Cedar Creek Lake

EXCELLENT. Water normal stain; 58 degrees; 3.86 feet below pool. Deadstick for hybrid striped bass and white bass in 30–42 feet of water throughout the lake. Use a fish thumper and splasher to draw fish beneath the boat, as schools will often move through the water column at depths of 15-24 feet. Depending on wind conditions, use a �½–1 ounce jighead paired with a 3–4 inch soft plastic fluke. Be ready for subtle bites and set the hook quickly. Drift at speeds of 0.3–0.5 mph for best results. If you are not getting bites within 20–30 minutes, move to a new location. Key areas to target include sharp drop-offs, ledges, and mid-lake humps and points across the lake. Adjust jig and plastic colors based on cloud cover and sunlight, rotating between bright and shad-pattern colors for best results. A significant warm-up is in the extended forecast, along with periods of rain. This pattern will likely trigger the white bass spawning run, pushing fish into creek channels and sandy shallow points throughout the lake. White bass and hybrids will attempt to move up shallow creeks. However, without a solid 3–4 inches of rainfall they are expected to remain in the main lake, staging on shallow humps where water temperatures are warmer and conditions are calmer for their annual spawn. The crappie bite continues to improve. Target crappie with small jigs and minnows in 7-12 feet of water around bridge pylons, brush piles, and docks. Anglers are finding success by staying mobile, catching several fish per spot before moving on. Guides report improving conditions, with larger crappie showing up more consistently. Report by Brent Herbeck, Herbeck’s Lonestar Fishing Guide Service. Catfish patterns remain consistent with fish up to 45 pounds possible. Catfish are good drifting flats in 24-40 feet of water with cut gizzard shad or carp, or anchored in 3-10 feet fishing shad off the bottom. Report by Jason Barber, Kings Creek Adventures.