So Yall Want To Learn Toledo Bend?

[Clinton john]

4 hours ago, Catt said:

 

Aww go play in the woods! ?

I wish I was lmao. I'm at the doctors office in bossier right now. Hoping today is the day I get released back to work.

[Walkerhuntfish]

Another informative video with biologist Todd Driscoll up on Mr.Ken Smith's YouTube page. He has some interesting numbers and studies on Toledo Bend. 

[Catt]

16 hours ago, Walkerhuntfish said:

Another informative video with biologist Todd Driscoll up on Mr.Ken Smith's YouTube page. He has some interesting numbers and studies on Toledo Bend. 

 

Ken knocked a home run again with this series of videos!

 

Did y'all notice how many times in these videos Todd refers to Toledo Bend as being a special place that defies most logic. 

 

Most anglers DO NOT understand the sheer size of this body of water. Anglers have their "pet" areas they routinely fish & when these areas don't produce they believe the lake has been ruined for whatever reason.

 

Yes the lack of grass changed how the lake fishes but according to Todd the fish are still there.

[Clinton john]

5 hours ago, Catt said:

 

Ken knocked a home run again with this series of videos!

 

Did y'all notice how many times in these videos Todd refers to Toledo Bend as being a special place that defies most logic. 

 

Most anglers DO NOT understand the sheer size of this body of water. Anglers have their "pet" areas they routinely fish & when these areas don't produce they believe the lake has been ruined for whatever reason.

 

Yes the lack of grass changed how the lake fishes but according to Todd the fish are still there.

I mean it's not like they got a bus ticket and moved to Rayburn lmffao.

 

Simple fact is guys get locked in fishing one or maybe 2 areas and one or two types of baits and when it doesn't work they go to crying.

 

While the rest of us are making it happen.

[jcdogfish]

I am interested in the creel surveys.  The grass sure made it a lot easier.  From what I see the tournament weights are down.  When you really look at the size of the lake its amazing you catch anything without the grass to pile them up. Like Todd was saying, the last year I fished up there a lot I spent many mornings or afternoons trying to mark any fish at all.  There was fish in the same areas as before but you caught a lot less and had to work a lot harder for the bite.  The grass gave them an edge to hang out on.  I'm supposed to get up there to look at a camp in a couple of weeks, still undecided if I want to take the plunge again.

[RCCA]

Dog, I sent you a message awhile back about a spot for a camper. Maybe you can check it out while you’re up there. 

[jcdogfish]

Thanks Joe, but per the boss its gotta be a camp no camper/trailer/mobile home etc and has to be on the water.  Thats where I'm stuck.  Don't know if I want to spend that much on a fishing camp.

[Catt]

@jcdogfish

 

https://www.toledobendexpress.com

[Catt]

18 hours ago, jcdogfish said:

Like Todd was saying, the last year I fished up there a lot I spent many mornings or afternoons trying to mark any fish at all. 

 

If you go back to the Albert Collins/Glen Freeman videos both anglers said the majority of the fish they catch they seldom see on their electronics.

 

Both said they seldom if ever do they scan areas they plan on fishing on tournament day.

 

I'm the same, when I fish an area I know held fish in the past I will not pass over the structure to mark em...I simply fish it & let my lures tell me if they're there or not.

[Catt]

The reason the lake is low is because of work at Toro Creek spillway.

 

 

[Progator]

Great, which one of you broke the dam

[Catt]

41 minutes ago, Progator said:

Great, which one of you broke the dam

 

Wasn't me!  ?

[Clinton john]

I knew I shouldn't have done that cannon ball off it this summer lamo.

[Amateur Hour]

What is the word on the bend?  Anyone catching any fish?  Dropping any lower units?  Visiting toledo fiberglass?  Thinking about making a trip in the next couple of weeks.

[Walkerhuntfish]

39 minutes ago, Amateur Hour said:

What is the word on the bend?  Anyone catching any fish?  Dropping any lower units?  Visiting toledo fiberglass?  Thinking about making a trip in the next couple of weeks.

I’m making my plans now to go try them out this weekend. Hopefully next week I won’t be YouTubing how to change lower unit. As far as hull goes I can weld mine so that will be an in house repair if it happens. I’m sure with the water 2’ lower than last trip the fish have moved from where I caught them. 

[Clinton john]

3 hours ago, Amateur Hour said:

What is the word on the bend?  Anyone catching any fish?  Dropping any lower units?  Visiting toledo fiberglass?  Thinking about making a trip in the next couple of weeks.

From what I hear most of the locals are hanging it up. To much of a pain to find a boat ramp usable with the current water depth.

 

That's why mine is parked for the winter already.

 

I heard north Toledo parks ramp is still usable at the moment.

 

The Toledo Bend Lake association says SRA is planning to bring it down to 165 even.

 

But we all now how plans of mice and men work out. Plus that big yellow oven in the sky likes to drink water as well.

 

If I was going to give it a try. I would constrate my effort on river channel swings. That are still in the 15 to 25 foot water depth range.

 

Good luck out there fella's and be safe.

[Catt]

6 Mile boat launch should be good, we launch there last time it was this low & lower. I think Jack's 944 Marina fixed their launch last time a well. White Oak is another one that should be good.

 

Stay in the marked boat lanes & run close to the buoys. Run the river/creek channels where possible.

 

There's some guys I know jacking up at night on main-lake structure!

 

[SaltConvert]

I am new to Toledo Bend and buying a place in the 1215/San Miguel area. I have 3 young sons and I look forward to putting them on some fish. This thread has been a wealth of information and from what I have read I shouldn't have to go far to find some fish. Any tips to try in that area? I am assuming that a depth finder is a a must to find the drop offs and brush piles. Anything else?

[Walkerhuntfish]

These guys can teach you a lot that a fish finder won’t. It’s a useful tool but maps are the key and very strong understanding of fishing structure is minimum in my opinion. I just read this forum for a long time but until recently only had a slight understanding of structure. I don’t know near enough yet but am in the process of learning and have already seen the difference. Now if you already know structure it will be easy. That’s just my opinion. Good luck on getting them boys on the fish. 

 

Wish I could help out on the area by Ive never fished it. 

[SaltConvert]

I appreciate the response. I have fished structure in saltwater (mainly reefs) that are pretty clearly marked. I will definitely stay tuned to Catt and this forum. I have already gathered a ton of information from everyone and I can’t wait to try it out. You guys definitely have me on alert for navigating the lake carefully. Hopefully I don’t have the learn that lesson the hard way. 

[Walkerhuntfish]

Had another good trip this weekend. Of course 2’ less water than last trip made me hunt them again but I guess that’s how you learn. I didn’t catch as many big fish this trip but caught a good bit of 3+ pound fish with a 5 pounder. I caught them 8-15 ft deep on creek ledges. Used a strike king 4 series crankbait and a couple on ol monster zoom. 

[Amateur Hour]

Nice job.  

[RonnieS]

Would some of you care to post a few pics of the lake while it's low for those of us that are not able to get there?

[Amateur Hour]

I am thinking of heading up there Friday.  I will snap a few pics if I go and post them.

[Darrel Owens]

 

Lowes Creek Aug 17th. Water marks on the cypress are 172 approx. Lake level was 165.70 approx. It has dropped another 1/4 foot since this picture.