Hello, Anglers. I just can't say enough about the beautiful weather. The cold front did slow fishing a bit and forced us to change patterns and adapt on some trips but for the most part, we are staying on the fish. The recent 'turnover' of the lake, which is a natural event each fall, added to the challange which scattered the fish. However, just being on the water has been a special experience with cool air, no bugs and very few boats. Falling gas prices have also really helped out on keeping my Skeeter operating as current pump prices are a huge improvement over prices 30 days ago.
LAKE CONDITIONS: Water temperatures are also on the slide at 68 degrees with recent cold, strong north winds and overnight air temperatures on Toledo falling into mid 30s. Lake level readings are at 167.9 feet with one generator running 2 hours per day in order to keep flow in river downstream. North winds have subsided and should return to the southwest by midweek, according to forecasts and water conditions are good all over the lake.
FISHING REPORTS/BASS: We had several really good trips last week but did not catch as many big bass as we did the week prior mainly because of lack of cloud cover. We did catch some nice fish but just not as many over 4 pounds. For the past 20 years, one of my favorite fishing tools in cold weather is a jigging spoon.
It is especially a great tool behind a cold front when oftentimes, conventional patterns fail to catch many fish. I use a hammered spoon in 1/4, 1/2 and 3/4 ounce sizes and these are sometimes hard to find. Actually, I discovered several months ago that a Louisiana company makes them, Klassic Lures in Lecompte, LA. They sell a large selection of jigging spoons and you can find their products at www.klassiclures.com or 318-776-0649.
Also, for how-to on fishing a jigging spoon, a full-length article on the subject can be accessed at www.joejoslinoutdoors.com. I wrote the article several years ago and it has been one of my most read articles because there is not a lot of info out there on the subject. Click on Fishing Articles and look for Winter Patterns/Jigging Spoons. In addition to catching bass on spoons in 20 to 35 feet, our other successful patterns included Stanley's spinnerbaits over grassy points and ledges in low light conditions.
This pattern can also be good in bright conditions as long as there is a breeze creating a ripple or wave action to help break up the bright sunlight. Cranksbaits also caught bass this week with north Louisiana angler, Robert Morris, stating that he and his fishing partner caught numerous bass on mid-diving crankbaits (DLN/DD14s/Frenzy Mid Divers) in Lanana Bay which is located at mid lake.
Top crankbait colors for them were green/chartreuse and green/white. When all else fails I have been reverting back to the basics...as in a Texas Rig. I have been having success with this method rigging it weightless with a Berkley Sinking Minnow/Senko/Fluke and fishing it over shallow, submerged grass, also adding a light sinker and fishing it along the edge of outside grassline (12-14 feet) as well as adding a 1/2 or 3/4 ounce sinker and fishing it slowly in 15 to 25 feet.
CRAPPIE/YELLOW BASS: Crappie fishing has picked up on baited brush piles and under bridges all over the lake. As water temps have fallen, crappie can also be caught on the edge of drop offs and end of deep points with light jigs and Blakemore Road Runners. Yellow bass are also hitting jigging spoons in 20 to 30 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, 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
