With all the good news I hear about Falcon, I am taking my virgin trip down in a couple of weeks, I know there is a zillion posts about Falcon already etc. however I was wondering where the best place to stay at for a first timer and what is the most recommended ramp? So far Lakeview has caught my eye..

Best Western is very good and the county ramp is where you will want to launch from.

State Park at the south end of the lake... 35 a night with air.. You take your own bedding. Boat ramp is in great shape...

State Park at the south end of the lake... 35 a night with air.. You take your own bedding. Boat ramp is in great shape...

It the Purple "T" for Tarleton? Yea Oscar P.

What exactly does take your own bedding mean?

I like Oso Blanco (I know there are a ton of people who disagree) for its overall value -- I love having the boat outside my door and a ramp on the property. If you do go to Oso make sure you get a room in the front -- highway side.

Where you launch depends on where you're going to fish. If it's really windy you might want to stay in the Tiger all day so it would be a good idea to launch at Tiger Island. The state Park, way down at the south end, would be good to fish that end. Or the Zapata County ramp to fish north and central parts of the lake.

Hope you have a blast.

I like oso. Not the nicest place but its the best value at $55 a night. Lots of fisherman stay there.

I usually stay at Oso and agree it is a good value when their ramp is usable. I stayed at Lakeview earlier this week and the rooms were very good. The rooms were $65. plus tax. That is $10.00 more than Oso but considering they are brand new rooms an beds, its not bad at all. Food in their restaurant is quite good (for Zapata). Their ramp is still in good shape but if the water keeps going down it wont be usable for long. Like JPost said, launch in the area where you intend to fish if it is windy.

I will be down there 7/8 thru 7/10. I always stay at Speedy's Beacon Lodge when fishing. Best Western when on business. Speedy's ramps are right there by the cabins and or rooms or trailers.

Stay at any of the above places and you will be fine. Just make sure you go by Falcon Lake Tackle to get the latest patterns and how the fish are biting. Usually same report: biting great or biting greater.

Oso has been great for a big group of guys. I've stayed there a few times. Nothing special or nice but when your just looking for a bed and ac, it's good.

Stayed at best western and it's nicer than oso. They boat parking can be challenging but I haven't had any problems, let them know you need boat parking. When I take the wife,it'll be best western.

I haven't stayed at the state park because I usually don't fish down there but I would.

Stayed at Beacon and would again if I needed to but it wouldn't be my first choice. Had a few spiders and bugs in my room, no big deal though.

When I'm down there I try and spend as much time on the water as possible and look at a room as a place to shower, re-rig, and sleep. Well also to drink a couple beers and share war stories.

Speedy's Beacon Lodge is the safest place on the lake for your truck/boat. Excellent ramp and close to a lot of good fishing right now. Holiday Inn Express is the nicest and most expensive $109. Sunbridge Inn and Suites is next door to HInn and has truck/boat parking in front of your room $90. Lakeview is xcross the hiway from HInn and also has truck/boat parking, recently remodeled and has the nice, new Aqua Bar and Grill. Don't know the price. Best Western is on down the road and also more than adequate and less expensive. State Park is 30 miles South of Zapata and has no dining. You'll have to go south to Rio Grande City to get food, and that will be sparse. There's also a decent motel in RGC called Falcon Heights Motel and it's cheap. Best ramps are Beacon, County Ramp and State Park.

Have fun man. It's on like kong down there and only gonna get better as the summer progresses. Lots of numbers right now and a few bigguns, but no 50 pound stringers. That should change out deep in the next few weeks, I would think.

Lakeview is $65.00 per night.

thanks for the great info guys!

Troyz, have u stayed there and, if so, was it nice? For those who don't know the place, it's the old Redwood Lodge.

Troyz, how is the parking at Lakeview with a boat?

And is the restaurant open early for breakfast and late for supper?