This year I decided to try Falcon Lake in south Texas on the Mexican border. Its a reservoir on the Rio Grande river. It was made famous in 2008 when Paul Elias, a BASS elite angler, broke the all time 4 day weight record at over 132 lbs. Thats a 7 lb average. I decided to do after reading about the lake record being broken by Texas guide Tommy Law, his fish weighed 15.6 lbs. I called him and my brother and I booked a three day trip for mid March.
There are no direct flights into Laredo Texas, the closest city with an airport to Zapata TX, which is the only city on Lake Falcon. We had to board three different planes then rent a car and drive an hour to Falcon. It was all worth it. My first fish went 6 lbs and I followed that with a 10.11 lb giant in the first half hour of our trip.
The winds kicked up and it blew for the next three days. I am quite familiar with wind fishing on Erie, but largemouth fishing is way more spot oriented and it was very difficult fishing the main lake spots that Tommy wanted to target. We ended up fishing in coves trying to get out of the heavy winds. We caught alot of fish, 20-30fish a day with many pushing 8 lbs. One day we got on an amazing crankbait bite hooking about a ten fish to 8 lbs.
On our last day, Tommy took us into the Rio Grande river, we fished some of the protected coves trying to hide from the forecast 20-30 mph winds. The fishing was slow, he took us to many of his best spots with only 2-4 lb fish caught. The coves were starting to develop an algae bloom and soon the lines on our reels were turning green. He had me crank this one spot that he had done well on a few days earlier. I lost three crankbaits in a row on it. I felt like a moron, but I swear I know how to fish crankbaits, the lures would snag instantly before I even touch bottom. I asked him if there was a tree on the spot and he said no, only rocks. He laughed at me and threw one up there himself only to have it snagged. We left the spot only hooking one fish about 3 lbs. We came back later, I tried to redeem myself and lost another crankbait. My brother also snagged his texas rigged fluke. I asked Tommy to go up on the spot to get our baits back and sure enough, the Mexican fisherman had strung a gill neck right across the mouth of the small cove. I only got one crankbait back and we high tailed it out of there before someone saw us messing with the net. I dont know if any of you know about Falcon lake, but there has been some negative news surrounding it for the last few years. That part of Mexico is pretty much run by drug lords and they have been known to pirate the odd bass fisherman as well as murder a jet skier last year. Things have been quiet there after President Obama sent 1200 national guard troops to help patrol the border. However, once you enter into Mexican waters, you are on your own. Tommy has been fishing it since 71 and has never had any problems. We didnt the whole time we were there.
The last day was pretty slow so he kept us out a bit longer, trying to get my brother a big bite. I asked if he had a hail Mary spot, he said he did and took us there. My brother hooked a big fish on a t-rigged Zoom Speed worm but it jumped a good foot or so out of the water and spit the hook. We probably caught 9 fish out of that spot up to 6 lbs.
Before we went in, we stoped at a shallow ridge with small gravel and trees on it. He said it was a trememdous spawning spot. I hooked a 4 lber right away and my brother lost another. I then hooked a really big fish which boiled the surface and shook off. Tommy said it was huge...I wasnt so sure. I threw right back in there and hooked another fish with tremendous strength. Thank god I have musky fishing background because I knew I had to be careful with this one. I free spooled when she wanted to run, my drag was clamped all the way shut and she would have either broken my 25 lb fluoro or straightened my 6/0 superline Gammy. After a lengthy battle of back and forth, Tommy lipped my new personal best, an huge 11.8 lber!
What a way to end a trip. I cant wait to go back, he says April and May are his favourite times because most fish are post spawn and on main lake structure. Cranking and carolina rigging usually end up with big numbers and big average sizes. I plan on going back bi annually. This place is heaven on earth for largemouth fisherman. Its definately on its way up to peak, Tommy says once the reservoir receeds 12 or 15 feet, the fishing is going to be out of this world. I think it is already there.
If you plan on going, give Tommy a call, his guides service is called OutLaw Guide service on Falcon Lake, 325-439-6045. Bring extra heavy gear, these fish are nothing like our northern fish, they are big and mean.
