New Destination 2021

[Ketchup]

Planning my 2021 Texas fishing trip, and trying to decide on what lake to fish. Those i can rule out as i have fished are: Texoma, Lewisville, Fork, Ray Roberts. 
 

Im thinking either Amistad or Rayburn. Read some good stuff about Caddo, especially the scenery. 
 

Any of you guys been to those, or maybe another suggestion? My goals are to fish for big bass. Roughly a 4 to 7 day trip. 

[Quillback]

I have always wanted to fish Rayburn, I haven't fished any lakes in Texas, but if I could choose one it would be Rayburn.  

Last February on the Texas Team trail tourney, the winners had 5 for 49 lbs. and change.  Now that was an exceptional bag, but something like the top 45 teams had 15 lbs. or better.  

[Dutch]

Isn’t Falcon supposed to have some really big bass?

[Flysmallie]

16 minutes ago, Dutch said:

Isn’t Falcon supposed to have some really big bass?

It does. That would be my choice over the others. Pretty rough area around there though. If you feel brave you can slip across the border and fish Cuchillo. 

[Basfis]

The border is rough. Amistad or falcon. Big weights come with elevated lake levels there. I’d let that factor into the decision. 
 

Rayburn does seem to show off on televised tournaments. 

[Devan S.]

I believe the US/Mex border is closed to non-essential travel or at least was. Not sure how that will/would play into it. I am also not sure how to technicality of crossing the border on the lake is handled. 

As others have said the border can be a rough area. Coahuila-where Amistad is located is generally safer than Tamaulipas-where Falcon is located. Although Falcon is a more rural area which is generally safer than say Reynosa or NL. 

If it were me, I'd probably pick Amistad. Purely based on the safety, location of Del Rio(which has an airport if you care),  and the amount of the lake that stays in the US. 

I've been to Amistad 2 times while travelling for work(I'm in that area 3-4 times per/year). Both times were to explore in some down time and eat at Cripple Creek steakhouse on US-90. I keep saying that in the future I will take a pole and bank fish but I haven't yet. 

I will say this, If you you go and drive, once you leave San Antonio either South or West have a full tank of gas and be prepared for many miles between functional towns. If you intend to drive this leg after dark be prepared for massive amounts of deer along the road.  

 

[Ham]

Rayburn gets BIG waves when there is a wind from the Northwest. Scary Big. It has been fishing well of late. Toledo Bend should be on your list as well. Caddo has fun scenery and some Big fish. I love the bayou that runs into it (Big Cypress Bayou) and its backwaters, but I am not sure I would consider it a Big Fish destination trip. 

 

[Maverickpro201]

I lived in Texas west of Austin, for over 25 years, and still winter there except for this winter. Have fished most of the lakes there at one time or another. Amistad does not or has not fished well for several years now. Falcon fishes well most all the time and on either lake you do not have to fish in Mexico, nor should you with out a Good Guide that knows the areas and speaks the language. One of the most overlooked lakes is Choke Canyon. Fishes well have a chance at double digit. I have a personal best from there an 11.38lb spawned fish. As a 2nd from Sam Rayburn of 10.47lb spawned fish. Have caught 6 or 7 over 8lbs on both lakes. Wind on Rayburn out of the north as said can get real nasty, I know trust me fished that lake quite a bit. Just be prepared if the wind blows 20 to 40 mph for some real rough water, like you have not seen before. Rayburn is super low right now, as is Choke Canyon. But fishable and some areas on both lakes, the fish will be grouped up big time. If you are running your boat you will want to be real careful. End of February is usually, close to when our Spawn begins down there. Can be a week or 2 before or after, depending on the winter weather we receive. Over in East Texas there are also some other overlooked smaller lakes. Centerville has a small horseshoed shape lake that is unbeleivable. Nachadoshas area  not spelled right and others. I love the grass and really miss it. There is also lake Belton and Stillhouse they also have some real nice Smallie;s and largemouths. you want to see the weights for last year go on to Bass Champs web page. 

Good Luck

Les     

[Flysmallie]

1 hour ago, Ham said:

Rayburn gets BIG waves when there is a wind from the Northwest. Scary Big. 

When you get down south they all have big waves. Spent many days sitting in the room or finding something else to do. 

[Ham]

We were in the Five Fingers area when the wind got up. We had to cross the lake back to where we launched. We were in a 19 foot bass boat and very carefully made our way back.

I wasn’t  sure we were going to make it and I would rather not ever be in stuff that waves that big again.