A great time to be on Falcon

I have been trying to get to the store for several days and let everyone know about the great fishing being experienced at Falcon right now. Every since my stroke on September 14 th that left my right side partially paralyzed, this has been an ordeal. Also, my fingers do not hit the keys like they once did and I spend more time correcting than writing, which is as frustrating as fishing without a hook.

Fishing started picking up here a few weeks before September, but hooked up big time Labor Day weekend and has continued excellent for most of those fishing just about anywhere on the lake. Some of the locals fishing around Zapata this weekend caught some good four to five-pound bass, and two clubs fishing the lower end had a bunch of 18 lb . one-day weights and an 11.2 lb . big bass. A number of 10- 12 lb . fish have been caught, weighed, and released since Labor Day.

The water was averaging about 81 degrees this weekend and a bit stained from all the rains last week. The lake level has increase to 288.91 feet as of yesterday, which is 12.29 feet low and another new high. Bass are prestaging for the spawn and are being found off main lake points as well as secondary points, with willows being an additional benefit. Work depths from 12 to 25 feet with worms, spinnerbaits, or crankbaits; basically anything that looks like a shad. Don't get discouraged if there are some small fish actively engaged in destroying your presentation. The larger fish are mixed in and will eventually give your bait the attention it deserves. Now is a great time to be on Falcon.

For those of you who have not been to Amistad recently, as a side note, the lake level has continued to increase and stood at 1104.33 feet as of the 8 th , which is 12.67 feet low. That is an increase of 5.73 feet since September 1.

If you have not done so, make your plans now to fish the OPEC Legacy Tournament. The lake will be off limits on October 18-20. Activities that week start on October 21 st and 22 nd 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) 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. We are expecting a number of folks to be fishing this week and next so stop in and say hello. We have plenty of Mexican licenses and boat permits available.

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 themed 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 .

Until next time, have a great day on the water.

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