Honey Hole Report Lake Livingston May, June, July

 The warmer months of May, June, and July are generally good for fishing on Lake Livingston. Several different baits and patterns should work during these months. During May most but not all of the fish should start moving out of the backs of the creeks and towards the deeper water at the mouths of the creeks and main lake points. The transient fish will follow the creeks channels towards these areas and by June should be on a summer pattern. Some fish will remain in the shallow water of the creeks all year long. I have found in the past when I run into the pods of shad or schools of perch in the creek channels the bass are close by.

  I would start the day with a 3/8-ounce buzz bait or a Gambler Pro Series Spinner Bait in a 3/8ths or ½ ounce size. The colors depend on water clarity and cloud cover. Most of the time I will throw chartreuse and white with a red Tru-Turn trailer hook I like to throw these baits around log jams, trees, docks and any other visible cover until the sun comes up. I will keep these baits tied on and will throw them anytime we get some cloud cover. I use a Castaway HB 6.6 rod for spinner baits and buzz baits with a Daiwa TDX 6:3:1 bait caster reel with a 15 to 17 pound line. Another good bait to throw this time of year is a small crank bait. I find the best color is fire tiger or chartreuse/blue back. Look for a bait that will dive 2-6 feet and throw it in the same area’s you would throw your spinner bait or buzz bait. Chances are most people are afraid to lose their baits so most of these fish haven’t seen a crank bait in heavy cover or around logjams and lay downs. Make several casts from different angles and you should be able to pick up a few extra fish. I fish my crank baits on a Castaway STL 6.6 with a slower 5:3:1 reel on 12lb line. If you are fishing around the reeds or water hyacinths make sure to make parallel casts and run your spinner bait, buzz bait or crank bait  as close this cover as you can.   

   Once the sun gets up and it starts to get hot I will pick up a flipping bait like a Gambler Bacon Rind, 6-inch lizard or a 7-inch ribbon tail worm. My favorite colors for Lake Livingston this time of the year are June Bug, Black Red Glitter and Watermelon Fire Stick. If I am using Watermelon Fire Stick I will dip the tail in chartreuse dye. I rig these baits with a 3/16th ounce Gambler Florida Rig weight or Rat’lin Florida Rig weight. I use the Rat’lin weight in muddy or off color water and will go with a heavier weight if the fish are up under the water hyacinths and I have to drop my bait through them to get to the fish. I am using the new Daiichi Bleeding Bait Hooks on all my plastics and crank baits. I replace the front hook of my crank bait with a Daiichi Bleeding Bait Hook and the rear hook with a standard Daiichi treble hook. I fish my plastic baits on a Castaway HG40 JWH rod with a Daiwa TDX reel and 15lb line. I spray all my baits with Bang Combo Scent including my crank baits.

  Some good areas to look for fish will be White Rock Creek on the north end of the lake and Kickapoo and Indian Creek on the south end of the lake. There are also numerous boat docks on the main lake south of the hwy 190 bridge that will hold fish. Fish each dock thoroughly concentrate on the shady areas of the dock and the ladders and pilings.

  Make sure you drink plenty of water and stay away from drinks with caffeine in them. Wear light colored cotton clothes and use a good sunscreen on your exposed skin. Wear your life jacket and attach your kill switch. For a light comfortable life jacket you can wear while fishing try the Sospenders Inflatable life vest they are well worth the money. Until the next time please be safe. I will see you on the lake and if you would like to book a guide trip call me at 713-254-7594