So Yall Want To Learn Toledo Bend?

[Bass_Fanatic]

Wish I could go, but I have obligations this weekend. They should be chomping out there!

[Nicron]

Back out this past weekend with about 50 bucks worth of spoons to try out.  Once again the Rapala DT-6 in shad with black back produced for me off the bank in the back cuts.  Had 2 aggressive fish on a silver Shadow Rap in about 3-4 feet as well.   No bites on top at all.  Moved into some deep water and tied on a 4" rattling spoon from BPS.  Second cast landed a 3# catfish in about 20-25 feet.  Went back out that afternoon near the main lake entrance.  Tossed out a Sexy Spoon in about 35 foot that had shad schools suspended at about 20 feet.  Picked up 1 bass just a hair under 4#s.  Had trouble with all the snags so went back to cranking with 1 white bass deep.  Moved shallow late Saturday afternoon and my cousin picked up two decent fish on a  brown structure jig near some submerged grass near the bank on back to back cast in the exact same spot.

 

Sunday was about the same with more fog early.  Water still stained and down a degree or two from Thanksgiving weekend near Palo Gaucho.  Went down to Lowes for a bit mid-day and had no luck.  Will be back out there for the week of the 19th.  

 

Anyone try the M-Pack snag free structure spoons?  Looking for some feedback before dropping $14 a piece on them.

 

Nick 

[Catt]

I wouldn't buy those spoons!

Aint saying they don't work!

[Bass_Fanatic]

The key to spoon fishing is to have a good plug knocker handy. Spoons will hang up, but 99.99% of the time I can get it back with the plug knocker.

[zefman78]

I am getting so pumped about my trip to the big pond this weekend. I have been studying the hell out of my maps and have noticed where i've gone wrong (and what i've done right) in the past. One of the Areas i have consistently fished is Slaughter Creek. My camp is so close, it's hard to not stop and fish a few points but i've never had much luck with Bass there, Sac-a-Lait is a whole other story, however. 

Another place i've done well, and caught my PB, is where the river turns right in front of the Bluffs. It's about a 1/4 mile south of Slaughter. I think due to numbers and quality, this location will Always be a must stop for me. 

All of that said, I'd really like to learn the Palo Gaucho, Lowe's and Carrice Creek areas. It seems that MANY people have year round success in these areas and they are all relatively quick access by boat for me. After studying my maps, i see many Humps, ledges and secondary points that are enticing places to fish, however with my limited map knowledge and inexperience in fishing offshore sturcture it's tough nailing down some of the more productive areas and there are so many good looking spots. 

Can any of you break down what makes these areas so profitable for so many anglers, wehere do i start?! Does anyone here fish these areas hard and offer some advice for a newly serious Bass fisherman?

[Catt]

zefman my suggestion will be what I've told many others, pick an area & spend an entire year (spawn-winter) fishing that area alone.

Slaughter is an excellent creek that doesn't get a lot of pressure due to the lack of marked boat lanes. Look at the coves with creek channels running through them. Where these intersect form points with deep water on both sides. Pay attention to where Slaughter runs through the whole cove.

[zefman78]

Thanks Catt

[wagonwheel]

The weather forcast couldn't look any better for next Tuesday and Wednesday (12/15 - 12/16).  We have our reservation for Fin & Feather.  After reading through most of this thread, I have this beginning plan:  I am looking at my AID Lake Map at Hausen Bay.  Just to the NW of Fin & Feather it looks like 5 creek channels intersect in the midst of an uncleared area (flooded timber) in about 50 ft of water.  The point on the E side of the Hurrican Bayou cove is nearby and the depth ranges from 12 to 32 to 52 feet.  I beleive I will start there.  There are creek channel intersections all around this area.  I am not sure I will need to leave Hausen Bay in the two days of fishing.  Also, the submerged road running across the entrance to Hurrican Bayou cove looks very good to me, I'm thinking a spoon down either side.  

 

Any thoughts on this, the beginning plan?

[Catt]

wagonwheel, sounds like a solid plan to me!

Starting at Hurricane & looking west

Big Branch

Ashmore

Bull (944)

The smaller coves have no creeks

Do not ignore the south bank of Housen'

[wagonwheel]

Thanks for the input Catt.  We will certainly spend some time on the south bank of Hausen.

[zefman78]

Welp, what an untimely trip! Didnt even try to wet a line today. Yesterday, threw off the bank for a little while since we got here late afternoon. With this weather, not sure if its worth going out in the morning but will probably give a go for atleast a few hours. My plan is to fish the deep side of creek channels SLOW. will probably try a shaky head, jig n craw, c rig and dt22. Wish me luck, ill need it after this cold front!

[RCCA]

Sorry. I've had several of those at The Bend. Glad my plans got derailed this weekend. Good luck tomorrow.

[jcdogfish]

Yea, I scratched off this weekend after looking at the weather.  Sometimes you just have to scrap the plans and fish where the weather and water allow and adjust to what is going on.  I probably won't get back up there til after New Years. Maybe first good weekend after Christmas.  I am ready.

[RCCA]

I'm ready too. It killed me not to go. Maybe Christmas week if the ducks are still slim.

[Catt]

Some days are diamonds

Some days are stones

Some days ya better off not leaving home!

[zefman78]

So it was a beautiful day out on the lake! Saw some nutria attacking what i assume os baitfish because the bass were hitting them hard too! Caught every fish on white/chartreuse double willow blade spinner baits in everything from 3ft on the bank to 10 ft in flooded timber. We caught one on a splatterback shallow dive crank with a yellow belly. All in all we caught 8 fish with the biggest around 4 pounds. Also worth noting that we put it at noon, didnt get bit til 445 and caught all 7 in about 30 minutes. Couple dinks on a black back, gold, and orange belly trap.

[zefman78]

So it was a beautiful day out on the lake! Saw some nutria attacking what i assume os baitfish because the bass were hitting them hard too! Caught every fish on white/chartreuse double willow blade spinner baits in everything from 3ft on the bank to 10 ft in flooded timber. We caught one on a splatterback shallow dive crank with a yellow belly. All in all we caught 8 fish with the biggest around 4 pounds. Also worth noting that we put it at noon, didnt get bit til 445 and caught all 7 in about 30 minutes. Couple dinks on a black back, gold, and orange belly trap.

[Catt]

Heard an 9 lb 15 oz & 11.19# caught this morning!

[wagonwheel]

I should be there before noon today.  Looking forward to it and hoping to report back with good news!

[RonnieF]

Good luck wagon. Hopefully I'll be up there later this week through the weekend.

[zefman78]

Update:

Heading out tomorrow but its been a fun trip with my wofe on our anniversary!

This morning was pretty fun... Most consistent bite in a long time for me at the bend. Caught 8 fish with an average of about 2.5-3 pound fish and 1 at least 4lbs and another at least 5. All were caught on deep cranks and texas rigged worms on main river ledges/bends.

This afternoon, went back to the same spot, not a bite. Wanted the wife to learn some other techniques and caught two in the 3-7ft depth on square bills and pop-r's.

We'll be back up next month! Yall keep the reports up!

[Catt]

zefman that's awesome

[zefman78]

Catt, i fished slaughter pretty hard. Deepest water i found was 35ft, just northeast of the point that the boat lane dead ends. Fished that flat to the left, where to two creeks meet. Could get bit for anything.

Admittedly, i should have tried a few more creek beds in there.

With the weather conditions being post cool front, fairly windy mornings and bluebird skys following that, how would you have approached these last few days? When you guys say, find flats with deep creek channels nearby how deep are these channels?... I caught fish on flats next to 70-80 ft and way down at those depths, is that luck?! Haha... But that 15ft +/-3ft is tough for me to find patterns!

[Catt]

Deep water is relevant to the area ya fishing!

It could be your 70-80 or 10-15 or anywhere in between

15' +/- 3' is normally where the grass ends, aint in 15'!

What ya catch in Slaughter?

[tmac521]

All, I just joined in here. I have read most all of the post and have enjoyed all. I hope to contribute and learn more about Toledo as well.

Zefman looks like you are getting the structure fishing figured out. That was a very good catch you just reported. How deep were the crankbait fish you caught and were they relating to the 70 foot drop off you mentioned.

Thanks and enjoy reading about your trips to the Bend and I have to admit I am a little jealous that you get to fish with your wife like you do.