Well, let’s first start with, “it’s great to have the lake back!” OK, for those of us who have been out there over the summer, we know how tough the fishing on Lake Jackson has been. Combine the massive amounts of vegetation for the bass to hide in, and with the lake over doubled in size this past spring….well, you get the idea.
Also, let’s put a couple of myths to rest about our big bass and bass population. Lake Jackson’s biggest is where the fish come from, Lake Jackson. Besides any stocking that may have been done, bass that are currently in Lake Jackson have been there all along and throughout the drought. They didn’t “float” over from flooded rivers or creeks. Also, there was no “fish kill” and Lake Jackson IS NOT polluted! There is simply too much water for the amount of keeper bass in the lake. Here’s another misunderstood fact about the Largemouth. Almost any and I mean any bass you catch over 5 pounds will ALWAYS be a female.
With bass growing at a rate of about a pound a year here, that 10 pounder you caught took nature 10 years to grow it. I totally get that it’s a trophy and certainly may deserve to be hung on your wall, but just keep in mind that our Largemouth bass are like thoroughbreds. Those lunkers’ spawns have a better chance of carrying a big fish gene, so your kids and grandkids will have a chance to catch a famous Lake Jackson monster for years to come. If you do plan a trip to Lake Jackson in the upcoming months, here’s a tip or two to help catch some for the frying pan. In front of Millers Landing area, there are small schooling bass. They are feeding on small bait, so keep that in mind when you see a group of them busting the surface.
You are actually encouraged right now by FWC to keep smaller bass so the forage for larger bass is easier (See August issue of Coastal Angler Magazine for the FWC article or go online to www.CoastalAnglerGulfCoast.com). This year’s spawn was incredible, and the lake has many yearling bass that are very aggressive and hungry making them the prime target for some rod bending action. When they’re not schooling, you might want to try trick worms or a 6″ U-tail worm fished on lighter line. As the season changes and vegetation dies back, fish will grow and become much more accessible to the Lake Jackson faithful. I can’t wait!!!
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