May 26, 2011
I can detect some serious changes in patterns taking place now out on Lake Amistad. The morning and evening bites are definitely the best times to be out fishing on the lake. Water temps have moved up into the high 70’s and the lake level continues to drop slowly but steadily and is approx. 1115 ft above sea level. Anglers are dealing with lots of suspended fish during the mid-day hours and that is making for a tough bite when the sun is high overhead. When we have the pleasure of decent cloud cover it makes all the difference in the world as fish are staying more active and feed heavily until the sun pops through the clouds again.
Current Patterns -
Shallow: Swimbaits and topwaters continue to dominate in the early mornings and evenings in the shallow water where there is bait fish present. When cloud cover extends through the day so does the heavy feeding period of the bass. If you find the fish are non-responsive to swimbaits and topwaters don’t give up on an area that has produced for you. Try some different techniques with bottom bouncing lures. I have had very good success some days with small finesse baits such as 7 inch worms and 5 inch Hatch-Match sticks on the shallow water flats.
Mid-Depth: Find some grass in 10-20 feet and it will be an area fish will move to as the sun gets high in the sky. Good fishing results from crankbaits, Carolina rigged plastics and jigs have been coming from this depth zone. Many of these fish are eating smaller lures on the sunny high pressure days, so be sure to downsize if you are struggling to get bites.
Deep: The deep bite is becoming more active but mostly from smaller bass. Drop-shotting and Carolina rigging has been productive and will continue to be for the summer months. Currently the best structure and depth for the deep bite has been on points and channel ledges in 25-40 feet of water.
Fishing Forecast Tip: Begin looking with your electronics for grass in deep water (20-30ft) that is growing 4-6 feet high off the bottom. Typically by the first part of June you can begin to flip concentrated sub-surface matted grass to load the boat quickly.
Tight Lines, Kurt Dove
