February Bass Fishing
Month · water 48–58°F
February is the start of the pre-spawn in Central Texas. On stretches of warming days, big females move up to staging points to feed, making it one of the best months of the year for a giant. Reaction baits, jigs and jerkbaits shine on the warm-ups; finesse fills the cold snaps.
Why: Pre-spawn stirs — big-fish month.
Evidence: Verified knowledge from Bryan Cotter, 26+ years guiding all 16 Central Texas lakes.
Related: Lake Austin · Lake Travis · Bass fishing by season
Verified Answered by Bryan Cotter, Texas Hawgs guide · Updated Jul 12, 2026
The pattern
Pre-spawn staging on warm-ups; deep and slow on cold snaps.
Where the bass are: Staging points, secondary points and channel swings near spawning pockets.
What they're doing: Feeding up for the spawn on warm-ups; sluggish after fronts.
February at a glance
- Type
- Month
- Months
- Feb
- Water temp
- 48–58°F
- Spawn phase
- Prespawn
How to fish it
Go-to techniques: Jerkbait, Squarebill Cranking, Chatterbait (Bladed Jig), Football Jig, Crankbait Fishing.
Best lures: Jerkbait, Lipless Crankbait, Chatterbait / Bladed Jig, Football Jig.
Best lakes right now
Lake Austin · Lake Travis · Lake O.H. Ivie · Lake Buchanan
Conditions in play
What to expect
Fewer bites than spring proper, but the average size is big — this is a trophy-hunting month.
Common mistakes
- Not following the warm-ups shallow
- Downsizing when the big fish want a bigger reaction bait
Keep exploring
All seasons & months · Bass fishing calendar · Conditions · Central Texas bass fishing guide
Want to fish February with a guide who knows the pattern? See rates and book or call 512-762-0190.