Guadalupe Bass Fishing Guide — Central Texas
The Guadalupe bass is the official state fish of Texas — and the Central Texas Hill Country is the only place in the world you can catch one. If a native “Guad” is on your list, you're in the right boat.
Most guides never mention them. I do the opposite — every year I get clients who book specifically to catch this native subspecies of black bass, and we catch them on almost every trip out. Guadalupe bass are found nowhere else on earth, so a guided trip here is a genuine bucket-list checkmark you can't get anywhere else.
Where we catch Guadalupe bass
I catch them across the Highland Lakes chain — mostly on Lake Travis and Lake LBJ, with Lake Austin, Inks Lake and Lake Buchanan holding them too. These lakes are impoundments of the Colorado River as it runs through the Hill Country — the flowing, rocky water Guadalupe bass call home.
How big — and how hard they fight
Guadalupe bass are small but mighty. Most run about 1.5 to 2 pounds, with a few bigger ones mixed in, and pound for pound they're some of the hardest-fighting fish you'll ever hook. Don't let the size fool you — a good Guad on light tackle is a blast.
I've been fortunate with the big ones. I caught the Lake LBJ lake record in a tournament — a 2.49-pounder in April of 2012 (that's the fish in the photo). My personal best on Lake Travis is 3.57 lbs, just .12 shy of the Travis lake record (3.69) and only .14 under the all-tackle world record of 3.71 lbs, which came from just below Longhorn Dam near downtown Austin.
Want the full rundown — how to tell a Guad from a largemouth or smallmouth, the state and world records, and the finesse baits that work best? See my complete Guadalupe bass species guide, or browse all the bass species you can catch in Central Texas.
Great fight, great table fare
On top of the fight, they're excellent eating — honestly better than crappie, in my book, and that's saying something. Whether you'd rather release a native trophy or take a few home for the pan, a Guadalupe bass trip is one of the most unique days you can spend on Central Texas water.
Book a Guadalupe bass trip
If a Guadalupe bass is your target, just tell me when you book and I'll build the day around putting you on them. It's the same all-inclusive guided trip — all rods, reels and tackle provided, family-friendly, and beginners welcome. See trips & rates or get in touch to get on the calendar.
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Looking for more than a day trip?
Texas Hawgs specializes in Central Texas day trips. For multi-day, all-inclusive trophy packages on Falcon, O.H. Ivie, Amistad and the Highland Lakes — lodging, meals, guiding and gear included — explore Texas Bass Adventures.
Guadalupe Bass Trip FAQs
Can beginners and kids catch a Guadalupe bass?
Absolutely. It's a family-friendly, all-inclusive trip and I coach you through it — I provide all the rods, reels and tackle. Guads are aggressive and fight hard on light gear, which makes them a genuinely fun fish for first-timers and kids.
Which lake will we fish, and is tackle included?
Mostly Lake Travis or Lake LBJ, with Lake Austin, Inks Lake and Lake Buchanan also holding Guads — I'll pick whichever is fishing best when you book. Everything's included: all rods, reels and tackle provided. Just bring a hat, sunscreen, snacks and a valid Texas fishing license.
When is the best time to book a Guadalupe bass trip?
We catch them year-round across the Highland Lakes, with spring through fall especially good. Just tell me a Guad is your target when you book and I'll build the day around putting you on them.
Do we keep the Guadalupe bass or release them?
Your call. Guadalupe bass are legal to keep within Texas limits and they're excellent eating — better than crappie, honestly. Plenty of anglers keep a few for the table, while others release this native trophy. Tell me your preference and we'll fish the trip accordingly.