Lake Austin Bass Fishing Report - February 12, 2026

As most of you probably know, the grass is back in Lake Austin... it has been for quite a while now. I'm very excited for the direction I see the lake headed with this new healthy habitat back in the lake for the population of largemouth bass. While there are a lot of politics at play when it comes to the future of that beautiful grass, currently its doing great things for the fishing.

Something I teach clients when I guide is that I am big about fishing patterns rather than exclusively fishing spots. When a lake likely Austin has as much grass in it as it currently does, you can't expect to find fish spread out evenly amongst all that grass. I always tell clients 90% of the fish are in 10% of the grass. So what does that mean for patterning fish? Well when you get bites and when you catch a fish, it's important to pay attention to all of the factors that went into that catch, but in the case of grass, it's important to pay attention to how the grass set up. What depth was it? What species of grass was it? How thick was the grass? Did you catch them off a deep grass edge or up in the grass? There are a variety of factors that influence whether the bass want to live there or not.

As of late there are two patterns in particular that I find to be working well. The first one we will talk about is locating shallower flats of Hydrilla where there are holes and "lanes" within the grass. Sometimes Hydrilla gets so thick that it mats up on the surface which makes it hard for the bass to navigate through it. Now with that said you can use a punching set up such as a 1 ounce tungsten weight a large flipping hook and a creature bait like a 6th Sense Bodega. With this set up you actually punch your bait through the grass canopy and get below it where it opens up. While, this has been working, what I have been doing is a bit different, instead of looking for that really thick grass I've been looking for areas where the grass has holes in it that the bass can use as locations to ambush prey. Using bait such as spinnerbaits, weedless swimbaits, and swim jigs, you can cast these baits over the top of that grass and slowly run your baits through those holes and lanes in the grass, allowing the fish to come up out of those spots and eat your bait. A 4" 6th Sense Whale rigged on a keel weighted hook is a great all around fish catcher. Slow it down just enough to keep it over the top of the grass and you'll get bit.

The second pattern that has been working has been locating deeper grass edges in about 15 to 20 feet of water where the Hydrilla stops growing. One little tidbit I will share with you guys though is something I look for in that deep grass edge. I like to find areas where the grass doesn't just completely and abruptly stop growing, rather there is a little bit of new growth out in front of it maybe only a few feet tall as opposed to the tall stalks of grass that create that hard grass edge. It's kind of hard to describe in words, but if you get out during a trip with me, you'll know exactly what I mean when I pan my sonar across it. This thinner sparse grass gives those fish good cover and they will move up and down those grass edges looking for food.

Weedless baits such as Texas Rigs, Drop Shots, and jigs have been good. Lately I have been throwing a 6th Sense Hybrid Jig a lot. If you follow my social media you probably know I make a lot of my own lead baits, including jigs. My grandpa taught me how to pour lead when I was a kid, and I've been doing it every sense. (I hear the lead fumes are very therapeutic!) But the unique shape of 6's hybird jig isn't something I've found a mold for and its pointed nose helps it slide through the grass a lot better. If you tried using a jig like a football jig for example, it would just get hung up every time you try to drag it. I don't think anyone would argue jigs catch bigs!

Shameless plug, 6th Sense helps me out a bunch and I'm super appreciative to them for it. Should you shop on their website the code TORWICK will save you 10% and helps me a ton.

https://6thsensefishing.com/collections/divine-hybrid-jig-series

Currently water temps are in the low to mid 50's depending on time of day and water clarity is very good. There are some places where it's gin clear. Right now is a great time of year to get out there, as you probably know I don't even offer trips on the lake on the weekends. Not because the fishing is bad, but because the traffic from the wakeboard boat is terrible. It's some days downright unsafe to be out there with the amount of morons driving wakeboard boats. This time of year though the water is too cold for them and heaven forbid a blade of grass touches a surfer's toe. So lately, the boat traffic has been very minimal and it's very nice to get out there.

If you want to cut down on your learning curve, I have a recent Honey Hole Report for Lake Austin that will show you EXACTLY where I've been catching fish with clients.

Spring will be here before you know it! I've been getting quite a few calls and bookings for March and April. With our baby girl due at the end of March. I will have a lot less availability than previous years, so if you're thinking about getting out with me during prime time of year I highly recommend hopping on my website and reserving your trip before they fill up.