Conroe’s target-rich environment

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Law enforcement has a heavy presence here this week for good reason, Lake Conroe situated 40 miles north of Houston, the 4th largest city in the nation, has an abundance of boat traffic.
Law enforcement has a heavy presence here this week for good reason, Lake Conroe situated 40 miles north of Houston, the 4th largest city in the nation, has an abundance of boat traffic.
Mark Zona and Tommy Sanders set to embark away from their typical indoor studio in Little Rock, Ark to scout Lake Conroe.
Mark Zona and Tommy Sanders set to embark away from their typical indoor studio in Little Rock, Ark to scout Lake Conroe.
After a brief fog delay, tournament director Trip Weldon, takes a look across the lake.
After a brief fog delay, tournament director Trip Weldon, takes a look across the lake.
Plenty of media boats are in attendance for the final day of practice for the 2017 GEICO Bassmaster Classic.
Plenty of media boats are in attendance for the final day of practice for the 2017 GEICO Bassmaster Classic.
Former Classic Champion Randy Howell searches for a special row of docks…
Former Classic Champion Randy Howell searches for a special row of docks…
A few casts, a few angles, in front and around…
A few casts, a few angles, in front and around…
...and he is off to explore additional areas of the lake.
…and he is off to explore additional areas of the lake.
Named one of the best anglers to never win a Classic, Shaw Grigsby, has his sights on changing that this week.
Named one of the best anglers to never win a Classic, Shaw Grigsby, has his sights on changing that this week.
“He’s got three big ones,” Grigsby joked referring to his observer for the day.
“He’s got three big ones,” Grigsby joked referring to his observer for the day.
Long seawalls separate marinas from the main-lake wake, not only allowing vessels protection from the main lake chop, but also giving anglers calm waters to fish.
Long seawalls separate marinas from the main-lake wake, not only allowing vessels protection from the main lake chop, but also giving anglers calm waters to fish.
One of the many pleasure boaters that spread the waters of Conroe.
One of the many pleasure boaters that spread the waters of Conroe.
“Hello Giant Salvinia, Goodbye Texas Lakes,” Texas Parks and Wildlife warns of aquatic hitchhikers.
“Hello Giant Salvinia, Goodbye Texas Lakes,” Texas Parks and Wildlife warns of aquatic hitchhikers.
Marinas are plentiful on Conroe and could very well play a factor in this week’s tournament.
Marinas are plentiful on Conroe and could very well play a factor in this week’s tournament.
Howell shows up again…
Howell shows up again…
...with his signature Classic-winning smile…
…with his signature Classic-winning smile…
...and was met for a friendly visit by the Texas Constables.
…and was met for a friendly visit by the Texas Constables.
Howell makes a few cast near a bridge that could funnel the type of fish that plummeted him to win the 2014 Classic on Lake Guntersville.
Howell makes a few cast near a bridge that could funnel the type of fish that plummeted him to win the 2014 Classic on Lake Guntersville.
Nearby, the Shell gas station offers fuel on the lake.
Nearby, the Shell gas station offers fuel on the lake.
Though manmade docks and marinas cover the lake, Conroe has much more to offer…
Though manmade docks and marinas cover the lake, Conroe has much more to offer…
Laydowns and low hanging trees offer shade and structure for possible spawn activity…
Laydowns and low hanging trees offer shade and structure for possible spawn activity…
Riprap against steep embankments for fish in all stages of the spawn.
Riprap against steep embankments for fish in all stages of the spawn.
Holes and crevices create ideal hiding spots underneath the hectic traffic above.
Holes and crevices create ideal hiding spots underneath the hectic traffic above.
Aquatic vegetation in the shallows of pockets and creeks.
Aquatic vegetation in the shallows of pockets and creeks.
Bassmaster Tournament crew member Heath Laney jumps in to mark an off limits area near launch.
Bassmaster Tournament crew member Heath Laney jumps in to mark an off limits area near launch.
The only international angler to win the GEICO Bassmaster Classic, Takahiro Omori checks a few areas.
The only international angler to win the GEICO Bassmaster Classic, Takahiro Omori checks a few areas.
Some say the lake sets up similar to Lake Wylie, which borders the Carolinas...
Some say the lake sets up similar to Lake Wylie, which borders the Carolinas…
“Not so much,” Tak said of the fishery where he hoisted the trophy in 2004.
“Not so much,” Tak said of the fishery where he hoisted the trophy in 2004.
The cliché “everything is bigger in Texas” has proven true of the properties on Conroe.
The cliché “everything is bigger in Texas” has proven true of the properties on Conroe.
Greg Hackney zips by in hopes of being the first angler to complete the “grand slam” of fishing, after winning the Forrest Wood Cup, FLW AOY, and the Toyota Bassmaster AOY.
Greg Hackney zips by in hopes of being the first angler to complete the “grand slam” of fishing, after winning the Forrest Wood Cup, FLW AOY, and the Toyota Bassmaster AOY.
More overhangs amid the banks of Conroe.
More overhangs amid the banks of Conroe.
One type of structure that is not lacking are seawalls…
One type of structure that is not lacking are seawalls…
...wakes of weekenders will rebound off of the structure creating waves larger than most lakes of this size.
…wakes of weekenders will rebound off of the structure creating waves larger than most lakes of this size.
With the abundance of the same cover, drainpipes and other pockets within the seawalls create prime targets for an early morning shad spawn.
With the abundance of the same cover, drainpipes and other pockets within the seawalls create prime targets for an early morning shad spawn.
Dock-experts may like the look of a row of floating jet ski pads…
Dock-experts may like the look of a row of floating jet ski pads…
...and older docks.
…and older docks.
Algae and other clinging aquatic food sources manifest among aged boat docks.
Algae and other clinging aquatic food sources manifest among aged boat docks.
Another sign of a fish-worthy boat dock is fishing equipment, fishing enthusiast typically plant brush around their dock to generate attractive habitat.
Another sign of a fish-worthy boat dock is fishing equipment, fishing enthusiast typically plant brush around their dock to generate attractive habitat.
Newer docks, with the exception of shade, are not typically the first ones targeted.
Newer docks, with the exception of shade, are not typically the first ones targeted.
Chunk rock could also be a major player in a post spawn shad bite.
Chunk rock could also be a major player in a post spawn shad bite.
Elite anglers refined skills allow lure placement in very tight places.
Elite anglers refined skills allow lure placement in very tight places.
Deeper post spawn fish may be caught in brush off of ledges and drops.
Deeper post spawn fish may be caught in brush off of ledges and drops.
Bassmaster’s Thomas Allen shows us a different view of Lake Conroe.
Bassmaster’s Thomas Allen shows us a different view of Lake Conroe.