The lakes
You don't have to pick — I do, based on weather, season and what's biting. Here's a short honest brief on each piece of water I fish regularly.
44 miles north of Houston
21,000 acres
My home water. Conroe runs hot from late February through November and rewards anglers who can read offshore brush. Dean's Marina, FM-1097 bridge, and the south end's hydrilla mats all produce. Best months: March, April, October. Largest fish to my boat: 9.6 lb (April 2022).
150 miles northeast of Houston
114,500 acres
Texas's premier trophy bass fishery. Big, deep and full of timber and grass. We fish Rayburn for full-day trophy charters and tournament prep. Black Forest, Veach Basin and the dam wall are reliable producers. Best months: February, March, October.
75 miles north of Houston
83,000 acres
Underrated bass lake that gets passed over for catfish reputation. The Trinity River channel and the timber on the east shore hold quality fish year-round. A great backup when Conroe is crowded on holiday weekends. Best months: year-round, peaking in May.
Seasonal calendar