How to Target and Catch The State Fish of Texas - The Guadalupe Bass

If you are looking for an authentic Austin bass fishing experience that is truly unique to the Lone Star state, there is one species in particular you need to check off your list. Micropterus Treculii or more commonly known as the Guadalupe Bass, is a special species of bass endemic to the Hill Country here in Texas. For those not from around here, the central part of Texas that is referred to as "The Hill Country" is characterized by limestone hills with an abundance of cedar and oak trees and crystal clear rivers and creeks... this is the habitat of the Guadalupe bass, often referred to as a "Guad" for short. This particular bass is not a hybrid nor an invasive species, rather they are their own species within the bass family and are only found here in Texas. Infact, the Guadalupe Bass is so special it is officially recognized as the "state fish of Texas"! Fisheries such as the highland lakes on the Texas Colorado River including Lake Travis, the Guadalupe River (which they are named after), the San Gabriel, the Blanco, the Llano, the Pedernales, and portions of the Brazos River all hold these fish. Whether you are an angler looking to catch as many unique species of fish in your lifetime, or just want to catch a uniquely Texan fish, you need to catch a Guad.

How Do You Identify a Guadalupe Bass?

There are a couple things I look for when trying to identify if I've caught a Guadalupe Bass or a common largemouth. Guadalupe bass can be distinguished from largemouth bass in a couple ways, the first is by looking closely at their coloration, markings, body shape, and especially the size of their mouth. Guads typically have a more slender, streamlined body with an "olive greenish" color to the scales, and more defined vertical bars along their lateral line. One of the easiest ways to tell the two species apart is the jaw: on a Guadalupe bass, the upper jaw generally does not extend past the rear edge of the eye, while a largemouth bass has a noticeably larger mouth with an upper jaw that extends beyond the eye... hence the name. The last thing I always look for that is a dead give away is a "tooth patch" on the tongue. A Guadalupe bass will have a noticeable rough spot on the middle of their tongue while a largemouth's will be smooth.

Where Can You Find Guadalupe Bass?

As I mentioned previously, these feisty little fish are found primarily in the Hill Country. Waterways within the Edwards Plateau, as well as the headwaters of the San Antonio River and parts of the Lower Colorado River contain them. I'm obviously a little bias, but I would argue my home lake of Lake Travis has one of the best populations of them around. In fact, the previous world record Guadalupe bass was caught out of Lake Travis weighing in at 3.69 LBS back in 1983. That record was dethroned in 2014 with a 3.71 pounder caught from the Lower Colorado River. It is actually very rare that we DON'T catch at least one Guad per guided trip. If you are set on catching one of these guys, book a full day trip with me on Lake Travis and I guarantee I can put you on one.

So where should you look for them? One other thing unique about this species is that they thrive in moving water, similar in behavior to trout they will set up in eddies and pools in small streams and rivers. These fish are actually a highly sought after catch by fly fisherman and are a lot of fun as you can approach them almost like you would do rainbow trout. While the flies you use are very different, how you read the water and the places you want to cast are the same.

As far as fishing in lakes like Lake Travis where there is no current, I tend to find the most Guads around rocky areas. While they will absolutely mingle with largemouth bass, they do tend to favor rock over habitat like grass or suspending under docks. I would recommend fishing around rocky banks, bluff walls, ledges, and points.

Spot the difference? Guadalupe Bass on the left, Largemouth bass on the right.

What Lures Should You Throw?

A lot of the same baits you would throw for Largemouth bass will catch Guads, after all they are both bass! If I were specifically targeting Guads though I would downsize and throw more finesse baits. A drop shot with a small straight tail finesse worm or a ned rig with a short stick bait on the back will work well. I also find they tend to feed a lot on crawfish. Small jigs and Texas rigged soft plastics craws are also very effective. When the conditions are right moving baits can work really well too, try a small paddletail swimbait that mimics a threadfin shad or a medium diving crankbait in a craw pattern.

I find an almost foolproof way to put a Guad in the boat is to tie on a craw colored wiggle wart crankbait and fish it parallel to a steep 45 degree angle rocky bank. Get the bait down and make it bump into the rocks as you reel it in to try and trigger a reaction bite. On sunny or hot days I find the Guads will go deeper. Rig up a 1/4 ounce drop shot weight, a 1/0 drop shot hook and a green pumpkin finesse straight tail worm and fish slow around bluff walls or rocky ledges.

If you are targeting them on the fly, flies like wooly buggers, shad imitation streamers, and small topwater poppers can all be good options.

The last thing I should mention about Guadalupe bass is that they are known for being very aggressive. While they do not get nearly as big as largemouth bass, they are mean little guys! They remind me a lot of spotted bass. It's not uncommon to be throwing a big swimbait and have it get attacked by a Guad the same size as the bait, or to be throwing a jig and get absolutely thumped thinking a ten pound largemouth just took your bait. They are an aggressive game fish that puts up a great fight and one I highly recommend you devote some time to the pursuit of.

If you are coming to Austin and watch to catch one please feel free to reach out. I fish Lake Travis nearly 300 days a year and have the knowledge and skill to make sure you walk away with your prized catch!