Toledo Bend

From: Greg Crafts
Email: GCrafts@bigfoot.com
Date: 3/10/04
Temp: upper 50's - 60's
Visibility:

Comments

March 10, 2004 Toledo Bend Fishing Report Greg Crafts-Guide, Toledo Bend Guide Service And Lake Cottages 936.368.7151 GCrafts@bigfoot.com www.toledo-bend.net/toledobend

The lake level is 172.65 ft msl , high pool is (172ft). Surface water temperatures are running in the upper 50s to low 60s. The north end of the lake is stained with feeder creeks muddy from the recent run off. SRA is running both generators and has 7 gates open 1 ft. A lot of fresh water is moving through the lake. Note of caution: With the lake over high pool most of the timber is under water or just under the surface. Caution should be used when running unmarked areas. Also, a number of buoy markers have been blown off into unsafe areas from the recent high winds.

Black Bass: Fishing this week has been like riding a roller coaster. When the shallow pockets have clear or stained water we've been able to boat some good fish but when it muddies up from the rains, the bass seem to have lock jaw. Shallow patterns are the key as the bass have moved into the flats and flooded buck brush in the coves and pockets. On the north end try to find the clearest water you can to find active bass. Spinner baits are a good lure to use to cover a lot of water to locate the bass. If the water is muddy you need to slow down and throw finesse plastics (flukes, Senkos, Wacky Worms). Watermelon and variations of watermelon are producing well. Also, flip and pitch the flooded buck brush with jigs, tubes, lizards and brush hogs in Black/blue, chartreuse, watermelon or pumpkin colors.

The White Bass have also been finicky this week. Good reports when the river has been stable but slow when the sloughs have muddied up. Work the flooded sloughs with Road Runners, tail spinners, slab spoons and shallow diving cranks or traps. If the river is rising work the back of the sloughs and if the river is falling work the mouth of the sloughs. If unable to locate the Whites in the sloughs work the river channel sand bars with live crawfish, slab spoons or tail spinners.

The Crappie are showing up in the shallows starting their spawn. A shiner or small jig worked on a short leader in protected coves and pockets along grass lines are starting to produce some good stringers. The bite should only get better as they continue to move into the spawning areas.

Good reports of Catfish being taken on rod and reels and trot lines when fished at the mouth of the creeks where the fresh muddy water is dumping into the lake. For more information or to book a trip, please visit my website at www.toledo-bend.net/toledobend or give me a call at 936.368.7151.

Note: I now have 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 or bream fishing. Tours and sunset cruises also available.