Thinking about pulling a bass boat to one of these lakes on Saturday morning. How is the traffic at the ramp? Should I arrive at 6am? Going 120 miles to fish for freshwater reds and first time..PM or or reply here..thank you...

6 a.m. the gate opens and vehicles are usually backed up at the gate waiting.
The ramp does get crazy especially on the weekends.
Only advise I can give is just get in line and have patience.
If you can handle Austin traffic you can handle the traffic at the ramp!

If you don't want it stolen, don't leave it in the parking lot while you're out on the water.

So the crime is high at these lakes???

Anyone have bad experiences while fishing either of these lakes? And where should I park if parking lot is not a good place?

Sounds like I will be checking on my vehicle a few times, but should be patrolled if this is the problem. I am not in any mood to run into trouble as I do not tolerate it...

There are 10 better places to fish closer to you than those two if you are coming from Austin.

Braunig is ~30 mins from my front door, but costs and arm and a leg to launch and fishing is not what it once was. I will go to Choke or just about anywhere else before I go there.

Agreed, but the OP is looking to target Reds for the first time. Limited options unless he continues south to Port A.

I would not be fishing either lake on Easter Weekend. It will be a "MAD HOUSE"!



Side Note: As for crime ,it has not been much of a factor to me personally . I do know some people who have had their cars broken into. Just like anywhere, you need to know your surroundings.

+1 ! I only go to popular spots around SA on week days.

Thank you all for your opinions posted and offline too. Sincerely. We will be looking to stay closer as it is Easter Weekend.

Thanks again!

I've fished longer than half a century, and I can't remember ever seriously fishing any of the local lakes on Easter weekend!
It's when all the crazies emerge, although the covid lockdown brought many of them out even during the week.
I've fished Calaveras and Braunig since the late sixties, as well as all the other lakes in our area, and maybe I've just been lucky, but I've never had a problem with someone breaking into my vehicle.
I did have my rod and reels and tackle boxes stolen out of the boat while I slept in the truck camper down at Falcon lake years ago.
Just don't leave anything in sight, and lock your doors!
Thieves these days are a completely new breed, but if you can't trust going to those lakes, then what lakes CAN you trust going to?