Phillip Walker caught this 10.8-Pound largemouth on Lake LBJ on February 27 a few years ago. He has caught many of his fish on a swim bait that resembles a bait fish realistically moving through the water. Writers and anglers sing the praises of the soft plastic swim baits, and justifiably so. There are zillions of lures that will catch bass, but if this writer could only have one lure to fish with, that would be it. (Photo courtesy of Phillip Walker)

by John Jefferson

I’ve previously written an old college professor of mine told me once that the best time to go fishing was when you want to go fishing! I’ll still stand by that. But sometimes are better than others. Between mid-June to early October, it’s too hot to fish during daylight in Texas. A lot of times in January and February are too cold and blustery – like last week — although some good fishing occurs then for the brave at heart.

A case in point is the fact that the first Legacy Class Toyota ShareLunker of 2025 is already on the books. Brady Stanford reeled in his SECOND ever Legacy Class largemouth at night on January 2. His first was also in January 2022. Legacy bass must weigh at least 13-pounds as weighed on certified scales before calling the ShareLunker hotline at (903) 681-0550 to come pick up your catch. The Legacy Class season runs from January 1 to March 31 each year. Prizes and publicity are like that mythical pot of gold at the end ofthe rainbow — but they are REAL — not just dreams.

For more information on the ShareLunker Program, go to Texassharelunker.com.

But I’m going to narrow your chase by telling you where the biggest and the most trophy bass are — if you’re after a 13-pound ShareLunker, Top ShareLunker producing lakes include O.H. Ivey, Lake Fork, Lake Conroe, the Brazos River, Sam Rayburn Reservoir, Falcon Lake, and Lake Athens. Ivey is still hot, right now.

In 2024, the first ever 13-plus pound bass came out Fort Phantom Hill Lake, caught on a soft plastic crawfish lure. Also in 2024, 803-acre Inks Lake registered its first ShareLunker. Almost every year, a new lake enters the elite circle. And some of them are small and less publicized.

But if you’re satisfied with catching the bass of a lifetime without having to travel far and fishing in a waterbody with less notoriety after March 31, you need to know there are two other categories of Sharelunkers open until December 31.

They have different requirements but accept entries weighing 8-pounds or more or at least 24-inches long. Prizes are available for entering these fish, but understandably less than for a Legacy 13-pound entry before March 31.

Eight-pound bass are great trophies, and entrants also get a chance on a $5,000 Bass Pro Shops shopping spree!

There have been more bass over 8-pounds caught in 184 lakes and streams in Texas than I can count, and the list of just names of those waterbodies is four pages long! And I’ll bet one is near you. Some, like “Peavine Pinion Pond” are relatively unknown, so fish wherever you can. You could be the first one to catch a trophy bass out of it!

On our deer lease, a lady caught a 10-pound bass on our 40-acre Nash Lake that she could have entered. Instead, she ate it.

Never Quit Fishing, Never Quit Fishing, Never Quit Fishing!

JJ