Yak'Razy wrote:Going to New Braunfels August 1-5... Would LOVE some pointers... Lures, techniques, finding the fish... Not much of a fresh water guy... But want to learn.
From what I've learned over the past few months, from personal experience, internet research and videos, is that their habitat is essentially the opposite of the Largemouth.
Check out
this video and
this one from TPWD.
Whereas, the Largemouth love the deeper pools and submerged structure, the Guadalupe thrive in the swifter, more shallow parts of the river. This also explains their difference in size. The LMB can grow to be long and heavy fish, because the amount/quality of food at those depths sustains them at that size. In just a few feet of water (6'-8' at most and typically < 5') the food chain doesn't exist to support large fish like the LMB. Since the Guadalupe focus on the swift moving water from behind obstructions (so they don't burn energy swimming in place) and the majority of their time is spent in these shallow areas where the current is more swift, they're naturally smaller fish.
That being said, when comparing two athletes of the same size, the one who constantly does resistance training with higher weights (water current in this case) will be stronger when it comes to lifting weights, when compared to an athlete who does not do resistance or weight training at all. I draw the comparison between a Guadalupe and a Largemouth. Since, Guadalupe spend their time in currents, they're "stronger" fish when compared to a Largemouth of similar size who spends their time in still water. Guadalupes put up a decent fight for their size.
I find my luck being right before or right after a swift(er) section of the river. They lurk behind obstructions watching for an opportunistic meal to pass by in the current. My baits travel with the current. I choose natural looking lipped cranks from H2O Express and Rapala. I focus on the 3'-5' depth and less, in natural colors. I don't choose any in a solid color and like the ones with the black dot behind the ear (like the Longear sunfish). Rarely, when fishing the middle of the day, I'll find them at 6'-8' but there aren't too many holes on the Guadalupe around here that are that deep.
I use a steady retrieve and usually cast upstream and retrieve with the current, or troll in the direction of the current. I have equal luck in mornings and evenings but they're always in a swifter portion, or just in front/behind/off to the side of swifter water. They're not going to be in the middle of a long stretch of still water, lakes, etc. Focus near shallow obstructions near these swifter areas.
Hope this helps. PM me when you're in town and I just might be on the water one of those days.
