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If you love fishing, we’re sure you’ll enjoy a bass fishing trip. We believe you’ll find some of the best bass fishing in Texas.

Before you plan your trip, make sure you’re prepared for the experience.

Learning about the type of fish you want to catch can help you improve your fishing skills. Check out our guide to Texas bass fishing!

All About That Bass

Texas bass come in more than one variety. Learn to identify the different types of bass before you start your trip.

Why is that important? Depending on the type of bass, Texas Parks & Wildlife provides regulations for bag and size limits.

Yes, Texas we believe Texas bass are bigger–like everything in Texas! But put the smaller catches back where you caught them to avoid breaking the rules.

From largemouth bass to yellow, white, or striped bass, know how to handle your catch before you go.

However, when it comes to Big Mouth Billy Bass, the rules are unclear. Handle at your discretion.

Start in the Spring

Because it’s warmer in Texas earlier in the year, bass spawn early in the spring season.

As early as February, you’ll find bass in shallow spawning beds where they guard their eggs. Because they’re in “protection” mode, fishermen find that bass bite more while they protect their eggs.

Use this to your advantage to reel in your biggest bass yet!

Adjust Your Technique

When learning how to catch bass in Texas, you might need to adjust your casting technique. Think of casting your line as “skipping” your bait along the top of the water.

Bass bite at bugs on the surface of the water. Rather than sinking a hook to wait for a fish to bite, your cast should “skip” along the top of the water. This mimics the movement of a bug landing on the surface of the water.

When casting, stop yourself from following through all the way. Shorten the distance of your cast to help your lure land lightly on the water’s surface.

Get ready to cast a lot! Bass hide under rocks and watch a lure dance on the water for a while before biting.

Bugs never land on the surface the same way twice. Cast often and vary how and where you lure lands on the water around the spot you’ve chosen.

Go Offshore

Aside from the spawning season, Texas bass don’t hang out by the shore or near land!

Bass fishing is different than sitting on a dock with your hook sitting calmly in the water.

You need to wade out deeper, use offshore structures, or charter a boat to find the best fish.

Use the Right Gear

Your equipment can make the difference for your success as a bass fisherman (or woman)!

Experiment with different pieces of equipment and find what works best for you. While there’s no perfect lure, pole, hook, and line combination, here are a few tips for your equipment.

• Use the Carolina Rig. We know that seems odd, considering we’re talking about Texas bass. But most fishers find the Carolina Rig works better than the Texas Rig for bass fishing.
• Keep your hooks sharp. Since your line isn’t sitting in the water, it’s harder for a fish to catch it. A sharp hook is more likely to lodge into that bass that finally bites at your dancing hook. In general, sharpen your hooks after every fishing trip.
• Red rules. Using a red spinner can be effective for bass fishing. This color confuses the fish. They think the bait might have an injury, and injured bait is easier to catch.

All About That Bait

Bait matters! While bass aren’t picky eaters, they do have some preferences.

Choose the right kind of bait to go with your rig.

• Try damaged “live” bait. Damaged or shredded worms work great for bass fishing. Again, bass love injured bait–it’s easier to catch! A damaged worm is prime eating for your next catch.
• Use seasonal bait. Bass prefer to eat whatever is in season. If you’re fishing in the summer, use baits the bass in Texas would naturally find on the water’s surface.

Ask the local fishermen or bait shop owners for in-season bait. They’ll help you find what the bass like to eat depending on the time of year.

Don’t Go with the Wind

This might seem counterproductive, but you’ll want to face the wind when you cast your line.

Remember, we mentioned above to shorten the distance of your cast. Facing the wind helps you do this by blowing against the direction of your cast.

Also, bass swim with the current. With the wind in your face, you have a better chance of catching a fish before they find your boat or hear the waves hitting against the hull.

Watch the Heat!

If you’ve never fished in Texas, we’ll tell you now: it gets hot. If you plan a late spring or summer bass fishing trip, prepare yourself for the temperatures.

• Carry plenty of drinking water
• Bring plenty of sunscreen
• Wear a hat
• Keep your live well water from getting too hot

If your live well water gets too warm, you risk killing your fresh catch! It’s easy for the temperature to rise with enclosed water.

Don’t ice it down, but keep an eye on it and the fish in the well. If the water temperature starts rising, find some shade or head in to take care of your freshly caught fish.

Texas Bass Fishing Can Be Your Best Fishing Adventure!

You’ll be a pro-angler in no time with these Texas bass fishing tips. Practice makes perfect, so be sure you fish early and often!

Book your next fishing charter trip with us! We’re state and federal licensed to keep you safe on the water while you fish.

Contact us to book your half or full day trip!

May 19, 2019