June 28, 2012
I have been back fishing Lake Amistad for 10 days since returning from my last tournament, the BASS Northern Open on the James River. I had a fair finish there of 46th of 150 anglers. Lake Amistad continues to fish pretty good even though we have had air temps in the 100’s over the past week. Fish are in summer patterns but seem to be much more shallow than usual for this time of year. Lake Amistad water temps are in the low 80’s. The Lake level has been holding steady at 1092 for several weeks.
Current Patterns -
Shallow: The Hydrilla is still holding lots of bass. Early morning topwaters that walk-the-dog are effective as well as hollow belly swimbaits. If you get lucky to get some clouds and wind then the spinnerbait bite is also very effective. Depths of 1-8 feet are best when utilizing these techniques. Shouldn’t be long until we get a good grass punching bite going as there are areas of the lake were the grass is getting 5-6 feet tall off the bottom in about 10 feet of water. The El Grande Sapo (frog) bite is still effective as well in areas where pondweed is beginning to grow to the surface.
Mid-Depth: A 1/2oz football jig in brown/purple, Carolina rigged and Texas rig plastics continues to produce in the 10-20 foot depth zone. Look for quick drops nearby and fish the tops of the ledges.
Deep: The deep bite seems to be struggling for me. I have been unable to find any good concentrations of fish in more than 20 feet of water. I see so much bait scattered and suspended in the 10-20 foot zone that I think most bass are staying in that zone and shallower. This could change as water temps continue to warm into the mid-high 80’s in mid July and Aug.
See you out at the Lake!
Kurt
