Spawning shad leading to good action on Lake Conroe

Reel Report by Capt. David Dillman

On Lake Conroe, guide Collin Edwards usually fishes for Hybrid Striped Bass, but is focusing on big catfish for the time being. It's springtime on Lake Conroe, and according to guide Collin Edwards, the bite is on.

He said, "Our water temperature on the lake has stabilized and has been consistently running between 68 to 72 degrees. At these temperatures, several species of fish are now in their spawning patterns. Water clarity remains good, and the lake level has remained stable."

The water temp on the lake, according to Edwards, is running between 57-62 degrees. Overall, the clarity is good with some of the creeks slightly stained. With spring approaching early, multiple species of fish are moving to the shallower waters.

This is the time of the year that the shad spawn on the lake. They can be found in the warmer, shallower waters along bulkheads, riprap shorelines and near boat ramps where the green aquatic algae and vegetation have begun to form. These shad are prime bait fish and are easy to see on the surface of the water. Edwards said, "Early mornings are best, as this is when the shad are most active."

When these shad are on the spawn, so are the hybrid stripers and white bass on the lake. The seasoned guide went on to explain, "The hybrids and white bass have moved into the shallower waters and are currently heavy with eggs. Their spawning cycle is running slightly later than expected due to the recent lack of rainfall. It just so happens this year that their spawn coincides with the shad spawn, so their feeding aggressively on these shad. It makes for some great, fun action on these stripers and white bass in this shallow water."

This pattern should continue but once these fish spawn out, they'll transition back towards the deeper water in the middle of the lake, along with the white bass.

The black bass and largemouth bass have mostly completed their spawning cycle and are now settling into their post-spawn behavior. They can be found in a wide range of water depths, anywhere from 2-22 feet. The most productive areas have been shallow coves, bulkheads and nearby transition zones leading into deeper structure.

It's about time for me to schedule my annual bass fishing excursion with Brian Castille. I enjoy catching them, and every year, we've broke our previous record. I believe it now stands at 41 caught and released in four hours. This is the perfect time of year to enjoy an outing on an area lake and Conroe is just not that far away folks.

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As Featured in Galveston County The Daily News: https://www.galvnews.com/sports/fishing_report/spawning-shad-leading-to-good-action-on-lake-conroe/article_cf281dcf-8733-495b-9960-eb1b7dc94e43.html

Lake Conroe Fishing Adventures reports in

Reel Report by Capt. David Dillman

Last week, during the Houston Fishing Show, I was able to make some new contacts for area fishing reports. One of them was Collin Edwards of Lake Conroe Fishing Adventures. He’s the brother of Conroe guide Chris Edwards. I’m pleased to have him come aboard the Reel Report. On Lake Conroe, guide Collin Edwards usually fishes for Hybrid Striped Bass, but is focusing on big catfish for the time being. 

Collin reported their usual wintertime pattern is transitioning to a springtime pattern earlier than normal. The water on the lake is steadily warming, although there will be some fluctuations with passing fronts. Overall, the trend is into spring-like weather and fish the fish are responding.

The water temp on the lake, according to Edwards, is running between 57-62 degrees. Overall, the clarity is good with some of the creeks slightly stained. With spring approaching early, multiple species of fish are moving to the shallower waters.

Edwards said, “The black bass are moving up into the creeks and some are already on their beds, which is earlier than normal for this time of year. Back creeks, protective coves and shallow flats are producing pre-spawn and spawning fish. On cooler mornings, some fish are still holding slightly deeper around secondary points and creek channel swings. As the day warms, these same fish move towards shallow water.”

As far as baits, he mentioned that soft plastics, jigs and creature-type lures fished slowly around their bedding areas, wood and shallow cover are producing strikes.

Edwards, like his brother, also fishes for hybrid stripers and white bass. He said, “The fish are moving into shallow water out of their deep winter pattern. Live shad in the 3- to 6-inch range continues to be the top producer. The artificial bite is picking up with white and chartreuse jig heads paired with soft plastics, like a pearl white or shad colored flukes.”

Fishing the right depth is key to finding the schools of hybrids and white bass. Mid-range depth in the shallower areas seem to be where the fish are holding.

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As Featured in Galveston County The Daily News: https://www.galvnews.com/sports/fishing_report/lake-conroe-fishing-adventures-reports-in/article_d0625abd-e7d1-5525-b8c9-94ddbb358339.html

Trophy Cats Deep on the Drift

Anglers who seek big catfish welcome the colder water temperatures, and a slow drift for the blue catfish has been paying off. 

On Lake Conroe, guide Collin Edwards usually fishes for Hybrid Striped Bass, but is focusing on big catfish for the time being.

Areas to target when you come up to a dock light are the dockside, the deeper lakeside, and the inside and outside edge of the lights.

"It took a little longer to get down to the ideal water temperature," he said. "We had a successful day with a 25-pound fish and another 35-pounder in the same drift."

Edwards prefers to drift between 0.6 - 1 knots, and has been fishing the fish at depths of more than 20 feet.

"I am using cut shad 99 percent of the time," he said. "The bigger the piece, the better."
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As Featured in Lone Star Outdoor News: https://issuu.com/lsoneditor/docs/lson_01_24_25_v10

Bass Under the Lights

Anglers who have fished the lights off piers or crappie off lighted docks or crappie houses know that lighted areas know fish. The practice is less common with bass anglers, but some target bass staging nearby to ambush prey in an around the lights. Fall through spring are prime time to pursue bass under lights. Bass start to hunt for shad and other faster-moving prey, and bait schools up in the lights.

"There are a couple of different zones, there's the couch where they're not eating and then there's the kitchen," said Collin Edwards, of Lake Conroe Fishing Adventures. "The lights are the kitchen."

Areas to target when you come up to a dock light are the dockside, the deeper lakeside, and the inside and outside edge of the lights.

"Fish them as you would structure," Edwards said, "And keep back as far as you can. Even when you don't see them, they are there, either deep or just on the edge."

When the lights shine from the dock to the water, Edwards favorite lures when fishing lights have chartreuse in them, and include Texas rigs, crankbaits and jerkbaits. When the light shines from in the water, he prefers a sexy shad or citrus shad color combination.

"If the bite begins to slow down then the bass have moved out of the light," Edwards said. "The fishing isn't done there, though. Give the bass a brief break and they will start to crash baits in small packs. Once the action has cooled off completely then it is time to move to the next light."

Come springtime when the water warms, he choses larger, darker-colored baits.

"Slow down," Edwards said. "Big 10-inch ribbon tail worms, Texas rigs and lizards or creatures dragged on the edges will still produce bass.

This time of year, especially as bass are getting ready for winter, the bass tend to be chunky and healthy.

"I have caught some of the biggest bass of my life off of dock lights," Edwards said.

As Featured in Lone Star Outdoor News: https://issuu.com/lsoneditor/docs/lson_10_11_24_v16fullpaper

Lake Conroe Fishing Adventures owner aims to bring good memories, catches to clients

Lake Conroe Fishing Adventures consists of one man and his boat, but with passion and some help from his brother, owner Collin Edwards said his goal is to create memories on the water for customers, much like the memories he had as a kid.

Edwards started Lake Conroe Fishing Adventures in 2019 but paused the business to pursue a job offer. While he graduated from Southern Methodist University with a mechanical engineering degree, Edwards said the job was not working out the way he wanted, so he decided to follow his passion. He returned to Lake Conroe Fishing Adventures full time in February.

Lake Conroe Fishing Adventures is a fishing guide business helping visitors to Lake Conroe find, catch and clean fish.

Edwards said he prides himself on catching his own live bait, and he also cleans the fish for customers to take home right after the trip is over, which other fishing guides may not do.

“I like seeing other people happy. You know, to see them catch fish and enjoy the time on the water kind of fulfills the job for me,” Edwards said.

Edwards said the desire to create memories for other people comes from his own love for fishing and being outdoors.

“We try to give everybody a great time, a great memory, because ... even whenever I was growing up as a kid, I have the great memories of my grandfather going fishing and you know, having a great time and spending time on the water and the excitement of catching fish,” Edwards said.

With different fishing seasons on Lake Conroe, Edwards said the area is good for a variety of fish at all times of the year.

Edwards said the pandemic did negatively affect business, but he is optimistic for the future.

As Featured in Community Impact: https://communityimpact.com/houston/conroe-montgomery/business/2022/05/18/lake-conroe-fishing-adventures-owner-aims-to-bring-good-memories-catches-to-clients/

Mikale DeLoach, from The Woodlands, caught this hybrid striped bass on Lake Conroe with Collin Edwards of Lake Conroe Fishing Adventures. 

As Featured in Lone Star Outdoor News: https://issuu.com/lsoneditor/docs/lson_11_25_22_v13

Meet Collin Edwards | Professional Licensed Fishing Guide

We had the good fortune of connecting with Collin Edwards and we’ve shared our conversation below.

Hi Collin, what do you attribute your success to?

As Featured in Shout Out HTX: https://shoutouthtx.com/meet-collin-edwards-professional-licensed-fishing-guide/

Visit Conroe, Texas

Lake Conroe Fishing Adventures

Address: 15264 TX-105, Montgomery, TX 77356

Email: This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it.

Phone: 817-371-1946

About: Lake Conroe Fishing Adventures is a full service, fully licensed fishing guide on Lake Conroe located in Montgomery, Texas. Fishing on Lake Conroe consists of many different species including largemouth bass, hybrid striped bass, catfish, and crappie.

As Featured in Visit Conroe, Texas: https://www.visitconroe.com/listing/lake-conroe-fishing-adventures/666/

Inspiring Conversations with Collin Edwards of Lake Conroe Fishing Adventures

Today we’d like to introduce you to Collin Edwards.

Hi Collin, can you start by introducing yourself? We’d love to learn more about how you got to where you are today?
I have a passion for fishing and while in college obtaining my mechanical engineering degree, I have always found myself gravitating toward the water. After finishing my Bachelor of Science, I bought a boat and started providing fishing guide services while in search of a career in my degree path. After 3 and a half years, I have grown a strong repeat business base while in the midst, meeting incredible people and providing fun and adventurous fishing experiences for all types of anglers, including first-timers, as well as hardcore anglers. I cater to many different types of groups, including family outings, friendly fishing competitions between friends, as well as team-building events for business owners’ employees. Seeing people smile and enjoy the experience is what makes this career satisfying. Swinging for the fence on every guided trip is what I like to do to ensure the customer has a fun and memorable fishing adventure.

I’m sure you wouldn’t say it’s been obstacle free, but so far would you say the journey has been a fairly smooth road?
Not to be cliché, but I think we can all relate to the covid-19/ supply chain issues facing us all today. 2020, as well as this year, so far, have been tough as far as rising expenses for all business owners. Not only the prices, but the lack of availability of materials and items needed to provide my service to the highest level have made it difficult at times. The covid-19 impact of 2020 and 2021 has slowed down my ability to book trips with everyone following social distancing guidelines. I am hoping for better times in the near future.

Great, so let’s talk business. Can you tell our readers more about what you do and what you think sets you apart from others?
Lake Conroe Fishing Adventures (LCFA) provides an all-inclusive fishing guide experience. A fishing guide trip is a service provided to customers wanting to catch fish. Everything is included ( fishing equipment, bait, fuel). The only thing not included is a state fishing license/ food and beverages. Customers book with me for a desired date, and I meet them at the dock to pick them up and take them to my fishing hotspots. During the half-day fishing trip, great conversation as well as the spread of local knowledge is a common occurrence. Customers often ask questions on how I can determine the fish species by seeing it on my fish finder, as well as what is the reason this spot is good for catching fish. LCFA specializes in seasonal fishing patterns, meaning, whatever is biting the best is what we target. LCFA specializes in targeting hybrid striped bass in the appropriate seasons utilizing live bait. Other species include white bass, largemouth bass, crappie, yellow bass, and catfish. There is always a fish species to target year-round, which makes Lake Conroe the go-to destination for a fun fishing adventure. I run my fishing trips in a high-performance, a comfortable center console which makes it easy to run and gun to another fishing spot to be able to fish many spots if needed. I have state-of-the-art electronics that help me identify the correct species to target as well as premium JL Audio speakers and broad playlists to add a good vibe to the experience.

Do you any memories from childhood that you can share with us?
My grandfather taking me fishing to a small clearwater river in southeast Missouri. He taught me the basics of fishing and enabled me to expand my knowledge and learn the sport of fishing. We would use a seine net and catch our own minnows and put them in a minnow bucket. Also, we would place mason jars with crackers in them and catch minnows, which I thought was the coolest thing. We would wade down the river and find deep parts of the river or submerged trees that would hold fish.

As Featured in Voyage Houston: https://voyagehouston.com/interview/inspiring-conversations-with-collin-edwards-of-lake-conroe-fishing-adventures/