guys ive been catching bass since two weeks before christmas on my place thick, like have your limit in 30-40 min thick, doubles and all. ive tried minnows and rattle traps but speck rigs work best by far. ive ran my boat to 59 and down river from my place to swinney switch. didnt catch near the fish towards 59, ive fished everyday for a month and a half now and most of the fish are still down closer towards swinney, me and 3 buds caught our 100 in an hr and a half a few days ago, basically this year if you dont own land its gonna be hard with a boat, i think they are staying down by us cause water is deeper. it used to be 21 foot in front of my house now it is only 8ft. hope this helps, i were yall id get a kayak or just go bank fish around swinney somewhere.

Huge question here!

Inquiring minds would like to know!....Where around Swinney Switch can a guy access the river with a boat, be able to launch, and not get chased off by an irrate land owner or the local LEO?

If any local has a lot down there that has access to the river he could have a gold mine, buy just letting people park on his place and put in a boat. I'd pay to play!

PM me if you know of such a place?

X2 on that request. Have light boat; will travel.

Thanks for the report jlfish. Can you put a small boat in at CR 534? Google Maps show it going over the north end of the lake. How does this relate you where you are catching them at?

Hey jlfish, is it possible to get a small boat in at the bridge at cr 151?

Unless something has changed recently, CR 151 is a no go for any type of launching.

Most boat ramps are out of water. I'd try the KOA camp just south off swinney switch. You can Prolly put small boat or kayak in there. As for CR not sure on that.

What kind of spec rigs where you using? Like the shrimp kind or the double shad? Thanks for the heads up.

Do you know if it is okay to park on FM 534 at the bridge? There is a city water thing there and I was wondering if anyone knew if it was okay to park there. Thanks for the help guys and girls.

Ya I'm still waiting for that local that wants to make a few bucks by giving me directions to his launch, but so far no takers. LOL!

Seriously, from past experience, there ain't no way I'd park on the side of the hwy leaving my vehicle out of sight while I'm down the river chasing white bass. It's bad enough leaving it in a designated parking lot.

Live and learn!

Regular specks with out the worm tail on them.

How far down from 59 would you need to go to find decent fish?

Hey BuddyH, From what I am hearing Swinney Switch is the place but you can't get there from the hwy 59 bridge. The river is to shallow. Check out some of the other post in the freshwater section. If I can find a place to gain access to the river in Swinney Switch I will let everyone know. I am trying to contact the fire chief for the Swinney Switch V.F.D. to see if he can help me out in any way. Stay tuned.

Go Mike go! Thanks brother.

Fiesta Marina

From Mathis, take Texas 359 south 7.5 miles and turn right onto FM 534. Travel five miles north to Pernitas Point access road. Go approximately 3 miles on access road to ramp.
Ramp will accommodate most boat types. A lighted fishing pier is also available.
Private facility, fee required (361) 547-3462
Open all year
Weber's Boat Landing

From Mathis, take Texas Highway 359 south 7.5 miles and turn right onto FM 534. Travel approximately 8.5 miles north, then turn right onto access road and follow approximately 3 miles to ramp.
Ramp will accommodate most boat types. Fishing dock available.
Private facility, fee required (361) 547-3622
Open all year
Camp Bell

Located off Texas Highway 534 at the end of FM 3162
Wide one-lane concrete boat ramp, accessible at most water levels
Launch fee $2
Open all year
Privately operated (361) 547-0606
KOA Kampground

From Mathis, travel 11 miles north on IH 37, exit onto FM 534, go left across interstate and double back on FM 3024 south for 2 miles. Watch for large yellow KOA sign to the right. Alternatively, take FM 3024 9 miles north from Mathis and watch for sign on left.
Ramp will accept all boat types when lake is full; restricted to smaller boats when lake level is low.
Private facility, fee required (361) 547-5201
Open all year

When the lake was 14 foot low a couple summers ago, the only ramp listed above that was still open was Weber's and it was only about 6 inches from being closed as well.

We are still only 12 foot low, so Fiesta might still be launchable. Weber's and Fiesta may have water, but they are a LONG, stumpy boat ride to the river, so I wouldn't even consider those options.

Not sure about Camp Bell, but I'm pretty sure that the KOA is dry. A light boat launched off a solid bank on private land somewhere around 534 might be the only options. Good luck and if anyone finds a place....let me know!