Choke was a piece of carp long before 2013. I'm wondering if Falcon numbers are truly down 66%, or if the fish that are there are too deep for electrofishing (due to low water)? Perhaps you just haven't located the mother lode on Falcon in 60-80 feet of water?

One thing is certain, the common denominator to me is low water. Less surface acreage equals less biomass. Period. Whether that carrying capacity has been limited by low water, lack of grass, alligator gar, poor spawning recruitment of LMB, shad and bream, tournament pressure or local pressure (coolers and filet knives) or all of the above, I'm not sure. I suspect it is a combination of all.

And what in your opinion is the common denominator?

Keep believing the fish are suspended full time, even when the lake is in a full spawn. Those fish are gone bottom line... Choke, Ivie, Amistad, etc...

Carrying capacity is the key term here. You can relate it to bass, deer, anything that utilizes a particular set of food sources. No grass equals poor shad spawn which could impact bass spawn etc.

In my experience all lakes cycle in and out.

You talking to me? I don't believe they are suspended full time.

maybe you guys just aren't as good of "sticks" as you thought. kidding

Fouzman- Common denominator is low water levels. I agree on what you said about all the other factors. But if there was a way to know at this point, and there isnt. I'd say the low water is the biggest reason for the fast decline of these lakes. Once again to all those who think the majority of the bass are suspending out in the middle of nowhere. I think we will see soon enough in the next 30 days with little improvement in fishing and weights even during peak spawn, the fish are simply gone. One big concern on Amistad is improper fizzing or overfizzing the bass. I've gone in the cove with chute after a tournament and there are hundreds of dead fish all lying on their sides on the bottom. Not good! And I've fished Falcon in the warmer months where I'd be surprised if even 10% of the fish survived with lots of delayed mortality. Speculation but I think based on what facts we do have and witnessed.

Have a family fishing trip at Amistad March 27-31. Any suggestions on how to catch a few fish would be greatly appreciated.
Have only been to Amistad a few times but never in March/April
We will be fishing Devils River/Rough Canyon.
Largemouth/White/Striper/Smallmouth???
Thanks

SO the smaller the lake the worse the fishing or the bigger the lake the better the fishing?

If a lake has been the same level or slowly dropping for several years do all those bass remember that the lake is not at full pool and just hang out and wait? IF I introduce a new bass into that lake what difference does it make to him if the lake is 20' low or full pool?

I can understand rapid dropping water levels adverse effect on the fishing, but slowly dropping over the years I can not.
I think it has something to do with ice chests full of 10-14 pounders headed north out of Zapata and Three Rivers.

All I can figure is that with rapid and drastic lowering of water levels as these lakes had, left no grass and not much as far as trees and cover where the fish were used to feeding. Maybe it kills a big chunk of the bait and then the bass. Ice chests full of big females is never good but should only impact by a small fraction. The change in the fishing on these lakes was like someone flipping the switch. LBJ was fishing tough on Saturday in my opinion and yet out of 170+ teams 15 or so teams found them and weights were great for that lake.

How many 20lb bags have been caught on Amistad this yr in any sized tournament. One or two? And they were anchored by a monster kicker. That is really sad. I'm looking forward to Top 6 next week. Was there 2 yrs ago and there were tons of 20lb+ sacks and tons of limits. Lots of quality 4-5lbers. Gonna be completely the opposite this time. I'm guessing 12-13lbs a day for 3 days will get it done.

What worrys me about Amistad is if there was a kill after this last flood and the bass were deep when it occurred those fish might have stayed on the bottom and not floated. just like a fizzed bass that dies goes to the bottom. time will tell

I believe it is because I moved from San Antonio to Oklahoma in Oct 2012. I brought all the fish with me.

There is very little bait in Amistad. Big schools of perch are gone.