Topwater Popper 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.
A floating hard bait with a concave face that produces a spitting, popping action when twitched. Most effective in low-light conditions near cover — points, dock edges, weed lines, and grass pockets. The pause after the pop is where most strikes happen. Few experiences in fishing match watching a largemouth explode on a popper.
Topwater Popper Setup for O.H. Ivie Reservoir
| Rod | 6'10"–7'3" medium casting rod, moderate action |
| Reel | 6.4:1 baitcaster or spinning |
| Line | 14–17 lb fluorocarbon or 30 lb braid (braid gives better action and hooksets) |
| Weight | 1/4–1/2 oz (Rebel Pop-R, Megabass Pop-X, Strike King KVD Splash) |
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.
Topwater Popper: First light on spawning flats — fish hold shallow and crush surface baits. Slow cadence with long pauses.
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.
Topwater Popper: 30-minute window at dawn and dusk. Fish dock shade and grass pockets. Noon topwater dies.
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.
Topwater Popper: Extended feeding window as water cools. Fish can be caught on top all day in fall.
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.
Topwater Popper: Generally ineffective in water below 55°F — bass won't chase topwater in cold conditions.
Best Conditions
Dawn and dusk year-round, overcast days, calm to light-chop surface, spring through fall near cover and grass edges
Don't set the hook on the explosion — wait until you feel the fish pull the line. Half of all missed popper strikes are from anglers jerking too early.
More Techniques for O.H. Ivie Reservoir
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