Tara Lake
June 18^th, 2024
Primary Baits: Brown Brush hog, chartreuse & white chatter bait, chrome rattletrap (blue back)
FISH: 20 to 25 that were 2lbs or less, about 6 in the 3 to 4½ lb range, 1 over 6 ½ lbs. 

Gusty winds combined with partly cloudy conditions provided a reprive from the early Texas summer heat at Tara Lake. We launched around 7:45 and started our work directly accross the lake from the launch ramp, hoping for a topwater bite and early action while working up towards the dam. There were a couple missed strikes on a buzz bait. Then we switched to a chatter bait, picking a small bass up in the open cove area close to the left side of the dam and then, a crappie off the dam, which has historically been one of our “go to” places at Tara. But today was a different day and after sparse results around the dam, we proceeded to the brushpile(s) where things started to get interesting. The better fish were holding tight to the brushpiles and when a good one hit, it left no cause for doubt. Boom! Ultimately, it was the brush hog that outproduced everything else we threw for quality fish but there was nice a nice flurry of smaller fish to be caught around the brush piles on the rattle trap. We tried the lower end of the lake but couldn’t make anything happen except get stuck in the shallow water so for the rest of the day we went brush pile hopping, usually catching one or more from each one. Trav nailed the 6½ pounder throwing tight to one of the brush pile markers. A nice donkey in our book! Tara fish are beautiful. The larger fish appeared extraordinarily healthy and many of the smaller fish impressed with powerful strength. The water seemed a bit more stained than normal and was brim full – another good sign. Most of the action happened from around 9:00 to 11:15 am but a few fish were caught after lunch. We left around 2:15 and we’ll be back, again!