CALCASIEU RIVER
"The Calcasieu River is producing good quality fish and pretty good numbers" says tournament angler, Travis Merritt. The water level is good and with stained to muddy conditions. Spawning bass are all over the river so anglers should practice catch and release especially on the larger bass. Anglers should find bass currently in all three phases of the spawn on the river with some in prespawn, spawn and post spawn. Some waves of fish will be moving up to spawn while others are moving out and fishing will be great for the next month or so.
Crankbaits and spinnerbaits are the dominate baits right now and are producing quality and quantity. A good pattern now is to use 1/4 to 3/8 ounce white or chartreuse/white spinnerbaits fished around drains and cover along the main river. Chartreuse is usually better in muddy water. Shallow crankbaits, such as Norman's Baby N, Bandit 100, Lucky Craft RC starting with shad colors and move to chartreuse. Merritt says flipping and pitching soft plastics is always a staple on the river and should be your go-to baits if the moving baits are not working for you. Top flipping soft plastics include Power Craw, Brush Hogs, Power Lizards and craw worms.