Falcon fable continues

Stren Series Texas Division competition under way

ZAPATA, Texas – Last January, the Stren Series Texas Division put Falcon Lake on the map as Jeremy Guidry set the four-day FLW Outdoors weight record of 110 pounds, 2 ounces. Then at the Walmart FLW Series East-West Fish-Off on Falcon in November, Greg Hackney set the single-day weight record with 39 pounds, 8 ounces. What does the legendary Rio Grande River reservoir have in store this time?

Outside of the fishery itself, excitement is in the air as the 2009 tournament season is officially under way. In addition to the Stren Series, the National Guard FLW College Fishing circuit will hold its inaugural qualifying event here on Saturday. Both circuits are boasting full fields: 200 boats in the Stren event and 40 teams in the college tournament. The enthusiasm is palpable, but not everyone will leave Zapata with memories of 10-pound bass.

According to the anglers, Texas’ second-largest lake is fishing somewhat differently from the last time the Stren Series visited. The water level is considerably higher thanks to September rains that flushed down the Rio Grande and eventually reached Falcon. When the water rises on a huge lake like Falcon, a bass’ world changes completely as thousands of acres of new cover are available for exploration. In other words, more water means more room for the fabled giants to scatter.

The tournament will still be a power-fishing extravaganza, as was proved at the Fish-Off, but hefty limits won’t be seen across the board. Instead, some anglers will struggle while others sack 20-pound limits with ease. In November, the fish were ganged up on specific deep-water structure. In this event, anglers will likely have the option of burning reaction baits on the bank or probing deep structure with jigs and big worms.

Sam Rayburn ace Dicky Newberry said he’s getting more quality bites this year than at the same time last year.

“I’m not getting as many overall, but the bites I’m getting are impressive,” he said. “There also seems to be more variation in the depth. I’m getting bit in 2 feet as well as 20 feet. Personally, I don’t think deep structure is going to hold up for three days. They’re in transition now, and I think it will be won in 10 to 15 feet of water.”

Those that choose to fish shallow might be targeting spawning bass, but sight-fishing opportunities are few. Falcon’s dark tint makes spotting beds difficult, if not impossible. But in the way-back creek pockets, the water is much clearer. Pro John Bowen of League City, Texas, has located a few bedding bass in depths of 6 to 8 feet.

“I think the fish are just now starting to come to the bank,” said Bowen. “In the backs of pockets the water temperature is 64 to 66 degrees, while the main lake is still 60 to 62.

“I think you’ll see sacks as big as last year, but not as many of them. The right bush can make you happy in a heartbeat – whether that’s in 2 feet of water or 25 feet.”

Logistics

Anglers will take off from the Zapata County Boat Ramp located at 1 County Road in Zapata, at 7:30 each morning. Thursday and Friday’s weigh-ins will be held at the public ramp beginning at 3 p.m. Saturday’s weigh-in will be held at the Zapata County Community Center located at 601 N. U.S. Hwy. 83 in Zapata, beginning at 4 p.m. The college weigh-in will take place at 3 p.m. Saturday at the public ramp. Takeoffs and weigh-ins are free and open to the public.

The full field competes on days one and two with the top 10 pros and 10 co-anglers advancing to day three based on their two-day accumulated weight. Winners are determined by the heaviest accumulated weight from all three days.

Pros will fish for a top award of $25,000 plus a 198VX Ranger powered by an Evinrude or Yamaha outboard and equipped with a Minn Kota trolling motor and Lowrance electronics if Ranger Cup guidelines are met. Co-anglers will cast for a top award of a 177TR Ranger powered by an Evinrude or Yamaha outboard and trailer. If the co-angler meets the Ranger Cup guidelines, they will earn an additional $5,000.

Competitors will also be vying for valuable points that could earn them a trip to the Stren Series Championship on Pickwick Lake in Florence, Ala., Nov. 5-7 for a shot at $150,000 in the Pro Division and $60,000 in the Co-angler Division. The highest-finishing pro and co-angler from each of the five Stren divisions at the championship will also qualify for the 2010 Forrest Wood Cup, where anglers will compete for the $1 million grand prize – the most lucrative award in bass fishing.

On the Web

For those who can’t catch the weigh-in action in person, FLWOutdoors.com offers FLW Live, a free online application that brings fans real-time weigh-in results, streaming video and audio.

Thursday’s conditions

Sunrise: 7:28 a.m.

Temperature at takeoff: 54 degrees

Expected high temperature: 64 degrees

Water temperature: 60-64 degrees

Wind: ENE at 11 mph

Maximum humidity: 66 percent

Day’s outlook: mostly cloudy