Attn. Texas Fisherman

[stevomac59]

Hey guys... I am trying to plan my next fishing trip; I would like to know your opinions of these lakes: medina, brauning, choke canyon, findley, averhoff, calaveras, and/or canyon.


Thanks guys,


-stevo

[texasbasser]

Alright man, Ive fished every one of these lakes except averhoff and findley. Done good at sometime or another at each on of these, but my favorite has to be Canyon (On this list of course). Braunig is chocolate milk, No good shore fishing at all, if this is your case. I believe Amistad isnt that far of a drive from Laredo. That, IMO is one of the best lakes in the US. If you are stuck on land, there are many places to fish, you can pretty much walk around the whole lake, and feel like your miles from anywhere. If you have a boat, you are in. Best bass fishing in the country. Of course, this means right day... as in not right after a front, etc. About now I would use a dropshot rig between 10- 25 feet of water.


Good Luck!

TB

[stevomac59]

thanks TXbasser. I do have a boat, where is amistad?

[Lancer6]

Steveo,

Read and heed.

http://bbcboards.zeroforum.com/zerothread?id=258299

As for the others; IF you want to fish Canyon and need a free "guide" AND it's on a weekday AND you can launch EARLY I'll try to be available. That's if you don't know the lake, of course. Canyon is not a big fish lake in general, but you have a chance at some numbers and there are smallmouths to be fought. By midday, even during the week when school's out, it's madhouse although gas prices have slowed things a bit.
Choke is a big fish lake as compared to Medina and Canyon but gets VERY "Tall" when the wind is up. At least you'll see 'gators.
Medina is an ancient lake, past it's prime and, as usual, low and dropping further since it irrigates the farms in the Medina Valley. There are some real hairballs that lurk...meth heads abound...and it's best to launch at Red Cove and leave nothing of value in your vehicle.
Medina can produce some bass and some are smallies.
Averhoff? I know nothing. No personal experience. Findley ditto. Neither are listed in the Reports section at the TPWD site.
If I can help in any way, I'll do so. If we do chat re Canyon you'll need a map at hand when we do so buy one if you can before we communicate. The new ones have GPS data.

L6

[texasbasser]

Stevo:

Heres what I dug up from Google Maps. Its a little over 3 hours from you, but if you are willing to go to San Antonio, its about the same distance, if not less.

177 mi – about 3 hours 15 mins

Go to Google Maps, and enter Laredo, to Del Rio. It will give you directions.

PS: Lancer,
I go to canyon about every other week. We need to fish!


TB

[stevomac59]

thanks L6 and TXbasser; we should fish a lake together sometime..perhaps a little tourny???? lol

-stevo

[texasbasser]

Post a report wherever you choose to go when you come back.

And sure, Im up for it!

TB

[Nitro911]

Hey Stevo, I just stumbled across this thread, hope it isn't too late. Scratch Braunig, Calaveras, and Medina off of your list. The first 2 are power plant lakes and they have introduced covina and reds to the point that they have all but destroyed the bass population. Medina is, well, Medina. If you want to jump from cliffs and drink beer and run around on a jet flea, then go there. If you want to fish, avoid it.

Choke Canyon is a great place to fish. I will be there starting Thursday and fish through the weekend. It is the lake that I know best of your list, and it would be my choice of that list. You will not have much pleasure boat traffic because of the alligators and the fact that they didn't clear much of the lake before flooding it. There are stumps everywhere. Most aren't a boating hazard, but you wouldn't want to fall off of your skis and hit one...

I fish Canyon a couple of times a year. It is a great lake in that it is close to town, but I try to avoid it once the weather warms, because it is full of sailboats, big yachts, and jet skis.

Amistad wasn't on your list, but it should be. Texasbasser mentioned it above. It would be my first choice if you are looking to try a new lake. I fished a tournament there last month. We caught fish all day long, and weighed in just under 21 pounds for 5 fish. We got third with that...it took over 26 pounds to win it. Five fish, 26 pounds...yes, the average fish they weighed in was was over 5 pounds. And they didn't have the big bass. And this was during the hot months! I love that lake.

Despite the fact that it is also part of the Rio Grande, it is NOTHING like Falcon. The water is crystal clear. You can make out fish on the bottom in 15 feet of water. The place is absolutely beautiful.

If you choose Choke or Amistad, send me a PM and I will point you in the right direction at either place.

Steve

[madcow]

Guys Averhoff is not to good. Its in the middle of no where between like La Pryor and Crystal city. You drive down a road and IF you get lucky youll find the right ranch road to take a left at. You drive down a calice road for about 3 minutes to find a little lake river community. The parking lot is like three cars deep. Make a nice little trip in to the boat ramp that is about 7 degrees from bieng straight up a wall. The water is always low and lower than the stocks this summer. The river is dirty. I used a flat bottom there three times this summer and Id even wash that bad boy. The bass arent the biggest , the crappie are ok but NO way .. .AMISTAD by far. you will not regret it.

[Rebbasser]

Still haven't made it to Amistad, but I have to agree with Nitro-I LOVE Choke.

[Nitro911]

Just say when Reb...I even have the dinner spot that will make your new bride want to return often! My wife insists that we eat there every time we go.

[Wishing2BFishing]

I wish we had an Amistad in Pennsylvania.