Flipping & Pitching Fishing on Lake LBJ
Lake LBJ · Texas · South Central
This impoundment of the Colorado River maintains a consistent water level, fostering stable habitat for both largemouth and smallmouth bass. Its deep, clear waters feature numerous boat docks, seawalls, rocky shorelines, and planted brush piles, presenting varied challenges and rewards for anglers.
Flipping uses a shortened line for pendulum-style presentations within 15 feet. Pitching covers 15–40 feet with an underhand cast. Both deliver baits silently into docks, laydowns, and grass edges. Big bass in heavy cover are the target — this is where giants live.
Flipping & Pitching Setup for Lake LBJ
| Rod | 7'3"–7'6" heavy or extra-heavy casting rod, fast action |
| Reel | 7.1:1–8.1:1 baitcaster |
| Line | 50–65 lb braid or 20–25 lb fluorocarbon |
| Weight | 3/8–1 oz pegged tungsten, matched to cover density |
| Hook | 4/0–5/0 straight shank flipping hook |
Seasonal Tactics on Lake LBJ
Lake: Bass migrate to shallow cover for spawning, with docks, seawalls, and submerged brush holding fish in the 3-8 ft range. Reaction baits like lipless cranks and slow-rolled spinnerbaits are effective, as are soft plastics worked slowly.
Flipping & Pitching: Pitch to buck brush and flooded timber during pre-spawn. Jig or crawfish-colored creature bait.
Lake: Largemouth primarily retreat to deeper offshore structure, brush piles, and the shade of docks, often in 15-30 ft of water as the thermocline sets. Night fishing becomes a dominant pattern for larger fish, especially around lighted docks.
Flipping & Pitching: Punch through grass mats with 1–1.5 oz weights. Fish the shade under mats where big bass hide from heat.
Lake: As water temperatures cool, bass become more active and follow migrating shad into creek arms and shallower main lake coves. Schooling activity is common, with topwater lures, jerkbaits, and swimbaits producing bites.
Flipping & Pitching: Target dock ends and remaining grass. Fish move shallower as water cools.
Lake: Bass generally suspend or relate tightly to deep structure, such as main lake points, bluff walls, and submerged brush in 20-45 ft. Slow-moving baits like jerkbaits, Alabama rigs, and spoons are often most effective.
Flipping & Pitching: Slow flip to deep docks and boat lifts. Swim the bait down slowly on the fall.
Best Conditions
Thick grass mats, laydowns, dock pilings, boat houses, flooded bushes; murky water; spawn and post-spawn; summer shade
Watch the line, not the water. Set the hook the instant the line twitches or moves sideways — bass in cover bite and spit fast.
More Techniques for Lake LBJ
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