In the spring I plan to take out my three nephews on Lake Austin. Ages 10-13, they're eager but impatient, inexperienced but willing. Trouble is, I'm no bass fisherman but do have a boat on LA. They'll be thrashing the water with their cheap rods and Zebcos, so you can see I could use some advice! We'll be heading out at City Park. I know to prowl the docks and have watched you guys out there. These boys won't have much finesse working their lures, but we hope to catch a few. I'm esp wondering what lures might work best for them, and ANY other tidbits ya'll are willing to part with. Thanks!
Taking kids fishing on LA
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Joe,
I truly hate to discourage any plans that include taking children fishing but.... LA skunks some of this areas best anglers on a fairly consistant basis. I'm sure that your nephews would enjoy anywhere that you take them..but if I have a newbie in the backseat I typically try to fish a lake that is a little more consistant say bastrop or fayette. If you can put someone who is new to fishing on a top water bass bight(something where they can watch the lure) it seems to be very easy for them. LA sometimes all but requires soft plastic fishing which is very difficult for beginers or young ones to pick up. The perfect scenario depending on when in the spring you are refering to would be to get them into some running whites up the rivers in the area. The fast paced action tht that can provide would be very fun for the kids....If you insist on LA then by all means fish it but I would wait until closer to the time that you are going to fish jump on here and ask advice, many people will be glad to help. Read some of the posts on LA lately and you'll see what i mean :-?
I truly hate to discourage any plans that include taking children fishing but.... LA skunks some of this areas best anglers on a fairly consistant basis. I'm sure that your nephews would enjoy anywhere that you take them..but if I have a newbie in the backseat I typically try to fish a lake that is a little more consistant say bastrop or fayette. If you can put someone who is new to fishing on a top water bass bight(something where they can watch the lure) it seems to be very easy for them. LA sometimes all but requires soft plastic fishing which is very difficult for beginers or young ones to pick up. The perfect scenario depending on when in the spring you are refering to would be to get them into some running whites up the rivers in the area. The fast paced action tht that can provide would be very fun for the kids....If you insist on LA then by all means fish it but I would wait until closer to the time that you are going to fish jump on here and ask advice, many people will be glad to help. Read some of the posts on LA lately and you'll see what i mean :-?
I agree with Ben. In the spring the top water bite will be the way to go with them. It's not a sure thing but even if they get one or two blow ups that may keep them entertained. With no draw down this year the grass should be incredible come spring time. A buzz bait or something of that nature would allow them to just cast and retrieve without having to work a certain technique.
When it gets closer to your trip, research ABF. All else fails take them to Hula hut and show them the big bass sticking out of the water.
When it gets closer to your trip, research ABF. All else fails take them to Hula hut and show them the big bass sticking out of the water.
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With the kids I would cheat and buy some live bait. Minnows, worms, crawfish, or a combo of them all. I would also go early or late and remember when it warms up you'll be contending with the daily party's on the lake that roll around in wake board boats. Not knocking it, just saying it can get a little rough for me. And Ben_S is right on. LA has been known to frustrate a few that I'm sure consider themselves at least descent anglers. I personally have a love / hate relationship with LA. I love the big fish, hate that I can't catch them. One of these days!
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LA is my favorite Lake. Just knowing every time you set the hook you may have a DBL digit fish. After saying that, I have to agree with Ben.
LA is not for beginners. Especially young ones. They tend to get bored quickly. I also would suggest Bastrop.
As for help with LA. The challenge with LA is that it is a difficult lake to pattern. What works one day, typically wont work the next. :-/
Jim ;D
LA is not for beginners. Especially young ones. They tend to get bored quickly. I also would suggest Bastrop.
As for help with LA. The challenge with LA is that it is a difficult lake to pattern. What works one day, typically wont work the next. :-/
Jim ;D
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197 Posts
This is what I do. Wait till spring and anchor up off some brush and let them go crazy with the perch and bluegill. It is non stop action for them and you will spend most of your time baiting hooks untangling lines and taking fish off the hooks.
My kids love to go with me and like to catch fish. I'm not great by any means and have learned from the kind people here live bait is the way to go for kids. While I stand (cuss) in the front of the boat and work on my game, my kids use minnows and work on theirs.
If I am just going to tie up and have a few beverages, best place for us is Bastrop. Launch on the North side, short jaunt across the lake, go all the way up into the discharge where it is roped off. Either tie off or anchor. Anchor/tie about 3/4's to the left (east) of the middle of the discharge. You will be sitting in about 12 ft of water. Fish off the east side (closest to the bank) with minnows. Bobber and about 5 foot to hook, drop shot 1 foot up from hook. Toss to the bank, reel in slightly to where you see the drop off, let it sit. The current will eventually pull it out and you will have to recast. The other side of the boat up by the drop off will hold fish too, but my kids don't catch as many there. My kids slay them there, while of course I can't catch anything there on artificial. ;D
If I am just going to tie up and have a few beverages, best place for us is Bastrop. Launch on the North side, short jaunt across the lake, go all the way up into the discharge where it is roped off. Either tie off or anchor. Anchor/tie about 3/4's to the left (east) of the middle of the discharge. You will be sitting in about 12 ft of water. Fish off the east side (closest to the bank) with minnows. Bobber and about 5 foot to hook, drop shot 1 foot up from hook. Toss to the bank, reel in slightly to where you see the drop off, let it sit. The current will eventually pull it out and you will have to recast. The other side of the boat up by the drop off will hold fish too, but my kids don't catch as many there. My kids slay them there, while of course I can't catch anything there on artificial. ;D
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I wouldn't worry about those young boys trying to catch fish, as soon as they catch an eyeful of those college babes in bikinis, they'll zone out like zombies. They'll be thanking you for weeks, and begging you to take them "fishing" again
again
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Joe, just put a watermelon anything colored fluke on all their poles and work any of the banks up river from the park. You will find 'em. Did you see my post a while back when one of the 13yo triplet girls I took out on a trip caught an 8? Once those nephews of yours get the hang of it, tie on a creature bait or jig and work the same areas. They just might hook into a Hawg. Shoot me a line once it gets closer to the time and I'll try to give you a report. Good luck.
Once those nephews of yours get the hang of it, tie on a creature bait or jig and work the same areas. They just might hook into a Hawg. Shoot me a line once it gets closer to the time and I'll try to give you a report. Good luck.1 - 11 of 11 Posts
