Ray Roberts Guide recco?

[casts_by_fly]

Hi gents,

 

I have a spur of the moment work trip to DFW next week and will be very close to the lake with an afternoon available.  I know its a long shot, but anyone have a guide recco for Ray roberts I could check up on for availability?  I see quite a few guides for crappie, cats, and general bait drowning, but I'm talking a bass guide with artificials.

 

Lewisville lake would be even closer, but I've never heard of it as a bass lake.  Any local knowledge?

 

Also, anyone know of a good fishing reports page for the area?  I have no idea how Texas is fishing in january.  I imagine colder and slower, but who knows.

 

thanks

rick

 

[roadwarrior]

Not too good right now:

https://tpwd.texas.gov/fishboat/fish/action/reptform2.php?lake=RAY+ROBERTS&archive=latest&yearcat=current&Submit=Go

[TnRiver46]

@thediscochef went with a guide recently and caught a 7 lber methinks

[thediscochef]

7 hours ago, casts_by_fly said:

Hi gents,

 

I have a spur of the moment work trip to DFW next week and will be very close to the lake with an afternoon available.  I know its a long shot, but anyone have a guide recco for Ray roberts I could check up on for availability?  I see quite a few guides for crappie, cats, and general bait drowning, but I'm talking a bass guide with artificials.

 

Lewisville lake would be even closer, but I've never heard of it as a bass lake.  Any local knowledge?

 

Also, anyone know of a good fishing reports page for the area?  I have no idea how Texas is fishing in january.  I imagine colder and slower, but who knows.

 

thanks

rick

 

Lewisville is a good bass lake, a little more consistent day-to-day than ray roberts and probably has more short-notice guide options. There have been double digits out of it in the last calendar year. My fishing buddy does better at LL than he does with me at Ray bob. That said, RR is a much prettier and clearer lake. I live the same distance to both lakes and I pretty much never go to Lewisville. While RR is finicky, it can be the best lake in DFW when it's on. Right now the lake is not fishing with any consistency which is making bites tough. The guy who does the TPWD reports for roberts is primarily focused on sand bass in his business but has been on that lake since it opened. Same with Reelin' RR. I personally fish with Dannie Golden, he guided the dude who caught the lake record in 2016 and has some good spots. Got me a PB like three weeks ago. He is more black bass focused for sure and if you're gonna catch fish you have probably the best shot with him IMO

all of that said, there's really not a wrong place to fish in DFW, except Lake Grapevine and Lake Worth. If you can't get on at RR, consider Tawakoni if you can make it that far. Joe Pool, Ray Hubbard, and Eagle Mountain are some other close options that may have short notice guides but all of those are lesser fisheries than RR, Tawakoni, and LL in most local opinions. If you can drive a couple hours your options improve tremendously (Possum Kingdom, Texoma, Whitney, ...Fork). Southerly lakes will probably have a faster bite. Things have been real slow all around, we're stuck in the 50ish water temp that has em slow before they get fast again when it gets into the mid 40s.

6 hours ago, TnRiver46 said:

@thediscochef went with a guide recently and caught a 7 lber methinks

correct lol

[casts_by_fly]

1 minute ago, thediscochef said:

Lewisville is a good bass lake, a little more consistent day-to-day than ray roberts and probably has more short-notice guide options. There have been double digits out of it in the last calendar year. My fishing buddy does better at LL than he does with me at Ray bob. That said, RR is a much prettier and clearer lake. I live the same distance to both lakes and I pretty much never go to Lewisville. While RR is finicky, it can be the best lake in DFW when it's on. Right now the lake is not fishing with any consistency which is making bites tough. The guy who does the TPWD reports for roberts is primarily focused on sand bass in his business but has been on that lake since it opened. Same with Reelin' RR. I personally fish with Dannie Golden, he guided the dude who caught the lake record in 2016 and has some good spots. Got me a PB like three weeks ago. He is more black bass focused for sure and if you're gonna catch fish you have probably the best shot with him IMO

all of that said, there's really not a wrong place to fish in DFW, except Lake Grapevine. If you can't get on at RR, consider Tawakoni if you can make it that far. Joe Pool, Ray Hubbard, and Eagle Mountain are some other close options that may have short notice guides but all of those are lesser fisheries than RR, Tawakoni, and LL in most local opinions. If you can drive a couple hours your options improve tremendously (Possum Kingdom, Texoma, Whitney, ...Fork).

correct lol

thanks.  If I had more time I’d plan an extra day and do it properly but I’ve got a doctors appointment on Monday and my wife goes on a trip Friday. With morning meetings every day, a later half day is about my only option. I know it’s a tight window and a slim chance, but if I can make it work it would be awesome. 
 

I’ll have a look at some of the guys you noted and keep you posted. 
 

on a separate topic, any can’t miss eateries in the Denton area?
 

thanks

rick

[thediscochef]

7 minutes ago, casts_by_fly said:

thanks.  If I had more time I’d plan an extra day and do it properly but I’ve got a doctors appointment on Monday and my wife goes on a trip Friday. With morning meetings every day, a later half day is about my only option. I know it’s a tight window and a slim chance, but if I can make it work it would be awesome. 
 

I’ll have a look at some of the guys you noted and keep you posted. 
 

on a separate topic, any can’t miss eateries in the Denton area?
 

thanks

rick

Sounds good. Yeah that may be a tough find guide-wise but I may be around if you want a short tour of the bank LOL

Boca 31 is my favorite latin fusion type place, they don't make a bad meal. They set the bar high for the entire area. They have additional locations that may be closer to you, but I believe Denton is the O.G. and they tend to have the most unique specials. If you go, you like spice, and there's specials on the board...order them and ask questions later. I also like the guava cream cheese empanadas for dessert. DiAbruzzo italian market is good, they do good in-house pasta and sandwiches. There's a good Salvadorian place in town too, Holy Pupusas. Komodo Loco is also solid, asian fusion type stuff. There's more but those are the generally unanimously approved restaurants in my circles. If you need a good spot for beverages, Paschall's is the can't miss spot.