Lake Conroe  January 25, 2000Even with the last couple of days of cool weather the bass are still shallow.  Bayless Putney of Sugarland, Texas fished with me today and caught these two beauties on back to back casts.  Both fish hit a 5/16oz Stanley Jig in 3 feet of water near brush.  We caught several other fish in the 2 and 3 pound class in shallow water.  All of the fish were released and Bayless is getting a replica of the larger bass, his lifetime record.  The lake is still 2 feet low and mainlake water temperature today was 61 degrees.   

Lake Conroe January 20, 2000Conroe is 2 feet low right now and the bass are shallow.  Bass are positioned in the backs of creeks right now on boat docks and brushpiles.  Black or white 5/16oz Stanley Jigs have been my top 2 choices for the boat docks.  Up North the shallow timber continues to be a strong pattern.  Stumps in 1 to 4 feet of water have been consistently holding bass to eight pounds.  Jigs and spinnerbaits have been top choices for these fish.  The boat dock and stump patterns have been plenty strong but it is about that time to start looking for sight fish.  Last year fish were on the bed as early as January 18th.  On days of extreme sunlight the wacky worm has been productive.  Grape, bloodline, sour grape, and cotton candy are all top wacky worm colors.  Lake Conroe December Fishing Report

The lake is just under normal pool right now.  There is strong bass buzzbait bite around shallow cover like rip rap, docks, and stumps.  Water temperature is 61 degrees and stabilizing near that temperature after a quick drop from 70 degrees with this cold front this week.3/16 and 5/16 oz Stanley jigs fished around shallow cover is also very effective right now.  Boat docks positioned in the backs of the creeks as well as mainlake point boat docks are holding good bass.  I tip the Stanley jigs with pork chunks, either No. 1 black pork frogs or the Bo Liz in black or blue.Jigging spoons have also started producing bass which is usually already the main bite but the warm conditions have let some of the shallow water bites dominate until now.  The spoon bite will definitely heat up with the cooling water temperatures.I have already put several parties on good numbers of white bass using jigging spoons on mainlake humps and ridges.  The dump and the many humps and ridges down by the dam are all excellent areas for the winter time spoon bite.  Also the tram that runs across the lake north of the 1097 bridge is a great place.Crappie have been scattered but should also tighten up on the deeper humps and ridges with the colder weather.  All of the fish will start pulling together on the mainlake humps.  It is finally getting cold enough that the shad will push to the humps for the winter and most of the fish in the lake will join them.

Good luck fishing.

Bill Cannan

Lake Livingston December Report  The upper part of the lake is off color due to the recent rains.  However, there is some decent water over in White Rock and Caney.  The southern end of the lake is holding the best water right now.  Kickapoo creek, Penwaugh slough, the State Park area, and the dam are holding good water and good fish.  The jig bite has really turned on with the first good cold front last week.  I fish 3/16 and 5/16oz black Stanley jigs with black Bo Liz pork trailers.

The fish are holding tight to boat docks and any shallow cover like reed points, isolated stumps, rocks, laydown logs, brushtops, etc.  The better boat docks on Livingston are the old ratty looking ones with fishing boats hanging in the slings.  The fishing boats are a tale tell sign of a fisherman who probably has a bunch of brushpiles around his dock.  Also, look for brush tops sticking out of the water under the docks and cast underneath the docks with the jigs.  I use a skipping technique for this presentation with the jig.Rip rap around the lake is also a strong pattern around the lake right now.  A chartreuse Bandit crankbait 100 series fished paralell to the rocks has been very effective.White bass have already pushed up the lake and are making a good run.  Maybe the warm temperatures tricked them into an early run.  Whatever the reason they were biting like crazy in White Rock before the front this week.  When this bite is on chrome/blue ¼ and ½ oz rattle traps are the top choices.  The creel limit is 25 per man and a keeper has to be 12”.

Good luck fishing.Bill Cannan

Reservoir and Coastal Guide Service, Inc.