So Yall Want To Learn Toledo Bend?

[FreshorSalt]

Catt any pointers you could help with on 1215 area?

[Bloodandguts]

Well I couldn't go Friday because my wifey wasn't feeling good, so I gladly and willingly tended to her.  As she had recovered, I decided to make a run to the bend Sat. morning. With the forecast of fog, I wasn't in a hurry. I left my house at 7 am and was in the water at Pirate's by 9:45.  It was still pretty thick so I motored out to a point I had seen of the map--thank God for gps/chartplotter. Water temp 62. Water, clear. Within 30 minutes I had 3 keepers (15-18"). Two on a WMR fluke fished slowly on the grass edge in 3 ft. and the other on a c-rigged lizard (cotton candy) in 6 ft.  The fog lifted and I fished into the eastern cove,..no luck.  I then found a flat in 5 ft of water and picked up two more on the lizard.  I really wanted to see Housen, so I ran across and was intimidated by the shear size of it. I found myself in white oak and found an area with many male bass swimming about that would not even look at a bait. Watching the clock, I ran back to Pirate's so that I could fish till dark. I found another pocket with males cruising, but no takers. In another location, I picked up two more keepers on the fluke fishing the grass edge. I then loaded up and headed home. Total 7 fish. My 5 fish bag would go 12 lbs. with largest just over three.  This rookie was thankful to be on the water.  Any and all critiques welcome. 

Whats up with all those "cruisers"?

[bobfrogg]

Blood, If you was fishing the far south of the lake an saw the cruisers i would say they was looking for areas to make a bed ,what was the water temp like ? They also could have been looking for big mama !!!

[Catt]

freshorsalt, 1215 area is huge & located mostly on the main lake. Everyone I know are in the back of creeks. There are reports of huge females on nest the the back of Corsey Creek off of Patroon.

BnG, males do not look for females, its the other way around. Good job on your trip, timing is so key right now.

[RonnieF]

I've had a lot of success with black/red baby brush hogs when sight fishing. When that dark lure is on that white bed then disappears it's hook setting time. Or dead stick a fluke. That sometimes works better.

[Bloodandguts]

Bobfrog: the water temp was 62 F. 

 

Catt: so you don't have to be close to the main lake this time of year to catch a big momma? Those big girls will be all the way back to spawn??  Also, what kind of window are we looking at with these bedded fish?  My work schedule is a little crazy right now....but I can always play hookie to catch a fish. Hehe.   

[Bass_Fanatic]

I still believe the biggest fish in the lake are on the south end and spawn in or close to the main lake.  There are big fish in the back of creeks too, but IMO, the biggest fish spawn in that 8ft range on main lake stuff.  If I were fishing, I would fish the first few coves from the main lake looking for spawners on beds.  Mill Creek should be just about right!

[Catt]

Well all I know is my PB of 12.8#s was caught in the mouth of 944 in Feb on a Trap.

One over 11 #s & one over 10 #s came from the Pipeline area in Housen'.

There is bass all over this lake

[Bearonthewater]

Catt,

 

Please excuse my lack of knowledge, but when you refer to "the mouth of 944", are you referring to Bull Creek area or the old 944 roadbed out at the mouth of Housen?

 

Thanks.

[FreshorSalt]

Catt,

Thanks for answering!! I misspoke and need to clarify I'm staying south of old 1215 and driftwood motel and landing San Miguel mouth correct? I'm pretty much on the tip of the peninsula 3rd small cut from the tip and my question is........ Would you travel north up the San Miguel or south around the corner to the coves on the north side of the mouth of Lanan creek? Was looking at the first 3 cuts/coves there but unsure what to do?

[Catt]

Y'all don't misinterpret what I said, Bass_Fanatic is correct about bass spawning on the main lake. Do y'all think the bass on the east end of Community Flat & beyond swimm all the way to a creek? I meant there are big bass all over the lake.

Bear; when I refer tl "944" I'm referring to Bull Creek where Jack 944 Marina is located. Good boat launch out of the wind but not much of a boat lane.

freshorsalt; 1215 area runs from the mouth of San Miguel to just south of San Patricio, from the Louisiana shore out to the north/south boat lane. If you don't know the lake fish near where you launch.

[Bloodandguts]

Thanks for sharing your knowledge guys!

[bobfrogg]

That was a typo Catt i meant to say keep looking for big mama. yes the females make the choice,

[Catt]

That was a typo Catt i meant to say keep looking for big mama. yes the females make the choice,

It's all good!

[Grizzn N Bassin]

Wish i fished this lake. The information on this thread is awesome.

[RonnieF]

Catt any pointers you could help with on 1215 area?

Around north Toledo state park including the big cove near the boat ramp holds fish. I caught a fat 5.5 in there 2 weeks ago. Around the island at the mouth of San Miguel & headed north from there on the main lake side in that shallow grass usually holds some fish, depending on how hard they've been pounded.

[Catt]

1215, Hurricane, Housen Community Flat, & 6-mile grass flat are very well known by everyone.

Which is why I like week nights!

[FreshorSalt]

Thanks RonnieF gonna keep that in mind.Been studying my hook n line map and right now I'm liking La nana north cove (105). Gonna try my luck that way first. If that doesn't work I will try it out. Thanks for the info. I will post my results when I get back Monday.

[FishinSid]

So, I will be up in the Negreet area this weekend. Any reports on what colors are are working best for these bedding bass? I have some ”watermellon red” flukes and senkos...along with some white swimsenkos... Cotton candy lizzards...etc.

Any suggestions appreciated,

Thanks

Sid

[RonnieF]

Freshorsalt, we're headed to the camp Saturday - Friday. I'll be in a white basscat, yellow bolt, & purple trim. If you see me stop & say hi. I may be in 1 or 2 of those lanann coves also.

[Catt]

Rage Tail Lizard Watermelon Neon!

[FreshorSalt]

RonnieF I'll be on the lookout. I'll be in a white dynasty with a poling platform a 70 hp Yamaha and a dirty blonde with a bight lime green hat!!!

[Bryan J]

Unfortunately for me, I have not had time to make it up to the lake much at all this year.  Crazy busy Work schedule and weddings have prevented it.  Not to mention the drive from NOLA.  I did go up once for a quick bachelor party not long ago.  We stayed at Wildwood Resort (San Miguel area), great place.   

 

Freshorsalt, that area holds some great fish.  Listen to RonnieF he is spot on.  We fished from San Pat down to blue lake/1215 to Sam Miguel, ended up finding most fish in SM.  North bank of SM from the mouth to the back holds some good fish.  Flukes when calm and swimbaits when not were the ticket for us.  Ended up with 25 keepers with one 5.5 lber (threw back) for the weekend.  

 

I hope to be back up at some point this spring, but I am sure the spawning excitement will be over.  I suspect I will not be back up until late April/May, if I can get my boat fixed by then.  We will be staying near Red's Point south of Pirates Cove.  I really want to learn to fish deep as this is my weakness so hopefully I will be able to locate some humps/ledges to try in May on the south end.  

 

Catt, I am fairly familiar with Housen, but I am unsure where the pipeline area is located.  Looking at google earth the only "pipeline" right-of-way I see is all the way to the back of housen, but the map almost does not show any water in that area.  Is this the area you are referring to where "Indian Creek" dumps into Housen bayou?

 

As always, many thanks to all for the time, effort, commitment, and dedication to this forum.  I wish I had more time to fish the lake so that I could share more knowledge.  Oh well, maybe when I retire in 30 years....

[Catt]

Bryan, that be the 1

[Catt]

My Minions better be fishing!