curved box top


blue top


Lake Travis Water Level

   updated 5:00 PM


blue bottom


blue top

Lake Travis Webcam

blue bottom


blue top

blue bottom


blue top

Lake Travis Vacation Rentals

blue bottom


Contact Go Lake Travis

Lake Travis - What WAS this Fish?

Posted: Thu, 2 Jun 2016 08:55 AM - 23,087 Readers

By: Robbis Storm




What was this fish?

The vintage fiberglass rod throbbed, then dipped and bowed like a wispy willow in a heavy wind. Sometimes the fish felt like a freight train, powerful, unyielding, unstoppable.  Then in a second, it would change directions, shift gears, and morph into a race car speeding off into the distance.  It stripped off yard after yard of 20-pound-test line.  As I held on, my mind raced.  How long would the antique fiberglass rod hold up under this kind of pressure?  And what about the reel?  Would the powerful surges cause the spool to bend and the reel to seize up?  I knew what happens with frozen reels and big fish — either the rod would be snatched from my grasp or the line would snap like a flimsy kite string in a hurricane.  

Even more of a problem were my thumbs.  I had one of the old-fashioned level-wind casting reels, the kind that doesn’t have a mechanical drag.  The only thing keeping the fish in check were the balls of my thumbs.  The skin felt like it had been scraped raw with coarse sandpaper.  And I knew how Butch Cassidy and the Sundance Kid felt when pursued by the Pinkertons.  If you’ve seen the movie you know what I mean.   Over and over Paul Newman asked Robert Redford, “Who are these guys?  Who ARE these guys?”  

What WAS this fish?

It had started out as a lazy summer day on Lake Travis, a few miles northwest of Austin.  I had walked down to a dock with a whodunit in one hand and the faithful old casting rod in the other.  It’s a great way to spend a Sunday afternoon, reading a thriller while you have to stop every chapter or two to land the occasional crappie or catfish.  The advantage of an old fashioned reel is the click you can set.  No need to watch your rod — you get a strong bite and your reel will scream like a rusty buzz saw.  But this was no crappie, and if it was a catfish it was nothing like any I’d ever caught.  It had been over twenty minutes since I’d looked at my watch and I guessed the fish hit ten minutes before that — a full half hour total of the hardest fight I’d ever felt.   

What WAS this fish?

That’s one of the charms of this 18,929-acre reservoir — you never know what you’ll catch.  I lived on the north shore of this clear water gem for six years.  Within a quarter of a mile radius of my dock, you could catch white bass, crappie, three species of catfish, bluegills, redbreast sunfish, black and white crappie, gaspergou, carp, buffalo, longnose gar, and of course the every angler’s favorite — the largemouth black bass.  

Although the lake record largemouth tops the chart at over 14 pounds, most of us don’t think of Travis as a big bass lake.  But what the fish might lack in size, they make up in numbers.  With over 270 miles of shoreline, you have plenty of room to work the points, canyons, and coves with Rat-L-Traps, spinnerbaits, shaky heads, flukes, and topwaters like my old favorite Zara Spook.  On a number of occasions I’ve caught and released more than a couple dozen 14 to 18 inchers.

Then there’s white bass.  During the winter and early spring they gather in the upper ends of the various arms of the lake.  My favorite chunk-and-wind lure is a ¼ oz, blue-backed chrome Rat-L-Trap.  It’s a killer lure on any number of species. Other lures that fool sandies include small Roadrunners, Rooster Tails, various colored crappie jigs, and slab spoons.  

Like most Texas waters, Travis is loaded with catfish.  If you need enough fillets for a fish fry, I’m guessing you’ll set out some jugs or a trotline.  My favorite set line baits are live bluegill, cut shad, chicken livers, or wieners cut up in hook-size pieces.  For rod and reel angling, try chumming with fermented maize, canned corn, or dry dog food, then come back an hour later and fish the area with worms or stink bait.  

Some say Travis is not a good crappie lake.  I don’t agree.  The thing is, you have to know where to find them.  Look for submerged brush piles in water 10 to 20 feet deep.   Better yet, sink brush or other structure to create your own personal honey holes.  I vertically dabble my favorite 1/16 oz. chartreuse jigs down in and around the brush.  And sometimes – when I’m feeling lazy – I put on a minnow.

And it was a minnow that lured the Leviathan that summer afternoon. As the fight continued it became increasingly apparent that I needed help.  My monster fish had weakened so that I had been able to regain most of my line.  But the fish not given up – it was still capable of yanking off a yard or two of line.  If my poor thumbs could have talked, both would have screamed like drunken banshees.  I willed myself to endure the pain, so that I could force the fish ever closer and closer to the dock.  

But I had a big problem: no landing net!  Fortunately – not more than 30 yards away -- I saw a bass fisherman working the shoreline.  I yelled for help.  , He came as fast he could with his trolling motor.  As he moved closer I reeled in more and more line so that the fish was right in front of me at the edge of the dock. I could hardly contain my excitement. In a second or so, I knew I it would come into view.  I would finally see what it was!  But just as the boat arrived with a landing net, the fish made one final lunge.

And it was over.  

My rod went vertical.  The line fell limp.  I no longer had any pressure on my thumbs.  I probably had tears in my eyes as I wound in the line.  At the end was what had once been a fishhook -- half an hour’s steady pressure had pulled it almost as straight as a toothpick. I felt weak, depressed, heartbroken.  I never got so much as a glimpse of my quarry. And you can guess what the bass angler said.



*  Story Contributed by: Robbis Storm



[edit]



Lake Travis News


LCRA to reopen Lake Travis for public use Wednesday

Nov 6, 2018

34,068 Readers

LCRA: Lakes could open by Nov. 2 depending on conditions

Oct 30, 2018

27,744 Readers

Mansfield Dam floodgates to close starting Thursday

Oct 30, 2018

30,711 Readers

LCRA will not open more gates at Mansfield Dam at this time

Oct 18, 2018

28,834 Readers

Lago Vista residents prepare to evacuate due to flooding of Lake Travis

Oct 18, 2018

32,747 Readers

An incredible view of an open Mansfield Dam : Youtube video

Oct 18, 2018

29,127 Readers

Lake Travis expected to hit highest level since 1991 by Friday

Oct 17, 2018

27,021 Readers

Hike and bike trail on Lady Bird Lake closed due to rising water

Oct 17, 2018

26,277 Readers

Lake Travis expected to open 4 more floodgates. Take Precaution

Oct 17, 2018

30,108 Readers

Record number of Mansfield dam floodgates could open

Oct 17, 2018

22,695 Readers

Alamo’s Jaws on the Water is back to scare you while you float on Lake Travis

May 15, 2018

27,280 Readers

This student’s wakeboarding graduation photoshoot is so epic she deserves another degree

May 8, 2018

25,310 Readers

Here’s why you can’t swim in Lady Bird Lake. Wait — you can’t swim in Lady Bird Lake?

Aug 8, 2017

28,769 Readers

5 Ways to Try Paddleboarding in Austin

Aug 4, 2017

27,739 Readers

Why Is Hippie Hollow Clothing-Optional?

Jul 31, 2017

31,608 Readers

JAWS on the Water - Friday, June 30th

Jun 27, 2017

27,240 Readers

Memorial Day Weekend watercraft ban on Lake Austin

May 25, 2017

29,473 Readers

Travis County officials prep for Memorial Day weekend on Lake Travis

May 23, 2017

27,085 Readers

West Austin 4-H Offers Opportunities Beyond Just Raising Animals

Aug 9, 2016

37,284 Readers

Large Crowds Expected at Lake Travis For Holiday Weekend

Jul 1, 2016

38,978 Readers

Lake levels falling fast as Texas drought continues

Jul 27, 2022

14,116 Readers

Repairing Lake Travis homes damaged by flooding

Nov 2, 2018

28,964 Readers

Lake Travis now more than 120 percent full

Oct 17, 2018

22,491 Readers

Graveyard Point residents brace for flooding

Oct 17, 2018

24,018 Readers

Floodgate Operations Underway at Local Lakes During Flooding

Oct 16, 2018

23,972 Readers

As Flood Risk Increases, Austin Will Revisit Its Floodplain Building Rules

Oct 15, 2018

24,297 Readers

Up to 35 days of 100-degree heat this summer in Austin area, LCRA says

May 9, 2018

25,987 Readers

Lake Buchanan rises nearly 8 inches due to rain

Aug 8, 2017

29,207 Readers

One floodgate open at Starcke Dam

Aug 7, 2017

26,735 Readers

Driving on RM 620, I see islands sticking out of the lake. Is the drought returning?

Jul 14, 2017

27,967 Readers

Spectacular catch highlights our High School Plays of the week

Oct 16, 2018

22,075 Readers

Classic Berth, Big Payday On The Line At Toyota Bassmaster Texas Fest

May 15, 2018

26,551 Readers

Several newcomers already set to play for Texas in 2017

Aug 7, 2017

28,045 Readers

PGA to Austin: We had lots of fun, so let’s do it again in 2017

Apr 1, 2016

38,259 Readers

Jordan Spieth Off To Good Start In Austin Return

Mar 24, 2016

37,864 Readers

Katy vs Lake Travis game makes the list!

Jan 13, 2016

35,602 Readers

Game of the week: Lake Travis (7-0) at Westlake (7-0)

Oct 19, 2015

37,651 Readers

Lake Travis repeats as regional golf champions

Apr 17, 2015

40,035 Readers

Lake Travis’ Bacon ties national HR record

Mar 14, 2015

40,396 Readers

Westlake, Lake Travis sweep District 14-6A awards

Mar 11, 2015

41,322 Readers

Shack 512 Relaxed, lakeside dining accessible by car or by boat

May 16, 2018

26,265 Readers

Residents addressing wildfire risks in Lake Travis, Westlake

May 16, 2018

25,332 Readers

Ex-Point Venture water employee accused of misappropriating $65K

May 16, 2018

25,908 Readers

West Lake Hills’ new drainage manual created in an effort to reduce flooding

May 15, 2018

26,553 Readers

Round Rock City Council approves cost share for zebra mussel control in Lake Travis

May 11, 2018

27,261 Readers

Nautical Boat Clubs Launches Lake Austin Location in Westlake

May 5, 2018

27,010 Readers

City looking for help to curb storm drain pollution

Aug 5, 2017

26,824 Readers

Apache Shores features waterfront views, trails, park

Jul 14, 2017

26,077 Readers

10-year Mansfield Dam rehabilitation project will keep Austin safe

Apr 27, 2017

27,429 Readers

Overflowing Lake Travis isn't all bad news for businesses

Jun 8, 2016

36,058 Readers

Appraisal protest trend continues as assessments rise

May 16, 2018

25,847 Readers

Go Inside This Lake Austin Remodel

May 10, 2018

23,703 Readers

Modern guesthouse tower adds space, views to lakeside cabin

Sep 28, 2017

28,959 Readers

A Striking Sanctuary in Texas Inspired by a Sand Dollar

Aug 8, 2017

29,446 Readers

Contemporary Architectural Masterpiece on Lake Austin

Jul 30, 2017

27,059 Readers

Lake Austin mansion with a Romeo and Juliet balcony, including dramatic backstory

Jul 28, 2017

27,271 Readers

Midcentury-modern home overlooks Lake Austin, Pennybacker Bridge

May 27, 2016

37,248 Readers

Lake Travis Waterfront Retreat Offered by Heritage Luxury Real Estate Auctions

May 18, 2016

37,424 Readers

In Lago Vista, big dreams for $68 million ranch property

May 14, 2016

37,313 Readers

This Texas Barn Mansion on Lake Travis is Out of This World

May 6, 2016

41,136 Readers



News Archives 2016 - Select a Month

« December 2015  

January 2017 »  




bottom