Hello, Anglers. A late bulletin from a Toledo Regutory Commission states that security regulations at the dam have been eased allowing fishermen to fish within 50 feet from the dam. Since the 9/11 attacks, there have been bouys keeping anglers 500 feet away from the dam. Local fishermen will welcome this long overdue change. The off limits will continue at the generators and flood gates for safety purposes.
UPDATE FISHING/HUNTING PERMITS: Its about that time again as Louisiana 2007/2008 fishing and hunting licenses expire June 30. 2008/2009 licenses are available and can be purchased online at www.wlf.state.la.us or by telephone using Visa or MasterCard. Call toll free 1-888-765-2602.
They are also available at numerous local bait and tackle shops. You will need a drivers license number. An authorization number for immediate use will be provided and licenses will be mailed to the licensee. There is a small service fee. For Louisiana residents costs are Basic Fishing $9.50, Saltwater (Basic Fishing Required) plus $5.50, Senior Fish/Hunt is $5 for anglers who turned 60 after June 1st, 2000. The Louisiana
Sportsman's Paradise License is $100 which includes basic and saltwater fishing; basic and big game hunting; bow, muzzle, turkey and LA waterfowl license; WMA hunting permit, and all recreational gear licenses except recreational trawls greater than 16 feet in length. Make sure you get your new licenses before heading to the lake July 4th weekend. These license fees are very reasonable and allow us to fish numerous fantastic fisheries.
LAKE CONDITIONS: The lake level is slowly falling which is normal for this time of the year and stands at 171.5 feet with both generators running from 3 to 8 p.m. Monday - Friday. Surface water temperatures are from 83 to 85 degrees. I take these at dawn each morning which gives a more consistent reading than to take it at high sunlight hours.
I also take it on portions of the main lake instead of the backs of coves where afternoon water temperatures can reach 90s. High water temperature is one factor why the back of coves are not usually productive in the summer months.
FISHING REPORTS:BASS: Summer is here and the calender officially agrees with this Sunday, June 21 being the first day of summer. We may have finally gotten past some of the wind as this past week showed more normal trends in wind and weather. Summer patterns are in place with the shallow bite coming mostly in the early morning and during cloudy/rainy conditions. We are having to fish deep to get a consistent bite in the bright hours of the day.
Top water fun can be had on most mornings and is usually better when there is a little cloud cover to extent the shallow patterns a while longer. Anglers have some decent choices when it comes to top water action as baits such as Berkley's Frenzy Poppers, Yellow Magic and Chug Bug all do a super job when worked along grassy points in 2 to 10 feet of water.
Another choice is to tie on a Stanley Ribbit frog or Stanley Buzz Bait and work these over grass or lily pads. Both of these approaches have been putting bass in the boat. If those aggressive approaches doesn't produce desired results then tie on a weightless/weedless stick bait like Berkley's Sinking Minnow or a 5 inch Senko and just slow down and work these over shallow grass and pads.
Also, don't be afraid to work these out from the bank in the mid-depth areas from 6 to 14 feet. You will need minimal wind with this pattern but it can be super productive. Here I suggest 10,12, 15 pound test Berkley 100%fluorocarbonon and a 3/0 or 4/0 Daiichi Round Bend Worm Hook. The Berkley Fluorocarbon is transparent, very sensitive, tough/durable with great knot strength. I strongly recommend a Palomar knot for this set-up.
Crankbaits are always a good choice for suspended bass and summer is a season which sees a lot of them. One of my favorite methods is to use Norman's DD14s and DD22s on main lake points. I rig these on 12 pound test Berkley Big Game or 10/12 pound test Berkley 100% Flourocarbon on a slow retrieve baitcast reel and 7' medium-fast Fenwick Techna rod. A cheaper version rod which also does a great job is Fenwick's AV 7' medium action.
Personally, I never use a heavy action rod on a crankbait, especially when I am using light line. I like the flex the medium-action rod has and lose fewer fish because it will flex if a big bass makes a run near the boat. It also helps me to keep the bass pulled into the rod when the fish first hits and also slows down the hookset just a fraction of a second allowing the fish to get more of the bait.
A final plus for medium-action rods on crankbaits is that it helps for casting distance and I want to make long casts when I am using a crankbait. Finally, a Texas and Carolina rig fished in 15 to 30 feet depths is always a technique to fall back on. Also, jigging spoons and tail spinners will catch a lot of bass in the summertime when worked off of deep point.
CRAPPIE: One word describes what is going on with crappie....deep. The recent hot weather has pushed most crappie into deeper water from 20 30 feet. You can catch a few in the 20 feet depths early and then they move out to deeper water. Those catching crappie this time of the year have several baited holes and most have these in 18 to 30 feet. Crappie will suspend on top of these, especially early in the morning and at night. Live shiners are gettng the best action...small-to-medium shiners getting most attention. Less is better right now with smaller hooks and lighter line...4 to 6 pound test.
STRIPER: The best bet is still below generators when they are making power which is from 3 to 8 p.m. weekdays currently. Actually, the last hour is the best and for about 15 minutes after shut down. Oftentimes they will school on the surface for a short period after shutdown.
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.
