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Mertzon TX Spring Creek

Posted: Tue May 03, 2022 4:54 pm
by Daedalus2077
I very recently got into fishing. Always done it as a kid when we would go camping at Hordes Creek or South Llano SP, but never caught anything. Scratch that, I think I have caught one tiny crappie (3" or 4") on some power bait nibbles when I was 10. But that's it. I've been fishing Spring Creek for the past couple weeks and have only had one nibble despite seeing several surfaces. Just using crank baits and jigs and such. Tried my fly out because of the surfaces I saw but I'm no good at casting a fly like ol' Brad Pitt.

Anyways, just hoping for some pointers or insights to fishing this creek/river. Anyone who's had success, if you don't mind sharing your methods or what you used, I'd really appreciate it.

Also, would you recommend or not recommend eating fish out of this river? Was hoping for some nice catfish nuggets or bass filets.

Re: Mertzon TX Spring Creek

Posted: Tue May 03, 2022 7:20 pm
by Neumie
Daedalus2077 wrote: Tue May 03, 2022 4:54 pm I very recently got into fishing. Always done it as a kid when we would go camping at Hordes Creek or South Llano SP, but never caught anything. Scratch that, I think I have caught one tiny crappie (3" or 4") on some power bait nibbles when I was 10. But that's it. I've been fishing Spring Creek for the past couple weeks and have only had one nibble despite seeing several surfaces. Just using crank baits and jigs and such. Tried my fly out because of the surfaces I saw but I'm no good at casting a fly like ol' Brad Pitt.

Anyways, just hoping for some pointers or insights to fishing this creek/river. Anyone who's had success, if you don't mind sharing your methods or what you used, I'd really appreciate it.

Also, would you recommend or not recommend eating fish out of this river? Was hoping for some nice catfish nuggets or bass filets.
Is Spring Creek navigable or is there public parks or do you have private access.

Which river? You're near the San Angelo, I would make the short drive to Christoval and kayak the South Concho River or the Concho out of San Angelo.

As far as whether or not you should consume fish from a particular body of water check out TX DSHS

Re: Mertzon TX Spring Creek

Posted: Tue May 03, 2022 8:06 pm
by Neumie
Just did some digging around and Spring Creek looks like a great place in west Texas.

The water looks clear, this is what I throw on the clear water rivers around San Antonio where I fish.

Hardbaits
Zara Puppy if you can walk the dog in bone or frog pattern. If you like poppers I like the Strike King KVD Splash Jr. in bone or one of the shad patterns (Tackle Warehouse has an exclusive one called Reel Shad that's nice).
Crankbaits, I like the silent squarebill Strike King KVD 1.0 in natural bream patterns or crawfish. In clear water I don't feel the need for baits with rattles so I lean towards silent hardbaits. 1/4 oz Roadrunner in white/white and chartreuse/chartreuse is a catch-all bait.

Soft Plastics
I really like throwing soft body frogs and I like the size of the Zman Finesse Frog in mud minnow, it really matches what I find along the river. Fishes better with a 2/0 but can barely fit a 3/0 hook. Another Zman lure I like to throw is the Zman Finesse Craw in Drew's Craw, but they make a lot of great colors. Again these fish better with a 2/0 but can be fished with 3/0. I'll add Bass Pro Hook weight to get it to the bottom. Senko style bait is a must. I throw the Wacky Stick-o in watermelon/red, but green pumpkin is another solid color. This version has a decent fall rate and great wiggle. Fish these on a 4/0 or 5/0 rigged weightless Texas style.

That's a pretty good foundation for fishing clearer waters in Texas. You can add chatterbaits, small swimbaits, and jointed swimbaits later on.

I also carry ultralight spinning setup for sunfish. 1/8 oz Roadrunner in white/white and chartreuse/chartreuse; 1/8 oz Worden Rooster Tail in white, grasshopper, and yellow; Strike King Bitsy Pond Minnow in Chartreuse White; and Rapale Ultra Light Pop in Frog. Maybe some crappie jigs too if you want them.

This should get you off and running, hopefully. Anyways, that's what I throw.

Re: Mertzon TX Spring Creek

Posted: Wed May 04, 2022 8:48 am
by Daedalus2077
Thank you very much for your advice! Spring creek is navigable despite a couple of dams and low water crossings. I see a lot of yakkers in the summer months. I would be out there too if I could afford a kayak.

Re: Mertzon TX Spring Creek

Posted: Wed May 04, 2022 8:55 am
by Daedalus2077
I am keeping my replies short because the forum keeps signing me out before i can submit it.

Thank you so much for your help and advice. I will put it to good use asap!

Re: Mertzon TX Spring Creek

Posted: Fri May 06, 2022 9:40 am
by impulse
Daedalus2077 wrote: Tue May 03, 2022 4:54 pm ...but I'm no good at casting a fly like ol' Brad Pitt.
As I recall, they brought in a stunt caster for those scenes in "A River Runs Through It". It was beautiful...

Re: Mertzon TX Spring Creek

Posted: Thu May 19, 2022 10:10 pm
by Bigrock
I'm an Irion County resident and have to say that without a way to paddle or private assess you will be severely limited. The park in Mertzon is heavily pressured and really tough to fish. Neumie gives good advice on what to use.

As far as eating, I eat fish out of Spring creek. Bass is strictly C&R for me as I find them too muddy tasting. Catfish are good and my favorite are the bluegill and green sunfish.