Hello - My outboard is currently being rebuilt at East Texas Outboards in Tool, TX on the west side of Cedar Creek, and it should be ready this coming Friday (12/11/20). Fishing partner and I are going to make the 3 hour drive to pick it up on Friday morning and try to get a short fishing trip in from about 10am-5pm, before making the drive back to Travis. This should also give me a chance to run the rebuild while still near the shop in case there is an issue. In any event, neither of us has fished either of these lakes, and we are looking for advice on what to do. The shop is on Cedar Creek, so it is certainly the easiest, but the "FM 2859 Crossing Public Boat Ramp" on RC looks to be about 25 min away.

So what say you - Stick with Cedar Creek? Or, is RC fishing significantly better and/or otherwise worth the 30 min jump over?

Any advice you may have regarding logistics or how to approach a quick trip would be helpful. If there are any "known" community-hole type places to start or techniques, that would a great help help. Not looking to steal any secrets, just get up to speed on the "knowns" of the lake. Feel free to pm, if you prefer to share that way. Thanks in advance!

RC can be very rough with a modest North wind and has a lot of stumps and no boat lanes. If you've never been on RC and your primarily looking to run the boat go to CC. RC can be a scary lake with a North wind.

I second going to Cedar Creek. RC is rough with any winds over 10-15 MPH and has underwater forests in places you think you can run. It’s much easier to navigate CC but it can be rough with high winds as well, launch at Log Cabin on the south end and head west.

Dont think they are biting much at either lake, I would go to CC for sure

Sounds like CC will be the best bet. Kind of an odd time of year, but that's the card dealt.

Any general area to avoid? Safe to run the main lake of the lower half?

Lone Star Marina is close to the shop - ok to launch there? Or, worth while to make the short drive to log cabin?

Thanks again

I would hit CC with some lead slabs and load up on sandies and hybrids.

Look for schools on humps and ridges or boats fishing in groups on the main lake.

CC - Launch out of Log Cabin, head up to Clear Creek (next creek north) and skip the docks on the south bank all the way from the bridge towards the mouth until you get to the big house/dock with the stone fireplace/bar and the A&M flags flying.

Then stop, have a chat, and of course... ask for a beer... Rinse and Repeat. Don't be afraid to hit some of the docks inside the smaller creeks/pockets as well.

Great info! Much appreciated!

Maybe I can get Skeeter John to dump his Texas gear and put on an aTm hat while at the fireplace/bar/A&M flags (long & cold swim home otherwise, SJ, lol).

Thanks (& Gig'em to any other Aggies involved in these posts).

Ugh, I refuse to fish any docks related to aggies.

Not sure I will be able to fish Chris. Sounds like Urban turned us down so I will be part of the coaching search. Gonna bring Mack back and Muschamp as DC. Trying to bring back the magic from the 2009 season. Seems to be the last time we had any!

The Lone Star ramp is only 5 minutes from the shop your at. Well protected, but tight quarters and limited parking. Take a left out of marina and go to the next major cove or go straight across the lake as well. Log Cabin is great ramp, 30 minutes from the shop. Zx4545 is on the money. Watch the po po's in Log Cabin! That being said watch your speed anywhere at CCL

Thanks Steve! Any value in c-rigging/cranking points, or most efficient to stick with docks/shore and coves/creeks?

I would launch at the free Caney City ramp, at the north end of the 198 bridge over Caney Creek. Log Cabin charges $10.00 (I think). Just sayin'.....

Water level is only down about a foot, so you shouldn't have any trouble running the lake. Don't know what the current water temp is, haven't been out in quite a while. Spinner baits and swim jigs around docks, deep cranking or C-rig down by the dam.
Like Zx4545 said, go to Clear, next bridge north. Go under the bridge (it might look a little tight, but plenty of clearance) and fish the rip-rap, retaining walls and docks

Ranger Jim's advice is spot on. I would throw some cranks around boat house as well. The free ramp is a good ramp and puts you closer to main lake. Go 8 -10 pillars toward the center of the bridge from the bank before going under. Shallow water on the right on the main lake side. Lake is a foot low. Give the secondary points some space