Hello, Anglers. Winterize my boat? Since I use it 12 months out of the year it never gets winterized. The only precautions I take with our mild winters is to make sure the outboard engine is tilted down on cold nights so all of water will drain out of lower unit to prevent freezing internally. When water freezes, it expands and the pressure can cause very expensive damage. On mid-to-large size outboards, a lower unit replacement can cost from $3,000 to $6,000 and most insurance policies will not cover such damage resulting from neglect. Another practice I follow is to add fuel conditioners to break down moisture in fuel tanks and also keep my gas tanks at least three-quarters full to help prevent condensation.
FISHING BASICS CONTINUE: Last week we talked about the importance of using quality fishing line in order to land that big fish. Another significant step needed is selecting a good knot. I am a huge fan of a palomar knot and all but one of my bass over ten pounds came when connected with a palomar. This knot is awesome with all size lines but really shines when used with light line since the double wrap of line through the eyelet provides a protective cushion for added knot strength.
I use this knot in 90% of my fishing situations and teach it in all of our seminars. If you would like to learn the palomar, send me a stamped, self addressed envelope and I will send you a free card with how-to photos. It is easy and quick to tie. Our mailing address is listed on our website Next week we will look at hook options.
LAKE CONDITIONS: Toledo levels are still good and are holding at 168.3 feet with no generators active, according to SRA info. The water temperature is up slightly ranging from 54 to 56 degrees. It had gotten down to 51 last week. North Toledo has some stained areas, mid lake is mostly clear with scattered stained conditions and south Toledo is clear with feeder creeks having off-colored areas. The lake is basically in super shape!
FISHING REPORTS/BASS: Bass fishing continues to be decent and some days very good. One of my favorite winter patterns, deep water with jigging spoons, has yet to completely develop. We are catching some fish on this pattern but not the numbers I usually get this time of year. Part of the reason is the water temp is not quite cold enough.
A positive part of the scene is that shallow patterns continue to produce quality fish. During the past month, we have landed several bass between 6-8 pounds which is worth the hard work it takes to fish in January. Multiple patterns are involved as we have been trying various presentations. Spinnerbaits continue to be successful but not as successful as a few weeks ago. Currently, we are having to slow our spinnerbait presentation down and experiment with trailers. Some days we use no trailer, other days the short Berkley Power Bait Split-tail and then other days we use a very large trailer.
Other good choices are lipless crankbaits and jerkbaits. Try Berkley's new Frenzy Rattl'r as well as Rat-L-Trap over scattered grass in 2-8 feet. Also work suspending jerkbaits in 4-8 feet. Fish'em slow! Carolina rigs, drop shot and jig n pigs are all catching fish from 12 to 25 feet in timber and brush tops.
CRAPPIE: A report just before press time had one boat at The Chicken Coop catching 28 big crappie. That is a big improverment. Water temp at The Coop is 51 degrees which is getting close to perfect. Other areas on the lake have crappie anglers targeting major creeks and having slightly improved results. In the creeks, anglers are fishing live shiners in 15 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, 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.
