Flipping & Pitching Fishing on O.H. Ivie Reservoir
O.H. Ivie Reservoir · Texas · South Central
O.H. Ivie sits in the rolling mesquite country of Coleman and Concho counties, impounding the Colorado River to form a sprawling, wind-battered reservoir with highly variable water levels and exceptional trophy bass potential. Water clarity fluctuates from stained to surprisingly clear depending on inflow events, and the fishery holds a dominant Florida-strain largemouth population that uses deep creek channel swings, submerged timber, and rocky points as primary structure. Despite the drive required to reach it, Ivie consistently produces fish in the 8–12 lb class that most Texas reservoirs can no longer match.
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 O.H. Ivie Reservoir
| 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 O.H. Ivie Reservoir
Lake: Pre-spawn largemouth push from deep creek channel ledges into secondary points and flat timber pockets from late February through April, with the best big-fish window arriving when water temperatures cross 58–62°F. Rocky coves on the north end and submerged brush along the Concho River arm draw spawning fish and reward anglers throwing swimbaits and big soft plastics.
Flipping & Pitching: Pitch to buck brush and flooded timber during pre-spawn. Jig or crawfish-colored creature bait.
Lake: Heat drives bass to 18–28 ft creek channel breaks and suspended schools over timber, where a drop shot rigged with a 4-inch Roboworm Straight Tail or a 3/4 oz football jig dragged along hard bottom will out-produce anything run on the flats. Topwater action compresses into the first 30 minutes of light and the last 30 at dusk on calm mornings.
Flipping & Pitching: Punch through grass mats with 1–1.5 oz weights. Fish the shade under mats where big bass hide from heat.
Lake: Shad migrations pull bass onto flatter secondary points and the upper arms of both the Colorado and Concho river channels, with schooling activity on the surface accelerating through October. A 3/8 oz white War Eagle spinnerbait or a Heddon Super Spook Jr. matched to the local threadfin shad size will connect with chasing fish throughout the day on overcast afternoons.
Flipping & Pitching: Target dock ends and remaining grass. Fish move shallower as water cools.
Lake: Water clarity improves markedly in winter and the big Florida-strain fish become their most catchable on slow, deliberate presentations — a Megabass Vision 110 jerkbait on 10 lb fluorocarbon with 15-second-plus pauses, or a shakey head finesse rig in 15–25 ft of water over hard-bottom transition zones near the main river channel.
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 O.H. Ivie Reservoir
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