Benbrook Lake Help

Hi everyone,

I live right across the street from Benbrook Lake and thought I’d give it a shot on Wednesday. First thing I might try and catch some largemouth but I’m really interested in the hybrid, white, and crappie population and how to catch them. I’m new to the whole trolling/jigging game but I was just going to drag some spoons or deep divers behind the boat and then maybe vertical jig for crappie in the trees. Any advice would be greatly appreciated. I’d love to get accustomed to the lake as I live so close.

Can't help a ton but I would try timber for crappie. Benbrook can be a very tough crappie lake but has some good fish in it. I would check up by the damn on hybrids, maybe look for some humps?

Timber will be good up until late fall.

Yep, All summer long.

Been doing pretty good catching crappie on minnows between 15-20ft around timber. Wednesday caught 20 keepers and Thursday ended up with 15 and probably double that about 9 inches. They bite was pretty good from 7am-10am then they just quit. Try stumps around holiday park or Richardson slew. Try a stump if the don’t hit within 5 minutes move til you find one holding fish. I’m no pro jig fisherman but for the life of me I could not catch on on a jig trying just about every color then drop down s Minnie and wham fish on. Good luck hope that helps.

The bite has been shutting down for me as well about 11am, And yes they are really wanting minnows this time of year.

What size jigs are you guys using? When i first started fishing that lake i was using 1/8th oz and one day i could not buy a bite. Switched to 1/16th and slammed them. Never went back to 1/8th oz unless the wind was bad. I never dis use minnows. This time of year the smaller the better "Match The Hatch".

I guess I’ll use 1/16 tired of buying minnows. The only place around here to buy minnows is the gas station Tommy’s. I wish I had enough money I would lease one of those buildings off 377 and open a bait shop. Bought 4 dozen yesterday and cost 13.50.

Had any luck?

Get ahold of Laner...he guides that lake and makes the baits he catches the fish with...and Laner is a good dude, just ask him to help you out on color selection and presentation, so you know what to purchase...better yet get him to take you fishing and you can experience the nuances of his baits/presentations and maybe get some inside info he routinely shares with his bait buying clients who also happen to take a trip with him...afterwards you will just kinda forget about needing minnows...

If you ever get to Fork, TBox offers jig fishing teaching trips occasionally and he also makes his own baits (well his wife Belinda makes them)...they will both be more than happy to help you become a jig fisherman and how to fish their baits...

Incidentally, I call both these guys my friends...and can attest to their fish finding/catching/teaching abilities.

Now with that issue addressed...I have had my arse smacked on Benbrook, this time of year by a guy using a 3 inch swim tail jig...in a pitch and swing technique...so much so, that I bummed his setup and started doing the same thing...

What time does the gate open at Mustang Park?

Maybe it's wrong but saw several ramps are closed on BB due to low water levels.