First post!

I've been fishing lake near Abilene like Phantom, Lake Abilene and Coleman with a little luck. I was planning to fish somewhere else close this weekend and wanted to get some opinions about where to go. I got a buddy who says we should try Lake Ivie but I've heard varying reports on that lake (people say it's too crowded). Another issue is that I don't have a boat so we'll just be casting off the bank. Someone told me a year ago that Lake Scarbrough near Coleman was good too. We're looking to catch mostly bass and crappie, but my buddy usually likes to mix in some catfish too. An hour and a half away from town is about as far as I'll go, so if anyone has some advice on picking a lake nearby for a weekend of fishing I'd really appreciate it!

I look forward to being a part of this board and appreciate anyone who takes the time to respond!

Lake Staford has a crappie house you can fish. Not sure if they have been catching any but its worth a shot. Good luck to ya.

Still water bass club has a meeting this Thursday and you may be able to join and find someone to ride with. There is also a Thursday evening tourn at Phantom you could check on.

You might look at Hubbard Creek. I am not sure about the bank Access but I know it has some good bass in it.

I say give ft phantom a little more effort, now is its prime time through the end of may, find you a wind blown point you can access from the bank and hammer it with chrome/black back square bill cranks. I caught quite a few black bass and white bass, I even caught a couple decent crappie with it this past saturday

Thanks everyone for replying! Dynatrakkid, do you know of some good spots at Phantom? I fished under a couple of the bridges on the roads, in the small areas of water that lead into the main lake. I'm leaning toward Hubbard right now, but I'm also looking at Sweetwater.

Sailboat point and the point right there by the steep boat ramp just to the east of the dam would be two good ones to start at. Sweetwater is also a very good lake, I live maybe 15 minutes from it and like how it fishes but the side I normally fish is not bank accessible

There's a couple of maps HERE with some bank fishing spots highlighted for Phantom.

For Phantom try the North side of the lake either at the newly refurbished Johnson park off the bank by the dam or in the cove behind the boat ramp you can see from Johnson park. You really need a good cast net and shad to catch random whites, hybrids, and cats. Waders and walk the back cove for bass. In the evening you can find them schooling bass/white/hybrids and they will hit almost anything.
West texas surf fishing is a good google for advice.

Also see http://www.tpwd.state.tx.us/fishboat/fish/recreational/lakes/fort_phantom/

Haven't fished there in several (ok, 20) years or so, but we used to hammer the crappie out at Lake Trammel just south of Sweetwater and I've caught a few decent fish out of Abilene Lake but I think you have to go to the S.P. and get a code to the gate now just to get in.
We've been catching some decent LMB and cats at Kirby as well.

North Anson Lake is very good. You can probably wade fish it. Stamford too, just park at the bridge and wade and flip the cattails. Lots of big bass there. Good firm bottom.

Ivie is the hottest lake going and lucky for you your close to it. If your fishing from the bank the crowd wouldnt effect you from the bank. Go with Ivie

you guys are awesome, I really appreciate the advice! it looks like it's going to be quite windy this weekend at both Hubbards and Ivie, is that likely to impact my fishing since I'll mostly be wade fishing or on the banks? just want to be sure before I spend the money to drive out there, I might have to start donating organs to cover gas!

PS: I would enjoy going to a smaller lake like North Anson or Stamford but I was wondering if you could camp out there? If so I might give it a shot.

Here are the numbers to the 2 marinas on stamford. Give them a call and they can help you with the camping part. We were out on stamford on thur. 28 from about 500 till dark. caught 3 and missed about 3 good ones. Flipping cattails would be your best bet if you can get to some. hope this helps

Anchor Marina Haskell 940/864-3779
!* Lake Stamford Marina Haskell 325/773-2095