Hey everyone,

I'm brand new to the Austin area and am looking for some info on spots near town to do some bank fishing. I'm very near the east end of Town Lake but I've heard the fishing is [censored] and they arent edible anyway or something. Either way I'd fish it for fun.

Also, What kind of equipment should i acquire? I'm used to fishing mainly walleye and musky up north but dont feel like bass should be too difficult for me to get after some time.

Basically any information on where to go, what to use, how to get there, what to eat, any of that [censored] would be VERY helpful. I like fishing a lot but going to [censored] places could ruin the idea for me so going somewhere that people know there are fish should help. Thanks a ton!!! looking forward to swapping "the one that got away" stories real soon.

Eric

Go to Lake Austin right now and throw crankbaits. If you have access to a canoe or kayak you should take it out there before they fill the lake back up. If not, you might try going to Mary Quinlan park in Steiner Ranch and crossing the lake, then fish the rocks/bluffs on the west side of the lake. Or you can park on the east(north?) side of the 360 bridge and walk down to the rocks there. There have been atleast 20 bass over 8 lbs caught in LA since Christmas.
When LA fills back up, you can also fish the low-water bridge up by Mansfield Dam. I've never been there, but I have friends that have seen a lot of big bass pulled out.
The fishing in Town Lake is great. I'm not sure where you heard otherwise, maybe someone was trying to keep their spot a secret. I definitely wouldn't eat anything out of there though. A canoe or kayak is very helpful for there as well.
There's also the Colorado River below Town Lake. If you park below the 183/Montopolis bridge and walk upstream, there are a couple good holes you can fish. I caught a 7 lb 10 oz in the river a couple weeks ago.

Have you ever carp fished? Lake Austin and Town Lake have the best carp fishing in the state. Buy a couple cans of whole kernel sweet corn and chum an area up a bit and then rig up with some split shot and a single gold aberdeen hook with a couple corn kernels on it and throw it out into your chummed area and leave your bail open. Use a spinning rod.

Feel free to PM me if you need any clarification.

What Crankbait's are working the best?

Any that get deep. DD22's, DD14s, anything really that will dive 8-16 ft. I've had my best luck on shad colors, for a while people were throwing chartreuse, but I think the fish on LA have seen more chartreuse DD22s this month than they have their entire life.

any large swimbaits too...if you can find them, much less afford them..

Town Lake I thought was being lowered, too...????

Hey Eric,

I'm about to move over to Austin to sometime around early summer. Did you have any luck fishing yet? I'll be looking for fishing spots myself. I usually go saltwater. Never really got into freshwater, so don't know how much a learning curve it'll be. Gear, techniques so forth... Hopefully hear from you soon...

Shrimp Chips