Tackle - Best Baits for Lake Mateos

Lake Mateos is a clear water lake and is known for the finest top-water and spinner bait fishing in the world.

Fishing Lures :
Always check with us prior to your departure for an update on the best lures.

Top-Water:

• Pop-R
• Zara Spook
• Prop Baits
• Rapala
• Torpedo
• Buzz Baits

Spinner Bait :

Bring several 1/2 ounce to 3/4 oz. spinners with gold/silver blades and with chartreuse or white grub trailer. We also have custom spinner baits for sale at the camp.

Hard Diving Baits:

Jerk baits in chrome, shad or chartreuse colors. Deep and medium crankbaits in shad, green, chrome or chartreuse and white and Rat-L-Traps in ½ - 1 oz. in red or chrome with blue back

Jigs:
1/2 oz. Brown or black jigs tipped with a Zoom Brush Hog trailer, watermelon, green pumpkin and june bug are great colors.

Worms:
Tequila sunrise, , june bug, red, watermelon and green pumpkin or black with a blue tail are the most common. All types of worms, Slug-Go, Flukes, lizards, floating worms, or craw worms work well. Bring sizes from 7-11 inches.

Just about all of your favorite lures will work on Mateos.

Fishing Rods
We supply the usage of top quality Pflueger and Shakespeare fishing rods free of charge, “Courtesy of The Pflueger and Shakespeare Corporations”, however feel free to bring your own. If you choose to bring your own rods, pack three of your favorite bass rods, be sure they are in good condition, and bring one extramulti-purpose rod. I recommend one 7’ med-heavy bait-casting rod similar to a Carolina rig rod and 2 other 6’6” – 7’ medium-heavy ones as well.

Fishing Line & Hooks
Clear 15-20 lb. test is recommended. There is a lot of brush and rocks, so bring enough to re-spool one time. Lighter line will create breakage. We recommend a quantity of 20, 3/0 and 4/0 Mustad Ultra Point Hooks. They are stronger than Gamakatsu and will hold up better with Lake Mateos Bass. For your convenience, we also have some tackle available for sale at the camp. Bring enough sinkers for your trip in the 3/8 - 1/2 ounce size for Texas rigs & 1ounce for a Carolina rig.

Fly Fishing Rods and Tackle
Multi-piece 7 or 8 wt. Fly rods in the nine foot length are the best choices. Good models to choose from include the Sage RPLXI, G. Loomis GLX and the Scott HP Saltwater series, all in three or four piece, for easy traveling. Bringing along a spare rod would be a wise idea.

Fly Fishing Reels
Sturdy reels (30 lb. backing), specifically designed for rough use, and are great for this type of fishing.

Leaders
7.5 - 9 foot tapered Bass Leaders in 12 – 20 pound test class tippet. Fluorocarbon leaders are another good choice as they are near invisible in the water, sink quickly with wet flies and are perfect for spooky fish in clear water. Plan on bringing two leaders per day of fishing.

NOTES:

1. All flies should have weed guards with the exception of open water baitfish imitations.
2. Plan on bringing 3 dozen flies for a three-day trip.
3. Bring "paste floatant" gink for hair surface bugs.

Packing Suggestions:

Please resist the tendency to over pack. Fishing partners may coordinate packing of some items to avoid unnecessary duplication. We recommend a durable, water-resistant, lockable, top-zipper duffel as the checked luggage. Carry your most valuable, essential and fragile items, reels and medications (preferably a change of clothes too) in your carry-on pack.