Reservation Number : 22730
Property Name : Bluebonnet Ridge
Reservation Date : 01/01/2020 PM -
Total Fish/Sizes : 2@3.5, 8 @ 2-3 lb
Lures Used : shad chatterbait, swimjig w underspin

First trip of 2020 and first time at Bluebonnet Ridge/ Mesquite Valley; Sam and I had a good New Year’s afternoon landing a total of ten bass ranging from 2-3.5 lbs.

We started at BR at 11:30 am, made a quick troll around the lake to scan bottom and get depths/structure.  The vegetation is now manageable compared to summer photos, albeit most of the lake is quite shallow.  Moss is growing 2-4 ft off bottom most everywhere.  We caught 9 fat and healthy bass, all at the interface between 3 and 8 ft depth.  The fish seemed to hover around that drop from shallow to deeper water.  We got no bites in the central deep area, max depth at 10 ft, and no bites in shallow water.

Shad chatterbait and shad swimbait with underspin seemed to work best, with let fall, then quick retrieve. No bites on shakeyheads or slow moving finesse baits. Too mossy for most crankbaits. Wind was light 5 mph at first, increasing through afternoon with a fairly steady bite midday. 

At 2 pm the wind picked up to 10-12 mph and the bite fell off, so we moved over to Mesquite Valley.  This lake is smaller, yet clear and deep, depths to 21 ft.  Some nice grass is present. We fished from one end to the other with the same lures as the bigger lake. Bite wasn’t happening.  Sam finally got one 2lb on a shakeyhead with 6” natural olive worm. The wind now at 15+ mph gust, we called it a great New Year’s Day and pulled the boat out at 3:30pm. 

For those launching bigger boats, both of these lakes will be tricky in wet weather (4WD required).  The rock launch at BR is nice for traction, but the trailer will drop from dry rock to 1-2 ft depth instantly.  The trailer will be sliding (grinding) on those rocks as you pull out. 

The launch is steep at Mesquite and is basically a “mud launch” into deep water.  It was dry today but I would not attempt in wet weather.  Fortunately you can access most of this smaller lake from shore, or the jon boat is adequate if the wind is light.

Temp was 51 deg with 48 deg water.  Wind was 5-15+ mph.

Very nice property and great addition to PWF.  One hour drive from my house with good fish population.   Thank you Steve, Keri, Cole, Happy New Year.