Hello, Anglers. As a professional angler who is also involved in outdoor media, I have opportunities to speak to outdoor organizations, civic clubs, churches as well as business groups. Recently, I was fortunate to be the guest for a group of Chevron employees who were holding a two day bass tournament at Toledo's beautiful Cypress Bend Resort. I talked about conditions at Toledo and gave a few suggestions on how they might go about fishing the lake, as well as demonstrated several new fishing products.
I am very excited about the next such event scheduled for Friday, May 18th, 11:30 a.m. in DeRidder. A business luncheon event, with fish fry, sponsored by DeRidder's New Life Church and hosted by local business and civic leaders, Millard and Kerin Morris. Area anglers are invited to attend. For more info e-mail us or call 337-348-1022.
LAKE CONDITIONS: Water conditions on The Bend remain excellent with the lake level reading at 171.22 feet and both generators at the dam running from 3 to 8 p.m. As mentioned last week, we did anticipate generating to resume as summer approaches and power demands increase. Lake water temperatures are running from 72 to 75 degrees and all of Toledo has fishable water conditions.
BOATING TRAFFIC REPORT: Boat traffic and fishing pressure have almost returned to pre-drought days (late 2004) but there is concern that higher fuel costs may slow the growth. In the past three months, my boating/towing fuel costs have increased approximately $100 per week which is a significant added expense. However, on a positive note, I have talked to several anglers who are considering staying closer to home this summer and vacation on local lakes. Water levels should remain good, at least through July.
CONGRATS TO WEST CENTRAL BASS CLUB: Leesville's West Central Bass Club took first place in the Association of Louisiana Bass Club's first Best 6 Bass Tournament. The Leesville club has a long tradition of tough competition and their best six anglers won the ALBC kick-off event with a two-day weight of 68.71 pounds which was a 7 pound margin. Team captain, Tommy Brooks and team were awarded top prize money of $3400.00.
Other local anglers receiving recognition in the Best 6 Tournament were big bass leader Karl Dartez, of Longville and a member of the Calcasieu Bass Club for a 10.15 pound largemouth and second place went to DeRidder's Eddie Goins of Beauregard Bass Busters (my former bass club) for his 8.41 pound bass. Great job, guys!
FISHING REPORTS/BASS: As we get into late spring and approaching summer, fishing is getting a bit more challenging but remains exciting. Top water patterns are doing well with frogs, poppers and walkers catching bass. Another good fishing tool for May is a floating worm fished over shoreline grass. At times, I have good luck with the 'jump out' colors such as lime green, bubblegum and methiolate. These are a blast to fish but after you get a strike, make sure you pause for 2-3 seconds before setting the hook. Otherwise, you will miss a bunch of bass.
Crankbaits continue to catch good bass as do Carolina rigs and Texas rigs. All three of these baits/patterns worked for us last Saturday as we fished Skeeter's Bass Champ tournament out of Toledo's Cypress Bend Resort. 237 teams (over 470 anglers) fished the event. Our largest bass, a seven pounder, hit a Texas rigged 6-inch red bug Stanley Wedge Worm in about 25 feet of water.
We caught bass in Six Mile Creek, Toro Creek, Louisiana Islands as well as an area just above Cypress Bend. My team partner and really fine fisherman is George Jeane Sr, of Evans. Our 5-fish weight was 17.58 pounds (third place) missing first place by 1.68 pounds. Such is tournament fishing.
First place winners of $25, 200 went to Sam Rayburn, Texas anglers Rusty Clark and Shelby Shaw with a winning weight of 19.26 pounds. Awesome job, guys!
CRAPPIE/BREAM: Crappie have continued to bite this week with anglers catching them with jigs around the edge of grass in 12-18 feet as well as over deep brush with live shiners in 18-30 feet. Big bream have done well in 2-6 feet with live crickets, earthworms and Berkley Power Maggots.
AUTHOR INFO: Joe Joslin is a syndicated columnist, tournament angler and pro guide on Toledo and Sam Rayburn. His sponsors include Skeeter Performance Boats, Yamaha Outboards, Red River Marine Alexandria, LA, Berkley, Fenwick, Abu Garcia, Daiichi, Jay's Carpet One and Stanley Jigs Inc. Contact him at (337) 463-3848 or joejoslinoutdoors@yahoo.com.