iClass

Been away for awhile...Life has been happening. Shame I don't see Catt posting any longer. The lake is coming up nicely although when out there last week I still found a stump in the boat row North of the bridge (actually North of Patroon) would be on the East side of the boat row just before the sharp curve to the West. So how about launches farther up North anyone have any information about blue lake or the 1215 area?

Gonna have a lot of company FFD, The Texas Oilman's Tournament is next week. Over 600 boats entered in that one (mine too ) Been in Oklahoma, drilling and haven't had much of a chance since Jan to get out. Next weekend's weather looks nice if it holds.

Just a quick update. I went out on Friday and spent the majority of the day "mapping" 6 mile. I found some of the humps that have been mentioned as well as some sweet spots in Miles Creek. I did fish some, the water was clear, 45 degs, ENE wind 5- 10. Caught two small ones, first on a trap, second on a 3/8oz dbl willow chart/white spinnerbait. Nothing to really brag about on size or quantity but a good day physically seeing what has been discussed and what I have been looking at on my maps. Cannot wait for a little more stable weather. I am planning on trying to get back again this next week and doing some exploration in Housen / Paulo Goucho.

#1 an anchor & 30' of ½ rope Dang! I have read this over and over in your posts and it never really hit home. I have used a drift sock, kept the TM running, and in gen had a pain of a time fishing a TRig on the main lake points. I'm Glad that you could bean me with this one, I have NEVER used and anchor in my boat, bet I'll be heading to Academy when I get home. This also allows you to position your boat and be able to fish the "current", etc. (slapping my forhead) A simple adjustment like this may help more than anything else I have done in the past 5 years. Sometimes I feel like an idiot, but in my defense you don't really see many anglers in a bass rig with an anchor.

Due to this thread, I have altered my fishing style. I will still check the banks, but only where deeper water is close by. My favorite baits now are a 7" El Grande Mexi stick rigged Wacky, A Jig, Tex rigged 5" - 10" plastics, Spinnerbait, lipless crankbait. I have recently started Scuba diving again and have been diving Toledo Bend, it is amazing how clear the water is when you drop in over 10' down. I am now seeing how bass relate to the grass, treelines, etc. Very Kewl. I am going to start photographing some of these fish (I can swim very close to them) I do have a question regarding fishing I would like to know how YOU (Catt) fish your Texas rig on deeper structure. I know how to fish a T rig, been doing it for a lot of years, but not deeper structure. Any Ideas? Line type, size, weight (tungston vs lead) rod, etc.

Catt (and ffd) Just wanted to drop you a thank you. I haven't posted in a while, but am still actively observing this thread. I'll be up there at least 2-3 times a month for some Structure locating (and confirming with Scuba diving!) during the next 3 mos. This is still the Best thread I have ever seen or been involved with. Awesome Job!

Fishfordollars, The Texas Oilman's will be there also. Could be up to 600 boats. Not trying to discourage you as there will be approx 200 boats with actual fishermen in them. Just an FYI. Also they will be only fishing Friday and Saturday. Tightlines

I have always heard if you find the grass, you will find the bass. I am having to get into that mindset as most of the areas I fish you are dealing with wood or stickups. I have been studying maps, and my navionics. I keep telling myself that I will not (no matter how good it looks) fish the bank this year. Kind of hard to pass up some stuff, but I figure I can make longer casts to it... So in the month of March, I am thinking white spinnerbait w/gold willow blades, fluke, rogue, jig/pig, and senko. Anything I am missing? The repentant bank beater...

"Some have bum raps as anyone can say anything about anybody, be it true or false, and the guys take a plea agreement not understanding of the consequences." Sorry. No Sympathy. Castration, > then let them back into society. Thanks for posting this link. Just forwarded it to my wife. Anything we can do to protect our families and loved ones. Knowelege is power.

BoatUS has good coverage - full replacement and 5,000 for fishing gear/tackle. Progressive is inexpensive and offers a good policy and is hassle free in handling claims. STAY AWAY FROM GEICO! Actually Geico doesn't have Insurance for boats, they subcontract it and it is very expensive. Hope this helps.

"Getting into a Skeeter is not a problem, getting OUT is the hard part" ooops!

Skeeter is the company that started it all with the very first Bass boat...It continues today! Some of the most stable, reliable vessels manufactured. Yamaha is also an industry leader as far as your motor goes...I agree that this is a steal. You won't be disappointed! "Getting into a Skeeter is not a problem, getting is the hard part" Good luck and Post Pics!

I am biased...I had a 2001 ZX and I have to tell you THIS boat will give you all kinds of bang for the buck. Since both of these boats are at a dealers, get compression checks and then take them out on the lake! You will really like the ride the Skeeter gives. As stated earlier, the economy is really a buyers market so you could probably negotiate the ZX down some. Something else to consider...you could ask the dealer to contact the owner and see if he is interested in a partial trade. The age issue on the motor could have been an upgrade in HP as some R93's came with a 150. May want to test the rod locker on the R93 as the dual console willl have a tendancy to make it shorter and will be cramped when you try to put in your longer rods. Which ever way you go, Good luck and tight lines!!!

Well we can get together and go fishing one day if you make it to Cenla or I get over to SE Texas. (used to make it over there more, but work in different area now) It isn't the age or size of the bug, but how it catches fish! ;D

Hey, Wait just a minute...Bald Heads and Beer Belly's are kind of a touchy subject too!

Yeah! Finally somebody that knows how to spell GEAUX! Thanks.

Catt, Awesome thread. I will be on the Bend on 2/19/09 and won't be able to get back until the second week in March. I wil spend that entire week there. Any Ideas about where to fish for this time of year? Any and all help will be greatly appreciated.

Pitching Jig on braid. Fishing the Bank out to 20' off the bank. Some bouncing it off bottom. In both the button woods and the pads (if the pads are starting to emerge) Creek with a White/Chart Spinner bait with 2 small hammered colorado blades. 1/4 oz on clear days in clear water. 3/8 oz in stained. Hope this helps some.

Gee I wonder if this would work in Salt Water up here for Tiger Sharks , let's say Throwing a Cajun overboard off the Long Island Blight Wouldn't work...Sharks know a cajun would just make a nice set of boots and a Fine Gumbo!!

What hasn't yet been mentioned is why a fish will strike a lure. There are times when a bass is actively feeding because of hunger, then there are the reaction strikes (kinda like waking my wife and getting punched because I scared her ;D) and of course protective strikes, such as when a male is on the nest guarding fry. Matching the hatch is a good idea when fish are actively feeding, approx 20% of the day. Staying with a color that matches the hatch can help when looking for a reaction strike as well, but not as important. Protection strikes can occur on anything a bass feels as threatening, that is why bubble gum or mertholate works during the spawn. Never be afraid of trying something different. The way we see a lure is not how a fish sees it, and I guarentee that is a good thing... TightLines

Need a club or information on one in the Central Louisiana area. Any help would be greatly appreciated. 8-)

For a good map, try google earth and look up Kincaid Reservoir, Rapides. That will give you a pretty good idea of where I am talking about. There are three creeks on the east side, North, Central, and South. The southern Creek is for some 4 wheel bassin', the Central has the railroad trussell and after you go through that you can find all kinds of timber. There is also Some standing timber around the North Central penninsula that I have caught a few on a drop shot...but that has been pretty non productive for me lately. Good luck and tight lines

Hey yourself! Yep I have fished Saline/Larto and the first thing I can tell you is to go slow after you have launched. If you don't know this body of water it can be very dangerous to your lower unit. Secondly, take someone that knows it or have a GPS with a bread crumb trail activated. It is very easy to get turned around. Okay now for the fun stuff! Some of the best Spec fishing in the country out there. Bass fishing is great. I went Friday, weather was 73 and water was in the fifties. I was at a spot called Shad Lake and wore them out with a crittercraw colored jig/pig. Caught 14 keepers, biggest over 5.5lbs. Be careful and have fun! Tight lines!

There are some back creeks that have LOTS of stumps and basically no way to get to them unless you do some four wheel bass boating and stump jumping. There is a good point and flats close to the levy and Tunks Cypress inn. Also may want to check out the railroad trussell...there is some good area with a lot of laydowns on the back side of it... Fishing has been pretty tough. Try a rogue, jig, senko...think outside the box a little and you should do fine.

How about Pendleton Bridge?