Upcoming warmer weather will stimulate spawners

Falcon Lake 's level has stabilized around the 288-289 foot range (12-13 feet low) and the temps have been averaging mid-50s to low-60s. Reports are not great and the fishing has suffered the effects of cold rainy weather for a number of days in a row. A few fish over 5 lbs. are being reported, and one over 8 lbs. was caught by Dennis Weaver in the Tigers last weekend. The big fish last week (see photo) came from below the Dam, and she was one ounce shy of 10 lbs. Pablo Gomez caught her on a Fat A7 series crankbait in 10 feet of water and she was full of eggs. In the lake, there is not much indication of a rapidly approaching spawn. Fish are not showing bloody tails or much egg development for the most part, although there are a few exceptions. Water is going to warm up again to stimulate the spawners. Most fish caught have been hitting plastics like baby brush hogs and in depths of 10 to 12 lbs. on points or drop offs with trees like retamas or willows.

McAllen Bass Angler's recent 18-man tournament had a 25 lb. heavy stringer and 6.06 lb. big bass. Word is a 15 lb. bass was caught at Sugar recently by someone from Monterrey . The recent Las Blancas tournament did pretty well, but still lots of grass and fish were caught on jigs dropping into pockets. Speedy Collett has a new boat courtesy of the Bass Champs Amistad tournament. Speedy and his partner Tommy Durham weighed 27 lbs.-plus for first heavy stringer. For details, see the results posted under the tournaments section of the website at www.falconlaketackle.com.

Above I mentioned the importance of always keeping good line spooled up. A good rod is also essential to a good fishing experience. We have a large selection (usually 50 or more) of Falcon Rods in stock and we keep the lighter than air (LTA) Kistler Helium rods in stock as well in all popular lengths and actions. We also stock the Waterloo Scrape rods, one of the favorite rods of the pros for pulling big bass out of thick grass. In fact two of these are being carried to Del Rio for the weekend Bass Champs Tournament by Speedy Collett and we have got to reorder. Equally important to a good rod is having a good reel. We have a large selection of reels in Shimano, Abu Garcia, and Zebco. The new Chronarch replacements for the 100 and 100SF are here now.

If you catch a cold and need some Vitamin C, we have some oranges, grapefruit, and lemons in our orchard that are guaranteed to get you pumped up. Order a bag or two by mail or pick them here and take back with you to your home. When your friends see how good they are, you might just sell them some and get enough cash to help pay for your trip. Don't forget a bib when you peel them.

You may have heard we are regretfully selling Falcon Lake Tackle strictly for health reasons. Business in the store and on the website e-store has never been better. The business, inventory, ideally-located commercial property, and website site are included, or any part thereof. The building also includes good two bedroom, one bath living quarters above the store, shop space, and additional land adjacent/behind the store with abundant concrete patios and parking with six-foot security fencing. We are also selling the weigh-in trailer built by Jimmy Murray and used in the Waypoint Media South Circuit for several years. We have added new pumps, on board chargers, and have had the scales certified. Our holding tank was used to stabilize Jerry Campos' 14.28 lb. fish in December while it was awaiting TPW transport to the hatchery.This business is about the fullest service, best equipped tackle store in the country, so do not miss out on this once-in-a-lifetime opportunity.

Through our on-line e-store, we have sold tackle to fishermen and women in six countries and 46 states. Most customers remark that Falcon Lake Tackle has the most extensive selection of tackle and marine supplies of any store they have visited. We try to anticipate demand and we do not just keep a few packages in stock. The hot baits are almost always available and we keep an adequate number of Mexico licenses and boat permits available by mail or in the store. We frequently hear back from customers about how quickly we respond to orders so, with virtually everything you need in one place or available by special order, why fight the traffic to one of the big chains who provide little in the way of service and do not appreciate your business?

Until next time, good fishing and always practice catch and release.

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