The lake is still producing incredible sacks as seen in the past few tournaments it has taken up to and over thirty pounds a day to win. It isn't just a grass bite, as always there are several patterns working.
Amistad is on a slow rise about a foot over the past few weeks. The water temps are in the mid 70's early and up to low 80's late.
I have been fishing several ways and in some over looked areas to get away from the boats. These bass aren't used to being this popular and the pressure has been noticed in some of the "community holes". Droppin' is still a great way to catch some of the better fish 1 1/2 oz Tru-Tungsten rigged with a Reaction innovations Sweet Beaver fished through the grass in the center of drains 23 to 25 feet. Where you can find the grass that deep it holds the right sized ones. Cranking a dd22 or a 1oz spinner slow rolled over grass or brushy flats 15 to 20 feet can be interesting as well. Flipping the deeper bushes with a 3/4 oz Tru-Tungsten colored weight rigged with a beaver will catch plenty. And as always this time of year top water in the backs of bays and major creeks will get plenty of action.
I haven't talked much about my history here, but I have lived in Del Rio all my life and started fishing Amistad in the late 70's and have averaged 200 plus days a year on the lake ever since. I Started guiding with the required Coast Guard Capitains license and registered with the National Park Service full time in the Spring of 1993. I have fished the lake at several different levels with and without hydrilla. The hydrilla has made this lake what it is today. It wasn't the lake coming up a few years ago that did it because we have been catching these kinds of fish for about ten years even when the lake was 60 feet low. The publicity from all the pro tournaments has gotten the lake on the map. I have payed my dues guiding (starving some years) and it has paid off.

Thanks,
Ray Hanselman

ray, as usual thanks for the report!! hope you stay busy all winter!! bill in fredericksburg.

It won't be long until my dad and I are back in the boat with you, Ray.

Would like to hone my skills a tad and hopefully compete out there.

Ray,
My name is Mike Petrovic and I won a free 1 day guide trip with you in a tournament. I was wondering what your e-mail is or phone # so we can talk.

Thanks

Ray Hanselman
reelnray.com
reelnray@hotmail.com
(830)317-9942

Thank you Ray, I will call you.

Ray,

I don't like to fish for trash fish (AKA Largmouth bass) but I would like to go after some striper. Do you do any striper fishing?

JT