Thursday, May 16, 2024
Michael Acosta
HOOD OUTDOORS
As a licensed professional fishing guide, Michael Acosta shows you how to find them. A Granbury resident of more than 35 years, he has been fishing all of his life, and has been a licensed guide since 1998.
It is getting to that point that most everyone has had enough of winter. At least those are the comments I hear, especially when that wind is howling out of the north. As much as I love winter fishing, the spring does bring more pleasant days on the water. Yes, there will be some cold days still mixed in but most of us will welcome spring as we do each year.
The beginning of March is typically considered as spring fishing in Texas. The days are increasing in length and the time change, when it does occur, will give us more time to fish in the afternoon. Of course the water starts to warm, which is a signal to the cold-blooded species we seek to start moving and spawning. This increase in temperature will improve the fishing.
The increase in light and the increase in temperature will have the fish feeding more often. The fish will feed for their developing eggs and the energy needed for the spawn.
Some of the spring spawning activity is starting to happen. The white bass or what we call sand bass are staging closer to their spawning grounds. The crappie are staging as well and will be moving into the shallows shortly.
Many of these spawning times peak around a full moon if conditions are right. I have noticed that more fish tend to move with the full moon. You may be able to plan your trip around one of these events.
Many species will move up in schools from deeper water. If you find a flat or point where fish are feeding you may be able to catch a number of fish in one general location. These feeding areas are typically close to deep water as swings in weather this time of the year may have the fish moving back and forth.
Weather changes impact fishing without a doubt. Stabilizing weather generally yields more consistent fishing. Two or three days in a row with nice weather will have the fish in a more consistent pattern. With a few warm days in a row the baitfish start moving up and the predators are not far behind.
Spring top water action is a favorite of many. As the water continues to warm more and more, top water action will be available. This is a big draw to springtime fishing for many. Fly anglers who typically fish more in the top of the water column generally look forward to this season.
Spawning fish in shallow water are more easily spooked. Stealth around feeding areas especially on those calm days may be prudent. If you happen to spook some biting fish, leave them and return a little while later. In many cases these spooked fish will start biting again.
Hope to see you all on the water this spring.
HOOD COUNTY FISHING REPORT
With the latest cold snaps, water temperatures fell back into the upper 40s. The main lake temperature will certainly rebound back into the 50s shortly. The majority of the fish are still in deeper water, especially on those colder days. Stripers are fair to good to 11 pounds near Sandy Point, Indian Harbor, and in town by the Hilton. Sand bass are in these same areas including the river near the Peninsula. Stripers continue to be good on swimbaits and the sand bass are good on small grubs and slabs. Black bass to 6 pounds are good on soft plastics on those warmer afternoons near creek entrances. Catfish are good near Hunter Park on cut bait and hot dogs. Crappies are good on small minnows and jigs near deeper structure and near bridge pilings.
The Squaw Creek black bass fishing craze continues with numerous anglers taking advantage of the warmer water due to the power plant. The channel catfish anglers are filling up their coolers. Make your reservations early if you want to fish this lake. They only allow a certain amount of boats on the lake and they are not open every day.
OTHER RESERVOIRS
Lake Whitney stripers are good to 12 pounds in the river above the lake and in huge schools of fish on the main lake near McCown valley. Black bass fishing is good to excellent on soft plastics worked near creek entrances and just off The Bluffs. Crappies are excellent in the river near Kimball Bend. Possum Kingdom Lake stripers and sand bass are in the back of major creeks (Caddo and Cedar) and the upstream area near Costello Island.
michael.acosta@att.net | 254-396-4855
