottom definitely have the larger fish. Two third or better of the fish cleaned were males and most females were still full of eggs.
Posted By: J-Moe

Re: Lake Somerville - 02/27/18 08:54 PM

Originally Posted By: EllerTroy
J-Moe, it is just my blue deer tails jigs. I keep my deer tails and die them even blue. That is what I catch 95 % of bass.


Awesome, I have both dark and light blue deer hair. Dark or light blue? Do you use blue chenille for the body? I tie clousers with deer hair but usually use marabou on my jig heads as it has more movement. So it seems you have better luck with deer hair tails versus marabou tails. That's great information.

Thanks for sharing, I really appreciate it. thumb
Posted By: J-Moe

Re: Lake Somerville - 02/27/18 08:56 PM

Originally Posted By: white bass interceptor
I went to the Irwin bridge yesterday and it was slow. Went up and down stream saw some action in the water but they weren't biting. Saw black and white bass chasing shads. Was there from 6:45 until around 10am and saw very little fish being caught. Went to Nails creek and fishing was much better there. Limits was being caught and if you could get on a good hole you could get your limit in a couple of hrs. I must admit that Newman bottom definitely have the larger fish. Two third or better of the fish cleaned were males and most females were still full of eggs.


Excellent report, thanks for sharing thumb
Posted By: EllerTroy

Re: Lake Somerville - 02/27/18 09:47 PM

J-Moe, I also used a blue chenille body and blue marabou tail that I started tying this year and it worked good also. It's just hard not to use what has always worked. Evening blue is lighting then royal blue but not light blue. Wish I knew how to post pics on here but if you want to PM your email address to me I will so pics. Tied up a bunch more for Thursday.
Posted By: JonL

Re: Lake Somerville - 02/27/18 11:39 PM

J-moe, Troy caught more than I did but I had bigger fish on my stringer.
Posted By: PerksOutdoors

Re: Lake Somerville - 02/28/18 03:13 AM

Would it be worth fishing the mouths of the creeks in a boat? Want to test some new electronics but also want to catch some numbers if possible. Was thinking rocky creek or birch creek areas as I'm not familiar with the west part of the lake in a boat.
Posted By: bowler49

Re: Lake Somerville - 02/28/18 12:56 PM

I don't recommend the west end of the lake. It's very shallow, less than 3 feet deep. Most people take their boats up Nails Creek or Yegua Creek. Flat bottom boats with jet drives, john boats or kayaks since it's shallow.
Posted By: ben_beyer

Re: Lake Somerville - 02/28/18 02:57 PM

How bad are the crowds on the weekends?

Any main lake places to go after whitebass post-spawn in a kayak?

It's a busy time of year for me unfortunately...
Posted By: J-Moe

Re: Lake Somerville - 03/01/18 04:31 PM

The crowds have picked up with each passing week but nothing extreme. The good news is they are catching white bass in all the creeks so there are miles of creek to fish all by yourself.

The west side of Rocky Creek park is usually very good in the last half of April and first half of May.
Posted By: EllerTroy

Re: Lake Somerville - 03/01/18 09:43 PM

Newman's Bottom continues to be on fire. Had my limit by 8:20. Another 50 plus day. Even was brave enough to pull out my fly rod and caught my first fishes with it. Get out there why their there. When I drove past Nails Creek, it did not appear to be flowing anymore, but I did not get out and look closely.
Posted By: jsinn01

Re: Lake Somerville - 03/01/18 10:28 PM

Thanks for the report, EllerTroy.

Thinking about targeting the crappie in Nails or Cedar Creek this Sunday. Don't really care about limits of anything, just want to catch a few fish for the frying pan and enjoy the nice weather. wink
Posted By: J-Moe

Re: Lake Somerville - 03/02/18 03:54 AM

I left work early and headed out to Newman's bottom this afternoon. It was another excellent day. Since I've already had a great numbers day my focus was on catching a few trophies. I headed straight to my favorite spot that holds big females. I ended up catching 39 with several in the 1.8 to 2.0 lb range but no 2.5 lb pig like Jon caught. You should have thrown that one back for me to catch Jon grin

I did catch a 17 inch white bass today though. banana

I gave away a dozen to a lady. That was about all she could carry that 1/2 mile back to her vehicle. Those dozen were the biggest I caught too. I weighed 3 of them and they were 1.8, 1.85 and 1.97 lbs. so the stringer had to be around 20 lbs or so.

There's still time, maybe I'll get that 2.5 lber. before the season is over. I know I'll have lots of fun trying


Posted By: J-Moe

Re: Lake Somerville - 03/02/18 04:03 AM

Originally Posted By: EllerTroy
Newman's Bottom continues to be on fire. Had my limit by 8:20. Another 50 plus day. Even was brave enough to pull out my fly rod and caught my first fishes with it. Get out there why their there. When I drove past Nails Creek, it did not appear to be flowing anymore, but I did not get out and look closely.


Great job Troy thumb Glad those long road trips are paying off for you. And that you had the fun of catching some on the fly rod.
Posted By: JonL

Re: Lake Somerville - 03/02/18 12:17 PM

Very nice J-moe. Hopefully my hour and a half drive on Saturday pays off again. I have never had three trips in a row with a limit so we are going to try to break my personal record. My wife is not liking me much but I told her we have to get it while it's hot. And the fishing is hot right now.
Posted By: jsinn01

Re: Lake Somerville - 03/02/18 02:54 PM

Nice, J-Moe. The work thing is a real drag this time of year when the fishing gets good. grin
Posted By: FISHINGFOOL40

Re: Lake Somerville - 03/02/18 10:16 PM

Originally Posted By: jsinn01
Nice, J-Moe. The work thing is a real drag this time of year when the fishing gets good. grin

You got that right, jsinn01 "Born to Fish~>Forced to Work" grin

Still slow fishing on LT and Reimers... Or for whites, anyhow hmmm
Been getting a few Stripers, night fishing at boat-slip on LTM
But hoping to make the drive down to NB tomorrow, my freezers way to empty hammer

Anyhoot, thanks "J-Moe", 4 the reports on NB...Very much appreciated thumb
Not sure if we've ever met before? But I will donate, a 6-pack of your favorite beverage
If I see you down there, and if you tell me whats your fav bev/or a pint if preferred grin
Posted By: FISHINGFOOL40

Re: Lake Somerville - 03/02/18 10:52 PM

TFTR + pics, from *JonL* also cheers
Plus reminding me about NCSP's awesome fish-cleaning station thumb
And to bring some mosquito juice._. In case only able to fish late-afternoon, and I'm cleaning fish after sunset grin
Posted By: ben_beyer

Re: Lake Somerville - 03/03/18 01:08 AM

I talked to the wife and if the weather is OK we might take the baby on a short walk around Newman's on Sunday afternoon.

I'll take a rod of course and I might even pack a fly rod and see if I can't catch a couple white bass for dinner and a few fillets for the freezer.

Weather has to be good but at least it is an opportunity!
Posted By: greenyak

Re: Lake Somerville - 03/03/18 03:37 AM

Posted By: J-Moe

Re: Lake Somerville - 03/03/18 04:09 AM

Originally Posted By: FISHINGFOOL40


Anyhoot, thanks "J-Moe", 4 the reports on NB...Very much appreciated thumb
Not sure if we've ever met before? But I will donate, a 6-pack of your favorite beverage
If I see you down there, and if you tell me whats your fav bev/or a pint if preferred grin


You are welcome, free of charge. I hope to see you down there sometime. I'm the ugly guy with the fly fishing vest and fly rods. grin
Posted By: jsinn01

Re: Lake Somerville - 03/03/18 04:23 PM

Originally Posted By: J-Moe
Originally Posted By: FISHINGFOOL40


Anyhoot, thanks "J-Moe", 4 the reports on NB...Very much appreciated thumb
Not sure if we've ever met before? But I will donate, a 6-pack of your favorite beverage
If I see you down there, and if you tell me whats your fav bev/or a pint if preferred grin


You are welcome, free of charge. I hope to see you down there sometime. I'm the ugly guy with the fly fishing vest and fly rods. grin


FISHINGFOOL40, J-Moe will be the guy catching a fish on every cast. Lol. grin
Posted By: jsinn01

Re: Lake Somerville - 03/03/18 04:29 PM

Nice video, greenyak. Looks like you guys tore em' up. thumb
Posted By: greenyak

Re: Lake Somerville - 03/03/18 05:03 PM

Originally Posted By: jsinn01
Nice video, greenyak. Looks like you guys tore em' up. thumb
Thanks its was a great day and a good time.
Posted By: J-Moe

Re: Lake Somerville - 03/03/18 06:08 PM

Walked into Newman's bottom yesterday afternoon and fished from 1:30 to 4:30. There were about 35 cars there. I started below the bridge in my favorite spot but only caught 2. So I headed upstream and that was the right move. I caught 35 plus in 2 spots.

I went back to Newman's this morning. I arrived at 5:45 AM and there were already 8 or 9 cars there. I headed downstream to my favorite spot but there were already 2 people fishing in the spot. So once again I headed upstream to get away from the crowd. I ended up catching 38. The fishing came to a crawl by 9:30 when the sun got up in the sky. I miss those cloudy days.

One thing that has become apparent is that some days it is best to find some spots that are experiencing less fishing pressure in order to be successful. It was the same way on Memorial day when I went out with Alan and Jacob.

When I got back to the parking lot I talked to Adam and a couple other game wardens. Adam said he counted 60 cars there and 2 more had arrived since he got there. Most people have at least 2 people per car so there were over 100 people fishing there today. There were 15 cars at Nails creek and 4 at Cedar creek.

I believe we are on the back side of the run now. I didn't see any spawning this morning and caught far less females.
Posted By: jsinn01

Re: Lake Somerville - 03/03/18 07:15 PM

Thanks for the excellent report, J-Moe. I may fish closer to home tomorrow. I don't really want to make the 3 hour round trip drive only to fight crowds. I can do that just fine here in Austin. roflmao
Posted By: J-Moe

Re: Lake Somerville - 03/03/18 07:27 PM

Originally Posted By: jsinn01
Thanks for the excellent report, J-Moe. I may fish closer to home tomorrow. I don't really want to make the 3 hour round trip drive only to fight crowds. I can do that just fine here in Austin. roflmao


Ok, send me a text if you decide to come.
Posted By: EllerTroy

Re: Lake Somerville - 03/03/18 08:52 PM

Thanks for the report J-Moe. I knew it would be like a zoo today. I might of to go again on Monday if the weather is not to back.
Posted By: aggie92

Re: Lake Somerville - 03/03/18 11:33 PM

Great Video Greenyak. Awesome fishing. It was lots of fun.

You are the man.
Posted By: Fish Zone

Re: Lake Somerville - 03/04/18 04:48 AM

Thanks for sharing !
Posted By: JonL

Re: Lake Somerville - 03/04/18 03:11 PM

Yesterday I was under alot of pressure. I have been bragging about how good the fishing has been in the creeks to my friend Jack that he decided to make the 2 1/2 drive from Lake Jackson area and come up. So we got to Newman's Bottom at 600am and there was probably 10 cars there already. We hauled [censored] to get to my favorite spot and there was someone already there. So we fished around the area at a few other holes and we ended up catching about 10 each then about 830am it just stopped. I told my friend that maybe we should go towards the lake. We carried our stuff to and across the bridge and looked down the creek. There was ALOT of people. I said to my friend we need to get away from the crowds. So we headed back towards Irwin bridge. When we were walking I noticed the sun was blaring. I told my friend we need to fish the shadows. It really paid off. The first spot we hit and fished the shadow there was people to the left and right of us not catching and we caught 6 back to back. We decided to move to another shadow spot and we caught 10. We moved again to the next shadow spot and caught another 10. We finally hot our limit around 1245pm. After that we just enjoyed catching fish just for fun. It was a good day all in all just had to work for it.


Posted By: jsinn01

Re: Lake Somerville - 03/04/18 03:42 PM

Nice report, JonL. And congrats on the nice catch. I'll bet you were exhausted at the end of the day. grin
Posted By: JonL

Re: Lake Somerville - 03/04/18 04:19 PM

Thanks Jsinn. Yes I was very tired. Luckily I had a cart to carry those 50 fish plus gear out. Although dragging the cart down the creeks can be tiring due to all the brush. I got home about 615pm and took a shower and laid down at 700 and slept through the night.
Posted By: Fish Zone

Re: Lake Somerville - 03/04/18 07:42 PM

Looks like a heck of a good time . Thanks for the tip!
Posted By: Bug-e

Re: Lake Somerville - 03/05/18 12:21 AM

What impressive catches. Congrats to all.
Posted By: ben_beyer

Re: Lake Somerville - 03/05/18 03:15 AM

The wife, son, and I made it out.

We were only around the creek for about 45 minutes late in the day but I managed 2. One was a nice fat female.

I lost 2 rattle traps and a rooster tail but it was worth it.

Now I gotta go do some work on my fillet knife. I should've just broken out the electric knife even though it was only 2. Those rib cages are hard on knives...
Posted By: Csafisher

Re: Lake Somerville - 03/05/18 03:00 PM

Originally Posted By: ben_beyer
The wife, son, and I made it out.

We were only around the creek for about 45 minutes late in the day but I managed 2. One was a nice fat female.

I lost 2 rattle traps and a rooster tail but it was worth it.

Now I gotta go do some work on my fillet knife. I should've just broken out the electric knife even though it was only 2. Those rib cages are hard on knives...


Gotta wonder how many lures are in the yegua? Haha.
Posted By: ben_beyer

Re: Lake Somerville - 03/05/18 03:21 PM

For sure. I saw many more just sitting in tree limbs so I'm not alone.

I just put the Shimano Sienna 1000 with 4 lbs. test that I have for sunfish/crappie fishing on a 6' medium action rod I have and I'm glad I did because it made breaking the lure off easier. The first fish I was casting off one of the drop offs down to the creek and I just had to grab the line and lift the fish up 8 feet or so. It made me a little nervous but like I said, better to able to break off a stuck lure than clip a bunch of line or break a rod tip.
Posted By: ben_beyer

Re: Lake Somerville - 03/05/18 04:18 PM

Picture from yesterday.


Posted By: catchnrelease

Re: Lake Somerville - 03/05/18 09:38 PM

Wow at all the fish! Awesome. I think Im late to the party. Stuck at work. Gonna try Wednesday. Hope yall left a few for me. I
Posted By: shimanotoshort

Re: Lake Somerville - 03/06/18 08:29 AM

Does the hybrid make it in the creeks?
Posted By: JonL

Re: Lake Somerville - 03/06/18 12:16 PM

I have only hooked into one hybrid in the many years I have fished the creeks and it was this year.My cousin has caught a few over the years.
Posted By: catchnrelease

Re: Lake Somerville - 03/06/18 02:00 PM

One day in 2007 we got into a mess of hybrids in the yegua at Newmans Bottom. I caught a limit of whites and hybrids that one time. I lost a few fish. They would run and break me off. I finally got wise and adjusted my drag. But I think I got lucky more than anything. Havent caught any since.
Posted By: hook-line&sinker

Re: Lake Somerville - 03/06/18 03:40 PM

My experience with good numbers of hybrids up the creeks always follows a high water flood event around March to April.
I suspect the hybrids are chasing shad up the creeks and not so much to spawn since it is near or at the end of the whitebass run.

Posted By: hook-line&sinker

Re: Lake Somerville - 03/06/18 04:01 PM

I also believe that the small hybrids are much more likely to head up the creeks with the whitebass to spawn. Considering how difficult it can be to tell the difference between a 10 to 14 inch whitebass and a hybrid of the same size many of these hybrids go unnoticed and possibly on the stringer. To make identification even more complicated Lake Somerville whitebass certainly have cross-bred back with the hybrid over the last 30 plus years so many whitebass have some hybrid characteristics like broken lines not found in pure strains of whitebass.

All three of these are whitebass from Yegua creek but only one looks normal.




Posted By: hook-line&sinker

Re: Lake Somerville - 03/06/18 05:01 PM

Posted By: Jing

Re: Lake Somerville - 03/06/18 09:39 PM

which one looks normal? the bottom one?
Posted By: EllerTroy

Re: Lake Somerville - 03/06/18 11:30 PM

My nephew and I went to Newman's Bottom this morning and the fishing was still good. Had to work more for them. Would caught 4 or 5 in a hole and would have to move on. I ended up catching 35 good size white and 7 10 1/2 inches. My nephew started out slow but ended up with 21 good size whites. The fishing went dead at about 10:00. 2/3 of the fish were female.
Posted By: JonL

Re: Lake Somerville - 03/07/18 01:04 AM

Since my cousin Troy does not know how to post pictures to the forum, this is the picture he sent me of today's catch.
Posted By: LeanderLuvs2Fish

Re: Lake Somerville - 03/07/18 02:34 PM

Originally Posted By: JonL
Since my cousin Troy does not know how to post pictures to the forum, this is the picture he sent me of today's catch.



Hey JonL,

It's Tony from Leander. Check your PM.
Posted By: ben_beyer

Re: Lake Somerville - 03/08/18 12:04 AM

Originally Posted By: hook-line&sinker
To make identification even more complicated Lake Somerville whitebass certainly have cross-bred back with the hybrid over the last 30 plus years so many whitebass have some hybrid characteristics like broken lines not found in pure strains of whitebass.





This is what I've come to conclude. I have pictures of white bass that I've caught out of Somerville and the stripes do not go all the way to the tail as in a Striper or Hybrid type but they have the broken lines.
Posted By: white bass interceptor

Re: Lake Somerville - 03/09/18 03:01 AM

walked into Newman today. The fish were not as aggressive as we were hoping they would be. We fished from 7:30 till
12:30 and I caught over 40 mostly males and about half of them were in the late stage of their spawning cycle. Most fish were in the 14 to 16 inch range. Had a few throw back and a few broke off. I had to move around quite a bit, had a great day. The flow was good but the water is slowly dropping.
Posted By: fishytx

Re: Lake Somerville - 03/09/18 04:29 AM

Don't look at the stripes and try to determine what is what, look at the tooth patch on the tongue. One tooth patch in the center is a white bass, two tooth patches on the tongue is a hybrid or a stripper. The patches are located on both sides of the tongue.
Here is a web site that will explain it to you.
http://www.southernstripes.com/striper-f...and-Yellow-Bass
Posted By: fishytx

Re: Lake Somerville - 03/10/18 04:16 AM

I will be headed over to catch some Somerville whites tomorrow but I have no idea when I'll get there or where I'll start out at, I just know that's the plan. I have a few buddies going to Newman Bottom, so odds are I'll show up there at some point. I fished for two hours on the San Gabriel river this afternoon with only nine dinks to show for my effort. Guess that's why I'm headed towards Somerville tomorrow. The fillets are awesome and well worth ones efforts.
Posted By: slopez

Re: Lake Somerville - 03/10/18 04:00 PM

Went to Newmans yesterday (Friday) afternoon. Went across and upstream from the trailway bridge. Fishing was slow. The fish are definitely less aggressive than before. Water has dropped several inches from last weekend. Fished for about 2 1/2 hrs and walked away with 9 keepers. Caught about same amount of undersized. Didnt want the jigs, rooster tails is what caught 90% of em.
Posted By: FISHINGFOOL40

Re: Lake Somerville - 03/10/18 10:30 PM

Originally Posted By: fishytx
I will be headed over to catch some Somerville whites tomorrow but I have no idea when I'll get there or where I'll start out at, I just know that's the plan. I have a few buddies going to Newman Bottom, so odds are I'll show up there at some point. I fished for two hours on the San Gabriel river this afternoon with only nine dinks to show for my effort. Guess that's why I'm headed towards Somerville tomorrow. The fillets are awesome and well worth ones efforts.


Cool, I'll be waiting for the Report+Pics from one of the "Top 10 NBWBF Pro's" listed in the "Texas Parks+Wildlife Magazine" flehan clap grin
Posted By: FISHINGFOOL40

Re: Lake Somerville - 03/10/18 10:38 PM

Originally Posted By: slopez
Went to Newmans yesterday (Friday) afternoon. Went across and upstream from the trailway bridge. Fishing was slow. The fish are definitely less aggressive than before. Water has dropped several inches from last weekend. Fished for about 2 1/2 hrs and walked away with 9 keepers. Caught about same amount of undersized. Didnt want the jigs, rooster tails is what caught 90% of em.


TFTR, on NB-Newman's Bottom yesterday
And "Welcome to the Board" thumb
Posted By: hook-line&sinker

Re: Lake Somerville - 03/11/18 02:51 AM

FishTales: Preview of upcoming video..

It has been nearly 11 months since I last fished this little lake Somerville creek. We were not disappointed.

Posted By: fishytx

Re: Lake Somerville - 03/11/18 03:27 AM

Arrived at Irwin bridge around 5pm because a friend of mine text me to let me know he was there. Fished a hole and pulled out a nice white on second cast. Fished for several more minutes with not a tap one. Moved downstream in search for a bite. Fished several other areas that were picture perfect without any takers. I went back to my buddy and said hey man, lets get out of here, there are very few fish up this far in the creek, lets walk in at Newmans bottom. So we did. Arrived around 6 pm and everyone was walking back out as we are walking in. Any how, with little to no extra time to do a good search, I pretty much fished the trail way bridge area and caught two nice size hybrids and eight big mega whites. The hybrids were not legal length, so they swim for another day. My buddy went upstream a tad and he caught seven nice whites. Under flashlight power we walked out with fifteen real nice fish. Not to shabby for about an hour of fishing in this area I haven't fished in two years. Boy has the creek ever changed. Places that use be my honey hole are now filled in with sand and log jams, pretty shallow area now. I have several projects that have to get done tomorrow and I'm trying to figure out how to get them done in a hurry so I can get back over there and put a limit of fish on a stringer. The females I cleaned had egg sacks that are at the right consistency for spawning.
PS; As we were walking in we saw several nice stringers being taking out. Didn't look like limits, but more like 12 to 18 fish. I did see two guys at the creek that both limited out. Everyone had nice size fish on their stringers as well. Can't wait to get back and get a limit myself.
Posted By: fishytx

Re: Lake Somerville - 03/11/18 02:24 PM

Sure wish there was a way to drive in. That walk back with a heavy stringer ain't it my friend.
Posted By: EllerTroy

Re: Lake Somerville - 03/11/18 04:14 PM

I hear you fishytx. That's why after the first limit I carried out this year, I went the next day and got a cart from Sam's. It's been worth every penny.
Posted By: fishytx

Re: Lake Somerville - 03/11/18 05:47 PM

I saw several carts yesterday. Some not so gravel road friendly. Hard plastic wheels on a kids wagon. But that pull cart you mention is great, rubber tires and all. I just wish the front wheels would turn like that of a kids wagon....
Posted By: hook-line&sinker

Re: Lake Somerville - 03/12/18 04:16 AM

Reconnecting...

Posted By: fishytx

Re: Lake Somerville - 03/12/18 03:06 PM

Yesterday we did ok at Newman Bottom. Arrived around noon and the folks walking out of Newman said the bite was dead and I didnt see any fish coming out. Any how we walked in and did pretty good. We walked out with 42. Watched three guys with live bait tear it up, they left with like 60. It looked like everyone was catching fish, one here one there type thing, so they are in there but this cool front has slowed the bite down a tad.
Posted By: fishytx

Re: Lake Somerville - 03/12/18 03:21 PM

Cool video Ben, thanks for sharing....
Posted By: J-Moe

Re: Lake Somerville - 03/12/18 03:32 PM

It was a great weekend. I got to fish with both my mentors. Ben (Hook-Line&Sinker) Saturday and Doug (fishtx) on Sunday. It's been over 10 months since I got to fish with the Masters. flehan
Posted By: fishytx

Re: Lake Somerville - 03/12/18 08:28 PM

I was not going today, but I am all caught up here at the house, time to go catch a few more. Hehehehe
Posted By: fishytx

Re: Lake Somerville - 03/13/18 02:30 AM

Sent J-Moe a text letting him know that I was going back to Newmans and he said 10-4 I'll meet you there. I already had a friend there with two of his kids so we had a group of five today. The bite was slower than yesterday and the water dropped a little and it was much clearer today. The fish were holding tight to structure. I'm going to take a wild guess at our catch between our group and say we caught a good fifty fish, this includes the dinks. Hauled out something like 35 total. This little cool front sure has slowed the bite down, but they are still in there and they will bite your line. Might even go back tomorrow, we will see. There's only like two more weeks of this good fishing left for this year, so one must make the best of every day that remains. LOL
Crazy thing happened this afternoon as well. I was in a spot catching some fish and I had tossed my fish behind me because I had my stringer tied off just downstream. Any how as I was tossing my second fish back behind me this big owl flies between J-Moe and I as it crossed the creek, landed behind me, I turned to look at it, it twisted its head around and looked at me, then it grabbed one of my fish and flew away with it. It was about fifteen feet behind me. That in itself made this trip worth while, it was really cool to see.
Posted By: J-Moe

Re: Lake Somerville - 03/13/18 02:51 AM

That Owl is something I will never forget. That was cool cool

The magical clouser really worked well for me today fishing in that clear shallow water.
Posted By: C.M.

Re: Lake Somerville - 03/13/18 04:35 AM

Originally Posted By: fishytx
Crazy thing happened this afternoon as well. I was in a spot catching some fish and I had tossed my fish behind me because I had my stringer tied off just downstream. Any how as I was tossing my second fish back behind me this big owl flies between J-Moe and I as it crossed the creek, landed behind me, I turned to look at it, it twisted its head around and looked at me, then it grabbed one of my fish and flew away with it. It was about fifteen feet behind me. That in itself made this trip worth while, it was really cool to see.

Local tax collector smile
Posted By: fishytx

Re: Lake Somerville - 03/13/18 03:11 PM

Yepper. I like that one, local tax collector. I always thought owls were a night creature, heck we still had good light when it saw the opportunity to get a free meal. I guess winter has been tuff and a freebie is what it is, a freebie.
Heck if I had seen this owl and knew it would grab a live fish then I would have made sure to offer it some.
I feed live fish to raccoons when I'm out in my boat and I see one on the shoreline forging. They can grab up a three pound bass like it was nothing. I'm sure several feed off it through the night. I've heard them fighting over it before, so I hope they all get a little.
Posted By: fishytx

Re: Lake Somerville - 03/14/18 03:07 PM

Three of us went back to Newmans yesterday afternoon and we had about 1-1/2 hours to fish. Talking to others we were told that the fish were gone. They never got a bite. One person told us a guy was doing great on crappie but we never saw a stringer with them on it. Any how, we made the 20 minute walk in and fished since we were there.
The water continues to every so slowly drop and it is clear. We all struggled to catch the few that we did. I know I caught more small fish than I did nice size keepers. Long story short, we took home 15 nice fish.
Today we are going back around 2 pm so we will have more hours to fish, plus we are going upstream to see if we can find a honey hole full of fish. This may be my last trip to Newmans Bottom this year, the drive is pretty long. But I will finish out the year fishing the steps on the San Gabriel River. There is about two more weeks of this spawn left to go. Some of the females I cleaned the other day had eggs that were still undeveloped. But as soon as we have a few back to back nights with 60 degree weather followed by days reaching into the 70's, the spawning action will pick up and the fish will become very active again.
Posted By: fishytx

Re: Lake Somerville - 03/14/18 03:13 PM

Oh yea, J-Moe was on em pretty good with his magical closure he ties. He went upstream and did good in this one hole he continues to go to. Don't tell anyone, but he has been holding out on me and Carlos, he has a honey hole up there. But it won't be a secret to long because today we are going up there with him. I'll be watching you J-Moe. LOL
Posted By: jsinn01

Re: Lake Somerville - 03/14/18 09:41 PM

Well, I've dang near missed the whole white bass spawn this year. Been spending too much time at work and not enough time fishing. I need to get my priorities straight. Looks like y'all are doing a good job of catching them though. thumb
Posted By: fishytx

Re: Lake Somerville - 03/15/18 03:32 PM

So we go again yesterday. We arrived about 2 pm allowing ourselves a little more time to search for a honey hole. We found one, but what a hike it was. We took out 14 real nice crappie and 18 nice size whites. We caught all kind of stuff, black bass, perch, small crappie and whites. We did catch more small fish than nice fat fish, but we only kept fish that were long, fat and very healthy looking. If there was no girth on a fish no matter what lengthy it was, it went back in, we only kept the best looking fish. Like I said, we threw back twice as many as we kept.
I had fun and I'm sure the other two did too. When fishing amongst good friends, being outdoors catching a few fish while shoot the breeze makes for a great day no matter what. Carlos and I were laughing our selves crazy in this one spot. We were hooking up on a fish almost every cast, but getting your catch over this log was the funny part. We had more fun with that challenge than anything else. Also when your out searching holes you will also find all the sticks on the bottom. I lost a lot of jigs and so did Carlos. But who cares, we normally keep several packs on us at all times because we know we are going lose some. I also keep a spool of line in my back pack if I lose very much of it. Four pound test line really does snap when you hang up and pull on it.
Posted By: fishytx

Re: Lake Somerville - 03/15/18 04:04 PM

Yesterdays weather was perfect for scouting out the creek. No wind what so ever. We were able to cast from six foot high banks into holes and work our bait so fish would bite at it if they were in there. We could cast under tree limbs and all that good stuff. There are still a lot of fish in this creek, but the water has gotten so clear that they swim up to the bait and turn away from it at the last part their approach to strike at it. I saw so many swim towards my bait and then turn away. Live bait should be the best thing to use right now, but I am not a live bait type guy, so I'll stick to trying to trick them into biting my jig. Today the wind is blowing so hard that any time you try to fish from up top from those tall banks the wind will catch your line and really mess up your presentation. So I'll probably stay home today. But who knows, I might go as well. We will see, it's a kind of a toss up right now. All the whites we caught yesterday were males. I didn't clean the crappie but I am almost positive they were all females. Boy did they have a belly on them.
Posted By: hook-line&sinker

Re: Lake Somerville - 03/15/18 04:25 PM

last year about this time..

Posted By: fishytx

Re: Lake Somerville - 03/15/18 07:37 PM

Fishing the spawn in March is all good, or should I say the best. It's water clarity, flow and temp that regulates the difference between fair, good and best bite. The creek is loaded with fish, getting them to strike at your bait is the key factor.
Posted By: Hunt91

Re: Lake Somerville - 03/16/18 03:54 PM

I went to Newmans yesterday and didn't catch a single white bass. I talked to 4 other groups and no one had caught any fish, with the exception of one gentlemen who ended the day with 4. I did manage to catch a handful of crappie, but that was it. Tough fishing for sure.
Posted By: FishermenDesigns

Re: Lake Somerville - 03/16/18 04:05 PM

What is the biggest largemouth bass size have you guys caught at Somerville in the creeks? I caught one 18 1/2 in length Tuesday. He was probably 8 pounds. I was pretty happy since I'm a beginner fisherman and I don't fish much. I wanted to have him mounted but I did not know if this was a big or average size. I instead put him in the pan but I'm now having some regrets.
Posted By: fishytx

Re: Lake Somerville - 03/16/18 04:11 PM

You might have had a hybrid. The state record for a white is five pounds something, so it probably wasn't a white.
Posted By: FishermenDesigns

Re: Lake Somerville - 03/16/18 05:04 PM

Im sorry it is a largemouth bass.
Posted By: fishytx

Re: Lake Somerville - 03/16/18 06:58 PM

Oh my gosh, I totally missed that. Thanks for setting the story straight on my end. Two pound LMB is the largest I've pulled out of there. I also catch what is known as spotted black bass. But those are in the one pound and under size.
Congrats on your catch, that's a monster fish for that creek way up there.
Posted By: fishytx

Re: Lake Somerville - 03/16/18 07:03 PM

Check out this web site that has a quick weight chart for black bass.
https://tpwd.texas.gov/fishboat/fish/recreational/catchrelease/bass_length_weight.phtml
Posted By: MassAction

Re: Lake Somerville - 03/16/18 07:05 PM

Originally Posted By: FishermenDesigns
What is the biggest largemouth bass size have you guys caught at Somerville in the creeks? I caught one 18 1/2 in length Tuesday. He was probably 8 pounds. I was pretty happy since I'm a beginner fisherman and I don't fish much. I wanted to have him mounted but I did not know if this was a big or average size. I instead put him in the pan but I'm now having some regrets.


That's a hell of a bass for a creek, but your weight estimate may be a bit generous because an 8 pound 18.5" would be morbidly obese. I have a feeling he was more in the 3.5-4 pound range which is still a great bass. When it comes to culling fish, it's always a good idea to release the small to grow and the large to reproduce and cull the middle. I wouldn't feel guilty about killing a 4 pounder, although that's a great fish, there are others out there.

Nice catch!
Posted By: fishytx

Re: Lake Somerville - 03/16/18 07:06 PM

The warm night followed by this amazing warm day should get these white bass going strong again. They should be on the move swimming everywhere and not holding up in deeper pockets. Good luck to those who go out this weekend.
Posted By: fishytx

Re: Lake Somerville - 03/16/18 07:09 PM

MassAction, it would look very funny for sure. LOL But I agree, that is still a nice LMB for a creek.
Posted By: FishermenDesigns

Re: Lake Somerville - 03/16/18 08:08 PM

I feel like kicking myself right now because I dont fish often and catching one that size is a trophy bass to me lol! Thanks fishytx for the length/weight scale.
Posted By: MassAction

Re: Lake Somerville - 03/16/18 08:39 PM

Originally Posted By: FishermenDesigns
I feel like kicking myself right now because I dont fish often and catching one that size is a trophy bass to me lol! Thanks fishytx for the length/weight scale.


Estimating fish weight is always difficult. If you don't have a scale and consistently do it, it can be hard to judge. Plus keeping fish out of the water to get a weight is rough on them and most of the time not worth it. So don't beat yourself up.

You should be really proud, it took me over a year to catch my first fish of that size, so I'd say you're doing well.
Posted By: hook-line&sinker

Re: Lake Somerville - 03/17/18 01:47 AM

It's not the size of the bass in the fight...
it's the size of the fight in the bass that matters!


Most of anglers have caught many fish that fought much bigger than they were.
A very healthy Yegua creek 4 pounder will out-fight much bigger bass out in the open lake.

It is the fight you will remember and in the Yegua "the one that gets away" will haunt you.
There are some truly big bass roaming around the lower end of the Yegua all year long and once the whitebass run is over you can have the whole creek to yourself.
Posted By: FishermenDesigns

Re: Lake Somerville - 03/17/18 02:59 AM

This is my last post but here he is before the frying pan. After fighting this bass, I am now hooked. He took the line under my canoe and back into open water for me to reel him in. I just hope I'm not that guy who is out there looking for one monster bass instead of bringing home what's biting like crappie/white bass. I mean I do have to put food on the table lol. Also, thanks to Mr. Tedrick and a lot of guys on this forum for helping us beginner fishermen to become better anglers. Everyone had to learn from someone.
Posted By: fishytx

Re: Lake Somerville - 03/17/18 02:48 PM

I'm a black bass angler for sure, but come spawn time for whites, my bass boat stays parked. I have taken it out a lot more this year than the years before, but I wanted to wait till the spawn got going good before I beat the banks for whites, so it has all worked out well for me. There is about two more good weeks of fishing left for these whites and I have buddies that are really on some good numbers with LMB, so I might have to hook onto the boat and go get me some. Not, I can wait till this spawn is over, the LMB will still be in good numbers for the next three months. April, May and June are three of my favorite months for catching blacks.
Posted By: fishytx

Re: Lake Somerville - 03/17/18 02:55 PM

FishermenDesigns, I go to Fayette lake all the time because I catch fish like that one all day long. It's a slot lake so that's why there are so many larger bass in there to catch. Anything between 14 to 24 inches has to be released. It's a blast.
Posted By: FishermenDesigns

Re: Lake Somerville - 03/17/18 04:34 PM

Thanks fishytx for the information. I have a neighbor who grew up on Fayette lake. He said he wanted to take me so I better get going since I now have the black bass fever.
Posted By: fishytx

Re: Lake Somerville - 03/17/18 09:23 PM

Allergies are kicking my tail right now. If it wasn't affecting my breathing right now then I would be out somewhere catching a few. Such beautiful weather.
Posted By: lotuslover

Re: Lake Somerville - 03/18/18 07:36 PM

Does anyone know if Birch Creek State Park open to daily use yet?
Posted By: R2Fishing

Re: Lake Somerville - 03/18/18 09:45 PM

Yes Birch is open for day use.
Posted By: BIG SHINER

Re: Lake Somerville - 03/18/18 09:50 PM

Brother and I headed down to Newmans this morning. Total of around 20 whites. Only kept 7 good ones. Almost all were caught shallow in the current near logs or sticks. Was hoping to find some crappie but no luck. About time to just start hitting the lake.
Posted By: 24x7Fisherman

Re: Lake Somerville - 03/18/18 09:54 PM

Thanks for your report. Did you go to upstream?
Posted By: BIG SHINER

Re: Lake Somerville - 03/19/18 02:10 AM

Yes upstream but most of the fish were closer to the bridge. Kind of wish we had gone down stream.
Posted By: fishr3

Re: Lake Somerville - 03/20/18 01:45 PM

Nice fish! That canoe rigging looks interesting. I've never seen one with a cup/bottle holder on the side like that. If you have time, post up some pics of your canoe. I've got a an Old Town Penobscot 16 that I need to rig for fishing and could use some new ideas.
Posted By: FishermenDesigns

Re: Lake Somerville - 03/21/18 02:04 AM

This is a probably not a great shot but I custom ordered this canoe from Golden Hawk Canoes. They installed the wiring, battery tray and seats. I only put in the fish finder, Minn-Kota 55 trolling motor and cup holder which I got from Field and Stream. This is great for creek fishing! The canoe is also square stern.
Posted By: fishytx

Re: Lake Somerville - 03/21/18 04:32 PM

That trolling motor should push that canoe fast. 55lb. thrust is awesome. I think I had like a small 15 lb. thrust on mine and it moved it around ok, but it didn't go very fast, but much better than a paddle in hand. But I used it solo a lot back in my younger days.
Posted By: fishytx

Re: Lake Somerville - 03/21/18 09:26 PM

Went back to the beginning of this thread and was wondering what had happened to the old thread we had before this one got started?
Posted By: hook-line&sinker

Re: Lake Somerville - 03/21/18 09:42 PM

If I remember correctly when the TFF upgraded the system (around March 2015) some older and longer threads were archived during the transition. I recall the same thing happen once before during an upgrade or server change and the earliest somerville whitebass bank fishing thread ended similarly and was closed. I think the challenge with these long threads is dead links where the best option for cleaning up is to archive and close the thread to start a new one.
Posted By: Kirby12

Re: Lake Somerville - 03/21/18 09:55 PM

No new news after the rain? I went last Friday afternoon/evening and it was slow with only about 5 cars there.
Posted By: J-Moe

Re: Lake Somerville - 03/22/18 02:08 AM

We really didn't get enough rain to make a difference. I drove out and checked on Nails and Cedar. There was no change to those creeks. I didn't even bother trying to fish them, nor did I bother walking into Newman's bottom. I've already moved on to catching sunfish and bass.
Posted By: fishytx

Re: Lake Somerville - 03/22/18 02:14 AM

Thanks for the report J-Moe. Wow and Caldwell got hit hard by thunder storms with baseball size hail. I just knew nails and Cedar would have been on a rise.
Posted By: 24x7Fisherman

Re: Lake Somerville - 03/22/18 04:35 AM

I walked into Newmans this morning with my friends. There is a lot of muddy water in the creek. It was moving fast, just dont know if this will give us two more extra weeks to fish the Creek or not
Posted By: Csafisher

Re: Lake Somerville - 03/22/18 11:45 AM

I havent been out in few weeks, was planning on taking the boat and fishing the yegua closer to the mouth instead of walking to Newmans. What do yall think?
Posted By: J-Moe

Re: Lake Somerville - 03/22/18 12:26 PM

Originally Posted By: 24x7Fisherman
I walked into Newmans this morning with my friends. There is a lot of muddy water in the creek. It was moving fast, just dont know if this will give us two more extra weeks to fish the Creek or not


Was there a rise in the water level? There must have been some rain somewhere in the Yegua watershed if it was muddy. It was crystal clear last weekend.

Did y'all catch any?
Posted By: J-Moe

Re: Lake Somerville - 03/22/18 12:29 PM

Originally Posted By: Csafisher
I havent been out in few weeks, was planning on taking the boat and fishing the yegua closer to the mouth instead of walking to Newmans. What do yall think?


There might be some crappie, catfish and LMB in there if you don't find any white bass.
Posted By: Csafisher

Re: Lake Somerville - 03/22/18 01:09 PM

Crappie would be nice. Dont care too much about those slimey whisker fish. Haha. A bad day fishing is still better than a good day at work.
Posted By: Coolshot

Re: Lake Somerville - 03/22/18 02:04 PM

API Bass tournament this weekend!!
watch out for flying bass boats
Posted By: 24x7Fisherman

Re: Lake Somerville - 03/22/18 03:02 PM

Yes, the water was rising. We didnt catch anything
Posted By: 24x7Fisherman

Re: Lake Somerville - 03/22/18 03:04 PM

Hopefully this will bring some white bass back in the next two weeks
Posted By: fishytx

Re: Lake Somerville - 03/22/18 04:28 PM

A rise with muddy water will bring fish upstream. There are still a lot of females that have not spawned out yet. Rule of thumb for me is this, I'll put my ultra light tackle away first of April. Rule of thumb is all that is. I have caught fish in the first week of April as well though, so we will see how this year turns out. Every year is a little bit different from the last.
Posted By: Csafisher

Re: Lake Somerville - 03/22/18 04:40 PM

Originally Posted By: 24x7Fisherman
Yes, the water was rising. We didnt catch anything


How dirty was the water?
Posted By: 24x7Fisherman

Re: Lake Somerville - 03/22/18 10:19 PM

I guess it could be 6 out of 10
Posted By: fishytx

Re: Lake Somerville - 03/23/18 06:12 PM

That might be worth looking in to as the creek clears. I know a bunch of fish moved up, but are they catchable or big enough to keep is the question. Might have to check it out tomorrow. We will see.
Posted By: J-Moe

Re: Lake Somerville - 03/23/18 07:07 PM

Originally Posted By: fishytx
That might be worth looking in to as the creek clears. I know a bunch of fish moved up, but are they catchable or big enough to keep is the question. Might have to check it out tomorrow. We will see.


You are going to tempt me into giving it a try myself. I guess if I can't find the whites I can always go looking for crappie, bluegill and lmb though.
Posted By: Csafisher

Re: Lake Somerville - 03/23/18 09:40 PM

Lower yegua was fairly muddy this morning. No fish from that creek. Nails was slightly better, pulled a couple whites. Saw some guys with minnows with a good string of crappie. Went up another creek and found some clear water and some lmb.
Posted By: fishytx

Re: Lake Somerville - 03/24/18 01:53 AM

Hmmm, now you have me wondering if the drive and walk in will be worth it or not? The guys throwing those white curly tail grubs should do well in that murky water. Me I always throw the same thing, small crappie jig in white. Not sure they can find it in muddy waters, maybe black would do the trick.
Posted By: fishytx

Re: Lake Somerville - 03/24/18 01:54 AM

Where did all the run off come from is what I would like to know. Must have been one good thunder storm cross the creek somewhere between hw. 77 and Dimebox.
Posted By: fishytx

Re: Lake Somerville - 03/24/18 01:57 AM

Csafisher, you only saw the water in this creek around the lake right. You never saw the water up at Newmans bottom correct?
Posted By: fishytx

Re: Lake Somerville - 03/24/18 02:01 AM

I'm fishing for all the extra information I can get right now. It will help me decide if the trip tomorrow will be worth it or not. So don't get offended about my questions please, just want a get as many facts as possible. Lower Yegua water could be where it runs into the lake?
Posted By: Csafisher

Re: Lake Somerville - 03/24/18 02:58 AM

I went up about 1/2 mile to 3/4 past wolf pond. Didnt get any clearer, so tried other areas. Maybe it will be better farther up? Idk. It was flowing good even down at wolf pond. Good luck if you go!
Posted By: fishytx

Re: Lake Somerville - 03/24/18 02:21 PM

Got a text from J-Moe this morning and he said it is on at Newmans Bottom. He also said there were a lot of small males, but a few nice big ones in the mix. This will probably be the last chance to go catch a limit for this year in the creeks and rivers, the spawn is almost over folks.
Posted By: fishytx

Re: Lake Somerville - 03/24/18 02:28 PM

Since we didn't get rain up in the water shed of the Yegua creek I figured the water would go down as quick as it came up. It had to be one good thunderstorm that crossed paths with the creek between Hw. 77 and Dimebox. There are three Yegua creeks in the upper water shed, East, Middle and West Yegua creeks. They all come together just before Irwin bridge.
Posted By: fishytx

Re: Lake Somerville - 03/25/18 02:27 AM

What a day on the creek at Newmans Bottom. There is a ton of fish in there spawning as we speak. The water looks like it came up four feet but has receded to almost normal. It might be a few inches high, good flow and the water is murky but the fish can see the bait. J-Moe probably caught somewhere around 90 to 100 fish, I caught around 50 and my other fishing buddy caught about 50 as well. Now don't get me wrong on this, we had to work for the fish we caught and what I mean by that is we had to move around a lot. But man are the fish in there. I saw several limits leave the creek by others and some left with big stringers as well, just not a limit. Me, Jamie and Carlos did not take any home. I will not pack that many fish back out of there myself. You need a cart or something to haul that many fish out. I saw two guys who had this cart for an ice chest and that looked like something easy to use. They hauled out some fish for sure. Saw another guy carry out a limit by himself on a long stick on his shoulder with fish on both ends. That did not look like fun at all.
Any how, the fish are up there and it is fun catching these guys. Go get some before it's over, there is a bunch up there and this will probably be the last of the spawn for this year.
Posted By: J-Moe

Re: Lake Somerville - 03/25/18 10:47 PM

I went to Irwin Bridge this morning. I fished for a while but only caught one white bass and one crappie. I met a fellow fisherman named Peter and he was having about the same luck so we decided to head out to Newman's bottom. We got to the creek around 10:30. There was only one other fisherman there. I guess everyone figures the run is over and nobody must have read Fishtx's post. By 12:30 both Peter and I had caught over 30 white bass. I left at 12:30 with the fish still biting. Peter found the sweet spot in a honey hole and was getting a bite on every cast. He was keeping the big males and throwing back the smaller ones. I expect he caught well over 50 fish and left with his limit of 25 not too long after I left. The cool cloudy day really had the fishing on fire without interruption.
Posted By: jsinn01

Re: Lake Somerville - 03/26/18 01:51 PM

Congrats! Guess I'm taking this year off from the White Bass chase, lol. Back at work on a Monday.
Posted By: hook-line&sinker

Re: Lake Somerville - 03/26/18 02:48 PM

Originally Posted By: jsinn01
Congrats! Guess I'm taking this year off from the White Bass chase, lol. Back at work on a Monday.


Me too! But I've been out once with J-Moe and did well enough to get my "fix" for the season.. now it's back to "AA" (Anglers Anonymous) and Life on the Ranch wink

I'm about ready to yak up Birch in search of big black bass "on the fly" while the wife is up north at her sisters place.. when the cats away...
Posted By: DripDrop

Re: Lake Somerville - 03/26/18 04:14 PM

Not too proud to ask for help.... Been following for a while now. I grew up fishing the hill country and have the run out there figured out pretty well. The yegua continues to stump me though. Been out five times this spring. Averaging 4 fish a trip. Most recently went out Saturday and watched as people hauled out good stringers while I struggled to get bites. Between that and the reports yall are posting I know the fish are there and I'm just not getting them. Any advice is appreciated. I generally fish rooster tails and crappie jigs (usually white colored ones). I try fishing slow and deep. Getting pretty good at catching the snags haha. I've been targeting steep banks and areas above/below log jams. Is there something I'm missing that all you pros are doing? Thanks for any help. Hope to meet some of yall on the water soon!
Posted By: fishytx

Re: Lake Somerville - 03/26/18 08:25 PM

DripDrop, down size to 1/32oz. white crappie jig and keep fishing the same way with it as you described and you will be shocked at the difference in the results. Yes, 1/32oz, in white. You have to change line to 4 or 6 ib. test in order to cast it out, but six works great. This is the best advice I can offer. Sounds like you know where the fish stage, just change size....
Posted By: fishytx

Re: Lake Somerville - 03/26/18 08:26 PM

Same thing applies for fishing in the hill country too. Down size.....
Posted By: jsinn01

Re: Lake Somerville - 03/26/18 09:46 PM

Originally Posted By: DripDrop
Not too proud to ask for help.... Been following for a while now. I grew up fishing the hill country and have the run out there figured out pretty well. The yegua continues to stump me though. Been out five times this spring. Averaging 4 fish a trip. Most recently went out Saturday and watched as people hauled out good stringers while I struggled to get bites. Between that and the reports yall are posting I know the fish are there and I'm just not getting them. Any advice is appreciated. I generally fish rooster tails and crappie jigs (usually white colored ones). I try fishing slow and deep. Getting pretty good at catching the snags haha. I've been targeting steep banks and areas above/below log jams. Is there something I'm missing that all you pros are doing? Thanks for any help. Hope to meet some of yall on the water soon!


DripDrop, we should compare notes. I generally have good luck in Yegua, but struggle with the clear shallow water of those hill country fisheries. I would recommend using as light of line as you can get away with. Usually 6lb, but even 4lb sometimes. This allows you to cast and give proper presenation with smaller jigs. Also a longer rod (7 foot) will let you cast into some of the harder to reach areas and give you leverage when lifting fish up the steep banks. As with anywhere else it's about knowing the 'spots' so the more time you put in out there scouting different parts of the creek, the better off you will be. Hope this helps.
Posted By: DonFromAustin

Re: Lake Somerville - 03/26/18 09:56 PM

I found the fishing masters like J-Moe and hook-line&sinker often use fly rods. Is fly fishing indeed better and more efficacious than spin fishing? I am thinking of picking up fly fishing in the near future. What kind of fly rods and reels do the masters recommend?
Posted By: DripDrop

Re: Lake Somerville - 03/27/18 01:36 AM

Thanks yall. I definitely used the fly rod a lot out west. Haven't been brave enough to break it out at the yegua yet. I may run out tomorrow and give that and the 1/32s a try. I appreciate the feedback. Will post how I do. Thanks again
Posted By: fishytx

Re: Lake Somerville - 03/27/18 02:00 AM

I use an ultra light Shimano spinning reel with four or six pound test line on a five foot medium action spinning rod around small creeks and rivers. I also use the same set up in the hill country area except I'm out in the river with chest waders on so I can reach the main river channels. I really need to get back out to Reimers, such a great place to fish. I use two pound test line there once, it cast great, but that is not enough strength to fight these fish in the current with. It worked, but I busted off more times than I wanted to, so four pound test line is now my go to ultra light line for spawning whites. I like to put six pound test line on and catch black bass in open water for a good fight with my ultra light tackle as well.
Posted By: J-Moe

Re: Lake Somerville - 03/27/18 02:10 AM

Originally Posted By: DonFromAustin
I found the fishing masters like J-Moe and hook-line&sinker often use fly rods. Is fly fishing indeed better and more efficacious than spin fishing? I am thinking of picking up fly fishing in the near future. What kind of fly rods and reels do the masters recommend?


Don, the fly rod is better in very clear, low flow situations or when the fish are skittish. It can also be better early in the run when the water is very cold and the fish aren't active. Those are situations when an extremely light bead chain fly may be needed and can't be thrown with spinning gear. But in most cases it's no better than using light line and spinning gear. Fishytx can usually out fish me in just about any situation. Learning to work the jig very subtly, feeling the slightest tick in the line, watching for any odd movement in the line, reading the water, changing presentation all come with experience.

A 5 weight 8 1/2 foot fly rod is a good choice. You can throw slightly heavier flies or light flies and roll cast well with it. I usually carry 2 rods. A 4 weight for throwing very light bead chain flies and an 8 weight for roll casting heavier lead eye flies or jig head flies. The 8 weight is a bit of overkill for white bass but it's very easy to roll cast for me. The 5 weight is a good compromise. You can get good feel with the lighter rod and still roll cast heavier jig head flies when the current is fast or when fishing deep.

I personally just love catching fish on the fly and hate dealing with all the twisting and knotting of light line on spinning gear.
Posted By: J-Moe

Re: Lake Somerville - 03/27/18 02:31 AM

Originally Posted By: DripDrop
Not too proud to ask for help.... Been following for a while now. I grew up fishing the hill country and have the run out there figured out pretty well. The yegua continues to stump me though. Been out five times this spring. Averaging 4 fish a trip. Most recently went out Saturday and watched as people hauled out good stringers while I struggled to get bites. Between that and the reports yall are posting I know the fish are there and I'm just not getting them. Any advice is appreciated. I generally fish rooster tails and crappie jigs (usually white colored ones). I try fishing slow and deep. Getting pretty good at catching the snags haha. I've been targeting steep banks and areas above/below log jams. Is there something I'm missing that all you pros are doing? Thanks for any help. Hope to meet some of yall on the water soon!


I agree with Fishytx and Jsinn. It sounds like you are doing the right things and know what you are doing. Look for areas where there is stiller water/backwash near the moving current as well. For example, upstream of the bridge about a quarter mile there is a feeder creek that comes into the Yegua. On the opposite side from that little creek there is an area like this just below a bunch of fell trees in the water. The fish bunch in that area. Also, the fish will often hold extremely tight to the steep banks or structure. More often than not I catch them by throwing it right against the bank and letting the fly fall. I suspect with a little more time on the Yegua you will find a few spots without snags. I know every time I go searching I lose lots of flies too. If you figured it out on other water bodies then you will figure out the Yegua as well. May cost you a couple hundred dollars in lures though grin I call it the Yegua Monster. It eats tackle.
Posted By: DonFromAustin

Re: Lake Somerville - 03/27/18 04:39 AM

Master, thanks for the suggestions! fish
Posted By: Kirby12

Re: Lake Somerville - 03/27/18 12:34 PM

Don't know if I'm the expert like Jsinn01 and fishytx but I think that they are spot on, lighter lures and lighter line on these small creeks on Somerville. I've had to adapt as I'm used to fishing rivers and 1/8 to 1/4 3" grubs and roadrunners are the ticket. It doesn't take much to cast to the other side where the shade is and let it sink to the middle to where they are sometimes laying too, if deep enough. One thing that hasn't been mentioned is when the water is clear and not much current and fishing can be tough, I'll tie on a fluorocarbon leader because the fish aren't chasing, just lying there like crappie. I use 4-6# Trilene 100% floro. Pretty strong stuff that can lift a fish up the bank.
Posted By: jsinn01

Re: Lake Somerville - 03/27/18 02:09 PM

Wow, lots of great info. Different methods that all catch fish. It's a bit of finding what method & gear work for you and sticking with it. I know I pretty much fish crappie jigs exclusively because they are cheap and I don't mind losing them, but there are definitely other lures that catch.
Posted By: J-Moe

Re: Lake Somerville - 03/27/18 02:11 PM

Thanks Don, but Fishytx is the true master. I learned most everything about white bass fishing from him and Ben.

Good point Kirby, I always use fluorocarbon leaders when fishing subsurface. I also catch them in the middle in the deepest part of the channel at certain times and places too. In these small creeks the deepest part of the channel is often up against the cut bank. I always use 6 lb. Stren fluorocarbon. Mainly because it comes on the small rolls that I can fit in the pocket of my vest.

When the fish are actively spawning in shallow water the end of the riffles or where it transitions into a deeper hole can be very productive as well.
Posted By: jsinn01

Re: Lake Somerville - 03/27/18 02:17 PM

Ben(HL&S), can tear them up on a roostertail. I think that is his go to bait. I lose one or two of those things and switch back to jigs. grin
Posted By: fishytx

Re: Lake Somerville - 03/27/18 02:55 PM

I've got the small jiggy thing down. I've used it for 45 years now and it always come through even when people are struggling to catch a few fish. Like others have mentioned, several baits will work good, but I stick to these because they are my confident go to bait and they are cheap, you can lose a bunch in a day when you're out scouting for honey holes.
Posted By: fishytx

Re: Lake Somerville - 03/27/18 02:58 PM

Presentation is the number one skill in any artificial bait. You're tricking a fish into thinking it's food. So work it and work it some more till you find what it takes to trigger a strike.
Posted By: TXfisherman12

Re: Lake Somerville - 03/27/18 05:54 PM

Just some thoughts based on my experience. I think every individual fisherman has a preference for fishing certain baits/lures/ flies etc. For example, I know that you can catch lots of white bass on Roadrunners but I don't like fishing with them and have rarely caught fish on them. Plus they get snagged way too much and I hate losing lures mad. But there are other artificials I feel more comfortable with such as spinners, grubs, and more recently marabou jigs. Presentation is very important and learning the intricacies of it pays off. Also what others have said, I have found that confidence in the bait you are using is very important. When you are confident in the artificial you are using then you fish better with it - I have also heard this from many other bass fishermen including tournament anglers.

I have learned a lot about white bass fishing from JMoe,HL&S and others on the forum and now I feel more confident in catching whites. But when I first started fishing for white bass I hardly caught any. Over time I learned that I was fishing the wrong sections of the creek and at the wrong depth. Plus I needed to find a dependable artificial, and once I did my arsenal grew, but not by much.
Posted By: jsinn01

Re: Lake Somerville - 03/27/18 06:59 PM

I've done well with Roadrunners in the Sabine River, where the water's deeper and there's a lot more current. In that case the deeper water and current help keep the heavier bait from dragging the bottom. I think the key is you don't want your bait 'dragging' the bottom, you want it almost 'hovering' or 'bouncing' off the bottom. If you can feel your bait dragging consistently, then you need to downsize. Again, the lighter tackle you use allows for the presentation of smaller/lighter baits.
Posted By: fishytx

Re: Lake Somerville - 03/27/18 09:31 PM

Well shoot, this rain coming could cause the spawn in our area to come to an end. Depends on how much rain we get.
A guy came over today and told me the upper end of the lake is full of whites and hybrids chasing shad on the surface.
Posted By: hook-line&sinker

Re: Lake Somerville - 03/27/18 10:10 PM

Most of my confidence in catching fish comes from having done it before successfully. With the places I fish most often (like the Yegua) I know the fish are there and at certain times that creek is ridiculously full of fish. In the early part of the year I've noticed that timing is very important, so much so that fishing any time outside of a feeding cycle is futile. I see this most often with whitebass up in the creeks and with crappie but less so. Blackbass are a exception as they seem to feed anytime the opportunity presents itself. I love fishing the Yegua because if one type of fish isn't cooperating just shift tactics for something else and keep on fishing.
Posted By: hook-line&sinker

Re: Lake Somerville - 03/27/18 10:18 PM

If there is such a thing as "Usual or normal" when it comes the the Yegua then the whitebass spawn is done by April 1st. The exceptions to this end date is water or the presence of it. Another good rise in the creek will help the survival rate of the spawn that has already completed. If it is a good rise of several feet the hybrids might make a run up the creeks chasing shad and be catchable for a short while.
Posted By: fishytx

Re: Lake Somerville - 03/28/18 12:11 AM

Ben I like what you said about catching different species of fish in this creek. That is what I enjoy the most about fishing Somerville lake, I can catch blacks, switch up, catch some crappie, switch up and catch whites and hybrids all in one fishing trip. Just a few extra rods and different locations is all it takes.
Posted By: jsinn01

Re: Lake Somerville - 03/28/18 02:24 PM

Wonder if some of the smaller creeks might produce this weekend after this latest rainfall?
Posted By: J-Moe

Re: Lake Somerville - 03/28/18 03:17 PM

The creeks around Brenham were already high and flowing hard this morning. Then it really started raining and flooding the streets. I suspect the lake will come up several feet. It may take a few days for the Brazos to recede enough to allow for release from the Somerville dam. My guess is the best fishing will be below the dam if they open the gates by this weekend. I'll definitely go and check out Cedar and Nails but I may paddle up from 36 to the dam if they aren't producing.
Posted By: fishytx

Re: Lake Somerville - 03/28/18 05:56 PM

The upper water shed for Yegua has received three inches and still coming down hard. It should flood out of its banks by tomorrow. We needed this rain, so I'm thankful for it. There will be several creeks that will rise and drop in time to get a few more good white bass trips in.
Posted By: stinkbob

Re: Lake Somerville - 03/28/18 06:02 PM

Got over 5 inches of rain in the Buda/Kyle area. We all needed this rain badly, but I wish this amount of rain was spread out over several days. Beggars can't be choosers though.
Posted By: fishytx

Re: Lake Somerville - 03/29/18 02:22 PM

We are at 4-1/8 inches here in Rockdale as of this morning. I still have a lot of water standing in my yard. It came down pretty good last night, but I feel like we dodged a bullet. Just to the north of us got slammed. The rumble of thunder was a consistent sound for sure. I even asked my wife if she could here the constant rumble from a far, but she was almost a sleep at that time. It was so constant that one could call it a little freaky. I should have gotten up and went outside to check it out because at one point I thought it could have been the noise caused by a tornado.
Posted By: J-Moe

Re: Lake Somerville - 03/30/18 01:29 AM

I drove by Nails and Cedar early this morning. Both creeks were out of the banks and flowing like rivers. Water was coming over the road near Cedar. We got 5.5 inches of rain in Brenham.

Lake level is at 239.5 and not releasing yet.
Posted By: fishytx

Re: Lake Somerville - 03/30/18 03:38 PM

Thanks for the information on creek conditions J-Moe. Probably helped several anglers who were wondering about this. Saved them time and money, awesome info....
Posted By: J-Moe

Re: Lake Somerville - 03/30/18 06:18 PM

Lake Level is 240.8 ft. Releasing 982 cfs.
Posted By: J-Moe

Re: Lake Somerville - 03/31/18 01:47 AM

I went out and checked on Nails and Cedar again this afternoon. The water had receded substantially and was only a couple feet high. It was still muddy. There was a large number of people bow fishing and cat fishing in Nails. There was a ton of buffalo, gar and carp in the creeks. Very few catfish were being caught. Cedar may be fishable by Sunday but I have no clue if any white bass will be in there.
Posted By: UltraLite84

Re: Lake Somerville - 03/31/18 05:53 PM

Is the spillway still closed by chance?
Posted By: fishytx

Re: Lake Somerville - 03/31/18 06:50 PM

Define closed. Closed to public, or closed as not letting water out? As far as allowing the public back in there, I don't think they are going to. I heard they closed it due to the amount of trash that was been left behind. But here again, that was just hear say.
Posted By: fishytx

Re: Lake Somerville - 04/02/18 02:56 AM

I can say this was a fun year for me. I caught good numbers in four different locations of streams feeding into lakes. When one was slow, I could go fish another. That made for a great five weeks of fishing. Time to retire the ultra light tackle and move on to black bass fishing for the rest of the year.
Posted By: rockinmyshoe

Re: Lake Somerville - 04/02/18 07:26 AM

Lake Somerville Water Level
WATER LEVEL
241.49
Feet MSL
Monday, April 2, 2018
1:00:00 AM
Level is 3.49 feet
above full pool of 238.00
Change Since Yesterday:

Somerville.LakesOnline.com
THE LAKE SOMERVILLE WEBSITE

Copyright 2018, Lakes Online
Posted By: J-Moe

Re: Lake Somerville - 04/03/18 04:26 PM

The shad have moved shallow and so have the white bass on the main lake. The white bass were surfacing near the shore this morning. I caught several on a popper dropper. There were several people catching them on live bait this morning. A couple of guys had their limits by 9:30 AM.
Posted By: fluffycharm

Re: Lake Somerville - 04/03/18 08:07 PM

Any particular general area?...not looking for exact spots

Thanks in advance.
Posted By: fishytx

Re: Lake Somerville - 04/03/18 08:10 PM

A guy told me they were on the far west end in shallow water doing this a week a go. He said the water was boiling all over the place. He caught several hybrids on a crank bait over there too.
Posted By: R2Fishing

Re: Lake Somerville - 04/04/18 01:28 AM

West end is the entire lake from the Dam. Lol

We use the phrase west end relentlessly.

Big Creek, Rocky, Snake Island and Birch should be the west end areas id focus on...

Follow the trolling mafia... youll find the whites
Posted By: J-Moe

Re: Lake Somerville - 04/04/18 04:26 AM

I went back to the lake this evening with the kayak. The birds were working shad so I followed them and caught white bass for a while. Then suddenly the wind came howling out of the north and I had to abandon the kayak. I started working the bank following the birds and continued to catch white bass. The wind pushed the shad towards the banks and the fishing became totally insane. I caught 11 to 14 inch white bass with the fly rod on every cast for about an hour. I left after it was already dark and they were still biting. Absolutely incredible day. These couple years of flooding have done wonders for the white bass population. You should be able to find them just about everywhere. Early morning and late evening are usually the best times.
Posted By: PeterF

Re: Lake Somerville - 04/04/18 05:19 PM

J-Moe always finds fish!
This is Peter. I met you a week ago at Irwin bridge, and followed you Newman's bottom. Thanks for sharing so much fishing stories with me. it was one of my best fishing day.
I never fish on the lake and have no idea what type of lures (type and weight) should i use. I usually have soft crappie bait on 1/16oz jigheads when fishing along the creek. Will this also work on the bank of the lake. One problem I can foresee is that I can't cast this far. I'd like to hear some advice.
Posted By: J-Moe

Re: Lake Somerville - 04/04/18 10:53 PM

It was a fun day Peter thumb

I use the same flies and lures on the lake that I use in the creeks. There are areas at Welsh, Birch, Yegua, Rocky, in front of the dam and at Overlook parks with good bank fishing. Anywhere there is shad close to the bank you can usually find white bass. Most people wear waders. As the sun comes up the shad and white bass usually move to slightly deeper water.

Lots of people use little georges, roadrunners, rooster tails and pet spoons in addition to plastics. Most of the people you see will cast net the shad early in the morning and throw them with a heavy weight.
Posted By: fishytx

Re: Lake Somerville - 04/04/18 11:36 PM

I call west end where Nails and the Yegua dump into the shallows.
Posted By: J-Moe

Re: Lake Somerville - 04/05/18 02:15 AM

I went back out to the lake again this evening. There were no birds working, not much shad around or white bass surfacing. There were a couple guys fishing in the same spot as the other fisherman were fishing the day before. They were catching a few on live shad but I was not having very good luck. I caught only 2. But as soon as the sun set on the horizon at 7:45 the white bass turned on. I caught them on every other cast for about 30 minutes then it slowed down again.

I caught one of the younger group of hybrids tonight. It was 16.5 inches. I knew it was a hybrid right away as it started stripping line. It made 3 hard runs before it tired out. Man I love catching hybrids on the fly rod. This younger group is big enough to put up a great fight already.

Tomorrow I'm headed out to the fish a private ranch on the Devils river for 4 days. I can't wait to get into some small mouth bass.
Posted By: jsinn01

Re: Lake Somerville - 04/05/18 02:09 PM

Wow, lucky J-Moe! I've always wanted to fish the Devils River. Good luck.
Posted By: big z

Re: Lake Somerville - 04/05/18 11:05 PM

Which area of the lake would be my best bet to bank fish for whites
Posted By: DonFromAustin

Re: Lake Somerville - 04/06/18 09:19 PM

Does anyone have any luck at Newman's bottom or Irwin bridge these days?
Posted By: fishytx

Re: Lake Somerville - 04/07/18 01:21 PM

Donfromaustin, the yegua creek is flooded right now, so no to your question. Plus the white bass spawn is almost over, one can still find small males and crappie in the creek though. But late Feb and all through March is the best time for the white bass spawn up creeks or rivers from a lake. Most of the white bass have returned to the lakes and are feeding heavy on shad.
Posted By: DonFromAustin

Re: Lake Somerville - 04/07/18 06:01 PM

Thanks for the update cheers
Posted By: slopez

Re: Lake Somerville - 04/07/18 07:29 PM

Went to welch park yesterday evening. Got there around 7. Didn't get a bite until sunset. Ended up with 5 keepers in about 15-20 minutes. The wind was very strong out of the south. No visible signs of shad, but that maybe due to the big waves. Birds weren't doing too much either. Guys semi close-by were using live shad, and had about the same luck as I did. No telling what this front will do to them, and I'm not about to find out. Not in this weather anyway.
FYI, stay off of hwy. 60 if coming from college station. Chilifest traffic.
Posted By: J-Moe

Re: Lake Somerville - 04/08/18 03:39 PM

Originally Posted By: jsinn01
Wow, lucky J-Moe! I've always wanted to fish the Devils River. Good luck.

Thanks Jared. The wind was blowing about 20 mph each day and it got cold on Saturday so we cut the trip short. Fishing was off a bit. I caught about 15 smallmouth. About half were between 2 and 2.5 lbs. Those were the first I had ever caught. They are awesome fighters. I caught several LMB. The biggest was 3.85 lbs. I caught 3 Rios, including a new Devils River record that was 10 inches and 0.79 lbs. I caught several redbreast and longear sunfish as well. Other than catching my first smallmouth bass the highlight of the trip was catching a huge common carp. I set a new Devils River record by catching a 26.2 lb. carp. It took me 48 minutes to land it. All fish were caught on my 4 wt and 5 wt fly rods.
Posted By: J-Moe

Re: Lake Somerville - 04/08/18 03:44 PM

I went out to the main lake this morning. I fished a couple spots with no luck. There were a couple guys fishing about 150 yards away from me. One of them was waiving me over. I went down there. He mistook me for another friend of his. They were on the white bass though so I joined them.

We caught fish on about every other cast from 8 AM to 10 AM. I caught several hybrids and a pure stripper as well. It was a great morning.
Posted By: fishytx

Re: Lake Somerville - 04/08/18 06:43 PM

When did they stock strippers? I know only about hybrids.
Posted By: fishytx

Re: Lake Somerville - 04/08/18 06:47 PM

I am giving my shop an overhaul, or one might say a face lift, all new siding and replacing roof. Yard work is also something taking away my time. I have never seen so many weeds and it's weeds I have never even seen before.
I know I should be out fishing, but this cool weather is great for the work I'm doing, nice and cool.
Posted By: J-Moe

Re: Lake Somerville - 04/08/18 06:48 PM

Originally Posted By: fishytx
When did they stock strippers? I know only about hybrids.


They never stocked strippers but it was definitely a stripper. Solid, dark, unbroken lines and a long slender body. I suspect it just got mixed in with the hybrids.
Posted By: slopez

Re: Lake Somerville - 04/09/18 02:43 AM

Went out to same place, same time, with same results as last Friday. I caught one of those striper as well. Fit j-moes description to a t. I thought it looked different, but like fishy, I didnt think they stocked striper in Somerville. The explanation makes sense tho. I think I need to find a different job, one that will allow me to go in the morning. Either that or become a better fisherman.
Posted By: J-Moe

Re: Lake Somerville - 04/09/18 01:29 PM

That's interesting information slopez. I noticed that in the past all the TPWD has stocked was Palmetto bass. Last year they stocked Palmetto bass and then later in the year they stocked Sunshine bass. Maybe we are confusing the stripers with Sunshine bass or maybe they got mixed in with that stocking. The striper I caught was also much smaller than the Palmettos I was catching so it makes sense that they were part of the later stocking.

Palmetto is a female striped bass and male white bass. Sunshine bass are a mix of a female white bass and a male striped bass.
Posted By: jsinn01

Re: Lake Somerville - 04/09/18 01:58 PM

Originally Posted By: J-Moe
Originally Posted By: jsinn01
Wow, lucky J-Moe! I've always wanted to fish the Devils River. Good luck.

Thanks Jared. The wind was blowing about 20 mph each day and it got cold on Saturday so we cut the trip short. Fishing was off a bit. I caught about 15 smallmouth. About half were between 2 and 2.5 lbs. Those were the first I had ever caught. They are awesome fighters. I caught several LMB. The biggest was 3.85 lbs. I caught 3 Rios, including a new Devils River record that was 10 inches and 0.79 lbs. I caught several redbreast and longear sunfish as well. Other than catching my first smallmouth bass the highlight of the trip was catching a huge common carp. I set a new Devils River record by catching a 26.2 lb. carp. It took me 48 minutes to land it. All fish were caught on my 4 wt and 5 wt fly rods.


Sounds like a pretty awesome trip to me. Hope you got some pics. Fishing wise, this has definitely been an off year for me. Either I don't have the time, or I have the time but conditions are off. Hoping to get a new kayak here in the next few months and hopefully get back out on the water.
Posted By: jsinn01

Re: Lake Somerville - 04/09/18 02:00 PM

Oh yeah, and pound for pound it's tough to beat the fight from a smallmouth bass. I used to catch them in the rivers back in Michigan and they are a blast.
Posted By: J-Moe

Re: Lake Somerville - 04/09/18 02:24 PM

Originally Posted By: jsinn01
Oh yeah, and pound for pound it's tough to beat the fight from a smallmouth bass. I used to catch them in the rivers back in Michigan and they are a blast.
No doubt. They come a very close second to catching hybrids. Even the 2.5 lbers I caught were pulling drag and made multiple runs.
Posted By: toddparr

Re: Lake Somerville - 04/09/18 04:54 PM

Originally Posted By: J-Moe
Originally Posted By: fishytx
When did they stock strippers? I know only about hybrids.


They never stocked strippers but it was definitely a stripper. Solid, dark, unbroken lines and a long slender body. I suspect it just got mixed in with the hybrids.


I have never heard of any lake that stocked strippers, sounds like my kind of lake. Stripers on the other hand...
Posted By: jsinn01

Re: Lake Somerville - 04/09/18 05:19 PM

roflmao
Posted By: ttllhh

Re: Lake Somerville - 04/09/18 11:00 PM

Somerville gets the hybrids only, due to shallow water warms up too much. The pure stripers need to deeper cooler water to stay healthy. Lake Buchanan Used to get stripers but now also get hybrids also. I think the large number of guides give them the pull for a large chunk of the stocking every year. Lake Canyon is stripers only or it was.. The only lake in texas that does not need to be stocked is Texhoma they naturaly breed there I think because has enough up streem flow.The srtiper brood stock is collected at Texhoma by TPW on the spillway side. Not sure where the white brood stock is collected. Thats all I know. And only found out about the sunshine, palmetto thing last year. and not sure what they gain on each one. If my data is off I will be humble if corrected.
Posted By: PeterF

Re: Lake Somerville - 04/09/18 11:39 PM

I went to Irwin bridge yesterday morning. I was chilly and quite. Crappies were biting good until 9. Spend another one hour to search crappies around in the bridge but found nothing. Then went to Newmen's bottom and arrived at the steel bridge at about 11:00. There were still white bass in the creek. Caught about 30 whites by 2:30. A big surprise is that there hybrid bass in the creek. I hooked two of them, but counld not land them. Fought 5 mins to get the second hybrid bass on the muddy bank. It's more than 20" long. I tried to hold it with one hand but it's slippery and it went back to the water.
Posted By: J-Moe

Re: Lake Somerville - 04/10/18 12:02 AM

Wow, great report Peter. The older group of hybrids are in the 23 inch or better range so I bet he was around 7 or 8 lbs. I know they were a great fight. It's hard to land them with all the trees in the water to get snagged on too. So just wearing one down and getting it up on the bank was a great accomplishment. Well done.
Posted By: hook-line&sinker

Re: Lake Somerville - 04/10/18 11:40 AM

Stripers (brood stock) are collected by TPWD below lake Texoma and Livingston as both lakes have sustaining populations of the big fish. The criteria for which lakes get stocked is based on several factors, first being survivability and utilization (economy).

TPWD doesn't waste resources especially when it comes to stocking. If they have a very good spawn at the hatchery than they have options in expanding the stocking to less productive fisheries, an example would be redfish in Lake Bryan or maybe hybrids in smaller community lakes.

As far as stray stripers in lake Somerville goes all these fish are raised in the same hatcheries in big brood ponds and transported in the same trucks so it is very likely some mixing happens.

I'm not sure of the differences between the striper/whitebass-male/female relationship as to growth rate or typical characteristics but suspect it has more to do with which striper is captured and viable for spawning. It has got to be way easier to collect whitebass for spawning than stripers, especially big female stripers ready to drop eggs.

Just like us humans the males of both species are always "ready to go" so we are waitin' on a woman!
Posted By: fishytx

Re: Lake Somerville - 04/10/18 07:15 PM

Sorry for spelling. STRIPER it is. No kidding, if they stocked it with strippers, I'm all in for several trips. Load the cooler with beverages and stay a while. LOL
Posted By: Jobenfish

Re: Lake Somerville - 04/10/18 08:06 PM

What size were those whites you were catching PeterF? I figure they won't be there much longer.
Posted By: PeterF

Re: Lake Somerville - 04/10/18 10:06 PM

50% of them are big ones 14-16in. The other half is about 11in. all are males. They are active, but not many left in the creek.
Posted By: Jobenfish

Re: Lake Somerville - 04/11/18 06:46 PM

Thanks for the info. Man I haven't seen anything 16 all year. I need to switch creeks!
Posted By: R2Fishing

Re: Lake Somerville - 04/13/18 02:29 AM

Originally Posted By: fishytx
Sorry for spelling. STRIPER it is. No kidding, if they stocked it with strippers, I'm all in for several trips. Load the cooler with beverages and stay a while. LOL


This! roflmao cheers
Posted By: PeterF

Re: Lake Somerville - 04/16/18 04:09 PM

Irwin bridge and then Newman's bottom on Sunday morning
Crappies were good at the bridge, 12 keepers in 2 hours. Newman's bottom is OK, not as many fish as I expected. I got 11 whites in 3 hours. But jogging along the creek is still a very pleasant thing. There was hybrid bass in the water, probably. A big fish bite the jig, but the line broke before I could see the fish.
Posted By: slopez

Re: Lake Somerville - 04/19/18 04:27 AM

Ok gentlemen, I'm looking for a little advice. I finally have a free weekend without any obligations and was planning on heading to Somerville on Friday afternoon and not leaving until Sunday afternoon, and leaving the damn phone behind. Planned on heading out to welch park and camping out on the island, and taking the kayak. The threat of inclement weather has made me rethink my commitment, but I intend on going out at least as weather allows. I finally will get the opportunity to get a couple of morning fishes in, at the very least. My question is, is there somewhere else I need to focus on, instead of said location, for either white bass or crappie??? I haven't seen much info posted on the main lake and that is what I intend on doing, as I'd like to post up somewhere. I'm done walking the creeks. Thank you
Posted By: J-Moe

Re: Lake Somerville - 04/19/18 03:34 PM

I've learned alot from failures the last couple of weeks. The evening bite has been poor. I saw limits of white bass being caught in one spot but I got there too late in the morning. Then the wind switched direction and the white bass left that area the next day.

This morning I went out before daylight. I fished on a wind blown bank with lots of shad and ghost minnows. I caught 20 white bass, 2 hybrids, a catfish, 2 buffalo, a redear sunfish and a bluegill between 7:00 and 8:30. So get out early, fish on a wind blown bank, find the shad / ghost minnows and you should be successful.
Posted By: Kirby12

Re: Lake Somerville - 04/19/18 03:59 PM

I went to Welch last weekend and found out that it had been reserved since last Wednesday by a biker rally and had to pay $50 to get in. Had to do Plan B to Birch. I wished someone would of posted that as it would of saved me about 20 minutes. Therefore, I would make sure that they haven't rented it out before you go. By the way, Plan B only netted 2 whitebass that night with the wind and colder temps. The shad were off the banks and I could see them flicking out in 3-4 ft water. I don't know what area J-Moe is fishing but like he said, I would go to the shore with the wind blowing in on the bank and with a kayak you can cover a lot of area until hopefully you can find them. Haven't heard anything about crappie bite at the tires at Big Creek but you could make that paddle to and back depending on the wind
Posted By: slopez

Re: Lake Somerville - 04/20/18 02:41 AM

Thank you J-Moe and Kirby. Told me what I needed to know. Hoped to be able to camp out but the weather may not cooperate. Winds seem to change direction throughout the weekend. so I may need to stay quasi-mobile. Figured the morning bite was where it was at. Once again, thank you for your information.
Posted By: hook-line&sinker

Re: Lake Somerville - 04/20/18 07:27 PM

Finding the whitebass when weather conditions are as unpredictable and quickly changing as they can be in the spring is tough. About all you can do is find and follow the baitfish (shad) and hope they hold to a pattern you can take advantage of when you can fish... I've not fished much this spring but J-Moe has been finding consistent success in the morning hours but the afternoon-evening time is hit or miss mostly. I would suggest you kayak up a creek for black bass and crappie if the weather and wind make it too rough on the lake.
Posted By: big z

Re: Lake Somerville - 04/21/18 02:30 AM

I went to welch park last night I was the only one there fishing I caught 2 whites and 2 nice size channels. Wind was moderate and the temp was cool I got about 4 nice bites but didn't hook anything. Fished from about 845pm until 12 1230am
Posted By: 24x7Fisherman

Re: Lake Somerville - 04/22/18 04:02 PM

I found a tackle bag at Irwin bridge, please send me a description about it so I can return it to you
Posted By: slopez

Re: Lake Somerville - 04/22/18 06:32 PM

Gentlemen, I thank you. Went out to welch on Friday (night). Didn't get in an evening fish in, but the morning bite was good. The white bass were within a good cast off the bank and I had success with ghost minnows, rattletrap, and the ol' line twister (roostertail). The bite died down on the bank ~ 8am. The bite wasn't on fire but it was steady, and they were big. Went out in the kayak and didn't have much luck until during a brief shower I saw some birds working a spot about 150 yards off the bank. Paddled out there and was catching them but they were all small ones. The lightning ran me off the lake and it proceeded to rain for hours. I finally had enough and left last night. Your advice held true, find the baitfish, find the fish.
Posted By: J-Moe

Re: Lake Somerville - 04/22/18 06:44 PM

Glad you found them slopez. Thanks for the reports slopez and big z.

I got a late start this morning. I got out to Welsh park around 8:30. The wind was howling and it was quite the challenge casting the fly rod into that wind. I wrapped myself up in the fly line a couple times and hit myself in the back of the head 5 times. That's called chuck and duck fly fishing. I put on the waders and was able to get far enough out to catch a few. I ended up with 9 white bass and another small mouth buffalo. I've been catching buffalo every time I go out lately.
Posted By: DonFromAustin

Re: Lake Somerville - 04/23/18 04:34 AM

I forgot a folding stool under the Irwin bridge on Saturday afternoon and didn't find it there when I returned later on the same night. It was a camouflage color.
Posted By: fishytx

Re: Lake Somerville - 04/23/18 05:57 PM

I have a very strong feeling your folding stool is history. But you never know, maybe, just maybe an honest person picked it up.
Posted By: DonFromAustin

Re: Lake Somerville - 04/23/18 09:09 PM

Thanks! I would also be happy if the person who picked it up but doesn't see my post here could find good personal use of it. angel angel2
Posted By: 24x7Fisherman

Re: Lake Somerville - 04/24/18 02:06 AM

I was there on Saturday morning, good luck for you to get your stool back . Actually I have been able to return the bag to its owner
Posted By: big z

Re: Lake Somerville - 04/24/18 08:39 PM

Did you catch anything Saturday morning
Posted By: J-Moe

Re: Lake Somerville - 04/25/18 02:33 PM

I went out to my favorite spot Monday morning. The wind was blowing in directly on that bank. I caught 34, all white bass. I tried the spot last night and didn't catch a single fish. Once again, the evening bite has been poor for bank fishing. The lack of wind blowing in didn't help either.

This morning Jacob called me. We went out to a different place. As soon as we got there we started catching a few, but it was slow. So we headed off in different directions. I wasn't catching much so I headed back to the original spot. Jacob was waiving me over to where he was. He had moved around the bank to a spot where the wind was blowing directly in on the bank. By the time I got to him he had already caught 17.

It was insane. We caught fish on almost every cast for the next hour. I had waded out with the fly rod. The fish were surfacing like crazy and twice they were actually surfacing all around me. The great part was that we weren't only catching white bass but also catching lots of 16 inch plus hybrids. This was the first big time surfacing action I saw this year. Around 8:15 the bite started to slow down for us as the surfacing activity had moved out into deeper water. They were still very active though. We quit around 8:45. It should be a great year thumb
Posted By: 24x7Fisherman

Re: Lake Somerville - 04/25/18 02:50 PM

Some small crappies
Posted By: slopez

Re: Lake Somerville - 04/25/18 04:29 PM

Things to do:
1. Find a job that will allow me to fish morning and evening (with same or better pay).
2. Make my 5 yr. old learn to ride the bus.
3. Learn to use a fly rod.
4. Follow J-Moe around.
Posted By: DonFromAustin

Re: Lake Somerville - 04/25/18 04:53 PM

Hi J-Moe, are the places you talked about on the main lake or in a creek?
Posted By: J-Moe

Re: Lake Somerville - 04/25/18 05:10 PM

Originally Posted By: slopez
Things to do:
1. Find a job that will allow me to fish morning and evening (with same or better pay).
2. Make my 5 yr. old learn to ride the bus.
3. Learn to use a fly rod.
4. Follow J-Moe around.


roflmao roflmao roflmao

1. Worked for GE the last 16 years and they allow working from home and flexible work arrangements.

2. My youngest is now 16 years old and has her own car.

3. You don't need a fly rod, although it's much funner. Jacob was catching just as many with spinning gear this morning.

4. You are welcome to fish with me any time.
Posted By: J-Moe

Re: Lake Somerville - 04/25/18 05:25 PM

Originally Posted By: DonFromAustin
Hi J-Moe, are the places you talked about on the main lake or in a creek?


The main lake.
Posted By: J-Moe

Re: Lake Somerville - 04/25/18 05:57 PM

I've had my bad days too but I've learned a few things that improve my odds.

Fish the morning bite. If I want to improve my odds in the evening I need to use the kayak. Which I don't do often.

Watch the wind overnight and in the morning. Fish the windward side of the lake or the windward side of the point, like at Welsh.

Look for the shad. Not just shad popping the water, but thousands of them right on the bank in the morning.

Watch for surfacing activity and birds diving.
Posted By: DonFromAustin

Re: Lake Somerville - 04/25/18 07:08 PM

Thanks for the hints
Posted By: Bremondhighschoolfishingteam

Re: Lake Somerville - 04/25/18 07:12 PM

I over heard some info and I heard they are biteing on a rage crawl/ lobster with a swim bait hook casting and letting the bait fall and swimming back slowly near stumps and bushes
Posted By: Bremondhighschoolfishingteam

Re: Lake Somerville - 04/25/18 07:12 PM

Any Tips for Lake Waco ?
Posted By: big z

Re: Lake Somerville - 04/25/18 07:25 PM

Thats amazing i wade from time to time but yet to experiment being in the middle of a feeding friendzy. I've only had the chance to go in the late evening/night because of work. But from what everyone is saying the morning bite is were its at. I'm going to have to make it a morning trip this saturday.
Posted By: J-Moe

Re: Lake Somerville - 04/25/18 08:13 PM

Originally Posted By: Bremondhighschoolfishingteam
I over heard some info and I heard they are biteing on a rage crawl/ lobster with a swim bait hook casting and letting the bait fall and swimming back slowly near stumps and bushes

Sounds like you are talking about Largemouth bass. Whites and hybrids are open water schooling fish. Same hints would apply for any lake.
Posted By: J-Moe

Re: Lake Somerville - 04/25/18 08:16 PM

Originally Posted By: big z
Thats amazing i wade from time to time but yet to experiment being in the middle of a feeding friendzy. I've only had the chance to go in the late evening/night because of work. But from what everyone is saying the morning bite is were its at. I'm going to have to make it a morning trip this saturday.


Yes, I won't remember all the fish I caught but I'll never forget those moments. The second time it happened I looked back at Jacob and said, "Did you see that". He had of course and we just got a good laugh out of the moment.
Posted By: slopez

Re: Lake Somerville - 04/26/18 12:26 AM

I found myself in one of those intense frenzies once. I was camping in one of my favorite spots last year about this time, and early morning, they came. I cast out and hooked up twice before I hung up and broke off my roostertail. I grabbed a second rod with a chrome and black rattletrap tied on. Caught a couple more when I backlashed, bad. After about several minutes of trying in vain to get the backlash out, I went back to the first rod and retied. It must have taken 20 minutes to locate another roostertail and retie. I akin it to "buckfever". I could see them start to move off the bank, which only sent the fever into a fervor. I only managed to catch a few more before they moved out of casting distance (I didn't have my waders with me). I caught only a few more as the morning waned, and they weren't the size the first ones were. I learned a few things that day. Get there early, if only to establish your territory. They come and go in a flash. Have your s**t together. Calm down, but move with a purpose. I'm quite certain I would have limited out had I held to the ol' construction axiom. The 6 P's. Proper Planning Prevents [censored] Poor Performance. I aspire redemption. "Endeavor to Persevere".
Posted By: J-Moe

Re: Lake Somerville - 04/28/18 02:22 AM

Finally, an absolutely incredible evening bite. I suspect the biggest reason by far is the full moon. But to a lesser extent I think the fishing is just continuing to improve and I've probably been leaving to soon in the evening. I fished until 8:30 PM and was still catching them on almost every cast. I even caught 4 largemouth in the 1.5 lb. range.
Posted By: J-Moe

Re: Lake Somerville - 04/29/18 02:54 PM

Fishing was absolutely insane nuts again this morning. Once again the fish were surfacing all around me. At one point I was taking a fish off the hook, I dropped my fly in the water and another white bass grabbed it. It slowed down around 8:15 as normal so I walked down the bank and found more fish. I finally stopped around 9:15 this morning.
Posted By: fishytx

Re: Lake Somerville - 04/29/18 05:04 PM

I was n lake Travis fishing for whites from the bank and all of a sudden the water looked black as a ball of shad were being pushed towards the surface where I was standing. Shad came flying out of the water as the whites chased them and they were flopping all over the rocks and on my feet. Kind a scared me if you want a know the truth. Never had it happen that close to me and when shad came flying towards me it was as real as real can be. Every time I fish for schooling blacks it never fails I'll cast out blind in hope of a bite and a school will pop up beside the boat chasing shad. I can't get my bait reeled in fast enough to catch them next to the boat. I love fishing, you never know what's next.
I was wade fishing the ocean and a skip jack was jumping out of the water headed towards me and I couldn't get of its way and yes it hit me head on right in the middle of my chest. Or be by yourself out about two hundred yards from the shore wading and dolphins swim next to you. Kind a freaky.
Posted By: slopez

Re: Lake Somerville - 04/29/18 11:19 PM

I'm going to have to take a day off work and head out there some morning this week. I took a couple of 5 yr olds camping @ birch creek this weekend. They were way more interested in swimming, so fishing attempts didn't have a lot of effort put in. It had been at least 2 years since id been out there. Only a few campsites open. The jetty is open to fish but the pier is closed. There were boats tied off to it and fishing the inside of what was the walkway of the pier, with decent success. Pulling out some nice crappie, and while they didn't limit out, they went home with about a dozen each from what I could see. They were fishing with minnows. Overheard one of them saying that COE was going to rebuild with a floating pier this time. Can't speak to the validity of it, but maybe someone on here knows more. J-moe, I actually ended up with a fly rod, and made some pretty pathetic attempts at it. All I had to tie on to it was a 1/32 oz jig. I don't know if that is something that is actually used on a flyrod, but I found out what you meant by chuck-n-duck. I'll keep at it, I'll just wear a helmet till I get it.
Posted By: J-Moe

Re: Lake Somerville - 04/30/18 02:37 AM

Great!!!! Fly fishing is a blast. I do throw 1/32 ounce jig head flies but normally I do so with my 8 weight rod. It's difficult to cast with lighter weight rods. I can do it with my 5 weight but not very well. If you have a 5 weight or smaller rod then clousers are a good choice.
Posted By: slopez

Re: Lake Somerville - 04/30/18 10:11 PM

J-Moe,
Well I obviously have a lot to learn. Look forward to learning it. Maybe one of these days I'll run into you out on the water and I can pick your brain about what I have and what I need. I'll try not to look, so I don't see your honey holes.
Posted By: ben_beyer

Re: Lake Somerville - 05/03/18 11:52 AM

It looks like from the latest video that the Whites are biting off of Welch Park early in the morning.
Posted By: GC2656

Re: Lake Somerville - 05/03/18 12:43 PM

Originally Posted By: ben_beyer
It looks like from the latest video that the Whites are biting off of Welch Park early in the morning.
Witch video are you referring to? I haven't been able to view the videos on this forum for quit a while now!
Posted By: ben_beyer

Re: Lake Somerville - 05/03/18 01:11 PM

Originally Posted By: GC2656
Originally Posted By: ben_beyer
It looks like from the latest video that the Whites are biting off of Welch Park early in the morning.
Witch video are you referring to? I haven't been able to view the videos on this forum for quit a while now!


https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=jT7Rj7XTmcA
Posted By: GC2656

Re: Lake Somerville - 05/03/18 02:05 PM

Originally Posted By: ben_beyer
Originally Posted By: GC2656
Originally Posted By: ben_beyer
It looks like from the latest video that the Whites are biting off of Welch Park early in the morning.
Witch video are you referring to? I haven't been able to view the videos on this forum for quit a while now!


https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=jT7Rj7XTmcA
Thanks a million, great video. I really miss viewing the videos on this forum. I really wish I could figure out how to view them again, but I guess I'm to computer illiterate to do it. HaHa!
Posted By: hook-line&sinker

Re: Lake Somerville - 05/03/18 02:50 PM

You will need to update your browser if you want to view videos directly from the forum. The latest versions of Chrome and Firefox will work on Windows 7 but sometimes you have to mess with the security settings to allow linked content and enable plugins for players to view videos ..

You don't have to be an computer expert but it does help when updates and security issues make everything less user friendly. The Internet is not a safe place for your personal information but that "cat is already out of the bag" and has joined the circus touring the world wide web. We have entered into the "damage control" mode with all our information that is already out there being stolen and traded among thieves with ill intent.

If you want to view my videos directly from YouTube go Here & Subscribe.
As a subscriber you will be notified when a new video is uploaded.
Posted By: ben_beyer

Re: Lake Somerville - 05/03/18 03:48 PM

Originally Posted By: hook-line&sinker


If you want to view my videos directly from YouTube go Here & Subscribe.
As a subscriber you will be notified when a new video is uploaded.


That's how I get them!
Posted By: J-Moe

Re: Lake Somerville - 05/03/18 05:53 PM

I paddled up to the dam after the COE had shut the flow down a couple weeks ago. They built an earthen dam just past the rocks. There were water pumps and hoses there as well. It looks like they either pumped the water out in front of the gates or will be doing so soon. They must be doing some type of inspections on maintenance. Hopefully after they complete the work they will open up the spillway for fishing again in the future.
Posted By: J-Moe

Re: Lake Somerville - 05/03/18 05:56 PM

Note to all of you who like to fish for bluegill. They have finally moved shallow in large numbers. I caught a bunch of big 8.5 to 9 inchers.
Posted By: ben_beyer

Re: Lake Somerville - 05/03/18 06:07 PM

Originally Posted By: J-Moe
Note to all of you who like to fish for bluegill. They have finally moved shallow in large numbers. I caught a bunch of big 8.5 to 9 inchers.


Might have to get some flies and try out some of the beds HLS has marked as Bluegill spots.
Posted By: slopez

Re: Lake Somerville - 05/03/18 10:11 PM

Took the kayak to Welch park yesterday afternoon. Pretty rough. Kinda hard to fish and fight the rough water at the same time. Guys on the bank had better luck than I did. I left before sundown, so I don't know just how hot the bite got, but it seemed to be ok. At least for those who could cast into the wind.
Posted By: big z

Re: Lake Somerville - 05/03/18 10:11 PM

me and a buddy went to welch yesterday from about 7 till 8:30 and we didn't catch anything. we both got a bite here and there just didn't hook anything. Plus the wind was crazy literally couldn't cast into the wind.
Posted By: J-Moe

Re: Lake Somerville - 05/04/18 03:40 PM

If you think it's tough throwing conventional gear into that wind you ought to try throwing a fly grin IMPOSSIBLE

One of the things I had read on the internet was to fish shallow coves. The white bass will often herd the shad into these shallow coves even on the upwind side of the lake. I tried this in the evening 3 times this year without luck. But I did find them in a shallow cove on the upwind side of the lake the last 2 mornings.

This morning was probably one of the best days of fishing we will have this year. It was ridiculous. I started fishing around 6:15 AM. I fished in a cove then moved out to a point. By 8:45 I was sick of catching white bass, LOL. I didn't keep count but I easily caught over 60 white bass this morning. Light winds and pre-front conditions made for some incredibly fun fishing.

There are large numbers of smallmouth buffalo and channel catfish in the shallows as well. I talked to a guy who had 8 catfish yesterday. I caught a 3.2 lb. channel cat yesterday and a 3.9 lber today. I've been catching buffalo every day as well.

Posted By: hook-line&sinker

Re: Lake Somerville - 05/06/18 03:15 AM

Had a great day fishing with J-Moe and slopez Saturday. The wind turned coming out of the north and threw a curveball as to where the shad would move but as luck would have it the birds gave a good hint..



Posted By: hook-line&sinker

Re: Lake Somerville - 05/06/18 02:15 PM


https://youtu.be/NoAe6RfepU0
Posted By: slopez

Re: Lake Somerville - 05/06/18 10:18 PM

Went back out to welch this morning. They weren't on the bank for very long at all. I had my kayak so I just followed them out to deeper water and just slayed them. It sure is exciting when they start hitting the surface all around you. There were more hybrids in the mix as well. It won't be too long before they are legal.
Posted By: fishytx

Re: Lake Somerville - 05/08/18 11:24 PM

I know that catfish looks mighty tasty and all J-Moe, but at least clean it, roll it in some corn meal, drop it in hot grease before you take a bite out of it next time. But I got a ask, how does that raw tail taste?
Posted By: fishytx

Re: Lake Somerville - 05/08/18 11:27 PM

There are more write ups on bank fishing to read than anything else. I need to get my boat over there on Somerville.
Posted By: J-Moe

Re: Lake Somerville - 05/09/18 03:22 PM

Originally Posted By: fishytx
I know that catfish looks mighty tasty and all J-Moe, but at least clean it, roll it in some corn meal, drop it in hot grease before you take a bite out of it next time. But I got a ask, how does that raw tail taste?


Ha, that's funny. Just an illusion as the tail fell into the crack of the tail gate. He was released to be caught again.

Plenty of boats out there chasing those white bass too. Just no reports.
Posted By: AustinHawg

Re: Lake Somerville - 05/10/18 03:18 AM

Joined this forum yesterday and this is my first post.
My new bride and I went RVing for our honeymoon at Rocky Creek Park. We outran the storms hitting Austin area last Friday and luckily set camp up just in time before the rain hit Lake Somerville. After the rain passed, I grabbed some plastic worms and hit the banks to wet a hook. Lucky for me, I ran into a couple of local gents who informed me that if I wanted to have some quick fun, to come back to the boat ramp before sun-up, catch some live shad, and enjoy the action. It was a wild morning just as they stated up till about 8:00am and just like a light switch turned off, they stop hitting the top of the water and they moved. Did the same on Sunday morning, but didn't catch but a couple on Monday morning before we cleaned up our RV campsite and left for home. A couple of older gents informed me they were headed to the other side of the lake as that is where they have moved most likely.
I appreciate everyone's input on this, new to me, fishing frenzy of white bassing! I will definitely be back soon and maybe try out Birch Creek State Park next.
Posted By: fishytx

Re: Lake Somerville - 05/10/18 02:12 PM

If you think that was fun then you should join everyone in the spawn fishing from the bank. It occurs in Feb and March. It's all fun though.
Posted By: GC2656

Re: Lake Somerville - 05/10/18 03:31 PM

Originally Posted By: J-Moe
Originally Posted By: fishytx
I know that catfish looks mighty tasty and all J-Moe, but at least clean it, roll it in some corn meal, drop it in hot grease before you take a bite out of it next time. But I got a ask, how does that raw tail taste?


Ha, that's funny. Just an illusion as the tail fell into the crack of the tail gate. He was released to be caught again.

Plenty of boats out there chasing those white bass too. Just no reports.
Yea J-Moe, I fished out from you for a while yesterday. I saw fish working around the point and moved over there and caught a ton of whites and hybrids. Some of the hybrids were 16" long and fought like heck. Kept 12 big whites from that area. Then on the way to the ramp I saw some schooling action in a cove close to Yegua Park and caught 6 more big whites. The dog and I had a fun and relaxing morning!
Posted By: GC2656

Re: Lake Somerville - 05/10/18 03:35 PM

Originally Posted by hook-line&sinker
Hook, I really enjoyed the video and thanks a million for posting the link so I could actually view it.
Posted By: J-Moe

Re: Lake Somerville - 05/10/18 08:57 PM

Originally Posted By: GC2656
[/quote]Yea J-Moe, I fished out from you for a while yesterday. I saw fish working around the point and moved over there and caught a ton of whites and hybrids. Some of the hybrids were 16" long and fought like heck. Kept 12 big whites from that area. Then on the way to the ramp I saw some schooling action in a cove close to Yegua Park and caught 6 more big whites. The dog and I had a fun and relaxing morning!


Oh cool, I talked to you briefly and didn't know who you were. Great dog you have.
Posted By: fishytx

Re: Lake Somerville - 05/11/18 01:17 PM

I like to use a bait called rattling chug bug for schooling whites, silver with blue on top. Walk the dog with this thing and hold on, they really blow up on this bait. It's about three or four inches long, I think it's a half ounce bait. They make two sizes and I use the longer one. When they go down then I throw a rooster tail. White with black spots, the bigger one as well. I haven't done this in probably fifteen years and I need to get out there for some of this action.
Posted By: J-Moe

Re: Lake Somerville - 05/11/18 02:44 PM

Originally Posted By: AustinHawg
Joined this forum yesterday and this is my first post.
My new bride and I went RVing for our honeymoon at Rocky Creek Park. We outran the storms hitting Austin area last Friday and luckily set camp up just in time before the rain hit Lake Somerville. After the rain passed, I grabbed some plastic worms and hit the banks to wet a hook. Lucky for me, I ran into a couple of local gents who informed me that if I wanted to have some quick fun, to come back to the boat ramp before sun-up, catch some live shad, and enjoy the action. It was a wild morning just as they stated up till about 8:00am and just like a light switch turned off, they stop hitting the top of the water and they moved. Did the same on Sunday morning, but didn't catch but a couple on Monday morning before we cleaned up our RV campsite and left for home. A couple of older gents informed me they were headed to the other side of the lake as that is where they have moved most likely.
I appreciate everyone's input on this, new to me, fishing frenzy of white bassing! I will definitely be back soon and maybe try out Birch Creek State Park next.


welcome

I believe a talked to you at the boat ramp. I was the one with the fly vest and fly rod. Welcome to the forum. Hope to hear some more good reports from you in the future.
Posted By: fishytx

Re: Lake Somerville - 05/15/18 01:04 PM

I know it was Mothers day weekend but did any one go out and get a few? I plan to take the boat out there Saturday if the schooling action is still on, other wise I'm going somewhere else. So if you went, a bad or good report would be helpful.
Posted By: R2Fishing

Re: Lake Somerville - 05/17/18 03:45 AM

We went saturday morning. Fished few hours. Whites (50) and crappie. (32)
Not bad for launching at 7am and off by 1pm.
Posted By: R2Fishing

Re: Lake Somerville - 05/17/18 03:50 AM

Trollers are in full force. Had to beat them off like mosquitos. Something about trollers seeing guys pick off a school of whites with baits they just have to come by. They eventually left our area without hooking up. Felt bad for them..maybe they should learn how to read a graph and use hard baits?
Posted By: OllieC

Re: Lake Somerville - 05/18/18 01:44 PM

Glad to see you are back at it! Boats in the shop hoping to get out there soon.
Posted By: slopez

Re: Lake Somerville - 05/21/18 08:47 PM

I went to lake Somerville yesterday afternoon. The white bass were schooling near the dam. I chased them for awhile, but they were all small ones. I did manage to catch this sow while I was there though.

Posted By: hook-line&sinker

Re: Lake Somerville - 05/21/18 08:56 PM

slopez you should have gone with us up the Yegua!



https://youtu.be/NL33zVGZn3c
Posted By: slopez

Re: Lake Somerville - 05/22/18 08:34 AM

Mr. Tedrick, if I would have gone with you guys, my pathetic attempts with the flyrod would have been well documented. Great video as always. I will have to review to find those crappie holes. Admittedly, my favorite part of the video was watching your (niece?) fishing. I'm taking my daughter to stay with my parents in east texas this weekend. Maybe I can convince the powers that be to let me have an extra day or two to stay and take my little girl to do a little perch-jerking, (and maybe take the kayak for a little daddy time). I have a-lot to learn with the flyrod, but I'm proud to say I have now caught a white bass, lmb, and a bream with one. FYI, I managed to duplicate my feat of two white bass on one rattletrap.
Posted By: GC2656

Re: Lake Somerville - 05/25/18 09:10 AM

Just saw that nikki posted on another forum that Lake Somerville received 60,000 Hybrid Striper fingerlings on Thursday (5-24). Big D. was there and assisted with the stocking. Thanks to TPWD and Big D!
Posted By: Lottfisher

Re: Lake Somerville - 05/26/18 01:05 AM

Does anyone have a general idea of what the survival rates are for stocked fingerling hybrids. I'm guessing 30 to 40 percent will actually grow to 18" and that is considering many of them being caught and kept with the white bass well before they reach legal size as hybrids...Lawton
Posted By: R2Fishing

Re: Lake Somerville - 05/26/18 11:58 PM

Less than 1% will make it to mature size. Between natural predators, and folks mistaking them as whitebass. Well be lucky is 1000 fish make it..
Posted By: R2Fishing

Re: Lake Somerville - 05/27/18 12:01 AM

But to give you a honest answer- 10% SHOULD make it to mature size...
Posted By: greenyak

Re: Lake Somerville - 06/17/18 07:09 PM

Posted By: GC2656

Re: Lake Somerville - 06/20/18 12:35 AM

Did you fish the creeks or the lake and what did you catch? I can't view the video.
Posted By: greenyak

Re: Lake Somerville - 06/20/18 01:25 AM

Originally Posted By: GC2656
Did you fish the creeks or the lake and what did you catch? I can't view the video.
I fished yegua creek, caught small bass and some crappie.
Posted By: GC2656

Re: Lake Somerville - 06/20/18 03:08 AM

Originally Posted By: greenyak
Originally Posted By: GC2656
Did you fish the creeks or the lake and what did you catch? I can't view the video.
I fished yegua creek, caught small bass and some crappie.
Thanks greenyak, sounds like a pretty good trip!
Posted By: slopez

Re: Lake Somerville - 06/30/18 02:12 AM

Does anyone know if the white bass/hybrids are still surfacing/schooling on the surface early morning or late evening? I haven't been fishing in awhile and was thinking of taking the kayak out on sunday. Need to knock the rust off before I head to the coast to take on some reds/trout.
Posted By: akharrison

Re: Lake Somerville - 07/05/18 02:40 PM

I was out on Friday June 29 and they were schooling like crazy. I caught too many to remember. Top-water lures out in front of Yegua boat ramp and bulkhead.
Posted By: J-Moe

Re: Lake Somerville - 07/05/18 04:53 PM

Originally Posted By: akharrison
I was out on Friday June 29 and they were schooling like crazy. I caught too many to remember. Top-water lures out in front of Yegua boat ramp and bulkhead.


Thanks for the information. I've been out to the dam a couple times in the last week and hadn't seen any surfacing. I was wondering if others had been seeing some.
Posted By: J-Moe

Re: Lake Somerville - 07/05/18 04:59 PM

The COE has been releasing 485 cfs for about 5 days. The lake is now over 1 foot below normal pool. I wonder if it is to supply water to farmers or some chemical plants. I heard a few catfish are being caught. All I caught was buffalo and gar. I haven't seen or caught any white bass.

I sure hope we get some good rains this year. I would hate to see the lake below pool when December roles around and the white bass start to move into the creeks.
Posted By: fishytx

Re: Lake Somerville - 07/10/18 03:43 PM

I had some friends black bass fish it this past weekend and they caught some real nice bass. Guess I need to swing over that way with my boat, I haven't fished this lake in years...
Posted By: J-Moe

Re: Lake Somerville - 07/17/18 12:57 PM

I went out to the lakeside of the dam last week to see if there were any white bass surfacing. Just before dark there were a bunch surfacing but they were all small. I suspect they were the crop from the spawn earlier this year. Looks like we had another good spawn as there were lots of them surfacing. I sure hope we get some good rains before December as the lake is over a foot low and I suspect the COE will have to flow some more water this summer.


Posted By: FishermenDesigns

Re: Lake Somerville - 08/01/18 12:39 AM

Just sitting around and wondering if we are going to have good rains so those creeks will be on fire come Nov, Dec and so on.
Posted By: ML56

Re: Lake Somerville - 08/03/18 03:58 AM

Originally Posted By: J-Moe
I went out to the lakeside of the dam last week to see if there were any white bass surfacing. Just before dark there were a bunch surfacing but they were all small. I suspect they were the crop from the spawn earlier this year. Looks like we had another good spawn as there were lots of them surfacing. I sure hope we get some good rains before December as the lake is over a foot low and I suspect the COE will have to flow some more water this summer.





Think that's one of the 60K hybrid fry??? Lines have a little zig zag to em!
Posted By: J-Moe

Re: Lake Somerville - 08/04/18 08:15 PM

Originally Posted By: ML56
Originally Posted By: J-Moe
I went out to the lakeside of the dam last week to see if there were any white bass surfacing. Just before dark there were a bunch surfacing but they were all small. I suspect they were the crop from the spawn earlier this year. Looks like we had another good spawn as there were lots of them surfacing. I sure hope we get some good rains before December as the lake is over a foot low and I suspect the COE will have to flow some more water this summer.




Think that's one of the 60K hybrid fry??? Lines have a little zig zag to em!


I thought they were white bass but you could be right. Might be hybrids.
Posted By: TXfisherman12

Re: Lake Somerville - 08/08/18 11:47 PM

Had a great time fishing the main lake today. In the morning I hit the points in W. Park and caught many white bass. They were all small and Similar size to the one JMoe is holding above. Caught a bunch of small largemouths and a couple sunnies.There were no signs of schooling fish.

Around noon I started fishing lakeside of the dam. I was pleasantly surprised that there was a very good sunfish bite. I lost count of the numbers. I could have caught a bunch more but the heat later was unbearable and I quit for the day.

While fishing the dam a first happened for me. I came upon a good spot and the sunnies were tearing up my grub. As I was reeling one in a nice sized fish exploded on it as I was about to lift it out of the water. It happened so fast I couldnt ID it. The fish started stripping line so I thought it was a hybrid then thought it was a catfish by the way it was fighting. It drug me down the dam aways but eventually tired. Pulling it in I could see it was a gigantic (to me) largemouth and I finally lipped it. There was no sunfish in its mouth and my lure was foul hooked near its tail. So not sure if this counts as a catch? In my book it does. Back to the story: when I grabbed my phone to take a few pics I found it had an overheated alert so I couldnt take a photo. mad I had left it out exposed to sunlight on my fishing back pack. I waited about a minute but my phone was still not working so I decided to let the fish go. Most likely it was the biggest bass I have ever caught but couldnt get a photo mad I have seen videos and heard stories of big fish attacking someones catch during the retrieve, but never experienced it until today. Sorry no pictures but I assure you this is a true story.

So overall it was a good day with a big surprise. Best lures were a silver spinner with insect like hackle around the treble hook and a swimming curly tail in blueish/gray minnow colors.
Posted By: J-Moe

Re: Lake Somerville - 08/09/18 02:52 AM

Sounds like a great day Alan. Glad you found lots of fish. I've had bass come up and eat a bluegill I had on the line several times. They usually let go when I pull them up out of the water. I had a bass eat a bluegill I had on my stringer at Bastrop one day earlier in the year too. I was in the kayak and every time I floated by him he would come up and try to grab it. I kept trying to catch him on the fly rod but he was only interested in the live bluegill. He got it in his mouth 3 times and I pulled the stringer up out of the water before he got it another 4 times. He was persistent. I finally gave up and left.
Posted By: TXfisherman12

Re: Lake Somerville - 08/09/18 12:56 PM

Thanks Jaime! This would not have happened if you were within 50 yards of me roflmao
Posted By: FishermenDesigns

Re: Lake Somerville - 08/17/18 10:54 PM

Does anyone know when Newman's Bottom will be available for cars to park? Trying to get my canoe into the Yegua at the mouth was just nearly impossible.
Posted By: J-Moe

Re: Lake Somerville - 08/18/18 01:11 AM

I have not heard anything. You might try calling Nails Creek State park and asking.
Posted By: doctorliver

Re: Lake Somerville - 09/03/18 06:18 PM

I asked the park the same question, no access to park your vehicle at Newman's, but will allow folks to park at the gate and haul the kayak or canoe to the creek. Too long a haul for me. Lake needs a good soaking or else fishing Yegua or Nails will not be an option this fall and winter.
Posted By: fishytx

Re: Lake Somerville - 09/06/18 02:42 AM

I have reached a stage in life where I have some issues going on with both wrist and hands. I hate to even think this but my days on the water may be slowing way down or even coming to an end. I have seen several doctors and specialist on these issues and there really isn't a lot they can do. How ever surgery is the solution, but they want to pin and fuse my wrist. I also had a scan on my neck and it's not doing so well. In other words, from head to toe I have lost my range of motion in almost every joint. I knew this time was coming I just didn't know it would all hit me at once. In the last four months I have had a lot of x-rays and cat scans because I wanted to know what was causing so many issues here and there on my body. The crazy part is that it doesn't matter how much money or good insurance you have, there are some things they just cannot repair at hundred percent. Yes they can make these aches and pain less, but my range of motion will be so depleted that fishing with artificial baits may be coming to an end. I am going to continue to push on and do what I can till I can no longer do it at all, but man has this last year been the pits.
Posted By: c.g

Re: Lake Somerville - 09/06/18 03:59 AM

wishing ya can fish on, and hang around the fishy community much much longer..
Posted By: J-Moe

Re: Lake Somerville - 09/07/18 06:19 PM

Originally Posted By: fishytx
I have reached a stage in life where I have some issues going on with both wrist and hands. I hate to even think this but my days on the water may be slowing way down or even coming to an end. I have seen several doctors and specialist on these issues and there really isn't a lot they can do. How ever surgery is the solution, but they want to pin and fuse my wrist. I also had a scan on my neck and it's not doing so well. In other words, from head to toe I have lost my range of motion in almost every joint. I knew this time was coming I just didn't know it would all hit me at once. In the last four months I have had a lot of x-rays and cat scans because I wanted to know what was causing so many issues here and there on my body. The crazy part is that it doesn't matter how much money or good insurance you have, there are some things they just cannot repair at hundred percent. Yes they can make these aches and pain less, but my range of motion will be so depleted that fishing with artificial baits may be coming to an end. I am going to continue to push on and do what I can till I can no longer do it at all, but man has this last year been the pits.


You can follow me around and I'll string up some white bass for you. grin Hope things turn around for you sir.
Posted By: fishytx

Re: Lake Somerville - 09/07/18 06:38 PM

J-Moe thanks my friend, I know you would do that for me. I feel like I struggled while fishing the Yegua this year before all this wrist stuff started flaring up. In fact I only fished when I read fishing reports that said fishing was good, I did not scout any waters at all this past year like I normally would. And I ended the year earlier than I normally would. When it slowed down, I put everything up and away. So thank you for your reports and the inside intel on the hot spots you shared with me.
Posted By: C.M.

Re: Lake Somerville - 09/10/18 02:12 PM

Quote:
... there are some things they just cannot repair at hundred percent.

Yep, I learned it the hard way when I busted my shoulder.
Posted By: fishytx

Re: Lake Somerville - 09/14/18 10:39 PM

C.M. I've had double surgery on both of my shoulders already, that's another area that really will stop a person from fishing. But for several years I had real bad knee issues and wasn't able to walk the creek banks very much. One time I walked a good ways downstream on the Yegua and I wasn't sure I was going to walk back out.
Posted By: C.M.

Re: Lake Somerville - 09/21/18 07:24 AM

Originally Posted By: fishytx
C.M. I've had double surgery on both of my shoulders already, that's another area that really will stop a person from fishing. But for several years I had real bad knee issues and wasn't able to walk the creek banks very much. One time I walked a good ways downstream on the Yegua and I wasn't sure I was going to walk back out.

Huh... I hurt my other shoulder about 2 years after operation -- decided against the surgery. So far it is ok'ish -- not ideal, but I could say the same for one that had been operated on. I fished once with a guide in Trinity bay -- he had both(!) of his shoulders replaced (apparently relatively rare procedure, compared to knee replacement). Told me surgery was very good for him -- before it he couldn't do a lot of things (like operating a boat) + had to deal with pain all the time.

Knee problems suck too. At least once you get on a kayak/boat -- you good... smile

That is why you better get the most fishing/hunting/etc when you are still young. Delaying it until retirement may not work out the way you think it will.
Posted By: J-Moe

Re: Lake Somerville - 10/16/18 03:39 PM

The lake level was 2.75 feet below normal a month ago. It was slowly coming up until this week. It has now started to come up at a faster pace. It is only 0.6 feet below normal now and should be back to normal in the next few days as the rain is expected to continue. Great news for the winter crappie fishing and spring white bass run!!!
Posted By: GC2656

Re: Lake Somerville - 10/17/18 10:59 AM

I believe it is FULL and rising! Could be about time to go fishing.
Posted By: J-Moe

Re: Lake Somerville - 10/17/18 01:19 PM

Yep, the lake level is 238.55. 0.55 ft above normal!!!!!
Posted By: fmrmbmlm

Re: Lake Somerville - 10/22/18 05:38 PM

Anyone fish off the Lake Somerville Marina?
Posted By: hook-line&sinker

Re: Lake Somerville - 10/29/18 03:36 PM

guys and gals,

Testing out a new ProDrive boat on Sunday we took a tour of the lake Somerville up to Nails Creek and over to the Yegua then back down to Jerdelle.
We fished a little but the creeks were all very turbid from recent rains.

The Yegua is flowing strong and clearing up but it will be a good while longer before it gets back to that beautiful clear green and the good fishing returns.
Nails Creek is the usual stained/muddy and flowing well. Jerdelle creek @ FM1948 looks to have the best water clarity but boy has it changed since last year.
We saw very little evidence of game fish activity in any of the creeks so I suspect if you fish the creeks now be prepared for a challenge.

The lake maintained good levels all through the summer dropping only two feet lower than the 238 pool level.

The Yegua flowed enough through the summer to maintain the fish in the lower end so the resident population of bass and crappie should be more catchable as the water clears. I didn't get that same impression going up Nails creek.

Nails creek, Cedar creek and Jerdelle creek all fish best after the lake has risen several feet above pool level especially in the late Summer/fall timeframe otherwise there simply isn't enough water in those smaller creeks.

The bass and crappie fishing this upcoming season depends greatly on how much rain we get in the next couple of months and the lake rising up a few feet by late winter to draw in the spawning fish.
There is usually enough resident bass and crappie up in the Yegua to keep things interesting so any day on the creek is time well spent IMHO.

Posted By: jsinn01

Re: Lake Somerville - 11/15/18 01:19 PM

May just have to check out the creeks this weekend. grin
Posted By: kdub#1

Re: Lake Somerville - 11/15/18 05:17 PM

Yall gotten any rain lately?
Posted By: jsinn01

Re: Lake Somerville - 11/15/18 06:04 PM

Too much rain in Austin. Hopefully things have settled down for a stretch.
Posted By: timid tiger

Re: Lake Somerville - 11/15/18 06:22 PM

Tempted to yak up yegua this weekend...Curious to see if water will have fishable clarity.
Posted By: jsinn01

Re: Lake Somerville - 11/15/18 07:31 PM

Based on what I've heard the Yegua may still be a bit muddy. If that's the case the smaller creeks like Nails and Cedar can be backup options.
Posted By: timid tiger

Re: Lake Somerville - 11/16/18 03:19 AM

Thanks for the tip.. I might just try Nails then.
Originally Posted By: jsinn01
Based on what I've heard the Yegua may still be a bit muddy. If that's the case the smaller creeks like Nails and Cedar can be backup options.
Posted By: TXfisherman12

Re: Lake Somerville - 11/16/18 03:41 AM

I am heading up to Irwin bridge tomorrow morning. Not expecting much but hoping to catch a few crappie. If not I plan to hit up other creeks or possibly damside on the main lake. Weather looks to be nice at least. Ill try and report back if I have any luck.
Posted By: jsinn01

Re: Lake Somerville - 11/16/18 03:03 PM

Good luck. Let us know how you do.
Posted By: TXfisherman12

Re: Lake Somerville - 11/16/18 10:20 PM

The creeks are in poor fishable condition. Cedar, nails and Yegua are all running high and muddy with the Yegua being the worst. I didnt get any bites in any of them in the spots I tried. I was able to catch a few fish at the spillway (1 white bass, 1 crappie and 2 goo). There were a few other people catching goo. One guy caught a handful of crappie on small minnows.
Posted By: TXfisherman12

Re: Lake Somerville - 11/17/18 12:22 AM

My right knee just reminded me that I forgot to mention that the banks are muddy and slippery. So watch out for falls
Posted By: greenyak

Re: Lake Somerville - 11/17/18 02:15 AM

Well dang, I have my kayak loaded up and was going to head to yegua in the morning. I guess Ill try somewhere else after reading this post.
Posted By: jsinn01

Re: Lake Somerville - 11/21/18 03:02 PM

I will probably be out fishing the creeks this Friday. My brother-in-law is in town and we're looking for something to do that doesn't involve dealing with the Black Friday crowds. Even if we don't catch anything it's looking like a good day to be outdoors.
Posted By: hook-line&sinker

Re: Lake Somerville - 11/21/18 06:06 PM

from November 2016 (I didn't fish November 2017 frown )



From November 2015



From November 2014



From November 2013



From early December 2012 with jsinn01

Posted By: hook-line&sinker

Re: Lake Somerville - 11/21/18 06:10 PM

All the way back to November 2011 and the historic drought



Posted By: hook-line&sinker

Re: Lake Somerville - 11/21/18 06:21 PM

and all the way back to 2010







and even some prior to 2009

Posted By: greenyak

Re: Lake Somerville - 11/23/18 03:37 PM

Originally Posted by jsinn01
I will probably be out fishing the creeks this Friday. My brother-in-law is in town and we're looking for something to do that doesn't involve dealing with the Black Friday crowds. Even if we don't catch anything it's looking like a good day to be outdoors.
. Let us know how it went.
Posted By: jsinn01

Re: Lake Somerville - 11/24/18 12:36 PM

Met up with J-Moe yesterday and we were able to catch a few nice crappie. All of the creeks are in excellent shape right now. Water clarity has really improved. Saw quite a few cars and people fishing at Irwin bridge.
Posted By: hook-line&sinker

Re: Lake Somerville - 11/26/18 01:56 AM

Went up Nails creek on Saturday afternoon..

Posted By: greenyak

Re: Lake Somerville - 11/26/18 11:30 PM

Fished yegua Saturday brought home 25 Crappie and 6 white bass.
Posted By: J-Moe

Re: Lake Somerville - 11/27/18 01:08 AM

I caught a white bass in Nails Saturday and one at Irwin bridge on Sunday while I was crappie fishing; so I figured they would be starting to bunch up in Wolf pond. Thanks for sharing the video.
Posted By: J-Moe

Re: Lake Somerville - 11/30/18 07:17 PM

I walked into Newman's bottom this morning. The trailway bridge is closed bang
I tried fishing a couple spots on the near side, slipped a couple times, caught 2 white bass and a crappie, then decided to head to Irwin bridge. I caught 5 white bass and 2 crappie at Irwin. All fish were in the 10 to 11 inch range. The white bass are slowly but steadily moving up into the creeks.

[Linked Image]
[Linked Image]
Posted By: jsinn01

Re: Lake Somerville - 12/01/18 09:35 PM

Jamie, thanks for the post. That sucks the bridge is closed. It really limits the bank angler, making some of the good holes inaccessible. I may head that way tomorrow, but I'm on the fence about it. It's a lot of driving. Weather is supposed to be great though.
Posted By: J-Moe

Re: Lake Somerville - 12/02/18 01:00 AM

Ben and I talked to one of the park representatives today. He said they don't plan on opening up that bridge any time before the white bass run is over. So we will be limited to fishing that one side. Then again, I guess we can always walk in from Irwin bridge like we did early in the season last year. They are still talking about repairing the road and opening up a different route for cars to drive in though. I suppose through the oilfield entrance as they don't plan on repairing the bridge near the entrance. The cost would be too high.
Posted By: jsinn01

Re: Lake Somerville - 12/03/18 03:32 PM

Looks like another big rain event possible for end of this week. Any big rain we get this time of year usually triggers a run up the creeks for the white bass. Not so great for the crappie fishing though.
Posted By: hook-line&sinker

Re: Lake Somerville - 12/03/18 11:31 PM

Tough fishing up on the Yegua Saturday.. should have yakked it.. but from what we heard everyone was having a tough time catching..

Posted By: slopez

Re: Lake Somerville - 12/04/18 11:59 PM

The fishing was just as tough yakking up the Yegua. Would have saved the marathon walk though. You got to shoot a great video at least.
Posted By: jsinn01

Re: Lake Somerville - 12/05/18 01:47 AM

All, if the forecast holds this Friday's storm could be a real game changer. The amount of rain predicted would shut down fishing in the creeks for a minimum of three weeks, but could lead to an epic white bass run this year.
Posted By: EllerTroy

Re: Lake Somerville - 12/06/18 05:49 PM

It would be hard to beat last year's fishing. I limited out every time I went but the last one and had 18 but last so many fish that day.
Posted By: EllerTroy

Re: Lake Somerville - 12/06/18 05:51 PM

Got my supply of deer tails for the up coming season thanks to the good people from Cherokee, TX. Now just need to dye them evening blue and I will be ready to start tying.
Posted By: jsinn01

Re: Lake Somerville - 12/06/18 10:30 PM

I remember my favorite year fishing the Yegua. There was very little rainfall and the water got as clear in the lower end as I've ever seen it. Boats could not get in because the water level was too low. You really had to work to get a kayak in because the brush at the mouth had gotten very tall during the drought, and there was only about a foot of flowing water. Had to drag a lot of the way. But once in the creek, the crappie fishing was the best I can remember. One day I sat in one spot and caught 12 inch fish on every cast for like an hour straight. It was almost laughable. Can't remember the year, but it was a good one. fish
Posted By: J-Moe

Re: Lake Somerville - 12/07/18 05:43 PM

COE shut the flow from the dam yesterday afternoon. I went out and fished in the rain this morning. I caught 14 white bass, 3 hybrids, 7 crappie and 2 goo this morning. All the white bass except maybe 2 were keeper size. None of the 7 crappie were keepers.

The great news is the hybrids the TPWD stocked in 2017 are now in the 18.5 to 19.5 inch range. Come April and May of next year, when the shad start spawning on the bank, should be some incredibly fun fishing. The 2017 group should be in the 20 inch range and the 2018 stocking group should be in the 17 inch range.

[Linked Image]
Posted By: jsinn01

Re: Lake Somerville - 12/07/18 09:59 PM

Wow, nice catch! Sounds like a great morning of fishing. I rarely fish the dam as it's such a long drive for me, but I may have to make an exception one of these days.
Posted By: fishytx

Re: Lake Somerville - 12/08/18 03:17 AM

I was wondering how all this rain has effected the white bass run for this upcoming year. A real good flood at this time really brings up some huge females. Maybe this rain will get it going great. I like when they get thick up around Irwin bridge, you then know it is going to be one heck of a good year.
Posted By: J-Moe

Re: Lake Somerville - 12/08/18 07:51 PM

The lake has come up 2 feet already. It is currently at 240.13 ft.

I went back to the dam this morning. I got there at 6:30 and there was only one car in the parking lot. But sure enough the Katy express beat me to the spot I fished in yesterday.

I fished down at the end of the rocks and caught lots of crappie. About 1 in 4 were keeper size. Probably another 10 to 15 people showed up in the next hour. Everyone was catching crappie. There were 3 people fishing off the end of the dock with weighted line and live shad. They caught 7 or 8 big hybrids.

I moved around and finally found the white bass. I ended up catching about 25 white bass and 2 hybrids. I was using a bead chain clouser (The Magical Clouser). That has been one pattern that has been consistent over the years. After they shut the flow off the fly rod and magical clouser always catches more white bass than using conventional gear.
Posted By: fishytx

Re: Lake Somerville - 12/09/18 03:11 AM

I enjoyed watching your video Ben, good as always.... Thanks
Posted By: J-Moe

Re: Lake Somerville - 12/09/18 05:26 PM

Lake Level is 242 ft. 4 feet above normal.
Posted By: jsinn01

Re: Lake Somerville - 12/10/18 01:08 AM

It will be two weeks minimum before I can make it back that way. Hopefully the white bass will be on the move.
Posted By: fishytx

Re: Lake Somerville - 12/10/18 03:17 PM

The water shed for the Yegua received around 4-1/8 inches of rain. So it should see a good rise in the water flow.
Posted By: hook-line&sinker

Re: Lake Somerville - 12/10/18 09:18 PM

Assuming it takes two days or more for the bulk of the water in the Yegua to reach the lake I would expect the lake to rise another two feet. Come January the whitebass should be in all the creeks in good numbers. This is about the best timing we could ask for when it comes to fishing the Yegua and other creeks of Somerville.

[Linked Image]
Posted By: J-Moe

Re: Lake Somerville - 12/11/18 01:03 AM

I went checked out the creeks this afternoon. The Yegua was way out of its banks and flowing like a river. Nails and Cedar were high but in remarkably good shape. There was about 6 inches or so of visibility. I would think they will be just fine to fish this weekend.

[Linked Image]
[Linked Image]
[Linked Image]
Posted By: jsinn01

Re: Lake Somerville - 12/11/18 01:22 PM

Cool pics, J-Moe. Thanks for sharing!
Posted By: J-Moe

Re: Lake Somerville - 12/11/18 07:49 PM

Lake level is 244 ft. 6 feet above normal. The COE opened the gates back up this morning. Flow is 1029 CFS.
Posted By: hook-line&sinker

Re: Lake Somerville - 12/12/18 07:51 PM

The Navasota river is up and out of it's banks while Lake Somerville is on the rise.
Fishing below the Lake Somerville dam should be good for the next two months or longer as the Corp Of Engineers (COE) brings the lake back down to normal level.
This really sets the stage for a great whitebass run up the creeks all around the lake.

Keep updated on the lake levels & fishing here:

https://texasfishingforum.com/forums/ubbthreads.php/topics/10741848/lake-somerville#Post10741848

http://somerville.lakesonline.com/Level.asp

and here:

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

Posted By: jsinn01

Re: Lake Somerville - 12/14/18 03:21 PM

Anybody going to give it a try this weekend? Thinking about making the trip on Sunday.
Posted By: EllerTroy

Re: Lake Somerville - 12/14/18 06:42 PM

I have my deer tails dyed evening blue. Now just need to order more jig heads from Cabela's.
Posted By: jsinn01

Re: Lake Somerville - 12/15/18 07:51 PM

Fishing was slow today in Nails. Really slow.
Posted By: fishytx

Re: Lake Somerville - 12/16/18 02:19 AM

Looks like the Yegua will bring up a ton of whites with that flow. They should make it all the way to Irwin bridge. This could be a killer year.... I've seen the water this high in Dec. before and fishing was awesome. Just after X-Mas limits were being hauled out big time...
Posted By: fishytx

Re: Lake Somerville - 12/16/18 02:22 AM

It's hard to beat home tied buck tail jigs, I know because I use to make them all the time. I still have a few left and only use them when fishing gets tough.
Posted By: hook-line&sinker

Re: Lake Somerville - 12/16/18 12:34 PM

At least the weather was nice...

Posted By: J-Moe

Re: Lake Somerville - 12/16/18 03:24 PM

TPWD is scheduled to stock trout in the ponds at Nails Creek State Park and Birch Creek State Park on Tuesday, December 18th.
Posted By: hook-line&sinker

Re: Lake Somerville - 12/18/18 02:15 AM

I hear tell that the fish have arrived up the creeks of Lake Somerville and with the mild weather they should start to feed..
Posted By: J-Moe

Re: Lake Somerville - 12/19/18 09:01 PM

TPWD stocked the ponds at Birch Creek State Park and Nails Creek State Park yesterday afternoon.

[Linked Image]
[Linked Image]
Posted By: jsinn01

Re: Lake Somerville - 12/19/18 09:53 PM

Thanks for the update.
Posted By: J-Moe

Re: Lake Somerville - 12/20/18 05:12 PM

I went out and fished the Yegua on Monday. I had one the best early season fishing days I've ever had. I caught 37 white bass. I caught 3 males that were over 15 inches / 1.5 lbs. I caught 30 between 12:15 and 1:45. Then only 7 more between 1:45 and 3:00 PM. The middle of the day has been the best time for catching fish for me lately. Even at the dam.

I went back to the Yegua this morning. The creek has come up over 2 feet and is muddy. It was a mess and I didn't even attempt to fish it. The 2 rains we received this week have really screwed it up.

Has anyone been over the San Gabriel lately? I was thinking about giving it a try this weekend but wanted to know if it was worth it.

[Linked Image]
Posted By: TXfisherman12

Re: Lake Somerville - 12/20/18 09:10 PM

Nice job J-Moe!
Posted By: fishytx

Re: Lake Somerville - 12/20/18 09:20 PM

San Gabriel never starts early. The fish on Somerville are the only fish I know that can be caught up in the creeks so much sooner than any other place I know of. Late Feb. early March fish will start moving up the river. When they do come up this river early you have to be there on that day to get them because they turn around and go back towards the lake when it's early in the spawn.
Posted By: jsinn01

Re: Lake Somerville - 12/20/18 11:45 PM

Nice catch, J-Moe. That's some haul for this early in the spawn.
Posted By: J-Moe

Re: Lake Somerville - 12/21/18 12:47 AM

Originally Posted by fishytx
San Gabriel never starts early. The fish on Somerville are the only fish I know that can be caught up in the creeks so much sooner than any other place I know of. Late Feb. early March fish will start moving up the river. When they do come up this river early you have to be there on that day to get them because they turn around and go back towards the lake when it's early in the spawn.


Thanks Doug. I launched from the primitive boat ramp and paddled toward the lake this summer. I caught a couple closer to the lake. There were also people trolling for them and catching them. Do you think they will be staging close to the mouth of the lake?

I had hoped to try the steps but it sounds like that would be a waste of time from what you are saying.

Thanks, as always, for the information
Posted By: J-Moe

Re: Lake Somerville - 12/21/18 12:52 AM

I talked to the people at Nails Creek State Park today. Rich told me that the bridge on the oilfield road at Newman's bottom was washed out in the last flood. So they won't be able to open the road up to the Newman's bottom parking lot. We will have to walk that mile again this year.
Posted By: EllerTroy

Re: Lake Somerville - 12/21/18 03:11 AM

I like it when you have to walk in. It keeps a lot of the crowd out. I have my wagon to haul fish in now.
Posted By: J-Moe

Re: Lake Somerville - 12/21/18 08:42 PM

I went to Irwin Bridge just after noon today. It looks like the Yegua has already receded about a foot since yesterday.

[Linked Image]
Posted By: TXfisherman12

Re: Lake Somerville - 12/21/18 11:37 PM

Slow day fishing today. Between J-MO and myself we caught 7 whitebass, with only 2 keepers. We also caught a few rainbow trout in the pond in Nailscreek unit.
Posted By: jsinn01

Re: Lake Somerville - 12/22/18 03:50 PM

Thanks for the updates!
Posted By: J-Moe

Re: Lake Somerville - 12/22/18 10:13 PM

I got started this morning around 7 AM. I fished at the Nails creek bridge but didn't catch anything. I headed over to Irwin bridge and didn't catch anything there either. I then decided to walk in to Nails from the WMA parking lot. I fished both upstream and downstream of the trail way bridge and didn't catch anything.

Since I've been doing best in the middle of the day I decided to head back over to Irwin bridge and give it another try. I got there at 11 AM. Between 11 AM and 12:15 I caught 14 white bass. Only 8 more between 12:15 and 2:45 PM. The water was still too murky to catch crappie, nobody was catching crappie, but there were other people catching a few white bass.

A couple things to note. First, When I got back home I checked the barometric pressure graph. The Barometric pressure started falling at 11 AM, which was the same time I started to catch fish. Also, when I started catching fish there were 5 other gentlemen that came and fished beside me. They were using chartreuse, yellow or black / chartreuse grubs and not catching any fish. They switched over to white like I was using and they started catching a few as well.

The barometric pressure will be rising tomorrow so it will be interesting to see how good the white bass fishing will be.

[Linked Image]
Posted By: KidKrappie

Re: Lake Somerville - 12/23/18 02:23 PM

Very nice! So the real question is was it the color or the air pressure? I would also not forget about the full moon. When the moon is full, I tend to do better later in the day in general.
Posted By: TXfisherman12

Re: Lake Somerville - 12/23/18 06:27 PM

Nice job Jaime!
Posted By: J-Moe

Re: Lake Somerville - 12/23/18 07:11 PM

Well it turned out to a pretty good day of fishing, even with the pressure rising at .04 inches per hour. I caught 25 white bass, 2 crappie and a largemouth. I caught 18 white bass, 2 crappie and a largemouth near Irwin bridge between 7 AM and 9 AM. Then I didn't catch anything for about 45 minutes so I decided to fish the horseshoe. I fished a few spots on the horseshoe and caught 7 more. Lots of smaller 11 inch white bass near the bridge. The ones I caught on the horseshoe were about 12.5 inches.

The crappie bite is picking up near the bridge. I saw quite a few caught this morning.
Posted By: jsinn01

Re: Lake Somerville - 12/24/18 02:46 AM

Great report, J-Moe. Sounds like you had a good day of fishing.
Posted By: greenyak

Re: Lake Somerville - 12/25/18 02:53 AM

Well we went out for a little Saturday morning and got skunked. Went to a friends pond to catch fish.
Posted By: fishytx

Re: Lake Somerville - 12/26/18 09:24 PM

There are some deeper holes downstream from the steps that hold whites and finding them is the hard part. But when you do you will load up on them. It is a lot of water to cover so finding that hot spot can and will be very difficult.
Posted By: J-Moe

Re: Lake Somerville - 12/27/18 01:58 PM

Originally Posted by fishytx
There are some deeper holes downstream from the steps that hold whites and finding them is the hard part. But when you do you will load up on them. It is a lot of water to cover so finding that hot spot can and will be very difficult.


Thanks for the information
Posted By: J-Moe

Re: Lake Somerville - 12/27/18 02:00 PM

Over 3 inches of rain in the last 24 hours. Heavy flooding everywhere. The creeks are all out of their banks. The lake has already come up 1/2 foot.
Posted By: EllerTroy

Re: Lake Somerville - 12/27/18 02:41 PM

Thanks for the update J-Moe
Posted By: TXfisherman12

Re: Lake Somerville - 12/28/18 04:02 PM

Originally Posted by fishytx
There are some deeper holes downstream from the steps that hold whites and finding them is the hard part. But when you do you will load up on them. It is a lot of water to cover so finding that hot spot can and will be very difficult.

Originally Posted by fishytx
There are some deeper holes downstream from the steps that hold whites and finding them is the hard part. But when you do you will load up on them. It is a lot of water to cover so finding that hot spot can and will be very difficult.


Hey FishyTx sent you a personal message.

Alan
Posted By: fishytx

Re: Lake Somerville - 12/28/18 09:42 PM

Got it Alan. I'll see what I can do to help out....
Posted By: fishytx

Re: Lake Somerville - 12/28/18 09:45 PM

We received just a tad over four inches of rain the other day, so the Yegua creek should be out of its banks again. Man if you are thinking about fishing this creek any time soon please use caution and do not fall in. I am surprised no one has gotten hurt in this creek when its flooded.
Posted By: fishytx

Re: Lake Somerville - 12/30/18 12:09 AM

Talked to my Mom today, she lives in the middle Yegua water shed and they received 2-1/4 inches. So maybe the Yegua is not so flooded after all.
Posted By: greenyak

Re: Lake Somerville - 12/30/18 01:26 AM

Irwin bridge and fm 141 [Linked Image]
[Linked Image]
[Linked Image]
Posted By: fishytx

Re: Lake Somerville - 12/30/18 08:32 PM

Thanks for those photos. I have never seen the water over flow on 141, that's cool to see.
Posted By: fishytx

Re: Lake Somerville - 12/30/18 08:35 PM

Every time I have seen this creek flood like this in December the white bass spawn up this creek has been crazy good. I'm getting excited about this years run....
Posted By: jsinn01

Re: Lake Somerville - 12/31/18 03:38 PM

Cool photos, Greenyak. I would say the creeks are flooded. Should be some good fishing in January/February. Can't wait.
Posted By: Naggler

Re: Lake Somerville - 12/31/18 05:08 PM

Gonna be a goodern this year...I want to explore Nails a bit more this year. For the last 20+ years it has been all Yegua/Newmans, but with the old campsites closed out there for a while, been camping at Birch or Nails SPs. How far can you hike up Nails Creek from the park? Is it better to go upstream and hike down? WE dont mind a good hike...almost prefer it!
Posted By: fishytx

Re: Lake Somerville - 12/31/18 06:51 PM

Nails and Cedar are awesome a few days after a good rise, the whites run up them good. But it is one of those hit or miss things, you have to be there when they are there because when the creek slows down they head back towards the lake.
Posted By: fishytx

Re: Lake Somerville - 12/31/18 06:54 PM

We received another half inch last night and I still have water sitting on the surface in my yard. At least the creek has a good flow and should be for weeks to come.
Posted By: jsinn01

Re: Lake Somerville - 12/31/18 08:57 PM

Originally Posted by Naggler
Gonna be a goodern this year...I want to explore Nails a bit more this year. For the last 20+ years it has been all Yegua/Newmans, but with the old campsites closed out there for a while, been camping at Birch or Nails SPs. How far can you hike up Nails Creek from the park? Is it better to go upstream and hike down? WE dont mind a good hike...almost prefer it!


Nails is great for hiking, however I recommend walking in from the WMA parking lot off of CR125 instead of the park. You will do more fishing and less walking this way. Fishing wise, I would lower your expectations a bit from the Yegua. It is a great creek for catching large crappie, but for white bass the Yegua is far superior.

I always walk downstream of CR125, but if you head upstream from there remember to wear hunter's orange.
Posted By: Naggler

Re: Lake Somerville - 12/31/18 10:56 PM

Gotcha! I will obv have to wait and see what the water allows but we are going up to camp for a couple days at the end of January. We, my buddy and BIL and myself, missed the run last year by a week and just got poured on the whole time! Redemption year...gonna be epic! fish
I would rather target crappie and have never really got into em thick in the Yegua, so if the opportunity presents itself I will head down Nails and hammer down w a slip bobber jig rig...cant wait!
Posted By: fishytx

Re: Lake Somerville - 01/01/19 02:55 AM

HAPPY NEW YEAR
Hope your fishing is better in 2019.
Posted By: slopez

Re: Lake Somerville - 01/02/19 12:02 AM

My fishing in 2019 is worse so far. I went to nails today. A few ppl were there and caught sporatic white bass (small ones). I was not one of them. They were all downstream, whereas I went upstream. My highlight of the day was learning that I had to have a orange vest AND cap. I did not know that. Hopefully things will improve when my next day off hits in about 3 weeks. Water was high, still a little dirty.
Posted By: Naggler

Re: Lake Somerville - 01/02/19 12:10 AM

Thanks for the update!
Posted By: fishytx

Re: Lake Somerville - 01/02/19 02:57 AM

Hmmm, I wonder if I have been in the wrong places fishing without orange on as well?
Posted By: jsinn01

Re: Lake Somerville - 01/02/19 04:01 PM

Originally Posted by slopez
My fishing in 2019 is worse so far. I went to nails today. A few ppl were there and caught sporatic white bass (small ones). I was not one of them. They were all downstream, whereas I went upstream. My highlight of the day was learning that I had to have a orange vest AND cap. I did not know that. Hopefully things will improve when my next day off hits in about 3 weeks. Water was high, still a little dirty.


Thanks for the report!

Don't let it get you down. Nails creek can be challenging even in good conditions and the conditions you described are far from ideal. I've never had much luck fishing these creeks when the water is high and muddy. Best to wait until things settle down a bit. Hope your next trip goes better.
Posted By: fishytx

Re: Lake Somerville - 01/02/19 04:45 PM

I have water standing all over my yard this morning. With the ground saturated it doesn't take much to get these creeks up and flowing strong again. But for the most this run off is clear water so it will help clear up the water in these creeks.
Posted By: 24x7Fisherman

Re: Lake Somerville - 01/02/19 05:09 PM

slopez , now I know who you are! laugh You were talking to the game warden about your orange vest.
Posted By: fl210

Re: Lake Somerville - 01/02/19 05:35 PM

I want to say hello to everyone. Been checking this thread in the past few weeks, seen a lot of helpful information from y'all. Thank you for sharing. I love fishing the quiet woods and creeks of Lake Somerville. Eager to go in a couple of weeks!
Posted By: TXfisherman12

Re: Lake Somerville - 01/02/19 05:37 PM

Slopez - sorry to hear about the bad fishing day. I have had my share of bad days on the creeks. I knew about the orange vest. Did the game warden say you also have to have a orange cap on?
Posted By: jsinn01

Re: Lake Somerville - 01/02/19 06:01 PM

Originally Posted by fl210
I want to say hello to everyone. Been checking this thread in the past few weeks, seen a lot of helpful information from y'all. Thank you for sharing. I love fishing the quiet woods and creeks of Lake Somerville. Eager to go in a couple of weeks!


welcome Welcome to the forum!
Posted By: jsinn01

Re: Lake Somerville - 01/02/19 06:03 PM

Flood warnings again here in Austin. Looks like fishing this weekend is going to be a wash. Literally.
Posted By: fishytx

Re: Lake Somerville - 01/02/19 08:34 PM

From what I read on his post you do have to have a orange vest and cap on. I thought it was one or the other myself, sure didnt know you had to have both on. And I dont understand this either because I have never heard a shot or seen a hunter way up these creeks. Now I have seen some duck hunters in flat bottom boats, but much closer to the lake.
Posted By: fishytx

Re: Lake Somerville - 01/02/19 08:37 PM

The Yegua should flood with the rain we have had so far. Everything that falls is run off, the ground can no longer hold it or soak it up. My back yard has so much water that you would need rubber boots to walk across it. Looks like it could be three to four inches in the lower areas.
Posted By: jsinn01

Re: Lake Somerville - 01/02/19 09:18 PM

Everywhere around Austin has gotten near or over 2 inches of rain so far. All the local lakes should be full this winter/spring.
Posted By: ML56

Re: Lake Somerville - 01/03/19 01:11 AM

Originally Posted by fishytx
From what I read on his post you do have to have a orange vest and cap on. I thought it was one or the other myself, sure didnt know you had to have both on. And I dont understand this either because I have never heard a shot or seen a hunter way up these creeks. Now I have seen some duck hunters in flat bottom boats, but much closer to the lake.



I have some friends who were ticketed for this very thing, Wardens are serious about it, hunting area is open to public
foot traffic. I have hunted deer seasons and duck seasons there years ago, safety first guys, a hunter in the woods is purposely
trying to "not be seen", I've had people walk directly under the tree I was in, and never notice me. One did at very close distance,
He was so startled he screamed like a girl and took off running! Ha! only thing I saw that entire day.
Posted By: slopez

Re: Lake Somerville - 01/03/19 01:20 AM

TXfisherman12, fishytx: the state police officer said that to fish the WMA, which is the west side of CR125 rd bridge, the fishing is free, but an orange vest AND cap are required. The east side doesn't require the hunters orange, but that you need to have paid the entrance fee of $4, which can be paid at Irwin bridge or nails creek state park. All I had was a Mueller Metal building supply cap, which has about 3/4 of it orange (the rest is brown). He said he would normally measure to be sure it had enough orange, but that I could go ahead and fish. Apparently there is a percentage of orange that must be present. I think the same thing applies to opposite sides of Irwin bridge, but I only fish downstream, so I'm not sure.
He also got on my butt about not having my fishing license on me, (it was in the truck), but since he didn't see me actually fishing, he would let that slide (I found it and showed it to him before he left).
Funny thing is, after he left, I saw 3 hunters walking back into the WMA, without a speck of orange on them.
Posted By: fishytx

Re: Lake Somerville - 01/03/19 04:51 PM

Thanks for the info. I have a few good spots I like to fish where I would need to wear some orange and if the lake stays real high then I'll need to wear it and fish these areas. Guess I'll buy some.
Posted By: fishytx

Re: Lake Somerville - 01/03/19 04:53 PM

I am about to go outside and I'll check my rain gage, but from my back porch it looks like there may be five inches in it. I know it poured down from 4 am to 5 am like crazy, everything outside was under water.
Posted By: jsinn01

Re: Lake Somerville - 01/03/19 09:19 PM

Seems to be setting up for a real nice white bass run. Sometimes we get the rain too late to take advantage, but this couldn't have been better timing. Peak of the run seems to be early February through mid March, but timing of floods always plays a big part.
Posted By: fishytx

Re: Lake Somerville - 01/03/19 11:39 PM

Lack of water in the Lake will not play a part in this years spawn for sure. Somerville fish continue to grow in a health and population. Checked my rain gage earlier and it had 3-1/2 inches. All creeks and rivers from Austin to George Town and back towards home were flooded good this afternoon. So I'm guessing the Yegua Creek is roaring along as well.
Posted By: TXfisherman12

Re: Lake Somerville - 01/04/19 02:31 AM

Originally Posted by slopez
TXfisherman12, fishytx: the state police officer said that to fish the WMA, which is the west side of CR125 rd bridge, the fishing is free, but an orange vest AND cap are required. The east side doesn't require the hunters orange, but that you need to have paid the entrance fee of $4, which can be paid at Irwin bridge or nails creek state park. All I had was a Mueller Metal building supply cap, which has about 3/4 of it orange (the rest is brown). He said he would normally measure to be sure it had enough orange, but that I could go ahead and fish. Apparently there is a percentage of orange that must be present. I think the same thing applies to opposite sides of Irwin bridge, but I only fish downstream, so I'm not sure.
He also got on my butt about not having my fishing license on me, (it was in the truck), but since he didn't see me actually fishing, he would let that slide (I found it and showed it to him before he left).
Funny thing is, after he left, I saw 3 hunters walking back into the WMA, without a speck of orange on them.



Thank you for sharing the information!
Posted By: R2Fishing

Re: Lake Somerville - 01/04/19 09:05 PM

Originally Posted by slopez
TXfisherman12, fishytx: the state police officer said that to fish the WMA, which is the west side of CR125 rd bridge, the fishing is free, but an orange vest AND cap are required. The east side doesn't require the hunters orange, but that you need to have paid the entrance fee of $4, which can be paid at Irwin bridge or nails creek state park. All I had was a Mueller Metal building supply cap, which has about 3/4 of it orange (the rest is brown). He said he would normally measure to be sure it had enough orange, but that I could go ahead and fish. Apparently there is a percentage of orange that must be present. I think the same thing applies to opposite sides of Irwin bridge, but I only fish downstream, so I'm not sure.
He also got on my butt about not having my fishing license on me, (it was in the truck), but since he didn't see me actually fishing, he would let that slide (I found it and showed it to him before he left).
Funny thing is, after he left, I saw 3 hunters walking back into the WMA, without a speck of orange on them.



Duck hunters are exempt from wearing hunter orange on the WMAs. Knowledge is Power
Posted By: fishytx

Re: Lake Somerville - 01/04/19 11:34 PM

Hoogwild I sure would look silly trying to explain to the warden I was duck hunting with a rod and reel in my hands. LMBO
Posted By: R2Fishing

Re: Lake Somerville - 01/05/19 08:04 PM

Fishy, LMAO.

He said 3 hunters, so figured it was 50/50 it was deer or duck hunters.

With the lake at nearing 10ft and gates closed on apillway im curious when the creeks will become fishable.
Posted By: fishytx

Re: Lake Somerville - 01/06/19 07:39 PM

The creek is fishable when the flow slows down, but you might have to go on the other side of bridge to fish due to high waters. That's where the orange comes into play, the fish will be up there in full swing.
Posted By: white bass interceptor

Re: Lake Somerville - 01/07/19 08:33 PM

Is Nails Creek fishable now, and if not how much would the creek need to recede?
Posted By: EllerTroy

Re: Lake Somerville - 01/07/19 08:44 PM

Cedar Creek would be the first one to be fishable.
Posted By: jsinn01

Re: Lake Somerville - 01/07/19 10:58 PM

The lake is still rising at 10 feet so who knows when the creeks will be fishable. The fish are there, but good luck finding them with all the extra water. More rain is predicted in the extended forecast.
Posted By: fishytx

Re: Lake Somerville - 01/08/19 04:17 PM

I use to keep a record of the water level on Lake Travis back in the day. The reason I did this is so I would know where I needed to be on the river during the white bass spawn. The best bite was always right where the river flow ran into the lake water and slowed down. The fish would be piled up waiting for the water tempter to rise and the spawn kick into high gear. I never kept a lake level record on Somerville but it sure would be nice if I had, then I would know where the best place would be to start out. I'm guessing the lake water is probably up to Irwin bridge since it's ten feet above normal pool. It is hard to tell where the lake is on this creek due to how long it is and the water flow. But just to give one an idea, the lake water level is normally up close to Newman's Bottom, maybe 1/4 to 1/2 mile downstream. But that's at full pool, so ten feet above full pool should put the lake water level closer to Irwin bridge. And this is something to think about on the other creeks as well. An angler will have to go further upstream to get into the better bite if the lake stays this high. But remember when the water gets cold the fish will hunker down in the deeper water pockets. They are also real hard to find when the water is cold but when you do you hit the mother load.
Posted By: CadeW

Re: Lake Somerville - 01/09/19 08:10 PM

Which creeks are fishable now?
Posted By: OllieC

Re: Lake Somerville - 01/10/19 02:15 PM

this is one of the most thoughtful considerations I have ever heard on this topic. It's not intuitive where the functional boundary is between a lake and the rivers flowing into it. I mean its intuitive that there must be such a boundary but there are a lot of subtleties that probably only the fish really understand in real time..
Posted By: R2Fishing

Re: Lake Somerville - 01/10/19 06:29 PM

Spring creek fishing is near. If your looking for a good overall rig to get into the creeks or fish mainlake i have it. Time for a upgrade, and in few years. We are deploying end of this year and dont want to see it goto waste.

1997 Weldcraft
1997 Johnson 60HP
17ft aluminum side consol
Livewell
Tilt/trim
Power Lift Jackplate (acting up- maybe actuator).
2 graphs- new Helix 7 g2 si on consol. Bought new in July 18
Lowrance Elite 5 HDI on bow
24v 70lb Minn Kota TM.
Media Receiver and 2 6.5 speakers installed.

Boat will run skinny. 8-10 on pad
Will run 34-36mph with 3 guys and gear. 36-40mph with 2 guys and gear.
Fishes well and suited us great. Kids are older and enjoy cruise riding and summer boating activities. Absolutely nothing wrong with this boat. Will take any serious potential buyer out for day test driving/fishing at Somerville, Gibbons, Lake Bryan.

No low balling, dont have to sell. BUT room to negotiate price some; with and without electronics. PM to discuss more.
Posted By: J-Moe

Re: Lake Somerville - 01/11/19 04:16 AM

Originally Posted by CadeW
Which creeks are fishable now?

welcome

All the creeks are fishable to some extent. Nails and Cedar are much clearer than the Yegua at this point but it is clearing daily. All the creeks are still very high and the banks are extremely slick. The current is moving at a good pace near Irwin bridge in the Yegua. There is very little flow near the CR 125 bridge crossings at Nails and Cedar.

I caught 21 white bass and 3 crappie between 3:15 and 5:45 PM today. The fish are scattered. I caught 6 white bass in one spot but no more than 2 in any other spot I fished. I had to keep moving and trying different spots. There was no particular pattern or location. I caught about 2/3 rds of them near the bank and 1/3 in the middle. Some were high in the water column, some in the middle of the water column and some on the bottom. There was also no particular presentation working any better than another. I caught some stripping the fly fast, some stripping it slow, some on the fall, some as soon as the fly hit the water and even a couple while reeling it in.

[Linked Image]
Posted By: fishytx

Re: Lake Somerville - 01/11/19 05:21 PM

Nice report J-Moe. I still have not gone out looking for fish yet. But it's getting closer to bite time.....
Posted By: jsinn01

Re: Lake Somerville - 01/11/19 06:54 PM

Great report, J-Moe. Very useful information for those of us making long drives. wink
Posted By: J-Moe

Re: Lake Somerville - 01/13/19 05:20 PM

Lake level is 247.89. COE opened the gates on Thursday. Both Nails and Cedar now how a low flow to them. The rain we got on Friday night kind of mucked up the creeks a bit. I went by Irwin Bridge on Saturday morning. I talked to several fishermen. They had caught limits of white bass on Friday but were not catching many on Saturday morning. There was a large crowd there.

I fished from 7 to 9:30 and only caught 4 white bass. Then around 9:30 the bite improved significantly. I caught 9 more between 9:30 and 10:30. When I got home I checked the barometric pressure and there was a significant drop in pressure starting at 9:30 AM. Once again, that dropping barometric pressure proved to be the reason for my success. The pressure is supposed to be dropping all week but there is a small chance of rain for most of the next week as well. The pressure is expected to start rising again rapidly on next Saturday.
Posted By: TXfisherman12

Re: Lake Somerville - 01/14/19 07:19 PM

Thanks for the report J-Moe smile
Posted By: Naggler

Re: Lake Somerville - 01/15/19 03:19 AM

What website do you use to track the barometric pressure? Ive been thinking about starting a fishing log...seems like that site would be a great tool. fish
Posted By: Ledeez

Re: Lake Somerville - 01/15/19 03:53 AM

I use my radar on my iPhone
Posted By: Ledeez

Re: Lake Somerville - 01/15/19 03:54 AM

I use my radar on my iPhone
Posted By: FishinAg02

Re: Lake Somerville - 01/15/19 07:05 PM

Thanks for the update JMoe. I've been, unfortunately, extremely out of pocket for almost 18 months now... but back on my feet smile

I didn't go back and read everything, but did i hear right that the spillway is no longer fishable?

Looking forward to a trip in the next couple of weeks smile

David
Posted By: J-Moe

Re: Lake Somerville - 01/16/19 11:45 PM

Originally Posted by Naggler
What website do you use to track the barometric pressure? Ive been thinking about starting a fishing log...seems like that site would be a great tool. fish

I use weather underground and go to the 10 day forecast. There is a chart with temperature, wind speed and barometric pressure.
Posted By: J-Moe

Re: Lake Somerville - 01/16/19 11:46 PM

Originally Posted by FishinAg02
Thanks for the update JMoe. I've been, unfortunately, extremely out of pocket for almost 18 months now... but back on my feet smile

I didn't go back and read everything, but did i hear right that the spillway is no longer fishable?

Looking forward to a trip in the next couple of weeks smile

David


Yes, the spillway is fishable. It was closed quite a while for maintenance but it's been open for a while now.
Posted By: J-Moe

Re: Lake Somerville - 01/16/19 11:48 PM

I went by Irwin bridge this evening. The water has dropped and cleared up substantially. Talked to a couple fisherman and they had done well.
Posted By: rficalora

Re: Lake Somerville - 01/17/19 04:19 PM

I'm going tomorrow. Anyone know if the fishing is better downstream of the bridge or upstream of it?
Posted By: J-Moe

Re: Lake Somerville - 01/17/19 05:55 PM

Originally Posted by rficalora
I'm going tomorrow. Anyone know if the fishing is better downstream of the bridge or upstream of it?

I always fish downstream of the bridge. Remember, if you go upstream you need an orange vest and orange hat.
Posted By: rficalora

Re: Lake Somerville - 01/17/19 11:03 PM

Originally Posted by J-Moe
Originally Posted by rficalora
I'm going tomorrow. Anyone know if the fishing is better downstream of the bridge or upstream of it?

I always fish downstream of the bridge. Remember, if you go upstream you need an orange vest and orange hat.


Thanks, it's been a couple of years since I've been. Not sure if the rules changed or just that they weren't followed back then. Wasn't uncommon to go upstream and no one wore orange. Glad you told me so ill be prepared if I go that direction!
Posted By: slopez

Re: Lake Somerville - 01/18/19 03:36 AM

I went to Irwin today. Fished an old favorite and came up with 11 in about 2 hrs. The creek has plenty of water in it and is a little dirty but not bad. I'm sure it was way worse before. The banks are slippery, and there is standing water in some of the low spots (at least in some of the shortcuts), so wear your rubbers.
Posted By: EllerTroy

Re: Lake Somerville - 01/18/19 01:57 PM

My cousin Jon and I walked into Newman's Bottom yesterday and the creek is out of its banks with no flow. Lake needs to come down 2 to 3 feet before it's fishable.
Posted By: JonL

Re: Lake Somerville - 01/18/19 05:57 PM

As Troy said we walked ( Actually WADED) to Newmans Bottom. I didn't even try to fish. Water still out of its banks. Walked/Waded back to the truck. Drove to Nails and found no flow. Went to Irwin bridge and luckily found a spot and caught 17 keepers with 4 throw backs and lost about 5 or 6 while reeling in. Troy caught 9. [Linked Image]
Posted By: fishytx

Re: Lake Somerville - 01/18/19 09:10 PM

Nice J-Moe. I thought about going out to Irwin today but probably will have to pass. For some reason my balance or should I say my equilibrium is off today, not something you want to have while at the creek or one could end up in the drink.
Posted By: EllerTroy

Re: Lake Somerville - 01/18/19 09:47 PM

For those who want to go to the park to clean fish, the cleaning tables are in the water and not accessible. I did not ask the park people if there was a temporary cleaning station or not.
Posted By: rficalora

Re: Lake Somerville - 01/19/19 02:15 AM

Originally Posted by JonL
As Troy said we walked ( Actually WADED) to Newmans Bottom. I didn't even try to fish. Water still out of its banks. Walked/Waded back to the truck. Drove to Nails and found no flow. Went to Irwin bridge and luckily found a spot and caught 17 keepers with 4 throw backs and lost about 5 or 6 while reeling in. Troy caught 9. [Linked Image]


We went today. Waded about half way to Newman's bottom. Water on the road was knee high. Went back and took the trail to the right. Higher ground and made it to the creek, but the water is so far out of the banks we couldn't get within 30-40 yards of the creek itself. Checked Nails creek, almost no flow there. Gave up before trying Irwin bridge... Too bad your post wasn't there before we left. Bad day fishing (or wading around in this case) was still better than a good day @ work!
Posted By: jsinn01

Re: Lake Somerville - 01/19/19 06:44 PM

Nice catch, JonL!!!

And thanks for the good reports, all.

I wonder how this cold front will affect the bite.
Posted By: JonL

Re: Lake Somerville - 01/20/19 02:06 PM

Thanks Jsinn01. I was a bit worried we would catch anything after wading through waist deep water to get to Newmans Bottom and seeing it was out of its banks. The good thing is my cousin Troy and I do have a lot of experience on these creeks and we knew when we saw the creek that high and no flow we had to go somewhere else. So since we were close to Nails we decided to check it out. And we found it was backed up also and no flow. I wanted to check cedar but Troy said, no it will be the same. So he said let's go to my spot I have caught some white bass before around Irwin bridge. Well as you can see it paid off. Now usually my cousin Troy catches more fish than me but this time it was my day. I guess I was rewarded for taking a day off work and driving from Leander which is an hour and 40 minutes one way drive. Just to let you guys know I caught them on 1/16 oz jig with red head and chartreuse curly tail 2" with various retrieves.
Posted By: fishytx

Re: Lake Somerville - 01/24/19 07:14 PM

road runners in that same size and color work great as well.
Posted By: fishytx

Re: Lake Somerville - 01/24/19 07:15 PM

Cold temps equal slow bite. Always has in the past anyway.
Posted By: doctorliver

Re: Lake Somerville - 01/25/19 01:22 AM

Looks like the Nails Creek boat ramp is still closed......
Posted By: JonL

Re: Lake Somerville - 01/27/19 06:49 PM

Went to my spot where I caught 17 and Troy caught 9 upstream from Irwin bridge and only managed 3. Left there and drove to check out cedar creek and Nails creek and both still had no flow. Decided what the hell and go to Newmans bottom. It was not as bad a walk as last time but you still have to wade through about 200 yds of water but the deepest part was just above ankle high. Got to the creek and found it was about 1 to 2 feet in its bank. Hardly any flow at the bridge so walked upstream fished a bunch of different holes. Found one hole caught 5 with 1 throwback. Went farther upstream and caught a couple more. Ran into a guy that was walking back after limiting out. Decided to just fish every open water spot on the way back and caught a few more then I decided to go back to my old honey hole that I fished earlier and did not catch anything. By this time it was about 130. Ended up catching 11 there and stayed there to try to finish my limit until the rains came. Finished up with a hard fought 21 fish. [Linked Image]
[Linked Image]
[Linked Image]
Posted By: fishytx

Re: Lake Somerville - 01/27/19 07:02 PM

Nice report, thanks...
Posted By: jsinn01

Re: Lake Somerville - 01/28/19 10:58 AM

Thanks for the good report, JonL. Glad you were able to find a few fish. thumb
Posted By: cougmantx

Re: Lake Somerville - 01/29/19 06:53 PM

Hey folks, I'm new to the forum...well in a way. I signed up a long time ago but haven't visited often. I'm a fly fisherman with a skiff and would like to target some white bass closer to home. I live in Katy but grew up in the hill country, so most of my fly fishing for whites has been above lake Buchanan. How would a small, two man skiff do in some of the creeks feeding Lake Somervile? Any suggestions. Thanks.
Posted By: JonL

Re: Lake Somerville - 01/30/19 03:36 AM

Cougmantx you need to check with Nails Creek Facebook pages or call the park to see when they have a scheduled guided trip from Nails creek to the Yegua creek entrance. You can use a two man boat now because the lake level is 6+ feet above normal pool but when it gets to to less than pool level the kayakers have to drag there kayaks for a good ways. As of now that really is the only way to fish the creeks around Sommerville with a small boat.
Posted By: white bass interceptor

Re: Lake Somerville - 01/30/19 04:35 AM

Does anyone have a report on Newman bottom and the spillway? I am thinking about going on Thursday and would like to go to the most productive body of water.
Posted By: J-Moe

Re: Lake Somerville - 01/30/19 05:52 AM

Originally Posted by JonL
Cougmantx you need to check with Nails Creek Facebook pages or call the park to see when they have a scheduled guided trip from Nails creek to the Yegua creek entrance. You can use a two man boat now because the lake level is 6+ feet above normal pool but when it gets to to less than pool level the kayakers have to drag there kayaks for a good ways. As of now that really is the only way to fish the creeks around Sommerville with a small boat.


You also need to call Nails creek state park to see if they have reopened the boat ramp. It was still closed as of last weekend.
Posted By: T-rey

Re: Lake Somerville - 01/30/19 07:05 PM

Hey guys, can anyone here tell me if the new marina at overlook is complete or is it still under construction?
Thanks
Posted By: AdanV

Re: Lake Somerville - 01/31/19 10:10 PM

I'm assuming if the boat ramp is flooded, then a few campgrounds will be flooded too?

Me and my son are planning a camping/fishing trip out there this coming February.
Posted By: fishytx

Re: Lake Somerville - 02/01/19 07:52 PM

JonL just posted a good report on Newmans Bottom, go back a few post and read.
Posted By: white bass interceptor

Re: Lake Somerville - 02/01/19 09:16 PM

Went to Newman Bottom on Thursday. The walk was tough but fishing was great. For me the early morning bite was a little slow but things picked up around ten and I had my limit by twelve thirty. They were much larger than the Irwin Bridge catch. Most people caught their limit. some were leaving around eleven thirty with their limit. Most fish were ;caught upstream of the bridge.
Posted By: Parfume4

Re: Lake Somerville - 02/01/19 10:21 PM

Originally Posted by white bass interceptor
Went to Newman Bottom on Thursday. The walk was tough but fishing was great. For me the early morning bite was a little slow but things picked up around ten and I had my limit by twelve thirty. They were much larger than the Irwin Bridge catch. Most people caught their limit. some were leaving around eleven thirty with their limit. Most fish were ;caught upstream of the bridge.


White bass Interceptor,
I am thinking to to Newman Bottom on Sunday. Do you need to wear wader to fish there or rain boot is good enough? Thanks.
Posted By: white bass interceptor

Re: Lake Somerville - 02/01/19 10:26 PM

No waders, rubber boots for sure. Good luck. Slow roll was the most productive technique.
Posted By: Lottfisher

Re: Lake Somerville - 02/01/19 11:39 PM

I walked upstream from Irwin on the WMA today. Went all the way to low water crossing then doubled back down the other side. Fished pretty hard from 10:00am til 3:30 pm caught 12 or 14 small males, boxed 8 with 2 reaching 121/2 or 13 inches. The bite was tough with only 2 spots producing 2 fish and the rest being singles. It doesn't look like the spawn has reached upstream this far yet...Lawton
Posted By: JonL

Re: Lake Somerville - 02/02/19 02:27 AM

I will be making the long hour and 40 minute drive one way to Newmans Bottom in the morning. Will report back tomorrow afternoon.
Posted By: 24x7Fisherman

Re: Lake Somerville - 02/02/19 03:23 AM

You will have an epic fishing day
Originally Posted by JonL
I will be making the long hour and 40 minute drive one way to Newmans Bottom in the morning. Will report back tomorrow afternoon.
Posted By: FISHINGFOOL40

Re: Lake Somerville - 02/03/19 06:26 AM

Originally Posted by JonL
Went to my spot where I caught 17 and Troy caught 9 upstream from Irwin bridge and only managed 3. Left there and drove to check out cedar creek and Nails creek and both still had no flow. Decided what the hell and go to Newmans bottom. It was not as bad a walk as last time but you still have to wade through about 200 yds of water but the deepest part was just above ankle high. Got to the creek and found it was about 1 to 2 feet in its bank. Hardly any flow at the bridge so walked upstream fished a bunch of different holes. Found one hole caught 5 with 1 throwback. Went farther upstream and caught a couple more. Ran into a guy that was walking back after limiting out. Decided to just fish every open water spot on the way back and caught a few more then I decided to go back to my old honey hole that I fished earlier and did not catch anything. By this time it was about 130. Ended up catching 11 there and stayed there to try to finish my limit until the rains came. Finished up with a hard fought 21 fish. [Linked Image]
[Linked Image]
[Linked Image]


!!Nice Catch+Awesome Report!!-----Thx 4 sharing!-----And banana "TTT" clap -----._.FF**____-____**40._.
Posted By: FISHINGFOOL40

Re: Lake Somerville - 02/03/19 06:39 AM

Originally Posted by Parfume4
Originally Posted by white bass interceptor
Went to Newman Bottom on Thursday. The walk was tough but fishing was great. For me the early morning bite was a little slow but things picked up around ten and I had my limit by twelve thirty. They were much larger than the Irwin Bridge catch. Most people caught their limit. some were leaving around eleven thirty with their limit. Most fish were ;caught upstream of the bridge.


White bass Interceptor,
I am thinking to to Newman Bottom on Sunday. Do you need to wear wader to fish there or rain boot is good enough? Thanks.


@Parfume4
If you decide 2go2 NB today, give me a shout back thumb
I may try down there (today-Sunday) myself, also woot
@fishytx...\Doug---(or better known as)---***Yegua Creek's Elite-Pro Whitebass Fisherman*** flehan
Same 4U2 thumb
Posted By: FISHINGFOOL40

Re: Lake Somerville - 02/03/19 06:52 AM

Originally Posted by fishytx
JonL just posted a good report on Newmans Bottom, go back a few post and read.

thumb
Posted By: catchnrelease

Re: Lake Somerville - 02/03/19 01:54 PM

Good morning all. Im assuming we can now park by the oil wells and walk in at NB? Or are most walking in from Irwin Bridge? Im headed to IB this morning. Didnt think NB was accessible yet. These reports got me worked up.

Appreciate any info. Will post fish pics (if any) later.
Posted By: fishytx

Re: Lake Somerville - 02/03/19 02:31 PM

I'm going this morning. Should be there around 10 am
Posted By: FISHINGFOOL40

Re: Lake Somerville - 02/03/19 07:04 PM

Originally Posted by catchnrelease
Good morning all. Im assuming we can now park by the oil wells and walk in at NB? Or are most walking in from Irwin Bridge? Im headed to IB this morning. Didnt think NB was accessible yet. These reports got me worked up.

Appreciate any info. Will post fish pics (if any) later.


@catchnrelease... Yeah, all the recent reports, got me worked up to laugh And not sure about access details to NB myself, either juggle
Had hoped to try my luck down on the Yegue today also...
But unfortunately looking like I'll be waiting till Monday or Tuesday to head down there myself... TightLines+NoBadDays._.FF**____-____**40._.
Posted By: FISHINGFOOL40

Re: Lake Somerville - 02/03/19 07:19 PM

Originally Posted by fishytx
I'm going this morning. Should be there around 10 am


@fishytx Got your text, left you a voicemail...And if you need help carrying out your limit of magnum Yegue NB whitebass, give me a call back...
And I'll drive down there and help ya...But will need about a 2 hour notice, being it's a good 1-1/2 hour drive down there 4me thumb
!TightLines+NoBadDays!._.FF**____-____**987._.
Posted By: JonL

Re: Lake Somerville - 02/03/19 07:41 PM

Well had an interesting day Saturday. Went to Newmans Bottom at first light and got to my honey hole. Only ended up catching two there. Fished till 1000 am. As I fished it seemed like thousands of people were passing me going upstream. I left my spot and started to walk upstream a ways and I literally saw someone at every water opening for the next 500 yards. No one else were catching many. The 20 people I could see from where I was fishing I only saw one or two being caught. I saw Jmoe as he was walking back downstream and he said he had not had any luck and it was crazy how many people he saw. So I decided screw it and made the long walk back to my truck. I drove to Nsils and Cedar and still there was no flow. I decided to go to a spot near Irwins bridge where I had caught them before. I ended up catching two at that hole and two at a hole around the corner from it. By this time it was 130. I decided to go some exploring. Glad I did. There was no gang buster holes but kept on fishing and ended up with 21 total. Left around 400. Long day but at least I got some fish to show for it. By the way got stopped by the game warden for the second time this season. It had been at least 5 [Linked Image]
[Linked Image]
years since the last time I was checked.
Posted By: jsinn01

Re: Lake Somerville - 02/03/19 10:14 PM

Thanks for the very interesting report, JonL. I think I would fish for Crappie at Nails before fighting the crowds at Irwin & Newmans. grin
Posted By: fishytx

Re: Lake Somerville - 02/04/19 01:39 AM

There are plenty of water spots to share with everyone. There were a lot of people today, guess I have never seen that many vehicles before. It was hard to find a parking spot. I did not have the day JonL did, but the ones I caught were big females. It was my first trip of the year and I had a fun with those I fished with, therefore I consider this a very successful trip. Had something like 18 in all to clean, threw back several as we fished our way back towards Newmans parking lot area.
Posted By: greenyak

Re: Lake Somerville - 02/04/19 01:57 AM

Tough day for me on the yegua, only two whites and a hybrid.
Posted By: Aggiefisher21

Re: Lake Somerville - 02/04/19 02:59 AM

Went down to Yegua creek Friday and Saturday. Friday I went to Irwins bridge from 3-5 and pulled out 19 white bass from one spot. I was about 25 minutes down stream and got checked by the game warden. Heard him give some one a ticket for not paying their park entry fee. Then went to Newmans bottom Saturday at first light and hiked way back in to get away from the crowd. Ended up pulling 42 between a couple of buddies and I. I caught my 25 from that group by sitting on a fallen down tree hanging over the water for 2 hours.
Posted By: J-Moe

Re: Lake Somerville - 02/04/19 03:33 PM

Originally Posted by Aggiefisher21
Went down to Yegua creek Friday and Saturday. Friday I went to Irwins bridge from 3-5 and pulled out 19 white bass from one spot. I was about 25 minutes down stream and got checked by the game warden. Heard him give some one a ticket for not paying their park entry fee. Then went to Newmans bottom Saturday at first light and hiked way back in to get away from the crowd. Ended up pulling 42 between a couple of buddies and I. I caught my 25 from that group by sitting on a fallen down tree hanging over the water for 2 hours.


welcome Gig'em, Class of '87

Excellent report, Thanks for sharing thumb

Did you walk upstream at Newman Bottom?
Posted By: Aggiefisher21

Re: Lake Somerville - 02/04/19 08:16 PM

Yes sir, I walked probably 20 minutes upstream till we found them.
Posted By: catchnrelease

Re: Lake Somerville - 02/04/19 08:30 PM

My wife and I, and a buddy walked into NB Sunday. We fished from 12 to 4:30. I didnt see many being caught. I caught one. Wifey caught two.. my buddy got skunked. I ran into J-moe around 1:30ish. I introduced myself and talked briefly. He told me he had a few but not as many as days before when they were biting . If He wasnt having his normal limited out day. I knew we wouldnt either. If J-Moe isnt catching, most other regular fishermen wont be. But we stayed and tried anyway.

We enjoyed Mother Nature and talking to other folks. Not much else to report. We saw two game wardens on the way walking out. They drove their truck into NB and stopped us just near the area with the cones and caution/survey tape. I was suprised to see their truck almost to the old parking lot at NB. I was hoping theyd give us a ride back to our truck. I learned from the wardens, bicycles are allowed.l at NB. Im biking in next time. That walking isnt for me. LOL.

Hopefully these sandies will get going again soon. I guess we just went on the wrong day. Good talking with you J-Moe! Tight lines all!
Posted By: J-Moe

Re: Lake Somerville - 02/04/19 09:29 PM

Originally Posted by catchnrelease
My wife and I, and a buddy walked into NB Sunday. We fished from 12 to 4:30. I didnt see many being caught. I caught one. Wifey caught two.. my buddy got skunked. I ran into J-moe around 1:30ish. I introduced myself and talked briefly. He told me he had a few but not as many as days before when they were biting . If He wasnt having his normal limited out day. I knew we wouldnt either. If J-Moe isnt catching, most other regular fishermen wont be. But we stayed and tried anyway.

We enjoyed Mother Nature and talking to other folks. Not much else to report. We saw two game wardens on the way walking out. They drove their truck into NB and stopped us just near the area with the cones and caution/survey tape. I was suprised to see their truck almost to the old parking lot at NB. I was hoping theyd give us a ride back to our truck. I learned from the wardens, bicycles are allowed.l at NB. Im biking in next time. That walking isnt for me. LOL.

Hopefully these sandies will get going again soon. I guess we just went on the wrong day. Good talking with you J-Moe! Tight lines all!



Great meeting you finally!! I ended up catching 13, but it was definitely a slow day. The water looked good, the pressure was only slightly high and warm overnight temperatures so the only thing I can figure is the east wind was effecting it or from what Aggiefisherman reported I probably didn't walk far enough upstream. There really isn't any good flow until you walk about 3/4 mile upstream. The good news is I did see quite a bit of spawning activity so it should start to really heat up now.
Posted By: J-Moe

Re: Lake Somerville - 02/04/19 09:32 PM

Originally Posted by Aggiefisher21
Yes sir, I walked probably 20 minutes upstream till we found them.


Thanks, that means you weren't far from the spot you fished the day before when you walked in from Irwin. The flow is much better in that area. The lake is receding about a 1/4 foot per day so it should be below 4 foot high by next weekend. That should help push some fish back toward Newman bottom.
Posted By: yota

Re: Lake Somerville - 02/05/19 01:04 AM

Caught 6 sunday morning from 7 to 11. My patience got the best of me and headed home. Saw jmoe and fishytx. Jmoe put me on 3 of my six. Good to see you guys. Thx!
Posted By: fishytx

Re: Lake Somerville - 02/05/19 03:47 PM

Right now it seems like location, location is the key. They are spawning here and there plus the fish are on the move because the weather has been warm. I probably should get back out there a few more times before this cold front that is headed our way arrives because it will slow the bite down once again for sure. I might even go today, we will see. I know I want to, so I'm sure I will. Newman's bottom is hard on anglers though, that's a long way to pack out some fish. About ten fish is all I want to haul out that far, the rest can swim for another day, but they are fun to catch. Guess if I'm going today I should start getting things lined out so I can make this happen.
Posted By: fishytx

Re: Lake Somerville - 02/05/19 03:51 PM

Oh and another thing, fish the pockets that has less flow going through it, that's where I have gotten bit more often. They are hunkered down in these holes. Just a small tip is all, it might help the numbers increase on your stringer.

Tight lines everyone, hope to see you on the creek. Fishytx
Posted By: J-Moe

Re: Lake Somerville - 02/05/19 03:53 PM

Originally Posted by yota
Caught 6 sunday morning from 7 to 11. My patience got the best of me and headed home. Saw jmoe and fishytx. Jmoe put me on 3 of my six. Good to see you guys. Thx!


Good to see you too. I wish I could have went out and fished the last couple of days. I bet it was far better with the warmer temperatures and south wind. Another cold front is expected to move in Thursday with colder overnight temperatures on Thursday and Friday. Rain is expected on Thursday. The wind will shift back to the east on Saturday and Sunday. Those post front days have been tough on the fishing this year. From what JonL and Aggiefisher posted I probably need to keep moving and exploring until I find the fish this weekend.
Posted By: timid tiger

Re: Lake Somerville - 02/05/19 06:04 PM

Thanks for sharing Greenyak. I've been wanting to paddle up yegua again too.
Posted By: jsinn01

Re: Lake Somerville - 02/05/19 11:25 PM

Originally Posted by J-Moe
Originally Posted by yota
Caught 6 sunday morning from 7 to 11. My patience got the best of me and headed home. Saw jmoe and fishytx. Jmoe put me on 3 of my six. Good to see you guys. Thx!


Good to see you too. I wish I could have went out and fished the last couple of days. I bet it was far better with the warmer temperatures and south wind. Another cold front is expected to move in Thursday with colder overnight temperatures on Thursday and Friday. Rain is expected on Thursday. The wind will shift back to the east on Saturday and Sunday. Those post front days have been tough on the fishing this year. From what JonL and Aggiefisher posted I probably need to keep moving and exploring until I find the fish this weekend.


From my experience, the weather gets bad and the fish quit biting on the weekends. roflmao
Posted By: fishytx

Re: Lake Somerville - 02/06/19 01:13 AM

Originally Posted by jsinn01
From my experience, the weather gets bad and the fish quit biting on the weekends. roflmao


jsinn01 I truly believe you hit the nail on the head with that answer my friend. Or it sure seems to always work out like that. LOL
Posted By: fishytx

Re: Lake Somerville - 02/06/19 01:30 AM

So today I hit Irwin Bridge first thing and did pretty good. I caught 9 whites in no time at all. All of them were males ranging from 10 , to 12 inches. They appeared to be a little on the skinny side as well so I decided to leave and head on over to Newmans Bottom. At Newmans Bottom I also wanted to fish downstream from the trail way bridge over by the low water crossing to see how the fishing was over there because I talked to three anglers on Sunday that did very well over there. You know how it is, that good ole curiosity killed the cat type thing. I had to go see if I was missing out on something. LOL
I did not do so well downstream today; therefore I will be walking upstream from here on out. I ended my day with a total of 14 white bass. I was going to drive back to Irwin bridge to finish out the day but my lower back was shot by this time and I decided the best thing to do is just leave, dont overdo it.
Plans are to return tomorrow, catch up with J-moe and see if he and I can find a few good pockets that are holding some nice fat bigger females.
Posted By: slopez

Re: Lake Somerville - 02/06/19 02:39 PM

Curiosity killed the cat, but at least he died knowing....
Posted By: aggie'19

Re: Lake Somerville - 02/07/19 05:45 AM

Gunna wait for the rain to pass and try to brave through the mud at irwins bridge tomorrow. Hopefully snag a few before the temp drops.
Posted By: fishytx

Re: Lake Somerville - 02/07/19 03:15 PM

Had a good day yesterday. I caught and released 52 fish. About 10 of those were nice slab crappie full of eggs. I might have even caught my PB crappie, I'm guessing it weighed around a pound and a half. But the belly was huge with eggs and she was thick. I'm sure these crappie will get caught by someone and end up in the grease, but they put up a good fight for crappie. I might get the opportunity to go back this afternoon, time will tell.
Posted By: fishytx

Re: Lake Somerville - 02/07/19 04:09 PM

Maybe I should add something to my post. Caught 19 at Newman's Bottom, then went to Irwin bridge and caught another 33 in a very short time frame.
Posted By: EllerTroy

Re: Lake Somerville - 02/07/19 08:46 PM

Have a nice day at Newman's Bottom yesterday. Left with 25 white bass. I caught 20 and J-Moe gave me two and Fishytx gave me 3. I left at about 1:30, so I could have stayed and caught 5 more but the guys saved my another one and I had a long drive back to Austin and fish to clean. Had a great time getting to meet J-Moe and Fishytx and to fish with them a little. They are both great fisherman and it always helps to watch how other people fish and pickup on things you might not know about.
Posted By: jsinn01

Re: Lake Somerville - 02/08/19 01:47 AM

Great reports! Busy with work so not sure I'll make it out for this year's run, but glad to hear somebody's catching. thumb
Posted By: fishytx

Re: Lake Somerville - 02/08/19 02:49 AM

Good to meet you to Troy. I like it when I can put a face to a name on TFF.

So on my way back home today I spoke to J-Moe a little bit, was wondering if he had made a trip to the creek. Shortly after he and I got off the phone I received a text from another friend who said he was on his way to the creek. I called him up and told him I would try to get out there and fish with him a little bit even though it was kind a late in the day. I arrived at 4:45 and we fished till 6:30 and we did ok I guess, we both took home a dozen fish each. We caught some decent crappie as well. The fishing will probably slow down during the next few days as the barometer continues to rise and the water cools down. There could still be a bite in the morning first thing, but then it should start to really slow down. Oh yea, saw several other anglers walk out with some nice stringers today as well. And we were at Irwin Bridge.
Water temp is still pretty warm, not sure how fast it will cool down...
Tight lines everyone and stay warm this weekend; Fishytx <"/////><
Posted By: Stankygato

Re: Lake Somerville - 02/08/19 04:28 AM

Can you fish any of these creeks with a flat bottom Jon boat 14footer? Dont want to be dragging it thru mud
Posted By: fishytx

Re: Lake Somerville - 02/08/19 04:38 AM

Originally Posted by Stankygato
Can you fish any of these creeks with a flat bottom Jon boat 14footer? Don&#146;t want to be dragging it thru mud

You can but you need to know how to get up in the mouth of the creek and it's a pretty good little run. Guys go up there in kayaks and I have seen boats up there before but not lately. Guess I'm really not the right person to answer your question. There has to be a good reason why I don't see very many boats, maybe someone else will chime in.
Posted By: Stankygato

Re: Lake Somerville - 02/08/19 04:48 AM

Are the creeks on the west side of the lake? I was looking to launch at Yegua Creek Park but looking at google earth.. it looks like all the big creeks are on the other side of the lake?
Posted By: TXfisherman12

Re: Lake Somerville - 02/08/19 07:24 PM

Originally Posted by Stankygato
Are the creeks on the west side of the lake? I was looking to launch at Yegua Creek Park but looking at google earth.. it looks like all the big creeks are on the other side of the lake?


Wrong end of the lake. You want to head upstream into the Yegua creek.
Posted By: Jing

Re: Lake Somerville - 02/09/19 05:29 AM

At Newmans Bottom, do you have to walk one mile from the gate to the bridge?
Posted By: white bass interceptor

Re: Lake Somerville - 02/09/19 06:12 AM

I know at this time the weather is not ideal fishing weather. But for you diehard fisherman, as soon as you are able to tolerate the cold weather you should catch some fish. I have caught white bass when it was so cold that the water on my line would freeze when it made contact with the tip of my rod. They were in the deeper body of water. I thought I would pass this on since some of you have a very tight schedule.


On slow fishing days when the fish are spawning presentation of your bait could make the difference between a empty stringer and a stringer of fish. The fish near the bank seem to be the more aggressive fish. good luck.
Posted By: fishytx

Re: Lake Somerville - 02/09/19 05:45 PM

The barometer reading is still somewhat high, it is at 30.51 and slowly falling. I have a friend who just called me to see if I wanted to go but I'll wait till I hear back from him. I'm thinking the bite is off right now due to the high reading, but tomorrow might be good. The cold water will cause the fish to hunker down in deeper water pocket. A very slow bait run under their nose will get you bit. The trick is finding that special hole they are stacked up in. Now that I have the white bass fever from having a few good days on the water I'm tempted to go out today myself. Maybe tomorrow I'll go.... Not so crazy about the high barometer reading. This is something I am keeping track of this year to see how much it affects these fish. Also when driving to an area to fish, look at the cows, yes the cows. If they are standing up and feeding, fishing will be good. If they are laying down chewing their cud, the fishing is bad. Check this out next time and you will see that this is true. Google it too, it will explain what is going on. This cow thing also applies to deer hunting. Now that you have read this you have learned something new today. LOL
Have a great day, stay warm. Fishytx.
Posted By: fishytx

Re: Lake Somerville - 02/09/19 05:49 PM

Originally Posted by Jing
At Newmans Bottom, do you have to walk one mile from the gate to the bridge?

From the gate to Newman's Bottom is exactly a mile, so your answer is YES.
Posted By: fishytx

Re: Lake Somerville - 02/09/19 08:19 PM

J-Moe is telling me that there is an awesome bite today. A lot of crappie and big whites are being caught as we speak. Limits of fish have been removed from the creek. I just put new line on two reels, I might have to pack it up and head that way. I was going tomorrow, but I might have to squeeze in a trip this afternoon just for the heck of it..... These fish caught were morning caught fish so I hope the bite is still on. I have another friend who just got there and maybe he will shed some light on this as well. I hate going fishing when I wasn't planning on it, but some times that's the best trips...
Posted By: J-Moe

Re: Lake Somerville - 02/10/19 08:22 PM

I went out to Newman Bottom on Wednesday and caught 21 white bass. I went back this morning and caught 20. The fish were hunkered down on the bottom and in the middle of the creek. Which of course led to lots of lost flies today. In general, with the lake being so high during the early part of the run Newman has been poor to average fishing. Last year I was catching 35 to 40 every time I went down there at this time of the run.

As typical though, as the water is receding there are more fish moving back downstream towards Newman. 2 weeks ago the majority of the limits were being caught upstream of Irwin Bridge. This last week the majority of the limits were caught between Irwin and Newman.

The good news is the water has cleared up quite a bit and there is good flow at the trail way bridge now. The lake is just under 4 foot high and still receding at approximately 1/4 foot per day. The last 2 years the peak of the run has been around the 21st of February so if everything follows suit the lake should be back close to normal and the fishing at Newman should be excellent again.
Posted By: fishytx

Re: Lake Somerville - 02/11/19 02:54 AM

I would rather the water come back up and let the fishing be at Irwin bridge myself, not a big fan of that mile walk in at Newman's. LOL

But thanks for the report J-Moe..
Posted By: ML56

Re: Lake Somerville - 02/11/19 03:25 AM

Not sure how long it will last but, drove across dam at about 5 p.m. today, gates completely closed and parking lot at spillway barricaded closed and has stay out signs all over it.
Lake may not drop anymore till they get whatever work they are doing finished. Not sure if they are re working rip rap or what, area looks scoured out. Noticed some heavy machinery parked behind some brush along the discharge area, maybe working on erosion? Looks weird with so little water in creek channel.
Posted By: J-Moe

Re: Lake Somerville - 02/11/19 03:46 AM

Originally Posted by ML56
Not sure how long it will last but, drove across dam at about 5 p.m. today, gates completely closed and parking lot at spillway barricaded closed and has stay out signs all over it.
Lake may not drop anymore till they get whatever work they are doing finished. Not sure if they are re working rip rap or what, area looks scoured out. Noticed some heavy machinery parked behind some brush along the discharge area, maybe working on erosion? Looks weird with so little water in creek channel.


Thanks for the information Mike. I hope it doesn't take them months to complete the work like it did last time.
Posted By: fishytx

Re: Lake Somerville - 02/11/19 03:38 PM

I thought about something J-Moe. I wonder if these fish have spawned out and are on their way back towards the lake? I know it's early for this to happen but we had some crazy warm weather and the females have been spawning during the night and early in the mornings. I have had several anglers tell me that they were spawning everywhere in the mornings and I don't get there early enough to see it first hand, but sounds like it was really going on strong. Once those egg sacks are depleted those females have no reason to stay in this creek, it's time to turn around and get back to the lake and chase shad.
Posted By: J-Moe

Re: Lake Somerville - 02/11/19 05:22 PM

Originally Posted by fishytx
I thought about something J-Moe. I wonder if these fish have spawned out and are on their way back towards the lake? I know it's early for this to happen but we had some crazy warm weather and the females have been spawning during the night and early in the mornings. I have had several anglers tell me that they were spawning everywhere in the mornings and I don't get there early enough to see it first hand, but sounds like it was really going on strong. Once those egg sacks are depleted those females have no reason to stay in this creek, it's time to turn around and get back to the lake and chase shad.


I really doubt it. I only saw a small amount of spawning; not full blown spawning. Last year was the same. They had Newman Bottom closed during the early part of the run and as the water receded I kept having to walk farther and farther downstream to find fish. Checking my log and even Ben's videos it has been pretty consistent that the peak of the spawn has been around the 3rd week of February. The huge 16 inch females didn't even show up until about this time last year.
Posted By: EllerTroy

Re: Lake Somerville - 02/11/19 10:48 PM

I again with J-Moe, I have not seen any of the big females in the creek yet.
Posted By: fishytx

Re: Lake Somerville - 02/12/19 02:14 AM

Originally Posted by J-Moe
Originally Posted by fishytx
I thought about something J-Moe. I wonder if these fish have spawned out and are on their way back towards the lake? I know it's early for this to happen but we had some crazy warm weather and the females have been spawning during the night and early in the mornings. I have had several anglers tell me that they were spawning everywhere in the mornings and I don't get there early enough to see it first hand, but sounds like it was really going on strong. Once those egg sacks are depleted those females have no reason to stay in this creek, it's time to turn around and get back to the lake and chase shad.


I really doubt it. I only saw a small amount of spawning; not full blown spawning. Last year was the same. They had Newman Bottom closed during the early part of the run and as the water receded I kept having to walk farther and farther downstream to find fish. Checking my log and even Ben's videos it has been pretty consistent that the peak of the spawn has been around the 3rd week of February. The huge 16 inch females didn't even show up until about this time last year.

That is good to hear because I was getting my information second hand.
Posted By: fishytx

Re: Lake Somerville - 02/12/19 02:24 AM

So I went out today to get my own information and did really well at Irwin Bridge. One of my fishing buddies I showed how to catch white bass put a good ole butt whipping on me this afternoon, he was catching five to my one. Glad he did because I had gotten there an hour and half before he did and managed a limit. He too caught a limit, so we hauled out two limits of fish this afternoon in a some what short time frame. When I first arrived I was nine for nine cast which was awesome. Only issue was the smaller fish I was catching, I only kept four of those nine. After I got the small ones out of the way then I started catching some decent fish. I fished for at least three hours, my buddy was there for one and half hours. I'm telling you man, he was on them big time. And I was standing right next to him while he was doing this. But that's what it took for both of us to limit out like we did. Once I got my limit I was going to help him out, but I never could get those last few I needed. I was catching fish but man where they small, all under size or right at it. We didn't keep anything under a eleven inch fish.
Posted By: hook-line&sinker

Re: Lake Somerville - 02/12/19 04:03 AM

Weather , floodwater, length of daylight coupled with the phases of the moon contribute to the timing of peak spawning activity.

On the Yegua the whitebass spawn peak generally occurs between the second and third cycle of the full moon (from the beginning of the year.)

This information is only good for determining when the most whitebass will be up the creeks and rivers to spawn.

When the fish will feed is another question altogether and it varies much more than seasonal spawning activity.

Unfortunately most of us can only fish around work and life schedules so catching fish is as much a matter of luck as it is skill because everything has to come together at the right time and place.

The best advantage is having a history on the water you are fishing and knowing where fish were caught before, otherwise you are going in blind.

I doubt you will see me on the creek this month or even next month.. I've got too many irons in the fire already so best of luck to you all.. smile

The flu shot I got in September must also prevent whitebass fever.. wink
Posted By: BayouFennec

Re: Lake Somerville - 02/12/19 02:35 PM

that's too bad Ben, i always look forward to watching your videos of the white bass run. maybe some crappie fishing videos in the spring?
Posted By: fishytx

Re: Lake Somerville - 02/12/19 02:49 PM

That was a fun trip yesterday, now I have to find some extra time to get back over there and try to do this again. The weather later in the week is going to get better so the bite should be even get better in couple more days.
I have been doing this white bass spawn fishing thing for a bunch of years now and I can say this, I never get tired of it. In fact I look forward to every new year it starts. This will be my 46th year straight fishing for these guys. I have yet to skip out on a spawn. Even when I was living out of Texas I always took my vacation time during the white bass spawn. LOL I had the pleasure of fishing for these guys when there was no limit on how many you could keep. So on my vacation I could catch enough fish to last my family all year. White bass is the only type of fish I keep in my freezer. All other fish I catch are released for other anglers to catch and enjoy. (black bass)
Hope to see some of you on water soon, I think I'm going to have a chance to fish Wednesday.
Posted By: GC2656

Re: Lake Somerville - 02/12/19 04:32 PM

Originally Posted by fishytx
That was a fun trip yesterday, now I have to find some extra time to get back over there and try to do this again. The weather later in the week is going to get better so the bite should be even get better in couple more days.
I have been doing this white bass spawn fishing thing for a bunch of years now and I can say this, I never get tired of it. In fact I look forward to every new year it starts. This will be my 46th year straight fishing for these guys. I have yet to skip out on a spawn. Even when I was living out of Texas I always took my vacation time during the white bass spawn. LOL I had the pleasure of fishing for these guys when there was no limit on how many you could keep. So on my vacation I could catch enough fish to last my family all year. White bass is the only type of fish I keep in my freezer. All other fish I catch are released for other anglers to catch and enjoy. (black bass)
Hope see some of you on water soon, I think I'm going to have a chance to fish Wednesday.

I finally made a trip up the Yegua early yesterday morning, managed to catch 3 WB and 12 crappie. Later in the morning I went over to Nails and did not get a bite. It was great fun and very relaxing. fishytx I hope crappie are on that released fish list cause they are sure good eating.
smile
Posted By: fl210

Re: Lake Somerville - 02/12/19 05:14 PM

Yesterday my friend and I went to Irwin Bridge. Not many people there and the fishing was really slow, probably because it was already around the noon time. We caught five in a couple of hours. Then we left for Newman Bottom. Only saw six cars were sitting on the parking lot. At the beginning it was still slow, we managed a dozen in two hours. However, toward the dusk, around 5:30PM, the biting became really crazy. We got bites at almost every cast. I could feel the bass chasing the lure, it would attack multiple times until get hooked. Several times they got hooked right after lure hit the water. What a biting frenzy! In less than an hour, we got two limits for the day. This was my 1st limit for the year and the best fishing experience I've ever had in the past two years.

The fish were in the 11-14 inch size. No extra large females, like J-Moe said. The fish seemed not picky on lures. We both tied a 1/8 oz jig head, I used a dark swimbait and my friend had the chartreuse curl tail. Both were equally effective. I also tried the Malibu and the spinner, the biting was the same.
Posted By: hook-line&sinker

Re: Lake Somerville - 02/13/19 12:46 AM

that's how whitebass creek fishing usually works out fl210! .. fish all day but find the fish biting at the end.. most people give up too soon wink
Posted By: J-Moe

Re: Lake Somerville - 02/13/19 01:11 AM

Originally Posted by fl210
Yesterday my friend and I went to Irwin Bridge. Not many people there and the fishing was really slow, probably because it was already around the noon time. We caught five in a couple of hours. Then we left for Newman Bottom. Only saw six cars were sitting on the parking lot. At the beginning it was still slow, we managed a dozen in two hours. However, toward the dusk, around 5:30PM, the biting became really crazy. We got bites at almost every cast. I could feel the bass chasing the lure, it would attack multiple times until get hooked. Several times they got hooked right after lure hit the water. What a biting frenzy! In less than an hour, we got two limits for the day. This was my 1st limit for the year and the best fishing experience I've ever had in the past two years.

The fish were in the 11-14 inch size. No extra large females, like J-Moe said. The fish seemed not picky on lures. We both tied a 1/8 oz jig head, I used a dark swimbait and my friend had the chartreuse curl tail. Both were equally effective. I also tried the Malibu and the spinner, the biting was the same.


welcome

Excellent Report, Thanks for sharing. Sounds like a great day or at least a really great hour.
Posted By: fishytx

Re: Lake Somerville - 02/13/19 03:55 AM

I finally made a trip up the Yegua early yesterday morning, managed to catch 3 WB and 12 crappie. Later in the morning I went over to Nails and did not get a bite. It was great fun and very relaxing. fishytx I hope crappie are on that released fish list cause they are sure good eating.
smile[/quote]
I don't keep a lot of crappie but I should, I love em myself. It's my wife, she isn't a big fan of crappie. I think I need to fry up some crappie with the whites and see if she even notices it. I do have a few mixed in with the whites as we speak. That one day when I caught 52 fish I had about ten huge crappie I let go. I sure wish I had kept them, that would have been an awesome fish fry. But I had no idea I would catch that many. Normally I get one or two nice size crappie while catching whites, plus I'll catch a few small ones too. Oh well, maybe someday soon I'll get into another good mess of these crappie and have a good fish fry.
Posted By: Joejoe070

Re: Lake Somerville - 02/13/19 02:04 PM

Good morning everyone .As I write this Im sitting at work waiting for the monthly safety meeting to start woooohoooo wish I was fishin. Anyways Im new to the forum. Hope to learn some stuff from yall.As you can see my name is joe and I love to fish. I love inshore salt water fishing but Im land locked so trying to find some other option for me and the wife.we are wanting to give the yegua a try with our kayaks but I just cant seem to find out where would be the easiest place to put in at with kayaks. Could some one pm me or give me some advice on this not to familiar with that end of the lake at all.

Thanks and tightlines fellas
Posted By: GC2656

Re: Lake Somerville - 02/13/19 03:13 PM

Originally Posted by Joejoe070
Good morning everyone .As I write this I&#146;m sitting at work waiting for the monthly safety meeting to start woooohoooo wish I was fishin. Anyways Im new to the forum. Hope to learn some stuff from y&#146;all.As you can see my name is joe and I love to fish. I love inshore salt water fishing but I&#146;m land locked so trying to find some other option for me and the wife.we are wanting to give the yegua a try with our kayaks but I just can&#146;t seem to find out where would be the easiest place to put in at with kayaks. Could some one pm me or give me some advice on this not to familiar with that end of the lake at all.

Thanks and tightlines fellas


This one should be right up your ally Hook.

Fishytx, I'm glad your keeping and enjoying some of those tasty crappie. There should be plenty for everyone this year and I will be back in the creeks tomorrow trying to catch a few more myself!

Good luck and good fishing to all!
Posted By: fishytx

Re: Lake Somerville - 02/13/19 04:16 PM

I plan on getting over to the creek some time this afternoon. I might be able to arrive somewhere around 3:30 to 4:30, depending on how everything else pans out today. I need to get myself in high gear here and get stuff done. Should have a report later tonight or tomorrow morning. I just hope there is still a good bite close by so I don't have that far to carry fish out. Maybe I should just hope the fish are still on the chew before I think about hauling fish out. They have to be willing to bite before you can catch them...
I like to fish a little downstream from Irwin bridge so please stop by and lets talk fishing. I'll have on a tan long sleeve shirt with 2/3 sleeve of green material. It's my hunting and fishing shirt.
Posted By: J-Moe

Re: Lake Somerville - 02/14/19 12:36 AM

Originally Posted by Joejoe070
Good morning everyone .As I write this Im sitting at work waiting for the monthly safety meeting to start woooohoooo wish I was fishin. Anyways Im new to the forum. Hope to learn some stuff from yall.As you can see my name is joe and I love to fish. I love inshore salt water fishing but Im land locked so trying to find some other option for me and the wife.we are wanting to give the yegua a try with our kayaks but I just cant seem to find out where would be the easiest place to put in at with kayaks. Could some one pm me or give me some advice on this not to familiar with that end of the lake at all.

Thanks and tightlines fellas


welcome

We launch our kayaks from Nails Creek State Park and paddle up into the mouth of the Yegua usually. I have also parked at Irwin bridge and drug my kayak down on the far side of the bridge from the parking area.
Posted By: fishburrito

Re: Lake Somerville - 02/14/19 02:48 AM

Hello everyone. Been fishing the white bass runs for the last 4 years, mainly the Steps at Granger and a couple of times at Reimer's. I have always heard great stories about the Somerville runs and I'm thinking of going next week. I had a quick question concerning Irwin Bridge and Newmans Bottom. When parking at Irwin Bridge do I need a permit? Is that part of state park or a WMA? I believe Newmans is part of the state park and an entry pass is needed but where do I buy one? Thank you all for the help!
Posted By: fishytx

Re: Lake Somerville - 02/14/19 03:02 AM

Ok I did make it to Irwin bridge this afternoon, bite was very slow. Managed to haul out 24 on my stringer, my buddy arrived later in the day and he hauled out 8. We caught a lot of small fish today, when I say small fish I'm talking about throw backs. I also saw some good stringers other anglers had as well. They walked a long ways downstream though. I did see at least three limits go out. One guy had gotten there maybe a few3 hours before I did, he said he found a hole that had some fish stacked up in it and that's where he got most of his. If I remember right he didn't go that far downstream either. I got get outside and get that electric knife cranked up. LOL
Talking about maybe going again on Friday....
Posted By: JonL

Re: Lake Somerville - 02/14/19 03:08 AM

Welcome fishburrito! When parking at Irwin bridge and at Newmans Bottom they provide a drop box to pay your entry fee which is $4. You must fill out the form and attach the white paper to the inside of your windshield and put your money in the yellow envelope,fill out completely and turn into drop box. If you fish upstream of Irwin bridge that is considered WMA which you have to wear hunter orange hat and vest and you have to fill out a WMA questionnaire and put one portion in their slot and keep the other portion with you till you have to leave then turn it in also. The easiest to deal with is to fish downstream from Irwin. Just remember if you fish Newmans Bottom it is a MILE walk jusf to get to the creek. If you fish there I suggest a rolling cart to carry your stuff and hopefully fish back.
Posted By: fishburrito

Re: Lake Somerville - 02/14/19 03:14 AM

Thank you for the info JonL!
Posted By: hook-line&sinker

Re: Lake Somerville - 02/14/19 03:37 AM

Originally Posted by Joejoe070
Good morning everyone .As I write this Im sitting at work waiting for the monthly safety meeting to start woooohoooo wish I was fishin. Anyways Im new to the forum. Hope to learn some stuff from yall.As you can see my name is joe and I love to fish. I love inshore salt water fishing but Im land locked so trying to find some other option for me and the wife.we are wanting to give the yegua a try with our kayaks but I just cant seem to find out where would be the easiest place to put in at with kayaks. Could some one pm me or give me some advice on this not to familiar with that end of the lake at all.

Thanks and tightlines fellas


Posted By: Joejoe070

Re: Lake Somerville - 02/14/19 05:06 AM

Originally Posted by J-Moe


welcome

We launch our kayaks from Nails Creek State Park and paddle up into the mouth of the Yegua usually. I have also parked at Irwin bridge and drug my kayak down on the far side of the bridge from the parking area.




Thanks for the reply J-moe Im interested in the Irwins bridge area do you access this by a county road or is it inside a state park






Originally Posted by hook-line&sinker
Originally Posted by Joejoe070
Good morning everyone .As I write this Im sitting at work waiting for the monthly safety meeting to start woooohoooo wish I was fishin. Anyways Im new to the forum. Hope to learn some stuff from yall.As you can see my name is joe and I love to fish. I love inshore salt water fishing but Im land locked so trying to find some other option for me and the wife.we are wanting to give the yegua a try with our kayaks but I just cant seem to find out where would be the easiest place to put in at with kayaks. Could some one pm me or give me some advice on this not to familiar with that end of the lake at all.

Thanks and tightlines fellas





Thanks for the video man pretty helpful I was watching another one of your video and I saw you driving. Down a dirt road and went past a sign that said Newmans bottom and you put your kayak in which state park was this launch place located at Ill try to find the video if you need more of a description thanks again everyone
Posted By: EllerTroy

Re: Lake Somerville - 02/14/19 02:11 PM

That was Newman's Bottom back when you could drive down to the creek. You can no longer drive down there and it's a mile walk.
Posted By: J-Moe

Re: Lake Somerville - 02/14/19 04:26 PM

Originally Posted by Joejoe070
Originally Posted by J-Moe


welcome

We launch our kayaks from Nails Creek State Park and paddle up into the mouth of the Yegua usually. I have also parked at Irwin bridge and drug my kayak down on the far side of the bridge from the parking area.




Thanks for the reply J-moe Im interested in the Irwins bridge area do you access this by a county road or is it inside a state park



Irwin bridge is where CR 124 and CR 132 come together. I park on the side of CR 124 and drag my kayak down to the water.
Posted By: fishytx

Re: Lake Somerville - 02/14/19 04:58 PM

Does anyone have some information about the John boat with a motor on it in a log jam in the horse shoe area of Irwin bridge. It has yellow tape around it, so someone knows something.
Posted By: mini-x fan

Re: Lake Somerville - 02/14/19 05:16 PM

Hi guys I'm new to the freshwater game and live in BCS. I was able to catch them last fall on the main lake but the creeks are completely new to me. I have a shallow running <6" little flats boat. Could I make it into the mouth of these creeks? Or would it be better just to walk in? Thanks!

On a side note I need to get a new spinning setup for the creeks as my inshore rods probably won't work for the smaller baits. What would y'all recommend?
Posted By: fishytx

Re: Lake Somerville - 02/14/19 06:17 PM

I had someone send me PM and they made the comment on how I no longer give details on my trips. So here we go, I will explain. Social media sucks as far as I am concerned, everyone wants to attack you when you post something you do to catch these fish and you add some details in your post to help out others, or you think you are anyway. Yes, there are so many different baits to use out there and everyone has their bait of choice, so I no longer post this information. From day one while posting fish reports on white bass I have always used the same bait and I will use this bait till I can no longer fish for whites, it's a 1/32 oz. white crappie jig. I have tried other baits and so far this one has out produced the others by a long shot. But that's how I fish for these whites. There is an art to fishing these light weight jigs, it's not something you put on your line, cast it out there and catch a bunch of fish every time. It is just like all other artificial baits, it takes time and practice to figure out what it takes to trigger these fish to bite it so you can get a hook set. I'm guessing that 70% of anglers fishing for these whites catch them on what I call a reaction bait. They cast it out, reel it in kind a fast and the white bass hits it with force and then they set the hook. Fishing with these real small jigs is not like that at all. When they take this jig it is one little tap that you feel and then you set the hook. If you have ever fished with plastic worms for black bass then you know what a light tap feels like, because it's the same thing on these small jigs. But I cannot take what I have learned over 46 years and explain it to someone. I cannot tell someone how I can tell when everything feels just right for a bite and it happens. But this is why I no longer tell things in detail anymore. I mean I have my little tricks, traits or what ever you want to call them that work for me and I stick to them because they have worked so well for me in the past. I have experimented with just about anything and everything over the years and I am still learning from watching others. Just two years ago, maybe three now, I learned how to catch small crawfish and use them for whites. And I'll tell you why I di this. I watched a guy catch limit after limit using these crawfish, so I took it upon myself to figure it out on my own and I did. It's all about putting in the time and effort to gain better results for the years to come. The only way to get better at something is to fail trying. Boy do I have some failure time under my belt. As of right now I cannot think of a way that I have not tried to fish for these whites. Back in my younger days I put in a lot of fishing hours, night fishing with chest waders, fishing out of a boat day or night, sight fishing, fishing when my line would freeze up, had to soak pole to make next cast, ice on top of the water next to shore line. I have put my time in for sure.... I know what lights do to these fish at night, I know how to use them and how not to use them. Why? Because I have been there done that. A lot of people do not want me to tell them stuff because they know it all themselves, therefore I just keep my mouth shut.... For all those know it all's, go get em. LOL Just remember failure is not a bad thing, that's how we learn for ourselves. If only I had access to the internet back when I was learning all of this. I found the Yegua creek by driving around Sommerville, parked at Irwin and walked many miles up and down the banks. I found Newman's by walking from Irwin and I ran into some anglers. I asked them if they walked from the bridge as well. That's when they told me about driving in at Newman's. I had a hard time finding it by road. I missed the road the first time I looked for it and ended up at Nails creek. Second time I just took that gravel road and ended up at Newman's. Boy was I tickled pink. I felt like I had just won the Lottery. Then these fishing forums got started and everyone was telling everyone how to get there, the banks got crowed quickly. But we just learn to deal with folks and keep on going. LOL
Posted By: cprochazka2000

Re: Lake Somerville - 02/14/19 07:52 PM

fishytx- I've been lurking on this forum for years and have always appreciated the tips you have provided - particularly the ones on this thread and it's predecessor. I also might have caught an extra fish or two in the creeks because of it. So, THANKS! Don't let the debbie downers and naysayers get you down.
Posted By: catchnrelease

Re: Lake Somerville - 02/14/19 08:41 PM

Originally Posted by cprochazka2000
fishytx- I've been lurking on this forum for years and have always appreciated the tips you have provided - particularly the ones on this thread and it's predecessor. I also might have caught an extra fish or two in the creeks because of it. So, THANKS! Don't let the debbie downers and naysayers get you down.




Right on! AMEN!
Posted By: fishytx

Re: Lake Somerville - 02/14/19 09:15 PM

Originally Posted by cprochazka2000
fishytx- I've been lurking on this forum for years and have always appreciated the tips you have provided - particularly the ones on this thread and it's predecessor. I also might have caught an extra fish or two in the creeks because of it. So, THANKS! Don't let the debbie downers and naysayers get you down.

It just gets old defending yourself when all you are trying to do is help some folks out. I have this thing about stepping on my new white jig along the shoreline mud with my toe and tapping it till it gets covered good to make it look better and catch more fish. And this is how I come about this method and why I do it. In my past I have been on a great bite, cast after cast I am hooking up with a fish, then I sang the bottom or throw up into a tree (squirrel fishing is what I call it) and I brake the old discolored jig off and of course I tie on a new jig. It was then that I noticed the new bright white jig wasn't getting bit very fast, so one day I stepped on it in the mud, worked the mud into it real good with my fingers, tossed it back out in the water and bang, fish on. From that day on I have often taken a new jig and stepped on it in the mud to dirty it up. Here again, trial and era.
This isn't something I read about, it's something I learned first hand and I have passed this on for others to try. I have a few anglers I fish with who now do it as well and they too believe it works. There is no dumb way to fish, just try it. For instance, I was bass fishing with my uncle out of his boat on Lake Travis and we were throwing Texas rigged plastic worms up against some cliffs. Well I noticed that my bite as well as his did not materialize until our bait was out in 30 feet of water and maybe 20 yards out from the shoreline, so I rigged up what is now called a drop shot. My uncle looked at it and asked me, what in the heck is that. I told him that I rigged it up this way so I could drop it down to these guys and not waste all that time working it down the side of the bottom. My uncle said, ole man, get that [censored] off your line before one of my friends show up and you embarrass me. So I cut it off. That was like 30 plus years ago before they had a name for it. He also use to get on to me for throwing top water baits in the middle of the day. But after watched me hook up with big bass in these conditions, he to will throw one in the middle of the day. LOL I'll do what ever it takes to get a fish to strike an artificial bait. Success is tricking the fish into thinking an artificial bait is something for them to eat. And there are some things we use for black bass that I have no idea what the fish think it is, but never the less they bite it. There is plastic out there that does not look like anything I have ever seen swimming in the water but yet the bass will just gobble it up. Fishing is my favorite hobby for sure.
Posted By: LastCastPodcast

Re: Lake Somerville - 02/14/19 10:07 PM

Originally Posted by fishytx
I have this thing about stepping on my new white jig along the shoreline mud with my toe and tapping it till gets covered good to make it look better and catch more fish.

That is a jedi technique right there. I am humbled and in awe. &#128583;
Posted By: fishburrito

Re: Lake Somerville - 02/15/19 12:03 AM

Originally Posted by fishytx
Originally Posted by cprochazka2000
fishytx- I've been lurking on this forum for years and have always appreciated the tips you have provided - particularly the ones on this thread and it's predecessor. I also might have caught an extra fish or two in the creeks because of it. So, THANKS! Don't let the debbie downers and naysayers get you down.

It just gets old defending yourself when all you are trying to do is help some folks out. I have this thing about stepping on my new white jig along the shoreline mud with my toe and tapping it till it gets covered good to make it look better and catch more fish. And this is how I come about this method and why I do it. In my past I have been on a great bite, cast after cast I am hooking up with a fish, then I sang the bottom or throw up into a tree (squirrel fishing is what I call it) and I brake the old discolored jig off and of course I tie on a new jig. It was then that I noticed the new bright white jig wasn't getting bit very fast, so one day I stepped on it in the mud, worked the mud into it real good with my fingers, tossed it back out in the water and bang, fish on. From that day on I have often taken a new jig and stepped on it in the mud to dirty it up. Here again, trial and era.
This isn't something I read about, it's something I learned first hand and I have passed this on for others to try. I have a few anglers I fish with who now do it as well and they too believe it works. There is no dumb way to fish, just try it. For instance, I was bass fishing with my uncle out of his boat on Lake Travis and we were throwing Texas rigged plastic worms up against some cliffs. Well I noticed that my bite as well as his did not materialize until our bait was out in 30 feet of water and maybe 20 yards out from the shoreline, so I rigged up what is now called a drop shot. My uncle looked at it and asked me, what in the heck is that. I told him that I rigged it up this way so I could drop it down to these guys and not waste all that time working it down the side of the bottom. My uncle said, ole man, get that [censored] off your line before one of my friends show up and you embarrass me. So I cut it off. That was like 30 plus years ago before they had a name for it. He also use to get on to me for throwing top water baits in the middle of the day. But after watched me hook up with big bass in these conditions, he to will throw one in the middle of the day. LOL I'll do what ever it takes to get a fish to strike an artificial bait. Success is tricking the fish into thinking an artificial bait is something for them to eat. And there are some things we use for black bass that I have no idea what the fish think it is, but never the less they bite it. There is plastic out there that does not look like anything I have ever seen swimming in the water but yet the bass will just gobble it up. Fishing is my favorite hobby for sure.


Thanks for the detailed reports fishytx. I have been lurking the forums for a couple years too and have learned a lot from you, J-Moe, and hook-line&sinker. Those little white hair jigs can be deadly when nothing else works and there cheap too! I appreciate all the help!
Posted By: J-Moe

Re: Lake Somerville - 02/15/19 07:22 AM

I walked into Newman Bottom yesterday afternoon at 12:30. I talked to 8 fisherman as I was walking in and upstream. None of them had caught more than 4 fish. So I figured the post front weather and fishing in the middle of the day would be a total waste of time. Luckily, I was wrong. It ended up being a decent day as I caught 32.

I also caught 3 females that were 15 inches or better. They showed the battle scars from spawning. I expect this weekend will be great. Unfortunately, I had to leave by 4:30 so I missed that golden hour at 5:30. I wish I could have stayed as it might have turned into one of the 40 or 50 fish days.

[Linked Image]
[Linked Image]
Posted By: J-Moe

Re: Lake Somerville - 02/15/19 07:30 AM

Originally Posted by catchnrelease
Originally Posted by cprochazka2000
fishytx- I've been lurking on this forum for years and have always appreciated the tips you have provided - particularly the ones on this thread and it's predecessor. I also might have caught an extra fish or two in the creeks because of it. So, THANKS! Don't let the debbie downers and naysayers get you down.




Right on! AMEN!


I've caught an extra thousand or two using the Fishytx methods. They work very well with a fly rod too. grin grin
Posted By: J-Moe

Re: Lake Somerville - 02/15/19 07:40 AM

Originally Posted by fishytx
Does anyone have some information about the John boat with a motor on it in a log jam in the horse shoe area of Irwin bridge. It has yellow tape around it, so someone knows something.


Yes, I reported it to the game warden almost a month ago. It belongs to an Aggie college student. He and his dog got pulled under. Luckily both were just fine. He is supposed to get someone to help him to get it but he sure seems to be taking his time. It has Arkansas identification numbers on it so it took the game warden a few phone calls before he finally got in touch with him to let him know we found it.
Posted By: BayouFennec

Re: Lake Somerville - 02/15/19 01:33 PM

J-Moe, you could've just said college student. the circumstances tell us it was an Aggie. just kidding.....class of '83
Posted By: Joejoe070

Re: Lake Somerville - 02/15/19 02:02 PM

Thanks for all the help everyone might try it out this weekend. Last year me and my wife went up birch creek a few times in my boat and caught some large mouth but no whites or crappie is this creek not as popular then the others
Posted By: GC2656

Re: Lake Somerville - 02/15/19 03:14 PM

Glad to see the fishing has been pretty good for ya'll. I made another trip up the Yegua yesterday morning and caught 11 WB and 11 crappie. I talked to a couple of other anglers who were very nice and had caught some nice stringers of fish. I had to be home early so it was a short trip, but a lot of fun. Fishytx, keep on posting whatever you want. After all the years you have been chasing WB you have EARNED the right!
Posted By: fishytx

Re: Lake Somerville - 02/15/19 06:49 PM

I don't know so much about earning the right to post due to the amount of years fishing, but I do like to share my fishing reports good or bad, plus I don't mind helping people out who want to learn this type of fishing. But today I find myself being a little more conservative about what I type about and how I word things so there is no room for derogatory statements. So that just leaves me room for a short report of how many I may have hauled out, or what I saw others doing and maybe water conditions every now and then. I try to keep it plain and simple.
Posted By: J-Moe

Re: Lake Somerville - 02/15/19 07:45 PM

Originally Posted by Bayou_Fennec
J-Moe, you could've just said college student. the circumstances tell us it was an Aggie. just kidding.....class of '83


grin Gig'em, Class of '87
Posted By: J-Moe

Re: Lake Somerville - 02/15/19 07:53 PM

Originally Posted by mini-x fan
Hi guys I'm new to the freshwater game and live in BCS. I was able to catch them last fall on the main lake but the creeks are completely new to me. I have a shallow running <6" little flats boat. Could I make it into the mouth of these creeks? Or would it be better just to walk in? Thanks!

On a side note I need to get a new spinning setup for the creeks as my inshore rods probably won't work for the smaller baits. What would y'all recommend?


welcome

Yes, the lake is 4 feet above normal so there is no problem. As a matter of fact I saw two boats in the Yegua recently. One made it almost all the way to the trailway bridge. The other was at the low water crossing. I personally have been doing better above the trailway bridge though. I did hear of good reports of crappie being caught downstream of the bridge.
Posted By: GC2656

Re: Lake Somerville - 02/16/19 01:39 AM

It may just be me, but has anyone else noticed that the time stamp on the post are approximately 18 hours off? The post I made this morning shows to have been posted at 3:14 PM yesterday. Just curious! confused
Posted By: fishytx

Re: Lake Somerville - 02/16/19 06:13 AM

I had a hard time finding a hole with a decent bite up close to Irwin bridge area today so I had to go downstream a ways before I found a few. Even though it was a somewhat tough day I was still able to bring home nineteen fish. From what I saw or what others had told me, they were having a tough day as well. I never did see a limit brought out by any other anglers either. Maybe this cold front coming in had something to do with the bite being off, heck who knows. The barometer was like 29.67, so it was good. In fact, I was a little disappointed with the results of todays trip because I was really expecting it to be a super awesome day due to the weather, but it sure didnt pan out that way. However I am thankful for the ones I caught, heck it could have been worse. Fishing ----- always expect the unexpected and try to get the best out of it that you possible can. LOL I did meet a few folks today, so thats a plus..
Posted By: Joejoe070

Re: Lake Somerville - 02/16/19 07:11 AM

So how busy has the creek actually been I think we are gonna give it it a shot. Thinking about Saturday afternoon or early Sunday. Has it been to busy to kayak down from Irwins bridge. I sure want to go but I all so dont want to be that guy ruining everyones fishing thats already there.
Posted By: GC2656

Re: Lake Somerville - 02/16/19 09:52 AM

Looks like they started releasing water from the lake Friday evening, the lake is dropping!
Posted By: fishytx

Re: Lake Somerville - 02/16/19 05:17 PM

The water flow in the creek has decreased as well. I was telling some guys yesterday that we could use some light rain every now and then to keep the flow going. When the flow decreases then the fish will head downstream closer towards the lake because they do not want to get stuck in the creek. It's more of an instinct thing.
I know this is going to sound silly to most but I have also noticed that when they open the flood gates up on this lake it's like the fish can hear it and they will stop biting on the lake side for a day or two. I do not have an answer on this other than this is something I have noticed in the past and I think the fish can hear it and it causes them to not feed for a short time frame. Why this happens I don't know, but this is nothing more than my idea that I have come up with from stuff like this taking place in the past. That could be why the bite was off yesterday. Remember before you fire back on this, this is nothing more than some thoughts that I have had from my past results I have experienced when they opened up the flood gates. It seems to happen more often than not. Crazy idea thoughts or Assumptions, they are somewhat the same and we all know what that means. LOL
Posted By: J-Moe

Re: Lake Somerville - 02/16/19 05:18 PM

Originally Posted by Joejoe070
So how busy has the creek actually been I think we are gonna give it it a shot. Thinking about Saturday afternoon or early Sunday. Has it been to busy to kayak down from Irwins bridge. I sure want to go but I all so dont want to be that guy ruining everyones fishing thats already there.


It is extremely crowded. I went to Irwin this morning. I got there around 8:30 and both parking lots were full with people also parked along the road. I walked downstream a ways and there were people fishing in every spot I normally try. The bite was extremely slow. Nobody had more than 3 fish that I talked to. I tried fishing in one spot. I caught one fish and lost 3 jigs so I decided to just head home. The cold north wind must have shut the fishing down. I might give Newman a try this evening when it warms up a bit.
Posted By: fishytx

Re: Lake Somerville - 02/16/19 07:11 PM

You may have just saved me a trip today J-Moe, thanks for the heads up report my friend... And I had already made up my mind that I was going to Newman's based on yesterdays results. Still thinking about going...
Posted By: JonL

Re: Lake Somerville - 02/16/19 11:02 PM

Went today and fished my honey holes around Irwin bridge. Started at sun up and finished with a limit of 25 at 200 PM. Bite was really good for me early but tapered off. Took a few hours to catch my last five. No big white bass but fun anyway.
Posted By: J-Moe

Re: Lake Somerville - 02/17/19 02:33 AM

Originally Posted by JonL
Went today and fished my honey holes around Irwin bridge. Started at sun up and finished with a limit of 25 at 200 PM. Bite was really good for me early but tapered off. Took a few hours to catch my last five. No big white bass but fun anyway.


Well Done Jon thumb You may have been the only person to catch a limit today clap

I'm surprised you were able to fish your honey holes with all those people there this morning.
Posted By: greenyak

Re: Lake Somerville - 02/17/19 02:41 AM

Posted By: GC2656

Re: Lake Somerville - 02/17/19 03:19 AM

Greenyak, looks like it was a pretty tough day up the creek today with a lot of other boaters. Glad to see you brought a few home for the grease. Tight lines and keep the videos coming, I really enjoy watching them!
Posted By: fishytx

Re: Lake Somerville - 02/17/19 03:44 AM

So I hooked up with a few guys today, J-Moe being one of them and we hit Newman's Bottom. At Newman's bottom gate around 2:30 and on the creek somewhere around 3:15 I guess. We got off to really slow trip, all three of us were zero until we reached a spot way upstream. J-Moe shot straight over to this place as Carlos and I took our time and worked our way upstream in hopes to find a few. When I caught up to J-Moe he had already caught 3. Carlos and I had yet to even get a tap. Now we are all three upstream fishing in a few holes where we have had luck in the past, J-Moe stayed where he was and Carlos and I kind bounced around still looking for a bite. Next thing I know, I have caught four fish. Then Carlos started catching a few and the bite seem to be picking up, we were all three now hooking into a few. Between the three of us in three hours of fishing we had over a limit of fish caught and we all three had a pretty good time. We shared some interesting fishing stories and we did what we set out to do and that was to catch a few even when they were not biting worth a darn. I'll be taking a few days off, starting to get burned out on cleaning fish. So far I have put away about 140 fillets in the freezer, so today was catch and release for me. It really felt great to drive home today with no fish to clean. LOL
I also enjoyed talking to the other anglers on the creek today, hope their day turned out ok as well. It was a slow day for most from what I saw, but not every trip can be a homerun day I guess. A lot of time left in this years spawn, so let the lines be tight and the drags sing as we all continue to catch some whites....
Posted By: J-Moe

Re: Lake Somerville - 02/17/19 03:54 AM

Thanks for the video Sam. Very interesting view of the mouth of the Yegua.
Posted By: J-Moe

Re: Lake Somerville - 02/17/19 04:06 AM

Originally Posted by GC2656
It may just be me, but has anyone else noticed that the time stamp on the post are approximately 18 hours off? The post I made this morning shows to have been posted at 3:14 PM yesterday. Just curious! confused


Yes, I have noticed the same thing. It's annoying.
Posted By: J-Moe

Re: Lake Somerville - 02/17/19 04:12 AM

Originally Posted by fishytx
So I hooked up with a few guys today, J-Moe being one of them and we hit Newman's Bottom. At Newman's bottom gate around 2:30 and on the creek somewhere around 3:15 I guess. We got off to really slow trip, all three of us were zero until we reached a spot way upstream. J-Moe shot straight over to this place as Carlos and I took our time and worked our way upstream in hopes to find a few. When I caught up to J-Moe he had already caught 3. Carlos and I had yet to even get a tap. Now we are all three upstream fishing in a few holes where we have had luck in the past, J-Moe stayed where he was and Carlos and I kind bounced around still looking for a bite. Next thing I know, I have caught four fish. Then Carlos started catching a few and the bite seem to be picking up, we were all three now hooking into a few. Between the three of us in three hours of fishing we had over a limit of fish caught and we all three had a pretty good time. We shared some interesting fishing stories and we did what we set out to do and that was to catch a few even when they were not biting worth a darn. I'll be taking a few days off, starting to get burned out on cleaning fish. So far I have put away about 140 fillets in the freezer, so today was catch and release for me. It really felt great to drive home today with no fish to clean. LOL
I also enjoyed talking to the other anglers on the creek today, hope their day turned out ok as well. It was a slow day for most from what I saw, but not every trip can be a homerun day I guess. A lot of time left in this years spawn, so let the lines be tight and the drags sing as we all continue to catch some whites....


I had a great time Doug. It's always fun watching the master at work.
Posted By: JonL

Re: Lake Somerville - 02/17/19 04:49 AM

Thanks Jmoe . I sent you a PM
Posted By: catchnrelease

Re: Lake Somerville - 02/17/19 02:36 PM

Lots of fishing and little catching at Irwin bridge yesterday. I caught three, the wife caught seven. There were lots of people fishing. I saw several kayaks going downstream. I only saw a couple of people with nice stringers. Everyone else only had two or three. Saw and enjoyed talking with J-Moe there. He said he had only caught three. He was leaving as we were getting there, so I had an idea we were not going to have much luck. Thats why they call it fishing and not catching.

Tight lines all!
Posted By: fishytx

Re: Lake Somerville - 02/17/19 05:51 PM

I know they call it fishing and I hate that word myself. The catching part is why I go out there, the fishing part is to dang hard and not near as much fun. LOL The fishing part makes it interesting though, you have to figure out where they are and how they want your bait. As the water level continues to drop it will also change the way the water flows through an area, therefore the fish will change where they swim or lay on the bottom and every angler has to figure it out each time they go. There are just a few spots that do not change much as the water level drops, but 98% of the holes on this creek will. It may look the same to most people, but if you read these holes and where the fish like to feed or stack up then you can see how it changes from day to day. If you will take note, you may catch a bunch in a hole one day, return two days later and can't buy a bite out of that same hole. That's because the water flow has changed on how it travels through that hole and the fish will find a better place to hang out at. But it keeps everyone on their toes looking and trying.
Posted By: JonL

Re: Lake Somerville - 02/17/19 06:26 PM

[Linked Image]
[Linked Image]
These are the pictures of my fish yesterday. All males.
Posted By: mini-x fan

Re: Lake Somerville - 02/18/19 12:41 AM

Originally Posted by J-Moe
Originally Posted by mini-x fan
Hi guys I'm new to the freshwater game and live in BCS. I was able to catch them last fall on the main lake but the creeks are completely new to me. I have a shallow running <6" little flats boat. Could I make it into the mouth of these creeks? Or would it be better just to walk in? Thanks!

On a side note I need to get a new spinning setup for the creeks as my inshore rods probably won't work for the smaller baits. What would y'all recommend?


welcome

Yes, the lake is 4 feet above normal so there is no problem. As a matter of fact I saw two boats in the Yegua recently. One made it almost all the way to the trailway bridge. The other was at the low water crossing. I personally have been doing better above the trailway bridge though. I did hear of good reports of crappie being caught downstream of the bridge.

Thanks! Is the jon boat in the creek a red side console tracker? Or a 12'er with a 9.9 evinrude? If so, I know the guy who that happened to he has two boats...
Posted By: fishytx

Re: Lake Somerville - 02/18/19 01:14 AM

Thanks for the pics. For some reason I have a hard time downloading pics on here.
Posted By: J-Moe

Re: Lake Somerville - 02/18/19 01:32 AM

[/quote]
Thanks! Is the jon boat in the creek a red side console tracker? Or a 12'er with a 9.9 evinrude? If so, I know the guy who that happened to he has two boats...[/quote]

It is a camo painted aluminum boat, bigger than 12 feet. I think it is a 16' boat. It is upside down so I couldn't tell if it had a console.
Posted By: hook-line&sinker

Re: Lake Somerville - 02/18/19 02:45 AM

The big swings in wind direction can have a great affect on creek flow and much more than opening the floodgates at the dam. I've been on Nails creek when a cold front blew in midday. There was virtually no flow to the creek around the trailway bridge in the morning but by 1 o'clock it was really moving.. a day or two later the winds shifted back from the south and the creek stopped moving again.

The lake backs up into the lower end of Nails and the Yegua (all creeks actually) so if the lake is rising fast enough it will reverse the flow of the creek as it pushes rising water further up the creeks. Whitebass head upstream to spawn but if the lake is rising and they are somewhere near the lower end the current of the creek changes. If the fish head into the current they end up back in the lake or just further down the creek to where the current stabilizes.

I know one thing for sure the whitebass will move all over the creek going up and down depending on so many variables it is difficult to predict other than the fish are there somewhere.. finding them is half the battle, catching them at the right time is the other half..
Posted By: fishytx

Re: Lake Somerville - 02/18/19 05:58 PM

Originally Posted by mimi-x fan
Thanks! Is the jon boat in the creek a red side console tracker? Or a 12'er with a 9.9 evinrude? If so, I know the guy who that happened to he has two boats...


Originally Posted by J-Moe
It is a camo painted aluminum boat, bigger than 12 feet. I think it is a 16' boat. It is upside down so I couldn't tell if it had a console.


J-Moe He might be referring to the boats you saw in the creek at Newman's bottom. You said you saw one at low water crossing and one at trail way bridge.
Posted By: AdanV

Re: Lake Somerville - 02/18/19 10:51 PM

Thanks for posting yall's reports.

Me and my son are planning a camping/fishing trip at Somerville this coming weekend. Weather forecast shows rain for the coming weekend, but I'm hoping it eases up as the week progresses. We had a camping trip cancelled due to truck problems so I'm trying to make it up to him.
Posted By: fishytx

Re: Lake Somerville - 02/19/19 12:39 AM

Originally Posted by AdanV
Thanks for posting yall's reports.

Me and my son are planning a camping/fishing trip at Somerville this coming weekend. Weather forecast shows rain for the coming weekend, but I'm hoping it eases up as the week progresses. We had a camping trip cancelled due to truck problems so I'm trying to make it up to him.

AdanV I hope it all works out for you and your son this coming weekend. Only time will tell on the fishing part, but yet I'm sure some good memories will still be built.
Posted By: TXfisherman12

Re: Lake Somerville - 02/19/19 01:39 AM

Fished Newmans bottom today and caught only 7 white bass (3 keepers). I saw a about 2-3 fishermen with a full stringer but most were like me with only a few. Today is a holiday so the banks were crammed. It seemed like every nice hole around a creek bend had 3-4 fishermen spread out even if you walk way upstream towards Irwin. Most hits on my go to lure occurred near the center of the creek.
Posted By: Joejoe070

Re: Lake Somerville - 02/19/19 12:28 PM

Thanks to all that helped last week. me and the wife went Saturday after lunch and ended up with 10 all from one spot down stream from Irwins. They never would take a lure caught all on minnows. Gonna have to try again soon it was fun.
Posted By: J-Moe

Re: Lake Somerville - 02/19/19 03:45 PM

Originally Posted by TXfisherman12
Fished Newmans bottom today and caught only 7 white bass (3 keepers). I saw a about 2-3 fishermen with a full stringer but most were like me with only a few. Today is a holiday so the banks were crammed. It seemed like every nice hole around a creek bend had 3-4 fishermen spread out even if you walk way upstream towards Irwin. Most hits on my go to lure occurred near the center of the creek.


Last year you went out with that magical lure and caught 70. This year you caught 7. That pretty much sums up the type of season we have had so far. Very disappointing so far.
Posted By: J-Moe

Re: Lake Somerville - 02/19/19 03:47 PM

Originally Posted by Joejoe070
Thanks to all that helped last week. me and the wife went Saturday after lunch and ended up with 10 all from one spot down stream from Irwins. They never would take a lure caught all on minnows. Gonna have to try again soon it was fun.


Good information Joejoe. Thanks for sharing.
Posted By: hook-line&sinker

Re: Lake Somerville - 02/19/19 04:27 PM

Better get out there soon because by mid March it will be about done.. heres a trip to Nails creek in 2014.

Posted By: fishytx

Re: Lake Somerville - 02/19/19 10:01 PM

Once I get this white bass fishing fever thing going it sure is hard to stop fishing for these guys. Today marks the third day in a row I have stayed home and I know I have to much on my list to do tomorrow as well. I might be able to squeeze in a trip on Friday, we will see. I sure am itching to get that rod tip bent again though. Last few trips it has been slow or the best way to describe it like this, you really had to search for a good hole where they were somewhat active and they would strike your bait.
Posted By: Ledeez

Re: Lake Somerville - 02/19/19 11:19 PM

Originally Posted by fishytx
Once I get this white bass fishing fever thing going it sure is hard to stop fishing for these guys. Today marks the third day in a row I have stayed home and I know I have to much on my list to do tomorrow as well. I might be able to squeeze in a trip on Friday, we will see. I sure am itching to get that rod tip bent again though. Last few trips it has been slow or the best way to describe it like this, you really had to search for a good hole where they were somewhat active and they would strike your bait.

I heard that! My creek looked awesome for about a week.. only caught a few so far (last week) and then it rains again.
Good thing trout derby this weekend. Back to shoulder to shoulder fishing for a couple days.
Posted By: fishytx

Re: Lake Somerville - 02/20/19 12:02 AM

Trout derby sounds like fun. Is it on the Guadalupe River below Canyon Lake?
Posted By: TXfisherman12

Re: Lake Somerville - 02/20/19 12:03 AM

Originally Posted by J-Moe
Originally Posted by TXfisherman12
Fished Newmans bottom today and caught only 7 white bass (3 keepers). I saw a about 2-3 fishermen with a full stringer but most were like me with only a few. Today is a holiday so the banks were crammed. It seemed like every nice hole around a creek bend had 3-4 fishermen spread out even if you walk way upstream towards Irwin. Most hits on my go to lure occurred near the center of the creek.


Last year you went out with that magical lure and caught 70. This year you caught 7. That pretty much sums up the type of season we have had so far. Very disappointing so far.


That lure has served me well. Last April I tore up the white bass on the rio grande river with it. Was fishing the spillway of caballo reservoir in New Mexico. But I still think it is more the fishermans skill than the lure &#128518;. At least I like to think so.
Posted By: yota

Re: Lake Somerville - 02/21/19 02:19 AM

Went fishing after work today. Went to Irwin as I didnt have time to walk down to newmans. Very few people there. Started at 5 and left at dark. Caught 11 working the horseshoe. No big females.
Posted By: fishytx

Re: Lake Somerville - 02/21/19 06:50 PM

I'm tempted to go today before the rains start. It might get messy if we get some hard down pours like they forecast.
Posted By: AdanV

Re: Lake Somerville - 02/21/19 09:01 PM

How do the creeks look?
All muddy?

We're going for sure on Saturday, rain or shine.
Going to camp at Nails SP also and do some fishing again on Sunday morning.

Since my son is coming as well, I'm thinking of buying some live minnows to up the chances.
I want to keep him interested and the only way that'll happen if he's catching fish.
Posted By: fishytx

Re: Lake Somerville - 02/22/19 04:52 AM

I made a trip over to Irwin bridge this afternoon and did pretty good, fished downstream and I ended the trip with 30 in all. My buddy who I fish with a lot took home a limit. I did not keep mine because it is way too hard on me to haul fish all over the place. We walked a good ways downstream picking up one here, two there kind of deal. I did catch five out of one hole, otherwise it was one here two over there type thing. Water is pretty clear which I like, the fish shot up from the bottom and grabbed that thing. I was able to watch fish grab the bait on several occasions. I really like it when I can see them grab it. Maybe I can get another trip in before the rains come which I will have to play by ear and see how this all unfolds. What I need to do is this, just keep 14 fish. I think I will do ok with that amount of fish and it will also allow me to make two good bags of fish fillets for the freezer.

Posted By: fishytx

Re: Lake Somerville - 02/22/19 05:36 PM

Here is another little tip that I do while fishing for whites, I smash the barb on my hook. I do this for two reasons.
1. It is very easy to get the fish off my hook and if I throw them back then it does less harm to the fish.
2. It also allows me to get it off tree branches when I accidently pitch it into one. Now when I hook something on the bottom, no matter what it is, it is pretty much toast, I will either lose it or bend the hook which I can bend back in a few seconds.
But as far as the fish getting off the hook by themselves, I have had a few throw the hook and flip back into the water. But that's just a few out of a bunch, so it is no big deal to me. But I like to smash my barbs on hooks when ever I'm out fun fishing. 99% of the time they will not get off as long as you keep some light tension on the fish at all times.
Posted By: Bigj1986

Re: Lake Somerville - 02/22/19 05:49 PM

How are the creeks doing? Current? Muddy?
Posted By: J-Moe

Re: Lake Somerville - 02/22/19 10:34 PM

Originally Posted by Bigj1986
How are the creeks doing? Current? Muddy?


The Yegua is clear with good current. Nails and Cedar don't have any current to speak of.
Posted By: J-Moe

Re: Lake Somerville - 02/22/19 10:44 PM

I went to Irwin Bridge this morning. I got there just after 9 AM and there were only 5 cars in the parking lots. I took an ultralight spinning rod and fly rod today. I haven't used conventional gear in 2.5 years but I've become desperate as the gap between the number of fish Doug is catching and I'm catching has increased roflmao

I put on a 1/32 ounce white marbou jig on the spinning rod and a bead chain magical clouser on the fly rod, got really focused and went hard at it. I used the old tried and true fishytx methods and spinning gear in all the deep holes and fast moving current. I used the fly rod in all the shallow runs. I worked my way down to about half way to Newman bottom and found lots of fish. I ended up catching 33 (All males) and lost or missed the hook set on about 15 more. It turned out to be probably the second best day I've had this season. Even though I had to cheat by using conventional gear grin
Posted By: jsinn01

Re: Lake Somerville - 02/23/19 12:23 AM

Nice report, Jamie. Sounds like you hit it at the right time. thumb
Posted By: c.g

Re: Lake Somerville - 02/23/19 12:48 AM

Originally Posted by J-Moe
I went to Irwin Bridge this morning. I got there just after 9 AM and there were only 5 cars in the parking lots. I took an ultralight spinning rod and fly rod today. I haven't used conventional gear in 2.5 years but I've become desperate as the gap between the number of fish Doug is catching and I'm catching has increased roflmao

I put on a 1/32 ounce white marbou jig on the spinning rod and a bead chain magical clouser on the fly rod, got really focused and went hard at it. I used the old tried and true fishytx methods and spinning gear in all the deep holes and fast moving current. I used the fly rod in all the shallow runs. I worked my way down to about half way to Newman bottom and found lots of fish. I ended up catching 33 (All males) and lost or missed the hook set on about 15 more. It turned out to be probably the second best day I've had this season. Even though I had to cheat by using conventional gear grin

thx bunches for sharing J-Moe,
gonna hafta bring a spinning with light jigs like fishytx mentioned times & times again.. I don't wade so have to cast further to spots, using bfs with 1/16, 3/32, 1/8 jig heads with small paddle tail. But the fun ends when people show up closed by with bobbers or fly, fishing close to others it's better if everyone using the same method/technique..
Posted By: c.g

Re: Lake Somerville - 02/23/19 12:55 AM

Originally Posted by fishytx
Here is another little tip that I do while fishing for whites, I smash the barb on my hook. I do this for two reasons.
1. It is very easy to get the fish off my hook and if I throw them back then it does less harm to the fish.
2. It also allows me to get it off tree branches when I accidently pitch it into one. Now when I hook something on the bottom, no matter what it is, it is pretty much toast, I will either lose it or bend the hook which I can bend back in a few seconds.
But as far as the fish getting off the hook by themselves, I have had a few throw the hook and flip back into the water. But that's just a few out of a bunch, so it is no big deal to me. But I like to smash my barbs on hooks when ever I'm out fun fishing. 99% of the time they will not get off as long as you keep some light tension on the fish at all times.

thx bunches for the tip.. and noticing that you limited your keepings at times rather than keeping the limit.. flehan
Posted By: fishytx

Re: Lake Somerville - 02/23/19 04:56 AM

Water is somewhat clear
Water flow is dropping ever so slowly but still ok
Water is still cold enough to keep these fish in a sluggish mode, but they are trying to get up and go. Yesterday when I caught a fish and reeled it in, it had something like one or two fish chasseing it as I reeled it in. Today I might have seen one fish get followed by another one. They seem to be scattered out.
All males
I caught 22, but only hauled out 14 ( I had made plans to haul out 14 fish today and I stuck to it.) Therefore I get a big ole ( that a boy ) tap tap on my shoulder today for sticking to my plans..
My buddy caught 7 and hauled out 10. Hmmm, someone must have helped him out a little.
Saw several anglers coming out with like 5 to 8 fish and they had been there awhile plus they walked a long ways downstream much further than I would want to walk.
I got everything done kind a early today and was able to hit Irwin Bridge for several hours. Today the bite was better in the swift moving shallow water as pose to yesterdays bite was better around the deeper channels with slower moving water. My fishing buddy showed up as well. We both walked downstream about a half mile or so. I noticed the further I walked downstream the slower the bite was becoming for me. So I decided to turn around and go back upstream to where the fish wanted to bite my bait. We sure didnt catch as many as I thought we would, but still had fun.
***Oh yeah, J-Moe was there as well. He was packing it up going home as I was just getting my stuff out of my truck to get started. He caught like 33 in the morning. He told me he had his best luck way downstream and he had found some good holes.***
Posted By: CSSource39

Re: Lake Somerville - 02/24/19 12:10 AM

Went to Irwin Bridge for the first time today to see what all the hype is about. Water was flowing (not sure if it was good flow or bad because I've never seen it before today) and relatively clear (a little less than 2 feet of visibility)
Fished morning from about 830 to 2pm. Walked and explored downstream up to the fourth "horseshoe/bend" before fishing my way back.
Caught about 20 kept 10 I think they were all smaller males except three larger ones.
All in faster water and the breaks before and after.
Small white rooster tails and 16th/32nd oz chartreuse jig heads with white soft plastic crappie jig bodies.
Probably broke off the same amount of jigs as fish caught trying to learn how to fish this water haha
Posted By: fishytx

Re: Lake Somerville - 02/24/19 02:58 AM

Fished the Irwin bridge area again today. The mid-day bite was very slow. Somewhere around 5pm is when the bite for me got going good. I was tired and pretty much worn out when the better bite started, not sure I'll arrive at 2pm any more. Water color was a tad off from yesterday, not sure why it wasn't as clear. Anyhow I did meet up with catchnrelease, his wife and a friend of his. I'm sure he will do a post on the fish they caught, they had a good day. Me, I caught somewhere around 28 fish and I brought home 19 for the freezer. I quit putting fish on the stringer when I hit fourteen but I could not make myself toss the last five bigger fish. Later in the day I found a spot that was holding some nice size fish, I had to put those 14 and 15 inch fish on my stringer. Just got through eating my dinner, time to go fillet some fish.
Oh yeah, I fished with J-Moe for a little while, he had a pretty darn good day as well. Also saw some good stringers go out from the early morning anglers, I almost thought they caught all the fish with the way the bite started out. LOL
Posted By: ML56

Re: Lake Somerville - 02/24/19 05:40 AM

Curious as to whether females caught in the creek are still packed with eggs? Caught some a couple weeks back on main lake, and they were so packed with eggs they spurted out while being filleted, and made a big mess on the cleaning table. Trying to see if they spawned on/around last full moon, thinking they should be headed to main lake soon if
most are done with spawn. Lake level is approaching normal, water in upper reaches of creeks will be getting skinny and driving fish downstream too?
Posted By: fishytx

Re: Lake Somerville - 02/24/19 06:32 PM

Some have fully developed eggs and some do not. I have seen them spawning for three weeks now. But it has been off and on due to water temps. I had several last night that had eggs is why I can tell you this. In the next three weeks it going to be crazy good in the creek and they should start returning to the lake soon. I'm sure some have already done so. So start looking for the schooling whites soon and have fun. It is a blast chasing schooling whites with top water baits.
Posted By: fishytx

Re: Lake Somerville - 02/24/19 11:41 PM

Today I fried up a bunch of fish and I tried five different ways to make it. First thing I did was use plain yellow corn meal by itself. I used this spice called (slap you mama) but I tried it in different ways. I marinated six pieces in it, then covered in corn meal and fried. I fried in corn meal only, then sprinkled with spice. I mixed the spice in with corn meal and then fried. Then I added a dash of sugar to corn meal with spice and fried it. The last one with the splash of sugar was pretty good I must admit. But the old fashion way with yellow corm meal, salt and pepper is still my number one of choice. It allows you to get the full flavor of the fish. I like trying out new stuff, heck you never know what you are missing out on if you don't try out new stuff. This is something I have wanted to do for some time now and I did it. LOL I had fresh fish, bought the spice the other day, so gave it my best today to see how they tasted.
Posted By: JonL

Re: Lake Somerville - 02/25/19 01:07 AM

Made the long trip from Leander and fished my places upstream from Irwin bridge. I did okay. Got there at sun up and had 9 fish by 9 o clock. Decided to walk downstream from Irwin bridge and I only managed 3 more and had to leave at 12 o'clock anyway. If I go again I would probably go to Newmans Bottom unless we get another rise in [Linked Image]
[Linked Image]
the creek.
Posted By: J-Moe

Re: Lake Somerville - 02/25/19 02:14 AM

OFF TOPIC: I've never fished The Steps before so I decided to give it a try this morning. By the time I got the waders on and the fly rod rigged up it was about 8:30. There was already one guy leaving. He told me it was still a couple weeks away from being good. When I got to the bottom of the steps there were 4 people fishing. None of them had caught anything. I worked my way upstream. There were 3 guys fishing a stretch. One had 5 on the stringer. The other 2 said they had caught a few. As I continued to work my way upstream I talked to several people. Most of them had not caught anything. One more guy said he had caught a few. A couple people also told me the fishing was slightly better downstream but still not good yet. I never did see anyone catch a fish as I walked upstream and fished a few spots.

As I worked my way upstream I found a great looking spot. I caught 3 and lost 3 in about 15 casts. I also saw some shad popping in the area so I continued to work that area until I found the sweet spot. I ended up catching 19 in that area. The great part was I fished that area all by myself. The next closest person was probably a 100 yards or more upstream of me. I look forward to going back there. It's a great place to fly fish.
Posted By: Ledeez

Re: Lake Somerville - 02/25/19 02:52 AM

Originally Posted by J-Moe
OFF TOPIC: I've never fished The Steps before so I decided to give it a try this morning. By the time I got the waders on and the fly rod rigged up it was about 8:30. There was already one guy leaving. He told me it was still a couple weeks away from being good. When I got to the bottom of the steps there were 4 people fishing. None of them had caught anything. I worked my way upstream. There were 3 guys fishing a stretch. One had 5 on the stringer. The other 2 said they had caught a few. As I continued to work my way upstream I talked to several people. Most of them had not caught anything. One more guy said he had caught a few. A couple people also told me the fishing was slightly better downstream but still not good yet. I never did see anyone catch a fish as I walked upstream and fished a few spots.

As I worked my way upstream I found a great looking spot. I caught 3 and lost 3 in about 15 casts. I also saw some shad popping in the area so I continued to work that area until I found the sweet spot. I ended up catching 19 in that area. The great part was I fished that area all by myself. The next closest person was probably a 100 yards or more upstream of me. I look forward to going back there. It's a great place to fly fish.

Always rewarding when you put in the work! Nice report! Come on spring!
thumb
Posted By: fishytx

Re: Lake Somerville - 02/25/19 03:30 AM

J-Moe called me today and told about this fishing trip. Great job J-Moe. This place can be hard to fish at time or it can be good as well. But to get as many as he did, he was doing everything right. Very impressed with his results. Also explained a few things about Willis creek to him as well. But the steps is a good place close for people who want to fish with a fly rod to wade out and give these fish a good ole lashing with some hand tied artifice baits. Also a good place for J-Moe to set a few more record catches while using the fly rod... Awesome job Jamie...
Posted By: white bass interceptor

Re: Lake Somerville - 02/25/19 03:36 AM

Does anyone have a report on fishing down stream of the trail way bridge? I have fished up stream and had good luck. Down stream is my preferred fishing area of the bottom.
Posted By: J-Moe

Re: Lake Somerville - 02/25/19 04:52 AM

Originally Posted by Ledeez
Originally Posted by J-Moe
OFF TOPIC: I've never fished The Steps before so I decided to give it a try this morning. By the time I got the waders on and the fly rod rigged up it was about 8:30. There was already one guy leaving. He told me it was still a couple weeks away from being good. When I got to the bottom of the steps there were 4 people fishing. None of them had caught anything. I worked my way upstream. There were 3 guys fishing a stretch. One had 5 on the stringer. The other 2 said they had caught a few. As I continued to work my way upstream I talked to several people. Most of them had not caught anything. One more guy said he had caught a few. A couple people also told me the fishing was slightly better downstream but still not good yet. I never did see anyone catch a fish as I walked upstream and fished a few spots.

As I worked my way upstream I found a great looking spot. I caught 3 and lost 3 in about 15 casts. I also saw some shad popping in the area so I continued to work that area until I found the sweet spot. I ended up catching 19 in that area. The great part was I fished that area all by myself. The next closest person was probably a 100 yards or more upstream of me. I look forward to going back there. It's a great place to fly fish.

Always rewarding when you put in the work! Nice report! Come on spring!
thumb


Thanks Ledeez
Posted By: J-Moe

Re: Lake Somerville - 02/25/19 05:03 AM

Originally Posted by fishytx
J-Moe called me today and told about this fishing trip. Great job J-Moe. This place can be hard to fish at time or it can be good as well. But to get as many as he did, he was doing everything right. Very impressed with his results. Also explained a few things about Willis creek to him as well. But the steps is a good place close for people who want to fish with a fly rod to wade out and give these fish a good ole lashing with some hand tied artifice baits. Also a good place for J-Moe to set a few more record catches while using the fly rod... Awesome job Jamie...


Thanks Doug. Luckily for me, the rest of the people there haven't had the privilege of taking the Fishytx training course on reading the water and structure. Else wise, that spot would have been packed. grin
Posted By: fishytx

Re: Lake Somerville - 02/25/19 04:32 PM

I fished downstream one day about two weeks ago by the low water crossing. But the lake level was still high and the water below the bridge was lake back up water, not much flow to it at all. Since then it has dropped a lot. They have also closed off the trail way bridge, you can only fish Newman's from the parking lot side, or you could call it the south side, you can not cross on the bridge, it is barricaded off. The water level should be low enough now to where a person can walk the trail at the low water crossing without getting wet, but I really can't be for sure on this because I haven't been back that way every since my last walk downstream.
Posted By: fishytx

Re: Lake Somerville - 02/25/19 04:39 PM

J-Moe the waders are the best tool at the steps, they will allow a person to access the better spots and it will allow the angler to stand in the right place for the best presentation. 3/4 or more of the people that fish the steps do not have waders, but as soon as it warms up they will be out wading in it, or just crossing the river every day in jeans and then it will be packed on both sides of the shoreline. It can be a circus at times, but still very doable. Big crowds no longer bother me, I just catch fish right out from under their feet if they are standing close to the sweet spots. LOL It is kind a funny to watch, they get ticked off and leave.
Posted By: jsinn01

Re: Lake Somerville - 02/25/19 07:54 PM

Originally Posted by J-Moe
OFF TOPIC: I've never fished The Steps before so I decided to give it a try this morning. By the time I got the waders on and the fly rod rigged up it was about 8:30. There was already one guy leaving. He told me it was still a couple weeks away from being good. When I got to the bottom of the steps there were 4 people fishing. None of them had caught anything. I worked my way upstream. There were 3 guys fishing a stretch. One had 5 on the stringer. The other 2 said they had caught a few. As I continued to work my way upstream I talked to several people. Most of them had not caught anything. One more guy said he had caught a few. A couple people also told me the fishing was slightly better downstream but still not good yet. I never did see anyone catch a fish as I walked upstream and fished a few spots.

As I worked my way upstream I found a great looking spot. I caught 3 and lost 3 in about 15 casts. I also saw some shad popping in the area so I continued to work that area until I found the sweet spot. I ended up catching 19 in that area. The great part was I fished that area all by myself. The next closest person was probably a 100 yards or more upstream of me. I look forward to going back there. It's a great place to fly fish.


Great report, J-Moe. That's more fish than I've ever caught at The Steps. I flat out gave up on that place as it's about the same distance for me to drive to Nails & Yegua. About the only reason I go there anymore is it gives me an excuse to stop at Louie Muellers BBQ.
Posted By: white bass interceptor

Re: Lake Somerville - 02/25/19 10:47 PM

Originally Posted by fishytx
I fished downstream one day about two weeks ago by the low water crossing. But the lake level was still high and the water below the bridge was lake back up water, not much flow to it at all. Since then it has dropped a lot. They have also closed off the trail way bridge, you can only fish Newman's from the parking lot side, or you could call it the south side, you can not cross on the bridge, it is barricaded off. The water level should be low enough now to where a person can walk the trail at the low water crossing without getting wet, but I really can't be for sure on this because I haven't been back that way every since my last walk downstream.
Posted By: jsinn01

Re: Lake Somerville - 02/25/19 10:59 PM

Originally Posted by fishytx
J-Moe the waders are the best tool at the steps, they will allow a person to access the better spots and it will allow the angler to stand in the right place for the best presentation. 3/4 or more of the people that fish the steps do not have waders, but as soon as it warms up they will be out wading in it, or just crossing the river every day in jeans and then it will be packed on both sides of the shoreline. It can be a circus at times, but still very doable. Big crowds no longer bother me, I just catch fish right out from under their feet if they are standing close to the sweet spots. LOL It is kind a funny to watch, they get ticked off and leave.


Stupid question, with all the people standing in or walking through the water, doesn't this spook the fish? Have you noticed a big difference in your fish counts on days where there's nobody around versus days the water is crowded? I guess at Yegua this doesn't really come into play as not many people wade fish there, but places like the The Steps and Reimers this definitely becomes an issue.
Posted By: fishytx

Re: Lake Somerville - 02/25/19 11:56 PM

At Reimers and the steps the fish are swimming at your feet, it does not bother them that much at all. I have fished right behind a whole line of anglers that were standing in the strike zone at the steps one time and I would toss my bait right up against these folks and pull fish right out from under their rear ends. After about the fifth fish they all backed up and started fishing that spot to. I have also just let a small amount of line out in the current while standing there and moved my bait just enough to trigger a strike, the fish are like six or seven feet downstream from where I'm standing and I watch them take it. But most anglers want to get one step ahead of the other guy so they keep pushing further out into the current where the fish are holding. Everyone is jogging for that sweet spot. I just smile laugh and deal with them every year, no big deal. Always expect the unexpected and you will be fine. The worse thing that happens at the steps that you can not control are young kids throwing sticks into the water and they float downstream right through your fishing area.
Posted By: J-Moe

Re: Lake Somerville - 02/26/19 06:57 AM

Thanks Jared. I want to fish Reimers this year too.
Posted By: AdanV

Re: Lake Somerville - 02/26/19 10:26 PM

Me and my son went this past weekend.
We were initially supposed to be at the SP Friday evening so we can start Saturday at sunrise, but we had other things come up and we couldn't leave until Saturday morning and didn't get to start fishing until around noon. Couldn't get live minnows due to me forgetting the aerator at home. Wanted live minnows for my son.

We were at Newman's Bottoms first, and saw a few other anglers with stringers full. Fished until sundown and only had 3 on the stringer, all caught on roadrunners with white grubs. I lost a lot of roadrunner jigheads though.

The following morning, we were at Irwin's bridge and were there for an hour before we had to call it and head back home. There were more & more people showing up, but didn't see any with fish.

All in all, the camping & fishing was pretty fun.

Thanks again for yalls reports.
I'm still very new to the white bass run.

I have a few questions though:
- I'm assuming it's best to pack light and keep moving & casting up/down the creeks? 2 of the 3 were caught in 1 spot, the other in a different spot. This other angler had a stringer full and kept moving downstream after 15 minutes or so.

- Is there something in particular we should focus on? (structure, points, current direction, etc.)
Posted By: jsinn01

Re: Lake Somerville - 02/26/19 10:56 PM

AdanV, thanks for the report. It takes a bit to figure out the best spots to fish and this will change each day as water levels change. There are some good holes downstream of Newman's that almost always hold fish, but upstream it really changes depending on conditions. Bends in the creek are usually a good place to start as they tend to create deeper pockets of water. I prefer to pack light. First, it makes it easier if there's a long walk and second it gives me flexibility to move around. I've seen people use wagons to haul all their gear, but those typically show up at the crack of dawn to ensure they get one of the better spots. Good luck out there.
Posted By: fishytx

Re: Lake Somerville - 02/27/19 04:27 PM

Pack light and move around. I use a back pack to carry water and stuff. And it's just a back pack with like draw strings, it to is light weight. But I can carry extra tackle and roll of string if needed. Wish I could tell you there is a special honey hole but like already mentioned, it changes all the time due to water flow.
Posted By: CSSource39

Re: Lake Somerville - 02/28/19 02:58 PM

Girlfriend and I are camping at Rocky Creek Park next weekend any suggestions on fishing that area?
Bringing a two seater kayak and thinking about just driving to nails to launch if anything.
Does anyone have news on crappie in yegua or nails Creek?
Posted By: slopez

Re: Lake Somerville - 02/28/19 05:45 PM

WB interceptor, I fished NB on Sunday afternoon. Tough day of fishing for me, as well as most of the ppl I saw. No full stringers that I saw. I didn't get there till 2pm, and left ~ 5. I went upstream first and only managed 3 from one spot. I then tried downstream and only caught 1. None were caught in holes. All were caught in faster water. I have a bad habit of fishing a proven hole for way too long, thinking its something I'm doing wrong, instead of the fish not holding there. I will go from hole to hole doing this instead of trying new spots. I don't know if I'll get back to the creeks this year. It has been way to frustrating, so I think I'll just wait till it warms up a bit and catch them schooling in the 'ol yak.
Posted By: TXfisherman12

Re: Lake Somerville - 02/28/19 06:58 PM

slopez: I had the same experience when fishing in mid February. I caught all my fish in a place I normally wouldn't spend much time on, but stopped to fish it because everybody else was fishing the other holes. I think it was Ben (HL&S) that taught me they are where you find them. On another note, I don't believe that it is fished out but you have to factor in that all the white bass being strung up over the past 30+ days is going to take its toll on fish numbers.
Posted By: fishytx

Re: Lake Somerville - 02/28/19 07:46 PM

I had those same thoughts about the number of fish going out on stringers and how it should reduce the amount of fish I caught as well. But when the sunlight started to dim down a little towards later in the afternoon, the bite got much better. But if those other fish were still in there, it might have been even a better bite. Oh well, I still took home more than I wanted to clean.
Posted By: fishytx

Re: Lake Somerville - 03/01/19 03:09 PM

Wow, what happened to the spring weather conditions? This cold snap could slow everything down or even cause it to come to a halt. I had plans to fish this afternoon and tomorrow with some friends but I might have to regroup on these plans and reschedule when weather conditions are better. Brrrrr. I'll just put on another layer of cloths and go any way, you never know with these fish. At least there should be less people out fishing in this weather, which means there will be more fish in the water to try and catch, if they will bite that is. LOL
Posted By: jsinn01

Re: Lake Somerville - 03/01/19 03:47 PM

Yeah, I've had enough of the cold weather. It seems like we get one or two days of nice weather and then a front rolls through. Wish we could save a few of these cold fronts for July/August. wink
Posted By: PerksOutdoors

Re: Lake Somerville - 03/01/19 05:34 PM

Tomorrow looks to be a decent day weather wise. I missed the bite last year and told myself I'd at least go once in lieu of taking the boat out. Thanks to the many posts, I have a good idea on where to go. My first option for bait will be live crawfish. My dad always talks about catching whites on them. If I can't catch any in the morning I'm wondering what you experts think about these homemade jigheads. Bass seem to like them in the local ponds. . .

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Posted By: fishytx

Re: Lake Somerville - 03/01/19 07:00 PM

Live crawfish work great if you can get some. The 3/4 to 1 inch size work the best. At that size they are grey looking. But this cold snap sure doesn't help out on catching these things shallow, they will get in their hole and stay in it till the water warms up some.
The small jigs work the best, white during the day. Good luck if you decide to go.....
I will be headed that way soon so I should have some sort of report to post later on this afternoon or tonight. I am not expecting much, so anything is a good thing.
Posted By: slopez

Re: Lake Somerville - 03/01/19 07:05 PM

I always have hell fishing in the current with anything smaller than 1/16 oz., which is my preferred weight. I don't see how fishy and the flyboys (J-Moe, HL&S) do it. I guess I have some stalking to do. Also, I know most everyone knows, but watch out for the snakes. They are starting to come out. Sunday I was below the pedestrian bridge @ NB, near what I believe is called the low water crossing. Dude that was about 50 or 60 yds from me ran into a water moccasin. Although I was far from him, I instinctually still took a few steps away. He handled it way better than I would have. Very woman-like characteristics come out in me when I run into snakes.
Posted By: PerksOutdoors

Re: Lake Somerville - 03/01/19 07:22 PM

Thanks for the reply gentlemen. Cross my fingers for some crawfish and start with lighter jigs if that isn't possible. Guess I'll bring a snake stick too!
Posted By: J-Moe

Re: Lake Somerville - 03/01/19 11:12 PM

Fished Irwin Bridge from 11 AM to 3 PM today. The Yegua is clear, clear, clear. Perfect conditions for the magical clouser and it worked like a charm. I caught 49 white bass and 13 crappie.

Fishytx, his fishing buddy and Yota showed up just before I was leaving. They were already wearing them out.
Posted By: Parfume4

Re: Lake Somerville - 03/01/19 11:23 PM

get a video shot at yegua creek ready in youtube. Fishing was two weeks ago.
https://youtu.be/tPKP480u84o
Posted By: yota

Re: Lake Somerville - 03/02/19 03:41 AM

Good to see you again j-moe. Didnt have the amazing day you had but did end up with 19 to clean. All smaller fish but 19 none the less. Thanks again for all the pointers fishytx. My catch numbers have dedinitely increased with your advice. I appreciate all you share as well as others that do too. None of you have to give any advice as you have spent years figuring it out on your own. Anything that is shared is generosity. Thanks again
Posted By: Ledeez

Re: Lake Somerville - 03/02/19 05:12 AM

Originally Posted by Parfume4
get a video shot at yegua creek ready in youtube. Fishing was two weeks ago.
https://youtu.be/tPKP480u84o

Nice video! Waterproof shoes =$
Posted By: fishytx

Re: Lake Somerville - 03/02/19 04:04 PM

So yesterday I took home 18 whites and 2 crappie. But I caught a lot of under size fish, maybe another 20 fish, small crappie and whites. Also while cleaning these fish I took home yesterday there were 6 females in the bunch. Im not real sure why but this years fish on the Yegua have been somewhat smaller fish. I have still caught a few nice fish but it isnt like it has been in the past.
I also saw several nice stringers leave the creek. These anglers had arrived early in the morning. Seems like the best bite has been early morning from what I am seeing other anglers leave with good stringers. And they all say the bite was awesome in the morning then it starts to taper off. Ill have to take their word on this because I am no longer an early bird when it comes to this fishing thing.
Water is clear and the current continues to slow down just tad bit more every day.
Good to see you again yota. Any time I can get on the waters edge and catch some fish and talk to friends, it's a good day. I enjoyed the talk time as well as the few good rod bends. The bite was slow and we all had to search for them a little but in the end we all took home a few for the grease, had fun, and of course that's the main thing right there.

Oh and the fish chart is showing from 6am to 3 pm to be the best fishing time.
Posted By: PerksOutdoors

Re: Lake Somerville - 03/03/19 01:28 AM

Well for my first trip I was pleasantly surprised. I didn't get any crawfish so homemade jigs it was. Fished 8:30 to 11 and managed 17 whites and 1 crappie (cooler ran out of room). I'm officially hooked on this type of trip. It was a blast not having to worry about a boat. Took FishyTx's advice on light jig with white and used it the whole trip. For those who don't like using a lighter jighead check out the tip and rig setup in the link. First time I've used it myself but the visual aid helped a lot. Thanks again for all the pointers.


http://perksoutdoors.weebly.com/blog/yegua-creek-322019

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Posted By: J-Moe

Re: Lake Somerville - 03/03/19 03:00 AM

I walked into Newman Bottom this morning. I headed upstream to my favorite spot. I got there at 8:15. Between 8:15 and 9:30 I caught 24 white bass, then the bite slowed down. I headed downstream and fished below the trail way bridge and caught 8 more. The fishing below the trail way bridge has greatly improved as the water has dropped. The lake is only 3/4 foot above normal now. Most everyone was catching fish. I saw a few nice stringers with both whites and crappie. I also saw a few big females on stringers below the bridge. It seemed that the fish were slightly bigger below the bridge than they were at Irwin or even above the bridge.
Posted By: fishytx

Re: Lake Somerville - 03/03/19 04:33 PM

I have a few friends on the creek today. Hmmm should I go or should fry up some fish? I woke up with a bad head ache this morning is why I am still at home but it is starting to go away, I might get fully dressed and head on over that way before this real cold air moves in tonight. I can picture the rod tip bending as I type. LOL I know this white bass fever is kicking my tail end, I can't ever seem to get enough of it.
Posted By: fishytx

Re: Lake Somerville - 03/03/19 09:30 PM

They did catch a few limits today, but they really had to work for it. I stayed home and fried up a bunch of fish. Fresh fried fish is about as good as it gets.
Posted By: Skavatar

Re: Lake Somerville - 03/03/19 10:48 PM

we've never been to Lake Somerville before. planning to go out there Tuesday Mar 12, i know its the middle of Spring Break but that's the only time the rest of the family can go.

we don't have a boat, i was looking on google maps. looks like the pictures were taken when the lake was flooded. how are the conditions now? i know we've been getting rain lately.

can Thornberry Dr be fished off the bank by the Army Corp of Engineers? or any suggestions for bank fishing.

thanks.
Posted By: J-Moe

Re: Lake Somerville - 03/04/19 03:02 AM

Originally Posted by Skavatar
we've never been to Lake Somerville before. planning to go out there Tuesday Mar 12, i know its the middle of Spring Break but that's the only time the rest of the family can go.

we don't have a boat, i was looking on google maps. looks like the pictures were taken when the lake was flooded. how are the conditions now? i know we've been getting rain lately.

can Thornberry Dr be fished off the bank by the Army Corp of Engineers? or any suggestions for bank fishing.

thanks.


The lake is only 1/2 foot above normal. Thornberry drive is the dam road. You can park at the spillway parking lot and fish the spillway or walk across the road and fish the main lake. The white bass are running in the creeks right now and should still be in there on the 12th. The creeks are on the opposite end of the lake. You can park at Irwin bridge and fish downstream on Yegua creek.
Posted By: hook-line&sinker

Re: Lake Somerville - 03/04/19 04:20 AM

Made trip # four (for the year) over to Somerville to see if we could find some crappie or whitebass. Decided to try Nails Creek and avoid the circus that the Yegua can be. I wasn't expecting much and really didn't feel like fishing in what the weather man had predicted.. To my surprise we found the whitebass (mostly females) above the flag pond cut and on up to the the "S" bend mostly hugging the bank in the long straight sections. Everything took a white roadrunner on a slow roll parallel to the bank. We saw most everyone on the creek catching crappie whether using bait or jigs but we stayed on the whitebass all day. We were in my friends ProDrive (work boat) again on this trip but I must say that I really prefer to fish out my kayak and have tailored my approach and methods around the quiet nature of a paddle craft which is what I put on camera. I've got very little interest in putting on camera what very few people can afford to do which is why there are very few videos of mine of that high-cost fishing..
Posted By: fishytx

Re: Lake Somerville - 03/04/19 04:47 PM

When I was much younger I did a lot of fishing from inner tubes and canoes. And yes, the amount of wild life you are able to see while in stealth mode on the water is unreal. I see a lot in my bass boat because I run my trolling motor 98% more than the big motor while on the water. I dont miss much when it comes to wild life movement. I spot animals all the time where others probably never pay much attention to them. But I like to watch them stalk me or should I say, watch me from a far while they have no clue that I am also watching them. Wild life creatures are very sneaky, they take a peek at you and will continue to do the sneak peek thing until they feel comfortably knowing what your purpose is while visiting in their area and what direction youre going in so they can go in the opposite direction to continue to do their thing while at peace.
But the best part of the canoe or inner tube was the slow approach to the good fishing holes. It also allowed for me to get in the right place to deliver the best presentation to the fish in that one particular spot. The inner tube fishing was the best because the fish pulled you around, they would spin you and all that good stuff, it was fun
Posted By: jsinn01

Re: Lake Somerville - 03/04/19 09:39 PM

Originally Posted by hook-line&sinker
Made trip # four (for the year) over to Somerville to see if we could find some crappie or whitebass. Decided to try Nails Creek and avoid the circus that the Yegua can be. I wasn't expecting much and really didn't feel like fishing in what the weather man had predicted.. To my surprise we found the whitebass (mostly females) above the flag pond cut and on up to the the "S" bend mostly hugging the bank in the long straight sections. Everything took a white roadrunner on a slow roll parallel to the bank. We saw most everyone on the creek catching crappie whether using bait or jigs but we stayed on the whitebass all day. We were in my friends ProDrive (work boat) again on this trip but I must say that I really prefer to fish out my kayak and have tailored my approach and methods around the quiet nature of a paddle craft which is what I put on camera. I've got very little interest in putting on camera what very few people can afford to do which is why there are very few videos of mine of that high-cost fishing..


Nice to hear you made it out there, Ben. I've only done two Somerville trips so far this year. One successful crappie trip, and one not so successful white bass trip. There were years where I would be out there on just about any weekend I could, but I swear that drive gets longer and longer each year. I really miss the clinics you used to organize at Nails Creek SP. Those were some fun events.
Posted By: jsinn01

Re: Lake Somerville - 03/04/19 09:42 PM

Originally Posted by fishytx
When I was much younger I did a lot of fishing from inner tubes and canoes. And yes, the amount of wild life you are able to see while in stealth mode on the water is unreal. I see a lot in my bass boat because I run my trolling motor 98% more than the big motor while on the water. I dont miss much when it comes to wild life movement. I spot animals all the time where others probably never pay much attention to them. But I like to watch them stalk me or should I say, watch me from a far while they have no clue that I am also watching them. Wild life creatures are very sneaky, they take a peek at you and will continue to do the sneak peek thing until they feel comfortably knowing what your purpose is while visiting in their area and what direction youre going in so they can go in the opposite direction to continue to do their thing while at peace.
But the best part of the canoe or inner tube was the slow approach to the good fishing holes. It also allowed for me to get in the right place to deliver the best presentation to the fish in that one particular spot. The inner tube fishing was the best because the fish pulled you around, they would spin you and all that good stuff, it was fun


Fishytx, did the snakes ever bother you in the float tube? My father-in-law got me a float tube as a gift one time, but I was reluctant to use it for that reason.
Posted By: fishytx

Re: Lake Somerville - 03/05/19 04:24 PM

No I never have had an issue with snakes while in the tube. But I have had a few that just would not leave me alone while in a canoe or in my boat. I even tapped them with my rod tip, or used a paddle and they still wanted to get in my boat. Some snakes can be a pain in the rear end let me tell you. Not sure how I would react to one this aggressive while in my tube, but it would be some footage you would want to capture for Americas funniest home videos Im sure. I have spent a lot of time on the water in my years and only ran across a few stubborn snakes that just would not take a no sir, no way are you getting in my boat for an answer and they would do just about anything to get in. Maybe they were shedding their skin at the time because when they do this their vision become blur due to the milky skin over their eyes as it begins to break away from their body and dry up. I think snakes shed twice a year, not real sure on it though. When I was a kid I would catch harmless snakes, play with them and then let them go. And I did have a few that bit me when they were shedding, they cant see and it was just reacting to something grabbing it.
Posted By: fishytx

Re: Lake Somerville - 03/05/19 04:31 PM

jsinn01, how come you don't fish Reimers? You have a yak, the fish are upstream at the falls. Once you paddle up there you can wade fish and catch a good amount of fish.
Posted By: jsinn01

Re: Lake Somerville - 03/05/19 05:00 PM

Originally Posted by fishytx
jsinn01, how come you don't fish Reimers? You have a yak, the fish are upstream at the falls. Once you paddle up there you can wade fish and catch a good amount of fish.


That's a great question. To be honest I've never had much luck at Reimers, and while it is closer to me than Yegua & Nails, it is still a 45 minute drive one way. Also, I can't fish much during the week and that place can be crazy busy on the weekends. I actually prefer to go up to Perdernales Falls SP and fish below the dam. There are no white bass, but plenty of guadalupe & black bass.
Posted By: CSSource39

Re: Lake Somerville - 03/06/19 12:38 AM

Has anyone ever launched a kayak at the spillway?
Recommended or no
Posted By: J-Moe

Re: Lake Somerville - 03/06/19 05:30 AM

I have never launched at the spillway but I have launched at 36 Bridge and paddled upstream many times. There is a sign at the end of the rocks that states "No boats past this point", so that will be as far as you can go. When you paddle upstream from 36 Bridge you can also fish at the "Y", that is where the emergency/uncontrolled over flow feeds back into the Yegua. I have caught white bass and crappie at the mouth of the Y. I have caught crappie further into that area. There are also a lot of trash fish in that area. From time to time I have caught white bass and crappie at the 36 bridge. I have also caught largemouth and spotted bass around the railway bridge. There are lots of catfish all up and down the creek as well.
Posted By: GC2656

Re: Lake Somerville - 03/07/19 11:06 AM

Looks like they slowed the discharge flow to a trickle, lake level @ 238.18. I will be in the creeks Friday morning in search of some of those fine eating crappie. I'll post a report when I get home. fish
Posted By: fishytx

Re: Lake Somerville - 03/07/19 04:10 PM

Good ole cold weather strikes again. We have already seen it do its thing once this year and that is slow the white bass spawn bite down. The fish kind a shut down when the water gets cold, but after a few good warm nights followed by warmer days the bite picks up again. These last two hard freezes we just had have also slowed the bite down from what Im hearing. Me, I know what cold weather does to these fish, so I kick back and wait several days till it has a chance to get going strong again. There should be another five to six weeks of fishing for spawning whites, so here in a few days the water will warm up enough to get these fish spawning and going crazy once more before this years spawn comes to an end. There is still time for folks to fill a few stringers. I have had people ask me, is the spawn over. No it is not over, this is just a cold weather set back is all, here in a few days the bite will be great again.
Posted By: bastropian

Re: Lake Somerville - 03/07/19 04:53 PM

Thanks for the insight. I always look for ya here. I know you know what's up.
Posted By: fishytx

Re: Lake Somerville - 03/08/19 03:42 PM

I know we had a very warm night last night and it looks like a warm day is in store today, but it does take a little longer to warm up the water than it does to cool it down. I can see the bite starting to pick up by tomorrow by just a little, but the good news is this, it will continue to get better from here on out. I have a friend who is so ready to get back on these fish and he said something about going this afternoon, but I don't know if I will or not. I think it will take another day or two before they get going strong again, but you never know. Also with the shortage of rain to this day, the water has really gotten clear. I watched these fish swim up to my bait and then turn on it as they got closer. They are doing this because they can see the bait so well. The guys that are using mini flukes are getting bit, hand tied closures are getting bit, or live bait is working great as well. So to trick these guys into attacking artificial baits right now, you really got a try to match the hatch and work the bait very well. I know I have been tweaking the jigs like crazy. Where I use to get away with the body of the jig messed up I can't today and I will cut a bad jig off and retie a new one. I have also had to work with the feathers on the jigs, I have had to pull some off because it is to thick or shorten it to try and balance the jig out. They have become very picky now that they can see these baits better. Anglers now have to fine tune their baits and the presentation of their baits in order to catch a few fish.
Posted By: fishytx

Re: Lake Somerville - 03/08/19 05:44 PM

Oh wow, I just saw the weather forecast for the next seven days. Looks like our temperature will continue to stay cool longer than I thought. I had no clue another cool front was on its way visit us. Texas weather, always expect the unexpected right?
Posted By: jsinn01

Re: Lake Somerville - 03/08/19 06:42 PM

Originally Posted by fishytx
I know we had a very warm night last night and it looks like a warm day is in store today, but it does take a little longer to warm up the water than it does to cool it down. I can see the bite starting to pick up by tomorrow by just a little, but the good news is this, it will continue to get better from here on out. I have a friend who is so ready to get back on these fish and he said something about going this afternoon, but I don't know if I will or not. I think it will take another day or two before they get going strong again, but you never know. Also with the shortage of rain to this day, the water has really gotten clear. I watched these fish swim up to my bait and then turn on it as they got closer. They are doing this because they can see the bait so well. The guys that are using mini flukes are getting bit, hand tied closures are getting bit, or live bait is working great as well. So to trick these guys into attacking artificial baits right now, you really got a try to match the hatch and work the bait very well. I know I have been tweaking the jigs like crazy. Where I use to get away with the body of the jig messed up I can't today and I will cut a bad jig off and retie a new one. I have also had to work with the feathers on the jigs, I have had to pull some off because it is to thick or shorten it to try and balance the jig out. They have become very picky now that they can see these baits better. Anglers now have to fine tune their baits and the presentation of their baits in order to catch a few fish.


Great post. I guess the same would apply to places like Reimers where the water tends to be very clear.
Posted By: J-Moe

Re: Lake Somerville - 03/08/19 09:23 PM

I fished below the dam the last couple evenings since they lowered the flow to 178 cfs. I caught a bunch of white bass, crappie and a couple of hybrids. I started out at the dam this morning at sunrise hoping to catch some hybrids. I caught 2 white bass and a crappie in the first 45 minutes. Then a lady and her husband showed up to fish next to me. She casted over my fly line on 3 consecutive casts so I gave up and left.

I went to Nails creek. I parked at the WMA parking area and walked downstream to the trailway bridge. The water in Nails is clearer than I personally have ever seen it before. I only caught one LMB. I decided not to walk all the way down to the flag pond cut and instead headed to Irwin bridge.

I got to Irwin at 9:45 AM. When I was walking in I talked to a few people. Nobody had caught more than 5 fish. One pair of guys were already leaving at around 10 AM. They told me fishing was slow. I had a 1/32 ounce white marabou jig on one fly rod and a 1/16 ounce chartreuse marabou jig on the other. I was catching a few on the 1/32 ounce jig but absolutely nothing on the 1/16 ounce. I changed the 1/16 ounce jig to a magical clouser which is tied with bead chain and is much lighter than even a 1/32 ounce jig. That was the ticket. I started wearing them out then.

It ended up being one of those days that it's great to be using a fly rod. I caught 36 white bass and 2 big crappie. The majority of the white bass were really big males. Lots of 14 inch plus fish.

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Posted By: EllerTroy

Re: Lake Somerville - 03/08/19 09:30 PM

It applies even more to Reimers and rivers in general. The Yegua is a little more forgiven then the rivers like Reimers. I've been on Reimers and the Colorado Rivers many times catching white bass after white bass and as soon as the wind changes to the north from a cool front they stop biting. I've been able to keep catching white bass on the Yegua after cool fronts but not after cold fronts like we just had. It get really hard to catch white bass on at Reimers on jigs when the water is really clear. You either have to use river or creek minnows or clear plastic crappie jigs with white jig heads. My dad and I used to make our own before you could buy them in the stores. We use to call them super worms because we would to them to the coast and catch everything down there on them to. But with white bass you had to have white jig heads or they would not touch them.
Posted By: jsinn01

Re: Lake Somerville - 03/08/19 10:38 PM

EllerTroy, I think this is why I prefer fishing the Yegua. I like the "forgiving" part. grin
Posted By: jsinn01

Re: Lake Somerville - 03/08/19 10:39 PM

Nice catch, J-Moe!
Posted By: fishytx

Re: Lake Somerville - 03/09/19 02:50 AM

I was not going fishing today, but some body name J-moe sent me a text about a good bite, so I ended up at Irwin this afternoon. Thanks again for the tip J-Moe, I ended up fishing from 3:30 till 6:30 with a total of 31 whites. All were caught on a white 1/32 oz. jig, but man did I have to walk a good ways downstream. But I knew the bite was way downstream so I pretty much just went ahead and walked on down there without stopping at each hole. I like to keep my fish but I will not pack a stringer full of fish back out that far,so they swim to see another day. But the fun factor was way up there so it was a successful trip. To my surprise, the fish I caught did not feel that cold, the water was much warmer than I thought it would be. I have always enjoyed the sport of fishing in general but something about the white bass spawn is special to me. I like everything about it and they are the only fish I keep and clean for the grease. I keep a few crappie here and there, but for the most I am a catch and release angler.
Posted By: drayno241

Re: Lake Somerville - 03/09/19 10:39 PM

Im from San Antonio and I love fishing the yegua and I try to come at least one time a year. Do you think the creek is about to get good or is it staring to decline? I just dont want to make the drive if its on the tail end. Would you recommend Irwin bridge or Newmans at this time?
Posted By: fishytx

Re: Lake Somerville - 03/09/19 10:48 PM

Nice hybrid J-Mow. I know that was a good battle, those babies pull hard.
Posted By: fishytx

Re: Lake Somerville - 03/09/19 10:58 PM

I stayed home today and now I am glad I did. Here is the report I'm getting from others at Irwin and at the Steps. Anglers can see the fish swimming, spawning and said they were everywhere. But no one is really catching anything, they flat out refuse to hit artificial baits. One guy on the Yegua is using live crawfish and he's doing great. I understand there are a few using spot tail minnows at the river, or steps and they to are catching a few. But over all, the catching part is horrible today. The mysteries these fish can present to one are unreal, you never figure them out, you can guess and get close, but they will throw you for a flip every now and then with the question of why wont they bite on my line? That's fishing I guess. Any how I am glad I chose to stay home and clean my truck, it turned out to be the right choice. The weather is just stunning today, don't understand why these fish are not feeding.
Posted By: TXfisherman12

Re: Lake Somerville - 03/10/19 12:30 AM

Nice looking hybrid Jaime!
Posted By: fishytx

Re: Lake Somerville - 03/10/19 01:50 AM

Talking about the coast, take some 1/16 and 1/8 oz. white crappie jigs down there and fish them under the lights at the bay. Hold on to your horses my friend, the speckle trout bite is about to go plum crazy. Take three or more packs of these jigs with you when you go because you can not buy them down there at all and you will go through a bunch. The trout just kill those things. You think live bait works great, wait till you toss these out there and work them through the light. If you don't catch 100 plus specks then something is wrong. LOL I like to use 8lb. test line and the 1/16oz. jig myself. If it is real windy then I'll use the 1/8oz. But they like the smaller one for sure.
Posted By: EllerTroy

Re: Lake Somerville - 03/10/19 01:25 PM

Fishytx your spot on. I to like to use the 1/16 oz and six pound line. People always thank the trout are feeding only on live shrimp, which they do feed on, but they go crazy on the little glass minnows. If you watch when you catch a trout and bring it up on the pier they using are spitting out two or three glass minnows. About 40 years ago my dad and I saw this and started making our on clear plastic warms because back then nobody was making them and selling them in the stores. We would make a slab of plaster of paris and take a small screw driver and curve out the shape we wanted. We would make smaller ones for the pier fishing under the lights and bigger ones for wade fishing the bays or fishing the surf.
Posted By: hook-line&sinker

Re: Lake Somerville - 03/10/19 02:10 PM

https://youtu.be/ghyPt5mauss


We didn't let the weatherman's forecast keep us off the creek Saturday.. Thunderstorms passed quickly about noontime and the day turned out to be very nice.

The fishing was slow but the trip up the Yegua was still very pleasant.

I suspect the whitebass have moved further up the creek and the crappie are just being crappie..

Nails creek was producing better numbers of crappie on this Saturday and is where we had considered going again like last Saturday.

The ProDrive is made for this kind of water and performed like a champ..

The 2011 drought videos:



The 2015 Flood tour of Lake Somerville:


and the overview of the 2016 flood:

Posted By: fishytx

Re: Lake Somerville - 03/11/19 02:51 AM

That is how I came to using these jigs at the coast as well. I was matching the hatch so to speak. I discovered this about forty five years a go. I'm not a trophy type angler at all, I never have been, I am more into catching numbers, Having my rod bend, stuff like that. I really don't care for the fishing part of this sport myself, it's the catching part that I live for. If I'm catch smaller fish then I will down size on my fishing gear, I do this on black bass as well. You should see what a three pound black bass can do to a five foot rod with six pound test fishing line, it's a blast. Of course I only do this light tackle stuff out in open water where there is nothing to hang up on. But it allows these fish to jump and pull some drag, that's the part I like anyway.
Posted By: fishytx

Re: Lake Somerville - 03/11/19 02:55 AM

So today we caught a few and it was slow. The fish are there, they simply do not want to bite. My buddy took home a good stringer so he at least got some fish out of the deal. Maybe these guys will feed better in the days to come and I'll get a few more on my next trip.
Posted By: skeeterusa

Re: Lake Somerville - 03/11/19 04:45 PM

I know this is the bank fishing forum but can you navigate the Yegua a decent ways from the main lake in a shallow running 1844 tunnel w/ a 40 merc?
Posted By: fishytx

Re: Lake Somerville - 03/11/19 10:39 PM

I'm pretty sure you can get up there a long ways. A guy told me the other day that he was at Newman's bottom catching a few downstream from what we call the low water crossing till a boat went through the area he was fishing and they quit. So I would say you can get up there a good ways.
Posted By: jsinn01

Re: Lake Somerville - 03/11/19 10:42 PM

Originally Posted by skeeterusa
I know this is the bank fishing forum but can you navigate the Yegua a decent ways from the main lake in a shallow running 1844 tunnel w/ a 40 merc?


The problem most people have is finding and navigating the mouth of the creek since it can be a foot of water or less in places.
Posted By: skeeterusa

Re: Lake Somerville - 03/12/19 01:21 AM

Thanks guys, I might give it a whirl!
Posted By: fishytx

Re: Lake Somerville - 03/12/19 03:33 PM

Yes sir on what jsinn01 just said. Years ago I did not have GPS with a chip to locate the entrance of the Yegua Creek and I never did find the creek channel to get up there. I got stuck a few times and had to get out to push the boat. Since then I have not tried again, just wasn't worth it to me. The channel snakes all over the place and yes it can get very shallow on the west end of Lake Sommerville way before you get into the creek mouth. The creek has spread out a wide range of silt,mud and sand on the west end, very hard to navigate. But I have seen shallow water boats up there several times. Good luck if you try it.
Posted By: 24x7Fisherman

Re: Lake Somerville - 03/12/19 04:55 PM

Originally Posted by skeeterusa
Thanks guys, I might give it a whirl!


Be careful, I have seen boats stuck in mud for hours waiting for rescuing
Posted By: fishytx

Re: Lake Somerville - 03/13/19 03:50 PM

It is not an easy task to get up there in a boat, otherwise we would see more of them up there I'm sure. I know every time I have seen a boat up there I have had to ask myself, wow, wonder what all they went through to get up here. LOL In fact the last time I tried was over fifteen years ago, it just isn't worth it to me. When you get out to push the boat, you sink pretty deep in mud, the water is cold, man I think I'll stick to bank fishing the Yegua, it is so much more enjoyable this way. LOL
Posted By: hook-line&sinker

Re: Lake Somerville - 03/13/19 06:42 PM

I can tell you that when the lake is at normal pool level (238) or below the mouth of almost every creek on Somerville is too shallow and/or effectively blocked to all power boat traffic with the exception of airboats. Paddle craft can still access most creeks no matter what level the lake is at if you can drag-yak overland. The mouth of the Yegua is at best a foot deep mud-filled channel and at worst six hundred yards of gumbo between the Nails creek boat ramp and the navigate-able channel.

From early March of 2012 this is what you can expect when the lake is 2 1/2 feet below pool level

Posted By: fishytx

Re: Lake Somerville - 03/13/19 07:57 PM

Oh my Ben, that looks like way more work than I would be willing to put out just for a fishing trip up the creek.
Posted By: hook-line&sinker

Re: Lake Somerville - 03/13/19 09:40 PM

It is way more effort than I can do now or would want to either wink . just making sure anyone in a power boat can get a sense of what they might face.. my friend with the ProDrive beached it on Sunday trying to get into Nails creek from the wrong side...
Posted By: Heath419

Re: Lake Somerville - 03/13/19 10:09 PM

A buddy and I made our way into the Yegua from the Nails boat ramp in our kayaks a year or so ago. It took us awhile (probably at least a hour) to navigate correctly to access the creek. We didn't have to get out and pull them but there was some scooting involved while in our yaks. At the time, the creek was up and muddy. We saw a couple duck boats in there with us but I wouldn't attempt to get in there with my 1448 flat bottom with a 20 HP. I'd imagine that mud would create a suction and could be trouble. I could easily see how a boat could get stuck and have to be rescued as 24x7Fisherman said.
Posted By: Heath419

Re: Lake Somerville - 03/13/19 10:10 PM

How much rain was received around the Yegua this morning/last night? I was thinking about checking out the creek from Irwin's bridge Friday morning. Thanks in advance for any updates on rainfall/fishing near Irwin's Bridge.
Posted By: DonFromAustin

Re: Lake Somerville - 03/14/19 04:50 PM

FYI, there was a scary moment for me when paddling my kayak along in the nails creek at around this time last year. It was almost the dusk time. All of a sudden, I noticed that a big cat-like animal was trying to chase me along the bank. I couldn't tell what it exactly was due to low light. My guess is that it might be a black panther by judging from its shape and size. I thought I would be ok since I was in the center of the creek and it was on the bank. But it jumped and dived into the water towards me from a section of the bank without bush. I scrambled to paddle and leave the place. Thank the Lord! I was alright in this incident.
Posted By: DonFromAustin

Re: Lake Somerville - 03/14/19 05:07 PM

@fishytx, I remember you once mentioned that you typically use a spin rod with a 4lb test line and a 1/32 oz jig and can catch tons of fish. I can image that the light line and jig work great in still water because the lure can be worked back slowly and elegantly. But in creeks that flow as fast as Yegua, the lure would be quickly flowing away with the water. How do you still manage to make the presentation of the lure attractive to fish in this situation?
Posted By: hook-line&sinker

Re: Lake Somerville - 03/14/19 08:49 PM

Originally Posted by DonFromAustin
FYI, there was a scary moment for me when paddling my kayak along in the nails creek at around this time last year. It was almost the dusk time. All of a sudden, I noticed that a big cat-like animal was trying to chase me along the bank. I couldn't tell what it exactly was due to low light. My guess is that it might be a black panther by judging from its shape and size. I thought I would be ok since I was in the center of the creek and it was on the bank. But it jumped and dived into the water towards me from a section of the bank without bush. I scrambled to paddle and leave the place. Thank the Lord! I was alright in this incident.


That was most likely an otter that charged and dove into the water. There are very few (if any!) big cats in the whole area.. Bobcats yes.. panthers not likely..

Driving up out of Newmans Bottom late one evening looking into the sunset I spotted the dark silhouette of a huge two legged pointy eared beast standing upright looking straight at me.

[Linked Image]

I kept driving slowly along CR 140 keeping my eyes glued to the figure standing about 50 yards back from the fence. As I drove further down the road getting another view in the fading light the beast now had four legs and looked more like a horse... because it was a horse. If I had only the front profile to go on I would never have guessed the beast was anything other than bigfoot. People by and large are afraid of the dark mostly because we use our eyes to identify dangers around us and when our sight is compromised by the dark our other senses try to compensate. When you have to decipher what you have heard way back in the darkness your imagination will get the better of you so just remember what isn't there in the daylight probably isn't there after dark either.. Wildlife will always be near water and many critters are more active at night so we hardly ever see or hear them when we are fishing the creeks. I can tell you that creek critters like raccoons, otters and many birds have a vast vocabulary making the strangest sounds some of which nightmares are made of..
Posted By: yota

Re: Lake Somerville - 03/14/19 09:22 PM

tons of hogs down there too. Saw a big hog a couple weeks ago on the opposite bank. In the dark/moonlight it looked huge but likely wasnt.

Anybody know if more water coming down the creeks today? I know several people that said there was a hard rain last night in Giddings area.
Posted By: PerksOutdoors

Re: Lake Somerville - 03/14/19 09:50 PM

My dad and I fished yegua creek at Irwin bridge thus morning dawn to 1030. Managed 17 keepers but they were all in one spot. No fish in other holes. Dad used 1/32 jigs in picture and I used white/chartreuse again. Video to follow. Creek levels looked same as last time I visited a few weeks ago.

Attached picture 20190313_113126.jpg
Posted By: CSSource39

Re: Lake Somerville - 03/15/19 03:58 AM

Took my kayak to nails creek state park to attempt to paddle to nails creek
Wind made that very rough and was not able to locate the mouth of the creek with my phone GPS so went back.

Drove to Newman's bottom a little before 4 and left about 630
Caught 26 kept 16
Mostly males a couple big females
First time I've actually seen them spawning and doing their thing at my feet
Posted By: PerksOutdoors

Re: Lake Somerville - 03/15/19 04:13 PM

Video and report are done from Yesterdays trip. Enjoy the sounds of chirping birds.


http://perksoutdoors.weebly.com/blog/yegua-creek-3-14-19
Posted By: fishytx

Re: Lake Somerville - 03/15/19 05:05 PM

My Mom lives on the Middle Yegua water shed, she said they did not get much rain. I live on the West Yegua water shed and we have received right at 2-1/8 inches in the last two rains. J-Moe is at Newman's Bottom this morning he said the water is stained and the bite is good. That's all I know because I have switched gears and I am now fishing San Gabriel river west of Granger Lake, better known as the steps. The bite there is slow for whites but the crappie is doing pretty dang good. I have a buddy who has been catching his limits on crappie, he had one yesterday that was 15 inches. And there are anglers hauling out limits of whites, but they are putting in the time and effort to do so. The water current is fast, to fast to fish in it. You have to fish above or below fast moving water, or fish the deeper backed up lake water. And I need to take a break, my lower back issues is giving me fits that are out of this world. I got 2-1/2 hours sleep last night, it was bad.... But I also went to a pain specialist doctor yesterday and they did some work on it and that just added to the problem, better today as speak though. So maybe I'll be able to finish out this years spawn. Two months a go I would have told you that I wasn't planning on fishing for them this year, but I have pushed myself into doing so. LOL I am not a sit around type person, I have to be on the go at all times. When my time comes then I'll rest and sleep forever, but until then it's all out go, go, go because that's how I roll. And I am a little over the top and full of it too. Heheheheheee You only live on this planet once, so do what you can while you can and enjoy every second of it.
Posted By: fishytx

Re: Lake Somerville - 03/15/19 05:11 PM

Watching them spawn is really neat. I saw a huge fat female swim up into this little hole next to the shoreline and sit there. Seconds later a few males swam up next to her, they all got in passion and then they chased her into the current on the surface and they did their thing several times in the exact same way. Me watching that made the trip ever so worth everything. I have watched them spawn a bunch, but to watch how they stage for it was something I had never seen before. It was like the female was telling the males, ok boys, it's time for me to spit out my eggs, come on lets do this.
Posted By: fishytx

Re: Lake Somerville - 03/15/19 05:23 PM

Originally Posted by PerksOutdoors
Video and report are done from Yesterdays trip. Enjoy the sounds of chirping birds.


http://perksoutdoors.weebly.com/blog/yegua-creek-3-14-19


I would like to share a little tip with you that I have found to make measuring my fish somewhat easy. I put a small piece of tape10-1/4 inches up on my pole from the cork by the reel. So easy to see if it's a keep or a throw back. I also like to use the foil tape they use on AC duct, it is very thin and it sticks great, never does peal up at a the corners, good stuff. Electrical tape works good too, but the corner will start to come lose with time. Some guys just use a silver paint or some type of permanent marker. The flashy silver foil tape is just something I like a lot and it has been the best tape so far that I have used. Awesome video, I have caught more than my share of fish from that hole.
Posted By: J-Moe

Re: Lake Somerville - 03/15/19 09:07 PM

Finally, a great day on the Yegua banana

Thanks for the reports PerksOutdoors and CSSource. Based on those reports I decided to walk in to Newman's today.

I walked upstream to my favorite spot. I got to the spot at 9:30. By 10:30 I had already caught 25. I ended up catching 33 in that spot and then decided to work my way back downstream. I caught 5 in the next spot, then 19 in the next spot, but no big females. So I decided to walk down to the low water crossing to a spot I have caught big females in the past. All I caught were more males. I headed back upstream toward the bridge. I fished a couple spots with little luck. Then I found a sweet spot and caught over 20 there before I had to leave at 2:30.

In all, I caught 81 white bass today. Most in the 11.5 inch range. A dozen or so over 13 inches. Only a few less than 11 inches. No big females.

Water was stained with good current.
Posted By: TTF

Re: Lake Somerville - 03/15/19 09:09 PM

Went to Newmans bottom this morning with my son arrived by about 8am were a few other cars in lot. Fished till about 11 walked out with 25 about half were female. Others i talked to had 10 to 15 fish on stringers. When we left there were about 15 vehicles in parking lot. So im sure more are still getting caught [Linked Image]
Posted By: PerksOutdoors

Re: Lake Somerville - 03/15/19 09:59 PM

Thanks for the measuring tip fishytx. Do you happen to have any tips for that pesky bloodline when filleting the fish. I felt like I had to cut each filet into two pieces to get it out.

Sidenote: dang J-moe, you hammered them today. Sounds like an amazing trip.
Posted By: J-Moe

Re: Lake Somerville - 03/15/19 10:13 PM

Nice Haul TTF. Where did you catch the big females? Downstream of the low water crossing? Did you catch them early morning? I can't believe I didn't catch any big females. I saw a fair amount of spawning too.
Posted By: fishytx

Re: Lake Somerville - 03/15/19 10:24 PM

First thing I do with white bass is cut their throats when alive on stringer to bleed them out. Then when I fillet them I will make a v cut on that red piece you are talking about and pull it off. The more of that stuff you can remove the better the fish taste. That red stuff will make you gag, you have to get rid of it, it taste real fishy and it is nasty. White bass, hybrids and stripers have this red strip you must remove.
Posted By: PerksOutdoors

Re: Lake Somerville - 03/15/19 10:55 PM

That's what I've heard. I think I'll throw back smaller fish from now on. It's a lot easier to deal with on bigger fish and I don't feel like I'm wasting anything. Thanks again
Posted By: jsinn01

Re: Lake Somerville - 03/15/19 11:44 PM

Great reports! Sounds like today was the day to be there.
Posted By: jrsac

Re: Lake Somerville - 03/16/19 01:34 AM

Will this cool front have any effect on the fishing tomorrow? My father in law and I plan Im heading out in the morning. Thank you guys for the reports!
Posted By: yak dog

Re: Lake Somerville - 03/16/19 02:07 AM

I was planning on going but I got volunteered to help put up new fence in the morning mad . Hopefully Ill make it out there Sunday.
Posted By: TXfisherman12

Re: Lake Somerville - 03/16/19 02:51 AM

Originally Posted by J-Moe
Finally, a great day on the Yegua banana

Thanks for the reports PerksOutdoors and CSSource. Based on those reports I decided to walk in to Newman's today.

I walked upstream to my favorite spot. I got to the spot at 9:30. By 10:30 I had already caught 25. I ended up catching 33 in that spot and then decided to work my way back downstream. I caught 5 in the next spot, then 19 in the next spot, but no big females. So I decided to walk down to the low water crossing to a spot I have caught big females in the past. All I caught were more males. I headed back upstream toward the bridge. I fished a couple spots with little luck. Then I found a sweet spot and caught over 20 there before I had to leave at 2:30.

In all, I caught 81 white bass today. Most in the 11.5 inch range. A dozen or so over 13 inches. Only a few less than 11 inches. No big females.

Water was stained with good current.


Great job J-moe!
Posted By: mini-x fan

Re: Lake Somerville - 03/16/19 05:57 PM

I'm going to finish up some school work and go to Irwin Bridge this afternoon to scope it out. Anybody else plan to be out there?
Posted By: bprince

Re: Lake Somerville - 03/17/19 12:31 AM

Took my son for his first white bass run. Arrived at the creek at Newmans aound 11 after the hike in. Everyone told us to turn back but we persisted and got skunked. A lot of people had 3-4 small ones from the morning and saw a few caught in the afternoon but the water was too fast, muddy and full of floating logs to hang on. Lessons learned...

- Check the rainfall reports from upstream
- Find some of the white and chartuese jigs most everyone was using
- Never goto Newmans Bottom unless the gate is open

Seems like later in the week should be good with some warmer days, any estimates on when the water will get back to normal??
Posted By: J-Moe

Re: Lake Somerville - 03/17/19 01:24 AM

Thanks for the report bprince. The gate/road to Newman's bottom may never be open again. The little bridge that you walk over when you first come in has been condemned and cost to much to repair. The bridge on the oilfield road is in the same condition.
Posted By: mini-x fan

Re: Lake Somerville - 03/17/19 01:45 AM

I was at Irwin this afternoon. The water was fast and muddy. Of all the anglers I talked to, only 4 fish were caught. I walked a good ways downstream and did not have a single bite. Maybe next time!
Posted By: 24x7Fisherman

Re: Lake Somerville - 03/17/19 01:45 AM

Originally Posted by J-Moe
Thanks for the report bprince. The gate/road to Newman's bottom may never be open again. The little bridge that you walk over when you first come in has been condemned and cost to much to repair. The bridge on the oilfield road is in the same condition.


What happened? Is Newman's Bottom still open?
Posted By: J-Moe

Re: Lake Somerville - 03/17/19 01:53 AM

Originally Posted by 24x7Fisherman
Originally Posted by J-Moe
Thanks for the report bprince. The gate/road to Newman's bottom may never be open again. The little bridge that you walk over when you first come in has been condemned and cost to much to repair. The bridge on the oilfield road is in the same condition.


What happened? Is Newman's Bottom still open?


Yes, it is still open. He was talking about having to walk the one mile down to the creek. We will have to keep doing that.
Posted By: 24x7Fisherman

Re: Lake Somerville - 03/17/19 02:37 AM

Thanks, walking one mile is the warm up for me laugh
Posted By: fishytx

Re: Lake Somerville - 03/17/19 11:19 AM

Some times it can a take a week or more for this creek water to clear. It kind a depends on which section of the creek received the rain. Hmmm, it's hard to say. But there should be some really good stringers of fish caught again before this year's spawn is over. The rise of muddy water will always pull a few more hundred if not thousands of white bass back upstream. I wish I lived a little closer to this creek and I could give everyone an update on water conditions, but I don't, so anyone who does go out there, please help keep the rest of us updated on water conditions and share it with us please. Thanks...
I was going to go out there today, but due to what I have read on here, it has saved me what could have been a wasted trip. So thank you for the information about the rise of muddy water, it is greatly appreciated.
Posted By: Cats_N_Crappie

Re: Lake Somerville - 03/18/19 02:53 AM

Glad yall have been tearing up the white bass! I havent made it into the creeks this year but I did go out to the main lake yesterday to run the boat and do some fishing. Tried the crappie with no luck. Switched gears to catfish and only caught 6. Slow day on the water but it was still great being out there. Any other reports from the lake?
Posted By: mini-x fan

Re: Lake Somerville - 03/18/19 03:38 AM

Originally Posted by Cats_N_Crappie
Glad yall have been tearing up the white bass! I havent made it into the creeks this year but I did go out to the main lake yesterday to run the boat and do some fishing. Tried the crappie with no luck. Switched gears to catfish and only caught 6. Slow day on the water but it was still great being out there. Any other reports from the lake?

I took the boat for a short spin today and tried for whites with no luck. I was only able to fish for about 1.5 hours because there is water getting into my boat somehow. I heard water sloshing in the rigging tube under the console and some seeping up around it, so I decided to head back to the ramp.
Posted By: J-Moe

Re: Lake Somerville - 03/18/19 03:27 PM

One thing that I have observed over the last few years: It usually takes 2 days for all the rain in the Yegua watershed to reach Newman bottom. That seemed to be the case this last week. It rained on Thursday. On Friday the water was stained but the fishing was great. From the reports I read and people I talked to the water at Newman was muddy on Saturday. So that pretty much holds true to form. A friend of mine fished Newman on Sunday. He said the water was still muddy and flowing hard. But he did manage to catch 10. The good news is that people usually start catching fish again within a few days after the rains.

I participated as a fishing buddy in the Reel Recovery retreat this weekend so I didn't make it down to the Yegua. I fished below the dam on Saturday evening. I caught about 15 white bass but only 3 were decent keeper size. I fished The Steps on Sunday evening and caught 7. In both cases the fishing didn't turn on until sunset. The fish were spawning like crazy at the steps after the sun set.
Posted By: white bass interceptor

Re: Lake Somerville - 03/19/19 07:48 PM

Does anyone know if the creek rose from the recent rain and if so how much? Does anyone know what the bite have been like since the rain? I am thinking about going on Wednesday and am wondering if the bottom would be my best choice. The Irwin bridge could be a little crowded. because of spring break.
Posted By: Heath419

Re: Lake Somerville - 03/19/19 09:05 PM

I fished this past weekend with a buddy between Irwin's and Newman's. We hauled out a 2 man limit. They're in there. We didn't have much size on our stringers compared to past trips but it was still a successful trip nonetheless. We caught them on 1/16 oz and 1/8 oz jig heads with a 3" white/chart grub.
Posted By: white bass interceptor

Re: Lake Somerville - 03/19/19 11:40 PM

Thanks for the reply. I think I will give it a try tomorrow.
Posted By: bprince

Re: Lake Somerville - 03/20/19 05:01 PM

Originally Posted by white bass interceptor
Thanks for the reply. I think I will give it a try tomorrow.



Looking forward to your report!!
Posted By: fishytx

Re: Lake Somerville - 03/20/19 06:11 PM

Heath419 what color was the water? Muddy, murky, stained, any insight is always appreciated. Don't get me wrong, your post is almost enough to make me drive over there myself. A two man limit is awesome. And I also understand the issue with smaller fish. That seems to be the case no matter where I catch these fish today. The bigger fish were in there during the months of January and February.

I am seeing big females I just can't get them to bite where I'm fishing at today. I really can't complain though, I caught around 40 yesterday in two hour time frame. Catch and release of course, other wise I'm not sure a person can catch that many in two hours and put them on a stringer. But I have also smashed the barb on my hook and I can get fish off my hook in a matter of seconds once I have them in hand.

But any extra report on water condition is a plus for me as well as others, Thanks. Fishytx.. <////><
Posted By: white bass interceptor

Re: Lake Somerville - 03/20/19 10:59 PM

Bprince I didn't go out today. Had something come up will try to make it out on tomorrow.
Posted By: white bass interceptor

Re: Lake Somerville - 03/21/19 02:29 AM

Fishytx did you fish yegau and if yes were you at the bridge or t he bottom?
Posted By: Heath419

Re: Lake Somerville - 03/21/19 03:30 PM

I'd say the water color was stained. It wasn't muddy nor was it clear. It was pretty cool to see all of them schooled together as we reeled them in in certain holes.
Posted By: fishytx

Re: Lake Somerville - 03/21/19 03:53 PM

Originally Posted by white bass interceptor
Fishytx did you fish yegau and if yes were you at the bridge or t he bottom?


No I was not on the Yegua creek at all. I have been fishing the San Gabriel River that feed into Granger Lake over there by Taylor.. Everyone calls this place the steps. Very good flow of water and it is really clear, almost crystal clear. You can see bass swimming all over the place, it is crazy.
Posted By: fishytx

Re: Lake Somerville - 03/21/19 03:54 PM

Originally Posted by Heath419
I'd say the water color was stained. It wasn't muddy nor was it clear. It was pretty cool to see all of them schooled together as we reeled them in in certain holes.

Thanks, just what I wanted to hear. Yes I know what you're talking about, reel one in and it will have several following it. That is always cool to see.
Posted By: J-Moe

Re: Lake Somerville - 03/21/19 10:24 PM

I went out to the main lake this afternoon to see if any bluegill had moved shallow yet. No signs of bluegill but there were thousands of shad along the bulkhead at Yegua Creek park. Good sign that the shad spawn is getting close.

The boat ramps at both Rocky Creek and Yegua Creek parks were closed for maintenance today.
Posted By: white bass interceptor

Re: Lake Somerville - 03/22/19 02:05 AM

I went to the bottom today. I got there around 8:30am and there were people with three to five fish on their stringer. The bite was pretty good for a while and then it begin to slow down. I had my limit by 1230pm. Most males and female were pretty well spent. Most fish were in the 11" to 12" range. The season is about to come to an end. What a season it has been.
Posted By: gigem.21

Re: Lake Somerville - 03/22/19 04:59 PM

Has anyone heard of any white bass being caught back up in birches creek?
Posted By: jsinn01

Re: Lake Somerville - 03/22/19 06:20 PM

Originally Posted by J-Moe
I went out to the main lake this afternoon to see if any bluegill had moved shallow yet. No signs of bluegill but there were thousands of shad along the bulkhead at Yegua Creek park. Good sign that the shad spawn is getting close.

The boat ramps at both Rocky Creek and Yegua Creek parks were closed for maintenance today.


How shallow do the bluegill get? Do you think a novice like me could get them on the fly rod? I need something high percentage to practice up on.
Posted By: J-Moe

Re: Lake Somerville - 03/23/19 11:00 AM

Originally Posted by jsinn01
Originally Posted by J-Moe
I went out to the main lake this afternoon to see if any bluegill had moved shallow yet. No signs of bluegill but there were thousands of shad along the bulkhead at Yegua Creek park. Good sign that the shad spawn is getting close.

The boat ramps at both Rocky Creek and Yegua Creek parks were closed for maintenance today.


How shallow do the bluegill get? Do you think a novice like me could get them on the fly rod? I need something high percentage to practice up on.


Very shallow. They usually hug the bank.
Posted By: J-Moe

Re: Lake Somerville - 03/23/19 09:14 PM

I fished Newman bottom from 7:30 to 10:30 AM. Caught 23 white bass. Decent size, in the 12.5 inch range. Water is clear.
Posted By: greenyak

Re: Lake Somerville - 03/24/19 02:54 AM

[Linked Image]. First time bank fishing in years, Im normally out with kayak. Not a bad day, brought home 19.
Posted By: J-Moe

Re: Lake Somerville - 03/24/19 03:24 AM

Well done Sam thumb
Posted By: JonL

Re: Lake Somerville - 03/24/19 02:26 PM

[Linked Image]
[Linked Image]
[Linked Image]
[Linked Image]
Decided to take one last trip to the Yegua before I call an end to the white bass season for me. Was initially going to go to Newmans Bottom but during the 1 hour and 50 minute trip down my brain said try my spots upstream of Irwin bridge for a few hours. Boy am I glad I did. I had the BEST day ever fishing the yegua. And I have been fishing for years there. I have had quite a few limits of white bass days but I have never almost caught one limit of crappie and one limit of white bass. Ended up with 21 good size crappie and 18 white bass. What an awesome day. I love this bank fishing on the Yegua. It's MY most wonderful time of the year. See ya again next year Yegua, God willing.
Posted By: jsinn01

Re: Lake Somerville - 03/24/19 04:28 PM

Congrats on the amazing catches greenyak & JonL!!!
Posted By: Ocelot

Re: Lake Somerville - 03/24/19 05:43 PM

Quite a haul, great job.
Don't give up the kayak though.
Posted By: J-Moe

Re: Lake Somerville - 03/24/19 06:59 PM

Wow, great day JonL thumb My sixth sense always tells me when I'm going to have a bad day. Darn thing is always right too grin
Posted By: fishytx

Re: Lake Somerville - 03/24/19 07:12 PM

There are some spots upstream from Irwin that very few fish and I have loaded up on whites and crappie before as well. But it's still a long way to haul fish out plus I do not have the orange stuff to wear in this area.
But both of you guys had a good haul, thanks for the reports...
Posted By: greenyak

Re: Lake Somerville - 03/25/19 03:11 AM

Originally Posted by greenyak
[Linked Image]. First time bank fishing in years, Im normally out with kayak. Not a bad day, brought home 19.

Posted By: slopez

Re: Lake Somerville - 03/25/19 09:42 PM

Well done greenyak and JonL. Like J-Moe said, that sinking feeling was proven right for me on Sunday. I paddled up the yegua from Nails, and all I have to show for it were sore muscles. Tough day of fishing for me. Just couldn't get them to bite. Other ppl in the area didnt fare any better. I figured I'd be catching them while they were making the exodus from the creek. Well, looks like lopez was WRONG again. I'll just wait for the schooling to start. Maybe I'll learn something.&#128527;
Posted By: DonFromAustin

Re: Lake Somerville - 03/27/19 03:41 AM

@greenyak, what is the creek in the video? It doesn't quite look like Yegua.
Posted By: J-Moe

Re: Lake Somerville - 03/27/19 04:58 PM

My favorite time to fly fish below the spillway is just after they close the gates. There are usually 2 great days of fishing. This week was no different. The COE shut off the flow on Monday morning. I was able to fish the spillway yesterday morning (Tuesday). It was a great morning. I caught 4 hybrids and 35 plus white bass. I went out again for a couple hours in the afternoon and caught another hybrid and 15 plus more white bass. I tried for about an hour this morning and only caught 5 white bass.

[Linked Image]
[Linked Image]
[Linked Image]
Posted By: CSSource39

Re: Lake Somerville - 03/27/19 11:47 PM

J Moe what weight crappie jigs do you throw on what weight fly rod if you don't mind me asking?
Posted By: jsinn01

Re: Lake Somerville - 03/28/19 12:08 AM

J-Moe, I think you're going to need a bigger stringer. roflmao

Nice haul!
Posted By: TXfisherman12

Re: Lake Somerville - 03/28/19 12:18 AM

J-moe: some healthy looking hybrids! Great job
Posted By: J-Moe

Re: Lake Somerville - 03/28/19 05:13 AM

Originally Posted by CSSource39
J Moe what weight crappie jigs do you throw on what weight fly rod if you don't mind me asking?


I either throw a bead chain gray/white clouser or 1/32 ounce jig head flies. If I am fishing in the creeks for white bass I usually carry my 4 and 5 wt rods with me. If I am fishing below the dam for hybrids and whites I usually carry my 4 wt and my 8 wt. It's much easier to handle those hybrids with the 8 wt and make long casts. When the water is still or clear the bead chain clouser works far better than jig head flies on white bass. I was catching at least 5 to 1 over everyone else or while fishing the jig head flies. I caught the hybrids on a yellow chenille body / yellow marabou tail / white 1/32 ounce jig head fly. The people catching hybrids were doing just as well as I was on live bait.

If there is heavy current or if I have to fish deeper I will use a 1/16 ounce jig head and my 8 weight sometimes. I can handle just about anything I throw with the 5 weight though. And as luck would have it I usually have the 4 weight in my hand when I catch a hybrid. If I had to choose one rod it would probably be the 5 weight.

A friend of mine went out to the spillway this evening. He said the hybrids turned on right at dark.
Posted By: squirrel_nut

Re: Lake Somerville - 03/28/19 08:03 AM

fishing at newmann's has been a real pleasure this year, with plenty of holes available and a lot of fish. i've been fishing there for 20yrs now. sure, i miss the "old days" before the internet let the local's secret out, although i'm not local being from austin...
for those of you with even more experience than i have, why are the fish so small? my 1st trip this yr i must have released the first 30 fish i caught before i realized if i wanted some to eat i would need to start keeping those 12-13in fish. for years, if it wasnt 1.5lbs or so,
it wouldnt go on the stringer. 4 trips this year and at least 200 fish caught... maybe 5 weighed ~2lbs. my biggest fish was a large slab crappie!
did the drought years when fish were forced to spawn on windy lake point shoals impact the population? or perhaps an imbalance between the pred-vs-prey ratio in somerville?
part of what makes the Yegua such a gem is the size of the whites... some of the biggest in the state. a shame...
Posted By: GC2656

Re: Lake Somerville - 03/28/19 11:06 PM

Originally Posted by squirrel_nut
fishing at newmann's has been a real pleasure this year, with plenty of holes available and a lot of fish. i've been fishing there for 20yrs now. sure, i miss the "old days" before the internet let the local's secret out, although i'm not local being from austin...
for those of you with even more experience than i have, why are the fish so small? my 1st trip this yr i must have released the first 30 fish i caught before i realized if i wanted some to eat i would need to start keeping those 12-13in fish. for years, if it wasnt 1.5lbs or so,
it wouldnt go on the stringer. 4 trips this year and at least 200 fish caught... maybe 5 weighed ~2lbs. my biggest fish was a large slab crappie!
did the drought years when fish were forced to spawn on windy lake point shoals impact the population? or perhaps an imbalance between the pred-vs-prey ratio in somerville?
part of what makes the Yegua such a gem is the size of the whites... some of the biggest in the state. a shame...

I don't know if this would have a lot to do with the fish being smaller now, but I am sure that a lot of you remember the length limit used to be 12" for white bass at Lake Somerville and it's tributaries. confused
Posted By: ML56

Re: Lake Somerville - 03/29/19 02:55 AM

[b]did the drought years when fish were forced to spawn on windy lake point shoals impact the population?

I've been fishing Somerville since about 1980, I absolutely believe the series of drought years we had, set back the white-bass and hybrid populations.
During those drought years I could not catch a small or undersized white-bass, while they did try to spawn on the points, it seemed to be a failed spawn.
As the lake shrunk people still fished and keep fish, so the population dwindled as it was crowded into less and less water. Now after several flooding years in a row, and lake shut downs due to high water, the fish have had several great spawning years in a row. With parks being closed and access to launch ramps virtually shut down, those recovering populations are booming.(Yea!)
A friend and I caught limits of whites yesterday evening, on one of the well know humps on the lake, while creek fishermen are still catching allot in the creeks. About 1/3 of the fish we caught were undersized, and we only had 10 or so of the 50 that were in the "big" category, most were 11-12"(guessing 2 yrs old)
With partial closures in the park campsites, this should keep a little fishing pressure off the fish again. Yeah,yeah, pictures or it didn't happen
roflmao [Linked Image]
Posted By: hook-line&sinker

Re: Lake Somerville - 03/29/19 10:14 PM

Generally speaking a whitebass will reach 10 inches in the first year of life under good to ideal growing conditions.

Lake Somerville suffers through great swings in lake levels causing a "boom or bust" cycle with the fishery.

Legal fishing methods really have very little effect on overall populations of whitebass and crappie with a lake as big as Lake Somerville.

What does affect Lake Somerville's whitebass population is access to good spawning areas with enough sustained flow and fresh water through the entire spawning season. Only the Yegua has enough flow in the best of years as none of the other creeks have enough water or flow for much successful whitebass spawning to happen.

The best case scenario is when the lake goes high in the late fall and winter and the Yegua maintains better than average flows through May and goes high again at the beginning of summer.

Honestly the presence of lots of smaller whitebass is probably an indication of the success of the prior years spawn outnumbering and out-competing older fish for forage.
Posted By: fishytx

Re: Lake Somerville - 03/30/19 02:55 PM

I think over population is a factor to Ben. Those were my first thoughts about the fish in this creek this year. This year has had the smallest whites I can remember catching. Yegua creek = mega whites!!!! Not this year, but still happy there are places for us anglers to fish and enjoy the outdoors.
Posted By: CSSource39

Re: Lake Somerville - 03/30/19 04:32 PM

Awesome
Thanks J Moe!
I have both a 5 and 8 weight rod and I'll be trying them out
Posted By: J-Moe

Re: Lake Somerville - 03/30/19 07:12 PM

Originally Posted by CSSource39
Awesome
Thanks J Moe!
I have both a 5 and 8 weight rod and I'll be trying them out


You are welcome. Surprisingly, there are still a ton of fish being caught below the dam. I caught and released 6 hybrids and 30 plus white bass yesterday evening. Lots of other folks left with limits of hybrids. It won't be long before the shad will start spawning on the main lake and we can catch lots of white bass and hybrids from the bank there too.
Posted By: Paper mouth

Re: Lake Somerville - 03/31/19 02:17 PM

Hey fellas, Im new to the forum though have been fishing Somerville and Conroe my whole life. Been so busy with work I havent made it to the lake this year, thinking about trying next weekend. Wondering if the crappie have made their way out of the creeks yet? Thanks
Posted By: fishytx

Re: Lake Somerville - 03/31/19 07:19 PM

J-Moe that photo tells me you had one awesome day with your fly rod my friend.
NICE LOOKING STRINGER..
Posted By: PerksOutdoors

Re: Lake Somerville - 03/31/19 11:43 PM

Glad to see they are still biting. Thought about it hard but dad's boat needed to be run after sitting in storage for a few months. Fayette wasn't too bad but still have the itch to catch some more whites!
Posted By: slopez

Re: Lake Somerville - 04/01/19 06:44 PM

Has anyone been out to the birch creek pier? I'm pretty sure the pier itself is still off limits, but I was thinking of taking the kayak and parking at the head of it and trying for some crappie. I don't have much luck with crappie in the creeks. I will probably cheat and get some minnows. I can't seem to get one with a jig except by accident. I will try to get off work early one of these days and go for the afternoon bite. I haven't been there in a couple of years, but I've heard other ppl say its a good spot, although it never produced well for me. I think crappie are allergic to my hooks.
Posted By: R2Fishing

Re: Lake Somerville - 04/02/19 02:30 AM

2 weeks ago you couldnt add another person on the rock groin at birch. Theres 2 brush piles (willows) off that pier.. find them with your electronics..
Posted By: jrsac

Re: Lake Somerville - 04/02/19 04:27 PM

I am still pretty new to this. Any tips for crappie fishing on the creeks would be appreciated. I have done a lot of fishing with live bait from a boat but I would like to get better with artificials from the bank. A few weeks ago I went to yegua and pulled a few whites out after I figured out what they were biting. I am thinking of heading back out this weekend if the weather isn't bad. Thank you in advance for any tips you can help this newbie out with.
Posted By: jsinn01

Re: Lake Somerville - 04/02/19 09:54 PM

jrsac, welcome to the forum, this time of year the crappie tend to be up very shallow in the creeks, sometimes in two to three foot of water right up against the banks. I like to use a very small pencil style float with a 1/16 oz jighead & black/chart body, fished anywhere's from one to three foot below the float. The key is to keep moving around, dropping your bait into as many areas as possible. If you don't get a bite right away, pick up your bait and move it to a new spot even it's only a foot away. A lot of times you have to put your bait right in front of the fish's face to get bit. Definitely focus on areas where the bank is undercut and around stumps & brush, but don't ignore open areas. Sometimes it is the type of bottom that draws the fish in shallow.
Posted By: jrsac

Re: Lake Somerville - 04/03/19 02:14 AM

Thank you. Do they pile up in schools like they do out in the lake? Or is it more of you catch one here and there and have to keep moving around? I want to make sure I dont waste time doing either if one way is better than the other.
Posted By: slopez

Re: Lake Somerville - 04/03/19 01:31 PM

Hoggwild, thank you for update. I don't have electronics on my kayak, but I'll find em the old fashioned way. Today is the best shot of me going, but it isn't looking good for the home team. Once again, thank you for the response.
Posted By: R2Fishing

Re: Lake Somerville - 04/03/19 03:19 PM

[Linked Image]
Posted By: jsinn01

Re: Lake Somerville - 04/03/19 09:50 PM

Lol, I think I see a few slab crappie on the photo above. thumb
Posted By: jsinn01

Re: Lake Somerville - 04/03/19 09:53 PM

Originally Posted by jrsac
Thank you. Do they pile up in schools like they do out in the lake? Or is it more of you catch one here and there and have to keep moving around? I want to make sure I dont waste time doing either if one way is better than the other.


General rule of thumb for the creek crappie, they will school up from Nov - Feb in the deeper channels, then Mar - Apr they will be scattered up shallow and you will have to move around more to catch them.
Posted By: fishytx

Re: Lake Somerville - 04/04/19 02:05 AM

I know I know, wrong place for this post, but here I go anyway. LOL Still catching good stringers over on San Gabriel river at the steps people. Just a heads up post to keep everyone in the loop. Keep on catching. <////><
Posted By: slopez

Re: Lake Somerville - 04/04/19 12:56 PM

Hoggwild, thank you again. The one at the head of the pier was right there. Only problem was, the wind was blowing so hard, I couldn't hold on it. My anchor wouldn't grab a bite except right at the pier, which had me bumping it the whole time. I didn't get on the water till about 5:45, and loaded up @ 7:30. Most of my time was trying to get my anchor to grab ahold. I've been in rougher water, but I've never had such trouble getting anchored up. Oh well, maybe next time.
Posted By: jrsac

Re: Lake Somerville - 04/04/19 02:30 PM

Thank you jsinn01. I will take all of this into account when I can get out there. It is looking like this weekend will be raining and I know that can be bad for the creek level and clarity. I really appreciate the help. If I do make it out there I will be sure to post how I did.
Posted By: jsinn01

Re: Lake Somerville - 04/04/19 09:01 PM

Yeah, if we get a heavy rain and the creek gets muddied up, it really screws up the crappie fishing. I do best crappie fishing when the water is fairly clear with very little current flow. Where the white bass tend to like some current, the crappie usually prefer slack water.
Posted By: slopez

Re: Lake Somerville - 04/04/19 09:10 PM

Its what makes fishing so frustrating sometimes. Coinciding no work, no kids, and optimal weather is oft times futile. Even when the stars do line up, sometimes I can't buy a bite. This year I have lowered my standards. As long as I don't get skunked, its not a failure.
Posted By: fishytx

Re: Lake Somerville - 04/05/19 04:43 PM

If we get the rain they say we are then the creek should ries and get pretty muddy. With that said, the white bass will probably be through spawning by the time the water calms down enough to fish. But it's only a forecast, time will tell.
Posted By: jrsac

Re: Lake Somerville - 04/06/19 06:51 PM

I made it out to Newman this morning. As soon as I walked in I could hear thunder in the distance. I fished for about 30-45 minutes. I caught one keeper white and lost another at the bank before the thunder and lightning got too close for comfort. Ive been hit before and do not recommend it. It could have been a great day but I called it early.
Posted By: fishytx

Re: Lake Somerville - 04/07/19 05:50 PM

I am so glad I spent three days before the rain to collect a few more fish for the freezer. The day before the rain hit I caught a limit of nice size fish. Think I have enough to last me through the year. This year I did a lot more catch and release than I did keeping of the fish. But truthfully I am just thankful I was able to get out as much as I did. Health issue are really becoming a problem as I grow older, so I hope to see you guys out on the banks again next year. This years spawn is probably over for me, not sure there will be enough action to return to when the water goes down.
Posted By: PerksOutdoors

Re: Lake Somerville - 04/08/19 12:51 PM

If anyone is hesitant about making a homemade jig, take a look at the video below. This is the exact jig I used to catch white bass on this year. With simple fly tools and a few materials, it can be made in under 3 minutes. Nothing like catching a fish on something you created. Simple and effective.

https://youtu.be/iwbUBwhP-H0
Posted By: fishytx

Re: Lake Somerville - 04/09/19 03:38 PM

Good video. Wish I could knock one out that quick. I like to use buck tail hair and I spend way to much time making just one. The jigs I make are for real clear water so I do everything I can to get three different colors of hair on this jig. Dark on top, grey on sides and white on the bottom. Trying to make it look like a spot tail minnow as much as I can. They really do work though, so the time spent is worth it.
I really did enjoy your video though, the jig looks great.
Posted By: PerksOutdoors

Re: Lake Somerville - 04/12/19 09:50 PM

Thanks fishytx. I spend more time on the jigs used for vertical presentations. Not so much on one's I'll be swimming fast. Yall keep us posted on the bite. Won't make it out this weekend but plan on fishing good Friday (bank or boat depending on the bite)
Posted By: Tripple.W

Re: Lake Somerville - 04/13/19 06:23 PM

Made my ninth trip to Newman's Bottom on Thursday, April 11th. The big slew was over the road, 16" rubber boots needed. Yegua Creek at equestrian bridge is three feet below full bank. Strong flow and muddy. I caught two, 12 inch white bass in main creek, and 5 whites near the low water crossing. The gar are spawning. Best baits, 3 inch curl tail grubs in white.

Attached picture E2186250-A551-4BD2-A07B-C5EEF2DFDA72.jpeg
Posted By: jrsac

Re: Lake Somerville - 04/16/19 04:29 PM

Any ideas on how the fishing will be this weekend? My last trip to Newman's got lightninged out. I am thinking of going Friday if I can. I am not sure if I should try for crappie or white bass. anyone have a report from this week? I was thinking it might be fun to try my hand at a cane pole for Crappie if they are in there. I have been given some advice on how to target them but I am not 100% confident in my skills yet so I am hoping to increase my chances by hearing if they are in the creek. Thanks and tight lines!
Posted By: hook-line&sinker

Re: Lake Somerville - 04/16/19 04:54 PM

From past experience (20 years) by this time of the year (late April) the whitebass have left the creek. The crappie should be towards the end of their spawning season in the Yegua too but catching anything depends on the condition of the creek overall. Lots of fresh water can really make finding and catching fish in the Yegua tough. From April until late May I will kayak up into any of the creeks looking for black bass and the Yegua is usually my first choice for nice catchable bass up to 5 lbs or bigger and lots of young buck bass in the one pound range... really a hoot on a fly rod!






Posted By: Tripple.W

Re: Lake Somerville - 04/17/19 12:09 AM

April 16, 2019. 8:00 am to 1:00 pm
Trip to Newman's Bottom, Yegua Creek has dropped about 2 1/2 feet since last Thursday, water is murky, about 6 inches of visibility, No flow in the slew at the low water crossing.
Caught 20 keepers, 5 shorts, no females. Chartreuse curl tail grubs, 3 inch.
All white bass.

Attached picture 037F133C-5446-47BD-AD94-077E312F78F4.jpeg
Posted By: Bug-e

Re: Lake Somerville - 04/17/19 02:37 PM

Originally Posted by Tripple.W
April 16, 2019. 8:00 am to 1:00 pm
Trip to Newman's Bottom, Yegua Creek has dropped about 2 1/2 feet since last Thursday, water is murky, about 6 inches of visibility, No flow in the slew at the low water crossing.
Caught 20 keepers, 5 shorts, no females. Chartreuse curl tail grubs, 3 inch.
All white bass.


Dumb question: What's your preferred method for rigging those 3 inch grubs? Thanks.
Posted By: Tripple.W

Re: Lake Somerville - 04/17/19 05:02 PM

I rig them on a 1/8 ounce round ball jig head in chartreuse. Yesterday the bite was in the slack areas, main current was too strong. Slow rolling the jig.

Attached picture 76F19B29-FBB9-4BCC-93D5-954043D00087.jpeg
Posted By: TXfisherman12

Re: Lake Somerville - 04/20/19 10:53 PM

Fished the main lake today from the bank on a point of jutted land. The shad are spawning and the white bass and hybrids are hungry. Caught 30+ white bass and 2 hybrids. All caught and released. Hybrids were small but most white bass were keeper sized. Other fishermen had great success today.Bite was hot from early morning until about 9am and quickly tapered off. After a lull the bite picked back up around 11:30am and was sporadic thereafter until I left around 2:00 pm. In the morning shiny spinny stuff worked good for lures but in the afternoon found shad imitations produced better. Others fishing with live shad suspended from the bottom had the best success. With the crowds fishing today, tournament anglers and campers it was a true test of patience. Overall good day.
Posted By: BBFISH

Re: Lake Somerville - 04/23/19 05:38 PM

I went to Welch Park yesterday Evening, didnt catch anything. Anyone catching white in Welch park ?
Posted By: TXfisherman12

Re: Lake Somerville - 04/23/19 11:08 PM

BBfish: see my post.
Posted By: BBFISH

Re: Lake Somerville - 04/24/19 01:42 AM

What part of main lake was it ?
Posted By: TXfisherman12

Re: Lake Somerville - 04/24/19 01:17 PM

Welch park
Posted By: BBFISH

Re: Lake Somerville - 04/24/19 05:35 PM

Does spillway produce white bass if gates closed ?
Posted By: phuton19

Re: Lake Somerville - 04/26/19 02:12 AM

Hey Guys, brand new here. I was looking at taking my dad (disabled) and 2 boys to Somerville this weekend, was told to go out to Yegua off the main lake, since it is accessible for my dad. Any tips for bank fishing that area? going to to try to catch some fresh shad if I can, for the boys and dad, maybe use some jigs myself. Thanks!
Posted By: J-Moe

Re: Lake Somerville - 04/26/19 02:46 AM

Yegua Creek Park and Rocky Creek Park are usually closed to bank fishermen on the weekend. You might try Welch park. You can drive down to the waters edge.
Posted By: Paper mouth

Re: Lake Somerville - 04/26/19 12:11 PM

Originally Posted by phuton19
Hey Guys, brand new here. I was looking at taking my dad (disabled) and 2 boys to Somerville this weekend, was told to go out to Yegua off the main lake, since it is accessible for my dad. Any tips for bank fishing that area? going to to try to catch some fresh shad if I can, for the boys and dad, maybe use some jigs myself. Thanks!

I would look at taking them to the overlook marina/docks
Posted By: ben_beyer

Re: Lake Somerville - 04/26/19 01:10 PM

What lures are favorable lures for whites on the lake?

I've had good luck at Newman's the past couple years and I have a kayak. I'm interested in going after some whites after they're back in the main lake.
Posted By: BBFISH

Re: Lake Somerville - 04/26/19 01:24 PM

Do we get white bass at the dam if gates closed ?
Posted By: slopez

Re: Lake Somerville - 04/26/19 05:19 PM

Ben- I have had success with silver rattletraps and roostertails. Also sometimes use sexy shad crankbaits. Look for them breaking the surface, or the birds working. You will learn spots they hang out in by observing the boats trolling certain areas, or do some trolling yourself if you have rod holders in your kayak.

BB- On the dam side, they will school up, chasing shad, whether the gates are closed or not. You will generally have to chase them with boat or kayak, as they don't stay near the bank for long. Early morning and late evening are the best times for this. Don't know about the spillway side as I don't fish that area.
Posted By: ben_beyer

Re: Lake Somerville - 04/27/19 02:45 PM

Originally Posted by slopez
Ben- I have had success with silver rattletraps and roostertails. Also sometimes use sexy shad crankbaits. Look for them breaking the surface, or the birds working. You will learn spots they hang out in by observing the boats trolling certain areas, or do some trolling yourself if you have rod holders in your kayak.



Thanks and I have used small Rat-L-Traps in the past but I haven't fished the main lake for whitebass much. Do jigs with grubs also work on the main lake?
Posted By: slopez

Re: Lake Somerville - 04/27/19 06:59 PM

I'm sure they would, once located. When they are schooling, you could throw a cigarette butt and they would hit it. However, there is too much open water to cover throwing a jig, for me anyway. One thing I've learned on here is the term 'match the hatch'. If they are feeding on shad, throw something that mimics shad. Start with that, locate them, then you can branch out and see what else works for you. Best thing you can do is get out there and do something, and observe what is working for those who are having success. Good luck out there. I'm going to try and get out there tomorrow morning and give it a whirl.
Posted By: ben_beyer

Re: Lake Somerville - 04/27/19 07:09 PM

Thanks, good luck tomorrow!
Posted By: BBFISH

Re: Lake Somerville - 04/30/19 01:48 AM

Fished main lake and spill way. Not a good day today.
Posted By: Aggieangler93

Re: Lake Somerville - 04/30/19 06:11 PM

Has anyone had luck at Somerville in the last few days? I have a buddy that doesn't fish much, who will be over that way this weekend with his kids at a baseball tournament, and he is looking to put the boys on a bite in the morning, Saturday. I am hoping for any recent info from the area. They will be bank fishing.
Posted By: slopez

Re: Lake Somerville - 05/01/19 07:23 PM

I didn't have much luck on sunday. I got there way too late at 7:30 am. Be on the bank before sunrise as the action will be over rather quickly. Be prepared ahead of time, as you wont have time to get rigged up.
Posted By: Paper mouth

Re: Lake Somerville - 05/01/19 11:30 PM

Originally Posted by Aggieangler93
Has anyone had luck at Somerville in the last few days? I have a buddy that doesn't fish much, who will be over that way this weekend with his kids at a baseball tournament, and he is looking to put the boys on a bite in the morning, Saturday. I am hoping for any recent info from the area. They will be bank fishing.

Best chance in the morning would be Welch park beach line if wade fishing or overlook marina for crappie.
Posted By: white bass interceptor

Re: Lake Somerville - 05/02/19 06:28 PM

what type of fish are being caught at welch park and what type of bait its being used?
Posted By: slopez

Re: Lake Somerville - 05/02/19 09:47 PM

White bass at welch. Get there before dawn for bank fishing. Throw anything shiny. They should be busting the surface chasing the shad up against the bank. By 7am, it is about over as the shad move into deeper water. You then have to chase them with either boat or kayak. I had trouble locating them on Sunday as they were either not on the usual humps, or just not biting. I ended up catching only 5 in one spot off rattletrap and mepps.
Posted By: fishytx

Re: Lake Somerville - 05/05/19 10:24 PM

Look for this lake to rise my friend, there is a lot of water pouring into it as we speak. Yegua creek may have reached an all time record high today of 16 feet above flood stage. It was at 15 something yesterday.
Posted By: hook-line&sinker

Re: Lake Somerville - 05/05/19 10:55 PM

Went to Lake Somerville Sunday morning to find it about 10+ feet above pool and rising fast..
Could be setting up for another Memorial Day flood...
249.25 as of Sunday evening May 5th.. All boat ramps are closed.
If what fishtx says about the Yegua still being in full flood stage then the lake will be over FM1948, CR125, CR 124, CR132 and others by mid-week.

Here's the 2015 and 2016 flood video..




Posted By: slopez

Re: Lake Somerville - 05/06/19 05:09 PM

Lake is 12.5 ft high. Gates are closed, and doubtful if they will open them up anytime soon as the brazos river is high and more rain is predicted. Here we go again, again.
Posted By: Tripple.W

Re: Lake Somerville - 05/06/19 05:20 PM

fishytx, is the Yegus Creek flood gauge at Irwin Bridge ? How wide would the creek be at 16 feet high, 1/4 to 1/2 mile ?
Posted By: mini-x fan

Re: Lake Somerville - 05/06/19 05:45 PM

I know this is bank fishing but is it still acceptable to launch off of the bank at Welch with a flats boat and 4x4? Also does anybody have a forecast or prediction on how bad this will actually get? Thanks!
Posted By: hook-line&sinker

Re: Lake Somerville - 05/06/19 06:42 PM

Forecast? look at the graph from 2015, 2016 & 2017..
If the Brazos river is already flooded then the COE has little choice but to hold back the excess coming into Lake Somerville.
I suspect with more rain coming and the Yegua already swollen with floodwater the lake will once again breach the emergency spillway.
The only question is when.. My guess is two weeks or less if it rains again..

graphic source http://somerville.lakesonline.com/Level.asp

[Linked Image]
Posted By: TXfisherman12

Re: Lake Somerville - 05/06/19 06:49 PM

Originally Posted by Tripple.W
fishytx, is the Yegus Creek flood gauge at Irwin Bridge ? How wide would the creek be at 16 feet high, 1/4 to 1/2 mile ?


Check out the NOAA website - the gauges are located on the Middle Yegua Creek and East Yegua Creek, both several miles upstream of Irwin bridge. The charts show the water levels receding in both creeks at this time. The water readings are given in stage (feet), but that is typically not the same as water depth.

From NOAA website:
Stage - the level of the water surface of a river or stream above an established gage datum at a given location. The gage datum is a horizontal surface used as a zero point for measurement of water level. This gage datum level usually is located slightly below the lowest point of the stream bottom such that the stage is greater than the maximum depth of water.
Posted By: hook-line&sinker

Re: Lake Somerville - 05/06/19 06:50 PM

I'm afraid this is the new normal for Lake Somerville.. May 2016 & 2017 blip is just excessive springtime rain but the 2017 September blip is the hurricane season. Imagine two high water events in a single year !
Posted By: jrsac

Re: Lake Somerville - 05/06/19 09:35 PM

Are there any rules/laws about taking a kayak out when the ramps are closed? I know right now most of the boat ramps are closed I am just wondering if I would get in trouble for launching a kayak to go fish for a day on an empty lake. With the weather forecast this week calling for more rain I know we might make it back to the 21 feet high like we did a few years ago.
Posted By: J-Moe

Re: Lake Somerville - 05/08/19 12:37 AM

I have never seen them close down the lake. I've launched my kayak in these conditions many times. I've also seen people find a way to launch boats. I've never seen any type of message on the COE website stating that the lake is closed to boat traffic.

The only time I saw restrictions was in the area in front of the uncontrolled spillway when water was spilling over. A buddy of mine almost went over the uncontrolled spillway in his kayak and there was someone tied up in their float tube to the vertical concrete wall on the edge of the uncontrolled spillway. The game wardens saw that this was a very dangerous situation and they closed off that area. They had no problem with others fishing out on the main lake.

Lake level is currently 13 feet above normal.
Posted By: fishytx

Re: Lake Somerville - 05/10/19 01:51 AM

I have no clue where the flow gages are located, I just looked at the flood stage charts they show on the internet. Any and all rain we get in the next few weeks has no where to go in the ground, the tanks are over flowing as well, so all rain will just run off into the creeks and end up in the lake. We need a break from the rains for a little while, that's for sure.
Posted By: Trav281

Re: Lake Somerville - 05/13/19 02:56 PM

Hey guys! I'm new to the forum. I've been fishing my whole life and currently all I'm able to do is bank fish and I hit neighborhood ponds daily. The last couple of months I've been going to Somerville. I seem to constantly have bad luck whether it be people in the spots I know or 13 feet of high water like today. I'm out here trying today on a vacation day, but i literally have no idea what to do. I'm in overlook now and I don't see any bank action. Where would y'all fish if the water is this high. Any help is greatly appreciated!

Travis
Posted By: J-Moe

Re: Lake Somerville - 05/14/19 02:13 AM

The lake is actually 15 foot high so it's tough to find places to fish right now. The COE is releasing water so you might try fishing in the spillway. It's likely the shad are still spawning early in the morning so you might be able to catch some white bass at Welch park or on the lake side of the dam early in the morning.
Posted By: jrsac

Re: Lake Somerville - 05/17/19 03:43 PM

If I were to go fish the spillway this weekend what species would you recommend I target? I am heading up tonight and I think it might be too windy for the kayak out on the main lake tomorrow.
Posted By: J-Moe

Re: Lake Somerville - 05/17/19 08:45 PM

Originally Posted by jrsac
If I were to go fish the spillway this weekend what species would you recommend I target? I am heading up tonight and I think it might be too windy for the kayak out on the main lake tomorrow.


1) White Bass
2) Hybrid Bass
3) Catfish
Posted By: 24x7Fisherman

Re: Lake Somerville - 05/17/19 09:10 PM

Cat fish, I saw two huge cat fish to be caught yesterday, its so heavy the two young men were struggling to get it to their truck.
Posted By: jrsac

Re: Lake Somerville - 05/17/19 09:14 PM

Thank J-Moe. Would you recommend using live bait or artificial? if you think artificial would be better do you think it should be a little George, roadrunner/rooster tail, rattle trap, or tube jigs? I have never targeted anything other than catfish down there before and appreciate your input. I don't have much experience bank fishing these yet and I am trying to get it all figured out.
Posted By: J-Moe

Re: Lake Somerville - 05/17/19 09:42 PM

Most people cast net for shad then put them on a line with a heavy weight. With the water flowing that high a heavier lure would work better. Swimbaits with a 1/4 ounce jig head is a good choice to catch hybrids and some bigger white bass. If you are there early in the morning or late in the evening the white bass might be surfacing like they do on the lake. In that case you can throw a rooster tail and catch them.
Posted By: jrsac

Re: Lake Somerville - 05/19/19 03:15 AM

I went out and had no success this morning. I did catch some shad and sunk them down but nothing. I did pull one decent size carp out but I caught that while throwing the cast net. Maybe next time will be my lucky day.
Posted By: J-Moe

Re: Lake Somerville - 05/19/19 07:14 PM

Originally Posted by jrsac
I went out and had no success this morning. I did catch some shad and sunk them down but nothing. I did pull one decent size carp out but I caught that while throwing the cast net. Maybe next time will be my lucky day.


You'll have plenty of opportunity to try. It will take at least 2 months to bring the lake back to normal level. Once the COE opens up the gates wide open there will be a ton of fish dumped into the spillway.
Posted By: Trav281

Re: Lake Somerville - 05/19/19 09:31 PM

so most likely that will be a couple of months from now? thank you for the info! @j-Moe
Posted By: J-Moe

Re: Lake Somerville - 05/19/19 11:52 PM

Originally Posted by Trav281
so most likely that will be a couple of months from now? thank you for the info! @j-Moe


Yes, the lake declines at 1/4 foot per day when the gates are wide open. At 15 feet above normal that would be 60 days. The COE usually cuts the flow in half as it approaches a foot or so above normal, then continues to cut it in half again until it finally reaches normal level. So that adds a few more days as well. Any rain in that time frame will also add more days.
Posted By: Bigj1986

Re: Lake Somerville - 05/21/19 08:22 PM

Anyone know of launching a boat anywhere??
Posted By: J-Moe

Re: Lake Somerville - 05/22/19 01:41 AM

Originally Posted by Bigj1986
Anyone know of launching a boat anywhere??


I have heard that there are some people launching off the road at Welch park. I'm not sure if they have closed Apache hills boat ramp but if they didn't it may also be an option.
Posted By: mini-x fan

Re: Lake Somerville - 05/22/19 03:26 AM

Welch is open for launching off the bank. I did it both Sunday and today. The whites are biting good on humps in 20-25 FOW and the hybrids have been very active on the surface chasing shad. Good luck!
Posted By: Trav281

Re: Lake Somerville - 05/26/19 07:33 AM

I wish i had a boat. Any tips bank fishing with this high water? I guess I'll have to go to the dang spillway. It's tough to find info on other spots. But it beats being at work!
Posted By: Trav281

Re: Lake Somerville - 05/26/19 07:33 AM

Got ya thanks J-Moe
Posted By: Trav281

Re: Lake Somerville - 06/01/19 06:29 PM

Well boys, I got to the lake a 4am and went to Welch without a clue of where to fish, eventually I stopped somewhere and as I'm casting for bait, a group of two guys pull in and cliam the spot I was wanting to fish. I caught some shad and so did they, I ended up fishing about 100 ft right of them and didn't get a single bite on shad. Meanwhile, these two guys proceeded to throw out about 19 poles and take the entire spot. So they pulled in whites left and right and i didn't get a nibble...even though I was casting distance from them smh. I had caught 5 whites last weekend at the spillway but that place is a nightmare right now. So once again I'm stuck without a paddle and not a clue what to do..... Any suggestions gentleman would be greatly appreciated. Dm sent @j-moe
Posted By: J-Moe

Re: Lake Somerville - 06/02/19 02:42 AM

I didn't get a DM Trav281. It's tough without having a kayak or boat. Yegua Creek Park and Rocky Creek park are great but they're closed. Welsh is great around the island but it's under water. There aren't may bank fishing options and the shad spawn is about over so the white bass will be moving out into deeper water. The only other suggestion would be to try along the lake side of the dam. Wade out and cast out as far as you can. Watch for any signs of shad or surfacing fish.
Posted By: Trav281

Re: Lake Somerville - 06/09/19 04:40 AM

@j-moe just got out here man thanks will do! And i guess i never sent it on accident.
Posted By: hook-line&sinker

Re: Lake Somerville - 07/01/19 02:12 AM

Was out Saturday evening to Welch Park and right at sunset the whitebass were up on top chasing shad.. I suspect they were working the area all day just like all the years before at this time of summer..
Posted By: Trav281

Re: Lake Somerville - 07/02/19 02:27 AM

I was out there yesterday @HLS, had a lil success.... I just don't know where to post u0 at welch with the water going down. Driving across the dam i could see 5 or 6 huge schools going crazy at dusk but i can't reach them. Where do you recommended fishing at welch?

[img]https://ibb.co/r0kQcX1[/img]
Posted By: Trav281

Re: Lake Somerville - 07/02/19 02:28 AM

I caught that huge hybrid/striper first cast at the spillway at like 9:30pm on a tiny jig. Next cast caught the smaller one. I broke off a few times after that and i was exhausted so i didnt fish there long, the spillway is rough at night on the rocks.
Posted By: jrsac

Re: Lake Somerville - 07/02/19 04:46 PM

Do the whites school in the morning there as well or are they better in the evenings? I am just wondering if it would be worth bringing my kayak out to Welch to drop in this weekend. As always, I appreciate the advice.
Posted By: hook-line&sinker

Re: Lake Somerville - 07/02/19 05:27 PM

From my experience the schools of white/hybrids will be out of reach from the shoreline bank at Welch most of the day. Only very early in the morning when the lake is quiet will they be close enough to the shore to catch them from the bank or wade fishing. I have used my kayak to chase them but even that is hit or miss with these fast moving schools.
Posted By: Trav281

Re: Lake Somerville - 07/02/19 08:17 PM

Yea when i was driving across the damn and the light coming through the clouds was right, you could see at least 5 or 6 schools, if i had i kayak i could def. Reach them. I couldn't from the bank. Did my pic work on my previous post? Pretty sure that's a hybrid and not a striper right? I'm about to head out thwre now and see what we can catch. I'll probably go to welch first then spillway later when it dies down. Tough to find a good spot at welch right now with all the dang people out there. I heard birch creek is open again, not sure if there's fishable water there or not from the bank. I just love being out there on a clear night sky, the stars are amazing. Can't see that kinda stuff here in Houston.

HLS and JMoe, you guys still do any fishing out there? I had a good time reading through yalls old posts on here from years ago when the lake was pretty much the same level during the same time of the year.
Posted By: hook-line&sinker

Re: Lake Somerville - 07/02/19 08:32 PM

I've had several events over the last three years that have resulted in me fishing far less than ever before.
J-Moe has a new job that keeps him off the water and has directed a lot of his fishing to other water in pursuit of more fly fishing records.. State Fly Fishing Records
Posted By: Trav281

Re: Lake Somerville - 07/02/19 11:17 PM

Ahh ok got ya. That's cool man! I never have fly fished before!
Posted By: TXfisherman12

Re: Lake Somerville - 07/04/19 06:48 PM

Originally Posted by Trav281
....Pretty sure that's a hybrid and not a striper right?.


I was able to open the link to see the pic. Looks like a hybrid to me. Nice catch!!
Posted By: Trav281

Re: Lake Somerville - 07/05/19 06:11 PM

Originally Posted by TXfisherman12
Originally Posted by Trav281
....Pretty sure that's a hybrid and not a striper right?.


I was able to open the link to see the pic. Looks like a hybrid to me. Nice catch!!


Ok Cool! Appreciate it man! Yea finally got me a good one!

I was out there tuesday evening at the spillway and caught a white bass right when i got there then my first black crappue ever! Some ole boy was in my spot and he was slaying them... Saw him walk out with a stringer of at least 10 white bass.
Posted By: TXfisherman12

Re: Lake Somerville - 07/06/19 11:42 AM

Ggg
Originally Posted by Trav281
Originally Posted by TXfisherman12
Originally Posted by Trav281
....Pretty sure that's a hybrid and not a striper right?.


I was able to open the link to see the pic. Looks like a hybrid to me. Nice catch!!


Ok Cool! Appreciate it man! Yea finally got me a good one!

I was out there tuesday evening at the spillway and caught a white bass right when i got there then my first black crappue ever! Some ole boy was in my spot and he was slaying them... Saw him walk out with a stringer of at least 10 white bass.


Sent you an IM
Posted By: Trav281

Re: Lake Somerville - 07/07/19 10:27 PM

Originally Posted by TXfisherman12
Ggg
Originally Posted by Trav281
Originally Posted by TXfisherman12
Originally Posted by Trav281
....Pretty sure that's a hybrid and not a striper right?.


I was able to open the link to see the pic. Looks like a hybrid to me. Nice catch!!


Ok Cool! Appreciate it man! Yea finally got me a good one!

I was out there tuesday evening at the spillway and caught a white bass right when i got there then my first black crappue ever! Some ole boy was in my spot and he was slaying them... Saw him walk out with a stringer of at least 10 white bass.


Sent you an IM


I replied brother, sorry I just saw.
Posted By: hook-line&sinker

Re: Lake Somerville - 07/08/19 08:14 PM

I can almost guarantee this feeding pattern in the spillway is happening again..

this is from the 2015 flood..

Posted By: TXfisherman12

Re: Lake Somerville - 07/10/19 01:31 AM

Bank fished main lake on Sunday morning. The water was calm until about 8ish then some wind kicked up and shut down the bite for me. No white bass for me but handfuls of small black bass mostly caught when the lake was calm. Tried the spillway mid morning and had no luck even with my go- to lures.

Saw a guy catch a white bass at the spillway mid morning. Was that you Trav281?
Posted By: TXfisherman12

Re: Lake Somerville - 07/10/19 01:37 AM

Forgot to mention that there are not many good banks spots at Welch right now with the lake being this high. People are launching boats there.
Posted By: TTF

Re: Lake Somerville - 07/10/19 11:17 PM

What parks are open on lake looking to do some kayaking next week. Sounds like welch is open
Posted By: hook-line&sinker

Re: Lake Somerville - 07/11/19 07:45 PM

Originally Posted by hook-line&sinker
I can almost guarantee this feeding pattern in the spillway is happening again..

this is from the 2015 flood..



Just like I suspected... smile


Posted By: J-Moe

Re: Lake Somerville - 07/11/19 10:30 PM

Its been about 3 months since I fished below the dam but this video gives me the fever. If the fishtales dude can catch a few small ones then I should be able to catch 40 or 50 big ones and a few hybrids roflmao roflmao roflmao I noticed you started catching when you switched to a Moe-Beta.
Posted By: Trav281

Re: Lake Somerville - 07/14/19 05:30 PM

the only luck I've really been having is at the spillway, the last few weekends i've been out there, i've caught some hybrids and sandies at the spillway and the asian people on the walkway apparently have this down to a science because they pull them out left and right. Id rather catch nothing than compete to fish on that walkway. I tell you what though...those rocks get tiring when fishing on them for hours in the sun.

Thanks for the vid FishTails, I'm about to give it a watch. Unfortunately I have not had time to fish this week yet. I've been to busy catching 4-7lb black bass at a local neighborhood in Cypress or NW Houston. It's a secret not many know about.
Posted By: hook-line&sinker

Re: Lake Somerville - 07/14/19 06:07 PM

One thing I try to remember when I'm fishing with other people.. I fish for fun, C&R most of the time and will yield to those folks that are fishing for dinner.


J-Moe caught about a dozen or so.. I caught 3.. wink I'm betting this early/late feeding pattern will continue as long as the COE is releasing water.

Posted By: J-Moe

Re: Lake Somerville - 07/14/19 10:03 PM

Great fishing with you as always my friend. Just wish it wasnt months between fishing trips though &#128553;. I went out this morning. The pattern was exactly the same. They started schooling at 7:08 AM and quit at around 8 AM. I caught 20. 8 of those were undersized.
Posted By: Trav281

Re: Lake Somerville - 07/15/19 12:05 AM

Have you guys had any recent look on the main Lake I know we're a little limited bank fishing and all.
Posted By: Trav281

Re: Lake Somerville - 07/15/19 12:06 AM

I'm headed up there now to try and catch whatever i can
Posted By: J-Moe

Re: Lake Somerville - 07/15/19 02:56 PM

Trav, if I were to fish the main lake I would likely take a kayak and chase the surfacing white bass. The only decent place to fish for white bass from the shore would be along the bank at Welch or in front of the dam. Good luck today.
Posted By: Trav281

Re: Lake Somerville - 07/16/19 01:28 AM

Appreciate it J-Moe
Posted By: jsinn01

Re: Lake Somerville - 07/19/19 09:46 PM

Too early to be thinking about fall crappie fishing in the creeks? Probably.
Posted By: hook-line&sinker

Re: Lake Somerville - 07/19/19 10:40 PM

Kind of hard to predict what shape the Yegua will be in come Sept-Oct but this high water certainly won't hurt the fall fishing if and when it comes down.. Thinking about kayaking the Brazos below Whitney tomorrow. You interested in doing that trip with me?
Posted By: jsinn01

Re: Lake Somerville - 07/22/19 04:00 PM

Did you make the trip to the Brazos, Ben? I need to get a new kayak for the upcoming fall/winter. The one I have currently is in rough shape.
Posted By: J-Moe

Re: Lake Somerville - 07/26/19 10:41 PM

Lake Level is 245.85 feet. 7.85 feet above normal. The flow is still only about half open at 1050 cfs. I'm not sure why the COE never opened up the gates fully. The Brazos is way down so it shouldn't be an issue to do so. At that rate the lake will likely be releasing water for another 2 months.
Posted By: slopez

Re: Lake Somerville - 07/26/19 11:17 PM

I heard that 1 or 2 of the gates are broken. Cant believe everything you hear, but it would be a reasonable explanation.
Posted By: J-Moe

Re: Lake Somerville - 07/27/19 06:14 PM

Originally Posted by slopez
I heard that 1 or 2 of the gates are broken. Cant believe everything you hear, but it would be a reasonable explanation.


Interesting, they have had the dam closed for maintenance on the gates twice in the last couple of years so you might be right.
Posted By: Cats_N_Crappie

Re: Lake Somerville - 07/30/19 04:25 AM

Anybody know if Apache hills boat ramp is open?
Posted By: R2Fishing

Re: Lake Somerville - 07/31/19 02:00 AM

Yes it is
Posted By: R2Fishing

Re: Lake Somerville - 07/31/19 02:10 AM

Fishing has been hotter than the Texas Summer sun. And we dont troll petspoons! You will feel the SLAP when they hit!

Weekend and afternoon trips available.

PM for more details.


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Posted By: jsinn01

Re: Lake Somerville - 07/31/19 08:25 PM

Nice catch! coolphotos
Posted By: Trav281

Re: Lake Somerville - 08/01/19 12:06 AM

Jesus i need a kayak/boat. Nice catches man
Posted By: hook-line&sinker

Re: Lake Somerville - 08/01/19 08:03 PM

I had some business in Giddings so on the way back home I drove around the south side of the lake to check out Nails creek, Cedar Creek and Jardelle creek on FM1948 before fishing the dam & spillway for a hour or two..

Posted By: R2Fishing

Re: Lake Somerville - 08/03/19 04:53 AM

26/27 Hybrids continue to hit the deck of the Kenner. Today was LIGHTS OUT!
[Linked Image]
Posted By: J-Moe

Re: Lake Somerville - 08/03/19 08:41 PM

Hoggwild, If you're not trolling pet spoons does that mean you are casting for them? Are you catching them deep or surfacing?
Posted By: Trav281

Re: Lake Somerville - 08/04/19 02:08 PM

God dude that is what I'm trying to catch! Man i need a boat. Leaving spillway now, not even a bite and a million people here man.... Every now and then the fish will start boil8ng and i still can't get them to bite. Too much pressure here. I have to find a bank spot somewhere away feom people where there are actual hybrids.... Tough man. I'm about to give up and just go black bass fish. If anyone knows of any bank spots could you maybe put a mark on a map and dm me? That would be awesome.
Posted By: R2Fishing

Re: Lake Somerville - 08/06/19 04:06 PM

Originally Posted by J-Moe
Hoggwild, If you're not trolling pet spoons does that mean you are casting for them? Are you catching them deep or surfacing?


Electronics are a fisherman's best tool. Ill find “wolf packs” of hybrids, lock down 15-20yrds off them and cast to them. Few different style baits with different retrieves. Thermocline has set in - theyll be right above it.
Posted By: TXfisherman12

Re: Lake Somerville - 08/06/19 10:29 PM

Fished the spillway this morning and caught a ton of white bass in the morning. Best time was from 7-8 am as Ben and Jaime have mentioned. I stuck around and the schooling slowed down but still occurred. Caught a handful more plus a good-sized bucketmouth and several catfish. Stayed until 11:30 then surrendered to the heat and left.
[Linked Image]
[Linked Image]
Posted By: R2Fishing

Re: Lake Somerville - 08/07/19 03:54 AM

Bank fisherman-

Every evening whitebass have been schooling near the Welch boat ramp and around the point. White Roostertails will be get them. Please double check your fish. Theres alot, alot, alot of juvie hybrids. The untrained eye will fool you. Check the toothpatch. I have no problems calling the local GW if seen keeping unsized hybrids

Tight lines
Posted By: J-Moe

Re: Lake Somerville - 08/07/19 05:21 PM

Originally Posted by hoggwild
Originally Posted by J-Moe
Hoggwild, If you're not trolling pet spoons does that mean you are casting for them? Are you catching them deep or surfacing?


Electronics are a fisherman's best tool. Ill find “wolf packs” of hybrids, lock down 15-20yrds off them and cast to them. Few different style baits with different retrieves. Thermocline has set in - theyll be right above it.



Thanks for the information. I'm really surprised that you are catching so many in the 26 to 27 inch range. What year do you thing those were stocked? It must have been prior to them stopping the stocking. 2014 maybe? I assume those stocked in the last 3 years wouldn't be that big yet. Maybe I'm wrong though.
Posted By: R2Fishing

Re: Lake Somerville - 08/07/19 06:19 PM

The lake is rich with baitfish. You know as well as I. On any given day you can go catch hundreds of juvy hybrids, every cast. Problem is no one cares to look at the tooth patch and are keeping these fish..only hurting the fishery as a whole. The 26” plus fish would be 3-4yr old stocked fish - my best estimate. The fingerlings last stocked are already 7-10” Theres a small handful of us who strategically target the bigger hybrids. Its hard work- but the pay off is well worth it.
Posted By: Trav281

Re: Lake Somerville - 08/09/19 06:08 PM

PM sent @hoggwild
Posted By: Trav281

Re: Lake Somerville - 08/10/19 02:07 PM

Anyone know why they stop letting water out at the spillway when the lake is this high? I don't understand.
Posted By: Trav281

Re: Lake Somerville - 08/10/19 02:10 PM

Bank fishing somerville is about to be a past time to me.... It just ain't worth it. If i had a boat/kayak it would make a world of difference. Too much work for too little when bank fishing the last couple of months... And I'm tired of fishing next to people at the spillway and getting hung every other cast. I'm frustrated with this lake and honestly about done with it until i can find a better way to fish it.
Posted By: R2Fishing

Re: Lake Somerville - 08/10/19 11:45 PM

Originally Posted by Trav281
Anyone know why they stop letting water out at the spillway when the lake is this high? I don't understand.



If you knew much about the lake youd understand how wonderful it is to have a full lake..in Aug. Most if not all regulars would agree we wish to keep lake high 2-3ft above during this time of year. Spillway is a waste of time, effort and tackle. Start learning the lake and bank accesses that produce.

Also, sent you a text.
Posted By: jsinn01

Re: Lake Somerville - 08/15/19 02:26 PM

Originally Posted by Trav281
Bank fishing somerville is about to be a past time to me.... It just ain't worth it. If i had a boat/kayak it would make a world of difference. Too much work for too little when bank fishing the last couple of months... And I'm tired of fishing next to people at the spillway and getting hung every other cast. I'm frustrated with this lake and honestly about done with it until i can find a better way to fish it.


Having a boat/kayak can be helpful, but it is not necessary to catch fish in this lake.From about late October through the end of March, bank fishing the creeks on the west side of the reservoir can be very productive. Back when I was going to A&M I used to make the drive to the spillway and fish that area as well. If they were releasing water I would almost always catch something. If the crowds ever got to be too much, I would just walk across the road to the intake side of the spillway and fish that area. Caught plenty of nice black bass out of there. Having a boat is great, but then you have to pay for it. wink
Posted By: Boudreaux

Re: Lake Somerville - 08/15/19 08:02 PM

Originally Posted by Trav281
Anyone know why they stop letting water out at the spillway when the lake is this high? I don't understand.

I've heard from several sources that there was an issue with the dam gates not being able to open up more than about a foot.
Posted By: J-Moe

Re: Lake Somerville - 08/15/19 11:39 PM

COE currently releasing 2031 cfs. That’s pretty much wide open. It’s definitely been strange how it was only open half way for a long time, then shut down, now wide open. I sure hope the gates will close when it gets back to normal levels
Posted By: R2Fishing

Re: Lake Somerville - 08/19/19 12:20 AM

Good friend and I teamed up [Linked Image]
this AM for a Crappie beatdown. Bite was light-lots of missed hook ups. All came off brush 14-16FOW/minnows

Buddy is a Somerville Volunteer Firefighter. He received a call soon as we pulled out the lake; 14ft johnboat with 3 occupants capsized off welch. Let this be a heads up - when winds get above 12mph out if the SW the lake becomes NASTY.
Posted By: jsinn01

Re: Lake Somerville - 08/19/19 02:28 PM

Nice mess of crappie!
Posted By: R2Fishing

Re: Lake Somerville - 08/22/19 12:19 AM

Solo trip. Fish every drop
[Linked Image]
Posted By: Hogflyer

Re: Lake Somerville - 08/22/19 04:45 PM

Hey, I hear your pain there! try a kayak, yep a little money investment and alot easier on gas the bill! we launch in at upper end of the lake,
Nails creek state park. Because close to our farm, 10min away, we go early in am, fish on front point theres the drop off, with the creek channel there Yegua creek there is deep, at op level, 238, level there is over 12ft. on some spots, month ago found some nice crappie there, till idiot and kids on jet ski fly by, call GW, by then most are gone! We get a year permit, so no fees, just get permit when checking in. Also if your into cats there, on the same point we ran some throw lines, or. put out some short trot lines going into the lake, about 15 hooks or so, landed nice 14 lb channel just before 4th ofjuly, shocked me.....

Give that a try, I find less traffic on upper end of lake unless thats no convenient for you?


On the water levels of somerville this year, its all politics, yes the dam, and gate maintenance going on, but when the BS really starts flowing down the bravos, those mega homes near the Houston area down close the coast all flood because of the higher water flow on the bravos, if during a big rain event, corps will not drop somerville, and only ease it out!

Again, it too may be fake news.....


fish safe,,,,,,
Posted By: R2Fishing

Re: Lake Somerville - 08/26/19 09:55 PM

Went on a crappie excursion this past Sun morning.

Left with 31. Crappie all came off brush in 8-12ft of water. Minnows over jigs.. jig bite is practically non existent..

Lake is dropping fast and what used to be under water is quickly showing. Stay focused when out on obstructions..

With this weekend holiday coming I’m taking week/weekend off the lake. A bunch of crazies will be out!

[Linked Image]
Posted By: CSSource39

Re: Lake Somerville - 09/06/19 11:27 PM

Is it worth fishing around Irwin bridge or Newman's bottom on foot during the summer for bass and crappie?
Posted By: J-Moe

Re: Lake Somerville - 09/07/19 08:54 PM

I paddled up Nails creek today. I started fishing at the first curve. Between the first curve and up to the next little cut about 1/8 mile upstream I caught 11 catfish and 7 small bass. I fished all the way past the flag pond cut about 1/2 mile and only caught one more small bass and one more catfish. I tried crappie fishing a few areas upstream of the flag pong cut but didn't get a bite. I worked my way downstream to the little cut and found small bass stacked in front of the cut. I caught them on almost every cast. I ended up catching another 15 to 20 small bass and a couple more catfish before calling it quits. In addition to all the small bass and catfish stacked in there it was full of gar. Lots of the fish I caught had scrapes an puncture wounds on them.

[Linked Image]
[Linked Image]
Posted By: Trav281

Re: Lake Somerville - 09/07/19 11:32 PM

Nice J-Moe! I'm not going back to somerville again until they are in the creeks or I'm on a boat with Hoggwild
Posted By: J-Moe

Re: Lake Somerville - 10/04/19 06:35 PM

I went out to the main lake and bank fished this morning. There was a good amount of shad around but didn't see any signs of white bass or hybrids. There were lots and lots of little bass though. That's 2 years in a row that the Lake has had a great Largemouth bass spawn. I was catching them on almost every cast. Very close to the bank. I caught a couple of bluegill too. I'm not sure how many bluegill have moved shallow. The largemouth wouldn't let them close to the flies grin

[Linked Image]
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[Linked Image]
Posted By: jsinn01

Re: Lake Somerville - 10/10/19 09:47 PM

Thanks for the report, J-Moe! Looking forward to catching some crappie this fall.
Posted By: J-Moe

Re: Lake Somerville - 10/10/19 10:58 PM

This front might just get them moving up into the creeks. I'm trying to shame the Fishtales dude into taking a trip up Yegua or Nails grin It's really hard to pry him out of his cozy ranch though. roflmao
Posted By: Fishbonz

Re: Lake Somerville - 10/10/19 11:59 PM

Originally Posted by J-Moe
This front might just get them moving up into the creeks. I'm trying to shame the Fishtales dude into taking a trip up Yegua or Nails grin It's really hard to pry him out of his cozy ranch though. roflmao
I`ve seen his ranch! Good Luck.
roflmao
Posted By: J-Moe

Re: Lake Somerville - 10/12/19 04:40 PM

I drove out and checked on some of the creeks this morning. I started at Irwin Bridge. I fished around the bridge for a while but only caught 1 small crappie. I checked downstream as well. The deep hole at the bridge is holding water fairly well at this time. Downstream it is very low. Water was fishable. I took pictures of the Nails and Cedar at 125. They definitely need a good good flushing. Jardelle was holding up pretty well.

Irwin Bridge
[Linked Image]

Yegua Creek
[Linked Image]

Nails Creek
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Cedar Creek
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Jardelle Creek
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Posted By: jsinn01

Re: Lake Somerville - 10/12/19 05:24 PM

Wow! Thanks for the pics, J-Moe. You're not lying about Nails & Cedar needing a good rain. If we don't get a good rain it looks like the lower Yegua will be the best place to catch crappie this fall.
Posted By: J-Moe

Re: Lake Somerville - 10/12/19 07:08 PM

Originally Posted by jsinn01
Wow! Thanks for the pics, J-Moe. You're not lying about Nails & Cedar needing a good rain. If we don't get a good rain it looks like the lower Yegua will be the best place to catch crappie this fall.


That's my thought. If I try it will either be at Wolf Pond or not far upstream of flag pond cut. That means its a kayak trip from Nails Creek boat ramp. Probably need to give it another week or 2 before I try.
Posted By: big z

Re: Lake Somerville - 10/17/19 11:28 PM

Anyone fish around welch latey? Hows the water levels on the lake? Thanks
Posted By: hook-line&sinker

Re: Lake Somerville - 10/18/19 12:06 PM

J-Moe and I will be kayaking up the Yegua from the Nails Creek boat ramp on Saturday October19th. We are planning to launch around 7am. We might be a little early for the best crappie bite but history tells us that these conditions are about the best we can expect. The creek also has good numbers of black bass and catfish year-round so if any of you have been wanting to hit the creek now is the time.. join us if you can.




Posted By: jsinn01

Re: Lake Somerville - 10/18/19 02:31 PM

I can't make it on Saturday, but good luck guys! Creek conditions should be excellent for catching crappie in Yegua. Going to be a hot one, so bring some water.
Posted By: jsinn01

Re: Lake Somerville - 10/18/19 02:35 PM

Anybody know if Nails Creek State Park is still renting kayaks? I'm thinking of going on Sunday, but don't have a good way of transporting my kayak right now.
Posted By: big z

Re: Lake Somerville - 10/18/19 02:37 PM

Can i do some bank fishing at yegua creek? Or is it only accessible by boat?
Posted By: jsinn01

Re: Lake Somerville - 10/18/19 02:57 PM

big z, you can definitely bank fish yegua creek. Best place for easy access is Irwin bridge off of CR124.
Posted By: BayouFennec

Re: Lake Somerville - 10/18/19 02:58 PM

you can park at Irwins' Bridge and walk down the creek or park somewhere near Newman's Bottom (although i think there is no close parking there.)
Posted By: jsinn01

Re: Lake Somerville - 10/18/19 03:00 PM

Yeah, Newman's is about a mile walk right now, but you can find some deeper pools there.
Posted By: big z

Re: Lake Somerville - 10/18/19 03:30 PM

Thank yall. Im definitely getting off work early and hitting up this spot. I need to feel that line tug
Posted By: hook-line&sinker

Re: Lake Somerville - 10/20/19 01:43 AM

J-Moe and I made the paddle up the Yegua Saturday as planned. The creek is in good shape for the winter season and overall is fishing pretty well for Black bass. I did find one nice crappie, one 2 to 3# bass, and a nice catfish along with a dozen or two small bass & sunfish but I spent most of the day exploring way up the creek and targeting black bass. There were no big obstacles all the way up to Newmans Bottom at the low water crossing. Water was not as clear as I had hoped but the bass didn't seem to mind. Must have had a very good spawn last year as the creek is loaded with 8 to 10 inch black bass.
[Linked Image]
[Linked Image]


Posted By: jsinn01

Re: Lake Somerville - 10/20/19 02:42 AM

Thanks for the report, Ben! The crappie fishing should start heating up when the weather cools off a bit. fish
Posted By: greenyak

Re: Lake Somerville - 10/20/19 12:36 PM

Thanks for the report Ben, I’ve been wanting to go out there and check it out. Waiting to have hernia surgery so I can get healthy and get out to the yegua .
Posted By: jsinn01

Re: Lake Somerville - 10/20/19 08:50 PM

Hey, wishing you a speedy recovery greenyak. For me the best months to fish the creeks are Nov - Jan. Before the white bass fever hits.
Posted By: Boudreaux

Re: Lake Somerville - 10/21/19 03:26 PM

Jardelle is shallow from the bridge to the lake, most of it is less than 4ft deep. Ran up it yesterday in my duck boat.
Posted By: hook-line&sinker

Re: Lake Somerville - 10/22/19 05:26 PM

Last Saturdays trip up the Yegua..

Posted By: hook-line&sinker

Re: Lake Somerville - 10/23/19 04:26 PM

I mentioned in the latest video about how the Yegua has changed since the 2011drought and the last four floods most notably the loss of the trees ..

This video is from April of 2011 before the drought and floods killed off many of the trees.

Posted By: jsinn01

Re: Lake Somerville - 10/23/19 08:58 PM

I noticed the lack of trees last year, walking the banks. I'm sure it's only gotten worse with another year of flooding.
Posted By: TXfisherman12

Re: Lake Somerville - 10/25/19 05:33 PM

Thanks for the video Ben!
Posted By: big z

Re: Lake Somerville - 10/29/19 05:53 PM

I caught 3 nice whites last week in yegua near irwins bridge. I also caught a nice 8 lb black drum. Anyone know of anywhere else i could get on some whites besides irwins bridge and the spillway?
Posted By: jsinn01

Re: Lake Somerville - 10/29/19 06:10 PM

big z, thanks for the report. It usually takes a good flood to get the whites moving into the creek. I've caught them as early as December, but depends on how much rain we get before now and then. Until then, you could try the main lake along points, early in the morning or late in the evening.
Posted By: J-Moe

Re: Lake Somerville - 11/03/19 07:59 PM

I launched from Nails Creek park around 8:30 yesterday morning and headed up Nails creek. There was no water running into the creeks from the small sloughs like it was a month ago. No small bass were there either. I fished a few spots below the flag pond cut but caught nothing. I tried 3 crappie spots above the flag pond cut but didn't catch any crappie either. I only caught one small bluegill and one small bass in about 2 hours of fishing so I finally just gave up.

[Linked Image]
[Linked Image]
[Linked Image]
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Posted By: J-Moe

Re: Lake Somerville - 11/03/19 08:17 PM

I went to the dam this morning. The gates have been closed for over a month so I didn't expect much. But I was wrong. It was one of those special "Magical Clouser" days. I caught 66 keeper white bass, 2 hybrids, a 13 inch crappie, 2 small largemouth and another 10 plus undersized white bass. There was one person fishing with live freshwater shrimp that caught 6. Nobody else caught more than a couple of fish. The "Magical Clouser" once again proved it is truly magical.

[Linked Image]
[Linked Image]
Posted By: PerksOutdoors

Re: Lake Somerville - 11/03/19 09:45 PM

Nice JMoe. I can't wait until the run this year. Still have my lucky hand tied jigs from last year. My parents are moving g to South Texas on a lake that has zero fly fishing records so I've been making flies like crazy. What type of line do you prefer to use for bass? I've got some cheep line on mine that doesn't allow for casting far.
Posted By: J-Moe

Re: Lake Somerville - 11/03/19 09:53 PM

I don't spend alot on lines or equipment. I like to use the Courtland rocket taper fly lines on my 8 weight.
Posted By: jsinn01

Re: Lake Somerville - 11/03/19 09:56 PM

Nice report, J-Moe! coolphotos
Posted By: big z

Re: Lake Somerville - 11/03/19 10:13 PM

Thank you ill definitely keep that in mind
Posted By: BayouFennec

Re: Lake Somerville - 11/04/19 01:12 PM

J-Moe, glad they were biting below the dam. i'm kind of sad that there were no fish up Nails Creek. i was trying to talk myself into heading up there this week. i was hoping this cooler weather had gotten the crappie heading up the creek. may be a little while longer. thanks for the report
Posted By: Boudreaux

Re: Lake Somerville - 11/04/19 01:30 PM

For those that haven't been on the lake lately. It's under pool. The mouth of Nails Creek is almost completely silted up at this water level. There is only one small cut that is very shallow on the south side of the creek that will allow entry. I ran up it yesterday evening in my duck boat, scouting and fishing a little. Ya'll be mindful that duck season opens in North Zone this Saturday. Expect to see hunters in some of your fishing areas. Stay safe, tight lines
Posted By: hook-line&sinker

Re: Lake Somerville - 11/04/19 04:45 PM

While you-all were hitting the creeks I had other fishing duties to attend to....

Posted By: jsinn01

Re: Lake Somerville - 11/08/19 11:24 PM

Anybody fishing this weekend? Thinking about trying the Yegua this Sunday. Not sure if it will be by bank or from kayak.
Posted By: big z

Re: Lake Somerville - 11/09/19 01:17 AM

I had the crazy idea to go fishing in the rain yesterday on my day off. I got skunked but snagged a ton of buffalo down at the spillway.
Posted By: hook-line&sinker

Re: Lake Somerville - 11/10/19 08:01 PM

J-Moe and I hit the two most popular creeks of Lake Somerville looking for bass and crappie but found little of either. Nails is flowing well but stained and the Yegua is it's typical beautiful clear green.

Posted By: jsinn01

Re: Lake Somerville - 11/11/19 09:45 PM

Made it out to Nails Creek yesterday afternoon. The creek looked really good other than being a bit low and slightly muddy. Fished the area between the trailway bridge and flag pond cut and caught one keeper size crappie. Was hoping for better results, but I think it's only a matter of days now before the crappie start showing up in numbers. I saw shad popping all over the place so the bait fish are there. Will probably try again in a few weeks.
Posted By: TXfisherman12

Re: Lake Somerville - 11/12/19 02:43 PM

Thanks for the report Jsinn01. Did you catch any black bass? With low expectations I will probably hit up the Yegua from the bank on Friday.
Posted By: jsinn01

Re: Lake Somerville - 11/12/19 03:07 PM

TXfisherman, I didn't catch any black bass, but there were some guys fishing with minnows that had caught a few. If you do try the Yegua from the bank your best bet is Irwin Bridge. They had Newman's completely closed when I was there on Sunday with no hiking in allowed.
Posted By: J-Moe

Re: Lake Somerville - 11/12/19 03:58 PM

Originally Posted by jsinn01
They had Newman's completely closed when I was there on Sunday with no hiking in allowed.


bang mad bang

The Fishtales video dude is also the President of the trail way association. He needs to look into this grin And fix the bridge into Newman bottom while he's at it grin
Posted By: GC2656

Re: Lake Somerville - 11/12/19 04:29 PM

They may have had one of the TPWD drawn hunts taking place last weekend.
Posted By: TXfisherman12

Re: Lake Somerville - 11/12/19 07:26 PM

Jsinn01: Thank you again for the information. I was planning on walking into Newman's bottom mad , so it is good to know. Not sure if Irwin is worth a try since the video dudes didn't catch much there. I couldn't find any TPWD drawn hunts for this past weekend.
Posted By: jsinn01

Re: Lake Somerville - 11/12/19 10:13 PM

Yeah, there was a sign at the road to Newman's Bottom that said "Area Closed". When I asked the park attendant at the Nails Creek office about it, she said that the area was closed due to organized hunts. I definitely wouldn't count on it being open, but if you find out something different let us know.
Posted By: hook-line&sinker

Re: Lake Somerville - 11/14/19 04:29 PM

I'm guessing the area was closed for hunting but the scheduled hunts suggest a different reason.

For dates and details about hunting see: https://tpwd.texas.gov/huntwild/hunt/public/public_hunt_drawing/hunt-area-details.phtml?OArea=SS
Posted By: hook-line&sinker

Re: Lake Somerville - 11/14/19 04:36 PM

The Yegua should be fishing well but to be safe you might need to come up from the lake in a boat or kayak and stay in the lower end and steer clear of the duck hunters. To avoid disturbing the hunters it is best to start heading towards the creeks mid to late morning.
Posted By: TXfisherman12

Re: Lake Somerville - 11/14/19 05:13 PM

I called the office yesterday and was told Newman's is closed for repairs stemming from flood damage, and not closed due to hunting.
Posted By: jsinn01

Re: Lake Somerville - 11/14/19 05:32 PM

If that's the case it doesn't really make sense then. Why are we not allowed to at least hike in? All areas of the park have flood damage, but only Newman's is closed?
Posted By: big z

Re: Lake Somerville - 11/16/19 05:53 PM

Anyone had any luck catching any crappie in the creeks?
Posted By: TXfisherman12

Re: Lake Somerville - 11/17/19 12:48 AM

I fished the Yegua yesterday For about 6 hrs and caught a few crappies and largemouths near Irwin bridge. I walked downstream from the lower parking lot and the creek is shallow with few fish. The positive side is the water clarity is excellent. I didn’t talk to anyone who had caught crappie except one guy said he caught a keeper right under the bridge last week. Here is a pic of my best crappie for the day (not much but I enjoyed the thump):

[Linked Image]
Posted By: hook-line&sinker

Re: Lake Somerville - 11/17/19 02:48 PM

J-Moe and I have hit Nails, Yegua, Birch and Jerdelle with little to show for our efforts crappie-wise catching only a few black bass and some sunfish.

The lake is at or near normal 238 pool level with little flow from any of the creeks to make it rise up.

The crappie and whitebass will move up into the creeks when the lake jumps up a foot or more otherwise there is little to entice the fish to move from the deep water.

The lower end of the Yegua is still the best bet but the lake needs a good rise to really bring up the fish in mass.

Four out of the last five years the lake has flooded at the start of summer and that might be good for the fishing overall but it is tough on the whole area both economically and environmentally.

Lake Somerville State Park has really taken a beating and it is about time to help them bring the whole complex back online. Check back here for more details on how all you fishermen can help.
Posted By: hook-line&sinker

Re: Lake Somerville - 11/18/19 12:37 AM

No crappie in Birch Creek either. But there is bass.
Posted By: J-Moe

Re: Lake Somerville - 11/18/19 01:19 AM

It was another fantastic weekend gifted to me by the "Magical Clouser". I caught well over 50 white bass but it wasn't the whites that made it fantastic. It was the hybrids!!!!!

I forgot how exhausting it is to catch 5 lb. hybrids on a 4 weight fly rod, with 6 lb. fluorocarbon and a size 8 clouser. But I sure didn't forget how awesome it is to do so banana

I ended up catching 5 in the 21.5 to 23.5 inch range, several undersized, got broke off 3 times and had a couple more spit the hook at the bank.

[Linked Image]
[Linked Image]
Posted By: TXfisherman12

Re: Lake Somerville - 11/20/19 01:41 AM

Good job JMoe! They are some nice looking hybrids.
Posted By: Bones72

Re: Lake Somerville - 11/20/19 01:24 PM

Man that looks fun. Hybrid on the fly from the bank!!! Think I found a new idol.
Posted By: Cuervo Jones

Re: Lake Somerville - 11/20/19 01:55 PM

That’s awesome! It’s been many moon since I fished for whites and hybrids. Highly underrated fish on the long rod.
Posted By: J-Moe

Re: Lake Somerville - 11/20/19 10:28 PM

Thanks Alan, Bones and CJ
Posted By: jsinn01

Re: Lake Somerville - 11/20/19 10:41 PM

Nice catch, J-Moe! Sounds like you had a great day.
Posted By: jsinn01

Re: Lake Somerville - 11/20/19 10:44 PM

Originally Posted by TXfisherman12
I fished the Yegua yesterday For about 6 hrs and caught a few crappies and largemouths near Irwin bridge. I walked downstream from the lower parking lot and the creek is shallow with few fish. The positive side is the water clarity is excellent. I didn’t talk to anyone who had caught crappie except one guy said he caught a keeper right under the bridge last week. Here is a pic of my best crappie for the day (not much but I enjoyed the thump):


Thanks for the report!
Posted By: fishytx

Re: Lake Somerville - 11/21/19 03:52 AM

Man I have yet to wet a line since the last white bass run. But I hope to get back em again this year. My fishing days are really slowing down, my Ranger bass boat hasn't moved in over a year. The thought of letting it go has crossed my mind a few times, but I still have it. I have been struggling with a few health issues, I keep thinking things are going to turn around and I'll be back on the lakes soon. But we will see. I will be back out catching a few whites, but I might have to wait till the bite is in full swing. So keep the reports coming so this old guy knows when to make the best of it. LOL Old pot licker. Hehehehehehe
Posted By: fishytx

Re: Lake Somerville - 11/21/19 03:24 PM

Nice fish J-Moe. Man dude you have been on a roll. Look at where you are today compared to five years ago with all of this fishing stuff. You have learned a lot in a short time frame and you have taught many others the skill to catch as well. Awesome job, keep it up. It's a silly sport but I cannot think of better one I would rather do. I mean I'm outside with Mother Nature soaking it all in while I'm fishing. But iif you think about it, it is kind a silly. I work so hard to catch a fish, I reel it in, take it off the hook, look at both sides of it and if it measures up to my lickings then I'll take a few snap shots of it. I might even weigh it before I toss it back only so I repeat myself a thousand more times if not more to catch another one. That is the best thing about fishing though, you have that choice to release it to live again and also for others to catch and enjoy a good fight from it as I did.
Posted By: J-Moe

Re: Lake Somerville - 11/21/19 04:59 PM

I learned from the best, o master of the white bass bow_down

i'm just paying it forward. There will be kids throwing a 1/32 ounce white marabou jig years from now
Posted By: J-Moe

Re: Lake Somerville - 11/21/19 06:24 PM

Originally Posted by jsinn01
Nice catch, J-Moe! Sounds like you had a great day.


Thanks Jared
Posted By: jsinn01

Re: Lake Somerville - 11/22/19 03:11 PM

Anybody giving it a try this weekend? Thinking maybe Nails Creek on Sunday.
Posted By: J-Moe

Re: Lake Somerville - 11/22/19 06:55 PM

What makes you think the crappie have moved up into Nails now?
Posted By: jsinn01

Re: Lake Somerville - 11/22/19 07:52 PM

Don't know until you try. wink

It was almost one year ago today we tore them up out there. 11/23/2018, day after Thanksgiving last year.
Posted By: hook-line&sinker

Re: Lake Somerville - 11/22/19 08:56 PM

So far this fall we have been unable to find crappie up any of the creeks.. at least not in any numbers

November 25 2018


November 19, 2016


Posted By: jsinn01

Re: Lake Somerville - 11/22/19 09:03 PM

Not sure about you guys but sometimes I just need an excuse to get out of the house, even if the fish aren't biting. wink
Posted By: hook-line&sinker

Re: Lake Somerville - 11/22/19 09:09 PM

November 1st, 2014. The best day ever

Posted By: hook-line&sinker

Re: Lake Somerville - 11/22/19 09:15 PM

And a dry year in November about this time in 2013 shows how the creek fishing can go from feast to famine!

Posted By: hook-line&sinker

Re: Lake Somerville - 11/22/19 09:24 PM

Originally Posted by jsinn01
Don't know until you try. wink

It was almost one year ago today we tore them up out there. 11/23/2018, day after Thanksgiving last year.


And jsinn01 and I really did well in December 2012

Posted By: hook-line&sinker

Re: Lake Somerville - 11/22/19 09:27 PM

there wasn't anything to show in November of 2011

Posted By: hook-line&sinker

Re: Lake Somerville - 11/22/19 09:45 PM

And leading up to winter of 2011/2012 was this September 2011 hike up the dry Yegua from the Nails creek park.



If nothing else all of these historical videos of fishing the creeks at Lake Somerville show just how resilient nature is overall.

A high water event in the September thru November timeframe is what makes for the best fall fishing in the creeks.

The lake is is good condition currently but was not high enough above normal pool level entering into the fall of the year to allow any of the early arrivals as in years past.

Any time from now thru March/April a good rise in the creeks will kick the run in high gear.. the bigger and longer the rise the more fish will come up to spawn. If it doesn't rise up there will be some very disappointed creek fishers out there..
Posted By: hook-line&sinker

Re: Lake Somerville - 11/22/19 09:47 PM

One more year up Nails creek November 2010


Posted By: TXfisherman12

Re: Lake Somerville - 11/22/19 11:41 PM

Originally Posted by jsinn01
Not sure about you guys but sometimes I just need an excuse to get out of the house, even if the fish aren't biting. wink


Very good point. This was the reason I went out last week even though conditions were far from ideal. Still caught a few to make it worthwhile and found and even better crappie lure (something like Jaime throws I never tried before)
Posted By: TTF

Re: Lake Somerville - 11/25/19 11:42 PM

Looking to visit lake tomorrow 11/26 with son boat is in shop have kayaks but concerned about wind thinking about birch park bank fishing or any ideas of better option
Posted By: hook-line&sinker

Re: Lake Somerville - 11/26/19 12:21 PM

never alone..

Posted By: BayouFennec

Re: Lake Somerville - 11/26/19 01:20 PM

i laughed when you said short tail armadillo, very rare............. we all know they're better well done.
i went up Nails a couple of weeks ago. the water looks better now than it did then but it was still a beautiful day. only caught 5
[Linked Image]
Posted By: jsinn01

Re: Lake Somerville - 11/27/19 03:14 PM

Have a safe and happy Thanksgiving, all! Hope to make it out there this weekend if the weather is decent.
Posted By: jsinn01

Re: Lake Somerville - 11/29/19 11:13 PM

Fishing was very slow at Nails Creek today. Fished for a couple hours and only caught 3 small crappie and a small channel cat. The water clarity is good, but like mentioned earlier in the thread, we need a good rain to get the creek to come up two or three feet.
Posted By: greenyak

Re: Lake Somerville - 11/30/19 12:34 AM

. 11/24/2018, nothing good so far this year
Posted By: greenyak

Re: Lake Somerville - 11/30/19 12:38 AM

. This was about 4 days ago.
Posted By: yak dog

Re: Lake Somerville - 11/30/19 12:39 AM

Very nice 👍🏽
Posted By: jsinn01

Re: Lake Somerville - 11/30/19 01:08 AM

Nice videos, Ben & Sam.
Posted By: J-Moe

Re: Lake Somerville - 11/30/19 07:47 PM

I went to Irwin bridge yesterday morning. I spoke with a couple of my fishing buddies. All they had caught were small bluegill and goo. I only caught a few bluegill as well.

I checked on Newman Bottom but the sign still shows the area to be closed.

I parked in the WMA parking lot and walked into Nails. I fished a couple spots down to the trailway bridge but only caught more small bluegill.

I left and headed back to the dam. I caught 15 keeper white bass and a hybrid.

I fished the dam again this morning. I caught a total of 55 white bass and 3 hybrids. 41 of the 55 white bass were keepers.

There are also lots of common carp in the area. I caught one on a size 10 crawfish briminator pattern.

[Linked Image]

[Linked Image]

[Linked Image]

[Linked Image]
Posted By: yak dog

Re: Lake Somerville - 11/30/19 09:45 PM

Ughhhh , I was wanting to go today and ended up staying home. Man I could sure use some white bass in the freezer.
Posted By: jsinn01

Re: Lake Somerville - 12/01/19 08:04 PM

Nice catch, J-Moe. I wonder if Newman's Bottom will magically open in time for the White Bass spawn? grin
Posted By: big z

Re: Lake Somerville - 12/04/19 03:16 AM

nice catch J-Moe
Posted By: Cuervo Jones

Re: Lake Somerville - 12/04/19 04:40 PM

Solid work. Looks like I need to get out there!
Posted By: hook-line&sinker

Re: Lake Somerville - 12/04/19 10:04 PM

Attention all you fishers of Yegua Creek @ Newmans Bottom..
A few years back I was a member (last president) of the friends group for Nails Creek State Park.
You all know how life has a way of changing directions and so with obligations at home pull at me my involvement with the friends group dropped off to nothing.
In the meantime the old friends group has faded into history.
With the passing of my parents and other life changes I now have the opportunity to get involved again with the State park and plan to do so in helping to create a new friends group.
My focus in the past was always on kayaking, hiking and fishing and will try to do so in the future.
The damage the State park sustained from the 2015 & 2016 flooding has really pushed the whole complex into uncertain times.
The Trailway (which Newmans Bottom is part of) has been so badly damaged that reopening it has been a great challenge.
The road to Newmans washed out and repairs have been delayed with the continual flooding (4 times over the last 5 years) that put the whole area under water for months at a time.
At any rate I'll be meeting with the park director and unit supers in the near future to see what we can do to get the park back in action for the upcoming whitebass run..
Don't be surprised if I ask for your help..


Posted By: jsinn01

Re: Lake Somerville - 12/04/19 11:06 PM

Ben, I'd be more than happy to help in some capacity being this is far and away my favorite state park. I don't want to see it fall further into disrepair or close down.
Posted By: yak dog

Re: Lake Somerville - 12/04/19 11:18 PM

Can we get an idea of what’s all needing to get done? I’ve been there twice and loved it. Unfortunately I don’t know what it use to look like, seemed fine when I was there . Not asking you to go into great detail
Posted By: TXfisherman12

Re: Lake Somerville - 12/05/19 12:20 AM

Ben: I would love to help out
Posted By: Cuervo Jones

Re: Lake Somerville - 12/05/19 02:53 AM

I would be down to help out too. I just discovered Somerville last year and my wife and I really enjoy it. Happy to lend a hand with any sort of cleanup or improvement.
Posted By: yak dog

Re: Lake Somerville - 12/05/19 06:56 PM

Good thing prop 5 was passed , Texas parks will get the money from of all the sporting goods stores sales taxes! Starting 2021 this will help out a lot sucks that they are so far behind on things that need repairs .
Posted By: hook-line&sinker

Re: Lake Somerville - 12/05/19 10:53 PM

I honestly do not know what the TPWD plans are for Lake Somerville State Park & Trailway but I do know what will happen if no one is willing to work to make the park better.

The first thing to learn when working with the state park system is that funding has always been a battle and it is a complex arrangement between the federal, state & county governments that all have influence over some of the park infrastructure.

The drought of 2011 really did a number on the park but nothing like the flooding since.
After the 2015 flooding the TPWD had to petition the state legislature for funds and about the time the repairs were being made the 2016 flood occurred which did even more damage to the whole park and infrastructure.

I suspect after the second record flood the legislature and the TPWD were forced to re-evaluate their game plan going forward.

As a taxpayer I'm always concerned about how taxes are used and so whatever the project it must be vetted thoroughly and never should anyone throw good money after bad.

Considering the lake has had two more high water events since 2016 that impacted the state park the question now is where should we invest our very limited resources.

Often times the presence of a strong friends group & volunteers gives the park options they otherwise do not have.
Posted By: Bug-e

Re: Lake Somerville - 12/06/19 04:17 AM

I’m thinking about taking my preteens to fish below the dam this weekend. I am a mediocre black bass fisherman and a terrible white bass fisherman. And I haven’t bank fished below a dam in 30 years. Any advice for a noob?
Posted By: J-Moe

Re: Lake Somerville - 12/06/19 04:36 PM

Bug-e. The fishing at this point can be very difficult below the dam. Timing is important in order to catch any on live bait or lures.

There is little shad below the dam to catch in a cast net. The best live bait for white bass is freshwater shrimp if you know where to net some up. Crawfish tails or live minnows are good live baits as well.

If you throw lures then use light line and light jigs. 1/32 ounce white marabou jigs or using shad colored plastic 2 or 2.5 inch swimbaits/jigs thrown without a jig head.

There are lots of carp so you shouldn't have a problem catching a few on carp bait.
Posted By: Bug-e

Re: Lake Somerville - 12/07/19 02:39 AM

Originally Posted by J-Moe
Bug-e. The fishing at this point can be very difficult below the dam. Timing is important in order to catch any on live bait or lures.

There is little shad below the dam to catch in a cast net. The best live bait for white bass is freshwater shrimp if you know where to net some up. Crawfish tails or live minnows are good live baits as well.

If you throw lures then use light line and light jigs. 1/32 ounce white marabou jigs or using shad colored plastic 2 or 2.5 inch swimbaits/jigs thrown without a jig head.

There are lots of carp so you shouldn't have a problem catching a few on carp bait.


Thanks!
Posted By: irfishyir2

Re: Lake Somerville - 12/08/19 12:35 PM

I love videos...thanks
Posted By: jsinn01

Re: Lake Somerville - 12/10/19 03:56 PM

Hopefully you're getting some rain out that way. Austin got a decent amount overnight and it's still raining.
Posted By: Bones72

Re: Lake Somerville - 12/10/19 04:44 PM

What do these freshwater shrimp look like? Are they just big scuds or do they look more like their saltwater cousins? I might try and create a fly pattern for them.
Posted By: hook-line&sinker

Re: Lake Somerville - 12/10/19 05:35 PM

[Linked Image]
Posted By: hook-line&sinker

Re: Lake Somerville - 12/10/19 05:38 PM

[Linked Image]
Posted By: jsinn01

Re: Lake Somerville - 12/10/19 05:51 PM

That's a cool looking fly. I bet that catches a few fish.
Posted By: Yakker newbie

Re: Lake Somerville - 12/10/19 10:03 PM

So for the first time in over a year due to family health problems I was able to go fishing last week. I paddled up Nails creek last Sunday and again yesterday. Caught 5 Crappie each trip and about a dozen small bass the 1st trip. Flipped out of my kayak for the 1st time yesterday due to a red and yellowish water snake getting in the boat with me. Water was cold, but it was 80° and eventually dried me out. Winds are supposed to be light on Thursday so I'm really thinking about trying to get to the Yegua creek. Any tips on where to fish that creek?

Attached picture 20191209_203502.jpg
Posted By: J-Moe

Re: Lake Somerville - 12/10/19 10:55 PM

Originally Posted by jsinn01
Hopefully you're getting some rain out that way. Austin got a decent amount overnight and it's still raining.

I'm not sure what the watershed received but we didn't get much at all in Brenham
Posted By: J-Moe

Re: Lake Somerville - 12/10/19 10:57 PM

Originally Posted by Yakker newbie
So for the first time in over a year due to family health problems I was able to go fishing last week. I paddled up Nails creek last Sunday and again yesterday. Caught 5 Crappie each trip and about a dozen small bass the 1st trip. Flipped out of my kayak for the 1st time yesterday due to a red and yellowish water snake getting in the boat with me. Water was cold, but it was 80° and eventually dried me out. Winds are supposed to be light on Thursday so I'm really thinking about trying to get to the Yegua creek. Any tips on where to fish that creek?


Once you get in the creek you can start searching. One good spot to check is about a mile or less upstream. It is a large open area that has another creek feeding into it. The fish will often stage in this area before moving up the creek to spawn.
Posted By: J-Moe

Re: Lake Somerville - 12/10/19 11:12 PM

Ben and I fished the dam on Friday morning. We only caught a couple small keeper white bass.

I went checked on Irwin bridge Saturday morning but got the same results as last time I went. Only small bluegill. I headed over to the dam and caught 7 keeper white bass and a hybrid.

Saturday afternoon will be one I will not forget. Once again, the moment was provided by the magical clouser. I was fishing down at the end of the rocks when I hooked a big hybrid. As normal, it resulted in an epic battle on the 4 weight. The fish made several runs on me and came to the surface twice. One time it was in the shallows moving enough water that it looked like I was fighting a 25 lber. I finally got it in and when I did the crowd at the dam started clapping for me. Now that was cool coolio I ended the afternoon catching 5 big hybrids and 1 white bass.

I fished the dam again both Sunday morning and Sunday afternoon. I caught 2 more hybrids in the morning and 2 in the afternoon. But only one white bass all day. I don't know what happened to the white bass.

[Linked Image]
Posted By: Catyakker

Re: Lake Somerville - 12/11/19 12:49 AM

Wow, J-Moe that is one fat Hog. You sure did good especially on a 4 Wt rod. Were you using 4 lb tippet? dance2
Posted By: Fish Zone

Re: Lake Somerville - 12/11/19 02:10 AM

Nice report , thanks for the post .
Posted By: J-Moe

Re: Lake Somerville - 12/11/19 03:32 AM

Originally Posted by Catyakker
Wow, J-Moe that is one fat Hog. You sure did good especially on a 4 Wt rod. Were you using 4 lb tippet? dance2


6 lb. fluorocarbon. That one weighed 5.5 lbs. Thanks
Posted By: J-Moe

Re: Lake Somerville - 12/11/19 03:34 AM

Originally Posted by Fish Zone
Nice report , thanks for the post .

Thanks
Posted By: Bones72

Re: Lake Somerville - 12/11/19 03:16 PM

Thanks Hook-line&sinker. I think I have some that will work but want to tweak then just a bit more. J-Moe those are so awesome hybrids I might have to check that area out.
Posted By: jsinn01

Re: Lake Somerville - 12/11/19 05:11 PM

Nice fish, J-Moe! clap
Posted By: jsinn01

Re: Lake Somerville - 12/11/19 05:27 PM

Originally Posted by Yakker newbie
So for the first time in over a year due to family health problems I was able to go fishing last week. I paddled up Nails creek last Sunday and again yesterday. Caught 5 Crappie each trip and about a dozen small bass the 1st trip. Flipped out of my kayak for the 1st time yesterday due to a red and yellowish water snake getting in the boat with me. Water was cold, but it was 80° and eventually dried me out. Winds are supposed to be light on Thursday so I'm really thinking about trying to get to the Yegua creek. Any tips on where to fish that creek?


Thanks for the good report. I've only flipped my kayak once and that was due to the wake from an air boat in Nails Creek. I'm pretty sure a snake in the boat would cause me to flip as well. bolt
Posted By: Bones72

Re: Lake Somerville - 12/11/19 09:43 PM

Think these would work? Not sure of the size of the shrimp these are on #6 Mustad 34007 in olive and clear. I'd like to get some tan midge flash and use some of the sand colored spanaflex I have for antennae and replace the clear dun hackle with some light barred ginger to approximate what I saw in the photo.

[Linked Image]
[Linked Image]
Posted By: fishytx

Re: Lake Somerville - 12/12/19 04:18 PM

I had 3/8 inch of rain in my rain gage. The ground is so dry I am sure it soaked it right up. A couple of times the rain came down hard but it never did last long, mostly slow drizzle. We need a good rain to bring up the Yegua, the fish have plenty of eggs in their bellies, time to run up a flooded creek. LOL
Posted By: fishytx

Re: Lake Somerville - 12/12/19 04:27 PM

Fresh water shrimp are very clear, almost transparent. If I remember right a full grown one can get up to eight inches long. The biggest one I have ever seen was maybe 3/4 inches long. Not very big, but I caught it in a net close to shore in the grass.
Posted By: Bones72

Re: Lake Somerville - 12/12/19 06:43 PM

Just measured a few; they come in at almost the inch mark minus antennae and mouth parts, so not far off. May have to go with a #8 or #10 hook to get all the way there.
Posted By: Cuervo Jones

Re: Lake Somerville - 12/13/19 12:45 PM

Have you looked at the one minute mysis patterns? Very simple and very effective on trout that eat those nearly transparent buggers in very clear streams. An adaptation of those might be a good match and easier to tie than lots of other shrimp patterns. Just a thought.
Posted By: Bones72

Re: Lake Somerville - 12/13/19 02:23 PM

I've tied many mysis patterns as they were very prevalent in the Blue River up in Colorado when I was there for over ten years. I like tying though and trying different patterns however I often get stuck in a rut with what I actually fish. Just trying to come up with something based on the picture I saw on this thread with regards to what is in Somerville.
Posted By: J-Moe

Re: Lake Somerville - 12/13/19 02:55 PM

Originally Posted by Bones72
Think these would work? Not sure of the size of the shrimp these are on #6 Mustad 34007 in olive and clear. I'd like to get some tan midge flash and use some of the sand colored spanaflex I have for antennae and replace the clear dun hackle with some light barred ginger to approximate what I saw in the photo.

[Linked Image]


Looks great Bones. I've seen all the flies you post in the fly tying section. You tie some really outstanding flies thumb

I have never tied or fished with freshwater shrimp patterns, but I've often thought about it, since white bass love them and sunfish also feed on them.

As soon as we get a good rain fall the white bass will be moving into the creeks. You can come down and we can test them out grin
Posted By: Bones72

Re: Lake Somerville - 12/13/19 03:39 PM

Sounds really good J-Moe thanks for the invite. I have a mess of clouser styles I'd like to try too. Rain may be another question though. Remembering back to when I was here before from '92 to '04 rain doesn't really rear its head until February.
Posted By: J-Moe

Re: Lake Somerville - 12/13/19 06:52 PM

Originally Posted by fishytx
Fresh water shrimp are very clear, almost transparent. If I remember right a full grown one can get up to eight inches long. The biggest one I have ever seen was maybe 3/4 inches long. Not very big, but I caught it in a net close to shore in the grass.


I've seen them caught and used in the summer and they were less than 3/4 inches. The ones I saw this fall are closer to 1 inch long. Like you said the guys net them from the grass.

It's very interesting. The only time I can remember anything out catching the magical clouser below the dam when the flow is cut off was by a guy using freshwater shrimp. He was using light line and little or no weight. I fished beside another guy at the dam twice. He was using a heavy drop shot rig with the freshwater shrimp and I out caught him by about 8 to 1 with the magical clouser.

It's been proven over and over that when the dam is closed the white bass and hybrid fishing is far more successful with lighter line and lighter, smaller baits/lures/flies. If I go from a size 8 clouser with small bead chain to a size 6 clouser with large bead chain I significantly reduce my catch rate. And on several occasions I've given the Fishtales video dude some 6 lb. fluorocarbon because he couldn't catch them on the 12 lb. he likes to use grin
Posted By: Yakker newbie

Re: Lake Somerville - 12/14/19 01:38 AM

I brought my mom and sister up to fish at the Irwin bridge on Wednesday and we had a good time. We caught all the small bream you can ever want. Mom caught a 11" white bass on a minnow. I caught 4 crappie while throwing rooster tails. Green was the favorite color today. Only 1 crappie was keeper size. A fella came down late in the afternoon and put a bream on a hook and threw it out to the left of where the concrete is visible in the water and hooked a big blue cat less than 5 minutes later. The cat was 43 1/2" long and weighed 33 lbs. He packed up and said that was enough fun for him for one evening. Back on graveyards now, hoping I can get back on the water next week. Good luck everyone.
Posted By: hook-line&sinker

Re: Lake Somerville - 12/14/19 03:12 AM



Kayaked up the Yegua Friday and finally found some fish..
lots of small Black bass a few whitebass and several crappie..
nothing to write home about but a very good start for the season.
I've heard a report suggesting that the whitebass have moved into the shallow upper end and have been seen chasing shad.
I suspect the fish might move up under the full moon and maybe what we did catch Friday is proof of that, and all the birds working the area.
Posted By: hook-line&sinker

Re: Lake Somerville - 12/15/19 01:59 AM

We went back up the Yegua in the ProDrive again today (Saturday around noon) and was very surprised to see only one other boat up there.
We didn't fish this trip so I got no report other than the creek looks great.
Posted By: jsinn01

Re: Lake Somerville - 12/16/19 03:18 PM

Thanks for the good reports, all. Might be time to head that way again next weekend.
Posted By: Bones72

Re: Lake Somerville - 12/16/19 05:02 PM

Well based on research and input from here I did some smaller variants of the shrimp pattern. From what I read the shrimp in Somerville are Ohio/Ohio River Shrimp (common name). There are four freshwater species in Texas but the Ohio Shrimp are the most prevalent and the least colorful being mostly clear as has been pointed out. They say they can be completely clear or have a very translucent tan or olive tint to them. Apparently they also migrate a long ways between living and breeding areas. They can be about 3 to 4 inches at max size other shrimp in the state can achieve lengths to 8 inches and some of them like the Long Claw Shrimp look downright scary. Pretty interesting read fin one article there was college kid that did it on a project about freshwater shrimp in Texas think he was going to school in San Marcos. Any way this is what I came up with. Put it on a 2X long, 1X heavy #12 nymph hook. Body including rostrum comes in at a little less than 3/4 of an inch.


[Linked Image]
Posted By: BayouFennec

Re: Lake Somerville - 12/16/19 05:06 PM

Great post Bones72. i don't even fly fish but found that an interesting read.
Posted By: hook-line&sinker

Re: Lake Somerville - 12/17/19 01:06 AM

Just got word from the folks over at the park that they are working on the road to Newmans Bottom with hopes to open in time for the whitebass run.
As all of you know the weather always has the final say-so with any of the work to be done.
We certainly need some rain to make the whitebass / crappie run better by bringing up the creek and lake level but that can cause serious delays in getting access.
It will be so nice to be able to get to the creek and not have to walk so far to fish it.
Posted By: jsinn01

Re: Lake Somerville - 12/17/19 04:08 PM

Thanks for the update, Ben. I don't even mind the walking as long as we have access. There are so many good bank fishing spots along Newman's.
Posted By: J-Moe

Re: Lake Somerville - 12/17/19 08:43 PM

I fished at Irwin Bridge Saturday morning. I caught 9 small bass, 1 bluegill and one small crappie in about an hour. While I was fishing I heard a bunch of noise and water moving around the fallen trees. It was a group of 5 otters coming up stream. I thought I was watching one of the river monsters episodes with the river otters grin They came into the pool in front of me. They were extending their necks out of the water and talking all kinds of trash to me. Another cool moment in the outdoors thumb

[Linked Image]
Posted By: jsinn01

Re: Lake Somerville - 12/18/19 03:03 PM

Wow, that's cool! You "otter" fish there more often. roflmao
Posted By: Yakker newbie

Re: Lake Somerville - 12/19/19 06:45 PM

I made my 2nd trip up the Yegua yesterday and had a good time. Started my day off having one of the eagles watch me paddle across the lake from the dead tree where you hop into the creek. The fishing was slow, but I was there to enjoy a day off work. Caught plenty of 11" - 13" black bass and had 1 crappie spit my jig back at me. I watched 1 guy pull 3 small crappie out of some brush up above the drain pipes. Had a couple fellas come up from Nails creek about 2pm, they had strung up 9 crappies over there using minnows. Slow day fishing, but a good get away day anyways.

Attached picture 20191218_101409.jpg
Posted By: jsinn01

Re: Lake Somerville - 12/19/19 06:53 PM

Thanks for the report, Yakker. It's never a bad day when you're out on the water.
Posted By: J-Moe

Re: Lake Somerville - 12/20/19 01:18 PM

Thanks Yakker for the reports. I've been having the same luck. Lots of small to mid sized bass, small bluegill and only an occasional crappie. We got spoiled the last 4 years with great creek fishing as early as October.
Posted By: jsinn01

Re: Lake Somerville - 12/20/19 04:40 PM

J-Moe, you must have caught all the fish out of Somerville. Seriously though, I wonder why the slow fishing this year? I know we haven't gotten much rain, but the lake is still close to full pool.
Posted By: J-Moe

Re: Lake Somerville - 12/20/19 04:54 PM

Originally Posted by jsinn01
J-Moe, you must have caught all the fish out of Somerville. Seriously though, I wonder why the slow fishing this year? I know we haven't gotten much rain, but the lake is still close to full pool.


It was higher than normal and there was flow the last few years. And I release most of the fish. I just train them not to take your lures before I do so grin
Posted By: Cuervo Jones

Re: Lake Somerville - 12/21/19 05:19 PM

Fishing seems to be slow everywhere. The weather is so random (hot one day, cold from the next) this fall that the fish might just be confused. We have sparrows and wrens starting to build nests at my place and that’s at least a couple of months early. Stinging nettles are sprouting too and they’re usually a bit later in the season. Strange days, man.
Posted By: J-Moe

Re: Lake Somerville - 12/22/19 12:36 AM

I went to Irwin this morning. Same result, small bass.

I spoke with one of the park employees. The Youth hunt is going on this weekend so I didn't walk downstream.

Their plans for Newman Bottom are to open the road going through the oil field. That bridge is not condemned. The other small bridge is condemned and so is the trailway bridge.

He said they have a lot of work to do on the road and when I asked him if it would be open by mid January he didn't really give me a positive vibe that it would happen.
Posted By: Bones72

Re: Lake Somerville - 12/22/19 12:16 PM

Do things get going that early down that way? On my favorite river for whitebass up here the magic date used to be March 6th.
Posted By: J-Moe

Re: Lake Somerville - 12/23/19 12:22 AM

Bones, the last 4 years there has been plenty of flow to bring the white bass up. It has gotten started anywhere from 12/4 to 12/21 the last 4 years. It peaked around 2/21.
Posted By: Bones72

Re: Lake Somerville - 12/23/19 01:08 PM

Wow!! Just going on what I remember, and it has been 15 years. We would start heading up March 6th might be a few days earlier but never weeks always best when you saw oak blossoms on the water. Usually peaked around the first week of April and caught fish till around the middle of May and then there was schools of channel cats and lots of rough fish. Used to bow fish back then too and May was good for big gar and if I remember right it was sometime in May that frog season started. Usually had some whitebass in the freezer and would cook up frog legs some sandie filets and gar balls with hush puppies and coleslaw and big thing of home fries.

Have to thank you now I have something to look forward to by heading down to Somerville.
Posted By: hook-line&sinker

Re: Lake Somerville - 12/23/19 02:16 PM

When it come to the whitebass/crappie fishing in the creeks feeding Lake Somerville the best years start with a good rise and flushing of the creeks following lots of rain. So far it's been a dry fall and the creeks have very little flow to them now but come one good rise and it will be ON! I'll be watching for and waiting on the rain like all the fishermen..
Posted By: J-Moe

Re: Lake Somerville - 12/24/19 01:49 PM

I paddled up into Nails creek. I fished with a magical clouser, moe-beta and popper dropper with black/chartreuse briminator. I only caught one bass. There were 2 guys in a boat. They were charting alot of fish stacked up in the creek. They hadn’t caught anything. I spoke with another angler on the way out of the creek. He had caught 2 keepers using jigs and crappie magnets. He was jigging in the trees. He said the bite was extremely light.

If I can trust those guys in the boat the crappie are in the creek. We have a few warm days in a row so they may become more active.
Posted By: jsinn01

Re: Lake Somerville - 12/24/19 11:29 PM

Thanks for the excellent report, J-Moe. I wonder if those guys were seeing shad on their graph.
Posted By: jsinn01

Re: Lake Somerville - 12/24/19 11:31 PM

Have a Merry Christmas, all. Hope to be seeing you out on the creeks in the coming months.
Posted By: hook-line&sinker

Re: Lake Somerville - 12/31/19 04:17 PM

J-Moe and I hiked down the Yegua from Irwin bridge to walk off the extra holiday pounds and to see if we might get lucky and find some fish. Finding fish proved difficult under the beautiful clear blue skies and that winter green water of the Yegua. Not to be defeated we then jumped over to Nails creek walking in from the WMA to find a few cooperative bass to take my spinnerbait.
Posted By: hook-line&sinker

Re: Lake Somerville - 01/01/20 01:04 PM

2020 Looks like 2014 except for the lack of nice size crappie..



Posted By: hook-line&sinker

Re: Lake Somerville - 01/01/20 01:16 PM

Late 2016 was the best.. This was after the lake had been lowered to near normal level after the second record flooding when it went over the emergency spillway around Memorial Day 2015 & 2016.

Somerville 2016 flooding

Posted By: jsinn01

Re: Lake Somerville - 01/01/20 07:04 PM

Originally Posted by hook-line&sinker
J-Moe and I hiked down the Yegua from Irwin bridge to walk off the extra holiday pounds and to see if we might get lucky and find some fish. Finding fish proved difficult under the beautiful clear blue skies and that winter green water of the Yegua. Not to be defeated we then jumped over to Nails creek walking in from the WMA to find a few cooperative bass to take my spinnerbait.


As always, great video Ben. Kudos to you for out fishing J-Moe.
Posted By: Yakker newbie

Re: Lake Somerville - 01/01/20 09:24 PM

Does anybody have any info on targeting catfish up there? I don't really want to be paddling out in the middle of the lake. Maybe below the spillway or in one of the creeks? I'd appreciate any suggestions.
Posted By: hook-line&sinker

Re: Lake Somerville - 01/01/20 10:08 PM

Originally Posted by Yakker newbie
Does anybody have any info on targeting catfish up there? I don't really want to be paddling out in the middle of the lake. Maybe below the spillway or in one of the creeks? I'd appreciate any suggestions.
Catfishing in the Yegua (lower end) is probably as good as any place on the lake.. and it's pretty good up Nails creek too. Jug lines and limb line are very effective as is rod and reel. The locals do it all the time..
Posted By: JonL

Re: Lake Somerville - 01/08/20 06:16 PM

Praying for some good rain to hit the Yegua creek so the white bass can make their run up the creek. I am ready to make the long drive from Leander to catch some fish. When the run is on it is MY Most Wonderful Time of the Year!!
Posted By: Boudreaux

Re: Lake Somerville - 01/09/20 03:07 PM

Duck season is coming to a close and it's time to start fishing. Anyone wanting to make some trips up the Yegua or Nails hit me up. I'll start booking trips soon. Licensed guide, USCG qualified captain. Ran up the creeks the other day and the water was looking good. Lake is about a foot below pool. Rains forecasted for the rest of the week with cold weather. We shall see what happens. The mouth of nails creek is silted up with only one small shallow inlet for access. Be mindful that duck season runs through the 26th and you will probably encounter hunters if you come out before 9-10am. Looking forward to a good start to a new year. Tight lines everyone!
Posted By: EllerTroy

Re: Lake Somerville - 01/10/20 09:24 PM

Come on rain. 2 to 4 foot rise in the creak would be great.
Posted By: J-Moe

Re: Lake Somerville - 01/11/20 05:37 PM

I checked on the creeks this morning. The Somerville area only received about 0.75 inches of rain.

Nails and Cedar had very little additional water or flow. The Yegua is up a few inches and has slightly more flow. There is a glimmer of hope though as it normally takes up to 24 hours before the watershed drains down to Irwin Bridge. Newman Bottom is still closed. It may be worth going up the mouth of the Yegua tomorrow. It might be enough flow to move a few of those harmone crazed small males into Yegua creek.

I walked down below the parking lot at Irwin bridge. There was a healthy looking tree that had been pushed over and lots of branches off healthy looking trees on the ground.


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Posted By: jsinn01

Re: Lake Somerville - 01/11/20 07:50 PM

Thanks for the update, J-Moe. I was hoping for better results from this latest storm.
Posted By: greenyak

Re: Lake Somerville - 01/11/20 11:44 PM

[Linked Image]
Was going to fish yegua, but changed my mind and went to the little pond. [Linked Image]
Posted By: jsinn01

Re: Lake Somerville - 01/11/20 11:57 PM

Wise choice, greenyak. Wind was crazy today.
Posted By: greenyak

Re: Lake Somerville - 01/13/20 02:36 AM

Posted By: hook-line&sinker

Re: Lake Somerville - 01/13/20 03:25 AM

I've been working with what's left of the old Nails Creek Park friends group and the park directors to restart the group to better support the park.
We (friends group) have some legal work to do and to amend some of the bylaws to reflect that our efforts will be for the whole Lake Somerville State Park complex and not just Nails Creek unit as in the past.

TPWD and the park staff have made great progress in getting the park back in working order after several high water events and are hoping to get more of the trailway and Newman's Bottom open in time for the whitebass run.

When I get the go-ahead from the park I would like to have another creek fishing clinic at the Nails Creek Unit pavilion (next to the boat ramp). I've put three of these clinics on in the past and they are a great opportunity to meet and greet with a lot of TFFers and learn from the best creek fishers known to mankind wink

One way or another I am going to do the clinic even if Mother Nature doesn't cooperate very well and bring up the fish..
Each of you have much to share with your fellow fishermen & women so don't be shy.





Posted By: NicoA

Re: Lake Somerville - 01/16/20 09:28 PM

Howdy, I just joined the forum but have been following this thread for the last few years during my time at A&M. I've fished newmans bottom and nails creek plenty of times for white bass and crappie but am planning to try the spillway this weekend for some possible hybrids which is new territory for me. I planned to throw a clouser but wasn't sure if a sink leader was needed or not. I also planned on bringing my conventional gear to throw some deep divers and the typical white bass tackle (maybe some minnows). Any advice is appreciated. Thanks and Gig 'em
Posted By: hook-line&sinker

Re: Lake Somerville - 01/16/20 10:01 PM

Not much happening at the spillway with no new water, besides J-Moe has educated all the fish in that old hole.. wink .
Posted By: J-Moe

Re: Lake Somerville - 01/17/20 01:44 PM

Originally Posted by NicoA
Howdy, I just joined the forum but have been following this thread for the last few years during my time at A&M. I've fished newmans bottom and nails creek plenty of times for white bass and crappie but am planning to try the spillway this weekend for some possible hybrids which is new territory for me. I planned to throw a clouser but wasn't sure if a sink leader was needed or not. I also planned on bringing my conventional gear to throw some deep divers and the typical white bass tackle (maybe some minnows). Any advice is appreciated. Thanks and Gig 'em


Howdy NicoA,

There is no need for sink tip lines or deep divers. The maximum depth right now is only about 5 feet. There haven't been many fish caught below the dam in the last two weeks. Most people, including myself have given up on trying. I saw lots of hybrids taken out of there and there aren't anymore coming in from the lake with the gates closed.

In April and May the shad will be spawning on the banks of the main lake. Early morning and late evening there will be trillions of shad on the banks and the white bass and hybrids will be feeding on them. You can usually wade out and catch a few hybrids. You can see them coming, busting the surface with great violence!!

Gig'em, Class of '87

welcome
Posted By: Bones72

Re: Lake Somerville - 01/17/20 05:14 PM

Any of this rain making it down that way. Been raining here in Killeen for the past two days. Not heavy but pretty steady with some better showers mixed in.
Posted By: J-Moe

Re: Lake Somerville - 01/17/20 05:30 PM

Originally Posted by Bones72
Any of this rain making it down that way. Been raining here in Killeen for the past two days. Not heavy but pretty steady with some better showers mixed in.


Getting a few light showers but not enough to get the creeks moving.
Posted By: J-Moe

Re: Lake Somerville - 01/18/20 05:57 PM

I captured a few members of a recon platoon this morning. Prepare yourself gentlemen, the invasion has begun banana

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Posted By: Average Joe

Re: Lake Somerville - 01/18/20 06:03 PM

Originally Posted by J-Moe
I captured a few members of a recon platoon this morning. Prepare yourself gentlemen, the invasion has begun banana

[Linked Image]


Thanks for the update!
banana
Posted By: 24x7Fisherman

Re: Lake Somerville - 01/18/20 06:25 PM

Hi, J-Moe, thanks for sharing. Did you walk in from Irwin?
Posted By: J-Moe

Re: Lake Somerville - 01/18/20 06:37 PM

Originally Posted by 24x7Fisherman
Hi, J-Moe, thanks for sharing. Did you walk in from Irwin?


Yes, Newman Bottom is still closed.
Posted By: 24x7Fisherman

Re: Lake Somerville - 01/18/20 06:40 PM

Great, thanks.
Posted By: big z

Re: Lake Somerville - 01/18/20 06:53 PM

Nice catch J-moe
Posted By: Boudreaux

Re: Lake Somerville - 01/21/20 04:50 PM

Ran up Yegua yesterday morning. Ran all the way up to Newman's near the low water crossing on the trail. That's about as far as you can get with the water levels right now. The lake is just under pool. The creek was a little off color with a slight flow. Rain in the forecast this week. If you're looking to get up into the creek and don't want to walk, hit me up. I'll be running trips on the weekends as soon as duck season is over.
Posted By: jsinn01

Re: Lake Somerville - 01/21/20 06:25 PM

Did you catch anything, Boudreaux?
Posted By: jsinn01

Re: Lake Somerville - 01/21/20 06:26 PM

J-Moe, glad to see you caught a few as far up as Irwin. Hopefully we get some good rain tomorrow to push a few more fish into the creek.
Posted By: Boudreaux

Re: Lake Somerville - 01/22/20 01:10 PM

Originally Posted by jsinn01
Did you catch anything, Boudreaux?


I took a rod with me, I had been out duck hunting. I tossed around a jig a little bit with not bites. I have my boat stripped down for duck season, no transducer, not trolling motor, or trolling batteries. I'll get it all put back on next week and get ready to start fishing more.
Posted By: J-Moe

Re: Lake Somerville - 01/22/20 02:12 PM

I went to Irwin yesterday and all of Irwin and Nails were closed. I checked the website. The area will be closed through this weekend.


The entire Birch Creek Unit will be closed on the following dates:

*From 5 p.m. on Jan. 21 until 2 p.m. on Jan. 24, 2020.


On the following dates the Nails Creek Unit trails and trailway will be closed:

*From noon on Jan. 20 until 2 p.m. on Jan. 23, 2020.

*From noon on Jan. 24 until 2 p.m. on Jan. 26, 2020.
Posted By: jsinn01

Re: Lake Somerville - 01/22/20 05:52 PM

Thanks for the info, J-Moe. We're getting some good rain in Austin today. Hopefully the Somerville watershed is getting the same.
Posted By: Boudreaux

Re: Lake Somerville - 01/23/20 03:10 PM

Pretty consistent rain over the past day and a half. There should be a decent little rise in flow by the weekend.
Posted By: Schweatty

Re: Lake Somerville - 01/24/20 04:55 AM

First time poster. Long time lurker. I have been chasing white bass on the creeks for years, and have met some of you out there. Love to read but scared to post. Stage fright I guess. Went to Irwin with the wife and kids Sunday and ran into something I need closure on. I was hoping the story would have made it here, but it hasn’t, When we arrived there were two gentleman sitting on their tail gate in the parking area. I kindly asked “How’s it goin?” Immediate response was “not too dang good.” They continued, and told me they had met on the creek that day while fishing and decided to make the trek toward Newman’s. The younger, a very polite 20 yr old Texas A&M student had made the trip before and new the short cuts. He offered to show the older gentleman the way. When they were getting close to Newman’s there were two fisherman on the other side of the creek. They stopped to say hello and suddenly an ATV rolled up in a hurry. The person on the ATV identified himself as state park police and immediately started chastising all parties for trespassing on private property. I’m not sure the story with the guys on the other side of the creek. They may have entered through Newman’s which we all know is closed. Those guys could have been in trouble. The guys from Irwin explained to the officer that they had paid their entry fees and had walked from Irwin. The officer wasn’t having any of that. He told them they could only fish at the bridge. Told them they were trespassing on private property and took their names and pictures of them. He then told them to get back to their vehicles and he would meet them there. If they weren’t there when he got there, they would have warrants for their arrests. When I arrived they had been sitting for two hours not counting the time it had taken them to walk back. As y’all all may know the phone service at Irwin is spotty at best so I drove out and up the road to call the nails creek office for clarification. The lady ther told me what I had always assumed. If there isn’t an area closed sign you should be able to fish. When I left the guys were headed to nails to try and make contact with this officer. I’m sure he had found out that he had made a blunder and was hoping the guys would let it go. From what I could tell these gentlemen were pretty upset and were wanting the offficer to be reprimanded. Legally they were detained for over three hours and the guy didn’t even show up to either handle his business or apologize. I wish I had gotten one of their contacts to see how it turned out. Maybe the officer was right, but I don’t think so. I hope someone with knowledge of the incident or one of the guys involved will post the conclusion. In the mean time, beware, there’s evidently a new guy on the beat that could be a little twisted on what the rules are.
Posted By: Yakker newbie

Re: Lake Somerville - 01/24/20 05:53 AM

Welcome to the forum Schweatty

Hopefully we get some clarification on that, it has been my understanding that anything along Yegua Creek up to Irwin bridge is all State Park land and the W.M.A. land above the bridge. That's the first I've heard of private property being mentioned. I was under the assumption that Newmans Bottom was off limits for now, even if you hiked all the way from Irwin? I guess I interacted with the same officer my last trip up a couple weeks ago. He didn't seem rude, but was overly impatient waiting for me to show him my State Park Pass.
Posted By: hook-line&sinker

Re: Lake Somerville - 01/24/20 01:03 PM

The Lake Somerville floodplain is federal property.
As a general rule if it floods when the lake is at full capacity (258) then it is in the floodplain.
A state park police officer or game warden will be in uniform when on patrol.
Posted By: Bones72

Re: Lake Somerville - 01/24/20 01:21 PM

This is very disconcerting as I would like to try and fish there but being newly back to Texas I certainly don't want to wander into a situation like has been described.
Posted By: Schweatty

Re: Lake Somerville - 01/24/20 01:51 PM

I did not get the impression that it was someone posing as an officer. They never mentioned plain clothes or anything. I am also not sure if he was armed. I think the surprise was that he wasn’t a game warden. I’ve met multiple game wardens on the creek, or at least assumed they were. I personally had never heard of park police. I’m sure there are some. I’ve met multiple park rangers inside the various parks, but don’t recall if they were armed, and never thought of them as police officers. I realize there are three sides to every story, and I’m providing second hand information, but this seemed pretty cut and dry. Two strangers that had met that day should have no reason to corroborate a story, or have any vendettas. I look forward to the dog woods blooming every year, because that always coinsides with the white bass run. I just don’t want to lead my 15 year old son into a mess, or want anyone else to have to deal with it. Sorry to show up out of the blue and bring a bunch of drama to the board, but I think this is a big deal for all that love that creek area.
Posted By: Schweatty

Re: Lake Somerville - 01/24/20 02:37 PM

I called nails again this morning and am waiting on a call back from the park manager. If I find anything out I’ll definitely let you guys know. Hopefully, if there is a line between Irwin bridge area and Newman bottom he can clarify. It could be possible, they were fishing at or below the Newman bridge. If that’s the case, I could definitely see where there could be an issue. Again, sorry to hijack the forum.
Posted By: Boudreaux

Re: Lake Somerville - 01/24/20 02:46 PM

Any LEO from the state of Texas will be identifiable and in uniform if they are down there patrolling. Any question on it, ask for identification, if you still have doubts, call it in. There are State park police at Nails and Birch, they are not game wardens. You will see them down at irwin and newmans.
Posted By: Aggiefisher21

Re: Lake Somerville - 01/24/20 03:09 PM

Howdy, I am the Texas A&M student that you saw. Hopefully this will be a good explanation for everyone on here about what happened. The older gentleman and I walked down to Newmans bottom which is where we saw the other two guys across the creek. I told them that I thought the newmans side was closed and they said back to me that they were able to walk around the gate and walk down. (I thought that was weird because I still saw crews working on the road) That is when the State Park Police rolled up on his ATV and told those guys to go back to their truck and that as of now they were under arrest for a class A misdemeanor for fishing with out land owner consent and if they tried to leave that they would have a warrant out for their arrest for a felony. He proceed to look over to us and ask where we came from and we politely said irwins bridge. He said you aren't allowed to fish here and that we need to go back to our trucks and wait for him and if we tried to leave we to would have a felony warrant for running from the police put out for us. We tried to explain to him that there were no signs out saying the area was closed. The officer didn't want any of it and said he would meet us at our trucks in an hour to give us a ticket and we could talk to the judge about it. After making the hour long hike back to the trucks we then waited from about 12:45 to 4:30 at the truck before we decided to try and go to nails to get that officer to come meet us because neither of us wanted a felony on our record. On our way out I saw the officer driving down the road and waved him down to talk to him. The first thing he said was "I'm surprised y'all are still waiting" and I go, "Sir, you told us if we ran we would get a felony and I really don't need that on my record." He then said that he would not give us a ticket and that our time served was enough for him. It didn't sit well in me but I was happy that we weren't getting a ticket, so I started to question him on where I was allowed to fish and when newmans would be open. He said you can only fish the bridge right now and that was due to public hunts. Then he said he wasn't sure when newmans would be back open, but they are trying to get it opened up in the early parts of November. He then also explained to me that apparently someone had taken down the signs that were supposed to say the area was closed and that the signs were just your typically yard signs. He also explained that he had caught 7 people that disregarded the signs at newmans and they still tried to go fish it. Long story short, we did not end up getting in trouble because the signs were gone and he had made us wait so long. He was in his uniform and I knew that it was the state park police. After the public hunts are over I believe as long as the signs are gone we can start fishing the creek around Irwins, just maybe not all the way down to newmans. I still don't understand why people had tore down and destroyed the signs that are there to inform people the area was closed so that events like this don't occur. Also I tried to keep this as short as possible with as many details as possible, so if anyone has any questions please ask. I don't want anyone else to have this happen to them. Also I never even cast my line into the water that day.
Thanks and Gig'em y'all
Posted By: Schweatty

Re: Lake Somerville - 01/24/20 03:25 PM

Thanks AggieFisher! I was hoping you’d see this. Sorry if I messed up any of the details. That explains it then. I’m assuming these are the closures that J Moe posted about. Sorry you guys had to go through that. I’d like to tell your parents what a respectful young man they’ve raised. They should be proud. Good luck to everyone this year and be safe!
Posted By: Schweatty

Re: Lake Somerville - 01/24/20 03:43 PM

Just received a call from Lauren at nails creek. She confirmed the closures due to the public hunts. The last hunt is Sunday, so the Irwin bridge area will be open Monday the 27th and remain open. You can hike to Newman’s from Irwin and fish that area without issue. She also said, pay attention to their web site and Facebook page they are working hard to get Newman’s open sometime in February. They’ll anounce in both places opening dates.
Posted By: Del Magic

Re: Lake Somerville - 01/24/20 05:53 PM

When you say they are going to open Newman's in february. Do you mean open all the way to the bridge and old parking area or up by the oil tanks and still have to walk in?
Posted By: hook-line&sinker

Re: Lake Somerville - 01/24/20 10:01 PM

Originally Posted by Del Magic
When you say they are going to open Newman's in february. Do you mean open all the way to the bridge and old parking area or up by the oil tanks and still have to walk in?

The hold up has been repairing all the repeated flood damage to the road leading to the parking lot. When the repairs are complete we will be able to drive to the parking lot next to the creek.
Posted By: Boudreaux

Re: Lake Somerville - 01/27/20 02:22 PM

Fished Newman's yesterday afternoon. Air temp 74, water temp 58, NNW wind at 8-12. Water a little off color with the recent rain, slight flow. Began fishing at approx. 3:45, fished till dark. Started at one of the first big holes downstream from the parking area, bout a 1/4 mi down. Picked up a 12" white, fat female in that area. Worked my way down from there. We caught a few undersize LMB along the way. Picked up another 12" female white near the pipes that feed flag pond. Fish caught on 2"curl tails on jighead. Fish were returned after a couple pics. Looking forward to many more trips in there. Hope some of you will join me. - DTGS
Edited and added pics. First pic is looking downstream from the split below the parking area.

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Posted By: BayouFennec

Re: Lake Somerville - 01/27/20 03:07 PM

are you saying the parking lot at Newman's is open? i know they were trying to finish up repairs but i haven't heard anything regarding a completion date.
Posted By: Boudreaux

Re: Lake Somerville - 01/27/20 03:17 PM

Originally Posted by Bayou_Fennec
are you saying the parking lot at Newman's is open? i know they were trying to finish up repairs but i haven't heard anything regarding a completion date.


NO!

I ran up there in my boat from the main lake.
Posted By: jsinn01

Re: Lake Somerville - 01/27/20 04:20 PM

Originally Posted by Boudreaux
Fished Newman's yesterday afternoon. Air temp 74, water temp 58, NNW wind at 8-12. Water a little off color with the recent rain, slight flow. Began fishing at approx. 3:45, fished till dark. Started at one of the first big holes downstream from the parking area, bout a 1/4 mi down. Picked up a 12" white, fat female in that area. Worked my way down from there. We caught a few undersize LMB along the way. Picked up another 12" female white near the pipes that feed flag pond. Fish caught on 2"curl tails on jighead. Fish were returned after a couple pics. Looking forward to many more trips in there. Hope some of you will join me. - DTGS
Edited and added pics. First pic is looking downstream from the split below the parking area.


Water looks great! Thanks for the good report.
Posted By: Boudreaux

Re: Lake Somerville - 01/27/20 04:56 PM

Also, for those who haven't been out to the lake in a while, the lake is just under pool. With the lake at that level, the mouth to nails creek is almost completely silted up. There is a narrow, shallow, silted in area where the creek connects to the main lake. The water is only a couple inches deep there. If you have a light boat, every shallow draft boat, mudboat, jet drive, or just want to pull you boat through that mud, you can get into the creek. What I'm really getting at, is I don't foresee Nails creek having a run this year unless we get a good hard rain that will up the flow. You might find some resident fish in there though. Also Birch creek from the main lake to the boat ramp is also silted up pretty bad. There is a small narrow passage you can get through if you can find it. I haven't tried to go up the creek from the ramp up the creek yet though.
Posted By: Average Joe

Re: Lake Somerville - 01/27/20 05:18 PM

Originally Posted by Boudreaux
Also, for those who haven't been out to the lake in a while, the lake is just under pool. With the lake at that level, the mouth to nails creek is almost completely silted up. There is a narrow, shallow, silted in area where the creek connects to the main lake. The water is only a couple inches deep there. If you have a light boat, every shallow draft boat, mudboat, jet drive, or just want to pull you boat through that mud, you can get into the creek. What I'm really getting at, is I don't foresee Nails creek having a run this year unless we get a good hard rain that will up the flow. You might find some resident fish in there though. Also Birch creek from the main lake to the boat ramp is also silted up pretty bad. There is a small narrow passage you can get through if you can find it. I haven't tried to go up the creek from the ramp up the creek yet though.


Thanks for the update! Hope to get some more rain soon!
Posted By: jsinn01

Re: Lake Somerville - 01/27/20 09:30 PM

This year's run feels like a bust. In years past people were already pulling limits out by this time of year. Just doesn't look like it's going to happen. Hope I'm wrong.
Posted By: hook-line&sinker

Re: Lake Somerville - 01/27/20 09:42 PM

I hear ya' jsinn01!

This year feels to me like kayaking up the Yegua in January 2011 at the beginning of the historic drought..

I really hope we don't go through that again..

Posted By: Boudreaux

Re: Lake Somerville - 01/28/20 01:01 PM

Maybe this rain today will get the flow going and give us the jumpstart we need.
Posted By: hook-line&sinker

Re: Lake Somerville - 01/28/20 01:25 PM

This latest rain event has moved very quickly right through the watershed.. every little bit helps..
Honestly we are not in that bad of a situation with the lake level so close to normal 238.
The whitebass will come up the Yegua under the cover of darkness and the cloudy darker days when there is fresh water flowing into the lake.
But as all of you know more water flowing down the creek is better and even necessary for the run to be something special.
Posted By: Boudreaux

Re: Lake Somerville - 01/28/20 04:44 PM

The damage done by the high water levels over the past couple years is definitely showing now. So much silt in the northwest end of the lake, the lake really needs to come up another foot to make it better overall, IMO. The creeks look good though. The major log jams that blocked passage up the creek are minimal. Probably need to haul a chainsaw up there on one of the next trips and trim a couple back.
Posted By: jsinn01

Re: Lake Somerville - 01/29/20 03:12 PM

Lake is still slightly under pool. Our window for a good run keeps getting smaller and smaller.
Posted By: hook-line&sinker

Re: Lake Somerville - 01/29/20 09:14 PM

Got the fish-finder working on the yak..
Hope to be up a lake Somerville creek come the weekend..
Looking for crappie mostly but expect to find black bass if nothing else..
Not to sure which creek I'm fishing or when..
Need to rebuild some fences at the ranch first...

Posted By: jsinn01

Re: Lake Somerville - 01/29/20 09:23 PM

Hope you find some fish, Ben. It is somewhat of a tradition for me to go fishing the morning/afternoon of Super Bowl Sunday. Go catch some fish then back home in time to relax and watch the game. In years past this has always been a prime weekend for the start of the spring white bass run on the Yegua, but it's not looking good this year. Might have to hit up "the steps" on the South San Gabriel.
Posted By: Boudreaux

Re: Lake Somerville - 01/29/20 09:35 PM

If the run seems like a bust on Yegua, I'll be running some trips by boat up the San Gabriel. You'll be able to fish areas you can't reach by bank.
Posted By: pbain422

Re: Lake Somerville - 01/31/20 10:36 PM

Long time lurker first time poster. Noticed over on FB it was posted that Newman’s bottom parking area will be opening tomorrow at 8am. Never been there myself but plan on going soon!
Posted By: TTF

Re: Lake Somerville - 01/31/20 11:38 PM

I will be camping at birch creek park in a couple of weeks. Just wanting to know if there are any fishing cleaning facilites at any park. i know birch currently does not have one
Posted By: Average Joe

Re: Lake Somerville - 02/02/20 09:09 AM

Originally Posted by TTF
I will be camping at birch creek park in a couple of weeks. Just wanting to know if there are any fishing cleaning facilites at any park. i know birch currently does not have one


From the Birch Creek Map it shows that there is a fish cleaning station
https://tpwd.texas.gov/publications/pwdpubs/media/park_maps/pwd_mp_p4505_056e.pdf
Posted By: JILAS

Re: Lake Somerville - 02/02/20 08:47 PM

Nails Creek State Park has cleaning station but NO electricity (due to numerous floods). Birch Creek probably same. Suggest calling Birch Creek Park office for definite answer.
Posted By: hook-line&sinker

Re: Lake Somerville - 02/03/20 04:37 PM

Attention all you bank beaters! Newman Bottom is back open and ready for your next creek fishing adventure!

Posted By: jsinn01

Re: Lake Somerville - 02/03/20 06:22 PM

Thanks for the great video, Ben. Tons of good info as usual. smile
Posted By: Average Joe

Re: Lake Somerville - 02/03/20 10:17 PM

Originally Posted by hook-line&sinker
Attention all you bank beaters! Newman Bottom is back open and ready for your next creek fishing adventure!



Yes .. thank you!!
Posted By: jsinn01

Re: Lake Somerville - 02/06/20 07:33 PM

No reports? Either people are striking out or catching limits. wink
Posted By: BayouFennec

Re: Lake Somerville - 02/06/20 07:56 PM

i guess it's time for you to head down there and fill us in
Posted By: jsinn01

Re: Lake Somerville - 02/07/20 01:01 AM

Originally Posted by Bayou_Fennec
i guess it's time for you to head down there and fill us in


Ain't that the truth. Might have to take a sick day or something.
wink
Posted By: J-Moe

Re: Lake Somerville - 02/07/20 03:39 PM

Originally Posted by jsinn01
No reports? Either people are striking out or catching limits. wink


Striking out my friend. I went to Newman Bottom for the first time this year on Sunday. I went upstream and only caught 2 white bass. I caught 6 undersized crappie and a ton of bluegill.

Most people I've talked to or heard reports from only caught one or two when they went. Another friend said he caught 12 the day before but he's out there from pre-dawn to post-dusk.

I'll probably head downstream below the low water crossing next time I go; Unless I see some spawning activity. I didn't see any spawning activity on Sunday.
Posted By: Boudreaux

Re: Lake Somerville - 02/07/20 05:50 PM

I'll be headed out in the morning by boat, up the creek. Thinking I may bring some live bait with me. I'll post the report Monday morning when I get back to the office. If you see me, hollar, you can't miss me 1954 Excel F4.
Posted By: 24x7Fisherman

Re: Lake Somerville - 02/07/20 07:01 PM

I went downstream on Saturday, didn’t see any spawning activity.
Posted By: catchnrelease

Re: Lake Somerville - 02/08/20 12:06 AM

I’m headed to NB tomorrow. I’ll post how we did after. Fingers crossed. Excited to see road to NB open again.
Posted By: EllerTroy

Re: Lake Somerville - 02/08/20 12:40 AM

Praying for some big rain storms next week. Will be doing my peoples rain dance.
Posted By: J-Moe

Re: Lake Somerville - 02/08/20 01:49 AM

Great day today banana I got lucky and found the white bass stacked up and biting today. I caught and released a limit of 25 this evening. All in one spot.
Posted By: BBFISH

Re: Lake Somerville - 02/08/20 04:50 AM

Anyone know if anybody getting white bass in the lake ?
Posted By: EllerTroy

Re: Lake Somerville - 02/08/20 02:03 PM

Great job J-Moe.
Posted By: PerksOutdoors

Re: Lake Somerville - 02/08/20 02:56 PM

Originally Posted by BBFISH
Anyone know if anybody getting white bass in the lake ?

I went in a boat last sunday. Whites were still deep. Found a group on a point and caught a few trolling a crankbait.
Posted By: jsinn01

Re: Lake Somerville - 02/08/20 03:22 PM

Originally Posted by J-Moe
Great day today banana I got lucky and found the white bass stacked up and biting today. I caught and released a limit of 25 this evening. All in one spot.


Nice job!
Posted By: J-Moe

Re: Lake Somerville - 02/08/20 04:42 PM

I went back and fished the same spot from 6:30 to 8 AM this morning and only caught 2. I tried a couple more spots with no luck. I hope to give it a try this evening again. Hope I get lucky again.
Posted By: greenyak

Re: Lake Somerville - 02/08/20 11:36 PM

[img]https://texasfishingforum.com/forum...6e15e9_8b45_4688_8af0_a61606eff2d5.jpeg. Fishing was tuff today for me. Caught 5 black bass and 4 white bass.
Posted By: jsinn01

Re: Lake Somerville - 02/09/20 04:15 PM

I've definitely had worse days, greenyak. Thanks for the report! Hopefully the rain this week will get the fish moving up the creek.
Posted By: J-Moe

Re: Lake Somerville - 02/09/20 08:24 PM

I'm trying to practice some real patience under these conditions. I went back to the spot where I caught a limit yesterday evening. I really wanted to understand if the fish had moved or if it was a timing thing. I fished that spot for about 2.5 hours, 3PM to 5:30 PM and only caught one white bass. That proved it for me. At least I'll never waste more than 45 minutes again grin

I started at Newman bridge around 8 AM this morning. I worked my way down to the curve at the low water crossing. Once again, really being patience, using both spinning gear and the fly rod. I only caught small bluegill.

I decided to leave and head to a spot upstream. Bingo banana banana It was a day worth 2 dancing bananas grin I caught 13 white bass in my first 15 casts with the magical clouser. It was crazy good at first and then it slowed down. Once again, patience paid off though as I located where they were stacked up and had to wait close to 10 seconds at times for the fly to reach them and get a strike. I ended up catching 43 in about 2 hours and 15 minutes. I strung up a few.

[Linked Image]

[Linked Image]
Posted By: JILAS

Re: Lake Somerville - 02/09/20 08:37 PM

J-Moe - Did you catch all with spinning gear? Any using Fly rod? Since lots of tree, shrubs, etc on bank, did you "pitch" or "wrist" versus typical "Fly Fishing"?
Posted By: J-Moe

Re: Lake Somerville - 02/09/20 09:55 PM

Originally Posted by JILAS
J-Moe - Did you catch all with spinning gear? Any using Fly rod? Since lots of tree, shrubs, etc on bank, did you "pitch" or "wrist" versus typical "Fly Fishing"?


I caught all of them with a fly rod and light, size 8, grey white clouser. I don't carry a spinning rod very often. Roll casting is done the majority of the time.
Posted By: greenyak

Re: Lake Somerville - 02/09/20 10:07 PM

Posted By: TXfisherman12

Re: Lake Somerville - 02/09/20 11:28 PM

Nice job J-moe!!! rockon
Posted By: jsinn01

Re: Lake Somerville - 02/10/20 02:18 AM

Nice, J-Moe! It seems you're the only one catching double digits right now.
Posted By: jsinn01

Re: Lake Somerville - 02/10/20 02:34 AM

Nice video, greenyak!
Posted By: Boudreaux

Re: Lake Somerville - 02/10/20 01:02 PM

Started Saturday morning about 9:30. Partly sunny, SSE wind, Water temps in Yegua were 54-56 in various places. Ran up the creek about half way to Newman's, didn't want to disturb any of the bank fishers already there. Fished a few holes only catching one small LMB on a grub. Worked my way back down towards Wolf Pond, Fished that area from there towards the main lake the rest of the afternoon. Live minnows under a slip cork 7-10 FOW in the bends. 4 decent cats, 2 very fat slab crappie and 9 whites all went into the livewell. Reports from folks along the way were about the same. Decent little morning bite, then nothing.

Went back out yesterday afternoon despite the weather predictions. Overcast, stiff South wind, spotty rain. Ran up Nails Creek just to see what it looked like. Fished a couple holes in the bends. Caught a nice cat on a minnow on a slip cork in 7-8 FOW. Water temps in Nails were 62, water clarity was the typical Nails creek color, brownish, slight flow. Gave that up, ran up Yegua close to Newman's. A few bank fishers downstream but not near the amount that was out Saturday. Water clarity and color was good, Water temps were 56-58. Fished deep holes downstream, picked up one nice WB on a grub, and another fat cat on a minnow. Went back to where I caught the majority of the fish on Saturday, 1 white, 1 crappie, 1 cat, from that hole.

The area got a little rain Sunday afternoon, but just enough to get the grass wet. Rain in the forecast for the rest of the week. Hopefully we will get a decent amount. Maybe next weekend will have a better bite. The full moon over the weekend didn't help the daytime bite much.

Good luck, tight lines. If you want to get up the creek and don't want to walk, hollar at me.
Posted By: Yakker newbie

Re: Lake Somerville - 02/10/20 01:48 PM

Nice job J-Moe and greenyak

I've never fished a white bass run before and am looking forward to heading up to Newman's soon and walking the banks looking for a few fish. Hopefully the area will get some decent rain the next couple of days to help bring some more fish up the creeks. Good luck everyone.
Posted By: hook-line&sinker

Re: Lake Somerville - 02/10/20 06:44 PM

A little time on the creek..

Posted By: rubberglover

Re: Lake Somerville - 02/11/20 02:36 AM

Nice
Posted By: Bones72

Re: Lake Somerville - 02/12/20 01:17 PM

Don't know how much rain the creeks got down that way but if its anything like the thunderstorms we got last night into the wee hours of this morning it could be the bump needed to get things really moving down there.
Posted By: hook-line&sinker

Re: Lake Somerville - 02/12/20 01:50 PM

It appears the upper end of the nails creek and Yegua creek watershed received between 1 to 3 inches over the last three days.
I suspect any bump in the creek flow will be enough to get the whitebass (already in the Yegua) moving upstream and the dark and cloudy days will encourage more fish to enter from the lake.

Lake level as of Wednesday, February 12, 2020 6:00:00 AM is 237.88
which is only a couple of inches below full pool of 238.00

http://somerville.lakesonline.com/Level.asp
Posted By: Boudreaux

Re: Lake Somerville - 02/12/20 04:46 PM

Bank fishing this weekend will probably be a little sketchy, ya'll be careful. Muddy banks will definitely be a factor. The creeks will be flowing and the water will probably be a bit muddy.
Posted By: Coolshot

Re: Lake Somerville - 02/12/20 07:31 PM

They're spawning on the humps! males are full of it and chasing the girls.... Be careful what you take with ya, the hybrids are thick in the 12'' to 16'' range! king
Posted By: PerksOutdoors

Re: Lake Somerville - 02/13/20 02:02 AM

Thanks for the reports gents. I remember having to wear boots and worrying about slipping into the creek on my best day last year. Think I'll give it a shot this weekend since I've been waiting a year to get back down. Going with a couple of fly rods this year to add to the fun.

Attached picture 20200212_195609.jpg
Posted By: hook-line&sinker

Re: Lake Somerville - 02/13/20 12:32 PM

We were curious if the recent rain had been enough to put any new water in the creeks but as you will see on this quick trip it didn't do anything.

J-Moe is truly the Yegua creek Fly fishing expert when it comes to catching whitebass and he showed me up 12 to none on this Wednesday evening trip to Irwin Bridge.

Posted By: hook-line&sinker

Re: Lake Somerville - 02/13/20 01:05 PM

Reading Coolshot's report about the whitebass spawning on the humps in the open lake any of you bank beaters might want to check out the Birch Creek Unit of the State Park. For years the bank fishing around the points has been very good and that's where my dad would take us. We would net some ghost minnows and get busy catching fish.

Posted By: JILAS

Re: Lake Somerville - 02/13/20 10:22 PM

Fished Newsman Bottom this morning. At 7:15am 3 vehicles parked when me & my friend arrived. ~10-12 more vehicles showed up later. Walked upstream & down stream - "goose egg" for me!! My friend caught 3 WB on first 3 casts all upstream as he did not fish downstream & left when I walked downstream. Most I talked to said they caught none-1. A few people caught ~4-5 WB. Agree - no significant rise in Yegua Creek water level. Water clarity looked better than I expected.
Posted By: hook-line&sinker

Re: Lake Somerville - 02/14/20 02:12 AM

From December 2016
Posted By: Bones72

Re: Lake Somerville - 02/14/20 01:33 PM

Well the creek may not have rose that much but I bet it did soak into the ground good. If ya'll get the rain called for (at least called for up here) I think it should rise a bit next week. Unfortunately
the temps take a hard dip too after Tuesday.
Posted By: J-Moe

Re: Lake Somerville - 02/14/20 02:47 PM

Originally Posted by Bones72
Well the creek may not have rose that much but I bet it did soak into the ground good. If ya'll get the rain called for (at least called for up here) I think it should rise a bit next week. Unfortunately
the temps take a hard dip too after Tuesday.


I have been watching the radar as the weather patterns have come through. We have not received near as much rain as the hill country from West Austin up through Fort Worth. Only about 0.75 inch is expected over 4 days next week. It's just mainly been slow soaking rains.

I checked the creeks yesterday and there was enough of a rise to draw some fish up into areas that had gotten to low. Sunday, Monday and Tuesday all look like good days to fish. We are getting close to the spawning activity beginning. We could see a start by Tuesday, then have it shut down when the front blows through Tuesday night. I do expect it to be decent fishing during those days.
Posted By: J-Moe

Re: Lake Somerville - 02/14/20 03:07 PM

Originally Posted by hook-line&sinker
We were curious if the recent rain had been enough to put any new water in the creeks but as you will see on this quick trip it didn't do anything.

J-Moe is truly the Yegua creek Fly fishing expert when it comes to catching whitebass and he showed me up 12 to none on this Wednesday evening trip to Irwin Bridge.



WOW, That is the greatest video you have ever made Ben!!! A true masterpiece of film and narration flehan

See Jared, The world is in balance again. The video dude (and my fly fishing mentor) has not out caught me since the last time he did and y'all taunted me. Old cajun curse my grandfather taught me is very effective. Since he's paid his retribution to me I'll lift it from him. But you should be aware to mind your manners going forward roflmao roflmao roflmao
Posted By: hook-line&sinker

Re: Lake Somerville - 02/14/20 05:18 PM

If that's my best work I'll need to quit this video thing right now wink
Posted By: jsinn01

Re: Lake Somerville - 02/14/20 05:37 PM

Originally Posted by J-Moe
Originally Posted by hook-line&sinker
We were curious if the recent rain had been enough to put any new water in the creeks but as you will see on this quick trip it didn't do anything.

J-Moe is truly the Yegua creek Fly fishing expert when it comes to catching whitebass and he showed me up 12 to none on this Wednesday evening trip to Irwin Bridge.



WOW, That is the greatest video you have ever made Ben!!! A true masterpiece of film and narration flehan

See Jared, The world is in balance again. The video dude (and my fly fishing mentor) has not out caught me since the last time he did and y'all taunted me. Old cajun curse my grandfather taught me is very effective. Since he's paid his retribution to me I'll lift it from him. But you should be aware to mind your manners going forward roflmao roflmao roflmao


Apparently I really need to watch this video of Ben getting schooled by J-Moe. 😉
Posted By: jsinn01

Re: Lake Somerville - 02/14/20 05:39 PM

Thinking of heading to the creek in the morning. Long overdue at this point.
Posted By: hook-line&sinker

Re: Lake Somerville - 02/14/20 05:46 PM

All kidding aside watching J-Moe the "master of the fly" in his element is a real eye opener..
In the past I would have only my own skills to determine if the fish were there or not.
The last several trips up the Yegua if based only on what I could catch would have lead me to believe the whitebass were not there yet or at least in very low numbers..
Newmans opens and with lots of folks trying their luck but only a few being successful again would have me believing the whitebass were not up that far..
In steps J-Moe and proves beyond a shadow of a doubt that the whitebass are there at Newmans and even all the way up to Irwin..
We all owe fishermen like J-Moe a big wet fishy Thanks for being generous with his time and skill in showing us all how it is done on the Yegua!
Posted By: jsinn01

Re: Lake Somerville - 02/14/20 08:25 PM

There is nothing more humbling for a bank fisherman than to watch somebody walk up on a spot and start pulling fish in left and right after you've fished the same spot with zero luck. I'm sure J-Moe has humbled many a bank fisher. grin
Posted By: hook-line&sinker

Re: Lake Somerville - 02/14/20 09:55 PM

Originally Posted by jsinn01
There is nothing more humbling for a bank fisherman than to watch somebody walk up on a spot and start pulling fish in left and right after you've fished the same spot with zero luck. I'm sure J-Moe has humbled many a bank fisher. grin

and fed just as many..
Posted By: TXfisherman12

Re: Lake Somerville - 02/15/20 01:54 AM

In the past week the Middle Yegua creek rose a little over a half inch which has brought flow to the Yegua but has also muddied up the water. I struck out this morning at Irwin and only caught 1 sand bass at Newman’s. Most people I could see had 1-2 bass At Newman’s but not much else. Very frustrating day for me mad I debated whether or not to go today or Monday and right now Monday looks like it might be a good catching day.
Posted By: PerksOutdoors

Re: Lake Somerville - 02/15/20 06:24 PM

If you didn't go this morning, you didn't miss much. Fished at and below Irwin. Saw a few caught at the bridge on minnows but nada on the fly rod. Good to meet you J-moe and jsinn. Nice sunny day so I'm sure they will fire up this afternoon.
Posted By: jsinn01

Re: Lake Somerville - 02/15/20 08:40 PM

Hey, nice meeting you too, PerksOutdoors. Definitely a slow day out there. I got excited when I caught my first white bass of the day within the first 10 minutes of fishing, but then nothing the rest of the morning. Just doesn't seem like the fish are there in large numbers yet.
Posted By: catchnrelease

Re: Lake Somerville - 02/16/20 01:34 AM

My wife and I fished Irwin Bridge from 12-3 today. Wife caught two undersized. We moved to NB. Wife caught a big white. I got skunked. We saw J-moe and hollered at him. I asked him if he already caught 50 or 60. He said no. LOL. There were about 15 cars when we got there. I thought there would be more. We fished near the trailway bridge. Wife had minnows. I used road runners, jigs & rooster tails.

I didn’t see any big stringers come out. Most only had a couple. It was fun regardless. Got to see wife get excited over her big and first white of the season. We’ll be back soon. Maybe Monday.

Tight lines!
Posted By: Trav281

Re: Lake Somerville - 02/16/20 05:49 PM

Hey Fellas ! It's been a while. Glad to see everyone doing well. I think i may head up there this next weekend and try my luck since i missed the creek fishing last year. I got me a truck finally now but no Kayak yet. I still got a bag of filets left over from the summer haha. I hope to see you fellas around! Good luck everyone.
Posted By: Trav281

Re: Lake Somerville - 02/16/20 05:58 PM

oh I forgot to tell you guys I did catch me an 8.55lb black bass out of a local neighborhood pond here about a month ago. New personal best!
Posted By: hook-line&sinker

Re: Lake Somerville - 02/17/20 12:49 PM

J-Moe and I took a little break from the Yegua.. Took the show on the road to San Gabby..
Posted By: catchnrelease

Re: Lake Somerville - 02/17/20 04:51 PM

Nice Video HL&S.

My wife and I were at The San Gabriel "the steps" Sunday too. We got there about 2:30pm. 2 Keepers only. I caught my first WB of the season though. Yippee! It was a 13 incher which is big for this place. We went upstream; the opposite way from where HL&S and J-Moe went. Compared to Newman bottom, It is very green out there.

I fished San Gabriel "steps" a lot here in years past in my younger days. I've never fished Tejas. that Tejas water looked too clear to fish. Wow. Newman Bottom is easier for me these days, but it is almost 100 miles one way for us. However, now that the NB parking lot is open, long drive or not; I'll be back when the bite picks up. The Spawn is just starting. Hooray!


Tight lines All!
Posted By: jsinn01

Re: Lake Somerville - 02/18/20 12:09 AM

Enjoyed the video, Ben. Where do you and J-Moe find all the energy? I've been to both those places and that's a lot of driving, especially from where you two are coming from. Not to mention all the walking you did. wink
Posted By: hook-line&sinker

Re: Lake Somerville - 02/18/20 01:28 AM

I'll be turning 60 years old this year and really feel the difference more and more now.
But for me spending most of the week indoors at work takes a toll so by the weekend
I'm ready to excise all those pent-up frustrations by going outdoors and doing physical things.
And if I overdo it on the weekend I've got all week to recover at work! smile

But the truth is I need the outside time to stay sane and have something to look forward to in the next trip..
Not to mention J-Moe is a really good fishing buddy who can tolerate my wayward adventures and is usually willing and able..
Posted By: J-Moe

Re: Lake Somerville - 02/18/20 02:46 AM

I went to Newman Bottom this evening. The white bass were actively spawning.

I caught 14 but 11 of those came from one spot about the size of a 5 gallon bucket. Hopefully things will continue to get better. We got spoiled the last 4 years.
Posted By: squirrel_nut

Re: Lake Somerville - 02/18/20 02:50 AM

first trip to of the year to newmann's today. planned to scout out changes to the river, find new holes, reminisce over spots that are no longer there....
no expectations to catch much. mission not accomplished. caught 1 after just a couple of casts, then moved down the bank a few yards. stayed there
for 3 hours and caught over 20. its early and most were males. not a great day of catching, but its still early. hopefully we get some rain without the whole
place flooding out. if so, should be great in a couple of weeks.
talked to a lot of folks who passed by. the most I saw anyone with was 2 fish. I say that because all of them seemed to be throwing chartreuse swirly tails
on like 1/8oz jig heads. the water is shallow and clear. I was using 1/32oz with a light blue + clear flake straight tailed grub. fish it slow, then slow down some more.
must use light line with this. I use 8lb braid so I don't lose many jig heads. mono would probably produce even more bites.
Posted By: jsinn01

Re: Lake Somerville - 02/18/20 02:19 PM

Originally Posted by squirrel_nut
first trip to of the year to newmann's today. planned to scout out changes to the river, find new holes, reminisce over spots that are no longer there....
no expectations to catch much. mission not accomplished. caught 1 after just a couple of casts, then moved down the bank a few yards. stayed there
for 3 hours and caught over 20. its early and most were males. not a great day of catching, but its still early. hopefully we get some rain without the whole
place flooding out. if so, should be great in a couple of weeks.
talked to a lot of folks who passed by. the most I saw anyone with was 2 fish. I say that because all of them seemed to be throwing chartreuse swirly tails
on like 1/8oz jig heads. the water is shallow and clear. I was using 1/32oz with a light blue + clear flake straight tailed grub. fish it slow, then slow down some more.
must use light line with this. I use 8lb braid so I don't lose many jig heads. mono would probably produce even more bites.


Thanks for the report! Over 20 is a great day of catching in my book. grin
Posted By: jsinn01

Re: Lake Somerville - 02/18/20 02:21 PM

Originally Posted by J-Moe
I went to Newman Bottom this evening. The white bass were actively spawning.

I caught 14 but 11 of those came from one spot about the size of a 5 gallon bucket. Hopefully things will continue to get better. We got spoiled the last 4 years.


Thanks for the report, J-Moe. I really got spoiled with the good crappie fishing the last 4 years. I feel like I missed out this year.
Posted By: J-Moe

Re: Lake Somerville - 02/18/20 03:17 PM

Excellent report Squirrel_nut thumb

You pretty much summarized what it takes to be successful right now. I tried a 1/32 ounce jig head fly with no luck, I tried a 1/64 ounce jig head fly and only caught 1. I put on a bead chain clouser and caught 13. I had to throw it upstream of the sweet spot and let it slowly drift down to the fish.

I haven't found fish in a lot of my best fishing holes this year. I have heard of some good reports of people walking way downstream, almost to the lake.

Maybe since they have started spawning there might be more fish coming up into the shallow areas.
Posted By: J-Moe

Re: Lake Somerville - 02/18/20 04:04 PM

Originally Posted by jsinn01
Originally Posted by J-Moe
I went to Newman Bottom this evening. The white bass were actively spawning.

I caught 14 but 11 of those came from one spot about the size of a 5 gallon bucket. Hopefully things will continue to get better. We got spoiled the last 4 years.


Thanks for the report, J-Moe. I really got spoiled with the good crappie fishing the last 4 years. I feel like I missed out this year.


It's really incredible Jared. I've caught less than a dozen crappie during the run. And not a single one over 10 inches. I haven't been vertically jigging them downstream in the deeper water so I can't get a full view of the problem. But, It sure seems they are even more dependent on flow than the white bass are.

Probably a good Fishtales adventure to go up the mouth of Nails to see if the crappie have arrived in their normal spots, the white bass around Irwin and Newman Bottom are annoying me to no end anyway grin
Posted By: twrightman

Re: Lake Somerville - 02/18/20 04:06 PM

I took the family out on Sunday afternoon. Saw a couple nice stringers coming from way down stream. Again, near the lake. I saw one fella doing pretty well near the parking lot, but he was the only one. I have a feeling this might be squirrel_nut? Anyway, this fella definitely has some skill because he was out-catching everyone about 10 to 1. Saw some very nice fish caught. I was able to catch a few for dinner which was great for the kids. I had my best luck with the smallest road runner I had, I believe 1/16 oz with red head and curly tail white grub, willow leaf blade. If I were to go back soon, I'd put the lightest line on possible and follow the advice previously suggested with smallest presentation I could and then fish it painfully slow. Sure is pretty out there now, my family had a great time. Good luck to Y'all.
Posted By: J-Moe

Re: Lake Somerville - 02/18/20 05:50 PM

Originally Posted by twrightman
I took the family out on Sunday afternoon. Saw a couple nice stringers coming from way down stream. Again, near the lake. I saw one fella doing pretty well near the parking lot, but he was the only one. I have a feeling this might be squirrel_nut? Anyway, this fella definitely has some skill because he was out-catching everyone about 10 to 1. Saw some very nice fish caught. I was able to catch a few for dinner which was great for the kids. I had my best luck with the smallest road runner I had, I believe 1/16 oz with red head and curly tail white grub, willow leaf blade. If I were to go back soon, I'd put the lightest line on possible and follow the advice previously suggested with smallest presentation I could and then fish it painfully slow. Sure is pretty out there now, my family had a great time. Good luck to Y'all.


Sunday was an awesome day to take the family out fishing!! Great report thumb Thanks for the confirmation on those stringers coming from downstream. Let's keep hoping they'll make their way upstream. It sure is a lot more water to cover downstream. And a lot more effort grin
Posted By: Average Joe

Re: Lake Somerville - 02/18/20 08:40 PM

May head out there Friday (2/21) late morning or afternoon. Gonna try for some black bass early morning first!
Posted By: Boudreaux

Re: Lake Somerville - 02/19/20 01:36 PM

Anyone interested in fishing downstream and doesn't want to walk, hollar at me. I can get you access there by boat. D-TGS
Posted By: hook-line&sinker

Re: Lake Somerville - 02/19/20 08:57 PM

A look back at this time of February in 2012





Saturday February 18, 2012 with several days and inches of rain on already soaked ground the flood water has begun to make it's way to Lake Somerville. This is welcome news for all the springtime whitebass fisherman as this flood water raises the lake to near normal levels allowing the whitebass to enter the creeks to spawn. The staff at Lake Somerville State Park & Trailway is preparing for the onslaught of fisherman from near and far seeking to participate in this annual event. Cedar, Nails and Yegua creeks are by far the most productive and all have miles of fish-able bank located in the state park. Entry into the state park is $3.00 per person, per day, and as long as you are fishing from land within the state park you do not need a fishing license. State limits apply, 10 inch minimum length for crappie and whitebass, 25 fish per day, per fisherman.
Google map to Nails Creek Unit. http://goo.gl/maps/Pbsc2

6280 FM 180
Ledbetter, Texas 78946

Phone (979) 289-2392
Email Nails.Creek@tpwd.state.tx.us
Website http://www.tpwd.state.tx.us/state-par...
Posted By: hook-line&sinker

Re: Lake Somerville - 02/19/20 09:03 PM

Here's some good info..
Posted By: hook-line&sinker

Re: Lake Somerville - 02/19/20 09:12 PM

The whitebass run up the Yegua is never a sure thing but in 2013 it was in full swing by January!

Posted By: hook-line&sinker

Re: Lake Somerville - 02/19/20 09:40 PM

again in 2014

Posted By: J-Moe

Re: Lake Somerville - 02/20/20 02:02 AM

I fished Newman Bottom from 5:00 PM to 6:45 PM. I thought I was going to have to go to emergency room for third degree burns because the fishing was on fire flame

The first spot I stopped at I started drifting the magical clouser and immediately caught 4. I tried a 1/32 ounce fly with no luck. Then a 1/64 ounce fly with no luck. So I went back to the clouser and caught 10 more in that spot. I started moving downstream and started catching fish at every spot I stopped at. It was crazy fun. I ended up catching 34.

Finally, it felt like a Yegua creek white bass run.
Posted By: CSSource39

Re: Lake Somerville - 02/20/20 02:09 AM

Glad to hear it's picking up!
If you don't mind me asking... What does this magical clouser look like?
Posted By: J-Moe

Re: Lake Somerville - 02/20/20 11:41 AM

Originally Posted by CSSource39
Glad to hear it's picking up!
If you don't mind me asking... What does this magical clouser look like?


Size 8 streamer hook / weighted with bead chain (like the chain on a lamp) on top so the fly rides hook up / white & gray bucktail with smolt blue flash. You can google clouser for a common example.

Its about 2 inches, the same size as the shad I see people netting in the creek. Its a very thin profile.

For me personally, I catch most of my white bass as the fly is falling. So the presentation can be anything from a slow drift just keeping the line tight, to small twitches to slow the fall and provide action, all the way to violent strips and pauses.
Posted By: CSSource39

Re: Lake Somerville - 02/20/20 02:20 PM

Thanks for the info! Might have to try my hand at tying some flies! I've only got some store bought white chartreuse clousers that I think are much heavier than what you described.
Posted By: hook-line&sinker

Re: Lake Somerville - 02/20/20 03:10 PM

Similar to this simple bead chain fly
[Linked Image]
Posted By: Bones72

Re: Lake Somerville - 02/20/20 05:00 PM

J-Moe you are over your PM limit I am probably heading out tomorrow for some fishing let me know if you want to get together.
Posted By: J-Moe

Re: Lake Somerville - 02/20/20 08:38 PM

Originally Posted by Bones72
J-Moe you are over your PM limit I am probably heading out tomorrow for some fishing let me know if you want to get together.


Thanks, I cleared some out now. I have to go to Houston tomorrow morning.
Posted By: hook-line&sinker

Re: Lake Somerville - 02/21/20 02:15 AM

Looks like the lake has made it back up to pool level (238) . I hope that means the creeks got a good flush of fresh water. The weekend weather is going to be cool but fairly nice for February. I just might see you all on the creek if I can get away...
Posted By: Aggiefisher21

Re: Lake Somerville - 02/21/20 07:02 PM

Went down to Newman’s yesterday afternoon and it was on fire. I fought the rain and mud but ended up finding the fish. I left with 20 white bass all over 13 inches, let 5 go that were right at 10 inches to grow up some more, and lost 3 big ones during the fight. Out of the 5 other trucks only one other guy caught a good amount and he left with about 20 also. The fish were super picky and only wanted a specific lure action. One thing I noticed was 18 of my 20 whites were males. All in all in was a good day.

Attached picture 2D0E815E-F5F4-465A-9224-31233F0F9797.jpeg
Posted By: catchnrelease

Re: Lake Somerville - 02/21/20 07:52 PM

Curious, What kind of lure did the picky fish take? I threw everything I had at them last time. Even my store bought clouser fly didn't work.

Originally Posted by Aggiefisher21
Went down to Newman’s yesterday afternoon and it was on fire. I fought the rain and mud but ended up finding the fish. I left with 20 white bass all over 13 inches, let 5 go that were right at 10 inches to grow up some more, and lost 3 big ones during the fight. Out of the 5 other trucks only one other guy caught a good amount and he left with about 20 also. The fish were super picky and only wanted a specific lure action. One thing I noticed was 18 of my 20 whites were males. All in all in was a good day.
Posted By: Average Joe

Re: Lake Somerville - 02/22/20 02:02 AM

Went out today (2/21) around 10 AM after fishing nails in the morning. Seemed like a slow day for everyone on NB. Didn't manage to get anything.
Posted By: Trav281

Re: Lake Somerville - 02/23/20 01:56 AM

so are you guys using fly rods to throw these clousers?
Posted By: Trav281

Re: Lake Somerville - 02/23/20 01:56 AM

thinking about heading to the lake in the morning...wish i knew some spots. I've never had a chance to fish newman's bottom since it was flooded last year when i started going to somerville
Posted By: Bones72

Re: Lake Somerville - 02/23/20 12:45 PM

I throw the clousers on the flyrod though some of the ones I tie with lead dumb bell eyes I suppose could be used with an ultralight set up.
Posted By: J-Moe

Re: Lake Somerville - 02/23/20 05:52 PM

I went to Newman Bottom this morning and fished from 7:00 to 10:30. I walked upstream to the horseshoe and started working my way downstream. I fished multiple spots and only caught 1 or 2 per spot. I then tried multiple spots below the bridge and didn't get a bite. I decided to head back upstream to one of my favorite spots. I had caught 2 in that hole earlier before someone come wading through in front of me. I caught 11 in my first 13 casts. I ended up catching 15 out of that spot then went searching again. I ended the day catching 31. All on the magical clouser. Very slow drift and soft twitches.

There were several people with about half a stringer. Most everyone had a least caught one or two. It was, in general, a bit slow. I didn't see any spawning action either.
Posted By: Trav281

Re: Lake Somerville - 02/23/20 06:22 PM

I was there this morning to Jmoe, it was tough to even find a spot with all the people and I don't where any spots are. Don't even know what lures to throw. I did more walking than fishing. I ended up only catching one white. I saw plenty of full stringers. I think I got there a little too late I wish I knew some spots and what to throw. I caught the one on a small white rooster tail. Most people seemed to be throwing some sort of jig. I was jealous of people with the full stringers. I'm getting some lunch at wild Bill's then heading back to try my luck... I may go to Rocky Creek first and check my luck on some hybrids are they are catching them but I have no idea. I'm going to have to link up with you sometime man, I feel defeated after this morning, I just need to learn where the pockets are.
Posted By: jsinn01

Re: Lake Somerville - 02/23/20 08:13 PM

Originally Posted by Trav281
I was there this morning to Jmoe, it was tough to even find a spot with all the people and I don't where any spots are. Don't even know what lures to throw. I did more walking than fishing. I ended up only catching one white. I saw plenty of full stringers. I think I got there a little too late I wish I knew some spots and what to throw. I caught the one on a small white rooster tail. Most people seemed to be throwing some sort of jig. I was jealous of people with the full stringers. I'm getting some lunch at wild Bill's then heading back to try my luck... I may go to Rocky Creek first and check my luck on some hybrids are they are catching them but I have no idea. I'm going to have to link up with you sometime man, I feel defeated after this morning, I just need to learn where the pockets are.


Don't get discouraged, Trav281. It just takes a little time to figure this place out. One tip is to go there and fish outside the white bass run, that way you can get a lay of the land without the pressure of so many other fisherman surrounding you.
Posted By: jsinn01

Re: Lake Somerville - 02/23/20 08:15 PM

Originally Posted by J-Moe
I went to Newman Bottom this morning and fished from 7:00 to 10:30. I walked upstream to the horseshoe and started working my way downstream. I fished multiple spots and only caught 1 or 2 per spot. I then tried multiple spots below the bridge and didn't get a bite. I decided to head back upstream to one of my favorite spots. I had caught 2 in that hole earlier before someone come wading through in front of me. I caught 11 in my first 13 casts. I ended up catching 15 out of that spot then went searching again. I ended the day catching 31. All on the magical clouser. Very slow drift and soft twitches.

There were several people with about half a stringer. Most everyone had a least caught one or two. It was, in general, a bit slow. I didn't see any spawning action either.


Nice catch! You are relentless in your pursuit of these fish. grin
Posted By: Trav281

Re: Lake Somerville - 02/23/20 11:15 PM

I went back out this afternoon and caught 3 fatties and one black bass, I'll take it. Seems like this fish are just starting to move in
Posted By: Boudreaux

Re: Lake Somerville - 02/24/20 02:58 PM

Fished yesterday from midday till dark. Water temp 54-55 in the creek with the water a bit color due to the recent rains. Cloudy with a stiff south wind, air temps were in the 60s. Ran up Yegua towards NB till it was crowded, I didn't want to disturb the bank fishers. Worked my way down towards the mouth. Caught about a dozen undersize crappie in one hole largest was 9.5". Those were caught on live minnows. Good to see them in the creek. disappointed with the small size, fun to catch nonetheless. Bounced around a few holes with no luck on the whites on jigs. Saw a couple decent stringers, the most being about 8. Most folks had 1-2 at most. Finished the day at a hole I have fished a few times. Caught several fish there including a couple fat slabs, 1 fat white, a nice channel cat, and a huge Bowfin/ grindel/ Choupique. 24" beast on light tackle put up a heck of a fight. Ended they day with 7 fish in the box, 5 crappie, 1 white, and a cat. This week's forecast doesn't look like it's going to help the fishing much. We shall see what happens. If you want to get up the creek and don't want to beat the banks, give me a shout. D-TGS

[Linked Image]
[Linked Image]
Posted By: jsinn01

Re: Lake Somerville - 02/24/20 04:04 PM

Awesome Bowfin! Nice catch. I think that's the only one I've ever seen caught out of Somerville.
Posted By: Boudreaux

Re: Lake Somerville - 02/24/20 04:15 PM

Originally Posted by jsinn01
Awesome Bowfin! Nice catch. I think that's the only one I've ever seen caught out of Somerville.


I've taken several out there, this was the first I've taken with a rod and reel. All the others were taken while bowfishing.
Posted By: Boudreaux

Re: Lake Somerville - 02/24/20 06:26 PM

And apparently I should have taken this one to have it weighed, could have been a lake record contender....... hammer
Posted By: jsinn01

Re: Lake Somerville - 02/24/20 07:02 PM

I'm no expert on Bowfin, but that seems like a really good size one compared to what I've seen caught. Back in Michigan they used to call it a Dogfish. It seems everywhere has a different name for them. They look like they're straight out of the dinosaur era.
Posted By: hook-line&sinker

Re: Lake Somerville - 02/24/20 07:26 PM

That's because the bowfin is essentially unchanged since the time of the dinosaurs.. just like the gar.. and yes that might have been a lake record..
Posted By: hook-line&sinker

Re: Lake Somerville - 02/24/20 08:06 PM

Originally Posted by jsinn01
Back in Michigan they used to call it a Dogfish.....


What part of Michigan? I'm from the East Lansing area.. Williamston, Mason, Holt
My folks became Michigan snowbirds from around the Jonesville Hillsdale county area..
Spent almost every vacation over the last 40 years in Michigan both the lower and the U.P...
Posted By: Boudreaux

Re: Lake Somerville - 02/24/20 08:12 PM

Lake record was 24" and 5lbs. This one bumped over 24" with the tail pinched. I could have had the catch and release record by length but it requires to have a witness present. I was fishing solo.
Posted By: jsinn01

Re: Lake Somerville - 02/24/20 08:15 PM

Originally Posted by hook-line&sinker
Originally Posted by jsinn01
Back in Michigan they used to call it a Dogfish.....


What part of Michigan? I'm from the East Lansing area.. Williamston, Mason, Holt
My folks became Michigan snowbirds from around the Jonesville Hillsdale county area..
Spent almost every vacation over the last 40 years in Michigan both the lower and the U.P...



Grew up north of the Bay City area. Our house was about 2 miles from the Saginaw Bay. I used to hop on my bike with a fishing rod to go catch yellow perch, rock bass, bullheads, smallmouth bass, largemouth bass and the occasional northern pike. We also made trips up north to fish the Rifle River and AuSable River. Great times!
Posted By: jsinn01

Re: Lake Somerville - 02/24/20 08:19 PM

Originally Posted by Boudreaux
Lake record was 24" and 5lbs. This one bumped over 24" with the tail pinched. I could have had the catch and release record by length but it requires to have a witness present. I was fishing solo.


What did you think you had hooked into? It must have had you in suspense. They are known for being really good fighters.
Posted By: Boudreaux

Re: Lake Somerville - 02/24/20 08:35 PM

Originally Posted by jsinn01
Originally Posted by Boudreaux
Lake record was 24" and 5lbs. This one bumped over 24" with the tail pinched. I could have had the catch and release record by length but it requires to have a witness present. I was fishing solo.


What did you think you had hooked into? It must have had you in suspense. They are known for being really good fighters.


It took a live minnow on a cork. Cork shot under, set the hook, immediately knew it wasn't a bass or cat. I have caught some before and had my suspicions it was a bowfin, but I had no idea it was that big. 6ft Medium action spinning rod, with a Diawa underspin with 10lb test. It had that rod doubled up and pulling drag. it was a site to see in such a small area of the creek.
Posted By: catchnrelease

Re: Lake Somerville - 02/26/20 12:49 AM

Originally Posted by jsinn01
Originally Posted by hook-line&sinker
Originally Posted by jsinn01
Back in Michigan they used to call it a Dogfish.....


What part of Michigan? I'm from the East Lansing area.. Williamston, Mason, Holt
My folks became Michigan snowbirds from around the Jonesville Hillsdale county area..
Spent almost every vacation over the last 40 years in Michigan both the lower and the U.P...



Grew up north of the Bay City area. Our house was about 2 miles from the Saginaw Bay. I used to hop on my bike with a fishing rod to go catch yellow perch, rock bass, bullheads, smallmouth bass, largemouth bass and the occasional northern pike. We also made trips up north to fish the Rifle River and AuSable River. Great times!


Lots of Michigan people. My wife is from Bay City MI. She grew up on Michigan Ave. Me? In full blooded Texican. I love me some Michigan summers though.

I’m headed to NB Friday.

Tight lines!
Posted By: J-Moe

Re: Lake Somerville - 02/26/20 02:21 AM

It was another fantastic pre-front fishing day on the Yegua. banana banana I fished from 4 PM to 6:45 PM and caught 53. I fished every hole that I couldn't see the bottom and caught fish in almost every spot. The big females finally showed up in their normal holding spot as well. It was an incredibly fun day.

There was a family fishing the spot i was so successful at on Sunday. They had a full stringer. I heard reports of some other full stringers earlier in the day. Most everyone else there were inexperienced white bass fisherman and didn't have more than a couple on their stringers.

The magical clouser was the star today. I had 6 people ask me to look at the fly. 2 people took pictures of it. And one Asian lady that didn't speak english even made me take a selfie with her roflmao roflmao roflmao

[Linked Image]
Posted By: Trav281

Re: Lake Somerville - 02/26/20 02:25 AM

That's awesome jmoe haha you're a celeb. I wished i lived closer man. I gotta find something around houston but it's tough to find WB unless you are way up in north houston near Conroe it seems
Posted By: BayouFennec

Re: Lake Somerville - 02/26/20 01:18 PM

that J-Moe still has a way with the females...........fish and otherwise
Posted By: J-Moe

Re: Lake Somerville - 02/26/20 01:58 PM

Originally Posted by Bayou_Fennec
that J-Moe still has a way with the females...........fish and otherwise

roflmao roflmao roflmao Do you think she confused me with Brad Pitt from a River Runs Through It? roflmao roflmao
Posted By: BayouFennec

Re: Lake Somerville - 02/26/20 02:10 PM

Originally Posted by J-Moe
Originally Posted by Bayou_Fennec
that J-Moe still has a way with the females...........fish and otherwise

roflmao roflmao roflmao Do you think she confused me with Brad Pitt from a River Runs Through It? roflmao roflmao


I'm pretty sure that Fish Tales guy is gonna try to take credit for your cinematic success.
Posted By: hook-line&sinker

Re: Lake Somerville - 02/26/20 02:35 PM

Originally Posted by J-Moe
Originally Posted by Bayou_Fennec
that J-Moe still has a way with the females...........fish and otherwise

roflmao roflmao roflmao Do you think she confused me with Brad Pitt from a River Runs Through It? roflmao roflmao

maybe from the backside.. wink
Posted By: jsinn01

Re: Lake Somerville - 02/26/20 03:05 PM

Originally Posted by J-Moe
Originally Posted by Bayou_Fennec
that J-Moe still has a way with the females...........fish and otherwise

roflmao roflmao roflmao Do you think she confused me with Brad Pitt from a River Runs Through It? roflmao roflmao


Pretty sure she didn't confuse you with Brad Pitt. Don't be letting this all go to your head now. roflmao
Posted By: jsinn01

Re: Lake Somerville - 02/26/20 03:07 PM

Originally Posted by J-Moe
It was another fantastic pre-front fishing day on the Yegua. banana banana I fished from 4 PM to 6:45 PM and caught 53. I fished every hole that I couldn't see the bottom and caught fish in almost every spot. The big females finally showed up in their normal holding spot as well. It was an incredibly fun day.

There was a family fishing the spot i was so successful at on Sunday. They had a full stringer. I heard reports of some other full stringers earlier in the day. Most everyone else there were inexperienced white bass fisherman and didn't have more than a couple on their stringers.

The magical clouser was the star today. I had 6 people ask me to look at the fly. 2 people took pictures of it. And one Asian lady that didn't speak english even made me take a selfie with her roflmao roflmao roflmao


Fantastic report, J-Moe. Glad you found them biting. I had a fantastic day at work, looking at Excel spreadsheets. Hope to get out this weekend.
Posted By: Jobenfish

Re: Lake Somerville - 02/26/20 05:38 PM

Any opinions on what this cold front will do to them? Was out there last the morning of 2/17 and managed one keeper that was caught on a jig. nothing on minnows from about 7:45 to 11:30 am. I think it was 2 or 3 days after cold weather and another front was coming in bringing rain the next day. Reading posts, sounded like people did well the following day. I did see some things in the creek that gave me clues as to why the Clouser is king most days. Gonna have to do some more research though. I know there is a great amount of skill involved. I'm Jesse, by the way. you'll see me, a buddy and cousin down there together. Usually have on blue. Say hello if you see us. Always willing to trade info. Good luck everyone!
Posted By: jsinn01

Re: Lake Somerville - 02/26/20 06:35 PM

Hey, Jobenfish. Days right after a strong front are generally not productive for me when it comes to creek fishing. I call them "bluebird" days. The skies are blue, weather seems perfect, but the fish are just not feeding. Sometimes you have to fish when you can though, especially if you're a weekend warrior like me. Welcome to the thread.
Posted By: Boudreaux

Re: Lake Somerville - 02/26/20 07:22 PM

I'll be out again Saturday by boat. If you want to get up the creek and don't want to walk, hollar.
Posted By: EllerTroy

Re: Lake Somerville - 02/26/20 07:59 PM

Dang J-Moe I was there also yesterday Morning and fished until 1:00 and only manage 5 whites. All on my blue buck tails. Tried a gray and white clauses on my fly rod but no luck. Only people I saw doing any good was using minnows.
Posted By: hook-line&sinker

Re: Lake Somerville - 02/26/20 08:23 PM

To get up to J-Moe's skill level one must fish for hours upon hours at all times of the year and be able to adapt and learn far above the average human.. or just be Meaux cajun by birth.. wink
Posted By: jsinn01

Re: Lake Somerville - 02/26/20 08:31 PM

J-Moe is kind of like the "Yoda" of fishing. grin
Posted By: EllerTroy

Re: Lake Somerville - 02/26/20 09:36 PM

Normally I’m that person that is catching and other people are not. My grandma always said I could get a bucket I water and put a little dirt in it and then catch a fish out of it. But I’ve ran across J-Moe a few time on the creek the last few years and he is a very good fisherman.
Posted By: J-Moe

Re: Lake Somerville - 02/26/20 11:42 PM

Originally Posted by jsinn01
J-Moe is kind of like the "Yoda" of fishing. grin


Smart, you are not roflmao

I see what you're doing. You're saying I look more like Yoda than Brad Pitt. I've already warned you and Ben about Taunting me mad

And even though that lady didn't speak any English, I'm pretty sure she said I looked like Brad Pitt. Or did she say Yoda hmmm
Posted By: J-Moe

Re: Lake Somerville - 02/26/20 11:48 PM

Originally Posted by EllerTroy
Dang J-Moe I was there also yesterday Morning and fished until 1:00 and only manage 5 whites. All on my blue buck tails. Tried a gray and white clauses on my fly rod but no luck. Only people I saw doing any good was using minnows.


Wow, that stinks. Too bad you couldn't hang around until the evening bite started. There were multiple times that I caught one and 2 or 3 others were following it. There was also some spawning going on. You would have picked up a limit in short order.
Posted By: J-Moe

Re: Lake Somerville - 02/26/20 11:51 PM

Originally Posted by Jobenfish
I did see some things in the creek that gave me clues as to why the Clouser is king most days.


Well you have made me curious. Sounds like an interesting discussion.
Posted By: J-Moe

Re: Lake Somerville - 02/26/20 11:56 PM

Yegua Minnow & Magical Clouser

[Linked Image]
Posted By: Bones72

Re: Lake Somerville - 02/27/20 12:16 AM

Ok seeing that clouser now I think my #4 clousers are more comparative in size. I tie mine on mustad 34007s so with the shorter shank they come out to the same size. On another note in the murkier water I have dealt with on two whitebass outings the electric chicken and or just about any color combination that has pink in it, except white, has been the ticket. The one day I got to fish clear water the white and grey was what was needed and the fish would touch nothing else.
Posted By: big z

Re: Lake Somerville - 02/27/20 05:54 PM

Me and the wife are going to be at the lake tomorrow and i wanted to hook up with a nice size gar. What would yall recommend? I was thinking of setting up on the banks of welch park. Any better spot that would increase my chances of hooking into a big gar? Thanks
Posted By: big z

Re: Lake Somerville - 02/27/20 05:57 PM

i didnt know bowfins were in the lake. Nice catch brotha!!
Posted By: Jobenfish

Re: Lake Somerville - 02/27/20 06:06 PM


Originally Posted by J-Moe
Originally Posted by Jobenfish
I did see some things in the creek that gave me clues as to why the Clouser is king most days.


Well you have made me curious. Sounds like an interesting discussion.



J-Moe, I love talking fishing anytime I can. The thing I love about fishing is that I've never stopped learning and just when I think I have something figured out I get taught a lesson, Lol! I like walking the creek and if I'm not catching I'm always looking for clues. I don't currently fly fish but I'm thinking it's time to learn!
Posted By: J-Moe

Re: Lake Somerville - 02/27/20 08:12 PM

Originally Posted by big z
Me and the wife are going to be at the lake tomorrow and i wanted to hook up with a nice size gar. What would yall recommend? I was thinking of setting up on the banks of welch park. Any better spot that would increase my chances of hooking into a big gar? Thanks


Personally, if I were to go fishing for Gar, it would be below the dam. That's the only place I've seen them stacked up.
Posted By: Boudreaux

Re: Lake Somerville - 02/27/20 09:55 PM

Originally Posted by big z
Me and the wife are going to be at the lake tomorrow and i wanted to hook up with a nice size gar. What would yall recommend? I was thinking of setting up on the banks of welch park. Any better spot that would increase my chances of hooking into a big gar? Thanks


There really aren't any big gar in the lake. I bowfish the lake often and the biggest gar I've ever seen was only a 30" or so long nose. Lots of smaller long nose in the lake for sure. The best place would be below the spillway if there is any flow.
Posted By: BIG SHINER

Re: Lake Somerville - 02/28/20 01:41 PM

Saturday, Feb 29 is a public lands cleanup day with BHA(Backcountry Hunters and Anglers). There is supposed to be an update email today but I think everyone is meeting at Nails Creek Pavilion at 9am. I haven't seen it posted on here but some might be interested. Does anyone have more info? I was hoping to take my kids out there after our morning baseball practice.
Posted By: BIG SHINER

Re: Lake Somerville - 02/28/20 02:02 PM

I can't find it on their website on the events page. It was in an email I got a couple days ago. If anyone has any info or a contact person please reply. If I get an email today I will update. Hope it is not cancelled. Thanks.
Posted By: hook-line&sinker

Re: Lake Somerville - 02/28/20 02:35 PM

Originally Posted by BIG SHINER
I can't find it on their website on the events page. It was in an email I got a couple days ago. If anyone has any info or a contact person please reply. If I get an email today I will update. Hope it is not cancelled. Thanks.

The only event on the BHA website is over at Granger Lake

see: https://www.backcountryhunters.org/public_lands_workday_-_granger_lake_float_lunch_cleanup
Posted By: big z

Re: Lake Somerville - 02/28/20 03:53 PM

Thank yall for the info
Posted By: LastCastPodcast

Re: Lake Somerville - 02/28/20 05:22 PM

Ditto on the spillway for gar. One afternoon with moderate releasing everyone was catching 15inch gar on spinners out of the current. They had blunt snouts so I assumed they were alligator, since I hear the "shortnose gar" species is only in the Red River in Texas. But there's bigger ones there too.
Posted By: BIG SHINER

Re: Lake Somerville - 02/28/20 07:15 PM

Lake Granger and a few others is all I found on the site also. Guess it never panned out and was left on the list of places on the email I got. Bummer. Any plans for the Friends of Nails Creek group HL&S? Would like to get my kids involved out there.
Posted By: hook-line&sinker

Re: Lake Somerville - 02/29/20 03:35 AM

J-Moe and I hit the bridge again Friday afternoon.. wasted two hours up in the WMA looking for fish but finding none we headed back to Irwin bridge. J-Moe caught triple the dozen or so I managed to fetch on the fly over the last hour of the day. It did feel good to get on some fish now that the curse has been lifted.. don't make J-Moe mad or he'll put that coonass cajun voodoo stink curse on your fly!
Posted By: Jun_warmsmile

Re: Lake Somerville - 02/29/20 05:19 AM

Haha ,One dozen of J-Moe’s fish came into my bucket! What a nice guys! You two have magic fly!


banana
Posted By: catchnrelease

Re: Lake Somerville - 02/29/20 02:49 PM

Originally Posted by hook-line&sinker
J-Moe and I hit the bridge again Friday afternoon.. wasted two hours up in the WMA looking for fish but finding none we headed back to Irwin bridge. J-Moe caught triple the dozen or so I managed to fetch on the fly over the last hour of the day. It did feel good to get on some fish now that the curse has been lifted.. don't make J-Moe mad or he'll put that coonass cajun voodoo stink curse on your fly!



The wife and I fished NB Friday. We met our neighbor out there. He got there before us with his River minnows. It wasn’t long before he located fish. He started “J-moe ing”. (Catching). LOL. A Short time later, a large group of people arrived and spotted my neighbor. They walked over and jumped in around him. About 8 of them soon surrounded my neighbor and began “j-moe ing” too. They took over this small hole and his spot on the bank. They had minnows under a bobber. There were bobbers floating everywhere. Strangely, each person was Catching a lot of whites. We couldn’t fish without getting tangled. We realized “the circus” was in full swing. I had to move away to fish. My friend managed 23 before he finally had enough and left. These people fished until they stopped catching. I saw each person leave with about 20+ fish each.

After all that, I only managed 2 fish. My wife caught 7. The group of people... 100+ fish. WOW.

I think I must have the curse now. But, at least I had a front row seat at the show!

Tight lines!
Posted By: Trav281

Re: Lake Somerville - 02/29/20 03:40 PM

Just got out to irwins, not to many people here but I don't see much activity, think I'm going to save my $4 and hit NB first. If anyone wants to link up let me know. 713 299 1078
Posted By: Trav281

Re: Lake Somerville - 02/29/20 05:51 PM

I'm at NB at not sure where to fish because the creek water depth seems way lower. Tons of cars here but I don't see many people. Saw one guy walking out with two. No luck yet
Posted By: J-Moe

Re: Lake Somerville - 02/29/20 06:44 PM

Originally Posted by hook-line&sinker
J-Moe and I hit the bridge again Friday afternoon.. wasted two hours up in the WMA looking for fish but finding none we headed back to Irwin bridge. J-Moe caught triple the dozen or so I managed to fetch on the fly over the last hour of the day. It did feel good to get on some fish now that the curse has been lifted.. don't make J-Moe mad or he'll put that coonass cajun voodoo stink curse on your fly!


We covered a lot of ground in the WMA. I fished the horseshoe all the way to the deep curve past the pond. Ben went upstream of the horseshoe. Not a single white bass. That was disappointing.

But Irwin bridge was just the opposite. Between 5:00 PM and 6:30 PM we caught over 50 fish. That was both challenging and extremely fun. If we could make a perfect cast at the full distance of our rods into a spot the size of a 5 gallon bucket we knew we would get a bite. We would call it "That's a fish", and 5 seconds later we would have one on the line. We giggled and laughed like a couple of 8 year old kids with a fly rod in their hand for the first time. Too bad Ben hates crowds. You guys are missing out. The laughter is infectious.
Posted By: J-Moe

Re: Lake Somerville - 02/29/20 06:45 PM

Originally Posted by warmsmile
Haha ,One dozen of J-Moe’s fish came into my bucket! What a nice guys! You two have magic fly!


banana

Nice meeting you Jun. You even got to land your first fish on a fly rod grin
Posted By: J-Moe

Re: Lake Somerville - 02/29/20 06:51 PM

Originally Posted by catchnrelease
Originally Posted by hook-line&sinker
J-Moe and I hit the bridge again Friday afternoon.. wasted two hours up in the WMA looking for fish but finding none we headed back to Irwin bridge. J-Moe caught triple the dozen or so I managed to fetch on the fly over the last hour of the day. It did feel good to get on some fish now that the curse has been lifted.. don't make J-Moe mad or he'll put that coonass cajun voodoo stink curse on your fly!



The wife and I fished NB Friday. We met our neighbor out there. He got there before us with his River minnows. It wasn’t long before he located fish. He started “J-moe ing”. (Catching). LOL. A Short time later, a large group of people arrived and spotted my neighbor. They walked over and jumped in around him. About 8 of them soon surrounded my neighbor and began “j-moe ing” too. They took over this small hole and his spot on the bank. They had minnows under a bobber. There were bobbers floating everywhere. Strangely, each person was Catching a lot of whites. We couldn’t fish without getting tangled. We realized “the circus” was in full swing. I had to move away to fish. My friend managed 23 before he finally had enough and left. These people fished until they stopped catching. I saw each person leave with about 20+ fish each.

After all that, I only managed 2 fish. My wife caught 7. The group of people... 100+ fish. WOW.

I think I must have the curse now. But, at least I had a front row seat at the show!

Tight lines!

roflmao Now you guys are taking this too far roflmao He got run out of his spot by potlickers like J-Moe too roflmao
Posted By: Trav281

Re: Lake Somerville - 02/29/20 07:00 PM

Nothing at NB today, no one catching anything it seems. Guess I'll try irwins
Posted By: Trav281

Re: Lake Somerville - 02/29/20 07:05 PM

I accidentally fell in the creek a little while ago trying to pull my lure out of the tree 😭😂
Posted By: Average Joe

Re: Lake Somerville - 02/29/20 07:54 PM

Originally Posted by catchnrelease
Originally Posted by hook-line&sinker
J-Moe and I hit the bridge again Friday afternoon.. wasted two hours up in the WMA looking for fish but finding none we headed back to Irwin bridge. J-Moe caught triple the dozen or so I managed to fetch on the fly over the last hour of the day. It did feel good to get on some fish now that the curse has been lifted.. don't make J-Moe mad or he'll put that coonass cajun voodoo stink curse on your fly!



The wife and I fished NB Friday. We met our neighbor out there. He got there before us with his River minnows. It wasn’t long before he located fish. He started “J-moe ing”. (Catching). LOL. A Short time later, a large group of people arrived and spotted my neighbor. They walked over and jumped in around him. About 8 of them soon surrounded my neighbor and began “j-moe ing” too. They took over this small hole and his spot on the bank. They had minnows under a bobber. There were bobbers floating everywhere. Strangely, each person was Catching a lot of whites. We couldn’t fish without getting tangled. We realized “the circus” was in full swing. I had to move away to fish. My friend managed 23 before he finally had enough and left. These people fished until they stopped catching. I saw each person leave with about 20+ fish each.

After all that, I only managed 2 fish. My wife caught 7. The group of people... 100+ fish. WOW.

I think I must have the curse now. But, at least I had a front row seat at the show!

Tight lines!


Lol I know exactly what you are talking about ... wish ppl had more courtesy these days.
Posted By: Average Joe

Re: Lake Somerville - 02/29/20 07:57 PM

Originally Posted by Trav281
I accidentally fell in the creek a little while ago trying to pull my lure out of the tree 😭😂


It can be slippery at NB! Few weeks I decided to slid down the edge of the creek to get to the bank. That was the easy part, then I had an even harder time trying to get back up the bank. Luckily I got out OK. Lots of anglers were watching thinking I would fall in.
Posted By: Trav281

Re: Lake Somerville - 02/29/20 08:07 PM

Hahaha well I was backing up trying to pull my lure out of the tree behind me and next thing ya know I was in the creek up to my chest, it was a deeper part. Good thing my phone is waterproof. Man I can't believe no one is catching much of anything out here today. I figured it would be better than last week. I guess the cold front screwed things up. Waste of a long drive so far
Posted By: Trav281

Re: Lake Somerville - 02/29/20 08:11 PM

Just found out big creek marina is open again... I have a honey hole about half a mile down the bank from there. I can finally get to it again

[img]https://m.facebook.com/photo.php?fbid=10100795249440624&id=8373469&set=a.10100365803583564[/img]
Posted By: greenyak

Re: Lake Somerville - 03/01/20 03:41 AM

Posted By: Yakker newbie

Re: Lake Somerville - 03/01/20 05:58 AM

After all these reports and videos coming out, I guess I'll give it another go on Sunday. I came up a couple weeks ago and got skunked. I think I'll start at Newman's and work upstream. Good luck.
Posted By: Average Joe

Re: Lake Somerville - 03/01/20 08:25 AM

Originally Posted by greenyak


Good haul!
Posted By: Boudreaux

Re: Lake Somerville - 03/01/20 01:00 PM

Not sure where every one at NB was fishing that said no catches, or what they were using for bait, but I saw numerous stingers being caught downstream. A buddy reported to me he had a solo limit by 9:30 yesterday morning, down from Irwin. The fish are in there.

Water temps yesterday were 58 below NB. Started at 7:15 and fished till dark. I had a client to pick up at Nails Park at 10am. We were after crappie. Ended with 15 in the box, lost count of the throw backs.

NEW PENDING LAKE RECORD BOWFIN CAUGHT SAT MORNING. 27" 9lbs!!!!! Caught out of the creek below NB. Pics and full story when I get back to the office Monday.
Posted By: Trav281

Re: Lake Somerville - 03/01/20 06:28 PM

i didn't catch [censored] yesterday smh
Posted By: J-Moe

Re: Lake Somerville - 03/01/20 06:42 PM

Originally Posted by greenyak


Great Stuff Sam thumb I was thinking what an awesome day to be kayaking up the Yegua. It was slick calm. Then the trip home bang I've been there before. Sometimes it seems to blow into me on the way there and into on the way back grin

Awesome catch of a Hybrid in the creek too !!!
Posted By: J-Moe

Re: Lake Somerville - 03/01/20 06:57 PM

I started this morning fishing the middle yegua above the bridge. Ben and I had started at the WMA parking lot so I wanted to see if there might be fish between Irwin Bridge and the WMA. No luck though.

I headed over to Newman Bottom and fished from 9:15 to 11:15. I started walking upstream and my first impression was WOW!! There were 6 spots between the bridge and the Y that I couldn't see the bottom last week. Today that area had strunk or disappeared. I tried one spot with a very small deep area. I was surprised but I caught one on the first cast. I caught 2, lost one and missed another bite in the first 20 casts from a spot the size of a 55 gallon drum.

I kept walking upstream. The next spot I tried I could see the bottom but everyone, including myself, has been killing the fish in. I fished there for a while but didn't get a bite.

I walked a ways and found another fairly deep spot. I caught one on the 3rd cast. He had another fish follow him up. I tried another 20 or so casts in the area but didn't catch anything.

I went upstream further to the deepest spot I know. I caught fish on my first 2 casts. I knew they were stacked in there so I didn't even make another cast. I told a friend where to find them and headed back downstream. I fished one more spot above the bridge and caught 2 more.

I walked down to the low water crossing and there were people in almost every spot I wanted to fish. I tried 2 spots with no luck then found a new spot where they were stacked up. I caught 5 there and moved on.

I stopped at one last good spot that was no longer occupied. I caught 5 more from that spot and called it a day.

Posted By: J-Moe

Re: Lake Somerville - 03/01/20 07:08 PM

Originally Posted by Trav281
i didn't catch [censored] yesterday smh


Patience my friend. The area around Newman Bottom is very difficult to fish right now. You may need to walk way downstream.

If you really want to learn, watch the videos, read the internet and most importantly, observe what others are doing to be successful. If I see someone catching fish, I will sit down and watch them, ask them questions. I've walked a lot of miles on the creek early on, just doing that. Ben taught me a lot. And Doug (Fishytx), the true Master of the Yegua white bass really schooled me on reading the water, presentation, etc. But I've also sat and watched guys like Shea, Troy, Jon, ........

Or you can just say screw it and wait until April and May when the shad start spawning on the banks of the main lake in the morning and evening roflmao
Posted By: Yakker newbie

Re: Lake Somerville - 03/02/20 12:25 AM

I was the 1st to Newman's this morning and by 5:45 it was a steady stream of cars coming down. I caught 2 whites in a bend just upstream where the woods start. Caught twin 5 inch black bass further up stream. Got back to the truck at 12 and the parking area was overflowing. Everyone but 5 people downstream of the bridge. I walked the low water loop and up the hill and everyone I saw had a stringer in the water. I saw 1 fella with a dozen and 1 hybrid on the stringer. Went to Irwin bridge for a little while and again everyone had a stringer in the water. No takers for me. But the only open spot was back in the bend where it gets shallow. All 4 fish I caught were on purple and black jigs and roadrunners. No takers on any other color for me. Hoping the rain coming will bring up more fish.
Posted By: Trav281

Re: Lake Somerville - 03/02/20 12:30 AM

Thanks jmoe, all my experience is black bass fishing mainly so I'm trying to learn everything I can. It seems I've been doing more walking than fishing bc I don't trust the spots I'm fishing. I'll figure it out eventually. Hopefully I can link up with you sometime and learn a little. Appreciate the info and everything guys.
Posted By: Trav281

Re: Lake Somerville - 03/02/20 12:30 AM

And I've been trying to watch/read everything I can, going back to last year
Posted By: EllerTroy

Re: Lake Somerville - 03/02/20 12:43 AM

Trav281 listen to J-Moe about watching other fisherman and ask questions. Most fishermen will talk to you and tell you how they are catching fish and way they are fishing certain spots. I have fished the Yegua for 35 years or so and each time out of learn more things about fishing the Yegua. I am like fishytx, I like using 1/32 jigs. You can keep these some jigs in the strike zone for much longer, but you have to read the water and use the current and the wind to your favor. I also prefer my blue bucktail jigs that I make and I prefer using Texas deer tails because the hair is shorter and finer than the bigger northern deer. I am trying to make out tomorrow afternoon and have family thinks going on right now with elderly parents. If not tomorrow it will be Thursday or Friday.
Posted By: Yakker newbie

Re: Lake Somerville - 03/02/20 12:54 AM

Trav281 we are in the same boat. This is my 1st white bass experience also and I got my first 2 today. This was my 4th time going since December. I have walked the entire bank from Newman's Bottom to the Irwin bridge. I have found several deep holes and I'm either hitting them after they've been cleaned out, or I just haven't found the right cadence on my retrieve yet. Keep at it.
Posted By: hook-line&sinker

Re: Lake Somerville - 03/02/20 02:01 AM

Spent Saturday and Sunday working around the ranch.. I get a lot done around here when I skip fishing the weekends.. Glad to hear some of you are finding fish. The next three weeks should be productive on the Yegua.
Posted By: Boudreaux

Re: Lake Somerville - 03/02/20 02:08 PM

Started Saturday morning from Nails SP, ran up the Yegua to pre-fish a few hours before my client was to meet me at the ramp at 10 am. 41 degrees coming across the lake, water temps that morning were 56 or so in the creek. Met an acquaintance out on the water, stopped in a hole a struck up a conversation. He had already had several fish on the stringer including a 19" hybrid. We talked for a long while and just kept fishing the same hole and pulled a a few fish each. My buddy goes with a solid hook set that doubles the rod. 5 min later on his ultra-light we finally get a glimpse of what it is. I believed it to be a big Bowfin. He finally gets it to the surface where I can positively ID it as a monster Bowfin. I told him I bet that's the lake record. I ask if he was a net, he says no, so I troll over and hand him mine. The fish is netted and landed. The fish was transported to my boat so that I could use my scale and measure. We had to use my large bump board to measure since his wasn't big enough. 27" on my board, and just around 9lbs. Shattering the previous lake record of 24" and 5lbs. We took all the pics we needed to certify it as a catch and release record and I even filmed a safe live release.

I picked up my client shortly after. Ran back up the creek in search of crappie. Found some in several different spots using live minnows under a slip cork. Caught well over 20 from one hole, but no size to the majority of them. 1 out of every 5 was a keeper. Fished ourselves out of bait, switch to jigs and spinners, ran back up the creek towards NB. water temps just below NB were 58 Sat evening. Picked up a few more fish before calling it a day around sunset. Saw several stringers of fish below NB on sat. Also saw a couple hybrids caught. We ended the day with 15 fish in the box. 7 crappie and 8 whites. Beautiful day of fishing on the creek. The water was just getting right with temp and clarity, but there is rain in the forecast for the next couple days. Local spring break is next week so expect crowds the next couple weeks. Good luck, tight lines. Duck-Tails Guide Service

[Linked Image]
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Posted By: J-Moe

Re: Lake Somerville - 03/02/20 03:22 PM

Are you sure this is a catch and release record? This is not considered a big fish species by TPWD. There is no state C&R record for a Bowfin.

When you measure the fish you must close the mouth. They will subtract from the length otherwise.

Is your scale certified? I purchased a scale last year and brought it to Bastrop Scale Company to certify. They perform the service for fisherman at a discounted rate. Normally this is a $150 service but they performed it for $25.

Enjoyed the post and pictures thumb
Posted By: Boudreaux

Re: Lake Somerville - 03/02/20 04:00 PM

Originally Posted by J-Moe
Are you sure this is a catch and release record? This is not considered a big fish species by TPWD. There is no state C&R record for a Bowfin.

When you measure the fish you must close the mouth. They will subtract from the length otherwise.

Is your scale certified? I purchased a scale last year and brought it to Bastrop Scale Company to certify. They perform the service for fisherman at a discounted rate. Normally this is a $150 service but they performed it for $25.

Enjoyed the post and pictures thumb


Didn't want to go to the other side of the lake to the certified scales, so they opted for catch and release. Catch and release is not listed on the big fish category, I haven't called them yet to see if it just wasn't listed or isn't applicable. It's one of the only fish not listed. It's a lake record regardless whether or not TPWD will certify it as one. For C&R weight is optional. I'm gonna call TPWD and see what we can do.
Posted By: J-Moe

Re: Lake Somerville - 03/02/20 04:41 PM

In order to register a fish for a C&R record it must exceed the length of the big fish requirements. If no requirement is established then it can’t be a record. Unfortunately this will not be a record
Posted By: J-Moe

Re: Lake Somerville - 03/03/20 02:12 AM

Here's a tip that y'all may want to try in these challenging conditions.

I was fishing in the shoot of the spillway when the water was shut off one day. I was catching white bass on almost every cast. This young fisherman was throwing a white grub and jig head and not catching anything. He looked at my fly and changed to a very small grey plastic swimbait with a light jig head. He caught a couple but not nearly at the rate I was catching them. So he took the jig head off the swimbait and put a regular hook in it. He was able to twitch that thing and keep it up in the water column. The white bass were attacking it. It was really fun to watch. One of the best young fisherman I ever ran into. He took the time to watch and the patience to experiment and figure it out .

I told this to someone last week and when I saw them again they said it was successful for them too.
Posted By: 24x7Fisherman

Re: Lake Somerville - 03/03/20 02:15 AM

J-Moe, great story.
Posted By: 24x7Fisherman

Re: Lake Somerville - 03/03/20 02:28 AM

Arrived at parking lot around 11. Some folks were leaving with empty strings. I went upstream, caught two before reaching the Y. I did see some fish doing their thing in the shallow. I continued to fish upstream all the way almost to the platform. Only found one spot I knew they stacked, three casts three big fat females.
Made back to the parking lot around 1:30pm, 7 fish, a slow fishing day.
Posted By: PerksOutdoors

Re: Lake Somerville - 03/03/20 11:56 PM

Thanks for sharing a pic of the clouser Jmoe. The day we met over at Irwin's I saw a minnow on the bank and noticed my flys were bigger and brighter. May be why they didn't catch. Not sure I'll be able to make it up again to catch the good part of the run, but I've tied several smaller clousers for future trips. I plan on testing them out on the lakes as well.
Posted By: J-Moe

Re: Lake Somerville - 03/04/20 01:44 AM

Originally Posted by PerksOutdoors
Thanks for sharing a pic of the clouser Jmoe. The day we met over at Irwin's I saw a minnow on the bank and noticed my flys were bigger and brighter. May be why they didn't catch. Not sure I'll be able to make it up again to catch the good part of the run, but I've tied several smaller clousers for future trips. I plan on testing them out on the lakes as well.


It was great meeting you before. If you don't make it back for the run up the creeks then just come out to the main lake in April and May. The white bass and hybrids are chasing the spawning shad on the banks every morning and evening. Its easy casting and catching. Sometimes I'm standing right in the middle of them. If I drop my fly it gets picked up next to me, LOL. Lots of fun!!!
Posted By: hook-line&sinker

Re: Lake Somerville - 03/04/20 03:08 AM

[Linked Image]
Posted By: J-Moe

Re: Lake Somerville - 03/04/20 03:12 AM

Cool Ben. It's a warmouth. I catch them from time to time in the Yegua and Nails. I caught some big ones around the trees at Irwin Bridge before.
Posted By: hook-line&sinker

Re: Lake Somerville - 03/04/20 04:05 AM

J-Moe and I hit up Newmans Tuesday evening after I struck out on Nails creek earlier in the afternoon. Over on the Yegua the whitebass spawn was in full swing with fish chasing everywhere. We walked upstream and caught fish at nearly every stop along the creek. I managed about a dozen or so while J-Moe almost tripled my count on the "Magical Clouser"!

Not to worry folks if you can't get to Newmans and the Yegua right away because this should continue for about two weeks longer. It has been my experience that when conditions are like they are now the whitebass run up the Yegua will be done for the year by April 1st. A high water event will ensure the success of the spawn and allow the fish to exit the creek quicker avoiding the die-off that sometimes accompanies a stressful "low water" spawning season.
Posted By: hook-line&sinker

Re: Lake Somerville - 03/04/20 03:58 PM

Posted By: Boudreaux

Re: Lake Somerville - 03/04/20 06:00 PM

Pretty good rain event this morning in the Yegua watershed. Waters will probably be moving and dirty for the weekend fishing, but I have a feeling it may not matter with the amount of fish in the creek right now. This push of water will probably set things into full swing in all the creeks.
Posted By: hook-line&sinker

Re: Lake Somerville - 03/04/20 09:47 PM

Lord I wish this would happen again.. May 2009

Posted By: hook-line&sinker

Re: Lake Somerville - 03/05/20 12:32 PM

Here's the fly for Yegua Whitebass.. It ain't J-Moes Magicle Clouser but it is pretty dang close!
Posted By: J-Moe

Re: Lake Somerville - 03/05/20 08:22 PM

Originally Posted by hook-line&sinker
It ain't J-Moes Magical Clouser but it is pretty dang close!

roflmao roflmao Now that's funny. I can give you the deer hair, hook, bead chain and flash; and it will still only be a grey/white clouser. The "Magic" is only obtained through a special incantation I learned from Grandpa too grin

And all those years I thought Grandpa was just some crazy old man teaching me French phrases which translated to things like "hair of the cat", hair of the dog, etc. But we have video proof the Magic works. grin
Posted By: EllerTroy

Re: Lake Somerville - 03/05/20 11:59 PM

I’m going to Newman’s in the morning to give it another shot. Tied some bead chain Clouser. Can’t wait to try them out.
Posted By: J-Moe

Re: Lake Somerville - 03/06/20 02:33 AM

Originally Posted by EllerTroy
I’m going to Newman’s in the morning to give it another shot. Tied some bead chain Clouser. Can’t wait to try them out.
Ben was out there tonight. The yegua was up about 6 inches and rising. It was slightly stained. It usually takes a couple days for the water shed to drain to Newman Bottom so it will likely peak tomorrow. You may be better off with your rooster tails or jigs in those conditions. Bring your entire arsenal grin
Posted By: Yakker newbie

Re: Lake Somerville - 03/06/20 07:11 AM

Got to Newman's too late this morning, every prime spot was occupied upstream and down. I fished near the kayak launch facing the bend kn the creek. I caught 2 whites and 2 black bass. I watched a man on the opposite side fish my way put 21 whites on his stringer in about 2 hours. Finished the last couple of hours at Irwins and caught 7 crappie about 8 inches long and 2 big blue gills pushing 1 pound each. Lots of gar slapping the surface at irwins this evening.
Posted By: J-Moe

Re: Lake Somerville - 03/06/20 01:23 PM

Originally Posted by Yakker newbie
Got to Newman's too late this morning, every prime spot was occupied upstream and down. I fished near the kayak launch facing the bend kn the creek. I caught 2 whites and 2 black bass. I watched a man on the opposite side fish my way put 21 whites on his stringer in about 2 hours. Finished the last couple of hours at Irwins and caught 7 crappie about 8 inches long and 2 big blue gills pushing 1 pound each. Lots of gar slapping the surface at irwins this evening.


Thanks for the report Yakker Newbie.

I spend half my year fishing for white bass and the other half fishing for sunfish, bluegill, Rios, etc. I've caught monster sunfish in all of the Hill Country lakes and rivers but only a handful bigger than 1/2 lb. in Somerville and its creeks. Only one over 0.75 lbs.

Please tell me you took some pictures. Were they bluegill or some other type of sunfish? Did you catch them around the submerged trees?
Posted By: hook-line&sinker

Re: Lake Somerville - 03/06/20 03:44 PM

Thursday was a great day to be outside!

Posted By: hook-line&sinker

Re: Lake Somerville - 03/06/20 06:00 PM

About the fly:
After a season or two (or ten) I'm finally zeroing in on what makes the fly work so well on the Yegua and other places as well.

First is color and weight, often referred to as "matching the hatch" in fly fishing circles.

Second is finding the fish

Third is presentation and knowing/learning how to "read" the water to get the fly or lure to the fish.

J-Moe's "Magical Clouser" and his ability to present the fly to the fish is "second to none" but more than that is his ability in finding the fish at any given time of the year.

The Yegua changes a little every year from the years before but overall the whitebass spawn peaking is fairly predictable within a two week timeframe around March 1st and/or the third full moon of the year.

The one constant of the whitebass spawning season is that by the forth full moon of the year the whitebass will be back in the lake feeding like crazy on spawning shad.
Posted By: Trav281

Re: Lake Somerville - 03/06/20 11:38 PM

I don't mean any disrespect, but I've been fishing my entire life... That mainly pertains to largemouth though. So the creek thing is new to me. I caught an 8.5lb bass this year. I catch crappie daily. I fish when I can. I don't want to come off as someone using a zebco. But I come here for the info and I greatly appreciate it. I'm always open to learning new things... Keep them lines tight boys, I'll post pics soon
Posted By: Yakker newbie

Re: Lake Somerville - 03/07/20 07:15 AM

They were caught next to the tree next to the bridge. Both were caught using minnows. They had nearly no color to them except for a couple visible stripes going down from the top and the dark spot on the gill plate. I guess the color fades due to the cold water temps? I didn't take any pics, but they were much larger than the crappie that I caught that day. They were the biggest perch I have seen so far from Somerville. I enjoy fishing for perch more than I do anything else. I have caught plenty 1 pounders out of Lake Raven and Lake Conroe over the years.
Posted By: J-Moe

Re: Lake Somerville - 03/07/20 10:31 AM

Thanks Yakker Newbie
Posted By: Trav281

Re: Lake Somerville - 03/08/20 08:26 PM

Here's the 8.5lber I caught a month ago, hopefully the link works

https://m.facebook.com/story.php?story_fbid=10116812660186094&id=8373469&sfnsn=mo
Posted By: Trav281

Re: Lake Somerville - 03/08/20 08:26 PM

Just caught a 6.3lber today right when I got here man I love fishing
Posted By: greenyak

Re: Lake Somerville - 03/09/20 12:48 AM

Posted By: J-Moe

Re: Lake Somerville - 03/09/20 01:56 AM

Nice slabs. I guess I'm going to have to break out the Yak after seeing the video. Looks like the snakes are out too.

Great video, as always thumb
Posted By: Average Joe

Re: Lake Somerville - 03/09/20 04:43 AM

Originally Posted by greenyak


Some are some big crappies! Good catches!
Posted By: hook-line&sinker

Re: Lake Somerville - 03/09/20 03:04 PM

March 8th 2017...

Posted By: hook-line&sinker

Re: Lake Somerville - 03/09/20 04:20 PM

Like many of you I've done well when the whitebass are very active and easy to catch but struggle when the fish just don't seem to be interested in taking a lure.
After watching the above video from three years ago I have realized how much more I've learned about whitebass fishing "on the fly" from watching J-Moe and from much experimenting with fly design and presentation.
Even though I've been doing this "On the Fly" much longer than J-Moe his approach and attention to detail has put him on a level all to himself when it comes to whitebass fishing.
Almost every trip out this season I've done well enough but J-Moe has tripled my catch rate with ease making him the one to watch..
Posted By: catchnrelease

Re: Lake Somerville - 03/09/20 07:13 PM

The wife and I fished Newman Bottom both days this weekend. She out Fished me Saturday using minnows. She caught 20. I was using a clouser fly, rooster-tails - several colors of jigs. I managed 10. It was a Tough day. My wife graciously did not rub it in too much. But there was some trash talking. LOL. We unexpectedly had the day available Sunday. So we went back to NB. After watching her catch Saturday, I bought extra minnows and decided to use minnows too. I trash talked her and told her I was gonna out fish her today.

Parking lot was almost full when we got there at 1pm. Minnows in hand, we set out upstream. We caught a few very quickly. Then they slowed down. The bite picked up around 4. I moved a few times and finally found a hole. I ran out of minnows by 6pm but managed To catch my limit. She caught about 10. Minnows were the ticket for me.

I ran into HL&S and J-Moe. They were coming as we were leaving. We stopped and talked. They are kool dudes! It was good to see them. I wished I could have watched them kill the sandies with that fly rod. I could have learned a thing or two. But we had too many fish to clean, and 90 miles to drive home.

Got family coming for the week and this weekend. Unless my boss lets me off work, that might be the last time I get to go to NB in 2020. But if so... what a way to go! Fish fillets are in the freezer! Time to stink up some grease.

Tight lines All!
Posted By: Trav281

Re: Lake Somerville - 03/09/20 09:16 PM

Love it, great posts
Posted By: TXfisherman12

Re: Lake Somerville - 03/11/20 11:50 PM

Originally Posted by Trav281
Just caught a 6.3lber today right when I got here man I love fishing


Did you catch it on the main lake?
Posted By: greenyak

Re: Lake Somerville - 03/12/20 02:20 AM

Willis Creek.
Posted By: Yakker newbie

Re: Lake Somerville - 03/13/20 02:01 PM

Went to Newman's Wednesday morning and the early morning bite was insane. Everyone up and down the banks pulling in fish left and right until about 9:30 then it slowed down. I took a break for lunch then went upstream and caught 5 more in shallow running water. Nothing out of the deeper pools. Finished the day with 21 fish. Previous best day was 2. The fish were spawning all up and down the creek. Caught all my fish on 1/32 ounce white maribou jigs. Hoping I can make it out 1 more time on Monday. Good luck everyone.

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Posted By: jsinn01

Re: Lake Somerville - 03/13/20 02:40 PM

Originally Posted by Yakker newbie
Went to Newman's Wednesday morning and the early morning bite was insane. Everyone up and down the banks pulling in fish left and right until about 9:30 then it slowed down. I took a break for lunch then went upstream and caught 5 more in shallow running water. Nothing out of the deeper pools. Finished the day with 21 fish. Previous best day was 2. The fish were spawning all up and down the creek. Caught all my fish on 1/32 ounce white maribou jigs. Hoping I can make it out 1 more time on Monday. Good luck everyone.


Congrats, Dude! Those days are the best.
Posted By: jsinn01

Re: Lake Somerville - 03/13/20 02:41 PM

Originally Posted by catchnrelease
The wife and I fished Newman Bottom both days this weekend. She out Fished me Saturday using minnows. She caught 20. I was using a clouser fly, rooster-tails - several colors of jigs. I managed 10. It was a Tough day. My wife graciously did not rub it in too much. But there was some trash talking. LOL. We unexpectedly had the day available Sunday. So we went back to NB. After watching her catch Saturday, I bought extra minnows and decided to use minnows too. I trash talked her and told her I was gonna out fish her today.

Parking lot was almost full when we got there at 1pm. Minnows in hand, we set out upstream. We caught a few very quickly. Then they slowed down. The bite picked up around 4. I moved a few times and finally found a hole. I ran out of minnows by 6pm but managed To catch my limit. She caught about 10. Minnows were the ticket for me.

I ran into HL&S and J-Moe. They were coming as we were leaving. We stopped and talked. They are kool dudes! It was good to see them. I wished I could have watched them kill the sandies with that fly rod. I could have learned a thing or two. But we had too many fish to clean, and 90 miles to drive home.

Got family coming for the week and this weekend. Unless my boss lets me off work, that might be the last time I get to go to NB in 2020. But if so... what a way to go! Fish fillets are in the freezer! Time to stink up some grease.

Tight lines All!



Nice report! Glad you caught a few for the freezer.
Posted By: J-Moe

Re: Lake Somerville - 03/13/20 03:34 PM

Originally Posted by jsinn01
Originally Posted by Yakker newbie
Went to Newman's Wednesday morning and the early morning bite was insane. Everyone up and down the banks pulling in fish left and right until about 9:30 then it slowed down. I took a break for lunch then went upstream and caught 5 more in shallow running water. Nothing out of the deeper pools. Finished the day with 21 fish. Previous best day was 2. The fish were spawning all up and down the creek. Caught all my fish on 1/32 ounce white maribou jigs. Hoping I can make it out 1 more time on Monday. Good luck everyone.


Congrats, Dude! Those days are the best.


+1 Really happy for you. You will now have many more great days. You used the Fishytx method of a 1/32 ounce white marabou jig. Now with 35 more years of experience you'll be able to catch as many fish as he does grin
Posted By: Trav281

Re: Lake Somerville - 03/14/20 09:18 AM

Just got to NB, first truck here today lol. We'll see how it goes
Posted By: Average Joe

Re: Lake Somerville - 03/14/20 06:33 PM

Originally Posted by Trav281
Just got to NB, first truck here today lol. We'll see how it goes


Good luck!!
Posted By: Trav281

Re: Lake Somerville - 03/15/20 01:16 AM

Ended up having a rough day until about 3pm when I changed lures and started pounding them with a Lil jig. This morning the bass were going insane when it was still dark but my headlamp went out and I couldn't see anything. I ended up walking way further downstream than anticipated in the dark. I was using my phone light. I think I walked like 2 miles. By time I got back near the bridge, spots were filled. I'm an idiot. It was way slower today everyone was saying, only certain spots people were getting big stringers. I caught one in the dark in the morning and after lunch I went upstream and found a whole and slayed them on a I tiny jig. I caught about 18 wb, missed three, all males it seemed. One small crappie and a big largemouth about 4lbs. So it ended up being a great day. I kept about 10 bass and threw back the rest. Learned a lot today but I put the work. That mistake of a walk I made in the morning had me worn out by 8:30 haha. I'm exhausted. Glad I learned some new techniques and new spots not far from parking lot. I also met a fellow one of you guys out there today, but I can't recall his name.

Going to have to leave these fish on ice and filet tomorrow since I'm dead. Tight lines guys.
Posted By: Trav281

Re: Lake Somerville - 03/15/20 01:17 AM

Oh and the bass frenzy in the dark at 6am is the craziest thing I've ever heard... Wish I had light to fish when that was happening.
Posted By: greenyak

Re: Lake Somerville - 03/15/20 12:38 PM

Caught a bunch of hybrids around 13-1/2” and one good one.
Posted By: J-Moe

Re: Lake Somerville - 03/15/20 04:54 PM

Originally Posted by Trav281
Ended up having a rough day until about 3pm when I changed lures and started pounding them with a Lil jig. This morning the bass were going insane when it was still dark but my headlamp went out and I couldn't see anything. I ended up walking way further downstream than anticipated in the dark. I was using my phone light. I think I walked like 2 miles. By time I got back near the bridge, spots were filled. I'm an idiot. It was way slower today everyone was saying, only certain spots people were getting big stringers. I caught one in the dark in the morning and after lunch I went upstream and found a whole and slayed them on a I tiny jig. I caught about 18 wb, missed three, all males it seemed. One small crappie and a big largemouth about 4lbs. So it ended up being a great day. I kept about 10 bass and threw back the rest. Learned a lot today but I put the work. That mistake of a walk I made in the morning had me worn out by 8:30 haha. I'm exhausted. Glad I learned some new techniques and new spots not far from parking lot. I also met a fellow one of you guys out there today, but I can't recall his name.

Going to have to leave these fish on ice and filet tomorrow since I'm dead. Tight lines guys.


Well Done!!! Glad you stuck with it.
Posted By: J-Moe

Re: Lake Somerville - 03/15/20 05:00 PM

I went to Newman's Bottom this morning. I fished from 7:30 to 10:15. I caught and released 25 white bass in multiple holes upstream of the bridge. Fishing was steady. I caught fish in almost every spot but no more than 8 in any one spot. I saw lots of spawning activity. The majority of the fish were caught holding tight to the bottom around fell trees. Lots of spawned out females in the bunch.
Posted By: Trav281

Re: Lake Somerville - 03/15/20 05:52 PM

Originally Posted by J-Moe
I went to Newman's Bottom this morning. I fished from 7:30 to 10:15. I caught and released 25 white bass in multiple holes upstream of the bridge. Fishing was steady. I caught fish in almost every spot but no more than 8 in any one spot. I saw lots of spawning activity. The majority of the fish were caught holding tight to the bottom around fell trees. Lots of spawned out females in the bunch.


Thanks J-Moe and thanks for the info. How much longer you think we got?
Posted By: Trav281

Re: Lake Somerville - 03/15/20 05:55 PM

I drove across the dam yesterday and saw like a hundred rods set up out there lol, are they fishing for hybrids? I'm ready for the shad spawn so I can go to my old big creek spot again. Any clues to where the crappie are at? The one I caught yesterday was about half a pound. There's a local neighborhood pond here where I've been catching about 5 an hour and they are hitting big swimbaits I use for largemouth. It's a wild pond.
Posted By: J-Moe

Re: Lake Somerville - 03/15/20 05:56 PM

It will start ramping down daily unless we get a good hard rain. They will likely be gone by the end of the month.
Posted By: Trav281

Re: Lake Somerville - 03/16/20 01:32 PM

https://m.facebook.com/story.php?story_fbid=10117249252796004&id=8373469

These were about half of what I caught, I wish I saved the photo of the largemouth but my snap didn't save, she was a fatty.
Posted By: J-Moe

Re: Lake Somerville - 03/16/20 02:52 PM

Originally Posted by Trav281
I drove across the dam yesterday and saw like a hundred rods set up out there lol, are they fishing for hybrids? I'm ready for the shad spawn so I can go to my old big creek spot again. Any clues to where the crappie are at? The one I caught yesterday was about half a pound. There's a local neighborhood pond here where I've been catching about 5 an hour and they are hitting big swimbaits I use for largemouth. It's a wild pond.


Yes, it was likely hybrids that they were focused on catching.

Ben and I were discussing the same thing. Where are the crappie? But I was hoping to find a place I could wade fish for them during the spawn. That would be great fun to wade and fly fish for them in the shallower water. I have no clue where to do that though.
Posted By: Boudreaux

Re: Lake Somerville - 03/17/20 02:25 AM

I've been catching crappie in the creeks, nails and yegua for the past few weeks. Probably caught 30 last weekend with 1 of every 5 being legal. All those folks on the main lake are probably looking for whites and hybrids, we have been catching them schooling again. I'll be fishing a lot more this week with the extended vacation I'm getting with the silly virus.
Posted By: JILAS

Re: Lake Somerville - 03/18/20 12:27 AM

Fished NB 7am-1pm, Tuesday 3/17/20, parking area crowded in morning. caught 2 WB (1 keeper), small LMB, perch, shad. Others had similar (or worse) results. A girl & dad using minnows did not do any better (surprised me!!).
Posted By: J-Moe

Re: Lake Somerville - 03/18/20 01:02 AM

Thanks for the report JILAS. I fished from 4 to 6 PM and only caught about 15. Nobody that I saw had more than one fish. The water was up 6 to 12 inches and cloudy. I didn't see very much spawning activity nor did I catch many females. I thought the additional flow might have drawn a few more fish up but it definitely didn't.
Posted By: RedQueen

Re: Lake Somerville - 03/18/20 01:45 AM

First time poster, long time lurker. Went out to Newman's bottom for the first time yesterday afternoon and then again this morning for a couple hours. Just 12 WB total (and $10+ in lost lures!), only 3 females, egg sacs still full. Fished upstream both times, throwing mainly a 1/8th oz jerkbait, 1/16th oz white spinnerbait (until it got hung up), and a 1/24th oz orange crankbait. Yesterday saw a couple stringers with 5+ fish. Today saw some guy with his grandson just slaying them on what looked like spoons, they had at least 20 fish between the two of them. Other than that, didn't see more than 2-3 per stringer and nothing of size.

Is this just a temporary dampening or is it all downhill from here on out? Also, are there fish to be had at Irwin Bridge? Is there more open water there? On another note, I've been trying to get them on the white/chartreuse grubs that everyone seems to be using, but haven't had much success at all with them (besides a few ambitious bluegill). On top of that, it slows me down having to strip weeds off the grub every other cast. What am I doing wrong? Should I be bouncing it along the bottom or swimming it over the weed beds?
Posted By: Yakker newbie

Re: Lake Somerville - 03/18/20 12:25 PM

I brought Mom up to fish at Newmans on Monday the 16th and it was much slower than last week. She used minnows and caught 3 small black bass, 1 small crappie, and a couple channel cats. I used the 1/32 oz jig again and caught 18 white bass. All whites were caught in shallow running water, nothing came out of the deeper holes. People that were brave enough to wade in and stand on top of the trees in the creek below the bridge were able to fill up stringers pretty quick, but I saw too many snakes swimming by for me to try that. I did not see much spawning going on either, I only caught 3 females that had a male chasing it to the bank.

Thank you to everyone that leaves tips on how to fish for white bass. This has been my first year to fish for these and I was ready to give up, but reading through all these pages has really helped and made it a very enjoyable and addicting experience.

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Posted By: J-Moe

Re: Lake Somerville - 03/18/20 01:39 PM

Originally Posted by RedQueen
First time poster, long time lurker. Went out to Newman's bottom for the first time yesterday afternoon and then again this morning for a couple hours. Just 12 WB total (and $10+ in lost lures!), only 3 females, egg sacs still full. Fished upstream both times, throwing mainly a 1/8th oz jerkbait, 1/16th oz white spinnerbait (until it got hung up), and a 1/24th oz orange crankbait. Yesterday saw a couple stringers with 5+ fish. Today saw some guy with his grandson just slaying them on what looked like spoons, they had at least 20 fish between the two of them. Other than that, didn't see more than 2-3 per stringer and nothing of size.

Is this just a temporary dampening or is it all downhill from here on out? Also, are there fish to be had at Irwin Bridge? Is there more open water there? On another note, I've been trying to get them on the white/chartreuse grubs that everyone seems to be using, but haven't had much success at all with them (besides a few ambitious bluegill). On top of that, it slows me down having to strip weeds off the grub every other cast. What am I doing wrong? Should I be bouncing it along the bottom or swimming it over the weed beds?


Excellent Report thumb

First of all, losing $10 worth of lures in the Yegua is a good day. I call it the "Yegua Monster" because it eats lures grin

It will just go downhill from this point. There aren't many fish around Irwin Bridge which is another sign the white bass are moving out.

You are using too heavy and too big lures. Use an ultra light rod with 4 lb. fluorocarbon. Use the lightest jig head you can possibly throw. That's usually a 1/32nd ounce jig head. The hook will ride up. The Booyah 1/32 ounce white marabou jigs you can purchase at Walmart are a good choice.

Yes, the fish are on the bottom right now.

Then you must learn how to present that bait with a delicate presentation.

The fish, especially at this time, will bunch up very tight. You have to be able to drift that bait softly into a spot the size of a 5 gallon bucket.

That is why the fly rod is far superior in difficult conditions. You can drift something very slowly onto the nose of the fish. The drop rate of a 1/32 ounce jig or even a 1/64 ounce is often too much for me to be successful.

Good luck, I hope you catch a few. The good thing is the shad spawn on the main lake should be starting soon. So early morning and late evening the white bass and hybrids will be up on the shore. Fish are in a feeding frenzy and super easy to catch. It's a blast watching them busting the top of the water. Especially, the hybrids.
Posted By: RedQueen

Re: Lake Somerville - 03/18/20 04:33 PM

Of course I've been using my ultralight! What other way is there? grin Nothing beats landing a big female on it. You'll rarely find me fishing with anything other than UL - I even use them to fish for smacks and specks out at Galveston. My rule is always to go as light as I can for the lures I wanna throw.

Thanks for the tips! I've been jigging with white 1/32nd oz crappie jig heads with 2 - 2.5 in grubs, haven't tried marabou jigs yet though. I probably just need to get more accurate/patient with them. Seems like half my time spent jig fishing the past two days was dealing with weeds and hangups.

Fishing the Yegua is NOTHING like where I usually fish the spawn, over on the Pedernales. Almost everything is eminently wadeable with very little tree cover, so I really never lose lures, and the riffle-run-pool pattern makes finding fish predictable. It's more challenging here, to say the least. But on the other hand, the fish (males at least) are bigger. I can definitely see how flies would be more effective in these conditions but I'm afraid I don't yet have the skill level to cast in such tight quarters.

Where would you suggest fishing the shad spawn on the main lake, and what are your suggestions on lures?

edit: just read @Yakker newbie's post, like him I've noticed most success coming out of the shallow running water areas too. How do y'all fish your jigs there? Is there a strategy to avoiding weeds? Cast with or against the current?
Posted By: J-Moe

Re: Lake Somerville - 03/18/20 05:10 PM

The shad spawn just about everywhere. Rocky Creek Park, Yegua creek park, Welsh Park, Big Creek Marina, in front of the dam, etc. When they are biting during the shad spawn you can probably catch them on any type of spinner bait, rooster tail, rattle traps, grubs, etc.

I always try to set myself up to drift downstream. I can let it swing across or into structure such as fell trees. I cast across or downstream depending on where i want the fly to end up.
Posted By: slopez

Re: Lake Somerville - 03/18/20 09:27 PM

J-Moe is right on the money about the shad spawn. Man it is a lot of fun. A little friendly advice learned from experience, be sure to have a second rod rigged up and ready to go. A lot of things can go wrong during the "frenzy" that would normally not be a big deal. With the action that hot and heavy, steady hands can be hard to attain. I akin it to "buck fever" (at least the first few times). Once they move off shore, I like to chase them on my kayak. Doesn't take long to fill up a stringer. Just be sure not to bag any undersized hybrids.
Posted By: TXfisherman12

Re: Lake Somerville - 03/20/20 03:15 AM

Originally Posted by RedQueen
First time poster, long time lurker. Went out to Newman's bottom for the first time yesterday afternoon and then again this morning for a couple hours. Just 12 WB total (and $10+ in lost lures!), only 3 females, egg sacs still full. Fished upstream both times, throwing mainly a 1/8th oz jerkbait, 1/16th oz white spinnerbait (until it got hung up), and a 1/24th oz orange crankbait. Yesterday saw a couple stringers with 5+ fish. Today saw some guy with his grandson just slaying them on what looked like spoons, they had at least 20 fish between the two of them. Other than that, didn't see more than 2-3 per stringer and nothing of size.

Is this just a temporary dampening or is it all downhill from here on out? Also, are there fish to be had at Irwin Bridge? Is there more open water there? On another note, I've been trying to get them on the white/chartreuse grubs that everyone seems to be using, but haven't had much success at all with them (besides a few ambitious bluegill). On top of that, it slows me down having to strip weeds off the grub every other cast. What am I doing wrong? Should I be bouncing it along the bottom or swimming it over the weed beds?


Just my 2 cents: I am assuming that one of your questions is about fishing the classic curly tail grub and jig head. If so I recently published an article in Fur Fish & Game magazine on catching white bass by this specific method. If you are interested I can send you a copy - just let me know by IM. Without going into too much detail it is crucial in my experience to match the correct grub size with jig head weight. A 2 inch grub from different manufacturers will not all swim the same way if used on the same size/weight jig head. On the Yegua I have had success with multiple species (including white bass) using a bulky 2 inch grub with 1/16 oz jig head. The best presentation seems to be keeping the grub close enough to the bottom but avoiding snags. It can be done with practice but you still will lose some jig heads. From reading the posts it seems that the sandies are a little tougher to catch this year than in the past so going more finesse style would probably be best. I use monofilament line but fluorocarbon makes more sense in these conditions. A grub cast downstream and reeled upstream will catch fish even in shallow runs, although in the moving water I prefer something with a little more flash. Good luck!
Posted By: Boudreaux

Re: Lake Somerville - 03/20/20 06:05 AM

Fished this afternoon up yegua. Didn't see any bank fishers out below NB. No crappie bites at all today. Ended up with 9, a mix of fat cats and whites all on live minnows. Water temps 75 near NB.
Posted By: J-Moe

Re: Lake Somerville - 03/21/20 03:14 AM

NOTE: They have closed the pay station at Newman Bottom. You have to go online to https://texasstateparks.reserveamerica.com/

I went out to Newman Bottom and fished from 4 to 6:30 this evening. There was lots of spawning going on and the bite is still steady. I caught 25 white bass. I also got broke off by three hybrids bang

The water level is holding but has gotten more dirty. The fishing should still be good this weekend and with the additional water it may continue to stay steady for another week or so. Let's hope.

Good luck
Posted By: Yakker newbie

Re: Lake Somerville - 03/21/20 04:37 AM


[quote=J-Moe]NOTE: They have closed the pay station at Newman Bottom. You have to go online to https://texasstateparks.reserveamerica.com/

Thanks for the notice, We just had our first white bass fish fry tonight and now my sisters want to try catching some. We will give it a go on Sunday morning. Hope to see some good reports for this weekend, good luck.
Posted By: 24x7Fisherman

Re: Lake Somerville - 03/21/20 02:49 PM

J Moe, how can you do it with a state pass? I could not do it, no option for the pass, only credit or gift card available.

Originally Posted by J-Moe
NOTE: They have closed the pay station at Newman Bottom. You have to go online to https://texasstateparks.reserveamerica.com/
Posted By: J-Moe

Re: Lake Somerville - 03/21/20 04:25 PM

Well, I should have been more patient when I said the rise in water didn't help. It definitely has. The fishing was excellent this morning. It is flowing and off color which makes them much easier to catch with spinning gear. Just about everybody had 10 or 12 on their stringer.

Cedar creek is also flowing. I tried it around the bridge this morning but had no luck. I'll be patient this time and see if the fish show up.

Surprisingly, there was not additional flow in Nails.

This is the weekend to get those limits. Good luck
Posted By: 24x7Fisherman

Re: Lake Somerville - 03/22/20 05:04 AM

I called the birch creek unit today, they told me I can still use the envelope, just slide it under the door at the head quarter office
Posted By: Trav281

Re: Lake Somerville - 03/22/20 08:58 AM

Originally Posted by J-Moe
NOTE: They have closed the pay station at Newman Bottom. You have to go online to https://texasstateparks.reserveamerica.com/

I went out to Newman Bottom and fished from 4 to 6:30 this evening. There was lots of spawning going on and the bite is still steady. I caught 25 white bass. I also got broke off by three hybrids bang

The water level is holding but has gotten more dirty. The fishing should still be good this weekend and with the additional water it may continue to stay steady for another week or so. Let's hope.

Good luck


you just select Nails Creek State park I assume and get a pass, correct?
Posted By: J-Moe

Re: Lake Somerville - 03/22/20 10:36 AM

Yes Travis. Although I'm not sure the staff is even checking.
Posted By: J-Moe

Re: Lake Somerville - 03/22/20 11:50 AM

There’s flow in Nails!!!
Posted By: Trav281

Re: Lake Somerville - 03/22/20 02:18 PM

Originally Posted by J-Moe
There’s flow in Nails!!!


I'm about to head towards Somerville from Houston. Does this flow mean there's other places to fish besides NB?
Posted By: JILAS

Re: Lake Somerville - 03/22/20 07:31 PM

Called Nails Creek State Park about Pay Station at Newmans Bottom & Irwin Bridge. TWPD & State Park requesting everyone use "Honor" system to pay online. TWPD & State Park employees/volunteers want to avoid "Coronavirus Contamination" so will not touch envelopes & cash placed in Pay Stations at NB & IB. TWPD & State Park will not issue citation for not displaying day use permit.
Posted By: hook-line&sinker

Re: Lake Somerville - 03/23/20 12:40 AM



Heck of a time to be on the creeks today!
Fly pole was too long!
The whitebass were right at my feet!
I had to back off up the bank so I could get the fly in the right place..
These unique conditions only occur every once in a while..
It's late into the whitebass run and a good flush of fresh rainwater raises the creeks real good.
The whitebass will come up from the lake into every creek that is running good.
For the next week the spawn will be full on anywhere there is moving water.
Look for the whitebass to show up in Nails, Cedar, Birch and more up to Newman Bottom on the Yegua.
Think of this as a spawning encore Mother Nature has given us and the fish.
It really helps ensure the success of the spawn overall.
The Yegua is big enough to hold whitebass a little longer than all the other smaller creeks so don't delay fishing them if you can.
These are also the type of conditions that the hybrids will come up the creeks too but only for a very short time.

Posted By: J-Moe

Re: Lake Somerville - 03/23/20 02:22 AM

Quit an interesting day for me. First, I checked on Cedar and Nails. I fished around the bridge at each for a few minutes with no luck. They were extremely muddy and flowing hard. I was surprised that there weren't a bunch of people at Nails fishing for catfish. As those creeks calm down and clear a bit I'll give them another try.

I went to Newman Bottom. The water had muddied up even worse and I knew it would be very difficult to catch fish with the fly rod. The people with spinning rods were doing just fine though. I fished my way upstream stopping at 3 or 4 spots but only caught 1. I tried several different sizes, weights and colors of flies with no luck. So I went back to my truck and got some coyote flies (clouser with colorado blade). I was getting desperate. I caught only 1 more though. Finally, I went to a size 8 chartreuse/white bead chain clouser and started catching fish. I caught 12 before I lost it. Unfortunately, It was my only one bang I tried a couple more colors but only caught 2 more.

Even though I ended the day with only 16, I considered it a huge win. I've always been afraid to fly fish in muddy water because of everything I read and hear people say. Even in this condition, the fly size, drift, presentation were all the same. Just a simple change in color was all that was needed to improve the catch rate. It's still unlikely I could outfish a good spinning rod fisherman on a day like today, but at least I've built some confidence and can continue to improve going forward.
Posted By: Yakker newbie

Re: Lake Somerville - 03/23/20 05:35 AM

What a rewarding day on the Yegua, I got to bring my mom and sisters and see them catch their first ever fish on lures. I caught 2 real quick before I spent from 8-10am taking fish off their jigs and stringing them up. They had 32 strung up before they were ready for a break. They caught all of theirs within the first 100 yards to the left of the bridge. I then went down below the bridge and drifted a jig down between 2 logs and pulled out my first ever limit all in the same spot in about 1 hours time. I got to meet and chat a bit with YouTubers Master Fisherman and Texas Redbeard today and also the fish slayer J-Moe. I tried experimenting with different jigs today, but the key seemed to be the lightest jig I could throw and a slow retrieve. Half the fish I caught just barely picked it up and turned with it. Back to work this week, good luck out there.

Side note: a heads up to any women like my family found out today, the Bo-John has been removed from Newman's Bottom so there is no privacy anymore.
Posted By: J-Moe

Re: Lake Somerville - 03/23/20 11:38 AM

Great meeting you Yakker Newbie!! Great day for you and the family. I'm sure they had a blast catching those hard fighters. Congrats on the limit thumb
Posted By: EllerTroy

Re: Lake Somerville - 03/24/20 09:33 PM

A buddy and I decided to hit Newman’s Bottom this morning before we get locked down here in Austin. The Yegua was running strong and muddy, so we decided to run over to Nails Creek. Nails Creek looked great and dodo not disappointed. Ben was right in his video about it should be good. Need up catching 45 before my buddy slipped and twisted his knee and we left. I probably could have caught 70 or so but i called my buddy over to fish my hole and I would walk around a little and go back and catch 4 or 5 and leave my buddy there. My buddy just could not get them to bite fore himself. Caught all fish on a Eller Special (1/32 blue buck tail). This was my first limit at Nails Creek. So with this lock down in place, my white bass season is over.
Posted By: Trav281

Re: Lake Somerville - 03/25/20 12:59 AM

ended up catching 8 on small jigs between 4 to 6 pm last sunday...i'll take it. There were a ton of people out there and i couldn't hit the spots i hit the previous time. Also the water was way higher/muddier and flowing way stronger so i had to adjust.
Posted By: hook-line&sinker

Re: Lake Somerville - 03/25/20 03:18 AM

Well I made the 9PM deadline to shelter in place..but not before one last shot at those creek critters with J-Moe!
As usual I got outfished in numbers but I did land the big fish of the day and got J-Moe on video fighting a bigger one four full minutes!

[Linked Image]
Posted By: J-Moe

Re: Lake Somerville - 03/25/20 11:17 AM

Originally Posted by hook-line&sinker
As usual I got outfished in numbers but I did land the big fish of the day and got J-Moe on video fighting a bigger one four full minutes!


Ugh, rub salt in the wound grin Fought that big hybrid for 4 minutes. Finally get him to bank and try to lip him. He shakes his head, breaks the line and the tears are still falling roflmao
Posted By: J-Moe

Re: Lake Somerville - 03/25/20 11:20 AM

The lake is 1/2 foot above normal. The COE opened the gates to 356. I doubt that's wide enough to dump a bunch of fish into the spillway but if there are any whites or hybrids that survived in the creek they will come rushing upstream. I don't hold a lot of hope but you never know.
Posted By: EllerTroy

Re: Lake Somerville - 03/25/20 02:07 PM

I wonder if I can convince officials that a trip white bass fishing is like going to the grocery store. There was no hybrids at Nails yesterday. Bet that fun J-Moe and Ben.
Posted By: Del Magic

Re: Lake Somerville - 03/25/20 02:24 PM

Is Newman still open? I know you have to pay online, but I was wondering if the gate was still open.
Posted By: J-Moe

Re: Lake Somerville - 03/25/20 03:24 PM

Originally Posted by EllerTroy
I wonder if I can convince officials that a trip white bass fishing is like going to the grocery store. There was no hybrids at Nails yesterday. Bet that fun J-Moe and Ben.

I can tell you we love it so much we walk miles in the heat and high grass to get to them. I lost 3 lbs. this week grin Good thing is we can catch some during the shad spawn on the main lake too. You will have to join us one day.

Thanks for the report. I can't wait to check it out for myself.
Posted By: hook-line&sinker

Re: Lake Somerville - 03/25/20 04:28 PM

Posted By: Bones72

Re: Lake Somerville - 03/25/20 04:47 PM

Not sure which I enjoyed more, all the fish, the shots of the bluebonnets at the end or the comedy at 23:18. I have been there with biggun fish before too and its almost always a gut wrencher.
Posted By: J-Moe

Re: Lake Somerville - 03/25/20 06:29 PM

I didn't find it funny at all mad After 4 minutes you think he would have been tired, I know I was grin I've caught plenty enough to know how to grab them, so it was closer to stupidity than comedy roflmao
Posted By: Bones72

Re: Lake Somerville - 03/26/20 10:40 AM

I had one that size or a smidge bigger on a little glass eagle claw ultra light and 4lb test at a crappie dock on Belton lake years ago. Played that fish for about twenty minutes getting him unwrapped from all kinds of stuff and when I went to net him the net bumped the line and snapped. Trust me I know the feeling. At least it was a Hybrid and not a double digit wild rainbow.
Posted By: J-Moe

Re: Lake Somerville - 03/26/20 11:40 AM

grin I hear you. The one that got away. We all have stories about that one, don't we. It seems like every water body I fish for a second time; the first thing I think of when I get there is the one that got away. So far, I've not caught him a second time roflmao

I caught a Rio 2 years ago that would have been a state fly record for sure. I always keep a minnow bucket and aerator on my kayak to keep the fish alive. I went to put him in the minnow bucket and he was too big to fit through the lid. He jumped out of my hands and back into the water bang bang bang
Posted By: DeetsnGus

Re: Lake Somerville - 03/26/20 03:52 PM

Anyone get out there yesterday? I am planning on hitting Newmans bottom tonight.
Posted By: hook-line&sinker

Re: Lake Somerville - 03/26/20 06:06 PM

Originally Posted by DeetsnGus
Anyone get out there yesterday? I am planning on hitting Newmans bottom tonight.


Boy does that sound dirty!
Posted By: hook-line&sinker

Re: Lake Somerville - 03/26/20 07:15 PM

6 years ago..
Posted By: Trav281

Re: Lake Somerville - 03/26/20 08:19 PM

Are they still biting at Newman's bottom?
Posted By: DeetsnGus

Re: Lake Somerville - 03/26/20 10:03 PM

😂
Posted By: EllerTroy

Re: Lake Somerville - 03/26/20 10:46 PM

Hopefully we get some rain on Monday to be more water into Nails Creek. If so I my have to go there Tuesday or Wednesday for my out door workout.
Posted By: J-Moe

Re: Lake Somerville - 03/27/20 04:25 PM

Second time is a charm. Even though I hooked it on a crappie / bluegill fly with a weaker hook and it got wrapped around a tree branch I still managed to actually land my buddy this time. I also caught a half pound bluegill and Ben caught a 5 lb. catfish. But the white bass left the creek and headed back to the lake.

The hybrid officially weighed 5.81 lbs.

[Linked Image]

[Linked Image]
Posted By: hook-line&sinker

Re: Lake Somerville - 03/27/20 04:27 PM

I knew this couldn't last long.. For all of those that are wondering this is Jerdelle creek off of FM1948..
Rain on Friday, Saturday & Sunday last week pushed the creek up enough to get the whitebass and hybrids up into it but when the creek returned to normal the fish left in a hurry..
So by Thursday only a few stragglers were left wondering where the party went!

Posted By: hook-line&sinker

Re: Lake Somerville - 03/27/20 07:32 PM

Still want to go where we do? Jerdelle Creek off of FM1948 1/2 mile upstream through the tall grass and swamp..

Posted By: Boudreaux

Re: Lake Somerville - 03/27/20 07:42 PM

I went out Wed afternoon with a client. We ran up Yegua, brought home 12. Water temp was 73, muddy conditions, trash, and a good flow
Posted By: CSSource39

Re: Lake Somerville - 03/27/20 09:48 PM

When/where do the shad start spawning on the banks?
Posted By: J-Moe

Re: Lake Somerville - 03/28/20 01:37 AM

Originally Posted by CSSource39
When/where do the shad start spawning on the banks?


From the report I got yesterday they have already started. A couple guys fished out in front of the dam and caught 6 hybrids and 20 white bass. They've been lined up along the dam for the last couple of weeks.
Posted By: CSSource39

Re: Lake Somerville - 03/29/20 03:08 PM

I'll definitely have to check that out
Posted By: Trav281

Re: Lake Somerville - 03/29/20 05:29 PM

I went to Welch Park last Sunday and threw the cast net just to see if shad were there and every cast I caught tons of shad. It's bank fishing time boys on the main lake. It was so windy though I didn't fish long and headed to NB and caught one catfish lol... Saw a few stringers... I think Jmoe is correct and they are back in the main lake. May try again today. Thanks for the heads up Jmoe and holy cow that's a nice hybrid!
Posted By: J-Moe

Re: Lake Somerville - 03/30/20 12:35 PM

Thanks Travis

I went out to the main lake on Sunday morning. It was a cooler night and the shad had moved deeper. They should start to move shallow in greater numbers with each warm night that passes.

Since the shad are further out then of course, so are the hybrids and white bass at this point. The fisherman that have been most successful are using casting rods, popping corks and live shad. They are wading out and casting.

I can't wait to wade out among them and see those hybrids blowing up the surface of the water. And chase them around in my kayak every once in a while too.
Posted By: Trav281

Re: Lake Somerville - 04/05/20 03:09 PM

According to my boss from work, all the parks are closed except overlook. He went out last weekend and slayed them from a spot in big creek wading... So the shad are definitely spawning. Now with this rain and cold front, I'm not sure what they are doing... Either way I'm about to head to somerville from Houston just to get some lines wet and enjoy the scenery.
Posted By: J-Moe

Re: Lake Somerville - 04/05/20 09:29 PM

I went out to the dam and Welch park this morning. With the cooler temperatures the shad were not shallow. I talked to a couple of people. They said the shad were shallow and they had caught lots of white bass on Friday.

I went out to the island on Welch. There were 4 guys that had spaced out about 10 rods each. They had the entire island covered. With all these parks being closed there is a limited amount of bank space available. Very frustrating situation.
Posted By: DeetsnGus

Re: Lake Somerville - 04/07/20 03:46 AM

Since the parks are closed does that mean the parking access is blocked off as well?
Posted By: J-Moe

Re: Lake Somerville - 04/09/20 01:36 AM

I fished the main lake this evening hoping to catch some white bass and hybrids. I only caught one white bass and one small hybrid. I got broke off by another hybrid. They just never showed. Some shad around, but not in large numbers. I haven't gotten to go out in the morning to check it out yet.

The 8 to 12 inch largemouth bass were stacked up. I caught 31 of those while trying to catch hybrids. They couldn't resist the magical clouser either grin
Posted By: CSSource39

Re: Lake Somerville - 04/09/20 06:56 PM

Where in the main lake is still accessible?
Posted By: J-Moe

Re: Lake Somerville - 04/09/20 07:30 PM

Lake Somerville Marina, Dam parking lot, Welch park, Apache hills ramp, Big Creek marina, and Birch Forest ramp
Posted By: slopez

Re: Lake Somerville - 04/09/20 08:06 PM

They weren't at the island at Welch either. My daughter and I were on kayaks yesterday afternoon without much luck. A couple of very small schools showed up with about 15min of daylight left, and those were 100 yds off the bank and very short lived. At least my little girl got to catch one.
Non state parks are open, but are day to day. Call ahead.
Posted By: CSSource39

Re: Lake Somerville - 04/10/20 12:51 PM

Gotcha
Do the shad spawn for very long in somerville?
With all this rain and random cold fronts slowing up during my free time I feel like I may not get to hit this on time lol
Posted By: J-Moe

Re: Lake Somerville - 04/10/20 07:27 PM

The shad spawn usually lasts until at least middle of May.
Posted By: Trav281

Re: Lake Somerville - 04/11/20 03:24 PM

I ended up going to big creek yesterday and fishing midday, caught one small catfish, one small black bass, and one GIANT hybrid... Think I found my old spot. But I had to leave at 4pm so I only fished midday. The hybrid weighed a tad under 5lbs... It was an amazing fight. Will post a Pic later
Posted By: J-Moe

Re: Lake Somerville - 04/11/20 05:18 PM

Congrats on the Hybrid Travis thumb
Posted By: Trav281

Re: Lake Somerville - 04/11/20 05:32 PM

My boss has been getting way luckier than I have with the weather cooperation I guess he caught 75 this morning with a group of about 4 people... He's the luckiest sob
Posted By: Trav281

Re: Lake Somerville - 04/11/20 05:35 PM

Originally Posted by J-Moe
Congrats on the Hybrid Travis thumb


Thanks brother I'm sure that's nothing compared to what y'all catch but I'll take it. The 8lb largemouth bass I caught in February made my year already. The rest is bonus
Posted By: J-Moe

Re: Lake Somerville - 04/11/20 05:36 PM

Finally, I saw some shad actually spawning on the bank this morning. banana

I got a late start and drove over the dam about sunrise this morning. The people were lined up on the main lake everywhere along the dam and on around Welch park.

I decided to go find my own stretch of bank. Surprisingly it was wasn't too hard. The first spot I stopped at I caught a couple white bass and a catfish. I worked my way up the bank about a 1/4 mile. I stopped at 4 spots and caught a few more white bass in 2 of the 4 spots. Even though it was after sunrise, it was cloudy so I saw several small groups of shad spawning on the bank. It was plenty enough for me to know it's time to put on the waders and get out there early in the morning.

There is a cool front predicted for Monday through Wednesday of next week but then it's expected to really start warming.

On the way back to my truck I was seeing lots of carp so I put on a carp fly and starting fishing for them. I ended up catching 3 beautiful orange common carp in that 22 to 24 inch / 5 o 6 lb. range. That is always an awesome experience and great fight. Unfortunately, my phone is in one of the creeks and I won't get a replacement until end of next week so I didn't get any pictures.
Posted By: Trav281

Re: Lake Somerville - 04/11/20 05:39 PM

Btw they were wading out somewhere at big creek with the wind blowing on the banks there, just like yesterday... But warmer water and morning is key. The spot he told me last week was not accessible due to a huge party of campers... Not sure what part of big creek he was at today. Maybe I'll try to get up early and go tomorrow morning
Posted By: Trav281

Re: Lake Somerville - 04/11/20 05:49 PM

Congrats on the catches J-Moe! Thanks for the info
Posted By: J-Moe

Re: Lake Somerville - 04/12/20 03:01 PM

Great Morning on the Lake banana

I did some more exploring this morning. I had fished a couple of spots and caught 4. There were no shad real tight to the bank. As I was walking I saw some surfacing activity.

I waded out and started catching fish. I followed the school a short ways and kept catching. I then located a spot that the white bass were stacked up. I started catching them on every cast. It was like there were 2 separate schools of white bass. Even though I kept catching them in one spot another group of fish would surface periodically chasing shad. They would surface in front of me and to my right periodically.

They were surfacing within about 10 yards of me at times. That always makes for a memorable morning.

I left them biting on every cast at 9 AM.
Posted By: TTF

Re: Lake Somerville - 04/16/20 12:20 AM

Is the boat ramp on Lake drive private or can you launch boat or fish from bank
Posted By: jcovey

Re: Lake Somerville - 04/17/20 01:10 AM

I've seen Big Creek mentioned a few times in this thread. Is the ramp there open?
Posted By: 24x7Fisherman

Re: Lake Somerville - 04/17/20 01:51 PM

Yes It’s open


Originally Posted by jcovey
I've seen Big Creek mentioned a few times in this thread. Is the ramp there open?
Posted By: catchnrelease

Re: Lake Somerville - 04/20/20 04:52 PM

I have a quick question for the local lake experts.

Bank fishing on lake Somerville for whites hybrids / catfish... catching shad too.

Which park is a better chance to catch?

I have been only to Newman Bottom, but never at one of the parks on the lake fishing on the bank. I have a boat but prefer the bank at this time. I’d appreciate any advice.

Tight lines!
Posted By: J-Moe

Re: Lake Somerville - 04/20/20 05:44 PM

There will be more shad and more predator fish on the windblown side of the lake in the morning. But when they are in full spawn you can find them just about everywhere.

Welch is a great spot but the island is covered with fisherman with 8 or 10 poles each. If you want a spot you might get one if you arrive by 4:30 AM grin In front of the dam is also good but same issue. Rocky and Yegua parks are great but they've been closed. Big Creek is another alternative.
Posted By: catchnrelease

Re: Lake Somerville - 04/21/20 07:59 PM

Originally Posted by J-Moe
There will be more shad and more predator fish on the windblown side of the lake in the morning. But when they are in full spawn you can find them just about everywhere.

Welch is a great spot but the island is covered with fisherman with 8 or 10 poles each. If you want a spot you might get one if you arrive by 4:30 AM grin In front of the dam is also good but same issue. Rocky and Yegua parks are great but they've been closed. Big Creek is another alternative.


Thank you Mr. J-Moe. I'm way past getting somewhere at 0500am to get a spot. I like to fish casual. LOL. In reality, My wife won't get up that early. We may try Big Creek or Birch Creek. I'm guessing the shad are there early and don't stay too late in the day. I wonder if minnows work?

tight lines.
Posted By: greenyak

Re: Lake Somerville - 04/26/20 01:38 AM

Posted By: Jacob_Breaux

Re: Lake Somerville - 04/26/20 03:56 AM



Not as fast and furious as we've seen it in years past, but hopefully it keeps getting better from here!
Posted By: J-Moe

Re: Lake Somerville - 04/27/20 08:00 PM

Enjoyed the videos Jacob and Sam thumb

Ben and I wade fished on Friday morning. We caught them on almost every cast for about an hour. The first time I went a couple weeks aga I saw thousands of shad spawning, Friday there were millions of them. I bet there will be trillions of them spawning this weekend grin
Posted By: Trav281

Re: Lake Somerville - 04/27/20 08:23 PM

Camped out last Friday night and hit them early in the morning.... Caught about 17 whites in the first hour as the sun was coming up... It was an insane feeding frenzy and I've never seen so many shad.... One fish I filleted had 9 shad in it's belly.... I literally didn't need a net I just did a swipe in the water with my arm and got about 30 lol. I was surrounded by boats who beached on the bank too. One a-hole beached 10 ft from where I was standing and he came from across the lake when it was still dark so I moved down to the next point. I cannot believe the etiquette of some people man. I was the only one in the area at the moment with a head lamp so he saw me... I had just went back to the bait bucket when he came hauling [censored] in and parked right where I was standing on the point... I walked 3/4 of a mile and that happened. I almost lost all hope I was so mad. If it wasn't two of them I would've probably tried to drown the guy... All in all it was a great day, only caught two after 8:30am or so. Most caught within first hour of sun up. Also... I need to learn not to carry so much stuff.. Especially when you gotta carry all those fish back. It was about 3/4 of a mile walk and oh man I was exhausted. All night I could see Welch lit up with partiers and was glad to not even attempt to go there. I come out here to get away from people to be honest so it's tough to enjoy but it is what it is.





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Posted By: Trav281

Re: Lake Somerville - 04/27/20 09:42 PM

Here is the big hybrid I landed a couple weeks ago... Middle of afternoon and strong wind, just got lucky... Oh and BTW from what I've learned from camping out last Friday.... The humongous shad you catch at night mostly aren't really what you want to use for the whites... In the morning the smaller shad come up and that's definitely what you want to use. Some of those big shad can't even fit in their mouths. If you are fishing the bank at night... Wear a headlamp and be on the lookout for snakes and huge spiders they are everywhere.

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Posted By: CSSource39

Re: Lake Somerville - 04/27/20 10:15 PM

Went to welch Sunday in the afternoon to hopefully catch an evening bite. Big mistake lol. I've never seen a park so packed with people. Where are you all going for bank access?
Posted By: Trav281

Re: Lake Somerville - 04/27/20 11:08 PM

lmao yea thank the Corona for that....Been going to big creek man but it's super packed as well. I literally park and walk about 3/4 of a mile to get away from them....but the boats will surround you after that. I damn near passed out carrying all the fish and tackle and net and ect when walking back to the truck it was brutal man. If you're going to walk you have to go light the terrain is rocky or sandy and up and down. The walk out is easy, the walk back will get ya.
Posted By: catchnrelease

Re: Lake Somerville - 04/27/20 11:48 PM

Originally Posted by CSSource39
Went to welch Sunday in the afternoon to hopefully catch an evening bite. Big mistake lol. I've never seen a park so packed with people. Where are you all going for bank access?


I was at Welch Sunday afternoon too. My 1st Time there. Crazy packed. We had a good spot, but no luck. We fished Birch Creek Saturday. My 1st Time there too. I caught 2. Game warden came and reminded us to leave the park at 5pm. First time to leave a fishing spot that early. I’ll be back somewhere on Somerville soon. Already Tried Big Creek. Gonna try Rocky Creek Park next? I gotta figure this place out.

Still trying to learn J-Moe’s secret banking spots.

Tight Lines!
Posted By: ETXboy

Re: Lake Somerville - 04/28/20 06:48 PM

New to the forum and the area. Heard this was the place to find out about the whites at Somerville. I am looking for a little friendly guidance on making a kayak outing with my son. Suggestions on where to put in, areas to fish, and any other tips you might be willing to share. I've read back through several pages on this thread. Hate we missed the run. Thanks in advance for anyone willing to share!
Posted By: J-Moe

Re: Lake Somerville - 04/28/20 07:26 PM

Originally Posted by ETXboy
New to the forum and the area. Heard this was the place to find out about the whites at Somerville. I am looking for a little friendly guidance on making a kayak outing with my son. Suggestions on where to put in, areas to fish, and any other tips you might be willing to share. I've read back through several pages on this thread. Hate we missed the run. Thanks in advance for anyone willing to share!


You can put in at Welch and either fish in front of the dam or out on the point of the island. The area around the bouyies off the island is usually very good too.
Posted By: ETXboy

Re: Lake Somerville - 04/29/20 02:20 AM

J-Moe, thanks for the advice. We'll give it a shot this weekend!
Posted By: J-Moe

Re: Lake Somerville - 04/29/20 02:56 AM

Originally Posted by catchnrelease
[quote=CSSource39]Gonna try Rocky Creek Park next? I gotta figure this place out.

Still trying to learn J-Moe’s secret banking spots.


Rocky Creek Park and Yegua Creek Park are closed until May 15th

I don't have any secret spots, the Fishtales dude gives them all away grin
Posted By: hook-line&sinker

Re: Lake Somerville - 04/29/20 03:35 AM

It ain't no secret.. But I showed J-Moe most every spot on Somerville I fish in the first place wink
I will tell you all the world was upside down this evening..
The elite angler watched in amazement while this guy caught fish left and right.. banana
Posted By: catchnrelease

Re: Lake Somerville - 04/29/20 09:35 PM

LOL! Glad to hear someone is catching. I’m going to have to watch the fishtale videos a little closer for hints of your fishing techniques.

You guys are awesome!

Tight lines!
Posted By: J-Moe

Re: Lake Somerville - 05/01/20 03:52 PM

The Fishtales Dude and I hit the lake early this morning. The 15 inch hybrids were there early, then the white bass showed up in force. Surfacing everywhere. Not every cast, but sure close to it. Lots of big white bass. The next 2 weeks should be the peak period. And we get to fish alone in our Super Secret Spot

peep
Posted By: LingTX

Re: Lake Somerville - 05/01/20 06:29 PM

J-Moe, thank you very much for the report and sharing! That's very exciting!

What kind of lures do you use? Will jig head+curly tail work? How about roadrunner or roaster tail? How heavy lure do you use? How far away do you cast? Best regards

Originally Posted by J-Moe
The Fishtales Dude and I hit the lake early this morning. The 15 inch hybrids were there early, then the white bass showed up in force. Surfacing everywhere. Not every cast, but sure close to it. Lots of big white bass. The next 2 weeks should be the peak period. And we get to fish alone in our Super Secret Spot

peep
Posted By: J-Moe

Re: Lake Somerville - 05/01/20 10:41 PM

Originally Posted by LingTX
J-Moe, thank you very much for the report and sharing! That's very exciting!

What kind of lures do you use? Will jig head+curly tail work? How about roadrunner or roaster tail? How heavy lure do you use? How far away do you cast? Best regards


The white bass will chase the shad early in the morning. They push them right up to the bank. I use a fly rod. Curly tail jigs, rooster tails, etc. will all work. The fish are in a feeding frenzy so they hit about anything. Use as light as you can comfortably throw as the fish are shallow or near the surface in these conditions. As the morning progresses and the sun comes up the fish will move deeper and you'll have to throw farther until they go really deep and disappear.
Posted By: Trav281

Re: Lake Somerville - 05/02/20 02:37 AM

Originally Posted by J-Moe
Originally Posted by LingTX
J-Moe, thank you very much for the report and sharing! That's very exciting!

What kind of lures do you use? Will jig head+curly tail work? How about roadrunner or roaster tail? How heavy lure do you use? How far away do you cast? Best regards


The white bass will chase the shad early in the morning. They push them right up to the bank. I use a fly rod. Curly tail jigs, rooster tails, etc. will all work. The fish are in a feeding frenzy so they hit about anything. Use as light as you can comfortably throw as the fish are shallow or near the surface in these conditions. As the morning progresses and the sun comes up the fish will move deeper and you'll have to throw farther until they go really deep and disappear.



Jmoe is exactly right from what I've witnessed. I'll be out there in the morning.
Posted By: hook-line&sinker

Re: Lake Somerville - 05/02/20 02:57 AM

This time of year it is really hit or miss no matter where you go on the lake. The whitebass chase the shad wherever they go and they don't stay very long.. For me it is a two hour investment in drive time just for what might be 45 minutes of intense fishing or more likely lots of nothing.
Posted By: LingTX

Re: Lake Somerville - 05/03/20 01:22 AM

Originally Posted by J-Moe
The white bass will chase the shad early in the morning. They push them right up to the bank. I use a fly rod. Curly tail jigs, rooster tails, etc. will all work. The fish are in a feeding frenzy so they hit about anything. Use as light as you can comfortably throw as the fish are shallow or near the surface in these conditions. As the morning progresses and the sun comes up the fish will move deeper and you'll have to throw farther until they go really deep and disappear.


J-Moe, thank you very much for your advices! I tried it this morning along the dam. There are many people and its not easy to find a spot. From 6 to 8, I caught several small male fish and it was fun.
Posted By: Trav281

Re: Lake Somerville - 05/03/20 03:18 PM

I tore them up sat. morning from the bank....wading not even necessary...there was even some schooling going on at one point. I started throwing a small swimbait after that and left them while they were still biting. I will post more later when i have time.
Posted By: J-Moe

Re: Lake Somerville - 05/03/20 03:37 PM

I drove over the dam this morning around 7:30 AM. The spillway parking lot had more cars in it than I have ever seen. Every spot in area was taken and they had started a second row in the center of the parking lot. There were people lined up from the spillway area all the way through Welch park. Lots of boats stacked up in certain areas.
Posted By: RedQueen

Re: Lake Somerville - 05/04/20 03:36 AM

Haven't been able to come out since the spawn because of school, but sounds like I'm not missing too much. I can't imagine fishing in such crowded conditions. They should probably implement some sort of capacity or temporarily decrease the limits. The system wasn't designed for this kind of sustained intense harvest. How's evening/night fishing? Any areas that I can fish after dark? Full moon's coming up...
Posted By: PerksOutdoors

Re: Lake Somerville - 05/04/20 01:19 PM

It took me an hour to pick up the boat on sunday..... not going back to Somerville until things calm down. Way too many people out on the weekends.
Posted By: ETXboy

Re: Lake Somerville - 05/04/20 03:12 PM

Originally Posted by J-Moe
Originally Posted by ETXboy
New to the forum and the area. Heard this was the place to find out about the whites at Somerville. I am looking for a little friendly guidance on making a kayak outing with my son. Suggestions on where to put in, areas to fish, and any other tips you might be willing to share. I've read back through several pages on this thread. Hate we missed the run. Thanks in advance for anyone willing to share!


You can put in at Welch and either fish in front of the dam or out on the point of the island. The area around the bouyies off the island is usually very good too.


J-Moe, thanks for the advice. I had two successful outings with my kids Saturday and Sunday morning. Dropped the kayaks in at Welch and fished just off the island inside the buoys like you suggested. We caught them on swim baits right up until about 9 AM both mornings when they shut off. My kids loved it. Thanks again.
Posted By: Boudreaux

Re: Lake Somerville - 05/04/20 05:58 PM

3/8 oz Chrome blue rattle traps or other lipless cranks 2.5" and small will catch them. My go-to is a Rapala Rippin Rap #5 in chrome blue. 2", 5/16 oz. Also any shallow diving square bill in a shad pattern will catch them when they are shallow. I limited last Thurs on the west end of the lake. Traps and slab spoons chasing the schools.
Posted By: J-Moe

Re: Lake Somerville - 05/04/20 07:35 PM

Originally Posted by ETXboy
Originally Posted by J-Moe
Originally Posted by ETXboy
New to the forum and the area. Heard this was the place to find out about the whites at Somerville. I am looking for a little friendly guidance on making a kayak outing with my son. Suggestions on where to put in, areas to fish, and any other tips you might be willing to share. I've read back through several pages on this thread. Hate we missed the run. Thanks in advance for anyone willing to share!


You can put in at Welch and either fish in front of the dam or out on the point of the island. The area around the bouyies off the island is usually very good too.


J-Moe, thanks for the advice. I had two successful outings with my kids Saturday and Sunday morning. Dropped the kayaks in at Welch and fished just off the island inside the buoys like you suggested. We caught them on swim baits right up until about 9 AM both mornings when they shut off. My kids loved it. Thanks again.


That's awesome!!! I bet the kids really enjoyed catching those hard fighters from the Kayak. I bet they caught a few 15 inch hybrids too thumb
Posted By: TXfisherman12

Re: Lake Somerville - 05/05/20 11:30 PM

Today was more miss than hit for me. Got to WP at 6:30 am this morning and the good spots were basically all taken. I was able to finally find a spot and It became apparent that the typical feeding frenzies were not on. Was able though to catch my first white bass on the fly rod and handful of other small whites. Most other fish I saw caught were small as well. Later In the morning I was driving out and happened to glance down at the water and saw a massive feeding frenzy ongoing in the lake near the bank. I hurried down to the bank and waded out as well as a couple of other guys who drove by after me. I ended up catching a handful of feisty keepers. The frenzy stopped and so did my white bass catching for the day.
Posted By: J-Moe

Re: Lake Somerville - 05/06/20 12:14 AM

Sounds like great fun!!! Sometimes the white bass will push the shad all the way to the back of that cove at Welch. You can wade out and even though they might not be surfacing they're usually still within a short distance from you. Out on the points they can disappear quickly.

Too bad Rocky and Yegua parks are still closed. I bet they were all around those points and coves this morning.
Posted By: bigreave

Re: Lake Somerville - 05/06/20 02:19 AM

Hit one of my normal spots this morning. I got a late start , I haven't been since Good Friday due to crowding. I worked real hard to get 10 keepers on white/chartreuse half and half . Threw back probably 30 undersized whites ,hybrids and a 22 inch carp. Lots of boats need to relearn etiquette on how to share the water . I can already see the impact on the fish population , That and people need to pick up there jug lines and trash . I picked up 2 five gallon buckets of trash in a boat only accessible area .
Posted By: TXfisherman12

Re: Lake Somerville - 05/06/20 03:45 PM

Originally Posted by bigreave
Hit one of my normal spots this morning. I got a late start , I haven't been since Good Friday due to crowding. I worked real hard to get 10 keepers on white/chartreuse half and half . Threw back probably 30 undersized whites ,hybrids and a 22 inch carp. Lots of boats need to relearn etiquette on how to share the water . I can already see the impact on the fish population , That and people need to pick up there jug lines and trash . I picked up 2 five gallon buckets of trash in a boat only accessible area .


Yep, bank anglers as well. The amount of trash left behind by fishermen at WP is despicable.
Posted By: Trav281

Re: Lake Somerville - 05/07/20 06:30 PM

Last two weekends I've been I've practically limited out before 9am...but this is at my spot at big creek. It's never been easier to catch them it seems for me. I'm probably going to head there this afternoon and stay the night... This won't last much longer.

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Posted By: CSSource39

Re: Lake Somerville - 05/07/20 06:58 PM

Do you try to get to the tip of that peninsula on big Creek or that giant cove?
Posted By: J-Moe

Re: Lake Somerville - 05/08/20 01:35 PM

Originally Posted by Trav281
Last two weekends I've been I've practically limited out before 9am...but this is at my spot at big creek. It's never been easier to catch them it seems for me. I'm probably going to head there this afternoon and stay the night... This won't last much longer.


It's been a great shad spawn season for you Travis.
Posted By: ETXboy

Re: Lake Somerville - 05/09/20 12:45 AM

Anyone have any thoughts on how this front and north wind will affect the white bass action?
Posted By: Trav281

Re: Lake Somerville - 05/12/20 12:46 AM

Had some crazy schooling action at about 8am this morning.... Every cast you could catch one if you can reach them, but a lot of them were small. @CSSOURCE I fish about 3/4 of a mile down the bank at big creek if you go left of the marina... I'm sure you don't have to go that far but I try to get away from people. Unfortunately I'm always surrounded by boats even though I walk all the way down there. Caught a ton this morning, but threw em back because I don't have any room left in the freezer haha
Posted By: Trav281

Re: Lake Somerville - 05/12/20 12:50 AM

Originally Posted by J-Moe
[quote=Trav281] It's been a great shad spawn season for you Travis.



Yes it has sir! Thankful for it! I got out there too late last weekend but today was on fire! Good luck to all you guys, not sure how much longer this will last.
Posted By: TXfisherman12

Re: Lake Somerville - 05/18/20 02:07 AM

Fished the big creek area this past Friday morning. I got on the water too late (7:00 am) and I could only manage a couple of stragglers. After that it was black bass and sunfish. I heard from another fisherman later in the day that the white bass were boiling around 6:00 am.
Posted By: hook-line&sinker

Re: Lake Somerville - 05/18/20 02:27 AM

J-Moe and I were out there Friday morning too.. fishing was good but not in the numbers I found on Wednesday..
Posted By: Trav281

Re: Lake Somerville - 05/18/20 11:26 PM

you gotta get them on that right weather and right wind....also be there super early....pretty much luck of the draw
Posted By: J-Moe

Re: Lake Somerville - 05/26/20 02:52 PM

From all signs it looks like the shad spawn is just about over. I haven't seen many shad on the shoreline the last couple of trips.

The bluegill are slowly moving shallow. I've been catching a few but the numbers still haven't arrived yet. Only bluegill too. The greenies and long ear have not shown up shallow.
Posted By: Boudreaux

Re: Lake Somerville - 05/28/20 04:01 PM

Those big hybrids fill feed on those bluegill
Posted By: FishermenDesigns

Re: Lake Somerville - 05/29/20 12:57 AM

Can anyone speak on the pattern (months) of the bluegill spawning shallow on Lake Somerville? I'm really interested in their behavior.
Posted By: J-Moe

Re: Lake Somerville - 05/29/20 12:03 PM

Originally Posted by FishermenDesigns
Can anyone speak on the pattern (months) of the bluegill spawning shallow on Lake Somerville? I'm really interested in their behavior.


The bluegill will usually spawn at least a couple times of year. They start moving shallow in late May and at least a portion of them will stay shallow until early November. The best places to find them are around the rock outcroppings on the lake. Somerville has a fairly large population of bluegill but they are small compared to places like Fayette and Conroe. I've caught very few over 0.5 lbs.

Somerville has a decent sized population of long ear sunfish, very few red ear, green sunfish or warmouth. There are no redbreast in Lake Somerville.

Large numbers of bluegill should start showing up shallow in the next couple of weeks. The long ear should start showing up shallow as well.
Posted By: FishermenDesigns

Re: Lake Somerville - 05/29/20 05:24 PM

Awesome information J-Moe! Me being a rookie appreciates the advice!
Posted By: Trav281

Re: Lake Somerville - 06/04/20 07:56 PM

Originally Posted by J-Moe
From all signs it looks like the shad spawn is just about over. I haven't seen many shad on the shoreline the last couple of trips.

The bluegill are slowly moving shallow. I've been catching a few but the numbers still haven't arrived yet. Only bluegill too. The greenies and long ear have not shown up shallow.


Yea the shad spawn seems to be over unfortunately....I'm glad i took advantage of it while it happened. I just wish i could catch some more big hybrids! I only got 1 big hybrid so far this year around 5lbs. Time to get back to largemouth bass fishing. I wish i had a boat!
Posted By: Trav281

Re: Lake Somerville - 06/04/20 08:03 PM

i went last sunday and got there too late (around 7:30am) and there were no smaller shad to be found. I waded out a ways and caught about 10 shad in one throw but they were giant shad....they tend to not eat those.
Posted By: hook-line&sinker

Re: Lake Somerville - 06/11/20 10:17 PM


A break in the usual sticky hot weather spurred on by the tropical depression occurred as the rain pushed east.
The west side of the tropical depression draws air down from the north and sometimes brings a day or two of dry cool air with it.
That was the case for Wednesday and Thursday morning as J-Moe and I took full advantage of all 65 degrees to fish lake Somerville at daybreak.
Posted By: psalty

Re: Lake Somerville - 06/12/20 12:00 AM

Light catchin' some fishin', good fellowship on the water. Beautiful- Thanks
Posted By: J-Moe

Re: Lake Somerville - 06/12/20 05:58 PM

I drove over to Irwin Bridge this week. The water was slightly above normal and stained.

I drove over the CR 125 crossings at Nails Creek and Cedar Creek. The big log jams by the bridges have been removed.
Posted By: greenyak

Re: Lake Somerville - 06/14/20 01:10 AM

Posted By: J-Moe

Re: Lake Somerville - 07/02/20 12:33 AM

I've been fishing along the banks lately. There have been lots of shad in the coves and working near the surface. I finally saw some white bass surfacing this evening. They actually pushed in close enough that I could catch one on the fly rod. I heard a couple of reports that they have been surfacing right before dark.
Posted By: RedQueen

Re: Lake Somerville - 07/02/20 07:30 PM

Any recommendations on wading areas around Somerville? Which of the feeder creeks has the clearest water and best bottom substrate? For that matter, any good catching from the bank?

Also, quick report from the spillway this past Monday: caught (snagged) 2 buffalo ~5 lbs each, many gar, 1 white bass ~13 inches, and about a dozen drum between 8 and 14 inches. Almost all were caught on small rat-tails or grubs <2 inches.
Posted By: hook-line&sinker

Re: Lake Somerville - 07/02/20 07:56 PM

Forget about the creeks.. this time of the year most don't have much (if any) running water and are swampy snake infested cesspools with tall weedy brushy banks.
I wait until November or later to start working the creeks and continue until early April when the majority of the spawning is over.
The only exception is the Yegua by kayak any time of the year when there is water.
Bass fishing (blacks or whites) is tricky for the wade fisher.. here today gone tomorrow, hit or miss but most of the time miss for me now.
Unless you can fish very often you can't learn the summer feeding patterns of these fish.
In years past we have had some luck from the shore wade fishing around Welch park in the early morning and late evenings for whitebass,
same goes for Yegua Creek park, Big Creek and Rocky Creek Park.

Most of the time you just have to be lucky enough to line up with the fish when they are actively feeding close to the shore whether that is early morning or late afternoon/evening.

If you are like most of us your fishing time is very limited and that makes it more difficult to learn where the fish might be feeding at the time you get to go..
Posted By: RedQueen

Re: Lake Somerville - 07/02/20 08:02 PM

Any recommendations for river/creek wading hereabouts then? I'm from Austin so I really miss being able to wade clear, fast water in the summer.

edit: if it helps, I mostly target sunfish.
Posted By: hook-line&sinker

Re: Lake Somerville - 07/02/20 08:08 PM

Maybe J-Moe will chime in.. there really isn't much clear and fast water around here or east of here.. Go west !!
Posted By: RedQueen

Re: Lake Somerville - 07/03/20 07:10 PM

Welp, just got back from the lake. Got there just before 8, left around 12:30. 4 LMB between 14 and 18 inches, 6 or 7 bluegill, and a 14 inch drum, out of standing timber. As I expected, bite pretty much ground to a halt ~10, don't think I caught anything after 11. Might be better in the mornings once full moon subsides. Like J-Moe mentioned, saw lots of shad hitting the surface throughout. Just out of curiosity, is any part of Somerville "slightly stained to clear", as TPWD lists it? That has got to be some sort of practical joke.
Posted By: J-Moe

Re: Lake Somerville - 07/03/20 08:48 PM

RedQueen. There aren't any clear creeks in this area. I go west like Ben said. I fish the San Gabriel, Brushy Creek, and all the creeks west of Austin, and south through San Antonio. As far as lake Somerville, if you want to catch Bluegill, fish around the rock outcroppings or rocky points.
Posted By: RedQueen

Re: Lake Somerville - 07/04/20 12:01 AM

Oh well. Guess I'll be "checking in" on my parents a lot more for the rest of this summer.
Posted By: RedQueen

Re: Lake Somerville - 07/05/20 01:27 AM

By the way, not a point, but does the riprap along the dam hold gills?
Posted By: J-Moe

Re: Lake Somerville - 07/07/20 04:57 PM

I was out walking the banks around 5:00 PM yesterday catching a few bluegill when a good group of white bass started surfacing near the bank. I caught a white bass on my first cast, then a Hybrid on my second. Of course it took a while to land him on the 4 weight rod. By the time I landed him the school had moved off shore. I caught one more white bass and a couple of LMB before leaving.

I was told the white bass have been surfacing around sun up in the morning so I went out this morning to find out. I watched from 6:00 AM to 6:45 AM when I finally say some largemouth bass surfacing near the shore. I waded out and ended up catching 18 largemouth in one spot. I didn't see any white bass surfacing until after 7 AM and they were further out. I had to leave at 7:30 so I'm not sure if the surfacing picked up when I left or not.

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Posted By: FishinAg02

Re: Lake Somerville - 07/10/20 06:13 PM

awesome J-Moe!
Posted By: J-Moe

Re: Lake Somerville - 07/17/20 10:20 PM

The Video dude and I took the kayaks out to the main lake this morning. We fished from 6:15 to 8:00 AM. I was fishing for bluegill with the fly rod and size 10 olive briminator pattern. But, I had another rod ready with a magical clouser if the white bass or lmb started surfacing. Unfortunately, we didn't see any surfacing activity this morning.

It turned out to be a very good day anyway. The bluegill bite was very good and I caught a couple over half pound. The biggest officially weighed 0.76 lbs.

I also caught a surprise on the size 10 briminator. A 19.5 inch / 3.7 lb. largemouth.

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[Linked Image]
Posted By: Bones72

Re: Lake Somerville - 07/19/20 01:05 PM

Good to see a J-Moe fly fishing report.
Posted By: fishytx

Re: Lake Somerville - 07/19/20 05:44 PM

Nice J-Moe
Posted By: J-Moe

Re: Lake Somerville - 07/20/20 05:08 PM

Thanks Bones and Doug

All my reports are fly fishing reports Bones grin I've been catching lots of nice sized fish lately. Bite really shuts down by 8:30 though. I fished the North San Gabriel, Onion creek, San Gabriel further south, Madisonville and Fayette the last couple of weeks and it's been the same story.
Posted By: hook-line&sinker

Re: Lake Somerville - 07/30/20 06:31 PM



Planning to do it again Friday.. hoping for better results from the kayak.
Posted By: jrsac

Re: Lake Somerville - 10/02/20 03:22 PM

Hey everyone. When does the white bass creek run usually start up? I am sure this has been answered before, I just can't search through 284 pages of posts to find it. Thank you!
Posted By: J-Moe

Re: Lake Somerville - 10/04/20 02:29 AM

Originally Posted by jrsac
Hey everyone. When does the white bass creek run usually start up? I am sure this has been answered before, I just can't search through 284 pages of posts to find it. Thank you!


We need some rain first. The lake is 1.5 ft low. They can still get up there but without enough rain it will delay large numbers. If we get some good rains then the males will start showing up in mid December. I can't wait, I've already been tying magical clousers. Rain Dance banana
Posted By: Drakax

Re: Lake Somerville - 10/09/20 06:23 PM

Anyone know the status of the white bass and hybrids out on the main lake? Are they schooling up yet? Or are they still spread out?

Thanks!
Posted By: J-Moe

Re: Lake Somerville - 10/25/20 03:32 PM

Sorry, no white bass yet grin

After years of giving away all my secrets I would ask a favor. Everyone please get out an vote and make sure all their family and friends are voting. Vote RED (Remove Every Democrat). I hope everyone has been paying close attention and educating themselves through Fox, OAN or Newsmax.


Posted By: slopez

Re: Lake Somerville - 10/25/20 05:35 PM

I was wondering the same thing about the white bass.
J-Moe, agree with you 100%. I have taken my daughter (now 8yrs old), since she was 4 with me to vote. I want her to see how important it is that we voice our opinion through out ballots. She seems to enjoy it. Maybe she just likes the 'I Voted' sticker.
Also agree with the video in the sense that this president has been so disrespected by the American ppl. At least respect the office if you don't care for the man himself. My daughter has asked my why I dont watch 'foosball' (football). I told her it was because of the way the players disrespected the National Anthem. I explained to her the history of what the song is about, and what the ppl did that inspired it. That spirit and sacrifice are what this nation was built on, and that should always be honored and respected. One day I will teach her what the fate of all the signers of the Declaration of Independence was, as it was taught to me in my college government class (thank you Mr. Randy Michel). I talk to her about how this is the greatest nation on earth, and and we also have room to improve. Thats why we vote.
Anyway, to quote Forrest Gump, 'That's all I gotta say about that'.
Other than that, I havent been fishing since May. Maybe I'll finally get a chance to go try for some crappie off the ol kayak. Big Creek or Birch Creek. Hopefully we will get some rain to get a good white bass run. Tight Lines, and MAGA.
Posted By: J-Moe

Re: Lake Somerville - 10/26/20 11:25 AM

Vote Republican

If y'all don't I won't be able to share my fish or my spots. If the Democrats are in control I'll need to keep all the fish to prevent my family from starving roflmao
Posted By: Trav281

Re: Lake Somerville - 11/01/20 04:04 PM

Originally Posted by J-Moe
Vote Republican

If y'all don't I won't be able to share my fish or my spots. If the Democrats are in control I'll need to keep all the fish to prevent my family from starving roflmao



I'll go vote for the first time ever if the Legendary J-Moe will go fishing with me!!!! banana
Posted By: Trav281

Re: Lake Somerville - 11/01/20 04:06 PM

I've got into saltwater wading since the white bass run ended and I love it because it's a new challenge. It's just so damn far from Cypress or NW houston to drive to west bay, Galveston. Looking foward to the next white bass run. Hope all of you have been well.
Posted By: J-Moe

Re: Lake Somerville - 11/01/20 05:56 PM

Originally Posted by Trav281
Originally Posted by J-Moe
Vote Republican

If y'all don't I won't be able to share my fish or my spots. If the Democrats are in control I'll need to keep all the fish to prevent my family from starving roflmao



I'll go vote for the first time ever if the Legendary J-Moe will go fishing with me!!!! banana


Make sure your family and friends vote too. Then I'll give you a private guided trip grin
Posted By: Bones72

Re: Lake Somerville - 11/03/20 12:15 PM

Well I went straight R down the ticket when I voted about two weeks ago. I also have 154 "magical clousers" tied up. So are the fish up the creeks yet? I'm not a snob either I'll eat crappie and hybrids too.
Posted By: J-Moe

Re: Lake Somerville - 11/03/20 01:04 PM

We haven't received any rain and the lake is still low. I have a friend that may check it out for crappie today but I don't have much faith he will find any.

Hilarious, 154 "magical clousers" I tied up about 20 and I thought I was doing good grin

I might have to spend the winter fishing up around your area for white bass if we don't get some good rains.
Posted By: Bones72

Re: Lake Somerville - 11/03/20 01:22 PM

We have had some rain but I suspect that most of crappie are still in the main part of the lakes as are the whites just from what I have been seeing from the crappie docks. There have been some real magnum whites under the typical 6 to 8 inchers that show up at night when the lights hit the water. I think the San Gabriel might fish for smaller males starting around Thanksgiving if we get the forecasted rain starting this upcoming weekend. The Lampasas is date dependent in my experience; no matter the weather March 6th is the day of days. Might have to try and figure out the Perdanales or head out towards the "Bend".

[Linked Image]

More in the big box but there are about 90 or so here in my "go" box. I have days where I used just one and then I have had days where two dozen wasn't enough to keep me fishing.
Posted By: Trav281

Re: Lake Somerville - 11/07/20 07:30 PM

Speaking of fly fishing, I found a full intact fly reel/rod while wade fishing saltwater.... Doesn't really make up for the 4rods and reels that were stolen from me. I just need Mr. J-MOE to teach me how to properly use it now.
.
Posted By: Trav281

Re: Lake Somerville - 11/07/20 07:32 PM

Looking foward to when the whites run up NB. Do they happen to school up on the bank in the morning?
Posted By: greenyak

Re: Lake Somerville - 11/07/20 10:09 PM

[Linked Image]
Posted By: greenyak

Re: Lake Somerville - 11/07/20 10:13 PM

Originally Posted by greenyak
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Posted By: BayouFennec

Re: Lake Somerville - 11/08/20 02:39 PM

wow. 2ft low is a lot on Sommerville. we are going to need some rain very soon
Posted By: J-Moe

Re: Lake Somerville - 11/08/20 03:50 PM

Originally Posted by Trav281
Speaking of fly fishing, I found a full intact fly reel/rod while wade fishing saltwater.... Doesn't really make up for the 4rods and reels that were stolen from me. I just need Mr. J-MOE to teach me how to properly use it now.
.


I can teach you how to catch fish with it but have no clue how to actually use one roflmao
Posted By: J-Moe

Re: Lake Somerville - 11/08/20 03:51 PM

Thanks for the pictures Sam. The creeks are in bad shape.
Posted By: greenyak

Re: Lake Somerville - 11/09/20 12:15 AM

Might be another one of them years.
Posted By: TXfisherman12

Re: Lake Somerville - 11/09/20 02:38 AM

I banked fish the creeks this past Tuesday. I tromped through the high weeds and found Nails creek muddy and only caught a few bass. Newman’s bottom is dried up in many places and even walking a ways downstream to find water the fishing was lousy. It still was a beautiful day to be out and about.
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Posted By: Verm

Re: Lake Somerville - 11/14/20 10:14 PM

Hey everyone!

Just bought a kayak and I’ve been taking it out to Somerville with limited luck fishing so far. Usually I launch at Yegua Parks boat ramp and fish around the islands nearby. Been catching small/medium LMB a couple white bass and a hat.

The species I really want to target are crappie, white and hybrid bass.

Can someone give me some tips, locations and lure suggestions for those? When are the best seasons at what areas?

It seems there isn’t a ton of structure on the lake, so I’m having problems finding spots that seem “fishy”. I do have a fish finder, but so far it hasn’t helped much. Feel like I’m randomly getting lucky, but mostly just fishing blind and aimlessly.

Thanks!
Posted By: greenyak

Re: Lake Somerville - 11/26/20 08:16 PM

[Linked Image]
Mouth of the yegua 11/26/2020
Posted By: greenyak

Re: Lake Somerville - 11/27/20 12:54 AM

Posted By: R2Fishing

Re: Lake Somerville - 12/07/20 04:30 PM

Hope all is well with everyone. I was deployed again; this time all of 2020. Were just now getting back and in quarantine phase at Ft Bliss.

Hope you guys didn’t catch all the crappie and hybrids this past year! I’ll be back on the water Feb ‘21 doin what I do..

Catchin feesh!

😁
Posted By: Trav281

Re: Lake Somerville - 12/07/20 05:28 PM

Originally Posted by hoggwild
Hope all is well with everyone. I was deployed again; this time all of 2020. Were just now getting back and in quarantine phase at Ft Bliss.

Hope you guys didn’t catch all the crappie and hybrids this past year! I’ll be back on the water Feb ‘21 doin what I do..

Catchin feesh!

😁



Thank you for your service brother!

How are the creeks looking boys? Hopefully we've began to get a flow of water up them. I'm tired of driving from Hockley to galveston and it's getting too cold to wade (I guess I need to buy some waders). Saltwater has been a blast and I've learned a ton, I love the new challenges it offered for me since I've always been freshwater fishing. I fished almost everyday this year whether it be salt or fresh. I noticed looking back at old posts that the whites will run up the creeks during this time of the year, granted there's enough water. This last spring I seemed to figure it out when it comes to catching the whites and hybrids. I'm not sure what the shad do during the fall transition but I'll figure it out. I work in the alcohol industry and it's been booming since quarantine started so holidays plus covid has me working @n extra day a week (and I'm salary). If anyone has some info on creek status' that would be greatly appreciated.
I just wanna catch some fish so let's get em!
Posted By: GC2656

Re: Lake Somerville - 12/09/20 05:58 PM

Trav281, I hate being the barer of bad news. If we don't get a significant ran in the very near future there will be no creek fishing at Sommerville this Winter and Spring!
Posted By: CSSource39

Re: Lake Somerville - 12/12/20 08:52 PM

Anyone know when the bridge/spillway is supposed to open back up?
Posted By: CSSource39

Re: Lake Somerville - 12/13/20 03:23 PM

Side note I know that the closure was originally set to be ten weeks from the start but it seems that time had passed.
Posted By: hook-line&sinker

Re: Lake Somerville - 12/14/20 06:13 PM

Let's hope this isn't another lead-up to the 2011 drought disaster.



Posted By: hook-line&sinker

Re: Lake Somerville - 12/14/20 06:30 PM

10 years ago I worked with the State Park in an effort to get Yegua Creek on the Texas Paddle Trails list but as you might know the Yegua is a fickle little beast. Seems like it is seldom just right for paddling between cycles of drought and flood.. same goes for the fishing..

Posted By: hook-line&sinker

Re: Lake Somerville - 12/14/20 06:39 PM

One look at the Yegua in April 2011 before the drought really took hold..


and another look in August..

Posted By: hook-line&sinker

Re: Lake Somerville - 12/14/20 06:50 PM

This was the same day in September 2011 that the devastating Bastrop fires broke out and destroyed much of the area. My brother had just moved into their new house three weeks earlier and called to say they were being evacuated due to the fires.

Posted By: hook-line&sinker

Re: Lake Somerville - 12/14/20 07:03 PM

Lake Somerville is a flood control and water conservation reservoir so It's important to keep in mind that this cycle of drought and flood has always been a huge factor for the lake in many ways.




The COE has the duty to manage the water and that is not a easy job with the cycles of flood and drought.

History indicates that the lake will rise again..

Posted By: hook-line&sinker

Re: Lake Somerville - 12/14/20 07:13 PM

Any good rain this time of year that gets the creeks flowing good will bring up the fish even if they have to cross a mile of really shallow mud flats to get up to the creek.

Posted By: hook-line&sinker

Re: Lake Somerville - 12/14/20 07:16 PM

Some fishing trips are just more memorable than others..

Posted By: Bones72

Re: Lake Somerville - 12/15/20 05:11 PM

When I was stationed at Ft. Hood 92 through 2004 all I can remember about the weather is that there is no such thing as a normal year with regards to rain. It is seemingly only feast or famine with not much with in the in-between range. I am definitely hoping this will not be the beginning of a drought event. We have had some minimal rain up this way in Killeen but 90 percent of it seems to have missed the Lake Somerville area and what have had hasn't really had a noticeable effect on the rivers, creeks and lakes around here. Definitely praying for some appreciable moisture.
Posted By: jsinn01

Re: Lake Somerville - 12/15/20 10:03 PM

Hey guys! Just checking in. Hope everybody is doing well. See you in 2021. Or maybe 2022 if we don't get any rain. grin
Posted By: Trav281

Re: Lake Somerville - 12/25/20 07:42 PM

Where does the rain need to flow from? We've been getting decent rains in Houston lately. Man I need to just get a Yak
Posted By: BBFISH

Re: Lake Somerville - 12/28/20 02:56 PM

Anyone catching white bass yet ?
Posted By: hook-line&sinker

Re: Lake Somerville - 12/28/20 04:26 PM

no water = no fish up the creeks.. heres the watershed info for Lake Somerville to answer the rain question above https://tpwd.maps.arcgis.com/apps/Viewer/index.html?appid=2b3604bf9ced441a98c500763b8b1048

Two major watersheds for lake Somerville are the Yegua and Nails Creek. Basically it needs to rain a lot between Giddings and Rockdale for the lake to take on water.

[Linked Image]
Posted By: jsinn01

Re: Lake Somerville - 12/28/20 07:41 PM

Some rain in the forecast this week. Fingers crossed.
Posted By: BBFISH

Re: Lake Somerville - 12/29/20 02:05 PM

Good morning,
Do you know if anyone catching white bass from the lake banks yet. ?
Thanks
Posted By: BayouFennec

Re: Lake Somerville - 12/30/20 07:58 PM

i see rain between Giddings and Rockdale. let's hope it's enough to fill the lake. freak
Posted By: hook-line&sinker

Re: Lake Somerville - 12/30/20 09:11 PM

It might help but likely will only set the stage for the next good rain event to have a positive affect on lake levels.
When the lake is two feet low or more from normal pool level the channels leading to the creeks are dry or very shallow.
It is possible that the Yegua will have a good push of flood water that will make passage up from the lake plausible for a few days.
Some of the early arriving males might make it into the creek on this rise and if the lake returns to normal level soon it's almost guaranteed to fill up with whitebass and crappie.
I think we should do the rain dance !

pollo
Posted By: jsinn01

Re: Lake Somerville - 12/31/20 03:05 PM

Raining cats & dogs in Austin this morning. grin
Posted By: hook-line&sinker

Re: Lake Somerville - 12/31/20 04:19 PM

Just a little Nails creek adventure.. Late October 2016 after another high water event just like 2015. The lake had just come down to normal pool level a month earlier.



I hear autumn's call drawing me back to the creek where the wild things live. The "thump" is kind of addicting and stocking the freezer with plenty of crappie fillets gives me the best excuse ever invented. It takes considerable effort kayaking up into the creeks but the rewards are worth every burn, bite, cut, sting and sore muscle to find the peace and quiet nearer the heart of Mother Nature.
Posted By: fishytx

Re: Lake Somerville - 01/01/21 04:07 PM

The rains we just received should bring some white bass up into the creeks. I live in the upper water shed for Yegua and we had 4 inches, not real sure how much run off water from these rains due to how dry everything was to begin with, but there are a few creeks that should be on the rise and whites should be going up them.
Posted By: Dmcputtz

Re: Lake Somerville - 01/01/21 05:46 PM

Originally Posted by fishytx
The rains we just received should bring some white bass up into the creeks. I live in the upper water shed for Yegua and we had 4 inches, not real sure how much run off water from these rains due to how dry everything was to begin with, but there are a few creeks that should be on the rise and whites should be going up them.

banana
Posted By: fishytx

Re: Lake Somerville - 01/01/21 10:53 PM

Well I wasn't aware that the lake was two feet below normal pool, so this rain will probably just set it up nice for the next rain we get, which I hope is soon. I have seen big females come up this creek as early as December, but the creek was flooded for several days with water out of the banks when that took place. We were on some good stringers up at Irwin bridge that year. But that was freak thing, it doesn't happen very often. Lets just hope the lake comes up from these rains we just received and in a month or two conditions become great for a good spawn. I can say this though, the white bass fever is getting stronger by the day at my house. I am itching to get out there and catch a few.
Posted By: jsinn01

Re: Lake Somerville - 01/02/21 03:49 PM

The lake has come up a smidge. And that's being generous. Disappointing as I thought the rain we got earlier in the week would have made a bigger impact.

http://somerville.lakesonline.com/Level/
Posted By: BBFISH

Re: Lake Somerville - 01/02/21 11:04 PM

[Linked Image]

Cedar creek at 125.
Posted By: fishytx

Re: Lake Somerville - 01/03/21 12:59 AM

Oh wow, when did you take a picture of cedar creek? That is one of the creeks I was talking about that might possible have some fish in it.

Posted By: fishytx

Re: Lake Somerville - 01/03/21 01:04 AM

Thanks for that web site jsinn01, I kept it on my home page for further viewing.
Posted By: BBFISH

Re: Lake Somerville - 01/03/21 02:45 AM

Today. I went to the lake too, anyone know why is the dam road closed ?
Posted By: jsinn01

Re: Lake Somerville - 01/03/21 02:33 PM

Just an FYI, I know a few of you on here fish at the steps in Circleville. I went yesterday just to scout around some and the river looks to be in great shape for a white bass run this year. Plenty of flowing water in there right as you walk down from the steps. Didn't catch anything or see anybody catch anything but it's a tad early still.
Posted By: fishytx

Re: Lake Somerville - 01/03/21 02:36 PM

2019 was a good year for the white bass spawn. Man did I put some fish in the freezer that year. Last year I kept 12 to clean and fry up when I got home, the rest I caught and released for another day. My freezer is almost out of fish, so this year needs to be a good one so I can restock it. The way I prep my fish allows them to last up to two years, after that I like to get rid of them, give them away so I can restock with new fresh packs. But I always label my fish, so I know when and where they came from. My fish are like vacuum packed with no air pockets. I figured out a process to create this vacuum system using 1 gallon zip lock baggies about fifteen or twenty years ago.
Posted By: jsinn01

Re: Lake Somerville - 01/03/21 02:38 PM

Thanks for the pics of Cedar Creek, BBFISH. Some of the smaller creeks don't have a very large water shed so not too surprised with the lack of water there. It's mainly the Yegua that fills the lake back up. I'm guessing there wasn't a whole lot of runoff from this last rain. The ground was super dry so probably a lot got absorbed into the ground. If we can start getting some good rains back to back we'll be back in business.
Posted By: J-Moe

Re: Lake Somerville - 01/03/21 10:47 PM

The Yegua is about a foot above normal and flowing pretty hard. I went to Newman Bottom yesterday and today and tried a few spots. Not a bite though. I talked to half a dozen people and none of them got a bite either.
Posted By: jsinn01

Re: Lake Somerville - 01/04/21 12:23 AM

Being that the lake is over 2.5 foot low, would the fish even be able to make it into the creek from the main lake?
Posted By: TXfisherman12

Re: Lake Somerville - 01/05/21 12:20 AM

According to a notebook I keep, the last major white bass run up Cedar creek was spring 2017. It would be nice with lots more rainfall to get runs up other creeks than Yegua to ‘spread out’ the fishing pressure and permit other opportunities. (IMO)
Posted By: jsinn01

Re: Lake Somerville - 01/05/21 01:52 AM

TXfisherman12, it's a blast when you can find the white bass running in the smaller creeks. It never lasts though. And if you hear that the white bass are running in one of the smaller creeks it's too late. You should have been there yesterday. You really have to hit it just right. But when and if you hit it, it can be epic.

The only Somerville creek that really has a sustained white bass spawn is the Yegua. When and if it floods, the fish can be up there for months.
Posted By: Boudreaux

Re: Lake Somerville - 01/05/21 02:43 PM

The main lake it 2.5ft below pool. The water level in the main lake in the cove where Nails and Yegua come into the lake is extremely shallow. Nails creek is almost completely silted in at this water level. Yegua isn't much better. I don't think the the creek is even connects to the main lake right now and if it is, the water is not more than an inch deep. The mouth of the creek is nothing more than a big mud flat. Even with the recent rains the lake only came up a few inches overall. We really need a substantial rain to bring the lake level up or the creek runs will not happen. The lake has been well below pool since August. Any fish that are in the creek right now are residents and not spawn migrators. I could be flat out wrong, but from what I've seen out there, I wouldn't expect much from Yegua, Nails, or Birch this year.
Posted By: fishytx

Re: Lake Somerville - 01/05/21 03:57 PM

We hauled several limits out of cedar in 2019. Water was muddy as all get out but some how they could see that small jig and bite it. It was blast, big fish at that... Cedar creek is all about timing. When it is on, it's on big time. But it only last a few days...
Posted By: fishytx

Re: Lake Somerville - 01/05/21 04:06 PM

Now that the ground is soaked and stock tanks are full, one good rain is all it takes to bring up Somerville. So don't count your eggs until the chickens hatch. LOL It's never over until it's over. Come on rain...
Posted By: jsinn01

Re: Lake Somerville - 01/05/21 04:34 PM

Agreed. It's not happening right now, but one or two good rains in January or February and we could easily be back in business. Until then I'm looking for backup options. wink
Posted By: jsinn01

Re: Lake Somerville - 01/05/21 06:20 PM

I had a trip on Cedar Creek that I will never forget several years back. Walked along the banks with J-Moe & Hook,Line&Sinker, and must have caught and released about 50 fish. I don't think we saw another person the entire time. It was one of those days. Everything was working.
Posted By: KidKrappie

Re: Lake Somerville - 01/05/21 08:29 PM

A couple more decent rain chances coming in the next week
Posted By: EllerTroy

Re: Lake Somerville - 01/05/21 09:49 PM

2 to 3 inch rain in the right place and it will happen. According to J-Moe, the Yegua is running good, so any run off would go to filling up the lake.
Posted By: fishytx

Re: Lake Somerville - 01/06/21 12:13 AM

Reimers water is looking pretty good jsinn01. One of my cousins was out there a week ago snapping some pictures and I could see the river in the back ground. It looks real good right now. To long of a drive for me these days, think it takes like two hours to get there from my place. And you need waders or a yak to have best access to the fish.
Posted By: jsinn01

Re: Lake Somerville - 01/06/21 02:24 PM

Thanks for the update on Reimers, fishytx. I'll have to take a drive out there soon to check things out. Also, I need to practice up on the fly rod as I watched J-Moe do really well with this method last year on the Perdernales.
Posted By: fishytx

Re: Lake Somerville - 01/06/21 03:23 PM

They must be releasing water from Lake Somerville, because on Dec. 31 2020 the lake level was higher than it is today. I'm pretty sure I read the chart correctly.
Posted By: jsinn01

Re: Lake Somerville - 01/06/21 03:27 PM

Yeah, could be. That chart is generally very accurate.
Posted By: fishytx

Re: Lake Somerville - 01/06/21 06:58 PM

For what it is worth, we just received 2-1/2 inches of rain in less than an hour. It looked like a cow pissing on a flat rock. And I hear it coming down strong again as I'm typing this information in. Yard was flooded and looked like all of it was run off because how fast it came, it had no time to soak in, just run off. We need this around Lexington and Giddings to get the best run off for the Yegua and Nails. There are three Yegua creeks, east, middle and west. Rockdale area might be the east Yegua, but heck I can't remember which one is which, it could be the west. I'm just guessing at this point and I drive by the creek sign often, I just don't read the sign. Just checked my gage and it reads 3 inches. at 1:10 pm.
Posted By: hook-line&sinker

Re: Lake Somerville - 01/06/21 08:59 PM

These are not the final numbers but it appears most of the Yegua Creek/ Lake Somerville watershed received less than 1 inch of rain as the cold front pushed through.

Posted By: fishytx

Re: Lake Somerville - 01/07/21 02:41 AM

Lake has come .07 inches since I last checked it at 1 pm this afternoon. Saw pictures local people posted of our rain here in Rockdale and the roads were under water, our town was flooded out big time. Give this run off at least 24 hours to reach the Irwin bridge, lets hope it continues to bring the lake level up. Finger crossed. But I am impressed with just the rise in the lake over the past eight hours.
Posted By: fishytx

Re: Lake Somerville - 01/07/21 04:52 PM

I feel silly now that I think about what I saw in the lake level rise yesterday. It doesn't take a rocket scientist to figure this one out, it came up because the lake received just under 3/4 of an inch of rain. That's where the .07 came from. Since then it has only come up .01. This run off should make its way into the lake by late this afternoon or early tomorrow morning. It takes a good 24 hours for it to reach the Irwin bridge, so time will tell. Maybe I am dreaming big and ready for this white bass action to start taking place as soon as possible. LOL. We all need a break from this epidemic stuff so we can get out of the house and enjoy some fresh clean air. I also spoke to guy who lives in Lexington and he said they received somewhere around 1-1/4 inches. But his gage froze and broke so he was just taking a guess at this.
Posted By: KidKrappie

Re: Lake Somerville - 01/07/21 05:10 PM

Another good rain/snow chance on Sunday
Posted By: RedQueen

Re: Lake Somerville - 01/07/21 11:53 PM

I just got back from west HC. Pedernales is the lowest it's been in half a decade. Most folks' docks are sitting on dry ground. Last week's rains didn't bring it up much, if at all. Dunno if it rained there yesterday since I'd left at that point but barring 2-3 substantial rains, Reimer's Ranch is unlikely.

However, Pedernales access does exist under Hwy 71 bridge (shhh!) and water is low enough to actually drag a yak down there through the brush and launch off the bank. If levels stay as they are, that would be my best bet.
Posted By: fishytx

Re: Lake Somerville - 01/08/21 05:43 PM

Thanks for the heads up on this river redqueen. Guess the picture I saw was of a natural hole that always has water in it then. So your information is awesome to read.
Posted By: jsinn01

Re: Lake Somerville - 01/08/21 07:24 PM

Originally Posted by RedQueen
I just got back from west HC. Pedernales is the lowest it's been in half a decade. Most folks' docks are sitting on dry ground. Last week's rains didn't bring it up much, if at all. Dunno if it rained there yesterday since I'd left at that point but barring 2-3 substantial rains, Reimer's Ranch is unlikely.

However, Pedernales access does exist under Hwy 71 bridge (shhh!) and water is low enough to actually drag a yak down there through the brush and launch off the bank. If levels stay as they are, that would be my best bet.


Thanks for the good info. I believe the lake needs to come about 10 feet to be where it was last spring. It was low last year, but there was just enough water for a run.
Posted By: fishytx

Re: Lake Somerville - 01/08/21 08:13 PM

Guess all white bass anglers are looking for some good rains.
Posted By: jsinn01

Re: Lake Somerville - 01/08/21 08:38 PM

It's definitely looking spotty this year. The South San Gabriel looks to be in good shape, so the steps should still be an option. Also, we're supposed to get some more rain on Sunday. Every little bit helps.
Posted By: fishytx

Re: Lake Somerville - 01/09/21 01:33 AM

I drove over San Gabriel yesterday and there was a slow flow of clear water. As long as Lake Georgetown is low they will continue to hold that water. I thought it would at least look a little muddy due to rain run off, but it is clear. That was at the 29 bridge though, I was driving and really could not look at it when we passed over the river on 95. Sunday they are looking at rain changing over to snow around 2 pm. But you never know about Texas weather.
Somerville continues to rise ever so slowly. It has come up like a 1/4 of an inch, .03 in the last 24 hours.
Posted By: Bones72

Re: Lake Somerville - 01/09/21 03:14 PM

Never count out the Lampasas either. Doesn't take much in the way of rain to get a run here on one my favorite whitebass holes but you're gonna need some sort of transportation on the water to get up to where the fishes are. On plus note for canoers and kayakers low water years restricts power boat access. The run usually also starts later than most other streams in the area.
Posted By: fishytx

Re: Lake Somerville - 01/11/21 10:27 PM

At least the number keeps going up on Somerville water level. We received 1/1/4 inches of rain before the five inches of snow yesterday. The ground is soaked and there is a lot of run off going on as the snow melts, but it may take it a little longer to get in creeks though.
Posted By: Bones72

Re: Lake Somerville - 01/12/21 03:45 PM

Any little bit helps. Seeing some good rain chances for next week too. Keeping the fingers crossed to we have a 3 to 4 inch deluge.
Posted By: EllerTroy

Re: Lake Somerville - 01/15/21 02:16 PM

It looks like we have several days of rain next week. If we can get a two to four foot rise on the Yegua, I believe the white bass will be able to come up. I’m 1/4 Native American and I will be doing my best rain dance.
Posted By: J-Moe

Re: Lake Somerville - 01/16/21 12:45 AM

Newman Bottom and Irwin Bridge are closed this weekend. I think it's a public hunt.

I drove over Irwin Bridge. The Yegua was up about a foot from 2 weeks ago. Lake is still slightly over 2 feet low.

Rain Dance banana
Posted By: Bones72

Re: Lake Somerville - 01/16/21 02:42 PM

Looking like about an inch of rain forecasted for Central Texas over the next week. My yard still feels like I am walking on a wet sponge from last weeks moisture so hopefully most of what falls should wind up "in the flow" as it were.
Posted By: greenyak

Re: Lake Somerville - 01/16/21 08:36 PM

[Linked Image]
[Linked Image]
Checked out brushy creek on lake Somerville, a very little stream of water connecting it to the lake.
Posted By: hook-line&sinker

Re: Lake Somerville - 01/21/21 09:17 PM

Mid December 2016.. a good year but keep in mind the two record high water events (2015 &2016) before this spring run season that kept the creeks full and flowing..



It has been a while but we are finally back on the creek and catching whitebass. We fly fishers wait all year for this special time when the fish charge into the creeks and rivers to get their groove on. The boys show up early and the fat girls follow fashionably late to get the party started. In our part of the country the party runs until about the first of April or as long as there is water. Floods greatly influence both the spawn and the fishermen's access to productive water and on the Yegua it is often boom or bust. On this Saturday it was certainly more on the BOOM side of fishing with a mixed bag of whitebass, black bass, crappie and sunfish. The creek is absolutely full of fish but they hold tight to very specific cover or structure usually just off the main current in the back-flow. Under cut steep banks that allow for vertical jigging are my favorite places as there is just something about pulling fish out from under your feet..

Google map to Nails Creek Unit. http://goo.gl/maps/Pbsc2

6280 FM 180
Ledbetter, Texas 78946

Phone (979) 289-2392
Email Nails.Creek@tpwd.state.tx.us
Website http://www.tpwd.state.tx.us/state-par...
Posted By: hook-line&sinker

Re: Lake Somerville - 01/21/21 09:52 PM

and just a week later December 21st, 2016.. this happened..

Posted By: banker-always fishing

Re: Lake Somerville - 01/22/21 04:11 AM

Originally Posted by hook-line&sinker
and just a week later December 21st, 2016.. this happened..





thumb
Posted By: hook-line&sinker

Re: Lake Somerville - 01/22/21 08:35 PM

Does someone on here have a drone they could fly over the mouth of the Yegua? I'd like to know how much water is flowing from the Yegua into the lake. If it is as I expect it to be there would be a very long shallow ribbon of moving water that the whitebass could be using under the cover of darkness to get into the lower Yegua. In years past the first arrivals will stage around the Wolf pond area waiting for conditions to improve. Sometimes there are just a few fish but other times there will be hundreds stacked up in the deepest part of the creek. Honestly the best option is to launch a kayak from Newmans and fight your way to wolf pond but I'm not up for that battle yet until I'm more confident the fish will be there...
Posted By: hook-line&sinker

Re: Lake Somerville - 01/22/21 08:39 PM

January 18th, 2014


January 19th, 2013

Posted By: J-Moe

Re: Lake Somerville - 01/25/21 02:22 PM

I tried Irwin Bridge on Friday night and Newman Bottom on Saturday morning but no luck. The Yegua is back at normal level and flow.

I went to The Steps on Sunday at noon. I caught 2 white bass. Most everyone I ran into had caught 3 or 4. Glad to see they are showing up.
Posted By: Bones72

Re: Lake Somerville - 01/25/21 03:09 PM

Figured "The Steps" would get going first this year. Have had one report from out at the Bend and said about the same thing except that a fair number of crappie were caught on the way up from the lake.
Posted By: Boudreaux

Re: Lake Somerville - 01/25/21 08:42 PM

Somerville is still going to need at least a 6" rise in the lake level before the water gets deep enough on the west end.
Posted By: jsinn01

Re: Lake Somerville - 01/26/21 10:27 PM

Originally Posted by J-Moe
I tried Irwin Bridge on Friday night and Newman Bottom on Saturday morning but no luck. The Yegua is back at normal level and flow.

I went to The Steps on Sunday at noon. I caught 2 white bass. Most everyone I ran into had caught 3 or 4. Glad to see they are showing up.


Thanks for the report! I may head out there on Saturday.
Posted By: Trav281

Re: Lake Somerville - 01/30/21 08:07 PM

When does the shad begin to spawn? I'm ready to hit my bank fishing spot near big creek marina. Saltwater wading has been tough lately and its twice as long of a drive.
Posted By: jsinn01

Re: Lake Somerville - 01/30/21 11:00 PM

Fished the steps today for a couple hours and caught one small white bass. Nobody's tearing them up out there yet. Reports of 1 to 3 fish mostly.
Posted By: J-Moe

Re: Lake Somerville - 01/31/21 01:38 AM

Originally Posted by jsinn01
Fished the steps today for a couple hours and caught one small white bass. Nobody's tearing them up out there yet. Reports of 1 to 3 fish mostly.


I was there early this morning as well. I only caught 3 keeper size white bass, a keeper crappie, an undersized crappie and a small LMB. I didn't see anyone else even catch one. Usually killing them in the Yegua by now. We got spoiled the last 4 years.
Posted By: J-Moe

Re: Lake Somerville - 01/31/21 01:40 AM

Originally Posted by Trav281
When does the shad begin to spawn? I'm ready to hit my bank fishing spot near big creek marina. Saltwater wading has been tough lately and its twice as long of a drive.


Early to Mid April
Posted By: jsinn01

Re: Lake Somerville - 02/03/21 02:51 PM

Originally Posted by J-Moe
Originally Posted by jsinn01
Fished the steps today for a couple hours and caught one small white bass. Nobody's tearing them up out there yet. Reports of 1 to 3 fish mostly.


I was there early this morning as well. I only caught 3 keeper size white bass, a keeper crappie, an undersized crappie and a small LMB. I didn't see anyone else even catch one. Usually killing them in the Yegua by now. We got spoiled the last 4 years.


So far, three trips out there this year and only one fish. At this rate I'll have to make 75 trips to catch a limit. At least they put in a Southside Market in Hutto. If the fishing sucks I can still get BBQ. grin
Posted By: KidKrappie

Re: Lake Somerville - 02/03/21 04:58 PM

Interesting that the lake doesn't have to be very low to end the runs there. Anyone tried to find them spawning on mainlake points? If they aren't going up the creeks, they will be all over shallow points.
Posted By: J-Moe

Re: Lake Somerville - 02/03/21 05:31 PM

Originally Posted by fishin'aholic2
Interesting that the lake doesn't have to be very low to end the runs there. Anyone tried to find them spawning on mainlake points? If they aren't going up the creeks, they will be all over shallow points.


No, not yet. I expect we are still at least a week away from them actively starting to spawn in the lake.
Posted By: hook-line&sinker

Re: Lake Somerville - 02/03/21 09:00 PM

The whites usually starts up about now over at the Birch Creek Unit of the state park but you will have to fight for a good spot. That Cat has been out of the bag for years now..

these two are from Birch creek park

[Linked Image]
[Linked Image]

This one is up in Birch creek
[Linked Image]

and this is how the lake looked at the mouth of the Yegua
[Linked Image]

and later in March the whites really get going..
[Linked Image]


Posted By: hook-line&sinker

Re: Lake Somerville - 02/03/21 09:35 PM

Seems like Lake Somerville is very seldom at normal pool level come whitebass time.. it's either low or high sometimes to extremes..
Posted By: KidKrappie

Re: Lake Somerville - 02/03/21 09:36 PM

Originally Posted by J-Moe
Originally Posted by fishin'aholic2
Interesting that the lake doesn't have to be very low to end the runs there. Anyone tried to find them spawning on mainlake points? If they aren't going up the creeks, they will be all over shallow points.


No, not yet. I expect we are still at least a week away from them actively starting to spawn in the lake.



Thank you for the reply. I don't fish down there but know here in DFW, it doesn't take much water for them to come up. Literally a couple of inches is all they need. Still hoping for more rain for yall. Doesn't look like much is on the way though.
Posted By: hook-line&sinker

Re: Lake Somerville - 02/03/21 09:45 PM

I'm planning on kayaking down from the low water crossing @ Newmans Thursday morning if anyone want's to tag along that would be great and give us all a better idea of how the fishing is 'good or poor'.
I think conditions are good with four days of warming weather behind us and a cool front coming in on Friday, and the moon coming up very late. Midday bite might just be the best in a month.. I'm also counting on a few whitebass to have breached the shallows when the Yegua came up two weeks ago. This year is Déjà vu all over again.. seen this many times it ain't nothing new. At the very least the resident blackbass and crappie will be there and likely keep us busy all day.
Posted By: hook-line&sinker

Re: Lake Somerville - 02/05/21 03:32 PM

Well Peeps Yegua creek is in good shape and flowing but the lake needs about two foot of new water to get the annual whitebass spawning run going.
Having a long history with the lake and creeks the fishing was about what I had expected.

I dragged yak down from the Newman Bottom parking area and kayaked all the way down to Wolf Pond mostly just to check on the creek conditions and look for wildlife.
The paddle down was easy as there are no obstructions blocking the creek.
I charted lots of fish in all the usual locations on the way down but didn't get on the resident crappie until about 2:00 pm on the return trip back up the creek.

The water clarity is good all the way to Wolf Pond where the shallow flat and a feeder creek entering there muddy up the rest of the creek on down to the lake.

The Yegua in this "low lake level" situation isn't going to allow many whitebass to move into the creek but the resident blackbass and crappie can fill the void pretty well if you can find them and they are in a biting mood.

IMHO walking the banks of the Yegua won't be very productive especially if compared to kayaking and being able to fish right on top of suspended crappie in the deeper parts of the creek.

A simple fish finder/graph is a very useful tool when the fish are grouped up like this and when not as active overall.

Crappie at this time generally don't put much effort into feeding but if you drop a jig down right in front of them they will thump it.. I live for the THUMP!

Long FishTales


Posted By: jsinn01

Re: Lake Somerville - 02/05/21 08:54 PM

Cool video! Glad you caught a few. thumb
Posted By: R2Fishing

Re: Lake Somerville - 02/07/21 12:34 AM

Havent been on Somerville in a lonnnnng time.

Went out on scouting trip this morning. Crappie were at every location.
Water temp 57°, used mix of jigs (blk and chart, white and chart) along with minnows.
Most fish came out of 16FOW.
If you’ve never tried Spider Rigging - you’re missing out.

Few whitebass fisherman on Birch Point and and Welch Point. [Linked Image]
Posted By: hook-line&sinker

Re: Lake Somerville - 02/08/21 08:11 PM

Thinking about going back down the Yegua just for crappie... now that there is a answer to the whitebass question.. very few in the creek and probably shouldn't expect much unless it floods.
Posted By: fishytx

Re: Lake Somerville - 02/11/21 02:35 PM

There are some nice crappie in this creek. The two places I fish for spawning whites are not looking so good this year. It would only take one good rain to change this and turn it into a good year, but the rains we need may come a month to late. December and January are the two months of rain that determine how well the spawn will be and we are not looking so good as of now. Somervile Lake is down -2.15 feet below full pool and Georgetown Lake is down -10.70 feet below full pool. Granger Lake is like -.34 below full pool, so the fish can get up that river, but they need a good flow of water to help guide them up into the river channel. The steps will probably be an anglers best choice this year if we don't get some good rains soon. Got about six weeks left, maybe eight and then it will be over until next year. Come on rain, flood these waterways so we can get on some good stringers while fishing from the banks....
Posted By: Boudreaux

Re: Lake Somerville - 02/11/21 03:35 PM

I may run the boat up to the steps soon and see what's happening there.
Posted By: jsinn01

Re: Lake Somerville - 02/11/21 09:01 PM

Might be a little icy the next few days. grin
Posted By: Boudreaux

Re: Lake Somerville - 02/12/21 03:16 PM

Fish still gotta eat, whether or not i'm that mad at em is a different story grin
Posted By: R2Fishing

Re: Lake Somerville - 02/19/21 05:49 AM

Seen this pic yesterday.. said it was from Birch Creek
[Linked Image]
Posted By: jsinn01

Re: Lake Somerville - 02/19/21 04:46 PM

Hey, I recognize that ice skating rink. roflmao
Posted By: R2Fishing

Re: Lake Somerville - 02/20/21 12:10 AM

Seen where guys were on lake this early afternoon. Main lake water temps 39°F
Water level is 236 (2ft below pool)

Be safe and continue staying warm.

We will pick back up running guide trips in March. Gibbons Creek and Somerville. Whitebass and crappie both locations. PM for more info.
Posted By: J-Moe

Re: Lake Somerville - 02/21/21 04:17 PM

I drove out to Newman Bottom this morning. The gate was closed at the self pay box.
Posted By: Boudreaux

Re: Lake Somerville - 02/22/21 02:30 PM

Went out to Granger yesterday. Came in by boat from Taylor Park, ran all the way up past the steps. Few folks out fishing, heard reports of a couple whites being caught. Water clarity in the river was beautiful clear green with visibility close to 3ft. Water level was good. Water temps were 44-45 in most places, air temp 70ish, sunny with a SSW wind at 7-8mph. A bit of ice in some back shaded coves. Wasn't really looking to fish so much as just get out and boat ride this go round. Made the rounds and headed back in. Hope to get back up there soon and get on some fish.
Posted By: Bones72

Re: Lake Somerville - 02/22/21 02:34 PM

Thanks for the report wasn't sure if those fish already in the river wouldn't have dropped back into the lake. May go check it out tomorrow.
Posted By: J-Moe

Re: Lake Somerville - 02/23/21 04:37 PM

I went by Rocky Creek Park this morning. They are closed until at least Friday for water damage repairs. I expect Yegua Creek Park is the same.

The Dam road is still closed. It's been closed for 7 months now. What a pain.

Lake is 2 foot low. Weather man is predicting rain from Thursday through to the following Tuesday. But only a total predicted rainfall of about 1/2 inch. A good 4 inches in the Yegua sure would be welcome. Double rain dance banana banana
Posted By: jsinn01

Re: Lake Somerville - 02/23/21 06:11 PM

Thanks for the report! Stand by to stand by I guess. Seems like the Steps should be picking up with the warming temps this week.
Posted By: FISHINGFOOL40

Re: Lake Somerville - 02/25/21 06:29 AM

Thx 4 the report all, may try "The Steps" tomorrow...
Got about, 2 dozen river minnows🙏
Post report if I do🎣👍
Forgot to how to post pics, from cellphone, Sorry😊

https://m.youtube.com/watch?v=-q8r-h0IHhc#
Posted By: FISHINGFOOL40

Re: Lake Somerville - 02/25/21 06:38 AM

Originally Posted by J-Moe
I went by Rocky Creek Park this morning. They are closed until at least Friday for water damage repairs. I expect Yegua Creek Park is the same.

The Dam road is still closed. It's been closed for 7 months now. What a pain.

Lake is 2 foot low. Weather man is predicting rain from Thursday through to the following Tuesday. But only a total predicted rainfall of about 1/2 inch. A good 4 inches in the Yegua sure would be welcome. Double rain dance banana banana


Triple rain dance, next weeks for the "Yegue"🙏 banana banana banana

https://m.youtube.com/watch?v=6lycoRjPW-U
Posted By: Hook2Fish

Re: Lake Somerville - 02/25/21 01:46 PM

Been a very long time since I've been on here, or even been up to Somerville and Yegua. Sad to say, it's been a while since I've been fishing for that matter. From what I gather Yegua is a no go. Lake is too low. What about three spillway? Is there access. I read something about the damn road still being closed. Not sure if that means no access to spillway fishing. I'm in Victoria Tx. Don't want to make the trip for nothing. I'm wanting to stay a few days and nights camping and fishing like i used to. Just not sure if that's even do-able or worth a trip. Not much available for a whitebass run this far South Texas. I'm open to any input or suggestions.
Posted By: J-Moe

Re: Lake Somerville - 02/25/21 01:58 PM

Yes, the dam road and spillway are closed. They are not releasing water so there wouldn't be any white bass to catch there anyway.
Posted By: J-Moe

Re: Lake Somerville - 02/26/21 06:07 PM

I called Nails Creek Park yesterday. They said they did reopen the road down to Newman Bottom. I'm sure I'll check it out in the next few days. The Video dude did catch one white bass while crappie fishing so I would guess at least a few very motivated small males have ventured into the creek. I don't have my hopes up though.
Posted By: jsinn01

Re: Lake Somerville - 02/26/21 07:11 PM

Thanks for the update. Thinking about going tomorrow and trying for crappie.
Posted By: Verm

Re: Lake Somerville - 02/28/21 12:47 PM

Bad news guys. Yegua and Rocky Creek parks are closing to everyone but campers. No shore fishing at all. Also the boat ramps are closing to the public entirely as of This coming October. Really bad news for kayak fisherman, as this effectively cuts off that whole corner of the lake, unless you feel like paddling over from Overlook park.

https://kwhi.com/changes-taking-pla...6697310198cac97b0618921bf#comment-129402
Posted By: jsinn01

Re: Lake Somerville - 02/28/21 06:50 PM

Seems like a benefit to a few at the expense of many. Public access is already limited so things like this can really have a negative impact for those of us trying to enjoy the outdoors.
Posted By: R2Fishing

Re: Lake Somerville - 02/28/21 08:29 PM

Any of you yakers around the BCS looking to get on whites/crappie in creeks you can PM me.

Water has gotten low enough we boaters can’t get into specific areas I know they’re holding in.
No bank access allowed either.

**Not Somerville**
Posted By: Boudreaux

Re: Lake Somerville - 03/01/21 03:30 PM

There are 9 boat ramps on Somerville. Still plenty of access to go. Now the low water in the lake may make some more difficult to use.
Posted By: jsinn01

Re: Lake Somerville - 03/01/21 07:45 PM

Also, it can take 45 minutes to an hour to drive to the other side of that lake.
Posted By: Trav281

Re: Lake Somerville - 03/02/21 12:09 AM

Boy did I pick the wrong week to take pto from work... The good news is that it's raining here right now but it won't last long and I'm all the way down in hockley/Cypress.... Wondering how far I need to drive to get some decent fishing in. I'm definitely not going to waste my time driving to saltwater after the fish kill from the freeze... 😔. Any update on Newman's? This is a bummer.
Posted By: R2Fishing

Re: Lake Somerville - 03/02/21 12:54 AM

West Bay is still doing fine. You just now have all the Matagorda guys there fishing 😡

If you got a boat - head to Gibbons Creek. We’re SMOKING them over there

Not my pic - another guide friend ended his trip with 5 guys on 125 fish

I have this weekend available for trips if anyone is interested.
[Linked Image]
Posted By: TXfisherman12

Re: Lake Somerville - 03/05/21 05:23 PM

Originally Posted by Boudreaux
There are 9 boat ramps on Somerville. Still plenty of access to go. Now the low water in the lake may make some more difficult to use.


True, but to bank anglers without access to a boat this is a major blow. Another downfall, with many more to come, of the pandemic (IMO).
Posted By: jsinn01

Re: Lake Somerville - 03/06/21 12:03 AM

I'm hoping the State Parks discontinue the use of this reservation/time slot system and it is not something that is here to stay indefinitely. It's difficult for most to plan a visit weeks/months in advance. Fingers crossed it is only temporary.
Posted By: R2Fishing

Re: Lake Somerville - 03/06/21 02:45 AM

Additional/Update on the change of accesses across Lake Somerville

https://kwhi.com/additional-operati...D-YMV8BYjVBkamSHeUWE35L-x0f_-Tr3a1ijf1YU
Posted By: hook-line&sinker

Re: Lake Somerville - 03/06/21 04:45 AM

On track to a fully automated system.. OH BOY! Probably run out of an India call center.. you know the one next to the call center for your cars warranty, next to the prince of kastanskabob that has 10 million dollars he needs to give to you.. next to the call center that needs to fix your bugged computer verified by your SSN and tax refund status... and on and on it goes.. Why do we do this? What problem is being solved?
Posted By: R2Fishing

Re: Lake Somerville - 03/08/21 01:43 AM

Was quite a few whitebass fisherman along the Birch point today.

I spent couple hours on the water to enjoy the day solo before I have to leave for Ft Knox. Water temp was 58°

Crappie have really picked up - every brush pile was holding fish. Whitebass bite is picking up- was able to tie into good school this morning.

Everything came off livebait a today; fishing 8ft to 16ft of water
Posted By: R2Fishing

Re: Lake Somerville - 03/10/21 04:07 AM

Whitebass and Crappie have moved into a specific creek on Sville.
This creek is on the NNE side of the lake.. good luck
I’ll let you guys try to find out which creek 🤐😁

It’s about a ft - ft and half at the mouth. Boats are push pulling in yaks can make it. And is land/hiking accessible.
Posted By: SweetRay

Re: Lake Somerville - 03/12/21 02:18 AM

A ruse
Posted By: Boudreaux

Re: Lake Somerville - 03/14/21 07:36 PM

Well that narrows it down , I'll take the Gator-tail. Not too many places she won't go.
Posted By: hook-line&sinker

Re: Lake Somerville - 03/16/21 02:00 AM

That would be Big creek and it's probably hit or miss at best with little to no flow. It is possible that the crappie will bed up along the hard shoreline at the mouth of the creek but it might take some serious probing to find them. If you are very lucky you might line up with the whitebass roaming around the area.
Posted By: J-Moe

Re: Lake Somerville - 03/16/21 02:14 PM

That's the one thing I haven't accomplished yet. Wading and fly fishing for crappie on the main lake during the spawn. It's easy when they are pinned into a creek. Not so easy when you have no clue where to find them in shallow enough water.

I see people doing it on some lakes up in north texas but I haven't ever taken the time to figure out Lake Somerville. If anyone wants to PM me with an area I might wade out an catch a few crappie with the fly rod please do so grin
Posted By: R2Fishing

Re: Lake Somerville - 03/17/21 02:59 PM

[Linked Image]
Posted By: hook-line&sinker

Re: Lake Somerville - 03/17/21 11:57 PM

That fishing traffic to the state park really makes or breaks the whole year as far as visitors go.. Just not enough rain...
Posted By: R2Fishing

Re: Lake Somerville - 03/18/21 01:51 PM

Like I’ve previously posted..

Don’t sit around and wait for them when they’re in there..
[Linked Image]
Posted By: R2Fishing

Re: Lake Somerville - 03/18/21 07:02 PM

Late post

I have been stuck in Kentucky last few days and will be back home on the water late Saturday.

Just before coming up here the wife wanted her own morning of fishing - and I wasn’t going to argue that battle!

We hit some areas I know that have been holding just HUGE crappie for Somerville. She caught 19 that went over 1.70lbs each. Minnows in 12FOW.

Call, text, PM and let’s set up a trip!

R2 Fishing
979-2046722

[Linked Image]
Posted By: Beak47

Re: Lake Somerville - 03/18/21 08:08 PM

Beautiful fish!
Posted By: big z

Re: Lake Somerville - 03/18/21 08:49 PM

how are the water levels at the lake? its been ahwile since ive posted here or even been to the lake. Anyone have any luck at welch park?
Posted By: R2Fishing

Re: Lake Somerville - 03/18/21 09:02 PM

Originally Posted by big z
how are the water levels at the lake? its been ahwile since ive posted here or even been to the lake. Anyone have any luck at welch park?



It’s about 2ft low.

I been catching whites along the points of Welch.

It should be getting good real soon. With this week being spring break I heard there was a huge crowd out and lots of boats. Probably had fish scattered for most part.
Posted By: big z

Re: Lake Somerville - 03/18/21 10:04 PM

This is about the time of year I start to head out there. Are you bank fishing or from a boat? Yea I figured it would be a waste of gas to head over there this week with all the kids partying and boating
Posted By: R2Fishing

Re: Lake Somerville - 03/18/21 10:10 PM

Originally Posted by big z
This is about the time of year I start to head out there. Are you bank fishing or from a boat? Yea I figured it would be a waste of gas to head over there this week with all the kids partying and boating



Boat

You can’t miss me. 20ft Kenner w/ 150 Merc Verado. R2 Fishing on the consol windshield.

Ever see me out there come say hello!
Posted By: big z

Re: Lake Somerville - 03/19/21 02:45 AM

Do you guide?
Posted By: R2Fishing

Re: Lake Somerville - 03/19/21 03:42 AM

Originally Posted by big z
Do you guide?



Yessir 👍🏻
Posted By: KidKrappie

Re: Lake Somerville - 03/19/21 08:35 PM

Nice hybrid crappie on the right
Posted By: R2Fishing

Re: Lake Somerville - 03/22/21 02:57 AM

They couldn’t hide for long 😉 🤐

Water temps low-mid 60s and fishing is getting better daily!

PM for trip details and get on some of the action 👍🏻

[Linked Image]
Posted By: Burbarry

Re: Lake Somerville - 03/22/21 01:00 PM

Originally Posted by R2Fishing
They couldn’t hide for long 😉 🤐

Water temps low-mid 60s and fishing is getting better daily!

PM for trip details and get on some of the action 👍🏻

[Linked Image]


I know this location exactly I can see the reflection in the shades.
Posted By: KidKrappie

Re: Lake Somerville - 03/22/21 01:03 PM

Got to love blacked out background pics LOL
Posted By: hook-line&sinker

Re: Lake Somerville - 03/22/21 02:30 PM

Remember when... April 2015.
Posted By: 24x7Fisherman

Re: Lake Somerville - 03/22/21 02:31 PM

I don’t know why even if it’s blacked out I still know where it is laugh
Posted By: R2Fishing

Re: Lake Somerville - 03/22/21 02:49 PM

Originally Posted by 24x7Fisherman
I don’t know why even if it’s blacked out I still know where it is laugh


I’m sure you were one of those trying to potlick yesterday ? 😳😉😉
Posted By: 24x7Fisherman

Re: Lake Somerville - 03/22/21 05:12 PM

Originally Posted by R2Fishing
Originally Posted by 24x7Fisherman
I don’t know why even if it’s blacked out I still know where it is laugh


I’m sure you were one of those trying to potlick yesterday ? 😳😉😉


No way, I only like crappie fishing
Posted By: R2Fishing

Re: Lake Somerville - 03/22/21 07:58 PM

Originally Posted by 24x7Fisherman
Originally Posted by R2Fishing
Originally Posted by 24x7Fisherman
I don’t know why even if it’s blacked out I still know where it is laugh


I’m sure you were one of those trying to potlick yesterday ? 😳😉😉


No way, I only like crappie fishing



Lol, just picking brother 😉

For all you crappie anglers; come join the fun and enjoy some friendly competition on Somerville.
Steven Vela/Somerville Jackpot is hosting:
[Linked Image]
Posted By: fishytx

Re: Lake Somerville - 03/22/21 09:58 PM

Talk about pot licking, watch out for Kevin. Just saying........
Posted By: R2Fishing

Re: Lake Somerville - 03/22/21 10:28 PM

Originally Posted by fishytx
Talk about pot licking, watch out for Kevin. Just saying........



Kubiak?
Posted By: greenyak

Re: Lake Somerville - 03/23/21 01:10 AM

Posted By: J-Moe

Re: Lake Somerville - 03/23/21 01:38 AM

LOL, taking kayaks for a walk. That pretty much sums up the Yegua Creek White Bass Run roflmao

Thank God I have about 20 more creeks and rivers to catch white bass!!!!!!
Posted By: fishytx

Re: Lake Somerville - 03/23/21 02:58 PM

Originally Posted by R2Fishing
Originally Posted by fishytx
Talk about pot licking, watch out for Kevin. Just saying........



Kubiak?

Yes Sir. He's a great crappie angler, but he will watch what everyone is doing and where they are doing it at so he can locate the brush piles. Now that he lives in Somerville I'm sure he has most of these locked in on his electronics. Never been fishing with him. We were supposed to tarde trips together, I was going to put him on some awesome black bass fishing and he was going to put me on the crappie, but it never happened. We only talked about it. He use to date my cousin is how I know him. And that was many years ago. I was just kidding about the pot licking thing, he only does what all anglers do, watch what is going on and where it is happening at. We are all guilty of this at some degree. LOL
Posted By: R2Fishing

Re: Lake Somerville - 03/23/21 05:00 PM

Originally Posted by fishytx
Originally Posted by R2Fishing
Originally Posted by fishytx
Talk about pot licking, watch out for Kevin. Just saying........



Kubiak?

Yes Sir. He's a great crappie angler, but he will watch what everyone is doing and where they are doing it at so he can locate the brush piles. Now that he lives in Somerville I'm sure he has most of these locked in on his electronics. Never been fishing with him. We were supposed to tarde trips together, I was going to put him on some awesome black bass fishing and he was going to put me on the crappie, but it never happened. We only talked about it. He use to date my cousin is how I know him. And that was many years ago. I was just kidding about the pot licking thing, he only does what all anglers do, watch what is going on and where it is happening at. We are all guilty of this at some degree. LOL


2yrs ago he tried to claim he had the lake record for crappie - which was false. Using it to market his Crappie Kingdom. Was a lengthy argument.

I wont speak bad about another guide - I also just don’t agree with his style.

Posted By: R2Fishing

Re: Lake Somerville - 03/23/21 05:01 PM

Originally Posted by 24x7Fisherman
Originally Posted by R2Fishing
Originally Posted by 24x7Fisherman
I don’t know why even if it’s blacked out I still know where it is laugh


I’m sure you were one of those trying to potlick yesterday ? 😳😉😉


No way, I only like crappie fishing



He was caught at a crappie brush pile. 😉😉
Posted By: fishytx

Re: Lake Somerville - 03/23/21 05:11 PM

Originally Posted by R2Fishing
Originally Posted by fishytx
Originally Posted by R2Fishing
Originally Posted by fishytx
Talk about pot licking, watch out for Kevin. Just saying........



Kubiak?

Yes Sir. He's a great crappie angler, but he will watch what everyone is doing and where they are doing it at so he can locate the brush piles. Now that he lives in Somerville I'm sure he has most of these locked in on his electronics. Never been fishing with him. We were supposed to tarde trips together, I was going to put him on some awesome black bass fishing and he was going to put me on the crappie, but it never happened. We only talked about it. He use to date my cousin is how I know him. And that was many years ago. I was just kidding about the pot licking thing, he only does what all anglers do, watch what is going on and where it is happening at. We are all guilty of this at some degree. LOL


2yrs ago he tried to claim he had the lake record for crappie - which was false. Using it to market his Crappie Kingdom. Was a lengthy argument.

I wont speak bad about another guide - I also just don’t agree with his style.


To this day I'm not so sure he has ever put his own brush pile out, just saying. I call it pot licking big time. But he has side scan and he can cover some water looking for them, all he has to do is go by a person and write down one GPS mark and he can go back and find them easy. He did this on Granger lake as well. Just ask Tommy. LOL
A few years ago, or maybe last year he posted a black crappie he claimed to be the lake record, same one you talking about?
Posted By: R2Fishing

Re: Lake Somerville - 03/23/21 07:21 PM

That would be the one 🤦🏻‍♂️

There’s a few guides out there that just don’t have respect.

I was on a school of active whitebass and had a guide with a pontoon come trolling directly over them..
And yelled at me because we were sitting there in “his way”. Lol

Ohhh I love Somerville!
Posted By: fishytx

Re: Lake Somerville - 03/24/21 12:03 AM

R2Fishing, hate to break it to you, but it's like that on any lake you go to. I do everything in power to stay away from a guide boat when they have clients on board. In fact I have coughed up some good intel when the bite has been tuff so they could go put their clients on a good bite, but that's in black bass fishing.
Posted By: hook-line&sinker

Re: Lake Somerville - 03/24/21 09:36 PM



Well at least we got our exercise for the day...
Posted By: Number19

Re: Lake Somerville - 03/30/21 03:44 AM

Originally Posted by R2Fishing
Late post

I have been stuck in Kentucky last few days and will be back home on the water late Saturday.

Just before coming up here the wife wanted her own morning of fishing - and I wasn’t going to argue that battle!

We hit some areas I know that have been holding just HUGE crappie for Somerville. She caught 19 that went over 1.70lbs each. Minnows in 12FOW.

Call, text, PM and let’s set up a trip!

R2 Fishing
979-2046722

[Linked Image]

As a newbie at crappie fishing, when it is reported that fish were caught in 12FOW, does that mean the fish were suspended at that depth well above the bottom, or were the fish at that depth on the bottom.
Posted By: jsinn01

Re: Lake Somerville - 03/30/21 01:33 PM

I've almost always caught crappie at or very near the bottom so I'm assuming 12FOW means he was catching the fish on brush piles in water that's 12 foot deep.
Posted By: Number19

Re: Lake Somerville - 03/30/21 05:23 PM

Thanks. It's little details like this which "experienced" fishermen assumes everyone knows, but is not necessarily the case.
Posted By: R2Fishing

Re: Lake Somerville - 04/01/21 02:38 AM

Originally Posted by Number19
Thanks. It's little details like this which "experienced" fishermen assumes everyone knows, but is not necessarily the case.


Hey brother!

The brush was in 12FOW and we were fishing just above it at 10ft.
You have to remember a crappie feeds up - not down. That will help you put more in the livewell.

**With Good Friday and Easter this weekend; I will be cutting price down on Crappie and Whitebass trips.
Fri-Sun we will be doing trips starting at first light to 1pm for Crappie and 4pm-dark thirty for whitebass at $200.
We provide everything you need or bring your own. **
$200 1-3guys/gals

Crappie are starting to move shallow and the bite has been near excellent!

PM/Call/Txt
979-204-6722
Posted By: Average Joe

Re: Lake Somerville - 04/02/21 03:28 AM

Originally Posted by R2Fishing
Originally Posted by Number19
Thanks. It's little details like this which "experienced" fishermen assumes everyone knows, but is not necessarily the case.


Hey brother!

The brush was in 12FOW and we were fishing just above it at 10ft.
You have to remember a crappie feeds up - not down. That will help you put more in the livewell.

**With Good Friday and Easter this weekend; I will be cutting price down on Crappie and Whitebass trips.
Fri-Sun we will be doing trips starting at first light to 1pm for Crappie and 4pm-dark thirty for whitebass at $200.
We provide everything you need or bring your own. **
$200 1-3guys/gals

Crappie are starting to move shallow and the bite has been near excellent!

PM/Call/Txt
979-204-6722


See you Sat!
Posted By: R2Fishing

Re: Lake Somerville - 04/02/21 04:03 AM

Originally Posted by Average Joe
Originally Posted by R2Fishing
Originally Posted by Number19
Thanks. It's little details like this which "experienced" fishermen assumes everyone knows, but is not necessarily the case.


Hey brother!

The brush was in 12FOW and we were fishing just above it at 10ft.
You have to remember a crappie feeds up - not down. That will help you put more in the livewell.

**With Good Friday and Easter this weekend; I will be cutting price down on Crappie and Whitebass trips.
Fri-Sun we will be doing trips starting at first light to 1pm for Crappie and 4pm-dark thirty for whitebass at $200.
We provide everything you need or bring your own. **
$200 1-3guys/gals

Crappie are starting to move shallow and the bite has been near excellent!

PM/Call/Txt
979-204-6722


See you Sat!


You betcha!
Get some rest and relax those arms. They’re going to be sore! Lol
Posted By: R2Fishing

Re: Lake Somerville - 04/02/21 08:45 PM

[Linked Image]

Bank fisherman in full force today!

Cool front chilled the water some but today’s trip we left with a mess in the cooler!
Lots of boats and fisherman out today!

[Linked Image]
Posted By: Average Joe

Re: Lake Somerville - 04/04/21 03:15 AM

Went out with Richard today (4/3/21). Weather didn't cooperate and made fishing tough but still had a good time. Richard is an awesome and friendly guide!
Posted By: ML56

Re: Lake Somerville - 04/04/21 02:34 PM

Is this still the bank fishing forum? J Moe and the rest of you guys have been awfully quiet?
Posted By: J-Moe

Re: Lake Somerville - 04/04/21 04:55 PM

Originally Posted by ML56
Is this still the bank fishing forum? J Moe and the rest of you guys have been awfully quiet?
That's because there was no white bass run on the Yegua. The shad spawn is getting ready to start in the next couple of weeks so I'll be beating the banks.

I went to Birch early this morning. There were already 15 people on the dock catching crappie. There were poles lined up around the point and they were catching white bass. No shad around.

I left and went to Welch Park. There were poles lined up around the normal places but nobody was catching. There were some boats out on the buoys and they were catching white bass. Probably best to use the yak for the next couple of weeks.
Posted By: KidKrappie

Re: Lake Somerville - 04/04/21 05:14 PM

Originally Posted by ML56
Is this still the bank fishing forum? J Moe and the rest of you guys have been awfully quiet?


I was wondering the same thing. All of a sudden this is an advertisement thread
Posted By: R2Fishing

Re: Lake Somerville - 04/04/21 05:40 PM

Originally Posted by fishin'aholic2
Originally Posted by ML56
Is this still the bank fishing forum? J Moe and the rest of you guys have been awfully quiet?


I was wondering the same thing. All of a sudden this is an advertisement thread



The advertising has helped many - most of your everyday visitors and posters in this exact thread to where the fish are located..by..us..boaters. That are 1) kayak accessible 2) walk in accessible.

It’s a 2way street. 👍🏻👍🏻
Posted By: R2Fishing

Re: Lake Somerville - 04/04/21 05:42 PM

Originally Posted by Average Joe
Went out with Richard today (4/3/21). Weather didn't cooperate and made fishing tough but still had a good time. Richard is an awesome and friendly guide!



Thank you for the kind words! Make sure and keep your dad and his friend away from all the hybrids!
It was a pleasure to have y’all 3 on the boat. Until next time 🤙🏻
Posted By: J-Moe

Re: Lake Somerville - 04/05/21 04:29 PM

Originally Posted by J-Moe
Originally Posted by ML56
Is this still the bank fishing forum? J Moe and the rest of you guys have been awfully quiet?
That's because there was no white bass run on the Yegua. The shad spawn is getting ready to start in the next couple of weeks so I'll be beating the banks.

I went to Birch early this morning. There were already 15 people on the dock catching crappie. There were poles lined up around the point and they were catching white bass. No shad around.

I left and went to Welch Park. There were poles lined up around the normal places but nobody was catching. There were some boats out on the buoys and they were catching white bass. Probably best to use the yak for the next couple of weeks.


Temperature in the high 80s and low 90s for the next 10 days. That should get the shad spawn going.
Posted By: jsinn01

Re: Lake Somerville - 04/05/21 08:29 PM

This year has been a bust so far. I had a three day period where I caught close to 150 White Bass (Sabine River). Other than that, not much to report. No run on the Perdernales and just can't really get into the fishing around Granger. So many undersize fish. I've been spoiled by all the good years on Yegua and Nails.
Posted By: R2Fishing

Re: Lake Somerville - 04/06/21 01:01 AM

You kayakers..

Launch at Welch point and set up on the big hump that’s inside the markers. East side of the point. It’s less than 2FOW on that hump.

Hybrids and whites are among the edges at the drop.
Posted By: slopez

Re: Lake Somerville - 04/06/21 02:43 PM

Thanks for the report R2. Great info to put us yakkers on the bite. I took the kayak to Birch Creek yesterday ~5pm, but the wind was blowing me all over the place even though I was anchored down. Caught a few on minnows and jigs (the ghost minnow thump chubbies from Constant Pursuit Outfitters are awesome!) Most were small ~9 or 10", but still fun. Very light bite, and the wind didnt make it any easier. I cant wait for the shad spawn so I can take my daughter out her yak. She loves to see them boiling all around us. TIght Lines all!!
Posted By: TXfisherman12

Re: Lake Somerville - 04/07/21 02:04 AM

Originally Posted by fishin'aholic2
Originally Posted by ML56
Is this still the bank fishing forum? J Moe and the rest of you guys have been awfully quiet?


I was wondering the same thing. All of a sudden this is an advertisement thread


Same here. After all these years participating in this thread I don’t like the turn it is taking. I am glad someone spoke up.
Posted By: Average Joe

Re: Lake Somerville - 04/07/21 03:44 PM

Originally Posted by fishin'aholic2
Originally Posted by ML56
Is this still the bank fishing forum? J Moe and the rest of you guys have been awfully quiet?


I was wondering the same thing. All of a sudden this is an advertisement thread


I still use this thread for bank fishing Somerville. The white bass run at Somerville has been a bust this year so I went on a guided trip instead.
Posted By: jsinn01

Re: Lake Somerville - 04/07/21 05:38 PM

Personally I've never had an issue with guides advertising on the forum. Let's me know my options plus they generally give a lot of good information.
Posted By: J-Moe

Re: Lake Somerville - 04/07/21 06:35 PM

Originally Posted by Average Joe
Originally Posted by fishin'aholic2
Originally Posted by ML56
Is this still the bank fishing forum? J Moe and the rest of you guys have been awfully quiet?


I was wondering the same thing. All of a sudden this is an advertisement thread


I still use this thread for bank fishing Somerville. The white bass run at Somerville has been a bust this year so I went on a guided trip instead.


I didn't hire a guide but I fished the Brazos, Nolan, Llano, Colorado, Middle Bosque, South Bosque, Willis Creek, San Gabriel, Caney Creek.........
Posted By: J-Moe

Re: Lake Somerville - 04/07/21 06:36 PM

Going out to the lake this evening to fish Welch Park. I'm going to take the yak but plan on wading out first to see if they might be close enough to reach them with the fly rod. If not, I'll paddle out to the buoy and fish from the yak.
Posted By: jsinn01

Re: Lake Somerville - 04/07/21 06:43 PM

Originally Posted by J-Moe
Originally Posted by Average Joe
Originally Posted by fishin'aholic2
Originally Posted by ML56
Is this still the bank fishing forum? J Moe and the rest of you guys have been awfully quiet?


I was wondering the same thing. All of a sudden this is an advertisement thread


I still use this thread for bank fishing Somerville. The white bass run at Somerville has been a bust this year so I went on a guided trip instead.


I didn't hire a guide but I fished the Brazos, Nolan, Llano, Colorado, Middle Bosque, South Bosque, Willis Creek, San Gabriel, Caney Creek.........


I've fished all of these at one point in time except for Llano, Middle Bosque & South Bosque. I'm pretty sure Llano flows into Lake LBJ. What about Middle & South Bosque? Is it Lake Waco?
Posted By: Average Joe

Re: Lake Somerville - 04/07/21 07:52 PM

Quote
I didn't hire a guide but I fished the Brazos, Nolan, Llano, Colorado, Middle Bosque, South Bosque, Willis Creek, San Gabriel, Caney Creek.........


If I had time to explore all those spots, life would be good.
Posted By: J-Moe

Re: Lake Somerville - 04/07/21 08:23 PM

Originally Posted by Average Joe
Quote
I didn't hire a guide but I fished the Brazos, Nolan, Llano, Colorado, Middle Bosque, South Bosque, Willis Creek, San Gabriel, Caney Creek.........


If I had time to explore all those spots, life would be good.


Yes, The Bosque rivers feed into Waco. I couldn't find a wadable spot on the North Bosque.

Life is great. I had several 100 plus white bass days with some stripers, hybrids and yellow bass mixed in as well. I love to explore new rivers so since there was no run on the Yegua, it gave me a good excuse to travel.
Posted By: jsinn01

Re: Lake Somerville - 04/07/21 08:50 PM

Agreed. It's always fun trying new places. This year was the first year I really explored the upper end of Willis Creek on Lake Granger. Not much to show for it, but they were enjoyable trips and I saw a lot of wildlife.
Posted By: FishinAg02

Re: Lake Somerville - 04/07/21 10:09 PM

Good luck today J-moe, let us know how it goes.
Posted By: J-Moe

Re: Lake Somerville - 04/08/21 02:21 AM

I went out to Welch this evening. There were multiple fishermen with poles lined up as normal. They were catching a few white bass. I tried wading out and fly fishing but the fish just aren't shallow yet.

I took the kayak out and trolled some jigs around the buoys. I caught two hybrids in the 18 to 20 inch range and 2 keeper white bass.

When I got back to the bank at dark there were some shad spawning banana It won't be long now.

[Linked Image]
Posted By: R2Fishing

Re: Lake Somerville - 04/08/21 03:06 AM

You’re welcome. 🤐🤐😂😂
Posted By: jsinn01

Re: Lake Somerville - 04/08/21 01:55 PM

Nice catch, J-Moe!
Posted By: KidKrappie

Re: Lake Somerville - 04/08/21 09:40 PM

Originally Posted by TXfisherman12
Originally Posted by fishin'aholic2
Originally Posted by ML56
Is this still the bank fishing forum? J Moe and the rest of you guys have been awfully quiet?


I was wondering the same thing. All of a sudden this is an advertisement thread


Same here. After all these years participating in this thread I don’t like the turn it is taking. I am glad someone spoke up.


I am surprised more don't find it interesting that a boat guide is posting in the "bank fishing" section of a forum on a year when the creeks have been a bust.
Posted By: R2Fishing

Re: Lake Somerville - 04/09/21 04:39 AM

I’ve been posting in here since 2009. I just did a name change on here. 😁
Posted By: jsinn01

Re: Lake Somerville - 04/09/21 01:14 PM

I'm on to your tricks, Hoggwild. grin
Posted By: R2Fishing

Re: Lake Somerville - 04/09/21 03:07 PM

Originally Posted by jsinn01
I'm on to your tricks, Hoggwild. grin



🤐😆
Posted By: Trav281

Re: Lake Somerville - 04/09/21 09:36 PM

HOGGG
Posted By: Trav281

Re: Lake Somerville - 04/09/21 09:36 PM

LETS BOOK A TRIP MY MAN
Posted By: R2Fishing

Re: Lake Somerville - 04/11/21 03:09 AM

Originally Posted by Trav281
LETS BOOK A TRIP MY MAN



PM me or text me at 979-204-6722
Posted By: J-Moe

Re: Lake Somerville - 04/11/21 02:47 PM

IT HAS STARTED!!!! banana banana banana

I got to the lake late this morning. I didn't arrive until 7 AM. To my surprise there weren't poles lined up everywhere. There were 4 fisherman that had waded out and were casting lures. And they were catching!! So being the friendly person I am (potlicker), I waded out and joined them.

It was on fire flame

I started with the magical clouser until the white bass moved out deeper and I was having to wait to long for it to get down to them. I switched over to a 1/64 ounce marabou jig head fly and kept on catching them on almost every cast.

At 8:30 it came to a sudden halt with the full sunshine this morning. I ended up catching 31 white bass, 2 bluegill and a goo.
Posted By: R2Fishing

Re: Lake Somerville - 04/11/21 04:40 PM

Originally Posted by J-Moe
IT HAS STARTED!!!! banana banana banana

I got to the lake late this morning. I didn't arrive until 7 AM. To my surprise there weren't poles lined up everywhere. There were 4 fisherman that had waded out and were casting lures. And they were catching!! So being the friendly person I am (potlicker), I waded out and joined them.

It was on fire flame

I started with the magical clouser until the white bass moved out deeper and I was having to wait to long for it to get down to them. I switched over to a 1/64 ounce marabou jig head fly and kept on catching them on almost every cast.

At 8:30 it came to a sudden halt with the full sunshine this morning. I ended up catching 31 white bass, 2 bluegill and a goo.


You should see the millions of shad along the poles at Big Creek spawning 😳😳
Posted By: R2Fishing

Re: Lake Somerville - 04/12/21 07:41 PM

Originally Posted by J-Moe
IT HAS STARTED!!!! banana banana banana

I got to the lake late this morning. I didn't arrive until 7 AM. To my surprise there weren't poles lined up everywhere. There were 4 fisherman that had waded out and were casting lures. And they were catching!! So being the friendly person I am (potlicker), I waded out and joined them.

It was on fire flame

I started with the magical clouser until the white bass moved out deeper and I was having to wait to long for it to get down to them. I switched over to a 1/64 ounce marabou jig head fly and kept on catching them on almost every cast.

At 8:30 it came to a sudden halt with the full sunshine this morning. I ended up catching 31 white bass, 2 bluegill and a goo.


Like JMOE mentioned - the Whitebass have hit their spring spawning grounds and are HUNGRY. Trip yesterday made quick work on a 2man limit in under 3hrs. This is not your trolling divers/spoons all over the lake! These came from one active schools in 10FOW on main lake structure. [Linked Image]
Posted By: Verm

Re: Lake Somerville - 04/13/21 08:51 AM

A question. I fish Somerville from a kayak, started around last November.

Up until last month, I was killing the hybrids in 15-18 ft of water near points, trolling or casting deep diver shad lures. Tons of fish. This month, nothing, but an occasional white bass. Where have the hybrids gone? Do they go shallow?

I usually did Yegua Creek boat ramp area and the nearby islands. What are the hot spots for hybrids, or even white bass this time of year? Thanks!
Posted By: R2Fishing

Re: Lake Somerville - 04/13/21 11:34 AM

Originally Posted by Verm
A question. I fish Somerville from a kayak, started around last November.

Up until last month, I was killing the hybrids in 15-18 ft of water near points, trolling or casting deep diver shad lures. Tons of fish. This month, nothing, but an occasional white bass. Where have the hybrids gone? Do they go shallow?

I usually did Yegua Creek boat ramp area and the nearby islands. What are the hot spots for hybrids, or even white bass this time of year? Thanks!



Following the shad. Keep grinding at Welch point. They’re there...
Posted By: OllieC

Re: Lake Somerville - 04/13/21 03:59 PM

wow!
Posted By: Trav281

Re: Lake Somerville - 04/14/21 01:01 PM

I'm out here this morning at my spot on big creek, there's a billion shad but no bites. Think i got here too late🙁
Posted By: slopez

Re: Lake Somerville - 04/14/21 09:54 PM

The shad are only part of the equation. On Sunday, I went out to Welch Park. I got there just in time to watch J-Moe and the boys havin at it. I got out there with my daughter and our kayaks and set up about 30 yds further out than they were casting ( I wouldnt want to potlick, now would I?). Wow what a difference those 30yds made. My daughter and I threw everything we had at them. Rattletraps, crankbaits, jigs, swim baits, lil georges, rooster tails....Nothing. We were out there all day and couldnt get a mosquito to bite. There was no afternoon bite out there either (for us anyway). I found out that there is a good drop off right in front of where those boys were slayin' em. I figured they would move out deeper as the sun rose, but nope, just plain disappeared. I didnt have any luck at the buoys either, but I didn't give that too much effort, as the little girl was ready for swimming by that point. The moral of the story...Ya gotta be in the right spot at the right time. Or just potlick. grin
Posted By: Trav281

Re: Lake Somerville - 04/15/21 03:03 AM

Ended up catching 8 whites (7 keepers) and 1 catfish all on the same lure. They would sporadically school a ways out busting shad, it happened about 5 or 6 times in the later morning, but they wouldn't last long. Each time it was a few minutes. Boys it coming next week I'm telling ya.
Posted By: Trav281

Re: Lake Somerville - 04/15/21 05:53 AM

And slopez.... It doesn't matter if you caught anything. The best part of that story is that you got to fish with your daughter. That's winning.
Posted By: J-Moe

Re: Lake Somerville - 04/16/21 02:58 AM

I haven't had a chance to go out in the morning again but I have went out the last 3 evenings. The evening bite is always hit or miss. I caught 7 on Tuesday, None yesterday and 27 this evening. There were some very positive signs tonight though. There was a lot of bird activity and surfacing this evening. I potlicked off the birds tonight grin

[Linked Image]
[Linked Image]
Posted By: jsinn01

Re: Lake Somerville - 04/16/21 02:04 PM

Nice report, J-Moe. Headed that way for some crappie fishing on Monday.
Posted By: FishinAg02

Re: Lake Somerville - 04/18/21 02:15 AM

So what will this cold front do to the shad spawn and white bass?
Posted By: R2Fishing

Re: Lake Somerville - 04/18/21 03:11 AM

Nothing -

Whites are still on the points
Posted By: hook-line&sinker

Re: Lake Somerville - 04/19/21 03:14 PM

Don't pot-lick eagles..

Posted By: J-Moe

Re: Lake Somerville - 04/19/21 05:43 PM

roflmao Don't Potlick the Eagles, that's funny!!!

You left out of respect for the Eagles hmmm Me thinks you left because you were scared he was going to peck that bald head grin
Posted By: hook-line&sinker

Re: Lake Somerville - 04/19/21 05:47 PM

I've got to be very careful if I want to stay this good looking.. Not something you need worry about I suppose... wink
Posted By: FishinAg02

Re: Lake Somerville - 04/19/21 06:07 PM

roflmao you two are cracking me up! I loved the video did you ever even wet your fly?
Posted By: hook-line&sinker

Re: Lake Somerville - 04/19/21 06:17 PM

Yes I did fish a little there way down the shore from the eagle and then went over to meet up with J-Moe at Welch park.
I got skunked again and this time I stunk up the place so bad that even J-Moe didn't catch anything!

I swear that J-Moe guy is gonna have to stop fishing with me if this skunking continues.. wink
Posted By: FishinAg02

Re: Lake Somerville - 04/19/21 06:25 PM

I can attest that j-Moe did not get skunked on Friday. Occasionally, I would take one off my stringer and put it on his fly. He had fun with that. grin

But I was afraid this cold front would push the shad off the banks, sounds like that played out Saturday. Bummer. Hopefully after a few days of sun, the banks with light up again.
Posted By: J-Moe

Re: Lake Somerville - 04/19/21 07:32 PM

Don't push your luck David. My grandfather taught me a very powerful cajun incantation. Just ask the video guy. He went 6 months without catching a decent fish last time he demeaned me grin
Posted By: FishinAg02

Re: Lake Somerville - 04/19/21 09:12 PM

Haha!! Thanks for the warning!
Quick story: I was 8yrs old fishing with my grandfather. We came home with a cooler full of white bass and I proceeded to tell everyone about how many I caught (leaving very few to have been caught by my grandfather). He pulled me aside and told me this: “David, did you know that your grandmother used to love to fish.” I said, “No.” He continued, “Oh, and she was a great fisher-woman. But one problem... she counted fish too much. And each time we would go fishing she would come home bragging about how many fish she caught... David, did you know, I don’t take your grandmother fishing anymore...” This 8yr old understand exactly what he was saying. So J-Moe, thanks fo the reminder! To my recollection, your fly-rod was bent quite often!
It’s always fun on the water if you ask me smile
Posted By: hook-line&sinker

Re: Lake Somerville - 04/19/21 10:31 PM

j-Moe ain't kidding you about that cajun voodoo he do.. it's harder to shake off than old cold wet socks on a zebra unicorn..

wopics
Posted By: JILAS

Re: Lake Somerville - 04/20/21 01:24 AM

Is WB bite/schooling early AM, late AM, afternoon or PM?
Also, is road over dam open all the way to Welch Park?
Posted By: J-Moe

Re: Lake Somerville - 04/20/21 02:06 AM

Originally Posted by FishinAg02
To my recollection, your fly-rod was bent quite often!


Extremely Intelligent Response grin grin grin
Posted By: R2Fishing

Re: Lake Somerville - 04/20/21 02:27 AM

Originally Posted by JILAS
Is WB bite/schooling early AM, late AM, afternoon or PM?
Also, is road over dam open all the way to Welch Park?


Road across the Dam won’t be open until mid summer.
Posted By: Trav281

Re: Lake Somerville - 04/20/21 04:59 AM

I stopped by welch after i caught all my white bass last time i was there and you can see them doing construction by the dam @JILAS. So I'd assume that it will not be open for a while. You can easily go to welch if you go into downtown of Somerville and just take a left (if coming from the south) or right (if coming from the north) on 6th or 7th street (i think) and it will dead end pretty much at Welch. Regardless...If you are a bank fisherman, now is your time to catch them. I'll be at big creek tonight to get the early morning start if anyone would like to join. Good luck fellas.
Posted By: jsinn01

Re: Lake Somerville - 04/20/21 03:56 PM

Kevin Kubiak put us on some nice slab crappie yesterday. Beautiful day to be out on the water. grin

Attached picture 20210419_140808.jpg
Attached picture 20210419_140534.jpg
Posted By: hook-line&sinker

Re: Lake Somerville - 04/20/21 04:14 PM

Skunked again!

Posted By: hook-line&sinker

Re: Lake Somerville - 04/21/21 06:57 PM

I avoided the skunk!

Posted By: FishinAg02

Re: Lake Somerville - 04/21/21 08:50 PM

Any luck Trav?
Posted By: ACS

Re: Lake Somerville - 04/22/21 01:31 AM

First-time poster and new to Somerville and white bass. Went out early Tuesday morning. Headed straight to Welsh. Fished 60 yards from the waders and went 20 minutes without a bite while watching the bank fisherman tear it up. Enough of that. Moved maybe 200 yards laterally where there was a good break between waders and fished shallower. Bingo! 6 fish in 12 casts in water depths less than 5 feet. Then wade fisherman push me out. I’m cool with it! Retreat back to deeper water (7-10 feet) with no success and then the bite dies. it’s now approximately 7:45 am.

Decided to go looking for greener pastures and find a nice rocky point with no bank or boat fisherman. Anchor up and right on que it’s a feeding frenzy. Over next hour, probably caught 30 more WB on whatever I wanted to throw. Silver spoon was money but for fun tried jigs (medium success), spinners (medium low) and top water at the end (1 nice catch). Then it quieted down and I actually started to hear the soft splashing of the shad on the rocky banks. I couldn’t hear that from Welsh but there is no mistaking it when you see it. I went on to find other areas with the shad spawning but it took a more prominent point with nearby deeper water for the WB to be there.
Posted By: JILAS

Re: Lake Somerville - 04/22/21 02:08 AM

Yesterday - weather more favorable than today. Only saw 2 birds working but identified schools of fish. Fished 7-2pm & caught ~35.
Today - Cold (43) & N wind ~12-15mph. However, good groups of bird working (~7am-9am) off points.& humps. Fished 7-noon & caught ~20 - cold & tired of fighting wind.
Posted By: J-Moe

Re: Lake Somerville - 04/22/21 05:09 PM

Originally Posted by ACS
First-time poster and new to Somerville and white bass. Went out early Tuesday morning. Headed straight to Welsh. Fished 60 yards from the waders and went 20 minutes without a bite while watching the bank fisherman tear it up. Enough of that. Moved maybe 200 yards laterally where there was a good break between waders and fished shallower. Bingo! 6 fish in 12 casts in water depths less than 5 feet. Then wade fisherman push me out. I’m cool with it! Retreat back to deeper water (7-10 feet) with no success and then the bite dies. it’s now approximately 7:45 am.

Decided to go looking for greener pastures and find a nice rocky point with no bank or boat fisherman. Anchor up and right on que it’s a feeding frenzy. Over next hour, probably caught 30 more WB on whatever I wanted to throw. Silver spoon was money but for fun tried jigs (medium success), spinners (medium low) and top water at the end (1 nice catch). Then it quieted down and I actually started to hear the soft splashing of the shad on the rocky banks. I couldn’t hear that from Welsh but there is no mistaking it when you see it. I went on to find other areas with the shad spawning but it took a more prominent point with nearby deeper water for the WB to be there.


welcome

Great post, Sounds like you may be new to white bass and Somerville but you ain't new to finding and catching fish grin
Posted By: J-Moe

Re: Lake Somerville - 04/22/21 05:12 PM

Originally Posted by JILAS
Yesterday - weather more favorable than today. Only saw 2 birds working but identified schools of fish. Fished 7-2pm & caught ~35.
Today - Cold (43) & N wind ~12-15mph. However, good groups of bird working (~7am-9am) off points.& humps. Fished 7-noon & caught ~20 - cold & tired of fighting wind.


Thanks for the report. That wind has wooped me pretty good the last couple of trips. At least you found and caught fish. I just got a sore elbow and shoulder grin
Posted By: J-Moe

Re: Lake Somerville - 04/23/21 03:00 PM

I went out to Welch (I really miss Rocky and Yegua) this morning. There were a good number of poles set out with bells on them. They weren't ringing though grin

I fished from about 6:45 to 8:00 AM and only caught 5. The problem is the shad spawn hasn't really moved forward with these cooler temperatures. I didn't see any shad spawning this morning. I suspect it will explode soon.
Posted By: hook-line&sinker

Re: Lake Somerville - 04/25/21 11:23 PM

As the moon of April goes full the thread-fin shad spawn will be peaking. J-Moe and I finally lined up on some fish early Sunday morning. What we witnessed was not beyond our expectations for the beginning of this season in the life cycle of the fish. All the bass and catfish probably grow more in the next two months feasting on spawning shad than they will the rest of the year. It is a eight week long morning buffet at the shoreline all around the lake. The action can be non-stop at daybreak but seldom continues long after sun-up but as J-Moe and I learned this morning the second wave of the day begins as the "clean-up" crew arrives... OH WHAT FUN!
Posted By: JILAS

Re: Lake Somerville - 04/26/21 01:02 AM

With low wind, nice temp & weekend, was it very crowded & "wall-to-wall" people?
Posted By: jsinn01

Re: Lake Somerville - 04/26/21 02:13 PM

Originally Posted by J-Moe
I went out to Welch (I really miss Rocky and Yegua) this morning. There were a good number of poles set out with bells on them. They weren't ringing though grin

I fished from about 6:45 to 8:00 AM and only caught 5. The problem is the shad spawn hasn't really moved forward with these cooler temperatures. I didn't see any shad spawning this morning. I suspect it will explode soon.


Are Rocky and Yegua parks closed?
Posted By: hook-line&sinker

Re: Lake Somerville - 04/26/21 02:13 PM

I'm sure it was "wall to wall" at all the popular places... not something I care to witness or partake in if I have a choice.
The whole south shore is walk-in only and it's a long tough hike in the dark to get to the fish before sun-up.
If you do not know the lake very well I'd advise against venturing out to far off the beaten path..
I've done this all my life and know most of the terrain and lake very well which feeds my aversion to crowded places.
Just ask J-Moe.. I'll go places where the fishing is not the greatest even knowing where the best fishing is and the crowds that follow...
Posted By: SweetRay

Re: Lake Somerville - 04/26/21 06:45 PM

They have been on fire until Thursday. It will start again tomorrow
Posted By: J-Moe

Re: Lake Somerville - 04/26/21 06:56 PM

Originally Posted by SweetRay
They have been on fire until Thursday. It will start again tomorrow

Now there is a Somervillian with Confidence from many years on the lake. I need to look closer at my schedule for tomorrow

Thanks for the post!!
Posted By: J-Moe

Re: Lake Somerville - 04/26/21 07:04 PM

Originally Posted by jsinn01
Originally Posted by J-Moe
I went out to Welch (I really miss Rocky and Yegua) this morning. There were a good number of poles set out with bells on them. They weren't ringing though grin

I fished from about 6:45 to 8:00 AM and only caught 5. The problem is the shad spawn hasn't really moved forward with these cooler temperatures. I didn't see any shad spawning this morning. I suspect it will explode soon.


Are Rocky and Yegua parks closed?


They closed Rocky and Yegua to day use bank fishing permanently. They will allow boat launch until October. Then it will be RV / Campsite admission only. Maybe a few emails to our state congress men and women would bring it to their attention that the Corp is taking away the whole southern half of the lake from us bank and kayak fishermen. I've sent them so many ugly emails in past 6 months they may not listen to me grin

I might just purchase a pass for a kayak launch and fish from the bank. Just to see how quickly they'll be there to jump on me and make me drag my kayak out 5 feet in the water to fish the same spot grin
Posted By: J-Moe

Re: Lake Somerville - 04/26/21 07:10 PM

Originally Posted by hook-line&sinker

Just ask J-Moe.. I'll go places where the fishing is not the greatest even knowing where the best fishing is and the crowds that follow...


They're not really fishing trips. I call them hiking, kayaking or video trips. I usually end up sitting on the bank watching him fish. He catches three 6 inch bluegill, pounds his chest and says he's a far greater fisherman than J-Moe. roflmao roflmao roflmao
Posted By: jsinn01

Re: Lake Somerville - 04/26/21 07:36 PM

Originally Posted by J-Moe
Originally Posted by hook-line&sinker

Just ask J-Moe.. I'll go places where the fishing is not the greatest even knowing where the best fishing is and the crowds that follow...


They're not really fishing trips. I call them hiking, kayaking or video trips. I usually end up sitting on the bank watching him fish. He catches three 6 inch bluegill, pounds his chest and says he's a far greater fisherman than J-Moe. roflmao roflmao roflmao


They're more like mini adventures, but every once in awhile those mini adventures turn into epic fish catching adventures. On more than one occasion I've been with Ben catching fish with not another soul in eyesight the entire day. When he hits, he hits big. grin
Posted By: jsinn01

Re: Lake Somerville - 04/26/21 07:39 PM

Originally Posted by J-Moe
I might just purchase a pass for a kayak launch and fish from the bank. Just to see how quickly they'll be there to jump on me and make me drag my kayak out 5 feet in the water to fish the same spot grin


That's awesome. Way to think outside the kayak.
roflmao
Posted By: J-Moe

Re: Lake Somerville - 04/26/21 09:04 PM

Originally Posted by jsinn01
Originally Posted by J-Moe
Originally Posted by hook-line&sinker

Just ask J-Moe.. I'll go places where the fishing is not the greatest even knowing where the best fishing is and the crowds that follow...


They're not really fishing trips. I call them hiking, kayaking or video trips. I usually end up sitting on the bank watching him fish. He catches three 6 inch bluegill, pounds his chest and says he's a far greater fisherman than J-Moe. roflmao roflmao roflmao


They're more like mini adventures, but every once in awhile those mini adventures turn into epic fish catching adventures. On more than one occasion I've been with Ben catching fish with not another soul in eyesight the entire day. When he hits, he hits big. grin


Yah, as much as I hate it, I'll give him credit for a few secret honey holes. And it's always entertaining grin
Posted By: R2Fishing

Re: Lake Somerville - 04/26/21 09:29 PM

Originally Posted by J-Moe
Originally Posted by jsinn01
Originally Posted by J-Moe
I went out to Welch (I really miss Rocky and Yegua) this morning. There were a good number of poles set out with bells on them. They weren't ringing though grin

I fished from about 6:45 to 8:00 AM and only caught 5. The problem is the shad spawn hasn't really moved forward with these cooler temperatures. I didn't see any shad spawning this morning. I suspect it will explode soon.


Are Rocky and Yegua parks closed?


They closed Rocky and Yegua to day use bank fishing permanently. They will allow boat launch until October. Then it will be RV / Campsite admission only. Maybe a few emails to our state congress men and women would bring it to their attention that the Corp is taking away the whole southern half of the lake from us bank and kayak fishermen. I've sent them so many ugly emails in past 6 months they may not listen to me grin

I might just purchase a pass for a kayak launch and fish from the bank. Just to see how quickly they'll be there to jump on me and make me drag my kayak out 5 feet in the water to fish the same spot grin


Some incorrect information. There were quite a few..ALOT of bank fisherman this weekend on both Yegua and Rocky...
Posted By: J-Moe

Re: Lake Somerville - 04/26/21 09:57 PM

Really??? The parks are always closed on weekends to bank fisherman because it is greater than 75% full. The article in the paper quoted the information I wrote.

I guess I need to call the park for myself.
Posted By: J-Moe

Re: Lake Somerville - 04/26/21 10:08 PM

I confirmed with a friend of mine who called them today. No day use passes. Only RV and Boat launch. So if you saw lots of people they must have all rented campsites.
Posted By: hook-line&sinker

Re: Lake Somerville - 04/27/21 12:56 PM

Can't let these park rules stop me from fishing.. that's why we look elsewhere and walk for miles...

Posted By: J-Moe

Re: Lake Somerville - 04/30/21 01:48 PM

I went out to the lake yesterday evening. I got there between 4:30 and 5:00. There was some surfacing activity going on and the white bass had pushed some shad into a small cove. I ended up catching 7 before they moved out. I fished the next 2 hours and only caught 2 more white bass.

I went back to the lake this morning. The shad spawn was just about non-existent. I caught 1 white bass and left by 7:15 AM. I sure thought the shad spawn would have exploded during this full moon but it hasn't happened yet.
Posted By: FishinAg02

Re: Lake Somerville - 04/30/21 11:31 PM

Thanks for the update J-Moe.
Posted By: J-Moe

Re: Lake Somerville - 05/01/21 11:59 PM

The lake level is up to 237.20, only 0.8 foot below normal. The Yegua watershed is still getting heavy rain. A couple days of runoff still to come. The creeks sure needed the flushing.

http://somerville.lakesonline.com/Level/
Posted By: J-Moe

Re: Lake Somerville - 05/02/21 02:37 PM

Lake is up to 237.70 ft. 0.3 foot below normal as of 9:15 AM.

I took a hike this morning. For all you Bow Fisherman, there is a Bonanza of Buffalo and gar in the shallow water. There were gar, in particular, in flooded vegetation, in from 6 inches to a foot of water spawning. I would walk along through the flooded vegetation and they would take off around me and my heart would skip a beat. Then one would bump me in the leg while I wasn't paying attention and my heart would skip 2 beats grin The buffalo weren't in the vegetation but in areas without heavy vegetation.

I've seen lots of signs of catfish in the shallows as well. And have caught several over the last week. I didn't see any active shad spawning or surfacing in the area I was at this morning bang
Posted By: J-Moe

Re: Lake Somerville - 05/03/21 05:45 PM

Lake level is 238.11. 0.11 feet above normal level banana
Posted By: jsinn01

Re: Lake Somerville - 05/03/21 06:06 PM

Thanks for the updates, J-Moe. Glad to hear the lake levels are getting back to normal ahead of a long hot summer.
Posted By: FishinAg02

Re: Lake Somerville - 05/04/21 09:40 PM

Anyone been out the last two days? Wondering if anyone is seeing shad activity. I think the water needed to heat up a little bit more and that has probably happened now.
Posted By: R2Fishing

Re: Lake Somerville - 05/05/21 01:34 AM

Just before the rain storms the shad were thick as fleas on visible lake structure and along the islands (Snake and Deer)
Posted By: slopez

Re: Lake Somerville - 05/05/21 02:35 PM

I know they are working on the dam road, but are the gates operational? The lake is full now, and with the ground already saturated, and as we all know from recent history, the lake level can rise in a hurry.
Posted By: hook-line&sinker

Re: Lake Somerville - 05/05/21 02:43 PM

I think they are working on the pumping station for the Brenham water supply and not the gate or spillway so If they need to open the gates they will.
Posted By: J-Moe

Re: Lake Somerville - 05/05/21 04:42 PM

The Lake Level is at 238.55. The Brazos is pretty high right now. I expect they will open the gates a small amount soon. I'll have to take the kayak up from 36 if they do so.
Posted By: slopez

Re: Lake Somerville - 05/05/21 07:54 PM

I bet with the gates having been closed for months now, that initial opening will trigger an insane bite. If there is no access to parking lot, that means you should have the place to yourself.
Posted By: 24x7Fisherman

Re: Lake Somerville - 05/05/21 08:05 PM

Those folks went down there one month ago. Don’t know where they parked their vehicles



https://youtu.be/0M7Q5E2hkj4
Posted By: 24x7Fisherman

Re: Lake Somerville - 05/05/21 08:15 PM

Releasing at 357 cfs
Posted By: J-Moe

Re: Lake Somerville - 05/06/21 03:25 PM

Lake Level is at 238.59 and releasing 357 cfs.

The video dude and I are thinking about kayaking up from 36 this evening. I don't expect many, if any, new fish have gone through the gates so it will just be a matter of how many fish survived the last year since the last time the gates were open.

I'm not expecting much. Especially since I'm fishing with the video dude. I thought the fish were just camera shy but finally realized it's just him. Might be since I've cursed him so many times. Heck, the fish stopped biting even when I just received a text from him the other day roflmao
Posted By: banker-always fishing

Re: Lake Somerville - 05/06/21 04:03 PM

One very awesome thread! Love seeing the sharing information from other anglers. thumb
Posted By: J-Moe

Re: Lake Somerville - 05/06/21 05:22 PM

Originally Posted by banker-always fishing
One very awesome thread! Love seeing the sharing information from other anglers. thumb


Thanks Chuck, We've been lucky that we've had masters of the white bass run and Lake Somerville share their knowledge. People like Fishytx and Hook-Line&Sinker have done so freely and taught us a ton. There's a small group of us that have had so much more success and enjoyment because of it.

Now we need to drag you up here to dissect the sunfish population. Then we would really be blessed grin
Posted By: R2Fishing

Re: Lake Somerville - 05/07/21 03:29 AM

I decided to hit the home lake few hours this evening. With a 6mph NE wind those fish were HANGRY!

First stop produced 40+ whites to 14”. Using Ducktracker Slabs - Didn’t matter if you were vertical jigging, burning it, swimming it back - it was going to get BIT!
12FOW

Had some cool cats asking if they could anchor lock near me to get in on the action - was non stop till 7:30pm for all of us. 🤙🏻

Won’t be back on lake until mid June. I left them all in the lake for you all. GET SOME!

Water temp at Welch: 80°
Midlake: 78°

Shad are EVERYWHERE on the surface.
Posted By: J-Moe

Re: Lake Somerville - 05/07/21 01:29 PM

I paddled up to the spillway from Hwy 36 yesterday evening. I fished from 5:30 to 6:30 and caught a 20" hybrid, a 12" crappie and 3 gar. About what I expected.

I went out to the lake this morning and fished from 6:15 AM to 7:15 AM. As I walked up to the water there were shad spawning and white bass feeding on them. I caught 3 in the first 10 minutes and that was it. There were people fishing in boats and wade fishing but I didn't see anyone catch anything. I assume it was just slow in the area of the lake I was fishing. Hopefully the shad spawn will gain steam now.
Posted By: 24x7Fisherman

Re: Lake Somerville - 05/07/21 09:23 PM

J Moe, thanks for sharing. The fishing is much slower than I expected. I remember a few years ago when they shut down the place I paddle up from Hwy 36, that was my best white bass fishing ever. I caught a big white bass for every cast, total more than 70 white bass. That was fun
Posted By: TXfisherman12

Re: Lake Somerville - 05/11/21 02:08 AM

Got the fly rod out today and Fished the north bank of the lake near big creek marina this morning. I didn’t connect with any WB and saw very little schooling activity though there are plenty of shad. I did get into a nice catfish that put up a 10 min fight on my 5-wt. But that was about it for me at that spot. Several guys in boats I think caught a few WB beyond wade able areas.
Posted By: FishinAg02

Re: Lake Somerville - 05/11/21 03:05 PM

Thanks for the information. It's been a weird shad spawn. I had a good day (april 9th), a great day (april 16th), an ok day (april 23rd), then it's gone flat for me. Working too much, wind, rain, lake rise, cold, hot... it's just been weird, thats all i can say. And now the spawn should be wrapping up...

David
Posted By: FishinAg02

Re: Lake Somerville - 05/15/21 02:13 PM

Went fishing yesterday morning. Work areas around Welch park, a very few WB were in shallow feeding early. They were gone by 7:15 or so. No more white bass after that. Caught one channel cat after 7:15. That’s all. Total caught 8wb between myself and my friend that came with me. Shad spawn appears to be all but over.
Posted By: Trav281

Re: Lake Somerville - 05/16/21 11:43 PM

Hey fishingAG sorry man I never saw your post from a while back, I haven't had a chance to get out in a while due to work and what not. Last time I went to big creek I got a 5lb hybrid, about 8 whites and a 4lb cat. But that was about a month ago unfortunately. From the sounds of it, the shad spawn seems to be dying frown. I'll probably head out there during the week next week just because I like being out there and see what I can get from wading.
Posted By: Trav281

Re: Lake Somerville - 05/16/21 11:43 PM

Hope all of you guys have been well.
Posted By: R2Fishing

Re: Lake Somerville - 05/17/21 12:48 AM

Shad spawn is far from over. Another guide on Sville posted up pics of shad dropping eggs on his outboard earlier in the week.
Posted By: Trav281

Re: Lake Somerville - 05/17/21 06:19 PM

Originally Posted by R2Fishing
Shad spawn is far from over. Another guide on Sville posted up pics of shad dropping eggs on his outboard earlier in the week.


good to know thanks man! Unfortunately it looks like it's supposed to rain the entire week lol
Posted By: hook-line&sinker

Re: Lake Somerville - 05/17/21 07:37 PM

Forecast calls for up to 10 inches of rain over the next few days.. Looks like another washout for the Memorial Day weekend at Lake Somerville..
Posted By: FishinAg02

Re: Lake Somerville - 05/17/21 08:18 PM

Ben, quick question... sometimes I like to watch some of your old videos during lunch, always entertaining. Today I was watching the video of you in the airboat during the drought, followed up with the video in the airboat during the 2015 flood. Who knew we would get back to back to back floods. Anyways, in the floor video, you are on the boat driving around what would be pecan lake peninsula... and you talk about the big tree.

Two questions: 1. Did the flood kill the big tree or did it survive?

2. The corps of engineers seems to have permanently closed access to pecan lake. When was the last time you went out there? Looks like a doable walk, but the brush can be brutal unless the road is still good.

Thanks!

David

Oh - and Hoggwild: shad spawn might not be “over” but it ain’t what it has been in years past for bank fisherman, anyone telling you differently is trying to sell you something (mostly likely a guided trip). Shad are not beating the banks in millions... they might be beating the banks in the thousands, maybe. And they are done by first light. At least at all the normal places I fish. Maybe others have a different experience, but not the bank fisherman I talk to.
Posted By: hook-line&sinker

Re: Lake Somerville - 05/17/21 08:59 PM

I have not visited the pecan lake area in a couple of years but last time up there the big tree was doing OK. The 2016 flood was a little higher but the water doesn't stay up at that level very long so the big tree should be OK.. I hope to go look someday soon. Might kayak in from Birch or Rocky one of these days. From the satellite view the big tree might be struggling with half of it's branches bare.
Posted By: FishinAg02

Re: Lake Somerville - 05/17/21 09:17 PM

Thanks Ben! I'll have to try a hike in one of these days I'm looking for some exercise and looking to explore.
Posted By: Boudreaux

Re: Lake Somerville - 05/19/21 01:19 AM

If you decide you don't want to make the walk, have boat will travel
Posted By: R2Fishing

Re: Lake Somerville - 05/27/21 03:48 AM

Daughter wanted to take some of her graduating tennis teammates out for some hybrid and whitebass action this evening. Thankfully fish cooperated nicely. We found active schools 14FOW. Water temp 80°.

Any hump/drop-off/ridge is holding excellent numbers.
Posted By: J-Moe

Re: Lake Somerville - 05/27/21 04:41 PM

I launched from Yegua Park and fished the rock points and island for blue gill last Thursday evening and caught only 7 or 8. I tried again yesterday evening and caught around 20. They are finally starting to move shallow. That's typical for Somerville.

I didn't see any white bass surfacing during either trip.

I checked on the shad spawn last Friday morning. There were lots of shad around but no spawning. I never once saw the amount of shad spawning on the bank this year any where close to what I've seen in years past. The Freeze, lack of rain and current in the lake leading up to the spawn, then constantly changing temperature and rain conditions...... hmmm

I saw quite a few crappie fisherman during both trips. From what I've seen it's a lot of smaller fish mixed in.

There are still a lot of buffalo and gar in the submerged vegetation as well.
Posted By: J-Moe

Re: Lake Somerville - 05/28/21 06:48 PM

I took a short hike yesterday to a spot where the white bass should have been 3 months ago grin

I had a small popper with a size 10 briminator on looking to see if I could catch some bluegill. Well, I got a big surprise when I started catching white bass. I went through a number of different flies and colors and caught white bass on just about everything I threw at them. I ended up catching 24 white bass. I kept 10 for a friend of mine.


[Linked Image]
Posted By: Trav281

Re: Lake Somerville - 05/28/21 09:30 PM

NICE Jmoe!! and this was off the bank?
Posted By: J-Moe

Re: Lake Somerville - 05/29/21 09:49 AM

Originally Posted by Trav281
NICE Jmoe!! and this was off the bank?


Yes sir
Posted By: J-Moe

Re: Lake Somerville - 06/01/21 06:08 PM

Ben and I took the kayaks up to the spillway on Sunday. There were a few others that had done the same. They were catching a few small crappie. We didn't catch but a catfish, a buffalo and a bluegill. The gates will need to fully open for a couple weeks before I try again. Lake is at 242.2 feet, 4.2 feet above normal, so the COE will likely open the gates fully once the Brazos subsides.
Posted By: J-Moe

Re: Lake Somerville - 06/06/21 06:11 PM

Lake Level is 244.62. 6.62 foot above normal. The gates are open about half way at 1037 cfs flow.
Posted By: J-Moe

Re: Lake Somerville - 06/08/21 07:19 PM

Lake level is 244.92. Almost 7 feet above normal. The gates are wide open flowing 2079 CFS.
Posted By: Riverrat60

Re: Lake Somerville - 06/11/21 04:46 PM

Hello everyone not really new here just never registered, always check here to see what's happening, fished Somerville all my life, met J Moe at the spillway a couple times he's a really nice guy, any word on when they might open access to the spillway ?
Posted By: J-Moe

Re: Lake Somerville - 06/12/21 02:10 AM

Howdy Oldfisherfart welcome

The COE is still working on the dam and I'm not holding my breath that they will get done anytime soon.

I tried walking in from Lake Somerville Marina last year and the lady put a note on my truck and said she would call the cops if I did it again. Best bet is to kayak up from the 36 bridge.
Posted By: big z

Re: Lake Somerville - 06/18/21 02:03 PM

It's been awhile since I've been on here. Is the spillway at Somerville closed?
Posted By: J-Moe

Re: Lake Somerville - 06/18/21 02:39 PM

Originally Posted by big z
It's been awhile since I've been on here. Is the spillway at Somerville closed?


The dam road and overlook area are still all closed.
Posted By: J-Moe

Re: Lake Somerville - 06/18/21 02:50 PM

I've driven out to 36 bridge and Welch park a couple mornings and evenings the last week just to watch and see if any white bass are surfacing. I haven't seen any yet, nor much shad around.

When I was at 36 bridge yesterday there was a couple fisherman that had took their boat up to the emergency overflow area. They had a large ice chest filled with big blue cats that would barely fit into the cooler. And absolutely beautiful cooler of fish. I should have taken a picture. They were cutting small perch in half and using the head for bait.

I asked if he caught any white bass but he said he hadn't caught or seen any and didn't think they have arrived in any numbers yet.

The lake is 4.25 foot high. With the gates fully open in usually recedes about a 1/4 foot per day. So at a minimum the gates will be open another 17 days. Since they usually reduce the flow as the lake gets closer to normal level they will likely be releasing water for close to 25 days.
Posted By: big z

Re: Lake Somerville - 06/18/21 03:33 PM

Thank you. I guess I'll try my luck at Welch
Posted By: big z

Re: Lake Somerville - 06/18/21 03:55 PM

I wanted to go to 36 bridge but I'm coming from bryan so that drive is a little far lol
Posted By: R2Fishing

Re: Lake Somerville - 06/21/21 02:08 AM

We’ve been finding large schools of hybrid and whites in 12-14FOW suspended.
If you can keep your bait 6-8ft below surface you're in the money. Water temps were in high 80s-lower 90s this past week.
Posted By: big z

Re: Lake Somerville - 06/21/21 02:34 PM

[Linked Image]
[Linked Image]

Here's a few pics 1 of the water level and 1 of some shad lol. I had more fun catching bait fish for the freezer then I did actually getting snagged on all the grass. But hey It beats working
Posted By: big z

Re: Lake Somerville - 06/21/21 02:35 PM

Are you having amy luck in the coves? like Welch park
Posted By: Verm

Re: Lake Somerville - 06/23/21 12:23 AM

Still struggling to find the hybrids and whites. I know they are out there, as I’ve seen guides bringing in big hauls. Yegua seems pretty dead, as I’ve trolled the entire area in my kayak several times now and no schools on the fish finder.

Anyone willing to drop the general name of an area they have been hitting?
Posted By: R2Fishing

Re: Lake Somerville - 06/26/21 06:53 PM

When it happens like this - we can get you limits in minutes.

This has been daily. Fish are actively feeding and can easily be followed.

[Linked Image]
Posted By: TigerinAggieland

Re: Lake Somerville - 07/01/21 11:30 PM

Howdy fellas,

I was hoping for some help with a couple questions about launching at the Hwy 36 bridge. My son and I hauled our boat over yesterday and noticed there were a few trucks and small boat trailers by the bridge. We walked down through the water to the main creek channel but it looked a bit sketchy having never launched there before.

Our boat is a 17’ Tracker and I’m pulling it with a 2wd suv. Any of y’all know that spot well enough to give some feedback as to whether it’s doable without trashing the boat or getting stuck?

I’m itching to get in there and flip some baits back into the bushes! Any help will be much appreciated!

Thanks
Posted By: 24x7Fisherman

Re: Lake Somerville - 07/02/21 06:26 PM

It’s doable. Facing the dam launch from your right side. There some stumps on the left side, be careful.
Is the road to the dam still closed?
Posted By: hook-line&sinker

Re: Lake Somerville - 07/02/21 11:58 PM

with the water level currently I'd advise at least a 4x4 to get out... you might get in with 2WD but it is very doubtful you can get out.. there really isn't a good place to get a trailer down into the creek other than to just drop it over the bank but getting back out will take some guts..
Posted By: hook-line&sinker

Re: Lake Somerville - 07/03/21 12:00 AM

Originally Posted by 24x7Fisherman
It’s doable. Facing the dam launch from your right side. There some stumps on the left side, be careful.
Is the road to the dam still closed?

yes..
Posted By: J-Moe

Re: Lake Somerville - 07/04/21 06:18 PM

Happy 4th of July

flag
Posted By: hook-line&sinker

Re: Lake Somerville - 07/05/21 09:41 PM

Happy 5th of July too!

Posted By: J-Moe

Re: Lake Somerville - 07/06/21 09:51 PM

It was a great day. Friday was the same thing. I caught 30 white bass and a striped bass on Friday; 52 white bass and a striped bass on Monday.

There is a large portion of the fish that have come upstream from the Brazos. As short of a time that the gates were open fully didn't seem like enough to put this amount of fish into the Yegua. It's backed up by the fact that I caught striped bass of 2 different age groups; and the white bass varied from very dark to very light color as well as some very thin fish mixed in.
Posted By: J-Moe

Re: Lake Somerville - 07/08/21 02:32 AM

Ben and I went to the spillway again this evening. The fishing continues to be great!! I stopped when I got to 50 white bass. Ben caught about the same. We both caught a hybrid as well.

[Linked Image]
Posted By: hook-line&sinker

Re: Lake Somerville - 07/08/21 02:08 PM

JMoe on a nice hybrid..

Posted By: jsinn01

Re: Lake Somerville - 07/08/21 09:10 PM

Originally Posted by J-Moe
Ben and I went to the spillway again this evening. The fishing continues to be great!! I stopped when I got to 50 white bass. Ben caught about the same. We both caught a hybrid as well.

[Linked Image]


Awesome sauce! Nice catch. woot
Posted By: K_lin

Re: Lake Somerville - 07/13/21 09:51 PM

Hey J-Moe, I saw you caught several dozens of white bass last Friday, but missed how you caught the hybrid. Thank you for sharing the white bass.
Posted By: J-Moe

Re: Lake Somerville - 07/13/21 10:19 PM

Originally Posted by K_lin
Hey J-Moe, I saw you caught several dozens of white bass last Friday, but missed how you caught the hybrid. Thank you for sharing the white bass.


It's always great to meet another Aggie. Gig'em
Posted By: J-Moe

Re: Lake Somerville - 07/13/21 10:36 PM

Ben and I have been out a couple more times since my last post. The fishing continues to be great!! Ben counted 60 fish the first time we went out. Now we just decided it's unlimited so we test lots of flies. Almost everything works on the white bass though, as long as you drift it into the right spot. We haven't caught any more hybrid or stripped bass though; and we're catching a lot more of those smaller 10.5 inch dark colored, thin white bass.

The lake level is at 241.5 or 3.5 ft above normal. The COE raised the flow since the last time we went out. It is now at 1621 cfs. That's about 3/4 open. That makes things a bit tougher with the fly rod and paddling upstream.

I noticed that the crane is no longer on site. Maybe the COE will wrap up the repair work soon, who knows bang
Posted By: J-Moe

Re: Lake Somerville - 07/15/21 02:22 PM

The Video Dude and I hit the spillway again last night. As expected, it was a bit more difficult to fly fish with the higher flow. But with time we able to lock in and catch fish at a decent rate.

Ever since I took the curse off the Video Dude he's been catching fish at a remarkable rate. He's learned his lesson roflmao roflmao

I've also locked into a fly pattern that works great in this faster water. Ben and I have been experimenting a lot. The pattern is called a "Coyote". This one is tied on a size 2 hook with small gold lead eyes, size 12 barrel swivel, size 1 split ring and size one colorado blade. We're still tinkering. A slightly smaller size 0 colorado blade seems to work well. The blade spins freely but I think the flash is the important part. I think the hot pink intensifies the flash and seems to improve the catch rate as well

[Linked Image]
[Linked Image]
[Linked Image]
.
Posted By: jsinn01

Re: Lake Somerville - 07/15/21 05:24 PM

Thanks for the report. And very cool pics! Thanks for sharing.
Posted By: hook-line&sinker

Re: Lake Somerville - 07/15/21 06:32 PM

There are certainly lots of whitebass in the spillway currently and for the most part JMoe has really dialed in on those fish "on the fly".
I've been experimenting with several fly designs and believe I have figured out what works (mostly by watching JMoe catch fish!).
I've learned from experience that even the best fly can be made better (JMoe betta) with just a minor adjustment of the fly and/or presentation.
The two adjustments made lately is one to the fly and the other is the presentation.
Adding that spinner blade to the fly was huge as it increased the catch rate substantially.
The other adjustment for me was in presentation.
It takes a few trips to the spillway before I can figure out the "what, when, where and how" to cast the fly into the best position repeatedly.
It still surprises me just how precisely you have to place the fly (or lure) to hook-up consistently and that is where JMoe excels.
Posted By: Crappiefever

Re: Lake Somerville - 07/18/21 03:29 PM

J-Moe
Where did you guys park your cars?
Thank you


Originally Posted by J-Moe
The Video Dude and I hit the spillway again last night. As expected, it was a bit more difficult to fly fish with the higher flow. But with time we able to lock in and catch fish at a decent rate.

Ever since I took the curse off the Video Dude he's been catching fish at a remarkable rate. He's learned his lesson roflmao roflmao

I've also locked into a fly pattern that works great in this faster water. Ben and I have been experimenting a lot. The pattern is called a "Coyote". This one is tied on a size 2 hook with small gold lead eyes, size 12 barrel swivel, size 1 split ring and size one colorado blade. We're still tinkering. A slightly smaller size 0 colorado blade seems to work well. The blade spins freely but I think the flash is the important part. I think the hot pink intensifies the flash and seems to improve the catch rate as well

[Linked Image]
[Linked Image]
[Linked Image]
.
Posted By: J-Moe

Re: Lake Somerville - 07/18/21 09:35 PM

The dam road is now open. I went out last night and there were 9 people fishing in the spot I have been fishing. frown
Posted By: hook-line&sinker

Re: Lake Somerville - 07/19/21 03:56 PM

Lot of fishermen know the fishing below the Somerville dam can be very good under the current conditions but now that the road is back open and access to the area is easier everybody and their dog will be down there filling the deep fryer and freezer with fish.. That's not a bad thing but the amount of litter and trash left behind is a huge problem... I can't help but wonder why the COE still allows access to the spillway knowing that it will continue to be trashed out even if the rules are fully enforced and littering becomes a "death penalty" offense. The trail of trash leads all the way to the ocean... it's so sad that the only way to stop the abuse is to punish us all for the sins of the few but we seem to be reaching a breaking point with trash and it's all of us not just a few...
Posted By: J-Moe

Re: Lake Somerville - 07/19/21 05:16 PM

Originally Posted by hook-line&sinker
Lot of fishermen know the fishing below the Somerville dam can be very good under the current conditions but now that the road is back open and access to the area is easier everybody and their dog will be down there filling the deep fryer and freezer with fish.. That's not a bad thing but the amount of litter and trash left behind is a huge problem... I can't help but wonder why the COE still allows access to the spillway knowing that it will continue to be trashed out even if the rules are fully enforced and littering becomes a "death penalty" offense. The trail of trash leads all the way to the ocean... it's so sad that the only way to stop the abuse is to punish us all for the sins of the few but we seem to be reaching a breaking point with trash and it's all of us not just a few...


Yep, I drove down to San Antonio on Saturday to fish a creek. The owner of the property had put a gate and closed off access that had been open to the public forever. That's the 4th spot I've lost in the last few years due to misuse and litter. Now the COE is turning all their lakes into Country Club establishments so we can't even bank fish them anymore.

I guess I'll have to remember to bring a garbage bag with me next time I go down there.
Posted By: J-Moe

Re: Lake Somerville - 07/19/21 05:21 PM

The COE dropped the flow to 755 cfs yesterday. They dropped it again to 448 today.

There have been large crowds at the dam and large numbers of fish being removed. I can already see the difference in catch rate. I caught a dozen or so white bass and a couple undersized crappie yesterday evening. With the lower flow the numbers of crappie caught should increase.
Posted By: J-Moe

Re: Lake Somerville - 07/22/21 03:45 PM

Lake Level is 240.16 and releasing 972 cfs.

I've been going out to the dam in the morning and evening as often as possible. I usually catch about a dozen white bass or so. When the flow was at 448 the undersized crappie and goo were packed in there and I was catching a ton of them. Not a single keeper crappie though.

Ben and I went out this morning. Several of my buddies in the "Katy Express" have been there in the mornings as well. Since we didn't have a white bass spawn on the Yegua this year it's been a while since I've seen most of those guys. We've been having a great time.

The fish move around alot. Not just up and down stream but also from the top of the water column to the bottom. The shad they are feeding on are tiny. Ben figured out if we sized down even further than normal we can catch more fish during the daylight hours. Match the hatch, as usual. I have no clue how the fish find a size 10 bead chain clouser in 972 cfs of water flow, but they do. I caught 20 this morning to prove it grin
Posted By: hook-line&sinker

Re: Lake Somerville - 07/22/21 04:23 PM

Thinking about joining the circus...

Posted By: Riverrat60

Re: Lake Somerville - 07/22/21 11:29 PM

Went to the spillway Wednesday evening fished from 6:46 to dark, mainly for crappie, just like j Moe said lots of under size, ended up with 3 really nice slabs about 30 minutes before dark, lots of small shad, white with pink head tube jig seemed to do the trick fished very slow along the rocks, getting to old to navigate rocks and steps may try again in couple days, as usual j Moe was in his spot tearing up whites and hybrids.
Posted By: Riverrat60

Re: Lake Somerville - 07/26/21 04:40 PM

Any reports on the spillway, was thinking of maybe trying this evening.
Posted By: J-Moe

Re: Lake Somerville - 07/27/21 06:57 PM

A little late but the fishing continues to be good despite the numbers being taken out.

We must have had a enormous amount of fish get washed down from Whitney and other lakes feeding the Brazos. Still not catching any keeper sized crappie but the COE dropped the flow to 668 today so more may start to get caught.

Lake level is 239.28 ft // 1.28 ft above normal and releasing 668 cfs.

The COE has definitely changed their approach to releasing water. I hope it's because they would like to prevent another Fishtales Video of a massive fish kill. But if we don't get more rain and bring the lake up it will unfortunately happen anyway. But at least it extends the time we get to harvest these fish before that happens. Good move by the COE clap

PS: Now give us our bank fishing back at Rocky and Yegua Creek Parks COE.
Posted By: J-Moe

Re: Lake Somerville - 07/30/21 12:12 PM

The Lake level is 239 ft. 1 foot above normal. The COE dropped the flow to 339 cfs yesterday.

The white bass bite is slowing down as the numbers of fish taken out is finally making an impact. I only caught 15 yesterday morning. The crappie bite is picking up, as expected, with the lower flow. But all I've been catching are undersized.
Posted By: jsinn01

Re: Lake Somerville - 07/30/21 01:49 PM

Originally Posted by J-Moe
The Lake level is 239 ft. 1 foot above normal. The COE dropped the flow to 339 cfs yesterday.

The white bass bite is slowing down as the numbers of fish taken out is finally making an impact. I only caught 15 yesterday morning. The crappie bite is picking up, as expected, with the lower flow. But all I've been catching are undersized.




Lol. grin

15 in a morning is generally a pretty good day for me.
Posted By: J-Moe

Re: Lake Somerville - 08/05/21 12:20 PM

The fishing is still pretty good below the dam. The white bass are bunched up around the discharge though so it's been difficult to fly fish with the big crowds. Ben and I got lucky yesterday. The crowd was small and we got to fish our favorite spot with nobody around us. So we could drift the flies, experiment, etc. It ended up being an excellent day. I caught 29 white bass, a striped bass and an undersized crappie. Ben caught about the same, including a striped bass too.

[Linked Image]
[Linked Image]
Posted By: hook-line&sinker

Re: Lake Somerville - 08/05/21 06:51 PM

WOW my gigantic hands make that striper look small! wink
Posted By: hook-line&sinker

Re: Lake Somerville - 08/05/21 07:19 PM

J-Moe and I have been able to experiment and test flys like never before and have discovered a few new tricks along the way about the whitebass fishing in the spillway.

Here's what we think we know..
1. Color and size matters sometimes..
Generally speaking lure/fly color choice seems to follow the rule of dark colors in low light and bright colors in bright light and is a good starting point.
Fly/lure size should closely match whatever the bass are chasing.. the bass get so keyed in on a very specific size of baitfish that anything that doesn't look like it will be ignored..

2. Presentation and location matters most of the time... especially when dealing with moving water and schooling bass and baitfish.

3. Whitebass, hybrids and stripers move around a lot (usually following the shad) Most noticeable when surfacing...

4. Just because you are catching fish doesn't mean you have anything figured out for more than that moment in time...

5. Just because you ain't catching fish doesn't mean you are doing it wrong.

6. Potlicking on J_Moe's hotspot will get you a coon-a$$ VooDoo curse that penicillin can't shake off...
Posted By: jsinn01

Re: Lake Somerville - 08/05/21 09:11 PM

Glad y'all are catching. Hopefully with all this rain they'll be in the creeks this year.
Posted By: hook-line&sinker

Re: Lake Somerville - 08/06/21 07:46 PM

And the morning time can be really good!


Posted By: JILAS

Re: Lake Somerville - 08/09/21 02:53 PM

J-Moe - I tried to send PM but TFF blocked it. Are you aware "TFF says you are over TFF Private Topic limit"?
Posted By: J-Moe

Re: Lake Somerville - 08/09/21 03:18 PM

Howdy JILAS, I fixed it. Thanks
Posted By: JILAS

Re: Lake Somerville - 08/09/21 08:30 PM

Any recent Somerville Spillway "catching" reports? I am pondering going tomorrow morning. Currently releasing 179 CFS. Lake Level 238.57 vs 238.00 Full Pool
https://www.swf-wc.usace.army.mil/somerville/
Posted By: hook-line&sinker

Re: Lake Somerville - 08/09/21 09:15 PM

I might be heading that way shortly... I'll report back Tuesday morning..
Posted By: JILAS

Re: Lake Somerville - 08/10/21 07:57 PM

I fished Somerville Spillway this morning (Tuesday, 8/10/2021) from ~6:30-11am. I caught probably 15 fish most 8”-9” plus a 4' dink. 1 WB keeper came off at rocks/shore. I fished North side. Caught a few ~8” Goo also. About 12 people fishing but never saw anybody catch anything of size. A few guys on the railing of the spillway with cast net for bait & throw in spillway but did not see them catch anything of size either.
Posted By: hook-line&sinker

Re: Lake Somerville - 08/11/21 02:48 PM

Monday evening I made the drive to fish the spillway again to find no one working the north side rocks. I started at the chute and worked all the way to where the rocks end. Only caught goo and could have caught a bunch if I'd have stayed on them. I noticed the whitebass surfacing just a couple of times at the mouth of the chute and could see one guy (Jason) picking them off the wall up inside the chute. The flow at 179cfps allows the bass to chase the shad up into the chute and force the shad into and up the wall where they can pin them down... Apparently the bass were doing this the whole time I was down on the rocks catching goo...
I joined Jason on the dock at about 7:30 and quickly started catching... I stayed until sunset and caught maybe ten nice size whitebass.. Jason caught more than a limit but kept 25 good ones.. I didn't keep count but the four of us on the dock reeled in 50 plus by dark... Jason number II showed up as we were leaving and reported catching lots of bass a couple of nights ago after dark and left them biting.. One thing is certain these bass are hard to pin down as to location. They move around every time the flow changes and Monday evening was no different... You had to bounce the jig off the wall to catch a bass..
Posted By: JILAS

Re: Lake Somerville - 08/11/21 08:43 PM

FYI - Somerville Spillway release rate info, J-Moe and Hook-Line&Sinker may know correlation to release rates (CFS) and "catching" as I am "newbie" to fishing Somerville Spillway (1st time since 1975/1976 Aggie Freshman year)
General info - https://www.swf-wc.usace.army.mil/somerville/
Historical daily release rates https://www.swf-wc.usace.army.mil/c...ATA&page=Hydrologic&report=query

[Linked Image]
Posted By: hook-line&sinker

Re: Lake Somerville - 08/11/21 09:15 PM

Generally speaking under a constant flow rate the fish will stick to a regular pattern of feeding and movement in the channel.. When the flow goes up or down significantly the fish often move and re-establish a new pattern. The trick is knowing the what, when and where to fish under the changing flow rate.. To get dialed-in on the fish takes time, some luck and is often helped by watching other fisherman who have found the trick..

I started fishing Lake Somerville shortly after moving to Bryan in 1971 so that makes 2021 my 50th anniversary. I've experienced a few things over those years that really pay off now.. Sometimes there is no replacement for time on the water or dumb luck..
Posted By: hook-line&sinker

Re: Lake Somerville - 08/12/21 08:19 PM

Took a rare lunchtime run over to the spillway Thursday to find the flow reduced to 94 cfps and the fish stacked up in the chute. JMoe and I caught mostly goo, a couple of very nice whitebass, a few small crappie and sunfish. I suspect if given the time we could have located the better fish but it was nice to be fishing and catching.
Posted By: J-Moe

Re: Lake Somerville - 08/15/21 04:44 PM

I went out to the dam this morning. I walked down from the crowd and waded out into knee deep water. I really couldn't find any white bass staged. They just continue to move around chasing the shad with a straggler here and there. I ended up catching 12 keeper size WB, 6 small white bass, plus a bunch of goo and undersized crappie. I've seen very few hybrids caught. None today by anyone. I've actually caught 5 stripped bass, but only one hybrid since the COE opened the dam this time. I kept 8 white bass for a friend.

[Linked Image]
[Linked Image]
Posted By: J-Moe

Re: Lake Somerville - 08/28/21 03:14 PM

The COE closed the gates, as expected, 1/4 foot above normal lake level. Unfortunately everything is setting up for another massive fish kill in the very near future is we don't get a large amount of rain in the next several days.

I fished below the dam this morning. It was full of gar. Everyone, including myself, was catching gar. I was also catching lots of undersized crappie. The white bass or hybrids weren't to be seen but I left by 8 AM. I'm hoping they will crowd into the deeper channel below the dam in the next couple of days, but only time will tell.
Posted By: J-Moe

Re: Lake Somerville - 08/29/21 03:31 PM

I fished below the dam yesterday evening. Just caught gar and small crappie. I tried this morning and the whole area was nothing but gar and buffalo. I didn't catch even small crappie.

I jumped over to the lake side and found lots of bluegill biting. I also picked up a nice bass. All caught on a size 10 crawfish briminator fly.

[Linked Image]
[Linked Image]
Posted By: J-Moe

Re: Lake Somerville - 08/29/21 03:49 PM

After I finished fishing I went back over to the dam and picked up garbage in the near side rocks. I picked up a total of 3 bags and not sure I made a real dent.

It was very interesting. Most people wouldn't even look at me. I wonder if they thought I was a criminal doing public service, or maybe just embarrassed for me or of themselves that an old man was stumbling around the rocks picking up their water bottles, beer cans and bait containers.

This is a symbol of where America is at right now. The sick false narratives are all meant for us to hate America. It is time for us to take back America, if it isn't too late. We start by loving this great country. It is amazing to me that when I travel to Austria for work it's like a picture in a story book without a piece of trash in sight. Then I look at America that has been around for hundreds of years less and it is being trashed out by it's citizens and even more so by it's non citizens.

It's time to take the small steps and stop being politically correct. Education and shaming if needed. It doesn't hurt to tuck a couple trash bags in your belt loop and hand them to a family group or other beer drinking group. If we show we care then maybe others will follow suit.

[Linked Image]
Posted By: SomervilleFishing

Re: Lake Somerville - 08/29/21 04:23 PM

Thank J-Moe for picking up trash behind the dam. You are the role-model for all fishmen! I will bring trash bags every time fishing there, and help clear up trash.
Posted By: J-Moe

Re: Lake Somerville - 08/30/21 12:53 AM

Thanks SomervilleFishing, That's the Spirit!! Welcome to the Forum

welcome
Posted By: Catfish Jac

Re: Lake Somerville - 08/30/21 02:58 PM

Is the spillway generally full of gar when not releasing? Or do they just show up in large numbers right after the gates close to mop up? I want to try fishing for gar with a "rope lure" and was wondering if they'll still be there next weekend.
Posted By: SomervilleFishing

Re: Lake Somerville - 08/30/21 05:28 PM

Gars should be there at least for a few weeks after the spillway is closed

Originally Posted by Catfish Jac
Is the spillway generally full of gar when not releasing? Or do they just show up in large numbers right after the gates close to mop up? I want to try fishing for gar with a "rope lure" and was wondering if they'll still be there next weekend.
Posted By: FishinAg02

Re: Lake Somerville - 08/30/21 06:45 PM

It's one of those things i've never understood. Why in the world do fisherman leave the banks for the lake or spillway in such awful condition?!!? Thanks J-Moe for leading by example. I'd be honored to work with you next time to clean up a little.
Posted By: SomervilleFishing

Re: Lake Somerville - 08/31/21 10:44 PM

Most fishermen leave no trash behind - 1-2 empty water bottles are easy to carry away. But there are some bad apples. Early this year under a bridge along the bank of a creek, I saw a 6-pack beer box with 2 unopened beer bottles. They must drink too much LOL!
Posted By: SomervilleFishing

Re: Lake Somerville - 08/31/21 10:52 PM

Here are crappie caught 2 weeks ago [Linked Image]
Posted By: R2Fishing

Re: Lake Somerville - 09/09/21 11:50 PM

With the summer lull that Somerville has during these pst few hot and humid months; we've been hitting Lake Whitney hard and steadily on the Stripers. I’m looking for a boatless veteran that would be interested on this type of trip that normally/regularly fishes Somerville and hasn’t filled their freezer this year.

If this fits you and interested - please pm me. From one veteran to another - let’s enjoy a day out catchin not fishin 😁😉😉
Posted By: rhw

Re: Lake Somerville - 09/26/21 02:36 PM

what a nice offer.
Posted By: R2Fishing

Re: Lake Somerville - 09/29/21 01:58 AM

Crappie bite is slowly picking up for this fall.

We found more than a livewell worth in 8-12FOW on brush piles. For all you yakers- Yegua SP bulkhead is lined with brush. Hard to miss on electronics. Minnows or 1/16oz head tipped with Bobby Garland Elec Chicken has been key.

Hybrids were out in force Sun morning. They were schooling off the rock point at Rocky SP. E of the boat ramp/dock between there and Yegua SP.

Lots of boats out this weekend on the humps trolling - never caught a report from any of them…

See ya on the water 🤙🏻
Posted By: J-Moe

Re: Lake Somerville - 10/03/21 04:15 PM

I continue to pick up trash below the dam. Problem is that people are depositing over a bag a week. I hope my efforts will save the place from being shutdown but that's only optimistic thinking. I've been motivated as the fishing was incredible over the last 10 days. The numbers have finally dwindled though.

[Linked Image] [Linked Image] [Linked Image]
Posted By: SomervilleFishing

Re: Lake Somerville - 10/03/21 11:57 PM

J-Moe: Thumb up!
Posted By: hook-line&sinker

Re: Lake Somerville - 10/04/21 09:48 PM

Not only does he pick up trash...

Posted By: J-Moe

Re: Lake Somerville - 10/18/21 07:58 PM

Lake Level is 238.13 ft. I checked on the creeks Sunday. The creeks were up about 6 to 12 inches. The gate to Newman Bottom was closed for some reason. Maybe we will get a few crappie up in the creeks. And lets hope for a heavy rain in December to kick off the white bass run.

I've still been hitting the spillway in the evenings. Hoping to catch Gus. He that keeps showing up about 7 PM every night and has broken me off twice grin
Posted By: jsinn01

Re: Lake Somerville - 10/18/21 10:20 PM

Originally Posted by J-Moe
Lake Level is 238.13 ft. I checked on the creeks Sunday. The creeks were up about 6 to 12 inches. The gate to Newman Bottom was closed for some reason. Maybe we will get a few crappie up in the creeks. And lets hope for a heavy rain in December to kick off the white bass run.

I've still been hitting the spillway in the evenings. Hoping to catch Gus. He that keeps showing up about 7 PM every night and has broken me off twice grin


Thanks, J-Moe. I was just getting curious about what kind of shape the creeks are in. Last year was a bust for crappie in the creeks. I'm hoping this year is better. I'll probably be headed that way sometime next month.
Posted By: greenyak

Re: Lake Somerville - 10/24/21 09:14 PM

Posted By: FishinAg02

Re: Lake Somerville - 10/25/21 03:22 PM

Great video Greenyak. thanks for sharing with us! How many Crappie did you end up catching?

David
Posted By: J-Moe

Re: Lake Somerville - 10/25/21 04:49 PM

Thanks Greenyak thumb
Posted By: J-Moe

Re: Lake Somerville - 10/25/21 05:00 PM

I went to Newman Bottom Sunday morning. The gate was open. I talked to a fishing buddy who fishes down there regularly. He said the park had closed the gate the week before due to the recent rain. He said they have been catching lots of catfish about a half mile below the low water crossing. I haven't heard any reports on crappie until Greenyak posted some being caught.

I checked on Irwin. There were a couple guys fishing for catfish and one person trying for crappie but he had only caught one crappie. I tried fly fishing in both locations but didn't catch anything except a few small native bluegill. The water looked good at Newman Bottom but was muddied up a bit at Irwin due to the rain during the night. The water levels were back to normal. The lake is still 0.1 foot above normal.

I have seen some catfish being caught on the lake side of the spillway as well. It seems the catfish bite is going strong.

The fishing in the spillway picked up after the cold front. The white bass bunched up in the deeper spots. I caught 38 that first day after the cold front and it has dwindled down each day again. I've only caught a couple hybrids and a couple stripper in the last 2 weeks.
Posted By: hook-line&sinker

Re: Lake Somerville - 10/25/21 07:39 PM

Originally Posted by J-Moe
I've only caught a couple hybrids and a couple stripper in the last 2 weeks.


Just to clarify this is a "striper"

[Linked Image]



And these are Strippers

[Linked Image]


J-Moe is doing a lot more with the Fly rod than we knew...

you are welcome...



Posted By: greenyak

Re: Lake Somerville - 10/25/21 09:17 PM

Originally Posted by FishinAg02
Great video Greenyak. thanks for sharing with us! How many Crappie did you end up catching?

David

10 to 15 only 3 keepers and a couple gar.
Posted By: BayouFennec

Re: Lake Somerville - 10/26/21 12:23 PM

Originally Posted by hook-line&sinker
Originally Posted by J-Moe
I've only caught a couple hybrids and a couple stripper in the last 2 weeks.


Just to clarify this is a "striper"

[Linked Image]



And these are Strippers

[Linked Image]


J-Moe is doing a lot more with the Fly rod than we knew...

you are welcome...






you didn't happen to get the GPS coordinates on the strippers location? (asking for a friend)
Posted By: OllieC

Re: Lake Somerville - 11/01/21 03:58 PM

does anyone know if you can still launch a boat at Rocky Creek wout camping there? Heard a lot about this a while ago but not lately. I'd love to be able to launch there. Thanks..
Posted By: FishinAg02

Re: Lake Somerville - 11/01/21 06:11 PM

According to what the corps of engineers had posted on there website, the answer is no, but I can't find that information anymore, it's been removed. Maybe try calling. Here is their number. (979)-596-1622
Posted By: bowler49

Re: Lake Somerville - 11/03/21 02:23 PM

Looks like the boat ramps are closed at Rocky Creek due to flood damage.
[Linked Image]
Posted By: BayouFennec

Re: Lake Somerville - 11/04/21 07:13 PM

paddled up Nails Creek to where the bridge use to be. i was surprised to see it had collapsed at some time. don't know when since i haven't been there in a year
[Linked Image]
Posted By: jsinn01

Re: Lake Somerville - 11/05/21 05:53 PM

Thanks for posting. I'm actually really saddened to see this. I always loved seeing that old bridge because it meant I was creek fishing, one of my favorite ways to spend a day. It was still up this spring, so it must have collapsed over the summer. Really bummed. On a bright note, the creek looks to have plenty of water. I'm hoping to pull a few crappie out of there in the coming months. Fingers crossed.
Posted By: TXfisherman12

Re: Lake Somerville - 11/07/21 03:27 PM

Fished around that bridge at this same time last year. There is certainly a lot more water than last year. I remember a big log jam just upstream of the bridge last year. Just a thought, but maybe that had something to do with its demise when the water levels rose this year.

@jsinn01: sent you a PM
Posted By: SomervilleFishing

Re: Lake Somerville - 11/07/21 03:45 PM

Here is the picture from Google Map[Linked Image]
Posted By: jsinn01

Re: Lake Somerville - 11/07/21 03:53 PM

Cool pic. This should be a really good area of the creek to catch crappie when they begin moving shallow in February/March. Definitely plenty of structure for them to hang out around.
Posted By: J-Moe

Re: Lake Somerville - 11/07/21 08:32 PM

The lake level is 1/2 foot above normal. Hopefully the COE won't open the gates. The game wardens said the mouth of the Yegua is silted in pretty bad. They tried to get a power drive in the mouth and got stuck. They had to get a second power drive to pull it out.

Nails and Cedar were up about a foot with a little flow at CR125. I would expect there might be a few crappie in there Jared.

The Yegua got a good flushing and its setting up for good crappie and white bass fishing this winter. Here's a picture of the Yegua at Newman Bottom

[Linked Image]
Posted By: OllieC

Re: Lake Somerville - 11/07/21 09:09 PM

I called the Corps and talked to a really nice lady. She said Rocky Creek and Yegua Creek boat ramps are now for campers only. Yegua Creek has a new public, free boat ramp. She said the turn off if before you get to the gate at Yegua Creek. Overnight camping is $25/nite off season.
Posted By: jsinn01

Re: Lake Somerville - 11/08/21 02:50 PM

Cool pic, J-Moe! Thanks for the update on the creeks. There's a good possibility I'll be there this upcoming weekend.
Posted By: J-Moe

Re: Lake Somerville - 11/08/21 04:34 PM

Lake level is 238.52. The COE cracked the gates open to 95 cfs.
Posted By: Douglasdzaster

Re: Lake Somerville - 11/09/21 03:06 AM

I called last week trying to plan a day trip there from Smithville. Things sure have changed since I lived there years ago. I’m thinking about launching from Big Creek but the lady there told me I can’t pay until 9 am when the store opens. I’d like to get an earlier start. I want to drift some jug lines while I either striper fish or crappie. Been years since I been to Somerville so I’m going to play it by ear so to speak.
Posted By: hook-line&sinker

Re: Lake Somerville - 11/09/21 07:55 PM

It's getting close to crappie time!

Posted By: hook-line&sinker

Re: Lake Somerville - 11/09/21 07:57 PM

Posted By: jsinn01

Re: Lake Somerville - 11/11/21 02:08 AM

Enjoyed the video, Ben.
Posted By: TXfisherman12

Re: Lake Somerville - 11/14/21 11:21 PM

Jared and I fished a long stretch of nails yesterday and the catching was almost nonexistent.
Posted By: hook-line&sinker

Re: Lake Somerville - 11/15/21 02:12 PM

Same here for JMoe and I on Friday afternoon.. Walked into Nails, fished down to just past the trailway bridge. JMoe picked up one crappie and a sunfish and I managed only one blackbass.

Not much movement in the water but there is plenty of water and that is the key to good winter/spring fishing at lake Somerville.

Sunday I kayaked the Yegua putting in at newman bottom. Same story on the Yegua.. plenty of water but the fish weren't in the mood to visit with me..
video to follow shortly..

From past experience when the lake is above normal level in the fall that leads to a good or great spring whitebass/crappie season in the creeks..
Posted By: hook-line&sinker

Re: Lake Somerville - 11/15/21 07:40 PM

Here's the creek conditions preview video of J-Moe and I hitting Nails creek last Friday..



Kayaking the Yegua last Sunday is up next...
Posted By: hook-line&sinker

Re: Lake Somerville - 11/16/21 01:11 PM

as promised...
Posted By: Trav281

Re: Lake Somerville - 11/18/21 04:13 AM

Thank you HLS, J-Moe and everyone for all you do
Posted By: Boudreaux

Re: Lake Somerville - 11/23/21 05:39 PM

Just a reminder, that's it's still duck season to those looking to yak up the creek any time before 9-10am, don't be surprised to hear gunfire very close. Please be respectful of the duck hunters, they really don't take kindly to fishermen getting too close to them while they are trying to hunt.

Also anyone looking to get up the creek to fish and doesn't want to walk or paddle, give me a shout. Licensed guide and USCG licensed Captain. Find me on Facebook Duck-Tails Guide Service. We run two different extreme shallow water boats that can get up the creek without any issues.
Posted By: TXfisherman12

Re: Lake Somerville - 11/24/21 02:04 PM

I agree watch out kayakers. I hiked downstream on nails a few saturdays ago. I was surprised at the high speed the duck hunters boat were coming upstream in such a narrow passage. Any kayaker in the way would have been in danger of capsizing or worse. This was below the flag pond cut. One duck hunters boater also accelerated upstream of the cut at a high speed, again a kayaker would have been in trouble if not carefully watching out . For the record I do not kayak and solely a bank fisherman.
Posted By: hook-line&sinker

Re: Lake Somerville - 11/30/21 07:23 PM

If you really need to kayak/fish the Yegua just get a cart and drop in at Newmans just below the parking lot, doing this eliminates that long paddle across the lake where the hunters will be and much of the unproductive water at the lower end of the creek.
Posted By: hook-line&sinker

Re: Lake Somerville - 11/30/21 07:31 PM

Duck Season
North zone Nov. 13-28 & Dec. 4 – Jan. 30 (includes Lake Somerville)

South zone Nov. 6-28 & Dec. 11 – Jan. 30 (south of Interstate highway 10)
Posted By: hook-line&sinker

Re: Lake Somerville - 12/02/21 02:31 PM


Information you need to know


Lake Somerville State park & Trailway Park Alerts...

Trailway Closures

The Trailway will be closed on the following dates:

From 5 p.m. Dec. 3 to 2 p.m. Dec. 5
From 5 p.m. Dec. 6 to 2 p.m. Dec. 9
From 5 p.m. Jan. 14 to 2 p.m. Jan. 16
Please observe trail closure signs for your safety. Only permitted hunters will be allowed in this area on these dates.


Unit Closures
The Birch Creek Unit will be closed on the following dates:

From 5 p.m. Nov. 30 to noon Dec. 3
From 5 p.m. Jan. 11 to noon Jan. 14
The Nails Creek Unit will be closed on the following dates:

From 5 p.m. Dec. 7 to 2 p.m. Dec. 10
Only permitted hunters will be allowed into closed units.
[color:#CC0000][/color]
Posted By: hook-line&sinker

Re: Lake Somerville - 12/03/21 02:18 PM

I made another trip Thursday to the Yegua at Newman Bottom and this time I found the crappie! smile
Posted By: hook-line&sinker

Re: Lake Somerville - 12/03/21 03:21 PM

Just for update purposes, this was Wednesday Nov. 24th 2021.
Over the next few days after this video was taken we received some rain that stained the creek up just a little and that made the crappie fishing below Newmans a good bit better.

Posted By: jsinn01

Re: Lake Somerville - 12/03/21 05:04 PM

Originally Posted by hook-line&sinker
I made another trip Thursday to the Yegua at Newman Bottom and this time I found the crappie! smile


Glad to hear it. thumb
Posted By: hook-line&sinker

Re: Lake Somerville - 12/03/21 08:42 PM

I know you-all have been waiting for this time of the season and it's just getting started... It's Crappie time on the Yegua!

Posted By: J-Moe

Re: Lake Somerville - 12/05/21 08:14 PM

The last couple of mornings have been very warm. This pushed the shad shallow. The white bass, small hybrids and largemouth followed.

Saturday morning it was overcast so it was non-stop action until about 9:30 AM. I caught 40 plus. This morning it wasn't quite as good but I still caught quite a few between 6:45 and 7:30 AM.

Be careful, there are lots of 11 inch hybrids mixed in so check the tongue patch closely. It's hard to distinguish when they are young. There is a long tongue patch on the hybrids but it's hard to distinguish the line that runs down the middle of the patch. It looks like this group are the Sunshine bass rather than the typical Palmetto bass. The stocking reports haven't been updated for any lakes since 2019 so it's hard to say for sure.

[Linked Image] [Linked Image]
[Linked Image]
Posted By: jsinn01

Re: Lake Somerville - 12/06/21 09:51 PM

Way to find em'. Thanks for the report!
Posted By: hook-line&sinker

Re: Lake Somerville - 12/11/21 10:10 AM

This is getting GOOD!

Posted By: J-Moe

Re: Lake Somerville - 12/11/21 12:39 PM

Great video and a great day Ben thumb

The creek is fishing great. One good rain and it's going to absolutely explode. It's setting up perfectly.
Posted By: slopez

Re: Lake Somerville - 12/11/21 09:45 PM

Are we in Bizarro World? Did I see J-Moe with conventional gear?
Posted By: J-Moe

Re: Lake Somerville - 12/12/21 12:18 AM

roflmao You did indeed Lopez. It's been so long that Ben had to teach me how to use it and how to catch fish with it roflmao
Posted By: hook-line&sinker

Re: Lake Somerville - 12/13/21 12:49 PM

The week ahead is setting up nicely weather-wise.. should be able to repeat this approach to the good fishing/kayaking for crappie/whites. Waiting until the rain comes and fills the creek.. than it will really kick into high gear...
Posted By: J-Moe

Re: Lake Somerville - 12/20/21 02:38 PM

Hummm, very interesting. Could that be white bass I smell?

[Linked Image]
Posted By: jsinn01

Re: Lake Somerville - 12/20/21 03:08 PM

Woohoo!!! Bring on the white bass! thumb
Posted By: FishinAg02

Re: Lake Somerville - 12/20/21 03:42 PM

Looking great! J-Moe, did you fish any while you were there?
Posted By: J-Moe

Re: Lake Somerville - 12/20/21 08:13 PM

Originally Posted by FishinAg02
Looking great! J-Moe, did you fish any while you were there?


Just a few minutes. The water was muddy and flowing too fast. It should be good in a couple more days.
Posted By: hook-line&sinker

Re: Lake Somerville - 12/21/21 05:19 PM

From Dec 21st, 2016

Posted By: EllerTroy

Re: Lake Somerville - 12/22/21 02:42 PM

J-Moe did you check out Nails Creek.
Posted By: J-Moe

Re: Lake Somerville - 12/23/21 06:00 PM

Nails only came up about a foot. The Yegua came up about 5 feet. Jared, Alan, Ben and I tried Nails this morning. We didn't even catch a single fish.

We went checked on the Yegua at Newman Bottom. Its still up a foot to 2 feet and flowing at a decent pace. It's still pretty muddy too. It's going to be a few more days before it starts to settle down and clear up. The banks are muddy and slick so bring your life jacket grin
Posted By: jsinn01

Re: Lake Somerville - 12/23/21 08:07 PM

I can't figure out why the fishing in Nails Creek is so poor this year. Plenty of water and the clarity was excellent today. I think I'm done with it until I hear a decent report. For all four of us to get skunked is really discouraging.
Posted By: greenyak

Re: Lake Somerville - 12/24/21 03:15 AM

Originally Posted by jsinn01
I can't figure out why the fishing in Nails Creek is so poor this year. Plenty of water and the clarity was excellent today. I think I'm done with it until I hear a decent report. For all four of us to get skunked is really discouraging.

Well dang, I was planning on going to the yegua Friday morning but it doesn’t sound like it will be worth the long drive.
Posted By: J-Moe

Re: Lake Somerville - 12/24/21 05:51 PM

It has started banana I caught 7 this morning. It should get better every day.

[Linked Image] [Linked Image]
Posted By: jsinn01

Re: Lake Somerville - 12/24/21 08:50 PM

Thanks for the report! thumb
Posted By: GC2656

Re: Lake Somerville - 12/24/21 09:28 PM

Thanks for the report, I'm going to try and get up there the beginning of next week.
Posted By: greenyak

Re: Lake Somerville - 12/24/21 09:51 PM

Posted By: jsinn01

Re: Lake Somerville - 12/24/21 10:42 PM

Cool video, greenyak! Looks like you had a fun ride back. Done that a time or two. 😁
Posted By: J-Moe

Re: Lake Somerville - 12/27/21 08:06 PM

I went out yesterday morning and fished for 3 hours. I only caught 7 white bass. I tried in the evening at Irwin Bridge and caught only 4.

I worked my way downstream of Irwin this morning for maybe 3/4 of a mile. A ways past both the small creeks. I didn't get a bite so I went back and tried at the bridge but only caught 1 white bass. I went over to Newman Bottom and caught 8 in the first hour. Then the sun came out and the wind picked up so I called it a day.

The COE opened the gates to 95 cfs on the 25th. The lake was 0.57 foot above normal at that point.

The creek is almost back to normal level. The flow hasn't slowed much more but it does seem to be slowly clearing in certain areas. The remarkable thing is I saw spawning activity last night and again this morning.

[Linked Image][Linked Image]
Posted By: bowler49

Re: Lake Somerville - 12/27/21 08:38 PM

Today my wife and I were fishing Newman's Bottom and we found a jacket near the first bend downstream from the low water crossing. We left the jacket in the parking lot on one of the rocks. It's a drill team jacket from the Redding Raiders.
Posted By: slopez

Re: Lake Somerville - 12/27/21 10:23 PM

Originally Posted by bowler49
Today my wife and I were fishing Newman's Bottom and we found a jacket near the first bend downstream from the low water crossing. We left the jacket in the parking lot on one of the rocks. It's a drill team jacket from the Redding Raiders.

Maybe this was the spawning activity J-Moe was alluding to.
Posted By: jsinn01

Re: Lake Somerville - 12/27/21 11:50 PM

Originally Posted by slopez
Originally Posted by bowler49
Today my wife and I were fishing Newman's Bottom and we found a jacket near the first bend downstream from the low water crossing. We left the jacket in the parking lot on one of the rocks. It's a drill team jacket from the Redding Raiders.

Maybe this was the spawning activity J-Moe was alluding to.


Lol. grin
Posted By: jsinn01

Re: Lake Somerville - 12/27/21 11:52 PM

Thanks for the report, J-Moe. Sounds like things are starting to pick up.
Posted By: FISHINGFOOL40

Re: Lake Somerville - 12/28/21 06:04 AM

Thx, 4 all the reports and pics, J-MOE thumb Much appreciated flehan
And if I can catch some river minnows(spot-tails), on Lake Travis tomorrow...
I may try Irwin Bridge or Newman's Bottom(and if the gates open) thumb

(Update: caught couple of dozen river minnows the other day on Lake Travis, but all where very small)
***********************************************************************************************
(This an old post of mine, from Jan. 21st 2015
Tried to put in actual [url]) for post, but failed miserably, sorry...
Or still trying to figure out my new chromebook and all this new high_tech TFF posting stuff._.lmao._.

-------------Originally Posted By: J-Moe----------------------
Thanks for the report Fishingfool40. Has the water cleared up any?
=========================================================

The water color was still muddy, from what I would consider.Basically, being I could only see my jig or the action of my curly-tail 2 or 3 inches from the surface.But there was at least a good water flow...

Also I didn't catch my first fish till about 1:00, after the sun finally broke about noon.Then I worked that same 50' area for another hour to catch 3 more...
Went back to car to eat a sandwich and have something cold to drink.And at that point I was thinking of going to Nails Creek, but after stopping by the 125 bridge at Nails creek on the way to Newmans Bottom and not seeing much water flow...I decided I'd walk all the way down stream to the pipes, and work my way back upstream.
But fortunately never made it that far, being I decided to try an area right before the low water crossing.And wound-up catching a fish within the first 2 or 3 casts.So I stuck with that area for about 2 or more hours to catch 7 more...
Like I said before, I work hard making a lot of casts in every spot I tried.Especially in the spots I thought I might have just a slight pick-up or finally hook into one....

Still not sure if these were fish that had moved up from the last big rains when the water was up 3 or 4 feet(what it seemed anyhow from some debree lines) or had moved up recently.But either way, I know there is still some more fish there being I know I didn't catch them all grin
Especially catching 8 more (3 lost and 1 throwback) right before dark just 100' down from the bridge at the parking lot.And I'd worked that area real good earlier without a bite...

Anyway, I never could find my digital camera...So I guess everyone will just have to take my word on the fish I caught with no pics duel

May try again next week if still not working, and we can get 2 or 3 days of sunshine with lows no less than 40 degrees and highs 60+ degrees...Which looks like maybe next Wednesday or Thursday, if the predicted forecast is right hammer



Attached picture 20211228_130939.jpg
Posted By: FISHINGFOOL40

Re: Lake Somerville - 12/28/21 06:26 AM

Originally Posted by hook-line&sinker


Great Video+Memories woot Thx 4 sharing, hook-line&sinker thumb
And yes, the spring of 2013, was an excellent year on the Yegue clap

==========================================================================================
https://texasfishingforum.com/forum...-somerville-white-bass-run-2#Post8834996
Posted By: FISHINGFOOL40

Re: Lake Somerville - 12/28/21 06:50 AM

Originally Posted by jsinn01
Originally Posted by slopez
Originally Posted by bowler49
Today my wife and I were fishing Newman's Bottom and we found a jacket near the first bend downstream from the low water crossing. We left the jacket in the parking lot on one of the rocks. It's a drill team jacket from the Redding Raiders.

Maybe this was the spawning activity J-Moe was alluding to.


Lol. grin

@jsinn01 X2 Lol. grin

And thx, for your honesty,kindness, good deed and time clap bowler49 ...
For posting you had found someone's jacket, down there at Newman's Bottom thumb
And welcome to J-Moe's Thread/Board welcome
Been running almost 7 years now, thx again for starting, J-Moe. thumb flehan
******************************************************************************************************

"Since we had such great reports and updates on the white bass run in the creeks, I would like to keep a thread going in this section."

!!Tight Lines+No Bad Days!!
Posted By: J-Moe

Re: Lake Somerville - 12/31/21 01:15 AM

Well things haven't improved over the last couple days. I had to work hard for 7 one day and 6 the next. I believe the white bass have pulled back below the low water crossing as the water level has receded. I'm seeing more white bass being caught by the crappie fisherman that are walking further downstream. The numbers of crappie being caught aren't back to the levels they were before the rain either.
Posted By: B-Sal

Re: Lake Somerville - 12/31/21 02:31 AM

Dang J-Moe I was going to take my boy down to Newman’s finally for the first time this weekend.
I have been fishing it for a years now but forgive me I don’t know exactly where the low water crossing is per say.
I have always been able to figure them out thank God. But would you mind sharing some info? I think l know where the low water crossing is but I’m not 100 percent sure
Posted By: J-Moe

Re: Lake Somerville - 12/31/21 11:23 AM

The low water crossing is downstream about 550 yards from the parking lot. The water from the lake backs up to that point. The creek is about 6 to 10 feet deep from that point down to the lake.
Posted By: J-Moe

Re: Lake Somerville - 12/31/21 09:13 PM

I fished along side a master white bass fisherman this morning. We started at the top of the run above the trail way bridge and worked our way downstream past the big pipes. We caught a total of 3 white bass. I obviously have no clue what the heck I'm doing other than spreading false hopes grin
Posted By: B-Sal

Re: Lake Somerville - 01/01/22 01:35 AM

Lol it’s ok J-Moe I’ll still give it a shot I enjoy time spent up there
Posted By: greenyak

Re: Lake Somerville - 01/01/22 02:59 AM

Posted By: B-Sal

Re: Lake Somerville - 01/01/22 03:24 AM

Nice green yak how far up the creek were you
Posted By: J-Moe

Re: Lake Somerville - 01/01/22 11:06 AM

Great catch Sam. Ben and I are going to launch the kayaks at the low water crossing this morning.
Posted By: fishytx

Re: Lake Somerville - 01/01/22 04:13 PM

Can you drive in at newmans bottom?
Posted By: SomervilleFishing

Re: Lake Somerville - 01/01/22 11:14 PM

Yes, you can drive to the parking lot close to the old trail bridge.
Posted By: J-Moe

Re: Lake Somerville - 01/02/22 01:27 AM

Ben and I launched the kayaks at the low water crossing this morning and went downstream. I worked my downstream throwing rooster tails, curly tail grubs and other assorted lures. I didn't catch anything. I turned around when I got to the wolf pond because the wind was blowing so hard. I didn't make it down to where Sam was fishing. I took out the fly rod and caught a nice LMB and a crappie. Then I started jigging for crappie and caught 1 white bass and a crappie. And lost 3 packages of jigs. I really suck at crappie fishing. And using spinning gear for that matter. grin

Meanwhile Ben charted a ton of fish and caught some big slab crappie. I can see why the bank fisherman are having such a difficult time catching crappie. The water quality below the low water crossing is really poor in some areas. No where near as clear as it was before the rain came.

After we loaded up our kayaks we decided to go down and wade the creek with our fly rods. It was a good choice. The water has cleared even more and it ended up being my best day of white bass fishing this season. Ben and I caught 20 white bass in about 2.5 hours.

[Linked Image] [Linked Image] [Linked Image]
Posted By: hook-line&sinker

Re: Lake Somerville - 01/02/22 01:38 AM

Another good fishing trip to the Yegua is in the books... Started in the kayak launching at the low water crossing just down from the newmans parking lot. I caught a big goo and three crappie right where the little creek meets the Yegua. And the rest of the day went like that.. caught crappie at all the usual places hanging in and around structure over deeper water. I caught one whitebass while fishing for crappie in the kayak. About 2PM J-Moe and headed back up the creek draggin' yak back to the parking lot and took the fly poles upstream to try our luck.. The whitebass cooperated much better than expected.. I caught 7 and J-moe caught about a dozen... not bad for the first day or 2022... I don't believe the cold snap is going to do much and by next weekend we should be back in business if not sooner... J-Moe will let us all know I'm sure...

[Linked Image]
[Linked Image]
[Linked Image]
Posted By: hook-line&sinker

Re: Lake Somerville - 01/02/22 01:42 AM

Last Wednesday's fly fishing

Posted By: FishinAg02

Re: Lake Somerville - 01/02/22 02:54 AM

First off, J-Moe fishing with a master white bass fisherman on New Years Eve 😂 That guy he was fishing with is guessing moment to moment!! Just a lucky guesser sometimes 😂

It’s me! It’s me!!

Glad to hear y’all found fish today. Happy New Years everyone!

David
Posted By: J-Moe

Re: Lake Somerville - 01/02/22 04:07 PM

Here's another obvious observation that y'all can totally disregard grin The white bass are chasing the shad in the creeks. I've seen them push up into the shallower runs in the evening and early morning hours and then pull back in to the deeper water later in the day. Several evenings we saw fish moving along the banks chasing shad. The shad would jump out of the water from time to time. Almost all the fish I caught were very tight to the bank.

I saw the same thing when I fished a feeder creek off of Lake Houston this week. The shad were in the creek and I was catching white bass on every cast for about 20 minutes. Then the shad pulled back into the deeper water of the major creek and the white bass disappeared.

I've also seen 2 hybrids caught in the Yegua already this season.
Posted By: jsinn01

Re: Lake Somerville - 01/03/22 12:52 AM

Thanks for the good reports! Hopefully I can make it out there this year. wink
Posted By: hook-line&sinker

Re: Lake Somerville - 01/03/22 01:20 PM

From my kayak fishing history on the Yegua I'd say this cold weather will do very little "good or bad" to the crappie fishing overall since the crappie are already holding in structure over deeper parts of the lower Yegua from Newmans all the way to the lake.

The whitebass being an "open water fish" most of the year tend to move around in the creek much more between feeding, resting and spawning.
For most bank fishers success comes when the whitebass are feeding and spawning in the skinny shallower parts of the creek especially for us fly guys...
I've had good success on the fly mostly in the afternoon with the bite ramping up to the 4PM timeframe and then tapering down as it gets dark...

On Saturday Jan 1st this really proved to be the key for J-Moe and I as we found the most willing whitebass bite of the young season so far... J-Moe 11, HL&S 7 between and 3PM and 5PM...

(Note to self) Don't fish in J-Moe's used water because all those fish have already been educated by the Elite Angler and don't want another lesson from me! wink
Posted By: white bass interceptor

Re: Lake Somerville - 01/03/22 03:46 PM

Hello Hook-line&sinker, if you and J-Moe would flag the used waters that will help us bank fisherman to avoid the fish depleted waters that have been depleted by your and J-Moe LEAVE NO FISH BEHIND fishing motto. (lol)
Posted By: J-Moe

Re: Lake Somerville - 01/04/22 02:05 AM

Originally Posted by white bass interceptor
Hello Hook-line&sinker, if you and J-Moe would flag the used waters that will help us bank fisherman to avoid the fish depleted waters that have been depleted by your and J-Moe LEAVE NO FISH BEHIND fishing motto. (lol)


roflmao As I recall, your original position was that I only caught 1 fish and took pictures of that fish in different poses. Now I catch every fish in the creek hmmm

I guess I need to set the record straight. There are actually 10 white bass I've placed an incantation upon. When the "MAGICAL CLOUSER" hits the water they can sense it if they are within a 1/4 mile. They come running (swimming) and I can catch them over and over.

Now there, quit annoying me Buffalo Interceptor roflmao roflmao
Posted By: RedRaider646

Re: Lake Somerville - 01/05/22 02:17 AM

Howdy, so I was thinking about heading to Newman’s bottom tomorrow and was wondering how easy it is to bank fish along the creek? I do have an inflatable kayak and it’s pretty durable but still it’s a couple steps above a pool toy lol.
Posted By: J-Moe

Re: Lake Somerville - 01/05/22 03:28 AM

It's very easy. Just be careful, there is still some slick areas which could result in you sliding down into the creek. It happens all the time. grin
Posted By: FISHINGFOOL40

Re: Lake Somerville - 01/05/22 08:22 PM

Originally Posted by J-Moe
It's very easy. Just be careful, there is still some slick areas which could result in you sliding down into the creek. It happens all the time. grin


welcome 2 the board RedRaider646
And +1 on what J-Moe said thumb
Also, would suggest to bring an extra pair of pants/shirt and a towel with you thumb
And if able, invest in a good pair of hip waders and\or best for this time of year wink neoprene chest waders thumb
Need to find mine actually, got them noidea or somewhere stored/packed away in my storage shed thumb
Good luck, and plz., post a report/pics if you go/able to fish down there today thumb clap

!!Tight Lines+No Bad Days!!
Posted By: jsinn01

Re: Lake Somerville - 01/05/22 10:47 PM

I've fallen in the drink more times than can be mentioned. If you're not falling in, you're probably not fishing hard enough. roflmao
Posted By: jsinn01

Re: Lake Somerville - 01/05/22 10:49 PM

Also had a buddy fall in one time while trying to net a gar. He got really nervous with that gar swimming around him.
Posted By: FISHINGFOOL40

Re: Lake Somerville - 01/06/22 07:21 AM

Originally Posted by jsinn01
I've fallen in the drink more times than can be mentioned. If you're not falling in, you're probably not fishing hard enough. roflmao

Yeah I've seen that movie before, many times also, and didn't like it wink grin
And I've learned the hard way hammer
That it's always a lot harder to get back up the bank, than it is to get down roflmao
Also, that tree root that help you down to that sandbar, may not always be strong enough to get you backup roflmao breakdance roflmao

Attached picture 20180302_064204.jpg
Posted By: J-Moe

Re: Lake Somerville - 01/06/22 12:20 PM

Originally Posted by jsinn01
I've fallen in the drink more times than can be mentioned. If you're not falling in, you're probably not fishing hard enough. roflmao


I can confirm that Redraider did fish plenty hard enough. I met him last night at Newman Bottom. After talking for a while he turned around and his entire backside was wet and covered in mud from where he had slid down the bank into the water roflmao roflmao roflmao

I'm sure glad he's a man of good character as I busted out laughing uncontrollably roflmao
Posted By: J-Moe

Re: Lake Somerville - 01/06/22 12:34 PM

Ben and I fished from the Y down to the low water crossing last night. We didn't catch a single white bass. There wasn't any real signs of shad around either.

The water is very clear above the low water crossing and more suited for the fly rod than spinning gear. Thunderstorms are expected this weekend so that should muddy up the creeks a bit. Let's hope we get enough for another good rise in the creek.

PS: Ben did catch 2 small sunfish last night. He then pranced around singing how much better of a fisherman he is than J-Moe. He's really pushing his luck mad
Posted By: FishinAg02

Re: Lake Somerville - 01/06/22 03:13 PM

I would have paid admission to see the dancing!!
Posted By: jsinn01

Re: Lake Somerville - 01/06/22 04:51 PM

Originally Posted by J-Moe
Originally Posted by jsinn01
I've fallen in the drink more times than can be mentioned. If you're not falling in, you're probably not fishing hard enough. roflmao


I can confirm that Redraider did fish plenty hard enough. I met him last night at Newman Bottom. After talking for a while he turned around and his entire backside was wet and covered in mud from where he had slid down the bank into the water roflmao roflmao roflmao

I'm sure glad he's a man of good character as I busted out laughing uncontrollably roflmao


It happens to the best of us.
roflmao
Posted By: hook-line&sinker

Re: Lake Somerville - 01/06/22 07:48 PM

I can count on one hand the number of times over the last two years that I have out-fished J-Moe on the fly, and it's not by much and never on whitebass...

When the day comes that I out-fly fish J-Moe on whitebass it will probably be the last day of life on this planet... wink

The average whitebass catch rate/ratio currently is about 7 to 1 in J-Moe's favor not to mention he fishes almost everyday during the spring whitebass run making the trip ratio about the same at 6 to 1...

I would guess that over the last three years J-Moe has caught more whitebass and hybrids than I have over my 50+ years of fishing.. yes he is that dedicated (or addicted) to fishing with the fly!

P.S. J-Moe.. Don't put that cajun voodoo curse back on your best fishing buddy.. you don't need any more advantages over my futile attempts to fly like you...
Posted By: J-Moe

Re: Lake Somerville - 01/08/22 09:52 PM

OFF TOPIC:

I drove over Willis Creek this morning. The creek was at normal level and extremely clear.

I fished "The Steps" from the beach area upstream to where the creek enters. I only caught 3 bluegill. The water was crystal clear.

There was a good flushing of the San Gabriel since last year. Part of the bank collapsed in one area. Good news is all that annoying cane is gone and I could actually back cast. I'll check it again in a couple weeks or when I hear some good reports.

[Linked Image] [Linked Image]
Posted By: jsinn01

Re: Lake Somerville - 01/09/22 04:13 PM

Thanks for the pics, J-Moe. I drove out to Newman's yesterday. Started a good ways downstream and worked my way back to the low water crossing. Was hoping to find some crappie, but I instead found nada. Not even a bite. Definitely disappointing considering the water looked really good. I didn't see anybody else with fish while I was there. Not sure what's going on this year. Maybe I've just lost my fishing mojo.
Posted By: J-Moe

Re: Lake Somerville - 01/09/22 06:01 PM

Originally Posted by jsinn01
Not sure what's going on this year. Maybe I've just lost my fishing mojo.


I was afraid of that. You see, Somerville was made by damming up the Yegua. So Somerville is like the Yegua's baby. When you go around calling her Skunkerville the Yegua gets very angry. You should expect your ratio of lures lost to fish caught to increase drastically this year roflmao
Posted By: J-Moe

Re: Lake Somerville - 01/09/22 06:10 PM

I fished Irwin Bridge this morning. I found some small white bass bunched up. I ended up catching 16 in about an hour. Then the sun popped out and it shut down.
[Linked Image]
Posted By: jsinn01

Re: Lake Somerville - 01/09/22 06:18 PM

Originally Posted by J-Moe
Originally Posted by jsinn01
Not sure what's going on this year. Maybe I've just lost my fishing mojo.


I was afraid of that. You see, Somerville was made by damming up the Yegua. So Somerville is like the Yegua's baby. When you go around calling her Skunkerville the Yegua gets very angry. You should expect your ratio of lures lost to fish caught to increase drastically this year roflmao


Skunkerville is an apt title so far this year. grin
Posted By: jsinn01

Re: Lake Somerville - 01/09/22 06:22 PM

That sure is some clear looking water at Irwin. Looks more like a hill country stream.
Posted By: J-Moe

Re: Lake Somerville - 01/09/22 06:29 PM

Yes, very clear. Fly rod conditions banana
Posted By: FishinAg02

Re: Lake Somerville - 01/10/22 03:49 PM

How much rain did the yegua see this weekend? From what i see it didn't muddy the creek up!
Posted By: J-Moe

Re: Lake Somerville - 01/10/22 05:17 PM

The Yegua watershed only received a few small showers. Not enough to effect anything. The rain all moved east of the watershed.
Posted By: R2Fishing

Re: Lake Somerville - 01/11/22 11:07 PM

Whites have been hanging around Big Creek. Water temps were 56° Sunday.
Posted By: hook-line&sinker

Re: Lake Somerville - 01/15/22 05:12 AM

Tough Friday on the Yegua.. fished 9am to 3pm from the kayak, charted fish in all the same places we caught them last time out.
I thought I had the crappie figured out but they wanted nothing to do with anyone there..
I caught two small crappie around noon but nothing else not even a bump before or after the two..

TPWD is closing the park and trailway until Monday for the youth hunts but I doubt anyone with any sense would fish the creek with the cold weather we are getting this weekend...

Fished the spillway from about 5pm until dark and caught fish the whole time I was there, crappie, whitebass, goo, buffalo, sunfish and a cat.. nothing of any size but did make the day!

Posted By: FishinAg02

Re: Lake Somerville - 01/18/22 10:08 PM

Thanks Ben! Always a great way to avoid work... watching your videos. I keep hoping this is the week things pick up.
Posted By: hook-line&sinker

Re: Lake Somerville - 01/19/22 02:55 PM

January 8th 2017 up in Nails creek

Posted By: J-Moe

Re: Lake Somerville - 01/23/22 01:02 PM

I went out and checked on Irwin and Newman Bottom on Wednesday evening. The water is back to normal level with very little flow. It is extremely clear as well. I tried fishing a few spots with no luck. A friend of mine fished NB from the Y on down well past the big pipes on Thursday and didn't get a bite.

Forecast is for 0.5 to 1 inch of rain tomorrow. The last rain was only 0.6 inches and it got some fish moving so let's hope the watershed gets at least that amount.
Posted By: 24x7Fisherman

Re: Lake Somerville - 01/24/22 03:47 AM

I went to Yegua on Wednesday afternoon, caught a small white bass at Irwin bridge and another small one at the big pipes. They put up a big fight.
Posted By: B-Sal

Re: Lake Somerville - 01/29/22 01:30 AM

Has anyone been to Newman’s recently?
Posted By: Trav281

Re: Lake Somerville - 01/29/22 09:11 PM

I was wondering the same. I've been itching to make a trip up there, but I didn't want to go to Newman's if it's tough still. If that's the case I'd just go to my spot near big creek marina or try spring creek in North Houston. I saw a vid of a couple guys catching whites in spring creek at the beginning of January and the males had sperm
Posted By: Trav281

Re: Lake Somerville - 01/29/22 09:15 PM

At least there should actually be water at NB this year with the lake at normal pool, last year the lake was 2-3ft below pool until about May which was unfortunate for the WB run.
Posted By: J-Moe

Re: Lake Somerville - 01/29/22 11:57 PM

I had a friend try this week with no luck. I drove over and checked out Irwin and NB this morning but didn't try fishing. The weather man lied to us the last 2 rains. Maybe we will get the rain we need this week. Let's hope.

I'm thinking about going to Spring creek tomorrow. They got 4 inches of rain a couple weeks ago and then another rain on Wednesday so there are some scattered groups of fish moving up is what I heard as well.
Posted By: R2Fishing

Re: Lake Somerville - 01/30/22 12:39 AM

Here fishy fishy

Great day out along the creeks today. Numerous boats in Birch and Nails. With plenty of bankers doing extremely well in Nails..

Slip cork and jig is deadly this time of year 😉😉 [Linked Image]
Posted By: Trav281

Re: Lake Somerville - 01/30/22 05:20 PM

I fished north houston creek yesterday and caught 5 in an hour, there were about 8 others on my spot slaying them lol
Posted By: Trav281

Re: Lake Somerville - 01/30/22 05:21 PM

I bet you could slay them in spring creek right now J-Moe
Posted By: JonL

Re: Lake Somerville - 01/31/22 01:41 AM

Can't wait for this expected 2 to 3 inches of rain. Looking forward to getting my white bass fishing season started.
Posted By: EllerTroy

Re: Lake Somerville - 01/31/22 03:19 PM

Rain is looking good. Keep it up all day.
Posted By: R2Fishing

Re: Lake Somerville - 01/31/22 06:01 PM

[Linked Image]
Posted By: banker-always fishing

Re: Lake Somerville - 01/31/22 07:07 PM

Originally Posted by JonL
Can't wait for this expected 2 to 3 inches of rain. Looking forward to getting my white bass fishing season started.





We can sure use it here in south central Texas! thumb
Posted By: Boudreaux

Re: Lake Somerville - 01/31/22 07:55 PM

Lots of rain hitting here in the Yegua watershed. We've already had a significant amount of rain his the ground with more coming down. Expect a solid creek flush and a lake level rise. If this doesn't trigger a good run I don't know what would. I'll head out later this week and do some scouting by boat. If you would like to get on the bite but don't want to make the walk from Newman's, find me and shoot me a message. Duck-Tails Guide Service USCG licensed captain and TPWD licensed fishing guide. We can run all the way to Newman's in my rig. Tight lines!!
Posted By: J-Moe

Re: Lake Somerville - 02/01/22 06:11 PM

Lake level is 238.43. Looks like the Yegua at Dime Box peaked at 6.8 foot above normal. Once again, not the rain the weather man promised but I'll take it.

[Linked Image]
Posted By: jsinn01

Re: Lake Somerville - 02/01/22 09:26 PM

That's a pretty cool chart. Where are you finding that?
Posted By: Trav281

Re: Lake Somerville - 02/01/22 09:46 PM

Originally Posted by jsinn01
That's a pretty cool chart. Where are you finding that?



https://water.weather.gov/ahps2/hydrograph.php?gage=dmyt2&wfo=hgx
Posted By: EllerTroy

Re: Lake Somerville - 02/02/22 12:56 AM

Should be plenty of water to bring the white bass up the creek. With the lake above normal none plenty of room for them.
Posted By: Boudreaux

Re: Lake Somerville - 02/02/22 01:41 AM

The lake has been at or a love pool since summer. More than enough water for them to get up the creek. Looking forward to a good run. Depending on the rest of the weeks weather, I may run up the creek on Sunday.
Posted By: R2Fishing

Re: Lake Somerville - 02/02/22 02:14 PM

JMO. There’s another 1.5-2” expected today. If Corp will keep gates closed the spawn will be near excellent. We all know how they work… I’m sure by end of week gates will open and they will drop lake below pool.
Posted By: jsinn01

Re: Lake Somerville - 02/02/22 03:33 PM

Originally Posted by Trav281
Originally Posted by jsinn01
That's a pretty cool chart. Where are you finding that?



https://water.weather.gov/ahps2/hydrograph.php?gage=dmyt2&wfo=hgx


Thanks! I've bookmarked it.
Posted By: GC2656

Re: Lake Somerville - 02/02/22 04:05 PM

Originally Posted by R2Fishing
JMO. There’s another 1.5-2” expected today. If Corp will keep gates closed the spawn will be near excellent. We all know how they work… I’m sure by end of week gates will open and they will drop lake below pool.

Looks like they have already partially opened the gates yesterday!
Posted By: J-Moe

Re: Lake Somerville - 02/02/22 04:19 PM

Lake Level is 238.68 ft. The gates are still closed. 1 CFS is just the normal leakage through the gates.

I don't believe the weather man anymore grin Everything looks good to at least have a run as good as 2020. We came into that season at normal lake level and had small rains to keep it moving along. At this point it's already better than that.
Posted By: BayouFennec

Re: Lake Somerville - 02/02/22 05:56 PM

for some crazy reason i paddled up the Yegua Tuesday to the Wolf Pond area. the creek was very high and moving very fast. muddy water made the fishing bad.
[Linked Image]
Posted By: Trav281

Re: Lake Somerville - 02/02/22 06:29 PM

I agree we should have a great run!!
Posted By: J-Moe

Re: Lake Somerville - 02/02/22 06:32 PM

Thanks for the picture Bayou_Fennec thumb
Posted By: jsinn01

Re: Lake Somerville - 02/02/22 06:32 PM

Originally Posted by Bayou_Fennec
for some crazy reason i paddled up the Yegua Tuesday to the Wolf Pond area. the creek was very high and moving very fast. muddy water made the fishing bad.
[Linked Image]


I'm not surprised fishing was tough. roflmao

Cool pic!
Posted By: jsinn01

Re: Lake Somerville - 02/02/22 06:33 PM

Hmm...I wonder how the smaller creeks look?
Posted By: BayouFennec

Re: Lake Somerville - 02/02/22 06:41 PM

there's also a newly fallen tree across the yegua about a 1/4 mile from the mouth. it will be difficult for a larger boat to get through right now. kayaks and jon boats should have no problem
Posted By: J-Moe

Re: Lake Somerville - 02/02/22 06:45 PM

Originally Posted by jsinn01
Hmm...I wonder how the smaller creeks look?


That's very tempting. hmmm
Posted By: GC2656

Re: Lake Somerville - 02/02/22 09:21 PM

Originally Posted by J-Moe
Lake Level is 238.68 ft. The gates are still closed. 1 CFS is just the normal leakage through the gates.

I don't believe the weather man anymore grin Everything looks good to at least have a run as good as 2020. We came into that season at normal lake level and had small rains to keep it moving along. At this point it's already better than that.

The USGS site is showing a discharge of 347 cfs since a little after noon yesterday.
Posted By: J-Moe

Re: Lake Somerville - 02/03/22 01:32 AM

Originally Posted by GC2656
Originally Posted by J-Moe
Lake Level is 238.68 ft. The gates are still closed. 1 CFS is just the normal leakage through the gates.

I don't believe the weather man anymore grin Everything looks good to at least have a run as good as 2020. We came into that season at normal lake level and had small rains to keep it moving along. At this point it's already better than that.

The USGS site is showing a discharge of 347 cfs since a little after noon yesterday.


Interesting, the Somerville COE site is not showing the same. I wonder if the COE site is not updating or if that location is getting flow from other creeks.

https://www.swf-wc.usace.army.mil/somerville/
Posted By: J-Moe

Re: Lake Somerville - 02/03/22 01:37 AM

Originally Posted by J-Moe
Originally Posted by jsinn01
Hmm...I wonder how the smaller creeks look?


That's very tempting. hmmm


I found white bass in Nails creek this evening. It's probably not going to last long though. The creek wasn't but a couple feet high, at most, and dropping quickly.
Posted By: jsinn01

Re: Lake Somerville - 02/03/22 02:12 PM

Good timing, J-Moe. Generally by the time you hear about a white bass run in Nails, it's already too late. grin
Posted By: J-Moe

Re: Lake Somerville - 02/03/22 02:29 PM

Cedar Creek

[Linked Image]


Nails Creek

[Linked Image]

My first Nails Creek White bass of 2022

[Linked Image]
Posted By: jsinn01

Re: Lake Somerville - 02/03/22 03:59 PM

Thanks for the report, J-Moe. coolphotos
Posted By: EllerTroy

Re: Lake Somerville - 02/03/22 04:29 PM

You the Man J-Moe. Looking at the pic of Cedar Creek, I bet there was white bass in there also further down the creek in the deeper holes.
Posted By: EllerTroy

Re: Lake Somerville - 02/03/22 06:19 PM

Does anybody know if the fish cleaning station at Nails Creek park open.
Posted By: GC2656

Re: Lake Somerville - 02/03/22 07:13 PM

Originally Posted by EllerTroy
Does anybody know if the fish cleaning station at Nails Creek park open.

I was there about a week and a half ago and the fish cleaning station was totally removed!
Posted By: jsinn01

Re: Lake Somerville - 02/03/22 09:00 PM

Originally Posted by EllerTroy
Does anybody know if the fish cleaning station at Nails Creek park open.


I wouldn't know. I never catch any fish there. grin
Posted By: R2Fishing

Re: Lake Somerville - 02/03/22 11:04 PM

COE dumping water out. This SUCKS [Linked Image]
Posted By: jsinn01

Re: Lake Somerville - 02/04/22 09:45 PM

Anybody go ice fishing this morning?
Posted By: R2Fishing

Re: Lake Somerville - 02/04/22 11:11 PM

Originally Posted by jsinn01
Anybody go ice fishing this morning?


I keep checking for a report. Lol
Posted By: J-Moe

Re: Lake Somerville - 02/06/22 10:45 AM

The Yegua is still out of it's banks and flowing hard and muddy at Irwin bridge. The road to NB is still closed as of noon 2/6/22.

[Linked Image]
Posted By: jsinn01

Re: Lake Somerville - 02/06/22 01:49 PM

Thanks for the pic!
Posted By: JonL

Re: Lake Somerville - 02/06/22 02:01 PM

Thanks J-Moe. These pics you post here are invaluable to the people who love fishing the Yegua, Nails, and Cedar creek and live over an hour and a half a way from it. It sure looks like a I have a few road trips in the near future.
Posted By: PerksOutdoors

Re: Lake Somerville - 02/06/22 02:17 PM

No doubt JonL. I was thinking about a quick trip to the yegua today but this pic saved me from a pointless drive. Thanks jmoe!
Posted By: Boudreaux

Re: Lake Somerville - 02/07/22 01:54 PM

Report for 2/6/2022. Beautiful sunny day with temps I'm the low 60s for a bit, light wind from the west sw. Hit the water around 3pm for an afternoon scout. Water temps in Yegua creek were 46 degrees. Water was muddy, low visibility and the creek was ripping with fast current. Ran all the way up to Newman's bottom from the main Lake. The lake is about 1.5' over pool. Water was 1-2 feet below the top of the creek bank in most places. Water was over the trail at the culverts at Newmans, enough to take my boat over. Stopped and checked a few spots with a few different baits, no bites. Fast moving muddy water with lots of trash was difficult to fish.

Ran over to Nail's Creek just before sundown. Ran up past the flag pond ditch. Water was also dirty, but way less flow and not as high. Poked around there for a bit, had one solid hit that short struck a curl tail underpin. Water temp was still in the low 50s there.

Yegua is gonna need about a week before it is ready to fish. Both creeks got a should flush and the water coming into the creek is more than adequate for a good run. Be patient, it's coming
Posted By: jsinn01

Re: Lake Somerville - 02/07/22 02:50 PM

Thanks for the report, Boudreaux!
Posted By: hook-line&sinker

Re: Lake Somerville - 02/07/22 02:54 PM

I don't get up this way as often as in the past but Cedar creek flows with the promise of good springtime fishing and years of memories...

Posted By: B-Sal

Re: Lake Somerville - 02/07/22 03:33 PM

Been fishing Yegua for years but never fished nails creek, can you vets here let me know a good spot to park and go beat up the bank for nails creek. Been looking at google maps and I’m not to sure where to get in at
Posted By: R2Fishing

Re: Lake Somerville - 02/07/22 03:34 PM

[Linked Image]

Had a buddy say creek bite was 💯💯 Sat afternoon
Bobby Garland ‘Cajun Cricket’ 5ft down in 11FOW.

Yegua will be last creek to clear up. Guys always forgot about Cedar, Birch, Jerdelle for crappie.
Posted By: JonL

Re: Lake Somerville - 02/07/22 03:44 PM

[Linked Image]
[Linked Image]
There's a bridge you can park near along the side of the road. Make sure you check in at Nails Creek State Park. From the bridge head towards the lake.
Posted By: Trav281

Re: Lake Somerville - 02/07/22 08:31 PM

I fished for a about an hour yesterday in north Houston in Cypress creek where it Y's off from spring creek and caught 11, once I changed to a small mepps spinner and found the right spot it was game on. Pulled out some fatties!
Posted By: Trav281

Re: Lake Somerville - 02/07/22 08:33 PM

Those are some nice Crappie R2Fishing!
Posted By: UncleRicky

Re: Lake Somerville - 02/08/22 01:36 PM

What size spinner were you using the ultralight or a number 2?
Posted By: hook-line&sinker

Re: Lake Somerville - 02/09/22 02:34 PM

I suspect the smaller creeks like Birch, Cedar & Nails, might be a better choice for this weekend..
Posted By: Average Joe

Re: Lake Somerville - 02/09/22 07:09 PM

Originally Posted by R2Fishing


Had a buddy say creek bite was 💯💯 Sat afternoon
Bobby Garland ‘Cajun Cricket’ 5ft down in 11FOW.

Yegua will be last creek to clear up. Guys always forgot about Cedar, Birch, Jerdelle for crappie.


Hey Rich! Friends haul looks good!
Posted By: R2Fishing

Re: Lake Somerville - 02/09/22 08:52 PM

Originally Posted by Average Joe
Originally Posted by R2Fishing


Had a buddy say creek bite was 💯💯 Sat afternoon
Bobby Garland ‘Cajun Cricket’ 5ft down in 11FOW.

Yegua will be last creek to clear up. Guys always forgot about Cedar, Birch, Jerdelle for crappie.


Hey Rich! Friends haul looks good!



They did really good for 2.5hrs on the water.
Guys always wait for a report of tons of fish caught before they go. By then youre 2 weeks late! 😉😉

We’ve been getting into them steadily for few weeks now.
Posted By: jsinn01

Re: Lake Somerville - 02/10/22 01:50 AM

I generally go fishing when I can, since work and school keep me very busy. A lot of the time conditions are just not right and it's tough fishing. I understand guys waiting for good reports, especially when they're driving 3 to 4 hours round trip.
Posted By: jsinn01

Re: Lake Somerville - 02/10/22 07:41 PM

Why does it seem this time of year the cold fronts always fall on weekends? frown
Posted By: EllerTroy

Re: Lake Somerville - 02/10/22 09:02 PM

I have found in the pass, if the run is going fronts don’t effect fishing that much.
Posted By: jsinn01

Re: Lake Somerville - 02/10/22 09:45 PM

I did have one time fishing on the Sabine where we caught limits. It was beautiful weather, around 70 degrees and sunshine. Next day was bitter cold and snow flurries. Still a red hot bite, but we had to leave them biting because we couldn't feel our hands. grin

I figured the weather change would have shut the bite off, but it had zero impact.
Posted By: Joseph.L

Re: Lake Somerville - 02/11/22 12:36 AM

Went out with J-Moe to fly fish Nails and didnt catch a thing. Still not quite that time. Glad to bring an update
Posted By: Bones72

Re: Lake Somerville - 02/11/22 12:45 PM

Get this cool front coming this weekend outta here and after the full moon on Wednesday I bet it busts loose.
Posted By: jsinn01

Re: Lake Somerville - 02/11/22 03:59 PM

Originally Posted by Joseph.L
Went out with J-Moe to fly fish Nails and didnt catch a thing. Still not quite that time. Glad to bring an update


Thanks for the report!
Posted By: J-Moe

Re: Lake Somerville - 02/11/22 05:34 PM

I just called Nails Creek State Park. They said the road to NB is open banana
Posted By: J-Moe

Re: Lake Somerville - 02/12/22 01:55 AM

I went to Newman Bottom this afternoon. The water is still up a couple feet, good flow and decent clarity. I would call it silty. The fish are moving up. I saw 3 stringers with about 15 to 20 fish, 3 stringers with 8 to 10 fish and a few with one or two fish.

I ended up catching 20 white bass.

I also heard a couple reports that there have been big crowds at Irwin bridge the last couple days. They are catching both crappie and white bass.

[Linked Image] [Linked Image]
Posted By: jsinn01

Re: Lake Somerville - 02/12/22 02:58 AM

Nice report, J-Moe! Looks like you had a nice day. Serious weather changes coming tomorrow.
Posted By: JonL

Re: Lake Somerville - 02/12/22 03:54 AM

Thanks Jmoe. Looks like it will be game on the next few weeks. Probably going to regret it but can only go on weekends so I will go Sunday for the first time and make the 3 hr round trip hopefully to at least get one fish to bite and fight like they do. I need that rush like a meth addict needs meth. It's been a couple years.
Posted By: R2Fishing

Re: Lake Somerville - 02/12/22 04:17 AM

Fish didn’t disappoint this evening!

Left at sunset with crappie and whitebass in the cooler.


[Linked Image]


Reports of whitebass limits coming from Newman’s last few days; shoulder to shoulder at Overlook Marina as limits of crappie are coming out.
Posted By: hook-line&sinker

Re: Lake Somerville - 02/12/22 02:20 PM

Let me echo what many others have said... this is shaping up to be a banner whitebass spawning run & season on the Yegua...
But let me also emphasize that this means there will be thousands of fishermen beating the banks of the creek in the state park.
Please do not litter and always be respectful of others.
Try to be kind and helpful in your interactions with other fishers and nature in general.

The state park system is for the general public and that includes everyone regardless of culture or origin of birth.

Some fishermen like myself are only in it for the fun and challenge but many others are fishing for dinner so it matters much more to them...

Give a man a fish and you will feed him for a day..
Teach a man to fish and you won't see him sitting at home again for a long while until threatened with divorce... wink


The new Game Warden for Lee County was out there Friday checking up on us and introducing himself.
If you need his assistance or see something that needs his attention please call.

Giovanni Moreno (254) 784-5886

Sheriff's Office: 979-542-2800

Temple Regional Office: 254-778-8913
Posted By: hook-line&sinker

Re: Lake Somerville - 02/12/22 02:47 PM

Nearly everything has come together perfectly for the Lake Somerville whitebass spawning run to be much better than average for 2022.
The rain fell in sufficient amounts through the new year to bring the creeks and lake to levels that make the run possible and even better than in years past.

J-Moe and I have had some early success in January with a minor rise in the Yegua but the numbers weren't there yet until now.

So it's time to fill the freezer! Head to the Lake Somerville State Park and get yourself down the the Yegua!

Posted By: J-Moe

Re: Lake Somerville - 02/12/22 06:39 PM

Very well said Ben

Originally Posted by hook-line&sinker
Let me echo what many others have said... this is shaping up to be a banner whitebass spawning run & season on the Yegua...
But let me also emphasize that this means there will be thousands of fishermen beating the banks of the creek in the state park.
Please do not litter and always be respectful of others.
Try to be kind and helpful in your interactions with other fishers and nature in general.

The state park system is for the general public and that includes everyone regardless of culture or origin of birth.

Some fishermen like myself are only in it for the fun and challenge but many others are fishing for dinner so it matters much more to them...

Posted By: J-Moe

Re: Lake Somerville - 02/12/22 06:56 PM

I went to NB this morning. I got there around 7 AM. The bite was on immediately. About 7:45 it started to sprinkle and the north wind started to blow. I fished until 8:10 AM when it started to rain harder. I ended up catching 24.

The fly of choice today was the Yegua Yoda. Great it is, a white bass fly roflmao

[Linked Image]
Posted By: JonL

Re: Lake Somerville - 02/13/22 01:41 AM

Gotta satisfy the white bass itch so I will be making the 90 minute drive to Newman's to see if I can catch a few. Probably not going to be good but I don't care. Gotta try it. Unfortunately I can only fish weekends. I will be the one that has the blue pull cart with a blue ice chest in it if you want to say hello. Ready for the white bass chaos!
Posted By: jsinn01

Re: Lake Somerville - 02/13/22 11:52 AM

Originally Posted by JonL
Gotta satisfy the white bass itch so I will be making the 90 minute drive to Newman's to see if I can catch a few. Probably not going to be good but I don't care. Gotta try it. Unfortunately I can only fish weekends. I will be the one that has the blue pull cart with a blue ice chest in it if you want to say hello. Ready for the white bass chaos!


Have fun out there! Good luck.
Posted By: FISHINGFOOL40

Re: Lake Somerville - 02/13/22 08:04 PM

Originally Posted by J-Moe
Very well said Ben

Originally Posted by hook-line&sinker
Let me echo what many others have said... this is shaping up to be a banner whitebass spawning run & season on the Yegua...
But let me also emphasize that this means there will be thousands of fishermen beating the banks of the creek in the state park.
Please do not litter and always be respectful of others.
Try to be kind and helpful in your interactions with other fishers and nature in general.

The state park system is for the general public and that includes everyone regardless of culture or origin of birth.

Some fishermen like myself are only in it for the fun and challenge but many others are fishing for dinner so it matters much more to them...



======================================================================
+2 on that, and thx, H-L&S/William/Ben-my young man._. On pointing that out...I pickup about half of a 5 gallon bucket full of trash yesterday, on My way out,had fished downstream._.(My 17 keeper Whites/1 Crappie wouldn't fit in there, anyhow...lol)...And also met new game warden also on my way back right before parking lot, nice guy, and was glad to see him out there, for sure...

I'll try to post pics+report on my catch later, or as soon as I can find my cell-phone...lol "Tight Lines+No Bad Days" Peace Out
Posted By: FISHINGFOOL40

Re: Lake Somerville - 02/13/22 08:08 PM

Originally Posted by JonL
Gotta satisfy the white bass itch so I will be making the 90 minute drive to Newman's to see if I can catch a few. Probably not going to be good but I don't care. Gotta try it. Unfortunately I can only fish weekends. I will be the one that has the blue pull cart with a blue ice chest in it if you want to say hello. Ready for the white bass chaos!


You should do good, yellow crappie jigs, are the ticket, are where for me yesterday
coach thumb May call in sick tomorrow, and go for a limit tomorrow popcorn clap thumb


https://youtu.be/6lycoRjPW-U
Posted By: FISHINGFOOL40

Re: Lake Somerville - 02/13/22 11:53 PM

Fish Newman's bottom, 12-6pm...Caught 20 keeper Whites 12"-14", and 1 12" Crappie...Released 3 females, kept 3 females-14 males, Sat., 12th clap thumb

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Posted By: JonL

Re: Lake Somerville - 02/14/22 12:52 AM

[Linked Image]
[Linked Image]
Today was one of those AMAZING Yegua creek days. Got there at 7am and had a limit of 25 by 815am. Continued to catch fish and kept count and ended up catching 105 by 1230pm. It's been over a year since I've caught a white bass and I definitely made up for it today.
Posted By: J-Moe

Re: Lake Somerville - 02/14/22 01:45 AM

Wow!!! 105 was well worth the trip. I looked for the blue cart and blue ice chest but I must have missed you today. Great job thumb
Posted By: J-Moe

Re: Lake Somerville - 02/14/22 02:11 AM

It was a really great day at Newman Bottom. I saw so many full stringers coming out of there today. Ben and I had a blast out there today and ran into lots of people I hadn't saw in a while. The water is clearing quickly and it wasn't surprising that the fly of choice today was the Magical Clouser.

I found one small area loaded with big females. I caught 10 fish in that area and 6 of them were big females. I gave up the spot to Ben so he could enjoy the fun and he pulled out another 8 big females from that small spot. I ended up catching 36 white bass. Or about a third of what Jon caught today grin

[Linked Image]
Posted By: jsinn01

Re: Lake Somerville - 02/14/22 02:29 AM

Wow! great reports. I fished at Newman's today. I didn't do quite so well, but I managed to catch my first fish of 2022. Ended the day with 6 white bass. Got kind of a late start and a slow beginning as I tried downstream first. Caught one downstream, before heading upstream with the crowds. Struggled to find places to fish with so many people, but managed to squeak out enough for a solid fish fry. Glad to finally get on the board this year. 😁
Posted By: JonL

Re: Lake Somerville - 02/14/22 02:45 AM

Jmoe I left at 1230 due to over crowding and someone throwing across me even though I was at that spot since sun up. I was at the bluff just past the first bend in the creek past the Gulley upstream. I helped many people get their limit of keepers. I was glad to do so.
Posted By: hook-line&sinker

Re: Lake Somerville - 02/14/22 12:33 PM

The circus came to Newmans right on schedule..

What a beautiful Sunday.. well worth the hell I caught back at the house wink

Here's Friday's hike up and a look back at Jerdelle creek before getting on up to Newmans about 2pm..

Posted By: banker-always fishing

Re: Lake Somerville - 02/14/22 02:47 PM

Neat thread. Keep those catches coming. thumb
Posted By: hook-line&sinker

Re: Lake Somerville - 02/14/22 04:19 PM

I suspect that only the Yegua will be producing good numbers of whitebass until "if and when" there is another good flush of water coming down the smaller creeks like Cedar, Nails, Birch and Jerdelle.

However the crappie fishing in the lower end of any of the smaller creeks should still hold up well as long as the lake is higher than normal.

Most of the intense whitebass spawning action for the year is often between the next two full moons that happen over the last two weeks of February thru the first two weeks of March after which the whitebass will begin heading back to the lake and by April 1st whitebass fishing will be all but over in the creeks for the year...

History has taught that the one exception to this scenario that I look for is a "high water event" late into the whitebass spawning run because that is when the hybrids will show up in the creeks, especially if the shad have moved up into the creeks beforehand...

Posted By: J-Moe

Re: Lake Somerville - 02/14/22 05:10 PM

Originally Posted by JonL
Jmoe I left at 1230 due to over crowding and someone throwing across me even though I was at that spot since sun up. I was at the bluff just past the first bend in the creek past the Gulley upstream. I helped many people get their limit of keepers. I was glad to do so.


Got you, I walked around that area as it very fly fishing unfriendly grin I'm glad for those people, especially the ones who were throwing over you, that you demonstrated great patience grin

105 fish in a morning, That's quite a target for Troy this season roflmao
Posted By: EllerTroy

Re: Lake Somerville - 02/15/22 12:43 AM

I will be there in the morning. I’m glad Jon got to experience that kind of a day. I’m 59 and have been fishing for as long as I can remember and I’ve only experienced that good of a day 5 or 6 times. Very few and far in between. Hopefully I can have that kind of day tomorrow.
Posted By: jsinn01

Re: Lake Somerville - 02/15/22 01:07 AM

Haha. How do you all even keep track of that many fish? Do you carry one of those clickers for counting fish? I didn't think they went into the triple digits. 😄
Posted By: J-Moe

Re: Lake Somerville - 02/15/22 01:14 AM

Sum of us Aggies cun cownt too a thousend and rimember grin
Posted By: jsinn01

Re: Lake Somerville - 02/15/22 01:16 AM

Originally Posted by J-Moe
Sum of us Aggies cun cownt too a thousend and rimember grin


I guess not this Aggie. roflmao
Posted By: Joseph.L

Re: Lake Somerville - 02/15/22 01:44 AM

Hopefully that exception happens this year. That would be a treat for this crazy start of the year. Hybrids on the fly are crazy !
grin
Posted By: FISHINGFOOL40

Re: Lake Somerville - 02/15/22 05:00 AM

Originally Posted by jsinn01
Wow! great reports. I fished at Newman's today. I didn't do quite so well, but I managed to catch my first fish of 2022. Ended the day with 6 white bass. Got kind of a late start and a slow beginning as I tried downstream first. Caught one downstream, before heading upstream with the crowds. Struggled to find places to fish with so many people, but managed to squeak out enough for a solid fish fry. Glad to finally get on the board this year. 😁

thx 4 report...I'm going to try to it down there around noon tomorrow...Will report if I make it... fish thumb
Posted By: EllerTroy

Re: Lake Somerville - 02/15/22 10:48 PM

It was nice weather to be on the Yegua but the fishing was not that great as the past three days. I had to work hard for the 10 whites and 1 crappie I caught. My cousin Jon must have caught all the fish on Sunday. I did talk to a few people that were there yesterday and they told me the fishing was on fire but today the creek was a foot lower then yesterday. Maybe we can get some more ran the next couple of days to get another one to two feet rise.
Posted By: TXfisherman12

Re: Lake Somerville - 02/15/22 11:17 PM

I think the weather might have also played a role today. I fished different white bass run today [off topic] [align:center][/align]and my best white bass fly barely got pecked more than twice. The day just felt off for fishing, even though the solunar calendar was hot today. But still nice to be out and about for awhile.
Posted By: jsinn01

Re: Lake Somerville - 02/15/22 11:58 PM

Originally Posted by EllerTroy
It was nice weather to be on the Yegua but the fishing was not that great as the past three days. I had to work hard for the 10 whites and 1 crappie I caught. My cousin Jon must have caught all the fish on Sunday. I did talk to a few people that were there yesterday and they told me the fishing was on fire but today the creek was a foot lower then yesterday. Maybe we can get some more ran the next couple of days to get another one to two feet rise.


Thanks for the report! If the creek keeps dropping, J-Moe and his magic fly rod will be the only one catching.
Posted By: Joseph.L

Re: Lake Somerville - 02/16/22 01:24 AM

Great day at Newmans Bottom today. 6 fish in a little over 2 hrs. It was my first day getting out in a while and had some issues with my fly rod and fly line. Also broke off alot. Going back out tomorrow morning. The white bass are hugging bottom off small current seams and deep holes. Bright colors seem to work well. Great to see so many out on the water catching fish, Tight lines! fish
Posted By: hook-line&sinker

Re: Lake Somerville - 02/16/22 02:53 AM

What a great day.. Putting to many hours in at work so I "had" to cut back...
Got the the Yegua just before 2pm and caught fish the whole time I was there. Lost several flys working the bottom but that was the trick today.
I don't know for sure how many I got to hand but several ended up on the stringer of a fellow bank beater.
Yellow is the color and deep are the fish anywhere in the slack water with good depth.
I caught mostly big females at first and then a good mix of males in the rest. I'm guessing I was closing in on 20 fish before calling it quits around 5pm..

I did learn one important lesson today as I was driving into Newmans...
The park ranger was writing tickets for parking on the side of the road before the parking lot.
DO NOT BLOCK the gate or park on the side of the road..

If the parking lot is full you must park all the way back at the front gate and walk in from there...
Thank goodness there was room in the parking lot when I got there...

I suspect the whitebass are all the way up the creek now so fishing up to and above Irwin bridge is probably good too..
Posted By: catchnrelease

Re: Lake Somerville - 02/16/22 03:25 AM

Yesterday (Monday) was our first day of 2022 at the Yegua/NB. I broke my old fly rod within 3 casts. Not a good start. We saw J-Moe doing his thang. We talked with him for a little while. He asked if we wanted his fish. we did. He put about 12 or so in our bucket. He was doing "hook shots" throwing the fish up from the edge of the creek to the high bank behind him. Thank you very much to Mr. Magical Clouser for those fish. Because of him, we won't go hungry... LOL. My wife and I managed 3 more fish after that. Not as many fish for us as we thought would happen. We saw everyone else had 1/2 stringers to limits of fish. But it was a gorgeous day! Nature at its finest.

We went back out today (Tue). both days we arrived around 2pm and fished to dark thirty. I bought another fly rod and reel at Cabelas in Austin/Buda before coming out. I managed 3 fish with it. My work buddy met us out there. he bought a fly rod set up and fly fished for his first time today. We saw Mr J-Moe again. J-Moe gave my buddy his first fly fishing lesson. He caught 3-4 fish right in front of him to show him "how". He graciously gave pointers and tips. And he blessed us with the fish again. THANK YOU again for the lessons and fish J-Moe. of course I watched and learned too. we got to see Mr. Hook-line-&-Sinker today. I can't wait to watch his latest YouTube video from today. I didn't see people with as many fish today as we saw yesterday. I guess the bite was a little off today? For us anyway... or course J-Moe and Mr. Hook-line-&-Sinker found the fish like they always do. Those guys are hard core and awesome to watch. I may be back later this week to try again.

Tight lines all!

Shut up and Fish!
Posted By: R2Fishing

Re: Lake Somerville - 02/16/22 12:36 PM

Crappie are still crazy plentiful in the creeks. What I’m noticing is folks fishing way to deep for them. The crappie have been holding in the deeper pockets in the creek but way up in the water column. We are fishing 2-5ft down below the surface. Minnows and anything with chartreuse have been working.
Hope this helps some of you add crappie onto the stringer.
Posted By: J-Moe

Re: Lake Somerville - 02/16/22 12:59 PM

Originally Posted by catchnrelease
Yesterday (Monday) was our first day of 2022 at the Yegua/NB. I broke my old fly rod within 3 casts. Not a good start. We saw J-Moe doing his thang. We talked with him for a little while. He asked if we wanted his fish. we did. He put about 12 or so in our bucket. He was doing "hook shots" throwing the fish up from the edge of the creek to the high bank behind him. Thank you very much to Mr. Magical Clouser for those fish. Because of him, we won't go hungry... LOL. My wife and I managed 3 more fish after that. Not as many fish for us as we thought would happen. We saw everyone else had 1/2 stringers to limits of fish. But it was a gorgeous day! Nature at its finest.

We went back out today (Tue). both days we arrived around 2pm and fished to dark thirty. I bought another fly rod and reel at Cabelas in Austin/Buda before coming out. I managed 3 fish with it. My work buddy met us out there. he bought a fly rod set up and fly fished for his first time today. We saw Mr J-Moe again. J-Moe gave my buddy his first fly fishing lesson. He caught 3-4 fish right in front of him to show him "how". He graciously gave pointers and tips. And he blessed us with the fish again. THANK YOU again for the lessons and fish J-Moe. of course I watched and learned too. we got to see Mr. Hook-line-&-Sinker today. I can't wait to watch his latest YouTube video from today. I didn't see people with as many fish today as we saw yesterday. I guess the bite was a little off today? For us anyway... or course J-Moe and Mr. Hook-line-&-Sinker found the fish like they always do. Those guys are hard core and awesome to watch. I may be back later this week to try again.

Tight lines all!

Shut up and Fish!


Thanks Dan, I enjoyed fishing with you and Yolanda. I checked out a couple of your fishing videos. I look forward to seeing more. I'm sure I'll see y'all again soon.
Posted By: jsinn01

Re: Lake Somerville - 02/16/22 01:26 PM

Originally Posted by R2Fishing
Crappie are still crazy plentiful in the creeks. What I’m noticing is folks fishing way to deep for them. The crappie have been holding in the deeper pockets in the creek but way up in the water column. We are fishing 2-5ft down below the surface. Minnows and anything with chartreuse have been working.
Hope this helps some of you add crappie onto the stringer.


Thanks for the tip. I may try to catch a few crappie this weekend.
Posted By: Joseph.L

Re: Lake Somerville - 02/16/22 07:18 PM

Great day on the fly this morning at Newmans bottom. My uncle came out to fish with me and we got there around 7:45. Fished a little upstream and managed to pull out 6 in some current using a 1/64 ounce yellow marabou jig with a clouser trailing behind. Moved further upstream to a honey hole and pulled out 50 wb . A few feet off the bottom with a swinging technique seemed to work this morning very well. Started getting windy so i called it. All in all, best day of the Yegua this year. fish
Posted By: jsinn01

Re: Lake Somerville - 02/16/22 08:26 PM

Originally Posted by Joseph.L
Great day on the fly this morning at Newmans bottom. My uncle came out to fish with me and we got there around 7:45. Fished a little upstream and managed to pull out 6 in some current using a 1/64 ounce yellow marabou jig with a clouser trailing behind. Moved further upstream to a honey hole and pulled out 50 wb . A few feet off the bottom with a swinging technique seemed to work this morning very well. Started getting windy so i called it. All in all, best day of the Yegua this year. fish


Sounds like you had a great time. Must have been a lot of fun with the fly gear. Congrats.
Posted By: hook-line&sinker

Re: Lake Somerville - 02/16/22 10:38 PM

If I am going to catch more fish than JMoe I'll need at least a two hour head start!



Good times on the Yegua!
Posted By: FISHINGFOOL40

Re: Lake Somerville - 02/17/22 09:31 AM

Originally Posted by hook-line&sinker
If I am going to catch more fish than JMoe I'll need at least a two hour head start!Good times on the Yegua!


========================
That's an "Award Winning Video" there, Ben🎣🐟
Thx, 4 sharing fish thumb

And the Award goes to "FishTales",
or 2 of my homemade bottle openers,
the next time I see ya, down there😉✌ thumb

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Posted By: FISHINGFOOL40

Re: Lake Somerville - 02/17/22 09:47 AM

Sorry, pic heavy hammer
And so was My stringer grin clap thumb

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Posted By: J-Moe

Re: Lake Somerville - 02/17/22 12:57 PM

Originally Posted by hook-line&sinker
If I am going to catch more fish than JMoe I'll need at least a two hour head start!



Good times on the Yegua!


Incredible video Ben!!! Extremely informative. I always enjoy the narration. The views of the fish being caught and coming up in the clear water made me feel like I was catching them.

I'm not sure a 2 hour head start is enough though. I caught back up within 45 minutes of you leaving roflmao

[Linked Image] [Linked Image]
Posted By: jsinn01

Re: Lake Somerville - 02/17/22 03:39 PM

Originally Posted by FISHINGFOOL40
Sorry, pic heavy hammer
And so was My stringer grin clap thumb


FISHINGFOOL40, nice catch! Did you catch your fish in the feeder creek flowing into the Yegua?
Posted By: B-Sal

Re: Lake Somerville - 02/18/22 02:37 AM

With the upcoming Rain next week I’m a little sad I won’t be able to make it up for sure this weekend.
J-moe or Ben what do you fellas feel the rain will do to the bite next weekend?
Might have to make it up this weekend if it doesn’t look to good.
Posted By: wdmshop

Re: Lake Somerville - 02/18/22 02:55 AM

Is this Sunday good time for fishing? Just found this fantastic forum and wish I can catch those nice bass!
Posted By: jsinn01

Re: Lake Somerville - 02/18/22 04:30 AM

Whenever you can go is a good time for fishing. 😉
Posted By: J-Moe

Re: Lake Somerville - 02/18/22 10:20 AM

We are only expected to get about a 1/4 inch of rain so I don't expect it will do very much to effect the run. The fishing will likely be more effected by the high barometric pressure later next week. The fishing should be very good from Sunday until Thursday.
Posted By: J-Moe

Re: Lake Somerville - 02/18/22 02:40 PM

The lake level is 239.43. The COE is only releasing 96 CFS. I have to applaud the changes they've made in releasing water. First to try and prevent fish kills below the dam and now to help the white bass run be a success.
Posted By: jsinn01

Re: Lake Somerville - 02/18/22 03:56 PM

Originally Posted by hook-line&sinker
If I am going to catch more fish than JMoe I'll need at least a two hour head start!

Good times on the Yegua!


Enjoyed the video, Ben!
Posted By: JonL

Re: Lake Somerville - 02/18/22 04:03 PM

Will be heading down Sunday to try my luck again. Hopefully I at least catch a 1/4 of what I caught last Sunday. Going to bring a friend from high school whom I have not seen in 20 years to experience the greatness of the Yegua. Hopefully I can put him on some fish and hopefully the fish cooperate. See ya guys out there. Same blue cart, same blue ice chest.
Posted By: wdmshop

Re: Lake Somerville - 02/18/22 04:55 PM

can anybody post a map of newman bottom/yegua ? never been there before.
Posted By: JonL

Re: Lake Somerville - 02/18/22 05:53 PM

[Linked Image]
[Linked Image]
From 290 in Giddings head north on orange street (141) to 1697 and make a right. Maps will get you to the creek from there.
Posted By: Finn Maccumhail

Re: Lake Somerville - 02/18/22 06:29 PM

Fished Jerdelle a couple times on the lake side of 1948 but how far up the creek can you legally go without trespassing on the south side of 1948?
Posted By: FISHINGFOOL40

Re: Lake Somerville - 02/18/22 08:36 PM

Originally Posted by wdmshop
Is this Sunday good time for fishing? Just found this fantastic forum and wish I can catch those nice bass!

Welcome aboard, welcome Just make sure to get there at daybreak, parking lot will be full most likely by 8am, my predicitions hammer popcorn juggle grin And thx @JonL, 4 the Dropped pin/location thingy clap flehan grin thumb
Posted By: FISHINGFOOL40

Re: Lake Somerville - 02/18/22 09:03 PM

Originally Posted by jsinn01
Whenever you can go is a good time for fishing. 😉

And another things 4sure, can't catch [censored] unless your lines in the water fish wink grin
Posted By: R2Fishing

Re: Lake Somerville - 02/18/22 10:29 PM

Can any of you guys confirm:

Is the creek clear for a boat to go inside Yegua? I know there was a pile up around Wolf Pond awhile back.

Looking at getting some Veterans on the water tomorrow.
Posted By: RedRaider646

Re: Lake Somerville - 02/18/22 11:58 PM

Originally Posted by R2Fishing
Can any of you guys confirm:

Is the creek clear for a boat to go inside Yegua? I know there was a pile up around Wolf Pond awhile back.

Looking at getting some Veterans on the water tomorrow.



Saw a bass boat all the way up to the big brush pile just before the big bend at the Y about 1/4 mile down from the parking lot a few days ago. So, you can at least get up that far.
Posted By: R2Fishing

Re: Lake Somerville - 02/19/22 02:46 AM

Originally Posted by RedRaider646
Originally Posted by R2Fishing
Can any of you guys confirm:

Is the creek clear for a boat to go inside Yegua? I know there was a pile up around Wolf Pond awhile back.

Looking at getting some Veterans on the water tomorrow.



Saw a bass boat all the way up to the big brush pile just before the big bend at the Y about 1/4 mile down from the parking lot a few days ago. So, you can at least get up that far.



Thank you for the response Red.
Posted By: FISHINGFOOL40

Re: Lake Somerville - 02/19/22 03:02 AM

Originally Posted by jsinn01
Originally Posted by FISHINGFOOL40
Sorry, pic heavy hammer
And so was My stringer grin clap thumb


FISHINGFOOL40, nice catch! Did you catch your fish in the feeder creek flowing into the Yegua?


@ jsinn01 No, those are mostly pics of mouth of Cedar Creek, inside of Nails Creek State Park...
Just up from the boat ramp fishCaught fish way way, upstream from there, about halfway? to C.R. 125 +Cedar Creek😉Or about 30 minute straight hike back👍
And that route, will need hip waders, to cut back through the shorter way👍✌
Posted By: wdmshop

Re: Lake Somerville - 02/19/22 03:38 AM

Thank you. This is exactly where I am planning to go! My friends call it 140 creek.

Originally Posted by JonL
[Linked Image]
[Linked Image]
From 290 in Giddings head north on orange street (141) to 1697 and make a right. Maps will get you to the creek from there.
Posted By: Ledeez

Re: Lake Somerville - 02/19/22 05:59 AM

So glad I can fish in peace in my neck of woods
Posted By: FISHINGFOOL40

Re: Lake Somerville - 02/19/22 08:23 AM

Originally Posted by Ledeez
So glad I can fish in peace in my neck of woods

Lake lavon
Flefly bubble gum spray for me,shhhh grin
Posted By: FISHINGFOOL40

Re: Lake Somerville - 02/19/22 08:28 AM

[Linked Image]
Originally Posted by J-Moe
The lake level is 239.43. The COE is only releasing 96 CFS. I have to applaud the changes they've made in releasing water. First to try and prevent fish kills below the dam and now to help the white bass run be a success.

Great info, thx J-Moe clap thumb

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Posted By: hook-line&sinker

Re: Lake Somerville - 02/19/22 02:33 PM

I'm betting many of you are down at the Yegua right now.. and probably catching fish or watching someone catching fish wink

Posted By: J-Moe

Re: Lake Somerville - 02/19/22 06:47 PM

Wow!!! Another awesome video Ben flehan

I was definitely fishing that drift with you. It was like I was the one with the fly rod in my hand. I kept strip setting the hook grin Matter of fact, I wouldn't have missed those couple that you did because I set the hook before you did roflmao roflmao
Posted By: J-Moe

Re: Lake Somerville - 02/19/22 06:57 PM

I went to Irwin Bridge this morning. I waited until about 8:15 for it to warm up a bit. When I got there I was told it had already slowed down. I caught a limit of 25 in 45 minutes roflmao It was on fire flame I strung up a few for a friend and left them biting.

I was surprised as it was one of those high pressure, clear skies bluebird days. The next 4 or 5 days should be awesome.

[Linked Image]
Posted By: R2Fishing

Re: Lake Somerville - 02/19/22 10:51 PM

Hybrids, Crappie and the Whitebass did not disappoint today! [Linked Image]
[Linked Image]
Posted By: Ledeez

Re: Lake Somerville - 02/19/22 11:37 PM

Originally Posted by R2Fishing
Hybrids, Crappie and the Whitebass did not disappoint today! [Linked Image]
[Linked Image]

Awesome pescado pics! thumb
Posted By: Trav281

Re: Lake Somerville - 02/20/22 12:07 AM

Originally Posted by hook-line&sinker
I'm betting many of you are down at the Yegua right now.. and probably catching fish or watching someone catching fish wink




you and J-Moe are legends man
Posted By: Average Joe

Re: Lake Somerville - 02/20/22 06:17 AM

Started learning how to fish on my own in 2020 (before Covid) .. haven't been successful at Newman till now! Just 7 for the day but I would of been happy with just one.
Posted By: jsinn01

Re: Lake Somerville - 02/20/22 10:36 PM

Things sure have gone quiet. Guess everybody out catching fish. roflmao
Posted By: J-Moe

Re: Lake Somerville - 02/21/22 02:28 AM

Originally Posted by jsinn01
Things sure have gone quiet. Guess everybody out catching fish. roflmao


One word RIDICULOUS roflmao I caught 15 fish in 16 casts at one point. flame I had 6 people tell me they were going to buy a fly rod and one woman asked me if I knew magic. roflmao It ain't called the Magical Clouser for nothing!!!
Posted By: jsinn01

Re: Lake Somerville - 02/21/22 02:51 AM

Headed that way tomorrow. woot
Posted By: hook-line&sinker

Re: Lake Somerville - 02/21/22 03:23 AM

I took my grand nephew to the creeks today.. first up into Cedar and then downstream where that young man started schooling his great uncle Ben. Garrett found the whitebass and had four to hand before I had my first.. We ended up with a dozen whitebass and one big goo from Cedar creek all on the fly. Headed to lunch just about 1pm and decided to join the circus at Newmans.. the rest is history as JMoe and nephew Garrett combined hauled in nearly a hundred whitebass while I could only manage a dozen... But that's OK because I'm the great uncle that puts his nephews on the fish... wink This was Garrett's first "whitebass on the fly" lesson and the first time he has fished with me as an adult..

Posted By: JonL

Re: Lake Somerville - 02/21/22 03:41 AM


Well I did not do as well as last Sunday but I did manage my limit but it took me till 12pm to get it. The fish were definitely spread out. Had one hole which we caught about 20 between me and my friend but all the other holes were 2 to 5 only. Last week I caught 105 in one spot. Big difference. Did go to Irwin Bridge area and ended up catching 7 more to add to my buddy's stringer before calling it quits. Definitely still worth the hour and a half drive one way. Unfortunately for my friend his truck would not start and he drove in from Lake Jackson. That's 2 and 1/2 hour drive one way. He ended up with 19. Hopefully he can get his truck towed to a good repair shop in Giddings to get his truck fixed. [Linked Image]
[Linked Image]
[Linked Image]
Posted By: R2Fishing

Re: Lake Somerville - 02/21/22 04:50 AM

Crappie were on point today!

Vertical jigging along bank brush.
1/8oz jighead rigged with Bobby Garland Monkey Milk
7-8FOW seemed to hold better fish but found them shallow as 4FOW.

Noticed a lot of “trash” coming down the creek compared to yesterday. Made fishing some areas very difficult.

Creek temp today 53° down from 56° yesterday.
Posted By: TXfisherman12

Re: Lake Somerville - 02/21/22 01:23 PM

Originally Posted by jsinn01
Headed that way tomorrow. woot

Good luck!
Posted By: EllerTroy

Re: Lake Somerville - 02/21/22 03:35 PM

Got my pass printed for tomorrow. Can't wait to hit the creek again. Will be trying my fly rod and new flies I've tied. See y'all there.
Posted By: Boudreaux

Re: Lake Somerville - 02/21/22 04:40 PM

Lots of boats out on the creek yesterday 2/10/22. Also stopped by the game wardens for a safety check, all was well as usual, great to see them out in the creek patrolling. Picked up a couple of white bass on The jig but was really targeting crappie. End of the day with about 15 fish in the cooler. Overcast, temps in the 16th, with water temps in the 50s. Water was stained with a light flow in the creek. Bait of choice was life minnows
Posted By: hook-line&sinker

Re: Lake Somerville - 02/21/22 05:37 PM

Found some bass first in Cedar creek and then down at Newmans again.. the Yegua is stupid full of fish right now...

Posted By: hook-line&sinker

Re: Lake Somerville - 02/21/22 10:49 PM

JMoe is probably back out there today getting another "fix" of the fly pole variety but don't be fooled by how easy it is for him to find and catch these bass in the Yegua..

What many fishers don't understand about "Luck" is that most of it is when preparation, skill and experience collide with opportunity.

The possibility that at this point in the spawn the fly seems to work better is perhaps true for a few fishers like JMoe.

I'm a pretty good fly fisher but I cannot match JMoe's catch rate.. Sunday was a good example of that..

I got out-fished at least 5 to 1 by both JMoe and my nephew Garrett. Those two guys combined for nearly a hundred fish while I might have managed 15 to hand fishing right next to them much of the time.

The hard part of all this is to figure out what I was doing different that limited my catching compared to theirs. I was using the same type of flys and gear but with a slightly different leader and tippet setup.

I suspect I was going under the fish with the fly and they were both going above, higher up in the water column but at a slower pace.

I had rigged up to go deeper based on what worked well earlier in the month and didn't adapt my leader setup to fish moving up and into clearer water requiring a slightly different presentation of the fly.

I've been guilty of not adapting fast enough many times.. Slow learner I guess... I'm most proud of my nephew as he really caught on quickly to the fly, You'd never know that was his first trip after whitebass on the fly! Garrett comes from a long line of fishermen in the family and it shows..
Posted By: jsinn01

Re: Lake Somerville - 02/21/22 10:56 PM

Caught 16 at Irwin Bridge today. Walked downstream and fish seemed to be scattered just about everywhere. Most I caught out of one hole was 7. I was pretty exhausted when I left. Nothing like a little 80 degree weather in February. cool
Posted By: J-Moe

Re: Lake Somerville - 02/22/22 12:59 AM

Thanks Ben, and yes I was out fishing again this evening grin

I put on my orange vest and headed upstream into the Middle Yegua from Irwin Bridge. The fish were loaded in there as well. I fished 3 spots and caught fish in all 3. I was catching them on almost every cast in the last spot. I missed a hook set and lost my fly in the trees so I decided to call it a day. I left them biting.

I ended up catching 26 in an hour and fifteen minutes. You know its a great run when you can catch limits up in the Middle Yegua.
Posted By: jsinn01

Re: Lake Somerville - 02/22/22 01:13 AM

Is the Middle Yegua the south fork above the bridge? And does it split into the Middle & West Yegua at some point? That would make the north fork above the bridge the East Yegua, right? I've never been quite sure about the different branches above Irwin bridge.
Posted By: FISHINGFOOL40

Re: Lake Somerville - 02/22/22 01:42 AM

Originally Posted by J-Moe
Wow!!! Another awesome video Ben flehan

I was definitely fishing that drift with you. It was like I was the one with the fly rod in my hand. I kept strip setting the hook grin Matter of fact, I wouldn't have missed those couple that you did because I set the hook before you did roflmao roflmao

bow_down
Posted By: J-Moe

Re: Lake Somerville - 02/22/22 02:46 AM

Originally Posted by jsinn01
Is the Middle Yegua the south fork above the bridge? And does it split into the Middle & West Yegua at some point? That would make the north fork above the bridge the East Yegua, right? I've never been quite sure about the different branches above Irwin bridge.


Correct, the South fork is the Middle Yegua and the West Yegua branches off near CR 117. Correct, the North fork is the East Yegua
Posted By: jsinn01

Re: Lake Somerville - 02/22/22 03:23 AM

I caught fish out of the East Yegua a long while back. It was definitely an interesting hike. I think at one point I hit private property. Fished the Middle Yegua fork too, but never caught anything except right where it comes into the main channel. That's pretty cool you're catching fish that far upstream, J-Moe.
Posted By: jsinn01

Re: Lake Somerville - 02/22/22 03:26 AM

One cool thing about today was the water has cleared to the point where you can see the fish flash when you've hooked one. I always get a kick out of seeing that flash in the water. Even saw one come up and take the jig. Had several fish follow the one that was hooked up to the bank as well.
Posted By: JonL

Re: Lake Somerville - 02/22/22 05:07 AM

Jsinn01 glad to see you caught enough for a decent fish fry making the trip from Austin worth it. I also saw a few times when fishing deeper water other fish following the one I had hooked. I get a kick out of that as well.
Posted By: FISHINGFOOL40

Re: Lake Somerville - 02/22/22 05:15 AM

Originally Posted by jsinn01
One cool thing about today was the water has cleared to the point where you can see the fish flash when you've hooked one. I always get a kick out of seeing that flash in the water. Even saw one come up and take the jig. Had several fish follow the one that was hooked up to the bank as well.

wopics grin coach popcorn wink grin
Originally Posted by hook-line&sinker
I took my grand nephew to the creeks today.. first up into Cedar and then downstream where that young man started schooling his great uncle Ben. Garrett found the whitebass and had four to hand before I had my first.. We ended up with a dozen whitebass and one big goo from Cedar creek all on the fly. Headed to lunch just about 1pm and decided to join the circus at Newmans.. the rest is history as JMoe and nephew Garrett combined hauled in nearly a hundred whitebass while I could only manage a dozen... But that's OK because I'm the great uncle that puts his nephews on the fish... wink This was Garrett's first "whitebass on the fly" lesson and the first time he has fished with me as an adult..


dang u Ben, found my honey hole, in Cedar Creek grin flehan 😆 ✌

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Posted By: hook-line&sinker

Re: Lake Somerville - 02/22/22 05:30 PM

This is one of the best whitebass seasons on the Yegua in at least four years as the conditions came together just at the right time.
We have been following the whitebass all winter as they progressed up into the creek on the way to the spawning waters.
The bass are about to get the party started with both males and big females way up the creek.
This clouser type fly is what we have had the best luck with so far. The tactics to find and catch the bass have changed as the fish become more active and the water warms and clears.
The spawning should start any day now and that will require another adjustment to catch these fish but you won't catch any sitting at home!

Posted By: johnnyFisherman

Re: Lake Somerville - 02/22/22 10:42 PM

Ben, I went out to the creek today and the water is dropping fast. The bite was very slow and you had to work hard for them.
With water level this low, I am not sure the whites are going to stay for long in the creek, what do you think? Was it just a bad day?
Posted By: hook-line&sinker

Re: Lake Somerville - 02/22/22 11:28 PM

I can't tell you whether it was a bad day without hearing from JMoe wink.
The fishing does get much tougher when the Yegua gets clear and low but I'd be very surprised if the whitebass numbers are reducing before the spawn.
Did you see any spawning? If not, than the fish are still there but waiting..
From what I've witnessed on the Yegua most fisherman have trouble finding the fish in big numbers.
If JMoe has taught me one thing it is that the fish are there and in big numbers but you really have to dial in on them.
Sometimes conventional spinning gear isn't the best choice simply because the lure and presentation isn't optimal.
There is no shortcut to becoming an expert fisherman or in any venue for that matter..
JMoe makes it look like magic but there is so much more than luck at work with him...
Posted By: Boudreaux

Re: Lake Somerville - 02/23/22 02:47 PM

Hit the Yegua yesterday afternoon, ran all the way to Newman's from the main Lake. Catches were low on that end of the creek. Most had only a few or no fish. Poked around a few deep holes with no bites on an underspin, and then BAM!!!! Bout ripped the rod out of my hand. 19" Hybrid landed a few min later. What a fight on light tackle. Gave up on the whites and switched to a long jig pole. Put 6 fat slabs in the box along with that hybrid. Was hoping for a better bite ahead of this front. Not great fishing weather forecasted for the rest of the week. Water temp was 62, ambient Air temperature was in the low '80s part of the day, partly cloudy with a decent wind from the South Southwest before changed.

If you want to get out on the creek and don't want to walk, give me a shout @ Duck-Tails Guide Service. USCG licensed captain and TPWD licensed fishing guide. Find me on Facebook and Instagram @ducktailstexas
Posted By: R2Fishing

Re: Lake Somerville - 02/23/22 05:43 PM

Originally Posted by Boudreaux
Hit the Yegua yesterday afternoon, ran all the way to Newman's from the main Lake. Catches were low on that end of the creek. Most had only a few or no fish. Poked around a few deep holes with no bites on an underspin, and then BAM!!!! Bout ripped the rod out of my hand. 19" Hybrid landed a few min later. What a fight on light tackle. Gave up on the whites and switched to a long jig pole. Put 6 fat slabs in the box along with that hybrid. Was hoping for a better bite ahead of this front. Not great fishing weather forecasted for the rest of the week. Water temp was 62, ambient Air temperature was in the low '80s part of the day, partly cloudy with a decent wind from the South Southwest before changed.

If you want to get out on the creek and don't want to walk, give me a shout @ Duck-Tails Guide Service. USCG licensed captain and TPWD licensed fishing guide. Find me on Facebook and Instagram @ducktailstexas



I had a group from Alaska yesterday. Everyone we talked to leaving out of the creek said they weren’t getting anything. We ended with a good mess around Wolf Pond and just down from there. Also ran into a bank fisherman there at Wolf Pond who said he walked in from Newman’s. 😳😳
Posted By: jsinn01

Re: Lake Somerville - 02/23/22 05:44 PM

Thanks for the report, Boudreaux. I'll bet that Hybrid was fun on light tackle.
Posted By: jsinn01

Re: Lake Somerville - 02/23/22 05:48 PM

Originally Posted by R2Fishing
I had a group from Alaska yesterday. Everyone we talked to leaving out of the creek said they weren’t getting anything. We ended with a good mess around Wolf Pond and just down from there. Also ran into a bank fisherman there at Wolf Pond who said he walked in from Newman’s. 😳😳


Walked to Wolf Pond from Newman's!? Wouldn't it be a shorter easier walk from Birch Creek Unit? I've thought about doing that before.
Posted By: FISHINGFOOL40

Re: Lake Somerville - 02/23/22 05:49 PM

Originally Posted by johnnyFisherman
Ben, I went out to the creek today and the water is dropping fast. The bite was very slow and you had to work hard for them.
With water level this low, I am not sure the whites are going to stay for long in the creek, what do you think? Was it just a bad day?

thx 4 report, saved me a 3+ hour round trip, I had thought about driving out that today thumb
Posted By: R2Fishing

Re: Lake Somerville - 02/23/22 07:05 PM

Originally Posted by jsinn01
Originally Posted by R2Fishing
I had a group from Alaska yesterday. Everyone we talked to leaving out of the creek said they weren’t getting anything. We ended with a good mess around Wolf Pond and just down from there. Also ran into a bank fisherman there at Wolf Pond who said he walked in from Newman’s. 😳😳


Walked to Wolf Pond from Newman's!? Wouldn't it be a shorter easier walk from Birch Creek Unit? I've thought about doing that before.



Hims was dedicated! Lol. He said he was walking in to fish the mouth of the creek. Craziest thing I’ve seen out there .. lol
Posted By: jsinn01

Re: Lake Somerville - 02/23/22 07:28 PM

Originally Posted by R2Fishing
Originally Posted by jsinn01
Originally Posted by R2Fishing
I had a group from Alaska yesterday. Everyone we talked to leaving out of the creek said they weren’t getting anything. We ended with a good mess around Wolf Pond and just down from there. Also ran into a bank fisherman there at Wolf Pond who said he walked in from Newman’s. 😳😳


Walked to Wolf Pond from Newman's!? Wouldn't it be a shorter easier walk from Birch Creek Unit? I've thought about doing that before.



Hims was dedicated! Lol. He said he was walking in to fish the mouth of the creek. Craziest thing I’ve seen out there .. lol


I'm pretty crazy when it comes to fishing, but not quite on that level. roflmao
Posted By: FISHINGFOOL40

Re: Lake Somerville - 02/23/22 08:27 PM

Originally Posted by Boudreaux
Hit the Yegua yesterday afternoon, ran all the way to Newman's from the main Lake. Catches were low on that end of the creek. Most had only a few or no fish. Poked around a few deep holes with no bites on an underspin, and then BAM!!!! Bout ripped the rod out of my hand. 19" Hybrid landed a few min later. What a fight on light tackle. Gave up on the whites and switched to a long jig pole. Put 6 fat slabs in the box along with that hybrid. Was hoping for a better bite ahead of this front. Not great fishing weather forecasted for the rest of the week. Water temp was 62, ambient Air temperature was in the low '80s part of the day, partly cloudy with a decent wind from the South Southwest before changed.

If you want to get out on the creek and don't want to walk, give me a shout @ Duck-Tails Guide Service. USCG licensed captain and TPWD licensed fishing guide. Find me on Facebook and Instagram @ducktailstexas

@Boudreaux Great Report, thx 4 sharing thumb And great job on landing that 19" Hybrid, the fish gods were with on that 1, for sure wink woot thumb
Posted By: Boudreaux

Re: Lake Somerville - 02/24/22 10:29 AM

[Linked Image]
Posted By: jsinn01

Re: Lake Somerville - 02/24/22 01:56 PM

Nice catch! thumb
Posted By: J-Moe

Re: Lake Somerville - 02/24/22 08:22 PM

Lake Level is 239.34. COE is still only releasing 96 CFS clap

The winds are expected to switch back out of the south Monday night and overnight temperatures will remain above 40 degrees for at least the rest of the week. My guess is we'll see lots of spawning activity by Friday of next week.
Posted By: EllerTroy

Re: Lake Somerville - 02/25/22 04:20 PM

The spawning activity was going on last Tuesday. Saw spawning in Newman's Bottom all the way up to the WMA.
Posted By: jsinn01

Re: Lake Somerville - 02/25/22 11:15 PM

Anybody fishing this weekend or too cold? I'm thinking about trying on Monday.
Posted By: FISHINGFOOL40

Re: Lake Somerville - 02/26/22 02:29 AM

Originally Posted by jsinn01
Anybody fishing this weekend or too cold? I'm thinking about trying on Monday.

Cold not an issue for me noidea Just the 200 mile round trip/drive, is telling me to just wait till next weekend hammer
But may play hookie, on Wednesday thumb





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Posted By: JonL

Re: Lake Somerville - 02/26/22 03:23 AM

I'm going Sunday. I only have the weekends so I gotta pick the best day of the weekend. Don't know if it will be any good but I do know you can't catch em laying on the couch.
Posted By: jsinn01

Re: Lake Somerville - 02/26/22 08:18 PM

Originally Posted by JonL
I'm going Sunday. I only have the weekends so I gotta pick the best day of the weekend. Don't know if it will be any good but I do know you can't catch em laying on the couch.


Good luck and be careful out there. Banks are likely to be slick. I'll probably try Irwin bridge area on Monday morning. Thinking of trying out the fly rod even though I probably won't catch anything with it. grin
Posted By: Joseph.L

Re: Lake Somerville - 02/27/22 03:13 PM

If going to use fly rod, try a duo fly rig. They seem to still be a little deeper when I was fishing this past week and I had good luck with that rig. Hope you catch em!
Posted By: jsinn01

Re: Lake Somerville - 02/27/22 03:28 PM

Originally Posted by Joseph.L
If going to use fly rod, try a duo fly rig. They seem to still be a little deeper when I was fishing this past week and I had good luck with that rig. Hope you catch em!


What's a duo fly rig? Lol. grin
Posted By: jsinn01

Re: Lake Somerville - 02/27/22 03:30 PM

I'm purely a beginner to fly fishing. I've fished conventional gear my whole life. I've gotten inspired watching J-Moe & Hook,Line & Sinker catch them on the fly. The few times I've tried fly fishing I haven't had a lot of luck.
Posted By: JonL

Re: Lake Somerville - 02/28/22 12:25 AM

[Linked Image]
[Linked Image]
Let me tell you once again how AMAZING the Yegua creek off of Sommerville is. My brother in law and I went fishing today and we caught 10 by 945am at one of my honey holes at Newman's Bottom but did not catch any more after 10am. I decided since it was slow to go try IRWIN Bridge area. Boy am I glad I did that. We got to one spot where I saw a guy catch a limit last weekend and we were literally catching one after another for about 20 to 30 minutes. Ended up with 37 total. Great day on the Yegua AGAIN!!!
Posted By: jsinn01

Re: Lake Somerville - 02/28/22 02:31 AM

Nice catch! Thanks for the report. Headed that way tomorrow.
Posted By: SomervilleFishing

Re: Lake Somerville - 02/28/22 03:37 AM

Check the park office before leaving for Newman Bottom. It seems that Newman Bottom will be closed from Monday to Thursday next week.
Posted By: J-Moe

Re: Lake Somerville - 02/28/22 01:52 PM

Originally Posted by SomervilleFishing
Check the park office before leaving for Newman Bottom. It seems that Newman Bottom will be closed from Monday to Thursday next week.


Thanks for the heads up!!

Trailway Closure
The Trailway, including Newman Bottom and Irwin Bridge parking areas and the Nails Creek public hunting lands (PHL), will close on Feb. 28, 2022, at sunset and re-open March 3, 2022, at 5 p.m. for a natural resource management project.

The Yegua PHL will remain open for normal activities and fishing. Hunter orange is required while in the PHL; please obey all posted signs for your safety.
Posted By: jsinn01

Re: Lake Somerville - 02/28/22 06:16 PM

Caught one white bass at Irwin Bridge this morning. Slowest. frown
Posted By: JonL

Re: Lake Somerville - 02/28/22 08:48 PM

Jsinn01 sent you a private message. Hope this helps.
Posted By: big z

Re: Lake Somerville - 03/01/22 12:30 AM

Hello. Is the NB area suppose to be closed this week or next? I'm going to try going tomorrow morning and maybe Wednesday
Posted By: hook-line&sinker

Re: Lake Somerville - 03/01/22 12:53 AM

Originally Posted by big z
Hello. Is the NB area suppose to be closed this week or next? I'm going to try going tomorrow morning and maybe Wednesday

Yes whole park is closed Tuesday, and maybe Wednesday and Thursday if they don't get the federal project completed.

But J-Moe just reported that he caught fish above Irwin in the WMA.. Which if you want to fish the WMA you must wear the orange vest and hat so any hunters out there can see you..
Posted By: J-Moe

Re: Lake Somerville - 03/01/22 02:08 AM

Originally Posted by jsinn01
Caught one white bass at Irwin Bridge this morning. Slowest. frown


Caught 35 at Irwin Bridge this evening and called it a day. Not Slowest grin

I wonder if that's because it warmed up today or is it retribution for you demeaning Lake Skunkerville? My guess is the latter. You can fish with Ben. I ain't fishing anywhere close to you roflmao
Posted By: big z

Re: Lake Somerville - 03/01/22 02:20 AM

As stupid as it's going to make me look I have to ask what does WMA stand for lol
Posted By: big z

Re: Lake Somerville - 03/01/22 02:20 AM

I can fish the bridge just not down the creek?
Posted By: J-Moe

Re: Lake Somerville - 03/01/22 02:33 AM

Originally Posted by big z
As stupid as it's going to make me look I have to ask what does WMA stand for lol

Wildlife Management Area
Posted By: jsinn01

Re: Lake Somerville - 03/01/22 03:13 AM

Originally Posted by J-Moe
Originally Posted by jsinn01
Caught one white bass at Irwin Bridge this morning. Slowest. frown


Caught 35 at Irwin Bridge this evening and called it a day. Not Slowest grin

I wonder if that's because it warmed up today or is it retribution for you demeaning Lake Skunkerville? My guess is the latter. You can fish with Ben. I ain't fishing anywhere close to you roflmao


Hey, somedays you're the bug, somedays you're the windshield. 😂
Posted By: big z

Re: Lake Somerville - 03/01/22 05:09 AM

Thank you J moe. You going out tomorrow by chance?
Posted By: J-Moe

Re: Lake Somerville - 03/01/22 11:00 AM

Originally Posted by big z
Thank you J moe. You going out tomorrow by chance?


I'm sure I will but it wont be until 3:30 PM or so. Good Luck!!!
Posted By: JonL

Re: Lake Somerville - 03/01/22 11:51 AM

Jmoe I am jealous you get to go fishing this creek so much. But it's probably a good thing because I would probably be divorced. wife
Posted By: J-Moe

Re: Lake Somerville - 03/01/22 12:06 PM

Originally Posted by JonL
Jmoe I am jealous you get to go fishing this creek so much. But it's probably a good thing because I would probably be divorced. wife

roflmao It used to get very close during white bass season but after years of beating on me she conceded I was too hard headed for it to do any good and surrendered her position roflmao Just don't try it when you have small kids at home roflmao
Posted By: JonL

Re: Lake Somerville - 03/01/22 12:35 PM

Luckily mine are all grown up now but it was definitely much harder to get permission when they were small.
Posted By: Boudreaux

Re: Lake Somerville - 03/01/22 01:38 PM

Newman's may be closed, but that doesn't mean you can't go fish. We can fish all the way to the parking lot via boat. Don't miss out on prime fishing just because bank access is closed. Duck-Tails Guide Service will be out there chasing them. Let's go fishing
Posted By: R2Fishing

Re: Lake Somerville - 03/01/22 11:22 PM

Bank access is now OPEN per TPWD
Posted By: R2Fishing

Re: Lake Somerville - 03/01/22 11:24 PM

[Linked Image]
Posted By: jsinn01

Re: Lake Somerville - 03/02/22 12:09 AM

Game on! banana
Posted By: big z

Re: Lake Somerville - 03/02/22 03:14 AM

Aww hell yea. Anyone know what the grounds are like out there? Muddy or we still good and solid?
Posted By: FISHINGFOOL40

Re: Lake Somerville - 03/02/22 06:21 AM

Originally Posted by J-Moe
Originally Posted by jsinn01
Caught one white bass at Irwin Bridge this morning. Slowest. frown


Caught 35 at Irwin Bridge this evening and called it a day. Not Slowest grin

I wonder if that's because it warmed up today or is it retribution for you demeaning Lake Skunkerville? My guess is the latter. You can fish with Ben. I ain't fishing anywhere close to you roflmao

wopics roflmao popcorn

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Posted By: J-Moe

Re: Lake Somerville - 03/02/22 11:25 AM

Originally Posted by big z
Aww hell yea. Anyone know what the grounds are like out there? Muddy or we still good and solid?


The banks are actually drying up quite well.
Posted By: J-Moe

Re: Lake Somerville - 03/02/22 12:25 PM

Originally Posted by FISHINGFOOL40
Originally Posted by J-Moe
Originally Posted by jsinn01
Caught one white bass at Irwin Bridge this morning. Slowest. frown


Caught 35 at Irwin Bridge this evening and called it a day. Not Slowest grin

I wonder if that's because it warmed up today or is it retribution for you demeaning Lake Skunkerville? My guess is the latter. You can fish with Ben. I ain't fishing anywhere close to you roflmao

wopics roflmao popcorn


You would be wise not to taunt me FISHINGFOOL. Then again, anybody who calls himself a FOOL can't be very wise roflmao roflmao
Posted By: J-Moe

Re: Lake Somerville - 03/02/22 12:43 PM

I went out to Irwin bridge again last night. I started up stream of the bridge and fished why way up into the middle Yegua but only caught 3. Then I realized that the Parks Department had opened back up the area below the bridge so I headed that direction.

I found the fish bunched up but it was quite a task to hook them. I had to cast out to the maximum distance of my 4 weight, strip it hard and let it sink for a few seconds, then repeat the process. They were coming up and taking it on the fall on a downstream drift. It took every bit of my focus to pick up the bite. That's exactly what I love about fly fishing though.

I ended up stopping at 25 for the night. Or since I only took a picture of 7. I caught 7 tonight grin

[Linked Image]
Posted By: jsinn01

Re: Lake Somerville - 03/02/22 01:20 PM

Well now I don't feel so bad about striking out at Irwin on Monday. It's so slow it even took the fish whisperer (J-Moe) a few minutes to figure them out. roflmao
Posted By: J-Moe

Re: Lake Somerville - 03/02/22 03:27 PM

Originally Posted by jsinn01
Well now I don't feel so bad about striking out at Irwin on Monday. It's so slow it even took the fish whisperer (J-Moe) a few minutes to figure them out. roflmao

Ha!!! Honestly, fishing was just terrible until the water warmed. Water temperature sure has played a bigger role than barometric pressure. I've stood beside you and seen you catch 50 fish in a morning so it wasn't the fisherman. I do think you were the windshield on Monday though as you got [censored] all over you roflmao
Posted By: FISHINGFOOL40

Re: Lake Somerville - 03/02/22 05:19 PM

Originally Posted by J-Moe
Originally Posted by FISHINGFOOL40
Originally Posted by J-Moe
Originally Posted by jsinn01
Caught one white bass at Irwin Bridge this morning. Slowest. frown


Caught 35 at Irwin Bridge this evening and called it a day. Not Slowest grin

I wonder if that's because it warmed up today or is it retribution for you demeaning Lake Skunkerville? My guess is the latter. You can fish with Ben. I ain't fishing anywhere close to you roflmao

wopics roflmao popcorn


You would be wise not to taunt me FISHINGFOOL. Then again, anybody who calls himself a FOOL can't be very wise roflmao roflmao


roflmao
Fool40 stands when I was 40, 19 years ago so I'm a little bit wiser now,
but Creek Fishing probably not, or except for knowing spots not to fish or I might not be able to get back up on the bank or fall in... roflmao roflmao
Posted By: FISHINGFOOL40

Re: Lake Somerville - 03/02/22 05:52 PM

Originally Posted by J-Moe
I went out to Irwin bridge again last night. I started up stream of the bridge and fished why way up into the middle Yegua but only caught 3. Then I realized that the Parks Department had opened back up the area below the bridge so I headed that direction.

I found the fish bunched up but it was quite a task to hook them. I had to cast out to the maximum distance of my 4 weight, strip it hard and let it sink for a few seconds, then repeat the process. They were coming up and taking it on the fall on a downstream drift. It took every bit of my focus to pick up the bite. That's exactly what I love about fly fishing though.

I ended up stopping at 25 for the night. Or since I only took a picture of 7. I caught 7 tonight grin

[Linked Image]


@J-moe Nice report catch and pics bow_down
but I think I'll be waiting for a report from you when you catch 50,
so that way at least I know at least probably have a better chance,
at least catching 5 or 10 keepers wink hammer thumb cheers
Posted By: FISHINGFOOL40

Re: Lake Somerville - 03/02/22 06:36 PM

Originally Posted by J-Moe
Originally Posted by big z
As stupid as it's going to make me look I have to ask what does WMA stand for lol

Wildlife Management Area

thumb
Posted By: big z

Re: Lake Somerville - 03/02/22 07:25 PM

Nice catch J moe
Posted By: J-Moe

Re: Lake Somerville - 03/02/22 08:05 PM

Thanks Big Z
Posted By: J-Moe

Re: Lake Somerville - 03/02/22 08:09 PM

WOW FishingFool40, I didn't recognize you've been on the forum for 20 Years. That's Cool coolio

You've been hiding lots of secrets from us. hmmm Darn it, I guess that means you're the wise one and I'm the fool for sharing all my secrets grin
Posted By: jsinn01

Re: Lake Somerville - 03/02/22 10:09 PM

Anybody heard from the legend 'Fishytx' recently? Talk about a guy with some fishing knowledge.
Posted By: AlwaysBfishing

Re: Lake Somerville - 03/02/22 10:48 PM

Any white bass showing up back in main lake yet? Dude to mobility issues I pretty much exclusively fish at the marina
Posted By: Del Magic

Re: Lake Somerville - 03/02/22 10:52 PM

Originally Posted by AlwaysBfishing
Any white bass showing up back in main lake yet? Dude to mobility issues I pretty much exclusively fish at the marina

The white bass will be back in the lake in good numbers when the bluebonnets come up.
Posted By: JonL

Re: Lake Somerville - 03/02/22 10:57 PM

Jsinn01 I was wondering the same thing about Fishytx. Usually he is pretty vocal in this forum.
Posted By: J-Moe

Re: Lake Somerville - 03/03/22 12:43 AM

Originally Posted by jsinn01
Anybody heard from the legend 'Fishytx' recently? Talk about a guy with some fishing knowledge.


Yes, I talk to him regularly. He's having back surgery that has been delayed at least once.

No doubt he is the Master. I tagged behind him and he taught me his method of fishing with a single white 1/32 ounce marabou jig. The Fishytx Method. He taught me how to read the water, present a bait, etc. etc. I was able to transfer those lessons to fly fishing. In fact I actually started catching fish on my fly rod with that jig. It was far easier to throw with the fly rod than it was with an ultralight rod and I hated dealing with the knots in my spinning reel. He also told me to use gray clousers, etc. Ben and him have done so much to help me enjoy this sport.
Posted By: jsinn01

Re: Lake Somerville - 03/03/22 01:44 AM

Originally Posted by J-Moe
Originally Posted by jsinn01
Anybody heard from the legend 'Fishytx' recently? Talk about a guy with some fishing knowledge.


Yes, I talk to him regularly. He's having back surgery that has been delayed at least once.

No doubt he is the Master. I tagged behind him and he taught me his method of fishing with a single white 1/32 ounce marabou jig. The Fishytx Method. He taught me how to read the water, present a bait, etc. etc. I was able to transfer those lessons to fly fishing. In fact I actually started catching fish on my fly rod with that jig. It was far easier to throw with the fly rod than it was with an ultralight rod and I hated dealing with the knots in my spinning reel. He also told me to use gray clousers, etc. Ben and him have done so much to help me enjoy this sport.


Great stuff there! I've definitely learned a lot from his posts throughout the years. thumb
Posted By: jsinn01

Re: Lake Somerville - 03/03/22 01:47 AM

Also, I've never been able to master fishing the 1/32oz jig. My go to has always been the 1/16oz jig.
Posted By: J-Moe

Re: Lake Somerville - 03/03/22 02:30 AM

Originally Posted by AlwaysBfishing
Any white bass showing up back in main lake yet? Dude to mobility issues I pretty much exclusively fish at the marina


I chase them from the bank when the shad spawn starts. The white bass, hybrids and other fish will chase the shad up on points and in coves in the morning and evening. I start looking for them in about mid April.
Posted By: EllerTroy

Re: Lake Somerville - 03/03/22 02:42 AM

I fished Irwin Bridge this afternoon and once I found them I caught 25 fast and left. Fishing was on fire. Though I feel like I cheated, I caught a bunch a spot tails from Onion Creek and fished with them.
Posted By: jsinn01

Re: Lake Somerville - 03/03/22 02:54 AM

Originally Posted by EllerTroy
I fished Irwin Bridge this afternoon and once I found them I caught 25 fast and left. Fishing was on fire. Though I feel like I cheated, I caught a bunch a spot tails from Onion Creek and fished with them.


Lol. I wouldn't say it was cheating. I just don't get the same satisfaction of catching panfish on live bait as I do artificial. Now when it comes to big game ocean fish, I love free spooling live bait and feeling that fish run with the bait before setting the hook.
Posted By: FISHINGFOOL40

Re: Lake Somerville - 03/03/22 03:04 AM

Originally Posted by EllerTroy
I fished Irwin Bridge this afternoon and once I found them I caught 25 fast and left. Fishing was on fire. Though I feel like I cheated, I caught a bunch a spot tails from Onion Creek and fished with them.


Nice catch,well done thanks for the report thumb

I probably won't be able to get down there till Saturday...
Of course, I did talk to (Fishytx) earlier today,
his doctor said he needed to take it easy for a few more days, after his surgery...
But if he calls me and let me know he's going to go down there sooner than Saturday,I'll definitely be going down there earlier 4 sure thumb
And I'll just sit there and watch him catch his limit,
for he's definitely one of the few people
that I could ever actually enjoy just watching catch fish...
He's definitely taught me a a lot over the years,
and a Legend for sure flehan thumb

Either way, I'm sure there still be a few left to catch by the weekend thumb

!!Tight Lines+No Bad Days!! fish banana thumb
Posted By: fishytx

Re: Lake Somerville - 03/04/22 02:04 AM

So it was brought to my attention today that folks have asked where I've been. Well I'm still kicking. I had heart surgery last week. How ever I have fished the Yegua a few times this year. Went to Newman's bottom about two weeks ago, fished real close to the bridge. Caught eight nice ones in an hour, but had to leave early because I had my wife with me. Went back a few days later and went upstream. Caught 24 in three hours. Then I had heart surgery. And today eight days after surgery, I decided to go fish Irwin Bridge. It was slower than I expected, but landed 21 nice fat females in a somewhat short time frame. My lower back was going out on me, so I packed it up and went home before the better late afternoon bite got started. But on a fun chart from 1 to 10, I had a 10. I'm just glad I've been able to fish a little this year. And if my health stays on track, I plan to have several more productive trips this year.
Posted By: jsinn01

Re: Lake Somerville - 03/04/22 02:21 AM

Glad to hear from you 'fishytx'. And glad to hear you've been out catching. thumb
Posted By: FISHINGFOOL40

Re: Lake Somerville - 03/04/22 02:38 AM

Originally Posted by fishytx
So it was brought to my attention today that folks have asked where I've been. Well I'm still kicking. I had heart surgery last week. How ever I have fished the yegua a few times this year. Went to Newman's bottom about two weeks ago, fished real close to the bridge. Caught eight nice ones in an hour, but had to leave early because I had my wife with me. Went back a few days later and went upstream. Caught 24 in three hours. Then I had heart surgery. And today eight days after surgery, I decided to go fish Irwin Bridge. It was slower than I expected, but landed 21 nice fat females in a somewhat short time frame. My lower back was going out on me, so I packed it up and wenthome before the better late afternoon bite got started. But on a fun chart from 1 to 10, I had a 10. I'm just glad I've been able to fish a little this year. And if everything health mwise stays on track, I plan to have several more productive trips this year.

Awesome Catch, Awesome report flehan Thx 4 sharing, my friend cheers And glad 2 here your doing a little better walking rock partyon
Posted By: rficalora

Re: Lake Somerville - 03/04/22 04:46 PM

I don't post much but thought I'd share. They are definitely there. A buddy and I were there yesterday; I limited out in a little over an hour and a half. He ended 6 shy of a limit. We got there about 8am and left about 2pm. The fish were hitting consistently - I was getting hit on about every other cast & there were two other guys fishing the same hole I was at. One was having the same result as me; the other was having to work harder. Then, around 9:45,or 10am things moved quickly from on fire to lock jaw. I had to work for the last couple of fish for my limit. The cool thing (besides the mess of fish) was it was a perfect example of "little things matter." In the hole I was in, both me and the guy getting consistent hits were both throwing white jig heads with white 3" curly tails. We also both quickly picked up on the pattern that casts within a few inches of the far side bank with super slow retrieves got bites. Casts to the middle, or too fast retrieve got nothing. I never got a hit more than 1/3 of the way from the far bank all day - not once! I didn't see the color, but the 3rd guy was not reaching the opposite bank (even after I shared the tip). He was catching, just not as consistently. I think he left with about 8 or 10 nice fish.

My buddy was in a different hole and had a harder time in the morning. He was throwing chartreuse jugs/curly tails. He had about 15 when I hit my limit. At some point in the morning, I gave him some of my jig heads and curly tails and that's when he started catching more consistently. When they shut down, we tried going from 1/8 oz to 1/16 oz, we tried several colors (silver/black, yellow, etc). Also tried moving, different retrieves, etc. No love. Then around 1pm, my buddy texted saying they were hitting chartreuse. I put one on and got hit 3 of the next 4 casts. He could have closed out with a limit too, but we had plenty so he decided to only keep fish over 13". We threw back about 15 in the 10 to 12-1/2" range. Then, around 1:30 all we could catch was 8-10" so that's when we left. I did catch one hybrid striper but it was only 14" so it went back in the creek.

I know every day and every hole is different, but I thought I'd share this because it was such a good example of how figuring out the pattern makes a huge difference. Hope it helps someone. [Linked Image]
Posted By: jsinn01

Re: Lake Somerville - 03/04/22 07:04 PM

Great report, rficalora! Lots of good information in there. I gave up on changing lure colors. I used to do it, but it never seemed to make a difference for me. I'm convinced that's it way more about location and presentation, so those are the things I usually focus on. From reading your report, it definitely sounds like color was making a difference on your catch rate. Curious to hear from other fisherman, do you switch baits/colors when you're not catching. I always just move to another spot.
Posted By: Bigrog

Re: Lake Somerville - 03/04/22 08:12 PM

I used to switch colors as well when I first started at Newmans. Now I do like you and just change presentation and keep moving if they don't bite.
Posted By: jsinn01

Re: Lake Somerville - 03/04/22 09:20 PM

Originally Posted by Bigrog
I used to switch colors as well when I first started at Newmans. Now I do like you and just change presentation and keep moving if they don't bite.

So I'm not the only one. grin

Welcome to the forum!

welcome
Posted By: hook-line&sinker

Re: Lake Somerville - 03/04/22 09:33 PM

meanwhile back on the creek...

Posted By: hook-line&sinker

Re: Lake Somerville - 03/04/22 10:37 PM

Posted By: Bigrog

Re: Lake Somerville - 03/04/22 10:40 PM

Originally Posted by jsinn01
Originally Posted by Bigrog
I used to switch colors as well when I first started at Newmans. Now I do like you and just change presentation and keep moving if they don't bite.

So I'm not the only one. grin

Welcome to the forum!

welcome


Thank you! Looks like you are not to far down the road from me. We need to do a road trip with you, me, and FishingFool40!
Posted By: JonL

Re: Lake Somerville - 03/04/22 10:47 PM

I do the same. Only use one color combination and vary the retrieve and also try to be consistent with letting lure drop in the water column by counting seconds so when they do hit I can repeat the same thing over and over. Has worked pretty good most of the time.
Posted By: jsinn01

Re: Lake Somerville - 03/05/22 01:19 AM

Originally Posted by Bigrog
Originally Posted by jsinn01
Originally Posted by Bigrog
I used to switch colors as well when I first started at Newmans. Now I do like you and just change presentation and keep moving if they don't bite.

So I'm not the only one. grin

Welcome to the forum!

welcome


Thank you! Looks like you are not to far down the road from me. We need to do a road trip with you, me, and FishingFool40!

That would be cool. Do you ever fish the white bass run at Colorado Bend? From Liberty Hill it would probably be about the same distance as the Yegua. I miss Colorado Bend. Haven't fished there in a long time. Assuming water is probably too low this year.
Posted By: jsinn01

Re: Lake Somerville - 03/05/22 01:24 AM

Originally Posted by JonL
I do the same. Only use one color combination and vary the retrieve and also try to be consistent with letting lure drop in the water column by counting seconds so when they do hit I can repeat the same thing over and over. Has worked pretty good most of the time.

Are you heading out there this weekend, JonL?
Posted By: Bigrog

Re: Lake Somerville - 03/05/22 02:54 AM

Never been to Colorado Bend. Recently moved here from Houston so I don't know any 'local' spots.
Posted By: hook-line&sinker

Re: Lake Somerville - 03/05/22 03:06 AM

What I've learned this run is that there are thousands if not tens of thousands of fish in the Yegua and if I just slow down and work most any deep hole or undercut bank I can catch way more fish quicker than jumping from spot to spot..

Thursday afternoon really cemented that theory when I had the creek above the bridge to myself and took the time to really work the areas that should hold fish...

It didn't matter as much "what" I was tossing to the fish but more about the slow and deliberate drift into the strike zone where the fly would suspend or sink very slowly..

The dead drift presentation must have looked more like what they are seeing down there "suspending" because if or when I began to retrieve (strip) the fly I had very few takers.
Most of the time I'd see the line move or I feel the weight of a fish.. Very few fish I've caught "on the fly" so far this run have attacked the fly or even hit it on the run.

My guess would be that during the daylight hours the fish are hugging the bottom in deeper pools near the stronger currents in the slack water between more active spawning runs.

I know that most of the spawning I've seen has been in the early morning hours and often subsides during the day. The fish drop back into the slack water where if you can find them you can catch a bunch in short order before they make another spawning run.. Thursday late afternoon below the bridge I found just such a place.. a deep slack water hole where the bass were right under foot not six feet from me. I had to get low and back up to present the fly to them correctly and get my shadow off the water I was fishing...

I repeated the same dead drift several times resulting in 8 hefty females in about 20 minutes while two guys downstream and one upstream picked up two with conventional gear and losing several lures in the process.

I'm not bragging but that was almost as good as my buddy J-Moe which is who I've been watching very closely....
Posted By: jsinn01

Re: Lake Somerville - 03/05/22 03:24 AM

Originally Posted by Bigrog
Never been to Colorado Bend. Recently moved here from Houston so I don't know any 'local' spots.

Cool. PM me if you want. I can point you to a few spots in Northwest Austin.
Posted By: FISHINGFOOL40

Re: Lake Somerville - 03/05/22 04:33 AM

Awesome Report, as always Ben flehan And thx 4 sharing clap fish thumb
Posted By: FISHINGFOOL40

Re: Lake Somerville - 03/05/22 04:47 AM

Originally Posted by rficalora
I don't post much but thought I'd share. They are definitely there. A buddy and I were there yesterday; I limited out in a little over an hour and a half. He ended 6 shy of a limit. We got there about 8am and left about 2pm. The fish were hitting consistently - I was getting hit on about every other cast & there were two other guys fishing the same hole I was at. One was having the same result as me; the other was having to work harder. Then, around 9:45,or 10am things moved quickly from on fire to lock jaw. I had to work for the last couple of fish for my limit. The cool thing (besides the mess of fish) was it was a perfect example of "little things matter." In the hole I was in, both me and the guy getting consistent hits were both throwing white jig heads with white 3" curly tails. We also both quickly picked up on the pattern that casts within a few inches of the far side bank with super slow retrieves got bites. Casts to the middle, or too fast retrieve got nothing. I never got a hit more than 1/3 of the way from the far bank all day - not once! I didn't see the color, but the 3rd guy was not reaching the opposite bank (even after I shared the tip). He was catching, just not as consistently. I think he left with about 8 or 10 nice fish.

My buddy was in a different hole and had a harder time in the morning. He was throwing chartreuse jugs/curly tails. He had about 15 when I hit my limit. At some point in the morning, I gave him some of my jig heads and curly tails and that's when he started catching more consistently. When they shut down, we tried going from 1/8 oz to 1/16 oz, we tried several colors (silver/black, yellow, etc). Also tried moving, different retrieves, etc. No love. Then around 1pm, my buddy texted saying they were hitting chartreuse. I put one on and got hit 3 of the next 4 casts. He could have closed out with a limit too, but we had plenty so he decided to only keep fish over 13". We threw back about 15 in the 10 to 12-1/2" range. Then, around 1:30 all we could catch was 8-10" so that's when we left. I did catch one hybrid striper but it was only 14" so it went back in the creek.

I know every day and every hole is different, but I thought I'd share this because it was such a good example of how figuring out the pattern makes a huge difference. Hope it helps someone. [Linked Image]

Awesome Report, Catch+Pics thumb Those are some beauty's clap All 13"-16" range woot banana cheers
Posted By: JonL

Re: Lake Somerville - 03/05/22 04:52 AM

I will be going Sunday Jsinn01 probably one last time for the year. Got to help my Dad finish the tank we are digging at our land near San Saba. Hope to end with 4 trips and 4 limits.
Posted By: TXfisherman12

Re: Lake Somerville - 03/05/22 02:05 PM

Originally Posted by rficalora
I don't post much but thought I'd share. They are definitely there. A buddy and I were there yesterday; I limited out in a little over an hour and a half. He ended 6 shy of a limit. We got there about 8am and left about 2pm. The fish were hitting consistently - I was getting hit on about every other cast & there were two other guys fishing the same hole I was at. One was having the same result as me; the other was having to work harder. Then, around 9:45,or 10am things moved quickly from on fire to lock jaw. I had to work for the last couple of fish for my limit. The cool thing (besides the mess of fish) was it was a perfect example of "little things matter." In the hole I was in, both me and the guy getting consistent hits were both throwing white jig heads with white 3" curly tails. We also both quickly picked up on the pattern that casts within a few inches of the far side bank with super slow retrieves got bites. Casts to the middle, or too fast retrieve got nothing. I never got a hit more than 1/3 of the way from the far bank all day - not once! I didn't see the color, but the 3rd guy was not reaching the opposite bank (even after I shared the tip). He was catching, just not as consistently. I think he left with about 8 or 10 nice fish.

My buddy was in a different hole and had a harder time in the morning. He was throwing chartreuse jugs/curly tails. He had about 15 when I hit my limit. At some point in the morning, I gave him some of my jig heads and curly tails and that's when he started catching more consistently. When they shut down, we tried going from 1/8 oz to 1/16 oz, we tried several colors (silver/black, yellow, etc). Also tried moving, different retrieves, etc. No love. Then around 1pm, my buddy texted saying they were hitting chartreuse. I put one on and got hit 3 of the next 4 casts. He could have closed out with a limit too, but we had plenty so he decided to only keep fish over 13". We threw back about 15 in the 10 to 12-1/2" range. Then, around 1:30 all we could catch was 8-10" so that's when we left. I did catch one hybrid striper but it was only 14" so it went back in the creek.

I know every day and every hole is different, but I thought I'd share this because it was such a good example of how figuring out the pattern makes a huge difference. Hope it helps someone. [Linked Image]


Thanks for the information. Just my 2cents. For fishing in general, I have experienced many times over the years that certain colors will produce better than others in a given situation with the same type of lure. I have found this to be true while fishing for temperate basses like white bass and for 'sunfishes' like largemouth and smallmouth. Specifically for white bass, when I am fishing a new creek I am more apt to change lures and colors until I dial in. After that I typically will stick with a specific lure and color, but on fewer occasions will experiment with color changes if I am up to it. I would say for the Somerville system (including lake and creeks) I have about 5 to 6 different go-to lures and won't stray much from color changes because I have found them to produce. For fly fishing, my experience is limited so I stray even less from color, but occasionally will try and "match the hatch" through exploration.
Posted By: hook-line&sinker

Re: Lake Somerville - 03/05/22 03:02 PM

As I look back thru the years and these long threads on TFF it occurs to me that we all have become much more helpful to our fellow fishers. Sharing so much more information and teaching that at one time would have been strongly discouraged and even punished in some cases... I must also point out that the Lake Somerville State Park & Trailway system has been the greatest benefactor and the best host possible for our fishing activities in doing everything within their power to make this possible and in a very friendly way. We may not recognize it today but looking back at this time years from now will likely be the "the best of times" for many of us... especially if the young ones are with us...
Posted By: jsinn01

Re: Lake Somerville - 03/05/22 03:14 PM

Originally Posted by JonL
I will be going Sunday Jsinn01 probably one last time for the year. Got to help my Dad finish the tank we are digging at our land near San Saba. Hope to end with 4 trips and 4 limits.

Good luck! Maybe I'll see you out there.
Posted By: jsinn01

Re: Lake Somerville - 03/05/22 03:21 PM

Originally Posted by hook-line&sinker
As I look back thru the years and these long threads on TFF it occurs to me that we all have become much more helpful to our fellow fishers. Sharing so much more information and teaching that at one time would have been strongly discouraged and even punished in some cases... I must also point out that the Lake Somerville State Park & Trailway system has been the greatest benefactor and the best host possible for our fishing activities in doing everything within their power to make this possible and in a very friendly way. We may not recognize it today but looking back at this time years from now will likely be the "the best of times" for many of us... especially if the young ones are with us...

I've been following this thread for 15 years now and it's crazy how much I've learned! And there's still so much I haven't figured out.

One thing is for sure, as much as you can learn from TFF, nothing beats experience. Time on the water is invaluable.
Posted By: fishytx

Re: Lake Somerville - 03/05/22 04:46 PM

Fished Irwin yesterday. Arrived at noon and the bite was super slow. Fished for three hours and caught ten. Brought home six for dinner and man were they good. How ever, anglers coming out who had arrived early that morning had some decent stringers. Two anglers told me the bite was at its best between 9 and 10am.
Posted By: fishytx

Re: Lake Somerville - 03/05/22 05:50 PM

The reason my post are so short is due to my computer. Only been able to post from my phone. Not sure what is going on with the PC, but it is really acting up. I did not post anything on here last year because I only fished the steps on the San Gabriel river last year. Last year I put away enough fish to last me a long time. First two weeks of March last year I put away ten limits of fish. That's kind a why I haven't been keeping any this year. Not to mention the last two weeks of March I brought home smaller stringers, like 10 to 12 fish each trip. Just a guess, but I think I put somewhere around fifteen limits of fish in the freezer last year. One of my better years for sure.
But here's a tip I would like to share with everyone. When your line becomes all twisted up, stop and fix it. Cut your lure off and start pulling out line while walking down a walk path. Once you have about sixty feet out, stop. Then pinch your line around the first eyelet on rod from reel and reel the line back in while maintaining tension on the line between your fingers. That dead end on your line has no resistant and it will allow the line to spin as the twist is being released from your line as you reel it back into the reel. This process takes about five minutes and it will allow you to keep on fishing headache free, not to mention the line it will save you from cutting off every time it twist up. As soon as your line twist up and causes you a problem, then it is at this time that you need to do this. You press your luck and try to keep on fishing, the line will be so twisted that you can't get it untwisted and you will end up cutting thirty feet off. Don't let twisted line ruin your fishing trip, stop and fix it. This is by far the best tip I can offer an angler so they can continue to enjoy their day on the water catching or not catching.
Posted By: rficalora

Re: Lake Somerville - 03/05/22 11:16 PM

By the way, I almost forgot to tell the funny part of the story. When I had 23 fish on my stringer, I cought a nice ~15 inch fish. When I was getting the metal end of the stringer out of the mud to put #24 on, I slipped and almost went into the creek. While saving myself, I dropped the stringer and it was gone before I could reach it. Talk about that sick in your stomach feeling!!! I'm sure an explicative or two came out as I grabbed my rod and tried to snag it with the jig. One of the other guys tossed me a road runner (they have treble hooks for those not familiar) and I tied that on (between needing readers and not having them on and the adrenaline, I'm sure that was fun to watch). Anyway a few tosses of the treble hook and I got VERY LUCKY and snagged the stringer. It was about 3 feet from the bank and 4 feet or so down. Several fish were a few inches from working off the end but when I counted, I'd not lost a single one! I couldn't be more thankful for the individual who let me borrow his treble hooked lure!
Posted By: PerksOutdoors

Re: Lake Somerville - 03/06/22 12:25 AM

Well as luck would have it i get to go tomorrow morning to get my white bass run fix. Need some fish in the freezer so it will be a meat haul with the ultralight. Bringing the fly rod just in case. If it were fun fishing id probably opt for the flyrod. No time for fun this weekend though. Hope to see some of you out there at irwin. Dont know newmans well enough to give it a shot on short notice.
Posted By: jsinn01

Re: Lake Somerville - 03/06/22 12:53 AM

Originally Posted by rficalora
By the way, I almost forgot to tell the funny part of the story. When I had 23 fish on my stringer, I cought a nice ~15 inch fish. When I was getting the metal end of the stringer out of the mud to put #24 on, I slipped and almost went into the creek. While saving myself, I dropped the stringer and it was gone before I could reach it. Talk about that sick in your stomach feeling!!! I'm sure an explicative or two came out as I grabbed my rod and tried to snag it with the jig. One of the other guys tossed me a road runner (they have treble hooks for those not familiar) and I tied that on (between needing readers and not having them on and the adrenaline, I'm sure that was fun to watch). Anyway a few tosses of the treble hook and I got VERY LUCKY and snagged the stringer. It was about 3 feet from the bank and 4 feet or so down. Several fish were a few inches from working off the end but when I counted, I'd not lost a single one! I couldn't be more thankful for the individual who let me borrow his treble hooked lure!

Hahaha. You got lucky. Those slick banks will get you every time. grin
Posted By: fishytx

Re: Lake Somerville - 03/06/22 03:37 PM

Speaking of slick banks, after this heart surgery I have had to be real careful not to fall, slip and break open any stiches. So I have had to fish from the top of banks rather than down low next to the water. To be honest, I probably should wait another week before fishing, I have pressed my luck these last two trips. But I also know there is only three weeks left of good fishing for these fish, so one has to make the best of their time while they are up in these creeks and rivers. This years spawn marks my fiftieth year fishing for spawning whites and I have never missed a year even when I lived in another state. That's a long time to do this sport and ever trip has been a blast. The white bass spawn fishing trip stories are endless. You name it and I have tried it. From catching my own live bait to now nothing but that 1/32 ounce jig. I use to use live spot tail minnows fished on a small hook free floating them so I could watch these whites come to the surface and grab them. Sight fishing is what I called it. I loved watching them shoot up to the surface and chase those minnows. And the river water was crystal clear to watch every bit of this action take place. We would catch our minnows before the sun came up in pitch darkness. One swipe down the river bank with a sein and you had all the live bait two people needed to fish with all day long. And the camp outs on the river were priceless. But when I started this sport, there was no limit on how many one could catch. Therefore I took home truck loads back in those days.
Another crazy thing about this sport, I'm also a huge black bass angler. But when the whites are spawning, I stop fishing for blacks and only target whites. And trust me, this is not easy to do. Right now the black bass are on the move and it is now that you target the big girls moving up on spawning beds. But white bass fishing with ultra light tackle is still my go to fishing when the spawn is in full swing. What an amazing sport.
Posted By: fishytx

Re: Lake Somerville - 03/06/22 04:33 PM

Is there a phone app for TFF? I remember being able to type up fishing trips and post pics somewhat easy from my phone and now it's a chore to type up a report on it. And posting pics from my phone was so easy too. I got a new phone a few months ago and when I transferred my data, not all of the data transferred over to the new one correctly. That's why I'm asking this question. I did go look for an app, but I didn't see one.
Any how, all this fish talk has got me all pumped up, so I am getting ready to head out and see what I can do today. Have not decided where I want a go just yet, the river or the creek. River is closer, but the creek is producing better. Wife wants me to bring home a mess to eat tonight. We tried something different the other day, blacken fish. It was really good, nice and moist fish with a great taste. So she wants some more fish to cook up. Guess I'm going to the creek, but not sure where I want a fish it at, Irwin or Newmans. Oh well, off we go to enjoy another fishing day.
Posted By: FISHINGFOOL40

Re: Lake Somerville - 03/06/22 05:02 PM

Originally Posted by hook-line&sinker

Good Stuff There, Boys+Girl clap Thx 4 sharing flehan fish thumb
Posted By: FISHINGFOOL40

Re: Lake Somerville - 03/06/22 05:24 PM

Originally Posted by fishytx
Is there a phone app for TFF? I remember being able to type up fishing trips and post pics somewhat easy from my phone and now it's a chore to type up a report on it. And posting pics from my phone was so easy too. I got a new phone a few months ago and when I transferred my data, not all of the data transferred over to the new one correctly. That's why I'm asking this question. I did go look for an app, but I didn't see one.
Any how, all this fish talk has got me all pumped up, so I am getting ready to head out and see what I can do today. Have not decided where I want a go just yet, the river or the creek. River is closer, but the creek is producing better. Wife wants me to bring home a mess to eat tonight. We tried something different the other day, blacken fish. It was really good, nice and moist fish with a great taste. So she wants some more fish to cook up. Guess I'm going to the creek, but not sure where I want a fish it at, Irwin or Newmans. Oh well, off we go to enjoy another fishing day.

Same here with a new Smart phone, still trying to figure out how to use hmmm Dang thing seems to be, Smarter than Me roflmao Using Silk Browser, on my Fire Stick now bannana2 Anyhoot, good luck and save a few wink I most likely will not have time to fish, till next Sunday bang thumb
Posted By: J-Moe

Re: Lake Somerville - 03/06/22 10:09 PM

Originally Posted by hook-line&sinker


WOW!!! What an awesome job of editing and producing this video Ben. The TPWD video added in, still shots of the girls, etc. Abel better be on his game as you've set the bar very high thumb
Posted By: JonL

Re: Lake Somerville - 03/06/22 11:30 PM

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So here is the story of today's limit. Started out at 6am at my honey hole near the lower parking lot of Irwin Bridge. Caught 14 by 8 am but it either died or the fish just were not there anymore. I fished till 930 and decided to take my fish to the truck and then go explore.Glad I did. Caught a few fish in a few deep holes I fished but I really found them down the creek at the end of some swift moving water. The key was definitely swift moving water. I would just throw in to the swift running water and let it drift to the end of it and just jig it and they woulld tap it. Caught my last 7 there and left them biting because I was dog tired. I drove back from Denton yesterday taking my daughter to University of North Texas to check it out and drove an hour and 40 minutes just to get to the creek. The price we pay for family and fishing. So worth it. By the way 19 of the 25 were females.
Posted By: fishytx

Re: Lake Somerville - 03/07/22 12:00 AM

The fish were on fire today at Irwin bridge. Caught 25 to 30 in no time at all. Brought home 12 for dinner tonight. Out of those 12 only one male fish. But yes, they were stacked up close to the moving water. Chunk it out, slow roll with a little jigging and boom, fish on. Really I was just drifting it into the strike zone and boom fish on. Either way, they were feeding good.
Posted By: jsinn01

Re: Lake Somerville - 03/07/22 12:40 AM

Originally Posted by JonL
[Linked Image]
[Linked Image]
So here is the story of today's limit. Started out at 6am at my honey hole near the lower parking lot of Irwin Bridge. Caught 14 by 8 am but it either died or the fish just were not there anymore. I fished till 930 and decided to take my fish to the truck and then go explore.Glad I did. Caught a few fish in a few deep holes I fished but I really found them down the creek at the end of some swift moving water. The key was definitely swift moving water. I would just throw in to the swift running water and let it drift to the end of it and just jig it and they woulld tap it. Caught my last 7 there and left them biting because I was dog tired. I drove back from Denton yesterday taking my daughter to University of North Texas to check it out and drove an hour and 40 minutes just to get to the creek. The price we pay for family and fishing. So worth it. By the way 19 of the 25 were females.

Lol. You either get your limit or die trying. I just couldn't bring myself to make the three hour round trip today.

Congrats on your catch!
Posted By: jsinn01

Re: Lake Somerville - 03/07/22 12:41 AM

Originally Posted by fishytx
The fish were on fire today at Irwin bridge. Caught 25 to 30 in no time at all. Brought home 12 for dinner tonight. Out of those 12 only one male fish. But yes, they were stacked up close to the moving water. Chunk it out, slow roll with a little jigging and boom, fish on. Really I was just drifting it into the strike zone and boom fish on. Either way, they were feeding good.

Nice report! Glad you were able to get out and catch.
Posted By: JonL

Re: Lake Somerville - 03/07/22 01:22 AM

Thanks Jsinn01. I was wondering if you made it out today. Maybe someday we will meet up. With my upcoming schedule this may have been the last opportunity to go so I was definitely making the trip.
Posted By: FISHINGFOOL40

Re: Lake Somerville - 03/07/22 01:35 AM

Originally Posted by fishytx
The fish were on fire today at Irwin bridge. Caught 25 to 30 in no time at all. Brought home 12 for dinner tonight. Out of those 12 only one male fish. But yes, they were stacked up close to the moving water. Chunk it out, slow roll with a little jigging and boom, fish on. Really I was just drifting it into the strike zone and boom fish on. Either way, they were feeding good.


fish clap
rock
bow_down
thumb bolt thumb
Posted By: TB6

Re: Lake Somerville - 03/07/22 01:47 AM

Ben, I've noticed you've opted for walking instead of yaking. Wouldn't the yak give you access to holes inaccessible by foot? Just curious as to all available options.
Posted By: hook-line&sinker

Re: Lake Somerville - 03/07/22 03:05 AM

Originally Posted by TB6
Ben, I've noticed you've opted for walking instead of yaking. Wouldn't the yak give you access to holes inaccessible by foot? Just curious as to all available options.


Once the whitebass move up above the low water crossing just down from the parking lot there is no need for the kayak and it is so much easier to fly fish standing up than sitting in the kayak.

The only time I might need the kayak now is trying to catch crappie in the lower Yegua.

The lake at normal level pushes water all the way up the Yegua to that low water crossing just below the parking lot at Newmans which really slows the current.

The whitebass will be done spawning and back to the lake come April which is when the shift back to crappie fishing in the lower Yegua can happen... but with $4 plus gas prices I'll be fishing the river here on the ranch lots more..
Posted By: J-Moe

Re: Lake Somerville - 03/07/22 01:25 PM

Great job Doug and Jon thumb

I had the same experience on Saturday morning. I caught 51 and the majority of them were females.

Here's another observation that can be totally disregarded. When the fish are actively spawning the males are preoccupied and difficult to catch. The females on the other hand will hunker down tight to structure of some type to try and rest from the constant beating and pushing of the males.

If you can drift that fly or lure onto their nose you can catch them. Note Jon's description of the drift, this is what Fishytx always taught me and the reason he utilizes a 1/32 ounce jig. He used to say if you're using a 1/8 ounce jig your just getting lucky and knocking them in the head.

Also note the HL&S video of how he dead drifts a light fly. That drift will often cover 15 feet or more and the current slowly brings the fly down onto the fishes nose.

The females won't chase anything.
Posted By: jsinn01

Re: Lake Somerville - 03/07/22 01:52 PM

Originally Posted by J-Moe
Great job Doug and Jon thumb

I had the same experience on Saturday morning. I caught 51 and the majority of them were females.

Here's another observation that can be totally disregarded. When the fish are actively spawning the males are preoccupied and difficult to catch. The females on the other hand will hunker down tight to structure of some type to try and rest from the constant beating and pushing of the males.

If you can drift that fly or lure onto their nose you can catch them. Note Jon's description of the drift, this is what Fishytx always taught me and the reason he utilizes a 1/32 ounce jig. He used to say if you're using a 1/8 ounce jig your just getting lucky and knocking them in the head.

Also note the HL&S video of how he dead drifts a light fly. That drift will often cover 15 feet or more and the current slowly brings the fly down onto the fishes nose.

The females won't chase anything.

Great info, J-Moe. I will definitely file this one away for future use. thumb
Posted By: jsinn01

Re: Lake Somerville - 03/07/22 01:56 PM

I hear you on the $4 gas prices, Ben. I will probably be fishing more local this spring/summer. roflmao
Posted By: jsinn01

Re: Lake Somerville - 03/07/22 02:01 PM

Originally Posted by JonL
Thanks Jsinn01. I was wondering if you made it out today. Maybe someday we will meet up. With my upcoming schedule this may have been the last opportunity to go so I was definitely making the trip.

Easiest place to meet up around Austin might be Brushy Creek Lake Park. Crappie fishing can actually be pretty good there March/April time frame. Plenty of bass too. Let me know sometime if you want to go.
Posted By: hook-line&sinker

Re: Lake Somerville - 03/07/22 03:47 PM

That high dollar tank of fuel makes places closer to home like Bedias creek worth investigating and a good investment as it turns out...

With fuel prices going into very unfriendly territory which will for me "all but end" the frequent road trips to far off fishing holes.

At $4 a gallon my Tundra (@15MPG) costs 26.6 cents a mile making most places I fish a hefty investment for entertainment.. I wonder if I can claim this as a mental health cost wink

Posted By: JonL

Re: Lake Somerville - 03/07/22 10:30 PM

Jsinn01 I never have had any luck at Brushy creek but I can't say I have fished there enough times to figure things out. I would like to get together and you can show me where the crappie usually hand out.
Posted By: fishytx

Re: Lake Somerville - 03/07/22 11:30 PM

Enjoyed your video Ben. Those girls were having a good time catching those fish.
Posted By: jsinn01

Re: Lake Somerville - 03/08/22 12:40 AM

Originally Posted by JonL
Jsinn01 I never have had any luck at Brushy creek but I can't say I have fished there enough times to figure things out. I would like to get together and you can show me where the crappie usually hand out.

Sent you a PM.
Posted By: J-Moe

Re: Lake Somerville - 03/08/22 02:21 PM

Somerville watershed is getting some very good rain. Shh, Don't tell anyone but I think I smell white bass running up Nails Creek. Maybe even a few other places too grin
Posted By: FISHINGFOOL40

Re: Lake Somerville - 03/08/22 06:36 PM

Sorry, pic heavy wink thumb

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Posted By: jsinn01

Re: Lake Somerville - 03/08/22 06:51 PM

Lake Buchanan?
Posted By: Jing

Re: Lake Somerville - 03/08/22 10:36 PM

Originally Posted by fishytx
Speaking of slick banks, after this heart surgery I have had to be real careful not to fall, slip and break open any stiches. So I have had to fish from the top of banks rather than down low next to the water. To be honest, I probably should wait another week before fishing, I have pressed my luck these last two trips. But I also know there is only three weeks left of good fishing for these fish, so one has to make the best of their time while they are up in these creeks and rivers. This years spawn marks my fiftieth year fishing for spawning whites and I have never missed a year even when I lived in another state. That's a long time to do this sport and ever trip has been a blast. The white bass spawn fishing trip stories are endless. You name it and I have tried it. From catching my own live bait to now nothing but that 1/32 ounce jig. I use to use live spot tail minnows fished on a small hook free floating them so I could watch these whites come to the surface and grab them. Sight fishing is what I called it. I loved watching them shoot up to the surface and chase those minnows. And the river water was crystal clear to watch every bit of this action take place. We would catch our minnows before the sun came up in pitch darkness. One swipe down the river bank with a sein and you had all the live bait two people needed to fish with all day long. And the camp outs on the river were priceless. But when I started this sport, there was no limit on how many one could catch. Therefore I took home truck loads back in those days.
Another crazy thing about this sport, I'm also a huge black bass angler. But when the whites are spawning, I stop fishing for blacks and only target whites. And trust me, this is not easy to do. Right now the black bass are on the move and it is now that you target the big girls moving up on spawning beds. But white bass fishing with ultra light tackle is still my go to fishing when the spawn is in full swing. What an amazing sport.


do you use 1/8 ounce jig or not? why?
Posted By: Jing

Re: Lake Somerville - 03/08/22 10:43 PM

Originally Posted by J-Moe
Great job Doug and Jon thumb

I had the same experience on Saturday morning. I caught 51 and the majority of them were females.

Here's another observation that can be totally disregarded. When the fish are actively spawning the males are preoccupied and difficult to catch. The females on the other hand will hunker down tight to structure of some type to try and rest from the constant beating and pushing of the males.

If you can drift that fly or lure onto their nose you can catch them. Note Jon's description of the drift, this is what Fishytx always taught me and the reason he utilizes a 1/32 ounce jig. He used to say if you're using a 1/8 ounce jig your just getting lucky and knocking them in the head.

Also note the HL&S video of how he dead drifts a light fly. That drift will often cover 15 feet or more and the current slowly brings the fly down onto the fishes nose.

The females won't chase anything.


hi J-Moe, it was nice talking to you at the parking lot when you were about to leave Saturday. AS you said it was slow for most people and I am one of them. I caught only two all afternoon around the horseshoe area. But I caught four at one place at close to 6pm on my way back to parking lot.
Posted By: fishytx

Re: Lake Somerville - 03/08/22 10:55 PM

We got about a 1/4 inch of rain here in the west Yegua area. Not sure how much fell in the middle and east creek water shed. But anything we get will improve the number of fish in this creek. We could use a little more dirty water to pull some more fish from the lake.
Posted By: FISHINGFOOL40

Re: Lake Somerville - 03/09/22 12:49 AM

Originally Posted by jsinn01
Lake Buchanan?

Lake Travis, Hudson Bend area fish thumb

https://m.youtube.com/watch?v=6lycoRjPW-U
Posted By: TXfisherman12

Re: Lake Somerville - 03/09/22 04:46 PM

According to NOAA both the east and middle Yegua rose by a few inches. Not sure if that is enough to improve the run or not??? I’ll let the experts figure that out hmmm
Posted By: fishytx

Re: Lake Somerville - 03/09/22 05:30 PM

Any rain we receive is a plus at this time. You want a keep a good flow going so the fish are spread out and it keeps fish coming upstream. How ever, in the month of March you really don't want a see a big flood where it will knock out a week or two of fishing. But a big flood will bring up a ton more fish for sure. Its just the catch fish time frame is narrowed down a lot. Oh well, we are at natures beckon call and we will do the best we can with the hand dealt to us. Right now there are plenty of fish up in this creek, but every stringer that goes out is just that many less fish in there to catch. LOL
Posted By: fishytx

Re: Lake Somerville - 03/09/22 05:47 PM

I am about to drive over to Irwin bridge to check out the water status. I also want to add another fishing tip. You can take a pare of pliers and flatten the barb on your hook for the health of the fish and for yourself. Removing the barb has two good reasons. You catch a fish and unhook it with little to no damage to the fish. No for the benefit of the angler. Due to all the limbs and string in limbs from people breaking off you tangle up in that stuff and you can't get your bait off. If you flatten that barb your chances of getting that bait back has now increased to a 70% better chance of it coming off. Every time I get hung up I notice the line is around the barb, or the barb is hung up on something keeping it from releasing. So I flatten the barb and I get my jig back 95% of the time. Yes the barb is designed to keep a fish on, but I always keep my line tight on a fish so the hook can't come out anyways. And when I go to unhook a fish, it slides right out. Out of 100 fish, maybe 3 will come off due to me flatting the barb. And that I can live with. I also do this when I'm out fun fishing for black bass. Oh yeah, when the hook sticks you, it too will slide right out. I stuck a hook in my thumb a few days ago. I had a hard time getting that barb out, but I had no choice if I wanted to continue to fish. And yes, it hurt. LOL But if I'm afraid of being hooked, then I better stay at home. Can't tell you how many hooks I have had to pull out of my body. Only went to ER twice to get hooks removed in my life time. But that was two times to many. Flatting the barb is a great thing to try, you wont be disappointed.
Posted By: fishytx

Re: Lake Somerville - 03/09/22 09:03 PM

Creek is low and crystal clear. Caught 30 in an hour. Flip em on the bank and just keep catching. Kept 13 for the grease, headed home.
Posted By: Average Joe

Re: Lake Somerville - 03/09/22 09:09 PM

Originally Posted by fishytx
Credit is low and crystal clear. Caught 30 in an hour. Flip em on the bank and just keep catching. Lept 13 for the gease, headed home.


Woohoo! Thanks for the report. Hoping to head out there this weekend, hopefully the weather won't be too bad.
Posted By: FISHINGFOOL40

Re: Lake Somerville - 03/09/22 09:10 PM

Originally Posted by fishytx
Credit is low and crystal clear. Caught 30 in an hour. Flip em on the bank and just keep catching. Lept 13 for the gease, headed home.

thanks for the report Doug may try to play hooky tomorrow head that way house needs painting yard needs mowing but I don't care cuz I'm going fishing clap thumb
Posted By: fishytx

Re: Lake Somerville - 03/09/22 09:30 PM

The water is so clear that I would wear some Gray clothes so you will be camo with the background of the trees
Posted By: Joseph.L

Re: Lake Somerville - 03/09/22 09:45 PM

Was planning on going out Saturday Morning, my uncle needs redemption on the fly! Has water rose at all?
Posted By: fishytx

Re: Lake Somerville - 03/09/22 10:28 PM

I feel like a hypocrite. I said I wouldn't keep any fish this year and I just brought home my third stringer of fish. Fresh fish fry tomorrow. But I'm now home and I am about to go clean some fish. I hate trying to type on my phone. I go back to read it and there are words on there I did not type. Any how, the creek is running slow and the water is very clear. The fish were holding in deeper pockets with a good flow of water coming into it. This was the quickest catch time for me. If someone told me that they caught 25 to 30 fish in an hour, I would have called it BC. But today with no barb on the hook I was able to get fish off in no time, flip em back on the bank, cast back out and catch another. 30 whites in an hour is almost unheard of, but I did it today and it was a blast. Only brought home 13 because I wasn't sure if I could carry them back to the truck even though I only made one break stop before reaching my truck. Now about the clothing deal. I had on jeans and picked out a shirt that matched just in case the water was clear, which it was. These fish can see you on the bank, so I wanted to blend in with the background. I stood as still as possible, very little movement on the bank. Drift my jig into the deeper water pocket and bang, fish on. Small males were up in the shallow water and very few at that. Want the bigger fish, you got fish the deeper pockets. They were laying on the bottom.
Since I was tossing fish back onto the bank, once I had 13 nice ones I decided it was time to leave so I could take good care of the fish I was taking home. Over all, I would call this trip one of my better trips in some time, maybe in past five years. It was unbelievably good. I'll probably go again tomorrow before this rain and sleet moves in on us, plus I have a doctors appointment on Friday.
Oh yeah, I saw two other vehicles there when I arrived and that's it. So my first thought was, the fish have quit biting due to the colder weather, therefore there are no anglers. But since I drove over there I had to go see if I could catch a few. Trust me, this trip turned out 99% better than I had first thought when there wasn't anyone there. Two vehicles at Irwin bridge during white bass spawn is something you just don't see. It tells me one thing, NO FISH. But I sure am glad I gave it a go anyway.
J-Moe is at Newmans bottom as we speak. I called him and he was just driving down onto the bottom as I was leaving Irwin. In fact, we started cutting out on the phone call. So I look for a good report from J-Moe later on today.
Going to eat dinner and then clean fish, more reports to come.
Posted By: fishytx

Re: Lake Somerville - 03/09/22 11:01 PM

J-Moe sent me a text and he said he pulled 20 fish out of the first hole he stopped to fish. He is well on his way to a hundred fish day.
Posted By: jsinn01

Re: Lake Somerville - 03/10/22 12:51 AM

Thanks for the great reports. I had a great day at work. roflmao
Posted By: fishburrito

Re: Lake Somerville - 03/10/22 01:27 AM

I don't normally post since I don't catch fish often, lol. I had already requested this Monday and Tuesday off from work to go fishing. Just my luck that the cold front pushed in Sunday night. I headed to Irwin Bridge for the first time ever, I usually fish at "The Steps", with low hopes of catching anything. Arrived around around 7:30am and there were only 2 other cars in the parking area, not a good sign or so I thought. I moved around for a bit until I got my first hit on a roster tail and then it was on. From 8-9 I had 18 keepers and I missed a few, they were swiping at the bait and would miss it. The bite slowed down at 9 and I switched to a 1/16 white crappie jig, I ran out of 1/32. I managed one more fish and went back to the roster tail. I finally manage to get my limit by 11am. Now for Tuesday, I arrived at about 7am and it is raining on and off, 0 cars in the parking lot. I put on my rain gear and headed to the river, at this point the rain picks up and I contemplating going home. I fish for a little over an hour and managed 10 fish. At this point I decided to call it quits and head home. The Yegua was good to me and I plan on returning. Also, I appreciate all the tips and tricks from fishytx, hook-line&sinker,J-Moe, and JonL just to name a few. You all have helped me out tremendously.

[Linked Image]
[Linked Image]
Posted By: jsinn01

Re: Lake Somerville - 03/10/22 02:42 AM

Nice report, fishburrito! Glad you were able to catch a few. I don't limit out every time either like others on this forum, but I sure do enjoy fishing the Yegua.
Posted By: JonL

Re: Lake Somerville - 03/10/22 03:06 AM

Good looking stringer of fish. Glad we can help giving some tips for you to catch some fish. It's important for everyone to enjoy the white bass fishing at the Yegua. It's a special place and that's why I drive a 3 plus hour round trip to fish there.
Posted By: FISHINGFOOL40

Re: Lake Somerville - 03/10/22 03:49 AM

Originally Posted by fishytx
The water is so clear that I would wear some Gray clothes so you will be camo with the background of the trees

peep roflmao roflmao peep frkazoid
Posted By: FISHINGFOOL40

Re: Lake Somerville - 03/10/22 03:51 AM

Originally Posted by fishburrito
I don't normally post since I don't catch fish often, lol. I had already requested this Monday and Tuesday off from work to go fishing. Just my luck that the cold front pushed in Sunday night. I headed to Irwin Bridge for the first time ever, I usually fish at "The Steps", with low hopes of catching anything. Arrived around around 7:30am and there were only 2 other cars in the parking area, not a good sign or so I thought. I moved around for a bit until I got my first hit on a roster tail and then it was on. From 8-9 I had 18 keepers and I missed a few, they were swiping at the bait and would miss it. The bite slowed down at 9 and I switched to a 1/16 white crappie jig, I ran out of 1/32. I managed one more fish and went back to the roster tail. I finally manage to get my limit by 11am. Now for Tuesday, I arrived at about 7am and it is raining on and off, 0 cars in the parking lot. I put on my rain gear and headed to the river, at this point the rain picks up and I contemplating going home. I fish for a little over an hour and managed 10 fish. At this point I decided to call it quits and head home. The Yegua was good to me and I plan on returning. Also, I appreciate all the tips and tricks from fishytx, hook-line&sinker,J-Moe, and JonL just to name a few. You all have helped me out tremendously.

[Linked Image]
[Linked Image]

welcome coolphotos fish clap thumb
Posted By: Ledeez

Re: Lake Somerville - 03/10/22 04:44 AM

Originally Posted by fishburrito
I don't normally post since I don't catch fish often, lol. I had already requested this Monday and Tuesday off from work to go fishing. Just my luck that the cold front pushed in Sunday night. I headed to Irwin Bridge for the first time ever, I usually fish at "The Steps", with low hopes of catching anything. Arrived around around 7:30am and there were only 2 other cars in the parking area, not a good sign or so I thought. I moved around for a bit until I got my first hit on a roster tail and then it was on. From 8-9 I had 18 keepers and I missed a few, they were swiping at the bait and would miss it. The bite slowed down at 9 and I switched to a 1/16 white crappie jig, I ran out of 1/32. I managed one more fish and went back to the roster tail. I finally manage to get my limit by 11am. Now for Tuesday, I arrived at about 7am and it is raining on and off, 0 cars in the parking lot. I put on my rain gear and headed to the river, at this point the rain picks up and I contemplating going home. I fish for a little over an hour and managed 10 fish. At this point I decided to call it quits and head home. The Yegua was good to me and I plan on returning. Also, I appreciate all the tips and tricks from fishytx, hook-line&sinker,J-Moe, and JonL just to name a few. You all have helped me out tremendously.

[Linked Image]
[Linked Image]
Nice pescado pics!
thumb
Posted By: fishytx

Re: Lake Somerville - 03/10/22 06:45 PM

My computer is almost dead. Yesterday it worked kind a good, today I can't even get on the internet. It jumps, its super slow, it does all kind of weird things that I've never seen a computer do. Either I need to take it to someone and see if they can fix it, or buy a new one. So if you see weird words or phrase I typed, it's my phones fault. LOL Trying to decide if I'm going today or not. Woke up this morning with a bad back ack. And I have a real hard time catching fish and not bring some home, so I know I'll at least haul 12 to 13 out of there. Wife and I love these fish. In fact, it's the only fish I clean and keep for the freezer. I think there's enough in there from last year to carry us through another year. We keep frying up the fish I've been bringing home. Having fried fish tonight.
Something tells me I'll end up going though. It's something I really enjoy and I know I'm on a time frame that gies by way to fast. We might have three weeks left to get them while they're up there like they are.
Posted By: jsinn01

Re: Lake Somerville - 03/10/22 08:52 PM

Fishytx, I found that the shelf life of a computer is about 3 years. Then it's time to replace. If you've gotten longer than 3 years out of it, you're doing pretty good. Agreed that it sucks trying to type things out on your phone. Auto-correct is a cruel bitch.
Posted By: fishytx

Re: Lake Somerville - 03/11/22 02:04 AM

Computer is about five years old. Shows to have a lot if stroage space still available. But yes I think it's time for a new one.
Posted By: fishytx

Re: Lake Somerville - 03/11/22 02:13 AM

So I did decide to go fishing today. Got a late start, did not get there until 3pm. When I arrived, there were cars everywhere. Guessing around 20. Also decided today would be a catch and release only day, so I left both stringers in my truck. My goal was to catch 50 fish. I came up short, 47 in three hours. Fun day, found two holes that had some nice big fat females. And people around me with small stringers asked if I was keeping my fish and I told them no, do want some of these I'm catching? And they all told me no. So everything was released today.
Posted By: jsinn01

Re: Lake Somerville - 03/11/22 02:28 AM

Sounds like a great day, fishytx. thumb
Posted By: hook-line&sinker

Re: Lake Somerville - 03/11/22 04:02 AM

Fishytx you old rascal! JMoe and I were there too! I started fishing the east Yegua up on CR134 in the WMA while JMoe started at Irwin bridge. I caught a bunch of tiny crappie up on the East Yegua before meeting JMoe at Irwin. We moved upstream into the WMA but found no willing fish.. I went to Newmans and JMoe headed back below Irwin. He caught a bunch and called it a day.. I found good numbers just upstream from the parking lot where the trees begin. Fished two spots and caught more than a limit kept 12 for the freezer.. All but one whitebass I caught today were males. Many came from center stream in the current where the water was deeper and most took a upstream drift of a clouser fly with little stripping action.. I missed a ton of hooksets and lost count of whitebass coming unbuttoned.

[Linked Image]
[Linked Image]
Posted By: jsinn01

Re: Lake Somerville - 03/11/22 04:37 AM

Nice report, Ben. Those are some pretty slick looking flies. I bet they work well in the creek when the water is clear.
Posted By: fishytx

Re: Lake Somerville - 03/11/22 05:12 AM

Yeah I talked to J-Moe while I was fishing. In fact I wasn't able to take his call at the time, I was fighting a big female. Then I called him back after I unhooked it. I had some real nice size females today. They were holding in deep channels up against steep banks. Over all it was another fun day. I even got to do a style of fishing that I don't get to do often and that is cast out and just drift the bait downstream till they hit it. There's not to many places on this creek that you can do this due to snags. So glad I left the stringers in the truck or I would have brought fish home. It was kind a hard to let those big girls go back. Out of those 13 I brought home yesterday, only 2 were males. The egg sacks were full but not fully developed yet. As soon as the water worms up, those egg sacks will swill up and the spawn will go nuts. Maybe late next week it will go crazy. We need a few 60's at night with upper 70s low 80s during the day to trigger the spawn. Bad part is, as soon as they spawn, they will haul tail back to the lake. I kind a like these cold spells off and on. It delays the spawn and allows anglers more time to catch them.
Posted By: fishytx

Re: Lake Somerville - 03/11/22 03:09 PM

Not this weekend but next weekend the bite should be awesome. It's gonna start warming up Monday. The forecast is calling for 60's at night by Thursday. This warming trend should warm the water enough to really kick off this years spawn. I just wish there was a little more water flow. The bigger fish seem to be moving further downstream towards the lake so we may have to fish Newman's bottom to acquire the best fishing. From my experience I have seen females with a reddish rear end and slight swelling, it is those females that are in full development to spawn. Out of all the fish I've caught so far I've only seen this on a few which tells me most of these fish haven't spawn yet. But it's about to get going crazy in a week and then the fish will begin their journey back towards the lake. There should be one strong week where an angler can really catch a bunch before it tappers off.
Posted By: J-Moe

Re: Lake Somerville - 03/11/22 04:43 PM

Originally Posted by fishburrito
I don't normally post since I don't catch fish often, lol. I had already requested this Monday and Tuesday off from work to go fishing. Just my luck that the cold front pushed in Sunday night. I headed to Irwin Bridge for the first time ever, I usually fish at "The Steps", with low hopes of catching anything. Arrived around around 7:30am and there were only 2 other cars in the parking area, not a good sign or so I thought. I moved around for a bit until I got my first hit on a roster tail and then it was on. From 8-9 I had 18 keepers and I missed a few, they were swiping at the bait and would miss it. The bite slowed down at 9 and I switched to a 1/16 white crappie jig, I ran out of 1/32. I managed one more fish and went back to the roster tail. I finally manage to get my limit by 11am. Now for Tuesday, I arrived at about 7am and it is raining on and off, 0 cars in the parking lot. I put on my rain gear and headed to the river, at this point the rain picks up and I contemplating going home. I fish for a little over an hour and managed 10 fish. At this point I decided to call it quits and head home. The Yegua was good to me and I plan on returning. Also, I appreciate all the tips and tricks from fishytx, hook-line&sinker,J-Moe, and JonL just to name a few. You all have helped me out tremendously.


Great post and pictures thumb

A rooster tail in the hands of an expert can be deadly. Well done!!!
Posted By: J-Moe

Re: Lake Somerville - 03/11/22 04:47 PM

Great to hear you think the run has some energy left in it Doug. I have plenty energy left to give back to it grin

Thanks to the COE the lake is still 1.19 feet above level and only releasing 95. That has definitely helped to keep the run going.
Posted By: J-Moe

Re: Lake Somerville - 03/11/22 05:07 PM

Here's another tip based upon something I've experienced on multiple occasions. Line size matters. In particular when the water clears like this and you're working a soft drifting presentation. I personally always use 6 lb. fluorocarbon leaders which equates fairly closely with the size and limpness of 4 lb. mono.

I also think that fluorocarbon has a slight advantage over monofilament as it its transparent. I could never use it on a spinning rod though as it twisted and knotted worse than monofilament did for me.

Here are just a couple of examples.

I stood beside Ben one time and was catching fish on every cast. He was using 8 lb. mono and couldn't get a bite. He tied on 6 lb. fluorocarbon and started catching fish.

I was fishing at Newman Bottom this weekend. I was standing in a spot and caught 7 fish in 11 casts. I gave up the spot to a fellow fly fisherman. Later on I saw him again. He had only caught 2 in that spot. He was using 12 lb. fluorocarbon. I gave him some 6 lb. fluorocarbon and he went back to the spot and caught 5 in a row.
Posted By: Joejoe070

Re: Lake Somerville - 03/11/22 06:03 PM

Anyone going today before the front hits
Posted By: hook-line&sinker

Re: Lake Somerville - 03/11/22 06:09 PM

My catch rate increased greatly when I conceded to JMoe's superior expertise in finding and catching fish... I've even ordered some fluorocarbon and will be spinning up some furled leaders shortly..
Posted By: hook-line&sinker

Re: Lake Somerville - 03/11/22 06:42 PM

I've learned so much this run it ain't even funny.. like many little details that matter greatly and mostly about the fact that presentation is the key no matter what you are throwing especially early in the run..

Posted By: monstermaggie

Re: Lake Somerville - 03/11/22 07:17 PM

Me and friend is visiting somerville this weekend and found a place south of lake. We weren't expecting the cold front when we booked our trip. The place where we stay have a few parks close by, we were also considering the bridge at 124(Irwin bridge??). I am really worried about the cold weather, what's your suggestions? Should we go to 124 bridge or get some minnows, wade out and fish at the parks? Thanks.
Posted By: fishytx

Re: Lake Somerville - 03/11/22 07:20 PM

I use 4lb test clear monofilament line myself. But I need that on a spinning reel so I can make longer cast. Plus that smaller line allows for a better presentation. Presentation is no doubt the key factor on all artificial baits. You have to figure out what they want and how they want it. And each hole has what I call a hot spot, or strike zone. As the creek flow changes from day to day, so does the strike zone area where they stack up. There is so much to learn about fishing that one will never learn it all.
For instance, that little tip I have shared about getting your white jig all muddy and dingy looking. A dirty dingy jig produces twice as many strikes compared to a new bright white one will. All of that comes from experience. And there are other little things one can do to their jig to improve their strike rates.
Posted By: fishytx

Re: Lake Somerville - 03/11/22 07:43 PM

I might have to rethink these fishing trips. Filled my truck today and it wasn't empty but still cost me $84. Most I've ever spent on a tank of gas.
Posted By: J-Moe

Re: Lake Somerville - 03/11/22 11:55 PM

Originally Posted by monstermaggie
Me and friend is visiting somerville this weekend and found a place south of lake. We weren't expecting the cold front when we booked our trip. The place where we stay have a few parks close by, we were also considering the bridge at 124(Irwin bridge??). I am really worried about the cold weather, what's your suggestions? Should we go to 124 bridge or get some minnows, wade out and fish at the parks? Thanks.


You would be better off fishing Irwin Bridge or Newman Bottom. The best wade fishing is usually during the shad spawn in Mid April through the end of May time period.
Posted By: fishytx

Re: Lake Somerville - 03/12/22 08:06 PM

Can you post a picture on here from your phone easy? Or do you still have to put it on another site and copy the url?
Posted By: Trav281

Re: Lake Somerville - 03/12/22 09:13 PM

yea i won't be making the trip up with these gas prices smh
Posted By: fishytx

Re: Lake Somerville - 03/13/22 01:45 AM

I think I figured it out. And it came straight from my phone. I took a.picture of this hole on 3/6 so I could show an elderly guy what to look for when I went back upstream to tell him there was a bunch of fish in it. I asked him if he would watch my stuff while I went downstream for about 15 minutes. He said he would. I returned in 15 minutes with ten nice size fish and he couldn't believe what he was seeing. So I showed him several pictures on my phone so he could find it and catch some too.

Attached picture 20220306_154657.jpg
Posted By: Average Joe

Re: Lake Somerville - 03/13/22 04:38 AM

Originally Posted by fishytx
I think I figured it out. And it came straight from my phone. I took a.picture of this hole on 3/6 so I could show an elderly guy what to look for when I went back upstream to tell him there was a bunch of fish in it. I asked him if he would watch my stuff while I went downstream for about 15 minutes. He said he would. I returned in 15 minutes with ten nice size fish and he couldn't believe what he was seeing. So I showed him several pictures on my phone so he could find it and catch some too.


Lol all the pics look the same to me when I'm out there. I'll be on the look out though!
Posted By: fishytx

Re: Lake Somerville - 03/13/22 01:20 PM

This hole is just a.little downstream from the horse shoe bend at Irwin bridge..
Posted By: fishytx

Re: Lake Somerville - 03/13/22 04:14 PM

There really are no secret holes to fish when it comes to white bass spawn fishing. The only thing is this, first come first serve. That's why people like to arrive early, these holes get replenished every night with new fish that swim upstream during the night. The early bird gets the worm phrase becomes a reality. You get there early and you can catch a limit in an hour or two out of that one hole or maybe two. You just don't tell someone where you're starting out in the morning because you want to be the first one to see how many are in there to catch. Oh yeah, the moon should full in about a week and these fish will really be moving at night spawning. We are about to have warmer days and nights, plus a full moon, so it's about to explode with fish activity. And if you see someone catching these fish in cast net and keeping them, please contact a game warden and let them know. I hate it when folks take advantage of these fish during the spawn, you can get a net full every time you throw it out. It's just so wrong. Almost every year I have to report illegal activities.
Posted By: J-Moe

Re: Lake Somerville - 03/13/22 06:44 PM

Fished upstream of NB from 10 AM to Noon and caught 30, all males. I had to cast the fly upstream in the current and bring it downstream in order to get a bite. I couldn't catch anything any other way.
Posted By: Average Joe

Re: Lake Somerville - 03/13/22 11:08 PM

Originally Posted by fishytx
There really are no secret holes to fish when it comes to white bass spawn fishing. The only thing is this, first come first serve. That's why people like to arrive early, these holes get replenished every night with new fish that swim upstream during the night. The early bird gets the worm phrase becomes a reality. You get there early and you can catch a limit in an hour or two out of that one hole or maybe two. You just don't tell someone where you're starting out in the morning because you want to be the first one to see how many are in there to catch. Oh yeah, the moon should full in about a week and these fish will really be moving at night spawning. We are about to have warmer days and nights, plus a full moon, so it's about to explode with fish activity. And if you see someone catching these fish in cast net and keeping them, please contact a game warden and let them know. I hate it when folks take advantage of these fish during the spawn, you can get a net full every time you throw it out. It's just so wrong. Almost every year I have to report illegal activities.


Thanks for all the info! I'll be happy to just catch one! cool

Originally Posted by J-Moe
Fished upstream of NB from 10 AM to Noon and caught 30, all males. I had to cast the fly upstream in the current and bring it downstream in order to get a bite. I couldn't catch anything any other way.


Maybe I'll learn to fly fish this year and give it a try next season!
Posted By: fishburrito

Re: Lake Somerville - 03/13/22 11:35 PM

I arrived at Irwin at 7:30am and fished for about 20 minutes with zero bites. I decided to head down to Newman for the first time. I went upstream from the parking area and caught 2 on white crappie jig with a slow retrieve. Decided to go a little further upstream and I found a nice hole. Started catching them on roster tail and then they stopped biting. I switched back to the white crappie jig and caught my limit by 11am. Mostly males only 4 females. As J-Moe mentioned, they seem to bite best when the bait drifted downstream.
[Linked Image]

Posted By: Average Joe

Re: Lake Somerville - 03/14/22 12:26 AM

Originally Posted by fishburrito
I arrived at Irwin at 7:30am and fished for about 20 minutes with zero bites. I decided to head down to Newman for the first time. I went upstream from the parking area and caught 2 on white crappie jig with a slow retrieve. Decided to go a little further upstream and I found a nice hole. Started catching them on roster tail and then they stopped biting. I switched back to the white crappie jig and caught my limit by 11am. Mostly males only 4 females. As J-Moe mentioned, they seem to bite best when the bait drifted downstream.



Good haul!!
Posted By: J-Moe

Re: Lake Somerville - 03/14/22 12:51 AM

Originally Posted by Average Joe

Maybe I'll learn to fly fish this year and give it a try next season!


grin You and at least another 20 people, I won't be able to walk the bank at Newman Bottom without getting hit in the head with a bead chain clouser roflmao
Posted By: fishytx

Re: Lake Somerville - 03/14/22 02:32 AM

Started my day at the Steps. Caught one nice female and two small males. I called that place a bust. Jumped in my truck and drove to Irwin bridge. Killed em, caught 26 in a few hours. 1/3 were females this time, but all were nice size fish. The trip to Irwin saved the day. Not sure I'll go to the steps again this year. This old man standing next to me said I was lucky. REALLY. After I gave him some fish. Geeze I didn't keep any myself. Maybe next time I'll keep a dozen.
Posted By: fishytx

Re: Lake Somerville - 03/14/22 03:23 AM

[Linked Image]
How ever. I did take this one picture of these nasty fish that I sent to my wife. I told her that this guy isn't even putting these fish on a stringer. Turns out, he didn't have one. He carried these fish out in a WalMart bag.
Posted By: Average Joe

Re: Lake Somerville - 03/14/22 07:04 AM

Originally Posted by fishytx

How ever. I did take this one picture of these nasty fish that I sent to my wife. I told her that this guy isn't even putting these fish on a stringer. Turns out, he didn't have one. He carried these fish out in a WalMart bag.


Some ppl!!
Posted By: fishytx

Re: Lake Somerville - 03/14/22 02:24 PM

That guy was pretty old. Didn't speak a lot of English. That WalMart bag was his tackle box. He came down where I fishing just a few minutes after I had arrived. We definitely had a language barrier, but he was a friendly old fellow.
Posted By: J-Moe

Re: Lake Somerville - 03/14/22 04:37 PM

Originally Posted by fishytx
This old man standing next to me said I was lucky. REALLY. After I gave him some fish. Geeze


And there it is. I knew it all along. Anybody who can use a spinning rod and out fish me with a fly rod just has to be LUCKY. Now I can sleep at night knowing it wasn't that you had superior skills to me.
roflmao roflmao roflmao roflmao
Posted By: fishytx

Re: Lake Somerville - 03/14/22 04:48 PM

Originally Posted by J-Moe
Fished upstream of NB from 10 AM to Noon and caught 30, all males. I had to cast the fly upstream in the current and bring it downstream in order to get a bite. I couldn't catch anything any other way.


I had to do the same thing in a few spots yesterday as well. But I probably would not have tried that if you had not told me yesterday on the phone about your experience with this technique before I had arrived. But I did it and it worked. Retrieving downstream is an awesome recipe for snagging. But some times you got a do what you got a do to get bit. I might have caught six by fishing that way. I probably made cast at 2 a clock rather than 3 a clock.
Posted By: fishytx

Re: Lake Somerville - 03/14/22 04:55 PM

Originally Posted by J-Moe
[quote=fishytx] This old man standing next to me said I was lucky. REALLY. After I gave him some fish. Geeze [/quotwo

And there it is. I knew it all along. Anybody who can use a spinning rod and out fish me with a fly rod just has to be LUCKY. Now I can sleep at night knowing it wasn't that you had superior skills to me.
roflmao roflmao roflmao roflmao

I hear ya. I already read your words you would have given that old guy. LOL I had just caught another fish as he was walking out when he said that. But anyone who saw what he was throwing would understand why he didn't catch a thing. He had two big swivels tied on with curly tail jigs.
Posted By: J-Moe

Re: Lake Somerville - 03/14/22 05:47 PM

Originally Posted by fishytx
Retrieving downstream is an awesome receipt for snagging.


mad No doubt. I lost lots of magical clousers. I gave up on 2 spots after I lost 2 flies on 2 consecutive casts. I had to dip into my reserve fly box grin
Posted By: fishytx

Re: Lake Somerville - 03/14/22 06:15 PM

Anyone going today? Sure is nice weather out there today.
Posted By: hook-line&sinker

Re: Lake Somerville - 03/14/22 06:26 PM

Sure wish I was there now! wink
Posted By: fishytx

Re: Lake Somerville - 03/14/22 08:11 PM

A buddy called me up and said let's go, so I'm heading that way. My old fishing buddy at that. I'll have a report later.
Posted By: jsinn01

Re: Lake Somerville - 03/15/22 01:50 AM

I was at Newman's this afternoon for a little while. Some pretty nasty storm clouds were rolling in as I was leaving. There were still a ton of cars when I left so I'm guessing some folks had a fun walk back to their vehicles.
Posted By: fishytx

Re: Lake Somerville - 03/15/22 01:57 AM

Well three of us went today. Carlos, Jamie and myself. Everything was going good, we were all catching fish and then the sky got dark, we could hear thunder, then it started raining. Just as we get back to our vehicles, the sky clesrs up, little sunshine, so we decide to go back out and catch a few more. Carlos is fishing in a hole close to the vehicles, J-Moe and I go further downstream. No sooner than J-Moe and I reached our spot again, round two of thunder and rain again. That was enough, I did not have a dry stitch of cloths left on me, glasses were all wet with othing to dry them off with. So this time we all decided to quit. Now for the fishing part. We all did great. I know my number was 29. J-Moe had about the same. Carlos was keeping some fish today, he took home 14 and probably caught 20 in all. He also landed a nice 20 inch hybrid striper on 4 lb. test line. He hooked another hybrid on our second trip out but it busted his line this time. He told me he will have six lb. test line on tomorrow. Those fish were really liking J-Moes clouser as it was drifted over the pockets they were holding in. But I guess they were liking all of our presentations because we were all three pulling fish in a regular basis. Other than the two showers that drenched us and caused us to cut this trip short, it was fun. Can't wait to do it again tomorrow. Thanks for showing up today Jamie, it was fun to fish with you again.
Posted By: jsinn01

Re: Lake Somerville - 03/15/22 02:07 AM

Lol. I left right before it started raining. That storm seemed to come out of nowhere. Glad you guys caught some fish. I caught a few at Newman's just downstream of the bridge, but nothing to write home about.
Posted By: fishytx

Re: Lake Somerville - 03/15/22 04:50 AM

You were smart to leave, that second rain hit us pretty good. Man the bite was so good on our first outing that we all had go again. But to be honest, we thought it was over and we just wanted to finish out with high numbers. Or I did anyway. I was shooting for a fifty day catch even though we arrived around 4:30pm. It wasn't the best I've seen this year, but we were catching pretty steady. On a fun chart 1-10, I would have to give it a strong 7.
Posted By: J-Moe

Re: Lake Somerville - 03/15/22 01:32 PM

Great fishing with you Doug. No doubt it would have been a 50 fish day. The further downstream we walked the better the fishing got. We never even made it to the real honey holes and I was getting bit on every cast in the last spot we fished.

The drift was working well today and I caught a few more females because of it. I caught this 16 inch female that was still spitting eggs but looked like she had deposited quite a few already.

[Linked Image]
Posted By: jsinn01

Re: Lake Somerville - 03/15/22 02:13 PM

Wishing I was fishing today. It's going to be a nice day out there.
Posted By: fishytx

Re: Lake Somerville - 03/15/22 04:06 PM

I'm going later on today. My calendar is kind a stacked for the days to come, so I have to take advantage of any slack days I have. And we only a few more weeks to catch these fish in the creeks and rivers from the bank.
Posted By: jsinn01

Re: Lake Somerville - 03/15/22 05:56 PM

Originally Posted by J-Moe
Great fishing with you Doug. No doubt it would have been a 50 fish day. The further downstream we walked the better the fishing got. We never even made it to the real honey holes and I was getting bit on every cast in the last spot we fished.

The drift was working well today and I caught a few more females because of it. I caught this 16 inch female that was still spitting eggs but looked like she had deposited quite a few already.

[Linked Image]


Nice fish!
Posted By: fishytx

Re: Lake Somerville - 03/15/22 10:04 PM

Well shoot, I'm not feeling so great today so I decided to stay home. J-Moe is out there and he is smoking em. I may not be able to go tomorrow, but Thursday I'll try to get back over there. Time is ticking, next six to seven days should be nothing but awesome.
Posted By: jsinn01

Re: Lake Somerville - 03/15/22 11:04 PM

J-Moe might as well build himself a little shanty on that creek. roflmao
Posted By: EllerTroy

Re: Lake Somerville - 03/16/22 12:10 AM

I will be heading out Thursday Morning. I was not sure if I was going to be able to make another trip this year. Ready to go catch some more whitebass.
Posted By: J-Moe

Re: Lake Somerville - 03/16/22 01:41 AM

Originally Posted by jsinn01
J-Moe might as well build himself a little shanty on that creek. roflmao


And one on the Trinity, and the San Gabriel, and the Bosque and the.......... grin
Posted By: J-Moe

Re: Lake Somerville - 03/16/22 01:52 AM

Very strange evening at Irwin. I fished around the lower parking lot area while I was waiting on a friend to arrive. I found a spot with some big white bass stacked up and caught a bunch. I put 11 on a stringer. My friend and I headed downstream fishing multiple spots along the way but couldn't catch more than 1 or 2 in each spot. We headed back up to the parking lot and I fished the spot I started at. I started catching big white bass on almost every cast. I didn't take any pictures but I had a couple of those 15 inch plus 1.75 lb. big mommas. They were still full of eggs too. I also caught a small hybrid.

[Linked Image]
[Linked Image]
Posted By: fishytx

Re: Lake Somerville - 03/16/22 01:41 PM

Wow. Those other holes were dead huh. Guess I'll stick close to parking area next time I go then. I like that place better than any other place. I have pulled limit after limit from there. Now Thursday isn't looking so good for me. I may end up going to a funeral. If I can get everything done in a timely matter today, there is a chance to go this afternoon, but it will be a tight window.
Posted By: JonL

Re: Lake Somerville - 03/16/22 05:25 PM

I will be scrounging around the house looking for loose change in order to pay for the gas to make one last 3hr round trip to hopefully catch a few more of those white bass. I have caught a limit each time and hope to do the same but I just want to at least catch a few more and call it a great season. It has been super fun this year. Best I have ever had.
Posted By: fishytx

Re: Lake Somerville - 03/16/22 05:57 PM

JonL it has been a good year. All I've kept is what I want to clean for my wife to cook for dinner which is between 10 to 13. I checked my freezer and I don't think we have enough to last another year, but it will be close.
Posted By: Average Joe

Re: Lake Somerville - 03/16/22 05:58 PM

Finally have some time off work on Friday, heading out in the morning then!
Posted By: JonL

Re: Lake Somerville - 03/16/22 06:16 PM

I only aspire to be as good as you fishytx, as well as Jmoe and Ben. I'm getting better at it each year I go and the more I read each of your postings and picking up the very subtle hints you guys give during your posts has accelerated my ability to catch fish when a lot of people are not. I have really learned to embrace how good this place and enjoying it while it lasts especially after not having the spawn last year.
Posted By: JonL

Re: Lake Somerville - 03/16/22 06:22 PM

Good luck Average Joe. Save some for me so I can catch on Saturday.
Posted By: EllerTroy

Re: Lake Somerville - 03/16/22 10:22 PM

I hear you Cuz. I just spent $100.00 to fill up my truck tomorrow morning.
Posted By: fishytx

Re: Lake Somerville - 03/17/22 02:53 AM

Well I had a disappointing day. Caught more small fish than bigins. Ended the day with 26. But really had work for those. J-Mow had a better day, he found some nice females. I'll let him tell his story. A buddy of mine caught 18, but here again a lot of smaller fish. It appears the bigger fish are upstream from Newman's and way downstream from Irwin. Either way, you're going to do some walking to reach the better quality fish.
Posted By: J-Moe

Re: Lake Somerville - 03/17/22 12:46 PM

I started the evening at Irwin Bridge in the mouth of the middle Yegua. I caught 5 small males. I moved down to the lower parking lot area and fished about half way around the horseshoe and only caught 3. I moved up and fished below the bridge but only caught one.

I decided to head over to Newman Bottom. Once again, all my normal spots weren't working. Only catching a few fish in those spots.

Finally, I nailed down where the females and bigger fish were holding. In each case they were holding in small deeper pockets right above the fastest moving current areas on the creek. I ended up catching most of my fish in spots I've never fished before. I caught 22 more keeper sized fish.

There was a ton of spawning going on.
Posted By: jsinn01

Re: Lake Somerville - 03/17/22 01:36 PM

Originally Posted by fishytx
Well I had a disappointing day. Caught more small fish than bigins. Ended the day with 26. But really had work for those. J-Mow had a better day, he found some nice females. I'll let him tell his story. A buddy of mine caught 18, but here again a lot of smaller fish. It appears the bigger fish are upstream from Newman's and way downstream from Irwin. Either way, you're going to do some walking to reach the better quality fish.

I wish catching 26 was a disappointing day for me. grin

Went to Willis Creek yesterday and caught one small white bass. Saw a school of about 100 fish that wouldn't touch anything.
Posted By: JonL

Re: Lake Somerville - 03/17/22 01:42 PM

I'm with you Jsinn01. I will take a bad day of catching 26 anytime even if they were on the smaller side. Males are easier and less messy to clean anyways and fight just as hard.
Posted By: catchnrelease

Re: Lake Somerville - 03/17/22 02:32 PM

I went to NB Wednesday afternoon. Only managed 14. I could see the fish swimming past me near the bank. I literally dropped a fly in front of them. I even hit a fish in the head with it. No takers. They were spawning all around me all day. Then, it happened again! I broke another fly rod! I was so mad… it was brand new. this was the first time I used it too. Gonna take it back and try to get my money back. Oh well. It was a beautiful day. So I got over it.
I kept my fish for the freezer. I enjoyed seeing all the fish swirling around, spawn dancing. From the high banks, I could see them swimming past me in several spots. I tried like hell to get a limit. The fish were too busy to pay attention to me. All in all, it was a fun outing.

Tight lines all!
Posted By: fishytx

Re: Lake Somerville - 03/17/22 02:55 PM

This is a kitchen sink full of white bass. Back in 2017. 150 filets. [Linked Image]
Posted By: jsinn01

Re: Lake Somerville - 03/17/22 03:23 PM

Fishytx, what process do you follow when you freeze your fish?
Posted By: C_Hitz

Re: Lake Somerville - 03/17/22 06:32 PM

Originally Posted by J-Moe
I started the evening at Irwin Bridge in the mouth of the middle Yegua. I caught 5 small males. I moved down to the lower parking lot area and fished about half way around the horseshoe and only caught 3. I moved up and fished below the bridge but only caught one.

I decided to head over to Newman Bottom. Once again, all my normal spots weren't working. Only catching a few fish in those spots.

Finally, I nailed down where the females and bigger fish were holding. In each case they were holding in small deeper pockets right above the fastest moving current areas on the creek. I ended up catching most of my fish in spots I've never fished before. I caught 22 more keeper sized fish.

There was a ton of spawning going on.



Thanks for letting me tag along last night!
Posted By: Average Joe

Re: Lake Somerville - 03/17/22 06:41 PM

Heading out tomorrow morning! Wonder how much longer we have before the spawn ends. My friend wanted to head out late next week.
Posted By: J-Moe

Re: Lake Somerville - 03/17/22 07:44 PM

Originally Posted by C_Hitz
Thanks for letting me tag along last night!


welcome Welcome to the forum Christian

I had a great time my friend. I always enjoy having a fellow Aggie around.
Posted By: EllerTroy

Re: Lake Somerville - 03/17/22 10:21 PM

Well, I got my mojo back. I went to Irwin Bridge and tried some holes by the lower parking lot without luck. So, I decided to walk down the creek and find the spot my Cuz Jon found a couple of weeks ago. When I found it the spot, I started catching fish right away. I did bring a buckle full of spot tails again, but I caught most of the fish on my 1/32 blue bucktail jigs. I stopped fishing after I caught 50 fish and left them still biting. Out of the 50 fish only 1 was female the rest of the females were busy doing their thing. Most of the fish I caught were in about 1 1/2 foot of water. I was thinking I should of had my fly rod with me. I know J-Moe would still be there catching one fish after another on his fly rod. The only bad thing was having to carry 25 fish so far back to the truck. This will be my last trip this year the next couple of weeks I will be out of town or busy with other things. It was a great way to end the season.
Posted By: jsinn01

Re: Lake Somerville - 03/17/22 11:20 PM

Originally Posted by EllerTroy
Well, I got my mojo back. I went to Irwin Bridge and tried some holes by the lower parking lot without luck. So, I decided to walk down the creek and find the spot my Cuz Jon found a couple of weeks ago. When I found it the spot, I started catching fish right away. I did bring a buckle full of spot tails again, but I caught most of the fish on my 1/32 blue bucktail jigs. I stopped fishing after I caught 50 fish and left them still biting. Out of the 50 fish only 1 was female the rest of the females were busy doing their thing. Most of the fish I caught were in about 1 1/2 foot of water. I was thinking I should of had my fly rod with me. I know J-Moe would still be there catching one fish after another on his fly rod. The only bad thing was having to carry 25 fish so far back to the truck. This will be my last trip this year the next couple of weeks I will be out of town or busy with other things. It was a great way to end the season.

Congrats on the nice catch! I'm debating whether to make another trip. I've been getting my [censored] kicked this year. Doesn't matter where I go.
Posted By: J-Moe

Re: Lake Somerville - 03/17/22 11:46 PM

Originally Posted by EllerTroy
Well, I got my mojo back. I went to Irwin Bridge and tried some holes by the lower parking lot without luck. So, I decided to walk down the creek and find the spot my Cuz Jon found a couple of weeks ago. When I found it the spot, I started catching fish right away. I did bring a buckle full of spot tails again, but I caught most of the fish on my 1/32 blue bucktail jigs. I stopped fishing after I caught 50 fish and left them still biting. Out of the 50 fish only 1 was female the rest of the females were busy doing their thing. Most of the fish I caught were in about 1 1/2 foot of water. I was thinking I should of had my fly rod with me. I know J-Moe would still be there catching one fish after another on his fly rod. The only bad thing was having to carry 25 fish so far back to the truck. This will be my last trip this year the next couple of weeks I will be out of town or busy with other things. It was a great way to end the season.


AWESOME banana banana
Posted By: J-Moe

Re: Lake Somerville - 03/17/22 11:51 PM

Report for Thursday evening 3/17/22: Walked upstream from Newman Bottom bridge to the horseshoe.

flame flame flame flame flame

They were so aggressive I was really afraid they sensed the magical clousers in my vest and were going to start attacking me with those razor sharp gills so I quit and went home roflmao
Posted By: jsinn01

Re: Lake Somerville - 03/18/22 03:03 AM

Originally Posted by J-Moe
Report for Thursday evening 3/17/22: Walked upstream from Newman Bottom bridge to the horseshoe.

flame flame flame flame flame

They were so aggressive I was really afraid they sensed the magical clousers in my vest and were going to start attacking me with those razor sharp gills so I quit and went home roflmao

NIce! The lucky horseshoe. Did you find a pot of gold as well? grin
Posted By: fishytx

Re: Lake Somerville - 03/18/22 01:09 PM

I went to a funeral yesterday so I took my wife to catfish parlor for my fish fix.
Folks this year spawn is coming to an end soon. When these fish spawn all night under this moon, they will spawn out pretty dang quick. And when they are done, they will haul tail back to the the lake. My guess would be a week is all you have left to catch limits in a few hours After that you will have to fish hard and all day to get a limit. I should probably kick it in high gear and go catch a few this morning.
Posted By: JonL

Re: Lake Somerville - 03/18/22 04:17 PM

I agree the fish will be heading back to the lake soon. This Saturday will be my last trip. Hope this season will end with a bang.
Posted By: EllerTroy

Re: Lake Somerville - 03/18/22 05:56 PM

J-Mor agree with you on how aggressive the fish were Thursday, My blue bucktail would just hit the water and they were hammering it. They expect storms on Monday, at this point in the spawn if the Yegua gets too much water it will flush the white bass back to the lake and the run will be over.
Posted By: Ryan_S

Re: Lake Somerville - 03/18/22 10:28 PM

Can someone show me where do I go. When I get to newman bottom.
Posted By: Average Joe

Re: Lake Somerville - 03/18/22 10:29 PM

4 for the day... Been here since 08:00, just now leaving (5:30 PM) Lol still lots to learn.
Posted By: Ryan_S

Re: Lake Somerville - 03/19/22 12:33 AM

Has anyone fish at Newman bottom at night time?
Posted By: fishytx

Re: Lake Somerville - 03/19/22 03:34 AM

Fished Newman's bottom today and tore them up. I'm guessing I caught 60 plus bass today. In one area I could do no wrong. The best bite was in deeper holes right in front of shallow moving water. What really made it so much fun today was the fact I could watch the fish strike my jig. It was definitely one of my better days. I say this because of the number of fish caught, but the quality was way down. I don't think I caught a female, all males. And my biggest fish was 14 inches. I would say 80% of my catch was like 12 inch fish.
Christian, it was nice to meet you and fish with you a little bit. Same thing goes for the guy from Georgetown, enjoyed our conversations and the fish catching. Lol.
It's crazy about where and when you can catch these fish. Deeper water channels when the sun is up and bright and as the shade beginns to take over the holes, they move up into the shallow water in big numbers. Wish the good fishing was closer to my truck, there's no way I'm packing a limit of fish that far away.
Speaking of keeping and hauling limits out, I hope my little stick on the stringer tip I showed two guys was a big help. I do know they never had to stop again to allow blood flow to their hands after I hooked em up.
Posted By: fishytx

Re: Lake Somerville - 03/19/22 01:43 PM

I have fished at night at Irwin bridge. It works pretty good. You need a good clean hole that you can cast into with no hang ups.. I use to do a lot of night fishing for spawning whites when wade fishing in rivers. Very productive. But you can't use bright lights while doing this, it works best in total darkness, or that's been my experience anyway.
Posted By: fishytx

Re: Lake Somerville - 03/19/22 02:31 PM

I bet Newman's bottom parking lot is full. The thing you have to do is keep searching for the fish. As the water level drops it changes the way the water flows through these holes and the fish will change where they stage due to that. Not sure if I'm going today or not, but I know I need to because this years spawn is coming to an end soon.
Posted By: rotti71

Re: Lake Somerville - 03/19/22 03:28 PM

Good meeting you too fishytx! I'm considering going back today for 1 last time, but hate the $50 gas tab!
Posted By: fishytx

Re: Lake Somerville - 03/19/22 04:35 PM

Originally Posted by rotti71
Good meeting you too fishytx! I'm considering going back today for 1 last time, but hate the $50 gas tab!

Me too. And yes I feel your pain, I too need some gas. The only reason I might go out today is the fact that this years spawn is winding down at a fast pace plus we may get some nasty weather on Monday that could.put this all behind us. Like someone mentioned in a post, a flood now could put this spawn to an end. Yesterday I was fighting proper presentation due to the wind blowing my line, today the weather is perfect.
Posted By: fishytx

Re: Lake Somerville - 03/19/22 05:52 PM

I'm going to Newman's bottom. Should arrive around 2:30pm. If you want me to show you a few tricks to this fishing then contact me through a pm and I will get back to you.
Posted By: JonL

Re: Lake Somerville - 03/20/22 12:29 AM

[Linked Image]
[Linked Image]
Well I went to Irwin Bridge and walked downstream to my honey hole which my cousin Troy caught 50 at on Thursday and was not disappointed. Caught a limit by 10 am and continued to catch fish. Helped two other people catch their limit as well. Ended the day with a total of 72 and left them biting. Highlight of the day was the 17.5 inch hybrid I caught which took me over 5 minutes to get in. My first to actually get on the bank. I have hooked some before but never got one in till now. So for me this was the BEST fishing season I have had. I have caught limits on all five trips to the creek. I feel I have learned more this season than in any other season and feel I am ready to continue this next season. Thank you Yegua creek for your bounty and hope to see you next year.
Posted By: BBFISH

Re: Lake Somerville - 03/20/22 01:27 AM

Hello,
Is lake Somerville state park open for night fishing?
TIA
Posted By: fishytx

Re: Lake Somerville - 03/20/22 03:19 AM

JonL, you guys nailed em. Awesome report.
Posted By: fishytx

Re: Lake Somerville - 03/20/22 03:29 AM

Today wasn't my day. My lower back gave out on me and I had to call it earlier than planed. But I still managed to catch 29. Every step walking back to my truck was excruciating, I didn't think I was ever going to get there. Oh well, I'll rest up and hopefully get back out there and get a few more before this year's spawn is over.
Posted By: Average Joe

Re: Lake Somerville - 03/20/22 04:30 AM

Originally Posted by JonL
Well I went to Irwin Bridge and walked downstream to my honey hole which my cousin Troy caught 50 at on Thursday and was not disappointed. Caught a limit by 10 am and continued to catch fish. Helped two other people catch their limit as well. Ended the day with a total of 72 and left them biting. Highlight of the day was the 17.5 inch hybrid I caught which took me over 5 minutes to get in. My first to actually get on the bank. I have hooked some before but never got one in till now. So for me this was the BEST fishing season I have had. I have caught limits on all five trips to the creek. I feel I have learned more this season than in any other season and feel I am ready to continue this next season. Thank you Yegua creek for your bounty and hope to see you next year.


Nice haul! I'm still learning NB. Haven't been to Irwin yet.
Posted By: hook-line&sinker

Re: Lake Somerville - 03/20/22 01:05 PM

Crazy good on Bedias but the big females ain't there yet..

Posted By: fishytx

Re: Lake Somerville - 03/20/22 05:32 PM

From what I saw yesterday, the morning bite is better than the afternoon bite. I hope a lot of people were able to make it out there today. My back is still out, I'll have to stay home for a few days. Oh well, the yard needs a little attion anyway, so I'll get a little bit of stuff done here at home. Right now I'm all stoked up, that's why I need to do some yard works, so maybe I can work some of this stiffness out.
Posted By: jsinn01

Re: Lake Somerville - 03/20/22 07:00 PM

I really enjoyed that Bedias video, Ben. My favorite way to catch white bass has always been wade fishing.
Posted By: jsinn01

Re: Lake Somerville - 03/20/22 07:01 PM

Nice catch, JonL! You really did have a good year.
Posted By: JonL

Re: Lake Somerville - 03/20/22 08:04 PM

Thanks Jsinn01. It was unreal the season I've had. I will remember this year for a long long time. I definitely owe alot to my late Uncle Robert and his son my cousin Troy Eller who showed me this awesome place and taught me how to fish it. I also owe everyone who posts on the forum who's information has also let me get to this point. This place is truly a treasure. Wish I lived closer to be able to fish it more than I do.
Posted By: JonL

Re: Lake Somerville - 03/20/22 08:15 PM

Fishytx thanks. I did nail them thanks to my scout my cousin Troy Eller. Can only hope to catch as much fish as you and Jmoe one day.
Posted By: EllerTroy

Re: Lake Somerville - 03/21/22 12:31 AM

I remember at one Cuz (JonL) you were getting frustrated and was thinking about not coming back then we hit it good at Cedar Creek and the rest is history.. You were one one that found that spot a couple of weeks earlier and told me about it.
Posted By: J-Moe

Re: Lake Somerville - 03/21/22 01:46 AM

Originally Posted by JonL

Well I went to Irwin Bridge and walked downstream to my honey hole which my cousin Troy caught 50 at on Thursday and was not disappointed. Caught a limit by 10 am and continued to catch fish. Helped two other people catch their limit as well. Ended the day with a total of 72 and left them biting. Highlight of the day was the 17.5 inch hybrid I caught which took me over 5 minutes to get in. My first to actually get on the bank. I have hooked some before but never got one in till now. So for me this was the BEST fishing season I have had. I have caught limits on all five trips to the creek. I feel I have learned more this season than in any other season and feel I am ready to continue this next season. Thank you Yegua creek for your bounty and hope to see you next year.


And the 2022 Yegua Creek White Bass Run Champion is ......... JonL bow_down
Posted By: JonL

Re: Lake Somerville - 03/21/22 02:31 AM

Thanks Jmoe but everyone knows you are always the white bass run champion. I am just glad to finally be in the running.
Posted By: hook-line&sinker

Re: Lake Somerville - 03/21/22 01:39 PM

If you are looking for a little more adventure..
There are some Huge whitebass in the Sabine river!

Posted By: catchnrelease

Re: Lake Somerville - 03/21/22 01:44 PM

You gotta play if you ever hope to win. Watching “fishing” doesn’t work as well. I just retired, and I hope to one day fish like fishytx, Mr. magical clouser (Jmoe), and his buddy HL&S.

Congrats on your season JonL!
Posted By: BayouFennec

Re: Lake Somerville - 03/21/22 04:37 PM

congrats on your retirement. i'm still a few years away. hopefully you'll make time to fish and share your tales with us
Posted By: hook-line&sinker

Re: Lake Somerville - 03/21/22 04:53 PM

Crazy good fly fishing...

Posted By: jsinn01

Re: Lake Somerville - 03/21/22 07:06 PM

Originally Posted by hook-line&sinker
If you are looking for a little more adventure..
There are some Huge whitebass in the Sabine river!

I can second this. For years we made an annual white bass trip to the Sabine. There is nothing else like it. I highly recommend.

http://riverridgetx.com/sabineriver/guide-services

Contact Jane Gallenbach if you're interested. They offer guided trips on the Sabine.
Posted By: fishytx

Re: Lake Somerville - 03/21/22 09:02 PM

I tell you what, catching these whites wade fishing the Pedernales River in fast moving crystal clear water has been my best experience and fun I have ever had catching these things. Your line is stretched out, they turn side ways in the moving water and you hear a high pitch tight string sound with every quiver the fish makes. Love that sound and the rod bend with drag singing as well.
Really enjoyed the video Ben. Look like an awesome place to fish. Looks like the white jig action was on. Mega whites right there my friend. Sabine River is well known for those. Also heard you in the video speak about big trees and stumps in the water. Pedestals river doesn't have anything to really hang up on other than fish. I even used 2lb test line there one year. Never lost a fish, but it took way to long to reel one in, so I went back to 6lb test so could get them in a little quicker.
Something special about being in waist deep moving water and catching whites that will hook a angler on this sport in a heart beat. It sure got me. 50 years and counting.
Posted By: EllerTroy

Re: Lake Somerville - 03/21/22 09:56 PM

Fishytx, I grow up fishing the Pedernales River and also the Colorado River at Camp Lemons (Colorado Bend). We a lot of fun wade fishing for white bass. But the white bass are bigger at the Yegua.
Posted By: Moedawg68

Re: Lake Somerville - 03/21/22 10:41 PM

Do y’all buy the permit for public land? I saw a few mention that they walked up the creek onto Wma land?
Posted By: fishytx

Re: Lake Somerville - 03/21/22 11:13 PM

Originally Posted by EllerTroy
Fishytx, I grow up fishing the Pedernales River and also the Colorado River at Camp Lemons (Colorado Bend). We a lot of fun wade fishing for white bass. But the white bass are bigger at the Yegua.

I can remember years where there were huge whites at Reimers. One year there were so many fish, you could walk across the river on top of them. Only once though. Reimer is like most areas, one year it's awesome then three years hardly nothing. It all depends on the rain and when we get it. Muddy water flow shows fish how to get out of the lakes and upstream. The Yegua had a good rise in February that allowed these fish to travel up to Irwin bridge. Any time you can catch good numbers at Irwin, then you can count on a good year through out the creek. And it helps that the lake level was above full pool too. Travis is so low now days, you might get them around the 71 bridge area, which is 7 to 8 miles downstream from Reimers. Reimers is only good when the lake is at full level. Austin and small towns around that area are sucking to much water out of it. Lake Travis no longer stays at full pool like it use to. But I really do miss fishing Reimers. Real clean water with visibility of 8 to 10 feet, clean sand under your feet, it was just awesome.
Posted By: J-Moe

Re: Lake Somerville - 03/22/22 12:08 AM

Originally Posted by Moedawg68
Do y’all buy the permit for public land? I saw a few mention that they walked up the creek onto Wma land?


You have to buy a permit to hunt in the WMA. I'm not clear exactly how the hunting areas work I just remember having to buy a Tier II license to hunt ducks close to that area.
Posted By: Moedawg68

Re: Lake Somerville - 03/22/22 12:12 AM

Yeah I’ve had the one when I bow hunted there years ago but I couldn’t remember if you had to have it to fish the creeks
Posted By: catchnrelease

Re: Lake Somerville - 03/22/22 12:33 AM

You guys fishing today Monday at 7:30pm… take cover! Tornadoes headed your way. “the steps” at Circleville, Round Rock - Elgin got hit. Pls be safe!
Posted By: catchnrelease

Re: Lake Somerville - 03/22/22 12:34 AM

Prayers sent to all…
Posted By: jsinn01

Re: Lake Somerville - 03/22/22 12:50 AM

Looks like a tornado south of Dimebox headed towards the Yegua. What a crazy day. Be safe out there.
Posted By: catchnrelease

Re: Lake Somerville - 03/22/22 12:51 AM

Originally Posted by BayouFennec
congrats on your retirement. i'm still a few years away. hopefully you'll make time to fish and share your tales with us



Thanks. Will do!
Posted By: J-Moe

Re: Lake Somerville - 03/22/22 12:45 PM

Here's a cool rainfall map: https://www.iweathernet.com/total-rainfall-map-24-hours-to-72-hours
Posted By: fishytx

Re: Lake Somerville - 03/22/22 04:00 PM

I didn't look at J-Moes map, but I dumped 1-1/8 inches out if my rain gage this morning. I'm located on the water shed of the west creek. I have no idea how much fell in east or middle Yegua. But it should help out the fishing. Newman's bottom may be closed as well. They don't want the road all tore up. Or the creek could be out of its banks, no one knows till someone makes the drive to check it out. I thought about fishing the steps, I know when the water turns dirty, the fish bite really turns on. People catch nice size fish as well as big numbers. Vut first I have a few things here at home I need to get done before I do anything else.
Posted By: fishytx

Re: Lake Somerville - 03/22/22 04:19 PM

From my understanding, you can fish the WMA area, but you have to have hunters orange on. Anything upstream from Irwins bridge requires hunters orange to be worn.
Posted By: JILAS

Re: Lake Somerville - 03/22/22 04:33 PM

Nails Creek office said "NB CURRENTLY open (Tuesday, 3/22/22 11:30am) but Yegua Creek rising & may close this afternoon. Check FB page or call before 4:45pm.[i][/i][u][/u]
Posted By: fishytx

Re: Lake Somerville - 03/22/22 05:05 PM

Thanks for that update on Newman's bottom. This rise could go either way, improve it or ruin it.
Posted By: J-Moe

Re: Lake Somerville - 03/22/22 06:26 PM

The smaller creeks might have a quick run in them. Rainfall varied across the lake and different watersheds.
Posted By: jsinn01

Re: Lake Somerville - 03/22/22 06:51 PM

Originally Posted by J-Moe
The smaller creeks might have a quick run in them. Rainfall varied across the lake and different watersheds.

Short run, as in "Should have been here yesterday". Don't know how many times as a fisherman I've heard those dreaded words.
Posted By: J-Moe

Re: Lake Somerville - 03/22/22 07:56 PM

Looks like the middle Yegua only came up 2 foot and has already peaked.

https://water.weather.gov/ahps2/hydrograph.php?gage=dmyt2&wfo=hgx
Posted By: catchnrelease

Re: Lake Somerville - 03/22/22 09:59 PM

Is NB still open? Or is the water too high?
Posted By: fishytx

Re: Lake Somerville - 03/23/22 04:23 PM

That's a good flow. Should be a good bite. It takes about 24 hours for this creek to.peak after a rain.
Posted By: fishytx

Re: Lake Somerville - 03/23/22 04:26 PM

The bottom should be open if that's all the rise that occurred. I might wait a day or two for the water to clear up some. But red head jig with yellow curly tail should work in murky water.
Posted By: J-Moe

Re: Lake Somerville - 03/23/22 04:56 PM

Originally Posted by fishytx
That's a good flow. Should be a good bite. It takes about 24 hours for this creek to.peak after a rain.


It's creeped up from 2.02 to 2.25 in the last 12 hours. Strange that it stabilized at 2.02 for a period of time before started to slowly rise. I guess that's due to the varied rainfall across the watershed. Still a minor rise.
Posted By: Average Joe

Re: Lake Somerville - 03/23/22 07:36 PM

Wouldn't mind heading out there again but had to drop off my car at the dealer today! Rats got under the hood and must have chewed up some wires. realmad
Posted By: fishytx

Re: Lake Somerville - 03/23/22 09:36 PM

Squirrels are bad about chewing up wires in your car too. They are nothing but a tree rat.
Posted By: fishytx

Re: Lake Somerville - 03/23/22 09:45 PM

So I did drive over to the steps and fish today. Water is a little muddy but fishable. Caught 12 white and 1 crappie. The whites were small. Caught fish but it wasn't much fun. Killed some time is all. But I did take some pictures were the Tornado crosed hw 95 half mile north of steps. Really tore up everything in its path.
Posted By: J-Moe

Re: Lake Somerville - 03/24/22 01:32 AM

Originally Posted by J-Moe
The smaller creeks might have a quick run in them. Rainfall varied across the lake and different watersheds.


Perfect Timing. I checked on Cedar and Nails creeks this evening. Both creeks were loaded with white bass and there was an absolute spawning frenzy going on in both.

Cedar was extremely muddy. I fished it just long enough to see if I could actually catch fish in it. I caught one and went over to Nails creek.

Nails was dirty but fishable. I fished from 4:30 to 5:30 and caught 18 before I had to leave.

Cedar Creek
[Linked Image] [Linked Image]


Nails Creek
[Linked Image] [Linked Image] [Linked Image]


Jerdelle Creek
[Linked Image] [Linked Image]
Posted By: jsinn01

Re: Lake Somerville - 03/24/22 02:53 AM

Cool pics! Those fish will probably be gone by Saturday.
Posted By: J-Moe

Re: Lake Somerville - 03/24/22 11:11 AM



The middle Yegua came up 3 feet in the past 12 hours. It's at 5.44 feet now.

The lake level is at 239.45 feet and has risen less than a tenth of an inch since I checked yesterday. COE still releasing only 96 cfs.
Posted By: jsinn01

Re: Lake Somerville - 03/24/22 02:22 PM

Thanks for the info. Doesn't sound like the Yegua is an option this weekend.
Posted By: fishburrito

Re: Lake Somerville - 03/24/22 03:12 PM

I have the day off tomorrow. Is there any point in going to Irwin or Newman? Or should I try the San Gabriel?
Posted By: jsinn01

Re: Lake Somerville - 03/24/22 04:16 PM

Not sure where you live 'fishburrito', but I would give Nails or Cedar Creek a try before the San Gabriel. Whatever you catch in the San Gabriel will be small compared to Somerville.
Posted By: fishburrito

Re: Lake Somerville - 03/24/22 05:06 PM

The fishing God's are on my side. I get to leave work early today and will go to the Steps or Willis. I will hit up Nails tomorrow. Definitely agree on the size difference, there is something special in the Somerville water.
Posted By: jsinn01

Re: Lake Somerville - 03/24/22 06:04 PM

Lucky you. Good luck out there.
Posted By: fishytx

Re: Lake Somerville - 03/24/22 11:17 PM

Fished the steps today for 2-1/2 hours, landed 28. Water is super nice. But here's the deal, only about 8 were big enough to keep. But it was fun.
Posted By: fishytx

Re: Lake Somerville - 03/25/22 01:15 PM

J-Moe, how did the Yegua look, or did you go look? If you mentioned it, then some I how over looked it.
Posted By: fishytx

Re: Lake Somerville - 03/25/22 02:02 PM

All signs I see are telling me this years spawn is coming to an end. Sure, you will see good reports here and there, but those days are when an angler happens to be at the right place at the right time. These fish will school up as they start to make their way back to the lake, so if you're in the right spot at the right time you can load up on a limit quick. Go back to same place next day and they will have moved on downstream towards the lake. If anglers will pay attention, this behavior happens ever year. Take notes and you will see what I'm talking about. This is my 50th year to fish a white bass spawn so I do know a little bit about how it all works. When you see reports where a lot of smaller fish are being caught, then the spawn is coming to an end. Small males are the last to return to the lake. Even the bigger fish have lost a lot of weight. That's why you will see these huge fish frenzy attacks in the lake where they chase a ball of shad to the surface and gorge themselves, they are trying replenish their weight loss. These fish have had very little to eat while spawning. It's a cycle that happens every year like clock work. You can even see that the fish become slimmer each week during the spawn. It's the meaty part of the fish I'm talking about, not their fat tummy area with sperm and egg sacks. They burn up a lot of calories during the spawn and their food supply is very limited compared to their norm. But the boaters will also take advantage of this feeding frenzy that takes place in the lake after a spawn. Just a cycle and anglers know when to go get in on the action.
Posted By: fishytx

Re: Lake Somerville - 03/25/22 02:45 PM

I also saw illegal activity taking place at the steps yesterday so I texted the game warden. He asked me to take a picture so I did and sent it to him. Guess one of the guys saw me take the.picture because they wrapped it up and got out of there. I had just spoke to the game warden the day before about these folks throwing a cast net on these spawning fish. He said he has busted a few this year already. In the years.past this game warden has showed up when I've called him and I have watched him bust people. But he said he was away off and it would take him awhile to get there. But I let him know they had left. Oh well, maybe next time we'll get em.
Posted By: jsinn01

Re: Lake Somerville - 03/25/22 02:47 PM

One thing I would add, is the run starts and ends a bit earlier the further east in the state you go. The run in the hill country rivers and streams can go well into April. Places like Colorado Bend and the Brazos & Nolan above Lake Whitney can still be productive through at least mid-April. So next month, if you're still chasing the spawning white bass, head west.
Posted By: J-Moe

Re: Lake Somerville - 03/25/22 02:51 PM

Originally Posted by fishytx
J-Moe, how did the Yegua look, or did you go look? If you mentioned it, then some I how over looked it.


I didn't make it that far.
Posted By: J-Moe

Re: Lake Somerville - 03/25/22 02:54 PM

Originally Posted by jsinn01
One thing I would add, is the run starts and ends a bit earlier the further east in the state you go. The run in the hill country rivers and streams can go well into April. Places like Colorado Bend and the Brazos & Nolan above Lake Whitney can still be productive through at least mid-April. So next month, if you're still chasing the spawning white bass, head west.


But only if there is water flow. Everything west of I-35 has been too dry this year.
Posted By: J-Moe

Re: Lake Somerville - 03/25/22 02:59 PM

Originally Posted by fishytx
All signs I see are telling me this years spawn is coming to an end. Sure, you will see good reports here and there, but those days are when an angler happens to be at the right place at the right time. These fish will school up as they start to make their way back to the lake, so if you're in the right spot at the right time you can load up on a limit quick. Go back to same place next day and they will have moved on downstream towards the lake. If anglers will pay attention, this behavior happens ever year. Take notes and you will see what I'm talking about. This is my fifth year to fish a white bass spawn so I do know a little bit about how it all works. When you see reports where a lot of smaller fish are being caught, then the spawn is coming to an end. Small males are the last to return to the lake. Even the bigger fish have lost a lot of weight. That's why you will see these huge fish frenzy attacks in the lake where they chase a ball of shad to the surface and gorge themselves, they are trying replenish their weight loss. These fish have had very little to eat while spawning. It's a cycle that happens every year like clock work. You can even see that the fish become slimmer each week during the spawn. It's the meaty part of the fish I'm talking about, not their fat tummy area with sperm and egg sacks. They burn up a lot of calories during the spawn and their food supply is very limited compared to their norm. But the boaters will also take advantage of this feeding frenzy that takes place in the lake after a spawn. Just a cycle and anglers know when to go get in on the action.


Great Post thumb Makes sense how sometimes you have to keep moving to different spots until you can find them all bunched up.

PS: It's your 50th white bass run, not your fifth. I'll keep reminding you of dates and numbers in your old age. roflmao
Posted By: jsinn01

Re: Lake Somerville - 03/25/22 03:00 PM

Originally Posted by J-Moe
Originally Posted by jsinn01
One thing I would add, is the run starts and ends a bit earlier the further east in the state you go. The run in the hill country rivers and streams can go well into April. Places like Colorado Bend and the Brazos & Nolan above Lake Whitney can still be productive through at least mid-April. So next month, if you're still chasing the spawning white bass, head west.


But only if there is water flow. Everything west of I-35 has been too dry this year.


Sad but true. Hence the 3-hour round trip drives to fish the Yegua.
Posted By: fishytx

Re: Lake Somerville - 03/25/22 05:36 PM

Originally Posted by J-Moe
[quote=fishytx]

PS: It's your 50th white bass run, not your fifth. I'll keep reminding you of dates and numbers in your old age. roflmao

Thanks for the fix. I didn't even see that J-Moe. Yes my 50th year of catching whites during the spawn. I did an edit job on that post, so thanks again.
Posted By: hook-line&sinker

Re: Lake Somerville - 03/25/22 07:10 PM

The run is about done.. Thursday was crazy but Ray reported that the fish were gone this morning...

Posted By: fishytx

Re: Lake Somerville - 03/25/22 09:17 PM

This doesn't belong here but for those who may read it, Willis creek is on fire with big fish. A friend called me a few minutes ago to tell me about it. Every cast he caught a fish. Even had two break his 4lb test line. He said the smallest one he caught was 12 inches. But remember this, the walk in paths have a lot of down trees on it. And he said the banks are still pretty wet and slippery.
Posted By: J-Net

Re: Lake Somerville - 03/25/22 10:44 PM

The Lurkiest of Lurkers here. Thanks J-Moe, Mr. Tedrick, and all you other Yegua regulars on another enjoyable season of reading the Forum for your whitebass adventures, tips, and tricks. For years I truly have enjoyed reading your posts from you cast of characters (I say this affectionately) before I head out to the creek myself, never to do nearly as well as y'all do. roflmao

I found this Willis Creek you speak of, fishytx, on the ol' Google Maps! Is it best to park at "Willis Creek Park" and walk upstream from there? Or: someone has marked a "Willis Creek Parking Lot 4" where the creek intersects with CR 348...?

Cheers,
–Jeanette.
Posted By: jsinn01

Re: Lake Somerville - 03/26/22 02:53 AM

Lol. Yup, Willis Creek Parking Lot 4, that's the spot. Although most people park off the side the road and hop the little cattle fence on the south side of the creek. I've walked both sides and the trails are better on the south side of the creek. It's a fun little creek, but the banks are super steep. Bring an extra pair of pants because you're probably going to get muddy. Oh, and there's cattle all over the place. Free range, throughout the whole place. Only in Texas. Beware the cow patties. grin
Posted By: J-Moe

Re: Lake Somerville - 03/26/22 09:20 AM

Originally Posted by J-Net
The Lurkiest of Lurkers here. Thanks J-Moe, Mr. Tedrick, and all you other Yegua regulars on another enjoyable season of reading the Forum for your whitebass adventures, tips, and tricks. For years I truly have enjoyed reading your posts from you cast of characters (I say this affectionately) before I head out to the creek myself, never to do nearly as well as y'all do. roflmao

I found this Willis Creek you speak of, fishytx, on the ol' Google Maps! Is it best to park at "Willis Creek Park" and walk upstream from there? Or: someone has marked a "Willis Creek Parking Lot 4" where the creek intersects with CR 348...?

Cheers,
–Jeanette.

welcome Welcome Jeanette

Like JSINN said. Park on the south side of the creek and climb over the cattle gate. There is a creek blocking the path downstream on the north side. Good Luck!!
Posted By: J-Moe

Re: Lake Somerville - 03/26/22 09:25 AM

I fished Nails again on Thursday and Friday evening. I caught 41 in 2 hours on Thursday and only 16 last night. I heard of limits being caught down by the trailway bridge location. They seem to be pulling back to the lake already.

I checked on Newman Bottom but it was still high, muddy and flowing fast so I didn't try fishing it.

[Linked Image]
Posted By: fishytx

Re: Lake Somerville - 03/26/22 01:43 PM

Thanks for the report J-Moe
Posted By: Moedawg68

Re: Lake Somerville - 03/26/22 04:00 PM

I made my first fishing trip this morning in almost 20 years. I’ve always loved fishing but life got in the way. J-Moe told me to try Nails this morning but warned me the whites are moving out the creeks allready. I was able to catch 5 all on a white rooster tail (fishy tales video tip). I fished a double bend in the creek and threw into the shadows. Water was pretty still but I may not have walked down far enough not knowing the creek good enough. Walking out you could have sworn I caught 100 fish because of the huge smile on my face. I needed this more than y’all know. Just being in nature again, the sights, the sounds and even the smells brought me back to my happy place again. Big thanks to all the guys putting info on this board, Fishytx for the informative and entertaining videos and to J-Moe( not only a great big brother but also a damn good fishing mentor).
Posted By: J-Moe

Re: Lake Somerville - 03/26/22 08:50 PM

welcome Welcome Moedawg68

Man I'm glad it turned out well. I was just hoping you caught 5 white bass and didn't get frustrated losing lures. That would make a great day considering the fish are leaving the creeks quickly.

Well Done thumb
Posted By: fishytx

Re: Lake Somerville - 03/26/22 10:25 PM

J-Net start at that county road and go downstream.
Posted By: fishytx

Re: Lake Somerville - 03/26/22 10:28 PM

Fished the steps and nailed it. Caught over 40 upstream of the steps. Had to wade across the river and fish from other side but well worth the wet shoes. Caught most of them in swift moving water and that's the fun part. Had a very good time today. Started out slow but ended with a bang.
Posted By: J-Net

Re: Lake Somerville - 03/26/22 10:33 PM

Thanks, y'all– I appreciate it!
Posted By: J-Moe

Re: Lake Somerville - 03/27/22 04:02 PM

Well I think I can say the 2022 Yegua Creek White Bass Spawning Run is over. Or at least on life support.

I fished Nails from CR125 down to the middle of the first big S Curves. All I caught was one catfish.

I drove over Irwin bridge and the Yegua is still out of the banks and muddy.

I fished the spillway on my way home but didn't catch anything or see anyone else catch any.

[Linked Image]
Posted By: J-Moe

Re: Lake Somerville - 03/27/22 04:19 PM

The Great news is the white bass will be leaving the creeks and on a mission to fatten up. Everything is setting up for a great shad spawn on the main lake. Overnight temperatures are not forecasted to fall below 50 degrees for the next 10 days and there will be several days with highs in the 80s. The hard freeze really hurt the shad spawn last year. Hopefully we will get a full recovery this year.

I drove over the dam. There were 100s of seagulls rafted up along the banks. There were about 30 rods out on the main lake side of the dam and several boats anchored off the island at Welch park. I talked to one of the fisherman who fished from the bank on the main lake. He said the shad were there but only caught a couple of catfish.

So everyone get the waders ready. It's time to wade out and catch buffalo, catfish, largemouth, white bass and HYBRIDS!!!!!

banana
Posted By: hook-line&sinker

Re: Lake Somerville - 03/28/22 01:28 AM

On this day March 27th, 2014... 8 years ago..

Posted By: banker-always fishing

Re: Lake Somerville - 03/28/22 02:28 AM

Awesome thread! thumb
Posted By: fishytx

Re: Lake Somerville - 03/28/22 03:03 PM

I saw the coolest thing yesterday. A man and his young son in waders with fly rods fishing together. About five minutes later this lady walks up in waders and fly rod and asked the young kid, son, did you cath those fish that he had on a stringer? The cool part is the entire family fly fishing together. The son followed Dad around and Mom fished somewhat solo as they moved around on the river. All the family fishing together like that was really neat to see.
Posted By: Moedawg68

Re: Lake Somerville - 03/28/22 03:22 PM

That is very cool. Laying the ground work for a really good young man.
Posted By: Paper mouth

Re: Lake Somerville - 03/28/22 06:17 PM

My father was at overlook last week and saw few bites, I’d imagine without creek water they should be at the marina!?
Posted By: hook-line&sinker

Re: Lake Somerville - 03/28/22 07:39 PM

It's about time for the crappie to move shallow to spawn.. I'd probe around the hard shoreline near the marina... 2 to 5ft of water... with jigs and a slip cork...
Posted By: fishytx

Re: Lake Somerville - 03/29/22 01:31 PM

I probably won't be going back to the Yegua creek, but really enjoyed catching fish there this year. I want to give J-Moe a big thank you for keeping me informed on the water and fish conditions. I'll probably make a few more trips to the steps before I put away my ultralight fishing tackle, but it was a fun year, and I caught a bunch of fish. I pray that my health will hold up so I can do it again next year. I had my share of health issue to deal with this year, but I managed to make it work. So, if everything goes well, I'll see you guys' next year and we can all share our fishing experiences once again. God bless you all, now go forth and catch some slab crappie.
Posted By: hook-line&sinker

Re: Lake Somerville - 03/29/22 11:49 PM

The run may be over in the Yegua/Somerville but it's still going strong in Bedias creek.. Crazy good on Tuesday morning...

It ain't over until the fat bass leaves!

Posted By: banker-always fishing

Re: Lake Somerville - 03/30/22 02:40 AM

Originally Posted by hook-line&sinker
The run may be over in the Yegua/Somerville but it's still going strong in Bedias creek.. Crazy good on Tuesday morning...

It ain't over until the fat bass leaves!






Awesome video! thumb
Posted By: fishytx

Re: Lake Somerville - 03/30/22 06:55 PM

Cool video Ben. That place was loaded with fish.
Posted By: J-Moe

Re: Lake Somerville - 03/31/22 05:25 PM

Wade fishing the shad spawn in April and May can be awesome at times. On more that one day I've stood in the water with the white bass and hybrids surfacing all around me. I've even dropped my fly in the water and had them pick it up at my feet. It can be incredibly fun!!

The last 8 minutes of this video gives you a small taste of the experience. Only an average at best day, but we caught white bass, hybrids, largemouth, buffalo and sunfish.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=3FmQ72SxYTs
Posted By: hook-line&sinker

Re: Lake Somerville - 04/01/22 01:57 PM

Fishing with fishytx!


Posted By: J-Moe

Re: Lake Somerville - 04/01/22 02:19 PM

Another excellent video. A tribute to The Master towards the end. No doubt there will be generations of fishermen utilizing a single white 1/32 ounce jig. The Fishytx Method.

And yes I followed him around for 2 years learning how to read the water, present the bait, understand the timing of the run, fish movement and locations that the fish hold.

It was a familiar moment in the video listening to him as he read the water and understood where the fish would be holding and why.
Posted By: fishytx

Re: Lake Somerville - 04/01/22 09:51 PM

Yesterday fishing with Ben I ended up with a catch total of 22. I went back today and caught 51. The bite is on today. My back started to bother me so I had to leave them bitting. But 51 is a great day, I'll rest up and hit them again on another day, maybe tomorrow, who knows.
Posted By: fishytx

Re: Lake Somerville - 04/01/22 10:28 PM

[Linked Image]
Found this half of an arrowhead on a gravel bar at steps today.
Posted By: Average Joe

Re: Lake Somerville - 04/02/22 05:52 AM

Text you tomorrow fishytx . I was at Willis today and caught a few. I'm happy to have just caught one. laugh
Posted By: J-Moe

Re: Lake Somerville - 04/05/22 02:34 PM

The Shad Spawn has begun banana

I went out to the main lake on Saturday morning. There was a good amount of shad along the bank and some isolated areas of spawning activity. I fished for about 45 minutes but didn't get a bite. I talked to a few people and they had not been catching yet either but there was lots of shad around.

I noticed the overnight temperature was going to remain above 70 degrees so I went out to the main lake this morning. There was a small group of white bass chasing a group of shad down the bank. I followed along with them and caught 2. Then I went back and stood in one spot. I ended up catching 7 white bass and 2 hybrids.

I forgot how hard the white bass fight on the open lake. I thought the first big white bass was a hybrid. I got a full re-awakening when I caught the first hybrid though

grin I had to put him on the reel grin

Temperatures are supposed to drop back in the mid 40s overnight mid to late week. We'll see how it progresses from here.

[Linked Image] [Linked Image]
Posted By: Joejoe070

Re: Lake Somerville - 04/06/22 01:19 PM

[quote=hook-line&sinker]The run may be over in the Yegua/Somerville but it's still going strong in Bedias creek.. Crazy good on Tuesday morning...

It ain't over until the fat bass leaves!

Hi there! Quick question can you fish bedias like yequa creek on foot ? Is there some where to park? Thanks In advance
Posted By: banker-always fishing

Re: Lake Somerville - 04/06/22 03:53 PM

Originally Posted by J-Moe
The Shad Spawn has begun banana

I went out to the main lake on Saturday morning. There was a good amount of shad along the bank and some isolated areas of spawning activity. I fished for about 45 minutes but didn't get a bite. I talked to a few people and they had not been catching yet either but there was lots of shad around.

I noticed the overnight temperature was going to remain above 70 degrees so I went out to the main lake this morning. There was a small group of white bass chasing a group of shad down the bank. I followed along with them and caught 2. Then I went back and stood in one spot. I ended up catching 7 white bass and 2 hybrids.

I forgot how hard the white bass fight on the open lake. I thought the first big white bass was a hybrid. I got a full re-awakening when I caught the first hybrid though

grin I had to put him on the reel grin

Temperatures are supposed to drop back in the mid 40s overnight mid to late week. We'll see how it progresses from here.

[Linked Image] [Linked Image]



thumb
Posted By: hook-line&sinker

Re: Lake Somerville - 04/07/22 03:14 PM

Bedias creek runs through Private property which is posted at various points along the way..

So no there is no other way to access the shoals other than by water (kayak in our case) either from the bridge or from way downstream at Wilson Shoals camp.


Posted By: catchnrelease

Re: Lake Somerville - 04/09/22 02:30 PM

Originally Posted by J-Moe
The Shad Spawn has begun banana

I went out to the main lake on Saturday morning. There was a good amount of shad along the bank and some isolated areas of spawning activity. I fished for about 45 minutes but didn't get a bite. I talked to a few people and they had not been catching yet either but there was lots of shad around.

I noticed the overnight temperature was going to remain above 70 degrees so I went out to the main lake this morning. There was a small group of white bass chasing a group of shad down the bank. I followed along with them and caught 2. Then I went back and stood in one spot. I ended up catching 7 white bass and 2 hybrids.

I forgot how hard the white bass fight on the open lake. I thought the first big white bass was a hybrid. I got a full re-awakening when I caught the first hybrid though

grin I had to put him on the reel grin

Temperatures are supposed to drop back in the mid 40s overnight mid to late week. We'll see how it progresses from here.

[Linked Image] [Linked Image]


Excellent news sir!

I caught shad in the lake last Sunday 4-3-22. They have begun their spawn. I Also caught two big white bass in my cast net. I didn’t bring light gear with me that day. I’m gonna attempt to catch hybrids on the fly at the main lake this year. I hope to catch a few. I’m learning by watching you and HL&S.

Tight lines All!
Posted By: catchnrelease

Re: Lake Somerville - 04/09/22 02:34 PM

Originally Posted by hook-line&sinker
Bedias creek runs through Private property which is posted at various points along the way..

So no there is no other way to access the shoals other than by water (kayak in our case) either from the bridge or from way downstream at Wilson Shoals camp.





I’m gonna make it out there one day! Gotta get a motor for my bass buggy. Trolling motor provably take forever to get there. Though, a Kayak is probably the best option at a primitive launch site.

Congrats on your success fly fishing this year!
Posted By: fishytx

Re: Lake Somerville - 04/11/22 04:54 PM

Guess I'm done fishing for the whites up the creeks and rivers. It was another funnyear for sure. Not sure how many bass I caught in all, but it was a bunch. I had a blast, so the numbers don't really matter. Next year I hope I can do it again. I enjoyed meeting new anglers and fishing with the older anglers as well. See you folks next year.
Posted By: Average Joe

Re: Lake Somerville - 04/13/22 07:33 PM

Originally Posted by fishytx
Guess I'm done fishing for the whites up the creeks and rivers. It was another funnyear for sure. Not sure how many bass I caught in all, but it was a bunch. I had a blast, so the numbers don't really matter. Next year I hope I can do it again. I enjoyed meeting new anglers and fishing with the older anglers as well. See you folks next year.


Got a chance to learn from the professor himself! Thank you! See you next season.
Posted By: ateague11

Re: Lake Somerville - 04/14/22 08:22 PM

How is the crappie bite. Are they shallow or can they be found in open water on brush piles. I have never fished Somerville but planning to go Monday.
Posted By: R2Fishing

Re: Lake Somerville - 04/15/22 01:12 AM

Originally Posted by ateague11
How is the crappie bite. Are they shallow or can they be found in open water on brush piles. I have never fished Somerville but planning to go Monday.


My clients are catching in deeper brush. 16-20FOW. I’ve tried some shallow brush 8-12FOW and just not much happening there.
Posted By: ACS

Re: Lake Somerville - 04/17/22 01:09 AM

Fished the lake on Friday. Got there a bit late. Probably hit Welch park area around 7:15am. Lots of bank fisherman but few catching fish. Spent about 15 minutes off of Welch Park and no luck. Feel like I missed it. Moved on and caught bait nearby so the shad were there and very shallow. Weather was very overcast with light rain so I hoped the shad bite would last but it did not seem to and so I tried deeper in 15-20 feet off Welch. LOADED with shad. Actually hooked two shad with my spoon. It’s now 9am and there are lots of boats trolling off of Welch. I saw a few fish caught by these but not a lot. Switched gears and decided to go after catfish. Deeper drift produced jack squat. Went shallow and fished shad with bobber and loaded the boat. Called it a day at 1pm. Water temp was 72.
Posted By: hook-line&sinker

Re: Lake Somerville - 04/18/22 02:21 PM

Dads, Daughters & great uncle Ben

Posted By: fishytx

Re: Lake Somerville - 04/19/22 02:58 PM

Awesome video Ben. Making memories. Looks like the spawn may be coming to an end there as well. Look like some nice fish are still there, but not like a few weeks ago. Family fun fishing at its best, thanks for sharing this.
Posted By: Boudreaux

Re: Lake Somerville - 04/20/22 10:30 PM

FYI, this was an email received today from TPWD.


Hello all,

You're receiving this email because you helped us get Lake Somerville back on the hybrid striped bass stocking schedule a few years ago. I hope you're all doing well and have been having great success with your fishing endeavors since we last heard from you! I wanted to touch base with you all and fill you in on a project we're involved with regar[i][/i]ding hybrid striped bass at Lake Somerville.

When we got Somerville back on the stocking list, part of how we solidified that was to add it to a catchability/survivability study comparing Palmetto (female striper x male white) and Sunshine (female white x male striper) crosses. Now that it's been stocked with one or both over the past 5 years, it's time to do our assessment. We need to collect 200 fish by our normal sampling methods (gill netting) for the survivability component and 200 fish by hook and line for the catchability portion. We should be able to get our 200 fish by gill net in time, but we're going to need help getting the 200 by hook and line - which leads us to you, our anglers. We don't need whole, intact fish, just carcasses after y'all are done filleting so we can pull otoliths (ear bones) for aging purposes and scales or fin clips to run genetics.

You guys and gals are such an awesome angling community. If everyone who emailed us 5 years ago could give us just 2 or 3 fish each, we'd reach our goal in no time! Please let us know if you would be up for helping us with this so we can work out drop off/pick up details. Or feel free to pass this email on if you know anyone else who would. We appreciate any and all input we can get!

All the best,

~ Niki


<*//>< Niki Ragan-Harbison
Fisheries Biologist
College Station - Houston District
Texas Parks & Wildlife Department
Office: 979-272-1430 ext. 221

Fax: 979-272-1459
Posted By: TXfisherman12

Re: Lake Somerville - 04/21/22 04:37 PM

I received the same email from Niki and probably a handful more on this thread did too. I don’t think I can be much help though since my hybrid fishing far outweighs my hybrid catching. roflmao
Posted By: hook-line&sinker

Re: Lake Somerville - 04/26/22 08:28 PM

Ray and I went back to the Yegua to kayak fish from the Newman bottom area down to Wolf pond.. I caught one nice blackbass and Ray caught one big carp a catfish and a sunfish.. It's never been that hard to catch blackbass in April from the Yegua.. I do not know what has happened to the blackbass but when we can't catch even the little ones something must be up... We had the same experience in Birch Creek last week... Both times we were targeting blackbass mostly on the fly and it might be that spinning gear was needed with some flashy spinnerbait to get the basses attention..
Posted By: J-Moe

Re: Lake Somerville - 04/29/22 03:50 PM

Massive amounts of shad on the banks this morning. It had been spotty until yesterday when I saw large numbers of shad. Today was even more. I was worried as last years spawn really got damaged by the freeze. No worries though, they rebounded incredibly.
Posted By: Paper mouth

Re: Lake Somerville - 04/30/22 07:02 PM

[Linked Image]
Posted By: BBFISH

Re: Lake Somerville - 04/30/22 09:01 PM

Hello,
Why lake Somerville’s some of the hybrids doesn’t have broken lines? Does hybrids always have two tooth patches? What about white bass?
TIA
Posted By: Paper mouth

Re: Lake Somerville - 05/01/22 06:39 PM

Yes always check the tooth patches. Caught a bunch this morning, all were 16-17” but there were some nice 12-16” whites with them.
Posted By: Medinalakeguy

Re: Lake Somerville - 05/02/22 04:28 PM

Caught them good yesterday
Posted By: ACS

Re: Lake Somerville - 05/06/22 12:51 AM

Got to Overlook early today and made the jaunt over to Welch. Caught white and hybrids immediately. Most bites coming within 20 feet of shore so very shallow. After maybe 30 minutes, the wind really picked up from the South and just got too wavy for me in my bass boat. Slowly made my way back to the Overlook area to get out of the wind. Biggest waves that i have seen on this lake. Found shad but only a few white bass and no hybrids. I dont know what the white bass like so much about the Welsh area but i always catch more there.
Posted By: J-Moe

Re: Lake Somerville - 05/15/22 04:11 PM

The shad spawn has been very different this year. Every time I go out in the morning there are millions of shad running along the banks. They are running out about 10 to 20 feet off the bank. The actual shad spawning up on the bank usually occurs very early, about 5:30 AM. The problem is the white bass and hybrids really haven't been up near the bank feeding on them in any numbers. I also haven't seen any surfacing activity yet. The only saving grace is I usually catch one or 2 hybrids every morning.

The good news is the longear and bluegill have moved shallow and there are spawning beds all along the banks in the coves.

[Linked Image] [Linked Image] [Linked Image]
Posted By: C_Hitz

Re: Lake Somerville - 05/17/22 04:55 PM

Dang, thats a good size bluegill!
Posted By: C_Hitz

Re: Lake Somerville - 05/17/22 05:02 PM

Been hit or miss stalking and catching carp on the fly. They're definitely more willing to eat some days than others, and they've been favoring deeper water on these bright mornings making them much harder to spot.

[Linked Image]
[Linked Image]
Posted By: ACS

Re: Lake Somerville - 05/24/22 11:58 PM

Yesterday, I tried an afternoon trip to Somerville which I had not done before. Hit the water at 3 and left at 7:30 pm. Sunny with manageable wind. Water temp 83 degrees. To start, no problem catching shad at Overlook marina. Tried a variety of new areas on the southern shorelines with little success. Was working it hard with a few rods out corking for catfish or whatever else on live or cut bait while I fished a variety of lures for bass. This was a scouting trip of sorts but still disappointing with only a few and small catfish and bass. My overall conclusion is that we are now into the dog days of summer where afternoon fishing is very marginal. If you are going in the afternoon, I’d go deeper as I was shallow most of the time.
Posted By: winchester73

Re: Lake Somerville - 05/25/22 02:59 PM

not trying high jack this thread but does anyone know if the boat ramp at Iron Bridge Rd is open to the public. My wife is new to kayaking and I do not want to hold anyone up at a regular boat ramp.
Posted By: Paper mouth

Re: Lake Somerville - 05/25/22 08:43 PM

Originally Posted by winchester73
not trying high jack this thread but does anyone know if the boat ramp at Iron Bridge Rd is open to the public. My wife is new to kayaking and I do not want to hold anyone up at a regular boat ramp.

Why do you need a boat ramp? Just put in anywhere along the shoreline…
Posted By: Boudreaux

Re: Lake Somerville - 06/02/22 04:19 AM

Yes, the iron bridge ramp is open to the public. It's a dirt ramp and dirt parking area.
Posted By: ML56

Re: Lake Somerville - 06/02/22 01:23 PM

Originally Posted by J-Moe
The shad spawn has been very different this year. Every time I go out in the morning there are millions of shad running along the banks. They are running out about 10 to 20 feet off the bank. The actual shad spawning up on the bank usually occurs very early, about 5:30 AM. The problem is the white bass and hybrids really haven't been up near the bank feeding on them in any numbers. I also haven't seen any surfacing activity yet. The only saving grace is I usually catch one or 2 hybrids every morning.

The good news is the longear and bluegill have moved shallow and there are spawning beds all along the banks in the coves.

[Linked Image] [Linked Image] [Linked Image]



Haven't looked at this thread in a few weeks, I think that's me and my boat in background of your first picture.
Small world! thumb
Posted By: Hogflyer

Re: Lake Somerville - 06/03/22 04:26 PM

Yes the Iron bridge road is open to the public, im not far from it there..... not sure which way your coming, if from burton tx, 1948 eastbound turns right there at the stop sign, that road there becomes FM 594. Its not paved, gravel, dirt road, poorly maintained at times from the county so watch your ruts, after a heavy rain, mandatory 4x4 area.....
Few people know about the access area there, all Corps of Engineers land, recent rains made the weeds grow quickly and watch for snakes, plenty out
now, some good channel cat fishing due west of that launch area, cut bait on bottom fishing after the sun goes down, did great 3 weeks ago.


yak safe, hogflyer....
Posted By: winchester73

Re: Lake Somerville - 06/03/22 04:35 PM

thanks hogflyer and boudreaux for the info. won't do much fishing. just taking the wife and daughter out for a little yaking and didn't want to deal with boat traffic as they are new to being in a kayak
Posted By: J-Moe

Re: Lake Somerville - 08/26/22 03:37 PM

Lake Level is 233.79 ft. 4.21 feet below normal.

The drought in North Texas forced the Brazos River Authority to stop releasing from Whitney early this month. In turn, they started releasing water from Granger and Somerville into the Brazos. After the large rains in North texas they were able to stop releasing from Somerville.

I was catching some nice bluegill and bass around the rock outcroppings early this summer but now they're all on dry land.

I fished on the lake side of the dam yesterday morning and caught about 15 small white bass before I got bored with these little guys. Good sign that the run last year was successful. Pray for some heavy rains or we won't have a run in the Yegua this year.

Below are pictures of the lake side of the dam, Yegua park free boat ramp and Irwin bridge

[Linked Image] [Linked Image] [Linked Image] [Linked Image]
Posted By: jsinn01

Re: Lake Somerville - 08/30/22 06:59 PM

Cool photos! Hope we get some rain.
Posted By: Trav281

Re: Lake Somerville - 09/13/22 10:56 PM

How's the lake looking? I wish it was spring time again.
Posted By: hook-line&sinker

Re: Lake Somerville - 10/17/22 04:58 PM

Remember this from last spring...



This is the results on TPWD TV..

Posted By: Boudreaux

Re: Lake Somerville - 10/31/22 02:55 PM

If you haven't been out to the lake lately, get ready for disappointment. If we don't get some substantial rains, there will be no spring run. The lake is currently 5.5ft low. There is little to no water in the entire west side of the lake where Nails Creek and Yegua creek enter the lake. There is no access to the creek from the lake at this time, the creek mouths are dry. We can't event duck hunt it's so low.
Posted By: B-Sal

Re: Lake Somerville - 11/08/22 04:43 PM

Well guys and gals looks like yegua might be out the picture for the kiddos and I this season coming up.
With that said has anyone heard about any of the other runs that might still go on this year?
Posted By: hook-line&sinker

Re: Lake Somerville - 11/08/22 05:09 PM

West side of the state is crispy dry and the east side isn't much better.. Really can't say where just yet. pray for drought relief.. prepare to endure more dry conditions..
Posted By: Boudreaux

Re: Lake Somerville - 11/11/22 05:30 AM

Walk in runs, no, boat in runs, yes. I'll be running trips after duck season
Posted By: jsinn01

Re: Lake Somerville - 11/11/22 08:22 PM

Lake Livingston is an option. Trinity River, Harmon Creek, Caney Creek & Whiterock Creek. Just checked and that lake is near full pool.
Posted By: Boudreaux

Re: Lake Somerville - 11/12/22 02:46 AM

I was on Trinity the other day. Access to some of the creeks is difficult unless the river is up, even in my rig which can go most places, chalk or whites are silted. B edias was good lastyear
Posted By: J-Moe

Re: Lake Somerville - 11/12/22 03:48 PM

Another new TPWD video on Lake Somerville

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=CRPIAjmRSnk
Posted By: Trav281

Re: Lake Somerville - 11/12/22 06:22 PM

Here is a great video breaking down the lake

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ZGgw6zlY5FM&ab_channel=SimplisticFishing
Posted By: jsinn01

Re: Lake Somerville - 11/12/22 06:42 PM

Originally Posted by J-Moe
Another new TPWD video on Lake Somerville

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=CRPIAjmRSnk



Enjoyed seeing all the overhead shots of the lake and creeks. Definitely a different perspective from what I'm used to seeing.
Posted By: jsinn01

Re: Lake Somerville - 11/12/22 06:44 PM

Originally Posted by Boudreaux
I was on Trinity the other day. Access to some of the creeks is difficult unless the river is up, even in my rig which can go most places, chalk or whites are silted. B edias was good lastyear


Do you typically fish for crappie or whites when you're on the Trinity/Livingston?
Posted By: jsinn01

Re: Lake Somerville - 11/12/22 06:50 PM

Originally Posted by Trav281


Nice! Thanks for sharing.
Posted By: B-Sal

Re: Lake Somerville - 11/18/22 02:03 PM

So I’m wondering, I haven’t had a chance to check my normal spots but does anyone have an idea what
The Steps look like or airport rd or even Colorado bend. Sorry a lot of questions just been working to much to get out and check.
Posted By: jsinn01

Re: Lake Somerville - 11/19/22 02:22 PM

Curious, what's at airport road? I've heard of the other two spots and I haven't been to either in a long time.
Posted By: B-Sal

Re: Lake Somerville - 11/19/22 06:38 PM

Airport rd is outside George west. It has a boat ramp but with water levels around the state it might just be for kayaks this year. I have beat up the bank one year and did real well but very little access via bank unless you can catch a school running up river. We launch and typically paddle up river to the rapids, some people go south towards the highway. But it’s all preference really
Posted By: jsinn01

Re: Lake Somerville - 11/19/22 07:29 PM

Originally Posted by B-Sal
Airport rd is outside George west. It has a boat ramp but with water levels around the state it might just be for kayaks this year. I have beat up the bank one year and did real well but very little access via bank unless you can catch a school running up river. We launch and typically paddle up river to the rapids, some people go south towards the highway. But it’s all preference really


Thanks! I've never fished the white bass run down that way. Bit of a drive from Austin.
Posted By: Boudreaux

Re: Lake Somerville - 11/21/22 12:56 PM

My in-laws live on the river, upriver from the Airport Rd ramp. We can catch them right behind the house when they are in the river.
Posted By: B-Sal

Re: Lake Somerville - 11/21/22 10:15 PM

Good deal I need to find a friend who will allow me to do that lol
Beats paddling up river some days
Posted By: Boudreaux

Re: Lake Somerville - 11/23/22 05:19 PM

Went by Somerville on Monday on my way back from a sales call. I knew the lake was low, but...dang. lots of shoreline exposed. Be a good time to go map the lake. There is not going to be a spring run up ANY of the creeks unless we get a flood.
Posted By: jsinn01

Re: Lake Somerville - 11/26/22 03:50 PM

Looks like the lake is on the rise...

http://somerville.lakesonline.com/Level/
Posted By: B-Sal

Re: Lake Somerville - 11/26/22 04:58 PM

Well we going to need a lot more rain in the watersheds to get it up 6’

Also for my veteran fishermen on here, thinking about trying out Willis creek this year, any opinions on the creek being kid friendly. I take my 11 year old to yegua all the time but I’ve been going for years so I feel confident with him at Yegua but never gone to Willis, so I was wondering is it suitable for my boys or not.
Please chime in fellers.
Posted By: jsinn01

Re: Lake Somerville - 11/27/22 02:05 PM

I feel like the banks are a little steeper at Willis Creek, but otherwise similar to Yegua. Except the fishing is not nearly as good. 😅
Posted By: Trav281

Re: Lake Somerville - 12/18/22 05:03 AM

Has there been enough water for the Crappie to get into the creeks? I don't want to waste the time or gas money going to see for myself from Houston.
Posted By: hook-line&sinker

Re: Lake Somerville - 12/20/22 09:16 PM

nope, not enough rain yet.. but this latest round of thunderstorms will help!

here's a look back..

Posted By: Trav281

Re: Lake Somerville - 12/21/22 12:12 AM

Appreciate the info buddy, awesome video!
Posted By: Boudreaux

Re: Lake Somerville - 12/21/22 03:44 AM

Originally Posted by Trav281
Has there been enough water for the Crappie to get into the creeks? I don't want to waste the time or gas money going to see for myself from Houston.


On Somerville? Absolutely not. Lake is still 5 ft low. The creeks aren't even flowing into the lake at this point.
Posted By: jsinn01

Re: Lake Somerville - 12/21/22 07:48 PM

I may go do some ice fishing on the main lake this weekend. Lol. grin
Posted By: Boudreaux

Re: Lake Somerville - 12/22/22 03:08 PM

Water temperature is still pretty high. Doubt it will freeze
Posted By: jsinn01

Re: Lake Somerville - 12/22/22 07:15 PM

Main lake will definitely not freeze, but I remember one year launching a kayak around the Nails Creek boat ramp and having to cut through a small layer of ice on top of the water. There was even a little bit of ice back in the creeks. I'm pretty sure Ben (Hook, Line & Sinker) has a video of it. This was back when we used to have little fishing clinics at Nails Creek State Park. Good times. thumb
Posted By: fishytx

Re: Lake Somerville - 01/06/23 05:57 PM

Very first one we had thelake was iced up and ice in the creek. The duck hunters still plowed through the ice. Cool.sound hearing ice go under those flat bottom boats. Never the.less, we still.hd gun with the boy scouts that attended.
Posted By: fishytx

Re: Lake Somerville - 01/06/23 05:59 PM

If we don't get some good rain the fish will not be able to get up the creek this year. Come on rain.
Posted By: FISHINGFOOL40

Re: Lake Somerville - 01/08/23 07:11 PM

Rain dance taz pollo
Posted By: Average Joe

Re: Lake Somerville - 01/08/23 08:50 PM

Need to wash my car more often. Almost every time I've washed my car, it rains the next day or sometimes that evening.
Posted By: FISHINGFOOL40

Re: Lake Somerville - 01/09/23 08:09 PM

Originally Posted by Average Joe
Need to wash my car more often. Almost every time I've washed my car, it rains the next day or sometimes that evening.

thumb roflmao
Posted By: J-Moe

Re: Lake Somerville - 01/10/23 03:43 PM

I've been catching small male white bass at the Steps and Jesse Jones park on Spring creek. Checked on Lock and Dam, Caney creek and others the last couple of weeks. Everything east of the San Gabriel is setting up for a good run. I'm already missing going down to the Yegua as I'm usually catching them by now cry
Posted By: FISHINGFOOL40

Re: Lake Somerville - 01/10/23 08:53 PM

Thanks for the report joe mo and my cousin found some out of Houston either spring creek or cypress creek, using store bought minnows and yellow and black curly-tail grubs...290 area._. shhh._. wink

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Posted By: Boudreaux

Re: Lake Somerville - 01/12/23 02:36 PM

Think this warm weather is going to have them moving early this year. Water temps are quite a bit higher than usual this time of year.
Posted By: J-Moe

Re: Lake Somerville - 01/12/23 04:22 PM

I agree. I can remember early spawning activity a few years ago. Ben called it a false run and said it was just males bumping into each other roflmao
Posted By: jsinn01

Re: Lake Somerville - 01/13/23 07:45 PM

Originally Posted by J-Moe
I agree. I can remember early spawning activity a few years ago. Ben called it a false run and said it was just males bumping into each other roflmao


How many are you catching at the steps? I would love to get into a few of those 8-9 inch San Gabriel whites. roflmao
Posted By: J-Moe

Re: Lake Somerville - 01/13/23 08:06 PM

I caught 15 two weeks ago with no keepers and 13 last weekend with 2 keepers.
Posted By: FISHINGFOOL40

Re: Lake Somerville - 01/13/23 11:34 PM

Thanks for report joe Moe tried on the steps in a couple of weeks thumb Lake Travis, Hudson Bend area, has been real slow since last hard freeze cry wink
Posted By: jsinn01

Re: Lake Somerville - 01/14/23 12:08 AM

Thanks for the report, J-Moe. Glad I have a trip booked to the Sabine this year. Might be the only decent white bass fishing I get to do this year.
Posted By: B-Sal

Re: Lake Somerville - 01/15/23 07:38 PM

Took a drive to “The Steps” with the wife and kiddos , beautiful day plus the sunset. Only thing that we caught was a view. The fish did not feel like playing I guess, no short strikes or anything. Maybe the cold snap shut them down yesterday, the water was cold. Hopefully in a couple weeks it’ll be fire. Just like J-Moe said we sure are missing Yegua this year. Let’s see what God has planned for us in the up coming weeks and months, would really like to get on some fish this upcoming run.

On a side note anyone been up to Colorado bend recently? Might try there again this year we did pretty good last run.
Posted By: jsinn01

Re: Lake Somerville - 01/15/23 11:16 PM

Thanks for the report, B-Sal.
Posted By: J-Moe

Re: Lake Somerville - 01/15/23 11:41 PM

Originally Posted by B-Sal
Took a drive to “The Steps” with the wife and kiddos , beautiful day plus the sunset. Only thing that we caught was a view. The fish did not feel like playing I guess, no short strikes or anything. Maybe the cold snap shut them down yesterday, the water was cold. Hopefully in a couple weeks it’ll be fire. Just like J-Moe said we sure are missing Yegua this year. Let’s see what God has planned for us in the up coming weeks and months, would really like to get on some fish this upcoming run.

On a side note anyone been up to Colorado bend recently? Might try there again this year we did pretty good last run.


The BP was extremely high yesterday. I fished Lake Houston Wilderness Park and Spring Creek yesterday. I didn't get a bite and nobody I talked to did either.

I fished the Steps this morning and it was still extremely slow. I didn't talk to anyone who even got a bite. I caught 12, all undersized, but it was difficult. The fish would only take a light fly on the fall. I fished with another guy using a fly rod and sink tip line and he didn't get a bite. I fished with both the sink tip and floating lines and didn't get a bite off the sink tip either. It had to be stripped high in the water column and then allowed to fall. And most of the time I didn't feel the bite. I just saw my line twitch.

I haven't been to Colorado Bend since year before last.
Posted By: B-Sal

Re: Lake Somerville - 01/16/23 02:09 AM

Appreciate the feed back J-Moe, been waiting for William to post another update around central Tx with all his work trips lol

But yeah when I got to the steps yesterday guy heading out said he didn’t get a single bite. We only fished for about an hour then shot over to the creek to check it out but lost light pretty quickly Creek didn’t seem to have any flow to it.
I fished high, middle and low in the column at the steps and nothing not even a bluegill. One thing I did not check was the BP I was just looking at the Atmo Temp.

Lake report still shows the water around 50 so might need some warmer days still to turn them on.
Posted By: J-Moe

Re: Lake Somerville - 01/16/23 09:53 PM

Are there white bass in the Yegua? I'm not convinced yet but I did catch 34 today hmmm

I started this morning at Lake Somerville Marina. Tried crappie fishing for as long as I could stand it. Which was about 15 minutes. Didn't catch anything, nor was anyone else, as expected. There was a lot of shad off the boat launch point and into the cove. I tried wade fishing around the point and into the cove but never got a bite or saw any signs of predatory fish.

I got a call from a friend who said he got a report of white bass in the Yegua. I was skeptical but decided to try. I half heartedly fished 3 spots at Newman Bottom with no luck. Then headed over to Irwin Bridge.

Surprise, surprise I found them there. I strung up 17 of them that were 10.5 inches are better so it's a 50/50 mix of keepers.

Lake level is 233.65 or 4.35 feet below normal. That small rise seemed to have pulled a few fish up.

[Linked Image]
[Linked Image]
Posted By: J-Moe

Re: Lake Somerville - 01/16/23 09:55 PM

Boat Ramp at Nails creek. Looks like a small channel on the far side which leads into the Yegua.
[Linked Image]
Posted By: J-Moe

Re: Lake Somerville - 01/16/23 10:00 PM

Newman Bottom

[Linked Image] [Linked Image]

Irwin Bridge

[Linked Image]
Posted By: FISHINGFOOL40

Re: Lake Somerville - 01/16/23 11:09 PM

Thanks for the pics, J-Moe thumb fish
Posted By: FISHINGFOOL40

Re: Lake Somerville - 01/16/23 11:19 PM

Thanks for the info, J-Moe...And nice catch, you the man wink bow_down
Posted By: B-Sal

Re: Lake Somerville - 01/17/23 12:31 AM

Dang J-Moe that’sa nice stringer for the current conditions lol you always seem to catch them when others can’t
Posted By: J-Moe

Re: Lake Somerville - 01/17/23 01:39 PM

Thanks FISHINGFOOL40 & B-Sal.

Rain is expected tomorrow and Saturday this week. Everyone keep doing the rain dance. Maybe we will get lucky and have a decent white bass run.
Posted By: Average Joe

Re: Lake Somerville - 01/17/23 06:22 PM

Thanks for the report J-Moe! Crossing fingers.
Posted By: jsinn01

Re: Lake Somerville - 01/17/23 11:45 PM

Wow, J-Moe! What a surprise. Do you think these are fish that stay in the creek year round? I didn't even think the creek connected to the lake with water so low.

Nice catch!
Posted By: FISHINGFOOL40

Re: Lake Somerville - 01/17/23 11:48 PM

Originally Posted by J-Moe
Thanks FISHINGFOOL40 & B-Sal.

Rain is expected tomorrow and Saturday this week. Everyone keep doing the rain dance. Maybe we will get lucky and have a decent white bass run.


Rain dance and candle lit thumb
banana pollo

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Posted By: J-Moe

Re: Lake Somerville - 01/18/23 01:06 AM

Originally Posted by jsinn01
Wow, J-Moe! What a surprise. Do you think these are fish that stay in the creek year round? I didn't even think the creek connected to the lake with water so low.

Nice catch!


No I don't think these fish stay in the creek year round. There was a quick rise in the creek and obviously just enough for them to skimmer in. It would be interesting to kayak down to Wolf Pond and see how many actually came up.
Posted By: RedRaider646

Re: Lake Somerville - 01/18/23 03:09 AM

I went out to Irwin bridge for 2 hours today before class and caught 5 white bass, all just barely 10 inches. So, there’s enough in there to where even people besides J-moe can catch some lol
Posted By: J-Moe

Re: Lake Somerville - 01/18/23 10:23 AM

Originally Posted by RedRaider646
I went out to Irwin bridge for 2 hours today before class and caught 5 white bass, all just barely 10 inches. So, there’s enough in there to where even people besides J-moe can catch some lol

roflmao roflmao
Posted By: J-Moe

Re: Lake Somerville - 01/18/23 01:56 PM

NOTE THE DATES OF THE NAILS CREEK PARK CLOSURES

[Linked Image]
Posted By: hook-line&sinker

Re: Lake Somerville - 01/18/23 06:08 PM

Posted By: FISHINGFOOL40

Re: Lake Somerville - 01/18/23 11:20 PM

Great video as always, thx 4 sharing thumb clap fish
Posted By: B-Sal

Re: Lake Somerville - 01/19/23 02:39 AM

Well looks like you two had fun at Irwin lol.
Looks like the lake got a bit of water today, I pray it keeps going up.
Posted By: catchnrelease

Re: Lake Somerville - 01/19/23 01:56 PM

Leave it to J-Moe to find some white bass. He's alway on fish somewhere! I Didn't see much water at Irwin Bridge, from the video above. Great video HL&S!. I'm thinking the majority of WB will be spawning in the lakes this year??

In drought years, Lake Travis near Austin and Marble Falls also looks like a small river. However, the WB are thick in there when all the other creeks are dried up. I'm gonna go check Lake Travis today near Max Starcke Dam. I imagine I'll find Lake Travis looking '"low" like Lake Somerville. I might post a few pics if I get time. Anyway... Tight Lines All!
Posted By: psalty

Re: Lake Somerville - 01/19/23 03:21 PM

Thanks for the video.
Posted By: Lottfisher

Re: Lake Somerville - 01/20/23 12:07 AM

So no public hunting on these dates and times?
Posted By: B-Sal

Re: Lake Somerville - 01/20/23 12:32 AM

Looks like they started to release water or did it evaporate lol
Posted By: Boudreaux

Re: Lake Somerville - 01/20/23 06:50 AM

Somerville is used for municipal water supply so water is always being pumped out
Posted By: J-Moe

Re: Lake Somerville - 01/20/23 11:04 AM

Originally Posted by Lottfisher
So no public hunting on these dates and times?


Hunting in the WMA is still ongoing. This is a public hunt on the Somerville trail way area.
Posted By: UncleRicky

Re: Lake Somerville - 01/20/23 04:43 PM

I know this is a Lake Somerville thread, but I have stuck out so far and you guys are probably the most in tune with the Whites. I am looking for any info on Lake Texana/Navidad River - does it have a decent run? Anyone ever tried the white bass down there? That is about the closest water to me that looks like it would have 'em and going to be in that area this weekend. Any advice or info appreciated.
Posted By: J-Moe

Re: Lake Somerville - 01/21/23 02:25 AM

Originally Posted by UncleRicky
I know this is a Lake Somerville thread, but I have stuck out so far and you guys are probably the most in tune with the Whites. I am looking for any info on Lake Texana/Navidad River - does it have a decent run? Anyone ever tried the white bass down there? That is about the closest water to me that looks like it would have 'em and going to be in that area this weekend. Any advice or info appreciated.


Howdy UncleRicky, Maybe someone has experience with Texana and will chime in.

From the TPWD website: White bass concentrate in the Navidad River and Sandy Creek channels in December and January in preparation for their annual spawning "run" . It also states White bass are fair.

I would check out the road crossings on the Navidad. For instance, Upper Cordele Road / Hwy 401 looks like there is access to enter and wade the creek. The hwy 530 crossing looks like a kayak would be needed. I would try walking downstream from 401 or going upstream from 530.
Posted By: hook-line&sinker

Re: Lake Somerville - 01/21/23 03:12 PM

The San Gabriel is open if the Yegua is not...
Posted By: FISHINGFOOL40

Re: Lake Somerville - 01/22/23 04:27 AM

Great videos always thank you for sharing Ben fish flehan
Posted By: fishytx

Re: Lake Somerville - 01/23/23 06:03 PM

Looks like fun. I had neck surgery a few weeks ago and have to wear neck brace for two more weeks. Hope to get on a bank to fish soon. Keep the good or bad reports coming in.
Posted By: J-Moe

Re: Lake Somerville - 01/24/23 01:35 AM

I fished Irwin bridge this evening. I caught 12. Same sized, in the 9 to 11 inch range. One nice one around 12.5 inches. I caught all of them below the bridge. I tried 3 spots downstream but had no luck. The water continues to get clearer and the fish more picky. I caught most of them on a size 10 Barfish Briminator.

They really turned on in the waning light, around 5:50 pm. I caught 4 in a row and had a 5th one break me off in the trees. I called it a day and left them biting.

The weatherman is projecting over an inch of rain in the Yegua watershed tomorrow. That should be enough to really get the run going.

[Linked Image]
Posted By: J-Moe

Re: Lake Somerville - 01/24/23 03:24 PM

The heaviest bands of rain are moving through the Yegua watershed. The last several heavy rainfalls have all been east of the watershed. Keep the rain dance going, it's working laugh banana
Posted By: FISHINGFOOL40

Re: Lake Somerville - 01/24/23 03:25 PM

Originally Posted by fishytx
Looks like fun. I had neck surgery a few weeks ago and have to wear neck brace for two more weeks. Hope to get on a bank to fish soon. Keep the good or bad reports coming in.

Nice chatting with you the other day, Doug👍
And prayers🙏 sent out to you, for a quick, successful and full recovery thumb
Posted By: FISHINGFOOL40

Re: Lake Somerville - 01/24/23 03:49 PM

Originally Posted by J-Moe
The heaviest bands of rain are moving through the Yegua watershed. The last several heavy rainfalls have all been east of the watershed. Keep the rain dance going, it's working laugh banana


Thanks for the report J-Moe, much appreciated as always flehan
Was going thru some old tackle boxes,found old pack of yellow 1/32th oz. crappie jigs clap And pics of fish from last trip to Irwin Bridge, last year thumb banana

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Posted By: fishytx

Re: Lake Somerville - 01/24/23 04:24 PM

I wasn't sure there would be a run up the Yegua this year due to low lake. It reads to be 4-1/2 feet below normal pool as of today. But from the reports it looks like the fish are making it upstream.
Anyhow, I live in part of the Yegua water shed and we have received some awesome rain today. My backyard looks like a lake, so there should be some good run off going down the Yegua soon.
Hope it brings up a lot of fish.
Posted By: fishytx

Re: Lake Somerville - 01/24/23 05:21 PM

For what it's worth, in the northern part of lake Summerville water shed, we have received 2-1/4 inches this morning and there is still a steady light drizzle. It takes about 24 hours for all of this run off to reach Irwin bridge. Anything we receive within the next five weeks will continue to improve this year's spawn up the Yegua creek. I look forward to reading the reports to come, there should be an improvement in numbers as well as size.
Posted By: Hungryboy

Re: Lake Somerville - 01/25/23 01:13 AM

UncleRicky,

I fished there (Lake Texana) a couple weeks back. Water temp was 52 if i remember right) Back before the drought the White bass run was supposed to be really good. After the drought though I think the population really dropped off. That being said I think Texana should still have a decent run. The only question is when and up which river. The Navidad or Sandy Creek or both?

I plan on trying it out a few times between now and the end of February if I stumble on anything I will let you know.
Posted By: J-Moe

Re: Lake Somerville - 01/25/23 12:11 PM

Thanks for chiming in Hungryboy. I'd be interested in learning more myself. It's less than 2 hours from my house so maybe I can come do some searching with you. I love fishing new places.

Will you be bank fishing or kayaking?
Posted By: UncleRicky

Re: Lake Somerville - 01/25/23 07:20 PM

We hit the Navidad for a short time Saturday and had a few hits (spinning tackle) but didn't catch anything. However there were several other boats we ran across with all the fancy electronics that said they were seeing a ton of fish everywhere but only caught a few. Sounds good enough to me to give it another go when it warms up just a little.

I also fish the Angelina at Nacogdoches and have heard reports they are seeing fish - mainly catching males but they are moving up the rivers....
Posted By: TXfisherman12

Re: Lake Somerville - 01/26/23 01:23 AM

Just my 2cents. Many years ago I inquired about Texana, the “Big Chocolate Lake.” Ended up private messaging with another forum member but can’t find it in my messages and to my best recollection recall very little bank access and needing a boat. I think if you launch at 59 that is a good place to start and head up Navidad River.While camping there in the SP I have caught whites from the bank in the main lake so there are definetkt WB in there. Also lots of huge gators.
Posted By: J-Moe

Re: Lake Somerville - 01/26/23 02:02 AM

I checked on Irwin Bridge this evening. The Trailway area is closed until Friday at 2 PM so I couldn't go to Newman's bottom. USGS water data shows a 0.5 ft rise in the Middle Yegua and a 3.0 ft rise in the East Yegua. Levels are still rising and a good strong current moving through. Not a flood but plenty of muddy water for the fish to follow upstream, as Doug would say.

[Linked Image]
Posted By: fishytx

Re: Lake Somerville - 01/26/23 12:58 PM

Looks good Jmoe. The lake is still a little.over four feet low, but every rain we receive will only improve the water conditions from here on out. That muddy water flow will bring up some fish.
Posted By: jsinn01

Re: Lake Somerville - 01/26/23 07:38 PM

Thanks for the report, J-Moe! All that water in the Yegua sure is a good sight.
Posted By: Average Joe

Re: Lake Somerville - 01/27/23 03:59 PM

More rain this upcoming week!
Posted By: J-Moe

Re: Lake Somerville - 01/27/23 09:55 PM

Trailway is back open
Posted By: FISHINGFOOL40

Re: Lake Somerville - 01/28/23 04:00 AM

Cool thanks for info, J-Moe thumb
Originally Posted by J-Moe
Trailway is back open
Posted By: J-Moe

Re: Lake Somerville - 01/28/23 08:37 PM

I checked on Irwin and Newman Bottom today. The water is up, muddy and flowing hard. I tried a few spots but didn't get a bite.
Posted By: jsinn01

Re: Lake Somerville - 01/28/23 09:26 PM

Thanks for the report, J-Moe. More rain expected this week so might be a while before It's fishable. Any water flowing in Nails or Cedar creek?
Posted By: FISHINGFOOL40

Re: Lake Somerville - 01/28/23 09:34 PM

Originally Posted by J-Moe
I checked on Irwin and Newman Bottom today. The water is up, muddy and flowing hard. I tried a few spots but didn't get a bite.


Thanks for the info, J-Moe thumb
With more rain predicted for next week,
it's starting to look at lot more promising,
for another good run this year clap

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Posted By: J-Moe

Re: Lake Somerville - 01/28/23 10:56 PM

Originally Posted by jsinn01
Thanks for the report, J-Moe. More rain expected this week so might be a while before It's fishable. Any water flowing in Nails or Cedar creek?


Very little.
Posted By: jsinn01

Re: Lake Somerville - 01/29/23 02:32 PM

Weird, with all the inflow, the lake hasn't come up all that much. I guess it takes a lot of water to fill in the upper end.
Posted By: Boudreaux

Re: Lake Somerville - 02/01/23 04:54 PM

Why are they releasing water? The lake is well below pool and no where near filling up ?

Edit, disregard this post, I was posting from my phone, turns out somehow I was several pages back......like a lot, and was replying to an old message.... I dunno. I'll see myself out lol
Posted By: hook-line&sinker

Re: Lake Somerville - 02/01/23 05:19 PM

Where did you see they were releasing water? Website shows only 1 cfps.. https://www.swf-wc.usace.army.mil/reports/fly/html/SOMT2.html
Posted By: romeroxl1200

Re: Lake Somerville - 02/01/23 08:18 PM

1 cfps is still around 7.5 gallons a sec/....27,000 gallons an hour maybe bad seals.
Posted By: hook-line&sinker

Re: Lake Somerville - 02/01/23 08:22 PM

Gee,
I wonder who Tony Rogers is? wink

[Linked Image]
Posted By: FISHINGFOOL40

Re: Lake Somerville - 02/02/23 02:34 AM

Originally Posted by hook-line&sinker
Gee,
I wonder who Tony Rogers is? wink

[Linked Image]


https://www.legacy.com/us/obituaries/citizen-times/name/tony-rogers-obituary?id=21772233

Taking a wild guess, but this may have been him🙏
Says he was an "Avid Fly Fisherman" 👍🙏[Linked Image]

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Posted By: UncleRicky

Re: Lake Somerville - 02/02/23 03:37 PM

Anyone have any intel on the Sabine or Angelina? Headed to Nacogdoches for 4 days of bass fishing but might hit a river for Whites tomorrow to avoid the North winds.
I fish up there every year but haven't found any forums or blogs specific for that area so any any info sources direction would also be appreciated. Thanks
Posted By: Boudreaux

Re: Lake Somerville - 02/02/23 03:43 PM

I can't imagine any body of water in Texas that isn't high and muddy right now. Not that it will stop the fish from biting.... but Catfish would probably be your best target right now.
Posted By: J-Moe

Re: Lake Somerville - 02/02/23 05:17 PM

There are many names for fish species. What do y'all call these minnows?

[Linked Image]
Posted By: FISHINGFOOL40

Re: Lake Somerville - 02/02/23 10:54 PM

Looks like a River Minnow, or I call them Spot-tails, being they will usually have a small black spot on the tail👍
Store bought minnows, I call Shiner's, which will usually, *not* have a spot, and have smaller/softer scales, more like a shad or trout😉🤟
Posted By: B-Sal

Re: Lake Somerville - 02/03/23 02:36 AM

Originally Posted by J-Moe
There are many names for fish species. What do y'all call these minnows?

[Linked Image]



Prime example as to why you guys always do so much better than spinning gear
Matches the hatch so well
Posted By: J-Moe

Re: Lake Somerville - 02/03/23 12:44 PM

Lake level is 234.33 ft. 3.67 ft. below normal and still on a slow rise.

The rain we received this week was much more significant than the previous one about 10 days ago. The Middle Yegua is up 2 feet and the East Yegua is up 5 feet. All the creeks here in Brenham came out of their banks so I expect all the smaller creeks around Somerville got a flush as well.

I expect it's a muddy mess. More rain in the forecast next week as well.
Posted By: J-Moe

Re: Lake Somerville - 02/03/23 12:49 PM

Originally Posted by FISHINGFOOL40
Looks like a River Minnow, or I call them Spot-tails, being they will usually have a small black spot on the tail👍
Store bought minnows, I call Shiner's, which will usually, *not* have a spot, and have smaller/softer scales, more like a shad or trout😉🤟


Thanks, great information. Researching pictures it looks to officially be some type of shiner. Like a Texas shiner. It actually looks closest to a West Texas shiner but the Yegua isn't in the range of the West Texas shiner.
Posted By: jsinn01

Re: Lake Somerville - 02/03/23 04:19 PM

Originally Posted by J-Moe
Lake level is 234.33 ft. 3.67 ft. below normal and still on a slow rise.

The rain we received this week was much more significant than the previous one about 10 days ago. The Middle Yegua is up 2 feet and the East Yegua is up 5 feet. All the creeks here in Brenham came out of their banks so I expect all the smaller creeks around Somerville got a flush as well.

I expect it's a muddy mess. More rain in the forecast next week as well.


This is great news!
Posted By: Boudreaux

Re: Lake Somerville - 02/04/23 08:31 PM

Lake is still 3.5ft low. Nails creek ramp closed until further notice according to TPWD staff
Posted By: FISHINGFOOL40

Re: Lake Somerville - 02/05/23 05:30 AM

Originally Posted by Boudreaux
Lake is still 3.5ft low. Nails creek ramp closed until further notice according to TPWD staff

thumb thx 4 info cheers
Posted By: FISHINGFOOL40

Re: Lake Somerville - 02/05/23 05:36 AM

Originally Posted by J-Moe
Originally Posted by FISHINGFOOL40
Looks like a River Minnow, or I call them Spot-tails, being they will usually have a small black spot on the tail👍
Store bought minnows, I call Shiner's, which will usually, *not* have a spot, and have smaller/softer scales, more like a shad or trout😉🤟


Thanks, great information. Researching pictures it looks to officially be some type of shiner. Like a Texas shiner. It actually looks closest to a West Texas shiner but the Yegua isn't in the range of the West Texas shiner.

Yes, J-Moe...that definitely look more like a Shiner, or store bought minnows, and I'm guessing? there probably farm-raised, and they have a better shine, reflection in the Sun and have a smaller scales which actually will attract more fish👍And can be better than the natives River minnows, which have adapted to hide better, from the predators, or just basically *evaluation*😉 that's for sure👍
Posted By: Jimbo

Re: Lake Somerville - 02/05/23 01:53 PM

River minnows for the win!
Posted By: J-Moe

Re: Lake Somerville - 02/05/23 11:28 PM

Official name is a Blacktail Shiner. Now I know what a river minnow is grin
Posted By: FISHINGFOOL40

Re: Lake Somerville - 02/06/23 12:45 PM

Originally Posted by J-Moe
Official name is a Blacktail Shiner. Now I know what a river minnow is grin

"J-Moe's Blacktail Shiner Clouser" Moe-beta than live bait😉😆🤟
Posted By: J-Moe

Re: Lake Somerville - 02/06/23 01:18 PM

Originally Posted by FISHINGFOOL40
Originally Posted by J-Moe
Official name is a Blacktail Shiner. Now I know what a river minnow is grin

"J-Moe's Blacktail Shiner Clouser" Moe-beta than live bait😉😆🤟


roflmao That one already has a name. The "Magical Clouser". Because it catches fish like Magic roflmao

I already have a fly pattern called the Moe-Beta too grin

Although I did tie a new pattern this weekend that I call the J-Moe Blacktail Shiner based upon the description on the TPWD website. I'll try to post it today. Nothing has ever worked better for me than the "Magical Clouser" under normal conditions yet though.
Posted By: J-Moe

Re: Lake Somerville - 02/06/23 02:25 PM

Blacktail Shiner The blacktail shiner is a somewhat slender minnow with 8-9 rays on the anal fin, and a prominent black spot at the base of the tail fin. The back is usually yellowish-olive, and the sides are silvery with hints of blue.

Below is the J-Moe Blacktail Shiner grin

The top layer is olive bucktail, below it is small amount of yellow buck tail, then some blue flash, then white bucktail and finally a small amount of minnow flash on the bottom. Gold eyes, as normal, since the minnows have gold eyes. Size 8 streamer hook.

A friend of mine has had some proven results using minnow flash on his crappie jigs so I figured I would incorporate it into the pattern.

The combination of olive and yellow bucktail to give it the yellowish-olive back, the blue flash for the hits of blue and the combination of white bucktail and minnow flash to give it the silvery sides.

[Linked Image]
Posted By: FISHINGFOOL40

Re: Lake Somerville - 02/06/23 05:10 PM

Originally Posted by J-Moe
Blacktail Shiner The blacktail shiner is a somewhat slender minnow with 8-9 rays on the anal fin, and a prominent black spot at the base of the tail fin. The back is usually yellowish-olive, and the sides are silvery with hints of blue.

Below is the J-Moe Blacktail Shiner grin

The top layer is olive bucktail, below it is small amount of yellow buck tail, then some blue flash, then white bucktail and finally a small amount of minnow flash on the bottom. Gold eyes, as normal, since the minnows have gold eyes. Size 8 streamer hook.

A friend of mine has had some proven results using minnow flash on his crappie jigs so I figured I would incorporate it into the pattern.

The combination of olive and yellow bucktail to give it the yellowish-olive back, the blue flash for the hits of blue and the combination of white bucktail and minnow flash to give it the silvery sides.

[Linked Image]



**Blacktail Shiner**
***The blacktail shiner is a slender minnow with a prominent black spot at the base of the tail fin, according to TPWD. It has a yellowish-olive back and silvery sides with hints of blue. In Texas, the species can reach 4.6 inches in length, according to TPWD. Blacktail shiners are most abundant in areas with swift current, little vegetation and gravelly bottoms.***

That's awesome looking, J-Moe clap
Not sure if you ever made one to look like, (what I call a glass minnow) catch and use them a lot on Lake Travis...Or you may call them ghost minnows😉And I think up North, I heard they call them silver streaks, cuz they have that silver streak in them😉👍
Posted By: FISHINGFOOL40

Re: Lake Somerville - 02/06/23 05:25 PM

Or really not sure what there called now...lol...
But will take picture of one, next time I catch some on Lake Travis wink thumb


https://en.m.wikipedia.org/wiki/Minnow

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Posted By: RedRaider646

Re: Lake Somerville - 02/06/23 06:12 PM

Has anybody checked on/fished the Yegua recently? I see that the middle and East Yegua are still high but dropping. I was thinking of going out there tomorrow morning but don't know if the drive would be worth it.
Posted By: Boudreaux

Re: Lake Somerville - 02/06/23 06:28 PM

Just drove past it yesterday. Still very muddy. Newmans bottom is still closed.
Posted By: J-Moe

Re: Lake Somerville - 02/07/23 01:43 PM

Lake Level is now only 3.08 ft. low with more water still draining in from the watershed. Weatherman is predicting 3/4 to 1 inch of rain in the Yegua watershed over the next couple days. Then another 3/4 to 1 inch of rain next Monday and Tuesday. Then more small showers after.

Some of the smaller creeks were still up and flowing good as well yesterday. The Middle Yegua may be the best place to fish at this point. It looked decent yesterday.
Posted By: EllerTroy

Re: Lake Somerville - 02/07/23 02:18 PM

At two feet low, the white bass usually can make it up the Yegua. We should get there and more with the rain expected. Then it just needs to clear up.
Posted By: JonL

Re: Lake Somerville - 02/07/23 02:22 PM

Patiently waiting here in Leander for the most famous words in fishing from J-Moe or Ben (Hook-Line and Sinker). " The run is on. "
Posted By: J-Moe

Re: Lake Somerville - 02/07/23 03:27 PM

Wow, EllerTroy and JonL, 2 of the white bass masters chime in at the same time. The white bass sensors must be going off. Y'all can hear them running up the Yegua. Or possibly y'all just share one brain between the 2 of you. roflmao roflmao
Posted By: Average Joe

Re: Lake Somerville - 02/07/23 05:00 PM

Originally Posted by J-Moe
Wow, EllerTroy and JonL, 2 of the white bass masters chime in at the same time. The white bass sensors must be going off. Y'all can hear them running up the Yegua. Or possibly y'all just share one brain between the 2 of you. roflmao roflmao


Must be a good sign. breakdance
Posted By: JonL

Re: Lake Somerville - 02/07/23 07:37 PM

J-Moe I don't know about white bass masters but I will take the compliment coming from you. I thought for sure there would be no run this year but with each rain my hope gets slightly better. I am crossing all my fingers and toes and doing my rain dance hoping that the lake gets at least to the magical number of 236 feet so there is some connection from the creek to the lake. Of course I would love it to get to pool level at 238 feet or better.
Posted By: EllerTroy

Re: Lake Somerville - 02/08/23 12:53 AM

Well J-Moe, Jon and I are first cousins and also third cousins. So we might only have one brain between us.
Posted By: FISHINGFOOL40

Re: Lake Somerville - 02/08/23 07:50 AM

Originally Posted by JonL
J-Moe I don't know about white bass masters but I will take the compliment coming from you. I thought for sure there would be no run this year but with each rain my hope gets slightly better. I am crossing all my fingers and toes and doing my rain dance hoping that the lake gets at least to the magical number of 236 feet so there is some connection from the creek to the lake. Of course I would love it to get to pool level at 238 feet or better.


Well one thing's for sure👍
You and EllerTroy definitely, slayed the White Bass last year😉🎣
And it's definitely looking good with the rain forecasted for tomorrow, and also for 1st of next week clap
So hopefully the weekend after next it'll warm up and it'll get up to 236 ft. level banana taz bannana2

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Posted By: FISHINGFOOL40

Re: Lake Somerville - 02/08/23 08:24 AM

Originally Posted by J-Moe
Lake Level is now only 3.08 ft. low with more water still draining in from the watershed. Weatherman is predicting 3/4 to 1 inch of rain in the Yegua watershed over the next couple days. Then another 3/4 to 1 inch of rain next Monday and Tuesday. Then more small showers after.
Some of the smaller creeks were still up and flowing good as well yesterday. The Middle Yegua may be the best place to fish at this point. It looked decent yesterday.

Originally Posted by EllerTroy
At two feet low, the white bass usually can make it up the Yegua. We should get there and more with the rain expected. Then it just needs to clear up.

Originally Posted by JonL
Patiently waiting here in Leander for the most famous words in fishing from J-Moe or Ben (Hook-Line and Sinker). " The run is on. "

Originally Posted by J-Moe
Wow, EllerTroy and JonL, 2 of the white bass masters chime in at the same time. The white bass sensors must be going off. Y'all can hear them running up the Yegua. Or possibly y'all just share one brain between the 2 of you. roflmao roflmao

Originally Posted by JonL
J-Moe I don't know about white bass masters but I will take the compliment coming from you. I thought for sure there would be no run this year but with each rain my hope gets slightly better. I am crossing all my fingers and toes and doing my rain dance hoping that the lake gets at least to the magical number of 236 feet so there is some connection from the creek to the lake. Of course I would love it to get to pool level at 238 feet or better.

Originally Posted by EllerTroy
Well J-Moe, Jon and I are first cousins and also third cousins. So we might only have one brain between us.


J-Moe and EllerTroy, that's just 2 dang funny yes bump roflmao roflmao

And I think it's got to be pool level of about 237' to be able for the Whites to get up Cypress Creek...But right at the mouth, or by the boat ramp area at NCSP, can be an awesome place to soak up some river minnows😉And just wait from them to come to you fish thumb
Posted By: J-Moe

Re: Lake Somerville - 02/08/23 04:50 PM

Lake Level is 2.92 feet below normal. The East Yegua watershed received about an inch of rain. It has risen over 1.5 feet already. The Middle Yegua received about a half inch of rain and is just maintaining the flow and height that was previously declining. Once again, another sign the Middle Yegua may be the first place to catch white bass as the run develops.
Posted By: SweetRay

Re: Lake Somerville - 02/09/23 05:37 AM

Hopefully it will clear up some
Posted By: Boudreaux

Re: Lake Somerville - 02/09/23 03:33 PM

Somerville is roughly 2.5' (2.68' actual) low as of this morning, and should still be rising. Things are looking better for sure, but still have a long way to go for boat access in the creeks. Looking back at pics and my fishing log from over the years, we were already catching good numbers by this time in the years past. Not sure what the combination of warmer temps and lack of water will do to the run, but curious to see.

For those that fish the San Gabe/ "the Steps"/Granger area, Graner Lake is now over pool. Plenty of water for a good run to happen there. May take the boat up the river on Sunday and see what's happening there.
Posted By: J-Moe

Re: Lake Somerville - 02/10/23 03:45 PM

Lake level is 235.46 ft. 2.54 feet below normal. The water is still up and muddy on the Yegua but slowly settling out. There is still a decent flow of water in Nails and Cedar. The weatherman is now predicting only 1/4 inch of rain on Monday.

Rain continues to pop up in the long term forecast but nothing heavy forecasted at this point.

Either way, as long as the Yegua clears up a bit at some point we should have a good run. I was catching white bass before these last 2 rains so there's little doubt that it wouldn't continue to get better.
Posted By: fishytx

Re: Lake Somerville - 02/11/23 11:18 PM

I think there will be some good numbers going up the Yegua. Let the water clear a little and the bite will be on. We also need some warmer weather to get them on a chew again. Think about it, people were catching some fish when we had those hot days and warm nights because the water temps were up. These fish like warmer waters. When the water is cold, they tend to concentrate in deeper water pockets and become sluggish. They will bite, but you have to hit them in the nose in order to do so. And when you do find a pocket of them, they will be stacked in there. But they are hard to find.
Deep slow-moving water is where they will lie on the bottom in cold water. Deep pocket on the Yegua is like 8 to 10 feet deep. Really isn't to many of these areas, but there are a few.
Posted By: Boudreaux

Re: Lake Somerville - 02/13/23 02:37 PM

Below is a shot taken by a friend of mine who flew by Lake Somerville on 2/12/2023. Angle is looking towards the South Southeast side of the lake. Nails creek area is on the right side of the image. As you can see, the Yegua is still high and muddy. You can also see how little water there is in the lake. Lake level is currently 235.52' just under 2.5' low.

[Linked Image]
Posted By: SweetRay

Re: Lake Somerville - 02/13/23 04:45 PM

Thanks for the aerial photo
Posted By: hook-line&sinker

Re: Lake Somerville - 02/13/23 05:09 PM

This ain't nothing new.. Same situation 11 years ago.. about the first of March 2012



Some guys will do some crazy things to get at the best springtime fishing and I'm one of those guys.

The 2011 Texas drought is still making history but Lake Somerville has been on the rise from a historic low level of more then 10 feet below normal pool level. February 2012 was the wettest in recorded history and went a long way in pushing back at the drought but the lake remains nearly three feet low and that makes getting up into Yegua creek from the lake nearly impossible for everyone except six crazy guys dumb enough to try..

Parts I, II, & III combined 25 minutes
Google map to Nails Creek Unit. http://goo.gl/maps/Pbsc2

6280 FM 180
Ledbetter, Texas 78946

Phone (979) 289-2392
Email Nails.Creek@tpwd.state.tx.us
Website http://www.tpwd.state.tx.us/state-par...
Posted By: LastCastPodcast

Re: Lake Somerville - 02/13/23 05:55 PM

Boudreaux, that photo is nice intel!

Looks like a clear channel for the fish to me.
Posted By: Boudreaux

Re: Lake Somerville - 02/13/23 07:35 PM

There is a good flow coming in to the lake. Those fish only need a few inches to get up there. I've seen them swim like a salmon running up flowing water and jumping over rocks.
Posted By: Boudreaux

Re: Lake Somerville - 02/13/23 07:39 PM

I did fish the San Gabe yesterday afternoon. Ran up past the steps from the makin lake by boat. No bites on live minnows under cork or on bottom. Caught a handful of males all over 10". Saw some other catches about the same. Fish were in 10 FOW or less over rocky bottoms. Caught on the typical white bass type baits. Water clarity was good, slight flow, still pretty chilly, forgot to check actual temp.
Posted By: jsinn01

Re: Lake Somerville - 02/13/23 10:22 PM

Originally Posted by Boudreaux
Below is a shot taken by a friend of mine who flew by Lake Somerville on 2/12/2023. Angle is looking towards the South Southeast side of the lake. Nails creek area is on the right side of the image. As you can see, the Yegua is still high and muddy. You can also see how little water there is in the lake. Lake level is currently 235.52' just under 2.5' low.

[Linked Image]


Very cool! Thanks for sharing.
Posted By: TXfisherman12

Re: Lake Somerville - 02/14/23 12:38 AM

I agree that is a neat photo. It will be interesting to see if a lot of bass make it up through those narrow channels.
Posted By: J-Moe

Re: Lake Somerville - 02/14/23 01:23 AM

Great photo Boudreaux. Thanks for sharing thumb
Posted By: J-Moe

Re: Lake Somerville - 02/14/23 01:35 AM

Newman Bottom is back open!!

I fished a couple spots below Irwin bridge and a couple spots up into the mouth of the middle Yegua but didn't catch anything. The water is settling down quickly now but there was still only 2 to 3 inches of visibility.

I fished 3 spots above Newman bridge and 3 spots below the bridge but didn't catch anything. The water was slightly better with 3 to 4 inches of visibility.

There were several people fishing but I didn't talk to anyone that had caught more than 2 fish. It's really close though. I felt like it was fishable in certain areas.

[Linked Image]
Posted By: SweetRay

Re: Lake Somerville - 02/14/23 02:00 AM

One big warm rain and its on
Posted By: FISHINGFOOL40

Re: Lake Somerville - 02/14/23 07:20 AM

TFI on NB, and pic wink @J-Moe flehan
May try NB Wednesday, if no luck upstream from "The Steps"/SGR or WC/LG wink thumb
And thx4sharing ariel photo @Boudreaux, thats so Cool flehan cheers

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Posted By: jsinn01

Re: Lake Somerville - 02/15/23 01:54 PM

Originally Posted by J-Moe
Newman Bottom is back open!!

I fished a couple spots below Irwin bridge and a couple spots up into the mouth of the middle Yegua but didn't catch anything. The water is settling down quickly now but there was still only 2 to 3 inches of visibility.

I fished 3 spots above Newman bridge and 3 spots below the bridge but didn't catch anything. The water was slightly better with 3 to 4 inches of visibility.

There were several people fishing but I didn't talk to anyone that had caught more than 2 fish. It's really close though. I felt like it was fishable in certain areas.

[Linked Image]


Thanks for the good report, J-Moe!
Posted By: EllerTroy

Re: Lake Somerville - 02/15/23 08:08 PM

I fished Newman Bottom this morning and only managed 3 white bass. I creek looks great but not many fish there right now. Did see a couple spawning fish. Lake needs to come up some more.
Posted By: Average Joe

Re: Lake Somerville - 02/15/23 09:25 PM

Originally Posted by EllerTroy
I fished Newman Bottom this morning and only managed 3 white bass. I creek looks great but not many fish there right now. Did see a couple spawning fish. Lake needs to come up some more.


3 is more than I would be able to catch roflmao
Posted By: FISHINGFOOL40

Re: Lake Somerville - 02/16/23 01:49 PM

Originally Posted by EllerTroy
I fished Newman Bottom this morning and only managed 3 white bass. I creek looks great but not many fish there right now. Did see a couple spawning fish. Lake needs to come up some more.


Thanks for report, EllerTroy, much appreciated thumb
And it makes me feel a little bit better, being I had decided to stay home and do some more clean up front yard, from all the tree damage, from the ice storm cry

But it was definitely a beautiful day yesterday
and I'm guessing/hoping probably Monday or Tuesday looks like it's supposed to warm up again...
And hopefully the water will clear up a little by then thumb

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Posted By: jsinn01

Re: Lake Somerville - 02/16/23 01:59 PM

Thanks for the report, EllerTroy!
Posted By: J-Moe

Re: Lake Somerville - 02/18/23 02:07 AM

Will the real Yegua white bass please step forward? YES!!!! banana

I started this afternoon fishing below Irwin Bridge but didn't catch anything. The water has improved slightly with 3 to 4 inches of visibility.

I then headed to Newman. The water there has also improved slightly with 4 to 5 inches of visibility. Finally enough for them to see a fly.

I only fished the stretch above the bridge and tried multiple weights, colors and different setups. The only thing I caught fish on was a chartreuse and white bead chain clouser. That's something I've experienced before when the water is this color in the Yegua..

I caught all the fish by casting across against the far bank, waiting a few seconds to drop down into the water column, then making a very hard, very short strip. That triggered the fish.

I ended the evening catching only 10. But they were the real Yegua white bass. Those 13.5 to 14.5 inch males.

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Posted By: jsinn01

Re: Lake Somerville - 02/18/23 02:43 AM

Glad you were able to catch a few, J-Moe. Thanks for the report!
Posted By: jsinn01

Re: Lake Somerville - 02/18/23 02:47 AM

I wonder why the fishing at Irwin is not so good right now. It seems like they would be stacking up in that deep hole below the bridge.
Posted By: SweetRay

Re: Lake Somerville - 02/18/23 04:18 AM

Way to go
Posted By: FISHINGFOOL40

Re: Lake Somerville - 02/18/23 05:33 AM

Awesome report/pics/info @J-Moe, as always flehan
And no need to post a pic, of the smile on your face with your full stringer😉For I already know it was with a smile, as big as a kid in the candy store😉😁Congrats, Awesome Catch clap

I'm going to try to be down there early Monday, God willing thumb
Posted By: J-Moe

Re: Lake Somerville - 02/18/23 10:21 AM

Jared, I think the reason why it's been better at Newman than right below the bridge at Irwin is the water clarity. It's been clearer down at Newman for some reason.

Thanks SweetRay and FISHINGFOOL40.
Posted By: jsinn01

Re: Lake Somerville - 02/19/23 01:25 AM

The fishing stunk today. Tried Newman's & Irwin and caught a total of one fish. Not going back until the lake comes up some.
Posted By: greenyak

Re: Lake Somerville - 02/19/23 02:05 AM

Originally Posted by jsinn01
The fishing stunk today. Tried Newman's & Irwin and caught a total of one fish. Not going back until the lake comes up some.

You did better than me, I couldn’t even get a bite.
Posted By: greenyak

Re: Lake Somerville - 02/19/23 02:15 AM

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Walked to nails and flag pond, I have never been to flag pond to see what it looks like. [Linked Image]
Posted By: hook-line&sinker

Re: Lake Somerville - 02/19/23 02:38 AM

Same here for the Yegua this evening, caught one nice whitebass just after getting there about 4pm.. fished until 6pm without another bite.. But I did very well up Jerdelle on blackbass earlier in the day. Probably should have stayed and fished the lower end of Jerdelle for blackbass instead of going up to the Yegua... live and learn.
Posted By: FISHINGFOOL40

Re: Lake Somerville - 02/19/23 05:33 AM

Thx4reports/pics+info jsinn01-greenyak-H-L&S thumb
And not sure if mattered noidea
But BP was way up today, like 30.41
But Tuesday, is looking great, at 29.78 thumb
And with lows temps only in 60's, hoping they will be biting a lot better, by then🎣
For clearly, the females and/or big males, been able to move up in from main Lake, after last good rain+rise in Lake wink
And forecasted for 30% chance of rain on Wednesday, or for Giddings, anyhow clap

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Posted By: jsinn01

Re: Lake Somerville - 02/19/23 04:52 PM

Thanks for the cool pics, greenyak! Flag pond is a pretty cool area. I kayaked up there once when the water was high, just to check it out.
Posted By: J-Moe

Re: Lake Somerville - 02/20/23 01:01 AM

Forecast is for 8 straight days with overnight temperatures only dipping into the 60's. We'll find out if the females made it up into the Yegua grin
Posted By: EllerTroy

Re: Lake Somerville - 02/20/23 04:03 AM

I know at least two did. I saw two spawning last Wednesday.
Posted By: Boudreaux

Re: Lake Somerville - 02/20/23 02:10 PM

Fished above the steps yesterday afternoon and into the evening. Picked up a few whites and 1 big slab crappie. Boxed 6 fish and turned a few unders loose.
Posted By: Average Joe

Re: Lake Somerville - 02/20/23 03:32 PM

Originally Posted by Boudreaux
Fished above the steps yesterday afternoon and into the evening. Picked up a few whites and 1 big slab crappie. Boxed 6 fish and turned a few unders loose.


I was there yesterday but didn't have much luck.
Posted By: J-Moe

Re: Lake Somerville - 02/20/23 05:19 PM

Originally Posted by EllerTroy
I know at least two did. I saw two spawning last Wednesday.


Without actually bringing them to hand I'll have to dispute your claim Master EllerTroy. Ben told me false spawning was just overexcited males bumping into each other roflmao roflmao

Then again, I believe in an effort to hold me back, Ben has misinformed me at every turn. So maybe you're right roflmao roflmao
Posted By: hook-line&sinker

Re: Lake Somerville - 02/20/23 06:39 PM

Where the Yegua is concerned there just isn't the numbers for this to be a banner year or anything like last spring but there are some fish in the creek already as a few of you have proven.
It will take a really good flush of runoff paired with the lake coming up to pool level or higher before the peak spawning time to make this a good run in the Yegua.

Honestly the males contribution to the event (like many things in life ) is inconsequential.
We always depend on the females to tell the truth of the matter..



It's just like being married for a long time you got to know that one of the two is always right and the other one is the husband smile
Posted By: fishytx

Re: Lake Somerville - 02/20/23 06:48 PM

The lake is still to low for there to be a great run this year. Most of these fish will not risk swimming way up sream and take a chance on becoming trapped.
On the bright side though, this extremely warm weather we are receiving will most definitely get the bite going again. So get out to enjoy this spring weather, catch a few and enjoy the wildlife around you.
Posted By: LoveThoseCrappie

Re: Lake Somerville - 02/21/23 04:34 AM

My buddies and I hit Newmans bottom and Irwins Sunday, no luck at all. Didn't see anyone else with any fish. Doing the rain dance this week!
Posted By: jsinn01

Re: Lake Somerville - 02/21/23 03:08 PM

Originally Posted by LoveThoseCrappie
My buddies and I hit Newmans bottom and Irwins Sunday, no luck at all. Didn't see anyone else with any fish. Doing the rain dance this week!


welcome

Welcome. And thanks for the report!
Posted By: J-Moe

Re: Lake Somerville - 02/21/23 04:40 PM

You guys are really depressing me. Trying to make me think all the white bass have vacated the Yegua and headed back to the main lake. cry
Posted By: jsinn01

Re: Lake Somerville - 02/21/23 04:48 PM

Lol. You got my hopes up, J-Moe...with some decent reports. Only to be squashed down to reality with my trip on Saturday. I guess I'll have to start hunting crappie in Granger for the time being.
Posted By: hook-line&sinker

Re: Lake Somerville - 02/21/23 04:49 PM

J-Moe we are all depressed because we've entered the time when only you with your voodoo magical clouser powers can catch whitebass out of the Yegua! wink
Posted By: hook-line&sinker

Re: Lake Somerville - 02/21/23 05:44 PM

When fishing with buddy J-Moe I take my task on the creek very seriously and that is to push all the fish to him! wink
Posted By: J-Moe

Re: Lake Somerville - 02/21/23 06:01 PM

roflmao roflmao roflmao
Posted By: jsinn01

Re: Lake Somerville - 02/21/23 08:58 PM

Ben, thanks for that video! Crazy you saw that three legged hog. I wonder what happened to it? You'd think if it was attacked it would have been killed on the spot. I wonder if it was born that way?
Posted By: hook-line&sinker

Re: Lake Somerville - 02/21/23 09:56 PM

Originally Posted by jsinn01
Ben, thanks for that video! Crazy you saw that three legged hog. I wonder what happened to it? You'd think if it was attacked it would have been killed on the spot. I wonder if it was born that way?
Most likely that hogs leg was either caught in a snare/trap or shot off. Either way it is suffering a slow painful death.
Posted By: jsinn01

Re: Lake Somerville - 02/21/23 09:59 PM

Originally Posted by hook-line&sinker
Originally Posted by jsinn01
Ben, thanks for that video! Crazy you saw that three legged hog. I wonder what happened to it? You'd think if it was attacked it would have been killed on the spot. I wonder if it was born that way?
Most likely that hogs leg was either caught in a snare/trap or shot off. Either way it is suffering a slow painful death.



Yeah, hate to see stuff like that.
Posted By: hook-line&sinker

Re: Lake Somerville - 02/21/23 10:24 PM

I'm thinking about dragging yak down to the low water crossing @ Newman bottom Thursday or Friday morning and fishing for crappie and whites downstream to below the Wolf pond area .. Any kayakers out there that would like to join me?
The more the better as it will give everyone a much better idea of how many fish have made it into the creek..
Posted By: RedRaider646

Re: Lake Somerville - 02/22/23 06:14 PM

Fished Newman's Bottom yesterday. Caught 2 nice ones back to back right away and thought the run was on. But then only one little one the rest of the day. It seemed to be the same for other people, only one or two fish in a few holes and that was it. Still probably need more water in the Yegua and for it to clear up a little more. And both of the fish that I kept were females.
Posted By: J-Moe

Re: Lake Somerville - 02/22/23 07:19 PM

Thanks RedRaider646, That sounds like progress. Most people were catching zero this weekend grin Wind is going to lay down this evening so I might give it a try.
Posted By: J-Moe

Re: Lake Somerville - 02/23/23 03:06 AM

I fished Newman Bottom this evening from 3:30 to 6:30. From 3:30 to 5:30 I only caught one fish. I felt like one of those ut graduates who show up with a heavy catfish rod, 30 lb. mono and 6 inch swimbaits. I just couldn't fathom why I couldn't catch any fish roflmao

But as the sun set it picked up. From 5:30 to 6:30 I caught 10 more. A couple trophies in the bunch too.

I had the great pleasure of fishing with JonL this evening. Of course I drilled the 2022 Yegua Creek White Bass Champion for all of his secrets. grin

We finished the night with the mosquitos biting much more than the fish. It really didn't occur to me they were biting me until he said something. That's the sign of a true Cajun grin
Posted By: fishytx

Re: Lake Somerville - 02/23/23 01:44 PM

The bite should increase as we continue with this warmer weather. How ever lake level and water flow is still the major factor of how many fish will make it up the Yegua creek.
I might get out this weekend and go give it a try at the steps on the San Gabriel River. I go see my doctor today and hope he gives me clearance to go about my normal activities. I had four section in my neck fused and just one good slip and fall could cause some issues, so I've been taking it easy up to this point. I'm sure I'll still have to be some what careful at the river, those banks can be pretty slippery too. But man am I itching to go catch a few fish. If the fish don't cooperate, then I'll make a short drive to a place I like to pick up a few arrowheads and see if I can find a few.
Posted By: hook-line&sinker

Re: Lake Somerville - 02/23/23 02:31 PM

Originally Posted by J-Moe
I fished Newman Bottom this evening from 3:30 to 6:30. From 3:30 to 5:30 I only caught one fish. I felt like one of those ut graduates who show up with a heavy catfish rod, 30 lb. mono and 6 inch swimbaits. I just couldn't fathom why I couldn't catch any fish roflmao

But as the sun set it picked up. From 5:30 to 6:30 I caught 10 more. A couple trophies in the bunch too.

I had the great pleasure of fishing with JonL this evening. Of course I drilled the 2022 Yegua Creek White Bass Champion for all of his secrets. grin

We finished the night with the mosquitos biting much more than the fish. It really didn't occur to me they were biting me until he said something. That's the sign of a true Cajun grin


DANG! If the best of the best can't find the fish I'm heading somewhere other than the Yegua and the 130 mile round trip! I think I'll head up to Fort Parker and kayak the river above the park. Calm water and easy access.
Posted By: catchnrelease

Re: Lake Somerville - 02/23/23 03:26 PM

Originally Posted by hook-line&sinker
Originally Posted by J-Moe
I fished Newman Bottom this evening from 3:30 to 6:30. From 3:30 to 5:30 I only caught one fish. I felt like one of those ut graduates who show up with a heavy catfish rod, 30 lb. mono and 6 inch swimbaits. I just couldn't fathom why I couldn't catch any fish roflmao

But as the sun set it picked up. From 5:30 to 6:30 I caught 10 more. A couple trophies in the bunch too.

I had the great pleasure of fishing with JonL this evening. Of course I drilled the 2022 Yegua Creek White Bass Champion for all of his secrets. grin

We finished the night with the mosquitos biting much more than the fish. It really didn't occur to me they were biting me until he said something. That's the sign of a true Cajun grin


DANG! If the best of the best can't find the fish I'm heading somewhere other than the Yegua and the 130 mile round trip! I think I'll head up to Fort Parker and kayak the river above the park. Calm water and easy access.



No kidding. If J-moe ain’t catching , not many people will. I was there Monday and caught 3 all day. Fingers crossed that a good bite starts soon. but until then… I’m fishing elsewhere until I hear better reports. Tight lines!
Posted By: JonL

Re: Lake Somerville - 02/23/23 05:01 PM

J-Moe I guess there is another JonL out there because unfortunately I can only go fishing on the weekends so I was not out there. I wish I was. I have been waiting for at least some decent reports before I drive an hour and a half one way to go down there. I will always be the one with a black hat with A&M in white letters when I go unless I am fishing the WMA. Glad you have been able to catch some. I miss the that tug on the line. Hopefully we get some rain soon and we can really get together and fish.
Posted By: jsinn01

Re: Lake Somerville - 02/23/23 05:05 PM

Hmmm...I guess there is an imposter JonL out there somewhere trying to steal J-Moe's secrets. roflmao
Posted By: JonL

Re: Lake Somerville - 02/23/23 05:25 PM

I guess so. I don't blame them for wanting to steal some of J-Moe's secrets. He is da man when it comes to fishing these creeks for white bass. I just got EXTREMELY lucky last year. Right time right place every time I went.
Posted By: J-Moe

Re: Lake Somerville - 02/23/23 06:18 PM

roflmao I don't have any fishing secrets. If I don't give them away myself in this thread then Ben surely gives them away in his videos grin
Posted By: fishytx

Re: Lake Somerville - 02/24/23 12:50 AM

The secret to catching these fish is the right bait and knowing where they will stack up by reading the water current. Reading the water is by far the biggest thing to learn. And each hole has a different set up. The more you fish for these spawning fish, the more you will learn about their behavior. I wish there was away to put this on paper for others to comprehend, but it's not easy, you have to be able to see it first hand while someone explains it.
I have seen the water level fall an inch in 24 hours and it's enough to change the water flow through a hole, and when that happens, the strike zone in that hole changes as well. How ever, there are a few spots on this creek where the strike zone stays the same all through the spawn, but there isn't many of them.
Reading the current is one thing, knowing where to stand so you can present the best cast and presentation to trigger a strike is very important as well. But that will come with time and experience. This years spawn will be the fifth year that I've fished for these spawning bass and I'm still learning new tricks. Got a love the white bass spawn, there's nothing else like this in Texas.
Posted By: fishytx

Re: Lake Somerville - 02/24/23 05:34 PM

A lot of people do not understand the importance of the lake level on this lake. Where the creek pours into or connects to the west end of the lake is super shallow for a mile or two. I'm guessing the lake water is a mile or more from the main creek channel to the creek. And when the creek goes into the lake the creek channel will spread out in that silt, or split into several small channels as it flows towards the lake over the silt filled flats. So the fish don't really have a good path to get up into the creek. I have tried to get up the creek in my bass boat a few times but failed due it being so shallow. And that was when the lake was a full pool. It would be really cool if someone had a drone and could film the creek at the mouth where it flows into the lake over that shallow flat area so everyone could get a good idea on how important it is for the lake to be full or a little over full pool. The west end of Lake Somerville is flat, nothing but fine silt filled from the creek over the years. Even guys with kayaks have issues trying to get up there in the past. Is there a nice channel that was formed by the last rise in the creek? There could be. But this is why it is so crucial about the lake level on this lake. Maybe someone has tried to kayak up the creek and can share a little more information as to what these fish are challenged with to even make it up into the main creek channel.
Posted By: Boudreaux

Re: Lake Somerville - 02/24/23 08:51 PM

Originally Posted by fishytx
A lot of people do not understand the importance of the lake level on this lake. Where the creek pours into or connects to the west end of the lake is super shallow for a mile or two. I'm guessing the lake water is a mile or more from the main creek channel to the creek. And when the creek goes into the lake the creek channel will spread out in that silt, or split into several small channels as it flows towards the lake over the silt filled flats. So the fish don't really have a good path to get up into the creek. I have tried to get up the creek in my bass boat a few times but failed due it being so shallow. And that was when the lake was a full pool. It would be really cool if someone had a drone and could film the creek at the mouth where it flows into the lake over that shallow flat area so everyone could get a good idea on how important it is for the lake to be full or a little over full pool. The west end of Lake Somerville is flat, nothing but fine silt filled from the creek over the years. Even guys with kayaks have issues trying to get up there in the past. Is there a nice channel that was formed by the last rise in the creek? There could be. But this is why it is so crucial about the lake level on this lake. Maybe someone has tried to kayak up the creek and can share a little more information as to what these fish are challenged with to even make it up into the main creek channel.


The creek is connected to the main lake once again since the rain came up. Water depth there is still only a few inches deep. Below is a recent pic take from a plane by a close friend of mine. I duck hunt the areas near the mouth of the creek and have walked all over that cove. There is a defined creek channel through there until it gets closer to the mouth of Nails Creek. Right before the Yegua enters the lake, it makes a hard "S" to the West. That area in the creek is 8"+ when the lake is near pool. The current water line is probably only about 600 yrds right now. I can get my boat into the creek if the lake comes up at least 1ft from current levels. The past 3 years I have been able to take my boat all the way to Newman's Bottom from the main lake. First trip up I usually take a chainsaw with me and clear debris. The whole NW cove is mostly flat with nothing but silt and and creek trash in it. Even at pool its no more than 5ft in the deepest areas.

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Posted By: jsinn01

Re: Lake Somerville - 02/24/23 10:27 PM

These overhead shots are really cool. Thanks for sharing.
Posted By: fishytx

Re: Lake Somerville - 02/25/23 12:42 AM

Awesome photo. Thanks. But yeah, now people can get an idea of how flat and shallow the west end really is. Another foot rise in the lake would make a huge difference, come on rain.

I did fish the steps today. Caught 8 which was a lot better than I had expected. But I had fun and having fun is what this is all about. My first white bass spawn fishing trip and the first trip to kick off my fiftieth year fishing for spawning whites. Only if I could do this for another fifty years. Fishing for these spawning fish is probably my favorite type of fishing. Oh wait, my favorite is catching big black bass on a top water bait. I live for those big blow ups. Top water fishing is by far my favorite.
Posted By: fishytx

Re: Lake Somerville - 02/26/23 02:12 AM

Had a friend fish the Yegua today. First stop, Irwin bridge, zero. So he drove to Newman's bottom and caught five nice size fish. Said one was about 14 inches.
Posted By: Boudreaux

Re: Lake Somerville - 02/26/23 07:11 PM

Caught several keepers yesterday in the San Gabe
Posted By: J-Moe

Re: Lake Somerville - 02/28/23 02:14 AM

I went out to Newman Bottom this evening. I started by fishing the stretch upstream of the bridge and caught 5. I then tried 3 spots below the bridge and didn't get a bite. So I just went back and fished the stretch above the bridge again and caught 8 more for a total of 13 on the evening. The water level and current are still holding up pretty well. I suspect the better fisherman could pull out a limit in a mornings work if they put in the effort to keep moving. 1 here, 0 there, 2 here, 0 there, 1 here, 0 there......... laugh

[Linked Image]
Posted By: jsinn01

Re: Lake Somerville - 02/28/23 01:59 PM

Nice stringer of fish, J-Moe!
Posted By: Average Joe

Re: Lake Somerville - 03/01/23 08:34 PM

Might head out there Friday after the rain on Thursday. Anyone know if TWPD will close Newmans if it's too muddy?
Posted By: Boudreaux

Re: Lake Somerville - 03/01/23 08:37 PM

Originally Posted by Average Joe
Might head out there Friday after the rain on Thursday. Anyone know if TWPD will close Newmans if it's too muddy?


Depending on how much rain we get. Fast muddy water is not typically good for whites in that watershed. I would love for a heavy rain to come and fill the lake up so I can get my boat up the creek. But to answer your question, yes, they will close Newman's if the conditions are bad.
Posted By: Average Joe

Re: Lake Somerville - 03/01/23 08:57 PM

Originally Posted by Boudreaux
Originally Posted by Average Joe
Might head out there Friday after the rain on Thursday. Anyone know if TWPD will close Newmans if it's too muddy?


Depending on how much rain we get. Fast muddy water is not typically good for whites in that watershed. I would love for a heavy rain to come and fill the lake up so I can get my boat up the creek. But to answer your question, yes, they will close Newman's if the conditions are bad.


Thanks for the info! Maybe I'll head to Granger instead.
Posted By: Boudreaux

Re: Lake Somerville - 03/02/23 02:47 PM

Originally Posted by Average Joe
Originally Posted by Boudreaux
Originally Posted by Average Joe
Might head out there Friday after the rain on Thursday. Anyone know if TWPD will close Newmans if it's too muddy?


Depending on how much rain we get. Fast muddy water is not typically good for whites in that watershed. I would love for a heavy rain to come and fill the lake up so I can get my boat up the creek. But to answer your question, yes, they will close Newman's if the conditions are bad.


Thanks for the info! Maybe I'll head to Granger instead.


We've been doing decent up river by boat.
Posted By: slopez

Re: Lake Somerville - 03/02/23 04:00 PM

Looking at the overhead picture provided by Boudreaux, which is awesome by the way, will the white bass stage in the areas where the creek does meet up with main lake, waiting for a rain? Or will they stage where they will actually have to spawn if lake/creek area does not rise?
Posted By: jsinn01

Re: Lake Somerville - 03/02/23 04:18 PM

From what I've heard, if the fish can't make it up the creek they will spawn on wind blown points on the main lake. There are several access points to these areas around Lake Somerville.
Posted By: Boudreaux

Re: Lake Somerville - 03/02/23 06:36 PM

Originally Posted by slopez
Looking at the overhead picture provided by Boudreaux, which is awesome by the way, will the white bass stage in the areas where the creek does meet up with main lake, waiting for a rain? Or will they stage where they will actually have to spawn if lake/creek area does not rise?


The area where the creek meets the lake is just a shallow mud pit when the water is low. The will more than likely be on windblown sandy points, there are several around the lake.
Posted By: fishytx

Re: Lake Somerville - 03/03/23 02:02 AM

Like he said. West end of Lake is nothing but silt, soft mud pit. Makes it very difficult for spawning whites to travel upstream into the creeks. The fish in there now probably swam up there during the last rise in the creek. Once these fish.make.it past the mouth of the creek, then they have plenty of natural holes that are six to ten feet deep, so they stay up there until they spawn. We need a good rise and for the lake to reach full pool.
Posted By: J-Moe

Re: Lake Somerville - 03/07/23 03:48 PM

I went out to Newman Bottom yesterday evening. The creek was up a few inches and a bit dirtier than last Monday. There was rain in the water shed on the 3rd and 4th. I fished up the stretch above the bridge and back. All I caught was 1 white bass so I decided to try Irwin. I fished below the bridge for a little while and didn't get a bite so I left. Best bet at this time would be to fish early morning and cover a lot more ground than I did. I assume the few that did make it up into the creek are stacked up somewhere in the 6 mile stretch from the lake to Irwin bridge grin
Posted By: jsinn01

Re: Lake Somerville - 03/07/23 07:29 PM

Originally Posted by J-Moe
I assume the few that did make it up into the creek are stacked up somewhere in the 6 mile stretch from the lake to Irwin bridge grin


...well that narrows it down. I know exactly the spot you speak of. roflmao
Posted By: J-Moe

Re: Lake Somerville - 03/07/23 08:41 PM

Originally Posted by jsinn01
Originally Posted by J-Moe
I assume the few that did make it up into the creek are stacked up somewhere in the 6 mile stretch from the lake to Irwin bridge grin


...well that narrows it down. I know exactly the spot you speak of. roflmao


SHHH, Don't tell laugh
Posted By: hook-line&sinker

Re: Lake Somerville - 03/07/23 09:07 PM

Talking to a fellow fisherman about what he witnessed in a local creek might shed some light on whitebass behavior.
He was fishing a creek where hundreds of male whitebass have been caught recently and was expecting to do the same that day.
But what he saw was schools of fish (presumably males) heading back downstream leaving the upper sections of the creek void of fish.
This made me wonder if the females don't show up in the upper part of the creek do the males go back towards the lake and deeper water in search of them?

This would certainly account for the "here today and gone tomorrow" sort of fishing we often experience in the spawning season.

This makes me want to drag yak and drop into the Yegua to fish the lower end where the deepest water would be. The only thing holding me back is I know where the fish are elsewhere and the catching is almost guaranteed!

Ain't no easy fishing this year.. every cast is after a long road, hike or paddle to the good water and is often all three... Not a good time to be old and tired...
Posted By: jsinn01

Re: Lake Somerville - 03/07/23 10:20 PM

HL&S, I'm realizing that I need to me "more strategic" about how much driving, hiking and paddling I do, the older I get. Fish smarter, not harder in other words. 😉
Posted By: J-Moe

Re: Lake Somerville - 03/07/23 11:15 PM

I've kayaked and waded the Trinity, Nueces, Neches, Yegua, San Jacinto, Peach Creek, Harmon Creek and Lake Travis in the last 2 weeks. You guys are sissies roflmao roflmao roflmao
Posted By: jsinn01

Re: Lake Somerville - 03/08/23 12:16 AM

J-Moe, feel free to share any dietary or workout routine tips. I'm a shell of my former fishing self. grin
Posted By: J-Moe

Re: Lake Somerville - 03/08/23 04:24 PM

Ha Ha, There's no time for eating or working out during the white bass run either. You really need to toughen up laugh
Posted By: jsinn01

Re: Lake Somerville - 03/08/23 08:04 PM

Originally Posted by J-Moe
Ha Ha, There's no time for eating or working out during the white bass run either. You really need to toughen up laugh


roflmao
Posted By: jsinn01

Re: Lake Somerville - 03/08/23 08:05 PM

Lol. Headed to the Sabine this weekend. I might actually catch some fish.
Posted By: J-Moe

Re: Lake Somerville - 03/08/23 08:18 PM

The water on the Sabine looked high the last time I checked. Take some pictures around the boat launch so we can get an idea what it looks like this weekend.
Posted By: jsinn01

Re: Lake Somerville - 03/08/23 10:02 PM

Do you launch from Riverridge or someplace else?
Posted By: J-Moe

Re: Lake Somerville - 03/09/23 02:18 AM

I just saw recent videos and looked at the USGS data. I haven't been as I concerned it won't be fishable without a boat.
Posted By: UncleRicky

Re: Lake Somerville - 03/09/23 02:39 AM

Is the Riverridge ramp open? I know Jane [censored] down her guide operation.
Posted By: jsinn01

Re: Lake Somerville - 03/09/23 01:37 PM

I've heard it's open. Can confirm this weekend.
Posted By: JILAS

Re: Lake Somerville - 03/09/23 02:51 PM

campground, trailers, ramp,, etc are all open until July 1. It is for sale. Jane & Tom shut down guide service due to health reason.
Posted By: jsinn01

Re: Lake Somerville - 03/09/23 03:02 PM

Yeah, end of a great thing. We've had so many amazing trips out there, fishing with Jane and crew. Andy B is still guiding though.
Posted By: jsinn01

Re: Lake Somerville - 03/09/23 03:05 PM

Getting back on topic, looks like tonight's rain may be our last ditch chance to get any kind of white bass run up the Yegua in 2023. Might be too little too late, however.
Posted By: Boudreaux

Re: Lake Somerville - 03/09/23 05:29 PM

Originally Posted by jsinn01
Getting back on topic, looks like tonight's rain may be our last ditch chance to get any kind of white bass run up the Yegua in 2023. Might be too little too late, however.


I think it's just going to be a sprinkle in the bucket though. Not enough to make a difference.
Posted By: jsinn01

Re: Lake Somerville - 03/09/23 07:53 PM

Agreed, Boudreaux. Sad but true.
Posted By: jsinn01

Re: Lake Somerville - 03/09/23 07:54 PM

For those of you asking about the Sabine & Riverridge, my guide just called and we agreed to cancel the trip. He said the shad have shown up in large numbers in the river and fishing is not very good right now.
Posted By: Boudreaux

Re: Lake Somerville - 03/09/23 08:43 PM

Originally Posted by jsinn01
For those of you asking about the Sabine & Riverridge, my guide just called and we agreed to cancel the trip. He said the shad have shown up in large numbers in the river and fishing is not very good right now.


I know where some fish are hiding a lot closer to home, although they wont be as big as those sabine slabs. Have boat will travel.
Posted By: UncleRicky

Re: Lake Somerville - 03/09/23 08:48 PM

Jsinn01 - Mind sharing the name and contact info for the guide you are using? Going to really miss those trips with Jane and co.

Also - Have never heard about shad interfering with the white bass fishing? Do they run up the river to spawn also? Any other info appreciated - been chasing the whites for years but can always learn more....

Thanks
Posted By: jsinn01

Re: Lake Somerville - 03/09/23 11:52 PM

UncleRicky, sending a PM.
Posted By: fishytx

Re: Lake Somerville - 03/10/23 07:15 PM

So much for the rain I was hoping for. Cold front hit and we had enough rain to get everything wet, just wet. In an hour you would not have known it rained if you didn't see it yourself. It all dried up. I am so thankful to have caught some good numbers on two fishing trips. Other trips were low numbers. But from what I am seeing and what I am reading, this years spawn has been the worst one in many many years. Probably the worst one I have seen in the fifty years I have fished for these spawning whites. But I'm not giving up just yet, there has to be some hot spots still producing good numbers of fish.
Posted By: jsinn01

Re: Lake Somerville - 03/10/23 07:39 PM

Fishytx, I think you and J-Moe are the only ones catching this year. roflmao
Posted By: fishytx

Re: Lake Somerville - 03/10/23 08:48 PM

Due to surgery and other health issues I wasn't able to get out as soon as I wanted to. I don't normally do everything doctors tell me to do, but four section fused in my neck with screws and plates on x-ray really stopped me in my tracks. I probably pushed my luck a litte more than I should have thus year. I did have to stop myself a few times trying to get in holes that looked promising. At least I was able to catch a few and take my great grandson out to catch some this year. I'd I don't catch any more this year, I am still happy with the success I've had so far.
Posted By: Medinalakeguy

Re: Lake Somerville - 03/13/23 02:58 PM

Is Big Creek ramp launchable?
Posted By: Heath419

Re: Lake Somerville - 03/13/23 04:52 PM

Good morning everyone. I was hoping for some information on Nails Creek. I would imagine this is almost inaccessible by boat from the main lake as well as the Yegua due to the current lake level? We usually make an annual camping trip and fish the creeks for crappie, but we may have to re-locate this year it sounds like. Any info is much appreciated!
Posted By: hook-line&sinker

Re: Lake Somerville - 03/13/23 05:00 PM

You are correct about the low level of the lake being a deal killer for all the creeks feeding into Lake Somerville unless you have a Airboat getting into any of the creeks is very unlikely. Getting a regular boat up there is almost as unlikely as finding any fish !
Posted By: Boudreaux

Re: Lake Somerville - 03/14/23 05:17 PM

Originally Posted by Medinalakeguy
Is Big Creek ramp launchable?


I believe so. I asked them the other day on FB and they said yes.
Posted By: Srj79

Re: Lake Somerville - 03/17/23 03:54 PM

Me and a buddy are going to try and fish the creek this weekend, i have never fished it before. Are yall looking for structure in the creek? or just blind casting and covering as much ground as possible?
Posted By: jsinn01

Re: Lake Somerville - 03/17/23 05:36 PM

Hey, Srj79. When fishing these creeks you're generally looking for the deeper pockets of water. However, the water is very low right now and you may find it tough fishing. If it were me and I was going to be there on the weekend I would probably try fishing the points out on the main lake. Either that or fish the marina for crappie. Best of luck to you.
Posted By: Srj79

Re: Lake Somerville - 03/17/23 10:56 PM

Thanks jsinn01, a tough day of fishing is still a good day!
Posted By: UncleRicky

Re: Lake Somerville - 03/25/23 12:37 AM

Can someone educate me on the “order” of the run? Do the males come first and then the females? How long is the delay between the 2? How long does all this last?

Reason I am asking is this years catch hasn’t followed the same pattern I remember. I have been fishing the Angelina regularly since early February - like almost weekly. Started out normal - slow and catching small males only. Last weekend in February we had a great day catching 40 between 2 of us but only a few females. March 9th we caught a 2 man limit all big fish but only 16 females and they had eggs. Missed last week and yesterday absolutely slayed’em getting 50 in around 3 hours. That is when you know it is on bigtime catching big fish fast and we just knew the run was in full swing, but when we cleaned them there were only 7-8 females and it looked like their egg sacks were empty. So where are the big females full of eggs? Have we missed them or are they just getting started?
Posted By: Boudreaux

Re: Lake Somerville - 03/27/23 01:36 PM

Each body of water/watershed will have a different schedule. Some watersheds, fish will stage as early as Dec-Jan and the run be finished by End of Feb. Other watersheds wont start wont start till later. Water temps, moon phases, rainfall, water flow, and amount of sunlight all play factors so timing can vary. Males typically stage first, followed by the females. I had similar questions after my last couple trips on a particular watershed where we cleaned over 200 fish within a week yet less than 1/4 were females, most of them small. Catch numbers greatly reduced in the following week, went from 3 man limits to 1 man limits between 3 people. Big change in catches, still no big females. Same reports from others I talked to that had been fishing that same watershed. We have yet to see any big females show up and be caught in numbers and the bite has slowed drastically.
Posted By: J-Moe

Re: Lake Somerville - 03/27/23 02:15 PM

I'm seeing the exact same thing Boudreaux. I fished Lake Houston Wilderness park yesterday and only caught one white bass. I've been fishing the Trinity creeks and others and never really got into any big females. It's been the same story in lots of places. Very strange year.

I was talking with a fellow bank fisherman yesterday and told him I thought it was about over. His response was "It can't be, the big females haven't shown up yet" grin
Posted By: hook-line&sinker

Re: Lake Somerville - 03/27/23 04:40 PM

You know I've run out of the usual excuses so I need to make up some new ones! wink.
So after thinking about this situation a little more I began to wonder if the lunar cycle might be the factor in the late nature of this seasons whitebass run.
Easter is tied to the lunar cycle and it is later this year as well...
Or maybe the females have gone gay and are partying down in the lake while the boys are way up the river looking like lost pups...
Posted By: hook-line&sinker

Re: Lake Somerville - 03/27/23 04:57 PM

The timing of the rain and rising/falling stained water levels certainly is a factor.
And when the creeks get very clear the whitebass and other fish become very venerable to predation from above and a host of issues below partly due to the huge numbers of whitebass in small pools.
This is the time of the year when a drier than normal season beginning can do serious damage to small bodies of water.
Many times over the years towards the end of the whitebass run I've heard about and witnessed minor fish kills in small creeks that didn't get enough rain in time to keep it flowing and allow the whitebass to get back to the lake.
Posted By: J-Moe

Re: Lake Somerville - 03/29/23 01:28 PM

The temperatures are supposed to get up to 90 degrees next Tuesday. Full moon coming up too. Time to start checking on the shad spawn. Hybrid on the Fly time banana
Posted By: Boudreaux

Re: Lake Somerville - 03/29/23 04:34 PM

I like to get out around the Islands mid lake. Shad will stack up there on those island shorelines, the big rocks near Rocky Creek, or the big hump north of Rocky. Early morning topwater action is my favorite.
Posted By: Average Joe

Re: Lake Somerville - 03/29/23 04:42 PM

Originally Posted by J-Moe
The temperatures are supposed to get up to 90 degrees next Tuesday. Full moon coming up too. Time to start checking on the shad spawn. Hybrid on the Fly time banana


What is your fly setup for hybrids?
Posted By: J-Moe

Re: Lake Somerville - 03/29/23 05:59 PM

Exactly the same as White bass. 5 weight rod, 6 lb. fluorocarbon and magical clousers.

They usually make about 5 runs on me before I land them though.
Posted By: hook-line&sinker

Re: Lake Somerville - 03/30/23 08:15 PM

I need some experienced kayakers/fishers to help me Saturday at the Lake Somerville State Park - Birch creek unit to guide/lead paddle trips up Birch creek. Starts 9AM Saturday April 1st. You do not need to be an expert.. just better than newby to kayaking and bring your fishing pole..

Contact me (Ben Tedrick) 979 220 4420 for more info.

Posted By: Trav281

Re: Lake Somerville - 04/01/23 04:37 PM

Man I cannot wait for the shad spawn so I can slay them from the bank at big creek
Posted By: J-Moe

Re: Lake Somerville - 04/02/23 05:37 PM

I went out to the lake this morning. I didn't arrive until about 7:30. The people with their 8 poles are already starting to line the banks. Nobody had more than a fish or two on the stringer. Those had come earlier when there was some shad spawning on the shore. I walked the banks and found dead shad in quite a few locations. Hopefully I can get out early morning in the next couple of days and see how it develops.
Posted By: hook-line&sinker

Re: Lake Somerville - 04/03/23 03:15 PM

I was up at the Birch creek unit of the State Park Saturday April 1st and got a good report of the bank fishers catching whitebass all along the shoreline early in the morning.

I also saw the shad working the shore as well. With the lake below pool level there is plenty of open shoreline to setup a few lines..

With the rain expected in the forecast we might be in for a late whitebass run up the creeks like there was in 2009. I sure hope so!
Posted By: J-Moe

Re: Lake Somerville - 04/03/23 03:55 PM

I went out to the dam and fished the main lake from 6:45 to 7:45 AM this morning. There was some shad around but no real spawning on the bank this morning while I was there. I only caught 2 white bass and a bluegill.

The winds are going to pick up and the pressure will be extremely low tomorrow.

The weather man is predicting the overnight temperatures to drop back into the 50's and 3 inches of rain this week. The lake is still 2.5 feet low but that should push it to full level if we get the rain expected.

[Linked Image]
[Linked Image]
Posted By: hook-line&sinker

Re: Lake Somerville - 04/03/23 05:52 PM

Posted By: Trav281

Re: Lake Somerville - 04/03/23 10:22 PM

Thanks for the reports J-Moe! At least where I go there won't be 19 rods lining the bank...just the occasional a**hole in a boat that drives across the lake and parks it on the bank 10 feet from where your bank fishing.
Posted By: J-Moe

Re: Lake Somerville - 04/04/23 12:27 PM

Originally Posted by hook-line&sinker

With the rain expected in the forecast we might be in for a late whitebass run up the creeks like there was in 2009. I sure hope so!


I'm not sure about a late run but there's a good chance the shad will move up into the creeks and the white bass, hybrids and everything else will follow!!!
Posted By: hook-line&sinker

Re: Lake Somerville - 04/06/23 09:55 PM

KBTX is reporting a record amount of rainfall here in BCS.. so I suspect and hope the Yegua and Lake Somerville will jump up to near normal level over the next week..
Posted By: banker-always fishing

Re: Lake Somerville - 04/07/23 12:07 AM

Totally AWESOME thread! cheers
Posted By: Hsam213

Re: Lake Somerville - 04/07/23 02:51 AM

Originally Posted by Trav281
Thanks for the reports J-Moe! At least where I go there won't be 19 rods lining the bank...just the occasional a**hole in a boat that drives across the lake and parks it on the bank 10 feet from where your bank fishing.


Is he an older dude? One time I went overboard on a kayak. And all he do was just seating there watch not even go out and help. And you get to that place his then him. He give you the dog look
Posted By: Boudreaux

Re: Lake Somerville - 04/07/23 03:00 PM

Lake came up half a foot in less than 24 hours. Was sitting at 235.5 now over 236. Only 2ft low.
Posted By: J-Moe

Re: Lake Somerville - 04/07/23 11:54 PM

Interesting, TPWD stocked some Lone Star bass in Somerville last year. I wonder how much this will help the largemouth fishing.

Species Year Number Stocked Size
Bass, Sunshine 2022 116,086 Fingerling
Bass, Lone Star 2022 68,117 Fingerling
Posted By: ML56

Re: Lake Somerville - 04/08/23 01:52 AM

I fished the main lake on Tuesday morning, the whites I caught had plenty of eggs left in them.
It did not appear that the eggs were starting to be re-absorbed(red and shrinking)
The males still showed plenty milt, so maybe they will charge upstream and get a
bit of a late spawn in this year, hope so smile As of now, 9:00 pm lakes at 236.41,
Posted By: Boudreaux

Re: Lake Somerville - 04/09/23 05:47 PM

Almost back at pool!!!!
Posted By: jsinn01

Re: Lake Somerville - 04/09/23 10:21 PM

Awesome! Glad to hear it.
Posted By: ladybluearm

Re: Lake Somerville - 04/10/23 02:54 AM

Maybe nails creek boat launch will open again.🙏
Posted By: Boudreaux

Re: Lake Somerville - 04/10/23 02:40 PM

Lake is only 6" low. Can easily make it up the Yegua now, doubt it will do much good at this point though,
Posted By: Boudreaux

Re: Lake Somerville - 04/12/23 02:27 PM

She's full again!!!! 237.95, 238 is full pool. All the ramps should open back up now.
Posted By: jsinn01

Re: Lake Somerville - 04/12/23 09:21 PM

Think it's too late for the crappie to head back in the creek shallows?
Posted By: jsinn01

Re: Lake Somerville - 04/12/23 09:23 PM

Are Nails & Cedar creeks still really muddy?
Posted By: Trav281

Re: Lake Somerville - 04/12/23 09:53 PM

I just need to know if the shad spawn is going off, this is usually the exact time of april where it is.
Posted By: Boudreaux

Re: Lake Somerville - 04/13/23 03:34 PM

The creeks out to start clearing up. The lake still hasn't full settled in. It came up again over night which tells me the creeks are probably still up. She's sitting right at 237.99! I'm gonna try to take the boat out this weekend and poke around.
Posted By: J-Moe

Re: Lake Somerville - 04/14/23 02:05 PM

I went out to the lake this morning. The numbers of shad do seem to be increasing but I didn't see any spawning activity. The temperatures tonight are expected to stay in the 70s so tomorrow morning might be really good.

I caught 2 keeper white bass, an undersized white bass and got broke off by a hybrid. There was another fisherman with 4 poles set out with live shad. He caught a keeper hybrid, a couple undersized hybrids and a white bass while I was there.

[Linked Image]
Posted By: Trav281

Re: Lake Somerville - 04/16/23 07:06 PM

thanks for the info jmoe, i may put in some time off to hit the shad spawn the week of the 24th
Posted By: B-Sal

Re: Lake Somerville - 04/18/23 12:31 PM

Thanks for the Info sir. Well fishies Newman’s Saturday and yesterday. Left saturday with 23, yesterday with 12.
Been getting reports of good number being caught even at nails creek however the water looks low at nails.
Gentleman landed a 24” hybrid at Newman’s yesterday too. So is it a late run??? I would say so I’ll clean the fish and see what the row says.
Good healthy size fish too, I’ll keep y’all updated
Posted By: J-Moe

Re: Lake Somerville - 04/18/23 03:15 PM

Originally Posted by B-Sal
Thanks for the Info sir. Well fishies Newman’s Saturday and yesterday. Left saturday with 23, yesterday with 12.
Been getting reports of good number being caught even at nails creek however the water looks low at nails.
Gentleman landed a 24” hybrid at Newman’s yesterday too. So is it a late run??? I would say so I’ll clean the fish and see what the row says.
Good healthy size fish too, I’ll keep y’all updated


Wow, Great information Sir thumb
Posted By: Boudreaux

Re: Lake Somerville - 04/18/23 03:32 PM

I think I'll run the boat up the creek this weekend if I can make it out to the lake. Intended to go out this past Sunday but it was a bit breezy, decided to work on projects at the house
Posted By: J-Moe

Re: Lake Somerville - 04/19/23 01:10 AM

Thank You B-Sal. Finally another good day on the Yegua. I went to Newman this evening. I ended up catching around 30. I strung up a few for a friend.

[Linked Image]
[Linked Image]
Posted By: B-Sal

Re: Lake Somerville - 04/19/23 03:20 AM

Originally Posted by J-Moe
Thank You B-Sal. Finally another good day on the Yegua. I went to Newman this evening. I ended up catching around 30. I strung up a few for a friend.

[Linked Image]
[Linked Image]



Glad I can help J-Moe, I’ve been getting stir crazy since the last time I went to the steps and got skunked lol
Did do good one weekend at the steps. 44 on the Clouser.

But since then been busy with work and was finally able to get up to Newman’s, after a local buddy told me he was catching. So I’m just passing on the favor lol
I’m glad you were blessed with some fish
Posted By: jsinn01

Re: Lake Somerville - 04/19/23 03:27 PM

Wow, J-Moe! Nice Catch. Not used to seeing limits of white bass at Newman's when everything is so green.
Posted By: Average Joe

Re: Lake Somerville - 04/19/23 06:00 PM

Originally Posted by J-Moe
Thank You B-Sal. Finally another good day on the Yegua. I went to Newman this evening. I ended up catching around 30. I strung up a few for a friend.

[Linked Image]
[Linked Image]


Woohoo! I had thought the season is over.
Posted By: hook-line&sinker

Re: Lake Somerville - 04/19/23 06:33 PM

The run at Lake Somerville was waiting on rain.. this is the same thing that happened in 2009.
Posted By: Boudreaux

Re: Lake Somerville - 04/21/23 01:26 PM

Creek fishing probably wont be worn a dang for a few days and they will probably shut the gates at newman's again. Lake came over 3" last night. The area got hammered with that storm. I imagine the creeks are gonna be on a hard and fast rise, very muddy fast moving water. Catfishing ought to be good though
Posted By: hook-line&sinker

Re: Lake Somerville - 04/21/23 01:29 PM

Muddy mess will help keep the whitebass in the creek a little bit longer and maybe a few more will make the run up... The rain.. it's a good thing...
Posted By: Boudreaux

Re: Lake Somerville - 04/21/23 02:24 PM

Originally Posted by hook-line&sinker
Muddy mess will help keep the whitebass in the creek a little bit longer and maybe a few more will make the run up... The rain.. it's a good thing...


Oh for sure. Lake it now over pool. Creek access is easy for most watercraft now.
Posted By: hook-line&sinker

Re: Lake Somerville - 04/21/23 03:12 PM

Posted By: J-Moe

Re: Lake Somerville - 04/21/23 04:04 PM

Fished the main lake this morning. I got there before dark. There was lots of commotion but it ended up being mainly carp, buffalo and gar in the shallow submerged vegetation. The shad spawn is progressing slowly. I saw more actual spawning along the banks than I have to date this year. Still not trillions yet though grin

The fishing was disappointing as everything was perfect for a great day. But the fish never showed. I did end up catching 2 white bass and a hybrid. Catching 1 keeper sized hybrid on the fly always makes it at least a good day.

[Linked Image]
Posted By: Average Joe

Re: Lake Somerville - 04/21/23 06:47 PM

Originally Posted by J-Moe
Fished the main lake this morning. I got there before dark. There was lots of commotion but it ended up being mainly carp, buffalo and gar in the shallow submerged vegetation. The shad spawn is progressing slowly. I saw more actual spawning along the banks than I have to date this year. Still not trillions yet though grin

The fishing was disappointing as everything was perfect for a great day. But the fish never showed. I did end up catching 2 white bass and a hybrid. Catching 1 keeper sized hybrid on the fly always makes it at least a good day.

[Linked Image]


A few fish is always better than none! Fish on!!
Posted By: Boudreaux

Re: Lake Somerville - 04/21/23 08:37 PM

Newman's is closed until further Notice
Posted By: J-Moe

Re: Lake Somerville - 04/23/23 08:51 PM

Fished Nails Creek today. I ended the day catching 28 white bass, 3 crappie and a goo. All but 4 were nice sized keeper fish. A couple of trophy white bass in the bunch too.

[Linked Image]

[Linked Image] [Linked Image]
Posted By: jsinn01

Re: Lake Somerville - 04/24/23 12:52 PM

Nice catch!
Posted By: Trav281

Re: Lake Somerville - 04/24/23 09:23 PM

that's awesome j-moe! I wish I knew these spots!
Posted By: Boudreaux

Re: Lake Somerville - 04/24/23 09:31 PM

Originally Posted by Trav281
that's awesome j-moe! I wish I knew these spots!


You could always hire a guide to show you....
Posted By: TXfisherman12

Re: Lake Somerville - 04/27/23 02:22 AM

Fished nails up and downstream of county bridge yesterday morning. Struck out and got bit by lots of mosquitoes. May have seen some spawning activity but there were a lot of gar swimming around so hard to tell. Not much current. After tromping through waist high weeds and grass and slipping down muddy banks and swatting skeeters I got into some sow WB at the feeder creek down the road. Some caught on a variation of the magical clouser.

[Linked Image]
Posted By: 1975-Monark

Re: Lake Somerville - 04/27/23 03:10 AM

Nice fish, I bet that was a blast on a fly rod !
Posted By: TXfisherman12

Re: Lake Somerville - 04/27/23 03:21 AM

Thanks Monarch. Yes they were on my 5-wt and 6lb test leader. This one leapt out of the water while bringing in
[Linked Image]
Posted By: jsinn01

Re: Lake Somerville - 04/27/23 02:44 PM

Sweet! Looks like you got into them.
Posted By: Lottfisher

Re: Lake Somerville - 04/28/23 12:16 AM

I'm going to the main lake early tomorrow. Probably Welch, but was wondering if Big Creek is open for day use bank fishing...Lawton
Posted By: Boudreaux

Re: Lake Somerville - 04/28/23 02:38 PM

Originally Posted by Lottfisher
I'm going to the main lake early tomorrow. Probably Welch, but was wondering if Big Creek is open for day use bank fishing...Lawton


Big creek opens at 6am i believe.
Posted By: J-Moe

Re: Lake Somerville - 05/01/23 11:23 AM

Lake Level is 239.88. 1.88 foot above normal. COE is currently releasing 192 CFS.

Overnight temperatures are predicted to be in the low 60's the next couple of days but then stay above 70 degrees after that. Small showers expected as well.
Posted By: jsinn01

Re: Lake Somerville - 05/01/23 01:47 PM

Drove over the Yegua watershed yesterday at Highway 21. Middle Yegua was high and muddy.
Posted By: Medinalakeguy

Re: Lake Somerville - 05/01/23 02:54 PM

Where's the shad spawn? Headed up this weekend was hoping to spend time on the humps in the main lake, will it be worth it?
Posted By: J-Moe

Re: Lake Somerville - 05/01/23 03:33 PM

Originally Posted by Medinalakeguy
Where's the shad spawn? Headed up this weekend was hoping to spend time on the humps in the main lake, will it be worth it?


With 70 degree temperatures overnight and reasonable winds the shad should be spawning in big numbers. At least I'm hoping they will grin
Posted By: Paper mouth

Re: Lake Somerville - 05/01/23 07:03 PM

Originally Posted by Medinalakeguy
Where's the shad spawn? Headed up this weekend was hoping to spend time on the humps in the main lake, will it be worth it?

Caught decent numbers trolling around the hump yesterday. Couple throw back hybrids and all the white bass were 10-11” males.
Posted By: J-Moe

Re: Lake Somerville - 05/01/23 09:21 PM

Thanks for the report Paper mouth thumb
Posted By: J-Moe

Re: Lake Somerville - 05/03/23 01:39 PM

Went by Welsh Park this morning. I couldn't stay long and didn't see any signs of white bass or hybrids but the shad were there in big numbers. It should really take off from here on.

[Linked Image]
Posted By: rangus

Re: Lake Somerville - 05/03/23 07:27 PM

I have been to Lake Somerville several times over the last couple of weeks and have been skunked every time. I tried to fish at the dam, off the marina and the shoreline around it, and over at Irwin Bridge. Not sure what I'm doing wrong, can't even get a bluegill frown.
Posted By: Paper mouth

Re: Lake Somerville - 05/04/23 01:23 AM

Originally Posted by J-Moe
Went by Welsh Park this morning. I couldn't stay long and didn't see any signs of white bass or hybrids but the shad were there in big numbers. It should really take off from here on.

[Linked Image]

Good to see, we started around Welch last weekend and saw no sign of shad, just seagulls flying and landing!
Hopefully they will find the shad and this weekend be successful for all!
Posted By: ladybluearm

Re: Lake Somerville - 05/04/23 01:47 AM

Fished the lake this morning, got there a little late, caught 10 catfish. The shad were working the shorelines pretty good. Went back this evening to try to get some shad at the nails creek boat ramp, nothing!
Posted By: J-Moe

Re: Lake Somerville - 05/04/23 01:47 AM

Originally Posted by rangus
I have been to Lake Somerville several times over the last couple of weeks and have been skunked every time. I tried to fish at the dam, off the marina and the shoreline around it, and over at Irwin Bridge. Not sure what I'm doing wrong, can't even get a bluegill frown.


The bluegill haven't moved shallow yet, the white bass have left the creek at Irwin Bridge, Below the dam won't be any good unless they crank up the flow to at least half open for about 10 days, The shad are just moving shallow so most everywhere you fished, the fish just weren't there.

Park at the dam and walk over to the lake side or go to Welsh Park and fish off the island. The white bass and hybrids are bound to show up any day now that the shad spawn has picked up. The bluegill should be showing up soon too.
Posted By: J-Moe

Re: Lake Somerville - 05/04/23 01:52 AM

Originally Posted by Paper mouth
Originally Posted by J-Moe
Went by Welsh Park this morning. I couldn't stay long and didn't see any signs of white bass or hybrids but the shad were there in big numbers. It should really take off from here on.

Good to see, we started around Welch last weekend and saw no sign of shad, just seagulls flying and landing!
Hopefully they will find the shad and this weekend be successful for all!


I waded out and the shad were constantly running into my legs. I had my rod tip in the water and they kept running into it as well. Still not full throttle but a big jump.
Posted By: J-Moe

Re: Lake Somerville - 05/04/23 01:53 AM

Originally Posted by ladybluearm
Fished the lake this morning, got there a little late, caught 10 catfish. The shad were working the shorelines pretty good. Went back this evening to try to get some shad at the nails creek boat ramp, nothing!


Thanks for the report.
Posted By: J-Moe

Re: Lake Somerville - 05/04/23 11:50 AM

The COE closed the Dam Road. Not sure why. The lake is only 2 feet above normal.
Posted By: jsinn01

Re: Lake Somerville - 05/04/23 03:41 PM

Originally Posted by rangus
I have been to Lake Somerville several times over the last couple of weeks and have been skunked every time. I tried to fish at the dam, off the marina and the shoreline around it, and over at Irwin Bridge. Not sure what I'm doing wrong, can't even get a bluegill frown.


Welcome to the forum! Have you tried Lake Bryan? Fishing along the dam/rocks can be pretty good for black bass. Lake Somerville can be great, but there's definitely a learning curve.
Posted By: Trav281

Re: Lake Somerville - 05/05/23 11:17 PM

Is the shad spawn happening, I want to take my Mom up there to a spot I know of, but don't want to go if were not going to catch em
Posted By: Trav281

Re: Lake Somerville - 05/05/23 11:20 PM

Nevermind, just read previous posts sorry
Posted By: ML56

Re: Lake Somerville - 05/06/23 12:20 AM

Originally Posted by J-Moe
The COE closed the Dam Road. Not sure why. The lake is only 2 feet above normal.



They are doing a survey of the structure, supposed to reopen as soon as they finish.
Brenham radio station announced it a day or so ago.
Posted By: rangus

Re: Lake Somerville - 05/06/23 06:09 AM

I haven't tried Lake Bryan, I didn't care too much for it when I visited it last summer. I enjoy the challenge of Lake Somerville, every time I get skunked it gets me a little more fired up and eager to catch some fish. I think I will go out with some chicken breast and worms and try to catch some channel or blue cats. Thanks for the welcome!
Posted By: Boudreaux

Re: Lake Somerville - 05/08/23 01:12 PM

Originally Posted by rangus
I haven't tried Lake Bryan, I didn't care too much for it when I visited it last summer. I enjoy the challenge of Lake Somerville, every time I get skunked it gets me a little more fired up and eager to catch some fish. I think I will go out with some chicken breast and worms and try to catch some channel or blue cats. Thanks for the welcome!


May i suggest chicken livers instead of breast, or fresh cut bait if you can catch some. I often will go to the local community stocked ponds in B/CS and catch bluegill and take them to somerville to use as bait.
Posted By: jsinn01

Re: Lake Somerville - 05/08/23 01:55 PM

Originally Posted by Boudreaux
Originally Posted by rangus
I haven't tried Lake Bryan, I didn't care too much for it when I visited it last summer. I enjoy the challenge of Lake Somerville, every time I get skunked it gets me a little more fired up and eager to catch some fish. I think I will go out with some chicken breast and worms and try to catch some channel or blue cats. Thanks for the welcome!


May i suggest chicken livers instead of breast, or fresh cut bait if you can catch some. I often will go to the local community stocked ponds in B/CS and catch bluegill and take them to somerville to use as bait.


Also, if they start releasing water below the dam this time of year can be great for catching channel cats. I used to catch a lot of them using some catfish bait fished below a cork and just letting it drift.
Posted By: rangus

Re: Lake Somerville - 05/08/23 04:43 PM

Originally Posted by Boudreaux
Originally Posted by rangus
I haven't tried Lake Bryan, I didn't care too much for it when I visited it last summer. I enjoy the challenge of Lake Somerville, every time I get skunked it gets me a little more fired up and eager to catch some fish. I think I will go out with some chicken breast and worms and try to catch some channel or blue cats. Thanks for the welcome!


May i suggest chicken livers instead of breast, or fresh cut bait if you can catch some. I often will go to the local community stocked ponds in B/CS and catch bluegill and take them to somerville to use as bait.


I have used liver before, but i can never get it to stay on the hook! I feel like I'm spending most of my time rebaiting the hook when using it.
Posted By: ladybluearm

Re: Lake Somerville - 05/09/23 02:02 PM

Just FYI, the shad were plentiful at the boat ramp at lake Somerville marina this morning.
Posted By: J-Moe

Re: Lake Somerville - 05/12/23 03:18 PM

I went out to the main lake the last couple of mornings. I went to Welsh Park yesterday morning and the lake side of the dam this morning. The shad spawn is not really progressing like I expected. It seems very much like last year. It sure seems that the freeze 2 years ago took its toll on the shad population. Hopefully I'm wrong and it will explode.

I caught several 16 inch hybrids but no white bass the last couple of days. Same thing I experienced last year at this time. I still haven't seen any surfacing activity or white bass pushing shad into the coves.

[Linked Image]
[Linked Image]
Posted By: Trav281

Re: Lake Somerville - 05/12/23 08:43 PM

Thank you for the report J-Moe. So it wouldn't be an ideal time to bring my mom up their to slay the whites during an ideal shad spawn...but it's mother's day I'll figure out a way to catch something.
Posted By: Riverrat60

Re: Lake Somerville - 05/12/23 11:51 PM

Any action below the dam ? Spillway ?
Posted By: Boudreaux

Re: Lake Somerville - 05/16/23 02:34 PM

They have a decent release going. Lake is 3.5' over pool. 1000CFS moving at the spillway. May give it a go this weekend.
Posted By: J-Moe

Re: Lake Somerville - 05/22/23 02:51 PM

Lake level is 242.37, 4.37 ft. above normal, releasing 1644 cfs. Roughly 60% open.

The numbers of white bass, hybrids and catfish are increasing in the spillway.

[Linked Image] [Linked Image]
Posted By: jsinn01

Re: Lake Somerville - 05/23/23 01:17 PM

Thanks for the report, J-Moe!
Posted By: slopez

Re: Lake Somerville - 05/23/23 07:33 PM

Thank you for the report kind sir. From 4' low to 4' high. That lake can make some big swings in a hurry. Looks like yellow is the flavor of the month.
Posted By: J-Moe

Re: Lake Somerville - 06/11/23 02:03 PM

Lake Level is 239.25. 1.25 ft. above normal. The COE dropped the flow to 408 early this week. The fishing has been great before sunrise and after sunset.

Some days it will continue to be decent until about 9 AM as the white bass run up near the shoot. By that time I usually have concede to the combat fishermen anyway.

I had a guy show up this morning. He tangled me on his first and fourth casts. I was going to move, as normal, but he said sorry and moved on. I won a battle for the first time and never said a word roflmao

I've caught some catfish, goo, buffalo, hybrids and a few crappie as well.

Pay attention to the 15 inch hybrids. I had to help 2 people who were stringing up hybrids yesterday. The game warden was up in the parking lot.
Posted By: jsinn01

Re: Lake Somerville - 06/12/23 04:16 PM

"combat fisherman" lol. 🤣

I've been contemplating making the four hour round trip drive, but just can't bring myself to do it for one to two hours of fishing time. Plus it's really hot out now. 😉
Posted By: J-Moe

Re: Lake Somerville - 06/15/23 03:06 PM

Lake Level is 239 ft. One ft. above normal. The COE cut the flow in half to 180 cfs. The number of fish seemed to be about half this morning too. I had to abandon the heavy jig flies and break out the Magical Clouser to be successful today.
Posted By: J-Moe

Re: Lake Somerville - 07/09/23 04:51 PM

Lake Level is 237.68 ft. 0.32 ft. below normal. COE is releasing 507 cfs. The farmers must be hurting for water. A couple weeks ago when the lake was a little over half foot above normal the COE shut the flow completely for a day or so. There were lots of dead hybrids and buffalo. Then they opened the gates back up a day or so latter to 507 cfs and they haven't stopped flowing since. There are a few white bass and crappie being caught, but mainly at night.

I walked the banks at the Marina this morning. There were lots of sunfish beds, but very sunfish. The first spawn is over just about everywhere I've fished lately.
Posted By: jsinn01

Re: Lake Somerville - 07/10/23 08:25 PM

Thanks for the report. So much for the lake being above pool.
Posted By: J-Moe

Re: Lake Somerville - 08/02/23 02:46 PM

Lake Level is 236.5. 1.5 ft below normal. No water is being released.

I checked the spillway this morning but didn't see anything but turtles and gar swimming around.

I went over to the lake side and fished for bluegill. I caught a bunch. They were spread out across the shallow area in the cove. They must be back on beds as they weren't related to any structure.

[Linked Image]
[Linked Image]
Posted By: Trav281

Re: Lake Somerville - 08/05/23 06:52 PM

I've been wondering if anyone is catching anything...I knew J-Moe would be. Thanks for the update. Wish I could make it up there. It's too dang hot to fish haha
Posted By: shanetx

Re: Lake Somerville - 08/15/23 01:31 AM

J-moe thank you for the info - this is my new favorite spot with my new bass boat - Any tips on trolling for hybrids off shore ?
Posted By: J-Moe

Re: Lake Somerville - 08/15/23 03:14 PM

H
Originally Posted by shanetx
J-moe thank you for the info - this is my new favorite spot with my new bass boat - Any tips on trolling for hybrids off shore ?


Howdy Shanetx,

I've only trolled for hybrids once. We trolled around the humps off of Rocky Creek park. I see people trolling along the dam as well.
Posted By: shanetx

Re: Lake Somerville - 08/15/23 04:03 PM

Thanks for the Tip! I just got this new boat and only been on Somerville twice. First morning just trolled around a pet spoon with no luck, got to 100 and left water early. I did see some action on my sonar. Just trying to learn lay of lake really

Second Trip I did some night drift fishing to beat the heat.

Going to hopefully get out there tomorrow morning suppose to be 'coolest morning in two months' - Going to try my luck by the dam. I saw it day 1 but never made it over there.
Posted By: shanetx

Re: Lake Somerville - 08/15/23 04:18 PM

Originally Posted by Lou r Pitcher
Quote
I havent heard of anybody really doing anything around Somerville.


Not visited the meth boards/arrests reports lately? eeks




Is somerville area really that bad?

I live in bastrop county - every area has its bad spots.

I want to start camping and launching at The Birch Creek Unit. I have a wife and a 3 year old kid Is this area safe to be camping and fishing? Dont want some methheads coming into our campsite at 3am or some [censored].
Posted By: TxSwimbaiter

Re: Lake Somerville - 08/16/23 11:04 PM

Originally Posted by shanetx
Originally Posted by Lou r Pitcher
Quote
I havent heard of anybody really doing anything around Somerville.


Not visited the meth boards/arrests reports lately? eeks




Is somerville area really that bad?

I live in bastrop county - every area has its bad spots.

I want to start camping and launching at The Birch Creek Unit. I have a wife and a 3 year old kid Is this area safe to be camping and fishing? Dont want some methheads coming into our campsite at 3am or some [censored].

I'd look at the Rock Creek unit first
Posted By: Boudreaux

Re: Lake Somerville - 08/17/23 01:27 PM

Originally Posted by shanetx
Originally Posted by Lou r Pitcher
Quote
I havent heard of anybody really doing anything around Somerville.


Not visited the meth boards/arrests reports lately? eeks




Is somerville area really that bad?

I live in bastrop county - every area has its bad spots.

I want to start camping and launching at The Birch Creek Unit. I have a wife and a 3 year old kid Is this area safe to be camping and fishing? Dont want some methheads coming into our campsite at 3am or some [censored].



I frequent both units at various times of the year, mainly to use their boat ramps. They have a state park police that patrol the parks. The COE parks lock their gates at night.
Posted By: shanetx

Re: Lake Somerville - 08/17/23 05:35 PM

Thanks guys - I Really like the ramps at Birch Creek with my none 4x4 truck. I've only been once though. Safety of my family is first and foremost. Rocky Creek Park is equal distance but longer route due to roads. If it is safer though I will check it out.

Posted By: shanetx

Re: Lake Somerville - 08/23/23 03:44 PM

Fished a rock pile off the dam face lake side, caught nothing but saw tons of fish surfacing. Lake was really rough on 8/22 due to the winds.
Posted By: J-Moe

Re: Lake Somerville - 09/18/23 03:51 PM

Lake Level is at 233 ft. 5 ft. below normal. The COE started releasing over 400 cfs. in early August and dropped that to 171 cfs a couple weeks ago.

I haven't seen many people fishing the spillway. I tried a couple times but mainly just caught goo.

Better start doing the rain dance now so we'll have a good white bass run. banana
Posted By: jsinn01

Re: Lake Somerville - 09/19/23 05:00 PM

Starting the rain dance. taz
Posted By: BayouFennec

Re: Lake Somerville - 09/19/23 05:59 PM

last year was rough for me with the low water levels. of course the year prior was fantastic. it's all about the rain. fingers crossed
Posted By: FISHINGFOOL40

Re: Lake Somerville - 09/27/23 06:50 AM

Originally Posted by J-Moe
Lake Level is at 233 ft. 5 ft. below normal. The COE started releasing over 400 cfs. in early August and dropped that to 171 cfs a couple weeks ago.

I haven't seen many people fishing the spillway. I tried a couple times but mainly just caught goo.

Better start doing the rain dance now so we'll have a good white bass run. banana


Yeah, we could sure use some rain for Lake Travis
and the Highland Lakes area, also...Lake Travis has dropped 3ft+ in the last 30 days😥
So not sure if going to be a decent White Bass Fall run/bite this year or not🧐
Doing the rain dance of all Central Texas Lakes taz taz thumb

Attached picture IMG_20221210_075121807.jpg
Posted By: J-Moe

Re: Lake Somerville - 09/28/23 11:54 AM

It's going to take a flood the size of Noah's to fill up Lake Travis grin

Rain Dance Continues banana banana banana
Posted By: jsinn01

Re: Lake Somerville - 10/31/23 07:13 PM

Disappointed to see Lake Somerville hasn't come up at all. We got some pretty good rain in Austin over the last week, but I guess it didn't make it out that way.
Posted By: Trav281

Re: Lake Somerville - 12/11/23 12:56 AM

banana banana banana banana cheers
Posted By: jsinn01

Re: Lake Somerville - 01/02/24 11:15 PM

Raining cats & dogs in Austin right now. Hope the rain makes it to the Yegua watershed. banana
Posted By: J-Moe

Re: Lake Somerville - 01/03/24 12:04 AM

Lake Level is 231.85. 6.15 feet below normal. Currently the projection is less than 0.5 inches over the next few hours. I'll cross my fingers and hope for the best though. banana
Posted By: shanetx

Re: Lake Somerville - 01/03/24 01:57 PM

231.89 to 231.97 : /
Posted By: jsinn01

Re: Lake Somerville - 01/03/24 06:42 PM

Lake Granger is almost at full pool, up about two feet from beginning of November. This area must be getting more rain.
Posted By: Average Joe

Re: Lake Somerville - 01/04/24 04:44 AM

Originally Posted by shanetx
231.89 to 231.97 : /



Got a long ways to go frown
I'm in the Austin area and can head to Granger as a backup at least.
Posted By: J-Moe

Re: Lake Somerville - 01/04/24 02:10 PM

Originally Posted by Average Joe
Originally Posted by shanetx
231.89 to 231.97 : /



Got a long ways to go frown
I'm in the Austin area and can head to Granger as a backup at least.


Looks like lots of driving for me. Just looking at my fishing log. I caught 15 undersized males at the Steps on 1/1/23. I went back 1/8/23 and caught 13. 11 of those were undersized. I've seen reports and videos that they are moving up and staging in several places. Bosque, Luce Bayou, George West and the Angelina to name a few.
Posted By: jsinn01

Re: Lake Somerville - 01/04/24 07:59 PM

Yeah, might have to break down and get more into the fly fishing if the steps are my only option this year.
Posted By: Average Joe

Re: Lake Somerville - 01/04/24 10:09 PM

Originally Posted by jsinn01
Yeah, might have to break down and get more into the fly fishing if the steps are my only option this year.


Living Waters Fly shop in Round Rock is really awesome.
Posted By: jsinn01

Re: Lake Somerville - 01/05/24 01:23 PM

Originally Posted by Average Joe
Originally Posted by jsinn01
Yeah, might have to break down and get more into the fly fishing if the steps are my only option this year.


Living Waters Fly shop in Round Rock is really awesome.


Thanks for the tip, Average Joe.
Posted By: B-Sal

Re: Lake Somerville - 01/05/24 09:30 PM

Originally Posted by J-Moe
Originally Posted by Average Joe
Originally Posted by shanetx
231.89 to 231.97 : /



Got a long ways to go frown
I'm in the Austin area and can head to Granger as a backup at least.


Looks like lots of driving for me. Just looking at my fishing log. I caught 15 undersized males at the Steps on 1/1/23. I went back 1/8/23 and caught 13. 11 of those were undersized. I've seen reports and videos that they are moving up and staging in several places. Bosque, Luce Bayou, George West and the Angelina to name a few.



J-Moe. A buddy told me the same about George West but I haven’t been able to get down there and confirm it really
Posted By: J-Moe

Re: Lake Somerville - 01/06/24 08:14 PM

I saw a video on Youtube B-Sal. I drove over Spring, Caney, Cypress Creeks and the San Jacinto River this morning. Everything is up and flowing muddy. Looks like everything in the San Jacinto and Trinity River watersheds are set up for a good run. I might go check out the Steps tomorrow.
Posted By: B-Sal

Re: Lake Somerville - 01/06/24 10:32 PM

Originally Posted by J-Moe
I saw a video on Youtube B-Sal. I drove over Spring, Caney, Cypress Creeks and the San Jacinto River this morning. Everything is up and flowing muddy. Looks like everything in the San Jacinto and Trinity River watersheds are set up for a good run. I might go check out the Steps tomorrow.


Sweet let me know the steps is closer than San Jacinto and trinity
I’ll try to make a run down to George west soon
since it’s about an hr away from me
Posted By: J-Moe

Re: Lake Somerville - 01/07/24 08:41 PM

I went out to The Steps this morning. I arrived slightly before sunrise and was the only person there. Not a good sign. I fished my way upstream to where the creek enters the San Gabriel. I covered everything fairly well but after and hour I hadn't gotten a bite.

I left and went over to Willis creek. It had a 11 foot rise on Christmas day and another 1 foot rise last week so I was hoping it pulled up some fish. The creek was shallow near the bridge so I walked a long ways downstream to deeper still water. I worked my way upstream hitting multiple spots until I got to moving water. I didn't get a bite.

Both places seem setup for a good run. The Steps, in particular has plenty of flow and depth to kick off a run.

I stopped by the Somerville spillway on the way home and caught 5 small white bass, just so I didn't get skunked grin

[Linked Image] [Linked Image] [Linked Image]
Posted By: Average Joe

Re: Lake Somerville - 01/07/24 10:39 PM

Originally Posted by J-Moe
I went out to The Steps this morning. I arrived slightly before sunrise and was the only person there. Not a good sign. I fished my way upstream to where the creek enters the San Gabriel. I covered everything fairly well but after and hour I hadn't gotten a bite.

I left and went over to Willis creek. It had a 11 foot rise on Christmas day and another 1 foot rise last week so I was hoping it pulled up some fish. The creek was shallow near the bridge so I walked a long ways downstream to deeper still water. I worked my way upstream hitting multiple spots until I got to moving water. I didn't get a bite.

Both places seem setup for a good run. The Steps, in particular has plenty of flow and depth to kick off a run.

I stopped by the Somerville spillway on the way home and caught 5 small white bass, just so I didn't get skunked grin

[Linked Image] [Linked Image] [Linked Image]


Woohoo, thanks for the report! My life gets really crazy at times, even if I just catch one each time I'm out - it's a good day!
Posted By: jsinn01

Re: Lake Somerville - 01/07/24 10:50 PM

Thanks for the report and pics, J-Moe!
Posted By: B-Sal

Re: Lake Somerville - 01/08/24 04:27 AM

Originally Posted by J-Moe
I went out to The Steps this morning. I arrived slightly before sunrise and was the only person there. Not a good sign. I fished my way upstream to where the creek enters the San Gabriel. I covered everything fairly well but after and hour I hadn't gotten a bite.

I left and went over to Willis creek. It had a 11 foot rise on Christmas day and another 1 foot rise last week so I was hoping it pulled up some fish. The creek was shallow near the bridge so I walked a long ways downstream to deeper still water. I worked my way upstream hitting multiple spots until I got to moving water. I didn't get a bite.

Both places seem setup for a good run. The Steps, in particular has plenty of flow and depth to kick off a run.

I stopped by the Somerville spillway on the way home and caught 5 small white bass, just so I didn't get skunked grin

[Linked Image] [Linked Image] [Linked Image]



Thanks for the positive report J-Moe, can’t wait for the steps to get kicked off. Did really good there this past season looking forward to another great run.
Posted By: J-Moe

Re: Lake Somerville - 01/15/24 03:30 PM

Lake Somerville is still 6 feet low. Waiting on that 6 inch rain to save the white bass run grin

I fished a creek in the Lake Houston watershed and one in the Trinity watershed on Saturday. I fished both places for about 45 minutes but didn't get a bite. The water in both was still slightly high and slightly silty.

First full moon of the year is on 1/25/24. Will that help pull the white bass further upstream?
Posted By: J-Moe

Re: Lake Somerville - 01/15/24 03:39 PM

Originally Posted by jsinn01
Yeah, might have to break down and get more into the fly fishing if the steps are my only option this year.


I have a special price on Magical Clousers for my friends. $25 each roflmao $100 each for Ben roflmao
Posted By: mojarra

Re: Lake Somerville - 01/16/24 02:39 AM

Is it a guaranteed limit if I purchase one for $100? Money is no object! I'll buy 2 and give Ben 1 cause I like his videos.
Posted By: J-Moe

Re: Lake Somerville - 01/16/24 01:55 PM

Originally Posted by mojarra
Is it a guaranteed limit if I purchase one for $100? Money is no object! I'll buy 2 and give Ben 1 cause I like his videos.


It's only guaranteed if I fill the stringer for you. grin You can have one for free if you pay $200 for Ben's grin

I wouldn't want to mess up his videos by having him catch more white bass than me roflmao
Posted By: jsinn01

Re: Lake Somerville - 01/18/24 10:57 PM

Originally Posted by J-Moe
Originally Posted by jsinn01
Yeah, might have to break down and get more into the fly fishing if the steps are my only option this year.


I have a special price on Magical Clousers for my friends. $25 each roflmao $100 each for Ben roflmao


What a steal of a deal. 🤣
Posted By: jsinn01

Re: Lake Somerville - 01/18/24 10:58 PM

Now we just have to wait for the rivers and streams to unfreeze.
Posted By: Average Joe

Re: Lake Somerville - 01/19/24 01:14 AM

Originally Posted by jsinn01
Now we just have to wait for the rivers and streams to unfreeze.


Looks like we may get some rain soon!
Posted By: J-Moe

Re: Lake Somerville - 01/19/24 02:08 AM

I see that Average Joe. Predicting as much as 4 inches next week. I'll be watching the water data in the creeks.
Posted By: jsinn01

Re: Lake Somerville - 01/19/24 05:51 PM

Doing the rain dance. pollo
Posted By: B-Sal

Re: Lake Somerville - 01/22/24 06:29 PM

Well safe to say Granger will be at full pool shortly, any updates on Somerville?
Online is reflecting open gates last I checked
Posted By: LastCastPodcast

Re: Lake Somerville - 01/22/24 06:42 PM

This is looking promising.
[Linked Image]
Posted By: Trav281

Re: Lake Somerville - 01/22/24 08:59 PM

banana woot
Posted By: billyfish

Re: Lake Somerville - 01/23/24 12:22 AM

Yep it will be a little while to go to the steps. The river was out of its banks when I crossed the bridge on 95.
Posted By: B-Sal

Re: Lake Somerville - 01/23/24 12:58 AM

Originally Posted by billyfish
Yep it will be a little while to go to the steps. The river was out of its banks when I crossed the bridge on 95.



Yeah it’s above pool now and was rolling pretty good under the toll rd when I passed it
Posted By: J-Moe

Re: Lake Somerville - 01/23/24 01:13 PM

There was a 2 ft. rise in the Middle Yegua and a 4 foot rise in the East Yegua. The lake has risen to 232.5. 5.5 feet below normal. All the creeks in Brenham have water in them for the first time in a year.

As much as 2 inches predicted over the next 48 hours. The bands of rain continue to move across the Yegua watershed.
Posted By: jsinn01

Re: Lake Somerville - 01/23/24 06:43 PM

I guess my rain dance finally worked. grin
Posted By: LastCastPodcast

Re: Lake Somerville - 01/23/24 06:54 PM

The flows along the San Gabriel are looking good. It's been a while since there was enough water at Camp Tejas to be worth a trip. Think I might swing by The Steps this weekend.
Posted By: B-Sal

Re: Lake Somerville - 01/23/24 08:15 PM

So looking forward to see if yegua gets a good run, really would like another shot at some hybrids
Posted By: texasangler223

Re: Lake Somerville - 01/23/24 09:02 PM

Where are the steps??
Posted By: LastCastPodcast

Re: Lake Somerville - 01/23/24 09:34 PM

Originally Posted by texasangler223
Where are the steps??

At the inflow into Granger Lake. In season you can't miss it, there's lotsa trucks parked on the shoulders.
Posted By: J-Moe

Re: Lake Somerville - 01/23/24 10:00 PM

The heavy bands of rain have moved east of the Yegua watershed bang bang

Keep doing the rain dance, maybe we can slide it back to the west. pollo pollo
Posted By: J-Moe

Re: Lake Somerville - 01/23/24 10:03 PM

Originally Posted by texasangler223
Where are the steps??


It's off highway 347, just north of Circleville. Some maps call it Dickenson Bottom.
Posted By: J-Moe

Re: Lake Somerville - 01/23/24 10:08 PM

Originally Posted by B-Sal
So looking forward to see if yegua gets a good run, really would like another shot at some hybrids


I personally don't catch a lot of them during the white bass run. I have better luck during the shad spawn on the main lake in May. And, of course, below the dam when the COE has been releasing a large amount of water for a week or so.

Maybe you have a secret your not sharing hmmm
Posted By: B-Sal

Re: Lake Somerville - 01/23/24 10:45 PM

Originally Posted by J-Moe
Originally Posted by B-Sal
So looking forward to see if yegua gets a good run, really would like another shot at some hybrids


I personally don't catch a lot of them during the white bass run. I have better luck during the shad spawn on the main lake in May. And, of course, below the dam when the COE has been releasing a large amount of water for a week or so.

Maybe you have a secret your not sharing hmmm



Well the last 2 years I know of two being caught around the 3-5 bends up from the trail way bridge
Posted By: B-Sal

Re: Lake Somerville - 01/23/24 10:57 PM

[Linked Image]
[Linked Image]


Had the trailway all to ourselves that afternoon
Posted By: J-Moe

Re: Lake Somerville - 01/24/24 11:12 AM

Nice Fish B-Sal.
Posted By: J-Moe

Re: Lake Somerville - 01/24/24 11:18 AM

Lake level is 233.34. 4.66 feet below normal.

The middle Yegua is up 2.5 feet. The East Yegua is up 7 feet.

Weather forecast is for another inch of rain today.
Posted By: Boudreaux

Re: Lake Somerville - 01/24/24 01:46 PM

Originally Posted by jsinn01
Doing the rain dance. pollo


You can stop now...
Posted By: fishytx

Re: Lake Somerville - 01/24/24 01:47 PM

Last 24 hours the lake has come up 1.2 feet. Still climbing, so we can only hope it reaches full.pool. I live in the water shed of west Yegua and we have had over five inches of rain. It rained.pretty good last night, I have yet to check my rain gauge. But the ground can no longer hold the water, so anything that falls will be run off into the creeks.
Posted By: fishytx

Re: Lake Somerville - 01/24/24 03:12 PM

Last year was a huge.mile stone for me in this sport of catching white bass during the spawn. 50 years streight without skipping a year, I've caught spawning white bass. I am dealing with some health issues these days, but I plan to do my best to hit the creeks and rivers this year. My freezer is empty, first time in fifty years I ran out of fish filets. So I'm on a mission to restock it. Last year I caught some good numbers, but over half of my catch were small fish. Hope some bigger fish make it upstream this year. Let me rephrase something. I couldn't find the bigger fish bite. I saw several guys who caught a number of limits with some decent fish, but I couldn't find the bigger ones. Big ones or small ones, I still had fun last year. Really looking forward to this year's fishing trips. I'll probably see several of you out there, so let the 2024 spawn begin.
Posted By: J-Moe

Re: Lake Somerville - 01/24/24 04:05 PM

As y'all may recall. Last year we thought the run wasn't going to happen but then we got a big rain and even though the lake was 5 feet low the fish still made it upstream.

The Yegua watershed is still getting rain and the creeks are still rising. I don't know about y'all but I got a good feeling I'll be catching Yegua white bass in the next couple of weeks grin

Nails and Cedar will usually clear before the Yegua so there's a good chance they might produce as well for a short period of time.
Posted By: shanetx

Re: Lake Somerville - 01/24/24 04:25 PM

Haven't had my boat on Somerville since since Aug 30th when I got stuck on some underwater features by the dam. This looks promising!

Since you guys all seem to be working the streams, any tips for someone boating on the other side looking for their first white bass (Im new to all this)
Posted By: Average Joe

Re: Lake Somerville - 01/24/24 05:02 PM

Originally Posted by fishytx
Last year was a huge.mile stone for me in this sport of catching white bass during the spawn. 50 years streight without skipping a year, I've caught spawning white bass. I am dealing with some health issues these days, but I plan to do my best to hit the creeks and rivers this year. My freezer is empty, first time in fifty years I ran out of fish filets. So I'm on a mission to restock it. Last year I caught some good numbers, but over half of my catch were small fish. Hope some bigger fish make it upstream this year. Let me rephrase something. I couldn't find the bigger fish bite. I saw several guys who caught a number of limits with some decent fish, but I couldn't find the bigger ones. Big ones or small ones, I still had fun last year. Really looking forward to this year's fishing trips. I'll probably see several of you out there, so let the 2024 spawn begin.


The professor! See you out there!
Posted By: J-Moe

Re: Lake Somerville - 01/24/24 05:05 PM

Originally Posted by fishytx
Last year was a huge.mile stone for me in this sport of catching white bass during the spawn. 50 years streight without skipping a year, I've caught spawning white bass.


And 50 years of teaching people the Fishytx method of catching spawning white bass. There are people all over the region throwing a 1/32 ounce white marabou jig. And will be for generations to come. Thank you Doug bow_down
Posted By: Boudreaux

Re: Lake Somerville - 01/24/24 05:50 PM

If the water gets high enough for me to get my boat up the Creeks, I will be running guided trips again on Somerville. Duck-Tails Guide Service, USCG Master Capt.
Posted By: RedRaider646

Re: Lake Somerville - 01/24/24 06:43 PM

As the resident meteorologist, I would say chances are good that we can get close to full pool. There has been a lot of rain on the southside of the watershed where there are no streamflow gauges on Nails and Cedar creeks. [Linked Image]
Posted By: Average Joe

Re: Lake Somerville - 01/24/24 08:40 PM

Need to be full pool for the white bass to make it up stream?
Posted By: B-Sal

Re: Lake Somerville - 01/24/24 09:09 PM

Originally Posted by Average Joe
Need to be full pool for the white bass to make it up stream?



Not necessarily but the more the better. Like Jmoe said we had a run with it 5 ft below pool.
With these fish where there’s a will there’s a way.
Posted By: EllerTroy

Re: Lake Somerville - 01/24/24 09:33 PM

I can’t wait to be out at the Yegua. I’ve been fishing there for 40 years or so and just love the place. Anybody know how the Llano River is doing. If it got enough rain to come up any.
Posted By: EllerTroy

Re: Lake Somerville - 01/24/24 09:46 PM

I have a box a 1/32 oz blue bucktails waiting since last year.
Posted By: jsinn01

Re: Lake Somerville - 01/25/24 02:28 AM

Originally Posted by EllerTroy
I can’t wait to be out at the Yegua. I’ve been fishing there for 40 years or so and just love the place. Anybody know how the Llano River is doing. If it got enough rain to come up any.


Between you and 'Fishytx' there's 90 years of white bass fishing experience. fish
Posted By: jsinn01

Re: Lake Somerville - 01/25/24 02:32 AM

Here in Austin the rain bands are still pushing through tonight. Heavy rain too.
Posted By: LoveThoseCrappie

Re: Lake Somerville - 01/25/24 03:21 AM

Looks like I'm gonna get all my gear ready!
Posted By: EllerTroy

Re: Lake Somerville - 01/25/24 03:32 AM

Even with 40 years of fishing there, I still learn new things every year.
Posted By: J-Moe

Re: Lake Somerville - 01/25/24 11:32 AM

Lake Level is 235.25 ft. 2.75 feet below normal. The East Yegua has risen over 8 feet. The middle Yegua is up over 5 feet. The creeks haven't peaked so there's still a lot of water left to drain into the lake.
Posted By: fishytx

Re: Lake Somerville - 01/25/24 02:11 PM

With this much water coming down the creek, the white should be going upstream. Let's hope they fill the creeks this year. I'm ready to hit Irwin bridge.
Posted By: J-Moe

Re: Lake Somerville - 01/25/24 02:29 PM

Originally Posted by EllerTroy
Anybody know how the Llano River is doing. If it got enough rain to come up any.


The USGS water data shows a rise of only a few inches. I tried fishing the slab at Kingsland a few years ago with no luck. I've always wanted to go back and give it another try.
Posted By: fishytx

Re: Lake Somerville - 01/25/24 02:37 PM

Pretty amazing how effective those small white jigs are. I have thrown so many different shapes and sizes of artificial baits at these whites trying to find something they could not resist. Hands down, these small white jigs out preform all other artificial baits. Anglers give me a strange stare when they see me grinding my white jig into the mud at the shore lines edge. Some will ask me why am doing this and others will just watch and wonder what is wrong with this guy. Lol But it's all good.
Those white bass are swimming upstream as we speak. Good fishing reports posted are just a few days away. That wishful dream we always have for some rain to fall so it will bring the fish up has happened. Yes, we have been blessed with the rain. We need the rain to come and go through the next few months to keep a good flow of water going.
Posted By: Boudreaux

Re: Lake Somerville - 01/25/24 03:14 PM

Even with the water a foot below pool I can get my boat up the Yegua. Before the rains, the Creeks only connected to the main lake by mer inches of water. At the current level, they should be able to run up there.
Posted By: fishytx

Re: Lake Somerville - 01/25/24 04:38 PM

I have no idea how fish know when it's safe to swim upstream to spawn or when it's not, but they do. When they go upstream they also know when the water flow slows down and it reaches a point where their safety to return to the lake is compromised, they will haul butt to get back into their home waters, the lake. Just a survival instinct they are born with.
Cedar creek will flood, the fish will run up there and if you catch it on the right day, you can limit out in a few hours. Return next day and all of the fish are gone. They come and go quicker in this creek than I have ever seen in any other body of water. Some times you can get about three good days of great fishing, but you have to go over there and try it out.
Posted By: Average Joe

Re: Lake Somerville - 01/25/24 05:08 PM

Originally Posted by fishytx
Pretty amazing how effective those small white jigs are. I have thrown so many different shapes and sizes of artificial baits at these whites trying to find something they could not resist. Hands down, these small white jigs out preform all other artificial baits. Anglers give me a strange stare when they see me grinding my white jig into the mud at the shore lines edge. Some will ask me why am doing this and others will just watch and wonder what is wrong with this guy. Lol But it's all good.
Those white bass are swimming upstream as we speak. Good fishing reports posted are just a few days away. That wishful dream we always have for some rain to fall so it will bring the fish up has happened. Yes, we have been blessed with the rain. We need the rain to come and go through the next few months to keep a good flow of water going.



More rain in the forecast next week!
Posted By: J-Moe

Re: Lake Somerville - 01/25/24 05:23 PM

Originally Posted by fishytx
Pretty amazing how effective those small white jigs are. I have thrown so many different shapes and sizes of artificial baits at these whites trying to find something they could not resist. Hands down, these small white jigs out preform all other artificial baits.


Objection, Your Honor. Please clarify the meaning of artificial baits.

I propose that the Magical Clouser is the greatest White Bass bait in the World grin

[Linked Image]
Posted By: shanetx

Re: Lake Somerville - 01/25/24 05:42 PM

Do they run up Nails Creek or only Yegua and to be clear this is the inlet just north of the flag pond on the far east side of the lake?

Since i got my boat late just this year I have been focused on the dam side of the lake due to levels. Haven't been back up my Nails since that previous flood in the summer.
Posted By: jsinn01

Re: Lake Somerville - 01/25/24 06:24 PM

Originally Posted by shanetx
Do they run up Nails Creek or only Yegua and to be clear this is the inlet just north of the flag pond on the far east side of the lake?

Since i got my boat late just this year I have been focused on the dam side of the lake due to levels. Haven't been back up my Nails since that previous flood in the summer.


They run up Nails, just not in the numbers or as consistently as the Yegua.
Posted By: J-Moe

Re: Lake Somerville - 01/25/24 07:39 PM

Originally Posted by shanetx
Do they run up Nails Creek or only Yegua and to be clear this is the inlet just north of the flag pond on the far east side of the lake?

Since i got my boat late just this year I have been focused on the dam side of the lake due to levels. Haven't been back up my Nails since that previous flood in the summer.


The inlet to Nails is 3/4 mile east of the Somerville state park boat ramp. The Flag pond cut runs from flag pond down into Nails.
Posted By: JonL

Re: Lake Somerville - 01/26/24 03:26 AM

I am so ready for the Yegua to go off. I fished Willis creek once and the Steps once last year and caught some but there's nothing like the Yegua white bass. They are usually bigger and fight harder. Thank you Rain Gods for giving us this rain in the right places. Looking forward to seeing everyone out on the Yegua again. Been a couple years. Last year I went there it was magical. Limited out everytime I went. I just hope to do half as good.
Posted By: Boudreaux

Re: Lake Somerville - 01/26/24 03:39 AM

Originally Posted by shanetx
Do they run up Nails Creek or only Yegua and to be clear this is the inlet just north of the flag pond on the far east side of the lake?

Since i got my boat late just this year I have been focused on the dam side of the lake due to levels. Haven't been back up my Nails since that previous flood in the summer.



They will run up both, however the majority seem to go up Yegua. Also, those creeks aren't easy those creeks aren't easily navigated in just any boat. You have to be extremely careful trying to get into the Creeks or you will run around. I always run my duck boat in there cause it's made to handle that type of stuff
Posted By: J-Moe

Re: Lake Somerville - 01/26/24 12:26 PM

Lake level is 236.33 ft. 1.67 feet below normal. The East Yegua is still 7 feet above normal.
Posted By: fishytx

Re: Lake Somerville - 01/26/24 01:04 PM

Originally Posted by J-Moe
Originally Posted by fishytx
Pretty amazing how effective those small white jigs are. I have thrown so many different shapes and sizes of artificial baits at these whites trying to find something they could not resist. Hands down, these small white jigs out preform all other artificial baits.


Objection, Your Honor. Please clarify the meaning of artificial baits.

I propose that the Magical Clouser is the greatest White Bass bait in the World grin

[Linked Image]

Well I have to agree with you j-moe on those closers. Maybe I should say the white jig is the best artificial bait to use on a ultralight spinning rod. If I could cast that clouser out, I would use them. I have seen anglers with a fly rod just tear them up, and they wouldn't touch that jig. When I use to tie my own jigs with buck tail hair to resemble a minnow, they actually work better than the plane white.
Posted By: shanetx

Re: Lake Somerville - 01/26/24 01:11 PM

Originally Posted by Boudreaux
Originally Posted by shanetx
Do they run up Nails Creek or only Yegua and to be clear this is the inlet just north of the flag pond on the far east side of the lake?

Since i got my boat late just this year I have been focused on the dam side of the lake due to levels. Haven't been back up my Nails since that previous flood in the summer.



They will run up both, however the majority seem to go up Yegua. Also, those creeks aren't easy those creeks aren't easily navigated in just any boat. You have to be extremely careful trying to get into the Creeks or you will run around. I always run my duck boat in there cause it's made to handle that type of stuff


Thanks for the Tips and yes I do not even like taking my boat past Birch Unit let alone up the creeks. I once launched at nails when it was in flood stage and still ripped off my transducer on something. I tend to stay over by the marina side but i hope to trying to find them staging. Never caught one of these things before looking forward to the challenge.

Any updates on debris? I assume by hopefully Wednesday it would clear up a bit. Im planning to take that day off work and head out there..
Posted By: johnnyFisherman

Re: Lake Somerville - 01/26/24 01:59 PM

It surprised me that with all the water in the creeks, the level did not keep increasing as fast as the past few days.
I would have expected to reach 237 at least by this morning.
J-Moe with all the water running into the lake, do you think it will get above 237 by Sunday?
Posted By: shanetx

Re: Lake Somerville - 01/26/24 02:16 PM

12 hours prior 236.04

1 hour prior 236.38
-------------------------------------

.34 inch per 12 hours (but will be decreasing now post crest)

Currently -1.62 below flood pool

[Linked Image]

Creek still seems to be crested..

I think 237 is a good bet by/before Monday
Posted By: Boudreaux

Re: Lake Somerville - 01/26/24 02:44 PM

Originally Posted by shanetx
Originally Posted by Boudreaux
Originally Posted by shanetx
Do they run up Nails Creek or only Yegua and to be clear this is the inlet just north of the flag pond on the far east side of the lake?

Since i got my boat late just this year I have been focused on the dam side of the lake due to levels. Haven't been back up my Nails since that previous flood in the summer.



They will run up both, however the majority seem to go up Yegua. Also, those creeks aren't easy those creeks aren't easily navigated in just any boat. You have to be extremely careful trying to get into the Creeks or you will run around. I always run my duck boat in there cause it's made to handle that type of stuff


Thanks for the Tips and yes I do not even like taking my boat past Birch Unit let alone up the creeks. I once launched at nails when it was in flood stage and still ripped off my transducer on something. I tend to stay over by the marina side but i hope to trying to find them staging. Never caught one of these things before looking forward to the challenge.

Any updates on debris? I assume by hopefully Wednesday it would clear up a bit. Im planning to take that day off work and head out there..


I'm a fully licensed guide, if you'd like a run up the Creeks and give you a grand your of the west side, id be happy to get you out. Once the water settles should a good start
Posted By: J-Moe

Re: Lake Somerville - 01/26/24 03:07 PM

Originally Posted by johnnyFisherman
It surprised me that with all the water in the creeks, the level did not keep increasing as fast as the past few days.
I would have expected to reach 237 at least by this morning.
J-Moe with all the water running into the lake, do you think it will get above 237 by Sunday?


Yes Sir, I believe it will. The East Yegua is draining slow. Which means there's still a lot of water to drain and enough pressure to keep up a good pace.
Posted By: shanetx

Re: Lake Somerville - 01/26/24 03:26 PM

Originally Posted by Boudreaux
Originally Posted by shanetx
Originally Posted by Boudreaux
Originally Posted by shanetx
Do they run up Nails Creek or only Yegua and to be clear this is the inlet just north of the flag pond on the far east side of the lake?

Since i got my boat late just this year I have been focused on the dam side of the lake due to levels. Haven't been back up my Nails since that previous flood in the summer.



They will run up both, however the majority seem to go up Yegua. Also, those creeks aren't easy those creeks aren't easily navigated in just any boat. You have to be extremely careful trying to get into the Creeks or you will run around. I always run my duck boat in there cause it's made to handle that type of stuff


Thanks for the Tips and yes I do not even like taking my boat past Birch Unit let alone up the creeks. I once launched at nails when it was in flood stage and still ripped off my transducer on something. I tend to stay over by the marina side but i hope to trying to find them staging. Never caught one of these things before looking forward to the challenge.

Any updates on debris? I assume by hopefully Wednesday it would clear up a bit. Im planning to take that day off work and head out there..


I'm a fully licensed guide, if you'd like a run up the Creeks and give you a grand your of the west side, id be happy to get you out. Once the water settles should a good start



Shame they wont open the duck blinds for last 2 days? If I struggle Tuesday and Wednesday you maybe hearing from me : )
Posted By: EllerTroy

Re: Lake Somerville - 01/26/24 05:44 PM

Everybody needs to remember that as the lake rises it takes more volume of water to make it rise more.
Posted By: shanetx

Re: Lake Somerville - 01/26/24 07:23 PM

Originally Posted by EllerTroy
Everybody needs to remember that as the lake rises it takes more volume of water to make it rise more.


Goodpoint

236.51 now

crazy how much water is in when you look at these stats


1 week ago 90,047 Reservoir Storage (acre-ft)
Today 132,238 Reservoir Storage (acre-ft)
Posted By: Average Joe

Re: Lake Somerville - 01/26/24 07:46 PM

This site shows it is full pool. Not sure if accurate.
238.23
http://somerville.lakesonline.com/Level/
Posted By: J-Moe

Re: Lake Somerville - 01/26/24 07:52 PM

Drove out to Jerdelle Creek at noon. There was a big rise but it's back down and backed up at the bridge.

[Linked Image] [Linked Image]
Posted By: J-Moe

Re: Lake Somerville - 01/26/24 08:32 PM

Originally Posted by shanetx
Originally Posted by EllerTroy
Everybody needs to remember that as the lake rises it takes more volume of water to make it rise more.

Goodpoint
236.51 now
crazy how much water is in when you look at these stats
1 week ago 90,047 Reservoir Storage (acre-ft)
Today 132,238 Reservoir Storage (acre-ft)


You guys need to stop dumping on my optimistic viewpoint by introducing facts into the conversation. It's really disheartening roflmao
Posted By: fishytx

Re: Lake Somerville - 01/26/24 08:51 PM

When you are out on this lake in a boat, this lake is wide and it holds a lot of water. It might be shallow,but it's wide and it covers some area. But I truly believe this rain fall will fill the lake and whites are running upstream as we speak. Their reproduction organs already have eggs and so forth, they are not fully developed, but these guys are ready to go to town. I really caught them good in December one year and they had eggs.
Posted By: fishytx

Re: Lake Somerville - 01/26/24 09:05 PM

Red head jig with a chartreuse or white curly tail works pretty good in this cold muddy water. Or that's what I've seen people catch them on in the past while fishing this type of water conditions we have right now. But if you go while the water is high, be careful. That mud is so slippery and if you were to slide in, you could get hung up in some brush. I know I've gone down there on days that I shouldn't have. And I was out there a ways by myself. If I had gotten into trouble, there was no one there to help me out. I have seen a few slide into the water, but they just got real wet. I've slid in a few times. I was ten feet away from the water line when the slide started and I did not stop till I was in the water. Normal water, but it was raining and the banks were horrible to walk on. Slick as all get out.
Posted By: johnnyFisherman

Re: Lake Somerville - 01/26/24 10:03 PM

The U.S. Corps website says 236.58 ft at this time Friday, the 26th 4:00 PM.
Not sure if their website is behind?
Posted By: hook-line&sinker

Re: Lake Somerville - 01/27/24 03:43 AM

Pool elevation is 236.71 feet on 26Jan2024 Time: 2000 hours. (8PM) and it's still raining with lots of water coming into the lake..
And if the lake goes above pool level of 238 that is all the better..makes it easy for the whitebass to access all the creeks safely and in bigger numbers..
Posted By: J-Moe

Re: Lake Somerville - 01/27/24 11:00 AM

Lake level is 236.83. 1.17 foot below normal. The East Yegua is still 6.5 feet above normal so still more water left to drain.
Posted By: TxSwimbaiter

Re: Lake Somerville - 01/27/24 02:25 PM

Lots of debris in the lake.
Posted By: J-Moe

Re: Lake Somerville - 01/27/24 10:09 PM

It has begun banana banana

I fished Nails this morning. The white bass were moving upstream in the shallower water close to the bank and there was spawning going on. Lots of activity.

I tried fishing with a sink tip line but had no luck so I switched to a floating line, found some slower moving water and was able to start catching fish. The flow is still high and visibility was only a couple inches.

As you can see, that's one of Fishytx's marabou jigs hanging out of the fish's mouth. It was the champion today. The fish were on bottom and the presentation was slow.

I ended up catching 27 today. 3 or 4 big females too!!! It was a great day spent with Ray and Ben who also caught lots of white bass.

[Linked Image]
Posted By: Average Joe

Re: Lake Somerville - 01/28/24 01:21 AM

Originally Posted by J-Moe
It has begun banana banana

I fished Nails this morning. The white bass were moving upstream in the shallower water close to the bank and there was spawning going on. Lots of activity.

I tried fishing with a sink tip line but had no luck so I switched to a floating line, found some slower moving water and was able to start catching fish. The flow is still high and visibility was only a couple inches.

As you can see, that's one of Fishytx's marabou jigs hanging out of the fish's mouth. It was the champion today. The fish were on bottom and the presentation was slow.

I ended up catching 27 today. 3 or 4 big females too!!! It was a great day spent with Ray and Ben who also caught lots of white bass.

[Linked Image]






Heck yeah!! Thanks for the report. Unfortunately I won't be able to make it out till end of February. : (
Posted By: Boudreaux

Re: Lake Somerville - 01/28/24 02:09 AM

Tomorrow 1/28/24 is the last day of duck season in case any of you were planning on going into the WMA or paddling out to the creek. Just be mindful.
Posted By: hook-line&sinker

Re: Lake Somerville - 01/28/24 05:14 AM

Posted By: J-Moe

Re: Lake Somerville - 01/28/24 11:34 AM

Lake level is 237.09. 0.91 ft below normal. Both the middle and east Yegua are 2.5 ft above normal.
Posted By: texasangler223

Re: Lake Somerville - 01/28/24 04:11 PM

Anyone fish Yegua yet?
Posted By: J-Moe

Re: Lake Somerville - 01/28/24 07:42 PM

Fished Nails Creek again this morning. I caught 36 white bass, 6 crappie and 2 buffalo. Water is dropping quickly.

[Linked Image]
[Linked Image][Linked Image]
Posted By: jsinn01

Re: Lake Somerville - 01/28/24 07:47 PM

Damn! Nice catch, J-Moe. How long did it take you to land that Buffalo?
Posted By: JonL

Re: Lake Somerville - 01/28/24 07:54 PM

Getting my reels respooled with fresh line and ordered a bunch of my go to jigs from Arkie lures. Thank you Lord for the rain we needed to get these fish up the creeks for our enjoyment. I was talking to my cousin Eller Troy a few weeks ago and we said it looks like no Yegua fishing this year again which we were truly sad about. We were planning trips to the steps but we prefer the Yegua because it's what we know. Looking forward to taking the 1hour 40 minute drive one way from my house to catch those hard fighting big white bass. See yall out there.
Posted By: J-Moe

Re: Lake Somerville - 01/28/24 11:30 PM

Originally Posted by jsinn01
Damn! Nice catch, J-Moe. How long did it take you to land that Buffalo?


They're a lot easier to land when you catch them in the mouth vs. snagging them by the tail roflmao

It did take about 5 minutes though. He kept trying to run me into the bushes. Made a couple runs and finally tried to sit on the bottom grin
Posted By: J-Moe

Re: Lake Somerville - 01/28/24 11:34 PM

Originally Posted by texasangler223
Anyone fish Yegua yet?

It's still to high, flowing to hard and muddy. I checked on the Middle Yegua as well. Same condition.
Posted By: EllerTroy

Re: Lake Somerville - 01/29/24 12:50 AM

I will be there in the morning.
Posted By: Boudreaux

Re: Lake Somerville - 01/29/24 01:53 AM

Ran Yegua today from the main lake up past Wolf pond. Yegua is still high and fast. Water flowing over the bank at the mouth of the creek. Lake level will rise a bit more this week I'm sure. Fish activity everywhere. Picked up a fat female white full of eggs. Wasn't even trying lol
Posted By: J-Moe

Re: Lake Somerville - 01/29/24 12:52 PM

Lake Level is 237.2 feet. 0.8 foot below normal. The East and Middle Yegua are still about 1.5 feet above normal.
Posted By: hook-line&sinker

Re: Lake Somerville - 01/29/24 02:34 PM

It was good to see lots of folks on Nails yesterday and many full stringers..
It's very important visitor traffic for the Lake Somerville State Park.

Most importantly be kind and respectful to one another and Mother Nature leaving only footprints and taking only fish for dinner!

Please do not litter.. if you tote it in... Take it out!
Posted By: TXfisherman12

Re: Lake Somerville - 01/29/24 08:25 PM

Thank you all for the reports. I might try and make it up there sometime this week.
Posted By: EllerTroy

Re: Lake Somerville - 01/29/24 10:26 PM

It was slow today. I managed 13 big males. Must people had 2 to 3.
Posted By: J-Moe

Re: Lake Somerville - 01/30/24 12:37 AM

Originally Posted by EllerTroy
It was slow today. I managed 13 big males. Must people had 2 to 3.


I went out this evening and caught 6. The water level is back to normal. I suspect this is the typical pattern with Nails. They rush up in there and then leave quickly, before they get trapped. It's a short window this time as the lake is still below normal. I would say 13 was a very good morning considering. Well Done

I'm thinking the Yegua should be fishable in the next few days.

Weatherman is predicting around an inch of rain late Friday night.
Posted By: EllerTroy

Re: Lake Somerville - 01/30/24 02:18 AM

I went to Eriein Bridge and the gate to parking lot is closed. Saw two fisherman on either side of the bridge and they both have 3 or 4. The creek was in its bands but really high. I think Newman’s Bottom would be flooded right now.
Posted By: J-Moe

Re: Lake Somerville - 01/30/24 11:16 AM

Lake Level is 237.26 feet. 0.74 ft below full pool and leveling out. The creeks are all within about a foot of normal.
Posted By: jsinn01

Re: Lake Somerville - 01/30/24 01:55 PM

Pretty bummed about the predicted rain storm on Friday/Saturday. Was hoping to get out there this weekend. It's been way too long. Almost impossible for me to make it out there during the week.
Posted By: shanetx

Re: Lake Somerville - 01/30/24 02:35 PM

Is the Nails creek state park boat ramp open? what is debris like?
Posted By: J-Moe

Re: Lake Somerville - 01/30/24 03:54 PM

Originally Posted by jsinn01
Pretty bummed about the predicted rain storm on Friday/Saturday. Was hoping to get out there this weekend. It's been way too long. Almost impossible for me to make it out there during the week.


Sounds like a lot of excuses to me. I'll lend you a rain coat. roflmao
Posted By: JILAS

Re: Lake Somerville - 01/30/24 04:07 PM

3 things I tell my wife when fishing in "possible" rain.
1) Hook will get wet when hits water
2) Fish are already wet
3) Nothing else matters

Her stern reply - You are 12 short of a dozen!!
Posted By: J-Moe

Re: Lake Somerville - 01/30/24 04:40 PM

Originally Posted by JILAS
3 things I tell my wife when fishing in "possible" rain.
1) Hook will get wet when hits water
2) Fish are already wet
3) Nothing else matters

Her stern reply - You are 12 short of a dozen!!


Literally laughing out loud, that's funny laugh I told my wife she wouldn't be seeing me until April roflmao
Posted By: jsinn01

Re: Lake Somerville - 01/30/24 05:11 PM

Originally Posted by J-Moe
Originally Posted by jsinn01
Pretty bummed about the predicted rain storm on Friday/Saturday. Was hoping to get out there this weekend. It's been way too long. Almost impossible for me to make it out there during the week.


Sounds like a lot of excuses to me. I'll lend you a rain coat. roflmao


Lol. More worried about the creek conditions than getting a little wet. 😉
Posted By: TXfisherman12

Re: Lake Somerville - 01/30/24 08:00 PM

The banks along the creeks can get dangerously slippery when they are wet. I have taken my share of spills including the same spot on nails 2 years in a row. Lucky I didn’t tear up my knee or worse.
Posted By: jsinn01

Re: Lake Somerville - 01/30/24 08:57 PM

For this reason, I always bring a change of clothes with me. Better safe than sorry. I've fallen in on more than one occasion. I mean, are you really trying if you haven't fallen in the drink a time or two? 😆
Posted By: Average Joe

Re: Lake Somerville - 01/30/24 10:02 PM

One time at Newmans, I had the bright idea of sliding down the banks to get closer to the water. It had recently rained so the banks were really muddy. It didn't occur to me how I would get back up after I had slide down. Took about 15 minutes to find a spot where I could slowly climb back up and get some traction. blush
Posted By: fishytx

Re: Lake Somerville - 01/30/24 11:09 PM

Fished Nails Creek for a few hours and landed 8 whites. I kept seven for the grease. Best part, I still have the same jig on that I went there with. That you don't get to say very often. LOL Very little water flow in Nails. But I drove over to Irwin bridge to look at the Yegua creek and it's awesome. I had already bleed my fish,so I wasn't able to fish at the Yegua. Talked to J-moe and he was at Irwin bridge. He must have arrived just after I had left, but he was racking them up. He will post on this later I'm sure. Water in the Yegua is muddy, but it has a nice flow and plenty of fish.
Posted By: J-Moe

Re: Lake Somerville - 01/31/24 01:54 AM

The Yegua is heating up flame banana

I fished Irwin Bridge this evening. I caught 20 white bass. About half of them were small males. The water is still muddy with good flow. The fish still won't come up in the water column to take a fly so I continue to swim a Moe-Beta along the bottom to catch fish.

When I arrived there was a guy leaving with a limit of white bass. He said the bite was much better in the morning. That's been my experience so far too.

There were another 8 or 10 people fishing in the area around the bridge. They all had 4 or 5 whites on a stringer. There were lots of throw backs as well.

Every day, at least until Saturday, should improve greatly. Go get um!!!!


[Linked Image]
Posted By: jsinn01

Re: Lake Somerville - 01/31/24 02:09 AM

Nice reports! Hope the rain doesn't screw things up too bad for the weekend.
Posted By: shanetx

Re: Lake Somerville - 01/31/24 02:09 PM

I know this is bank fishing but any confirmation of nails creek boat ramp being open for day use and useable?
Posted By: ladybluearm

Re: Lake Somerville - 01/31/24 03:29 PM

Call the office at nails creek park.
Posted By: shanetx

Re: Lake Somerville - 02/01/24 01:41 PM

Was trying to avoid them getting the 100th call but yes it is open if anyone was curious
Posted By: FISHINGFOOL40

Re: Lake Somerville - 02/01/24 02:51 PM

Originally Posted by shanetx
I know this is bank fishing but any confirmation of nails creek boat ramp being open for day use and useable?


Nails Creek State Park
Main# 979-289-2392

Called this morning, Boat Ramp is Open at Nails Creek State Park👍
But was told, there is still a lot off grass/vegetation buildup exiting ramp, 2 foot draft or less suggested😉

Parking/Gate at Irwin Bridge is open, but would still be careful where you park😉Newman's Bottom is closed, but you are allowed to park at gate and walk down👍
Posted By: Boudreaux

Re: Lake Somerville - 02/01/24 03:04 PM

For those of you running outboards and paddlecraft, be advised that there is a lot of grass and brush in the area between the ramps and the creeks. This stuff will wrap in your prop and hang up on anything you have in the water such as a stringer or minnow bucket. If you're going to travel up the creeks make sure you know where the channel is, lake is not a pool yet and have seen several folks getting stuck. That water on the south west side of the mouth is SHALLOW!
Posted By: JILAS

Re: Lake Somerville - 02/02/24 01:50 AM

Fish NB this morning. About 6 vehicles there. Caught ~12 WB all males, most 11"-12" with couple dinks.
Posted By: fishburrito

Re: Lake Somerville - 02/02/24 02:28 AM

I will be heading out tomorrow. Do you have to park at the gate and walk into Newman or is the parking lot open? Do they still have the self pay station at the gate?
Posted By: TXfisherman12

Re: Lake Somerville - 02/02/24 02:42 AM

[Linked Image]

Hit the creeks today and caught 20 WB, missed a handful others and caught a couple channel cats. All on the fly with most success on a bead head marabou jig. WB were nothing spectacular in size but many were keepers.
Posted By: jsinn01

Re: Lake Somerville - 02/02/24 02:47 AM

Nice catch! Water actually looks fairly clear in that picture.
Posted By: JILAS

Re: Lake Somerville - 02/02/24 03:35 PM

Newmans Bottom - Park at Pay Station. Road closed to parking area close to Yegua. Enjoy ~1 1/2 mile walk from Pay Station to Yegua Creek. Fished NB Thursday morning. 12+ WB mostly "clearly" keepers but no large ones. Spinning reel ultralight with white 1/16 1/8 oz jigs, WB preferred white versus chartreuse. However, a person had 4-5 using chartreuse "tandem Spec rig" fishing area 40-100 yards left of closed bridge.
Posted By: Boudreaux

Re: Lake Somerville - 02/02/24 04:41 PM

If you don't wanna walk to NB, I can take you there by boat.
Posted By: JonL

Re: Lake Somerville - 02/02/24 11:53 PM

My cousin Eller Troy and I went to Irwin Bridge this morning and we ended up with 18 total. The day I expected of full stringers for both did not happen. The water looks very fishable there and many holes that look great but no fish. Caught 10 in one hole, 6 in another and just one in a couple of other holes. I imagine Newman's Bottom would have been the place to go but I really enjoyed catching those white bass again after a 2 yr absence. Need one more good rain and it will really go off. Only had 1 female of the 18 fish. [Linked Image]
[Linked Image]
Posted By: jsinn01

Re: Lake Somerville - 02/03/24 12:17 AM

Dang! That's a pretty good catch in my book. Nice job.
Posted By: JonL

Re: Lake Somerville - 02/03/24 12:34 AM

Thanks. Jsinn01. Definitely have had worse days.
Posted By: JonL

Re: Lake Somerville - 02/03/24 12:40 AM

Anxiously waiting for the reports from Newman's Bottom.
Posted By: J-Moe

Re: Lake Somerville - 02/03/24 08:02 PM

Originally Posted by JonL
My cousin Eller Troy and I went to Irwin Bridge this morning and we ended up with 18 total. The day I expected of full stringers for both did not happen. The water looks very fishable there and many holes that look great but no fish. Caught 10 in one hole, 6 in another and just one in a couple of other holes. I imagine Newman's Bottom would have been the place to go but I really enjoyed catching those white bass again after a 2 yr absence. Need one more good rain and it will really go off. Only had 1 female of the 18 fish. [Linked Image]


How come the fish y'all catch always look bigger than the ones I catch? It's really annoying roflmao

Good start guys thumb
Posted By: J-Moe

Re: Lake Somerville - 02/03/24 08:05 PM

OFF TOPIC:

Fished the South Bosque from 7:45 to 8:45 AM on Friday morning without a bite.

Fished The Steps from 10 AM to 2 PM on Friday and caught 61.

Fished The Narrows Recreation area on Lake Travis this morning and didn't get a bite. Note, They have temporarily closed the park. The gate was locked up so I had to park outside the gate and walk in.
Posted By: J-Moe

Re: Lake Somerville - 02/03/24 08:11 PM

I checked out the creeks at noon today.
Yegua didn't really seem to have come up much. It was just muddier.
Nails came up only slightly and was muddier. Talked to a few people who had caught about 6. Same thing, early morning bite, then it went dead.
Cedar Creek was up, muddy and flowing hard. Maybe this will kick off some type of run on Cedar.
Jerdelle was up a bit, a bit muddier and backed up at the bridge.

Lake Level is 237.53 feet. 0.47 foot below normal.
Posted By: fishytx

Re: Lake Somerville - 02/03/24 09:29 PM

Originally Posted by J-Moe
I checked out the creeks at noon today.
Yegua didn't really seem to have come up much. It was just muddier.
Nails came up only slightly and was muddier. Talked to a few people who had caught about 6. Same thing, early morning bite, then it went dead.
Cedar Creek was up, muddy and flowing hard. Maybe this will kick off some type of run on Cedar.
Jerdelle was up a bit, a bit muddier and backed up at the bridge.

Lake Level is 237.53 feet. 0.47 foot below normal.


Just remember, it takes about 24 hours for the yegua to show signs of a rise after a good rain. West Yegua rain shed received about 3/4 of an inch last night. Only going by what fell at my place.
Posted By: jsinn01

Re: Lake Somerville - 02/03/24 11:05 PM

Thanks for the report, J-Moe. Probably headed out that way tomorrow, for better or worse. Just hope I don't get skunked.
Posted By: fishytx

Re: Lake Somerville - 02/04/24 12:46 AM

Originally Posted by jsinn01
Thanks for the report, J-Moe. Probably headed out that way tomorrow, for better or worse. Just hope I don't get skunked.

Good luck tomorrow. You might want to check out Cedat creek. It will probably be loaded with fish tomorrow.
Posted By: JonL

Re: Lake Somerville - 02/04/24 01:05 AM

Jmoe we have to catch heavier fish so we can try to keep up with the weight of your double our catch or more. roflmao
Posted By: greenyak

Re: Lake Somerville - 02/04/24 01:42 AM

[video:youtube]https://youtube.com/shorts/svzX7uAuXp4?si=micDR7FzhJfjUDK4[/video]. Yegua creek today
Posted By: jsinn01

Re: Lake Somerville - 02/04/24 04:20 AM

Originally Posted by fishytx
Originally Posted by jsinn01
Thanks for the report, J-Moe. Probably headed out that way tomorrow, for better or worse. Just hope I don't get skunked.

Good luck tomorrow. You might want to check out Cedat creek. It will probably be loaded with fish tomorrow.


Thanks for the tip. Yes, will probably give Cedar a try, and possibly Nails or Irwin Bridge.
Posted By: jsinn01

Re: Lake Somerville - 02/04/24 04:26 AM

Originally Posted by greenyak
[video:youtube]https://youtube.com/shorts/svzX7uAuXp4?si=micDR7FzhJfjUDK4[/video]. Yegua creek today


Looks like a good day out on the water. thumb
Posted By: FISHINGFOOL40

Re: Lake Somerville - 02/04/24 04:17 PM

Cedar Creek good flow, only fished by bridge, no luck...
Nails Creek good flow, didnt stop...
Have 10 speed bike, fixing to cruise down to NB...About 20+ vehicles here also👍
Tight Lines🎣🙏🤟

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Posted By: J-Moe

Re: Lake Somerville - 02/04/24 04:35 PM

[/quote]
Just remember, it takes about 24 hours for the yegua to show signs of a rise after a good rain. West Yegua rain shed received about 3/4 of an inch last night. Only going by what fell at my place.[/quote]

You are correct Master. The Yegua did come up some more. Nails came up even more (about 2 feet) and the fishing really picked back up in there today. Lot's of good stringers. I caught about 15 then went over to try Cedar. I fished the holes just upstream of the bridge but didn't get a bite.
Posted By: LastCastPodcast

Re: Lake Somerville - 02/04/24 05:55 PM

Originally Posted by J-Moe
OFF TOPIC:

Fished The Narrows Recreation area on Lake Travis this morning and didn't get a bite. Note, They have temporarily closed the park. The gate was locked up so I had to park outside the gate and walk in.

They haven't been releasing very much from the dams the past few weeks, I guess because of the flood stages downstream.
Posted By: jsinn01

Re: Lake Somerville - 02/04/24 08:42 PM

Fished Nails today and caught 9 white bass and one crappie. Like J-Moe said, good flow and good conditions right now. FISHINGFOOL, nice meeting you out there today. Glad I was finally able to get out and catch a few!
Posted By: FISHINGFOOL40

Re: Lake Somerville - 02/05/24 01:01 AM

Slow for me,but no skunk 😉🎣🤟
Double Rainbow was at Nails Creek,
lots of fish doing there thing right at Sunset🧐😉👍

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Posted By: jsinn01

Re: Lake Somerville - 02/05/24 01:46 AM

Bonus! Didn't think it was supposed to rain.
Posted By: Boudreaux

Re: Lake Somerville - 02/05/24 04:22 AM

Ran up to NB in the boat today, creek was moving and muddy. Took home 6 WB and a crappie
Posted By: Sumtin Fishy

Re: Lake Somerville - 02/05/24 05:07 PM

Went to NB this morning and got skunk water muddy and and 20 min walk was not fun 😑.
Posted By: fishytx

Re: Lake Somerville - 02/05/24 05:44 PM

I just knew people would pull some good stringers out of Cedar creek. The lake is just a hop and skip away from the bridge.
Posted By: J-Moe

Re: Lake Somerville - 02/05/24 05:50 PM

Originally Posted by Sumtin Fishy
Went to NB this morning and got skunk water muddy and and 20 min walk was not fun 😑.


Thanks for the report
Posted By: fishytx

Re: Lake Somerville - 02/06/24 02:32 PM

This has nothing to do with a fishing report. I went back on this Texas Fishing forum to see how long I've been posting fishing reports and my first
post was back in 2002. Posting reports are much easier today than it was back then. Back then I was just getting started on a computer and I remember I was scared of a computer back in 1997 to the.point where I did not get on it much. One day on the computer I went into a website for the Austin American Statesman news paper out of Austin and I read a fishing report. I made a comment on that report. Someone from the newspaper asked me if I would post my own fishing reports on their website, so I did post my next fishing trip. That was my first posted fishing trip. A few years later I found this site and I started posting on here. Then I joined two other fishing websites and I posted on all three. 27 years later and I'm still.posting on this site, the other two have since then closed down.
The reports I posted on my fishing trips on Fayette Lake caught the.most slack. Readers who read them did not belive them. They couldn't rap their head around the number if black bass I was catching. I mean when you write a report about catching 30 plus black bass, people question your fishing reports. I had to take total strangers out fishing with me so they could experience it first hand. But yeah, my fishing reports were to good to be true to most readers and I was called liar for so many years. But when I had a bad report to post, I posted them as well. But yeah, I spent years trying to explain to readers that I had nothing to gain by posting false fishing reports to look good. You can either read them and possibly gain knowledge from them or skip over them and move on, but I have no intentions to sugar coat or add extra stuff on my reports to look better than what they are. And posting a picture on a website back then was not easy, it was a real pain in the rear-end to post a picture on here.
Posted By: jsinn01

Re: Lake Somerville - 02/06/24 03:23 PM

In my opinion, bad reports are more useful than good ones. Might save me a three hour round trip drive if I know conditions are bad. thumb
Posted By: SomervilleFishing

Re: Lake Somerville - 02/06/24 04:13 PM

This is what I learn when visiting the posts here. Those posts (good/bad) save me a lot of traveling time from Houston.
Posted By: fishytx

Re: Lake Somerville - 02/06/24 06:45 PM

You guys are spot on. That is why I posted my bad fishing report, to save anglers gas money and time. That way they could fish a lake closer by, and get out and enjoy their weekend time. I fished Fayette Lake all the time and anglers driving from Austin and Houston didn't waste two hours of driving time. And I would reveal my fishing areas as.well as the artificial baits I used. I truly was out to help others as it should be. Only times I've held back on information is when I was out pre-fishing a body of water before a tournament. But that's to be expected.

Not sure how many people know this, but I sold my Ranger bass boat last year. My health issues prevent me from fishing. My lower back is really messed up, scoliosis. I also had four sections in my neck fuse last year. And to top it off, I also have emphysema. So walking these creeks and rivers have become a struggle to deal with. That's the reason I'm not on the water very much these days. I now try to go on days when I think I can stand in one place and catch a bunch of fish. Hauling a stringer of fish from one spot to another is no longer in my play book, just can't do it. That's kind a why I do more catch and release theses days. It sucks because I can't bring home fish to clean and my freezer is empty. Normally it is full of fish. In fact, I can't ever remember it being out of fish. But we can't stay young and healthy for ever. Growing older is the pits. Ok, no more whining. I'm gonna to try to get out tomorrow, not real sure where I'll fish, but it's in my plans. I've been staying home nursing my wife, she had surgery last Friday. She seems a lot better today, so if she stays on track, I should be able to slip off and fish a few hours. Fingers crossed.
Posted By: monstermaggie

Re: Lake Somerville - 02/06/24 07:00 PM

Tomorrow I get once in a year fishing day lol. What do you all say? I’m in Austin. Somerville is 1.5 hr and the steps is 1hr. Should I go NB or nails or cedar creek? Or should I just go to steps smile. Thanks.
Posted By: jsinn01

Re: Lake Somerville - 02/06/24 07:25 PM

Originally Posted by monstermaggie
Tomorrow I get once in a year fishing day lol. What do you all say? I’m in Austin. Somerville is 1.5 hr and the steps is 1hr. Should I go NB or nails or cedar creek? Or should I just go to steps smile. Thanks.


If it's me I'm going to Cedar, Nails is backup, and Steps is backup backup. Sounds like Irwin/NB is still flooded. Good luck!
Posted By: jsinn01

Re: Lake Somerville - 02/06/24 07:27 PM

Originally Posted by fishytx
You guys are spot on. That is why I posted my bad fishing report, to save anglers gas money and time. That way they could fish a lake closer by, and get out and enjoy their weekend time. I fished Fayette Lake all the time and anglers driving from Austin and Houston didn't waste two hours of driving time. And I would reveal my fishing areas as.well as the artificial baits I used. I truly was out to help others as it should be. Only times I've held back on information is when I was out pre-fishing a body of water before a tournament. But that's to be expected.

Not sure how many people know this, but I sold my Ranger bass boat last year. My health issues prevent me from fishing. My lower back is really messed up, scoliosis. I also had four sections in my neck fuse last year. And to top it off, I also have emphysema. So walking these creeks and rivers have become a struggle to deal with. That's the reason I'm not on the water very much these days. I now try to go on days when I think I can stand in one place and catch a bunch of fish. Hauling a stringer of fish from one spot to another is no longer in my play book, just can't do it. That's kind a why I do more catch and release theses days. It sucks because I can't bring home fish to clean and my freezer is empty. Normally it is full of fish. In fact, I can't ever remember it being out of fish. But we can't stay young and healthy for ever. Growing older is the pits. Ok, no more whining. I'm gonna to try to get out tomorrow, not real sure where I'll fish, but it's in my plans. I've been staying home nursing my wife, she had surgery last Friday. She seems a lot better today, so if she stays on track, I should be able to slip off and fish a few hours. Fingers crossed.


Really appreciate all your posts over the years. I've learned a lot from them. Hope you are able to get out tomorrow.
Posted By: fishytx

Re: Lake Somerville - 02/06/24 10:07 PM

Originally Posted by jsinn01
Originally Posted by fishytx
You guys are spot on. That is why I posted my bad fishing report, to save anglers gas money and time. That way they could fish a lake closer by, and get out and enjoy their weekend time. I fished Fayette Lake all the time and anglers driving from Austin and Houston didn't waste two hours of driving time. And I would reveal my fishing areas as.well as the artificial baits I used. I truly was out to help others as it should be. Only times I've held back on information is when I was out pre-fishing a body of water before a tournament. But that's to be expected.

Not sure how many people know this, but I sold my Ranger bass boat last year. My health issues prevent me from fishing. My lower back is really messed up, scoliosis. I also had four sections in my neck fuse last year. And to top it off, I also have emphysema. So walking these creeks and rivers have become a struggle to deal with. That's the reason I'm not on the water very much these days. I now try to go on days when I think I can stand in one place and catch a bunch of fish. Hauling a stringer of fish from one spot to another is no longer in my play book, just can't do it. That's kind a why I do more catch and release theses days. It sucks because I can't bring home fish to clean and my freezer is empty. Normally it is full of fish. In fact, I can't ever remember it being out of fish. But we can't stay young and healthy for ever. Growing older is the pits. Ok, no more whining. I'm gonna to try to get out tomorrow, not real sure where I'll fish, but it's in my plans. I've been staying home nursing my wife, she had surgery last Friday. She seems a lot better today, so if she stays on track, I should be able to slip off and fish a few hours. Fingers crossed.


Really appreciate all your posts over the years. I've learned a lot from them. Hope you are able to get out tomorrow.

Thanks. Yeah I'm itching to catch a few. I have received several text from anglers and they have been on some awesome bites over around Sommerville. I might swing over that way tomorrow. That is if my boss gives me the okay. LOL. Really though, she's doing pretty good. I could probably go today,but we have some stuff to take care of at her parents house.
Posted By: Trav281

Re: Lake Somerville - 02/06/24 11:27 PM

Prayers to you and your wife. I appreciate all the posts/information. Hope you can get out and catch them up!
Posted By: FISHINGFOOL40

Re: Lake Somerville - 02/07/24 03:42 AM

Yard needs mowing,
Back of house needs painting,
But I don't care,
Cause I'm going Creek fishing🎣🙌

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Posted By: Im2bz2p345

Re: Lake Somerville - 02/07/24 05:06 AM

Are they biting on artificial lures (white? chartreuse?) or live bait at Nails/Cedar Creek? I'm guessing the water is still murky after the last rain, so just wondering what might be best to use.
Posted By: hook-line&sinker

Re: Lake Somerville - 02/07/24 12:22 PM

Yes to all.. and with rain coming the new water will extend the bite and put many more fish up into the creeks.. this is going to be a great run..
Posted By: Boudreaux

Re: Lake Somerville - 02/07/24 03:57 PM

Per Nails Creek Facebook, Gate to Newman's is now open. Take advantage while you can, rain forecast for the weekend again
Posted By: J-Moe

Re: Lake Somerville - 02/07/24 06:54 PM

Originally Posted by Boudreaux
Per Nails Creek Facebook, Gate to Newman's is now open. Take advantage you can, rain forecast for the weekend again


banana bannana2 pollo
Posted By: fishytx

Re: Lake Somerville - 02/07/24 09:05 PM

I read where the rain is gonna be a hit or miss thing. So I don't know. But the more the the merrier.
Posted By: Im2bz2p345

Re: Lake Somerville - 02/07/24 10:08 PM

Average guy fisherman report: Skunked (zero fish) from Nails Creek today. Nobody that I talked to caught much of anything today (spoke to at least a dozen people that fished both sides of the 125 bridge: ONE person had a single whitebass). For anyone thinking about going, best to wait until after the rains & when water temperature increases. I don't think we're in the major spawn yet as the creeks would have a ton of activity. Good time to scout, but until you start reading & hearing about people getting limits, best to enjoy the weather in other ways.

Reports seems to be all over the place day by day, so it's definitely not that time of year.

Hope that helps!
Posted By: J-Moe

Re: Lake Somerville - 02/08/24 01:10 AM

Thanks for the report. Nails is getting low. Cedar too, I had to walk a long way to catch fish there yesterday.
Posted By: J-Moe

Re: Lake Somerville - 02/08/24 01:16 AM

Fished Newman Bottom for the first time this year. The creek is still messy but not far away. Most people were catching a few fish. I ended up catching 14 today. I had to work hard for them. I'm still having to swim the fly along the bottom in order to catch fish. So of course I lose lots of flies in the process.

There were 23 cars in the parking lot when I got there this evening.
Posted By: hook-line&sinker

Re: Lake Somerville - 02/08/24 02:05 AM

JMoe outfished me 3 times over! His total was three times mine..

He is the master fly guy!

Posted By: banker-always fishing

Re: Lake Somerville - 02/08/24 02:18 AM

Originally Posted by hook-line&sinker
JMoe outfished me 3 times over! His total was three times mine..

He is the master fly guy!





He also out fishes me! bang
Posted By: fishytx

Re: Lake Somerville - 02/08/24 02:54 AM

J-Moe has mastered this white bass spawn. I like to talk to him because he understands everything I tell him about water pockets where fish stage and how to present the bait in given holes. Not to many people understand all of the in and outs to this type of fishing. It's not all about where you fish, but how you fish it. There might be a five foot circle where you need to land your bait so it drifts right over the strike zone. J-Moe knows this now, mostly from experience. But it feels good to talk to someone who understands. Go Get Em J-Moe.
Posted By: J-Moe

Re: Lake Somerville - 02/08/24 11:54 AM

Well let's see. Chuck was my mentor for sunfish and Rio fishing. Ben was my fly fishing mentor. And Doug was my white bass mentor. Either y'all are to kind or y'all taught me too well. grin

Thanks for the comments and all the years of teaching me what y'all know, much appreciated.
Posted By: FISHINGFOOL40

Re: Lake Somerville - 02/09/24 03:50 PM

Yes💯
Thx 2 all for Reports+Tips+Info, good or bad😉👍
Much appreciated🙌🎣🙌
Posted By: FISHINGFOOL40

Re: Lake Somerville - 02/09/24 03:59 PM

Somerville Productions...LLC.,
Presents: "Creek Runners"-Part 2

Fished 1:30-6:30pm, used pink/chartreuse 1/16 oz jighead,
with a 1" clear/silver speckled curly-tail grub🎣👍

Had to work hard to get 18 males and 2 females=20 total🙌😁🤟

Pic/images speak 1000 words😉





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Posted By: fishytx

Re: Lake Somerville - 02/09/24 09:24 PM

Originally Posted by J-Moe
Well let's see. Chuck was my mentor for sunfish and Rio fishing. Ben was my fly fishing mentor. And Doug was my white bass mentor. Either y'all are to kind or y'all taught me too well. grin

Thanks for the comments and all the years of teaching me what y'all know, much appreciated.


I explained and showed you the fundamentals and you put it all together yourself. You would have figured it out eventually, I just helped you get there a little quicker is all. But your determination and work ethic is what made you the angler you are today.
Posted By: hook-line&sinker

Re: Lake Somerville - 02/10/24 03:07 AM

Well JMoe.. your "fly casting" needs work but your "fly catching" is like no other I've ever witnessed! You will never starve that's for certain..
Posted By: Boudreaux

Re: Lake Somerville - 02/10/24 07:56 PM

That storm hit the creeks about an hour ago. Expect slippery bank and muddy waters. I was up the creek when the worst of it hit. It was raining sideways. Oh well, caught some fish before it got bad.
Posted By: jsinn01

Re: Lake Somerville - 02/10/24 08:28 PM

I fished for about 30 minutes before that storm blew in. Luckily I stayed close to my car in case the weather turned. I'm sure it muddied up the creeks a bit.
Posted By: hook-line&sinker

Re: Lake Somerville - 02/10/24 10:59 PM

It's both good and bad to get this rain..

A good rise can and probably will put many more fish up the creeks but may not be fishable for a while.

It will make fishing the smaller creeks like Nail, Birch and Cedar better if history repeats itself..

The lake is closing in on full pool level now---

From https://www.swf-wc.usace.army.mil/reports/fly/html/SOMT2.html

Pool elevation is 237.83 feet on 10Feb2024 Time: 1500 hours.
Posted By: FISHINGFOOL40

Re: Lake Somerville - 02/11/24 02:00 AM

Originally Posted by hook-line&sinker
It's both good and bad to get this rain..

A good rise can and probably will put many more fish up the creeks but may not be fishable for a while.

It will make fishing the smaller creeks like Nail, Birch and Cedar better if history repeats itself..

The lake is closing in on full pool level now---

From https://www.swf-wc.usace.army.mil/reports/fly/html/SOMT2.html

Pool elevation is 237.83 feet on 10Feb2024 Time: 1500 hours.


+1 on that Ben😉 "Hit the Nail on the Head"😉🤟
And sorry, pic heavy🧐😄😁🎣😉

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Posted By: jsinn01

Re: Lake Somerville - 02/11/24 03:46 AM

Maybe we can start getting the rain during the week. That's all I"m sayin'. roflmao
Posted By: Boudreaux

Re: Lake Somerville - 02/11/24 06:55 PM

Is it common practice for bank anglers to crowd a spot someone is already fishing with multiple rods out?
Posted By: J-Moe

Re: Lake Somerville - 02/11/24 10:47 PM

Originally Posted by Boudreaux
Is it common practice for bank anglers to crowd a spot someone is already fishing with multiple rods out?


Yes, it's called combat fishing. roflmao
Posted By: J-Moe

Re: Lake Somerville - 02/11/24 11:22 PM

Lake Level is 238.10. 0.10 feet above pool. The East Yegua got a 5 foot rise.

It will take a few days for the Yegua to settle down but Nails and Cedar should be great fishing this week. Below is a picture of Cedar creek. Nails was in about the same condition. Good rise, good flow and not as muddy as the last rise.

[Linked Image]
Posted By: jsinn01

Re: Lake Somerville - 02/12/24 12:06 AM

Originally Posted by J-Moe
Originally Posted by Boudreaux
Is it common practice for bank anglers to crowd a spot someone is already fishing with multiple rods out?


Yes, it's called combat fishing. roflmao


Been there done that. 😉
Posted By: jsinn01

Re: Lake Somerville - 02/12/24 12:08 AM

Thanks for the pic, J-Moe! Looks like the creeks are in great shape. Now if it would just stop raining on the weekends. 😄
Posted By: Boudreaux

Re: Lake Somerville - 02/12/24 12:56 PM

I was in my boat, 9 bank anglers walked in and started fishing on top of the hole I was in. A very small hole at that. I can share with one or 2, but 9? And then they wonder why the bite stopped after there was a dozen lines being slapped on the water repeatedly. I had a small child in the boat, and of course he wanted to cast his own line, which is always a disaster, so lots of tangled lines ensued. I get it, it's public waters, everyone has a right to fish it, but have a little respect for your fellow anglers.
Posted By: jsinn01

Re: Lake Somerville - 02/12/24 03:21 PM

Originally Posted by Boudreaux
I was in my boat, 9 bank anglers walked in and started fishing on top of the hole I was in. A very small hole at that. I can share with one or 2, but 9? And then they wonder why the bite stopped after there was a dozen lines being slapped on the water repeatedly. I had a small child in the boat, and of course he wanted to cast his own line, which is always a disaster, so lots of tangled lines ensued. I get it, it's public waters, everyone has a right to fish it, but have a little respect for your fellow anglers.


That's crazy. You must've been upstream pretty far to have been running into bank anglers? Was the fishing not good downstream away from all the chaos?
Posted By: SomervilleFishing

Re: Lake Somerville - 02/12/24 06:11 PM

Originally Posted by Boudreaux
I was in my boat, 9 bank anglers walked in and started fishing on top of the hole I was in. A very small hole at that. I can share with one or 2, but 9? And then they wonder why the bite stopped after there was a dozen lines being slapped on the water repeatedly. I had a small child in the boat, and of course he wanted to cast his own line, which is always a disaster, so lots of tangled lines ensued. I get it, it's public waters, everyone has a right to fish it, but have a little respect for your fellow anglers.


If you fish at Birch Creek State Park along the beach or near the damaged pier, 20-30 persons fish close to each other. This is why I like creek fishing - no one around you.
https://youtube.com/watch?v=Tl-C-X_jGyk&si=e6MIpRWaUxOOtQck
Posted By: Boudreaux

Re: Lake Somerville - 02/14/24 03:03 AM

Originally Posted by SomervilleFishing
Originally Posted by Boudreaux
I was in my boat, 9 bank anglers walked in and started fishing on top of the hole I was in. A very small hole at that. I can share with one or 2, but 9? And then they wonder why the bite stopped after there was a dozen lines being slapped on the water repeatedly. I had a small child in the boat, and of course he wanted to cast his own line, which is always a disaster, so lots of tangled lines ensued. I get it, it's public waters, everyone has a right to fish it, but have a little respect for your fellow anglers.


If you fish at Birch Creek State Park along the beach or near the damaged pier, 20-30 persons fish close to each other. This is why I like creek fishing - no one around you.
https://youtube.com/watch?v=Tl-C-X_jGyk&si=e6MIpRWaUxOOtQck



I was in the creek......
Posted By: Average Joe

Re: Lake Somerville - 02/14/24 04:01 AM

Finally might be able to head out there for a few hours on Friday. But there is rain in the forecast, rofl.
Posted By: fishytx

Re: Lake Somerville - 02/14/24 04:56 PM

Combat fishing? Ever since the internet with fishing forums and people telling others how to get to these hidden spots, it is nothing but shoulder to shoulder fishing. When you pull two fish out of a hole, expect others to show up and start casting in it too. Happens every time. It doesn't bother me anymore. Here's what I have experienced. When they walk up and start fishing the same hole and they can't get a bite, but you continue to catch fish, they will walk away. You just got to keep your composure and enjoy the sport regardless of what others do. Is it rude to crowd an angler on a bite? I think it is. But I can only control what I do, not others. Now if the other person does hang up with me a time or two, I will say something not so nice. And every now and then there will be someone that inconsiderate cross your path. They will throw over your line and catch it, just making a mess of it all. Believe it or not, this type of people really does exist, I've seen it first-hand. Either they are super stupid, or they just don't care.
Posted By: JonL

Re: Lake Somerville - 02/15/24 01:40 PM

Sure is awful quiet on the forum about reports from Newman's Bottom or Irwin Bridge. Must mean there is alot of catching going on.
Posted By: jsinn01

Re: Lake Somerville - 02/15/24 01:53 PM

Originally Posted by JonL
Sure is awful quiet on the forum about reports from Newman's Bottom or Irwin Bridge. Must mean there is alot of catching going on.


That's what I was thinking. 😄
Posted By: JonL

Re: Lake Somerville - 02/15/24 02:55 PM

Us people that travel an hour and a half one way to get to the creek would like a report. Good or bad please.
Posted By: fishytx

Re: Lake Somerville - 02/15/24 03:53 PM

I was wondering why there are no reports on Yegua. I know there's fish all up in it.
Posted By: LoveThoseCrappie

Re: Lake Somerville - 02/16/24 01:24 AM

Just got back from Newman Bottom. Lots of spawning activity, not much catching. Most people only had just a few. I almost always have good luck with 1/32 oz white or black/yellow marabou but not today. Swapped to a soft plastic jig 1/32 oz, slow retrieve, twitching the pole, and fishing at the bottom, found a hole in which it worked, ended up with 12 keepers.
Posted By: jsinn01

Re: Lake Somerville - 02/16/24 02:15 AM

Thanks for the report!
Posted By: fishytx

Re: Lake Somerville - 02/16/24 01:58 PM

Finding the right place and bait presentation is the number one.key to success in fishing no matter where or what you're fishing for. And the holes where they stage will change daily.
Thanks for the report.
Posted By: jsinn01

Re: Lake Somerville - 02/16/24 10:26 PM

Drove over Irwin Bridge today and the Yegua is still very muddy looking. Decided to fish one of the smaller creeks and did alright. Ended up taking home 10 white bass.
Posted By: hook-line&sinker

Re: Lake Somerville - 02/17/24 12:42 AM

We kayaked up Birch Creek today.. 70 plus whitebass way up in the skinny water all on the fly. Even 4 big females on the way back down.. It takes a good bit of effort to get that far up but we were rewarded handsomely..

Posted By: jsinn01

Re: Lake Somerville - 02/17/24 01:13 AM

Wow, Ben! Sounds like you had an amazing day! One thing I noticed today, was almost all the fish I caught were in shallow-ish water. Tried some deeper holes, but not much luck with that. The fish were all in the shallower stretches of water.
Posted By: hook-line&sinker

Re: Lake Somerville - 02/17/24 02:07 PM

That's been the experience for us too..
That is the fish being on the shallow sides of a deeper pool and/or on the edge of the current..

Then with a cast upstream just to line watching for that jump or stop on those very soft takes..
Posted By: fishytx

Re: Lake Somerville - 02/17/24 02:20 PM

Who was with you Ben? Maybe you said who it was but I did not hear you say it. Seeing that Eagle was worth your trip, the whites were a bonus.
Posted By: hook-line&sinker

Re: Lake Somerville - 02/18/24 03:05 AM

Originally Posted by fishytx
Who was with you Ben? Maybe you said who it was but I did not hear you say it. Seeing that Eagle was worth your trip, the whites were a bonus.


That's my buddy Ray.
Posted By: Cade.Snyder

Re: Lake Somerville - 02/18/24 04:45 AM

Going up tomorrow morning, what creek would you guys recommend? We couldn’t decide on nails or yegua.
Posted By: hook-line&sinker

Re: Lake Somerville - 02/18/24 12:14 PM

Probably the Yegua in the WMA.. wear your orange vest.. Newman Bottom will be overrun and no place to park..
Posted By: Cade.Snyder

Re: Lake Somerville - 02/18/24 12:33 PM

We don’t have our orange with us this morning, will be trying nails in hopes of some good fishing!
Posted By: jsinn01

Re: Lake Somerville - 02/18/24 01:25 PM

Originally Posted by Cade.Snyder
We don’t have our orange with us this morning, will be trying nails in hopes of some good fishing!


Good luck, Cade! Let us know how you do.

And welcome to the forum! welcome
Posted By: fishytx

Re: Lake Somerville - 02/18/24 07:13 PM

I was looking at a map of the yegua creek and noticed just how far these fish travel up the creek to reach Newman's bottom. It's at least a mile and half. Then another mile to reach Irwin bridge. Once you find a good hole, you can catch bunch out of it. I'm not able to do long walks anymore, so I'll probably try Irwin bridge soon. There are a few good close holes to try out.
Posted By: jsinn01

Re: Lake Somerville - 02/18/24 07:45 PM

If one wants they can walk for miles along Yegua creek. And almost all of it is public land. That is the beauty of Lake Somerville State Park. Hands down the best park for us bank anglers.
Posted By: fishytx

Re: Lake Somerville - 02/18/24 08:49 PM

It is nice. I know I use to take my entire family out there and we went on many nature walks. Awesome place.
Posted By: JonL

Re: Lake Somerville - 02/19/24 01:26 AM

Braved the cold this morning. Went to Newman's Bottom. Caught 4 real early which was a surprise. Didn't catch another fish till about 10 o'clock when I walked and fished along way upstream. Got to one of my cousins Eller Troy and my favorite fishing holes and caught 10 more.Fished my way back keying on shadowed parts of the creek and ended up catching 4 more. Finished with 18. Had 3 throwbacks which is unusual. All males except 1. Caught on white roostertails. Did lose about 10 of those roostertails today. That hurts the pocketbook [Linked Image]
[Linked Image]
.
Posted By: EllerTroy

Re: Lake Somerville - 02/19/24 01:40 AM

Good day of fishing Cuz.
Posted By: hook-line&sinker

Re: Lake Somerville - 02/19/24 02:36 AM

That's nearly $30 worth of roosters.. but the Yegua is the only creek at Lake Somerville that has flow at the moment.. I fished Jerdelle, Cedar and the Yegua @ Newman Bottom.. I should have known the fly wasn't gonna work very well in that stained water.. Managed 2 way up in Jerdelle and one at Newman, Ray and I zeroed @ Cedar walking up from the park.
Posted By: Boudreaux

Re: Lake Somerville - 02/19/24 03:47 AM

Started my morning in Nails, picked up one fat flab crappie. No other bites, ran over to yegua. Ran up to NB, water was still off color with a slight flow, water temp was 53-54 in most places. Worked my way down stream, picked up 16 whites and 2 crappie before calling it a day
Posted By: jsinn01

Re: Lake Somerville - 02/19/24 03:49 AM

Thanks for the reports, guys! Headed that way tomorrow.
Posted By: J-Moe

Re: Lake Somerville - 02/19/24 12:26 PM

Originally Posted by hook-line&sinker
That's nearly $30 worth of roosters.. but the Yegua is the only creek at Lake Somerville that has flow at the moment.. I fished Jerdelle, Cedar and the Yegua @ Newman Bottom.. I should have known the fly wasn't gonna work very well in that stained water.. Managed 2 way up in Jerdelle and one at Newman, Ray and I zeroed @ Cedar walking up from the park.


I drove over the creeks yesterday evening. Cedar and Nails were so low I didn't even try. Sounds like I was right not to try.

I went up into the Middle Yegua and fished. It took about 20 minutes, and 3 different flies and setups before I found the right combination. I ended up catching 10 in about an hour and fifteen minutes on a unique clouser pattern I seldom use.

[Linked Image]
Posted By: Cade.Snyder

Re: Lake Somerville - 02/19/24 01:12 PM

My dad and I fished nails for about an hour and a half yesterday with no luck. Guys around us hadnt caught anything either so we decided to head over to cedar creek. We ended up with 9 keepers. Just slowly fishing the deep holes and turns in the creek. Some other people had a stringer going as well.
Posted By: fishytx

Re: Lake Somerville - 02/19/24 02:19 PM

Thanks for all that information guys. Wow, I thought the water would look better than what it does right now. Sure is muddy looking.
Posted By: jsinn01

Re: Lake Somerville - 02/19/24 11:22 PM

Went to Irwin today and it was tough fishing. Only managed 3 white bass walking way downstream. Most I spoke with said they hadn't caught anything. Saw one other person catch a fish.
Posted By: J-Moe

Re: Lake Somerville - 02/20/24 01:33 AM

I fished the Middle Yegua again this evening. I ended up catching 17, including a couple 15 inch plus females. The fish were extremely tight to the bank. I had to fish parallel to the bank to catch them.
Posted By: hook-line&sinker

Re: Lake Somerville - 02/20/24 02:18 AM

Originally Posted by J-Moe
Originally Posted by hook-line&sinker
That's nearly $30 worth of roosters.. but the Yegua is the only creek at Lake Somerville that has flow at the moment.. I fished Jerdelle, Cedar and the Yegua @ Newman Bottom.. I should have known the fly wasn't gonna work very well in that stained water.. Managed 2 way up in Jerdelle and one at Newman, Ray and I zeroed @ Cedar walking up from the park.


I drove over the creeks yesterday evening. Cedar and Nails were so low I didn't even try. Sounds like I was right not to try.

I went up into the Middle Yegua and fished. It took about 20 minutes, and 3 different flies and setups before I found the right combination. I ended up catching 10 in about an hour and fifteen minutes on a unique clouser pattern I seldom use.

[Linked Image]



J-Moe can't be the measure the rest of us are judged by.. He's got the Cajun Voodoo working for him wink
Posted By: hook-line&sinker

Re: Lake Somerville - 02/20/24 02:30 AM

The creeks that have gone still have nothing to hold the whitebass in any predictable places.
Requires lots of shotgunning dead water in the deeper pools.
Not something the "fly" is best suited for..

Curly tail jigs and inline spinners rule the open water..
Posted By: jsinn01

Re: Lake Somerville - 02/20/24 03:37 AM

The fish I caught today were right up against the bank. Had to put the jig almost on land to get bit. So J-Moe's report rings true.
Posted By: KJ Fishing

Re: Lake Somerville - 02/21/24 04:12 AM

Caught 11 whites, 2 from Cedar, and 9 from Irving’s bridge. Was really tough in cedar, walked upstream for close a mile. Also couldn’t get a bite going upstream from Irving.
Posted By: jsinn01

Re: Lake Somerville - 02/21/24 12:01 PM

Thanks for the report, KJ Fishing. And welcome to the forum. welcome
Posted By: J-Moe

Re: Lake Somerville - 02/21/24 01:50 PM

Originally Posted by KJ Fishing
Caught 11 whites, 2 from Cedar, and 9 from Irving’s bridge. Was really tough in cedar, walked upstream for close a mile. Also couldn’t get a bite going upstream from Irving.


Thanks for the report. The water level in Cedar is very low. Same with Nails. When the water level goes up the fish will rush upstream in these smaller creeks. But as soon as the water level starts declining the fish will start moving back downstream. So the number of fish upstream in Cedar was only 10% of what it was 10 days ago.

The same trend can be seen in the Yegua but at a much slower pace. I've seen it where I started catching them at Irwin bridge, then within 10 days I was having to walk almost 2 miles downstream before I found them in any numbers.

So I would say that catching 11 was an excellent trip and you got plenty of exercise grin

welcome
Posted By: J-Moe

Re: Lake Somerville - 02/22/24 12:53 AM

I went to the Middle Yegua again this evening. I fished until I caught 20. It took about 2 hours. Lots of 14.5 inch plus fish tonight. One football that was 15 inches and weighed 1.69 lbs. And a mega white bass that was 16.2 inches and weighed 1.93 lbs. The big ladies are showing up as normal toward the end of February.

I felt like I was stealing fish off JonL and Troy's stringer tonight roflmao

[Linked Image]

[Linked Image]
Posted By: jsinn01

Re: Lake Somerville - 02/22/24 01:40 AM

Nice catch, J-Moe!
Posted By: EllerTroy

Re: Lake Somerville - 02/22/24 02:40 AM

Nice fish J-Moe. Jon and I will be there on Sunday.
Posted By: KJ Fishing

Re: Lake Somerville - 02/22/24 03:28 AM

Thank you for the welcome.

It was not an easy walk, first time walking there and I guess I should have gone upstream on the north side of the creek. South side was rough and a few spots, the fence would push you into the creek.

I also caught this the week before in Nails creek. 1.82 lb crappie. [Linked Image]
Posted By: JonL

Re: Lake Somerville - 02/22/24 03:37 AM

Jmoe I know you throw your fish back so they will be there when Troy and I are there.
Posted By: jsinn01

Re: Lake Somerville - 02/22/24 05:10 PM

Originally Posted by KJ Fishing
Thank you for the welcome.

It was not an easy walk, first time walking there and I guess I should have gone upstream on the north side of the creek. South side was rough and a few spots, the fence would push you into the creek.

I also caught this the week before in Nails creek. 1.82 lb crappie. [Linked Image]


Those crappie should begin moving up real shallow here in the next few weeks. Nails Creek is a good place to catch them.
Posted By: jsinn01

Re: Lake Somerville - 02/22/24 05:12 PM

Originally Posted by JonL
Jmoe I know you throw your fish back so they will be there when Troy and I are there.


Yeah, but those fish will have sore lips and won't want to bite. roflmao
Posted By: J-Moe

Re: Lake Somerville - 02/22/24 05:35 PM

Originally Posted by jsinn01
Originally Posted by JonL
Jmoe I know you throw your fish back so they will be there when Troy and I are there.


Yeah, but those fish will have sore lips and won't want to bite. roflmao


And they are well trained (special incantation) before I release them.
Posted By: Average Joe

Re: Lake Somerville - 02/22/24 06:18 PM

Finally got sometime to head out and fish for the season. I'll be at Newmans on Saturday. Probably will be crowded but it's np, just good to get out.
Posted By: JonL

Re: Lake Somerville - 02/22/24 09:30 PM

I wouldn't doubt it Jmoe. You are known as the white bass whisperer. roflmao
Posted By: fishytx

Re: Lake Somerville - 02/23/24 12:56 AM

I use to love fishing the west side of Irwin bridge. That's the first place I fished the Yegua. For several years I never knew about Newman's bottom. One time at Irwin I walked downstream and I ran into some angers and saw parked vehicles. I asked that guy how did they get there. He wasn't to helpful, so I had to drive around till I found it myself.
Posted By: jsinn01

Re: Lake Somerville - 02/23/24 01:02 AM

Originally Posted by fishytx
I use to love fishing the west side of Irwin bridge. That's the first place I fished the Yegua. For several years I never knew about Newman's bottom. One time at Irwin I walked downstream and I ran into some angers and saw parked vehicles. I asked that guy how did they get there. He wasn't to helpful, so I had to drive around till I found it myself.


I've hiked from Irwin to Newman's Bottom many a time. The cool thing is the creek fishes differently depending on what side you're on. There are holes and banks you can get to from one side and not the other. And there are pretty good trails on both sides of the creek as well.
Posted By: fishytx

Re: Lake Somerville - 02/23/24 12:32 PM

My forecast for this years spawn. This upcoming warm weather next week will trigger these fish and they are going to be super active. This year spawn is going g to occur a week earlier than normal and end sooner as a result. Next seven days is going to be crazy good.
Posted By: EllerTroy

Re: Lake Somerville - 02/23/24 03:17 PM

I think you are correct Fishytx. J-Moe has started catching some big females.
Posted By: KJ Fishing

Re: Lake Somerville - 02/23/24 03:34 PM

You think they are still in the creeks? Isn’t water too low for them to get in from the lake? I was out yesterday and caught only 4 at Irwin. [Linked Image]
Posted By: J-Moe

Re: Lake Somerville - 02/23/24 04:08 PM

Originally Posted by KJ Fishing
You think they are still in the creeks? Isn’t water too low for them to get in from the lake? I was out yesterday and caught only 4 at Irwin.


Yes, they are still in the creeks. The run is just getting going. I fished the Middle Yegua just upstream of Irwin bridge yesterday evening and caught 17 in a short period of time.

I did notice that the fish were showing a bit of spawning activity. Also I was able to pick up 7 fish out of fast moving water below a partial log jam. They are starting to move into position and should be thick above and below the riffles going forward.

The creeks are going to start clearing now. It's important to size down to smaller baits and line size. I love fluorocarbon leader on my fly rod. Max of 6 lb.

Fishytx uses 4 lb. mono and a single 1/32 ounce white marabou jig. At that point its just about presentation. Soft drifts, soft twitches will become critical as the water clears.
Posted By: KJ Fishing

Re: Lake Somerville - 02/23/24 04:42 PM

I am still learning the creeks. I tried walking upstream from Irwin for close to a mile and can’t seem to find any fish. I also did about a mile upstream of cedar creek, and caught only 2. Should I bring going more upstream or downstream?

I was going to try and take the boat out the main lake and look for bass and crappie this coming Saturday. Figure the creeks would be really full of people.
Posted By: J-Moe

Re: Lake Somerville - 02/23/24 05:02 PM

Go downstream
Posted By: Boudreaux

Re: Lake Somerville - 02/23/24 06:21 PM

Originally Posted by KJ Fishing
You think they are still in the creeks? Isn’t water too low for them to get in from the lake? I was out yesterday and caught only 4 at Irwin. [Linked Image]


Lake is still currently over pool, I can run a boat all the way to Newman's bottom from the lake. There is more than enough water in the creek.
Posted By: KJ Fishing

Re: Lake Somerville - 02/23/24 06:36 PM

Will try nails creek next week! I am still learning to bobber fishing for crappie with a jig. I use 6 lb fluorocarbon for that. Been using 16 lb JDM braid to 12 lb mono leader for whites.
Posted By: KJ Fishing

Re: Lake Somerville - 02/23/24 06:37 PM

I have a bay boat. I can get into Yegua when the lake is 1.4 ft over pool. lol.
Posted By: Average Joe

Re: Lake Somerville - 02/23/24 07:21 PM

Be out there tomorrow @ Newmans! Bought the parking pass online and printed it out. See everyone out there!
Posted By: JonL

Re: Lake Somerville - 02/23/24 10:02 PM

Moderate luck to all who are fishing tomorrow. I would say good luck but I want yall to leave some fish for my cousin Troy and I for Sunday. If you are a catch and release guy catch all tge fish you want to. hooked
Posted By: Trav281

Re: Lake Somerville - 02/23/24 11:31 PM

I'm going to avoid the crowds on Somerville creeks, and beat the guys to the spots out here in north Houston at Spring Creek/Cypress creek where I've had some luck the last couple of months
Posted By: Roll The Dice

Re: Lake Somerville - 02/24/24 01:01 AM

What a difference a week makes! I caught 22 on 2/15/24 and none yesterday 2/22/24 at Irwin's. The water was high and muddy on 2/15/24 and about 2 ft. lower on 2/22/24 but still slightly muddy. Lots of activity in the water on 2/15/24 and hardly any on 2/22/24. I'm going to blame getting skunked on the full moon. BTW, about half the fish on 2/15 were females. Interestingly, some of those had fully developed eggs and were ready to spawn and the others had underdeveloped eggs and were no where near spawning. [Linked Image]
Posted By: J-Moe

Re: Lake Somerville - 02/24/24 02:28 AM

Great Fish!!!! thumb
Posted By: Trav281

Re: Lake Somerville - 02/24/24 04:02 AM

Dang! Those are some fatties nice man!
Posted By: hook-line&sinker

Re: Lake Somerville - 02/24/24 01:08 PM

We saw some signs of spawning Friday just before sunset.. I'm betting the fish got real busy spawning under the big moon and will continue doing so for the next several days.. Daytime spawning activity might decrease unless it gets cloudy and rains..
Posted By: Average Joe

Re: Lake Somerville - 02/25/24 02:30 AM

Spent most of the day at Newmans. Slow day of fishing. Ended up with 4 for the day. Two crappie and two white bass. The white bass were large at least.

They were mainly feeding towards the bottom and striking as you reeled closer to the bank.

Posted By: fishytx

Re: Lake Somerville - 02/25/24 01:49 PM

The steps yesterday was horrible. I might try out the yegua today or tomorrow. I have to fish at Irwin because the walks to good places to fish are much shorter walking distance. At Newman's I have to walk a long ways just to fish the first good productive hole. But it's a good one. Who am I trying to fool, the better holes at both places require a good long walk.
Posted By: jsinn01

Re: Lake Somerville - 02/25/24 05:17 PM

This morning spent about at an hour at Nails fishing for crappie. Not a bite. Spent another hour at Irwin Bridge fishing for white bass. Fished multiple spots around the horseshoe. Not a bite. Biggest stringer I saw was two fish. Going to drown my sorrows in some BBQ. 😂
Posted By: KJ Fishing

Re: Lake Somerville - 02/25/24 09:19 PM

Went to the main lake for 8 hours, fished multiple brush piles, jumps and banks. Managed one large white bass and 3 throwback crappies.

Has anyone been to big creek or birch creek? I have never been and want to try. Any tip on which side of the bank is easier to walk and on public land?
Posted By: fishytx

Re: Lake Somerville - 02/25/24 09:23 PM

Fished Irwin bridge for about 30 minutes, caught 2. Not enough action, I'm out of here. Not enough water. It really is running slow. Also had a grandson with me and you all know this is not a place for a kid with a rod and reel. He was broke off in no time at all.
Posted By: SomervilleFishing

Re: Lake Somerville - 02/25/24 10:40 PM

Fished Nails Creek yesterday for 3-4 hours. Only caught 1 crappie, no white bass. Saw a few boats and kayaks, and they said very slow, not much bites. Water is slightly muddy. Maybe the cool front with strong north wind turned the white bass in hideout.
Posted By: JonL

Re: Lake Somerville - 02/26/24 12:47 AM

My cousin Troy and I went to our spot from Irwin Bridge and ended up with 27 there. I did catch three more near the parking lot with one of them being my biggest of the day. I will say we cheated a little and used minnows for some but I will say I caught most of my 15 with a white rooster tail. My cousin also caught one keeper catfish. [Linked Image]
[Linked Image]
[Linked Image]
[Linked Image]
[Linked Image]
Posted By: jsinn01

Re: Lake Somerville - 02/26/24 01:09 AM

Man, y'all did good on what seemed like a tough day out there. Nice catch! Congrats.
Posted By: JonL

Re: Lake Somerville - 02/26/24 01:59 AM

Thanks Jsinn. It was a rough start but a good ending. Finally caught some normal big Yegua whites today.
Posted By: EllerTroy

Re: Lake Somerville - 02/26/24 02:32 AM

I lost a 16 in her right at the bank. Don’t know what was up. I lost 8 to 9 whites but still ended up with 14 white and one good catfish.
Posted By: EllerTroy

Re: Lake Somerville - 02/26/24 02:34 AM

It was about a hour 1/2 before my Cuz and I figured out the presentation they wanted.
Posted By: hook-line&sinker

Re: Lake Somerville - 02/28/24 02:39 AM

JMoe put on a pretty good show Tuesday afternoon.. 22 or so to my 5 and Ray's 6, but Ray had to leave early and he was on track to catch at least a dozen or more.
I need to tie up some magical gray/white clousers if I have any hope of keeping up with the master of the fly!..

Posted By: jsinn01

Re: Lake Somerville - 02/28/24 02:43 AM

Were you all throwing dynamite? roflmao
Posted By: Average Joe

Re: Lake Somerville - 02/28/24 03:30 AM

Be out there Friday, I'll have my "Fisherman's Life" shirt on!
Posted By: hook-line&sinker

Re: Lake Somerville - 02/28/24 03:48 AM

Originally Posted by jsinn01
Were you all throwing dynamite? roflmao

No, but I would have to keep up with JMoe wink
Posted By: J-Moe

Re: Lake Somerville - 02/28/24 02:28 PM

Originally Posted by hook-line&sinker
Originally Posted by jsinn01
Were you all throwing dynamite? roflmao

No, but I would have to keep up with JMoe wink

roflmao I'm just the fastest to get to the best spots on the creek. You are too kind Sir.
Posted By: J-Moe

Re: Lake Somerville - 02/28/24 02:30 PM

Originally Posted by hook-line&sinker
JMoe put on a pretty good show Tuesday afternoon.. 22 or so to my 5 and Ray's 6, but Ray had to leave early and he was on track to catch at least a dozen or more.
I need to tie up some magical gray/white clousers if I have any hope of keeping up with the master of the fly!..


The creek is clearing and it's Magical Clouser time banana I tried multiple different flies, weights and setups yesterday and only caught fish on the Magical Clouser.
Posted By: JonL

Re: Lake Somerville - 02/28/24 03:28 PM

That spot J-moe was at is one of my favorite fishing spots near Irwin bridge. Caught a lot of fish from that hole.
Posted By: J-Moe

Re: Lake Somerville - 02/28/24 05:50 PM

Fishytx has caught literally thousands of fish from that spot grin
Posted By: Average Joe

Re: Lake Somerville - 02/28/24 06:15 PM

Does anyone know if you pay for Newmans Bottom pass, can you use that pass for Nails creek or Cedar Creek?
Posted By: jsinn01

Re: Lake Somerville - 02/28/24 06:21 PM

Yes. One pass for access to all those areas.
Posted By: Average Joe

Re: Lake Somerville - 02/28/24 06:44 PM

Originally Posted by jsinn01
Yes. One pass for access to all those areas.


Thanks!
Posted By: jsinn01

Re: Lake Somerville - 02/28/24 07:55 PM

Originally Posted by J-Moe
Originally Posted by hook-line&sinker
JMoe put on a pretty good show Tuesday afternoon.. 22 or so to my 5 and Ray's 6, but Ray had to leave early and he was on track to catch at least a dozen or more.
I need to tie up some magical gray/white clousers if I have any hope of keeping up with the master of the fly!..


The creek is clearing and it's Magical Clouser time banana I tried multiple different flies, weights and setups yesterday and only caught fish on the Magical Clouser.


Having had a chance to watch Ben's video, the creek has cleared up considerably since I was there on Sunday.
Posted By: JonL

Re: Lake Somerville - 02/28/24 11:17 PM

I agree Jsinn01. Much cleaner than last Sunday.
Posted By: EllerTroy

Re: Lake Somerville - 02/29/24 12:32 AM

That is a great hole. A many of white bass have been feel by my blue buck-tails there.
Posted By: hook-line&sinker

Re: Lake Somerville - 02/29/24 02:33 AM

Fishing the draw above rapids is certainly a pattern to look for in the future.. of the five I caught four were holding just above moving water.
Posted By: Im2bz2p345

Re: Lake Somerville - 03/01/24 08:22 PM

About 2 weeks ago, I tried to crappie fishing with my father at Somerville in the brushy piles in the main lake, but they weren't there for sure. That might have been pre-spawn for them. I realize this is the bank fishing forum, but do you guys know where we might find them in the lake? What depth would you recommend trying to find brush in? We don't have any fancy equipment like live scope, just your normal fish finder with down & side imaging. Unfortunately, we can't take our boat into the creek/shallow water, so trying to figure out the next best place. Preferably near Rocky Creek/Yegua state parks.
Posted By: jsinn01

Re: Lake Somerville - 03/01/24 09:51 PM

Originally Posted by Im2bz2p345
About 2 weeks ago, I tried to crappie fishing with my father at Somerville in the brushy piles in the main lake, but they weren't there for sure. That might have been pre-spawn for them. I realize this is the bank fishing forum, but do you guys know where we might find them in the lake? What depth would you recommend trying to find brush in? We don't have any fancy equipment like live scope, just your normal fish finder with down & side imaging. Unfortunately, we can't take our boat into the creek/shallow water, so trying to figure out the next best place. Preferably near Rocky Creek/Yegua state parks.


There are some brush piles just to the southwest of the boat ramp along the shore there at Rocky Creek. They get fished pretty hard, but still worth a try. Otherwise, maybe hire guide Kevin Kubiak to show you around the lake a little. He fishes brush piles for crappie.

Also, take me out sometime. I love crappie fishing brush piles, but I don't have a boat. roflmao
Posted By: Average Joe

Re: Lake Somerville - 03/02/24 03:12 AM

Fished Newmans and Irwin a bit. Sloooow day, ended up with just 2. One 14" and one 11". Always good to get out.
Posted By: R2Fish

Re: Lake Somerville - 03/02/24 04:10 AM

Originally Posted by Im2bz2p345
About 2 weeks ago, I tried to crappie fishing with my father at Somerville in the brushy piles in the main lake, but they weren't there for sure. That might have been pre-spawn for them. I realize this is the bank fishing forum, but do you guys know where we might find them in the lake? What depth would you recommend trying to find brush in? We don't have any fancy equipment like live scope, just your normal fish finder with down & side imaging. Unfortunately, we can't take our boat into the creek/shallow water, so trying to figure out the next best place. Preferably near Rocky Creek/Yegua state parks.


They are just starting to get on brush. I’ve been member here forever. Lost my acct and after a few years decided to come back after spending last few years in 2cool.

Lake temps are still lower than we’d all like. Everyone gets fidgety this time of year. 68° water temp and extended daylight hours our crappie will hit the spawn and show out. I haven’t seen it above 62°…

Stay on them, it’s coming…

If anyone is on FB, we have a ‘’lake Somerville fishing”
Page. All the guides are on there except 1 that I know..we regularly post reliable reports when we have great trips. It’s been slow as of recent.
Posted By: Average Joe

Re: Lake Somerville - 03/02/24 02:33 PM

Hey R2! How you been??
Posted By: jsinn01

Re: Lake Somerville - 03/02/24 03:05 PM

Originally Posted by Average Joe
Fished Newmans and Irwin a bit. Sloooow day, ended up with just 2. One 14" and one 11". Always good to get out.


Thanks for the report. It can get tough when it hasn't rained in awhile and the creek clears up. Those fish get leery.
Posted By: Average Joe

Re: Lake Somerville - 03/02/24 05:16 PM

Originally Posted by jsinn01
Originally Posted by Average Joe
Fished Newmans and Irwin a bit. Sloooow day, ended up with just 2. One 14" and one 11". Always good to get out.


Thanks for the report. It can get tough when it hasn't rained in awhile and the creek clears up. Those fish get leery.


Rain in the the forecast this week, Thursday and Friday! Next weekend may be good!

I caught a female and just took a look at the egg sac. Looks like it was almost fully developed and might be spawning soon. Of course I'm no expert!
Posted By: B-Sal

Re: Lake Somerville - 03/02/24 08:19 PM

Started at Irwin @ 0900 this morning only had one swipe on a rooster tail. No hit on the Clouser, moved to Newman’s @11 just left 20 minutes ago. I fished up stream from the old trail way bridge no luck. Most I saw was 3 on a stringer. Fish were visible and actively chasing each other and rubbing up on each other. I could cast right in front of them and they would dart off. Heard reports of crappie being caught down stream from the old bridge but never went down stream to verify. Lots of cars in the parking lot. Game warden was around in the morning but has since moved on.

Hope this helps.

Also I heard reports of 100 plus cars at the steps today can anyone verify this
Posted By: jsinn01

Re: Lake Somerville - 03/02/24 11:44 PM

Originally Posted by B-Sal
Started at Irwin @ 0900 this morning only had one swipe on a rooster tail. No hit on the Clouser, moved to Newman’s @11 just left 20 minutes ago. I fished up stream from the old trail way bridge no luck. Most I saw was 3 on a stringer. Fish were visible and actively chasing each other and rubbing up on each other. I could cast right in front of them and they would dart off. Heard reports of crappie being caught down stream from the old bridge but never went down stream to verify. Lots of cars in the parking lot. Game warden was around in the morning but has since moved on.

Hope this helps.

Also I heard reports of 100 plus cars at the steps today can anyone verify this


Thanks for the report, B-Sal. I can believe there were lots of folks at the steps today. With it being a Saturday and the weather so nice.
Posted By: JonL

Re: Lake Somerville - 03/03/24 12:12 AM

Went to my cousin Troy and mine favorite fishing hole from Irwin Bridge and caught 8 fish, 6 keeper whites, 1 throw back, and highlight of the day one 17 7/8" hybrid. That was really fun on ultra light. This will be my last 3 hr round trip excursion to the Yegua this year. Was really glad to have the opportunity to catch some whites this year. Really didn't think it was going to happen. Hopefully will see everyone next December when hopefully the lake stays above pool and we get alot more whites up into the creeks. [Linked Image]
[Linked Image]
[Linked Image]
Posted By: jsinn01

Re: Lake Somerville - 03/03/24 12:32 AM

Nice fish, JonL!
Posted By: EllerTroy

Re: Lake Somerville - 03/03/24 12:33 AM

I know the hybrid was fun Cuz. I’ve saw reports that the fishing is really good down at the Neuces River. Wish I could go but too many things going on right now.
Posted By: JonL

Re: Lake Somerville - 03/03/24 12:36 AM

Thanks Jsinn01.
Posted By: Average Joe

Re: Lake Somerville - 03/03/24 01:55 AM

Good haul JonL!
Posted By: R2Fish

Re: Lake Somerville - 03/03/24 02:20 AM

Originally Posted by Average Joe
Hey R2! How you been??


Good! Just getting into the grind of things.

Whitebass seem to be picking up on main lake humps and points, crappie were still slow today. I believe only 1 person rolled in to Marina with a decent box put together 14/15 crappie today.

Water temp is holding right at 60°
Posted By: J-Moe

Re: Lake Somerville - 03/03/24 02:49 AM

Nice catch JonL thumb

Landing a hybrid on light gear in the creek always makes for a great day!!!
Posted By: Average Joe

Re: Lake Somerville - 03/03/24 06:40 PM

Originally Posted by R2Fish
Originally Posted by Average Joe
Hey R2! How you been??




Going to PM you about a trip!
Posted By: J-Moe

Re: Lake Somerville - 03/05/24 02:01 AM

I have been white bass fishing all over the state of Texas the last couple of weeks. The one thing that has been consistent is that as soon as the sun gets up in the sky over the trees the fishing almost completely shuts down.

Same thing has been happening in the evening. I fished Newman Bottom this evening. I got there around 3:30. For the first hour I only caught 1 white bass. But then I started to see a lot of movement of white bass and some clear spawning activity. I made a dozen casts or so with a chartreuse/white clouser but couldn't get a bite. I switched over to the magical clouser and immediately started catching fish. The first 6 or 7 were small males but the fish got bigger as the sun crept toward the horizon.

I ended up catching 24 more between 4:30 and 6 PM and left them biting. I did catch some females but they looked to be at least partially depleted of eggs.

[Linked Image]
Posted By: texasangler223

Re: Lake Somerville - 03/06/24 09:28 PM

Typically is it better to go right or left from the bridge at NB?
Posted By: J-Moe

Re: Lake Somerville - 03/07/24 12:56 AM

If you go right or downstream the water is deeper but there is little flow. I would go left.
Posted By: Trav281

Re: Lake Somerville - 03/07/24 02:21 AM

J-Moe is the master of white bass flehan
Posted By: BayouFennec

Re: Lake Somerville - 03/08/24 05:45 PM

so i caught these two crappie in the Yegua yesterday. i found the contrast in their appearance weird. can someone with more knowledge than me explain the difference in color? i assume one is a black crappie and the other white crappie. i've caught both before but never that black. i thought maybe it has something to do with the spawn?

[Linked Image]
[Linked Image]
Posted By: SomervilleFishing

Re: Lake Somerville - 03/08/24 06:45 PM

The 1st one is male black crappie, with tuxedo on for female spawn. The 2nd fish is female white crappie. Nice catch!
Posted By: hook-line&sinker

Re: Lake Somerville - 03/10/24 02:30 AM

Thinking about hitting the upper reaches of the Yegua.. hope to find some unmolested water and fish..
Posted By: hook-line&sinker

Re: Lake Somerville - 03/11/24 01:52 PM

Yep.. the whitebass party is over on the Yegua.. now lets go catch some crappie! wink . ..

Posted By: J-Moe

Re: Lake Somerville - 03/11/24 08:26 PM

Great Video!! thumb
Posted By: Ashtongt11

Re: Lake Somerville - 03/12/24 03:25 PM

Is the white bass fishing at Newman still any good to check out? Want to go fishing, but don’t know if it’s worth the drive.
Posted By: jsinn01

Re: Lake Somerville - 03/12/24 06:41 PM

Originally Posted by Ashtongt11
Is the white bass fishing at Newman still any good to check out? Want to go fishing, but don’t know if it’s worth the drive.


Not unless your name is J-Moe. Fishing has been slow. Maybe if we get a good rain it will pick up.
Posted By: Ashtongt11

Re: Lake Somerville - 03/12/24 06:47 PM

Yep. Heard a lot about him from this chat.

Well I might just go anyways. Antsy to just get out of the house.
Posted By: Ashtongt11

Re: Lake Somerville - 03/12/24 07:07 PM

Would there be any other spots around to check out? Bass or White Bass. Really just want to get hooked on some fish. The past few years for me, fishing has been abysmal in terms of fishing spots and bites.
Posted By: shanetx

Re: Lake Somerville - 03/12/24 07:16 PM

I was out on somerville yesterday though in a boat. Launched at Nails Creek. Got 2 large mouth. One 5+ lbs over by the brushy creek inlet (atleast that cove, not get anywhere near the actual creek in my boat.
Posted By: Ashtongt11

Re: Lake Somerville - 03/12/24 07:23 PM

Originally Posted by shanetx
I was out on somerville yesterday though in a boat. Launched at Nails Creek. Got 2 large mouth. One 5+ lbs over by the brushy creek inlet (atleast that cove, not get anywhere near the actual creek in my boat.


Haven't caught a bass over 2 pounds in a long while. Nice job!
Posted By: Average Joe

Re: Lake Somerville - 03/12/24 07:29 PM

Lots of rain in the forecast this upcoming weekend. Maybe that will help but from the vid that Hook Link Sinker posted, he mentioned J-Moe is struggling to catch fish as well in the creeks. That might be it for Yegua creek this season.
Posted By: Ashtongt11

Re: Lake Somerville - 03/12/24 07:33 PM

Thats unfortunate. Any recommendations for spots around? Have a free day today and want to put it to good use.
Posted By: Average Joe

Re: Lake Somerville - 03/12/24 07:45 PM

Originally Posted by Ashtongt11
Thats unfortunate. Any recommendations for spots around? Have a free day today and want to put it to good use.


Give the steps a try
Posted By: Ashtongt11

Re: Lake Somerville - 03/12/24 07:48 PM

Originally Posted by Average Joe
Originally Posted by Ashtongt11
Thats unfortunate. Any recommendations for spots around? Have a free day today and want to put it to good use.


Give the steps a try


Where would that be? I've seen that come up every now and then. Don't know the area very well.
Posted By: jsinn01

Re: Lake Somerville - 03/12/24 07:49 PM

Originally Posted by Ashtongt11
Thats unfortunate. Any recommendations for spots around? Have a free day today and want to put it to good use.


You could always try the intake side of the Somerville dam for black bass & crappie. I used to fish it sometimes back when I was going to A&M. Just be careful walking along those rocks. And watch for snakes!

Also, not sure if you're close to College Station, but you may want to try Lake Bryan. You can catch bass along the rock dam. There's some crappie in there too.
Posted By: Ashtongt11

Re: Lake Somerville - 03/12/24 07:53 PM

Originally Posted by jsinn01
Originally Posted by Ashtongt11
Thats unfortunate. Any recommendations for spots around? Have a free day today and want to put it to good use.


You could always try the intake side of the Somerville dam for black bass & crappie. I used to fish it sometimes back when I was going to A&M. Just be careful walking along those rocks. And watch for snakes!

Also, not sure if you're close to College Station, but you may want to try Lake Bryan. You can catch bass along the rock dam. There's some crappie in there too.


Yes sir I live in College Station. I actually went to Lake Bryan yesterday. Got skunked. Was fishing in the cove.
Posted By: Ashtongt11

Re: Lake Somerville - 03/12/24 08:00 PM

Originally Posted by jsinn01
Originally Posted by Ashtongt11
Thats unfortunate. Any recommendations for spots around? Have a free day today and want to put it to good use.


You could always try the intake side of the Somerville dam for black bass & crappie. I used to fish it sometimes back when I was going to A&M. Just be careful walking along those rocks. And watch for snakes!

Also, not sure if you're close to College Station, but you may want to try Lake Bryan. You can catch bass along the rock dam. There's some crappie in there too.


The dam looks promising. A much closer drive than newmans. Think I'd have any luck?
Posted By: jsinn01

Re: Lake Somerville - 03/12/24 08:06 PM

It's very deep water so there are fish there. It kind of sucks walking on those rocks though. And in the summer that place is crawling with snakes. Big ones!
Posted By: Ashtongt11

Re: Lake Somerville - 03/12/24 08:07 PM

Originally Posted by jsinn01
It's very deep water so there are fish there. It kind of sucks walking on those rocks though. And in the summer that place is crawling with snakes. Big ones!


Well thanks for the advice. Gonna try my luck out there. Hope to land some bass.

Any tips for lures?
Posted By: jsinn01

Re: Lake Somerville - 03/12/24 08:41 PM

I would try different types of crank baits and work them down along the rocks. Senkos usually work well too. Good luck!
Posted By: Ashtongt11

Re: Lake Somerville - 03/12/24 08:55 PM

Originally Posted by jsinn01
I would try different types of crank baits and work them down along the rocks. Senkos usually work well too. Good luck!


Perfect! Just picked up a 1.5 KVD crank and a jerkbait. Slowly building my arsenal.

Thank you again!
Posted By: jsinn01

Re: Lake Somerville - 03/12/24 10:05 PM

Originally Posted by Ashtongt11
Originally Posted by jsinn01
Originally Posted by Ashtongt11
Thats unfortunate. Any recommendations for spots around? Have a free day today and want to put it to good use.


You could always try the intake side of the Somerville dam for black bass & crappie. I used to fish it sometimes back when I was going to A&M. Just be careful walking along those rocks. And watch for snakes!

Also, not sure if you're close to College Station, but you may want to try Lake Bryan. You can catch bass along the rock dam. There's some crappie in there too.


Yes sir I live in College Station. I actually went to Lake Bryan yesterday. Got skunked. Was fishing in the cove.


If you fish Lake Bryan, fish along the rock dam. Use a Rat-L-Trap lure and don't cast out to open water. Instead cast right up along shore in those rocks. That's where the bass are (up shallow in those rocks). There aren't a lot of big bass in there, but there are plenty in the two to three pound range. Again, just be careful walking along the rocks, because they are not the most stable. Hope this helps.
Posted By: Ashtongt11

Re: Lake Somerville - 03/12/24 11:53 PM

Well… been at the spillway since 4:00. Nothin. People around me been catching catfish though.
Posted By: Ashtongt11

Re: Lake Somerville - 03/13/24 12:44 AM

Originally Posted by jsinn01
If you fish Lake Bryan, fish along the rock dam. Use a Rat-L-Trap lure and don't cast out to open water. Instead cast right up along shore in those rocks. That's where the bass are (up shallow in those rocks). There aren't a lot of big bass in there, but there are plenty in the two to three pound range. Again, just be careful walking along the rocks, because they are not the most stable. Hope this helps.


I might hit that up tomorrow. Been fishing everyday the past 3 days with only 3 catches lol.
Posted By: jsinn01

Re: Lake Somerville - 03/13/24 12:50 AM

It actually runs almost the entire length of the lake. There is a road that runs along the top of it.
Posted By: Ashtongt11

Re: Lake Somerville - 03/13/24 01:17 AM

Oh okay cool. Will check that out tomorrow.
Posted By: jsinn01

Re: Lake Somerville - 03/15/24 04:15 PM

Wondering if the rain we're getting will bring some more fish up the creeks... noidea
Posted By: Boudreaux

Re: Lake Somerville - 03/16/24 12:17 PM

Originally Posted by jsinn01
Wondering if the rain we're getting will bring some more fish up the creeks... noidea


Honestly, it will probably take fish out of the creek, they will make their way back out to the main lake. Usually see the white bass bite taper off this time of year. I usually only fish the creek till about mid March on Somerville. Runs in other areas are still going but it seems Somerville hits first. This year with not having water till the end of January, and last year with no water till late in spawn has got things a bit messed up for sure. I'd be looking for those whites and hybrids coming up once the shad spawn starts.
Posted By: Junkguy

Re: Lake Somerville - 03/18/24 12:26 AM

Are the catfish spawning at Somerville right now? Also besides fishing alongside the damn what is another alternative that’s produced some good cats?
Posted By: Jing

Re: Lake Somerville - 03/18/24 07:26 PM

Originally Posted by J-Moe
I have been white bass fishing all over the state of Texas the last couple of weeks. The one thing that has been consistent is that as soon as the sun gets up in the sky over the trees the fishing almost completely shuts down.

Same thing has been happening in the evening. I fished Newman Bottom this evening. I got there around 3:30. For the first hour I only caught 1 white bass. But then I started to see a lot of movement of white bass and some clear spawning activity. I made a dozen casts or so with a chartreuse/white clouser but couldn't get a bite. I switched over to the magical clouser and immediately started catching fish. The first 6 or 7 were small males but the fish got bigger as the sun crept toward the horizon.

I ended up catching 24 more between 4:30 and 6 PM and left them biting. I did catch some females but they looked to be at least partially depleted of eggs.

[Linked Image]

[Linked Image]
J-Moe, is this you? My friend took the picture at Wilderness park yesterday. He was so amazed by your (if its you) flying fishing skills...
Posted By: Jing

Re: Lake Somerville - 03/18/24 07:27 PM

the fly fishing rod is giving the answer....
Posted By: J-Moe

Re: Lake Somerville - 03/18/24 08:03 PM

LOL, Yes Sir, that was me. grin
Posted By: fishytx

Re: Lake Somerville - 03/18/24 09:24 PM

The fish will hunker down in deeper pockets when it's a blue bird sky. Pop out and move up shallow in late afternoon or early mornings. Spawn through out the night.
Now if the water is dirty, they will feed shallow all day long.
Posted By: Junkguy

Re: Lake Somerville - 03/18/24 10:05 PM

Nice catch brother
Posted By: Jing

Re: Lake Somerville - 03/19/24 06:18 PM


white bass chasing each other in front of me at Steps, 3/17
Posted By: Junkguy

Re: Lake Somerville - 03/19/24 10:45 PM

Does anyone know if the dam is open?
Posted By: monstermaggie

Re: Lake Somerville - 03/20/24 12:12 AM

How’s creeks like nails and cedar doing recently? I’ve had a good trip early Feb but haven’t got time to come back. Is the run over or is there still fish? Thanks!
Posted By: Trav281

Re: Lake Somerville - 03/20/24 01:12 AM

Originally Posted by Jing
Originally Posted by J-Moe
I have been white bass fishing all over the state of Texas the last couple of weeks. The one thing that has been consistent is that as soon as the sun gets up in the sky over the trees the fishing almost completely shuts down.

Same thing has been happening in the evening. I fished Newman Bottom this evening. I got there around 3:30. For the first hour I only caught 1 white bass. But then I started to see a lot of movement of white bass and some clear spawning activity. I made a dozen casts or so with a chartreuse/white clouser but couldn't get a bite. I switched over to the magical clouser and immediately started catching fish. The first 6 or 7 were small males but the fish got bigger as the sun crept toward the horizon.

I ended up catching 24 more between 4:30 and 6 PM and left them biting. I did catch some females but they looked to be at least partially depleted of eggs.

[Linked Image]

[Linked Image]
J-Moe, is this you? My friend took the picture at Wilderness park yesterday. He was so amazed by your (if its you) flying fishing skills...
Posted By: Trav281

Re: Lake Somerville - 03/20/24 01:12 AM

grin grin grin
Posted By: J-Moe

Re: Lake Somerville - 03/20/24 01:50 PM

Originally Posted by Junkguy
Does anyone know if the dam is open?


The COE is not releasing any water. Note, it shows release of 1 CFS. That's normal leakage.

https://www.swf-wc.usace.army.mil/somerville/
Posted By: J-Moe

Re: Lake Somerville - 03/20/24 01:55 PM

Originally Posted by monstermaggie
How’s creeks like nails and cedar doing recently? I’ve had a good trip early Feb but haven’t got time to come back. Is the run over or is there still fish? Thanks!


These creeks are very low with little flow, not like they were in February. They only produce after a significant rise in height and flow. Once the water level declines the fish move downstream or back into the lake.
Posted By: shanetx

Re: Lake Somerville - 03/20/24 03:49 PM

J-Moe - Thank you as usual for the information. Curious if you ever bank fly fish out of any state parks. Trying to plan some camping and wondering if one state park or the other has any good fly fishing areas..
Posted By: J-Moe

Re: Lake Somerville - 03/20/24 04:16 PM

Originally Posted by shanetx
J-Moe - Thank you as usual for the information. Curious if you ever bank fly fish out of any state parks. Trying to plan some camping and wondering if one state park or the other has any good fly fishing areas..


Howdy Shanetx,

Yes, I have a state parks pass and I fish several of them. But usually fish the lakes from the kayak. Some of the state parks rent kayaks.

There is some bank fishing areas that you can fly fish at Buescher State Park, Fort Boggy State Park, Mckinney Falls State Park, Blanco State Park and Garner State Park to name few.

Your best bet would be to fish one of the parks on a river where you can wade fish a larger area. Mckinney falls on Onion Creek, Blanco State Park on the Blanco river and Garner state park on the Frio River. I catch sunfish, rios and bass in these rivers. I here a lot of good things about Garner state park. I have never stayed at any of them but love to fish them.
Posted By: JILAS

Re: Lake Somerville - 03/21/24 03:27 AM

Any signs of WB chasing shad on Somerville banks? i assume WB are out of creeks and back in lake.
Posted By: JILAS

Re: Lake Somerville - 03/23/24 04:50 PM

fished Somerville Friday 8am-2pm. "Graphed" "fish" 12-15 FOW on Lowrance Elite 9" but caught 10+" & 8". Did not see many "bent poles" from waders (Welch Park) and other few boats moving a lot. No signs of WB chasing shad on Somerville banks.
Posted By: J-Moe

Re: Lake Somerville - 03/23/24 11:18 PM

Thanks for the report Sir
Posted By: KJ Fishing

Re: Lake Somerville - 03/25/24 10:18 PM

[Linked Image]
All I found on the main lake, fished birch park area.
Posted By: SomervilleFishing

Re: Lake Somerville - 03/26/24 02:44 AM

KJ Fishing, Very nice catch! Thanks for sharing the picture. There is a damaged pier in Birch Creek State Park, and it is a good crappie fishing honey hole.
Posted By: KJ Fishing

Re: Lake Somerville - 03/28/24 11:53 PM

White bass and crappie still in the creeks? I am itching to go this Sunday!
Posted By: ladybluearm

Re: Lake Somerville - 03/29/24 02:50 AM

Not so much on the white bass but crappie are.
Posted By: KJ Fishing

Re: Lake Somerville - 03/29/24 05:14 AM

Thank you. I will check out Newmans on Sunday!
Posted By: TXfisherman12

Re: Lake Somerville - 03/30/24 01:36 AM

Still some stragglers left in the Yegua at Irwin bridge. 6 of 7 white bass today were solid keepers. I ditched the fly gear and was using mepps spinners and rooster tails.
[Linked Image]

[Linked Image]
Posted By: jsinn01

Re: Lake Somerville - 03/31/24 03:03 PM

Nice! Glad you were able to catch a few. thumb
Posted By: KJ Fishing

Re: Lake Somerville - 04/05/24 08:56 PM

Not sure where all the fish are hiding. I spent 9 hours on the lake and only found fish on the 6th brush pile. [Linked Image]
Posted By: J-Moe

Re: Lake Somerville - 04/06/24 08:46 PM

Persistence paid off. Nice haul thumb
Posted By: KJ Fishing

Re: Lake Somerville - 04/06/24 09:11 PM

I don’t know what the pattern means, maybe someone can educate me. Water was 69F at 9 am, about 71F by 5 pm. Lots of bait fish by the dam on the east side of the lake. Very little bait that I can find on the west side of the lake. All were caught on minnows, with 2 crappies caught on 1/16 jig on Cajun cricket.

I couldn’t find fish until about 2 pm in the afternoon, they were aggressive when did find them. The crappie doesn’t seem to be close to shore, but many were full with eggs.

I would have thought they be spawned out by now.

All my fish was given to friends, family and neighbors.
Posted By: jsinn01

Re: Lake Somerville - 04/06/24 10:30 PM

Looks like a nice sized channel cat to boot. thumb
Posted By: J-Moe

Re: Lake Somerville - 04/10/24 01:45 PM

I've been checking on the shad spawn on the main lake every few days. I've seen some isolated pockets of spawning but not anything of significance. I checked on the main lake again this morning. I didn't see any spawning activity but there were a good amount of shad close in to the shoreline. I fished for an hour and only caught 4 small white bass and a small LMB.

Overnight temperatures are expected to be in the 70's early part of next week. It should kick off some better fishing.

[Linked Image]
Posted By: jsinn01

Re: Lake Somerville - 04/10/24 03:28 PM

Thanks for the report, J-Moe.
Posted By: shanetx

Re: Lake Somerville - 04/10/24 06:12 PM

Still trying to figure this lake out. I was out there last weekend and caught 1 LMB (2.45lbs) and 1 catfish in 5 hrs of fishing. Lake is big and I'm probably running around to much.
Posted By: Average Joe

Re: Lake Somerville - 04/11/24 04:47 PM

Originally Posted by J-Moe
I've been checking on the shad spawn on the main lake every few days. I've seen some isolated pockets of spawning but not anything of significance. I checked on the main lake again this morning. I didn't see any spawning activity but there were a good amount of shad close in to the shoreline. I fished for an hour and only caught 4 small white bass and a small LMB.

Overnight temperatures are expected to be in the 70's early part of next week. It should kick off some better fishing.



Heck yeah! I'll get a chance to head out there with a guide in May.
Posted By: J-Moe

Re: Lake Somerville - 04/15/24 06:02 PM

Howdy,

I have been catching crappie in shallow water at several of the lakes in the region.

Are there any locations on Somerville where I might wade out and catch crappie in shallow water?
Posted By: J-Moe

Re: Lake Somerville - 04/18/24 12:55 PM

Checked on the shad spawn this morning. It was 75 degrees and I was already sweating at 5 AM this morning so I had high expectations. No spawning shad though. There were still a good amount of shad swimming along the bank but no predators in the area. Full moon is in 5 days. Maybe that will kick it off.
Posted By: slopez

Re: Lake Somerville - 04/22/24 05:30 PM

Fished the Birch Creek pier Saturday before the rain hit. Crappie were there, bite was slow, but often enough to keep me interested. just had to keep moving bait around from post to post and keep minnow lively. There were shad swarming the pier and the bank, but I don't think they were spawning. As J-Moe said, no predator fish after them. Just a crane that was picking up shad at will. Didn't see much action from the bank fisherman fishing for white bass off the peninsula. There were not a lot of ppl there. usually that pier is packed. Maybe they didn't come out due to weather forecast. Can't wait to see that water boiling!
Posted By: JILAS

Re: Lake Somerville - 04/26/24 12:27 AM

Fished Somerville yesterday, About 6-9 dead shad at Welch boat ramp (~7am). No WB activity chasing shad on shoreline. No schooling activity in lake. Fish several areas in boat & graphed lots of bait fish but no WB bite. Caught 4 WB keepers released & small perch. Good day to fish but not "catching".
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