Thinking of a trip to Austin TX next year

[slonezp]

Best time of year to have a successful trip for bass/multi species on Lake Travis? Thinking more for numbers rather than size. Any guide recommendations that are "elderly friendly" and/or guides that use live bait? Dad's arthritis prevents him from casting all day. 

[thediscochef]

On 5/9/2024 at 7:34 PM, slonezp said:

Best time of year to have a successful trip for bass/multi species on Lake Travis? Thinking more for numbers rather than size. Any guide recommendations that are "elderly friendly" and/or guides that use live bait? Dad's arthritis prevents him from casting all day. 

Travis is way way low right now. Best time of year is probably prespawn in March after the first warm snap. I don't know many guide in the lower hill country but there are many. Despite all the rain we've had here, Travis's headwaters are in the western part of the state that has remained dry. Don't underestimate Lake Buchanan and Lake LBJ, they're part of the same river system but tend to stay a little fuller. Buchanan has a solid Striper population that you don't get as much at Travis. Upper hill country on the Brazos chain (possum kingdom, Granbury, Whitney, Waco) are all super full and fish somewhat similarly to the Colorado chain, minus the opportunity to catch Guadalupe bass. All of the brazos lakes have Stripers.

 

Truth be told if I were trying a multiplies trip I would be headed to Texoma - BIG smallmouth, bigger stripers than the brazos chain, big LM, plus 70000 acres to choose from. Just make sure your guide has a good boat, I've been stranded on Texoma before and it was not a recommended experience 

[slonezp]

9 minutes ago, thediscochef said:

Travis is way way low right now. Best time of year is probably prespawn in March after the first warm snap. I don't know many guide in the lower hill country but there are many. Despite all the rain we've had here, Travis's headwaters are in the western part of the state that has remained dry. Don't underestimate Lake Buchanan and Lake LBJ, they're part of the same river system but tend to stay a little fuller. Buchanan has a solid Striper population that you don't get as much at Travis. Upper hill country on the Brazos chain (possum kingdom, Granbury, Whitney, Waco) are all super full and fish somewhat similarly to the Colorado chain, minus the opportunity to catch Guadalupe bass. All of the brazos lakes have Stripers.

 

Truth be told if I were trying a multiplies trip I would be headed to Texoma - BIG smallmouth, bigger stripers than the brazos chain, big LM, plus 70000 acres to choose from. Just make sure your guide has a good boat, I've been stranded on Texoma before and it was not a recommended experience 

I'd be visiting family in Austin so Texoma is out of the question.