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.
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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Guadalupe Bass FAQs
What is a Guadalupe bass?
The Guadalupe bass (Micropterus treculii) is a native black bass and the official state fish of Texas. It's a cousin of the largemouth and smallmouth, but stays smaller and prefers flowing, rocky Hill Country water. It lives nowhere else in the world.
Where can you catch Guadalupe bass?
Only in Central Texas. I catch them across the Highland Lakes — mainly Lake Travis and Lake LBJ, with Lake Austin, Inks Lake and Lake Buchanan holding them as well.
How big do Guadalupe bass get?
Most run 1.5 to 2 pounds, with a few larger. The all-tackle world record is 3.71 lbs. My personal best is 3.57 lbs on Lake Travis, and I hold the Lake LBJ lake record at 2.49 lbs.
Can you keep and eat Guadalupe bass?
Yes, within Texas fishing regulations — and they're excellent table fare, better than crappie in my opinion. Many anglers choose to release them as a native trophy instead.