Lake Jackson Fishing Report – June 2008

Jackson: Level: 1.4 feet below full pool. Temp: High 70s. Clarity: Clear in the main lake and stained up the rivers.

Bass: Eric Perkins said the fishing has slowed some. “They are postspawn, so the best bite comes from the ones that bedded earliest,” said Eric. “You can still catch a few good fish early on topwater with a Spook Jr., a Sammy or some kind of chugger-style bait. Stay on the outer-most, main-lake sea walls, and cover as many as you can before the sun gets up. A pearl-white fluke is also very effective.” Eric said the shad spawn is almost over, but you’ll still find a few hit-and-miss places with fluttering bait. “The next big thing to look for will be the mayfly hatch,” said Eric. “Just ride the lake, and look for the blackbirds and ducks swarming around a small area. One big bush or tree will be loaded. This is a great time for topwater action, but I also like a brown ChatterBait or a brown/black Net Boy Baits Flipp’N Jig with a green-pumpkin Zoom Salty Pro Chunk. Skip it up under the trees or bushes where you find mayflies hatching, and hold on! Later in June is a great time to get out on the long points and humps with a big crankbait like a Norman DD22.” Eliminator Elite 8 angler Aaron Batson said the fish are on their way out to the main-lake summer holes, and some of them will move up the rivers in search of cooler waters. “Expect to catch them in 12 to 18 feet of water near deeper water,” said Aaron. “Places like points, humps and old channel ledges will hold fish. Typically, rocky areas hold more spots. One of the best baits will be a big, 1/2-oz. Net Boy Baits Football Jig worked slowly over the rocks. Largemouths will hold in areas with more wood cover, like old brushpiles. Big lizards and worms on Texas rigs seem to work best, like an 8-inch Zoom lizard or a V&M 11-inch worm. Up the rivers, fish near mayfly hatches. Pop-Rs and buzzbaits are good to throw near the mayflies,” Aaron said.