It’s funny, in a lot of ways I feel like I’m still fishing the Bass Pro Shops Bassmaster Eastern Open on Lake Norman (where I finished 20th). There are plenty of fish to be caught, and I mean plenty, like 50 bites a day plenty. Most are 11 to 12-inch fish that just won’t do you any good here.
Keepers to be weighed in the boat have to be 14 inches. There’s no doubt that Lake Travis has big fish in it, but the big ones are a lot harder to come by. Tournament fishing is always about catching a big one and separating yourself from the pack, but this week it’s crucial. Big bites will be the difference maker this week.
Lake Travis is one of the most beautiful lakes I’ve ever been on, and the water is super clear. You can see the bottom in 15-20 feet of water in places so finesse tactics will definitely come into play here this week. There are lots of different ways to catch them, some schooling fish are around early, then you still have some fish shallow on docks and such. Then there are some out deep on points and drops.
All-in-all I had a fairly tough practice only getting a handful of good-sized bites, but I’m optimistic in knowing that any cast could be the difference maker. You just have to be ready when she bites. One thing about it, getting to set the hook 40 or 50 times a day is fun no matter what so we’re going to have some fun this week and hope to run into a few big ones along the way.
Like I said, there are a lot of options this week, but I know they’re will be a bunch caught on a drop-shot rig. I throw mine on an MHX NEPS 81MXF, 10-pound Vicious high-vis braid, 8-pound Pro Elite fluorocarbon leader, a 3/0 Mustad Grip Pin edge hook and a 1/4-ounce weight. I’ll throw a couple different baits including the X-Zone Fat Finesse worm and the Pro Series Slim Slammer as well. Electronics are important here so I will be looking at my Raymarine Axiom a good bit.
Should be fun week, fishing a new lake. Y’all stay tuned. Remember the weights are recorded in the boat so you’ll know how it’s going at all times.