Hello, Anglers. The hint of summer got pushed back a bit but is to re-appear later this week, according to weather forecasts. Last weekend Skeeter Performance Boat's Bass Champ Tournament Trail traveled to Toledo's Beautiful Cypress Bend Resort as over 300 anglers (161 teams) fought high winds and a late spring cold front. It was tough fishing as 58 teams did not bring in a fish to the scales while just 59 teams weighed in a 5 fish limit.
According to Bass Champ reports, "When the 3 p.m. weigh in began, several teams brought small limits to the scales at Cypress Bend Park. It was apparent that the big bite was widely elusive to this field of participants. Only three sacks over 20 pounds were weighed in, the heaviest by winners James Elliott and Ron Hendricks at 26.36 pounds." Elliott and Hendricks picked up the top prize of $20,000.
OTHER TOLEDO NEWS: TX Parks and Wildlife Department recently received $379,500 from US Dept. of Interior and another $126k from Texas State Funds for a total of slightly over a half million dollars. This money is targeted to use on fighting giant salvinia, a dreaded tropical aquatic plant, which is becoming more wide spread on my favorite fishing hole. Much of this treatment, which is in the form of surface spraying, is done in the summer months when water conditions are more stable making efforts more successful.
LAKE CONDITIONS: Toledo's lake level is 171.82 feet with both generators in operation from 3 to 8 p.m. daily. North Toledo is stained, mid-lake is slightly stained and south Toledo is clear. Lake surface temperatures are running from 69 to 73 degrees.
FISHING REPORTS/BASS: Post spawn patterns prevail as most of Toledo's bass are finished spawning. The few remaining bass that have not spawned are mostly on south Toledo and will finish during the full moon cycle in May which is in 8-10 days. Anglers are using numerous patterns currently which goes with the territory as bass are located from 1 to 30 feet.
In addition, a part of the bass population tend to suspend in the post spawn season making them even more difficult to pattern. Points, both primary and secondary, are holding bass as are humps and ridges. Creeks and ditches are also productive but not the entire creek or ditch.
The section near the main lake or main bay tend to be the best at this time of the year. The early top water bite is improving with main lake, grassy points worth noting. A slight ripple even makes these better with Berkley's Frenzy Poppers and Frenzy Walkers great choices for top water. A reader e-mailed me and said that they were having super results with the Frenzy Walker but was having problems finding them.
If you can't find them at the large sporting goods outlets, check with the locally owned, premium tackle dealers in your area. If they do not have them, they will order you some as they all have Berkley products. Floating worms (weightless) worked over shallow grass are also catching bass with Gulp! Sinking Minnows and Senkos two super selections.
This pattern is at it's best during low-light conditions. Stanley's Ribbit frog is also getting a lot of bass excited. I suggest using braided line (Spider Wire 10/50) when working the Ribbit over heavy grass cover as it floats and has no stretch which helps with setting the hook.
In addition, after you hook a big bass in a bunch of grass, the Spider Wire will help move the fish to the boat and also prevent a break-off which can occur on monofilament lines. Stanley spinnerbaits and Lewis Rat-L-Traps, two staples in most area tackle boxes, continue to catch bass on Toledo as well as other lakes. Most anglers are using these in depths of 2 to 12 feet over grassy points and main lake banks with secondary points.
Crank baits and Carolina rigs continue to be excellent bass tools to work points which lead out to deep water. Schooling activity is also on the increase. My favorite schooling tools are 1/4 ounce spoons from Klassic Lures which is a Louisiana company in Lecompte. I rig spoon on 12 pound Berkley 100%fluorocarbonon line with a Revo Premier reel and 7' Fenwick Techna MF rod. This is a very light, comfortable rig and I can throw the spoon a country mile with it which is vital to catching schooling bass.
CRAPPIE: The crappie fleet is out in force and fish are biting. Most perch jerkers are strolling (slow-trolling with electric motor) small crappie jigs and Blakemore Road Runners along the outside edge of grass lines in 10 to 16 feet. For best results, use light line such as 6 and 8 pound test and a light action rod. Top producing areas on south Toledo include main points in Six Mile, Toro (Pirates Cove area), Louisiana Islands, Texas Islands, Mill Creek as well as Housen bay.
STRIPERS: The key now is to fish with the schedule of generators. Currently they are running from 3 to 8 p.m. daily. From sundown till dark is a very productive time. Big top water plugs, striper jigs and 3/4 ounce spoons are alconsistentnt striper lures. I like 15 pound Big Game line and a bait cast reel with a long, medium action rod.
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, Lake Charles Toyota, Red River Marine/Alexandria, LA, Berkley, Fenwick, Abu Garcia, Daiichi, Jay's Carpet One DeRidder, The Floor Trader Lake Charles and Stanley Jigs Inc. Contact him at 337-463-3848 or joejoslinoutdoors@yahoo.com. and WEBSITE www.joejoslinoutdoors.com.