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Largemouth Bass Expedition on Lake Buchanan
Bass Fishing in Buchanan Dam
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The Largemouth Bass is one of America's most prized freshwater game fish, known for its aggressive strikes and fighting ability. In Buchanan Dam, these fish thrive in the lake's diverse structure, with summer offering prime fishing conditions. - Largemouth Bass in Texas typically average 1-4 pounds, with trophy specimens exceeding 10 pounds. - They prefer areas with cover such as submerged vegetation, fallen trees, and rock structures. - Early morning and evening hours generally produce the best fishing results.
Guided Fishing Trip by Guide Randy Fesler in December
Meet your Guide Randy Fesler
- Lake LBJ and Lake Buchanan Bass Fishing Guide
Summary
Our guided fishing trip on Buchanan Dam delivered non-stop action on a beautiful Sunday in July. We hit the water early morning under partly cloudy skies—perfect conditions for targeting bass in these productive Texas waters. Using a variety of techniques including trolling, live bait fishing, and crankbait casting, we landed several impressive bass including a hefty 17-inch Largemouth. This half-day trip with Reel Texas Fishing Tours showcased why summer fishing at Buchanan Dam is so rewarding, with consistent bites throughout the morning. Whether you're an experienced angler or new to fishing, these waters offer excellent opportunities for Largemouth, Smallmouth, and Florida Bass year-round, with summer being particularly productive.
Fishing Charter with Randy Fesler – Rates & Booking
Guide Randy Fesler of Reel Texas Fishing Tours offers Sunday July trips that deliver outstanding bass fishing on Buchanan Dam. Our Half Day Trips are perfect for anglers of all experience levels looking to experience the thrill of landing Largemouth Bass, Smallmouth Bass, and Florida Bass all in one outing. All fishing equipment is provided, and we'll use a variety of proven techniques including trolling, live bait fishing, and crankbait casting to maximize your chances of success. With our early morning departure times, you'll be on the water during the most productive hours. Give us a call at Reel Texas Fishing Tours to book your next fishing adventure on Buchanan Dam.
Highlights of This Trip
This summer fishing trip at Buchanan Dam offers excellent opportunities for multiple bass species. We caught a beautiful 17-inch Largemouth Bass along with several other quality fish throughout the morning. The partly cloudy conditions created perfect fishing weather, keeping the fish active and biting consistently.
We employed multiple fishing techniques during our half-day adventure, switching between trolling near the dam structure, live bait fishing in productive zones, and casting crankbaits to target different areas. This variety not only kept the action exciting but also allowed us to target different species and sizes of bass throughout the trip.
Local Species Insights: Largemouth Bass
Largemouth Bass thrive in Buchanan Dam's diverse underwater structure and favorable water conditions. Summer months are prime time for targeting these fish, with early mornings being particularly productive. We find that a combination of live bait and artificial lures works best, especially near structure and along deeper drop-offs.
The 17-inch Largemouth we caught represents a quality fish for these waters, though Buchanan Dam is known to produce even larger specimens during peak periods. When the bite is on like it was during our trip, anglers can expect consistent action throughout the morning hours.
Plan Your Fishing Charter Day
For your trip with Reel Texas Fishing Tours, we recommend arriving about 15 minutes before your scheduled departure time. Wear comfortable clothing appropriate for the weather, and don't forget sun protection including hat, sunglasses, and sunscreen. We provide all fishing equipment including rods, reels, tackle, and bait. Our half-day trips typically last 4-5 hours, giving you plenty of time on the water while still leaving your afternoon free. Morning trips start early to take advantage of the best fishing conditions, and we can accommodate anglers of all experience levels from beginners to seasoned pros.
Fishing in Austin: Largemouth Bass
The Largemouth Bass (Micropterus salmoides) belongs to the Centrarchidae family, order Perciformes, and is arguably America's most iconic freshwater sportfish. Distinguished by its oversized jaw that extends beyond the eye and its olive-green coloration with dark horizontal banding, this predator is a favorite target for anglers visiting Buchanan Dam in summer months.
Largemouth Bass Overview
Largemouth Bass are ambush predators with remarkable strength and fighting ability that makes them highly sought after by recreational anglers. Their popularity stems from their widespread distribution, aggressive feeding habits, and the challenging sport they provide when hooked.
Largemouth Bass Habitat and Distribution
These fish thrive in lakes, ponds, and slow-moving rivers with abundant cover. In Buchanan Dam, they prefer areas with submerged vegetation, fallen timber, rock piles, and dock structures. They typically inhabit water depths of 2-20 feet depending on season, water temperature, and time of day.
Largemouth Bass Size and Weight
Typical adult Largemouth Bass measure between 15 and 32 inches in length and weigh anywhere from 2 to 22 pounds. In Texas lakes like Buchanan Dam, average catches range from 1-4 pounds, with trophy specimens exceeding 8 pounds not uncommon.
Largemouth Bass Diet and Behavior
Largemouth Bass are opportunistic feeders, primarily consuming smaller fish, crawfish, frogs, and large insects. They're known to ambush prey from concealed positions in structure. During summer months, they often feed more actively during early morning and evening hours when water temperatures are cooler.
Largemouth Bass Spawning Season
Spawning typically occurs when water temperatures reach 60-65°F, usually in spring (March to May in Texas). Males create and guard nests in shallow water, often in protected areas with firm bottom composition. Post-spawn, larger females recover in deeper water while males continue guarding nests.
Largemouth Bass Fishing Techniques
Three effective techniques for Buchanan Dam include: soft plastic worms Texas-rigged and worked slowly around structure; crankbaits retrieved along rocky points and drop-offs; and topwater lures during early morning and evening hours. In July around Buchanan Dam, targeting deeper structures during midday and moving to shallow areas during low-light conditions can be particularly productive.
Largemouth Bass Is It Good to Eat?
Largemouth Bass offers white, flaky meat with a mild flavor. While not as popular for consumption as crappie or walleye, they're perfectly edible when prepared properly. They're best when cleaned promptly and can be baked, fried, or grilled. Nutritionally, they provide lean protein with moderate omega-3 content.
Largemouth Bass Frequently Asked Questions
Q: What is the best bait for Largemouth Bass at Buchanan Dam?
A: Soft plastic worms, creature baits, and crayfish imitations work exceptionally well, especially in darker colors like junebug, black/blue, and watermelon. Live bait options including shiners and crawfish are also highly effective.
Q: Where can I find Largemouth Bass near Buchanan Dam?
A: Focus on submerged structure like fallen trees, rocky points, vegetation edges, and boat docks. During summer, bass often hold in deeper water (10-20 feet) during midday and move shallower during morning and evening hours.
Q: Is Largemouth Bass good to eat?
A: Yes, Largemouth Bass is edible with mild-flavored white flesh. However, many anglers practice catch and release to preserve the quality of the fishery, especially for larger specimens which tend to have higher sport value than food value.
Q: When is the best time to catch Largemouth Bass at Buchanan Dam?
A: Early morning and late evening typically produce the best action during summer months. In July, the first few hours after sunrise can be particularly productive, as well as the period from about an hour before sunset until dark.
Q: What size Largemouth Bass is considered a trophy at Buchanan Dam?
A: Any Largemouth over 8 pounds is considered an excellent catch, with fish over 10 pounds reaching trophy status. The Texas Parks and Wildlife ShareLunker program recognizes bass weighing 13 pounds or more.
Q: How deep should I fish for Largemouth Bass in summer at Buchanan Dam?
A: During July, target bass in 10-25 feet of water during midday heat, and shallow areas (2-8 feet) during early morning and evening. Always look for nearby structure regardless of depth.
