So Yall Want To Learn Toledo Bend?

[Bass_Fanatic]

57 minutes ago, 12poundbass said:

Congratulations @Catt that’s awesome! 

 

What is the minimum size for bass on Toledo Bend? Here in Michigan that 12” would be too small to keep. 

Minimum legal length is 14” for largemouth and no minimum length on spotted bass.

[RCCA]

Looks like Widgeon Grass to me, Skeeterz.  

[12poundbass]

1 hour ago, Bass_Fanatic said:

Minimum legal length is 14” for largemouth and no minimum length on spotted bass.

Was that a spotted bas @Catt caught with the tag? Or do they make some sort of exception regarding length when it comes to the tagged fish? It’s kind of funny they tagged an under sized fish and expect a poor soul to carry around an illegal fish to get a prize, granted I would for a new truck.

[Bass_Fanatic]

3 hours ago, 12poundbass said:

Was that a spotted bas @Catt caught with the tag? Or do they make some sort of exception regarding length when it comes to the tagged fish? It’s kind of funny they tagged an under sized fish and expect a poor soul to carry around an illegal fish to get a prize, granted I would for a new truck.

Hard to tell in his pic, but I can’t imagine them tagging fish under the legal length limit. I could be wrong though.

[Catt]

@Bass_Fanatic & @12poundbass

 

You know I never really paid attention to if it was a Largemouth or spot! 

 

I certainly didn't measure it, just photographed, cut the tag, & released it.

[Bass_Fanatic]

8 minutes ago, Catt said:

@Bass_Fanatic & @12poundbass

 

You know I never really paid attention to if it was a Largemouth or spot! 

 

I certainly didn't measure it, just photographed, cut the tag, & released it.

That makes more sense. I didn’t realize you could just cut the tag and not have to bring in the fish lol

[12poundbass]

16 minutes ago, Catt said:

@Bass_Fanatic & @12poundbass

 

You know I never really paid attention to if it was a Largemouth or spot! 

 

I certainly didn't measure it, just photographed, cut the tag, & released it.

Gotcha. I saw the two pictures and my tiny brain came to the conclusion you kept it at least long enough for someone official to physically see it and verify. 

 

Good deal and those 2019 Rams are pretty sharp looking! 

[Catt]

20 minutes ago, Bass_Fanatic said:

That makes more sense. I didn’t realize you could just cut the tag and not have to bring in the fish lol

 

The whole episode was unreal ?

 

My friend Mike from Oklahoma had texted me before the trip about the BassCashBash. But everyone was talking about a 10# plus winning $1,500 plus an additional $5,500 for over all big bass of the event. The rules also stated that there was 202 tagged bass that would win various cash amounts.

 

So I was thinking do I really wanna bet I could catch a 10#+ in 3 days of fishing so I didn't register on day one. On Tuesday Mike said he would pay my entry fees, so I entered around noon. 

 

A couple hours later I caught that bass, I didn't see the tag because it was facing away from, & had full intentions of throwing it back. Mike screamed it tagged! 

 

After photos & cut the tag I never paid attention to the tag just slipped into my wallet. About 5:30 or so we headed back to Fin-n-Feather to see what I won, thinking ok it's probably a couple hundred bucks. 

 

When I told the lady at Fin-n-Feather & pulled the tag out her eyes got really big. The tags for the boat & truck are color coded & she said you won the truck. I put my eyeglasses on & it had on the tag Truck & the phone number.

 

[Jigfishn10]

OMG, @Catt! That is AWESOME. Congrats! ^^^What a great story^^^.

[A5BLASTER]

3 hours ago, Catt said:

 

The whole episode was unreal ?

 

My friend Mike from Oklahoma had texted me before the trip about the BassCashBash. But everyone was talking about a 10# plus winning $1,500 plus an additional $5,500 for over all big bass of the event. The rules also stated that there was 202 tagged bass that would win various cash amounts.

 

So I was thinking do I really wanna bet I could catch a 10#+ in 3 days of fishing so I didn't register on day one. On Tuesday Mike said he would pay my entry fees, so I entered around noon. 

 

A couple hours later I caught that bass, I didn't see the tag because it was facing away from, & had full intentions of throwing it back. Mike screamed it tagged! 

 

After photos & cut the tag I never paid attention to the tag just slipped into my wallet. About 5:30 or so we headed back to Fin-n-Feather to see what I won, thinking ok it's probably a couple hundred bucks. 

 

When I told the lady at Fin-n-Feather & pulled the tag out her eyes got really big. The tags for the boat & truck are color coded & she said you won the truck. I put my eyeglasses on & it had on the tag Truck & the phone number.

 

Right on big Catt daddy lmao.

 

That's God giving back to you for all the help you give us dummy's on here lmao.

[RonnieF]

Congratulations Catt! Definitely a trip to remember.

 

[Log Catcher]

Congrats and enjoy your new truck.  

[Skeeterzx2001]

thanks for the reply on the grass i have no idea what it is and if fish get in it

[RCCA]

I'm not sure if my previous answer to your question even posted. Such bad internet. I'm almost positive that it's Wideon Grass. Fish get in it but it will bog a trolling motor down worse than any grass I have ever seen. 

1 hour ago, Skeeterzx2001 said:

thanks for the reply on the grass i have no idea what it is and if fish get in it

 

Also, it is difficult to fish down in it cause it's so stringy. In other words, it's a frog over it or nothing for me. Hope that helps and good luck. 

[Jonasty]

Congratulations CATT!! I've been following this thread off and on. I'm glad that you were able to collect a prize since Toledo Bend has been tough the past couple of years. 

[Corkpuller]

That's a great story on how the pickup Victory went! 

 

I am really struggling out on the pond. Arthritis keeps me from going out in the mornings, but after 3 afternoon-evenings of pretty hard fishin I've had ::::

1) 3 bites on 3/4 oz trap, main lake from the Jam north of Polly Gouch, to "behind Alpine"

NO fish landed.

2) five shorts, four were Kentucky's

3) yesterday evening from 3-6, ONE keeper largemouth in 2' on junebug baby brush hog, T rigged with a 3/16 weight.

My place is in Lowes Creek, and I even hate to mention that, because it is like F'n PARADE going on in here. Boat after boat after boat after boat, all fishin the same creeks, pockets and shorelines. 

Crowds aggravate me in general, so Spring fishin is always a challenge on my head.

Nine hunnerd rods on deck and still can't figger em out. 

I'm ready for em to get offshore.  

 

I've also spent around 2-3 hours of dragging and pitching a 1/16oz crappie jig for a total of 2 stinking fish.

 

I wish y'all better results than I've had. 

 

Be safe, I've seen boats running in and out of here in places that would make their nutts run up their throats if they knew what they were runnin over.  

[A5BLASTER]

19 minutes ago, Corkpuller said:

That's a great story on how the pickup Victory went! 

 

I am really struggling out on the pond. Arthritis keeps me from going out in the mornings, but after 3 afternoon-evenings of pretty hard fishin I've had ::::

1) 3 bites on 3/4 oz trap, main lake from the Jam north of Polly Gouch, to "behind Alpine"

NO fish landed.

2) five shorts, four were Kentucky's

3) yesterday evening from 3-6, ONE keeper largemouth in 2' on junebug baby brush hog, T rigged with a 3/16 weight.

My place is in Lowes Creek, and I even hate to mention that, because it is like F'n PARADE going on in here. Boat after boat after boat after boat, all fishin the same creeks, pockets and shorelines. 

Crowds aggravate me in general, so Spring fishin is always a challenge on my head.

Nine hunnerd rods on deck and still can't figger em out. 

I'm ready for em to get offshore.  

 

I've also spent around 2-3 hours of dragging and pitching a 1/16oz crappie jig for a total of 2 stinking fish.

 

I wish y'all better results than I've had. 

 

Be safe, I've seen boats running in and out of here in places that would make their nutts run up their throats if they knew what they were runnin over.  

Welcome to the big pond come spawn lol.

 

You just described every inch of this lake to a T come this time of year.

 

I bet I counted 300 boats in the north Toledo bend park area at midday yesterday.

[Corkpuller]

yeah buddy, I know it's not just this creek, but it still don't make me feel real warm and fuzzy,, LOL.

 

I have found in recent years, that the best way for me to deal with the Spring crowds is to just go Crappie fishin. 

That's what getting old and mellow does I reckon.

 

[Catt]

 @Corkpuller That's why I prefer summer time ?

 

Pre-spawn/spawn is like chasing the wind!

[Greg35]

2 hours ago, Corkpuller said:

Be safe, I've seen boats running in and out of here in places that would make their nutts run up their throats if they knew what they were runnin over.  

@Corkpuller agreed!  I see the same thing in the back of Housen (where there are no boat lanes) on a regular basis - folks running 60+ over flooded timber while I am rolling over stumps at idle.  I have come to the following conclusions: 

 

1. They know Housen much better than I do. 

2. They have no idea what is lurking just beneath the surface. 

3. They are tired of paying the boat note, have it well insured and are willing to risk injury!

 

Headed up this evening with my 13-year-old nephew who will start on a high school team next year.  Looking forward to fishing and spending time with him.

Y'all have a blessed weekend and stay safe!

[Dougw]

4 hours ago, Greg35 said:

@Corkpuller agreed!  I see the same thing in the back of Housen (where there are no boat lanes) on a regular basis - folks running 60+ over flooded timber while I am rolling over stumps at idle.  I have come to the following conclusions: 

 

1. They know Housen much better than I do. 

2. They have no idea what is lurking just beneath the surface. 

3. They are tired of paying the boat note, have it well insured and are willing to risk injury!

 

Headed up this evening with my 13-year-old nephew who will start on a high school team next year.  Looking forward to fishing and spending time with him.

Y'all have a blessed weekend and stay safe!

Was scrollin' through the recent post... noticed "somebody" had an x-ray of a skull on their profile... scrolled right past it... then thought "Mmmmm.... nobody simply post a pic. of a skull... gotta be more to it than that..." Scrolled back... did the o'l double take... Ahhh Haaa!" Good job!

6 hours ago, Catt said:

 @Corkpuller That's why I prefer summer time ?

 

Pre-spawn/spawn is like chasing the wind!

Hello.... This is Mr. WindChaser speakin'! Hahahahahaah!!!!!

[Bass_Coach]

First of all congrats to Catt for the tagged fish and the truck win. 

 

Question for Catt or anyone else. Catt, I have read through this thread a couple of times and I love your idea about keeping your boat in 15' of water +-3' for most of the year to be a consistent angler. I agree with that and it makes lots of sense. But, you said that you do this year around except during the spawn. So my question is during the spawn, what do you do for the most consistent way to catch fish day in and day out? Thanks in advance for your input and advise and for starting this incredible thread!! 

[Catt]

@Bass_Coach it's called the Texas Two Step!

 

During pre-spawn the bass move up two breaklines until a front hits then they move back one breakline.

 

This constant moving is what makes pre-spawn so difficult, a front that seems minor to us will turn the fish off. 

[Catt]

Four 10-pound bass at the Bend — in a single day!

 

https://www.louisianasportsman.com/fishing/bass-fishing/big-bass/four-10-pound-bass-at-the-bend-in-a-single-day/

 

Keep in mind the lake is dead ?

[Wesley]

Shhh Cat, Toledo is dead and Rayburn is on a decline!! Spread it around no use coming here, go to Fork.