Dam Yankee

Stanley ribbit over and in grass and lily pads. Also a rage tail shad. Also a spook over submerged grass and out on the deeper edges. A C-rig with a fluke. A trap. And a swim senko with a 1/4 bullet weight. Jerk it up...let it fall..reel slowly for a few cranks and repeat.

I went back in Mill creek today lookin to get out of the wind and went in the back. Saw one that had to be 10' and on the way out saw another one that wasn't there before it was about 8'. No fish back there! That topwater bite seems to be the only thing workin for me the past few days though nothing like what those guys weighed in, I have been throwin a Stanley ribbit waterrmelon/red w/pearl belly and a rage tail shad gray and white. Also caught a few on a c-rig wtrmln/red fluke and a couple on a trap strike king gold/blue. I just enjoyed being out there for a few days and am trying to get a look at areas so that when the lake is up I have a better idea of what is there. Even if I ain't catchin fish I guess I might as well learn something while I am out there.

Very good info RW. Looks as though I hit the information jackpot on this topic.

That is great information. Had to read it a couple times. Now that I understand the concept of power and action, it takes the mystery out if it for me. Most of my decision making has been associated with how well I can cast it. (probably a typical rookie misake) I just figured out I have been throwing a stanley ribbit frog with an expandable berkley rod that is meant for a jig and pitching. I can throw that thing a good ways with 50# spider wire and I seem to get a good hookset ratio provided I let em take it for a second. I guess that is where the personal preference comes in. I have 5 allstars labeled for a specific use cause the price is absorbable and they are not too heavy. 1 labeled Carolina rig 7' 2 labeled worm 6 1/2' 1 labeled topwater special 6 1/2 1 labeled crankin stick 6 1/2 1 ugly stik lite MH/F 6 1/2 and the berkley I described. I am going to do some experimenting with this new information on the Bend this 4 day weekend.

Thank you for the responses and I appreciate the help. I will take all the advice I can get and check out the link you referred to.

I have only been fishin for Bass for 3 years now. I don't know what I am looking for when I buy a rod or which rod works best with what bait. I have been buying allstar rods that say what they are for. I can't seem to find anything that explains what rod you should be using for what and why. Any explanations or pointing me in the right direction would be appreciated Thanks, Tom

I heard this week that they are done with repairs and are only generating once in a while to maintain the river below the dam. I asked the Army rec site people and they called to find out and that was Monday.

I have been reading here for a while before I joined. Catt doesn't know it yet but, he has already helped me to improve my results on the Bend!

I really appreciate the offer. I do have a boat but would still take you up at the opportunity to fish with you off the back of yours. That would be a good way to get acquanted and pick up on some techniques! Split the gas bill with ya and we are set as far as I am concerned. I read some of your posts and I may have met you before if you fished any of the fort polk tournaments last year. I saw you won the fall open. I wanted to fish it but had a wedding to attend in Houston that day.

Would y'all mind a new guy comin along? I am open to just about any date.

I don't work at roleplay. I was fortunate to get a job for the federal government as a maintenance inspector. Next time you come through look me up. I work in BLDG 8315 on North Fort right next to the loading ramp yard. Ask for the dam yankee or Tom if you need something I will help you out. I did do a lot of O/C (observer/controller work in the box when I was still in the Army. JRTC is no joke.

I am not at the level to be in a pro am or anything like that. Just want to fish in some locals and meet a goal of coming in with 5 fish first. I am on baby steps right now.

Thanks for the welcome everyone. I usually just do a lot of reading instead of asking questions. Catt doesn't know it but, he has got me into reading the maps and lookin at things I never thought of before. I spent most of my time in the Combat Engineers. Essayons!! When I was senior in rank I spent a lot of time as an instructor and an O/C. I live about 5 minutes from Fort Polk and work there as a civilian. The Bend is about 45 minutes away.

I can't begin to say how much this thread has helped me in fishing the Bend. And yes, I have read all 81 pages. Using the approach that catt has been explaining relating to structure and creek channels helped me to catch my personal best of 7lb.8oz. yesterday in toro. Thanks to Catt and all the others out there for the lesson. I am hoping to keep learning and maybe get into some tournaments in the future.

New member here to the site. I fished a lot growing up till I was 17 in western NY and joined the military. 25 years later after getting out of the Army I have gotten hooked again! Been fishing for about 3 years now on Toledo Bend and boy do I have a lot to learn!! Great site.