Little relief from Hurricane Claudette

The biggest and most disappointing news in July was that Hurricane Claudette missed Falcon Lake and the watershed altogether. At least Amistad benefited with a rise of five feet in July, mostly hurricane related. Although early July rains at Falcon produced some precipitation -- 2.45 inches (compared to a total of 2.34 inches in June) -- it provided us only minimal relief from the scorching heat. Zapata highs dropped down to the 80s/90s and remained there through July 21. Then it was business as usual with temps climbing back into the 100 degree/high 90s for the rest of the month. It could always have been worse. As a result of the rains, Falcon regained some water, reaching and retaining a level above the 257-ft. weed line from July 9 through the end of the month. The TPW had earlier stocked 313.7 thousand black bass, 1.5 inch long, and 153.6 thousand bluegill. With the lake level above 257 feet, they should be finding some cover, and as a result, lower mortality.
Fishing continued good and the poster boy for Alligator Gar last month, Esquivel Prieto, scored an even bigger gar this month measuring 7'3". The estimated weight was over 200 lbs. Black bass continued to show up early mornings on the hardwoods in about 5 feet of water in areas adjacent to deeper water. Best baits were Zoom plastics, including hog baits, and Yamasenkos. Later in the day, after the sun came out, deeper ridges, points, and rocks produced bass for anglers working Carolina rigs and crankbaits in 15 to 20 feet. A group of club anglers here just for grins found a number of good fish, and their top five fish in one boat would have weighed about 23 lbs.
There were no clubs with tournaments here this month, so the fishing reports were mostly from locals, and they were very spotty. Most of the action was again from the Tigers down to the dam, and the water for the first three weeks was murky above the Tigers as a result of silt carrying properties of the new water received from the July 3-7 rains. The catfishing has continued good on stinkbaits, shrimp, and live worms. We had one fellow fishing up the river on minnows and shad caught in a throw net who put in at San Ignacio and fished back towards Zapata. He had 70 lbs. of blue cats in three hours. His name is Hammer and although he works out of town, he takes a few people on guided trips when he is in town. There may be some people who catch more catfish than Hammer, but I can't give you any of their names. Hammer also has the official TPW Falcon Lake record for blue and yellow cats.
Stripers were continuing to show up in July for those folks who know where they live and/or can read a depth finder. Slabs and knockers were the best lures, followed by crankbaits and spinnerbaits.
For those of you who have been following the saga of "illegal netters against America," we now have three full time game wardens who are patrolling the lake and enforcing safe boating regulations as well as fish and game laws. They have been stopping boats for papers and equipment check-offs, so be sure to have all your equipment up to date and your equipment in order. As a result of the increased enforcement, the commercial fishermen from Mexico are finding it more difficult to net on the US side of the lake. A number of boats and several miles of nets have been captured and some illegals have been arrested. Safe boating and good fishing until next time.

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