Lake Santa Fe

In summer, panfish and bass are the fish to target here. Panfish can be found in the vegetation all around the lake. Target these fish using crickets, worms, and grass shrimp fished just off the bottom. Fly fishermen can also catch them using popping bugs on the surface. Crappie are finished spawning now but can be targeted offshore by trolling or drifting jigs, small spinners, or minnows. Try to cover as much water as possible to find a school and stay on it once you find it. A good fish finder will help in locating offshore structure and suspended fish. Experiment with fishing different water depths, lure depths, lure colors, and boat speeds, and use that information to duplicate your success in other areas of the lake. Bass anglers should target bass in nearshore maidencane beds, under docks, around cypress trees, and offshore structure. The areas connecting the different lobes of the lake are also worth trying. Soft plastics, spinnerbaits, or crankbaits fished around these areas should draw strikes. Anglers should try slow trolling live golden shiners parallel to the outer grass edges or when targeting schooling bass offshore. If you fish with artificial lures, shad imitations or lures with a lot of flash will be the most effective. As recreational boating activity and temperatures increase, concentrate your effort early in the morning or late in the evening. This lake is known for producing many 5 to 7-pound bass, with the occasional 8+ pounder.