Cuondlake Loc: Texas

I’m new to East Texas, and the lakes nearest to me are Lakes Nacogdoches and Naconiche. Any pointers on fishing these two lakes?

Chuck56 Loc: Texas

You in a boat? Can’t tell you much about nacogdoches, never fished there.I can tell you a little about naconiche. Been fishing there since 2013. The banks drop off pretty quick on the main part of the lake. If you head towards the dam when you leave the launch, I suggest you fish to the left side of the dam. There are some good shallow spots there for topwater lures. I would recommend a whopper plopper or similar lure . Swimbaits work really well there . I suggest a 4.8 Keitech or similar size with an Owner Flashy Swimmer type rig. I would NOT use an exposed hook . Naconiche is basically a flooded forest . You would do well NOT using exposed hooks , unless you are using topwater or crankbaits. I have had good success there using texas rigged green pumpkin colored worms. But, the next to biggest bass that I know of was caught down by the bridge using a black worm at night. Be careful if you decide to use your big motor . As I said you are in a flooded forest . The boat lane marker is difficult to see in certain areas , and you can expect a few surprises even in the lane , especially if the level is low. Saw a guy in a brand new legend try to plane and smacked all the hEDouble L out of the motor / transom . Don’t know the exact damage but the motor had a starboard lean to it and shuddered pretty good as he idled out. There are some transom killers in those waters. Biggest bass I ever caught from there was 9.2 pounds , also by the bridge . That was in 2016 I believe . I last fished there 2 years ago , and there is definitely way more fishing pressure than earlier years, but some monsters are still in there . The lake is around 700- 750 acres , so you have a decent chance of good catches.....

Cuondlake Loc: Texas

Thanks for the tips Chuck! Yes, I do have a boat. I’ve been out there twice so far, and I definitely don’t get over idle speed on most of the lake. To me, lakes with that much cover are harder to fish than lakes with little cover, because it’s harder to identify unproductive water.

Chuck56 Loc: Texas

Well, as you probably know by now you can plane your boat going towards the dam from the launch. Also there is a habitat structure installed by texas parks going towards the dam to the left. I’ve caught several bass there. I believe you can find it by looking at the texas parks site . I seem to recall they give a gps location for it. In that vicinity there is also a few trees totally submerged. I would deep - crankbait that . There is a really good cove , kind of across from the swimming area , where the big chicken hatchery is. I would not crankbait it though. Swimbaits work really well there when the fish want a moving bait. I’ve gotten my nitro stuck in the tree / thick shrub tops in the shallower waters. I keep a “ duck foot “ adjustable push pole in one of my rod lockers just for that reason. Or if you are able , you can lift your troller motor up ( but not out of the water) kick it on as fast as it will go , and try to spin your boat off the shrub tops . Clockwise seems to work best for me...lol Best of luck. Send photos if you catch some....

Cuondlake Loc: Texas

Thank you! I will.