Water levels and fishing improving on Falcon Lake

 

Falcon's water level is 287.29 feet as of May 31, which is 13.91 feet below the 301.20 conservation level. This is the highest level enjoyed since before 1994. Water clarity ranges from fairly good on the lower lake (dam area) to stained or murky green depending how far you are up the lake and the river. The water in the Zapata area and in the Río Grande north of Zapata is showing a lot of algae, and some small fish have died in the veleno around Paradise Point. It appears the bigger fish are tolerating the conditions and have not moved out. Lake water temperatures are averaging in the mid-80s. We had a little northern hit yesterday, but about the only affect was a wind shift without any cooler temperatures. High temperatures of 103 today were the highest of the year so far, and serve as a reminder that summer has arrived. Laredo , just 50 miles northwest, recorded 108 degrees today.

Schooling bass continue showing up off points in the veleno and an abundance of bait fish are being reported as well. Some legal fish have been caught on plastics and top water baits from the veleno points and rocks. Look for shaded, rocky areas with overhanging retama or huisache trees during the day when the sun is up, or go deep. For the best shot at top water action, go out early from daybreak to about 7:30 am. One of our locals had 30 fish on a blue/chrome Storm Chug Bug this morning. About a fourth of them were over the 14-inch legal minimum length. We had a small turnout for the weekend South Texas Bass Angler's club tournament and only one of the three-boat field had fish to weigh on Saturday and Sunday. Details are posted under “Tournament Reports” at www.tackleandrods.com/tourney/tourney2.htm.

Catfish continue to be caught in a number of areas on the lake using a variety of baits. We have had reports that the larger cats that were hitting after the recent rains are not as abundant as they were, but some good eating-size and a few bigger cats are still being caught. The marker 11 area has been producing some good fish in recent days. One of the fishermen used jug lines with some success. We have been receiving reports for several weeks now of large crawdads being taken off docks and from boats. These dudes are big and will not fit in one hand. Beacon Lodge and 4 Seasons docks have been productive for these delicacies, and any old chicken neck or bait rigged with bacon will work. I have heard that around most any dock or in the hardwoods you can find crawdads. They will also go for big plastic offerings such as Zoom red shad brush hogs. Just have a dip net handy to place under the crawdad while it is still in the water. They will hang on pretty good, but they are not likely to stay on the bait once it is removed from the water.

The white bass and crappie species no longer exist in adequate numbers in Falcon Lake to constitute a fishery. Factors contributing to their demise include illegal netting, loss of spawning habitat, and pressure from stocking of 4mm Stripers in the 90s and early in the new millennium. Stripers have also been substantially reduced in numbers by virtue of large quantities of these fish being taken in Mexican nets. Fishermen throwing cast nets for shad report catching a lot of new class blacks, crappie, and even some white bass fry, so it appears that the spawn may have at least enabled some of these species to make a partial recovery. It probably will not be possible to determine the level of success until we see birds working schools of shad with white bass feeding underneath. That will indeed be a wonderful sight that has been absent at Falcon for many years. With TPW's help we were able to transfer 174 large whites from Choke Canyon to Falcon, and if each sow were to lay the 900,000 eggs they tell us is the high potential, well, we could see a new beginning for white bass on Falcon. Especially with the cover they are afforded at this level.

The good news is that launching at Falcon is not a problem at this level and hazards are greatly reduced also. The State Park and Zapata County Ramps are both working, as are most of the lodge and RV park ramps including Beacon Lodge, Oso Blanco, Red wood, Lakefront Lodge, 4 Seasons, and Sunset Villa. They have reopened the ramp at El Tigre Island to the public for a $3/person fee. This is a great place to put in when the blow is on. Last report was that the San Ygnacio's pay-to-launch ramp is working only for small boats. It is recommended you call and check before planning a trip to San Ygnacio. Launching below the dam on the Río Grande is possible at both the Salineño and Chapeño access points. However, fishing has been reported as poor in both these areas for several weeks. Gar were sighted spawning in large numbers over the weekend in the veleno area.

Remember that half or more 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.

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 with pics to show the color patterns, 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 . New items are continuously including the new El Salto Tilapia spinnerbait that incorporates a twist instead of an R-bend on the wire, especially for Mexico big bass with bad attitudes. We also have their new creature bait in several colors that is fresh off a win in the Angler's Choice Tournament. We have just added the Texas Smoke Houdini Shad bait that has been hot at Choke Canyon according to guide Jim Symcox. To post your Falcon fishing reports and view boats for sale, or to enter a free listing of a boat you have for sale, visit our second website at www.falconlake.com.

 

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