Hello, Anglers. Interesting weather, huh? As I sit with this computer at my lake house, it is 42 degrees outside with a low in the morning predicted to be in mid 30s with very high winds. Just when I thought the Goretex could be put in storage, I will need to drag it out for another day or two. This cool front will also slow down water temperatures from warming so fast and will mean a good portion of the bass population will stay shallow a few more days this spring.
Our Creator allows Mother Nature to throw in a few surprises along the way to keep things from getting boring. These cold mornings have been invigorating. The bald eagles must love the cool weather, they are everywhere. We are seeing 6 or 8 each day and lately they are mostly in pairs. Guess that is why we have more eagles, huh?
WEBSITE UPDATE: We are very excited about the success of our new website www.joejoslinoutdoors.com. Just a few days ago we had hit number 10,000 which occurred in less than six months. This is about double the traffic we had anticipated and are very pleased that so many area anglers feel it is beneficial to them. It is of special meaning that a number of our military anglers stationed overseas stay current with Toledo and Sam Rayburn with the info on the site.
LAKE CONDITIONS: The lake level is falling slowly but The Bend is still holding a lot of water. The level is at 172.3 feet with both generators running 24 hrs plus 5 flood gates remain open 1 foot each at the spillway with a total water release of 18,944 cfs (cubic feet per second). Water temperatures have fallen due to cold front and range from 63 to 67 degrees. North Toledo is stained-to-very stained, mid-lake stained-to-slightly stained and south Toledo is clear on main lake with feeder creeks having off-colored conditions.
FISHING REPORTS/BASS: The challenge currently is what pattern is best since there are numerous ways to catch bass as we enter the post-spawn season with bass found anywhere from 1 to 30 feet. While there are bass off the deep points in 15 to 25 feet, anglers might find it easier currently to target those in thinner water and work those in 1 to 14 feet.
There is a good population of bass still along the shoreline where the new water has covered. This area (1 to 4 feet) has a lot of dead grass and laydowns (brush/logs) which is providing cover for bass and is more productive during early morning/late afternoon as well as during cloudy conditions. I also catch more bass from this structure with a breeze (lately it has been a gale) blowing across this cover.
Stanley Wedge Spinnerbaits, light Carolina rigs, light jigs, and even top water baits have been successful when conditions are right. If wind is not too severe, weightless Texas rigged plastics such as Berkley Powerbait and Gulp! Sinking Minnow, Senko, Power Lizard as well as Fluke are all good choices to slowly work over these shallow areas. Bright conditions and cold fronts with high barometric pressure will slow the shallow bite down and anglers will need to back off into deeper water to target their efforts.
Texas and Carolina rigged Power Craws, Sinking Minnow, Senko, lizards, Berkley Critter Craw, Brush Hogs are all good choices for working the inside and outside submerged grass line which is from 7 to 13 feet depending on what part of the lake you are on. When wind permits, a wacky worm and shaky head presentation can also be very effective on overly-fished bass. Crankbaits are also excellent tools as we get into late spring.
STRIPER: Anglers are catching stripers both below and above the dam. I have heard of some excellent reports of anglers fishing after dark. Sun-up, sundown and cloudy/rainy conditions are some of the best striper times/conditions. If you are fishing from the bank below the dam, you will want to have a bait that you can throw a long distance.
Excellent choices are three-quarter ounce Berkley Frenzy Rattlr's and Lewis Lures Rat-L-Traps in blue/silver or shad patterns. Also large top water plugs such as Pencil Poppers, Frenzy Walkers and Super Spooks are all excellent. There are also times when a buck-tail striper jig with 4 to 6 inch pearl/white trailer is unbeatable.
CRAPPIE: White perch fishing has been improving with decent catches coming from the outside grass line in 10 to 15 feet on small crappie jigs and Blakemore Road Runners. However, the cold front brought that to a sudden stop. Things should improve by late this week as the weather moderates and the high pressure system moves out. To get more bites, especially when conditions are tough, anglers should consider lighter line from 4 to 6 pound test Berkley 100% Fluorocarbon and certainly no larger than 8 pound test.
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 DeRidder, The Floor Trader Lake Charles and Stanley Jigs Inc. Contact him at 337-463-3848 or joejoslinoutdoors@yahoo.com. and WEBSITE www.joejoslinoutdoors.com.
