So Yall Want To Learn Toledo Bend?

[RonnieF]

Thanks for the reply Jack. Maybe it has something to do with that pipline. The coordinates I posted were in San Miguel, just north of where 1215 hits the water. With the water so low, it was a stump field where I saw the reflective dots. I get in from offshore this wednesday, and should be up there friday. If I find out what they are, I'll let y'all know.

Ronnie

[Dam Yankee]

Haven't been on the bend since the boat burnt a piston on the 12th. A friend from work is going out in his fish and ski and asked if I wanted to fish off the back. I have no clue as to what the water temps are or anything else. I know there is supposed to be a front coming in tomorrow so maybe we will have a good day.

Any suggestions appreciated.

Thanks,

Tom

[Dam Yankee]

Had a good outing yesterday. Started out in toro and then went to Housen. took alittle while to figure out what was going on. Wind blown grass edge was the key. Especially with deeper water access nearby. I remembered what Jack posted a while ago and we did very well with a white skirted spinner bait with willow blades. Both 3/8 and 1/2 ounce. 3 and 4 pounders almost all day long. Lost a couple larger ones. Also a couple on carolina rig with a watermelon red fluke and a watermelon brush hog with a little chartruse on the tail.

Thanks Jack. Your tip was our most productive choice.

Another week or two and the boat will be back in service. Can't wait!

[Catt]

Kick en Bass 

[Dam Yankee]

Kick en Bass

Thanks to posts from folks like yourself and Jack! Stuff I read here is helping to shorten the learning curve for a rookie angler such as myself. I do appreciate this board!

[Catt]

I've caught a couple dozen double digit bass and multiple 35 lb plus 5 bass tournament stringers but helping others catch is way more satisfying.

SRA Louisiana Levels / Generating Schedules

As of: 12/06/2010 6:30 AM

Lake Level: 163.97

Generator 1: Currently running 2hrs. 6am. - 8am

Generator 2: Currently shut down

Spillway Gates: Closed

Current Waterflow: 7824 CFS

Water Temperature: 58 to 64 degrees

Most anglers say they want to be on the Bend for spring spawn but now through March is absolutely my favorite time to be on the Bend. Almost any technique is working and producing both quantity and quality.

The Drop Shot is producing outstanding numbers with one report of 75 bass caught in one day.

The Rat-L-Trap bite on! On cloudy mornings target wind blown drains/coves with a ½ oz Gold Shad or Red Chrome trap. On sunny mornings throw a ½ oz Sexy West.

I saw pictures last week of several bass in the 7-9 lb class with a 9.87 hawg on top of the list. Texas rigs and jigs accounted for all hawgs; here is a little secret I can release.

Knock on Wood

[JBF]

Catt,

Thanks for the tip. Buddy of mine caught 20 in the clear creek area last Saturday. Crankbaits and Traps..

JBF

[Catt]

Fin & Feather is up for sale again$3,500,000

[BulletDon]

If I only had the money.

[Dam Yankee]

Enjoyed another good day on the Bend yesterday morning. Fished till about noon and wind got big. Had quite a rough ride back across to the Army rec in toro though!!!!

Does anyone know of a place to launch in Housen? I am of the understanding that Fin and Feather launch is only for those staying there. At least that is what their internet information says.

[Catt]

You can pay daily to launch at F & F, another good launch is at Jack's 944

[Dam Yankee]

Thanks Catt!

[Catt]

SRA Louisiana Levels / Generating Schedules

As of: 12/14/2010 6:30 AM

Lake Level: 163.76

Generator 1: Currently shut down

Generator 2: Currently shut down

Spillway Gates: Closed

Current Waterflow: 204 CFS

Water Temperature: 52 to 58 degrees

With hunting season in full swing & Christmas around the corner everyone has pretty much abandoned the Big Pond.

Spinner baits/traps are still accounting for numbers and Texas, Carolina, & Drop shot rigs accounting for size; 18-28' of water is where the big bass are hanging. Most big bass for the week were caught on Carolina rigged Zoom Flukes (watermelon neon).

[Long Mike]

If you are staying at F&F there is no launch fee.  If you are not, the cost is $5.00.  I was there in October and was staying at Fox's Lodge.  The water level was too low for me to launch from their ramp so I went to F&F.  They are very nice folks and very accommodating.

[Catt]

Aint no one asking but the weather for the next 3 days look awesome!

So to reiterate what I mentioned earlier, many patterns are still working in, around, & over vegetation but y'all better start adding some wood to you day.

I mean it is every where

With Texas rigs, Texas rigged jigs & Jig-N-Craws the most productive pattern is to hit the stump then use a controlled free fall down the stump. Be prepared your lure may never hit bottom or it can get smashed on the way back to the boat.

During late fall/early winter I like to launch at Jack's 944 Marina (N 31.29814 W 93.75343) & fish Bull Branch because of the abundance of stumps, fast depth changes, & winding creek channel. If the water level is to low launch a Fin-N-Feather, run west 4 or 5 buoys (I look for a tall forked stump), then look north, that's Bull Branch.

CAUTION: unless you have intensive experience fishing this creek DO NOT attempt to run it on plane; fast idle at most. Once in the creek watch for local bass & crappie anglers they will unknowingly revile the boat lane; it is marked but not well on purpose.

I start at the highline & work my way back following the creek casting to as many stumps as I can looking for a pattern. Bull Branch is hard getting in/out of but on many a late fall/early winter weather pattern like right now you never have to fish any where else.

[Dam Yankee]

If I had my boat operational I would be there for sure!

[Bryan J]

I'm heading up Friday morning!  I fish toledo a lot in the spring/summer, however, when hunting season rolls in, my boat collects dust.  I have tagged out early this year so I'm headin to the bend.  This is my first time ever fishing during winter months.  Sounds like the same patterns as always, but this cold front coming in might slow things down.  We will be on the south end of the lake. 

Also, my girlfriend wants to learn to fish and this was the weekend she picked!!  She might regret that after she feels the temperature.  I think I'm going to start her on a baitcaster from the beginning.  Wish me luck.  I'll have some zebcos for backup.

Any reports for numbers on the south end (Indian Mounds, Housen, 6 mile, Yocum, etc.)?

Thanks to all for such a great forum!

[Bryan J]

One more thing for safety...

I have never fished the bend with water this low.  Any lanes to stay out of on the south end or can you run in most marked lanes?

[Dam Yankee]

I have had good results for the past 2 weekends in Housen.

As far as what boatlanes are safe...I am not gonna say they are safe. What I will say is watch which way the wind is blowing and compensate for it to stay in the middle of the lane.

If you shoot across.....I shoot to stay in the middle of the trees and ignore the bouys but, that is me.

Be aware for areas that may be shallow in the boat lane in 6 mile and Housen.

[Long Mike]

I found a stump the hard way on the North side of Housen in the boat lane near Community Hole.  Luckily, I was at idle.  If you are on plane you will probably miss it ... probably.

[Catt]

I find it more helpful to consider the weather pattern 2-3 days prior to & after my planned time on the water. Depending on the severity of the frontal conditions it may take a full day or more to affect the bass. During late fall/early winter I'll target deeper water and wood more than grass; that does not mean I ignore grass, I just phase in more wood.

Cold front game plan

Areas: the mouths of creek channel coves find which side of the cove the creek is on; position the boat to where the wind is either blowing you into the creek or out of the creek

Technique: slow roll ½ oz Rat-L-Traps, make long cast & allow it to sink 8-12' before I start reeling. After 4-6 turns of the handle I'll pause allowing the trap to drop back down. Ricochet the trap off of any visible stumps & learn to knee-n-reel for added depth.

[RonnieF]

Another word of caution of the low water. The stumps lining channels are a few feet high and a good resting spot for a lot of big birds.

I hit a Blue Heron with my external GPS antenna, that sticks up maybe 2" above my console windshield, while doing maybe 60 mph right at dark. When I saw the bird, it was over my front deck and I ducked down and the last I saw of it was right at the windshield. It's beak looked like it was 2 foot long at that moment!!! Funny it didn't take out my rear 42" running light.

RonnieF

[RonnieF]

No one fishing lately? I'd have thought there'd be some reports from those 70 degree days. I get home from offshore wednesday, and i'll probably be up there around the 5th or so. Hopefully there will be a few warm days to make the fish a little active.

Ronnie

[Catt]

Dec 27, 4:25 am

27 degrees F

Clear skies

East wind around 5 mph

Give it till about Thursday

[TBendBassin]

catt lets talk about this low water and if it continues on into the spawn. Will it concentrate the fish more of will they just spawn deeper.