I just moved to Nacogdoches. Word has it that the Shawnee river bottom is the place to catch the sand bass run. I couldn't find a topic talking about it. Anyone been?

I just moved here also,,wher is that located at,,,I've been to the Angelina River on 59 and Lake Nacogdoches,,,,Looking for somewhere else....

I used to fish there in college. It is on shawnee road, you will need 4x4 as the road is/was terrible. I did catch some whites there. Beware of gunfire and backwoods activity. I heard there were some folks living out there for a while and ran into some guys out there dodging the parole officer.

If I remember you go out university drive to a light take a left then take a right on shawnee. The road turns to dirt and you just follow it down into the bottom land. When the river is high it is hard to get down there.

I live in austin area now but sure do miss it out there.

I went yesterday and it took me a while to find it. I didn't know exactly where I was going, and had to actually pull over and ask a man checking his mail which road to turn on. I went around the loop until I passed the exit for 59. I went over some railroad tracks and then took a right on the road that has a sign pointing to the boy scout ranch. I took another right a couple or three miles out on a FM road. I didn't pay attention to the number...sorry. It actually dead ended at the Shawnee river bottom. Bank access was fairly limited. I was able to walk about 100 yards or so before I came to an inlet that was as far as I could tell the end of my trek on foot. The inlet looked fishy, but I didn't give it a fair chance. It was chilly and I was wanting to scout more than anything. I went back to the boy scout ranch road and took a right. There is another sign that points towards a Baptist church on the right. Take that right and then take the first gravel/dirt road to the left. It will also dead end at the river. That place is referred to as the Tram. People I spoke with who were boat fishing were not doing all that great, but had caught their limit just last weekend. I walked that bank too, but the fishing was challenging due to trees and brush. I managed to find several places where short casts were possible and landed a couple of sand bass, and one crappie. Wal-Mart was completely out of curly tail grubs. I left my main tackle box at my parents house in Athens last time I was there, so I used little tube jigs mostly. I had 2 little chartreuse grubs that worked best, but I lost them quickly. There is a good run going on down there, but having a boat would be ideal. I have a Nissan 4x4, and would not suggest a compact car or anything like that. There are a few "river people" down there, but it did not feel unsafe or anything.

I am glad you found it and I remember the tram as well. It's been almost 10 years since I went there. You are right there is only limited bank access. We used to wade fish out there up to our necks.

Thanks, I went out there again today. I took my fiancee' though, who is a beginner. I chose the Shawnee location instead of the Tram, just because it's a little easier to fish. We took minnows for her, and I fished jigs up the inlet I was talking about. It looks like it should be full of crappie, but I only caught one, and it was in the main river channel on our way back to the truck. I also hung about a 3 pound sandie, but lost it at the bank. I paid attention to the road numbers in case anyone else is trying to find it. The Boys Ranch road, not Boy Scout is FM 1275 off of the South loop. That turn is a mile or so past the 59 exit. The road that actually takes you down to the Shawnee bottom is FM 3228. I didn't have a lot of luck today, but I think the spot has potential on the right day. Maybe it needs to warm up a little to get them biting again. I'm new to town, so I'm also looking for fishing buddies...

The spot is a great producer at the right time of the year but, the water temps aren't right just yet. For better luck go after a warming trend with warmer nights. The inlets will hold warmer water and they will move shallow.

Thanks. I finally made it out to Hales tackle shop too. He had a good selection of sand bass stuff. I can't believe Wal-Mart doesn't order for the demand this time of year.

yea i know i always keep a seperate box just for sand bass that way im ready.

Hey Nate, I fish both Shawnee and the tram on occasion, haven't been out in about two weeks but it is hit and miss. We're supossed to have some solid warmer weather for the next 15 days so it should really help the fishing out. I drive a white dodge 2500 4x4 with a SFA sticker and a DU sticker on either side of the back glass. Say hi if you see me.

Thought I would chime in. It's good see fellows from nac/lufkin area posting. Rumor has it, I haven't been myself, that they were catch decent crappie up the angelina and attoyac about a week ago. I've been hitting River Ridge which is about an hour drive from Nac. Every time I go there are several people fishing from the bank on the sandbars at the launch and doing well. The whites are running hard right now in the sabine.

Thanks for the feedback. I'll keep an eye out for you CBoone. I drive a Nissan Frontier with a fly-fishing sticker on the back glass. I think I'll hit it tomorrow after work, and then maybe again on Sunday afternoon.

I caught these after work today down at the "Tram."

Not bad, I am going to try Travis Friday.

Thanks. My cousin lives out by lake Travis (Lakeway, I think). They've got spots somewhere in that area where they catch the sand bass running.