May 12, 2011
The fish are eating everything! Whatever type of fishing you like to do now is the time to do it. Lake Amistad has been on fire over the last couple weeks. The number of fish catches in a day often exceeds 50+ fish. Topwaters, rattle traps, crankbaits, jerkbaits, Texas rigs, Carolina rigs and swimbaits are all very effective. I continue to notice lots of fry in the lake suspended in the water column and many fish are in the same areas. The big bite has been somewhat elusive for me although in the past week we have caught several fish over 5lbs. I anticipate the big girls to start showing up in better numbers soon as the grass continues to grow and more concentrations of fish utilize it. The fish activity level should remain high and consistent through the latter part of June. The lake received some rainfall this past week although the lake elevation has been steadily declining and is approx. 1116 ft above sea level. Water temps remain in the mid 70’s.
Current Patterns -
Shallow: Bigger fish still eat the swimbait in the shallows. Many bream are beginning to spawn and some of the large fish are being opportunistic. Topwater strikes are vicious and I am concentrating on flats out to 10 ft with submerged trees. The Ima Rock-N-Vibe rattle bait has produces lots of fish with one going well over 7lbs this past week. I like to fan cast this lure around the flats after covering them with the topwater lures.
Mid-Depth: Find some grass in 10-20 feet and it will be absolutely loaded with fish. I have been casting deep jerkbaits and crankbaits around this cover to generate lots of strikes. I have also been throwing the El Grande lures Hatch-Match stick on a shaky head to overcome some of the angling pressure these fish have seen.
Deep: This is starting to become a more predictable depth zone since the spawn is now complete. Some bass have moved to the deep water again and I have targeted them with Carolina rigs, Texas rigs and the reliable drop-shot technique. This depth zone will continue to produce through the summer months. Anglers should begin to look for river ledges that bass typically stack up on to target the better quality fish.
See you on the Lake,
Kurt
