Hello, Anglers. I guess Mother Nature decided to prove that real winter temperatures are possible for this neck of the woods. If weather reports are on target, the Toledo Bend area will have three mornings in a row with temperatures in the 20s. However, the weekend looks some better.
BOAT SHOW TIME It is time for the 24th Annual Central Gulf Coast Boat, Sport and RV Show scheduled for the Lake Charles Civic Center Jan 23-25th. Hours are Friday from 3 to 9 p.m., Saturday from 10 a.m. to 9 p.m. and Sunday from 11 a.m. to 5 p.m. Over 40 brands of boats and 70 brands of RVs will be on display. Other highlights include the B.A.S.S.
Casting Kids Competition! Children ages 7-14 can compete locally and have the opportunity to advance for the State & National Levels. A total of $250,000 in prizes and scholarships are offered nationwide with the National Finals being held at the Bassmaster Classic. Rods are provided. Admission is adults $6, children 6 - 15 yrs - $2 and under 6 yrs - Free. Parking is free. I will be in Lake Charles Tackle booth Friday evening and Sunday afternoon. Come on by and tell me your big fish story.
LAKE CONDITIONS: The lake is rising slowly and stands at 168.55 feet with no generators running at press time. At midweek, water temperature's have fallen to 51 degrees and could fall even further by this weekend. North Toledo is stained to slightly stained, mid-lake is slightly stained while south Toledo is clear.
FISHING REPORTS/BASS Water temperatures are definitely impacting fishing patterns as this weeks weather is the most severe of the season. Water temperatures could reach the upper 40s by this weekend which will be the coldest water temperature readings we have had in several seasons. I have not checked my records but I know we did not have readings below 50 last year.
Obviously, such cold conditions will have a major impact on the fishery and the activity of bass. That does not mean you cannot catch fish but it will mean that a slow presentation will, more than likely, produce the best results. It is a prime time to catch a big bass as most bass are in great shape and big females have layers of fat and also roe (eggs).
Some big bass right now are 'staging' which is a pre-spawn term where large females will move from deep cover to mid-depth cover close to spawning grounds. While fishing Rayburn last week I caught 2 large bass, a 9.3 lb and a 7.5, that were both staging on this type cover. One hit a jig and the other a Stanley Icon three-eights ounce double willowleaf spinnerbait and both baits were fished slowly in about 6 to 8 feet of water.
In talking to guys who fished tournaments on Toledo last weekend they also caught bass on lipless crankbaits such as Berkley Frenzy Rattl'r and Bill Lewis's Rat-L-Traps. Various retrieves were used but a slow presentation was one of the successful methods. Cold, deep, clear water also makes the jigging spoon a great choice for catching bass.
I am targeting depths ranging from 30 to 45 feet with spoons in the one half and three quarter ounce sizes. With water this cold, I use a larger line such as 15 or 17 pound test Big Game or 100% BerkleFluorocarbonon which will make the spoon fall slightly slower. Big Game will fall slightly slower but 10fluorocarbonrbon is more sensitive allowing the angler to detect even the lightest strikes, which are common in mid-winter.
While it is possible to catch high numbers of bass in January (especially on a spoon), I suggest anglers take their time, fish prime cover such as a creek bend or ditch/drain for those few, big bass.
AUTHOR INFO: Joe Joslin is a syndicated columnist, tournament angler and pro guide on Toledo and Sam Rayburn. His sponsors include Skeeter Performance Boats, Yamaha Outboards, Lake Charles Toyota, Red River Marine/Alexandria, LA, Berkley, Fenwick, Abu Garcia, Bill Norman , Daiichi, Jay's Carpet One DeRidder, The Floor Trader Lake Charles, Extermatrim Exterminating, Inc. and Stanley Jigs Inc. Contact him at 337-463-3848 or joejoslinoutdoors@yahoo.com. and WEBSITE www.joejoslinoutdoors.com
