My first cast.....

[kgstitan]

I'm headed to Toledo Bend for 3 days, and I can't wait to hit the water . I'm gonna be riding shotgun with a tournament-experienced friend that fishes here regularly. I need a little advice on what lure(s) to start with, though.

Here are the (expected) conditions, according to the Weather Channel: 55 degrees, mostly sunny, 12 mph winds, and about 55 degree water temp. (The air temp. will be in the low 70s and rainy for 2 days prior to us getting there). I'm going to be in the lower part of the lake (around Lowe's Creek) and the water is mostly clear there. I think we'll be in the creeks, though, where the water is more stained and just a little warmer.

I want to start with one of the following:

-Strike King 1/2 oz. white/red spinnerbait with silver double willow blades

-YUM watermelon/red flake wooly bug

-Rage Tail Smoky Shad weightless

-Rage Toad

-Strike King Red-eye Shad silver lipless crankbait

or

-Zoom pumpkinseed crawfish w/orange claws

What do you think I should do with my first cast? Thanks for any advice.

[soccplayer07]

my advice...talk to "tournament-experienced friend that fishes here regularly"

[Big Bait Fishing]

my advice...talk to "tournament-experienced friend that fishes here regularly"

x2 , what he said . by talking to him he will give you facts about forage so you can throw baits that match the lakes bait fish and he will know structure to fish , go from there and select baits accordingly . just cause you like a bait , doesn't mean it will work where you are fishing . good luck on the trip and have fun 

[kgstitan]

lol. I'd rather not give him the satisfaction. One of my goals is to have him asking me for advice by the third day.

[soccplayer07]

I hear you but you said, "friend". No, reason to feel bad asking for advice. I rather use what little time I have being productive. just my thoughts.

[Big Bait Fishing]

lol. I'd rather not give him the satisfaction. One of my goals is to have him asking me for advice by the third day.

relax , every fishing trip is an education !!! don't make it a contest of pride , but listen and learn so maybe you can out fish him when you are both on the same playing field , meaning you will both know the hatch and best baits , just fish your strenths with the structure that you encounter and learn from the fish as to what they want , you should be able to establish some kind of pattern within the first day or so then start pulling em' in 

[kgstitan]

You're right about that, no question. We've fished together some, and he's a very heavy spinnerbait guy. I just wanted to get as many opinions as I could from the knowledgeable people here.

Another question I had is, if you took someone in the boat with you, and they were far less-experienced, would it irritate you at all if they copied everything you did? I'm thinking most people would say no, but I'm not sure.

[soccplayer07]

Not at all. especially friends. I take it as flattery...

[EdKras]

Throw what you enjoy throwing and have confidence in.   If that doesn't work, go to plan B.  It all works at one time or another.

[kgstitan]

The first question I'll have for him is whether or not the conditions I listed above are ripe enough for the Rage Tail topwater stuff I have. Seems like it's a little too cool/early still.

One of my biggest faults, I think, is that I lean too heavily on T-rigged worms to avoid getting snagged. I really want to do some topwater, but the conditions may not be ripe for it.

[Big Bait Fishing]

You're right about that, no question. We've fished together some, and he's a very heavy spinnerbait guy. I just wanted to get as many opinions as I could from the knowledgeable people here.

Another question I had is, if you took someone in the boat with you, and they were far less-experienced, would it irritate you at all if they copied everything you did? I'm thinking most people would say no, but I'm not sure.

first of all , fishing is a joy for me , when i fish with people , i want them to catch fish too , if we get into some friendly competition , it is in fun  so to answer your question , i wouldn't mind one bit , i would want to him or her to copy me so they can learn and catch fish too if i was catching them pretty good .

[Coonedawg]

It may be alittle early for topwater, but with 55 degree water temp, they should be crushing a jig or a redeye shad, as well as a spinnerbait. Also, texasfishingforum.com is usually up-to-date with current info for the current lakes in Texas. Check there and see what is goin on in Big T.

[kgstitan]

It may be alittle early for topwater, but with 55 degree water temp, they should be crushing a jig or a redeye shad, as well as a spinnerbait. Also, texasfishingforum.com is usually up-to-date with current info for the current lakes in Texas. Check there and see what is goin on in Big T.

Many thanks! That's a cool site I hadn't heard of before.

[Grey Wolf]

lol. I'd rather not give him the satisfaction. One of my goals is to have him asking me for advice by the third day.

You need a reality check.

[Sam]

What about a pointer? 

[Catt]

lol. I'd rather not give him the satisfaction. One of my goals is to have him asking me for advice by the third day.

Take it for someone who lives on Toledo Bend...that aint gonna happen

Goto

Central Bass Fishing Section

Topic: So y'all want to learn Toledo Bend?