Texas Rig Fishing on Millerton Lake
Millerton Lake · California · West
Millerton Lake is a 15,500-acre reservoir located in the foothills east of Fresno, offering excellent year-round bass fishing with a mix of rocky coves, submerged timber, and deep structure. The lake's clear water and varied topography make it ideal for both largemouth and smallmouth bass anglers seeking trophy-sized fish. With multiple creek arms and a healthy forage base, Millerton consistently produces quality catches and is a favorite among Central Valley bass fishermen.
A bullet sinker slides freely on the line ahead of a wide-gap hook with a weedless-rigged soft plastic. The rig is completely snag-resistant, making it the go-to choice for grass, timber, and heavy cover. Works with virtually any soft plastic — worms, craws, creatures, lizards.
Texas Rig Setup for Millerton Lake
| Rod | 7'–7'3" medium-heavy casting rod, fast action |
| Reel | 7.1:1 or faster baitcaster |
| Line | 15–20 lb fluorocarbon or 30–50 lb braid in heavy cover |
| Weight | 3/16–1/2 oz tungsten bullet weight (peg it in heavy cover) |
| Hook | 3/0–5/0 EWG wide gap hook sized to plastic |
Seasonal Tactics on Millerton Lake
Lake: Spring brings rising water temperatures and active spawning bass in the shallow creek arms and coves. Sight-fishing for bedding fish and working spawning areas with soft plastics and crankbaits produce excellent results.
Texas Rig: Slow drag through spawning flats and around beds. Lizards and creature baits in crawfish colors.
Lake: Summer bass move deeper and suspend around the lake's structure, ledges, and creek channels. Early morning and evening topwater action is strong, while deep-water finesse techniques work well during the heat of the day.
Texas Rig: Pitch into shade — docks, mats, and laydowns. Pegged weight for matted grass punching.
Lake: Fall cooling water triggers aggressive feeding as bass chase baitfish throughout the lake. Crankbaits, swimbaits, and reaction baits excel as fish prepare for winter in transition zones.
Texas Rig: Cover water quickly on points and along weed lines. Faster retrieve with a reaction element.
Lake: Winter bass become lethargic but congregate in deeper areas and the main lake channel. Slow presentations like drop-shot rigs, jigs, and live bait work best in the coldest months.
Texas Rig: Slow drag on deep structure, 15–30 feet. Finesse Texas rig with 1/4 oz and 6" worm.
Best Conditions
Heavy cover — grass, timber, laydowns, docks; murky to stained water; any season; pre-spawn and post-spawn periods
Peg the weight with a rubber toothpick when fishing grass. A sliding weight catches weeds; a pegged weight punches through clean.
More Techniques for Millerton Lake
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