Artificial Lures: A basic Guide
The Ultimate Guide to Fishing Lures for North Texas Freshwater Fish
North Texas is a fantastic region for freshwater fishing, offering a variety of lakes and rivers brimming with popular species like largemouth bass, crappie, and catfish. Whether you’re fishing in Lake Texoma, Lake Ray Roberts, or any of the many other lakes in the region, knowing the right lure can make a big difference. In this guide, we’ll focus on the best fishing lures specifically for North Texas waters and what makes them effective.
1. Crankbaits
Crankbaits are essential for fishing the reservoirs and larger lakes in North Texas, such as Lake Texoma and Lake Ray Roberts. These lures mimic small fish, with a built-in lip that allows them to dive to varying depths. They have a wide, wobbling action that attracts bass and other predatory fish.
When to Use: In North Texas, crankbaits work particularly well in the spring and fall when fish are actively feeding in the mid-to-shallow depths. Use them around submerged timber and rocky points in clearer waters like Ray Roberts.
Best For: Largemouth bass, striped bass, and white bass.
2. Spinnerbaits
Spinnerbaits are a staple in North Texas, especially for fishing around the brush and grassy areas that are common in lakes like Lake Fork and Lake Lewisville. The spinning blades create both vibration and flash, which help attract fish in murky or stained waters.
When to Use: These lures excel in murky water conditions or around thick vegetation, which is abundant in North Texas lakes. Fish them in the spring when bass are moving into shallow areas to spawn, or in the fall when they’re feeding up before winter.
Best For: Largemouth bass and white bass
3. Jigs
Jigs are a highly versatile lure, great for fishing deeper waters or around structures like submerged trees and docks, which are common in North Texas lakes. They can be paired with soft plastic trailers to mimic crawfish or baitfish.
When to Use: Jigs work well in the colder months, from late fall to early spring, when fish are holding deeper. Use them around rocky structures and drop-offs in lakes like Eagle Mountain Lake or Lake Texoma. They are also effective year-round near submerged timber in lakes like Lake Ray Roberts.
Best For: Largemouth bass, white bass, and crappie.
4. Topwater Lures
Topwater lures, such as poppers and frogs, are perfect for North Texas lakes during the warmer months. These lures float on the surface and are highly effective in the early morning or late evening when bass are feeding near the surface.
When to Use: Use topwater lures in the grassy, shallow areas of lakes like Lake Fork, especially during the summer. Cast them near lily pads, grass beds, or along the banks during dawn or dusk.
Best For: Largemouth bass, white bass, and gar.
5. Soft Plastics
Soft plastics are incredibly effective in North Texas waters, especially when targeting largemouth bass. Worms, creature baits, and crawfish imitations can be rigged in a variety of ways, such as Texas or Carolina rigs, and are perfect for fishing around vegetation and structure.
When to Use: Soft plastics shine in the spring and summer months when bass are more active in shallower waters. Use them in clear water lakes like Lake Grapevine or Lake Bridgeport, especially around docks, submerged trees, and rocky areas.
Best For: Largemouth bass, smallmouth bass, and crappie.
6. Spoons/Slabs
Spoons are an old-school lure that still works wonders in the deep, clear waters of North Texas. Their shiny, reflective surface imitates the flash of baitfish, making them ideal for trolling or casting in deeper areas. Also effective for vertical fishing from a boat.
When to Use: In North Texas lakes like Lake Texoma, spoons/slabs are particularly effective when targeting striped bass and white bass. They also work well during the winter months when fish move to deeper waters.
Best For: Striped bass, white bass, and crappie.
7. Flies
While not as common in some areas, fly fishing is effective in certain North Texas waters, especially for species like sunfish and trout. The Clear Fork of the Trinity River and local ponds that are stocked with trout in the winter are prime spots for fly fishing.
When to Use: Fly lures are best used in the cooler months when the Texas Parks and Wildlife Department stocks trout in North Texas locations. Try using flies in rivers or smaller stocked ponds from November to February.
Best For: Trout, sunfish, small bass and panfish.
8. Swimbaits
Swimbaits are larger, lifelike lures that mimic baitfish and are particularly effective for catching big bass in North Texas. These lures are typically used when targeting trophy fish and are great for slow retrievals in open water.
When to Use: Swimbaits work well in the spring and fall when fish are feeding heavily. Use them in clear waters like Lake Ray Roberts or Lake Texoma, especially in areas where baitfish are schooling.
Best For: Largemouth bass, striped bass, white bass, and smallmouth bass.
9. Buzzbaits
Buzzbaits are another type of topwater lure that creates a lot of surface noise and commotion, making them ideal for targeting aggressive bass in North Texas waters. They are particularly useful in grassy or weedy areas.
When to Use: Use buzzbaits in lakes with heavy vegetation, like Lake Fork or Lake Lewisville, during the early morning or late evening. They are most effective in the warmer months when bass are in shallow water.
Best For: Largemouth bass and white bass.
Conclusion
North Texas is home to some of the best freshwater fishing in the state, and choosing the right lure for the conditions is crucial to success. Whether you’re targeting largemouth bass in Lake Fork, chasing crappie in Lake Ray Roberts, or trolling for striped bass in Lake Texoma, understanding how to use different lures can help you reel in more fish. Pay attention to the time of year, water clarity, and local structure, and you’ll be well on your way to a successful day on the water!
