So Yall Want To Learn Toledo Bend? 2024
Catt reply :
Y'all get a Hook-N-Line map so we will be on the same page & I'll start an on-line class.
The first class will be summer patterns some other tools y'all need are to be proficient in one or more of the following techniques.
Texas Rigs
Carolina Rigs
Jig-N-Craw
Deep Crank Baits
Jigging Spoons
Drop Shot Rig
fishfordollars reply :
I'm all for it. When does class begin?
Catt reply :
Well then I'll with Lowe's Creek which is when it all began some 36 years ago
Looking at your map find the mouth of Lowe's Creek, next look to the south and you will find Millionaire Point. You should also see a hump marked 22' a little to the east of the point with the creek passing to the north side of both the point and the hump.
Next look south from Millionaire Point and you will see a 22' ridge running down across the boat lane and stopping at Cypress Slash; it short distance from there still heading south is another hump.
Notice Lowe's creek and the Sabine River channel in relation to the point, hump, ridge, and island? You want to position the boat on the side of the point, hump, ridge, and 2nd hump closest to the channels.
Next look at the words Oilwell Cove; look under the letters ve in the word cove and what do we see? That's right an underwater point in 22' foot of water that is near a creek and river channel intersection.
fishfordollars reply :
Catt, thanks for the info. Waiting on the next class. Thanks again for all you do here.
foul hooked reply :
I'm going to Academy tomorrow for a map. Thanks Catt.
Catt reply :
Let's kick it up a notch 
Since we are already in Oil Well Cove let's look at the whole area which includes Jessie Lowe Bay and try to decipher what is present. I see the Sabine River a short distance away plus an additional 3 creeks. That's 4 channel intersections with ridge, flats, humps, & an island all in one small area. We have water depths ranging from bank shallow out to 62+' in the river channel; we also have vegetation, brush, and timber for cover. This area can be fished with any lure presentation that is your strength.
One might ask how and where would I attack this area but I'll say that's unfair since I'm quite familiar with the area so y'all tell me how, where, & with what.
fishfordollars reply :
I would concentrate on the three points out close to the river paying particular attention to the two points that are located on each side of the creek intersection just off the sharp bend in the river.
Early I would concentrate up a little shallower with crankbaits and plastics at the end of the ditch that runs due west off the river bend (This is in the Jesse Lowe cove)as well as along the creek banks working my way deeper as the sun begins to clear the tree tops. I would also work the underwater point coming off the main point where the river makes it's bend up against the point with crankbaits and plastics. This is the major point on the south end of Jesse Lowe Bay.
Midday I would work the deeper ends of the underwater points and if there is any grass in the bay I would work the deeper edges with plastics and jigs. Especially out off the ends of the points as well as the creek banks. I would check the point located between the river channel and the intersection of the three creeks several times during the day as well as the underwater point across the creek channel from it.
The road bed located on the south side of Millionaires point would be another early or late checkpoint as it has the deeper ditch running up to the edge. This creek or ditch could could be loaded with fish as it runs back to the major interesction of the other creeks and back out to the river. They could be located anywhere along depending to weather, water temp, and time of day.
The intersection of the old RR would be worth checking as I am sure there was at one time a tressel or a high grade crossing the creeks. The spur that runs toward the intersection of the three creeks would be an excellant place to check . I wqould just have to fish it to see if there was/is an elevated grade or old bridge. I suspect that there may be both.
Catt, please come down on me if I miss the obivious and go against any of your thoughts. I am here to learn and I can take a brow beating well. I have done very little fishing on the southern end of the lake.
Thanks, Jack
fishfordollars reply :
Sorry I forgot to add the roadbed running off Millionaire's point that has the ditch cutting through it. The ditch as well as the rest of the point would be a great place to start using crankbaits, plastics, and jigs as long as it is not choaked up with grass. Then the frog and crawworm would come into play. I would work my way along the northern edge of the submerged point out to the deeper water.
thanks
Catt reply :
I don't know if y'all are aware of this site or not but for anyone interesting in fishing Rayburn or Toledo Bend I would suggest y'all read every page. This site list hundreds of tournaments fished from 2001-2006 on both lakes including areas fished and techniques used by the top 5 anglers or teams.
http://www.toledo-bend.com/lconline/index.asp
fishfordollars reply :
Thanks Catt. When does our next class begin? I have fished the southern end a few times many years ago and I am ready for another lesson. Thanks for all you are willing to do.
Jack
Catt reply :
Patience is a virtue
fishfordollars reply :
I'm a little put out with the members on this site.
Catt, is taking the time to give instructions on toledo bend and so far I am the only one that is making any attempt to be involved. I know most of you are not close to this lake, but so what! The first lesson was invaluable in ways to read a map and the type of deep water structure you should be looking for this time of year.. If you do not have a map, go on line and look one up just to help you with your map study. The areas he pointed out are duplicated on most lakes around the country. He has told us what to look for and how to line up and fish the areas. I am 59 years old and have been fishing tournaments since I was 16, and I cannot wait for further information.
Every day someone post for help fishing an area. If you will pay attention to what this man has to say it will really help each and every one of you. Even if you have no map of this lake it will help you understand the maps you have as well as the type of structure that you should attack at this time of year, reguardless of the lake you are fishing.
As for me, I am not tired of winning tournaments and plan on entering and placing in as many as my health will allow me to for the rest of my life. Get involved people. It will help you be a better fisherman.
It would be nice if some of the other fishermen in other parts of the country that are versed on their home waters would do the same.
Sorry for the rant, I'm off the soap box now.
MARSH MASTER reply :
Trust me sir im very into it. I do live a good bit away but plan on making trips there yhis year that is why I asked for the help. I just need to get one of those maps that he mentioned. I've been reading every post and im waiting for more. Plus these tips also works on other lakes as well. So when catts ready he does have students here willing to learn.
fishfordollars reply :
QuoteTrust me sir im very into it. I do live a good bit away but plan on making trips there yhis year that is why I asked for the help. I just need to get one of those maps that he mentioned. I've been reading every post and im waiting for more. Plus these tips also works on other lakes as well. So when catts ready he does have students here willing to learn.
Great, glad someone is paying attention. If you ever have to fish Sam Rayburn let me know and I will help you. I was afraid that he would cancel due to the lack of response. Thanks for replying.
I am sure Long Mike is paying attention also.
fishfordollars reply :
Marsh Master if you do not have it I reccommend Navionics Hot Maps Explorer. It can be purchased for 19.95 from several different sites. I bought mine from Three Rivers Marine and they charged 8.95 shipping if you are interested.
Catt reply :
Sorry guys zoning out this week until Friday or as my wife likes to compare it to the Garth Brooks song Rodeo.
She does her best to hold him
When his love comes to call
But his need for it controls him
And her back's against the wall
And it's "So long girl, I'll see you"
When it's time for him to go
Jack most people haven't been bitten like we have & they don't get it
fishfordollars reply :
Maybe you intimidate some with all your knowledge. If they are serious I suggest they jump in here and ask some silly questions so you can help them clear the air.
They have a chance to really step up their game if they will get involved.
dutchb reply :
Catt!! I'm on top of it, making a copy of everything you say, and as you know I will be trying it out this weekend.
Jack (fishfor dollars) I am in there all the way with Catt and with you for Raburn.
Dutch
Long Mike reply :
Just because I haven't posted doesn't mean that I'm not sucking up this information like a sponge. Saturday night I down loaded the Hi-Res map from Navionics Hot Maps Explorer, and LO AND BEHOLD a new world has opened for me. When I use the info from Catt and Fishfordollars and cross reference with the map, I am finding some really great places to fish. I promise that I will never tell anyone else about these great potential spots.
fishfordollars reply :
QuoteJust because I haven't posted doesn't mean that I'm not sucking up this information like a sponge. Saturday night I down loaded the Hi-Res map from Navionics Hot Maps Explorer, and LO AND BEHOLD a new world has opened for me. When I use the info from Catt and Fishfordollars and cross reference with the map, I am finding some really great places to fish. I promise that I will never tell anyone else about these great potential spots.
Did you see I gave you credit in the above post for taking part? I want to give you a chance when we fish the big pond together.
Long Mike reply :
Thanks Jack. I'm really looking forward to being your co-angler. I hope to learn a lot. Speaking of learning, the posts on this thread have already taught me a whole new way of looking at structure. In short, I have learned to get away from the banks in many situations.
fishfordollars reply :
QuoteThanks Jack. I'm really looking forward to being your co-angler. I hope to learn a lot. Speaking of learning, the posts on this thread have already taught me a whole new way of looking at structure. In short, I have learned to get away from the banks in many situations.
If I am fishing a bank I feel as though 90% of the fish are behind me.
Catt reply :
Structure 101
When looking at a one dimensional map or one dimensional depth finder screen it's hard for some people to convert that image into a 3 dimensional image in their brain. When I select a piece of structure I look at it from 3 directions form, fit, & function; let me explain a little farther.
Form: what is its overall shape; quite often it differs from the map since most maps do not have the details needed to form a proper image.
Fit: how does it fit into the surrounding area? Is it isolated? Relationship to deep water? Connected to other structure?
Function: is it a feeding area, the bass's home, or a stop over place from the spawn.
A structure fishing situation consists of a structure, breaks, break lines and deep water. "Breaks" are things on the structure's bottom like stumps, rocks, weeds, logs, and bushes. A "break line" is a line or lines along the structure's bottom where there is a defined increase or decrease in depth, either sudden or gradual like the edge of a channel, hole or gully. There are other break lines, too, like a weed line wall, a brush line, where two bodies of water meet which differ in temperature, color or water current.
The angler who learns to read structure and where/how to fish it on its breaks, break lines will consistently catch bass while other fishermen who do not understand such things will struggle. As Buck Perry says Anglers must recognize from the beginning that not all good-looking structures harbor bass. But, he explains, Never will bass be found that are not related to structure in some manner.
fishfordollars reply :
Thanks Catt. I just printed this and have put it in my boat. I need to reread it about once a week. It reminded me to go out and research four areas that I have problems relocating the fish once the early bite is done.
Jack
SPEEDBEAD. reply :
Jack, there are definitely people watching...
Catt, thanks for the info. While I may never be on that lake, I appreciate the map reading tutorial very much.
Wayne
MARSH MASTER reply :
Can't wait to apply this on the lake soon. To bad I can't use this helpfull information on my home waters, its only 6' deep at the max but it has alot of slop and tidle move ment.
fishfordollars reply :
QuoteCan't wait to apply this on the lake soon. To bad I can't use this helpfull information on my home waters, its only 6' deep at the max but it has alot of slop and tidle move ment.
Been there many times. Best bite was always to fish the cuts with moving water for me.
Catt reply :
Long Mike,
Many anglers believe that structure fishing only applies to deep water but structure applies to all depths and bodies of water. Despite their beliefs even natural lakes have structure, it may be extremely subtle forms structure but it's there.
"It must be remembered that deep water is where bass spend the greater part of their time because it is a sanctuary from changing weather and water conditions. Thus, in order for a structure, break or break line to be consistently productive for mature bass, it must be very close to deep water, or at least, the deepest water in the area being fished. You cannot have schools of large bass if the structure, breaks and break lines are not connected in some manner to deep water." Elwood L. " Buck" Perry
MARSH MASTER,
I grew up in Southwest Louisiana and still own a house there now; the marshes in that area average 2-3' deep and I still fish structure.
Tidal fishing timing is extremely critical, tidal fish move a lot but can be very predictable. When you catch them pay attention to time and tidal level and get you a tidal chart. Some spots are good on high tide, some on low tide, and some spots are good in between. Your job is to determine when a spot is best and then to duplicate the timing in the future.
SPEEDBEAD this information applies to any body of water
I was blessed in that my Uncle Joseph Addison who was a master of structure fishing in the Gulf of Mexico tutored me back in the early 60s. That is the foundation on which I added Elwood L. " Buck" Perry & Bill Murphy.
That got a little of track but I needed to clarify those points
dutchb reply :
Catt!! Looking forward to your critique of fishfordollars plan for fishing Oil Well Cove and Jesse Lowe Bay. Thanks Dutch
MARSH MASTER reply :
Catt you should organize a br trip to Toledo Bend since you know some camps or places to stay. I have about four of us who would like to go.
fishfordollars reply :
I'm in and I bet I can talk Long Mike into sharing a boat with me. Are you listening Mike?
Long Mike reply :
Jack, let's go! October is completely out for me. I already have two fishing trips (one with you) and my daughter's wedding planned for that month.
Catt, I've read Buck Perry's book also, but I (mistakenly?) came away with a different interpretation. Since finishing the book, I've concentrated on fishing structure in ten to twelve feet of water; with very limited success. That's why I made the statement the other day that I need to move away from the banks. From reading your posts, you seem to concentrate on waters in the range of twenty feet and deeper. Is this due to the season? Do you move shallower in the spring and fall? Do you move deeper in winter?
Catt reply :
Since we are talking Toledo Bend I'll address deep water as it pertains to this lake, for your body of water you'll need to find its key depth. When on the lake I keep my boat in 15' of water plus or minus 3'. Even if I should move into a cove I'll still keep my boat in 15' with the exception of course during pre-spawn/spawn; you will never find me casting to the shore unless 15' is within casting distance of the bank. Situated in 12-18' I can cast and reach shallower or deeper water; I'll stay at this depth year round with the exception of during pre-spawn/spawn. Bass at this depth are not as adversely affected by boat traffic & weather changes.
Why? Because I don't think my depth finder is capable of reading any thing shallower
Seriously because this is the depth at which Hydrilla, Milfoil, and Coontail Moss stop growing on this lake thus keeping me on a break line.
Now to critique of fishfordollars plan for fishing Oil Well Cove/Jesse Lowe's Bay; his plan is typical of someone not familiar with fishing the big pond. This doesn't mean he would not catch but with my plan I would be in the upper percentile range for success at catching bigger bass. Quite simply put I would start deep and stay deep with Texas Rigs, Carolina Rigs, Jig-N-Craws, Deep Cranks or any combination there of.
fishfordollars reply :
QuoteSince we are talking Toledo Bend I'll address deep water as it pertains to this lake, for your body of water you'll need to find its key depth. When on the lake I keep my boat in 15' of water plus or minus 3'. Even if I should move into a cove I'll still keep my boat in 15' with the exception of course during pre-spawn/spawn; you will never find me casting to the shore unless 15' is within casting distance of the bank. Situated in 12-18' I can cast and reach shallower or deeper water; I'll stay at this depth year round with the exception of during pre-spawn/spawn. Bass at this depth are not as adversely affected by boat traffic & weather changes.Why? Because I don't think my depth finder is capable of reading any thing shallower
Seriously because this is the depth at which Hydrilla, Milfoil, and Coontail Moss stop growing on this lake thus keeping me on a break line.
Now to critique of fishfordollars plan for fishing Oil Well Cove/Jesse Lowe's Bay; his plan is typical of someone not familiar with fishing the big pond. This doesn't mean he would not catch but with my plan I would be in the upper percentile range for success at catching bigger bass. Quite simply put I would start deep and stay deep with Texas Rigs, Carolina Rigs, Jig-N-Craws, Deep Cranks or any combination there of.
This post just taught me more about fishing TB than anything I have ever read. I am not refering just to the deep water either. Thank you Catt.
Catt reply :
Ok y'all chew on the structure side for a while & I'll address tackle
Texas Rigged plastic is the most productive technique by far on this body of water. I can not give you a scientific explanation but the bass on this lake love plastic of any kind and if you want to catch bass in numbers or size you had better be throwing plastic. I also can not explain why but it has been my experience when fishing a Texas rig either a 3/16 oz or ¼ oz bullet will produce the most bites regardless of water depth. Texas rigged craw worms are largely overlooked by most anglers but it is highly productive on this body of water.
Due to the tremendous amounts of vegetation, brush, and timber on this lake the Jig-N-Craw is an easy choice. While it may not produce all the time I keep one tied on at all times and will not leave a piece of structure without throwing one.
Carolina Rig what can I say except it produces year round; I'm not a proficient it as I should be and am working on that.
Deep Diving Crank Baits, at certain times in the hands of an experienced angler the DD-14 is and has out produced the above in tournaments wins. I sadly am not one of those anglers.
That my friends are the top producing lures on this body of water year round but this is not to say all the other lures can not be productive. Spinner baits, Traps, Rogues, top water all produce but for a shorter period of time. If you want to put yourself in a higher percentile range for being consistent use one of the four mentioned.
Cableman reply :
Ok for that lake you say you keep your boat in 15' of water. How do you go about finding that key depth at a lake you are on for the first time?
Thanks
Ron
fishfordollars reply :
QuoteOk y'all chew on the structure side for a while & I'll address tackleTexas Rigged plastic is the most productive technique by far on this body of water. I can not give you a scientific explanation but the bass on this lake love plastic of any kind and if you want to catch bass in numbers or size you had better be throwing plastic. I also can not explain why but it has been my experience when fishing a Texas rig either a 3/16 oz or ¼ oz bullet will produce the most bites regardless of water depth. Texas rigged craw worms are largely overlooked by most anglers but it is highly productive on this body of water.
Due to the tremendous amounts of vegetation, brush, and timber on this lake the Jig-N-Craw is an easy choice. While it may not produce all the time I keep one tied on at all times and will not leave a piece of structure without throwing one.
Carolina Rig what can I say except it produces year round; I'm not a proficient it as I should be and am working on that.
Deep Diving Crank Baits, at certain times in the hands of an experienced angler the DD-14 is and has out produced the above in tournaments wins. I sadly am not one of those anglers.
That my friends are the top producing lures on this body of water year round but this is not to say all the other lures can not be productive. Spinner baits, Traps, Rogues, top water all produce but for a shorter period of time. If you want to put yourself in a higher percentile range for being consistent use one of the four mentioned.
That certainly makes sense to me. I have won two of our club tournaments this year on the lake fishing a senko, crawworm and a Lake Fork 7 1/4 ribbed worm in 12-18' water.
Catt reply :
Gone fishing see y'all Monday
fishfordollars reply :
QuoteGone fishing see y'all Monday
Good luck and be safe. I'm leaving Saturday morning.
fishfordollars reply :
Cableman, when we were on the phone the other day I asked you to draw in the 15' depth on the map. This is where I would begin my search and work from there. If you draw it in on the flat down toward the dam at Richland Chambers lake it will show the pond dams and other depth changes that we discussed. Barring any cool weather I think you will be fine working the 15-20' levels. Most people will be fishing a c-rig in the area.
Do not forget the two pockets above the bridge across from the launch that will be loaded with grass I showed you.
Good luck.
Catt reply :
Each body of water has a key depth at which bass spend a majority of their time; on Toledo Bend it's happens to correspond with where the Hydrilla stops growing. This is why I mentioned 15' plus or minus 3'; last month the lake level on the bend was up 2.5' feet from where it is now so the outside grass line is at 12.5'. If the lake level had risen 2.5' instead of fallen the outside grass line would be 17.5'. I position my boat just far enough away so I can reach 10 or 15' past the grass line with a decent cast and I can turn around and still reach deep water with a long cast.
Now while we are talking deep water structure some thing occurred to me Thursday night on the lake. I pulled up to one area which had 2 other boats fishing the area and my buddy Pat did not want to stay; I told him they are fishing it wrong and proceeded to explain why. Both boats were sitting in 45' of water casting on to a ridge that was 8' deep on top; I positioned my boat on the edge of the drop off in 15' and dropped anchor. I explained to Pat if they are in 45' while casting to 8' by the time their lure is less than half way back to the boat it is no longer in contact with the bottom correct; Pat agreed. Now I'm in 15' casting towards 45' my lure is in constant contact with the bottom all the way up the hill back to the boat correct; Pat again agrees. My question then is whose lure is in the strike zone the longest since the bass are relating to the bottom?
Catt reply :
Huh everyone give up already?
MARSH MASTER reply :
nope just taking it all in so don't stop know
Cableman reply :
Answer to question is your lure is in the strike zone the longest.
fishfordollars reply :
I'm here. Just been tied up with a few things.
Catt reply :
So how were y'all trip?
I fished Toledo Bend Thursday & Friday; we caught 21 bass with the top 5 weighting in around 18-19 pounds with a 6.8 kicker. Missed at least twice as many as we caught; it was a strange bite with no distinctive tap or bump, they simply inhaled the bait and swam off with it. Every thing was caught on Texas Rigged worms with Gene Larew's 7 ½ Salty Ring Worm Cinnamon Pepper Neon/June Bug Laminated (Camouflage) accounting for 90% of the bites; all fish caught and fish missed were in 12-18' of water on under water points.
There were 3 of us and it broke down like this
Scotty Boy my youngest son accounted for 1 bass
Patrick C my #1 partner accounted for 8 bass
Tommy T (Catt) accounted for 12 bass + the 6.8 kicker
dutchb reply :
Catt!! How was your trip on T-Bend over the weekend??? The day time fishing was tough for me. I fished the long ridge just south of Millionaire Point both days. We caught upwards of 15 bass, but all but 2 were small throw backs. We also had a bunch more bites, but we were fishing with 10-11.5 worms and they were biting the worm in half and not getting the hook. I don't know if they were small bass, or bream. I learned allot about your structure fishing and will continue to print off your lessons on structure fishing 101. Thanks Dutch
Catt reply :
Dutch if the bass you were catching were biting your 10-11.5 worm in half they were telling you to throw smaller worms. Of the 21 bass we caught 4 in 10 were keepers which is typical for Toledo this time of the year and the reason we were upset for missing so many. Our 5 bass stringer went like this 6.8, 4.3, 3.0, and then nose dived to culling any thing over 14; we did have 4 bass on that would have weighted around 5 lbs but they shook off.
Fishfordollars how was Rayburn?
fishfordollars reply :
I had a rough time on rayburn. Three hundred yards into my run from the ramp. I broke a blade off my Lazer 22P prop(No Spare) and was regulated to fishing the area around the ramp area on the TM. Partner failed to show so it was a long night for me. biggest was 5.50 and I only had four. Most caught on plastic and some on a black buzzbait. Lots of small fish. Not one of my better efforts. Most bites were on the grass lines out on the points with 12-15' drops.
fishfordollars reply :
Beats me. I was 5800 rpm and everything began to shake. I shut off and restarted and everything seemed fine until I put it in gear. I trimed up and 2/3 of one blade was completely gone. I am sure I did not hit anything but maybe I damaged it on the last trip. That is the second time I have ever seen it happen. Had a friend in a Champion lose one on a 4 blade once back in the early 90s. Never thought I wouold see it again.
This prop had just come out of the prop shop and had been extensively repitched. It's over there now so they can take a look at it and see if it was stressed when they repitched it. It was a 22P and was now a 24.
Catt reply :
I've seen one bent at a 90 degree from being pounded during a storm while we held on the boat as the waves lifted an 18' Champion over our heads and slammed it down.
That's a trip I surely not forget
Ok guys any questions or suggestions?
fishfordollars reply :
Catt, PM sent.
Catt reply :
So I'll assume everyone understands the above perfectly since no one has asked a single question?
MARSH MASTER reply :
I wish this information could be more helpful to me here in the swampland. I did save this so I can use this on my road trips to toledo bend or any other lake that I might visit. It just sucks that everything I read on this site or on any magazine realy doesn't help me but I take it all in anyway. Thanx for the amazing thread.
Catt reply :
I can talk marsh fishing since I grew up and still make a few trips a year to the marshes of Southwest Louisiana. This one along with 2 others over 10 pounds can out of Lacassine Wildlife Refuge.
MARSH MASTER reply :
I usualy fish about 2 days a week trying to get better. I've been fishing since I was 4-5 with my father. I now fish alot of tournements down here. I'm trying to learn these fish but they seem to be the hardess to figure out. They are very unpredictable, they can be found in the strangest places at the strangest time.
I'm now coming upon the (to me) hardess part of the year and my tournament series is starting.
I can't cancel out any water right now becouse I have no idea were they could be.
It seems at times I can catch 100 fish in a day but right now they're very hard to come by.
Catt reply :
Marshes are the most unpredictable bodies of water to fish bar none; due to their shallow nature they are affected by everything.
fishfordollars reply :
I'm all for restarting this thread if anyone is interested.
Catt reply :
I be ready
txbass1 reply :
I'm in for this round!
Wesley reply :
I have been away a while but I just read through the post and its all great information.
fishfordollars reply :
We probably should wait for Ike to pass this weekend if we are going to revive this thread. Catt and I both may be on the move.
Wesley reply :
I plan on hitting Toledo up this evening and tomorrow morning!
Catt reply :
You can catch bass from 2' to 25' and you should try the following baits:
Spooks or Frogs
Spinner baits
Medium crank bait 8'-12'
Light Texas rig 12'-20'
Heavy Carolina rig for 18'-25'
DD22 for deep cranking
A drop shot 18' -25'
Wesley reply :
I got out yesterday and only caught a couple and those all shallow on frogs and a shakey head.
Catt reply :
You gave us the what now how about the when and where?
Wesley reply :
Well if you take your Hook N line map and locate the pendleton Bridge. Follow the west Bank north to Clear creek. That whole area is a shallow flat with grass and lilly pads. There were some bass in the back of the creek chasing shad. there were also some out on the point of the creek.
Catt reply :
Ok guys fall is on the way so let's talk creeks, someone pick one
fishfordollars reply :
QuoteOk guys fall is on the way so let's talk creeks, someone pick one
Negreet,
Six Mile
Tenaha
Any of the above
Catt reply :
Negreet excellent choice since that is where I cut my fall & winter teeth but more precisely Salter Creek and the back third of Negreet.
There are a couple of things to me that defines early fall fishing is mouths creek channel coves and the points associated with them. If one were to look at the map of Negreet one thing should pop into mind immediately and that would be the number of mouths creek channel coves and the points associated with them. I count eleven creek channel coves that would give me 2 points for each creek channel or 22 points but try adding the points associated with Negreet Creek itself; staggering isn't it?
Here's the first test! Where would you start and why?
Pigsticker reply :
I do not know if I can play but I have been following this thread from the start, it is so interesting to watch you guys dissect this lake.
I have looked at a map and I would fish the most exposed(to wind) points or the downwind points first. That is just my instinct I have always liked fishing the wind blown sections of a lake in fall it seems more productive. I also like the southern side of these coves where there is alot of boat docks and rock croppings(near those two islands), I would spend some time there fishing all those creek mouths then work the offshore croppings/islands. I hope this is an acceptable approach.
fishfordollars reply :
This early in the year I will concentrate on the outter 1/2 of Negreet paying attention to the points on either side of each creek working my way back into the bay. I would target the points on the south side of Tennesse bay as they are the closest to the main river and work my way back. The flat on the south side of the mouth of Negreet has produced some good stringers for me in the past. Just work your way down the side of the flat into the first creek you come to with plastics and cranks. I have fished Salter twice in my liketime and only once did it produce for me. that comes from a lack of knowledge and experience in that area. The better results for me have come fishing the submerged points and creek channels on the northern side. There are a lot of them off the bank in the deeper water up and down that area all the way to Salter. This is the area I would concetrate on.
Pigsticker reply :
Oh forgot to say what I would throw
Six inch senko watermelon black flake t-rigged with a 3/16 oz weight
T-rigged fluke 1/8 oz weight
Small White/silver swimbait/swim senko 1/4 oz weight
Catt reply :
Excellent choices from someone who doesn't know the lake & someone who does; y'all both make me get my map out.
Anyone else?
castandblast reply :
QuoteExcellent choices from someone who doesn't know the lake & someone who does; y'all both make me get my map out.Anyone else?
Hello,
I am in the military and have just recently moved here and live on fort polk. I found this thread yesterday and have read the whole thing and have to say it's great! I am fishing in a tournament this saturday on Toledo and was trying to find some information and this is by far the best. This has helped me tremendously!! Catt thanks for takeing the time to do this and all the great information! I can't wait to hear more and I am going to get a map today!
foul hooked reply :
I just got a map of TB yesterday. I'm going to catch up by reading this whole thread again while looking at the map. I know I'll have plenty of questions.
My neighborhood lake (SW Houston) really cooled off after Ike. Nothing like a bunch of cold rain and a cold front. The fish are starting to perk up some. Jaws are starting to loosen.
I look forward to the conversation.
Catt reply :
Ok here's where I would start
Notice where the map shows Tennessee Bay under 113 with an arrow point down?
Notice the roadbed that runs from there to Turtle Beach Lodge?
Next move over to the mouth of Slater Creek where you'll see another roadbed crossing the mouth?
Now move into Slater Creek about ¼ of the way in and you'll see a pipeline?
I would work these areas with Crank baits, Traps, Rouges, Texas Rigs, Carolina Rigs, or Jig-N-Craws. One may ask why not spinner baits my answer is I would most generally stay deeper and while spinner baits can be fished in deep water they would not be as effective.
Pigsticker here's the problem I have with your selections; look at the map again and you will notice that other tan the cove at Shadows Landing plus 2 farther back none have creek channels. I find it essential during fall and spring that the areas I fishing have creek channels. That is not to say these coves don't produce fish it's just the coves with creek channels are more consistent.
foul hooked reply :
OK, I've got my map and I've done a little studying. I would like to expand on the covecreek conversation.
1. Catt stated he likes a cove with a creek channel associated with it, I'm assuming that the bass use the channel as a highway. Do the bait (shad) use the channel for a migration route also? Or are the shad just drawn to the shallower water?
2. Are the bass moving in and out of the coves with creek channels on a daily basis to feed? Are they still spending their down time in deeper water and only moving in the covecreek to feed? Are the bait migrating in and out of the creek cove? Is their ever a time when either the bait or the bass stay up in the covecreek?
This is a situation I've wanted to explore for quite some time now. These questions are just scratching the surface.
Thanks for your input in advance. This is fun stuff for me and I appreciate your taking time to indulge me.
Mike
Catt reply :
Question #1: yes
Question #2: no
What you will find on Toledo Bend is there are bass that stay on the main lake never coming in contact with a shoreline. Then there are bass that stay in the large creek channel covers like Negreet. Each creek channel cove is a separate lake as is each section of the main lake and should always be fished as such.
This is the tricky part of fishing a lake the size of Toledo Bend look at pre-spawn/spawn I could start on the north end and work south fishing pre-spawn/spawn from late January until late early May.
Black Bass reply :
Thanks CATT and all. Saved all of this thread. It's a lot to absorb but it's great.
Thanks again,
RB
Pigsticker reply :
I understand Catt, In Toledo Bend do you find that fish relate to docks a lot or do they leave them alone for the most part? and Do those rock croppings/islands get pounded?
With this "new" info I think I would want to fish that point in the back next to the half circle cove-ish place and the point to the south of it across the mouth. then maybe do some flipping in that first point's big cove. that island in the middle of the cove is interesting too. 10 inch junebug ribbontail worm and a 5-6 inch craw worm both t-rigged with either 1/4 or 3/8 oz weights
Hope that works better.
Catt reply :
Question: In Toledo Bend do you find that fish relate to docks a lot or do they leave them alone for the most part?
Answer: On Toledo Bend as with most lakes docks that are productive have deep water access; I've actually won 2 tournaments fishing the old docks at Fin-N-Feather before a tornado took them out.
Question: Do those rock croppings/islands get pounded?
Answer: Many anglers feel the necessity to fish visually but what they fell to understand when fishing an island is to let their depth finder be their eyes. Many anglers immediately want to get within casting distance of an island when the most productive part of this structure may well be nowhere near shore.
The biggest mistake I see anglers make on large bodies of water is they try to fish the lake as a whole rather than breaking the lake into separate sections (lakes). The Teneha Bayou/Tucker's Lake area up north fishes different than the San Patricio/San Migul/Patroon area. These fish different than the Palo Goucho/Negreet/Lowe's Creek area which fishes different than the Housen' Bayou/Six Mile area. And they are all different than the Mill Creek/Toledo Bay area down south. Heck from creek channel cove to creek channel cove can be a huge difference.
While the structure types found through out the lake are the same the dominate cover varies from section to section. One area the bass may key mainly on wood (stumps, logs, brush) and the next area they may key mainly on grass (Hydrilla/Milfoil/Coon tail).
fishfordollars reply :
Catt, what shape is the grass in in the Negreet area? What is the water level? Is it on a rise, stable, or falling? Stained or clear?
Thanks,
Jack
Catt reply :
09/29/08 6:30 AM
Lake level: 167.93
Generator 1: shut down
Generator 2: shut down
Spillway gates: closed
Current water flow: 204 CFS
Jack I have not been in Negreet in a few months but the south end of the lake is clear both on the main lake and in the creeks; grass is in excellent shape. I fished the Housen' Bayou area last Tuesday and Wednesday, winds on the main lake were 15-20 mph so after taking the 3rd wave over the bow I headed Housen' Bayou. We fished creek channel coves boated good numbers but few keeper and no hawgs (6 lb +).
Momma wants to go for a couple days to relax but I scheduled to get steroid injections in my back on the 2nd so I'm debating going before or after.
fishfordollars reply :
Thanks Catt. I am schelduled for my injections Wednesday of this week at 11:15 am. Good luck with yours.
Catt reply :
Jack have you had these injections before and if so how did they work?
fishfordollars reply :
Catt, I have had 9 sets of them over the years. Are they in the neck or back area? You just lay still. If they are in the neck you should be on your back, in the mid back to lower back you should be on your stomach. They will deaden the area and then go in with another LONGER needle watching a scope all the while. If you can see the scope you will be able to watch, unless they knock you out. When they reach the facet area or another area they want to shoot they will inject the medicine. You will not be in pain, and it will take a few days for it to work(If it works at all). I have had a few that did not work at all and some that worked great. Good luck.
fishfordollars reply :
Catt, they will tell you to take it easy for 24 hours. After that you can get after it.
Catt reply :
It's the lower back and any relief will be a plus
fishfordollars reply :
I hope they help you. The last set I had on my mid back area worked great. At least now I can stand in the bow of a boat most of the day.
Pigsticker reply :
I hope everything goes well with both of your appointments
Catt reply :
Well my doctors appoint was only to fill out paper, inform me what was to take place, and take money; scheduled for injections on the 14th until then just deal with it.
Ok back to fishing! Who's got a question?
foul hooked reply :
How do you decide which end of the lake to fish? Is it dictated by a particular seasonal pattern you have in mind to try?
After looking at the map a novice could be over whelmed by size.
Good luck with the doctors Catt.
Catt reply :
Probably 75 to 80% of anglers when first confronted with Toledo Bend are in total amazement at its size. Since we are discussing Negreet Creek let's look at its size, the mouth is approximately 1 1/8 miles wide & the length is approximately 5 miles long; that in its self is a fairly large lake.
Question: How do you decide which end of the lake to fish?
Answer: With 36 years experience fishing this lake I will pick an area based on what type of structure & cover I want to fish. I spend a majority of my time from Lowe's Creek south to Mill Creek areas because I like staying on the Texas side. All of my camps have been in the Hemphill, Texas area.
Question: Is it dictated by a particular seasonal pattern you have in mind to try?
Answer: It's based solely on a whim, I'm just as comfortable up north as I am down south but I strongly believe there are more DD bass down south. This has been a huge argument between anglers for years; some feel the north end rules while others feel the south end rules.
fishfordollars reply :
I have spent most of my time from Pallo Gaucho Creek north to Huxley Bay area. Just what I have gotten comfortable with. I intend to spend a lot more time around the six mile and Housen bay area in the future. Catt, that is an area I will be calling on you for lots of help and information if you do not mind.
I read your post concerning the idea to try to get the anglers in the area for a Texas Louisiana get together on Toledo Bend and I am looking forward to getting it put together.
Catt reply :
Jack I'll gladly help you with those areas just say when
As for a Toledo Bend get together it's all depends on timing, Long Mike will be there this weekend & I may have to bring Momma but I'll try my hardest to be there.
fishfordollars reply :
QuoteJack I'll gladly help you with those areas just say whenAs for a Toledo Bend get together it's all depends on timing, Long Mike will be there this weekend & I may have to bring Momma but I'll try my hardest to be there.
I have a family renunion in Nacogdoches that weekend. He will get a shot at me the next weekend on Fork. Sorry I have to miss it. Thanks for the offer to help.
Catt reply :
FYI
I'll be at Fin-N-Feather Thursday-Saturday; Y'all Come
Catt reply :
Y'all should have been there
perchjerker reply :
Catt I just found this site and I realy liked what you wrote. Two questions? when you fish at these depths do you cast or verticle fish. Do you have beter luck fishing uphill or downhill.
Catt reply :
I cast & fish uphill
Fishing on a String reply :
Catt,
Thanks for the info, I have read everything so far and can not wait for the next part. I live here too, but have not figured these fish out just yet. The day I stop learning it is time for me to quit.
Catt reply :
Here's an interesting view
http://maps.google.com/
themudbug reply :
So Catt
When are you going to teach us more?I have my map and a navionics cd.Please let the lessons continue.
Thanks
Catt reply :
QuoteSo CattWhen are you going to teach us more?I have my map and a navionics cd.Please let the lessons continue.
Thanks
When y'all ask more questions
Fishing on a String reply :
Catt,
I went Sunday up to the island just north of Cypress Bend just playing around running old gas out. I noticed a large amount of bubbles and a ton of shad just on the point. the water was stained but it did not seem to bother the shad. Does that mean the lake was turning over up there? Was the shad their do to the oxygen content or do they stay in the area due to the depth changes that alows them to shallow up feeding then go back down? Thanks for the info
Catt reply :
That's a good question but since I was not there personally to get specific reading of water temperature below the surface, oxygen reading, depth finder readings I would only be guessing. The Sabine River channel runs near the west end of that island & it is known for Strippers not so much for bass.
Catt reply :
With the lake level remaining at 167.4 feet and surface temperatures ranging from 64 to 68 degrees the spinner bait bite is the most constant of all early morning bites. The #1 trick is buzzing the bait over the moss beds until it reaches the outside edge then killing it and fluttering it down. This pattern has produced several Hawgs in the 8-11 pound range when used on outer grass lines (8-12') next to creek channels.
The Texas Rig is still ruling the deep water bite with DD22's a not so distant second, the crank bait bite is best on deep points and deep creek banks; your color choice should be anything shad colored.
A Texas Rig with a ¼ oz weight & most any plastic is producing both quality/quantity; work main lake structure, main lake points, secondary points, & mid way back into creeks.
The hottest lures for my gang are:
#1 Gene Larew 7 ½ Salty Ring Worm Cinnamon Pepper Neon/June Bug Laminated (Camouflage).
#2 Gene Larew 7 ½ Salty Ring Worm Junebug/Blue Tail
#3 Rage Tail 7 Anaconda Okeechobee Craw
#4 Stanley Wedge Plus 3/8 oz, Chartreuse Pearl, double gold willow
#5 Bill Norman DD22 Nutter Shad & Chartreuse SX Shad
iClass reply :
Just found this site and it is much better than some I have been involved with. Catt, You are doing an amazing job. I love Toledo and will be moving into the Nagodoches area in about two years. I fish the Oilmen's tournaments as well as a few others, and in the spring the tourney winners all seem to come from 1215 area and farther North. Are you about ready to delve into the tease for spring?
Catt reply :
The eternal question which part of the lake has better fishing; north lake, mid-lake, or south lake? My records along with Lake Caster magazine show the south lake with the advantage.
Now what do you consider spring?
fishfordollars reply :
QuoteJust found this site and it is much better than some I have been involved with. Catt, You are doing an amazing job. I love Toledo and will be moving into the Nagodoches area in about two years. I fish the Oilmen's tournaments as well as a few others, and in the spring the tourney winners all seem to come from 1215 area and farther North. Are you about ready to delve into the tease for spring?
I was born and raised in Nacogdoches. Let me know when you get there and I will help you out.
iClass reply :
Spring to me is dictated by early pre spawn into full fledged spawn/post spawn, i.e. February thru April. One of the reasons I like the North end during springtime is the water tends to warm faster and is usually off color allowing one a little more leeway in not spooking the bedding fish.
iClass reply :
Forgot to answer all of your points...sorry...
Looking at my experience (which is limited to 2003 - current)
Best fishing Early spring: North of Pend Bridge
Late spring: Mid lake, South Lake.
Summer: South Lake
Fall:Mid lake, South Lake
Winter: I really have issues during the winter fishing (stay close to home mostly)
BTW, I live in Central Louisiana and get to frequent Toledo Bend fairly often as it is only two hours away. I have my map and am extremely impressed. I have caught some nice fish out of Jesse Lowe but never realized all the areas I was overlooking! Thanks Catt.
Very good Information and I can't wait for the next installment.
Fishfordollars, I will def get with you when we start looking around for a place. If you need a Fishpartner sometime let me know. Thanks
fishfordollars reply :
QuoteForgot to answer all of your points...sorry...Looking at my experience (which is limited to 2003 - current)
Best fishing Early spring: North of Pend Bridge
Late spring: Mid lake, South Lake.
Summer: South Lake
Fall:Mid lake, South Lake
Winter: I really have issues during the winter fishing (stay close to home mostly)
BTW, I live in Central Louisiana and get to frequent Toledo Bend fairly often as it is only two hours away. I have my map and am extremely impressed. I have caught some nice fish out of Jesse Lowe but never realized all the areas I was overlooking! Thanks Catt.
Very good Information and I can't wait for the next installment.
Fishfordollars, I will def get with you when we start looking around for a place. If you need a Fishpartner sometime let me know. Thanks
If you are looking to buy, my brother owns a real estate company there. Just let me know and I will give you his number.
Catt reply :
Fishing a tournament on Saturday
Here in lies the challenge
Today: Rain showers likely before 4pm, then rain showers likely, possibly mixed with snow and sleet. Cloudy, with a high near 41. North wind between 10 and 15 mph. Chance of precipitation is 70%. Little or no snow accumulation expected.
Tonight: Rain likely, possibly mixed with snow and sleet, mainly before midnight. Cloudy, with a low around 32. North wind around 10 mph. Chance of precipitation is 70%. New snow and sleet accumulation of less than a half inch possible.
Thursday: A slight chance of rain and snow before 9am, then a slight chance of rain between 9am and noon. Mostly cloudy, with a high near 48. North wind between 5 and 10 mph. Chance of precipitation is 20%.
Thursday Night: Partly cloudy, with a low around 32. North wind around 5 mph.
Friday: Mostly sunny, with a high near 60. Calm wind becoming east around 5 mph.
Friday Night: Partly cloudy, with a low around 37. East wind around 5 mph.
Saturday: Partly sunny, with a high near 62. Southeast wind between 5 and 10 mph
txbass1 reply :
I already told Jack it is almost unfair to his club for you two guys to be in the same boat on that lake! 8-) I expect you guys will have a good educated guess on a few patterns that would work before the lower unit hits the water. Good luck to you guys.
Catt reply :
All that means is that Jack has someone in his boat who knows his way around the lake; we still have to deal with the same conditions as everyone else.
Long Mike reply :
For a change, Jack has a ringer on board. That is a very significant change from Jack fishing with me at Fork. Good luck guys!
fishfordollars reply :
I've tried to stay out of this conversation and not let everyone know that Catt and I were fishing together in this tournament. Looks like the catt(No pun intended) is out of the bag. Hope it does not jinx us. If we do well we will let everyone know, if not, I will just go hide a while.
fishfordollars reply :
QuoteFor a change, Jack has a ringer on board. That is a very significant change from Jack fishing with me at Fork. Good luck guys!
Mike, heck you netted the only doubledigit I have caught this year. I thank you for that. BTW, if I have allready not told everyone, I had a ball fishing with you. Even though you fish braid that has not been retied in several months. Learned your lesson didn't you. Just so everyone knows Mike, failing to take care of your tackle cost you a very large fish at Fork. That was a good lesson learned.
Catt reply :
Jack this Ole Catt is not superstitious; If we do our part & the bass do theirs we should be fine.
The reason I brought this up was due to the weather conditions it fits in with So y'all want to learn Toledo Bend? The next part of this discussion will be fishing the Bend under winter conditions so y'all think about what question and I'll try to figure out the answers.
fishfordollars reply :
Catt, I'm at Sam Rayburn, hooked up, will see you at the ramp on Toledo in the morning.
Catt reply :
Cocked, Locked, & Ready to Rock
txbass1 reply :
QuoteI've tried to stay out of this conversation and not let everyone know that Catt and I were fishing together in this tournament. Looks like the catt(No pun intended) is out of the bag. Hope it does not jinx us. If we do well we will let everyone know, if not, I will just go hide a while.
Sorry Jack, I did not know it was on the DL.
Catt reply :
Set the stage for fishfordollars & Catt's first meeting on Toledo Bend
It all starts Friday night with just 3 hours sleep and then Saturday morning a 2 ½ hour drive to the lake. I arrive at Indian Mounds boat launch at 5:30 step out of the car and the first thing I notice is the wind is howling at about 30-35 mph; minutes later Jack arrives. After a short introduction I advise Jack we may be better off launching at White Oak Creek since it's out of the wind and Jack agrees. I had already noticed 2 guys sitting in a 19' Champion since I had over shot the Indian Mound launch coming in and had to back track; well this two leave at first light only to return 5 minutes later. Jack asks the one walking to his truck if it was rough and he exclaims there aint no way in hell your fishing the main lake and they are trailering to the Louisiana side. Should have been our clue!
By about 10 after six I told Jack we could make the 2-2 ½ mile run into Hurricane Bayou to which Jack replied lets do this. Jack jumps the ProGator up on plan we make a short run following buoys out of White Oak and into the main lake boat lane. We pass 2 buoys when Jack screams where's the next buoy sitting up on one knee I'm quickly scanning the horizon for additional buoys which are somewhere under the waves. With the boat headed towards the Louisiana side Jack says we can't keep heading this direction we are going to spear a wave. Pointing towards Fox's Lodge I tell Jack head for them lights while I try to find buoys so we can head into Housen' Bayou. Finally relieve as I see another boat in the boat lake and tell Jack head towards him cause he is in the lane. Success at last as we are able to turn west where I finally see the boat lane and head into Housen' and then Hurricane.
As for the fishing portion my top 7 spots were the in direct path of 30-35 mph winds shooting down plans A and B. I had only 5 bites all day catching 1 on a Texas Rig and 1 on a Spinner Bait none weighable. Jack has probably 10 bites on a Texas Rig and Trap catching 6 but only 2 are weighable.
The fellowship portion of the trip was unbelievable as Jack and I realize we ran the same drag racing circuits and fished many of the same tournaments in and around Toledo Bend; so some where along the way our paths unknowingly crossed. Jack your ability to handle a boat in adverse conditions was amazing to watch as for the fishing we will get together on the Bend again under better conditions and kick bass.
Low_Budget_Hooker reply :
Great report back Catt!!
It's still a win if you make a new friend,lol. Better luck next time boys
fishfordollars reply :
Here is my view of the first day fishing with Catt.
He is a great person and it was an honor to get to fish with him Saturday on the Bend. Easy to talk to and even easier to fish with. It is hard to find someone that you can share a boat with without differences of opinions and strategies that differ. We fish a lot alike and he knows Toledo, especially the south end very well. Catt, you taught me an awful lot about that area, an area I seldom fish. I thank you for that and I thank you for the great time I had sharing the boat with you.
The weather absolutely killed us and it was very dangerous on the lake. One member had his rod straps broken by a wave over the bow of his 21 ft boat and washed 10 rods and reels out of the boat. That was over 3,000.00 worth of rod and reels. Anyone without a lot of boating experience would have been in a lot of trouble out there Saturday. I'm just glad everyone made it off the lake safely.
Catt, anytime or anywhere you are welcome to the front or back of my boat. I cannot think of anyone I would prefer to have along. The conditions Saturday would discourage anyone. You and I hung in there, fished hard all day, it just was not to be.
I am ready anytime you are.
Jack
P.S. TAKE A BIG BOAT!
Long Mike reply :
I was green with *** when Fishfordollars told me that he and Catt were going to be fishing together. In retrospect, I'm glad I wasn't there. Four to six foot waves in a bass boat, regardless of size, is not my idea of a fun time. You ARE going to get wet.
Catt reply :
If y'all are going to fish Toledo Bend you must be proficient at rough water boat handling & knowing how to get your boat off of stumps because you are going to deal with both.
Stumps are easy to deal with because if you are not in a marked boat lane or you are not very experienced with the areas you are fishing come down off of plane and ideal.
Dealing with rough water comes with seat time; learning from an experienced pilot helps but the sooner you get behind the wheel the better.
Neither Jack nor I thought twice about heading out but once out of the shelter of White Oak decisions had to be made and made in a split second. Once we realized we could not see buoy markers we simultaneously realized we had to change directions. Now how to change directions in a stump filled lake with 30-35 mph winds; that is where knowledge of the lake came into play. While I could not see a buoy I spotted a white PVC pipe that sticks up about 6-7' out of the water marking a underwater hump, knowing the location of the PVC and our location I knew we could angle towards the lights at Fox's Lodge and cross Community Flat without worry of stumps. Once across Community Flat we picked up the Housen' boat lane and made a quick run into semi-protection of Hurricane Bayou.
At no time did I feel threatened because it took me 10 seconds to determine Jack had the boat under his complete control. Did we get wet? Well yea but only from spray that the wind blew back in our face.
fishfordollars reply :
Anyone fishing rough water will need to learn how to handle a boat when the weather goes south. If you fish the larger lakes across the country there will come a time when you get caught away from the ramp and have only two choices. Wait it out in a protected area, or go for it and make the run.
There is a third and that is to stay off the lake, but I am not one to spoil a trip.
If you decide to make the run:
Know your boat and it's tendencies.
Length
Beam
Motor response time(Does it hesitate during throttle response). This is very important as you will need the throttle response to time your hits on the waves. If it falters you are in trouble
Know the lake:
Shallow bars
Deep channels
Stump flats
Layout:
Does it lie on a n.w. to s.e. line(Most do in this area)
Which wind direction will cause the most problems. Winds from the N.W. really stir up Rayburn and Toledo.(East winds too).
Running the wind:
Waves come in sets with the 4th or 5th being larger
I alway try to run at a set of waves at an angle
Head on you can keep the bow up and time the waves with the throttle, but it is a rough, wet ride.
When you must change directions make the turn larger and allow the boat to ride down into the bottom and ride the tops at an angle
Use the throttle to keep you up on the tops if possible.(The bottom of a 5-6' wave is a very hard hit).
Running with the waves is the time that you will have the biggest chance of spearing a wave. Spearing is when the bow fails to clear the top of the wave in front of you. If the bow hits just 12" from the top of the wave there will be enough water coming at you to knock you out of your seat, break the windshields, and completely fill the boat. (Been there and done that). Do not panic. If with a partner try to level the boat by moving around and get the bilge pumps running(They should be anyway). Find the nearest bank to beach the boat until you can pump the water out or use the engine while you idle over the swels while pumping out the water.
My Skeeter has two pumps. One is automatic and the other is a manuel. both are 1,000 gallon per hour.
Use your throttle to time your rise and fall.
If you fish big water:
Have a boat that will handle it
Know which way the wind is likely to blow and pick your launch ramp that will allow you to fish the most protected areas
When all you can see are waves around you higher than your head, DO NOT PANIC. your boat will not cause the problem. It will be indecisions by the operator that will cause the issues. Stay focused and work out a game plan.
If you are sure that you cannot get back just put in on the bank and wait it out. I personally spent a night in the woods on Rayburn years ago due to the weather.
Feel free to add any other suggestions
Good luck
Catt reply :
Since it winter y'all want to pick a new area?
iClass reply :
How about Pendleton Bridge?
Catt reply :
Oh yea the mention of Pendelton Bridge means only place to my mind James Gaines Boat Lane from the mouth of Corsey Creek south to the intersection with the North-South boat lane. Let me first warn y'all fishing the main lake under winter conditions can become very serious very fast for two reasons; rough water which can develop extremely fast on this lake and hyperthermia. Many people think one must fall into the water for hyperthermia to occur but this is false, all you have to do is get wet enough from spray coming off waves while running coupled with not wearing proper clothing.
Water conditions on the Bend are as follows:
Level: 168.10 with all gates shut down
Temperatures: range from the lower to mid 50s
Clarity: Main lake; North stained-slightly stained, Mid clear-partly stained and South clear. Major feeder creeks off colored water in the far back ends
Catt reply :
Y'all get out the ole Hook-N-Line map & let's see if what we find in the James Gaines Boat Lane area for winter bass.
On main lake flats during winter there are two things to consider before I even leave the house; lure selection & break lines.
Lures selection would be simple because I would have only 3 rods on the deck:
Rat-L-Trap probably in the ½ oz size Gold/Black Back/Orange Belly
Stanley Wedge spinner bait in the ½ oz size with a #5 gold Willow Leaf with a #2 nickel Colorado blade on the inside, and a chartreuse/white skirt & sweeten it with a white Zoom trailer.
Carolina Rig I really don't have a set rule but a centipede, lizard, and Baby Brush Hog in Watermelon Neon are tough baits to beat when the fish are inactive. There are those days during cold fronts, or worse, right after a cold front on a bluebird day when you really have to slow down & use a Carolina-rig
Wesley reply :
So hows the fishing been on Toledo this year?
Catt reply :
As par for this time of year it will depend on the weather; last week was awesome
Wesley reply :
Wish I was home so I could get out on the lake!
Catt reply :
Not this week night temperatures in the upper 20s to lower 30s
I still think a Toledo Trip is in order for the near future with several members
I think I can talk Jack (fishfordollars) into it
fishfordollars reply :
I'm up for it. Just not this Saturday. Have our first club tournament on Rayburn, so I got to show for it.
Wesley reply :
How about we set something up on like March 15th? Gives everyone advanced notice and thats a good time for fishing on toledo.
Catt reply :
Wesley if I remember correctly you work shift work?
Jack & I are retired so how about you give us you schedule so we can work with you?
I don't mind setting a date but I sure hate fighting bad weather so how hard is it to arrange a spur of the moment kitchen pass?
Wesley reply :
Ok my days home I can fish just about any time here is my home days for the next few months.
Jan 17th-28th
Feb 14th-25th
Mar 14th-25th
Apr 11th-22nd
March 21st I have my companys tournament, and plan on fishing in any T's that I can catch on Tbend or Rayburn on my off time for the next few months.
fishfordollars reply :
I have tournaments on Feb 14, Feb 28-Mar.1,Mar. 7-8 &14-15, April 4-5, April 11-12 . Other days I am good to go. If it's midweek that is even better.
Ooops, Jan 17 is booked. I am open the rest of the month unless I decide to fish another one or two.
Wesley, looks like your scheldule will work with mine. Now we need to get Catt figured out.(If that's possible).
Wesley reply :
Thats good, during the week is fine with me. If anyone is ever up on Toledo and wants a fishing partner message me and I will be glad to tag along!
Catt reply :
My wife knows I'm subject to bail at anytime; week days are 10 times better than weekends since most cold fronts are scheduled to hit on weekends. January is pretty much out so I'll work on a clearing time in February.
fishfordollars reply :
QuoteMy wife knows I'm subject to bail at anytime; week days are 10 times better than weekends since most cold fronts are scheduled to hit on weekends. January is pretty much out so I'll work on a clearing time in February.
I'll be flexible to. Just let me know and we can work around my schedule.
foul hooked reply :
I'm looking at my map in the James Gaines area. First thing I see is that I need my glasses, getting old stinks.
Looks like a flat that a creek and the main river swings up close to the flat. It appears to drop pretty quick from 12' on the flat down to 50+ in the main channel.
I've never fished big water like this but here is how I would start in this area.
I would get just out in front of the flat (on the break) and work a crank and c-rig parallel to the flat where the channels swing up near the flat. I would progressively fish a deeper contour until I would hopefully find a depth were the fish are holding along the break. If that did not work I would go up on the flat and poke around with a jig and a trap.
Long Mike reply :
I'm in, but I'm up to my arse in work through at least the first half of Feb. From March 6-9 I'm fishing Caney Lake in Louisiana with my Cajun cronies.
The first part of April is out, due to the BR road trip. My Cajun cronies and I are kicking around a trip to the Bend the last week of April (yes, I know the spawn will be pretty much over) but nothing has been firmed up yet.
Catt reply :
NYTEX look for creek channel, road bed, & river channel
Depending on weather the spawn may or may not be over by April & definitely not on the extreme south end.
Bass_Fanatic reply :
Im all about fishin the bend around March! I got a club tourney on the 7th of March and I would love to see know some early spawn/pre-spawn patterns on the lake. I have fished the lake quite a bit in the past, but most of my fishing knowledge for toledo is during the summer months! Also, is there anyone fishing in the top 6 or best six this year. Rumor has it that this may be the last year of the top 6 and they will join back with the ALBC and go back to just one big tourney!!
Catt reply :
Top patterns as of right now
Slow-rolling a spinnerbait over & along the edge of hydrilla
Deep crankbaits on ledges along creek & river channels as well as working across deep points.
Lipless crankbaits along the edge of grass as well as in mouths of ditches & drains.
Jig- n-Craws along edge of grass in depths of 4-12 feet. On bright days, a heavy jig pitched into matted/thick grass
perchjerker reply :
Ok Catt I have a question about the bend. I fish the dam area,Indian creek,Tx and La island and some on the La side. I seem to be stuck in the dink farm. I'm a self admitted bank beater because lack of confidence and knowledge of deep water.What would you recommend to a guy like me that would like to find a better class of fish.
Catt reply :
Back in the early 70s I had a now famous Pro tell me the following For every bass you catch on the bank there are 5 behind you.
Get off the bank
Get a Hook-N-Line map & go back through this topic as well as others talking about structure fishing & learn.
Bass_Fanatic reply :
O.K. Catt, question for ya...
As I said earlier, I have a club tourney on March 7th. Now, I know that the spawn starts in north toledo and moves south, so on average, where on hte lake are the fish spawning this time of year, and do you fish spawners in shallow water with adjacent deep water, or do you focus on deep fish this time of year also?
Thanx
P.S. I love this forum and I appreciate anything and everything you have helped me with on the bend!!
Catt reply :
The lake level is presently at 168.6 with both generators currently shut down & with surface temperatures both sides of the 50 degree mark.
Depending on weather patterns and lake levels between now and the first weekend of March you would probably be looking at pre-spawn, late pre-spawn, & spawning from San Patricio/Wilson Creeks south to Pirates Cove & Housen'.
I concentrate on pre-spawn bass more than bass on the nest since pre-spawn bass are actively feeding.
Bass_Fanatic reply :
thanx catt for all the help, I am goin up to the bend mid febuary and will try and find some pre-spawners around Sam Miguel and old 1215 area!!
txfisherman reply :
I would be interested in what you might have on Sam Rayburn, since I fish a tournament trail on both rayburn and toledo.
Look forward to your reply.
Catt reply :
I haven't been on Rayburn is quite sometime so fishfordollars or Matt Fly is who you need to ask
Catt reply :
I'll be on the Big Pond Saturday & Sunday; y'all come (launching @ Fin & Feather 7 am)
fishfordollars reply :
txfisherman, you never called me to get the exact locations. Sent you a pm. I will be out of town next Monday through the next Sunday so you can reach me on my cell. 281 224-8853.
Daughter is having a baby next Wednesday(C-sec) and I just happen to be trailering my Skeeter with me for the occasion. Naturally there is a tournament handy to jump on. Heck, she'll be in the hospital for a few days so I might as well fish during the day.
Catt reply :
In case y'all aint noticed I aint on the bend, we decided to try to get a little closer to the frontal & full moon arrival.
Be there at 7 in the morning
Wesley reply :
QuoteIn case y'all aint noticed I aint on the bend, we decided to try to get a little closer to the frontal & full moon arrival.Be there at 7 in the morning
Well what are you waitin on? How did it go?
Catt reply :
Sunday February 8th 2009
Pat & I started out in 14.6' of water on a secondary point, water surface temperature was 54.4 degrees, wind was ESE at 8 mph, water clarity slightly stained to clear, mostly cloudy skies.
On or about my third cast with a Texas Rigged worm I felt the slightest of taps dropped the rod reel the slack and set the hook; after a 7 second fight and fish unbuttoned. Fourth cast slightest of taps dropped the rod reel the slack and set the hook; after a 5 second fight and fish unbuttoned. Fifth cast slightest of taps dropped the rod reel the slack and set the hook; after a 10 second fight and fish unbuttoned.
Ok now that's 3 in a row and 3 misses in a row and Pat's on my case big time, we aint gonna get many bits & we can't be missing em.
10 or 15 minutes go by and I get another bite this time it's only the feeling of a bass picking up my worm and swimming with it; again with the drop the rod, reel the slack, set the hook only to be repaid with nothing.
Pat's like dude what the heck, you gonna catch em or not? I don't know I thought was setting hook hard and fast but now I don't know.
Pat asks how's your elbow? I answer, hurts like hell! Pat says ok next time when you set hook stand up at the same time.
In the mean time Pat catches 2 keepers on a jig before I get another bite but this time with a strong hook set and standing up at the same time for added power and speed I succeed in landing one.
Just goes to show you that with old age come physical disabilities that will change the way you fish. This elbow problem had me change my hook set along with changing from single hand cast to double hand cast, roll cast, & underhand cast to elevate pain.
Now back to the fishing we ended up with a full house stringer, that is three bass in the four pound range and a pair in the five pound range by 9:30 am. We continued to catch bass all day but we could not cull up; in total we boated 25 bass from various locations ranging from main lake structure to the very back of creeks. Monday was slightly slower with only 10 bass caught with a top 5 stringer weighting in at around 17 pounds.
Surface temperatures ranged from 54.4 on the main lake to 58.2 in the back of the creeks. Weather for both days was cloudy, periods of rain; winds from 5-15 with gust to 25.
Top producing lures
A ¼ Strike King Jig Camo in color with a 4 craw worm trailer
7 1/2 Gene Larew Salty Ring worm Camo
3/8 oz Stanley Wedge White/Chart. double willow gold
Wesley reply :
QuoteSunday February 8th 2009Pat & I started out in 14.6' of water on a secondary point, water surface temperature was 54.4 degrees, wind was ESE at 8 mph, water clarity slightly stained to clear, mostly cloudy skies.
On or about my third cast with a Texas Rigged worm I felt the slightest of taps dropped the rod reel the slack and set the hook; after a 7 second fight and fish unbuttoned. Fourth cast slightest of taps dropped the rod reel the slack and set the hook; after a 5 second fight and fish unbuttoned. Fifth cast slightest of taps dropped the rod reel the slack and set the hook; after a 10 second fight and fish unbuttoned.
Ok now that's 3 in a row and 3 misses in a row and Pat's on my case big time, we aint gonna get many bits & we can't be missing em.
10 or 15 minutes go by and I get another bite this time it's only the feeling of a bass picking up my worm and swimming with it; again with the drop the rod, reel the slack, set the hook only to be repaid with nothing.
Pat's like dude what the heck, you gonna catch em or not? I don't know I thought was setting hook hard and fast but now I don't know.
Pat asks how's your elbow? I answer, hurts like hell! Pat says ok next time when you set hook stand up at the same time.
In the mean time Pat catches 2 keepers on a jig before I get another bite but this time with a strong hook set and standing up at the same time for added power and speed I succeed in landing one.
Just goes to show you that with old age come physical disabilities that will change the way you fish. This elbow problem had me change my hook set along with changing from single hand cast to double hand cast, roll cast, & underhand cast to elevate pain.
Now back to the fishing we ended up with a full house stringer, that is three bass in the four pound range and a pair in the five pound range by 9:30 am. We continued to catch bass all day but we could not cull up; in total we boated 25 bass from various locations ranging from main lake structure to the very back of creeks. Monday was slightly slower with only 10 bass caught with a top 5 stringer weighting in at around 17 pounds.
Surface temperatures ranged from 54.4 on the main lake to 58.2 in the back of the creeks. Weather for both days was cloudy, periods of rain; winds from 5-15 with gust to 25.
Top producing lures
A ¼ Strike King Jig Camo in color with a 4 craw worm trailer
7 1/2 Gene Larew Salty Ring worm Camo
3/8 oz Stanley Wedge White/Chart. double willow gold
Catt I will need the GPS coords for those fishing spots to verify this information.
;D ;D ;D
Catt reply :
Advanced warnings show a little red Stratos at Fin & Feather between February 24th 27th
Wesley reply :
Catt I will PM you my info, I will be home and able to fish Feb 24th and 25th. Maybe we can meet up on the water in housen.
iClass reply :
Catt,
Awesome thread. I will be on the Bend on 2/19/09 and won't be able to get back until the second week in March. I wil spend that entire week there. Any Ideas about where to fish for this time of year?
Any and all help will be greatly appreciated.
Catt reply :
QuoteAny Ideas about where to fish for this time of year?Any and all help will be greatly appreciated.
In the water
Sorry could not resist
The second week of March should have the bass in various stages of per-spawn to spawn depending on weather patterns. The north end of the lake will start spawn first and progressively move south with the full moons of March and April.
lawdog reply :
Catt, I am planning on coming down to the Bend the 1st week of March, usually fish the Six-Mile Area. I am thinking things should be pretty good down there then. Should I fish this area or go North?
Catt reply :
I would highly suggest fishing the areas you are most familiar with
Wesley reply :
north end has been produceing pretty well the last few days. Around 1215.
Catt reply :
How about the afternoon of the 25th, all day on the 26th, & all day on the 27th; big changes ahead though my partner Pat just got him a place over in Six Mile Creek near the bridge so we'll be at the Six Mile launch on the 25th.
blanked reply :
can a newcomer like me to this thread go back to the summer patterns with questions or did i miss the boat
Catt reply :
Ask any questions you want any time you want
blanked reply :
ok here goes
1. when fising in 15 foot structure during summer patterns what elements can change the pattern from one day to the next? i assume day to day weather changes, water clarity, temps are not an issue at that depth. so is forage and current generated the only changes?
2. using the hot maps versus using electronics and navionics what are the pros and cons to locating off shore structure?
3. how much emphasis on locating baitfish? i would think bass would only follow baitfish when actively feeding so early morining and evening when you would normally fish topwater are you doing so or still looking for off shore structure?
Catt reply :
While some people believe to know the answer to this question I can assure you no human has the correct answer; forage and current generated are but two.
I prefer to start my study of structure at home with a map and then turn to my electronics when on the water to verify what I seen on the map. There are no pros and cons we must use every thing available to assist in locating structure; I start with a map, then electronics, and then my lures.
The allure for many anglers is that quite still period between predawn light and the sun being fully on the horizon, while it is true baitfish will be located shallow and the top water bite can be very exciting and satisfying to some anglers it aint for me.
Y'all will learn with time that it is extremely difficult to fish the main lake of Toledo Bend because of the wind but y'all also learn that there is a 2 hour window stating at predawn when it wind hasn't yet started blowing. In that 2 hour window I can either be shallow throwing top water with slim odds of catching big bass or I can be on the main lake where the big girls live.
zx18599 reply :
Great thread! I worked at harborlight for several years around 2000.
blanked reply :
if say you locate a hump on your map, generally speaking how long will it take you to locate that specific hump with your electronics. take in account this is your first time looking for it. then using a navionics map if you have one will it cut down on the time spent searching for the same hump first time out? i realize its hard to put a time on all of them but generally speaking. i have a tough time locating structure with a 2D sonar having to have the boat directly over the structure. i am hoping a side image will drastically cut down on the time spent searching
Catt reply :
For me to find a specific piece of structure on the water after I've found it on a map usually takes around an hour but keep in mind I have done this for 44 years starting on my uncle's charter fishing boat in the Gulf of Mexico where there was nothing visual to look at but a map and line graph. For someone less experienced a GPS and side imaging will help speed up the process but I believe it hurts the individual.
What happens if your GPS or side imaging system breaks; do you simply quit fishing?
Manigotapee reply :
Catt,
This is an absolutely awesome thread! Thanks for sharing your info on Toledo, and just on fishing in general.
My question is.......
In your experience in "structure" fishing, how often have you found spots that weren't exactly what they show on the map, or maybe were non-existent on the map. I look at the maps of my home waters all the time ( I have a few almost memorized....) and when I see structure (humps/ledges) I feel like if I see it on the map, everyone else should know that it's there too. I feel like the real "secret" structure spots would be a place where maybe the change in depth didn't make the map due to it's size.
In addition to that, the maps for my home waters all are in 10' increments (6', 16', 26', 36', etc...) and i feel like this can be misleading when looking for good structure. say there is a flat adjacent to a river ledge and it is marked 16' before dropping almost verticle into the river. The next contour line is 6' but what if there is a hump somewhere on that flat where it comes up to 8'-10'? That would be an ideal location. So do you have any tips for finding these incognitio humps other than spending countless hours on the water looking for them?
Thanks for the Help!
TW
Catt reply :
TW you are absolutely right but you would be totally amazed at how many anglers are to busy running & gunning to see what's under their nose. I have several pieces of prime structure that is either in a marked boat lane or within casting distance of one.
I've noticed that today's anglers will simply use GPS co-ordnances given on a map or given to them by their buddy and they will simply punch in the co-ordnances and away they go. Never once paying attention to what's directly under their boat while they are running & gunning.
Modern maps like Hook-N-Line contain so many errors it aint funny, if I were an inexperienced angler wanting to truly learn Toledo Bend or any other lake I would down load or order maps from The United States Geological Survey (USGS).
Y'all what some secrets?
Here's a couple I've shared many times
Question: what's a fast way to find deep water structure?
Answer: look for jugs marking catfish trotlines, every good catfish angler knows you find catfish on structure near deep water.
Question: how do I know what baits to use
Answer: I've learned to recognize every guide and tournament sticks boat on Toledo Bend, so if I'm at a marina/launch/caf é I simply stroll by eyeing any rods on the deck.
You can bet if they have it tied on they have been catching with it
Catt reply :
Yesterday I had a rather interesting conversation with a group of guys concerning fishing the Bend and here is the consensus of what was discussed. But first many thanks to Ben Matsubu for taking the time to add he wisdom to the conversation.
The successful angler on Toledo Bend has a unique understanding that sets him apart from the rest of the field. What this angler understands is GRASS and not shoreline grass but the Submergent kind like Hydrilla, Milfoil, and Coontail Moss.
Knowing the exact location of the off-shore grass lines is the vital key to unlocking successfully fishing Toledo Bend. These grass lines can be located with your electronics as well as with a depth-seeking lures or a good set of polarized glasses.
On Toledo Bend the edge/wall of grass is between 6 to 14 feet; the farther north the shallower the grass line will be and the farther south the deeper the grass line will be.
Currently in Six Mile and Housen area the edge/wall is around 12 to 14 feet while in the 1215/Patroon area the edge/wall of grass is 4 to 8 feet. A major factor here is water clarity with grass growing deeper in clearer water.
The edge/wall of submerged grass on Toledo Bend is where the bass are 12 months out of the year. They will position themselves over, in, or around the grass in various manners, depending on the weather, but they WILL STAY NEAR THE GRASS.
At times bass will hold/suspend off the grass and at other times they will bury in the vegetation. The key is to figure where the bass are holding and choose the proper presentation to get them to bite.
Remember for every bass you catch on the bank there are 5 behind you
iClass reply :
I have always heard if you find the grass, you will find the bass. I am having to get into that mindset as most of the areas I fish you are dealing with wood or stickups. I have been studying maps, and my navionics. I keep telling myself that I will not (no matter how good it looks) fish the bank this year. Kind of hard to pass up some stuff, but I figure I can make longer casts to it... So in the month of March, I am thinking white spinnerbait w/gold willow blades, fluke, rogue, jig/pig, and senko. Anything I am missing?
The repentant bank beater...
Catt reply :
DO NOT ignore the bank totally especially during the month of March!!!
iClass structure fishing is not exclusively about deep water; I don't think everyone understands this. Even when I'm fishing the shoreline I'm looking for structure and not just aimlessly wondering down the shoreline. Again remember there must be a visible path of breaks and break lines on structure from deep water all the way to the bank, this is where the bulk of food is available to game fish.
Bass_Fanatic reply :
Well, I've got a club tourney at Toledo this weekend and I have yet to fish it this year. I will be heading up htere Friday and fishing all day and then the tourney Sat.
Any advice on what to look for or certain things that are holding fish right now? Also, Catt do you know if there are any spawners yet?
Catt reply :
Last Friday while talking with Ben Matsubu he stated he saw several nest but the bass were in the 3# range which leads me to believe they were males; I have not seen any nest in the areas I've been fishing.
I would target 12' deep to bank shallow searching for pre-spawn and spawning bass around smaller grass flats, secondary points, areas of buck brush.
Shanon reply :
Great Post - As All agree....
We have a half dozen assult member team from Southeast LA that travel to the Bend each spring - we stay in the Big Bass Marina cove, and primarily fish areas near there (from Indian Mounds to Lowes & Negreet to Yokum. We are Atchafalyaya spillway bred Bank Busters (trying saying that 3 times fast). We'll be fishing the last 2 weeks of March this year, all of us fish from Bay boats....we used to get laughed at on Toledo Bend
We love the Mystery of the Bend - Catch'em one way today and a totally another way the next. Last year we killed them in the grass at Indian Mounds, 15 years ago the red rattle trap on the football field (Arnold Bay) was fast and furious. I'd love to have your patience and fish the ouside grass lines but to finally throw after (3 trys) that 3 treble hooked orange rogue under that branch - behind the back tree next to the opening in the grass mat from hell AND worrying about PLAN B after she makes the commode flush is too much of a rush.
Now for my question: When fishing the south area of the lake in March do you feel it's better to stay away from over-run areas on the weekends(Indian Mounds, etc) and try and find virgin waters or is the presentation more important (like following a spinnerbaiter with a senko or fluke)?
I've often heard that it's not so much where you fish but when - When they start feeding they feed everywhere.
Well - I hope everyone has a productive spring spawn - I feel like I'm personally going to pull us out of the recession if I continue to go BassPro & Cabelas.
Shanon
Catt reply :
commode flush that's got to be Cajun cause it's how I describe bass hitting top water
On The Bend from about the 3rd week of February until Easter weekend there is no such thing as virgin waters especially on weekends.
The Bend is experiencing an early spawn this year due to a mild winter; I've found water temperatures in the high 50s and low 60s in the back of creeks since mid February.
And yes Shanon you are correct right now it has a lot to do with timing that is the timing of any cold fronts moving through the area. The bass are in various stages of pre-spawn, spawn, and post spawn so a variety of techniques are working in a variety of locations. Right now and until the end of March I would concentrate my efforts from bank shallow out to 12', from the back of creeks out to main lake points and main lake flats.
Wesley reply :
Well the Bass Central Open today posted weights in the 19-20 LBS range looks like the fishing is failry good this weekend.
fishfordollars reply :
Yea, and check out the names that were posting those numbers. Lots of great fishermen.
Van Dam didn't fare to well though. Think he was down below the 150 spot if I remember. That's Johathan not Kevin though.
Wesley reply :
QuoteYea, and check out the names that were posting those numbers. Lots of great fishermen.Van Dam didn't fare to well though. Think he was down below the 150 spot if I remember. That's Johathan not Kevin though.
Ben Matsubu posted 15 and didnt get to fish his whole day because of lower unit problems, makes you wonder what he would have done with the whole day to fish.
LAbail reply :
Hey ya'll well I got a bit of a report and a quick question for ya'll...
Firts off the report:
This was all over the course of Feb. 26-March 1st We were staying in Patroon right by Holly Park Marina. So on the first day we get there at about 2 p.m. and its not to windy and pretty warm. we head out to shallow water in a Creek with deep water close by. We fish for about 4 hours and land 4 fish not to great but its a start and one of the fish went 5.12 lbs so it wasnt bad at all I guess ;D The next day we focus on the james gaine boat lane area and catch a few nothing of any size.. It stayed cloudy all day and you could tell weather was coming in. then we went to shallow coves with close deep water. caught some on weed lines and saw some on the beds again none of any notable sizes but we did loose about a 4 pounder I'd say and lost some others we never saw... Then after that day the weather came and WOW!!! winds were tenacious and there was no hope of fishing but for a few hours the next day.. We caught like 3 fish in 1 and 1/2 hours and that was it we went back in.. The rest of the trip was just wind city so no more fishing for me.
Lures that worked were Spinnerbaits dbl. willow leaves white skirt and Senkos(Watt.) and also swim senkos(Smoke Prp. flake) Rattle trap caught a couple.. the big one came on a Spinner bait. they all were relating to that grass so we focused on finding that grass line.
Now for my question: Im staying next to Holly Park again next week and was wondering if maybe I should make the run to 1215 or If I should stick with The three big coves in Patroon and the northern shore and James gaines any input would be greatly appreciated.Also if I end up going to 1215 what am I looking for there? the area looks absolutely huge.Thanks. Tight lines ya'll
Catt reply :
Corsey Creek, Carrice Creek, & San Miguel
Dang after looking at the open results I feel a lot better about my 3.25# average
fishfordollars reply :
Labail please disreguard Carrice Creek. I have a tournament next weekend and there are no fish there.
Look for the red and silver Skeeter, stop and say hi.
Jack
Wesley reply :
Fishfordollars what tournament do you have this weekend?
LAbail reply :
Understood fishfordollars . I'm liking San miguel and 1215 also Wilson and corsey and I think right at the top of James gaines should produce this time around as I saw many lilly pad stems there so I know there is hard bottom. I'll be happy as long as the wind doesnt go hay wire again!
fishfordollars reply :
If I get a hard SE wind I'll have to go elsewhere. It will ding up the water so bad I won't be able to see anything on a bed. Not to mention the 4-5' rollers that will come running through there.
fishfordollars reply :
QuoteFishfordollars what tournament do you have this weekend?
Our club tournament. Right now we have 27 boats signed up, but it should be a little more.
fishfordollars reply :
QuoteCorsey Creek, Carrice Creek, & San MiguelDang after looking at the open results I feel a lot better about my 3.25# average
Looks like you would have kicked some arse Catt.
iClass reply :
Fishfordollars,
The Texas Oilman's will be there also. Could be up to 600 boats. Not trying to discourage you as there will be approx 200 boats with actual fishermen in them. Just an FYI.
Also they will be only fishing Friday and Saturday.
Tightlines
Catt reply :
The generating schedule for Toledo Bend Dam 03/16/09
Lake Level: 170.13
Generator 1: Currently shut down
Generator 2: Currently shut down
Spillway Gates: Closed
Current water flow: 204 Cubic Feet per Second
The GENERATING SCHEDULE / LAKE LEVEL (above) is maintained by the Sabine River Authority - Louisiana. The information is posted irregularly as it changes. Sometimes the generating schedule or spillway gates are adjusted very frequently (e.g. multiple times in a given day) when conditions merit; other times the schedule is constant for a period of time. Any time the schedule is changed, SRA-LA updates the schedule that appears here.
http://www.toledo-bend.com/toledo_bend/index.asp?request=lake-level
TOLEDO BEND BOAT LAUNCH DIRECTORY
http://www.toledo-bend.com/toledo_bend/index.asp?request=launch
I've found surface temperatures in the upper 50s since mid-February and last week it was in the upper 60s and yet the bass are not on the beds at least not in numbers. Every one I've talked to have caught in 5-8' of water on just about any bait.
Catt reply :
Ok guys I've handed out advice for up coming trips & y'all aint reported back voluntarily so I guess I'll have to call y'all out by name.
fishfordollars reply :
Ok guys I've handed out advice for up coming trips & y'all aint reported back voluntarily so I guess I'll have to call y'all out by name.
Kinda strange ain't it. You'll give it out, but they want to keep it to themselves. What's up with that? I know Wesley fished cause I talked to him while he was on the water.
Low reply :
Hey guys. I'm new to this site. Just wanted to say hello. I've read through this post and like what you're doing Catt. I've been fishing Toledo Bend for as long as I can remember. However, I haven't fished it much in the last several years except for the last three weekends. I mostly fish around Toro Bay area (Pirates Cove etc.) Fished last Sat. and Sunday. Fishing was pretty slow except for Sat evening when it started raining about 5:00. Caught about 8 or 10 that evening on a Fluke over grass flats. Biggest went 5 lbs.
Wesley reply :
Ok guys I've handed out advice for up coming trips & y'all aint reported back voluntarily so I guess I'll have to call y'all out by name.Kinda strange ain't it. You'll give it out, but they want to keep it to themselves. What's up with that? I know Wesley fished cause I talked to him while he was on the water.
Talk about getting called out!!!
Well we fished all day, caught a few on flukes. Looked for some on beds. Talked to a friend that really tore them up on a trick worm out on a point. Water temperature is 64ish today. Tomorrow we are headed out to locate some bed fish for the tournament saturday, we think we may have a pretty good day.
Catt reply :
Jack either we didn't help & they are to embarrassed or we did so good they don't want to share :
Wesley I'm gonna call you out real soon, my #1 partner just got a camp just north of the Six Mile bridge so we gonna hook up real soon.
Low welcome back to the Bend
fishfordollars reply :
Well I told Wesley to throw the trickworm so I guess my info was right on. I also posted I was fishing points. Guess they were fishing the wrong points.
Hey Wesley, did you get bit back in Hines creek?
Wesley reply :
Didnt get to head back there, was going to today. Went out this morning and fished for 30 mins and broke my trolling motor good. Had to pull it out the water and head to Jasper to get it fixed. My brother went out with a friend and caught 3 on beds and we are saving the rest for tomorrow morning. We are going to go rideing around this afternoon and locate some more on beds.
fishfordollars reply :
Well I told you I would be there last night, but due to a family situation I cannot be there today or fish the tournament tomorrow. Just sucks but I have to be here this weekend.
Wesley reply :
Well we got out on the water about 6, and it was well before daylight so I tied on a spinnerbait. First fish was a 2.5 and the second was a 6.14(new personal best). We culled our first fish at 7:30 and had around 16lbs, culled again around 11:00 up to about 18 lbs. After that we went looking for some bed fish we located earlier in the week but there were boats all over them so we went back to a 4 foot grass bed near where we started and at 2 culled up to what we thought was 20 lbs. Weigh in started at 3 and closed at 3:30 so we were still fishing till about 3:15. My wife called and said 15 was winning, I told her not for long we are on our way. We weighed in 19.67 and big fish 6.14. Held first place by 4 lbs prize was $1600. My friend from Arkansas was second and had never been on the lake before. I ended up missing big fish by .3 which would have been another $400.
Baits were talon spinnerbait in whiter chart. Mardi gras colored Trick worm rigged Texas weightless. Basicaly I just dead sticked the worm for 20-30 seconds and if no bites reeled it in and threw again.
Pic will come later, I'm posting from my iPhone now.
Edited for Grammar.
Catt reply :
Alright Wesley
fishfordollars reply :
Nice job Wesley. Congratulations on the new pb.
Wesley reply :
I am on the left, my brother is on the right.
AndyE reply :
Nice catch! Thanks for the post. Heading there Wed for our annual family shootout. ;D
Catt reply :
Dude I recognize that ugly mug, either at Sportsman's (Vaughn's K & K) Caf é, Fin & Feather, Fat Fred's or Lowe's Creek Marina.
Andy Kick Bass
fishfordollars reply :
Nice job guys.
Wesley reply :
QuoteDude I recognize that ugly mug, either at Sportsman's (Vaughn's K & K) Caf é, Fin & Feather, Fat Fred's or Lowe's Creek Marina.Andy Kick Bass
I eat at Fat Freds regularly. Now that I am looking at the pics closely that one in my brothers right hand looks like a spotted bass. And if i remember right that fish weighed 3lbs 10oz on our digital scales, thats close to the TBend lake record.
Wesley reply :
QuoteWell we got out on the water about 6, and it was well before daylight so I tied on a spinnerbait. First fish was a 2.5 and the second was a 6.14(new personal best). We culled our first fish at 7:30 and had around 16lbs, culled again around 11:00 up to about 18 lbs. After that we went looking for some bed fish we located earlier in the week but there were boats all over them so we went back to a 4 foot grass bed near where we started and at 2 culled up to what we thought was 20 lbs. Weigh in started at 3 and closed at 3:30 so we were still fishing till about 3:15. My wife called and said 15 was winning, I told her not for long we are on our way. We weighed in 19.67 and big fish 6.14. Held first place by 4 lbs prize was $1600. My friend from Arkansas was second and had never been on the lake before. I ended up missing big fish by .3 which would have been another $400.Baits were talon spinnerbait in whiter chart. Mardi gras colored Trick worm rigged Texas weightless. Basicaly I just dead sticked the worm for 20-30 seconds and if no bites reeled it in and threw again.
Pic will come later, I'm posting from my iPhone now.
Edited for Grammar.
you really have to back away from the bank about 1 boat length and throw your weightless rigs where other people are positioning thier boats. everyone else is slamming the banks and you can come along behind them and pick up some good ones if your patient.
Catt reply :
Quoteyou really have to back away from the bank about 1 boat length and throw your weightless rigs where other people are positioning thier boats. everyone else is slamming the banks and you can come along behind them and pick up some good ones if your patient.
Anglers who have not been on the lake recently will assume the nest are closer to the bank but the bass have already built their nests so with the lake level up ¾ of a foot in the last week you will have to stay farther away from the bank.
Shanon reply :
Here's my update:
6 guys fished from March 19 Thursday till March 27. We didn't Saturday due to that constant wind creating 4 foot swales and stirring up mud at every point. But we had enough great weather to boat over 210 fish and with 109 keepers. We had 1 guy catch a 7lber took pics & released near Big Bass Marina.
The fish that we kept were split 50/50 males to females. It seemed in the back of coves only the bucks were left protecting the fry.
Let me say what we don't fish with: white spinnerbaits, carolina rigs, or crankbaits/rattletraps. You may now figure we fish topwater & soft plastics.
The first half of the trip the topwater bite was on as more than 50% caught with a twitchbait. The second half was all WACKYWORM. We threw 2 colors (watermelon pepper or Black/Blue Lamaniate). Black and Blue caught more quality fish.
The topwater bite ended on the rising water. We had to back off the bank and fish outside grass lines slow. We log every condition during the trip (I don't have the log with me) but we caught more fish on bluebird days than the cloudy days.
My earlier posts indicated where we fished. I only get to fish the lake once a year and I absolutely love Toledo Bend. I was extemely happy with the LA side adding new bouys. They were very easy to navigate after dark on our way back to camp. Texas side needs to catch up. After Thursday's storm we noticed a lot of bouys blown out of place. Is there anyone to contact or does a regular maintenence crew keep people out of the trees?
If anyone's getting ready to go bring your wacky worms (and o-rings) - throw at every point with submerged grass.
Already booked next year's trip...
Shanon
Low reply :
Nice report Shanon. I going to be fishing a small tournament this weekend out of Big Bass Marina. It's a little tournament put on by my girlfriend's employer. Thinking about cutting across to the Indian Mounds and Housen Area. Anyone have any reports on the Indian Mounds lately?
Wesley reply :
QuoteNice report Shanon. I going to be fishing a small tournament this weekend out of Big Bass Marina. It's a little tournament put on by my girlfriend's employer. Thinking about cutting across to the Indian Mounds and Housen Area. Anyone have any reports on the Indian Mounds lately?
Housen is always good, lots of hydrilla for them fish to live in. Pretty much find a grass line and fish it and you will catch fish.
Catt reply :
The Mounds have been quite this year so I've concluded it's not producing or some of my buddies are lying
Weather as always is the key this time of year, they are either on or gone & I certainly would not want to run across the lake with the wind the way it's been.
Shanon reply :
In the 10 days we were there we fished the Mounds during the week. Last year the mounds produced daily limits during low pressured week days but this year The Mounds were not better than any other place we found. I like the mounds because of the amount of fishable area close together, Lots of outside grass, long fingers when windy and access to deep and shallow water.
I would love to know how many baits those bass see in the spring....
For you guys that really know the Mounds area, There is a spot on the long island in front of the 2 deep fingers, on the north side close to the cut through area that has a big pocket with an opening. There are some well seasoned fish. Everytime we went there we waited our turn to throw baits even though boats had just left and other boats were waiting. This place just looks to good to pass up.
I *** you guys that get to fish this place on a regular basis...Nothing's better than that moment after the hookset and you hear that line tighten up and make that tight string noise.
Shanon
Catt reply :
Indian Mounds is like any other area when it's on its hot but when it's not its stone cold
I love it when you set hook and the bass sets hook back
Low reply :
Well I decided to give the Mounds a try Saturday morning. Caught a few early on a frog over the grass mats. Wind started picking up and the bite slowed so I decided to head back to La side. Went to some areas I'm pretty familiar with around Pirates Cove. Picked up a few small fish on Wacky worm but not much to brag about. Fishing was much better on Friday than Saturday. I'll be headed back up there Good friday. Hopefully the weather is cooperating.
Catt reply :
Get ready cause I'm pretty sure post spawn is on
Bass_Fanatic reply :
I fished Friday, Saturday, and even took Sunday off at church and fished in the Top Six tourney this weekend.
Fished Lanan Friday and caught seven with top five wieghing 16lbs. So, not a bad day, but I knew it was going to take more to win. Saturday I fished Solan's and caught one weigh fish while watching two guys reeling them in left and right. I thought I was doing the same things they were, but apparently not. Sunday I went back to Solan's determined to catch those fish I knew were there. I didn't boat a fish and my partner caught 1 keeper. It was tough for us, but Im pretty sure we messed up by fishing shallow. The fish are aparently in post spawn and have moved back out. I would tell yall the hot baits, but I dont know of any. I eliminated about 983 baits that they weren't biting on!! ;D
fishfordollars reply :
I'm going up Friday and Saturday to do some prefishing. Will be putting in at Alpine and up at the little bridge near Carrice Creek. Will give a report when I get back.
Anyone on here remember when it was known as Alpine Fly-in? If you do you go way back.
Catt reply :
I remember when it wasn't there
Wesley reply :
QuoteI'm going up Friday and Saturday to do some prefishing. Will be putting in at Alpine and up at the little bridge near Carrice Creek. Will give a report when I get back.Anyone on here remember when it was known as Alpine Fly-in? If you do you go way back.
I remember it being called that a long time a go, but never knew why.
Catt reply :
Alpine & Fin & Feather were setup so you could land a seaplane and idle up to the dock
Y'all know where Millionaire Point is located? My ex father-in-laws camp was across from there on White's point; I knew the man that built it, he would fly in on his private plane, & he also kept John Dean on retainer.
Shanon reply :
I won't be back till next spring probably but I'll keep my eye on the topic till then.
Question on Negreet area:
For the past 20 years (each spring) I travel into the Negreet area from the south. Everytime there are always boats fishing the steep bank on the south point as you enter the cove (before the first finger to the right).
Naturally we have stopped a time or 2 but have never caught a fish there. Is there something special about THAT point and are we fishing it incorrectly?
just curious....
Catt reply :
Shanon my map is up at the camp but I will get back to you on that one
fishfordollars reply :
Fished the midlake area Friday afternoon and Saturday.
Friday: Caught three keepers on a 3/8oz spinnerbait and 6 non keepers on a worm . fish were located in 4-7 ft. out on the first drop.
Saturday fished the first drops in five different locations and did not get a bite. finally backed off to the 8-12 ft level and found some fish relating to the larger timber out off the mouths of several ditches and creeks. Caught two just over 4 and a three on the first mouth i fished with a 7 1/4" Lake fork ringworm in camo. stuck a good fish on a black/blue jig next to a large tree located off the edge of a creek mouth but he wrapped me up and finally sawed me off. Never got a look at him. Had several more good solid keepers and all the decent fish came from 8-12 foot of water. Never got a bite on a frog, buzzbait, or any other top water lure.
EricTR21 reply :
I have been reading this thread for a while and finally decided to join up. I am going to be at T-Bend this week end for the second time ever. I am launching out of cypress bend and fishing all week-end. What area of the lake should I start with to try to learn. I usually fish Rayburn but I figure it is time to start learning something new. Thanks for any help and will post a full report Monday.
Catt reply :
I always tell my students Start where you launch, launching at Cypress Bend you are in Tennessee Bay, to the south is Negreet Creek, and to the north is Slaughter Creek. In these areas I would consecrate on post-spawn patterns.
EricTR21 reply :
Just heard they are having a big tourney this week so I think I might launch at indian mounds and maybe look toward hurricane creek to try and stay out of the way. Is this a logical decision? Is this a good area to sart on this lake. It looks very good on the maps and think I can probably find a couple different patterns since it has all different types of water and cover from what i gather.
Catt reply :
I would launch at White Oak which is over the ridge from Indian Mounds off the same road; it's protected better in case of high winds which we have had our fair share of.
Housen' Bayou and Hurricane Creek are excellent area but are very well known so if the is a major tournament there will be other boats present.
This area is in full blown post spawn so the tip of the day: Wacky
Wesley reply :
We wen out on TBend near the Gains boat lane area and were catching fish in 4-6 foot of water on wacky worms, senko's and Brush hog's. The topwater bite was slow and didnt pick up any fish but did get a few strikes on it. Fish were between 1-5lbs so you can pick some good ones up shallow just have to fish slow around cover.
Catt reply :
Wesley time to move off shore
EricTR21 reply :
Sorry no report guys I did not get to make it out there this weeend. I will be there this coming weekend though. I did not want to mess with the wind hopefully it will be better this weekend. Thanks for the in fo though.
Catt reply :
This wind has been so horrible I've not even attempted to go out in close to a month waiting rather for the bass to return to summer patterns.
That's sounds strange with the rest of the site talking about pre-spawn/spawn while we will be looking at summer patterns soon.
EricTR21 reply :
I like the way you think CATT I would rather fish the summer patterns also. They are more locked in and you can actually stay on a pattern or School of fish without the weather messing up things for you.
vtspinnerb8t reply :
I hope Catt and the rest of the gang are OK after yesterday's....that storm was brutal. It blew the front door off of the Toledo town motel! My partner and I were in Housen and hunkered down in a cove, had no idea it was that bad, I think I'll take Catt's advice and wait for the summer patterns too!
fishfordollars reply :
Glad you are ok. I was not on the water yesterday and neither was Catt as far as I know. We are going to give it a shot Wednesday and Thursday. Hopefully the weather will be a little better than the last time we tried it. If the winds top at 30 it will be an improvement.
EricTR21 reply :
Well I said I would give a report when I got back and here goes. I was able to fish saturday and most of sunday all except the time I was on the bank wondering what I was doing on the water. That was a freaky little storm. we thought it was all over went back out and the rods were buzzing.
well saturday I started my TBend experience in Hausen and found a few fish but nothing real big I was fishing mainly inside and outside grass lines in 4-18 foot of water. I was also able to find some fish on a couple of humps back in thatr area that I had found on a map. From Hausen I left and went into Six Mile. i could not find may fish in Six Mile but what I did find was caught on a 10-12 foot crank bait. It seemed that the fish in there wanted the bait to mave to where the ones in Hausen did not want a fast presentation. From Six Ile I went up to Indian Mounds no one told me you had to get reservation for that area man was it full of boats. We stuck a couple of fish in that area but the fish seemed to be up shallower in this area and again did not want the bait moving quick so the wacky worm was the ticket here.
Now for Sunday. I started off the day by getting to the lake a little late and once I got to my first spot at 1215 road i shut off the motor to only fire it back up and run to shore. I waited out the storm and preceeded to fish the area with no luck I think Bass do not Like lightening either. From there we moved up north just south of Huxley Bay and the water up ther was stained up pretty bad and the fishing was still not great to say the least mostly just swimmers and a couple short strikes on a spinnerbait.
well that is all I have lets just say that there is a lot of water out there on that lake and it is going to take some years to learn it better. All in all though not a bad week end for my second time ever fishing out there. We had some 3's and 4's with a couple of 5's and 6's thrown in.
I hope everyone that lives there made it through the storm with no damage.
Catt reply :
I heard a big storm at the Top 6 tourney on Toledo Bend took 4 boats!
Eric, pretty good for a post spawn bite during frontal conditions; it is a big lake that can be awe inspiring in more was than one reason.
What was you throwing?
Catt reply :
We're coming!!!
fishfordollars & Ole Catt will be on the water at first light so bass beware
fishfordollars reply :
QuoteWe're coming!!!fishfordollars & Ole Catt will be on the water at first light so bass beware
Catt, I'll be on the road no later than 2:00am, will call Pat when I get close to the Six Mile Ramp
t bend tex reply :
Hi Catt
I kinda been laying low this spring- bad arthritis in my neck and rough water does not mix well! we have caught a few bass and crappie- just haven't worked hard.
my wife and I plan to go to our camp Monday morning, staying probably til Friday late.
any suggestions for six mile and sandy creek area this time of year?
Larry G
Catt reply :
Sorry for the late response guys my puter was down and I've been some what under the weather but here's the skinny.
Jack and I spent Wednesday from sun up to sun down trying to establish a pattern on bigger fish which was impossible since there wasn't one. We caught 15-20 bass ranging in size from 8 to 6 lb 11 oz; it was typical junk fishing; my youngest son and partner caught maybe 10. Thursday was any better with Jack and me boating another 15-20 with maybe 2 or 3 keepers while Scotty and Pat boated only 4. So out of 50 something bass we might have had a half a dozen keepers.
The deep water bite was none existent other than Jack and me both getting broke off by something rather large; most fish came from 10' of less; we caught on Rat-L-Traps, spinner baits, crank baits, Texas rigs, Jig-N-Craw, and Wacky rigs.
txfisherman reply :
What area of T Bend were you guys fishing? I launch out of the Big Bass Marina area (Negreet) and am trying to establish some fishing areas on the lake to be more proficient.
Catt reply :
Since I stay at Six Mile I launch at Six Mile
My suggestion always has been learning one area at a time; you could spend a year easily in Negreet and still not know it.
fishfordollars reply :
I do a lot of fishing up by the bridge. Usually put in at the smaller bridge out in front of Frontier Park. I fish the Bugg Island Carrice Creek area a lot.
FYI, if the S.E. wind is blowing hard you can forget this area.
Jack
fishfordollars reply :
Last Wednesday and Thursday Catt and I fished the big pond. Here is how our Wednesday went.
We launched around 6:30 from Fin & Feather Marina with the intention of fishing the main lake humps and ridges that the lake is famous for. Due to the wind(Again) we were forced to change our plans. We ran out to the north side of Housen Bay and concentrated on a grass line located next to a 30' channel. We were throwing spinner baits in Chartruse/White, worms, jigs, and buzz baits. We never caught a fish off this area.
The next hour we moved into Hurricane Creek and began by fishing another grassline with spinnerbaits and trick worms fished wacky style. Another hour went by without a bite. We decided that a change need to be made. We picked up the dreaded rattle trap in 1/2 oz.(Gold, Black back, Orange belly) and on the third cast we boated a 4.04. Off this point we had 5-6 bites quickly, but we only boated another two. We spent the next hour in this area without another bite.
About 11:00 we decided to make the run out to the main lake and fish for a bigger bite. The wind was down and we were able to fish the area. We spent over an hour fishing a 15' ridge that fell off into the river at 55-60'. I got one bite and it was a decent fish as I stuck him and never moved him. He wrapped me up quickly and we ended up having to break him off.
About 1:30 we decided they fish had not made the move out to the main lake due to all the new water. The lake was on a major rise. We decided to run back into Housen and fish some shallow grasslines that had a lot of 30' water close by. We immediately began to get bit and started catching fish. All were small with the occasional keeper, but they were few and far between. We did manage to boat one good fish(6.11) out of 4' of water. We broke at 5:00 to eat and went back out. The wind was back up, but we caught a couple of smaller keepers along with several nonkeepers on spinnerbaits, worms, and traps off of wind blown points.
Overall it was a tough day. We covered a lot of water, but never did figure out the better fish. I will report on our second day tommorrow.
Jack
Wesley reply :
The big girls are still in shallow water caught this in 2 foot yesterday and its my new personal best at 7.87
Catt reply :
That's a Hawg!
This has been a very frustrating year on the Big Pond with high winds since December, very warm water shallow early but a slightly late spawn and now Post Spawn with high water levels.
This tread has been in existence since Aug. 7th, 2008, 11:42 pm
20 pages, 289 Replies, and 15,334 views
It has been the most fun thread I've ever participated in, I love sharing this absolutely wonder lake we call the Big Pond or the Bend. I have totally enjoyed fishing with Jack (fishfordollars), Matt Fly and his lovely accompanist, and Deneice and Larry Gerald. Looking forward to meeting other members ASAP.
With summer quickly approaching I suggest we start looking for structure again and let's start looking north again. So who wants to select an area?
fishfordollars reply :
I'll volunteer to cover the area around the bridge, Carrice Creek, Bugg Island river area, and down to the Lowe's Creek area on the Texas side.
Maybe we can find a few areas out off the river that will hold some larger fish.
If we all put our heads together we might have a few toads located come Big Bass Splash time.
Jack
Good job Wesley. that's a great fish. As Pat Miller stated last week, anytime you land a fish over 5 pounds that's a good day on the water.
bmm reply :
Good Morning,
This very nice website was sent to me by a friend. My whole family (12) of us are heading up to Toledo Bend from the 19-25th. We are staying near Big Bass Marina at Nessie's Nest. In the past we've gotten lucky finding some sac-a-lait, white bass and last season some really nice bream. I am looking for any help, advice, tips and general information to catch something on our upcoming trip. We would like to learn some new areas close by and also be able to take our younger children out for some fun. Any information is appreciated, we are hoping to get into some large mouth this time out.
Thanks!!
roadwarrior reply :
QuoteGood Morning,This very nice website was sent to me by a friend. My whole family (12) of us are heading up to Toledo Bend from the 19-25th. We are staying near Big Bass Marina at Nessie's Nest. In the past we've gotten lucky finding some sac-a-lait, white bass and last season some really nice bream. I am looking for any help, advice, tips and general information to catch something on our upcoming trip. We would like to learn some new areas close by and also be able to take our younger children out for some fun. Any information is appreciated, we are hoping to get into some large mouth this time out.
Thanks!!
Have you read all 20 pages of this thread?
fishfordollars reply :
Catt would be the one to help you. He and I spent a couple of days last week on the lake, but he can give you a heads up on the largemouth.
Lots of new water and the fish were scattered, but we did catch fish from 1-8' fishing wacky trick worms in watermellon/red and we caught a few on a ridge that toped out at 9' dropping off to 30'. The fish were positioned at all levels and we were getting bit on a brown 1/2 oz jig with a Zoom twintail grub that was green with blue specks in it.
Caught a lot of small fish early fishing sandy banks, points, & we did better when we found the dark water along these banks. The darker water is caused when you have emerging grass growing on the bottom. If the bank was clean we just passed it up, or should have. Just get out there and throw smaller spinnerbaits (White/Chartruse), and a smaller trap in chrome/blue or any shad color and you will get bit.
Jack
Catt reply :
Bream: look for bald spots or grassy areas with patches of sand bottom; live crickets
Sac-A-Lait/ White Perch: 12-15' outside grass lines, creek channels, & around bridges; live shiners
txfisherman reply :
Good Morning,
This very nice website was sent to me by a friend. My whole family (12) of us are heading up to Toledo Bend from the 19-25th. We are staying near Big Bass Marina at Nessie's Nest. In the past we've gotten lucky finding some sac-a-lait, white bass and last season some really nice bream. I am looking for any help, advice, tips and general information to catch something on our upcoming trip. We would like to learn some new areas close by and also be able to take our younger children out for some fun. Any information is appreciated, we are hoping to get into some large mouth this time out.
Thanks!!
The island at the mouth of Big Bass Marina Cove as you enter the main lake to your right, has always been a producing spot for my wife, family and grandkids on nice bream and some pretty nice crappie. Caught on shinners and crickets mostly.
Best of luck to you.
Catt reply :
Just goes to show you never can tell
May 9th, 2009 Bass Champs Toledo Bend Reservoir
1st place Doug & Mason McCain 5 bass 24.52# with a 6.52 kicker; $20,000 or $2,500 per hour
TxGator reply :
Just wanted to thank yall for all of the posted information about t-bend. I havnt bass fished to speak of in the last ten years or so. Since my uncle passed away. Recently my parents moved to t-bend so i am slowly getting back into it. I know im fishing the south end, but I couldnt tell you what cove or anything, i need to get a map. I do know that a branch does run under 255, and i have picked up a couple of keepers in that area.
Just wondering if you some one could point me in the right direction. Where do you buy the Gene Larou ringworms? I used to mainly use a pumpkinseed ringworm with a green metal flake which i bought at a small convience store near Rayburn. Im having trouble finding this color with a ribbontail. I was able to get some ringworms from Barlows, but in the color i wanted it had a big hook tail. They may not offer the color i want, but id still like to take a look.
Thanks for all yall have done
PD
fishfordollars reply :
Catt's buying the Gene Larew stuff on line. He's been up at 6 mile but should be back today sometime. I'll bet he will post early in the morning. He called me at 6:00am this morning while he was up there and said they were starting to pick up some decent fish on a jig.
Jack
Catt reply :
TxGator, welcome home
I do know that a branch does run under 255
South Prong Indian Creek
I used to mainly use a pumpkinseed ringworm with a green metal flake which I bought at a small convience store near Rayburn.
Probably a Ring Rascal which I can no longer find except for small amount here and there
My map is at the lake so give me time and I'll come up with pointers
Bass are settling into summer patterns on main lake structure with T-rig, C-rig and Jig bites on the increase each day I go out.
TxGator reply :
LOL im not suprised that you have no clue where im talking about, my directions are terrible. When i get a map ill look it up too. Im looking forward to trying some of the areas yall have talked about. I know my folks place is near indian creek, thats what all the sub-division signs say anyway. Its right off quail drive.
So far ive located 15 to 20 dumb fish in the 3 or 4 trips up there that ive made. Mind you that i fished two or three days each trip, that dosnt make my ratio too good. All small ones, except for two keepers.
I did release them all, i figure the lake needs a lot more mentally challenged bass if im gonna catch them.
Seriously, i figure that ill slowly get back up to speed, I need to get my equipment back up to par. I did go out and get a good worm rod, but the rest is pretty shoddy for bass fishing. At least most of my old curados survived the flood from ike, even if the rods didnt. Two need more cleaning, they are running a bit rough. I guess i didnt clean them out as good as i thought.
As soon as the wedding is payed for, i figure to get a rod for c-riggin, and something better for top waters then i should be in ok shape for a while. Shame she wont let me register at Bass Pro Shops. She did however say that next spring would be a good time to get a bigger boat, so there is at least that.
l8r
Gator
perchjerker reply :
If your on the south end try Tidbits and Tackle.They are on the corner of Hwy 111 going back to Anacoco.They have a good selection of worms and hard baits.
Catt reply :
TxGator, if you are in the same cove as hwy 255 that's South Prong Indian Creek
TxGator reply :
Cool, at least i know the name of it now. Im familiar with tidbits, we have a place in Anacoco too. Thats where my fathers family is from. Ill check again next time im up there, but last time i didnt see any. Was thinking about running to Toledo Bend Tackel next time im up there to see what they might have. Speaking of Anacoco, if ya wanna catch some catfish, thats where ya out to be, dad was killin em last year on Vernon.
Gator
Catt reply :
South Prong Indian Creek is the creek name, the community name maybe different; South Toledo Bend (Urban population: 0, Rural population: 530) is the closest town.
perchjerker reply :
Hay Catt thought you might want to know there was a 13 pounder caught out of your back yard this past weekend.It was caught around millionaire point. The tournament was at night out of military rec.Of course they blew everybody away.
Catt reply :
Thanks, ya want the GPS waypoint?
txfisherman reply :
I would be interested in the information of location.
Catt reply :
QuoteI would be interested in the information of location.
of what
txfisherman reply :
GPS coordinates for the biig fish area
Catt reply :
Return to page 1 and reread this thread where I covered Jessie Lowe Bay
TxGator reply :
Ok heres a ??? for you experts. A 5 fish limit, is that per month or year??
Gator
Catt reply :
5 per day unless your fishing license is from Louisiana then it's 8 per day
TxGator reply :
ok, so its been too long since anyone posted anything here, it would be a shame for this thread to die just cuz im here.
So, seein that its pretty hot right now, im thinking of going night fishing this weekend if i can get away from this wedding cr#&. Having never fished at night i could use some pointers. I figure maybe throw dark spinners and maybe dark top waters, but other than that im a bit lost. What epth should i be looking in? Any reccomendations on baits?
Gator
ps, the best fishing advice ive been given lately is to not let the wedding interfere with a perfectly good fishing season.
fishfordollars reply :
I wish I could go. Have not been over there since Catt and I made the trip 8 weeks ago. Getting my mother over major back surgery. It takes 24 hour care right now and I'm getting the shakes.
Catt reply :
First put together a game before you leave, once you determine the areas you want to fish make sure you tell more than one person of your game plan.
Second wear your PFD at all times while the big motors running
Third make sure you have a quality Q-beam capable of lighting up at least 3 buoys in a row
Despite popular belief bass do not morph into a new creature just because the sun sets; fish the same baits, same locations, and same techniques you would during the day.
Shallow verses deep water: I have not noticed a distinct advantage one way or the other. I will normally fish both areas thoroughly staying with the one that produces the best results. However shallow water does offer a greater opportunity to use different baits.
At some point in time I would throw a buzz bait, preferably one with a clacker, after a good 30+ minute workout with said buzz bait without any commode flushes you can put that sucker in the rod box.
Personally while shallow water fishing is fun you would likely find this little red Stratos anchored in 12-17' over main lake structure, near grass, and somewhere on the South end.
Find the outside grass line, back off until you are just inside casting range and drop anchor. Ideally positioned you should be able to reach 6-10' beyond the outer grass edge with a long cast; now you are positioned where your casts can reach shallow grass or deep water. Fan cast 360 degrees around the boat; if you haven't boated a fish move in any direction along the structure the distance of one long cast.
Lures:
Texas Rig: Rage Tail Anaconda, Space Monkey, or Lobster or your choice of a worm, creature, & craw worm.
Jig-N-Craw: color would be your personal choice along with brand; weight however will be determined by the bass depending on what Rate of Fall they want. NEVER let the depth of water determine what weight of jig to throw; I've had hawgs stop ½ oz jigs before they could reach bottom in 8' of water.
Carolina Rig: this entire setup will be your personal choices
So ideally setup you should have at least 6 rods
Catt reply :
After temps hanging around 100 with heat indexes at 105 it's predicted to drop by 10 for the weekend anyone going?
I'll be there Monday night
Catt reply :
What's working right now starts at first light until 9:00 am
Main lake structure with grass 15-30'; select weight as per wind
Texas Rigged 3/16 oz weight with a 4/0 Straight Shank Denny Brauer Flipping Hook
Gene Larew 7 ½ Salty Ring Worm Camouflage & Cranapple
Texas Rigged ¼ oz weight with a 4/0 Straight Shank Denny Brauer Flipping Hook
Gene Larew 7 ½ Salty Ring Worm Camouflage & Cranapple
Texas Rigged ¼ oz keel weighted 5/0 EWG
Gene Larew 6 Salty Hawg Craw in Black Blue, Junebug/Blue Claw, & Black Neon
Rage Tail 10 Anaconda Double Header
Rage Tail Lobster JuneBug & Dirty Craw
Oldham's Lures Trailer Hitch Jig, 3/8 oz Black/Blue, Gene Larew Salty Hawg Craws in 6 with 2 ½ cut off the tail.
Schoolies up to 3# in creek channel 19-25' reeled 1-1 ½ below the surface
Stanley Original VibraShaft 3/8 oz Willow / Colorado Gold/Silver Chartreuse/White
Catt reply :
Gone Fishing
fishfordollars reply :
QuoteGone Fishing
Good luck.
Catt reply :
Full moon is out so the bass are feeding at night!
Yea right tell that to the bass
Monday & Tuesday night from 10 pm to 2 am: total of 4 bass
Mornings & evenings: total 46 bass.
Mornings higher numbers smaller size and evenings lower numbers but larger size
Lures: spinner baits, buzz baits, Rat-L-Traps, & worms
Catt reply :
An excellent source of every thing Toledo Bend & Rayburn including tournament wins with the where, when, & on what included.
http://shop.beaumontenterprise.com/SS/Page.aspx?ptype=SS_TILE&secid=66256&pagenum=1&facing=false
bigtimfish reply :
Beaumont Enterprise has destroyed what used to be one of my favorite websites. You have to update more than once every 6 months. :-/I hope you are not a writer for them, because it is not very good anymore.
Catt reply :
Did you click on the link?
It's Lakecaster magazine
bigtimfish reply :
QuoteDid you click on the link?It's Lakecaster magazine
Yeah I know, it has just been bothering me for a while that they now run the lakecaster website and they really neglect it IMO.
Catt reply :
It's still a valuable source of information
longhorn_basser reply :
Hey Catt, fishfordollars told me that I need to talk to you if want to learn to fish Toledo Bend. Just wondering if you give any personal lessons? lol
Catt reply :
Ah yelp
longhorn_basser reply :
Buying my first boat next month and don't know a whole lot about fishing Toledo Bend. Live halfway between Center and Hemphill. Bout 10 minutes from Huxley Bay. I've read this whole thread and while very informative, there is nothing like hands on training.
fishfordollars reply :
QuoteAh yelp
longhorn_basser your an idiot if you do not take advantage of this. You will learn more in a day with Catt than you will stumbling around for a month.
If you get interested in Big Sam let me know and I will show you some things over there.
jamey912 reply :
love the thered catt if you're going fishing this week on toledo and need a buddy let me know i live in many
alwayslooking reply :
whew, long thread, took me two days to review it all. CATT, i would like to know if you consider points ,inside, six mile, as main lake points, thinking that six mile is like a lake unto itself? Very interesting reading, thanks for all the info
alwayslooking reply :
fishfordollars, i didn't see a thread for your insights on rayburn? did i miss it or not have one?
Catt reply :
CATT, I would like to know if you consider points, inside, six mile, as main lake points, thinking that six mile is like a lake unto itself.
This is an often discussed topic which tends to tick some people off but since it is my job to cause hate & discontent so the answer is YES.
alwayslooking reply :
thanks for the quick reply, i seem to have trouble getting my head wrapped around the "highways" theme. i looked at the places you listed on the first page of the thread and think i understand what you're trying to point out, but where would the spawning areas for these fish be? i'm told that resident fish have an "area" like buck deer, spawn to deep? and you fish this area according to the season. thanks for giving us your input
Catt reply :
Because of the size of Toledo Bend there are bass that live their entire life never having seen a shore line spawning in shallow areas that in some instances are a mile offshore.
alwayslooking reply :
Catt, i found a "hump" about half way back in six mile, out of the boat lane but not to far out. saturday was topped out at 7' full of grass, about three or four boat lenghts long, sides tapering down to 20',,,,thought i could catch fish on it or around it and nada..any thoughts as to why no fish,,maybe timing? i did hit it three times,,boat on it first light, so didn't have the chance then. i can get more specific if would help your answer? i'm really trying to get off the bank and reading structure is what i'm trying to learn
Catt reply :
Not all good looking structures harbor bass
alwayslooking reply :
yes sir, i understand, but how do you know, or trial and error only? my thinking is that you look over the map,,,decide places,,,,fish places in the time frame you have and hope for the best,,However, experience says that if you do your homework right, have better chances?
bigtimfish reply :
QuoteCatt, i found a "hump" about half way back in six mile, out of the boat lane but not to far out. saturday was topped out at 7' full of grass, about three or four boat lenghts long, sides tapering down to 20',,,,thought i could catch fish on it or around it and nada..any thoughts as to why no fish,,maybe timing? i did hit it three times,,boat on it first light, so didn't have the chance then. i can get more specific if would help your answer? i'm really trying to get off the bank and reading structure is what i'm trying to learn
There is a good spot around where six mile and willow oak meet. In the boat lane in six mile (heading toward boat ramp in six mile), you will see a yellow pole. The next marker past that yellow pole about 40 yards to the right. Off the boat lane.There is a good ridge that ALWAYS has produced for me.
Catt reply :
Bass must have a visible path of breaks and break lines on a structure from deep water all the way to the shallows.
alwayslooking reply :
Catt, what is the procedure for getting the personal lessons? is this a good way to get a visual concept of the visable breaks and breaklines? how much does electronics come into play?
capierrottie2 reply :
Catt,
Thanks for all your valuable information. I just purchased a camp around Big Bass this year. All your information is very helpful. I didn't have clue where to start on this massive lake until I read your thread.
Any pointers for the Boone's Crossing/ Point area?
Catt reply :
alwayslooking, suggested reading
Demystifying Structure
http://www.bassresource.com/bass_fishing_forums/YaBB.pl?num=1186055966
All lakes have it
http://www.bassresource.com/bass_fishing_forums/YaBB.pl?num=1214969797/0
Seeing in 3D
http://www.bassresource.com/bass_fishing_forums/YaBB.pl?num=1230916254/6#6
Ok after all is said & done here's my favorite structure!
http://www.bassresource.com/bass_fishing_forums/YaBB.pl?num=1217761577/12#12
capierrottie2, ah yes Boone's Crossing/ Point area; if you are heading towards the Texas side look south (left) and look for trout line jigs and the check around them with your depth finder.
capierrottie2 reply :
Thanks Catt,
Cant wait to get to the lake..
Capierrottie2
alwayslooking reply :
thanks Catt,i'll give the readings my full attention. hopefully it'll help me get closer intune to what i'm looking for
alwayslooking reply :
bigtimfish, i think that ridge your talking about is close to the hump, if not it. we'll have to talk about how you fish it that produces for you, thanks
bigtimfish reply :
Quotebigtimfish, i think that ridge your talking about is close to the hump, if not it. we'll have to talk about how you fish it that produces for you, thanks
C rigs and Tx rig worms, lizards and creatures. I have never went at it with a crank. I will on the 16th of Aug though. I am not bringing anything but cranks.
bigtimfish reply :
Hey Catt, anymore input?
Catt reply :
What you want to discuss?
What's hot right now besides these afternoons
We are working outside grass lines on
Points both on the main lake and in the major creeks in 15 to 25' +/- 3'
Ridges, and humps on the main lake and in the major creeks in 12 to 25 feet
Lures: Texas Rigs, Carolina Rigs, and DD22
Colors: Cran-Apple, Watermelon Neon, White/Chartreuse, Blue/Chartreuse and Shad Belly/Green Flake Back.
Catt reply :
We are not leaving the camp until moon rise and staying out until moon set
Two lures that have accounted of 80% of all kicker fish when thrown in/around the outside grass line at moon rise and moon set.
Rattle Head spinner bait 3/8 oz Gold/Silver double willow; skirt white/chartreuse/blue
Stanley RFE-Jig 5/16 oz; Black/Amber-Chartreuse/Orange accent
Trailer: Rage Tail Baby Craw Okeechobee Craw
HitmanFO reply :
Hey Catt, I discovered this website last week, found this thread shortly thereafter, and now check it every day to see what's new! I appreciate you sharing your years of experience and insight on Toledo Bend... I got the Hook-N-Line map today to start looking at everything you've described thus far.
I've only fished Toledo Bend twice; the first time we caught over 120 perch in one afternoon and morning. The second time I spent 14 hours in the boat on one Saturday and only caught 3 keeper bass! > In spite of that, I'll be fishing the Bend a lot more in the coming months/years.
My question for today is, how would you describe the fishing in late August thru mid-September? Many areas of the country would describe that as fall fishing, but here in good ol' hot Texas, I would think it would be more like summer fishing. I have a couple of weekend visits planned during that time and am preparing my arsenal and tactics based upon this thread and other bits of info I am gleaning off of this website!
FYI, my fishing buddy's aunt lives at the private Six Mile boat ramp, and that's where we always put in at, so we'll likely do a lot of fishing from the ramp to the main lake. We found out in mid-July that the bass like to school at the submerged island/hump at the crossover between the Six Mile boat lane and the Big Sandy Creek boat lane... we tore'em up on Little George's, spoons, and Rogue's sitting smack in the middle of that island fishing 360 degrees around the boat. Water varied between 7 and 12 feet deep... we fished across the tops of the grass, 3-4 feet below the surface.
Anyhow, sorry for the long "first post", but I look forward to your insight!
alwayslooking reply :
Catt, where do you get moon rise and set times? my astro tables tell me moon overhead and underfoot, local weather gives me sunrise and sunset,,,just trying to put the pieces of the puzzle together. i should ask why you prefer these times also. thanks
Catt reply :
HitmanFO; depending on weather patterns we could stay in a summer mode until late September and with the nation under a supposedly an El Niño this will probably be true this year.
alwayslooking
http://aa.usno.navy.mil/data/docs/RS_OneDay.php
Why? it's cooler at night
bassturbator reply :
Hi. I want to introduce myself as a new member of this forum. I live in Houston, originally from Louisiana and fish Toledo Bend twice a year for the past 15 years. I fish with Long Mike and his coonass friends at Toledo Bend, Caney Lake and in the Atchafalaya Basin. Catt, have you ever fished the humps at Devils's Pass between Housen and Six Mile? I fished there over 8 years ago when the lake was very low and we caught lots of nice fish but have not repeated this type of success since then.
Catt reply :
Friends with Long Mike huh we'll try not to hold it against you
Catt, have you ever fished the humps at Devil's Pass between Housen' and Six Mile?
The humps at Devil's Pass is one of those spots that if I'm running between Housen' and Six Mile I gotta stop; you may not win a tournament there but you'll most likely cull.
Personally I like the lake level around 168-169 but yea I remember that low water year very well. In 06 it was at 164.49 and 98 it was at 163.77
SUZY-Q reply :
Can anyone here tell me where the area referred to as "sunken bridge" is? I know that it is somewhere between Mill Creek and Six Mile. Thanks.
Catt reply :
QuoteCan anyone here tell me where the area referred to as "sunken bridge" is? I know that it is somewhere between Mill Creek and Six Mile. Thanks.
Yea I do but my map is on the lake
SUZY-Q reply :
That's not helping me at all! :-[
Catt reply :
What's happening on the Bend?
We will be deeply entrenched in summer time patterns well into September; aint leaving the camp until 2:00 am or later and staying out 8-9:00 am
Lake conditions
Level: 169.26
Generators: Currently shut down
Temperature: mid to upper 80s
Areas: Indian Mounds & south
We are working the first 10 yards of the outside grass lines on
Points both on the main lake and in the major creeks in 15 to 25' +/- 3'
Ridges, and humps on the main lake and in the major creeks in 12 to 25 feet +/- 3'
Techniques: Texas Rigs, Carolina Rigs, and DD22
Lures: Rage Thumper Worm, Rage Smokin Rooster, & Rage Lobster
Colors: Red Bug, Okeechobee Craw, Blue/Chartreuse and Shad Belly/Green Flake Back.
The kicker fish lure is still
Stanley RFE-Jig 5/16 oz; Black/Amber-Chartreuse/Orange accent
Trailer: Rage Tail Baby Craw Okeechobee Craw
Terry Oldham's Trailer Hitch Jig, 3/8 oz Black/Blue
Trailer: Rage Tail Baby Craw Sapphire Blue
bassturbator reply :
Thanks Catt for the invaluable information. Long Mike, myself and 2 others will be at Toledo Bend Sept. 17 to 21st. I am going to use some of your techniques and fish some of the areas you recommend. We are staying at Fox's Lodge and will fish Housen, Indian Mounds, Lowe's Creek & Six Mile. I especially want to fish the section of Lowe's Creek you described earlier.
Long Mike reply :
Alan, at long last, welcome to the forum. It's about time that you cured yourself from your rectal/cranial inversion syndrome. Catt is the guy who came by the cabin briefly last year.
Catt reply :
QuoteAlan, at long last, welcome to the forum. It's about time that you cured yourself from your rectal/cranial inversion syndrome. Catt is the guy who came by the cabin briefly last year.
Look forward to spending more time with y'all this year
bassturbator reply :
Hi all. Catt, I used to fish a roadbed directly across from the opening of Hurricane Creek which was on the other side of the boat lane in relation to Hurricane Creek. This roadbed cuts through the trees starting at the boat lane which is between Fox's and Fin & Feather. You have to know where to enter the road bed and we used to follow Bob Hauser through the trees and start fishing the road bed where it comes out of the trees into the big open flat across from Community Hole. I used to always catch fish on this roadbed but have not in the last few years. Any suggestions or comments?
bassturbator reply :
One more question for Catt. Have you ever been able to discern a roadbed and pre-lake cabin/house foundation on the southside of the hump off Millionaire Point. If so, have they produced. We have access to a 1957 topo map of the area which is where this info comes from..
Catt reply :
Bassturbator to answer your first question that area is extremely well known and is hammered hard weekly so the key to success is week days.
I know of a 12-14 old homesteads, some with concrete slabs, some with brick piers, none or that productive at least not the foundations. What I do find productive is the overall homestead; the road beds, fence rows, any ponds or troughs, tree lines created by plowed land and many other irregularities.
alwayslooking reply :
Well Catt, i just got my copy of buck perry's guidelines course. hard to read when you want to fish but whatever it takes to learn "structure". can you help me disect the south main lake point of six mile? i use the hickory ridge boat lane to get close. the point goes out to 35, 40 ft of water at the tree line all the way to shallow. down the east bank of the point there is a grass line. have caught a couple of fish carolina fishing a slow drift from about 28ft into the 10ft area. tried to graph the point but i don't think i found any breaklines, there are some stumps down there though, lost a few baits...
bigtimfish reply :
Well went yesterday. 4 fish total. Not good. Could not get 1 bite in six mile anywhere we went. None of my spots were working. The only fish we caught were basically in the Sandy creek/willow oak boat lane. I actually found a spot through all of the grass that dropped from 9' to 20' with fish stacked. I will rethink my launch site next time I go. The whole boat lane a Sandy creek grassed over maybe 8" from the top. I could not get on plane until about the 2nd vertical standing bouy. Just got my hook n line map, no more fishing hot spots maps for me. Catt I am now officially ready.
alwayslooking reply :
bigtimfish, our last club tourny was out of six mile, if you look on your map, find #18, look about 1/2 in east of there and you will find a point. that is where the tourny was won from, drop shot in 15 to 17ft of water, didn't have any luck there myself, however it worked for my friend.
Catt reply :
Six Mile boat launch is by far the best launch in that area so I would not waste time trying to launch anywhere else.
Creek channels
12-18' of water
Outside grass line
Jig-N-Craw, Texas Rig, Carolina Rig
Redbug, Crabapple, CranApple or what ever you want to call it as long as it's red with green fleck
bigtimfish reply :
Looking at my hook n line, I see Gilley's Point. just to the right of it is Six Mile Bay. It looks to me like a branch off of Six Mile Creek runs pretty close to Gilley's Point.And in the boat lane. Some of the creek runs into the red shaded area (fishing Area). Is it spots like this that I am Really supposed to concentrate on this time of year? Also what info can you give on Six Mile field (#23)? P.S. The lake seemed a little low to me yesterday, is it a little low or was the grass just that thick and growing high?
bigtimfish reply :
One more thing. I was in a cove yesterday around Gilly's point. The depth's were reaching 18'. No fish though. Is it because it is not quick access to a channel? I was confused. I tried the 15' breakline and could not produce a strike.
Catt reply :
Six Mile Creek itself and where other creeks intersect
Lake level as of 08/17/09
Level: 169.01
Both generators: Currently running 6 hrs. / 2 p.m. - 8 p.m
Yes 169 is a little low but I prefer it at this height
The map will show you the structure but you'll have to find the grass
capierrottie2 reply :
Toledo Bend Housen, Six Mile, Indian Mounds, Lowes
Total for Friday Evening and Saturday till noon
30 fish
5 Kentucky's
3 Yellow Bass
22 Large Mouth Bass
Keepers 13 total , no hunkers 3 fish around 3lbs
Main Pattern catching fish off of points, near deep water, where grass is plentiful.
Lures: 3/8 Double Willow Spinner Baits
Finesse worms, Trick Worms,
Horny Toads
Colors- worms (plum apple, watermelon candy and Mardi gras)
spinner- white and white/chartreuse
Frogs- watermelon red
HitmanFO reply :
Cappie, how are you fishing those spinnerbaits? Letting them sink all the way to the bottom, then reeling them in slow, letting them stay deep? Or reeling them in just under the surface? Are you going across the tops of the grass, or along the face of the grass line? Only in the morning, or all day, or only late?
Hope these questions aren't out of line... just asking because I tried them the weekend before last, mainly fishing them perpendicular to the bank/weed line, keeping them pretty shallow, and didn't get a single bite. I'm wondering how the guys that are catching fish on them are presenting it. I'll be fishing Six Mile again over the Labor Day weekend and would like to try my Stanley Wedgeplus in white/chartreuse again. Thank you!
capierrottie2 reply :
HitmanFO
I fish the spinner baits mostly in the morning or late afternoon. If it is cloudy you can catch fish all day using them. The trick is to "wake" the spinner bait over grass flats. Hold your rod tip up and as soon as the spinner bait hits the water reel in fast enough to try to throw a wake behind the spinner bait and lower your tip of your rod as the bait gets closer to the boat. It works best with a ripple on the water.
Catt reply :
Stanley has brought back the best spinnerbait of all time... The Original VibraShaft
I done added a little tricka wedge blade
HitmanFO reply :
Great, capie, I really appreciate the tip. I'll be out there in Six Mile Saturday and will give it a shot... will post my results.
Catt reply :
A couple more ½ oz Hildebrandt Go-Getter gold blade/white skirtRed Bug Plastic
Catt reply :
09/02/09
Lake level: 168.34
Water temperature: Low to mid-80s
Generators: Currently running 6hrs. 2 - 8pm
I'm seeing more trucks hauling ATV than bass boats so fall is definitely in the air
There is a 30-60% chance of rain approaching for the holiday weekend which from all the PMs & E-mails has many concerned; my reply is get your slicker suit out & have a spinner bait tied on. Big single blade spinner bait is being demolished when slow rolled down the outside grass line in back of creeks. Two models that are hot right now is a Hildebrandt Go-Getter smooth gold blade/white skirt and a Rattle Head hammered gold blade/white skirt.
capierrottie2 reply :
Catt,
Good call on the spinner bait. If the weather is not too bad and the cloud cover stays it should be a perfect weekend for some spinner bait action.
HitmanFO reply :
I'm driving up there tomorrow after work, fishing tomorrow evening, and from dawn til dusk Saturday, Six Mile and Housen. I'll have a spinnerbait tied on first thing! Will post results... hopefully good ones... ;D
HitmanFO reply :
Fishing report:
Friday evening I caught 3, one on a shallow running crankbait, two on the Stanley Wedgeplus in white/chartreuse. I had 4 short strikes on the spinnerbait, close enough to the boat that I could see the underwater action. I tried both slow-rolling (thank you Catt) and waking (thank you capierottie) it... both worked great! Had fun with the spinnerbait this evening... first time I've ever used one. Location was the south side of the Sandy Creek/Six-Mile crossover.
Saturday AM I had no luck with anything I threw, though my fishing partner put 4 in the boat on Carolina-rigged plastic and 3 on a medium-diving crankbait. We spent most of our time fishing the grass points in the highline cove on the north side of Six-Mile. Saturday PM, while the storm was rolling in, we took shelter in a cove along the Sandy Creek boat lane (north side) and I caught two, throwing Tx-rigged watermelon red trick worms into schooling bass. My buddy caught a few on a Chug Bug, doing the same thing. Late in the evening, after the storm blew by, we fished Six Mile Flats and pulled in a keeper right before it got dark on a Tx-rigged purple trick worm... they seem to be working like a charm out there.
The water was really low... at my buddy's house, his boat was sitting about 5 feet lower than the deck that you're supposed to be able to step off of into the boat. This also corresponded with what I was seeing on the depth finder... grass line started at approximately 9 feet, instead of the usual 15 feet.
Question for you, Catt: since the water was so low, making the grass line in 9 feet of water instead of 15 feet, would bigger bass retreat to even deeper water with different structure, or would they still hug that grass line? From my experience this weekend, they weren't on the grass line... most of the ones we caught were 12-13 inches. The only keeper that we caught that was in/along the grass was on Six Mile Flats. That makes me assume that the bigger bass went to deeper, cooler water.
capierrottie2 reply :
Fishing Report,
I wasn't able to go to the Bend this weekend due to Honey Do's. My fishing buddy went and he caught 20 bass. One nice 6 1/2 pounder. He went to Housen and said there were too many boats so he went to Lowe's Creek area. He caught some on Texas Rigged, but most came from C-rigged baby brush hog in watermelon candy color. He said he was in 15 to 20ft of water and caught most fish off humps, small patches of grass, and submerged stump fields. We are fishing a tournament together this weekend I will give a report then.
Catt reply :
The type of grass and how fast the bottom tapers into deeper water will determine at what depth the outside grass line will be located.
This is what I gather from your report and you can correct me if I'm wrong
1. The south side of the Sandy Creek/Six-Mile crossover
2. The grass points in the highline cove on the north side of Six-Mile.
3. A cove along the Sandy Creek boat lane (north side)
Y'all are still relating to the shore when you should be relating to creek channels
alwayslooking reply :
Catt, does that mean where the creek channels relate to 17' of water? i've read that you like that depth, +or-, 3'. and is it to early to start looking in the backs of the creeks? or should i not get to hung up on the depth? really value your opinion, thanks
Catt reply :
My target depth is 15 foot plus or minus 3 foot; this most generally is where all vegetation stops growing.
Most people start at the bank working inward till they find 15' while I start at river/creek channel working outward till I find 15'.
fishfordollars reply :
QuoteMy target depth is 15 foot plus or minus 3 foot; this most generally is where all vegetation stops growing.Most people start at the bank working inward till they find 15' while I start at river/creek channel working outward till I find 15'.
Exactly why you consistently catch the larger fish.
When you face the bank 90% of the fish in a lake are behind you.
bigtimfish reply :
Toledo Bend today. Caught fish on Stanley Wedge double gold spinner(destroyed by one 2lb fish) also Rage Anaconda 10" (red bug), Rat l Traps, Wave Tiki Platypus. 2 Fish early in my favorite cove(12ft). 2 fish in Sandy creek just off boat lane where big bouys turn to smaller ball shaped bouys (9 to 18 ft), Then on to Gilley's Point 4 fish there on spinner and traps. I caught fish on a spinnerbait in 30' of water. My first time for that. The bass we caught were mostly all in the 1.5 to 2lb range the biggest going about 3.5. I did notice that they were all chunky little fish. We watched them for quite a while just schooling and gorging on shad.
HitmanFO reply :
Catt, you are correct... I've been relating to the bank, for the most part, coming off the boat lane, heading toward the bank, finding the grass line, then turning the boat parallel to the bank (following the grass line), fishing all sides of the boat. You say you are finding a creek channel, then moving away from the creek channel until you find the grass line, then casting back into the channel while sitting on the grass line? Some of the channels are fairly deep within casting distance of the bank... do you take this into consideration, or just fish per the depth of the water?
I haven't been doing that 100% of the time... many times I am cruising off of the boat lane, running across humps that aren't shown on the map, and fishing them. And I try to stay along that grass line, whether it's in 9 or 15 or however many feet of water, whether it is 10 feet or 100 yards from the bank.
That's not how you do it? Critique me!!! I know I've learned A LOT of good stuff from this forum... thought I was doing pretty good following your tips/instructions/teaching, but evidently I've misinterpreted some things!
Thanks for your time Catt! My fishing buddy is getting tired of hearing me say, "Well, Catt said this..." or "No, Catt said do it that way..." ;D
alwayslooking reply :
Catt, what hitmanFO says,,,,x2
bigtimfish reply :
I gotta go X3 on that.
capierrottie2 reply :
Guys,
Here are some tips that I look far when fishing Toledo Bend. I am not Catt or even close to being the fisherman he is I am just trying to see if I can help.
The things I look far:
1. Flats, Humps, Points, Secondary Points.
2. Good grass
3. MUST BE NEAR DEEP WATER ( Creeks, Channels, Trenches, Etc)
I think there is a misconception about the grass line. It is not always the visual one you can see from the bank. It might be 100 yards from the bank. The grass line or ledge that I am talking about is usually ends in 15ft + or -3 ft. You cant see this grass line on top of the water. You might be in 15 ft of water and 12ft of that is grass. If you follow it it the grass will just stop and there appears to be a grass line or ledge under water. I look for these grass lines near deep water channels, creeks, trenches, etc. I look for standing timber that is a good indication of deep water.The reason why is I believe the fish move to the deepest water possible where there is still good cover. Other fish including bait fish use the deep water for travel (highways), the grass provides a good ambush spot for bass, and it protects them from the sun. I move away from the ledge and fish along ledge from the deep water (channel/creek/etc) toward the grass line. It is usually just out of casting distance. Always checking my depth finder to make sure I am in the 15ft + or - 3ft depth. Once again I am no expert or claim to be.. I might be totally wrong, but this works for me. Hope I helped. Catt correct me if I am wrong.
HitmanFO reply :
capie, I think I see one error I have made, based upon your input. I have fished flats, humps, points, secondary points, and good grass, but not always NEAR DEEP WATER. I'll fish the grass line in 15' of water, but the bottom may stretch flat and level at 15-18 feet for quite a ways, before dropping off to deeper water.
Sounds like I need to find that grass line, but have a good drop-off into a creek channel, road bed, whatever, within close casting distance.
You agree?
One place I can think of like that is the highline cove on the north side of Six Mile that I mentioned in an earlier post. It has a grassy point that is above water close to land, and tapers out to a grassy point about two casting distances from where the grass first goes under water. On each side of the point is a good dropoff into 25 feet of water or so, which comes back up on either side to grass again, within casting distance of the bank. Fishing that grassy point, and along the sides of it, with Carolina-rigged plastic, produced a lot of bass this last weekend for two buddies of mine that fished it. Only a few keepers out of all of the ones they caught... but at least they were catching them.
Maybe I need to sit smack dab in the middle of where that grassy point tapers off, or along the taper somewhere, and cast into the 25 feet of water, reeling back toward the grassy point, instead of sitting in 18-20 feet of water and casting toward the point.... hmmmmmmmmmm..... is that what you and Catt are suggesting??? Did a light bulb just appear over my head???? Let me know!
Catt reply :
capierrottie2 you are dead on
NEAR DEEP WATER: This part of structure fishing can be confusing because we can not determine how far the bass are willing to travel; some productive structure is within casting distance while others are 100+ yards away.
There are two scenarios when you will find my little red Stratos near the bank, pre-spawn or when a creek channel is near the bank.
Boat positioning: I position my boat where I can reach onto this outer grass line with a long cast; I cast 360 degrees around the boat. Some times you will catch them all on the grass line side, some times you will catch them all on the deep water side and some times it's both.
capierrottie2 reply :
HitmanFO,
Yes you are correct you need to have deep water nearby and as far as boat positioning and casting I cast both directions (toward the deep & toward the grass).
alwayslooking reply :
Ok, it seems to me, we end up at the same spot, no matter how you get there, 15' on a main or secondary point, is 15'? whether you relate to the channels or bank? now, once you get there, be sure to fish 360 degrees around boat. i can only guess that you use the channels, Catt, because your looking, really, for the miagration routes, breaks and breaklines?
Catt reply :
Sorry but we do not end up at the same place!
While 15' is 15' that in itself is not the whole equation but only a part of the equation; the whole equation is what was before the 15' and what is beyond the 15'. A long slow tapering point with no breaks or break lines offering easy access to deeper water will not hold many bass if any at all. One must pay attention to contour lines on your map; the closer the contour lines are together the faster the drop while the farther apart the slower the drop.
Starting at a river/creek channel I can find a ridge that comes up to 15' that is only 20-30' wide that you will never find coming from the bank because once you reach 15' you stop.
alwayslooking reply :
a lot of info to digest, would be easier if i was on the water, visualization is not my strong suit, lol, please be patient, maybe something will click,,
Catt reply :
The hardest thing some anglers to learn is how to take a one dimensional topographical map or a one dimensional depth finder view and turn it into a three dimensional image in their mind. While 3D depth finders and Side Imaging Technology is a gigantic leap in the electronics field it would still behoove the angler to learn how view structure in 3D with out this technology. Once the angler learns this they take a huge step in becoming a more productive angler.
This is why when I back my boat down the ramp the first 2 thing I do is start the engine and turn my depth finder on. I don't care if I'm running at wide open throttle, idling, running the trolling motor or fishing my eyes is constantly scanning my depth finder. If I'm not anchored or after I have caught a couple bass before I leave an area I'll idle over a scan the exact area with my depth finder. Even on structure I've fished numerous times I'm constantly scanning my depth finder looking for details
As hard as it is for an angler to learn to see in 3D it just as hard if not harder to teach someone to see in 3D.
Catt reply :
Look at the land surrounding the lakethat is what the floor of the lake looks like
alwayslooking reply :
awsome picture, is that bridge in the indian mounds area? hard to tell where the pendleton is,
alwayslooking reply :
i understand that the bottom is a continuation of the suface, that there are points and ridges underwater, the hard part is figuring out the productive ones,,on any given day, at any given time,
fishfordollars reply :
Nope. About twelve miles north of the Indian Mounds.
alwayslooking reply :
ha, yes sir, i see that the bridge is the pendleton, a little different seeing it from this perspective
HitmanFO reply :
"Starting at a river/creek channel I can find a ridge that comes up to 15' that is only 20-30' wide that you will never find coming from the bank because once you reach 15' you stop. "
Excellent point Catt... you are exactly right... and this is exactly what I have been doing, 95% of the time.
The other 5% of the time I am motoring through 20-30' of water, see a sharp rise up to 15' or so of the depth finder, and stop and fish it, no matter how close or far away from the bank I am.
I guess that's why I don't catch fish 95% of the time... ;D
Well, I'm going back to Toledo next weekend, fishing the 18th and 19th. I'll definitely be fishing it differently this time. Thanks for your input, Catt and capie... it's invaluable to those of us that are seriously wanting to figure out the Bend and make it produce for us.
capierrottie2 reply :
:)Fishing Report,
I fished a friendly tournament out of Buckeye Landing (La Side) on Saturday. The weather was horrible. Thirty mile an hour gust of wind out of the SE and two foot swells where I was fishing. It rained the entire time we fished. We were able to take 2nd place with a five fish stringer of 9lb 7oz. I was just happy we had five fish to weigh in considering the conditions.
Location: Housen, Indian Mounds
Baits:
Pumpkin Pearl Rage Frogs
10.5 inch Zoom Magnums apple plum Texas Rigged
Jigging Spoons
White Stanley 3/8oz spinner baits double willow
Total Number Caught: 25 fish
It was hard keeping the boat in position to fish and then try to feel the bite with the Texas rigged worms, so we jigged spoons in 27 feet of water near grass lines. We also found spots off of points and behind islands that would shelter us from the wind. One spot we wedged the boat into the grass near the bank and casted into 30 ft of water. The bank dropped off from 10ft to 30ft rapidly. We sat there and caught 9 bass from that spot. It was probably the worst conditions I have tried to fish on the Bend.
Fish in the photo are some that were caught in the tournament
Catt reply :
Considering conditions that outstanding
Catt reply :
Sidewinder by Stanley; If y'all aint heard about or tried em y'all better
Rigged with the Stanley T-Wacky hook either 1/16 or 1/8-oz., the weighted hook and slow-sinking Sidewinder fight each other, giving it a life-like action whether the bait is hooked through the middle or the nose.
Absolutely do not Carolina Rig this bait!
fishfordollars reply :
Well that let's the cat(No pun intended) out of the bag.
HitmanFO reply :
Fishing report for this weekend. Fished in Six Mile on Friday and Saturday. Friday evening I caught 2 keepers, 1 in 16' of water on a Tx-Rig June Bug trick worm, 1 in 17' with a black/white/bloodspot Stanley Wedgeplus, slow rolling deep. My buddy came up with nothing that evening, fishing flukes, mainly. Saturday I pulled a decent 2.5 lb'er in on a Stanley Wedgeplus Firetiger spinnerbait, casting into the visible grass in about 4 feet of water, hanging it up, ripping it out, pulling it back toward the 17' of water I was sitting in. He hit it when I ripped it out of the visible grass. I caught another keeper simply by turning around in the boat, throwing a Tx-Rig June Bug trick worm into 22' and lightly jigging it for a few minutes. I caught a few other non-keepers on the trick worm. My buddy caught about twelve non-keepers throwing a Carolina-rigged fluke into about 11' of water. He also caught a 2.5 lb'er on a Yellow Magic popper.
I fished topwater as well, but never even provoked a strike on a Chug Bug, Rage Tail frog, or waking the spinnerbait. That surprised me, because I was fully expecting the topwater action to be great this weekend. All of my fish came from 16-22' of water, except for the one I caught in the grass.
Now, I talked to several people that had an awesome weekend fishing topwater in Sandy Creek. I talked to one guy from Lake Charles Friday night that said he caught three 5 lb'ers and two 3 lb'ers that evening on Ribbits. On Saturday, I talked to a couple and actually looked at all their fish they caught, as they were weighed. They had a nice 6 lb'er, a 4 lb'er or two, couple of 3 lb'ers... a full limit for both of them with nothing under 3 lbs, if I remember correctly. They said they fished nothing but topwater from sunrise to mid-afternoon in Sandy Creek. They wouldn't give out all the details, but mentioned fishing with Ribbits a lot that day, and said they were throwing across visible grass mats/lines, pulling up to the grass line, dragging the frog across the top, and letting it drop off the other side of the mat. Their big one was caught in 10' of water on a Ribbit... they did give up that much. Of course, they might have been jig-fishing in 30' of water for all I know, just saying that to throw us off... you know how fishermen can be... ;D But they did have the best catch I saw that day.
I'm no pro, but I sure had a great weekend of fishing. Caught more keepers than I ever have before in a weekend on the Bend, including the 2.5 lb'er, my biggest bass on the Bend yet. Most of the credit goes to you guys that are contributing and sharing on this thread... thanks everybody!
I guess with this cooler weather rolling in, maybe it's time to start talking fall patterns, right?
HitmanFO reply :
By the way, my buddy bought the Sidewinder at Ann's Tackle on the way up there Friday... fished them Saturday, Tx-rig, and caught a few. I didn't handle any, but he did make a remark about how firm they were... he was concerned they'd be a little too rigid to get a lot of good action out of... but they did produce. And, of course, since Catt recommends them, I'll go buy a bag and check'em out for myself! :
fishfordollars reply :
Wonder if he ever thought that might be the attraction?
bigtimfish reply :
Catt, at what water temp do the bass start to move back into the shallows fattening up for winter? 80? 75? And when I say shallows I mean 10' or less. Also do they stay that shallow, or move in feed and go back to 15' +.
jamey912 reply :
love the post have read every page and i am learning the south end
thanks for all the help and looking foward to seeing the one on big sam
Catt reply :
Catt, at what water temp do the bass start to move back into the shallows fattening up for winter? 80? 75?
The lake temperature is 82 to 78 and the bass have been shallow feeding up for winter for 2-3 weeks depending on the area of the lake. There are no magic numbers just like there isn't any during spring, each year is different and depends on many other factors besides water temperature.
Also do they stay that shallow, or move in feed and go back to 15' +?
One must first understand there are two distinct kinds of bass on a lake the size of Toledo Bend. There are those bass that are located within a certain distance from the bank year round and there are those bass that never see a bank there entire life.
The fall feeding frenzy and the pre-spawn feeding frenzy are very similar in that the bass are hunting bait fish.
For shoreline related bass
Early pre-spawn/fall through mid pre-spawn/fall: second break line out from the creek channel with trips shallower depending on weather stability
Late pre-spawn/fall: First break line out from the bank with trips shallower depending on weather stability
Spawn/fall: Bank shallow out to the first break line
Disclaimer: Depths are determined by each individual lake, vary from year to year, & are for the most part controlled by weather stability.
For offshore bass; the only difference is with the shoreline bass the dirt is the stopping point where as with the offshore bass the stopping point is what ever is the shallowest ridge, hump, flat.
bigtimfish reply :
Let me ask another question then. When will YOU move in shallow and fish coves or shallow water? Do you personally target those fish that are gorging or do you stay out for the ones that never see the bank?
Catt reply :
Depending on how warm or cold the weather is and what area of the lake your area fishing one could move into creek channel coves in mid January early February for pre-spawn; mid-September early October for fall.
Now keep in mind the offshore bass will go into a pre-spawn and fall feeding frenzy just like the shore related bass just at different times. The offshore surface temperatures will warm slower in spring and cool faster during fall because it is exposed to the weather.
Disclaimer: Do not look at times/dates only but rather look at weather conditions
HitmanFO reply :
Catt, this may be just a guesstimate on your part, but I have a question related to the water temp and how fast the fish move toward shallower water.
In late August/early September I fished Toledo Bend and the surface water temp was about 90 deg. In early September there was almost a solid week of rain and cool weather. When I fished on Sept 18-19, the surface temp was a constant 80 deg, from 6am til I got off the water in the late afternoon (there was heavy cloud cover and a cool breeze all day).
I was told, by those "in the know", prior to fishing that weekend, "The bass are going to be shallow! With this cool weather they are going to be really shallow! Fish the bank, the weedlines close to the bank." etc. etc.
Now, my thoughts were, "It has only been this cool for a little over a week... and all of a sudden all of these bass are coming out of the deep water, AFTER ONE WEEK of cool weather, and piling up on the bank???" :-/
How would you characterize the move to shallow water? A sudden charge toward the shallow water once the water cools down and the bass' metabolism speeds up, and has the majority of the bass in the shallower water in a matter of a few weeks? Or a slow, gradual shift toward shallower water, where the majority of the bass are in the shallows after a couple of months of cool weather/water?
I've heard in both ways... both from experienced Toledo Bend anglers... the "quick" version from a tournament angler, the "slow" version from a retired guide. Consequently, my buddy and I stuck the boat in the 15' of water you've drilled into us and my buddy fished shallow and I fished deep, for the most part... him believing the tourney angler, me believing the retired guide. Made for an interesting day of fishing!
What is your take? I don't think you've steered us wrong yet...
From my experience that weekend, all of the keeper bass I caught were in 16-22' of water, EXCEPT the biggest one... he was in 4' of water. My buddy put a dozen or so small ones in the boat from shallow water, but his keepers came from 10' or deeper. So I would lean toward the "slow" version as being more true, though both versions probably have elements of "truth".
Catt reply :
It is human nature ever for those in the know to get excited at the first signs of fall
What is taking place is the resident shoreline bass are the first to respond to cooler weather making it appear as though there was a quick influx of bass; the deeper offshore bass will move shallow next giving a prolonged influx.
The metabolism rates of bass are at its highest during summer
alwayslooking reply :
Catt, with the main lake cooling faster, does this mean that main lake humps, ridges, and flats have fall frenzy first? If they can be found, they may be more readily productive? i'm thinking of the bass that never see shoreline.
Catt reply :
Surface temperatures will cool faster in open water because of exposure to winds but these offshore bass are not located at the surface. And yes a stirring effect will take place but it will only get so deep and since these bass are located in deeper cooler water it takes more of a change to affect them.
Deeper water bass are least affected by seasonal, temperature, and weather changes making them more predictable thus easier to catch.
alwayslooking reply :
ahhh,,so finding them is the key, then having slow enough winds to be able to fish them correctly,,,with the steady influx of fronts that are to be coming that may prove to be difficult, in your experience, how long to you fish a spot before moving,,,i've heard tell that you might have to check a "spot", several times in a day to find them active?
Catt reply :
Exactly
A huge percentage of tournament wins and big bass come from the main lake but the problem with fishing the main lake is wind. Many anglers target the shallow water bite at daybreak while I target the offshore bite at daybreak because it usually calmer and the bass will be bigger.
How long is stay on a spot depends on its location and weather conditions; if conditions are ideal to less than ideal I'll stay 30-45 minutes with out a bump.
Oh yea I will return to known big bass spots as conditions allow
HitmanFO reply :
"The metabolism rates of bass are at its highest during summer."
Right - I misspoke! The metabolism increases as the water temp increases, so the metabolism is highest when the water temp is highest, mid-summer. Maybe a better phrase would have been "activity speeds up"??? The water cools down, the bass become more active, fattening up through the fall... sorry bout that!
So, both anglers are right... just talking about two different "styles" of bass... shoreline bass and main lake bass.
Makes perfect sense to me! Thanks Catt!
ABLE2DISABLE1 reply :
Thanks for the Schooling, Hope to here more soon. I forgot that the statement of not fishing at that Lake, Means you or I could learn from the learning skills of their places could apply her at home, Mapping or Fishing Skills and techniques of others.I just learned a little myself. Thank You
Long Mike reply :
QuoteThanks for the Schooling, Hope to here more soon. I forgot that the statement of not fishing at that Lake, Means you or I could learn from the learning skills of their places could apply her at home, Mapping or Fishing Skills and techniques of others.I just learned a little myself.
Huh?
Catt reply :
alwayslooking reply :
looks like a 1/2 oz rattle trap? can't catch any fish on that one though,,no hooks,,,lol
Catt reply :
Gold, Black Back, Orange Belly
alwayslooking reply :
slow rolling,,ripping,,,or just whatever you find the fish want? over the grass,,outside edges or again wherever they'll take it? usually relating to the grass though?
Catt reply :
Lake level as of 10/05/2009 6:30 a.m.: 168.68
Generator 1: Currently shut down
Generator 2: Currently running 6 hrs. / 2 p.m. - 8 p.m.
Spillway Gates: Closed
Water temperatures mid to upper 70s
The lake is up about 4 to 6 inches, covering some of the submerged grass; early morning & during cloudy conditions the fish are sitting or suspended in the top of the submerged grass.
Main lake points near the river or mouths of creeks: spinner baits & traps
Texas rigs: 8 to16'; light lead (sinkers) in 1/8, 3/16 and 1/4 ounce.
HitmanFO reply :
Some friends of mine were hauling them in this weekend on a similar rattletrap, Catt, except it was blue on top with chrome sides and bellies. One guy was jigging and ripping his... the other was swimming it... both ways produced. They pulled in one bass that regurgitated a baitfish that was almost identical in size, color and shape to the blue/chrome rattletrap... no wonder they worked so well.
I fished nearby, catching them on chartreuse buzzbaits and black/chartreuse spinnerbaits. My first buzzbait catch, that bass blowing up on top of the water, was GREAT! Remember, I just got serious about bass fishing this year... never fished a buzzbait until this weekend! Bought a bass boat Friday too... now there's no hope for me. :'(
AndyE reply :
Thanks for all the info you guys have given.
I am curious as to how you change(if so) when it starts raining? Referring to current fronts that are moving in and have been for couple weeks or so(at least down south near new orleans)
The other thing that has me wondering is Catt posts the times the generators are running(for Oct 5th) Does this continue like that every day or does it change daily? More importantly, does this time provide a better bite? And do you do anything differently during these times?
Catt reply :
I am curious as to how you change (if so) when it starts raining?
The rain itself has limited effect on bass but the weather conditions causing the rain does.
The other thing that has me wondering is Catt posts the times the generators are running (for Oct 5th) Does this continue like that every day or does it change daily?
Changes daily
More importantly, does this time provide a better bite? See below
And do you do anything differently during these times? See below
If we have one/both generators running for extended periods of time or I'm fishing close enough to the dam it will cause a current which will position the bait fish on the down current side of structure.
AndyE reply :
Thanks Catt. Heading there next Wed. Looks like it shouldnt be too bad.
Catt reply :
Got Jigs?
Catt reply :
Lake level as of 10/19/2009 6:30 a.m.: 169.59
Generator 1: Currently shut down
Generator 2: Currently running 24 hrs a day
Spillway Gates: Closed
Water temperatures mid to upper 70s
Numbers: Texas or Carolina Rig on points, ridges and humps in 12-25' & occasionally deeper; jigging spoons working 18 to 30 feet in creek channels.
Big fish bite 10-18' with ½ to ¾ oz Oldham's Lures Trailer Hitch Jig Black/Blue, Gene Larew Salty Hawg Craws in 6 with 2 ½ cut off the tail working the outside edge of the grass line (Hydrilla).
Aint heard nothing from the north end!
Trap bite is picking up but still sporadic at best
Catt reply :
I've had several phone conversations, e-mails, and chats on facebook with reports of 68-73 degrees surface temperatures; with a lot of rain in upper watershed the north end reports are murky-muddy, murky in the mid-lake areas, and clear on the main lake with off colored areas in the back end creeks down south.
Be extremely careful out there I've had numerous reports that high winds and rising water levels have a lot of "floaters" (logs/stumps/debris) all over the lake. It was reported by two relievable sources of a new Triton with a nifty 1 ½ hole in the hull after hitting a small limb attached to a larger log.
STAY TIGHT TO BOUY MARKERS & AVOID RUNNING OVER ANY THING!
Deep cranks are accounting for numbers with Texas Rigs, Carolina Rigs, and Jig-N-Craws being used for culling up in 18-22'.
alwayslooking reply :
Catt, i went to main point of mill and clear creek, sw side,,big grass bed there,,started first thing in morning with buzzbait and spooks,,from 17' to bank,,,then went to cranks on outside grass edge,,17'-15',,switched to alternating between 1-1/4oz jigs with 3/8oz flipping craw,,,finally about 11:00am, switched to carolina rigged worm,,,no takers at all,,,two other boats came in about 10:30, second one went into clear just a bit,,,boom, flipped up a keeper,,,at noon, went to main point s side of six mile, carolina rigged,,,made three seperate passes, different depths,,,no takers, from there i meandered back to six mile ramp, stopping here or there to make a cast or two..i was sure in my mind, there were fish at my starting place,,but no bites to confirm
Catt reply :
Dude you should have been on fish near that point in Mill
Another area I hit is coming into Mill off the main lake between the 2nd and 3rd buoy markers stop; work this area from the buoys towards the shore with Wacky Worms or Texas Rigged Trick Worms. I have never had that muck luck on the main lake point of Six Mile south side.
alwayslooking reply :
I felt sure there were fish there, BUT,,,maybe presentation wasn't right,,alas, there will be another day
Catt reply :
Try a Wacky Worm or Texas Rig a Trick worm with no weight but put a 1 paneling nail in the tail.
Catt reply :
10/30/09 6:30 am
Lake Level: 172.83
Generator 1: Currently Shut Down
Generator 2: Currently running 24 hrs.
Spillway Gates: 11 gates open 2' each
Surface temperatures: mid to upper 60s with some low 70s still being found.
Due to all the rain north of the lake the level is up 1.76' in one week
North Toledo: The upper portions of all major feeder creeks are stained to muddy and will continue increase with the run off for nest several days.
Mid Lake: Murky in the back of coves, ditches, and creeks; stained to clear on the main lake.
South Lake: Stained in the back of coves, ditches, and creeks; still clear on the main lake.
Fishing to tough right now so be prepared for low numbers but if accessible fish the deep main lake structure.
Again be careful out there stumps & hull don't mix!
Personally I'm taking some time off until things settle into winter patterns
ab8aac reply :
CATT just FYI the sabine just south of Hawkins last night was 12 feet above flood stage and rising. You got a lot of water comming we had 5" of rain last 36 hours, it will pick up water all the way to you.
Lake o the pines yesterday was 14.08 feet above flood pool, houses flooded boat roads under water and they can't get it down as Caddo is 5.3 feet above flood stage but all of this water goes into the RED RIVER, just mentioned that to show how much water we have north of you.
Catt reply :
Up 3.75' in less than 2 weeks before finally peaking yesterday
bigtimfish reply :
Are the marker bouys still accurate? I will be going on saturday and was wondering. I will launch at willow oak. Also what color traps are working right now? Thanks Catt your info is always helpful.
Catt reply :
I highly suggest staying close to buoys; gold/black back/orange belly
Wesley reply :
I was out last week just running the boat and noticed a few buoys were off quite a bit so watch out..
Catt reply :
QuoteDo think that if the lake levels stay high like they have for the past 2-3 years that the bass population in TB will start to get bigger?I was thinking that with more stable lake levels like we have been getting, the grass would grow better and support more baitfish which would in turn help out the bass population.
I am hopeing that in a couple more years the tournament trails will realize this and start coming back.
According to the U.S. Geological Survey the lake level for the past 9 years has been low.
11-04-09 172.71
11-05-08 167.47
11-05-07 167.67
11-05-06 164.90
11-05-05 163.19
11-05-04 169.12
11-05-03 166.08
11-05-02 168.34
11-05-01 163.67
11-05-00 167.03
I personally think it's more beneficial for the lake to be low which allows shoreline and shallow grass to grow thicker which in turn allows Florida fingerlings a better chance of survival when the water does come up. I'm going to let a big cat out of the bag here, Texas Parks & Wildlife release a high percentage of Florida fingerlings in the Housen'-Six Mile area due to the fact it has more vegetation which offers more hiding places which in turn means a higher survival rate. The amount of vegetation also affords a high amount of food source which means a faster growth rate.
The problem with holding major tournaments on Toledo has always been a lack of facilities with Cypress Bend being the only one and it has a outdoor weigh-in site some thing the spoiled Pros do not like. The expansion of Fin & Feather has helped tremendously but its weigh-in site is exposed to the weather also. Another draw back for Toledo Bend is its remoteness which is a plus for the angler it is a hindrance for top tournament anglers who often bring their families.
Wesley reply :
I heard that the PAA they had the other day at Fin N feather was a big success. I know they dont have much for parking there but thier facilities are very nice.
Hopefuly some of the bigger tournaments will start coming back to the lake, which will boost the local economy a lot. Which should entice some of the other marina's to update thier facilites to draw in business.
I thought that the last year or two they hadnt been letting the lake get as low as before. I can remember some years when the lake was down 10 feet, that kills off a lot of the shallower hydrilla beds, so I was thinking more stable water levels would equate to better fishing.
Catt reply :
The Toledo Bend Conservation Pool Elevation: 172
What one must take into consideration with the data from USGS is that while 172 is full pool the normal lake level is 169 with 167 the average over the last 10 years. It is extremely hard to hold this lake steady because the Sabine River drains an area of about 9,700 square miles of which 7,190 square miles are above the elevation of the Toledo Bend Dam site. The average annual rainfall over the basin upstream from the Toledo Bend Dam site amounts to about 45.5 inches.
With the improvements to Fin & Feather I think they will take a lot of the tournaments away from Cypress Bend due to the fact no one but the Top Pros can afford to stay at Cypress Bend. Fin & Feather has a history and tradition unrivaled by any other accommodation on The Bend.
Wesley reply :
I stayed in one of thier rooms this weekend and let me tell you they are nice rooms, and will not break the bank. Top notch facilities as well, there is a courtesy dock near the ramp. There are some new boat stalls close to the restaraunt and the front office has a decent selection of tackle.
bigtimfish reply :
I'm going on Saturday and I will fishing the coves on the backside of gilly's point (highline coves) with the way the weather has been and with them generating, do you think by then the muddy water will be out of there, or should I still throw chartruese? I am not throwing my regular arsenal, the only plastics I am bringing are Paca craws and brush hogs with 3/4 parasite weights for punching an awesome grass bed in highline cove 1. The rest is traps,med and deep cranks, and x raps. Maybe a spinnerbait.
Catt reply :
The current from all of the water releases at the dam will help in pulling baitfish onto deep points. Falling levels cause bass to group on primary and secondary points which will help us to pattern them.
My suggestion would be points, spinner bait-n-traps early & Texas, Carolina, or Wacky rigs later in the day
Wesley reply :
Some pics posted of the pendleton bridge, posted by kestrel63 with shockwave rods.
That is some crazy giant salvinia being flushed down the lake by the water being released!!
bigtimfish reply :
What is that? I saw big chunks of that stuff around Gilly's point and all over sandy creek.
Wesley reply :
Thats mostly Giant Salvina (sp?) which is an extremly invasive species, it can grow up to 3 football fields worth in a month I have been told.
Catt reply :
Salvinia molesta, commonly known as Giant salvinia or kariba weed
Most of it is Eichhornia Water Hyacinth
This floating mat is said to stretch from Patroon Bayou to Cypress Bend
Catt reply :
Lake level as of 10/12/2009 12:30 p.m.: 172.36
Generator 1: Currently running 24 hrs.
Generator 2: Currently running 24 hrs.
Spillway Gates: Closed
Water temperatures upper 60s - lower 70s
North end is still murky to muddy, mid lake is murky, and with the south lake mostly clear. The back ends of major feeder creeks are murky to muddy but clearing as you get closer to the main lake.
The recent high water dislodged huge mats of Hyacinths and Giant Salvinia which gave Texas Parks & Wildlife the opportunity to spray it.
The Big Pond is slowly returning to normal fall patterns with most every technique producing fish. Outside grass lines in 10-25' are still the best bet with Texas/Carolina Rigs and DD22s topping the list.
Hey Jack & Matt Fly!
A certain buoy marker gave up a pair of 10s to a Carolina Rigged Trick Worm
Wesley reply :
QuoteLake level as of 10/12/2009 12:30 p.m.: 172.36Generator 1: Currently running 24 hrs.
Generator 2: Currently running 24 hrs.
Spillway Gates: Closed
Water temperatures upper 60s - lower 70s
North end is still murky to muddy, mid lake is murky, and with the south lake mostly clear. The back ends of major feeder creeks are murky to muddy but clearing as you get closer to the main lake.
The recent high water dislodged huge mats of Hyacinths and Giant Salvinia which gave Texas Parks & Wildlife the opportunity to spray it.
The Big Pond is slowly returning to normal fall patterns with most every technique producing fish. Outside grass lines in 10-25' are still the best bet with Texas/Carolina Rigs and DD22s topping the list.
Hey Jack & Matt Fly!
A certain buoy marker gave up a pair of 10s to a Carolina Rigged Trick Worm
I am gonna have to find out this super secret buoy marker.
Catt reply :
Wesley ole son we gonna have to cure that real soon
Wesley reply :
QuoteWesley ole son we gonna have to cure that real soon
Im ready when you are!
alwayslooking reply :
Catt, i'll be back on the bend sometime this next week,,depending on weather and turkey,,i'll be paying attention to your updates,,
Catt reply :
Lake level as of 11/20/2009 6:30 p.m.: 172.42
Generator 1: Currently running 24 hrs.
Generator 2: Currently running 24 hrs.
Spillway Gates: Closed
Water temperatures are holding in the mi60s
I placed a call to Hermes Fish'n Lodge up at San Patricio, the water is clearing but remains very murky, Lowe's Creek Park mid lake is slightly murky, and the south lake is clear. The back ends of major feeder creeks are murky but clearing in the front two thirds.
Fall is gorgeous time to be on the Big Pond, the smell of a fire place gently drifting on the breeze, the whistling of a pair spooked Wood Ducks, Fox squirrels rustling in the underbrush.
Whoa back to fishing
The early/late spinner bait/trap bite on cloudy days is really picking around shoreline grass.
Rattle Head 3/8 oz. white/chartreuse double willow (S/G).
Bill Lewis Pro Traps MPTSN-3/8 OZ color: SY2 Gold Shad and a color I can no longer wind listed their catalog; its copper colored with a brown head and orange belly.
The Jig-N-Craw & Texas Rigged Craw Worm bite is producing bigger bass on main lake structure from mid-morning until late afternoon.
Terry Oldham's 3/8 oz. trailer hitch jig #18 Lil Gator with a Rage Lobster Double Header (cut 1 off the tail).
Gene Larew 6 Salty Hawg Craw in HC11 Black Neon, ¼ oz Bullet Weight Black and a Strike King Saber Point Round Bend Offset 5/0 hook.
The jig and craw bite is extremely light so remember when doubt Drop the rod, Reel the slack, & Set the hook.
bigtimfish reply :
Catt that trap you listed I think you are talking about the "brown eye shad" Ann's tackle shop(Ann Thomasson-Wilson) in Jasper sales them. I have the 3/4 oz size. If I'm not mistaken that's the only place to get them. I was told Bill Lewis Co. makes them especially and only for Ann or her tackle shop. Also, I heard Dawson marine is closing the doors in both Jasper and Beaumont. I don't know what effect that will have on Ann's. As you probably already know her tackle shop is located in Dawson's.
Catt reply :
Ann's is my new found love since I only started stopping there this year but I will follow her where ever she moves if she moves.
I have several of those traps and none came from the same place
HitmanFO reply :
Fishing report from this weekend...
I fished the back of Sandy Creek on Friday. With all of the grass and lily pads being flooded right now, I was able to go way back in behind the brush, when I usually can't really get out of the boat lane with all the thick grass.
I put the boat in at the Willow Oak boat launch and ran straight out to the middle and started to drift with the wind, directly toward the back of the cove to the left of the boat ramp, if you were standing on the ramp looking out at the water. I started with a blue/chrome/orange belly Rattling Rapala... no bites. Then the buzzbait... nothing. Then a Tx-rig june bug trick worm... 1 dink. Then the trusty old Wedgeplus in Tenn. Shad... that did the trick. I slow-rolled it over the top of the grass, casting up by visible and flooded lily pads, from the boat lane all the way to the back. Once I got to the back, I'd fire up the motor, run back out by the boat lane, and drift back in. Managed to get 4 dinks, 4 keepers, on this day that was supposed to be the worse fishing day of the month... one was 3 lbs, which is a big one for me, and he put up a GREAT fight! Wish I'd have had a video camera... jumped 3 different times on the way to the boat. A friend fishing nearby in his own boat caught a 4 lb-er on a chug bug, and a lot of dinks on a Rattling Rogue.
Another friend that fished the same area the weekend before caught 25 bass, including 9 keepers, the biggest being 5 lbs, on a Rattling Rogue.
So, it was cool fishing an area that I haven't fished before, that I was only able to get to since it was flooded out right now.
Just thought I'd share!
bigtimfish reply :
99% of the time I go I launch at Willow Oak. Not a lot of traffic and a good launch area. Good fishing in that area too. I have a secret hole in that area. Right where the small round bouys end and the cylinder shaped ones begin. There is a bowl shaped drop off. from about 7ft to 20ft. We call it the dynamite hole.
HitmanFO reply :
I THINK I know where you are talking about... to the left of the boat lane, as you head out, where the "neck" of the cove is the smallest. Right before dark I ran out through the neck of Willow Oak and fished those two big islands to the left. On the way back in, I just drifted along, letting the wind push me back into Willow Oak, and crossed a hole that registered 20 feet or so on the depth finder. My fish finder started beeping like crazy... showed five or six down there, right on the bottom. The opening in the grass was only about two boat lengths wide. I cast back into the 6-7 feet of water, let my spinnerbait fall down the side, but by that time I had drifted over it and didn't get my bait all the way down to the bottom. I didn't take the time to troll back and try to get deeper... I wanted to make one more pass through the open water before heading back to the ramp.
I was telling a buddy about that hole this morning... I may be going back up Saturday, and I was telling him I was thinking about dropping a jig or worm in it.
Anyhow, that may not be the same one you are talking about, but I did see one right there that I want to try next time. I didn't pay attention to where it was located in reference to the buoys... just noted it was off the closest point to the boat lane on the left hand side. There's a big dead tree right there, too, that I imagine is right beside the drop-off... I didn't troll over and check.
bigtimfish reply :
You are in the area.Leaving willow oak launch heading toward where sandy and six mile meet.Notice the change in bouys, and a big tall dead tree is on the right side of the boat lane. The tree and bouys, that's how I find my hole. It's just off the boat lane between the 2 different bouys, across from the big dead tree. Maybe I confused you. Dead tree right side of boat lane. Dynamite hole left side of boatlane. It is a very good spot. SHHHH! Keep it quiet. I have NEVER seen another boat there. I think when I found it we pulled 4 or 5 good fish off of it.
capierrottie2 reply :
Made a short fishing trip this weekend between deer hunts. I fished for about 3 hours in the Housen Bay Area. I caught 2 keepers nothing special and 6 dinks. Caught one keeper off a point near deep water and another in very shallow water near some cypress trees. I used 7in Watermellon Candy Trick worms texas rigged. I did catch a 5lb Fresh Water Sheep Head (Gaspago-not sure about the spelling) I thought I landed a monster reeling it in.
alwayslooking reply :
I took my 5yr old fishing on the friday after turkey day,,,put in at 6 mile, around 10am,,,no wind and the temps was nice,,,,just barely up on plane, we went to mill creek,,,went to that point i previously mentioned and set up shop,,weightless trickworm for him,, 1/4 oz texas rig for me,,,he caught the first fish,,lol,,,named him freddy,,water temps were in the 62 degree range,,fished in 16-18 fow,,outside edge of grass,,action wasn't fast but steady,,,put 12-13 pds in the boat,,,my son loved it,,,i'll be back saturday for club tourny
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