Lake Travis Crankbait Fishing in October
Lake Travis is deep, clear, and full of rock. Bass here relate to ledges, points, and channel edges, and the water level can change a lot from one season to the next. That makes Lake Travis crankbait fishing a good match for early October. A diving bait lets you cover water and keep contact with the rock where bass hold. This guide covers when to throw crankbaits, where to throw them, and how to rig and retrieve them on this lake.
What Bass Are Doing on Lake Travis Right Now
Water temperatures were around 84 to 86 degrees as of September 28, according to Torwick's Guiding Service. The lake level was 680.81 feet, 0.19 feet below full pool, per Lake Insights. Early fall bass have been focused on threadfin shad, and anglers who stay mobile and cover water have been finding active fish, as noted in the same Torwick's Guiding Service report.
That fits how crankbaits work. Shad-eating bass often move between shallow feeding spots and the nearest deeper edge. A crankbait lets you work both parts of that route and find the fish that are feeding.
Where to Throw Crankbaits on Lake Travis
Start with spots where the bottom changes. Bass use these breaks as ambush points, and a crankbait that touches rock draws strikes there.
- Main-lake and secondary points. Run the bait up the point from deeper water, and fan-cast both sides. Shad often push against the edges of a point.
- Rock ledges. Cast parallel to the ledge when you can, so the bait stays in the strike zone longer. Pay attention to where the rock steps down.
- Channel edges. Fish the shallow side of the drop and let the bait dig into the slope as it comes back.
- Rocky shorelines and bluff corners. Chunk rock and small pockets in the bank can hold bass that move up to feed, especially in low light.
Lake Travis water is clear, so bass can see a bait well before it reaches them. Natural shad colors and a steady presentation are good starting points. If the bite is slow, try a smaller profile.
Picking the Right Crankbait for the Depth
Match the bait to how deep the fish are holding. The Luxury Lure Co crankbait collection covers shallow to deep water, and these four fit Lake Travis well.
Shallow rock and wood
The Square Bill Crank Bait is built for shallow water. Use it around rocky banks, laydowns, and brush where shad are pushed up shallow. Its body is made to take hard collisions, so it can be banged off rock.
Middle depths
The Bent Bill diver Crank Bait is listed for intermediate water. It works on points and ledge tops that slope down into the lake.
Deeper edges
The 4- 3/4 " Crank Bait has a long bill and is listed for intermediate to deep water. Use it on deeper points and channel edges where bass sit below the shallow shad.
Suspended fish near structure
The Sideways Swimmer has a body of about 2 1/2 inches and a 1 1/2 inch bill. It is described as a swimming bait that resembles an injured baitfish, and it is meant for suspended bass in, on, or around underwater structure. Try it when fish hover off a ledge instead of sitting on the bottom.
How to Rig Crankbaits for Lake Travis
- Use fluorocarbon line. It is a common choice for crankbaits in clear water. Go lighter for smaller baits and heavier when fishing rock that can cut line.
- Use a rod with some give. A moderate-action rod helps keep hooked fish pinned and absorbs the pull of a diving bait.
- Tie directly to the bait or use a small loop knot. A loop knot lets the bait move freely. Skip snaps and swivels unless they are needed.
- Check hooks and the bill after every few casts. Rock wears on both, and a bent bill makes the bait run off-line.
Retrieve Tips for Rock, Ledges, and Points
Cast past the target, then start reeling right away so the bait reaches its depth sooner. When it contacts rock, pause for a moment and let it float up or hang, then start again. Many strikes come right after a deflection off rock.
Vary your speed until you find what the fish want. A steady medium retrieve covers water well. A stop-and-go pace helps when bass are following but not committing. Early and late in the day, work shallower banks. When the sun is up, move to the deeper breaks. Keep moving. If you have made several casts to a spot with no bump, go to the next one.
Fishing Around Level Swings
Lake Travis is known for large level changes, and the water level affects where bass sit. A rising lake can push bass toward newly flooded edges. A falling lake can pull them off shallow rock and onto the first deeper break. Check the current level before you go and adjust your depth choices to match it. Cast to the same kinds of structure at the new depth.
Before you head out, check the current Texas Parks and Wildlife regulations for Lake Travis, including size and bag limits for largemouth bass.
For more diving baits in different depth ranges, browse the full Luxury Lure Co crankbait collection.