So Yall Want To Learn Toledo Bend?

[Saltyredneck]

Anyone care to dissect indian mounds?  I may have missed the reading on it, but wow what a diverse area.  Tough cookie to crack there. Using the same strategy I just discussed, i was able to pick up a few here and there but unable to find them concentrated. If you look at the 5 fingers to the north you will notice three prevalent creek beds. Worked these areas with moderate success. Does anyone have any thoughts on the ridgeline that runs parallel with the boat lane or maybe the creek bed that Ys into Blackman Branch and towards the indian mounds boat launch? I guess my problem with this area is that there is TOO much grass to dissect and TOO many drop offs. Soo i kind of shy away from it unless i am in exploration mode.

[Bass_Fanatic]

I like to find small cuts and points on the ridges and focus on them. The ridge that runs parallel to the boat lane always has fish on it, you just have to locate them. If you look at your map, you will see many cuts, points, and drains. Fish these high percentage areas rather than fishing just the ridge.

[Catt]

Indian Mounds

 

Look at the ends of the ridge near Hogpen, Blackman & the Sabine!

[Bryanhester]

No wind and hot was tough on the bite for me. The deep fish I had been catching we're not as bunched up. Only managed 6 or 7 all on drop shots. Time to explore some more areas.

[Catt]

Hook-N-Line Map

 

Indian Mounds; Hogpen & Blackman Creeks

 

Find where Hogpen & the Sabine intersect, y'all will notice where a roadbed & railroad bed intersects, this is the north end of that ridge

 

Head south down that roadbed to where it crosses the boat lane, this is the south end of that ridge

 

Both underwater points drop off into creek channels

 

Since y'all are already in the area, look at where the Sabine crosses from Harpers Ridge to Boone's, notice just south of the river is a roadbed. Y'all should see a nice little 12' flat with 4 underwater points dropping off into the Sabine.

[jcdogfish]

I never noticed that flat and points.

 

This is my first summer there.  I'm trying to figure out the best areas to find some schooling fish.  I did find some off a creek channel in a smaller cove off of a main cove.  Would I be better off looking at more main lake stuff?

[Catt]

Looking for schooling bass is a waste of my time! 

 

Looking for structure & grass is far more productive!

[Swampghost]

Howdy folks..I'm new here and noticed this thread. I have a ton of reading to do but am looking forward to it. Thanks for putting the info out there!

 

Is there anything in this dealing with the hump just on the outside of Lowes Creek on the north side? Also, anything in the LaNana area?

I fish those some.

 

Thanks!!

C

[Catt]

Howdy folks..I'm new here and noticed this thread. I have a ton of reading to do but am looking forward to it. Thanks for putting the info out there!

 

Is there anything in this dealing with the hump just on the outside of Lowes Creek on the north side? Also, anything in the LaNana area?

I fish those some.

 

Thanks!!

C

 

 

Welcome y'all!

 

What hump?

 

The one just off the pipeline?

 

Or the one off White's Point?

[Swampghost]

Uh oh...looks like there are more than one. To be honest, I'm not sure which one. I have only found the one. I can tell you it's not terribly far off the bank. I see guys fish the weedline/bank near it a bunch.

I was just wondering if it had been mentioned in here at some point.

 

Thanks for all the info you are giving in here!

[Saltyredneck]

I never noticed that flat and points.

 

This is my first summer there.  I'm trying to figure out the best areas to find some schooling fish.  I did find some off a creek channel in a smaller cove off of a main cove.  Would I be better off looking at more main lake stuff?

 

Just bc you dont see them doesnt mean they arent schooling... you are targeting the correct locations. Shad are deep this time of year and will follow these underwater highways back and forth. The schooling has been short lived depending on the size of the bass. Smaller bass have been schooling longer periods of time... larger bass are for short periods. If you find a cove with schoolies, grind out the area until you find em.

[Catt]

I don't understand "schooling"?

 

Chasing schoolies is a huge waste of time!

 

Y'all mean feeding?

[Saltyredneck]

Schooling by definition to me is actively feeding/chasing bait to the top of the water in groups and/or under the water.  Just like Yellow fin tuna/speckled trout/redfish pushing bait balls to the top of the water, these bass are working in larger than normal groups to push these shad up in the water column. I could be wrong but that's my take on "schooling". 

 

Schooling is just a confidence booster for me. Shows me that bass are actively feeding in the area and bait is using the area in some way. I dont chase them bc they dont stay up long enough. But i will work a high percentage area where they are schooling.

[Catt]

Good Luck With That!

 

I'm gonna fish structure & kick ya butt 

[Bass_Fanatic]

I have caught good fish out of schoolers, but more times than not, they are on the small side. I do agree though that schoolers atleast show that bait and fish are present and many times you can fish the structure under the schoolers and catch better fish.

[jcdogfish]

Yea, its not the most productive way to fish, but it sure is fun to get in a little flurry....and the wife can catch them too.

[Saltyredneck]

Good Luck With That!

 

I'm gonna fish structure & kick ya butt 

 

Believe me i fish structure 99% of the time.

 

Forget anyone even mentioned "schooling". LMAO.

[Catt]

Believe me i fish structure 99% of the time.

 

Forget anyone even mentioned "schooling". LMAO.

 

 

Nope this thread is about helping each other!

 

Schooling bass can at times be productive & if they surface within casting distance I do have a Trap or Spinner Bug tied on.

 

When fishing structure I don't even care if I see bait fish on my depth finder as long as I see bass within 4' of the bottom

[jcdogfish]

And we sure do appreciate the help.  This thread has cut years off my learning curve up there.  As a south LA guy my front depth finder used to get turned on once or twice a year.  I now see why they make the big screens.  The biggest help to me has been having confidence in some areas to fish them hard, not just a few casts and motor off.  I am really surprised I'm catching a few deep fish and the puzzle is coming together slowly but surely.  I have not been fishing there in a few weeks, have a tournament down here this weekend but next weekend I'll be there.  I really have to spend some time in six mile trying to figure out something deep there.

[cmitch05]

Been lurking this topic now for years.  Alot of valuable information about my favorite freshwater fishery.  Have never attempted any of the offshore techniques listed here simply for the fact that the only time I fish THe Bend is during the spawn.  Making an attempt this friday night.  Launching at brigde and am staying offshore for the duration (Weather permitting)  Gonna tap on the Jesse Low ridge area and Humps in that vacinity.  Tennessee Bay area.  Paulo Gauch point that runs to the river.  Any other suggestions for that area.  Any reports.  Thanks for all that yall do and all the in depth information provided.

[LaRoper]

Finally! Headed to the lake. I hope to find a group of schooling bass so the wife can have a little fun. Good luck all!

[jcdogfish]

What, No reports??  I'm going do a little work this weekend and will squeeze in a fishing trip or two.

[LaRoper]

Got back last night. Not a very good trip on the fishing side. Fish deep structure and grass lines where I could find then, ended up with 3 keepers for 3 days of trying. I could see the fish on electronics but couldn't get the to bite anything. Tried jigs, deep cranks, c rigs, t rigs, only got bit on T rig with pumpkin seed lizard.

I did take the wife and kids perch jerking, caught bunches and the had a blast.

I did play with new touch 7, amazing! Got a bunch or recordings, just need a good program to view them with, anyone have suggestions.

[Bryanhester]

Had a very productive afternoon yesterday . Caught a couple here and there deep on drop shots and Carolina rigs. Then found a spot stacked with feeding bass found on my electronics. Managed about 20 or so all on cranks in about 12 to 15 fow on the edge of a flat. All were good solid fish up to 4lbs. Best if all got my dad in on the action !!!!

[Many Boy]

Don't have any day fishing reports but the night fishing seems to be better from 3 am onwards with the bigger ones better around daylight. Mostly fishing brush piles in or close to deep structure. T rigs or jigs. Still doing ok with frogs in the surface grass/ pads early morning.