So Yall Want To Learn Toledo Bend?

[Catt]

Ah yelp  

[longhorn_basser]

Buying my first boat next month and don't know a whole lot about fishing Toledo Bend.  Live halfway between Center and Hemphill.  Bout 10 minutes from Huxley Bay.  I've read this whole thread and while very informative, there is nothing like hands on training.

[fishfordollars]

Ah yelp

longhorn_basser your an idiot if you do not take advantage of this. You will learn more in a day with Catt than you will stumbling around for a month.

If you get interested in Big Sam let me know and I will show you some things over there.

[jamey912]

love the thered catt if you're going fishing this week on toledo and need a buddy let me know i live in many

[alwayslooking]

whew, long thread, took me two days to review it all. CATT, i would like to know if you consider points ,inside, six mile, as main lake points, thinking that six mile is like a lake unto itself? Very interesting reading, thanks for all the info

[alwayslooking]

fishfordollars, i didn't see a thread for your insights on rayburn? did i miss it or not have one?

[Catt]

CATT, I would like to know if you consider points, inside, six mile, as main lake points, thinking that six mile is like a lake unto itself.

This is an often discussed topic which tends to tick some people off but since it is my job to cause hate & discontent so the answer is YES.

[alwayslooking]

thanks for the quick reply, i seem to have trouble getting my head wrapped around the "highways" theme. i looked at the places you listed on the first page of the thread and think i understand what you're trying to point out, but where would the spawning areas for these fish be? i'm told that resident fish have an "area" like buck deer, spawn to deep? and you fish this area according to the season. thanks for giving us your input

[Catt]

Because of the size of Toledo Bend there are bass that live their entire life never having seen a shore line spawning in shallow areas that in some instances are a mile offshore.  

[alwayslooking]

Catt, i found a "hump" about half way back in six mile, out of the boat lane but not to far out. saturday was topped out at 7' full of grass, about three or four boat lenghts long, sides tapering down to 20',,,,thought i could catch fish on it or around it and nada..any thoughts as to why no fish,,maybe timing? i did hit it three times,,boat on it first light, so didn't have the chance then.  i can get more specific if would help your answer? i'm really trying to get off the bank and reading structure is what i'm trying to learn

[Catt]

Not all good looking structures harbor bass

[alwayslooking]

yes sir, i understand, but how do you know, or trial and error only?  my thinking is that you look over the map,,,decide places,,,,fish places in the time frame you have and hope for the best,,However, experience says that if you do your homework right, have better chances?

[bigtimfish]

Catt, i found a "hump" about half way back in six mile, out of the boat lane but not to far out. saturday was topped out at 7' full of grass, about three or four boat lenghts long, sides tapering down to 20',,,,thought i could catch fish on it or around it and nada..any thoughts as to why no fish,,maybe timing? i did hit it three times,,boat on it first light, so didn't have the chance then. i can get more specific if would help your answer? i'm really trying to get off the bank and reading structure is what i'm trying to learn

There is a good spot around where six mile and willow oak meet. In the boat lane in six mile (heading toward boat ramp in six mile), you will see a yellow pole. The next marker past that yellow pole about 40 yards to the right. Off the boat lane.There is a good ridge that ALWAYS has produced for me.

[Catt]

Bass must have a visible path of breaks and break lines on a structure from deep water all the way to the shallows.

[alwayslooking]

Catt, what is the procedure for getting the personal lessons? is this a good way to get a visual concept of the visable breaks and breaklines? how much does electronics come into play?

[capierrottie2]

Catt,

Thanks for all your valuable information. I just purchased a camp around Big Bass this year. All your information is very helpful. I didn't have clue where to start on this massive lake until I read your thread.

Any pointers for the Boone's Crossing/ Point area?

[Catt]

alwayslooking, suggested reading

Demystifying Structure

http://www.bassresource.com/bass_fishing_forums/YaBB.pl?num=1186055966

All lakes have it

http://www.bassresource.com/bass_fishing_forums/YaBB.pl?num=1214969797/0

Seeing in 3D

http://www.bassresource.com/bass_fishing_forums/YaBB.pl?num=1230916254/6#6

Ok after all is said & done here's my favorite structure!

http://www.bassresource.com/bass_fishing_forums/YaBB.pl?num=1217761577/12#12

capierrottie2, ah yes Boone's Crossing/ Point area; if you are heading towards the Texas side look south (left) and look for trout line jigs and the check around them with your depth finder.

[capierrottie2]

Thanks Catt,

Cant wait to get to the lake..

Capierrottie2

[alwayslooking]

thanks Catt,i'll give the readings my full attention. hopefully it'll help me get closer intune to what i'm looking for

[alwayslooking]

bigtimfish, i think that ridge your talking about is close to the hump, if not it. we'll have to talk about how you fish it that produces for you, thanks

[bigtimfish]

bigtimfish, i think that ridge your talking about is close to the hump, if not it. we'll have to talk about how you fish it that produces for you, thanks

C rigs and Tx rig worms, lizards and creatures. I have never went at it with a crank. I will on the 16th of Aug though. I am not bringing anything but cranks.

[bigtimfish]

Hey Catt, anymore input?

[Catt]

What you want to discuss?

What's hot right now besides these afternoons

We are working outside grass lines on

Points both on the main lake and in the major creeks in 15 to 25' +/- 3'

Ridges, and humps on the main lake and in the major creeks in 12 to 25 feet

Lures: Texas Rigs, Carolina Rigs, and DD22

Colors: Cran-Apple, Watermelon Neon, White/Chartreuse, Blue/Chartreuse and Shad Belly/Green Flake Back.

[Catt]

We are not leaving the camp until moon rise and staying out until moon set

Two lures that have accounted of 80% of all kicker fish when thrown in/around the outside grass line at moon rise and moon set.

Rattle Head spinner bait 3/8 oz Gold/Silver double willow; skirt white/chartreuse/blue

Stanley RFE-Jig 5/16 oz; Black/Amber-Chartreuse/Orange accent

Trailer: Rage Tail Baby Craw Okeechobee Craw

[HitmanFO]

Hey Catt, I discovered this website last week, found this thread shortly thereafter, and now check it every day to see what's new! I appreciate you sharing your years of experience and insight on Toledo Bend... I got the Hook-N-Line map today to start looking at everything you've described thus far.

I've only fished Toledo Bend twice; the first time we caught over 120 perch in one afternoon and morning. The second time I spent 14 hours in the boat on one Saturday and only caught 3 keeper bass! > In spite of that, I'll be fishing the Bend a lot more in the coming months/years.

My question for today is, how would you describe the fishing in late August thru mid-September? Many areas of the country would describe that as fall fishing, but here in good ol' hot Texas, I would think it would be more like summer fishing. I have a couple of weekend visits planned during that time and am preparing my arsenal and tactics based upon this thread and other bits of info I am gleaning off of this website!

FYI, my fishing buddy's aunt lives at the private Six Mile boat ramp, and that's where we always put in at, so we'll likely do a lot of fishing from the ramp to the main lake. We found out in mid-July that the bass like to school at the submerged island/hump at the crossover between the Six Mile boat lane and the Big Sandy Creek boat lane... we tore'em up on Little George's, spoons, and Rogue's sitting smack in the middle of that island fishing 360 degrees around the boat. Water varied between 7 and 12 feet deep... we fished across the tops of the grass, 3-4 feet below the surface.

Anyhow, sorry for the long "first post", but I look forward to your insight!