Toledo Bend

From: Greg Crafts
Email: GCrafts@bigfoot.com
Date: 1/7/04
Temp:
Visibility:

Comments

The lake level is 167.55 ft msl, and holding steady. High pool is (172ft). Surface water temperatures are running in the upper 40s to low 50s. The north end of the lake is slightly stained and clearing south. SRA is only generating two hours per day from 5 to 7pm.

The hot ticket continues to be the Crappie fishing as many diehard bass fishermen are swapping their bait-casting rods and reels for a bucket of shiners or a box of jigs. Good numbers and large Crappie over two pounds are being brought to the scales. The Crappie are moving into deeper water as the water temp continues to drop. Look for deep- water brush tops holding bait- fish along the river channel shelf with your electronics to locate the Crappie.

Black Bass - work the deep creek channel shelf and ledges and the river channel shelf and ledges. Also work your electronics and look for large balls of shad suspended in 20 plus foot of water to locate the bass. Jigs, jigging spoons, tail spinners and half to three quarter ounce spinner baits slow rolled working best. A slow presentation is the key to triggering a strike since the bass's metabolism has slowed down with the cold water.

The White Bass are moving up on the main lake river channel sand bars towards the river proper for their annual migration. Work the river channel sands bars with slab spoons, tail spinners, deep diving cranks, and traps.

Charlie Shiverly at Bill's Landing reports good catches of Flatheads up to 50 lbs on trotlines being caught along the river channel.

Note: I've just acquired a tri-toon pontoon boat with a 120 hp motor and can accommodate groups up to six for those wanting to take their family or group for Whites, Crappie and bream fishing. Tours and sunset cruises also available.

Greg Crafts-Guide, Toledo Bend Guide Service And Lake Cottages 936.368.7151 GCrafts@bigfoot.com www.toledo-bend.net/toledobend