How to Fish Cordell Hull Reservoir

Cordell Hull Reservoir fishing FAQ

How do you catch Largemouth Bass on Cordell Hull Reservoir in Spring (Pre-Spawn)?

Water temp 52-65°F. Pre-spawn bass are transitioning from winter areas to spawning flats, actively feeding to build energy reserves for spawning Fish are moving into shallow areas during sunny periods, especially focusing on rocks that retain heat Key locations: Rocky banks and boulder areas on the sunny side of the lake; Secondary points leading into spawning pockets; Shallow creek arms with good rock transitions. Best techniques: Shallow Diving Crankbaits (0-6') worked slowly along rocky banks, Bladed Jigs around transition areas, Lipless Crankbaits across emerging vegetation. Primary forage: Crawfish emerging from winter hibernation, Shad schools in creek arms. Best bait colors: Vibrant Craw Colors, Bold Striped Patterns, Chartreuse Colors.

How do you catch Smallmouth Bass on Cordell Hull Reservoir in Spring (Pre-Spawn)?

Water temp 48-58°F. Smallmouth bass are transitioning from winter deep-water areas to pre-spawn staging areas, actively feeding to build energy reserves for spawning Fish are becoming more aggressive as water temperatures rise, with peak activity during afternoon hours when waters warm Key locations: Secondary points and channel swings near spawning flats; Rocky transitions where deep water meets shallow flats; Riprap areas that warm quickly in afternoon sun. Best techniques: Blade Baits worked slowly along channel edges, Ned Rigs dragged on rocky transition areas, Tubes worked methodically on rocky points. Primary forage: Crawfish emerging from winter dormancy, Small shad schools in transition areas, Young of year baitfish near warming shallows. Best bait colors: Vibrant Craw Colors, Dark Neutrals, Pink Colors.

How do you catch Largemouth Bass on Cordell Hull Reservoir in Spring (Spawn)?

Water temp 58-68°F. Bass moving into shallow spawning areas, particularly in protected coves and creek arms, actively defending nesting sites Males staging on pre-spawn areas near spawning flats, females moving in waves from staging to spawning areas Key locations: Protected shallow coves and pockets with firm bottom; Secondary points leading into spawning bays; Shallow brush piles and laydowns near spawning flats. Best techniques: Texas Rigs (Pitch/Flip), Shallow Diving Crankbaits (0-6'), Spinnerbaits, Bladed Jigs. Primary forage: Crawfish emerging in shallow areas, Shad spawning in backs of pockets, Small bluegill in shallow cover. Best bait colors: Vibrant Craw Colors, Chartreuse Colors, Dark Neutrals.

How do you catch Smallmouth Bass on Cordell Hull Reservoir in Spring (Spawn)?

Water temp 55-65°F. Actively seeking spawning areas in shallow protected coves and flats, typically in 2-8 feet of water Males guarding nests while females stage on nearby deeper structure between spawning moves Most active during warmer parts of day when water temperatures rise Key locations: Protected shallow coves with gravel or small rock bottom; Secondary points leading into spawning bays; Riprap areas near spawning flats providing pre-spawn staging areas. Best techniques: Tubes worked slowly around spawning areas and transition points, Ned Rigs for finicky pre-spawn fish, Shallow Diving Crankbaits (0-6') along riprap and points. Primary forage: Crawfish emerging from winter dormancy, Small shad in shallow water, Small bluegill in spawning areas. Best bait colors: Vibrant Craw Colors, Dark Neutrals, Pink Colors.

How do you catch Largemouth Bass on Cordell Hull Reservoir in Spring (Post-Spawn)?

Water temp 65-75°F. Post-spawn bass transitioning from spawning areas to early summer patterns, actively feeding to recover energy Fish moving between shallow cover and nearby deeper structure throughout the day, particularly active during morning and evening Key locations: Secondary points and ledges near spawning pockets in 6-10 foot range; Brush piles adjacent to creek channels; Riprap banks with access to deeper water. Best techniques: Medium Diving Crankbaits (7'-12') worked parallel to points and ledges, Spinnerbaits worked through shallow cover and along riprap, Texas Rigs (Pitch/Flip) targeting brush piles and wood cover. Primary forage: Shad schools moving to post-spawn areas, Bluegill beginning to spawn in shallow areas, Crawfish active in rocky areas. Best bait colors: Chartreuse Colors, Vibrant Craw Colors, Bold Striped Patterns.

How do you catch Smallmouth Bass on Cordell Hull Reservoir in Spring (Post-Spawn)?

Water temp 58-72°F. Post-spawn smallmouth are actively feeding to recover energy, transitioning between spawning flats and early summer patterns Fish are utilizing points and riprap areas during morning hours, moving to slightly deeper adjacent areas during bright conditions Given the turbid water (3.6' clarity), fish are staying relatively shallow and are most active during low-light periods Key locations: Rocky points and riprap areas adjacent to spawning flats in 4-8 feet of water; Secondary points with quick access to deeper water; Protected coves with rocky structure, particularly during windy conditions. Best techniques: Soft Body Swimbaits (Small/Medium) worked parallel to shoreline structure, Shallow Diving Crankbaits (0-6') around rocky points, Tubes dragged along rocky transitions, Spinnerbaits worked near shallow structure in low light or windy conditions. Primary forage: Shad concentrating around points and riprap, Crawfish emerging in rocky areas, Small baitfish in shallow feeding areas. Best bait colors: Vibrant Craw Colors, Bold Striped Patterns, Dark Neutrals.

How do you catch Largemouth Bass on Cordell Hull Reservoir in Summer?

Water temp 70-85°F. Bass are transitioning to summer patterns, focusing on creek channels and baitfish schools with active feeding during morning/evening Fish are moving between shallow feeding zones (6' or less) and deeper structure (8-12') based on time of day and temperature Key locations: Back of creeks with brush piles and fallen trees in 6' or less; Channel ledges and points near creek mouths in 8-10' depth; Rip rap areas with access to deeper water. Best techniques: Texas Rigs (Pitch/Flip) around shallow brush and timber, Medium Diving Crankbaits (7'-12') along channel edges, Shakey Heads on deeper structure, Frogs/Toads early morning in shallow cover. Primary forage: Shad (primary forage, especially in creek areas), Minnows (secondary forage, noted in bait ball activity). Best bait colors: Chartreuse Colors, Vibrant Craw Colors, Dark Neutrals.

How do you catch Smallmouth Bass on Cordell Hull Reservoir in Summer?

Water temp 68-85°F. Exhibiting daily movement patterns - active shallow feeding during morning, transitioning deeper as temperatures rise during midday Actively feeding on shad around island points and riprap, particularly during low-light periods due to turbid conditions Key locations: Island points with current flow and rocky structure; Riprap areas along road beds; Channel ledges adjacent to islands for midday refuge. Best techniques: Hard Topwater (Walking) during early morning hours, Shallow Diving Crankbaits (0-6') around points and riprap, Drop Shot along channel ledges during midday heat. Primary forage: Shad congregating around points and current breaks, Crawfish in rocky areas and riprap. Best bait colors: Vibrant Craw Colors, Bold Striped Patterns, Chartreuse Colors.

How do you catch Largemouth Bass on Cordell Hull Reservoir in Fall?

Water temp 64-80°F. Actively feeding on baitfish in the 15-foot to shoreline zone, following shad movements to shallower areas Relating to transitional areas near ledges, using depth changes as ambush points Most active during morning hours with reduced activity during midday Key locations: Shallow ledges adjacent to deep water (20-30 feet); Creek arms with transitional depth changes; Points and islands creating current breaks. Best techniques: Shallow Diving Crankbaits (0-6'), Medium Diving Crankbaits (7'-12'), Hard Topwater (Walking). Primary forage: Shad, Minnows. Best bait colors: Chartreuse Colors, Bold Striped Patterns, Vibrant Craw Colors.

How do you catch Smallmouth Bass on Cordell Hull Reservoir in Fall?

Water temp 60-70°F. Smallmouth bass actively feeding on shad and crawfish, following baitfish schools around points and riprap areas as they prepare for winter Fish are making daily movements between shallow and deeper water, with most active feeding during morning and evening periods Aggressive feeding behavior in 60-70 degree water temperature range, particularly around current-swept structure Key locations: Main lake points and island points with riprap or rock structure; Channel ledges adjacent to shallow feeding flats; Rocky secondary points in major creek arms. Best techniques: Lipless Crankbaits worked parallel to points where shad are present, Medium Diving Crankbaits (7'-12') along rocky transitions, Drop Shot with finesse presentations during midday periods, Spinnerbaits around shallow structure in low light conditions. Primary forage: Shad schools congregating around points and structure, Crawfish in rocky areas and riprap, Small sunfish around shallow structure. Best bait colors: Vibrant Craw Colors, Bold Striped Patterns, Dark Neutrals.

How do you catch Largemouth Bass on Cordell Hull Reservoir in Winter?

Water temp 42-52°F. Largemouth bass become less active but still feed during stable weather periods, concentrating in deeper areas near primary structure Fish tend to group up in winter, moving slowly and preferring areas with minimal current Key locations: Deep brush piles and rock ledges in 15-25 foot range adjacent to creek channels; Protected creek arms with steeper banks and wood cover; Deep points near channel intersections where current is minimal. Best techniques: Blade Baits worked vertically with slow lifts and long pauses, Football Jigs dragged slowly along bottom near structure, Drop Shot with minimal movement for suspended fish. Primary forage: Shad schools concentrated in deeper water, Smaller baitfish holding tight to structure, Crawfish becoming less active but still available. Best bait colors: Vibrant Craw Colors, Chartreuse Colors, Dark Neutrals.

How do you catch Smallmouth Bass on Cordell Hull Reservoir in Winter?

Water temp 42-52°F. Smallmouth bass will be concentrating in deeper water near steep structure, often suspending near schools of shad Fish become less active during cold fronts but will feed opportunistically during stable weather, particularly during afternoon warming trends Key locations: Deep points and channel ledges adjacent to winter shad holding areas; Steep riprap banks that absorb afternoon sun and hold heat; Deep structure near the main lake where depths transition from 15 to 25 feet. Best techniques: Blade Baits worked vertically with slow lifts and drops, Drop Shot with subtle movements near suspended fish, Tubes dragged slowly along bottom structure. Primary forage: Shad schools concentrated in deeper water, Inactive or dormant crawfish in rocky areas, Small baitfish seeking warmer water near structure. Best bait colors: Vibrant Craw Colors, Bold Striped Patterns, Dark Neutrals.