Lake Ray Hubbard Fishing Report

Lake Ray Hubbard Fishing Guide Report 

Lake Ray Hubbard is in Spring and early summer mode for sure !! Sorry that I haven’t updated my blog in a while. It has been a busy time on Lake Ray Hubbard since my last report. Thank goodness the COVID news is looking better, people are getting vaccinated and trying to return to a somewhat normal life. The weather has been crazy with all the rain, cloud cover and on some days down right cold. Never fear, summer is here and we will be begging for that forecast in the coming heat of our Texas summers. 

 

White Bass Patterns

Lake Ray Hubbard this  Spring was some fantastic fishing. Mid April thru early June early morning shallow water fish was the ticket. We had a great shad spawn and the fish knew it. Morning would start out throwing in 3-10 foot of water while the fish were chasing shad gorging them selves. On cloudy days they would remain in the shallows for hours and you would catch an abundance of fish. The hybrids even showed up better than the past and my guest had a great time. When the shallow activity slowed we would move off to humps and levee’s in 18-32 foot of water with great success. June will start producing mid lake schooling as the shad go from the shallows to the deeper water. Look for the great blue Heron to hover above these schools , when you spot those magnificent birds fish will be close by. The shallow schooling will begin mid to late June and continue through out the summer.  For now I still check the shallows early , there wont be a lot of visible action but a few shad popping up and a few large egrets or herons on the shoreline. 

 White Bass Lures

I use  a couple set ups this time of year. The tandem rig that has 1 small crappie jigs tied above a 3/4 oz slab. I like to use drop shot hooks with the jig about 12-16 inches apart. The color of the jig doesn’t really matter as much as technique. When they are hugging bottom, a slight lift and a wiggle , when you see the fish a little higher , raise slowly sometimes has high as you can reach and when the screen lights up, reel slowly to mid speed through them. The other set up I use is a 1/2 oz tail spinner. I will fan cast across points and reel at a moderate speed and of coarse if you see fish blowing shad out of the water throw right in the middle of them. 

Lake Ray Hubbard Fishing Guide

We target White Bass year round .  Lake Ray Hubbard has a great white bass and hybrid Striper population.  For more information on Lake Ray Hubbard Fishing Guide, follow this link

 

Lake Ray Hubbard Fishing Report

Lake Ray Hubbard Fishing Guide Report 

Lake Ray Hubbard is in almost summer mode , believe it or not.  It's been an unusual month as far as weather as we have had cooler temps mixed in with 100 degree days in July. The fishing for July was really good as the white bass started schooling like most summers. The lake has been awful busy as well with so many people staying at home because of the continuous COVID-19 situation. Even during the week there has been a lot of boats out on the water. The end of July produced a 70 degree morning and a north wind. I truly hope everyone is staying as safe as possible in these trying times. August usually means a slow down in trips as the kids are preparing to go back to school and buying supplies. I don’t know what August holds as far as that , as many kids will be virtual schooling. 

 

White Bass Patterns

Lake Ray Hubbard in August can be some good fishing. Early morning you can find large schools of fish chasing bait on almost any flat adjacent to deep water, keep you eyes out at Harbor cove , the jetty , Red Barn cove or Robertson Park. It's better during the week when you do to have as many fisherman chasing them , the the weekends can be good also. Later in the morning you can find them schooling out in the middle of the lake at any time also. You want to look for the big schools, as if you locate multiple small ones they come up and down so fast you will drive your self crazy at times chasing them. They will be also holding to structure a little as it gets warmer , and grouped up better. I have still have not seen much of a thermocline set in just set but it is close, as when it did start we got rains and winds that broke it up.. You can locate schools on humps, long points and the levees using your electronics. 

 

 White Bass Lures

I use a couple different set ups this time of year. In the mornings if I find schooling fish and they are chasing bait , a tail spinner is very effective. I like to throw not that’s 1/2 oz in weight and chartreuse . There are many cures you can use, popping cork with jig, small tiny torpedoes and small swim baits. My slabbing set up is about the same, 1 oz slab with a jig tied above it. I also recommend that if you find fish suspended , like they do this time of year , reel 4-5 times up, let the slab fall. It can be a deadly technique this time of year. As it gets hotter , reel faster. You mights also find when the thermocline sets in , you can have very good success by trolling. A lot of people like the hellpet set up. I personally use a jet diver with about a 4 ft leader at the back and a small pet spoon. Most of the white bass you can locate in 10-15 ft water. On the occasion you find them suspending out in deep water this is an effective way also. Most of the time they suspend around 16-19 ft. 

Lake Ray Hubbard Fishing Guide

We target White Bass year round .  Lake Ray Hubbard has a great white bass and hybrid Striper population.  For more information on Lake Ray Hubbard Fishing Guide, follow this link.

 

Lake Ray Hubbard Fishing Report

Lake Ray Hubbard Fishing Guide Report 

Lake Ray Hubbard winter fishing is here. It has been a weird fall with the warmer weather and light winds at times. But it is officially winter according to the farmers almanac. Lake Ray Hubbard can hold some great winter fishing at times. We pay for living in Texas in the summer with the constant heat , but we are rewarded in the winter. There will be days on the water that by 12:00 pm you are wearing your T-shirt. The fall bite was ok this year, but never got really going. Fishing is a funny business at times, we rely on patterns that the fish and bait hold to year after year. 

White Bass Patterns

Lake Ray Hubbard in the winter months mean that the shad have moved out to the deep water huddled into large schools. The white bass and hybrids will follow these schools. It is almost like a migration at times. I will start out on the southern part of the lake out from the red barn cove area and as the months go by I move north. Usually time February rolls around I am drifting the flats out from Chandlers  Landing marina. Now don’t get confused when I say flats, I don’t mean skinny water. I am fishing water 30-40 ft deep at certain parts of the lake. Even though it is deep, it is pretty much fishing flat bottom. The fish most of the time will suspend 5-10 ft off of bottom. I am a winter drifter fisherman, that means I like to set up the boat on a certain path and drift. I use 2 large drift socks to slow the boat down on windy days. Covering more water gives you a better chance to run into the large schools of fish. Some people spot lock their trolling motors but I find drifting more effective. Another thing to remember is the winter time is “thumping” season. We actually thump the bottom of the floors of our boats to draw the fish in. I use a mechanical device that provides that sound but you can use a stick with a rubber end on it also. I don’t know why it works, but it does. If you google thumping a boat, its documented that people have been doing it for thousands of years. It is really effective as the water cools and usually by April I am putting it up for the winter. When I scout an area I am looking for bait balls , the more bait the better chance of fish being in the area. You will also mark fish but usually in a scattered pattern. The thumper is what gangs them up. The bite can be very soft and at times you will miss more fish than you catch. Be sure to present your bait just a few inches above where you are marking fish. The presentation is called dead stick, you just hold the lure still sometime with a really slow raise. 

Bait balls and fish 

thumper on 

 White Bass Lures

I use a couple different set up in the winter time. It all depends on how hard the wind is blowing. If you have a light wind I will use a 1/2 jig head with a 3 inch fluke and above that about 2 ft a single hook with a 3 inch or 2 inch fluke. I will also use a 1/2 small slab on bottom at times if they seam to want a smaller bait. When the wind picks up I have heavier jib heads but with short shank hooks that will hold the same plastic. Some that I know will also add a stinger hook to the jig head. I do not usually do this as it presents a danger to guest more often than not. But it is a very effective way to increase hook ups with a light bite. Colors usually don’t matter, although I primarily use shad colored plastics with chartreuse jig heads our slabs. 

Property of Moe's Tackle dead stick set up 

Lake Ray Hubbard Fishing Guide

We target White Bass year round .  Lake Ray Hubbard has a great white bass and hybrid Striper population.  For more information on Lake Ray Hubbard Fishing Guide, follow this link.

Lake Ray Hubbard Fishing Report

Lake Ray Hubbard Fishing Guide Report 

Lake Ray Hubbard August fishing was pretty consistent with some really great days to some tough days. When the water temps reach that mid to high 80’s it can be challenging. September is the month everyone gets excited but it is still summer and hot. The great thing about September is it is the start of hunting season , football and school. Lake Ray Hubbard can be a very busy lake in the summer especially past 10:00 am when all the pleasure boats start getting out. The weekends now are pretty quiet , way less boat traffic and the fishing is pretty good. As soon as we start getting a couple cool fronts and the fishing will become pretty awesome.  

White Bass Patterns

Lake Ray Hubbard in September is still schooling time for white bass usually. I look for some signs of life as far as shad or birds. The fish will not only school early in the morning or late in the afternoon but also mid mornings. I have been starting a little earlier and blind casting in shallow water getting a pretty good top water bite. The thermocline has set in around 16-18 ft and that is the water I focus on after fish have schooled. Always remember if you find fish schooling do not run thru them with you big engine running as this usually spooks the fish down. When the schooling stops I always check the drop offs by the flats as fish will move a little deeper. As the sun gets up, don’t be afraid to look in shallow water up to 9 ft. I can’t explain why they would stay in such shallow water this time of year . I believe it has to do with the thermocline but as I have stated before I am not a biologist. If things get really tough you can always have success trolling this time of year. I will explain that below in the lure section. I am either looking for “clumps” of fish shallow or schools suspended around 16-18 ft right off of humps or points. You can also slow roll mepps when you find clumps of fish really shallow, although this takes practice and very few of my guest can do this technique . 

 White Bass Lures

I will have a tiny torpedo tied on if I only have a couple of people on the boat early in the morning or some type of tail spinner when looking for schooling fish. One of my favorite ones is the humdinger tail spinner. Its too dangerous with 3-4 people with all those hooks for top waters. I am still using 3/4 oz slabs with a jig above sometimes . Lure presentation is always key with suspended fish. Drop that slab to the bottom and raise it high slowly as the fish are not usually right on bottom, you can also from a slab and reel slowly up about 5-6 turns. If you notice fish suspended out from humps or points and moving, this is why trolling can flat out put fish in the box. I use the jet diver with release and a pet spoon . I also have counter reels so I know how deep I am running, if you do not have that , then experiment with your set up to figure out the depth by count turns on your reel. If you can practice enough with the mepps it is deadly. Throw it out, let sink (patients) and slow roll it back. 

Lake Ray Hubbard Fishing Guide

We target White Bass year round .  Lake Ray Hubbard has a great white bass and hybrid Striper population.  For more information on Lake Ray Hubbard Fishing Guide, follow this link.

Lake Ray Hubbard Fishing Report

Lake Ray Hubbard Fishing Guide Report 

Post spawn his officially here on Lake Ray Hubbard !!! The spawning is over and the fish are on a feeding frenzy. I have been catching large numbers of fish from 2 ft of water to 26 ft of water. I apologize for the late reports but has you get older things seem to happen. Like just walking for instance, next thing you know you are at the orthopedic doctors because you stepped wrong and then stuck in a walking boot for 2 weeks. I had to reschedule trips until I was well. Standing in a boat , unloading and everything else was not possible, although I tried for 2 trips and that set me back a few more days.  On Lake Ray Hubbard we have herons on the shore and gulls telling on fish . I have been starting my trips back on the early schedule as a lot of fish are roaming the shallows looking for shad. This is a great time to be on the water no matter who you hire or what lake, the fishing is outstanding this time of year. 

White Bass Patterns

White bass will be chasing shad early in the mornings on flats right on the shoreline and into coves. A good tip is when you are going to an area if you see the Egrets and Blue Herons standing on the shoreline waiting for a Buffett of shad. Even if you do not see a fish, stop for a hot minute and throw towards the bank and if you have side imaging your screen will light up with fish activity . On bright sunny post front days this action will only last a short time or you only catch a few. I always tell people, drop your trolling motor and cruise the shoreline . On cloudy low pressure days, this action can last all day and a  lot of times gulls will tip the fishes hand on location. Late evenings are also very good for locating fish chasing shad in the shallows, lots of birds on the water this time of year to give you an upper hand. When the shallow bite slows down look for long points, off of flats in about 18-26 ft of water and watch your electronics. There are huge schools of fish at times hanging those areas. I like to use a 3/4 oz slab with a jig about 1.5 ft tied above it often producing 2 fish at a time. You will have a lot of smaller fish mixed in but you can fill the cooler and catch a lot of fish at the same time. Be sure to know the difference between white bass and hybrids. There are a lot of under size hybrids mixed in this time of year. The Texas Game Warden will not have sympathy on you for not knowing the difference so if in doubt just throw it back.

 White Bass Lures

When you find shad spawning you have 2 very good options. You can throw a 3-4 inch swim bait with a light jig head , little George type bait or throw a rattle trap, but be careful of the hooks. The swim bait usually produces bigger fish but the other 2 will produce the numbers . I personally love throwing a top water lure but you will catch a lot less fish but the pure excitement will get your blood pumping. Use these same lures when you find birds working , they will produce very good results. If you are fishing deeper I use 3/4 oz slabs with a jig ties above. When fishing this method pay real close attention to your electronics.Fish are easy to locate as shown in the picture I have posted, they are ganged up in nice groups. Once you start catching them, they raise up and that’s when the action begins. Once contact is made by your slab, just raise it slowly off of bottom will usually produce a strike. When watching your graph if you notice fish suspended reel up slowly thru the fish , and hold on !! 

Lake Ray Hubbard Fishing Guide

We target White Bass year round .  Lake Ray Hubbard has a great white bass and hybrid Striper population.  For more information on Lake Ray Hubbard Fishing Guide, follow this link.

Lake Ray Hubbard Fishing Report | Spring is here

Lake Ray Hubbard Fishing Guide Report 

Spring has sprung here on Lake Ray Hubbard. White Bass are doing multiple things at this time, They are moving up the creeks to spawn in large numbers this year because of the water levels and rain. Spring Break time was not very good as we had high winds and storms, which is normal in March. Large numbers of white bass are also still in the lake and April can be a fantastic time of year to catch these great fish. The days are longer which mean longer periods that the warm weather heats up the lake.

White Bass Patterns

White bass will be ganging up in open water more to the North end of the lake, waiting for the perfect temperatures to start spawning. As they wait for the right time , they will eat heavily before they make their run. When the temps warm up you want to look shallow on windward points and flats. Another area to look at is the I-30 highway rocks. White bass will spawn on the rocks and sometimes the more wind the better. There will be schools of fish just off the rocks in the deep water staging waiting on temps to rise. Moving water is the key, white bass want moving water to spawn. Thats why it’s important to fish the windy side of structure.  Be sure to your eye out for gulls this time of year. If you see large groups of birds hitting the water , ease in the area upwind and daft thru. Great spots to look are the deeper waters off of Robertson Park , The power plant jetty and deep flats close by river channels. Late afternoons have seen some bird action on the flats out from the Hilton Hotel and Robertson Park. Your electronics play a crucial part in finding whiteness this time of year. A lot of time all you will mark is little bumps in deeper water and when they move shallow they will be is smaller schools scattered . 

 White Bass Lures

When you find large schools staging in deep water I like to use the slab and jig combo. The size slab depends on how much wind there is, as I like to drift with drift socks most of the time.  If you are spot locking or anchoring then use a 3/4 oz slab with a jig about 16 inches above. Most days they like a slow lift and sometime no movement at all. If you get lucky and fish birds , throw a small inline spinner like a rooster tail or a little George. I will also have a 4 inch sassy shad tied on, you never know when hybrids are mixed in with the white bass. When the water warms through out the day throw that same little George up on the shallow flats and points reeling just fast enough to keep it from hanging on bottom. 

Lake Ray Hubbard Fishing Guide

We target White Bass year round .  Lake Ray Hubbard has a great white bass and hybrid Striper population.  For more information on Lake Ray Hubbard Fishing Guide, follow this link.

Lake Ray Hubbard Fishing Guide Report 

Spring break fishing on Lake Ray Hubbard is right around the corner. It can be an interesting time of year. I have been fishing for white bass and hybrid stripe bass during spring break for over 20 years and every year is an adventure. With the weather changing sometimes on a daily bases the fish can change a pattern in a matter of hours. Please don’t misunderstand me and thinking fish can not be caught. I have caught thousands of fish over my life time and even till this day I enjoy the hunt. When you locate fish and catch fish its very rewarding. We start getting warmer weather and people including myself get the itch. March can be a windy month for sure. When white bass start to spawn they do up into the creeks , but there are plenty of fish to be caught on the lake. Most of the times the March winds help in that part pushing them on points and flats that they spawn on. We can get some fantastic weather as well, after all this is Texas. 

White Bass Patterns

White bass will be ganging up in open water more to the North end of the lake, waiting for the perfect temperatures to start spawning. As they wait for the right time , they will eat heavily before they make their run. When the temps warm up you want to look shallow on windward points and flats. Another area to look at is the I-30 highway rocks. White bass will spawn on the rocks and sometimes the more wind the better. There will be schools of fish just off the rocks in the deep water staging waiting on temps to rise. Moving water is the key, white bass want moving water to spawn. Thats why it’s important to fish the windy side of structure.  Be sure to your eye out for gulls this time of year. If you see large groups of birds hitting the water , ease in the area upwind and daft thru.

 White Bass Lures

When you find large schools staging in deep water I like to use the slab and jig combo. The size slab depends on how much wind there is, as I like to drift with drift socks most of the time.  If you are spot locking or anchoring then use a 3/4 oz slab with a jig about 16 inches above. Most days they like a slow lift and sometime no movement at all. If you get lucky and fish birds , throw a small inline spinner like a rooster tail or a little George. I will also have a 4 inch sassy shad tied on, you never know when hybrids are mixed in with the white bass. When the water warms through out the day throw that same little George up on the shallow flats and points reeling just fast enough to keep it from hanging on bottom. 

Lake Ray Hubbard Fishing Guide

We target White Bass year round .  Lake Ray Hubbard has a great white bass and hybrid Striper population.  For more information on Lake Ray Hubbard Fishing Guide, follow this link.

Lake Ray Hubbard Fishing Report

Fishing has remained pretty good most days .. and tough on others .. some schooling action is still going on at daylight .. some days have to burn some fuel to find active fish on slabs .. most of the fish are laying horizontal on the bottom or little depth changes in 13-15 ft . School has begun and I have dates open in September .. fishing will remain about the same until we start getting cooler weather .. give me a call cause you can still take the kids fishing on weekends !!!

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