Fishing Reports for Lake Mateos

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Fishing Reports for Mexico:

Lake Mateos Announcements

I am proud to announce the arrival of our brand new fleet of Yamaha 60 HP motors and 56 lb thrust Motor Guide trolling motors.

Don't forget about our Sale to Lake Mateos a 4 night/3 day Lake Mateos fishing trip with a reduced price of only $1,095.00 per person (versus the normal price of $1,295.00!). This price is valid for travel from now until December 31, 2006 and must be booked by October 1, 2006.

Reports from the new 2007-2008 Season

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April 24, 2008 - Do you like top water fishing???
Water Level: 65%
Water Color: Green/Clear
Visible to: 10 feet
Depth of Fish: 10-12 feet

This Week's Best Baits & Colors:
o Spinner Bait white/chartreuse
o Worms in watermelon
o Lizard dark green/black speck
o Rico
o Rattletraps in silver & blue

Weather: High Average of 95 F Sunny/Low Average of 60 F

Notes: Boats are averaging over 100 fish per boat per day! Our last group had several fish in the 8-10 pound range! Make your reservation now so you can join in on this amazing Largemouth fishing!!!
April 7, 2008 - Get your spinnerbait ready!!!
Water Level: 60%
Water Color: Green/Clear
Visible to: 10 feet
Depth of Fish: 5-15 feet

This Week's Best Baits & Colors:
o Spinner Bait white/chartreuse
o Brush hog dark green/gold speck
o Lizard dark green/black speck
o Rico

Weather: High Average of 85 F Sunny/Low Average of 60 F

Notes: Boats are averaging over 80-100 fish per boat per day! Our last customer from Japan was able to catch the 10 pounder he came for! Make your reservation now so you can join in on this amazing Largemouth fishing!!!
March 18, 2008 - Top water fishing still going strong!!!
Water Level: 60%
Water Color: Clear
Visible to: 4 feet
Depth of Fish: 5-30 feet

This Week's Best Baits & Colors:
o 1/2 ounce double willow Spinner Bait white/chartreuse
o Buzz Baits in white/chartreuse
o Pop-R
o Rico
o Watermelon lizards

Weather: High Average of 77 F Sunny/Low Average of 55 F

Notes: Boats are averaging over 125+ fish per boat per day! Our last group had 2 fish over 10 pounds! Make your reservation now so you can join in on this amazing Largemouth fishing!!!
March 7, 2008 - Top water action at its finest!!!
Water Level: 60% Water Color: Clear
Depth of Fish: 10-15 feet
This Week's Best Baits & Colors:
o 1/2 ounce double willow Spinner Bait white/chartreuse
o Buzz Baits in white/chartreuse
o Pop-R
o Crazy Shads
o Rico
o Crank baits
o June bug jig 1/2 ounce with baby bass Ribbit trailer
o Kudzu lizard 8''

Weather: High Average of 85 F Sunny/Low Average of 50 F

Notes: Boats are averaging over 100-120 fish per boat per day! Our last group's largest fish weighed in at 8 pounds - caught on a spinner bait! Make your reservation now so you can join in on this amazing Largemouth fishing!!!

Recent group's testimonials:
"Best fishing trip ever! Our guide, Ricardo, was great! Benny, Edgar and the rest of the staff were GREAT!" - Dean & Carroll

"Lots of quality fish! Non-stop action and always the possibility of a trophy fish! Guides were great! Jose was very fun to have as a guide!" - Alec
March 3, 2008 - Spinner bait time!!!
Water Level: 65%
Water Color: Light Green
Depth of Fish: 8 feet

This Week's Best Baits & Colors:
o Spinner Baits - all colors
o Buzz Baits - all colors
o Pop-R

Weather: High Average of 80 F Sunny/Low Average of 60 F

Notes: Boats are averaging over 100-120 fish per boat per day! Our last group's largest fish weighed in at 8 pounds - caught on a spinner bait! Make your reservation now so you can join in on this amazing Largemouth fishing!!!
February 11, 2008 – Plastic worms are still doing the trick!!!
Water Level: 70%
Water Color: Clear
Depth of Fish: 6-8 feet

This Week's Best Baits & Colors:
Weather: High Average of 86 F Sunny/Low Average of 51 F

Notes: Boats are averaging over 60-80 fish per boat per day with many in the 5-7 pound range! Our last group's largest fish weighed in at 11 pounds - caught on a spinner bait! Make your reservation now so you can join in on this amazing Largemouth fishing!!!
February 4, 2008 – Get your plastic worms ready!!!
Water Level: 70%
Water Color: Clear to 6 feet
Depth of Fish: 1-10 feet

This Week's Best Baits & Colors:
Weather: High Average of 85 F Sunny/Low Average of 48 F

Notes: Boats are averaging over 100 fish per boat per day with many in the 5-7 pound range! Make your reservation now so you can join in on this amazing Largemouth fishing!!!
December 5, 2007 - Spinner bait time!!!
Water Level: 85%
Water Color: Clear to 6 feet
Depth of Fish: 1-10 feet

This Week's Best Baits & Colors:
Top water- Silver Pop-R -or- Rio Rico Poppers in Clown or Tennessee Shad color. Suspended Rogue or similar Jerk bait of your choice
Plastics- 8 inch lizards and 10-inch worms in June bug & Watermelon colors
Spinner Baits - ½ to ¾ ounce Spinner baits in white or chartreuse & white skirts

Weather: High Average of 82 F Sunny/Low Average of 55 F

Notes: Boats are averaging 60-100 fish per boat per day! Fish are biting the best in the afternoon when it is sunny! "Almost every cast with spinner bait produces a quality fish!!!"

Make your reservation now so you can join in on this amazing Largemouth fishing!!!
October 22, 2007 - The seasons continues to provide great fishing!
Water Level: 85%
Water Color: Clear to 6 feet
Depth of Fish: 1-10 feet

This Week's Best Baits & Colors:
Top water - Silver Pop-R -or- Rio Rico Poppers in Clown or Tennessee Shad color, Suspended Rogue -or- similar Jerk bait of your choice
Plastics - 8 inch lizards and 10-inch worms in June bug & Watermelon colors
Spinner Baits - ½ to ¾ ounce Spinner baits in white or chartreuse & white skirts

Weather: High Average of 95 F Sunny/Low Average of 60 F

Notes: We are pleased to say that this season is continuing to have great fishing! For example, boats are averaging 100+ fish per boat in the morning alone! and the afternoons have even better numbers! Our last group had several fish in the 6-9 pound range!
Make your reservation now so you can join in on this amazing Largemouth fishing!!!
October 5, 2007 - The Season Begins with a Blast!
Water Level: 85%
Water Color: Pretty Clear
Depth of Fish: 16-18 feet

This Week's Best Baits & Colors: 10-inch Junebug Worm in red, Silver Pop-R, Suspended Rogue, 8 inch lizards in Junebug, Spinner Baits

Weather: High Average of 90 F Sunny/Low Average of 75 F

Notes: What a great way to start the season! Boats are averaging 75-100+ fish per boat daily! For our first group, they had several fish in the 9-11 pound range! Congrats to Mac for catching the biggest fish of the week weighing in at 11.8 pounds!!!

Reports from the 2006-2007 Season

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April 18, 2007 - The fishing is turned on!!!
Water Level: 50%
Water Color: Clear
Depth of Fish: 4-5 feet, inside the tree line flats

Best Baits/Color: Suspended Rogue Crankbait 4 ½ inches in Talapia color (gray/brown) made by Smithwick, Spinnerbait white/chartreuse with red stinger hooks, 8 inch lizards in Junebug, 5 inch white Sinkos, Rattletraps ¼ oz. Chartreuse/Yellow, Standard crankbait in blue/chartreuse - Diving 4 feet

Weather: High Average of 85 F Sunny/Low Average of 60 F

Notes: Fishing is outstanding! They are catching big fish (6-12 lbs). Boats are averaging 80-120 fish per boat per day.
March 19, 2007 - Great fishing!!!
Water Level: 50% (all islands are exposed - fishing is great near these!!!)
Water Color: Clear
Depth of Fish: around 16 feet

Best Baits/Color: 3/4 oz. chrome & blue rattletrap, Spinner baits in chartreuse & white with 2 willow leafs (silver & gold 1/2 oz.), 8-inch lizards in watermelon, 10-inch U-tail worms in watermelon pepper, 6-inch Paca craws in watermelon pepper & green pumpkin, some topwater on Pop-R's or Rico's.

Weather: High Average of 85 F Sunny/Low Average of 55 F

Notes: Fishing is great! They are catching big fish (7-12 lbs). Boats are averaging 60-100 fish per day.
February 26, 2007 - Big fish are biting!
Water Level: 55%
Water Color: Clear
Depth of Fish: 5-30 feet

Best Baits/Color: 3/4 oz. chrome & blue rattletrap, crank bait, jig with watermelon brush hog, Zara Spooks, Spinner baits in white or shad or chartreuse colors as well as plastics (10-inch worms and 8-inch lizards) in watermelon/red and June bug/red colors.

Weather: Average of 75 F Partly Cloudy

Notes: Fishing is great! They are catching big fish (7-12 lbs). Boats are averaging 60-100 fish per day.
February 8, 2007 - The beginning of the spawn
Water Level: 55%
Water Color: Clear
Depth of Fish: 5-25 feet
Best Baits/Color: Lots of top water action. Rico poppers, 10-inch worms and 8-inch lizards in watermelon/red and June bug/red colors.
Weather: Average of 75 F Sunny

Notes: The water level is dropping 12"- 18" daily, the weather has finally cooled off and as a result, fishing is great! They are catching lots of fish between 5.5 -7 lbs. Boats are averaging 60-100 fish per day.
February 2, 2007
Water Level: 65%
Water Color: Clear
Depth of Fish: 5-30 feet
Best Baits/Color: 8- inch lizards in Watermelon red and June bug. 10-inch worms in Watermelon red. Zoom Fluke in Glimmer Blue and Pop-R in Blue & White.

Weather: Mid-80's

Notes: Boats are averaging 60-100 fish per day.
December 20, 2006
The fish are biting!
Water Level: 70%
Water Color: Clear
Depth of Fish: 5-30 feet
Best Baits/Color: 3/4 oz. chrome & blue rattletrap, chatter bait, jig with watermelon brush hog, deep-diving crank baits in white or shad or chartreuse colors as well as plastics (10-inch worms and 8-inch lizards) in watermelon/red and June bug/red colors.
Weather: Average of 75 F Sunny

Notes: After an unseasonably hot start to the season, the weather has finally cooled off and as a result, fishing is great! They are catching big fish (5-12 lbs). Boats are averaging 60-100 fish per day.
December 7, 2006
Water Level: 65%
Water Color: clear
How deep are fish? 5 to 30 feet
Best baits and color: Spinner baits (chartreuse 3/4 ounce), chrome and blue back rattle trap, ss minnow
Weather: High 70's/Low 80's, a little bit of rain
Additional Comments: Most boats caught an average of 40 fish in the AM.
November 7, 2006
Water Level: 70% - the water rose 8 feet two weeks ago due to the passing hurricane but is stabilizing now.
Water Color: Clear
Depth of Fish: 5-30 feet and on topwater
Best Baits/Color: Zara spook, rattle trap (chrome and blue/black) 3/4 ounce, 10 inch Zoom watermelon/ red or junebug/red worms and 8 inch lizards as well as 1/2 to 3/4 ounce spinnerbaits
Weather: Average of 84 F Sunny
October 9, 2006

Water Level: 70% Water Color: Clear
Depth of Fish: 30 feet
Best Baits/Color: chatter bait, jig with watermelon brush hog, deep-diving crank bait
Weather: Average of 92 F Sunny
Notes: They are catching big fish (5-9 lbs). It is unseasonably hot right now so the fish are deeper than usual.

2005-2006 Season Reports

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February 28th, 2006
Just in from the camp a report from angler Steve Immordino-

Thanks steve for the reporting. This report is for his catch only not an angler pairing.

Morning Session:
I caught at least 70 fish, many of which were 5- 6 1/2 lbs., including 4 fish between 7 and 7.5 lbs. Best baits this morning were a 1 oz. spinnerbait with a gold willow and nickel colorado blade and a chartreuse skirt, as well as a jig and pig combination in Black.

Afternoon Session:
I caught at lest 50 fish this afternoon.
I had two fish over 7 pounds and 8 fish between 5 and 6 1/2 pounds as well as 7 fish between 4 1/2 and 5 lbs. as well as many smaller ones.
I used the same baits as I did this morning.

It was a memorable trip with great hospitality and I will be back, the food was excellent.
Lake Mateos Continues to Turn In Great Catches
It is important to remember that unlike other Mexican Lakes where there may be up to 100 camp boats out fishing and the lakes are smaller in size..... we have only 10 boats on 55,000 acres.

So when we report that there were multiple fish caught over 9 and 10 pounds in a week, that was done by a minimal amount of anglers in comparison.

If Mateos had 200 fisherman out everyday the # of 10-15 pounders would be staggering.

The reports are great! Lots of fish, with boats averaging 100-150 fish per day and several large fish as well.

The hot baits this week were:
Spinner baits in white/chartreuse
Senkos in watermelon/red
Super Rico's, Pop-R's and Buzz Baits
Deep Diving Crank Baits
Rick
February 7th, 2006

We just returned from four wonderful fun, fish filled days at Lake Mateos.

We were filming with Dave Maynard of Fishing Across America, in 2 1/2 days of filming we shot FIVE complete TV shows each containing at least one 10 pound bass.

A cold front was blowing through and the morning was in the low fifties but the afternoons warmed up to be very comfortable. As always many fish were caught. Boats averaged 50-150 fish per day with some very large fish mixed in.

Interestingly post-spawn, pre-spawn and spawning bass were all caught by guests at the lodge. This proves what I have always said, that at all times there are fish in Mexico at all stages of the breeding cycle.
vWe had some great guests and old friends as well as new ones there this week and a good time was had by all. Bruce Holt the CEO of G. Loomis and a Sponsor of Daves show was there and was a pleasure to meet and learn about G.Loomis rod production from.

Hot baits were as follows:
3/4 ounce spinnerbaits with a full size 7 or 10 inch worm as a trailer. Large worms and lizards in Watermelon, Tequila, Green Pumpkin colors all worked well.
A 5/8 oz. extra loud Bulldog Jig with a Brush Hog Zoom trailer also accounted for several large fish. (if you want some of these jigs you will have to call Al Fisher at Norman Lures and tell him that I sent you, he can be reached at (479) 996-2125) I do not believe that you will find them in stores.
The top-water bite was unbelievable! Dave Maynard absolutely slayed them on my Super Rico's. We shot two complete top-water shows on this bait alone!!! they can be ordered from Lobina Lures.

I am sure that there was a crankbait bite as always but we were so busy with a spinner we never got a chance.

I caught the big fish of the week on an Oldham spinnerbait with a hammered copper willow leaf blade and a Yamamoto watermelon/red cut tail worm as a trailer. Her tail was so bloody that I could have painted a room with her! My wife Amelia on her first complete day of bass fishing caught a 10 pounder on a spinnerbait! Way to go Girl!!!

She already was the Peacock Bass Queen....Now she wants all new rods and reels...uggggg (keep out of my tackle!!!!!)

We have decided to stay open through July as after talking with our guides they feel that May, June and July are BIG FISH MONTHS!!!!

As good as the fishing was I still feel that if the cold front had not been there it would have been bettter!!!!
January 23rd, 2006

I just received this wonderful letter and two pictures from a valued client that traveled from Japan to fish with us.
Rick
Dear Mr. Schair,

I spent at your lodge of Lake Mateos from Jan.8 to Jan.11. It was amazing and unbelievable experience for me to fish at the lake. I caught a fish over 8 pounds, a couple of 6 pounds and some 4-5 pounds during 4 days though my record was 5.5 pound through my entire career of bass fishing for 23 years. On the last day, I caught 66 fish during the morning trip though I caught only 50 in the last year. I should have visited Lake Mateos earlier!

I truelly appreciate your staff at the lodge fore their perfect hospitality. I could enjoy wonderful food and take a rest in clean, comfortable room. Moreover, Benny guided me perfectly on the lake and led me to fish big ones. I would like to ask you to tell my appreciation to him.

I attach some pictures as Benny asked me to send them to you. He told me that he can get pictures through you. If it is better to send printed ones by air mail, I will do so.

Thank you very much for giving me an opportunity to do fishing in Lake Mateos. I hope to be there again in the next year.

Regards,

Osamu Kubota
from Japan
January 12th, 2006

I am so pleased to announce that the fishing at lake Mateos has stayed solid this year.

Benny reports that the top-water bite is still solid and the spinner bait bite is still producing big fish. Fish over 8 pounds are being caught by almost all guests and many top the 10-12 lb. mark.

The bigger fish are in 15-25 feet of water and can be caught on large spinners or watermelon seed lizards and or worms as well as senko's.

Rattletraps and swimbaits also continue to produce quality fish as well.

I recommend a 3/4 oz. jig with a watermelon seed skirt that has a BIG rattle and a Zoom Super hog trailer in watermelon red fished on the bluffs or at the base of the trees for a chance at a monster!!!

Rick
Great Reports and Happy Customers

The groups that have fished Lake Mateos in the past week have all had great trips and have made plans to return!

Lots of good quality fish are being caught as well as 3 over 10 lbs. in the last 7 days. Abbie Israel had a big fish over the weekend and our managerr Benny actually guided a customer to a 10.6 pounder. WAY TO GO BENNY!

For those of you that know Benny, you know that he is always bragging that he is the best guide, best plumber, painter etc. in the world. I know I will never hear the end of this one., but FLW Touring Pro Wes Thomas verified it for me.... oh well.....

Rick
November 15th, 2005

Reports from Lake Mateos lodge continue to come into the office daily with great reports!

Large numbers of fish from 8-12 lbs are being caught every week by anglers visiting the camp. Not a day has gone by that another great report does not contiue to come in.

Fish are being caught on spinerbaits and jigs in the trees about 15-25 feet deep as well as on top water and plastics.
November 8th, 2005

Last week an 11 pounder was caught by The Linholms. The best part is that they are novice anglers!

I just got a call from Benny at the Lodge that Robert Martin caught a 14 pounder this morning!!!!!
Way to go Robert!!!
Pics to follow.
Rick
October 8th, 2005

I just returned Saturday Oct. 8, 2005 from opening the camp for the season.

We really had a great bunch with us including many professional anglers, Land Of lakes pro Judy Israel and husband Abbie as well as professional anglers Clark Wendlandt, Mike Surman and Cris McCall. Good friends Mike Orlando, Joe Allan and Charlie Coleman from Ga. were there as well.

ALL boats averaged well over 250 fish per day! Some boats had over 200 fish in the morning session alone.

FLW Tour Pro Clark Wendlandt one of the most talented and knowledgeable anglers in the world today, was quoted as saying that "Lake Mateos has more bass per acre than any other lake he has ever seen!"

FLW Pro Mike Surman called lake Mateos, "The greatest top-water lake in the world!!"

While large fish were hooked and landed every day the action will really begin to get GREAT when the water temperature, which was 93 degrees, starts to cool in the next two weeks.

Come enjoy the solitude of this great 50,000 acre lake TODAY.
New 2005-2006 Season Begins!

The camp is set to open on Oct. 1st, In the first two weeks alone we have had requests and granted them from two TV shows to film at The Lake Mateos Bass Lodge during this time period. I know that they will have great fishing as the lake is at 95% full and the fish hungry. It will be hard to beat a great spinner bait and top water bite!!!
March 24th, 2005

Mateos continues to be strong! The report this week from Benny is that a 13, 11, 9 1/2 and several 8's have been caught.The fish are off their beds and hungry.
February 21st, 2005

The fish are now going on the bed and many big fish have been caught this week. Benny called this morning to report that a 12 lber, 2- 10's 2 9's and numerous 7 and 8's have been caught in the last few days.

He said the big fish have been caught in 15 feet of water on lizards with the tails died red.
February 15th, 2005

More great reports coming in from Lake Mateos, our camp manager Benny reported this morning that the customers are averaging between 70-90 fish per boat per day. The average size fish remaining to be between 3 and 6 pounds.

Two fish over 9 lbs. were caught yesterday morning and 6 fish over 10 pounds have been caught in the last 3 weeks alone. The largest being 13 lbs., BUT bigger fish get away everyday due to the fact that we are fishing spinnerbaits over the treetops.

The hot baits remain to be 3/4 ounce spinnerbaits in white and or chartreuse as well as white superflukes, and 3/4 ounce rattletraps in chrome w/ a blue back and red ones as well.
January 22nd, 2005

Rick,
We just returned from your lodge on Lake Mateos where our group of 11 fished four days Jan. 19 - 22. We all had a fantastic time. Bennie, Delphino and the entire staff were both very professional and a lot of fun.

The fishing was awesome. We caught not only good numbers, but also the quality of the fish was remarkable. We caught two 9lb., six 8lb., probably 20 some 6- 7lb., several in the 4 - 5lb. range. Our boats averaged 60 - 70 fish per day.

We had to work hard to establish a pattern, but when we did we caught the quality fish. The water was murky with maybe a foot of visiblity and falling 3- 5 inches a day, so most fish were suspended off the banks. Our best pattern was slow rolling white/chartreuse 1/2 oz. spinner baits. We also had success with lizards, and rattle traps. The evening bite was really good for some of our guys using Pop R's. Also, some guys had great success in the last 1 1/2 hours of the day ripping a spinner bait just below the surface where the fish would blow up on it like a top water bait.

Lake Mateos is a fantastic fishery and you have a great lodge with an excellent staff. We are definitely planning on returning again next year. Thank you for the opportunity to enjoy such a beautiful lake and fishing experience.

Sincerely,
Andy and crew
PS: Rick, do yoou have dates available in January 2006? Please let me know so I can reserve our spot again for next year. Thanks again!!!
January 15th, 2005

Brian Zimmerman just returned and filed the following fishing report:

6 days of fabulous fishing, caught 372 fish including 1-10 lb., 1-9 lb., 2-8 lb., 5-7 lbs, and numerous other quality fish in the 4-6 lb. class.

We used 1/2 oz. Terminator spinnerbaits in chartreuse and white, green pumpkin jigs with a brush hog trailer. Slow rolling spinnerbaits through the treetops was the best pattern. Our guide "Lupe" was great. The food and service was wonderful as well. All the rooms were clean and neat. What an easy drive from the airport! I can't wait to come back!

Additional Information: