Broke Tanks

Broke Tanks is a reservoir in Otero County, New Mexico, and covers about 0.2 acres, reaches about 1.8 feet at its deepest point and holds roughly 0.2 acre-feet.

On a water as small as Broke Tanks, one weed edge or deeper pocket can hold much of the day’s activity. With little deep water in Broke Tanks, weeds, wind, and water color can matter more than depth alone.

Fish and Baits

The first look at Broke Tanks should cover this: 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 Broke Tanks, 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 Broke Tanks: 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

While learning Broke Tanks, shallow water is worth a careful look in spring and again during fall; bright summer days favor shade, weeds, or deeper breaks; under ice, a small depth change can be more useful than a long move.

A Simple Tackle Plan

For the next pass on Broke Tanks, 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.

Before changing spots on Broke Tanks, 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.