Hello, Angler. Mild, cloudy days have improved fishing conditions as a weak, unorganized weather system drifts around in the Gulf. Several tournaments are scheduled on The Bend the next few weeks which has increased boating activity somewhat but fishing pressure is still light-to-moderate during the week. It's a great time to be outdoors.
LAKE CONDITIONS: Lake levels have fallen dramatically the past couple of weeks and stood at 168.7 feet at mid week. One generator is operating from 6 a.m. until midnight with one generator shut down. Water temperatures are falling and range from 82-84 degrees. Most all of the lake has clear water with exception being extreme northern Toledo where the Sabine River enters the impoundment. This area does have stained conditions.
FISHING REPORTS/BASS Fishing was fair last week and better this week. I had 2-3 days last week where we caught 18 to 22 bass per day but we had to work hard and the best bite was in the morning. For early morning we would target points in 2 to 8 feet with topwater, slow-falling plastics (wacky rigged Berkley Sinking Minnows and Senkos) as well as Shakee Head Jigs rigged with Berkley's 5 inch Wacky Crawlers and Fat Dovers in Green Pumpkin and watermelon candy.
We also had decent success C. Rigging and Texas rigging 7 inch Power Shaky worms in green pumpkin and watermelon candy. We targeted depths of 8 to 18 feet depending on light intensity. If you are unable to find Berkley's Power Bait series Shaky worms, other good choices are Stanley/ReAction 7 inch Looney Worms as well as a Trick Worm.
In the crankbait scene, I suggest Frenzy's Mid Diver
in Fire Tiger and Tennessee Shad just off the grassline in 8-12 feet and a DD22 back off the grass in 14-20 feet. Anglers are also punching through this grass in depths of 8 to 16 feet with jigs and big plastics.
YELLOW BASS: Anglers are catching a good many of these panfish in depths of 15 to 40 feet with jigging spoons and tailspinners. If you see largemouth schooling, oftentimes, yellows will be under the bass.
CRAPPIE: Deep brush in 25-35 feet with live shiners are producing the best crappie. NIght fishing has been the best although from 6:30 to 8 a.m. has also been good.
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, Daiichi, Jay's Carpet One and Stanley Jigs Inc. Contact him at 337-463-3848 or joejoslinoutdoors@yahoo.com. and joejoslinoutdoors.com.
