Brady Reservoir

Structure in Brady Creek Reservoir consists of rock/gravel shorelines, a rocky bluff along the creek, boulders and dead trees. Added to this is an old railroad bed that can be productive. As with typical West Texas reservoirs, the amount of good structure available is determined by water level. Aquatic vegetation is normally on the light side even at high water levels.

Spring is a great time to look for largemouth bass in shallower waters closer to the bank and up in the creek, since this is their spawning season. Crankbaits and spinnerbaits have proven very productive. Another technique would be flipping jigs or plastic worms around dead trees. During summer, use topwater baits early in the morning or late in the evening and plastic worms during the hotter part of the day. In winter, just remember to slow down your retrieve to be successful.

Channel catfish can be caught year round at Brady Creek. Excellent fishing may be found up in Brady Creek when it is on a rise. Another good time is in the spring during the spawning season. Popular baits include liver, shrimp, minnows and stink bait. Blue catfish tend to be a more open-water fish, so fishing a trotline 4-6 feet deep in open water can be the way to go. Flathead cats can be found around dead trees, boulders and cuts in the bluff. September-November seems to be a period of peak activity for this species. The best bait to use is live fish, be it goldfish, shad or sunfish. Crappie fishing is the best in the spring when they can be found in shallower water and up in the creek during their spawning season. At other times crappie may be found in deeper water around the trees or in holes along the bluff. During summer, look for crappie around shaded areas such as boat docks or piers. The best baits include small jigs or live minnows.

The absolute best fishing for white bass would be in the early spring up Brady Creek, provided there is flowing water. At other times whites may be found off points and in deeper waters. Favorite baits include small jigs, spoons or minnow/shad imitating baits. Since this fish does school, look for surface activity in open water when bass are driving the bait fish to the surface.

Spring is a great time to look for largemouth bass in shallower waters closer to the bank and up in the creek, since this is their spawning season. Crankbaits and spinnerbaits have proven very productive. Another technique would be flipping jigs or plastic worms around dead trees. During summer, use topwater baits early in the morning or late in the evening and plastic worms during the hotter part of the day. In winter, just remember to slow down your retrieve to be successful.

Channel catfish can be caught year round at Brady Creek. Excellent fishing may be found up in Brady Creek when it is on a rise. Another good time is in the spring during the spawning season. Popular baits include liver, shrimp, minnows and stink bait. Blue catfish tend to be a more open-water fish, so fishing a trotline 4-6 feet deep in open water can be the way to go. Flathead cats can be found around dead trees, boulders and cuts in the bluff. September-November seems to be a period of peak activity for this species. The best bait to use is live fish, be it goldfish, shad or sunfish. Crappie fishing is the best in the spring when they can be found in shallower water and up in the creek during their spawning season. At other times crappie may be found in deeper water around the trees or in holes along the bluff. During summer, look for crappie around shaded areas such as boat docks or piers. The best baits include small jigs or live minnows.

The absolute best fishing for white bass would be in the early spring up Brady Creek, provided there is flowing water. At other times whites may be found off points and in deeper waters. Favorite baits include small jigs, spoons or minnow/shad imitating baits. Since this fish does school, look for surface activity in open water when bass are driving the bait fish to the surface.

This fishery is rebuilding slowly after a golden alga bloom in 2012 and several years of low water levels.

Are there places to stay in the Brady Reservoir area?