A look at Lake Travis

After competing on two famed, familiar fisheries, the Elites will make their first visit to Lake Travis for the Toyota Bassmaster Texas Fest benefiting Texas Parks and Wildlife Department. The tournament, May 17-20, is the only one in 2018 besides the Classic Bracket that awards the winner a berth to the 2019 Classic.
After competing on two famed, familiar fisheries, the Elites will make their first visit to Lake Travis for the Toyota Bassmaster Texas Fest benefiting Texas Parks and Wildlife Department. The tournament, May 17-20, is the only one in 2018 besides the Classic Bracket that awards the winner a berth to the 2019 Classic.
Lake Travis is an 18,622-acre impoundment that stretches for around 65 miles. The dam was constructed in 1942 for flood control of the Colorado River, specifically for the Texas state capital of Austin, but Lake Travis also serves as water supply, power generation and recreation for the region.
Lake Travis is an 18,622-acre impoundment that stretches for around 65 miles. The dam was constructed in 1942 for flood control of the Colorado River, specifically for the Texas state capital of Austin, but Lake Travis also serves as water supply, power generation and recreation for the region.
Jones Brothers Park is tournament central, where the Elite anglers will take off each morning after the national anthem at 7:15 a.m. ET under the direction of tournament director Trip Weldon and the announcing of emcee Dave Mercer. Those two also orchestrate the weigh-ins, which begin around 4 p.m. ET each day. All B.A.S.S. events are free of charge. The park’s address is 10301 Lakeside Drive in Jonestown, Texas.
Jones Brothers Park is tournament central, where the Elite anglers will take off each morning after the national anthem at 7:15 a.m. ET under the direction of tournament director Trip Weldon and the announcing of emcee Dave Mercer. Those two also orchestrate the weigh-ins, which begin around 4 p.m. ET each day. All B.A.S.S. events are free of charge. The park’s address is 10301 Lakeside Drive in Jonestown, Texas.
Lake Travis is “an outstanding fishery, especially when it catches water,” said Marcos De Jesus, the Texas Parks and Wildlife Department fisheries biologist for the Lake Travis region.
Lake Travis is “an outstanding fishery, especially when it catches water,” said Marcos De Jesus, the Texas Parks and Wildlife Department fisheries biologist for the Lake Travis region.
What De Jesus means about catching water is that the lake level drops from time to time then fills back up. One of the worst was during exceptional drought from 2011 to 2015 when the lake level fell close to 50 feet. “In 2015, we had the big rains and it filled up really quick. It’s 10 to 12 foot down now,” he said. The lake is the drinking water supply for around a million residents, so “there’s water being pulled by straws all day.”
What De Jesus means about catching water is that the lake level drops from time to time then fills back up. One of the worst was during exceptional drought from 2011 to 2015 when the lake level fell close to 50 feet. “In 2015, we had the big rains and it filled up really quick. It’s 10 to 12 foot down now,” he said. The lake is the drinking water supply for around a million residents, so “there’s water being pulled by straws all day.”
During the drought, plants grew on the banks, which ending up improving the fishing. “We’re experience the new lake affect,” De Jesus said. “Water came back and flooded all the terrestrial habitat that had been growing on the dry points. Next thing you know, you have a brand new lake and it’s been fishing really well.”
During the drought, plants grew on the banks, which ending up improving the fishing. “We’re experience the new lake affect,” De Jesus said. “Water came back and flooded all the terrestrial habitat that had been growing on the dry points. Next thing you know, you have a brand new lake and it’s been fishing really well.”
The TPWD has stocked almost 2 million Florida strain largemouth in Lake Travis since 1988, along with other species of bass, to improve the genetics, and it took advantage of the newly created habitat after the 2015 rains by adding 750,000 fingerlings. “Those are your 2- and 3-year-old and will be legal size fish now,” DeJesus said. “The fishery is kind of peaking.”
The TPWD has stocked almost 2 million Florida strain largemouth in Lake Travis since 1988, along with other species of bass, to improve the genetics, and it took advantage of the newly created habitat after the 2015 rains by adding 750,000 fingerlings. “Those are your 2- and 3-year-old and will be legal size fish now,” DeJesus said. “The fishery is kind of peaking.”
Elite angler Kelly Jordon receives huge credit for the idea of the Toyota Texas Fest. The Texan thought a series of tournaments would help the state promote its spectacular bass fishing, and by good fortune, he got the idea in front of the right TPWD commissioners and people who turned his brainchild into reality.
Elite angler Kelly Jordon receives huge credit for the idea of the Toyota Texas Fest. The Texan thought a series of tournaments would help the state promote its spectacular bass fishing, and by good fortune, he got the idea in front of the right TPWD commissioners and people who turned his brainchild into reality.
Jordon’s idea came about a dozen years ago, and the Toyota Texas Bass Classic (TTBC) ran for 10 years, with Matt Herren the winner of its final event in 2016. Toyota, Texas and B.A.S.S. united last year to create the first Toyota Bassmaster Texas Fest on Sam Rayburn Lake.
Jordon’s idea came about a dozen years ago, and the Toyota Texas Bass Classic (TTBC) ran for 10 years, with Matt Herren the winner of its final event in 2016. Toyota, Texas and B.A.S.S. united last year to create the first Toyota Bassmaster Texas Fest on Sam Rayburn Lake.
This is the only regular-season Elite tournament where the fish are weighed on the boat. The TTBC events all practiced the catch, weigh and release format. Each angler has a judge on board who weighs the fish, records it and the fish are released immediately.
This is the only regular-season Elite tournament where the fish are weighed on the boat. The TTBC events all practiced the catch, weigh and release format. Each angler has a judge on board who weighs the fish, records it and the fish are released immediately.
The judges record each weight on a special waterproof scorecard as well as enter it into BASSTrakk, which will be the unofficial leaderboard throughout the day. Here Cliff Crochet shows his scorecard during last year’s event.
The judges record each weight on a special waterproof scorecard as well as enter it into BASSTrakk, which will be the unofficial leaderboard throughout the day. Here Cliff Crochet shows his scorecard during last year’s event.
The scorecards, which must be signed and turned into B.A.S.S. officials, are then compared to the electronic version to finalize the standings.
The scorecards, which must be signed and turned into B.A.S.S. officials, are then compared to the electronic version to finalize the standings.
There is a pre-determined size of fish that the anglers may bring to weigh-in, whether it be length or weight. Classic champ Jordan Lee shows off his “over” from last year.
There is a pre-determined size of fish that the anglers may bring to weigh-in, whether it be length or weight. Classic champ Jordan Lee shows off his “over” from last year.
On Sam Rayburn last year, Brent Ehrler brought the biggest fish to the weigh-ins, this 9-pound, 1-ounce behemoth. His lunker set the high mark on Day 1.
On Sam Rayburn last year, Brent Ehrler brought the biggest fish to the weigh-ins, this 9-pound, 1-ounce behemoth. His lunker set the high mark on Day 1.
And it held up. For having the heaviest bass over the four days of competition, Ehrler was rewarded with a Toyota Tundra truck. (This key does not fit -- it is just a cool thing to hang in his home, or in his truck.) It’s the second Tundra he’s won in the Texas events.
And it held up. For having the heaviest bass over the four days of competition, Ehrler was rewarded with a Toyota Tundra truck. (This key does not fit — it is just a cool thing to hang in his home, or in his truck.) It’s the second Tundra he’s won in the Texas events.
Despite scoring the big fish, Ehrler, who led the first two days, fell to Brandon Palaniuk, who celebrates his first Elite win since 2013. Palaniuk totaled 93-12 over the four days.
Despite scoring the big fish, Ehrler, who led the first two days, fell to Brandon Palaniuk, who celebrates his first Elite win since 2013. Palaniuk totaled 93-12 over the four days.
Palaniuk took the lion’s share of the $1 million in purse money. With Toyota adding to the kitty, Texas Fest is the only event that pays out to all 108 places.
Palaniuk took the lion’s share of the $1 million in purse money. With Toyota adding to the kitty, Texas Fest is the only event that pays out to all 108 places.
Dave Terre, Chief of Fisheries Management for the TPWD, speaks with Mercer during a weigh-in last year. Terre proudly announces that the bass tournaments have generated more than $2.75 million for fisheries projects since 2007, specifically the youth fishing and urban outreach programs.
Dave Terre, Chief of Fisheries Management for the TPWD, speaks with Mercer during a weigh-in last year. Terre proudly announces that the bass tournaments have generated more than $2.75 million for fisheries projects since 2007, specifically the youth fishing and urban outreach programs.
The Texas Fest Expo takes place Saturday and Sunday, featuring boat demo rides, an aquarium, prizes and the latest fishing products. There is plenty for kids to do at the Bassmaster Get Hooked on Fishing presented by Toyota and Shakespeare area, with catfish-casting ponds and a chance to meet the pros, like legend Rick Clunn.
The Texas Fest Expo takes place Saturday and Sunday, featuring boat demo rides, an aquarium, prizes and the latest fishing products. There is plenty for kids to do at the Bassmaster Get Hooked on Fishing presented by Toyota and Shakespeare area, with catfish-casting ponds and a chance to meet the pros, like legend Rick Clunn.
The Texas Parks and Wildlife Outdoor Adventures Area welcomes visitors of all ages to its many booths and exhibits. Visitors can check out the state record bass, learn of other record game in the state, try out archery, learn ways to contribute to conservation and participate in other outdoor activities.
The Texas Parks and Wildlife Outdoor Adventures Area welcomes visitors of all ages to its many booths and exhibits. Visitors can check out the state record bass, learn of other record game in the state, try out archery, learn ways to contribute to conservation and participate in other outdoor activities.
Fan Appreciation Day is Saturday and features Bassmaster University fishing seminars taught by Elite Series anglers. A number of anglers who didn’t make the Day 3 cut will be conducting seminars on a variety of topics related to fishing, including techniques, gear, electronics and more, from 10 a.m. to 3 p.m.
Fan Appreciation Day is Saturday and features Bassmaster University fishing seminars taught by Elite Series anglers. A number of anglers who didn’t make the Day 3 cut will be conducting seminars on a variety of topics related to fishing, including techniques, gear, electronics and more, from 10 a.m. to 3 p.m.
Guadalupe bass are a species the Elite pros can add to their bass slams. Lake Travis has them, but they are much smaller than largemouth. The state record is a 3.71-pounder, and De Jesus, ever the biologist, hopes an angler catches one to top that and keeps it in his livewell “because we could get DNA samples and really make a big story.”
Guadalupe bass are a species the Elite pros can add to their bass slams. Lake Travis has them, but they are much smaller than largemouth. The state record is a 3.71-pounder, and De Jesus, ever the biologist, hopes an angler catches one to top that and keeps it in his livewell “because we could get DNA samples and really make a big story.”
Palaniuk works to bring in a big one last year on Rayburn. De Jesus said Travis “has a history of producing big fish, and it’s home to many local tournaments.” He said in the past several years winners of spring one-day tournaments have needed 27 or so to win. While the lake record bass, caught in 1993, weighed 14.2 pounds, big bass in most events have been around 8 pounds.
Palaniuk works to bring in a big one last year on Rayburn. De Jesus said Travis “has a history of producing big fish, and it’s home to many local tournaments.” He said in the past several years winners of spring one-day tournaments have needed 27 or so to win. While the lake record bass, caught in 1993, weighed 14.2 pounds, big bass in most events have been around 8 pounds.
Matt Lee shows an over last year during Texas Fest. “The anglers are going to catch a lot of fish,” De Jesus said. “What I’m seeing are 50 to 100 fish days out there. But what I’ve noticed, the people who know how to fish deep have a better chance of a big fish. If you’re a bank beater, you’re still going to catch tons of small fish.”
Matt Lee shows an over last year during Texas Fest. “The anglers are going to catch a lot of fish,” De Jesus said. “What I’m seeing are 50 to 100 fish days out there. But what I’ve noticed, the people who know how to fish deep have a better chance of a big fish. If you’re a bank beater, you’re still going to catch tons of small fish.”