Texas Rig Fishing on O.H. Ivie Reservoir
O.H. Ivie Reservoir · Texas · South Central
O.H. Ivie Reservoir spans 19,000 acres in Concho County and is known for its clear water, rocky points, and deep creek channels that create ideal bass habitat. The lake's unique geology features numerous submerged rock formations and ledges that hold trophy-sized largemouth and smallmouth bass year-round. This scenic Hill Country impoundment is a favorite among serious anglers seeking quality bass fishing with minimal crowds.
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 O.H. Ivie Reservoir
| 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 O.H. Ivie Reservoir
Lake: Spring brings excellent topwater action as spawning bass move shallow along the rocky banks and in protected coves. Jigs, crankbaits, and soft plastics around shallow structure produce quality fish as water temperatures warm.
Texas Rig: Slow drag through spawning flats and around beds. Lizards and creature baits in crawfish colors.
Lake: Summer bass retreat to deeper water and structure, with early morning and late evening topwater bites providing the most excitement. Deep-water vertical jigging and finesse techniques around the main lake ledges and creek channels yield consistent results.
Texas Rig: Pitch into shade — docks, mats, and laydowns. Pegged weight for matted grass punching.
Lake: Fall transitions create aggressive feeding periods as bass chase baitfish in the shallows and mid-depth zones. Crankbaits, swimbaits, and lipless cranks work well around points and channel breaks as fish prepare for winter.
Texas Rig: Cover water quickly on points and along weed lines. Faster retrieve with a reaction element.
Lake: Winter fishing slows considerably, but quality fish can still be found in deeper areas and near the dam structure. Slow-moving presentations like jigging spoons and drop-shot rigs around deep ledges produce the most consistent winter action.
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 O.H. Ivie Reservoir
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