Delong Lures Blog

Fishing Soft Plastic Lures in Texas: Lakes, Ponds, and Bottom-Focused Presentations

Texas bass angler holding a large largemouth bass on the water during a successful fishing trip

Texas offers some of the most diverse and demanding freshwater fishing in the country. From large reservoirs to small ponds and heavily pressured waters, Texas anglers consistently rely on soft plastic lures that can be fished slowly, deliberately, and close to the bottom. These conditions have made Texas one of the strongest states for unrigged soft plastic snake use—especially among anglers willing to fish patiently and methodically.

Texas fishing rewards anglers who understand how bass and panfish relate to structure, bottom composition, and seasonal changes rather than relying on fast-moving or surface-focused presentations.


What Makes Texas Fishing Different

Texas fisheries are often defined by bottom contact and structure-oriented fish behavior.

  • Large lakes and reservoirs with gradual depth changes
  • Ponds and smaller waters with pressured fish
  • Bass that hold tight to bottom contours, cover, and transitions
  • Seasonal shifts that favor slow, crawling presentations

While Texas shares some similarities with southern states like Florida, Texas anglers tend to work lures along the bottom more often, especially during early spring and cooler periods. This creates ideal conditions for larger-profile soft plastics that can be fished deliberately without drawing constant attention from smaller fish.


The Unrigged 16″ Snake in Texas Waters

Texas is one of the strongest states for unrigged 16″ Snake use, even though many anglers are still just beginning to discover how effective it can be.

Unlike Florida—where snakes are often fished higher in vegetation—Texas anglers frequently crawl the snake along the bottom, particularly in early spring. This approach allows the lure to move naturally through strike zones where bass are holding close to structure.

How Texas anglers use it

  • Slow bottom crawls along contours and cover
  • Deliberate movement rather than aggressive jerks
  • Letting the large profile deter smaller fish

Because of this bottom-focused approach, the 16″ Snake remains productive in Texas throughout more of the year than in many other states.


Texas Color Confidence

Color selection in Texas is about confidence and consistency rather than experimentation. Anglers tend to stick with colors that show well in stained water and provide contrast near the bottom.

Common Texas confidence colors include:

  • Dirty Watermelon
  • Black / Blue
  • Junebug
  • Mud

These colors perform well across a wide range of water conditions and are especially effective when fishing slowly along the bottom.


Soft Plastics for Texas Lakes and Ponds

Texas anglers fish a wide variety of waters, and soft plastics that can adapt to both lakes and ponds continue to gain traction.

Squirms

Squirms are commonly used in Texas lakes and ponds where fish pressure is high and subtle movement is critical. Their ability to be fished slowly makes them well-suited for bottom-oriented bass.

Twister Tads

Twister Tads have sold well in Texas, with positive feedback from anglers using them in both ponds and smaller lakes. Their versatility allows anglers to adjust presentation speed without changing baits.

Bass Witch

Bass Witches are frequently reordered in Texas, even though the buyer base remains relatively small. Anglers who use them tend to become repeat buyers, particularly for pond and structure fishing.


Year-Round Multi-Species Fishing in Texas

Texas supports strong multi-species fishing opportunities, and this has influenced which soft plastics gain popularity.

Mayflies and Spiders

Mayflies remain popular across Texas, but Spiders are selling disproportionately well, especially for panfish. Feedback consistently points to strong panfish performance, making them a reliable option in smaller waters and during slower fishing periods.


Worms and Bucktails in Texas

Texas anglers continue to rely on traditional presentations alongside larger soft plastics.

  • Unrigged 9″ worms and weedless 9″ worms sell very well and remain staples for Texas bass anglers
  • Texas has also been the number one state for bass bucktail sales, highlighting the state’s strong reaction-bait and structure-fishing culture

This combination of slow soft plastics and reaction baits reflects how Texas anglers adapt to changing conditions rather than relying on a single technique.