Braidfoot Tank

Braidfoot Tank is a reservoir in Hidalgo County, New Mexico, and covers about 10.9 acres, reaches about 7.3 feet at its deepest point and holds roughly 44 acre-feet.

The small size of Braidfoot Tank makes quiet casts and short moves more useful than carrying a pile of tackle. With little deep water in Braidfoot Tank, weeds, wind, and water color can matter more than depth alone.

Fish and Baits

When working Braidfoot Tank, the fish mix here is not confirmed, so check fresh local information before choosing a target or keeping a catch.

During the first hour on Braidfoot Tank, begin with one slow bottom presentation and one moving bait, then let bites show whether fish are holding close to cover or roaming open water.

How to Read the Water

Use this plain plan on Braidfoot Tank: use wind as a clue; a light push can carry food toward a bank, but hard wind may muddy it, so look for a clean edge near a point or protected pocket.

Season by Season

For a short trip to Braidfoot Tank, early in the year, protected water and the first warm afternoon can be the best clues; as the water heats up, check deeper edges without assuming every fish is on the bottom; cooling fall water often makes points and firm banks useful again.

A Simple Tackle Plan

For a first pass on Braidfoot Tank, a medium spinning rod, 8-pound line, a small box of jigs, a few crankbaits, and a simple bottom rig cover most situations; change depth or speed before changing every piece of tackle.

To begin fishing Braidfoot Tank, record the wind, water color, productive depth, and cover after a bite; those four notes are more useful on the next trip than a long list of spots that did not produce.