Our early summer-Lake Lewisville Fishing Guide Report is fantastic. I hope this post finds y’all doing well and in good health. As the Coronavirus seems to be easing up, the fishing on Lake Lewisville has been turning on. The shad have just about finished spawning, and I’ve seen the white bass in their full swing summer pattern. The hybrid striper have not yet transitioned into their summer pattern, but we have been whacking them none the less. Usually, this time of the year, the hybrid striper are going nuts right along with the white bass, but it has taken some extra effort to get these hard fighting fish in the boat. The water temperature this last week has been around 74-75 degrees, depending on where you’re at and what time of day. 

We’ve had storms with strong south winds and overcast skies and bluebird days with no wind. Sometimes we get to experience both in one fishing trip. It’s been a wild and busy May so far, and I expect the fishing to get even better in June. I’m hoping for excellent fishing in July as well. Every year is different, and for that matter, everyday fishing brings new challenges. That’s part of the excitement and adventure for me, and one of the aspects that keeps me coming back for more. 

Keeping Shad Alive-Early Summer Lake Lewisville Fishing Guide Report

I have switched over from slabs to live bait altogether this past month. Slabs and spoons can still be effective, but in my experience they will usually catch more smaller fish than anything else this time of year on Lake Lewisville. All white bass and hybrid striper have come off live bait for me in May. However, catching threadfin and gizzard shad and keeping them alive is a challenge for most people. It takes practice to become successful, just like anything else. Catching and locating bait is a whole other topic for another fishing report. Once you have caught your threadfin and/or gizzard shad, the process begins. The items you will need to have success include a bait tank with a filtration and aeration system, rock or pool salt, shad keeper, a bucket, and some ice.

The bait tank should be full, running, and prepped before you start throwing your cast net. Anywhere from 2-5handfuls of salt or shad keeper should be used depending on the time of year. The shad should be handled gently when placing into the bait tank. As you catch them, you should drop them into a loading tub to then transfer into the tank. This allows the shad to release scales, slime, and other crud into the tub instead of into your bait tank. Be sure to not let them sit in your tub too long before transferring them to the bait tank. 

This will cause stress and will produce a slow or dead bait. Keep a count of the number and size of baits you have put into the tank, and be sure not to over populate the tank as this will result in slow or dead shad. Once all the bait has been added to the tank, then I add my ice. Usually a bag to start and maybe another if needed. Ideally you want the want temperature around 65-70 degrees. Keep the filter clean as it will clog more early on in this process. I hope this helps some of you who are getting out and doing some fishing on your own. 

Early Summer-Lake Lewisville Fishing Guide Report-Side Imaging Graphs

The fishing has been fantastic. The white bass can be found in big schools on humps, points, and ledges in 12-30 foot of water. My Lowrance side imaging units have been a very useful tool for locating white bass and hybrid striper. They can’t resist a live shad struggling to escape in front of their nose. Rig these shad on a Carolina rig, and drop them down. 

These baits are usually fished anywhere from 1-5cranks off the bottom depending on where you are seeing the fish. The Lake Lewisville hybrid striper have been a little more elusive but well worth the search. Some hybrid stripers have been hanging around the white bass, and some have been in groups by themselves. They produce a bigger mark or return on the sonar and are easily distinguishable from the white bass. I have been catching them in the same areas as the white bass. 12-30 foot of water on humps, points, and ledges. The catfish bite is pretty strong as well drifting cut shad in 18-28 foot of water on flats or windblown humps or points. I’ve been catching blue and channel catfish right along with the hybrid striper and white bass as well.  

I fish full time for a living and do my best every time I’m on the water. I love helping people catch fish and creating memories of a lifetime. If you’re wanting to get out of the house and catch some fish, let me know! I have a bunch of dates open starting in the middle of June. God bless!

Thank you,

Wes Campbell

214-282-7093

www.bendarodfishing.com

FACEBOOK