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You're in good hands

Book your trip with confidence — We only work with the best local guides that know where to put you on fish.

About Your Trip

Water Type

River, Lake

Skill Levels

Beginner, Intermediate, Advanced

Weather

You won’t lose your deposit if the trip is canceled due to weather.

About Your Trip

Central Texas is home to some seriously impressive carp and buffalo, and Austin has spent more than a decade learning how to consistently target these powerful, often overlooked freshwater giants.

Depending on conditions and where the best bite is shaping up, your trip can take you to Lake Austin, Lady Bird Lake, or Decker Lake. These waters offer opportunities for trophy common carp, grass carp, and massive smallmouth buffalo, including fish capable of pushing well beyond the 50-pound mark.

Austin specializes in modern European-style carp fishing techniques and will have the equipment ready to get you set up. Whether you've spent years behind a set of carp rods or have never targeted one before, he'll walk you through the rigs, baiting strategies, bite detection, fish handling, and techniques that go into pursuing these fish.

Lady Bird Lake puts you right in the heart of Austin and has produced the Texas state-record common carp at 46 pounds, along with buffalo exceeding 70 pounds. Lake Austin offers beautiful Central Texas scenery and opportunities for big carp, buffalo, and grass carp, while Decker Lake has established itself as an exceptional trophy buffalo fishery.

These trips are catch-and-release and can be tailored to both experienced carp anglers and newcomers looking to experience this style of fishing for the first time. Austin has plenty of equipment available, so there's no need to arrive with a full carp setup. Just bring your food and drinks, appropriate clothing, rain gear, and a willingness to put some serious pressure on some of the biggest freshwater fish swimming around Central Texas.

If you've never watched a bite alarm come alive before connecting with a 30, 40, or potentially 50+ pound fish, this is a completely different side of Texas fishing that's worth experiencing!

Amenities

Water Type

River, Lake

Skill Levels

Beginner, Intermediate, Advanced

Tackle

All rods, reels, and tackle are included.

Beer

Feel free to enjoy responsibly, but please no glass.

Location

This guide can be flexible with the departure location.

Weather

You won’t lose your deposit if the trip is canceled due to weather.

Kid Friendly

This trip can cater to small children.

Flexible Cancelation

This trip can be canceled up to 30 days before the trip.

Fish Cleaning

No cleaning service provided.

Live Bait

Live bait is not used on this trip.

Disability Friendly

This trip is not suited for those with disabilities.

Lunch

Please provide your own food / snacks.

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Pricing Matrix

	4 hours	6 hours	10 hours	12 hours
1 Person	$350.00	$450.00	$550.00	$600.00
2 People	$350.00	$450.00	$550.00	$600.00

Pay 50% of the price as a deposit today, with the balance due on the day of the trip.

About Your Guide

Austin A.

Independent Guide

About Your Guide

Austin A.

Independent Guide

Austin grew up fishing ponds and lakes around Texas and started pursuing trophy carp and buffalo at a young age. By 15, he already had fishing sponsors and was regularly writing for a carp fishing magazine. Today, he's a full-time fishing guide based in Austin with 11 years of experience guiding anglers for carp and buffalo.

His fishing background goes well beyond carp. Austin studied forestry and wildlife management at Stephen F. Austin State University, competed in collegiate bass fishing, and served as president of the SFA Bass Club for three years. He also guides trophy bass trips and remains an avid tournament angler.

Carp and buffalo, however, have been a major part of his fishing life for years. Austin specializes in helping anglers pursue the big, completely wild fish found throughout Texas, whether that means introducing someone to carp fishing for the first time or helping an experienced angler chase a new personal best.

When he's not guiding, you'll usually still find Austin outdoors. He's an avid photographer, hiker, birder, kayaker, fly tyer, wildlife enthusiast, and fisherman who has built much of his life around Texas waters and the fish that call them home.

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Start Location & Lodging Options

Your guide can be flexible with your start location.

You can work with your guide after booking to set a more specific start location in the area.

Austin, Texas

Areas Fished

Leave a note on checkout if there you have a preferred fishing location and we’ll do our best to make it happen, but please note this is subject to change based on fishing conditions.

Trip Details & Amenities

Water Type

River, Lake

Skill Levels

Beginner, Intermediate, Advanced

Tackle

All rods, reels, and tackle are included.

Beer

Feel free to enjoy responsibly, but please no glass.

Location

This guide can be flexible with the departure location.

Weather

You won't lose your deposit if the trip is canceled due to weather.

Kid Friendly

This trip can cater to small children.

Flexible Cancelation

This trip can be canceled up to 30 days before the trip.

Fish Cleaning

No cleaning service provided.

Live Bait

Live bait is not used on this trip.

Disability Friendly

This trip is not suited for those with disabilities.

Lunch

Please provide your own food / snacks.

Target Species

Color-coded seasonality below is based on .

View Full Species Seasonality Chart » View Recent Austin Fishing Reports »

Get it while it's HOT!
This species is in play.
You might get lucky (as long as things are in-season).
Couldn't tell ya! (no data)

Techniques

Everything Else to Know

Bring food and drinks, cooler, boots or water shoes, and waders in cold weather. Rain gear is recommended.

You'll need to buy a fishing license before getting out there. Find out more about licenses here.

We use a cashless autopay system. We'll send you a boarding pass, and on the day of the trip, your guide will scan your boarding pass to automatically transfer the remaining balance. The only cash needed is to tip your guide (we recommend 20%).

Cancel for free up to 30 days before the trip and receive credit back to your account. Cancelling within 30 of the trip will forfeit your deposit to the guide. Day-of cancellations and no-shows will be charged the full balance of the trip to their card.

In the event of inclement weather you'll be covered by out 100% Weather Guarantee and will not lose your deposit.

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First Time Booking with Us?

Captain Experiences is home to thousands of quality, vetted fishing, hunting, and other outdoor sports guides across the US and beyond. Our mission is to Unlock the Outdoors by making it quick and easy to book the trip of a lifetime every time with our Damn Good Guides.

We vet our guides and only partner with the best of the best. Our guides do their very best to keep you safe, show you a great time, and send you home with a memorable experience shared with family and friends.

Once you've paid your deposit at checkout, we'll send you a QR Code boarding pass. Just show your guide your boarding pass on the day of the trip, they'll scan it, the remaining balance will transfer automatically, and you'll be all set to get out there. Just make sure you bring a cash tip for the guide!

In the event of inclement weather, our guides will check the conditions and make the final call on whether its safe to go on the trip. If they decide the trip needs to be postponed, we'll work closely with you to reschedule or provide a credit for the full deposit, which can be applied to any of our trips in the US and beyond.

Each trip's price is determined by the guide and reflects all associated costs. A significant factor in pricing is often the type of boat and the corresponding fuel expenses. Additional costs may include leases, marina or slip fees, and the expenses involved in providing and maintaining the necessary gear for your trip.

After booking your trip, we'll connect you directly with your guide to discuss additional details. In the meantime, our team is here to answer any questions via email, text, or phone.