LAKE CONDITIONS: Lake levels have been on the fall and stand at 169.21 feet with both generators operating from 12 noon till 9 p.m. Monday-Friday. Water temps are 87-89 degrees with all of lake having good-to-excellent water conditions. With water levels three feet low, boaters should use caution.
FISHING REPORTS/BASS: Fishing is improving slightly as patterns are getting more predictable and fish seem to be concentrating more, especially on deep water points. Water temperatures, more than likely, have peaked as nights are getting longer and days are getting shorter.
Recent rains and also clouds and rain from Tropical Storm Edouard will also help to keep water temperatures in check. Patterns are still totally of the summer time nature with a topwater or shallow bite the first hour or so in the morning. Top water favorites worked over shallow grass include Frenzy Poppers (Grey Ghost), Chug Bug and Yellow Magic and all of these have a common feathered or teaser tail.
These also work well on schooling bass. Two other lures I like early in the morning over shoreline grass are Stanley's three-eights ounce Titanium Buzz Baits and Ribbit Frogs. Some mornings they want the Ribbit while other times they want a buzzbait. I also like to use braided line (Spider Wire 30 or 50 pound test) on both frogs and buzzbaits.
Another fish-catching pattern at daylight is to run a small/medium size Stanley Wedge spinnerbait on windy, grassy points. For spinnerbait skirt color, I suggest either white or a combination white/chartreuse. Deep crankbaits are still a great option to boat quality bass.
Two outstanding crankbaits are DD Series by Norman as well as the Fat Free Shad. Other proven deep-water patterns include working TX and Carolina Rigs in 15 to 25 feet as well as a jig n pig. Check out the new Bugeye jig series from Stanley Lures.
Lonnie Stanley, owner/designer of the jig, caught a 9.26 pound bass on one last week on Rayburn and won a new truck. For more info on the new jig, go to www.fishstanley.com.
CRAPPIE/YELLOW BASS: Crappie fishing is slow according to my contacts with basically baited brush piles paying off. Best depth is from 20 to 30 feet. Yellowbass are plentiful and can be found schooling in the mouths of most major creeks all over the lake. They also can be found bouncing a spoon and tailspinner off the bottom of sandy humps along major creeks as well as the main river.
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.
