So Yall Want To Learn Toledo Bend?

[jasondaily]

1 hour ago, Catt said:

@jasondaily We have to look at which direction the wind is blowing from. Depending on wind direction it will blow straight down many major creek channel coves.

 

We also have to consider boat size, if we're in smaller boats then we maybe better off trailering.

 

As for techniques I don't try to change based on wind, instead I try adjusting locations.

 

50 minutes ago, A5BLASTER said:

That last part is right on point.

 

I always try to fish the areas or spots no matter if shallow or deep that the wind would be blowing the shad into.

Thanks for the information. Maybe next time I won't call it quits so early. Lol 

[Catt]

I will tell y'all right now I absolutely hate wind!!!

 

I throw Texas Rigs & Jig-n-Craws a lot, the wind limits your feel. Everyone says just go up in weight but what if they don't want that rate of fall?

[Nitreaux]

“The wind is your friend” says the pros. I say with friends like that who needs enemies! Actually wind makes bass more active adding more oxygen to the water, reducing light penetration, allowing more stealth from the angler, and moving baitfish. The negatives are all on the angler who has to fight boat control, gets more backlash, loses feel for lures due to bows in his line, and loses bass due to poor hook sets. A rod tip can travel only so far on a hook set and when you don’t have a direct line between your rod tip and the lure due to bows in the line you can’t drive a hook home the way it needs to be. My choice is to fish spinnerbaits and swim jigs which keep the line taut. To minimize backlash I cast underhand or at angles rather than into the wind. I have tried just drifting and dragging a C-rig as the wind moves my boat across a point or a flat. Just something to try before looking for places out of the wind where most everybody else is. 

[Nitreaux]

On 7/23/2018 at 8:10 AM, jasondaily said:

Hello all, went to Toledo bend this weekend (July 21st) and the water was soooo choppy. It was crazy. I don't have any experience in super choppy/windy conditions. Can someone give a few tips and tricks? 

 

Top water baits?

shallow or deep?

 docks or shoreline? 

Crankbaits or swimbaits? 

 

Really any information will will be helpful. Thanks in advance 

 

if anyone fishes by themself on TB I'd love to tag along and learn a few things. I'll pay for gas and lunch. 

I fish solo often Jason. I wouldn’t mind having you to fish with me though it won’t be soon. I need to get a trip or two with my nephew before school starts. I’m hoping to encourage him to get on a high school team. Then I’ll probably have to get a surgery done that I’ve been putting off that will have me sidelined for 6-8 weeks.

[Bass_Fanatic]

I’ve spent thousands of hours on Toledo and I can confidently say that the fish eat ALOT better when the wind is blowing. I’d take a 10-15 mph wind everyday if it were up to me.  A Carolina rig with a 1oz weight, a 3/4 fb jig, and a big crank bait will catch them when the wind is howling.  I’ve caught more and bigger fish on a big crank than anything else and if the wind isn’t blowing, you can forget it.  They won’t bite it.  The Ultrex is the real game changer.  You can fish in the wind with no issues at all with spotlock.

[Nitreaux]

My favorite way to fish in a 10 to 15 mph wind is on the back deck of someone else’s boat, lol. But yes when you have the ultrex it’s better than fishing in someone else’s boat. I held off buying one because I had a notion of trading in my boat on a new one this spring and was gonna order it with the ultrex but they low balled my trade in and I decided to keep mine and just upgrade it with the ultrex. Besides the spotlock you can program them to follow contour lines on lakemaster map cards or retrace your trails. Even deploy my talons. That is if I’m smart enough to figure all that stuff out when all I really need to do is fish.

[Catt]

I aint talking light & variable winds!

 

Ranger didn't send me a Z521L ICON ?

 

I fish the brackish marshes of South Louisiana as well as Toledo Bend, most marshes have horse power restrictions.

 

Instead of buying a 20' bass boat that will not fit in the marsh, I've got a 16' Alweld. For whatever reason I never owned a boat over 18'.

 

My ideal bass boat would 18' in length, 96" beam, with 150

 

My buddies tell me that's to small to fish the main lake!

 

If to rough for an 18' boat I don't need to be out there!

 

At 68 yrs old I aint that mad at no more ?

 

Just rambling on, the moon is getting full, 5-7 mph cool wind! 

 

 

[Clinton john]

Ssssssssshhhhhhhhhhh Catt, not everybody needs to know bout the joys of night time bassin on the big pond ssssssssssshhhhhhhhhhh lol.

 

Oh and that part bout being mad to them lmao man I ain't heard that in forever.

 

I'm going fuel the boat up and get ready for some night time frog bite top water and slinging the Crig.

[RCCA]

BF - "I’ve caught more and bigger fish on a big crank than anything else and if the wind isn’t blowing, you can forget it.  They won’t bite it."

 

That helps explain why I'm terrible at them deep divers!  I have an 18' aluminum boat and can't even go in the lake when she blows like that. Guess I need to win the ole lottery or catch that Phoenix tagged fish ?

[Troy85]

So its official.  Staying at the Fort Polk Rec area in Pirates Cove, October 16-21.  All paid for by my brothers boss, he knows how much we like to fish so he offered to pay for the lodging and fuel for the entire trip as a gift to my brother.  I've never fished TB in the fall, and I've never fished any further south than San Miguel.  I'm pretty excited about the change of scenery and time of year.  I know its still a few months out, but I'm already excited so I had to post about it.

[Catt]

@Troy1985s first question, what size boat y'all using?

 

This will give us an idea of how maneuverable ya can be.

[Troy85]

1 hour ago, Catt said:

@Troy1985s first question, what size boat y'all using?

 

This will give us an idea of how maneuverable ya can be.

I'll be bringing my 18' Xpress.  

[mguidroz]

Catt what happened to the learning section?

 

[Catt]

6 hours ago, mguidroz said:

Catt what happened to the learning section?

 

Waiting on commits ?

 

9 hours ago, Troy1985s said:

I'll be bringing my 18' Xpress.  

 

Alright! Let's start by looking at Caney Creek!

 

Mid October should have the spinnerbait & Trap bite picking up around the big island. The Caney Creek pockets marked 121 on the map 

 

Study these areas paying special attention to creek channels.

 

[mguidroz]

Full moon, anyone night fishing?

[Clinton john]

31 minutes ago, mguidroz said:

Full moon, anyone night fishing?

Yep yep they is lol.

 

I need my coffee be back in a few to report.

[Clinton john]

Ok here we go.

 

Hit the island areas around north Toledo state park and a few humps and ridges in that area I know about last night.

 

Had a good bite going most of the night with black and red flake monster worms.

 

No pic worthy fish most being less then 2 pounds only landed one that was bigger it was maybe 3 and half.

 

No big bites last night

[Catt]

1 hour ago, A5BLASTER said:

Had a good bite going most of the night with black and red flake monster worms.

 

Try Ole Monster South Africa Special ?

[Clinton john]

Just now, Catt said:

 

Try Ole Monster South Africa Special ?

Never heard of that color before lol.

 

Unless I go with someone tonight will probably be my last trip of the year.

 

Getting down to the wire deer season ain't far away got to get my butt in gear and get ready.

[RonnieF]

On 7/27/2018 at 9:34 AM, A5BLASTER said:

Ok here we go.

 

Hit the island areas around north Toledo state park and a few humps and ridges in that area I know about last night.

 

Had a good bite going most of the night with black and red flake monster worms.

 

No pic worthy fish most being less then 2 pounds only landed one that was bigger it was maybe 3 and half.

 

No big bites last night

Nice report Blaster. Thanks. 

Planning to head up Tuesday. Hopefully this trip is more productive than my last trip. 

 

Catt, have you been doing any damage in the Pool?

[Clinton john]

2 hours ago, RonnieF said:

Nice report Blaster. Thanks. 

Planning to head up Tuesday. Hopefully this trip is more productive than my last trip. 

 

Catt, have you been doing any damage in the Pool?

I hear tell there is a cool front hitting up here tuesday.

 

Possible day time highs of 73 degress.

[RonnieF]

7 minutes ago, A5BLASTER said:

I hear tell there is a cool front hitting up here tuesday.

 

Possible day time highs of 73 degress.

We can definitely hope!

 

[Catt]

12 hours ago, RonnieF said:

 Catt, have you been doing any damage in the Pool?

 

Nah!  ?

[RonnieF]

8 hours ago, Catt said:

 

 

Ha. Definitely looks like a waste of time in that mudhole!

I've almost been tempted to drag my kayak over there.

[Clinton john]

12 hours ago, Catt said:

 

Nah!  ?

Man I miss my old stompin grounds.