Hello, Anglers. While we do have some hot weather still in front of us, a lot of it is in the rear view mirror. Also, things are looking pretty good as we move into the fall with gas prices stable plus most of us in this area are fortunate enough to have jobs. According to June 2009 statistics, Louisiana's unemployment rate is 6.8 percent while the national average is 9.5 percent and the south region as a whole has 9.2 percent. Louisiana has the ninth lowest rate nationally while Michigan has the highest at 15.2 percent. As a fishing guide, those numbers are quite encouraging since most of my customers use discretionary funds to book my services.
LAKE CONDITIONS: At midweek the lake level stood at 168.95' with both generators running from 2 to 8 p.m. during week-days. Surface water temperatures have moved back up slightly to upper 80s with most of the lake is clear with stained conditions in extreme north Toledo and back of major creeks. The remainder of the lake is mostly clear with the southern one-third of the lake being very clear. There is much visible grass all around the shoreline as well as large patches on main humps and long points running out into the main lake. These grass areas are holding fish and with fall approaching, such areas will continue to improve.
FISHING REPORTS/BASS: Top water patterns remain productive and are just plain fun! We have been having topwater action with two patterns with the first at dawn with Frenzy Poppers, Chug Bugs and Pop Rs as well as with frogs (Ribbits) fished over shallow grass both on the shoreline as well as on points running out in the lake. The second is with schooling bass which have been fairly numerous along main creek channels on major feeder creeks with best times from about 7 to 9 a.m. Productive baits include Berkley Jerk Shad Gulp! and Flukes in pearl/off-white fished weightless in surface-feeding schools. Fish'em slow!
Also, they will hit a small Rat-L-Trap in shad and chrome patterns as well as a jigging spoon danced across the surface. I use the spoon often because I can throw it a mile and schooling bass are notorious about surfacing just out of reach. Another highly productive presentation is a tailspinner (Norman's Knock Off) fished in the school as well as letting it fall and fishing it under the surface feed fish. This will often get you bigger bass. It is also wise to use a Texas rig in the area of the schooling activity for bigger fish.
Deeper patterns continue to be deep diving crankbaits (Norman's DD22s), tailspinners (Knock Off) as well as a jig, Texas rig and Carolina rig on main lake ridges, humps and points. I am having success on deep ridges with scattered grass in 12 to 18 feet as well as on brush in 18 to 28 feet. I am using Berkley and Stren 100% Fluorocarbon exclusively on crankbaits as well as TX and Carolina rigs. It helps the crankbait to dive and provides super sensitivity for light strikes on deep worming plus has minimal stretch which assists in getting a good hook set. Also, the more I use fluorocarbon, the more I am amazed at the durability.
CRAPPIE/YELLOW BASS: There are still a few good crappie being caught in 18 to 30 feet with live shiners with best times at dawn and late afternoons. Yellow bass are plentiful along the edge of the main river and feeder creeks with depths of 18 to 35 feet holding a lot of them. A jigging spoon and tail spinner are two great baits for yellows fished both vertical as well as casting and using a yo-yo retrieve. Watch your electronics as there are schools that will suspend as we are catching a good many about 15 to 20 feet from the surface but over deep water (30-35 feet).
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, The Floor Trader Lake Charles and Stanley Jigs Inc. Contact him at 337-463-3848 or joejoslinoutdoors@yahoo.com. and WEBSITE www.joejoslinoutdoors.com.
