Crankbaits
Bill Lewis Rat-L-Trap
The classic lipless rattling crankbait for flats and schooling fish.
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Home / New Mexico / Elephant Butte Lake
Lakes & Reservoirs
Elephant Butte Lake Fishing Guide
New Mexico
New Mexico's largest lake on the Rio Grande with bass, stripers, and catfish.
Trip at a Glance
Anglers come to Elephant Butte Lake for largemouth bass, striped bass, white bass and channel catfish. The best months overall are Mar to Oct. In October, largemouth bass and striped bass are in season, and Soft Stick Bait, Bass Jig and Spinnerbait are a good place to start. There is 1 shop within 45 miles; the closest is Buds Bait Shop in Elephant Butte, 2 mi away.
Best Months
Mar to Oct
In October
Largemouth Bass, Striped Bass
Methods
Spin, cast & bait
Season at a Glance
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What You'll Catch
Elephant Butte Lake Species
Plan by Month
What to Use
Month
Fish
13 picks for October. ● means in season that month.
Walking Topwater 4 to 5 in
LureTopwater · Striped Bass, Largemouth Bass · Surface blitzes.
Shop This LureSoft Stick Bait 4 to 5 in
LureSoft Plastic · Largemouth Bass
Shop This LureBass Jig 3/8 to 1 oz
LureJig · Largemouth Bass
Shop This LureSpinnerbait 3/8 to 3/4 oz
LureMoving Bait · Largemouth Bass · Stained water.
Shop This LureBladed Jig 3/8 to 1/2 oz
LureMoving Bait · Largemouth Bass · Around grass.
Shop This LureSquarebill Crankbait 1.5 to 2.5 in
LureCrankbait · Largemouth Bass
Shop This LureLipless Crankbait 1/2 to 3/4 oz
LureCrankbait · Largemouth Bass
Shop This LurePaddle-Tail Swimbait 3 to 5 in
LureSoft Plastic · Striped Bass
Shop This LureBucktail Jig 1/4 to 2 oz
LureJig · Striped Bass
Shop This LureLive Minnows 1 to 3 in
BaitLive Bait · Striped Bass, Largemouth Bass · Live shad or herring.
Nightcrawlers Whole or half
BaitLive Bait · Channel Catfish
Chicken Liver Chunk
BaitNatural Bait · Channel Catfish
Cut Shad Chunk or fillet
BaitNatural Bait · Channel Catfish
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Rod & Reel
Recommended Setups
Largemouth Bass
Fly 9 ft 7 or 8 wt rod, bass-taper floating line, 12 to 16 lb leader for poppers and divers.
Spin / Cast 7 ft medium-heavy baitcasting rod, 7:1 reel, 15 lb fluorocarbon or 50 lb braid around heavy cover.
Striped Bass
Fly 9 ft 9 wt rod, intermediate or sinking line, 20 lb leader. Clousers and Deceivers.
Spin / Cast 7 to 8 ft medium-heavy spinning rod, 4000 to 5000 reel, 30 lb braid with a 20 to 30 lb leader.
White Bass
Fly 9 ft 6 wt rod, floating or intermediate line, Clousers and small baitfish flies.
Spin / Cast 6.5 ft medium-light spinning rod, 2500 reel, 6 to 8 lb line.
Channel Catfish
Spin / Cast 7 ft medium spinning or casting rod, 3000 to 4000 reel, 15 to 20 lb line, slip-sinker rig with a circle hook.
Matched to These Species
Gear for Elephant Butte Lake
Line
PowerPro Spectra Braided Line
Thin, strong braid for long casts, sensitivity, and pulling fish from cover.
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Bobby Garland Baby Shad Crappie Jigs
A go-to crappie plastic on a light jighead, under a float or vertical.
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Ugly Stik Catfish Special Combo
A stout, long rod with a large reel for heavy sinkers and big cats.
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Ugly Stik GX2 Spinning Combo
Nearly unbreakable and sensitive enough for most freshwater fishing. A safe first combo.
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Heddon Zara Spook
The walk-the-dog topwater that works in fresh and salt.
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St. Croix Triumph Spinning Rod
A sensitive, lightweight rod for finesse plastics and jigs.
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Shimano Sedona Spinning Reel
A smooth, durable reel in sizes for trout through inshore saltwater.
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Within 45 Miles
Shops Near Elephant Butte Lake
Bait & Tackle
Buds Bait Shop
Elephant Butte, New Mexico· 2 mi
Bait and tackle shop in Elephant Butte, NM.