Went to Lake Nasworthy today. Had an awesome Day. Even got my heart broke once. It fishes very shallow which is exactly what I am used to. Thanks for the advice Clint H!

Thanks Steve B!

that place always has and always will be a mudhole regardless of water level. The lakes holding well since the big flood a few years ago and we've been seeing a lot of guys dragging catfish boats in and out of there.

If you haven't been out there in a while you would be surprised. It is anything but a mud hole. Water actually looks really good. Maybe a little soon to really go out and target nice bass, but it's certainly not a mud hole.

Yep. Super clear now. Anyone saying it's muddy hasn't been since it caught water.

Have you fished it??

I live on Spence and it is fishing good for numbers, up to 3 lbs. Ivie is great, oak creek is also good.

Oak creek???? It's been like the dead sea for me. Care to share any intel?

No. Have only been a few times during the week to work with my dog. Have seen small fish schooling. Had several small dead crappie that washed on the shore last time I was out there. I know people that have caught some nice catfish out there and of a handful of 14-18" bass.

But it's obvious from shore it's not a mud hole. Co-worker showed me pictures the other day of them tubing and skiing. I would have never guess it was JB Thomas.

Wow. I may have to make a trip out there then. I have been wanting to fish it. It's only an hour and a half from me and that is actually the nearest lake to me.

Some decent info here. I've been landlocked in Midland for the last 7 years! I have finally found which lakes are worth a drive and which ones aren't. Depending on what you're after, size or numbers, you have several options within 3 hours.

Best lakes for size:

Alan Henry: You always have a shot at a fish over 7 or 8 lbs here. They have recently lit up like the 4th of July. That lake went a LONG time without consistent big fish. It ha spit out a TON of 9+ fish this year and continues to show out on occasion. Fish deep. Clearish water. Stay on the south/east end for best chance at a big one. Lots of good spots to catch from 1-4lbs. Go up the river for consistent LMB. Chaos from pleasure boats in the summer. No wake zones in most creeks makes it fishable. Getting to your spot is the trick.

Oak Creek: I've only fished it once but I worked at the Tracker boating center and talked to a LOT of people who told stories (and had photo proof haha) of their days on OC. Lots of Big fish. Buddy of mine showed me a days catch out there. 6XD+December+Main Lake Point=25 fish over 5 in 30 casts with the best 5 going 49lbs... Stupid. Don't expect that, but it's possible. Lots of 4-5lbers in there, but there's not a huge population.

O.H. Ivie: Probably the most frustrating lake if you don't know it. Lots of big fish here. A lot like Fork. In 2011, it had a TON of 13lb+ fish in it. It just caught a bunch of water. If they don't drain t immediately, look for it to get good in the next few years.

Best Lakes for numbers:

There's really only one lake worth mentioning that has consistent numbers of 1-3lb LMB. That is the one and only...drumroll... Lake Brantley in NM. I have had several 50-60 fish days with a few over 100. Not a lot of big ones, but they do live there. I've seen an 11 from there and my buddy Jason seems to be able to find 4-5lbers occasionally. Go get your line stretched there for sure. Bring a $5. No change makers there. Spent $20 the hard way once.

Other notable lakes in order of worthiness:

Nasworthy: lots of 3-7lb fish in this lake if you know where to look. It's a fun grass lake.
White River: this is a hot or cold lake... Mostly cold, but I've had decent numbers and good size. Not busy at
all.
Fort Phantom Hill: decent population of bass. Fish rocks and docks. Not really any grass. The dam has good fish. Great white bass and crappie too if you're just looking to stretch a line.
Sweetwater: if it is over its golden algae problem, it used to have a GREAT population of 4-6lbers. Look for it to get good again one of these days. Probably severely overlooked.

Don't waste your time at:
EV Spence
JB Thomas
Moss Creek Lake
Champion
Red Bluff
Buffalo Springs

Most of these don't have a good enough population of fish or haven't caught up from stocking or flooding yet. JBT and EVS might be decent in a few years, but they only put a few 100K fry in them and they're big lakes. Not sure that's enough to justify it being a "good" bass lake for a long time. EVS has some
Stripers in it though.

Hope this is helpful! Silver Bullet Bass Club and Permian Bass Club are solid! Great guys and a good schedule.

Lake Alan Henry is the real deal. Last Friday Night's T had 4 limits over 6#s. Big fish was a 9.25 lber. Had a 7 6 and 5 lber caught as well. Even a 4.14 spotted bass. Most came out of deep water on soft plastics. One came on a SB in the shallows. Hope this helps. Tight lines, keep safe and good luck.

Thad Rains