The lake is 161.9 ft msl (record low); high pool is 172 ft msl. The lake is two feet lower compared to this time last year. This equates to a 40% reduction in total water volume. The north end of the lake is stained and clearing as you go south. The water temperature is running in the upper 70s to low 80s. We're still able to launch at Huxley Bay Marina but just barely (no pontoon boats). If the lake continues to fall and unless some additional work is done to the ramp, which is suppose to be in the works, we'll be trailering down the lake to launch.
Very few boats on the pond the last couple weeks. Looks like everyone is just waiting for a little cool weather to drop the water temperature. Once the water temp drops the race should be on. I'm expecting a banner fall season if the lake remains low. Once the temp drops the fish will be feeding heavy bulking up for the winter season. The blacks and Whites will be following the shad with a lot of schooling activity and the Crappie will start moving to the ledges of the river channel shelf (check out Outdoor Life's September issue which listed the best ten fall fishing lakes and listed Toledo Bend as the best Crappie lake). Check out my October forecast on my website, www.toledobendguide.com, for the best areas and baits to use.
We're geared up for the season with a new center console Crest Sport Fisherman pontoon boat that can handle eight people with a canopy top and John, and my Skeeter Bay boat for rough water conditions. I still have some days open in October and November so give me a call if you would like to schedule a trip.
Fishing Forecast
We'll need a large arsenal of ammunition (lures) to put these ferocious feeding bass in the boat. Top water plugs, buzz baits, shallow diving cranks, traps, spinners, soft plastics, jigs, deep diving cranks, tail spinners, spoons and even grubs will be effective this time of year. The bait- fish (shad) will start migrating to the back of the coves and onto the shallow flats where the bass will follow. Locate the bait- fish and you will locate the bass. Shallow flats close to deep water off the river channel are also good areas to catch schooling bass. Work the ledges and drops of the old river channel and creeks with jigs, plastics, crank baits, tail spinners and spoons and keep a shallow diving crank bait, trap and top water plug handy if the bass start schooling. As a general rule colors and size of your lure depends on light conditions, clarity of the water and the size of the bait- fish. On clear blue bird days, throw light, clear and silver colors. On overcast low light days throw darker colors, chartreuse, pumpkin, reds, greens, browns and black or combinations thereof. Also, the less clarity of the water dictates throwing darker colors especially reds.
October is when the Crappie start moving to the ledges of the old river channel. Shiners and jigs fished from 15 to 25ft of water over planted brush tops are the key to catching a boat- load of Crappie. As the water temperature continues to drop, the Crappie will move into deeper water, 25 to 50ft, and jigs usually will be more productive.
White Bass- work the river channel sand bars in 15 to 25ft of water with slab spoons, and tail spinners. The White Bass will begin their migration north in the main lake along the old river channel eventually heading to the river proper if there is enough current and water. Keep a shallow diving crank bait, trap and top water plug handy when schooling.