Lake Houston / Conroe nightstalking?

[wavygravy]

I just moved down from NC and the thing to do in summer is nightstalking with underwater lights and all that. Gets you out of the heat and the fishing was generally pretty good. I did very well with that method but I don't see many talking about it down here. Which lake would be better for a nightstalk? Any suggestions on the safest ramp? I hear there's some issues from time to time at certain ramps with break ins. Also any bait shops close to a ramp would be good too. I'm in Missouri City, so they're both far enough, but I'd like to get some crappie filets in the freezer before too long.
Thanks for the help, here's some NC fish pics for your enjoyment.

[kickingback]

Well Welcome to Texas!!!

If your looking for crappie on Houston at night try the bridges at 1960 and the railroad track bridge. There is a nice boat dock right next to Lake Houston Marina on the east end of the 1960 bridge with lights that hold crappie at night also. You can hit Luce Bayou as well and jig the bridges there or brush piles. I have had plenty of success with crappie at night. You can get minnows at the Lake Houston Marina as well as launch and it is safe and patrolled by HPD. You can also go to Ponderosa boat launch and launch in Luce Bayou as well. There is a minnow shop on the road going from 1960 to Ponderosa called Joe's Drive Thru. Ponderosa is also patrolled by HPD and it is safe to launch and keep car safe with lights.

I just got back this morning from an all nighter at Conroe. Caught a little bit of everything. Bass, Hybrids, Cats, Crappie, Gasper Goo and Bream! Caught most everything on jig tipped with minnow. You can launch at the free boat ramp at FM 830 but it is not patrolled as often as Scott's Ridge on the West end of the 1097 bridge. Some say they have been broken into at the 830 ramp but I have launched there at night MANY times without any issues. I may just have been lucky from what others tell me. Scott's Ridge is $5 to launch but is patrolled by police and is safe at night with lights. You can get minnows at the Citgo on 1097 on the East side of the bridge just before you cross to go to Scott's Ridge. You can also get minnows at the Valero on the South side of the lake next to the restaurants and stores. It is open 24 hours and you can get there by boat if needed.

Like I said, all the fish are hitting minnows even the bigger bream I caught. The bream are still better to catch on worms and small jigs without minnows though.

Good luck to you and let us know how you do!!!

[skiptomylu]

I have fished at night for a long time, but over on Toledo Bend. Have most of my needed night fishing stuff in a couple boxes. Last year or so I just have not gone at night and seems summer has even been hot at night here!

Before I zoned in on crappie I did a lot of bass fishing at night also. Started in the late 1960's with that.

Skip

[kickingback]

Yeah it is still a bit hot out but at night I can comfortably wear shorts and be just right! Conroe is great because if one fspecies of fish is not biting you can focus on another for a bit until you find them. I was looking for crappie lately and found the bream and cats and then I go to the "lighted docks" for bass. It is just too much fun all night to sleep.
Threw in a screen shot of the bream beds you can find easily on the lake too. I am waiting to hear how well wavygravy does on the lake.

[wavygravy]

I appreciate the advice, I'll get out there one of these nights sometime in August most likely once work settles down a bit. I learned quite a bit on how to jig while in NC, so hopefully the fish down here like what I have to offer.
I'll report back once I get out there.

[skiptomylu]

I will add if your going out at night in summer you better be ready for the bugs! Get yourself a ThermaCell® Mosquito Repellent thing. They are great! I have 2 in case one is not enough to cover the boat from back to front.

Skip

[SlabSlider]

I have thought about getting one of those electronic mosquito repellants but didn't know if they would work in 4 mph winds and in an open jon boat. They cost about $20 don't they?
I use Repel spray and it is works well. It is not as strong smelling as off or other brands so I use it all the time and don't stink or scare fish off with the smell on my hands.