Brantley Lake Fishing Report

Current Fishing Report: Good To Very Good

Bass fishing is currently experiencing major changes in the way anglers are approaching the sport. The expanded use of high-tech fish finders is giving anglers, who fish from a boat, a distinct advantage. The fishing hasn't really changed, but the catch rate has increased considerably. The advent of new lures and equipment has improved success for anglers fishing from the bank. Savvy anglers, who study bass patterns, continue to catch nice fish, with or without the new gadgets.

SPRING. As water temperatures rise into the low 60's, largemouth are moving from deep wintering holes, to shallower water near spawning areas. Vibrating jigs, crankbaits, jerkbaits and spinnerbaits are getting bites just away from the shoreline. In early Spring they are feeding aggressively in about 8 to 15 feet of water, and preparing for the spawn. Once water warms into the mid to high 60's, they will move into 3 to 10 feet of water, and create nests, then lay their eggs. Immediately afterwards, females move to deeper water and males remain to guard the eggs, and then the fry. After a couple weeks, the males also move to slightly deeper water, around 5 to 15 feet deep. Anglers report good topwater action from mid Spring through Summer, especially early in the morning, and on cloudy days. Deep-diving crankbaits, vibrating jigs, drop shots, plastic worms, jigs, spoons, and swimbaits catch bass when they are not shallow.

SUMMER. Water temperatures will warm considerably in Summer. Bass will feed shallow, early and late in the day, As the day warms, they are typically caught in 8 to 18 feet of water. During Summer, keep an eye on the thermocline to determine the maximum depth to fish, as there is very little oxygen below the thermocline. Largemouth bass here feed on threadfin shad, gizzard shad, small sunfish and crawfish. During the hotter parts of the day, they are typically caught on points, channel edges, and ledges 12 to 30 feet deep. Drop shots, and wacky-rigged stick worms often catch finicky bass when the bite is slow.

FALL. When Fall arrives, bass here will follow schools of baitfish into coves and shallow bays where crankbaits, swimbaits, and slow-rolled spinnerbaits have been successful in prior years. In early Fall, anglers typically have success in 10 to 20 feet of water, around points and shallow flats leading to deeper water. As deeper water cools, bait and bass move out to ledges, channel edges, points and humps. Here flutter spoons are often the ideal bait in 15 feet of water, or deeper. Some of the larger bass will seclude themselves away from the school, often in slightly deeper water.

WINTER. The cold of Winter will isolate largemouth around deeper structure, flats, points and creek channels. Water temperatures are usually in the low high 40's to mid 50's, and bass can be found near the bottom, or suspending from 12 to 25 feet deep over deeper structure. In January they may move as deep as 35 feet. Often shallower on warm, sunny days. Often, some of the larger bass will isolate away from schools, 5 or so feet deeper. Here they hold, feeding less frequently, awaiting warmer water to return in Spring. Slow presentations with drop shots, jigs, spoons, finesse worms, or lipless crankbaits are often the key to getting bites.

Current Fishing Report: Good To Very Good

Although forward-facing sonar and other high-tech fish finders were designed for bass fishing, many catfish anglers, who fish from a boat, are now using them to locate channel catfish. With this, they are now catching more catfish by focusing on productive water. The catch rate has increased considerably, and anglers are picking their targets to catch the bigger cats. New baits, line and rigging methods have also improved success for bank fishing enthusiasts. Savvy anglers, who study catfish life cycle and patterns, are still managing to catch nice fish, with or without these new tools.

SPRING. Water temperatures have typically risen into the high 50's, and channel catfish are migrating into coves, and up into the river. Early in the season, look for them 10 to 20 feet deep. Pre-spawn they feed in 4 to 15 feet of water. They hold here, and feed aggressively, around relatively shallow cover until water warms into the mid 70's. At which time (usually June) they begin the spawn process. They spawn in 2 to 10 feet of water. Following the spawn, they move out toward the basin in 15 to 25 feet of water. Anglers are using slip sinkers, 3-way rigs, or Carolina rigs to get, and keep, the bait close to the bottom. Later in Spring focus on shallower flats, during late evening and into the night.

SUMMER. In Summer, slow-moving water, at the river end of the lake may draw catfish to feed. Otherwise they are scattering, locating cover in slightly cooler water. Reports indicate the most successful anglers are using nightcrawlers, cut bait, minnows or shrimp. In June, most channel cats hold in 4 to 15 feet during the day, and more shallow during the night. They spawn in June, in 2 to 10 feet of water. Fishing from late in the day until midnight produces some of the best results, as this is their prime feeding time.

FALL. Fall is one of the better times of year for catching channel catfish. Early in Fall they cruise the shallows in 10 to 20 feet of water, in search of food. Later, in the season they migrate away from the shallows and current, to moderately deep flats and channel edges on the main body of the lake. They can typically be found from 8 to 18 feet deep. Fishing for channel catfish is often productive around any kind of structure. Road beds, stumps, wood, creek channels and rocky points are all good places to begin. Drift fishing or slow-trolling baits along mid-depth structure is popular and generally productive. Use a slip sinker or Carolina rig setup, with cut bait, nightcrawlers, shrimp or prepared baits. They typically remain in these areas and feed aggressively in preparation for Winter.

WINTER. Cold Winter weather drives channel catfish to gather in deep pockets, ledges and holes. They become virtually dormant, especially once the water cools into the mid 40's to mid 50's. They hole up in pockets, along river channels, ledges, deep holes, and structure in the basin areas from 12 to 25 feet deep, slightly deeper in January. Here, they await the warmer water of Spring. Slow presentations, especially cut bait, can still entice strikes. Often during mid day, through the afternoon, anglers report catching them a bit shallower on the same structure.

Current Fishing Report: Good To Very Good

The use of new technology is helping anglers catch more white bass. Forward-facing, and side scanning, sonar is currently one of the the best way to locate schools of fish, especially when they hang out in deep water. Once located using these sophisticated fish finders, white bass are being caught by trolling, casting or jigging,

SPRING. The Spring run, when white bass move into the river sections of the lake, inflowing creeks, or along windy points, is where they gather for several weeks to spawn. Spring fishing for white bass last Spring was quite good, especially toward the backs of pockets in the Upper Pecos River arm. They stage in 4 to 12 feet of water. Live minnows on a bobber, underspins, small swimbaits and small crankbaits all work for white bass in the shallows. White bass start their spawn run once the water temperature reaches the mid 50's. Early Spring is a prime time to fill the livewells with some fat white bass. Spinnerbaits, curly-tail jigs, underspins, small crankbaits, small jerkbaits, and most any lure that resembles baitfish, will catch these feeding whites. As the water temperatures continues warming, they move out of spawning areas, into slightly deeper water. Look for them in 2 to 10 feet deep. Also, watch for feeding frenzies when they chase schools of bait to the surface, at which time the fishing can be spectacular.

SUMMER. Summer finds white bass congregating in the main lake area, following and feeding on baitfish. Early in the season they tend to stay in 8 to 18 feet of water, moving up and down the water column with the baitfish. The move slightly deeper in July, even deeper in August. Often they will chase baitfish very shallow, for short periods. They are being caught on slow-rolled spinnerbaits, curly-tail jigs, underspins, spoons, blade baits and small crankbaits, depending on the depth of the baitfish. Middle of the lake channel edges, points and flats hold all bait and white bass in the warmest months.

FALL. Early Fall finds white bass following baitfish into shallow coves and bays, into 10 to 20 feet of water. Spoons, jigs, underspins and minnows are catching good numbers of whites. Later, once the shallows cool considerably from chilly Fall temperatures, schools of white bass and baitfish, move deeper. They will relate to most any structure, which includes drops, humps, brush, and creek channels. Mid to late Fall they move slightly shallower. Trolling small crankbaits and spoons, or casting spoons and swimbaits, will catching them feeding on schools of baitfish.

WINTER. Winter fishing techniques for white bass, is a continuation of Fall patterns, except slightly deeper, around 15 to 35 feet, staying toward the deeper areas in Midwinter. Currently, they are somewhat inactive, but will bite. They are still being caught on underspins, spoons, jigs, and live minnows, using a slower presentation. They often concentrate in the northern section of the main lake basin, around drop offs, points and humps. Good reports come from anglers fishing around Seven Rivers channel intersections.