Hello, Anglers. Lake Charles tournament angler, super fisherman and all-around nice guy, Doug McCain had a great time on The Bend Saturday and figured out how to put together a heavy bag of post-spawn Toledo largemouth bass. His 24.52 pounds took all the marbles in Skeeter Performance Boat's Bass Champ Tournament held at Cypress Bend Resort. 190 teams took part in the event. He was awarded a $20,000 check for 8 hours of fishing which comes to $2500 per hour which is a not a bad way to spend a Saturday.
McCain, who normally fishes these events with his son, Mason, had to fish solo since his son was taking college exams. He said that he almost did not fish without his partner. According to sources at Lake Caster, Doug McCain was among the first weigh in and was nervous waiting for the remainder of the pack to weigh-in. Who wouldn't be uneasy knowing the tough slate of competitors who normally fish these events. His kicker (biggest bass) was a 6.52 lb bass and after all the waiting, McCain was the champ besting second place by over three pounds.
The Toledo Bass Champ winner stated that he began the day working frogs as well some jigs on select points and put together a small limit of about 12 pounds. He made some adjustments and was able to figure out how the bigger bass were relating to structure and re-fished some of the same areas he fished earlier and up-graded his catch 100%. Both the second and third place teams fished points with Carolina rigs and Crank baits including Norman's DD22 deep diving crankbaits.
LAKE CONDITIONS: At mid week the lake level was just under 172 feet which is full pool. Some refer to 172 feet as normal pool but it really isn't, it is full pool. Normal pool, which is where the level is most of the time, would average around 170 feet. Water temperatures are from 70 to 74 degrees with the north end of the lake stained, mid lake is slightly stained and south Toledo is clear with the exception of the back one-half of main feeder creeks which are stained to slightly stained. Both generators are running 24/7 at mid week.
FISHING REPORTS/BASS: This past week fishing has continued to be good-to-excellent with good numbers and a good amount of action. The biggest bass we landed over the past week was last Thursday when we caught an eight pounder (see picture) while working primary and secondary points with Texas rigs. We are also still catching some nice bass on wacky rigs in 8 to 14 feet when winds allow. On thoses days where winds will not allow you to fish a weightless worm we are opting for a light Texas rig with a variety of soft plastics including Berkley Wacky Crawlers, Shaky Worms. Trick Worms, Wedge Tails and Chigger Craws.
We also caught bass on Norman's DD22s in fire tiger, blue chartruse, bumble bee and sexy shad. In addition, the drop shot is starting to kick in in depths of 15 to 30 feet on points, ridges as well as humps. I am using 5 inch Wacky Crawlers in w.m.candy and watermelon as well as 5 inch Fineese worms in same color. We are also catching bass on Carolina rigs on ridges and points from 10 to 25 feet.
CRAPPIE: Crappie fishing continues to be productive, according to south Toledo guide, Butch Perrodine. He stated that winds did impact some of his week but his party of 6 on Saturday landed 97 crappie while fishing from his pontoon. "The wind did let up a little this week allowing a couple of trips where they had success fishing brush in 12-16' on live minnows. On a trip Sunday they landed 42 on same pattern. Perrodine stated that he is doing better out on main lake spots vs inside the creek areas.
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.
