Our recent five-minute snow flurry really got me excited because I know how history often repeats itself in fishing. The giant 14-pound Lake Travis record largemouth bass was caught on a snowy day in January 1993.
I actually had a guide booking that same day and figured we were the only anglers on the lake. The lack of any wind created a slick, calm condition that was very pleasant for my well-layered clients.
Plastic worms and live minnows produced more than 30 bass along a 25-foot deep ridge near Lakeway Marina. The hour-long soft snowfall was very surreal. These bass ranged from 1 to 3 pounds.
Several days later, I learned about the 14-pounder caught in Cypress Creek by James Perry during that snow episode. James was using a large minnow cast from the shoreline. He was used to catching some big catfish on that stretch and was shocked to catch the lunker bass. I had the pleasure of interviewing James at a boat show the following winter. He graciously allowed me to display his mounted fish at my guide service booth.
Our abbreviated snowstorm this month was accompanied by a stout north wind, so I decided to stay by the fire. With age comes wisdom and weakness.
Black bass, white bass, stripers and crappie are now congregating in big schools adjacent to deep-water structure and vast pods of threadfin shad. These hungry fish are very happy in their 60-degree water and need to eat every day.
Too many anglers assume cold air temperatures hurt the fishing and do not realize the fish are in a much warmer environment. These active fish are eager to pounce on a properly presented drop-shot plastic, spoon, jig or live minnow.
Catching fish on Lake Travis makes a unique Christmas gift for anglers of all ages. For a holiday gift certificate effective for a whole year or a guided excursion, call 261-3644, or e-mail achristenson1@austin.rr.com.