Bass fishing continues to improve; OPEC Tournament coming in October

Early mornings on Falcon Lake continue to be the best time both for fishing and for catching fish. Wind has been moderate-to-gusty and water continues to be clear with water temperatures in the mid to upper 80s. Bass fishing has continued to improve and catfish have also been very active. Outside, small willows next to river or creek channels with taller willows (in about 20 to 25 foot depths) have been best. The area between markers 8 and 9 have been producing plenty of good eating-size fish. One of our local guides took a group from Laredo out this weekend and they had an icebox full of filets for their efforts. The big catfish weighed 7 lbs. More bass fishermen showed up in Zapata this weekend and most of them were catching fish according to reports received. Not everyone has reported large numbers of fish, and not all the reports indicate large bass are being caught, but 10 to 20 fish reports are encouraging and there has typically been some good fish mixed in, with the average being 14 inches or longer. There are multiple patterns working, from what we understand, and both big blue gill and bass are likely to be enticed by plastic baits.

Charlie Haralson and a friend fished Falcon Sunday and found a pattern of fish in eight to 15 feet of water using baby brush hogs in watermelon red. They were keying on outside huisache trees located on rocky points. Their big bass weighed over four pounds, but they reported some fairly good action with 10 to 15 fish boated. Spinnerbaits in white with nickel willow or combination nickel/gold willow blades have been productive for some fishermen in three to five feet of water in coves and along shorelines early morning and also late evenings. Some early morning topwater strikes are still being reported. For the last few days, the plastic baits have been most productive. Most of the action reported has been from mid-lake to the upper-lake, but no one fishing the lower end has provided any reports so the fish may be biting there as well. Gar hunters shot a 100 lb. fish yesterday and we have a Wisconsin gar hunter in town today hunting with Arrowhead Ranch's George Gutierrez.and Pablo Bernal.

If you have been waiting to take advantage of some good fishing either at Falcon or Las Blancas which is south of Mier, Mexico about 15 miles from Falcon Dam, the fish seem to be coming out of their recent slow-bite period and starting to feed more aggressively. Now might be a good time to book a trip to either or both lakes. Charlie fished Las Blancas Saturday and an update has been posted under this website's “Mexico Lakes Report”. Call (956) 763-6175 to talk to Charlie Haralson or call Beacon Lodge's Speedy Collett at (956) 765-4616. Remember that a large percentage of Falcon is actually Mexico waters and in order to legally fish from a boat in Mexico, Mexican licenses and boat permits are required for boats that carry fishing equipment. We keep these in stock and available at Falcon Lake Tackle in Zapata, or you can obtain them by mail (call (956) 765-4866 or e-mail lbridgeman@starband.net). Everyone in the boat must have a Mexico fishing license whether fishing or not.

Make your plans now to fish the OPEC Legacy Tournament this October. The forms are being printed now. The lake will be off limits October 18-20. Activities start on October 21 and 22 with prefishing and continue through the 23 rd and 24 th for this two-day tournament. Registration/Calcutta is the evening of the 22 nd at the State Park Rec Hall. One of the rules is that you must pre-pay and complete a registration form before prefishing (drop off either at the state park or Falcon Lake Tackle). This 11th Annual Tournament is being dedicated to the memory of Jim Murray, so let's make it the best one ever. There has never been a weight of under 30 pounds for three fish per day (six fish total) to win OPEC Heavy Stringer and it has typically taken over eight pounds to win big bass. If you can only fish one tournament this year, make sure it is OPEC.

For all your tackle and marine supplies, please check out the Falcon Lake Tackle on-line e-store at www.tackleandrods.com. We have thousands of items listed available for immediate shipping including a unique selection of hunting and fishing theme gifts. We just finished adding a lot of new items to the shopping cart so check it out. We would love to see some orders for tackle periodically from those of you who enjoy seeing current conditions and fishing reports updated on Falcon and Mexico lakes.

( Larry E. Bridgeman is the owner of Falcon Lake Tackle in Zapata, TX. Visit the Falcon Lake Tackle website at www.tackleandrods.com .)