Destination: Lake Amistad, TTT, Feb. 2
For those who have ever hoped to sample bass fishing Mexican-style, here is your chance. The Texas Tournament Trail is opening its season on Lake Amistad situated on the Texas-Mexico border.
The Rio Grande River, which is the border of the United States and Mexico, forms Amistad. Anglers wishing to fish the Mexico side of the impressive 67,000-acre lake will have to acquire a Mexican fishing license.
Chad Clark of Midland, Texas, says that FLW Outdoors is going to uncover a tremendous fishery when the TTT visits Amistad. “I think it will take between 28 and 30 pounds to win,” says Clark, a TTT contender. “There was a tournament there last season where it took five fish that weighed 33 pounds to win.”
By all accounts, Amistad used to be an average fishery, with 10 to 12 pounds being a respectable catch. Prolific growth of hydrilla (submergent vegetation) in the lake during the last 10 years, however, helped Amistad’s big fish population explode.
Located near Del Rio, Texas, Amistad is a deep, clear lake, reminiscent of desert impoundments. In some areas it is a hundred feet deep just 30 yards from shore. Since the water is clear, the grass grows deep; hydrilla can be found as deep as 25 feet. Shallower portions of the lake are inundated with the green submergent grass, making contours such as creek channels and humps more definable to anglers.
Clark believes Carolina rigs and big spinnerbaits will be key baits in February.
Amistad may just be one of the top three lakes in Texas along with Sam Rayburn and Toledo Bend. “Not many people have of heard of Amistad, but the TTT is going to put it on the bass-fishing map,” Clark says.
Grab your sombrero and heavy rods, it is time for some big bass action.
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