How to catch Guadalupe bass

Guadalupe bass feed in 50–88°F water and bite best at 62–80°F. Fish Scouter's season calendar follows them in 1 water; in October they are at their peak in Texas fresh water.

30 pts · trophy at 14"Feeds 50–88°FBest 62–80°FIn season nowRiverCreek / streamSpring

About

The state fish of Texas: a small, green, spotted black bass found nowhere else on earth but the clear spring-fed rivers of the Hill Country — the Llano, the Pedernales, the Blanco, the San Marcos. A pound and a half is a big one.

How to fish it

Wade the riffles and the runs below them; cast small baits into the current seams and the pockets behind the limestone.

What it eats

small crankbaitsinline spinnerssmall soft plasticspoppers on the fly

Live bait for it

CrayfishHooked through the tail on a #2 to 2/0 hook and dragged slowly along rock and gravel — the smallmouth bait, and good for catfish and walleye.

Minnows (fatheads, shiners)Hooked lightly through the lips or behind the dorsal on a #6 to #2 hook under a slip bobber for crappie, perch and walleye; a big golden shiner on a 2/0 to 4/0 for largemouth, pike and stripers.

What to fish it with

the sizes that fish it

Leader10–20 lb fluorocarbon

Hook#2–3/0

Jig head1/8–1/2 oz

Braid10–30 lb

The rule

not confirmed here

Rules differ by state — check Texas Parks & Wildlife before you keep one.

The current rule →

Where it is, month by month

PPeakSSpawningAArriving·AroundLLeaving

Fresh water by state

Texas fresh water

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