Toledo Bend Reservoir Fishing Report
for
February 23, 2007
Hello, Anglers. This week's rains have rivers full and lakes on the rise. Rising water does effect fishing patterns and oftentimes repositions a major portion of the fish population. Water temperatures have also risen the past week and this too impacts fish movement. Check out our fishing reports section as we talk about how anglers can approach fishing under these conditions.
ROD HANDLE CLEANER: Readers may remember a few months ago I mentioned a neat product called Krystal Vision which is made to clean screens on fishing electronics such as GPS/sonar units as well as computer screens. The same company sells a cork cleaning product made for removing the dirt/oil build-up on cork fishing rod handles. It works extremely well. To check out these useful products go to www.itainttv.com. or call 615-726-8032.
LAKE CONDITIONS: The lake level is now 170.6 feet which is the highest it has been in several months. Surface water temperatures are between 56-57 degrees. No power is being generated at this time but that will, more than likely, change after the run-off from recent heavy rains has had a chance to get out of the river below the dam. When possible, water is held in Toledo after heavy rains to minimize down stream flooding. Severe downstream flooding occurs when Toledo is near full pool of 172 and the river is already full and water has to be released to maintain the integrity of the dam structure.
FISHING REPORTS/BASS: We continue to have to dodge strong weather systems but are having decent fishing trips when wind allows you to get on the lake without risking bodily harm to all boat occupants. This past week the Toledo area experienced some of the strongest winds and heaviest rain we have had the past few months. Increasing lake levels, spawning urges and warming water temperatures are basically pushing bass into somewhat shallower water. We are catching a few fish on fast-moving baits but are having the best results on slower presentations.
The jig n pig has been producing a few quality bass and I have fished them about half way back near ditches and drains. These bass seem to be ready to move to spawning grounds as soon as water temperatures move up a few more degrees. I found them in shallow water(6 to 8 feet) but close to deep water (15-20). Slow-falling plastics as well as Carolina rigs are also catching bass along the edge of ditches. On slow-falling baits, wacky presentations (Gulp! Sinking Minnow and Senko) continue to put bass in the boat. So has a Texas-rigged weightless Sinking Minnow and Senko when worked very slowly over 1 to 4 feet of grassy areas.
Our best fast-moving baits have been lipless crank baits such as Berkley Frenzy Ratll'r and Rat-L-Trap in red crawfish and blue/silver. Spinnerbaits have also produced when worked over shallow grass as well as slow-rolled through submerged grass points and ridges.
CRAPPIE: Crappie fishing has been slow with rising, muddy water but a few fair reports came from south Toledo where water is clear. Dock owners are catching crappie off of deep docks at dawn/dusk as well as after sundown with lanterns/crappie lights. Live shiners are yielding the best results. Chicken Coop looks like it took this year off as it remains fair to poor.
AUTHOR INFO: Joe Joslin is a syndicated outdoor columnist, tournament angler and pro guide on Toledo and Sam Rayburn. Contact him at 337-463-3848 or joejoslinoutdoors@yahoo.com. and WEBSITE www.joejoslinoutdoors.com.
Guide Joe Joslin