This fishing report is a result of my personal fishing experience on Lake O’ the Pines and from conversations I have with other fisherman on the lake. I live on the lake and fish almost every day. It is my intention to report at least once a week throughout the year.
Fishing Balls
There are bait fish, in bait balls, all over the lake. Down imaging from my Lowrance Elite 9 TI are showing large balls all over the lake. Keep an eye on these bait balls and you will find fish.
Bass Fishing
Bass fishing is excellent right now. The water temperature has cooled to the upper 70’s and the bass are active. In the mornings and evenings, bass can be found running shad up underwater slopes. Medium sized bass are working in schools but big fish are nearby. Rattle traps are a good bait as long as they mimic the natural baitfish. Flukes are also catching a lot of fish. I have found that the watermelon flake is working the best in 2 to 10 feet of water around the slopes. On a recent trip I caught 25 + fish in an hour in the evenings. Most weighed 1 to 3 pounds but I did hook one over 5 pounds. There are several areas on the lake that are producing in the evening. Start working the lake an hour or 2 before sunset and look for bass and shad breaking the water. Fish On!
I talked to several other fishermen last week and they have been catching big Bass on deep diving crank baits during the day off of points and in timber 15 to 20 feet. Texas Parks and Wildlife reports that bass are good on creature baits rigged Texas style and on frogs that have hollow bodies and buss frogs.
Crappie Fishing
Lake O’ the Pines is well known for its excellent Crappie fishing. Right now, the Crappie are in transition. They are moving shallow after spending most of the summer in deep water. I have been finding fish on structure in 12 to 16 feet suspended about 1 to 2 feet off the bottom. Texas Parks and Wildlife is reporting that Crappie Fishing is fair on Minnows. I have been using shad colored jigs and have been catching a few every day. The Crappie bite is best in the morning but I am catching a few in the evening. One fisherman reported that he was catching 15 plus Crappie under the Alley Creek Bridge every day on minnows.
The fishing on Lake O’ the Pines should be improving from now until it gets cold. If you need a place to stay go to http://lakeothepinesvacationrental.com