So Yall Want To Learn Toledo Bend?

[Catt]

Exactly

A huge percentage of tournament wins and big bass come from the main lake but the problem with fishing the main lake is wind. Many anglers target the shallow water bite at daybreak while I target the offshore bite at daybreak because it usually calmer and the bass will be bigger.

How long is stay on a spot depends on its location and weather conditions; if conditions are ideal to less than ideal I'll stay 30-45 minutes with out a bump.

Oh yea I will return to known big bass spots as conditions allow

[HitmanFO]

"The metabolism rates of bass are at its highest during summer."

Right - I misspoke!  The metabolism increases as the water temp increases, so the metabolism is highest when the water temp is highest, mid-summer.  Maybe a better phrase would have been "activity speeds up"???  The water cools down, the bass become more active, fattening up through the fall... sorry bout that!

So, both anglers are right... just talking about two different "styles" of bass... shoreline bass and main lake bass.

Makes perfect sense to me!  Thanks Catt!

[ABLE2DISABLE1]

Thanks for the Schooling, Hope to here more soon. I forgot that the statement of not fishing at that Lake, Means you or I could learn from the learning skills of their places could apply her at home, Mapping or Fishing Skills and techniques of others.I just learned a little myself. Thank You

[Long Mike]

Thanks for the Schooling, Hope to here more soon. I forgot that the statement of not fishing at that Lake, Means you or I could learn from the learning skills of their places could apply her at home, Mapping or Fishing Skills and techniques of others.I just learned a little myself. Thank You

Huh?  

[Catt]

[alwayslooking]

looks like a 1/2 oz rattle trap? can't catch any fish on that one though,,no hooks,,,lol

[Catt]

Gold, Black Back, Orange Belly  

[alwayslooking]

slow rolling,,ripping,,,or just whatever you find the fish want? over the grass,,outside edges or again wherever they'll take it? usually relating to the grass though?

[Catt]

Lake level as of 10/05/2009 6:30 a.m.: 168.68

Generator 1: Currently shut down

Generator 2: Currently running 6 hrs. / 2 p.m. - 8 p.m.

Spillway Gates: Closed

Water temperatures mid to upper 70s

The lake is up about 4 to 6 inches, covering some of the submerged grass; early morning & during cloudy conditions the fish are sitting or suspended in the top of the submerged grass.

Main lake points near the river or mouths of creeks: spinner baits & traps

Texas rigs: 8 to16'; light lead (sinkers) in 1/8, 3/16 and 1/4 ounce.

[HitmanFO]

Some friends of mine were hauling them in this weekend on a similar rattletrap, Catt, except it was blue on top with chrome sides and bellies. One guy was jigging and ripping his... the other was swimming it... both ways produced. They pulled in one bass that regurgitated a baitfish that was almost identical in size, color and shape to the blue/chrome rattletrap... no wonder they worked so well.

I fished nearby, catching them on chartreuse buzzbaits and black/chartreuse spinnerbaits. My first buzzbait catch, that bass blowing up on top of the water, was GREAT! Remember, I just got serious about bass fishing this year... never fished a buzzbait until this weekend! Bought a bass boat Friday too... now there's no hope for me. :'(

[AndyE]

Thanks for all the info you guys have given.

I am curious as to how you change(if so) when it starts raining? Referring to current fronts that are moving in and have been for couple weeks or so(at least down south near new orleans)

The other thing that has me wondering is Catt posts the times the generators are running(for Oct 5th) Does this continue like that every day or does it change daily? More importantly, does this time provide a better bite? And do you do anything differently during these times?

[Catt]

I am curious as to how you change (if so) when it starts raining?

The rain itself has limited effect on bass but the weather conditions causing the rain does.

The other thing that has me wondering is Catt posts the times the generators are running (for Oct 5th) Does this continue like that every day or does it change daily?

Changes daily

More importantly, does this time provide a better bite? See below

And do you do anything differently during these times? See below

If we have one/both generators running for extended periods of time or I'm fishing close enough to the dam it will cause a current which will position the bait fish on the down current side of structure.

[AndyE]

Thanks Catt. Heading there next Wed. Looks like it shouldnt be too bad.

[Catt]

Got Jigs?  

[Catt]

Lake level as of 10/19/2009 6:30 a.m.: 169.59

Generator 1: Currently shut down

Generator 2: Currently running 24 hrs a day

Spillway Gates: Closed

Water temperatures mid to upper 70s

Numbers: Texas or Carolina Rig on points, ridges and humps in 12-25' & occasionally deeper; jigging spoons working 18 to 30 feet in creek channels.

Big fish bite 10-18' with ½ to ¾ oz  Oldham's Lures Trailer Hitch Jig Black/Blue, Gene Larew Salty Hawg Craws in 6 with 2 ½ cut off the tail working the outside edge of the grass line (Hydrilla).

Aint heard nothing from the north end!

Trap bite is picking up but still sporadic at best

[Catt]

I've had several phone conversations, e-mails, and chats on facebook with reports of 68-73 degrees surface temperatures; with a lot of rain in upper watershed the north end reports are murky-muddy, murky in the mid-lake areas, and clear on the main lake with off colored areas in the back end creeks down south.

Be extremely careful out there I've had numerous reports that high winds and rising water levels have a lot of "floaters" (logs/stumps/debris) all over the lake. It was reported by two relievable sources of a new Triton with a nifty 1 ½ hole in the hull after hitting a small limb attached to a larger log.

STAY TIGHT TO BOUY MARKERS & AVOID RUNNING OVER ANY THING!

Deep cranks are accounting for numbers with Texas Rigs, Carolina Rigs, and Jig-N-Craws being used for culling up in 18-22'.

[alwayslooking]

Catt, i went to main point of mill and clear creek, sw side,,big grass bed there,,started first thing in morning with buzzbait and spooks,,from 17' to bank,,,then went to cranks on outside grass edge,,17'-15',,switched to alternating between 1-1/4oz jigs with 3/8oz flipping craw,,,finally about 11:00am, switched to carolina rigged worm,,,no takers at all,,,two other boats came in about 10:30, second one went into clear just a bit,,,boom, flipped up a keeper,,,at noon, went to main point s side of six mile, carolina rigged,,,made three seperate passes, different depths,,,no takers, from there i meandered back to six mile ramp, stopping here or there to make a cast or two..i was sure in my mind, there were fish at my starting place,,but no bites to confirm

[Catt]

Dude you should have been on fish near that point in Mill

Another area I hit is coming into Mill off the main lake between the 2nd and 3rd buoy markers stop; work this area from the buoys towards the shore with Wacky Worms or Texas Rigged Trick Worms. I have never had that muck luck on the main lake point of Six Mile south side.

[alwayslooking]

I felt sure there were fish there, BUT,,,maybe presentation wasn't right,,alas, there will be another day

[Catt]

Try a Wacky Worm or Texas Rig a Trick worm with no weight but put a 1 paneling nail in the tail.

[Catt]

10/30/09 6:30 am

Lake Level: 172.83

Generator 1: Currently Shut Down

Generator 2: Currently running 24 hrs.

Spillway Gates: 11 gates open 2' each

Surface temperatures: mid to upper 60s with some low 70s still being found.

Due to all the rain north of the lake the level is up 1.76' in one week

North Toledo: The upper portions of all major feeder creeks are stained to muddy and will continue increase with the run off for nest several days.

Mid Lake: Murky in the back of coves, ditches, and creeks; stained to clear on the main lake.

South Lake: Stained in the back of coves, ditches, and creeks; still clear on the main lake.

Fishing to tough right now so be prepared for low numbers but if accessible fish the deep main lake structure.

Again be careful out there stumps & hull don't mix!

Personally I'm taking some time off until things settle into winter patterns

[ab8aac]

CATT just FYI the sabine just south of Hawkins last night was 12 feet above flood stage and rising. You got a lot of water comming we had 5" of rain last 36 hours, it will pick up water all the way to you.

Lake o the pines yesterday was 14.08 feet above flood pool, houses flooded boat roads under water and they can't get it down as Caddo is 5.3 feet above flood stage but all of this water goes into the RED RIVER, just mentioned that to show how much water we have north of you.

[Catt]

Up 3.75' in less than 2 weeks before finally peaking yesterday 

[bigtimfish]

Are the marker bouys still accurate? I will be going on saturday and was wondering. I will launch at willow oak. Also what color traps are working right now? Thanks Catt your info is always helpful.

[Catt]

I highly suggest staying close to buoys; gold/black back/orange belly