Gonna be a big learning curve

Well, my wife has had all she can take with Washington state politics b.s. so she is planning on moving me to Texas.
I know how to fish everything here, but it is gonna be a lot to learn down there.
Actual temperature changes that affect fish behavior and the bite. Real spawning activity that drives when and where to fish.
Bigger fish, especially crappie, and ones that are a lot smarter than the ones here that very few people even fish for.
I guess the good thing is I have used "y'all" since I was a kid so should fit in somewhat. Or look dumb with that being the only southern speak I have any grasp on.

The real bummer is no more salmon, steelhead and ocean fishing. I guess going after stripers, big catfish, gar and other new fish will have to fill the gaps.

It’s gonna be a positive move. Keep your chin up and we’ll help you through the transition. You’ll be in good company and closer to the big four down ‘Sippi way.

That’s a big change. Should be fun and interesting.

Let us (& the Texas folks) know where you're moving to and we'll get you in touch with local C.c members that can help you shorten that learning curve.
Also, depending on where you are & the lakes within your travel range, you might consider taking a guided trip to get a grasp on any techniques that differ from what you're used to or any subtle changes you may need to make on techniques that are the same as you're used to using.

Luck2ya in your new :fish environment !!

have no idea how old you are. change is good, especially for the brain.

Lots better places to fish, and size of fish is better than where you are leaving from, I also think it’s a positive move.

Texas is a beautiful state, fantastic people, gorgeous lakes, outstanding food, some of the finest tackle shops in the nation (I was a outdoor rep for a while that travelled Texas) great boat shops, good roads, etc, etc, etc. My wife graduated from UW, I would take Texas all day myself over Washington state.

Welcome to the South! And there is a lot of coast line for ocean fishing if you want to hit it. Might be a different mix of fish, but they are good too. I wish you well in your transplant from WA!

It will be a big change for sure. We don't even use the same type boats you guys use up in Washington state. You will find that bass fishing here is huge and guys have no problem spending 75k for a boat and another 60k for a truck. Depending on which part of Texas you settle in you will likely be withing driving distance of a top 10 crappie lake. Hiring a guide is good advice because there is a learning curve to the way we fish down here.

Looking in the Killeen area, Fort Hood or whatever it's called now. Not set on a location yet. Just want 3 or more acres, a decent house and lakes close enough for me to wheel down there and go fishing whenever I want.
Guide, maybe, but I'm a bank fisher mainly. Don't own a real boat and I'm not allowed to use my pontoon anymore so banking it for me. At least until I can convince someone to put up with this 52 year old fishing freak. My condition has turned even family off from taking me fishing. I can fish circles around many on a good day but couldn't walk circles around a sapling sometimes.

Not a for sure move yet but odds are 80:20 in favor.

As for bass fishing, I'll do some large mouth just because but I want eatin fish. Smallmouths turned out to be really good after catching a few last year. Love crappie, yellow perch, trout, and pretty much any fish that has flavor and I can cook without it falling apart or turning to mush. Don't need to be getting into trouble bringing home a nice 5# largemouth to eat. Heard they aren't the best eating anyway.

Well, as for large lakes in the Killeen area you have 2. Belton Lake, which stretches from what was Ft Hoods all the way back to the Dam in the city of Belton, (hence the Name), on I35, and then there's Stillhouse Hollow Reservoir a little south east of there which is of decent size it's self. there is a good sized pond just south of us 14/ hyw. 190 at the exit on ramp for the main entrance. The only access to it was a two track sorta trail that was accessible from the shoulder of the east bound side only. I fished there a few times while I was stationed there around the 1985 time frame. Back then, the base was open at the entrances. Since then a lot has happened and not sure any more. When I was there, one could get access to the hundreds of ponds on the base by registering at Range control office, but don't know now or not. That was military, Veterans and Civilians
back then. It was a pretty friendly area, Just be cautious of which county you buy in if you like adult beverages as Texas does have dry counties where no alcohol sales or open consumption is allowed. Hope this helped you out, hope you can mae the move. It will give you a chance to dry out. When I was at Ft Lewis many moons ago, It rained 10 out of the 12 months I was there...that included up in Yakima in the Washington State desert...just sayin'...

Fishing is just what you make of it wherever you go, although you can limit yourself to mainly eating fish and avoid bass most of the time, like I do. If you aren't fond of the taste of bass, you may want to try a steamed one with a thick sauce with heavy flavoring. I'm not fond of bass and drums unless it is cooked with a heavy seasoning like a couple of methods that fish are steamed at a real Chinese restaurant--1) soy sauce, sesame seed oil, green onions and seared with hot oil or 2) black beans, ginger, and garlic. Having them in fish tacos might be another good choice. I rarely eat my fish as fried fillets, although that's what the kids like; I've been a whole fish eater most of my adult life and much of my youth--the bones add flavor.

Everything is bigger in Texas.:)

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Getting use to Texas summers is the hardest thing to adjust to. 100 degree weather can sap your soul until you adjust too it.

I grew up in eastern Washington, 2-12 years old in the desert regions. shouldn't be too bad, also spent a year in El Paso in army AIT and didn't have an issue. I was a LOT younger then but shouldn't be too bad. My condition might make it rough but will have to find out and then figure out how to adjust.

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Originally Posted by Grainraiser

Getting use to Texas summers is the hardest thing to adjust to. 100 degree weather can sap your soul until you adjust too it.

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The humidity is the killer

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Originally Posted by Happyfisherman

The humidity is the killer

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This is true the closer you are to the coast. I'm in Dallas so it really is not a big deal. When I live in Houston it took me three summers to get use to it but was 35 years ago.