Post spawn at Timber Lake

Apr 24 2014

Jackson Bean

Slot Fish

Member Since :
2012
Number of Posts :
225

Member Brian Long and I went out to a picture perfect day at Timber Lake.  I had too many days to count last year where we would boat thirty to forty fish with very few culls in the mix.  Other than opening day, we have struggled to get on a predictable bite.  This fish are now mostly in a post spawn pattern which suits my style of fishing just fine.  We did catch a few fish that hadn’t spawned yet and some of them were about to pop.  The fish are moving out off of the shoreline now and identifying with deep water cover.  Main lake points with some type of cover produced the best using Texas rigged worms and lizards.  There is a HUGE filamentous algae bloom happening so rig weedless if you are heading out there.  Casting a SPRO from over the windblown mats of algae produced some really nice fish.  Not many, but the ones that blew up through the mat were nice fish.  We boated 28 fish but the bite we really slow throughout parts of the day.  Our five best sack was 20.5 pounds which is the lake we remember from last year.  Same story too…..  One five pounder, multiple fours and a whole bunch of three pounders.  We only culled five.  We also got a front row seat to 14,000 shad being released.  That was really cool to see.  The grass by the launch site is LOADED with bait fish.  We could see large pockets of bluegill and shad.  Funny how the fish didn’t want a rattle trap after the shad were stocked!  But a chrome trap should be a good bait again after the shad dig in and run for cover.

Take plenty of watermelon red lizards and worms when you head out there and focus on the bigger trees.  Bigger trees seemed to hold bigger fish for us.  We only went WAY up in the western creek and didn’t do too well so didn’t stay long.  The eastern creek looks pretty choked out with algae and grass so we didn’t go too far.  The visibility is around five feet but visible microorganisms are everywhere which tells me Timber Lake is REALLY HEALTHY right now.  Great to see and once again, my vote for the best value in the club.

Posted By: Jackson Bean

Apr 25 2014

Bryan Durrett

Slot Fish

Member Since :
2010
Number of Posts :
149

Agreed on Best Value. This has been a consistent lake for us especially in the summer, deep water jig baits with trailers in creek channel / heavy cover on a crawdad colored bait. I have not been since the rock road was put in…
Definitely prefer my own boat there…

Those a Healty fish in your pic. Great job!

Apr 28 2014

Tom Strother

Fingerling

Member Since :
2010
Number of Posts :
93

Jackson,

Thanks for the report.  Very helpful, as I will be fishing there for the first time this weekend.  I had an afternoon trip to Deer Trail last spring ,the same weekend coinciding with my family reunion in Mt. Pleasant.  Sounds like the two lakes fish much differently, so your information should give me a good starting point on a new lake.  Each year prior to the family gathering I try to check out a new lake.  I live in Houston,  so it’s a good opportunity to check out some of our East Texas properties.  Anyone who has suggestions for lakes on the way, please feel free to recommend.  Julian Lake,  Yates Place, Deer Trail, and now Timber are now on my list of those fished. 

Question…did you use the on site boat.  I would prefer to leave my Pelican at home, providing the property boat is serviceable.

Thanks for the help.

Tom Strother

Apr 29 2014

Jackson Bean

Slot Fish

Member Since :
2012
Number of Posts :
225

Hey Tom,

Timber is a drastic 180 degree turn from Deer Trail.  I can give you some even more specific information if you want to call me at 903-456-5554.  I use my own boat as I’m pretty particular about being up as high off the water as possible.  My buddy Brian has used the boat there and says it fishes just fine so that will be your call.  If you are comfortable pitching to a target, rig up with heavy braid and throw into the middle of the nasty stuff where nobody in their right mind would pitch a lure.  If you don’t have much experience flipping and pitching, rig up a half ounce weight on a Texas rig (20 pound or greater big game) and throw that across the main lake points and any clusters of brush and timber you see.  Also rig up a weightless stick bait and hope for very little wind.  Again…..  Call me if you can but you will do will if you keep your focus on the nastiest of the timber and consider the algae bloom going on right now.  It will give you a frustrating day if you don’t plan accordingly.

Tight lines,
Jackson

Apr 29 2014

Tom Strother

Fingerling

Member Since :
2010
Number of Posts :
93

Thanks Jackson.  I will certainly take advantage of you offer to speak to you soon,  much appreciated!

Tom