Spawning temperatures are upon us

MICHAEL ACOSTA

As a licensed professional fishing guide, Michael Acosta shows you how to find them. He has been a licensed guide since 1998.

We all know that the life cycle of the cold-blooded species we seek in our area waters is based on water temperatures. This is some of the most important information we have to locate and predict where the fish will be and hopefully put them in the boat.  

Having a good temperature indicator on your boat is a great tool to have. I know I constantly rely on mine. Typically, this is standard with most sonars, so most boats have this available. During early parts of the year, you may be looking for warmer water and during the hotter parts of the year, you may be looking for slightly cooler water. Whatever the case, it is data you can use.

Temperature, as we know, is also an input to your decisions on your bait type and presentations. This is especially true when transitioning between seasons.

It can be tough to keep up with the water temperatures as they are at a constant state of flux, especially when moving from the winter to spring (as we are doing now).

Though water temperatures cannot change as drastically as land, they do change some with major temperature swings. Bigger bodies of water obviously changes less than the shallower creeks and sloughs.  

Water temperatures have been varying from the upper 40s to the middle 50s. Winter is still here for now, but changes are sure to follow.   

If you are a springtime angler and you are looking for spawning fish, knowing the temperature of the water and the temperature range when they spawn will help you decide when to go. There are a lot of other factors of course, but temperature and time are the primary drivers. Here in Texas, typically the sand bass are first to spawn, then the crappie and black bass and then the catfish. Here is a chart for some of our local species. 

Most anglers know that the springtime sand bass spawning runs are either starting or will be shortly. Some reports of good catches of sand bass and crappies in the creeks and in the river are currently being reported. Any rain to increase the water flow may have the fish moving more upstream.  

Black bass anglers are looking for fish to be moving up on the beds as well. Some are staging right now, but the movement to the beds will follow shortly. Lots of bigger fish are being caught now.  

Lake Granbury water temperatures are in the low 50s, and the springtime action is upon us. Everyone is looking forward to warming temperatures with spring’s arrival. Hope to see you all on the water. 


FISHING REPORT

On other reservoirs, Possum Kingdom (PK) Lake largemouth bass are good on soft plastics. Recently, three fish over 13 pounds have been caught on PK and turned in to the Share-a-lunker program. Striped bass to 15 pounds are also possible on jigs from the Peanut Patch and upstream on PK. Lake Whitney striped bass limits continue from the Katy Bridge to the river near Kimball Bend. Crappie action is excellent in the river near Kimball Bend on jigs and minnows.

michael.acosta@att.net | 254-396-4855