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Austin Bass Fishing Guide & Tournament Angler

Inks Lake Fishing Report – Shallow Cover & Offshore Gizzard Shad Schools (September 5, 2026)

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Inks Lake is offering water temperatures around 83 degrees, with clarity varying from 2–5 feet and a water level approximately 0.75 feet below full pool. Urchin style baits and drop-shot rigged finesse worms have been producing around shallow cover.

Offshore schools of bass chasing large gizzard shad are also providing opportunities for quality fish. Large swimbaits and big topwater baits have been the most effective presentations when targeting these feeding schools.

Big Bass Score = 2; Numbers Score = 2; Total = 4

Client holding two largemouth bass caught on an urchin style bait during a guided fishing trip on Inks Lake
A couple of solid Inks Lake bass caught on an urchin style bait while targeting shallow cover. These fish were caught using the new Ardent Summit Falcon reel paired with an Ardent Tournament Pro casting rod.

Inks Lake Fishing Report – Offshore Gizzard Shad Bite & Key Feeding Windows (August 15, 2026)

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Inks Lake is offering stained water with 2–4 feet of visibility, water temperatures around 84 degrees, and a water level at normal pool. The best fishing has been around offshore rock where schools of bass are feeding on large gizzard shad.

Large swimbaits and topwaters have been producing well, with early morning, late evening, and periods of dam generation providing the best feeding windows. Outside of these windows, urchin style baits fished around cover and structure have been producing consistent bites.

Big Bass Score = 4; Numbers Score = 2; Total = 6

Two large largemouth bass caught on Inks Lake while targeting offshore schools feeding on gizzard shad
A couple of big Inks Lake bass from a productive summer feeding window. These fish were part of schools of bass using offshore rock to ambush large gizzard shad.

Inks Lake Fishing Report – Offshore Rock & Gizzard Shad Pattern (August 8, 2026)

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Inks Lake is offering water temperatures around 83 degrees, with water clarity varying throughout the lake from stained to clear and a water level approximately 1 foot below full pool. The best fishing has shifted toward offshore rock structure, where schools of bass are concentrating around the lake’s large gizzard shad.

A variety of presentations have been effective, including River2Sea Rovers, finesse worms on drop-shot rigs and shaky heads, Texas-rigged 10-inch worms, urchin style baits, and large swimbaits. Once a school is located, rotating through different presentations has been key to keeping the fish fired up and generating additional bites.

Big Bass Score = 4; Numbers Score = 3; Total = 7

Inks Lake Fishing Report – Shallow Rock & Baitfish Pattern Producing Bass (August 4, 2026)

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Inks Lake is offering clear water with roughly 4–6 feet of visibility, water temperatures around 84 degrees, and a water level approximately 9 inches below full pool. Bass are holding in relatively shallow, rocky areas from just inches of water out to about 6–7 feet deep, with the best concentrations of fish found where baitfish are abundant.

Neko-rigged creature baits and drop-shot rigged finesse worms have been producing the most consistent action. Locating areas with large schools of baitfish has been the key to finding active bass, as these fish are using the shallow rock to ambush forage. Overall, the fishing has been good.

Big Bass Score = 3; Numbers Score = 3; Total = 6

Client holding two largemouth bass caught on Inks Lake while targeting bass feeding on gizzard shad with swimbaits and topwater lures
A special day on Inks Lake! My client displays two quality largemouth bass after we intercepted schools of bass chasing giant gizzard shad. These fish fell for a mix of large swimbaits and topwater lures during an unforgettable guided fishing trip.

Inks Lake Fishing Report – Wind-Blown Shallow Cover & Topwater Bite (July 25, 2026)

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Inks Lake is offering stained water with roughly 2–4 feet of visibility, water temperatures around 81 degrees, and a water level at normal pool. Bass are relating to shallow cover throughout the lake, including rock, wood, docks, and other available structure, with wind-blown areas continuing to produce the most consistent action.

Drop-shot rigged finesse worms and Neko-rigged creature baits have been producing the most consistent bites in less than 5 feet of water. Topwater lures have also been generating quality fish during the first hour of daylight and again late in the evening. Overall, the fishing has remained good, with the best success coming from targeting shallow, wind-blown cover.

Big Bass Score = 4; Numbers Score = 3; Total = 7

Client holding two largemouth bass caught during a guided fishing trip on Inks Lake using a Neko-rigged creature bait
One of the highlights from a great day on Inks Lake! My client was pumped after putting together a 24-pound bag, with these two largemouth bass coming on a Neko-rigged creature bait fished around shallow cover.