Best Baits & Lures for Lake Leon (Plus the Leon River & White Bass)
You can have the best boat on the water and know every hidden cove, but if you aren’t tying on the right lure, the fish won’t care. For anglers visiting Eastland County, matching the hatch and the mood of the fish is the final piece of the puzzle. This guide cuts through the clutter to give you the definitive rundown on the best baits and lures for Lake Leon, the Leon River, and the legendary white bass run, empowering you to fish with confidence right from your Inez Spring fishing basecamp.
The Foundation: Understanding the Forage
Before we talk specific lures, it’s crucial to understand what the fish are eating. The primary forage in Lake Leon and the Leon River includes shad, sunfish, and crayfish. Therefore, the most effective lures will imitate the size, color, and action of these key food sources. The Texas Parks and Wildlife Department (TPWD) Freshwater Fishing Tips hub is an excellent resource for understanding these foundational principles.
Lake Leon Largemouth Bass: A Lure for Every Season
Lake Leon is renowned for its bass fishery, and your lure selection should change with the seasons and conditions. This complements the strategies we outline in our pillar post, Fishing in Eastland County: Lake Leon & Leon River Hotspots.
Power-Fishing & Covering Water
When you need to locate active fish quickly, these are your go-to lures.
Lipless Crankbaits: A absolute must-have. They can be burned over grass, yo-yoed off points, or ripped through submerged vegetation. A chrome/blue or red/crawfish pattern is deadly for mimicking shad and crawdads.
Spinnerbaits: White or chartreuse spinnerbaits are incredibly effective in stained water or around heavy cover like brush piles and docks. Their vibration and flash trigger reaction strikes.
Bladed Jigs (Vibrating Jigs): This modern classic is a fish-catcher. It combines the vibration of a spinnerbait with the bulk and action of a skirted jig. Swim it through grass or yo-yo it along ledges.
Finesse & Pressured Fish
When the sun is high, the water is clear, or the fish have seen every bait in the box, it’s time to downsize.
- Weightless Soft Plastics: A wacky-rigged senko or a trick worm in natural greens or purples is almost impossible for a bass to resist. It’s a subtle, fluttering presentation that excels in shallow water.
- Ned Rig: Don’t let its small size fool you. The ned rig is a giant killer. A small, mushroom-head jig with a soft plastic trinket bait dragged slowly along the bottom can tempt the most lethargic bass.
- Drop-Shot: For targeting suspended bass off deep points or brush piles, the drop-shot is unparalleled. It presents a bait naturally in the strike zone with minimal movement.
Leon River Essentials: Kayak & Shore Fishing Favorites
Fishing the Leon River from our park requires a slightly different approach, often favoring compact, snag-resistant lures. Our direct Kayaking & Fishing access makes testing these lures incredibly convenient.
- Small Crankbaits: Squarebill crankbaits in a shad or crawfish pattern are perfect for deflecting off rocks and wood in the river current, triggering explosive strikes from river bass.
- Inline Spinners: A timeless classic for a reason. Inline spinners like the Rooster Tail attract a wide variety of species, including bass, white bass, and even sunfish, with their irresistible flash and vibration.
Jigheads with Soft Plastics: A simple 1/8 oz jighead paired with a small curly-tail grub is a versatile, effective, and affordable option for working current seams and pools.
Conquering the Spring White Bass Run
This is one of the most anticipated events on the Texas fishing calendar. When the white bass are running up the Leon River, the action can be fast and furious.
The Lures
Small Marabou Jigs: In white, yellow, or chartreuse, these are the quintessential white bass lures. Their fluid action in the current is irresistible.
Inline Spinners: Once again, a small silver or gold spinner is a fantastic choice for covering water.
Small Swimbaits: A 1/8 oz jig head with a 2.5-3″ paddle-tail swimbait in a shad color mimics their primary forage perfectly.
The Technique
Target current breaks below riffles and the heads of deeper pools. The key is to cast upstream and let the lure drift naturally with the current, giving it occasional twitches. Always check the TPWD White Bass Run advisories for the latest timing and hotspots.
Don't Forget the Catfish & Crappie
A diverse tackle box means you’re always ready for what’s biting.
Catfish: For channel catfish in the river or lake, you can’t go wrong with traditional baits. Punch bait on a treble hook, cut shad, or nightcrawlers fished on the bottom with a slip-sinker rig will produce consistently, especially at night.
Crappie: During the spring spawn and around brush piles year-round, small tube jigs or live minnows suspended under a bobber are the go-to methods for filling a cooler with these tasty panfish.
Pro Tip: Always Check the Conditions
Water levels, clarity, and temperature can change daily. Before you head out, especially to a larger lake like Possum Kingdom, a quick check of the weekly TPWD fishing reports can provide invaluable, up-to-the-minute information on what’s working. For Lake Leon specifics, the official TPWD Lake Leon page is your source for lake data and regulations.
Frequently Asked Questions
What is the one "can't miss" lure I should have for Lake Leon?
If we had to choose one, a ½ oz lipless crankbait in a shad pattern is incredibly versatile across seasons. It allows you to cover water efficiently and locate active bass.
Are live baits better than artificial lures on the Leon River?
Both have their place. Live bait like nightcrawlers or minnows is excellent for catfish and panfish. However, artificial lures like small crankbaits and jigs allow you to cover more water and actively target bass, which is often more effective from a moving kayak.
Where can I buy these lures near Inez Spring?
We recommend checking in with local bait shops and outfitters in Eastland for the hottest local baits and advice. Our team at the park is also always happy to share what’s been working recently!
I'm new to kayak fishing. What are the best lures to start with?
Start with simple, snag-resistant options. A small spinnerbait, a wacky rig, and a jig with a curly-tail grub are easy to use, effective, and less likely to get hung up on every piece of structure, making your first kayak fishing trip from our riverfront access much more enjoyable.
Do you have any deals for anglers staying multiple nights?
We certainly do! We know the best fishing trips aren’t rushed. Be sure to check our Special Offers page for discounts on extended stays so you can spend more time on the water.
Ready to Stock Your Tackle Box and Hit the Water?
Now that you’re armed with the knowledge of what works, it’s time to put it into practice. Inez Spring provides the perfect comfortable and convenient home base to launch your fishing adventures. After a day of testing these lures on Lake Leon or the Leon River, there’s nothing better than returning to relax by our spring-fed pool and share the day’s stories.
For more local tips, fishing stories, and RV life insights, be sure to explore our Texas RV Life Blog.