Lake Conditions
We will continue to have pretty much the same fishing patterns for the month of July. This report will be updated when conditions change.
Lake Conditions: On the 4th of July Weekend we had lots of heat again. However, the high pressure has moved, we have had some welcomed rain and conditions on the Lake are much better. Summer is here and mid day is still HOT! All fishermen are reminded to have plenty of water on their boats and to wear sun screen and a cap.
The Lake is down to 200.10 and the water is stained in most areas. Water temperatures are up to 84 with temps as high as 90 in some areas.
BIG BREAM continue to be caught in all areas of the Lake. Black bass fishing continues to be good. Crappie fishing is has slowed down with the extreme heat and high water temperatures. Catfish fishing has been outstanding early in 16-20 feet of water. Some great reports of fish under the 1097 Bridge and drift fishing.
Night fishing for catfish has picked up with the cooler nights. Hybrid activity has been been much better in DEEP water. Baited holes continue to produce the most fish for the guides. Be sure and listen to the reports on Sports Radio 610 for weekend updates by Tex Bonin.
If you have a fishing story you would like to share with our readers, go to our “Blog” and let us hear all about it in the “comments” section or you can send pictures and the story to Papa John at: papajohn@lakeconroefishingguides.com and I will post it for you.
Black Bass
Black Bass fishing is good but takes a little more work. Good solid fish are being caught in brush piles in 15 -20 feet of water, standing timber, deep bulkheads and boat stalls, marina walls and in 8 - 10 feet of water close to deep drop off’s. Big fish have been holding in areas where several drop-offs and a creek come together to form a deep ditch. You have to hunt for these areas with your map and electronics.
Soft plastics and Texas rigged dark colored worms have been the bait of choice of many fishermen. Carolina rigged craw baits and lizards have done real well. The Original Texas Weedless Wacky Worm® is still a favorite of many fishermen this time of the year along with and the Kicker Fish Bait Hightail Holespot.
Small shad colored crankbaits are also producing some nice fish. When fishing with the guides on a bass trip they are going to want to leave early in the morning to get the early bite. It takes longer to find the fish; but, suspended fish over crappie brush piles have produced some nice bass when the bass move to the brush to feed.
The April Plaza “Thursday Night Tournament” hosted by Billy Mills, Wayne Whitehead and Tex Bonin continues to have a good turn out with good solid stringers each week. The tournament is from 6 p.m. - 9 p.m. The tournament will run through September 10th. with the tentative schedule for the “Classic” to be on September 19th. If you have questions just call April Plaza at 936-588-1144 or the “Guide Desk” at 936-588-1118.
Catfish
Catfish fishing just continues to be outstanding. Tex Bonin has been fishing every day and has been finding his fish in baited holes in 10 to 12 feet of water. Carl Bostick, WetHook Guide Service has been catching limits of catfish and a few hybrids by getting started early. CatTales Guide Service has been filling clients ice chests with nice cats fishing baited holes Night fishing has also picked up with the heat. Many fishermen preferring to fish at night.
Magic Bait Company “Stick!It” continues to produce good fish both shallow and deep. Other baits of choice have been Premo and Liver. Tex Bonin is a fan of the Glo-Worm under a cork in 10-15 feet of water on baited bulkheads.
Drift fishing has picked up drifting shad, shrimp, cut bait and even glo-worms over humps along the river and creek channels. Drifting during the week is producing some nice blue catfish. The boat traffic has been real heavy on the weekends. Lots of fishermen are now using liver to catch some real nice fish around the 1097 Bridge. Stump patches baited with range cubes have also been producing some nice limits of catfish.
Lake Conroe continues to be one of the highest producing catfish lakes in Texas. The fish feed mostly on shad giving them a wonderful taste and making them the favorite of many fish fries.
