Drop Shot Fishing on Lake Travis
Lake Travis · Texas · South Central
Lake Travis is a 18,900-acre Highland Lakes reservoir known for its clear water, dramatic rocky terrain, and excellent bass populations. The lake's steep banks, numerous creek channels, and deeper structure create ideal habitat for both largemouth and smallmouth bass. With year-round fishing and abundant boat access, Lake Travis stands as one of Texas's most productive and popular bass fishing destinations.
The drop shot suspends a soft plastic bait above the bottom on a fixed line, keeping it in the strike zone longer than any other rig. Originally a West Coast technique, it now dominates clear-water and finesse situations nationwide. Works vertically over structure or on a long cast.
Drop Shot Setup for Lake Travis
| Rod | 7' medium-light to medium spinning rod, fast action |
| Reel | 2500–3000 size spinning reel, 6.2:1 or higher |
| Line | 6–8 lb fluorocarbon main line or 10 lb braid + 8 lb fluoro leader |
| Weight | 1/8–3/8 oz tungsten drop shot weight (heavier in current or deep water) |
| Hook | #1 or #2 Gamakatsu Finesse Wide Gap, 6–18 inches above weight |
Seasonal Tactics on Lake Travis
Lake: Spring spawning activity drives excellent topwater and shallow-water bite along the rocky banks and in protected creek channels. Females moving to spawn in 3-8 feet of water provide consistent action on crankbaits and creature baits throughout March and April.
Drop Shot: Target staging fish on points and drop-offs in 8–20 feet. Nose-hook a 6" Roboworm or Berkley PowerBait MaxScent Flat Worm.
Lake: Summer bass move to deeper structure, ledges, and main channel drops where they hold in 20-40 feet of water during the heat. Deep-water techniques like drop shots, tubes, and vertical jigging become essential for accessing concentrated fish in the clearer water.
Drop Shot: Go deep — 20–40 feet on main lake structure. Shake in place with minimal movement. Shad colors dominate.
Lake: Fall transition brings bass back to intermediate depths as water temperatures cool, with excellent feeding along the rocky main lake points and secondary drop-offs. Topwater and medium-diving crankbaits produce well from September through November on the abundant structure.
Drop Shot: Follow baitfish to secondary points and pockets. Faster retrieve works as fish get more aggressive.
Lake: Winter fishing remains productive with bass holding on deep bluffs, main channel ledges, and creek channel breaks in 25-45 feet of water. Slow-presentation techniques like drop shots, jigging spoons, and small swimbaits work best for winter success.
Drop Shot: Slowest presentation of the year. Dead-stick a 4" finesse worm at the bottom. Let it sit 10–15 seconds between shakes.
Best Conditions
Clear to stained water, pressured fish, cold fronts, post-spawn suspended bass, deep structure in summer
Use a Palomar knot and leave the tag end pointing up to keep the hook riding correctly. Most anglers tie it wrong.
More Techniques for Lake Travis
Ready to fish Lake Travis?
Ask Hank about current conditions, water temp, and exactly what to throw today.
Ask Hank →