Lake Amistad
by Jeff Bruhl
Clear Water Fishing
Del Rio, Texas is located near the Mexico border. Lake Amistad is
a border lake near the west Texas border town. Clear water, points,
scenic bluffs, and grass beds are found in abundance on Lake Amistad.
The lake is loaded with bass. A day on the water yields easy limits
on just about any technique or bait. The remote location keeps the
pressure down and the fishing great. A few tips make a trip to the
border beauty a memorable one.
The dam which created the lake was completed in 1969. Amistad is derived
from the Spanish word meaning friendship. The lake project was a cooperative
effort between the United States and Mexico. The lake totals about
89,000 acres of water. Located on Highway 90 about two hours west of
San Antonio, the lake presents many recreational opportunities for
boaters, anglers, skiers, and ecotourist. Before the lake was flooded,
the area had numerous Native American sites. Caves, rock art, and other
reminders from past generations are abundant above and below the lakes
surface. The best news for vacation anglers is the fishing is great.
Lake Amistad is loaded with bass. The size limit is 14 inches which
are very plentiful. Average five fish stringers range about 15 pounds
with 30 pound stringers coming during the spawning months. Spotted,
small, and black bass are found in the lake with black bass being the
most common. Bass inhabit grass, submerged trees, rocks, and bluffs.
Anglers use any number of techniques from topwater to drop shot for
filling a limit. Unless spoiled by heavy rain, the lake is very clear.
Wind can hinder or help some anglers depending on hot spot and tactic.
Spring and fall are great months to visit the lake and avoid the humid
west Texas summer. The chance for trophy bass matched with a great
stock of 14 inch fish makes Amistad a great getaway.
Ray Hanselman, a local guide (830-774-1857), spends many days on the
clear water lake. He employs techniques like drop shot, heavy grass
jigs, and topwater plugs to catch 50 to 100 bass a day. The drop shot
rig is recommended by the guide for numbers. Large spook type baits
catch big fish when the conditions are right. Heavy one ounce weights
with craw tubes or Sweet Beavers punched through the grass on brighter
days are another big fish modus operandi. Perch colored crankbaits
is another option for fishing the tops of the grassbeds.
“A drop shot rig with a 3/8 ounce weight about two feet below
the hook is a year round tactic for Lake Amistad” begins Ray,
a B.A.S.S. competitor. “If the sun is out, punch the grass beds
with a Texas rig or crank a big Norman DD22 or DD14 over the top.”
Techniques and
tactics are as copious as the cover and structure found in the lake.
Sunny days
or cloudy days provide possibilities from everything
for a topwater bite to Carolina rigs in the grass. The must learn technique
for Lake Amistad is the drop shot. Thirty to forty keepers a day find
their way into the boat when a drop shot is used. Colors like watermelon
red or green pumpkin are great choice over the grass. Topwater baits
like big spooks, Nip-i-diddees, and Frenzy Poppers find big fish early
in the day along points and flooded trees. Carolina rigs over the numerous
grass beds are another alternative for 15 pound stringers. Crankbaits
are great for covering an area quickly. Change baits depending on the
depth of the top of the grass beds. DD22 and Fat Free Shad baits dive
about 15 to 18 feet. As water levels fall in the lake, switch to a
crankbait that dives around ten to twelve feet. Grass jigs and heavy
Texas rigged plastics punch through the grass to find fish hiding from
the sun. Western style spinnerbaits like Falcon Big Eyez™ are
the ticket around points with flood trees. Watch your electronics,
pay attention to the drop offs and grass, and adjust the technique
to present condition.
“Many times the place to fish is on the edge of the grassbed” adds
Ray. “Fishing along the edge of a grass bed in 20 feet of water
with a drop shot produces plenty of action.”
Structure
goes hand in hand with the cover. Flooded trees and bushes on wind
blown points, grass on ledges, and rocks around bluffs hold
fish. Flats 
with abundant grass hold schools of fish. Bright sun might
drive the fish into the submerged trees around points. Humps and ledges
in the 20 to 30 feet depth range may be the ticket to a quick limit.
Structure on Lake Amistad is as plentiful as the cover and fish.
“Grass, trees, brush, and other cover hold bass” continues
Ray. “Find something that will fish through or around the cover
for lots of strikes. It is a great lake for big fish and numbers.”
Fishing is often about choice. Amistad presents many choices. From
topwater to drop shot and grass beds to tree tops, Lake Amistad is
loaded with bass, fun to fish, and offers a great vacation spot. Be
sure to add some Berkley Vanish or Transition to the mix to match the
clear water. Add a great rod and a few baits and the angle is ready
to tackle the southwest Texas honey hole.
Note: Anglers need to do some research on the lake to make sure all
the license and insurance are current. Since some water on the lake
is in Mexico, Mexican fishing licenses, boat permits, and insurance
are strongly recommended. It may be a good idea to get some Mexican
boat insurance. Daily lake permits are required to launch watercraft.
Be prepared.
Ray’s Guide
Service
830-774-1857
reelnray@delrio.com
Other sites: www.AmistadLake.com
About the author: Jeff Bruhl is a member of the Louisiana Outdoors Writer Association, pro angler, and a pharmacist. His website, www.marshbass.com, covers freshwater fishing across Louisiana and the gulf coast. Each Saturday morning between 5-7 am CST, a bass fishing report can be heard on the Outdoors with Don Dubuc Radio Show (www.dontheoutdoorsguy.com) on 870 AM from the New Orleans station. Jeff has made numerous television and radio appearances on shows like Paradise Louisiana, The Big Fish, and ABC26.com. From tips on youtube.com to weekly reports on his website, his articles and reports provide tips and tactics for bass anglers in the sportsman paradise. Jeff’s sponsors include Abu Garcia, Xpoint hooks, Bud Light, Louisiana Fish Fry Products, Power Pole, Stanley Jigs and Spinnerbaits, Skeeter, Dockside Marine, Rat-L-Trap, and Berkley. For more information about fishing in Louisiana, drop Jeff an email at jeff@marshbass.com.
