Stillhouse Hollow Fishing Guide Report — 18 May 2009 — 33 Fish






Fished a half-day morning trip this morning on Stillhouse following the hard cold front that passed through this weekend dropping 3/4 inch of rain and giving us a record low for this date of 50F.


Start Time: 6:30a

End Time: 11:45a

Air Temp: 50F at trip’s start.

Water Surface Temp: ~74.4F

Wind: Winds were ESE at 5-6 at trip’s start, then swung around due E and increased to ~11mph.

Skies: Partly cloudy but bright at trip’s start, gradually clearing totally by mid afternoon.

Environmental Note: 3/4 inches of rain fell on 16 May; harvested seasons first ripe blackberries today

With light winds prevailing this morning, I searched over open water for schooled white bass feeding on shad and shad fry. I found no action at Areas 432-337 as there was already a ripple on this water. I headed to calmer water at Area 090 to Area 418 and found small, scattered schools of whites lightly feeding on shad fry over 10-15 feet of water. Fish were seen on sonar throughout the water column, but only those in the top 5 feet of the water column would respond. I threw both a Cork Rig and a bladebait and did better on the blade — specifically a white/green 3/8 oz. Cicada. This action was short lived and dried up within 20 minutes as the sun rose and was unobscured. I managed 7 fish during this short feeding spurt.

Next, I looked over the Area 145 complex and found a few fish tight to the bottom. I vertical jigged this area while hanging out a single live bait rod with threadfin shad. I got 4 whites, 1 drum and a small largemouth on the slab and missed 3 fish on the live bait.

I then looked over Area 243, saw a few fish and jigged it without result. I also looked at Area 429/430 and Area 079 without fishing them after seeing little.

I then went to Area 439 and fished the middle of the slope here in 25-30′ and caught 1 nice 3.25 pound largemouth and a drum.

I ended up the trip working over the stretch of water between Area 440 and 441. Here, white bass were orienting to the tail of this twin underwater set of points in about 30 feet. There were a few fish on bottom on the point, but most were holding at 30 feet to the E and W of the point over the deeper adjacent water. These fish were ripe for picking with downriggers and I worked them over with White Willows picking a fish up every single pass for 17 straight passes. Before wrapping up, I tried vertical jigging the top of the point very quickly. I did get 1 fish to respond, but they were much more interested in a horizontal presentation than a vertical one.


TALLY = 33 FISH, all caught and released


Bob Maindelle, Owner, Holding The Line Guide Service and Kids Fish, Too! Stillhouse Hollow Fishing Guide, Belton Lake Fishing Guide, Lake Georgetown Fishing Guide, Walter E. Long (Decker) Lake Fishing Guide. Offering Salado Fishing, Killeen Fishing and Ft. Hood Fishing