Hello, Anglers. All nature seemed to be rejoicing last week as the first true cool front of the season finally brought an end to Summer 2007. A couple of mornings the temperatures were in mid 50s on south Toledo and a light jacket felt good while making our trip to the first fishing hole. One of my favorite parts of fishing is that run up the lake at dawn and lately we have been traveling 10 to 15 miles north from the dam before we make our first cast.
By the time we arrive, everyone is fully alert as fast-moving cool air hitting you in the face will awaken ones senses. We can hardly wait to make that first cast of the day as the bass have been eager to bite, especially the first couple of hours of the day. Finally, everyone is casting toward a grassy point and my work day has officially begun. Get the net!!
LAKE CONDITIONS: The lake level is 167.7 feet and both generators are shut off. The lake is falling slowly due to evaporation as well to a small amount of generating which must be done to maintain flow in the river. Water temperatures are running from 79 to 81 degrees and north Toledo is slightly stained, mid-lake is clear and south Toledo is very clear. As normal, the back portions of major feeder creeks have some stained conditions.
FISHING REPORTS/BASS
BASSIN' WITH THE BASICS: It has been a fun time the past several days with early morning and late afternoons finding bass aggressive. Some mornings, with a little cloud cover and slight breeze, we have had a decent bite all the way til noon. Some of our best action the past several days with bass up to seven pounds has been on basic, time proven, patterns with Lonnie Stanley's spinnerbaits leading the way. We have been using one-quarter, three-eighths and one-half ounce Stanley Wedge Plus and Icon Series spinnerbaits over grass points and ridges on south Toledo.
Choosing the right spinnerbait depends on multiple factors such as the way submerged grass is growing in an area, water temperature, amount of cloud cover as well as wave action and water clarity. Some mornings they hit large baits while the next day bass may want a smaller one. If I am fishing grass, I almost always select a spinnerbait with double willowleaf blades as this type blade has a tendency to pull through grass better without getting fowled. Skirt color on Toledo as well as Rayburn is pretty simple as white, chartreuse or a combo white/chartreuse will get it done. Personally, I use more combo white/chartreuse.
Other bass catching patterns include slowly working shallow grass with a weightless Texas rigged soft plastic such as Berkley's Gulp! Sinking Minnow, Jerk Shad, Senko as well as Fluke. Watermelon and green pumpkin have been good color choices. This takes patience but it can be very successful. Top water patterns have also improved as Southwest Louisiana bass angler, Robert Giles, sent in a report of a 9.9 pound largemouth that hit a Pop R. You know you are talking to an honest angler when the reported weight is 9.9 pounds instead of the highly sought after double-digit bass of 10 pounds or more. Other current patterns catching bass are Berkley Power Worms (7 and 10 inches) rigged TX style and pitched in 8-12 feet scattered grass.
YELLOW BASS: These panfish are plentiful and can be caught in 20-40 feet depths with tailspinners and jigging spoons. The feed all day but seem to like from 7:30 to 9:30 a.m. along major creek beds.
CRAPPIE: The white perch action has improved and are biting in brush and along creeks in 18-30 feet with live shiners and 1/16 ounce jigs. Holly Park Marina, located in Patroons Bay north of Pendleton, reported some crappie are being caught in 20 foot depths on live shiners.
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
