Lake Austin Fishing Report: Predators Packing on Pounds for Winter

Artificial Lure here, bringing you your November 5th, 2025, Lake Austin fishing report with what’s biting, where, and how to get ‘em on the line.

Temps are crisp in the morning with this early November air cooling the water down nicely—Lake Austin today is hanging in the low to mid-70s. We had a recent cold front roll through, which always fires up the fish this time of year. The skies are mostly clear, and the wind is out of the north at about 7 mph. Sunrise came at 6:49 AM, and sunset will be at 5:38 PM, giving you those classic fall short days perfect for chasing a fall bite.

Now we’re fresh off a full moon, which usually ramps up the predator fish activity at night and into those early morning hours. Fish are getting active, packing on weight for winter, and you’ll see more aggressive feeding in the shallows first thing, tapering off as the sun climbs. According to Fishingreminder, these moon phases and cool fronts mean your best bites will be at dawn and dusk, but don’t rule out midday as bass push shallower.

Across Central Texas this week, anglers have reported largemouth bass moving up shallow, especially near main lake points, docks, and around shoreline grass. Inline spinners, chatterbaits, and slab spoons are putting numbers in the boat for those targeting fish staging in 8-15 feet of water. If you like chasing bass with reaction baits, keep a spinnerbait or a square bill tied on, and work them along rocky points and submerged timber.

A few guides are recommending weightless soft jerkbaits or 5-inch stick baits in shad or bluegill patterns, as the shad are moving shallow with the cooling temps and recent rain. Topwater bites aren’t gone yet—tie on a frog and pitch it around mats and grass beds early, especially along shaded banks.

Crappie are stacking up nicely on brush piles and bridge pilings in 15-20 feet of water. They’re hitting minnows and small jigs, so if the wind calms just enough, drop a lighter jig head for a slower fall and hang on. White bass and hybrids have been fair on jigging spoons off main-lake humps and in deeper creek channels, though the bite will heat up right along the edges at sunrise and sunset.

Catfish—now’s the window if you want numbers. Blues and channels are feeding well on cut shad and punch bait off points and creek channels, especially where the drop-offs head into deeper holes.

For hotspots, two of my favorites right now:
- Under the 360 Bridge, where the water piles up and bait is thick. Early morning you’ll find bass and hybrids busting shad schools.
- Emma Long Park, especially near the boat docks and moored boats. Work those soft plastics tight to cover.
Don’t pass up the upper end near Pennybacker Bridge for a surprise striper or big bass when the current’s moving a bit. This section often produces after a cold front.

Best lures for Lake Austin this week:
- White or chartreuse spinnerbaits with Colorado blades
- Shad-patterned crankbaits and jerkbaits
- Soft plastic flukes and stick baits in natural colors
- Topwater frog or wakebait in the grass at first light

For bait, it’s hard to beat live shad or minnows for both bass and crappie, and fresh cut shad or chicken liver if you’re targeting catfish. Remember to work the banks as the sun warms them, especially midday—those fish are always looking for a free meal.

Anglers this past weekend reported solid bass up to 6 pounds, a smattering of slot-size largemouth, and crappie limits taken near the bridges. While there’s still a little stained water out there from recent rain, clarity in the upper stretches is improving.

Get out early, mind the water temps, and be patient. The fall bite is only going to get better as these fish fatten up for the winter.

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