Tough, tough, tough.....

All the reports we saw before we left said it was tough. We now know they are pretty accurate. We fished the afternoon on Wednesday, all day Thursday and Friday morning. We had two boats and 5 guys. The other boat found one spot that they caught them on Thursday. They had 9 with the biggest at 9.08 and the best 5 at about 31#. That was the only spot they really ever caught them on.

Our boat caught one fish for the entire time. We lost another 4 or so. I never talked to anyone else that had more than 2 fish per day. At Falcon Lake Tackle he said one boat said they had 12 Thursday.

Friday the wind was supposed to be 10 mph. It was blowing closer to 20 mph. Everything was getting hit with the wind. The main lake was fairly big. It's no fun spearing waves in late December. It's less fun when the fishing blows. Boats wanted to be submarines. We had to ease back to the ramp. We decided to cut the trip short and head home, not fishing Saturday.

Last year they went and smoked them. A couple of 40+ plus 5 fish stringers. One day they had something like 60 over 6#and 30 over 8. One five fish stringers smallest fish was 8.73#. Everyday they caught fish. Well it's definitely not last year.

What wrong? Here is my take from being there just two days. First the extra 12 foot or so that the lake is down over last year is huge. It took alot of the real good structure out of play. You can look at the bank and see what could have been, would have been if the lake had been up 12 or 15 foot. However there is still enough structure in the water that you think they would have grouped up on it some. There doesn't seem to be alot of shad in the creeks. I think most of the fish are out on the main lake after the shad out there that are just roaming around. They are able to eat them fairly easily so they are feeding for short periods. The bass didn't seem to be relating to the stucture in the creeks at all. I never really saw many fish on the 1197. The moon was full and it was cold in the mornings. It was 31 on Thursday. Friday morning it was about 45 but felt colder. I am sure things like the amount of fished cleaned didn't help but I don't think it's a major factor. The Lake being down is the huge factor.

Was it just us? Maybe it was a little bit. But everyone we talked to said about the same thing. They were catching almost nothing. We fished south, primarily the Tigres area and north and south from there. Stayed on the Texas side.

The Falcon Report

Hopefully if you are headed down it will break out a little for you. Very frustrating for us. We fished pretty hard and no results.

The Elite Series there in March should be interesting. Last year it likely would have taken 40# a day. This year we will see.

Hey Fish, certainly not just you. You fished on the worst day I have ever seen on Falcon. (the 27th) Wish you folks better luck on future trips.


Jay

We will be back. Everything just did not line up for us this time. When one boat catches a 31# sack and you think fishing was bad that says something about how good it can be.

well put.....most only dream of a 31 lb sack.

The truth right now is fishing at Falcon is tough, tough, tough..... Talked to a friend who decided to go down and see for himself, 4 bites all day, none in the boat????? They would not really take the bait....
Fishing pressure/havesting of the fish up to double digits which I have seen over the last 2 1/2 years has taken it's toll..... If you are traveling great distances to get there, save your money....
The elite folks coming back is only going to hurt it more.... It can not take much more....

Im realy interested to see exactly how the elites do in their tournament. If they whack'em then thats going to be a sign of just how good they are.

time of year will be all the difference

Fished November- it was tough. Guide friend says December has been worse. His opinion is that the lake is on severe decline and is worried that the big time fishing is slowly becoming a thing of the past.

We got waved over by a tilapia fisherman who had a dead LMB in his nets- 16.06...that's right- 16!!! Until both sides of lake start managing, no telling what it will look like.

Headed back in 5 weeks, hope to catch some good fish.

it will get better in the next month but nothing like last year

did you weigh it? pics?

Well, I'm heading down there Friday after work to fish all day Saturday and Sunday morning. Can you at least tell me what the best depth was for the active fish, best bait, and best structure and cover? Even though I live in San Antonio, it is still a good 3 1/2 hour drive and I'd like to make the trip worthwhile and catch a few if possible.

Thanks.

id guess on rocky points in 8-15ft. im sure some fish are spawning but id be searching for the few small groups staging. id throw a dd22 and cover as much water as possible

I feel your pain Fishspanker. But I still believe in Falcon. you are so right, to be able to complain about a 30# stringer does tell eveyone how good it can be. So tough or not, I will be headed back there soon.

http://fishcatchingtravel.com/

Good Luck and Tight Lines.

Thanks Jaret. I've been searching and reading all the reports and will definitely be covering water looking for actively feeding fish. Reports all seem to be similar with regard to baits...deep cranks, jigs and drag a CR rig around rocks. I'm going to head south and fish both sides of the lake.