Lake Travis View

There are many misconceptions concerning bass fishing during cold fronts.  A stout north wind normally triggers a very good shallow water bite on Lake Travis.  The weekend of November 15 demonstrated just how good the fishing can be in these nippy conditions.  Location and lure presentation are the keys to success.

Clear, cold skies and a gusty north wind greeted my clients on November 15.  Ray Jones of Lago Vista, Tommy Ford of Lake Kiowa, and Ron Bassett of Granbury were bundled up with high expectations at 10 A.M.

We started out with shad colored crankbaits on main lake banks partially sheltered from the wind.  My experience has taught me to avoid the calmer coves in the late fall.  Fish are much more active on breezy shorelines near deep water.  The Bandit 200 crankbaits kept my landing net busy for five hours as these three gentlemen boated 37 bass by making accurate casts near the rocks.  Ron Bassett caught the largest largemouth bass, a well-built 4 pounder.

To enjoy this cold front action I don’t advise getting on the water until mid morning or later.  Bass get more active as the sun rises higher.

The very next morning I took Ray Chester of Austin and his seven-year-old son Blake out at 12noon.  The north wind had died, so the calm water dictated that we fish deep water with a vertical presentation.  Blake was celebrating his birthday that Sunday and the fish decided to celebrate with him.  Lively shiner minnows produced good action 30 feet deep for Blake everywhere we stopped.  Main lake points and deep boat docks were teeming with hungry bass.  A green pumpkin worm kept Ray busy.

Around 2 P.M. Blake set the hook on a big fish that put a strain on his spincast rod.  A few minutes later I netted a beautiful black bass weighing almost 5 pounds.  How’s that for a birthday fish!

For more information on cold front fishing or a guided excursion, call Lakeway Marina at 261-7511 or me at 441-6682 or email achristenson1@austin.rr.com.