Ready to reel in some of Central Texas' best freshwater action? This 4-hour guided fishing trip kicks off at the crack of dawn, setting you up for prime catches on the region's most productive lakes. Whether you're a seasoned angler or it's your first time holding a rod, our expert guides at Catch 512 have got you covered. We're talking hybrid stripers, largemouth bass, smallmouth bass, and those monster blue cats – all fair game on this adventure. No need to sweat the gear; we've got top-notch equipment and local know-how to put you on the fish. It's just you, your crew (up to 2 guests), and a boatload of potential for tight lines and bent rods.
Picture this: You're out on the water as the sun's just peeking over the horizon, the lake's mirror-smooth, and there's a chill in the air that says it's time to fish. That's how we kick things off on our Central Texas fishing charters. For four solid hours, you'll be working both open water and shorelines, learning the tricks of the trade from guides who eat, sleep, and breathe these waters. We're not about fancy frills – this trip is all about putting you on fish and making sure you have a blast doing it. From finding the honey holes to showing you how to work your lure just right, we're here to make sure you go home with stories (and hopefully some pics) of the ones that didn't get away.
On our Central Texas lakes, we mix it up to keep the fish guessing and the action hot. Depending on the season and what's biting, we might start you off chunking big swimbaits for those lunker largemouth, or finesse fishing with drop shots if the bass are being picky. For stripers and hybrids, we often troll or use live bait to tempt these hard-fighting fish. And when it comes to those blue cats? Get ready to drop some heavy tackle and maybe even try your hand at noodling if you're feeling brave. We'll hit different spots throughout the trip – from deep water haunts where the big ones lurk to shallow coves where the bass stack up. It's all about reading the water, understanding the patterns, and adapting on the fly – skills our guides have honed over years on these lakes.
"Had an amazing time with my son! Derek delivered exactly as promised. We started with some great catfish in the early morning and ended with an incredible bass fishing session. All quality catches! If you're in the area and love bass fishing, look no further than Derek with DeeZ Memories ATX Fishing Guide. It was truly the best guided fishing experience we've had so far. Thank you, Derek! We'll definitely be rebooking next time we're in town." - Richard
Largemouth Bass: The crown jewel of Central Texas fishing, largemouth bass in these parts can grow to trophy sizes. These ambush predators love to hide around structure – sunken trees, docks, or weed beds. Spring and fall are prime times when they're aggressive and feeding heavily. There's nothing quite like the explosion of a big largemouth smashing a topwater lure at dawn.
Striped Bass: These powerful, line-stripping fish are a favorite among local anglers. Stripers school up and chase bait in open water, making for some epic battles when you hook into a big one. They're most active in cooler months, and catching them often involves finding the bait balls they're feeding on. When a school of stripers starts busting on the surface, it's a sight you won't forget.
Smallmouth Bass: Often overlooked in favor of their largemouth cousins, smallmouth bass in Central Texas are a scrappy bunch that punch well above their weight. They prefer rocky areas and deeper, cooler water. Pound for pound, many anglers consider smallies the hardest fighting freshwater fish. When the water's clear and cool, targeting smallmouth can lead to some of the most exciting fishing of the year.
Blue Catfish: The gentle giants of our lakes, blue cats can grow to massive sizes. They're bottom feeders that respond well to cut bait or stink bait. While they can be caught year-round, winter is often the best time for trophy blues. There's something special about feeling that distinctive catfish 'thump' on your line, knowing you might be connected to a 30+ pounder.
Look, we could go on all day about the fish you might catch or the techniques we'll use, but the truth is, nothing beats experiencing it firsthand. Whether you're looking to learn new skills, introduce your kids to fishing, or just want a solid day on the water with a good chance of catching dinner, our Central Texas fishing charters deliver. The lakes are calling, the fish are waiting, and our guides are ready to show you the best of what Central Texas fishing has to offer. Don't let another season slip by – book your trip now and get ready for some rod-bending, drag-screaming action. Trust us, once you've fished these waters with us, you'll be hooked for life.
April 13, 2023
Blue catfish are the giants of our lakes, with fish over 50 pounds fairly common and true monsters topping 100 pounds possible. You'll find these bruisers in the deepest parts of the lake, usually 30-70 feet down near channel edges and river mouths. They're most active at night and during cooler months. Blues are prized for their hard-pulling power and excellent table fare. To target them, use heavy tackle and big baits - whole shad, big chunks of cut bait, or live sunfish work well. Anchor up and fish on the bottom with a slip-sinker rig. Here's a pro tip: use circle hooks to improve your hookup ratio and make releasing these big cats easier. When you hook into a big blue, be ready for a battle - these fish have incredible stamina and can peel off long, powerful runs even after you think they're done. It's an experience you won't soon forget!
Largemouth bass are the heavy hitters of our lakes, typically running 2-5 pounds but capable of topping 10. You'll find them lurking around submerged logs, weed beds, and dock pilings in 5-15 feet of water. Spring and fall are prime seasons when bass move shallow to feed. These fish put up a great fight, often leaping clear out of the water when hooked. Anglers love targeting them for their aggressive strikes and tasty white meat. To entice a big one, try working a plastic worm slowly along the bottom near cover. When you feel that telltale tap-tap, set the hook hard - largemouth have tough, bony jaws. For a real thrill, nothing beats topwater action at dawn or dusk. Walking a Zara Spook or popping a frog imitation across the surface can trigger explosive strikes that'll get your heart racing.
Smallmouth bass may not get as big as their largemouth cousins, but pound-for-pound they're some of the hardest fighting fish in freshwater. Most run 1-3 pounds, with 4-5 pounders considered trophies. You'll find smallies in clear, rocky areas - look for them around boulder fields, ledges, and gravel bars in 5-20 feet of water. They're most active in late spring and early fall when water temps are in the 60s. Anglers love smallmouth for their acrobatic leaps and bulldog determination when hooked. To target them, try crawling a tube jig or dragging a finesse worm along rocky bottoms. When smallies are aggressive, a fast-moving spinnerbait or topwater can trigger reaction strikes. Here's a local secret: on sunny summer days, try skipping small soft plastics way up under overhanging trees and bushes - that's where the big ones often hide out.
Striped bass are hard-fighting fish that'll test your tackle and your skills. These stripers average 5-20 pounds but can top 50. Look for them chasing bait schools in open water or hanging near drop-offs and points. They're most active in spring and fall when water temps are in the 60s. Stripers are popular for their powerful runs and delicious white flesh. To hook into one, try trolling with deep-diving crankbaits or live bait rigs along contour lines. When you see surface feeding activity, casting topwater lures or soft plastics into the frenzy can produce exciting strikes. Here's a local tip: keep an eye out for diving birds - they'll often lead you right to feeding stripers. Once you find the fish, vertical jigging with bucktails or spoons can be deadly effective. Just be ready for that first scorching run when a big striper realizes it's hooked!
Vehicle Guest Capacity: 2
Manufacturer Name: Yamaha
Maximum Cruising Speed: 50
Number of Engines: 1
Horsepower per Engine: 115
Had an amazing time with my son! Derek delivered exactly as promised. We started with some great catfish in the early morning and ended with an incredible bass fishing session. All quality catches! If you're in the area and love bass fishing, look no further than Derek with DeeZ Memories ATX Fishing Guide. It was truly the best guided fishing experience we've had so far. Thank you, Derek! We'll definitely be rebooking next time we're in town.