Hello, Anglers. Much of our attention currently is focused on the Gulf as weather computer models are saying Labor Day Weekend could be interesting for many Louisiana residents. At one time I thought we had nothing to worry about since we lived over a hundred miles from the coast. However, that was before Hurricane Rita marched through with over a hundred mph winds as far inland as the Toledo Bend Dam and beyond.
I have been in Louisiana for over thirty years and I had never seen a storm remain so strong as it traveled over that much land mass. I gained even more respect for hurricanes. Obviously, if current tracking models of Gustav continue to look like they do now, most south Louisiana residents may not have their minds on fishing this holiday weekend but rather on storm preparations.
TEXAS LICENSE REMINDER: Many area fishermen spend a lot of time on Texas lakes so make sure you get those licenses renewed as they expire Sunday, August 31. Their Austin, TX number is 1-800-895-4248. To purchase over phone you will need a valid drivers license plus credit card.
LAKE CONDITIONS: Lake levels continue to slowly fall which is a normal pattern with evaporation, high power demands plus minimal area-wide rainfall. For rainfall to impact Toledo, it must fall all over the huge watershed.Lake level midweek was 168.2 feet with two generators running from11:00 a.m. to 8 p.m. Water temperatures are down slightly at 84.7 degrees. I do water temperature readings at daylight. All of Toledo has good water conditions.
DID YOU KNOW? : History of Carolina Rigging. We caught several fish this week on a Carolina rig and you may have too. Ever wondered how this technique started? According to BM reports, Bassmaster Classic XV winner, Jack Chancellor credits his win to a "Do-Nothing Rig"which was a small worm separated from a heavy weight by a leader and swivel. His 1985 Classic win focused the attention of thousands of anglersto the "Carolina Rig'.
FISHING REPORTS/BASS: We have had some very good trips the past couple of weeks and have caught bass on multiple patterns. From now until Christmas are some of my favorite months to fish Toledo. Personally, I like to fish the lake with it down several feet as this has a tendency to stack up the fish in a more concentrated area and will pull bass out to main lake points as well as to mouths of main creeks.
Schooling activity is also increasing as the moon decreases. I think bass school better on the dark phase of the moon, especially in the mornings. There are a lot of bass in shallow grass, especially on points. We have targeted these both early morning as well as late afternoon and had success with both but mornings got the edge. Spinnerbaits have been good. We used Stanley quarter and three eighths ounce with double willowleaf blades and white/chartreuse skirts. Top water baits have also been good for quality bass.
This week we have been using nothing but Berkley's Frenzy Series including their Frenzy Popper as well as Frenzy Walker. Top color for both currently is Grey Ghost which is a shad pattern. These have worked both on points around grass as well as in schools. I like the Frenzy Walker in schools as it throws like a bullet when rigged on a full spool of Big Game 12 or 15 pound test with a Revo reel/7 foot Fenwick medium fast rod.
Crank baits are also catching bass in 8 to 20 feet depths. Frenzy mid-diver and DLN (Deep Little N) are excellent in 8- to 12 feet and I go with Norman's DD22 in deeper structure. We have also done well with light Texas rigs in 8 to 15 feet and Carolina rigs from 12 to 25 feet. Fish'em slow!
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 and Stanley Jigs Inc. Contact him at 337-463-3848 or joejoslinoutdoors@yahoo.com. and WEBSITE www.joejoslinoutdoors.com.
