Full Day Advanced Crappie And Bass Trip
Private Trip
Lakes/Reservoirs/Ponds Fishing
Eighthour advanced fishing trip targeting crappie and bassExpert guide Russell provides prolevel techniques and strategiesPhoenix 921 boat accommodates up to four experienced anglers
If you're looking to step up your freshwater game and fish with someone who actually knows where the big ones hide, this 8-hour guided trip on Lake Conroe is exactly what you need. Captain Russell has been working these waters for years, and he's not just another guide throwing lines and hoping for the best. This is a serious fishing trip designed for anglers who know their way around a rod and want to push their skills to the next level. You'll be targeting trophy crappie and smallmouth bass using advanced techniques that most weekend warriors never get to try. Lake Conroe's 21,000 acres offer some of the best freshwater fishing in Central Texas, and with Russell's insider knowledge of seasonal patterns and structure hotspots, you're setting yourself up for the kind of day that becomes a fish story worth telling.
This isn't a beginner's trip where you'll be learning how to tie knots and cast properly. Russell assumes you know the basics and jumps straight into the advanced stuff that separates good anglers from great ones. You'll start early, meeting at the launch before the sun gets too high and the fish start getting picky. The Phoenix 921 is a serious fishing machine with all the electronics and space you need to work different techniques without getting in each other's way. Russell will have you fishing structure that most people cruise right past - submerged timber, creek channels, and rocky points where the fish actually live, not just the obvious spots everyone hits. The lake's clear water means you'll need to be strategic about presentations, and Russell knows exactly which baits work best in different conditions. This is hands-on learning where you'll be trying techniques like vertical jigging, drop shotting, and precise structure fishing that will make you a better angler on any water you fish back home.
Lake Conroe's diverse structure means you'll be switching up techniques throughout the day based on what's working and where the fish are holding. For crappie, you'll likely be working brush piles and standing timber with light tackle and precise presentations - we're talking about reading your electronics, understanding how fish relate to cover, and making subtle adjustments that can mean the difference between a few bites and a banner day. When targeting smallmouth bass, expect to work rocky areas, points, and drop-offs using finesse techniques that demand good feel and patience. Russell will have you throwing everything from small swimbaits to hair jigs, and he'll teach you how to read the subtle differences in bottom composition that tell you where fish are most likely to be staged. The 8-hour format gives you time to really dial in these techniques instead of just getting a quick taste. You'll learn how water temperature, barometric pressure, and time of day affect fish behavior on this specific lake, knowledge that translates to better fishing anywhere you wet a line.
Crappie in Lake Conroe are the real deal - we're talking about fish that can push 2-3 pounds if you know where to look and how to present your bait. These slab crappie relate heavily to structure, especially the abundant timber and brush piles scattered throughout the lake. Spring and fall are prime times when they school up in predictable patterns, but Russell knows the year-round spots where quality fish can be caught even when conditions aren't perfect. What makes Conroe crappie special is their size and fight - these aren't the small panfish you might catch from a farm pond. They're thick, healthy fish that will bend your ultralight rod and test your drag system. The clear water means they can be spooky, so you'll need to use the right techniques and stay quiet on the water.
Smallmouth bass are the other main target, and Lake Conroe's rocky structure and clear water create perfect habitat for these bronze fighters. Texas smallmouth might not get the press that northern fish do, but they're every bit as aggressive and fun to catch. They typically hang around rocky points, submerged roadbeds, and creek channels where they can ambush baitfish. What's great about targeting smallmouth here is their predictable behavior - once you understand how they use the structure, you can pattern them and have consistent action. These fish are notorious for their aerial displays and bulldogging runs, and even a 2-pound smallmouth will give you a fight that makes you think it's twice that size. Russell knows the specific areas where the bigger smallmouth live, spots that aren't marked on any map but hold fish year after year.
This top-rated guided trip fills up fast, especially during prime fishing months when the bite is most consistent. Russell's reputation for putting clients on quality fish means his calendar stays busy with repeat customers and referrals from satisfied anglers. The 8-hour format gives you serious value - enough time to fish multiple spots, adjust techniques based on conditions, and really learn the lake instead of just scratching the surface. Remember to bring your own snacks and drinks since meals aren't included, but Russell will handle everything else you need for a successful day on the water. Lake Conroe's consistent fishing and Russell's expert guidance make this a customer favorite for serious anglers who want to catch fish and improve their skills at the same time. Don't wait until the last minute to secure your dates - the best fishing trips book up weeks in advance, and you don't want to miss out on what could be your best day on the water this year.
The 2019 Phoenix 921 cuts through Lake Conroe's waters like a pro angler's cast – smooth, precise, and ready for action. This high-performance fishing machine packs a serious 250-horsepower Mercury engine that'll get you to those deep crappie structures and bass honey holes without wasting precious fishing time. Cruising at 25-35 mph, you'll cover water fast and spend more time with lines in the lake. Built for stability when you're working those finicky crappie suspended over brush piles or battling a hefty largemouth near the timber. The spacious deck gives you room to move while fighting fish, and the design handles Central Texas chop like a champ. Perfect for serious anglers who know that the right boat can make the difference between a good day and a legendary one on the water.
Pomoxis NigromaculatusLake Conroe's crappie run 10-14 inches and travel in schools, making them perfect for filling the cooler. Both black and white crappie call this lake home - you can tell them apart by the black's speckled pattern versus the white's vertical bars. They love hanging around submerged timber, brush piles, and deeper channel edges, especially during spring spawn when water hits 62-68 degrees. Dawn and dusk are prime time since they're less active during bright daylight hours. What makes crappie special is their delicate white meat that's tough to beat on the dinner table. Here's a local trick: when you find one crappie, slow down and work that area thoroughly. They school tight, so where there's one, there's usually a dozen more waiting below.
Micropterus DolomieuSmallmouth bass here average 2-4 pounds but can push 6+ pounds for the females. These bronze-backed fighters prefer the rocky points and drop-offs along Lake Conroe's clear water sections. You'll find them shallow during spring and fall, but they dive deep to cooler water come summer heat. Early morning and late evening produce best, especially with a light breeze to break up the surface. What sets smallmouth apart is their fight - pound for pound, nothing pulls harder or jumps higher. They're also excellent eating with firm, mild fillets. Spring and fall are peak seasons when they're actively feeding in open water during warm, bright days. Pro tip for Conroe: focus on those rocky transition areas where shallow flats meet deeper water - that's where they ambush crawfish and minnows.
Central Texas