I asked in the lounge, but figured i'd ask here too...

[mixermarkb]

What texas lake?


Ok guys-

I'm thinking about a late winter/early spring trip to Texas in search of big bass. Not sure if I'm looking for a double digit fish or not, more looking for a trip filled with a good number of 4-6 pound fish. I am from Missouri, and fish a lot of the clearer water ozark highland type lakes, so my strenghs are more towards deep water jig fishing. I'm not opposed to the idea of a guide for a day, and really don't care how far the drive is. If you had one lake to fish for a trip of a lifetime with a couple buddies, what would it be??

Fork?

Amistad?

Choke canyon?

[06champ198]

I am from Kansas City and make the trip to Lake Fork every year around mid March. The weather can be finicky but we always catch some really big fish. I usually catch fish around 5 to 7 pound range. I usually catch at least a couple of fish around 8 to 9 pounds and have had a guy on our trip catch a 12 pounder and a couple of 10's. It is usually good for some big fish but sometimes the bite and the weather work against you. When you get a bite that time of year its usually a good one. Getting a guide for a day is a good idea then you can take your boat out with your buddies. It can be a pain to run but once you figure out the channel marker its a breeze.

Since I have only fished Lake Fork that would be my vote.

[mixermarkb]

I'm kinda leaning away from fork. It seems like it gets SOO much pressure, I really am not into fighting the crowds... kinda wondering where the texas locals would go.

[jaybee193]

Choke.......

[schillster1]

I live in Texas. Go south for sure! Hit Choke Canyon and Falcon. That's it! If the fish are moving up, you'll have a blast. You can catch them on Falcon in the bushes and it's a rush! I"m telling you now, don't mess around. XH 7'6" rod, 85 lb. braid and flip your favorite bait in the dead, center of every bush! Choke will also be on fire. That's the two lakes I would consider. Let us know!

[schillster1]

Forget Fork. I live just over an hour away from Fork. It is such a hit or miss. Yes, I have incredible days on the lake, but one weekend we'll kill them and the next we'll be lucky to catch 4 or 5. The weather really effects the fish on Fork

[pmgoffjr]

Falcon #1 Choke Canyon #2 Amistad #3.

All will more than fill your request.

[getfished]

You might want to do a little research on Lake Alan Henry. I went there once about 5 yrs. ago. It's a very clearwater, canyon/highland type of lake. It is not real large so you don't burn tons of gas. The fish are plenty large and plentiful. For my one time there the only negative I experienced was that it is the only lake in the area. If you do some research on this lake you might be surprised. I would go again.

[PlanoCooter]

If you don't want to drive all the way down south, give O.H. Ivie a shot. Lots of 4-6lb'ers and quite a few double digit fish comeing out of it.

[mixermarkb]

what are the "normal" lake temps at falcon/choke/amistad in say mid-late feb??


just kind of wondering what the bass are supposed to be doing that time of year, I know weather will be hit or miss, just kinda looking for basic info..

[pmgoffjr]

Falcon will be mostly high 70's to 80 degrees, choke and amistad a little cooler. Sometimes a front will blow through for a day or two and cool off, but back to that in no more than three days.

[ChampioNman]

Geez no love for Big Sam, the bend or Belton and Stillhouse??

[stogie]

I think the new state record will come from Choke as it had the most Sharelunkers last year.

I will be spending most of my winter on Choke but Falcon is not a bad choice either.

I used to fish Fork but all the boats and pressure has run me off.

[pmgoffjr]

Any tournament, any time on any one of those three lakes takes a MINIMUM of a 6 lb average to win. I've seen plenty of 40 lb stringers not win first place on Falcon. (5 fish of course)

[ChampioNman]

<TABLE WIDTH="90%" CELLSPACING=0 CELLPADDING=0 ALIGN=CENTER><TR><TD>Quote, originally posted by pmgoffjr &raquo;</TD></TR><TR><TD CLASS="quote">Any tournament, any time on any one of those three lakes takes a MINIMUM of a 6 lb average to win. I've seen plenty of 40 lb stringers not win first place on Falcon. (5 fish of course)

</TD></TR></TABLE>

Hummm, Somebody had a lame excuse about a sick partner and missing a post about the B'Fast place. Said person has also forgot to look for ugh said Team Champion decals that have been in the shop and promised for like uggghh 8 years???

Don't make me put Skip on your Azz!! u

[pmgoffjr]

Let's not do that....

If I ever lay eyes on those stickers again, I'll send them.

[Fish Hook]

I caught a 11.06 three weeks ago and had 34.92 lbs for 5 fish. I caught all of them before 8:30am fishing a hump at Falcon. It was a local club tournament.

I would go to Falcon and stay.

If you want to really have a great trip do the south by southwest trifecta (Choke, Falcon, Amistad) all in the same trip. I did that this year by starting with the Stren Tournament on Amistad than moved to Falcon and finished the trip at Choke. What a trip and we caught fish on all three. Came back to Austin with sore ribs and had to wait a while before going again.

If you need cheap and some what clean places to stay at any of the three let me know. I fish in a local club here in Austin and we know all of the best and cheap places to stay. Save money on the room and use it for gas.

If you need a guide let me know and I can hook you up with the best on each of their own lakes. Or call me and I can give you a current update.

512 496-5830 Allen

Oh by the way a Champion 181 will not hold a 35 pound limit!

[jimham82]

Falcon, absolutely. But the drive down there from the Fork area will long.

If you go to Fork for the big ones and run into bad wather, you can fish the power plant lakes in east Texas and catch a ton of bass. You might top out with 6 pounders as big fish, but you will be able to catch 30-50 fish a day. Those lakes are Monticello, Welsh, Brandy Branch and Fairfield (Fairfield has reds stocked).

[pmgoffjr]

Whatever you do with your life...at least once get on the deal at Falcon.

They are the meanest, most vicious fish you've ever hooked. EVER. You'll hook some that will flat drag you down, no matter what you're fishing with.

And dinner at Las Milpas is worth the trip.

Go, be there, there's nothing else like it in this country. NOTHING.

[mixermarkb]

Ya, I'm thinking a couple days on falcon and a couple days on amistad. I still think fork will be too much pressure and too many boats on the best areas for a newbie from up north to get on the fish... If I'm gonna drive may as well do the full meal deal.