Zapata, just 100 miles west of McAllen on Business 83, will host one of the biggest fishing tournaments in the country starting March 30. Zapata is located on the 98,960-surface acre Falcon Lake that serves as an international boundary between the United States and Mexico. The lake is billed as the best bass fishing lake in Texas.
As part of the Bass Master Elite Series, pro angler teams from across the country will come to Zapata to compete. Kevin Van Dam, Scott Rook and Davie Hyatt, among the top 20 anglers in the country, will be on hand for the tournament.
This year marks the 40th anniversary of the event. Also this year, the Zapata Chamber of Commerce celebrates its 40th anniversary, the local Dairy Queen celebrates its 60th anniversary, and the county celebrates its 150th anniversary, and all will be celebrated as part of the tournament festivities.
Preliminary activities start March 30 with a Lone Star Pro Bowling Challenge where pro anglers team up with local community members. The Lone Star Fishing Tournament was the last tournament held in Zapata, and winners of that tournament won an opportunity to fish for a day with one of the pros coming to this tournament.
On Wednesday April 2, the annual Angler Alley will be held. The pro anglers will line up their boats for people to view. Those who come will be able to see all of the equipment and fishing gear the pros use and have them explain why they have them. The event will be held at 4:30 p.m.
Fishing competition commences Thursday with Thursday and Friday weigh-ins scheduled at 5 p.m. both days. Vendors will have food and fishing supplies, and a slate of entertainment has been planned.
On Saturday, the traditional expo will be held near the boat ramp where the Taste of South Texas Fajita Cook-off will be held and live entertainment offered.
Saturday at 3 p.m. a Bass Masters University class on fishing techniques will be held where the pros will share tips on catching and caring for the fish.
A groundbreaking for the new boat ramp will be held as part of the festivities. The kick-off of a “Go Green” recycling project for the community will also be held at the groundbreaking.
On Sunday the "Mano-a-Mano" mariachi competition performances will be held along with storytelling where stories of South Texas ranching heritage and local folklore and American folklore will be shared. Demonstrations of how to make tortillas, sopapillas and frijoles will be held.
For more information, contact the Zapata Chamber of Commerce at (956) 765-4871 or go online to zapatachamber @bluemoon.cc.