Bass

Smallmouth Bass Fishing in Texas

A hard-fighting bass of clear rivers and rocky natural lakes, from the Great Lakes to Tennessee. Smallmouth love crayfish and gobies.

Waters: 1
State: Texas
Water: Freshwater
Methods: Fly, Spin & Bait

Prime Months in Texas: No Agency Season Found

Spawning in Texas: Mar to May, per TPWD (when the fish spawn, not a fishing season)

What to Use for Smallmouth Bass

Fishing In

Smallmouth Bass

No agency season found

Fly

9 ft 6 or 7 wt rod, floating line, 10 to 12 lb leader. Crayfish patterns, Clousers, and poppers.

Rod, Reel and Line

RodOrvis Clearwater 9 ft 6 wt Fly RodCheck Price
ReelRedington Behemoth Fly Reel · for 6 or 7 weightCheck Price
LineScientific Anglers Mastery Infinity Fly Line · 6 or 7 wt.Check Price

Tie On in November

Typical picks from October, our closest listed month. Ask a local shop what is working in November.

Fly for October · #2/0-6Clouser MinnowSee Options
Fly for October · #6-10Crayfish FlySee Options

Spin / Cast

7 ft medium spinning rod, 2500 reel, 8 lb braid to a 6 to 8 lb fluorocarbon leader.

Rod, Reel and Line

RodSt. Croix Triumph Spinning Rod · 7 ft 0 in, medium, fast, 6 to 12 lb line, 1 pieceCheck Price
ReelShimano Sedona Spinning Reel · 2500Check Price
LinePowerPro Spectra Braided Line · 8 lbCheck Price

Tie On in November

Lure for November · 2.5 to 3 inNed Rig · Z-Man Ned Rig KitCheck Price
Lure for November · 1.5 to 4.75 inJerkbait · Rapala X-Rap JerkbaitCheck Price
Lure for November · 2.75 to 3.5 inTube Jig · Strike King Tube JigsCheck Price

Picks: general for this fish, each checked against state and federal agency pages, not specific to this water. Ask a local shop what is working.

Gear: rods, reels and lines are starting points, sized from each maker's page. Some links are affiliate links. See our disclosure.

Also Worth Packing

Nets & Tools

Frabill Rubber Mesh Landing Net

A floating trout net with tangle-free micromesh rubberized netting and a flat bottom that supports the fish's weight evenly.

Check Price Maker's Page

Some links are affiliate links. See our disclosure.

Licenses & Regulations

Most anglers need a Texas fishing license; age cutoffs and exemptions are set by the state. Seasons, limits, and tackle rules vary by water, so check current regulations before you go.

Texas Parks and Wildlife Department

Where to Catch Smallmouth Bass

1 of 1 waters

Photo: Larry D. Moore, CC BY 4.0

Rivers & Streams · Texas

Guadalupe River

An Edwards Plateau river whose 13.8-mile tailrace below Canyon Dam runs cold and clear, with stocked rainbow and brown trout in winter and Guadalupe, smallmouth and largemouth bass.

Smallmouth Bass: no agency season found here

View Water