Thought I would share a few thoughts on IDO since initially, almost 8 or 10 years ago (really? has it been that long?), I started as a Lurker, asking questions and learning about all things fishing from many of the IDO members.
I’m a Minnesotan, transplanted to Texas as of August, 2014. Some things I miss in Minnesota is the proximity of lakes to fish at from my previous residence in Centerville, MN. At any given moment, I could drive around 20, 40, or even 60 miles and be launching the boat. In Texas, Houston specifically, it’s a 200+ mile, multi-hour trip with no less than $140+ in fuel expense (currently around $2.10 a gallon) AND preferably an overnight hotel stay to maximize fishing-time.
With that said, Texas lakes are surely different in a few ways.
1. Texas lakes are stocked with bass. Minnesota lakes are stocked with walleye. If you’re typically a bass fisherman, you’ll love it but I guaranty, you will miss the flaky, meaty, white filet of fresh walleye.
2. There are no Pike here or at least none that I have found. Feel free to fish without a leader to your hearts content.
3. There are submerged logs and cypress trees that extend up through 30 feet of water. They’re the closest thing to Pike I can think of. Most likely, there are more hung crankbaits and lures that are lost to trees
4. Despite what the locals say, you don’t have to change out your typical line strength. While it’s true that Lake Fork, a renowned (arguably) world-class fishery might yield a 12lb bass or larger, many clubs catch fish in the 3-5lb range with an occasional kicker to 8lb+. Disclaimer: I was already using 10, 12, 14lb test for flouro, 20 to 50lb braid, and variations of mono for leaders.
5. Don’t ditch your cold weather gear. Last week (March 7th and 8th, 2015) we launched in 35 degree air temps, wearing at least 3 layers plus gloves, hats, scarves, etc. By the time it was 1:00 in the afternoon, it was 62 degrees and time to shed layers.
6. Bathtub fishing is a term used to describe powerplant reservoirs where the water temp in the winter months stays fairly steady at 60+ degrees. At Lake Bastrup, near La Grange, TX, it was 65 degree water temps. Throw reaction baits of all kinds to your hearts content. I’m told the lethargic times of year for the fish are in July/August, where the water temps reach high 80’s or more, and the fish head to deep water.
7. I don’t there is anyone in the current club I am in that owns a spinning rod. In fact, drop-shot is a term many of my fellow anglers heard of… but never tried. After catching a nearly 6lb bass on one this last tournament, there might be an interest in learning. How can someone go out without a spinning rod as a must have for a rod/reel combination? Foreign to me… but so far, I think it’s to my advantage.
8. Texans claim that there are different strains of bass here. Probably true as far as typical largemouth versus spotted versus Florida strains and share-a-linker programs, but they actually go so far as to say that a 10lb “Florida strain” bass can pull with more centrifugal force than other strains. Not sure how they officially prove this claim but in my experience, this does hold true for 6lb scrappie smallmouth prize fighter versus 6lb behemoth large-mouth.
That’s all for now. I’ll probably post a little more depending on the forums interest and the time I have.
Take care!
