So Yall Want To Learn Toledo Bend?

[Catt]

Set the stage for fishfordollars & Catt's first meeting on Toledo Bend

It all starts Friday night with just 3 hours sleep and then Saturday morning a 2 ½ hour drive to the lake. I arrive at Indian Mounds boat launch at 5:30 step out of the car and the first thing I notice is the wind is howling at about 30-35 mph; minutes later Jack arrives. After a short introduction I advise Jack we may be better off launching at White Oak Creek since it's out of the wind and Jack agrees. I had already noticed 2 guys sitting in a 19' Champion since I had over shot the Indian Mound launch coming in and had to back track; well this two leave at first light only to return 5 minutes later. Jack asks the one walking to his truck if it was rough and he exclaims there aint no way in hell your fishing the main lake and they are trailering to the Louisiana side. Should have been our clue!

By about 10 after six I told Jack we could make the 2-2 ½ mile run into Hurricane Bayou to which Jack replied lets do this. Jack jumps the ProGator up on plan we make a short run following buoys out of White Oak and into the main lake boat lane. We pass 2 buoys when Jack screams where's the next buoy sitting up on one knee I'm quickly scanning the horizon for additional buoys which are somewhere under the waves. With the boat headed towards the Louisiana side Jack says we can't keep heading this direction we are going to spear a wave. Pointing towards Fox's Lodge I tell Jack head for them lights while I try to find buoys so we can head into Housen' Bayou. Finally relieve as I see another boat in the boat lake and tell Jack head towards him cause he is in the lane. Success at last as we are able to turn west where I finally see the boat lane and head into Housen' and then Hurricane.

As for the fishing portion my top 7 spots were the in direct path of 30-35 mph winds shooting down plans A and B. I had only 5 bites all day catching 1 on a Texas Rig and 1 on a Spinner Bait none weighable. Jack has probably 10 bites on a Texas Rig and Trap catching 6 but only 2 are weighable.

The fellowship portion of the trip was unbelievable as Jack and I realize we ran the same drag racing circuits and fished many of the same tournaments in and around Toledo Bend; so some where along the way our paths unknowingly crossed. Jack your ability to handle a boat in adverse conditions was amazing to watch as for the fishing we will get together on the Bend again under better conditions and kick bass.    

[Low_Budget_Hooker]

Great report back Catt!!

It's still a win if you make a new friend,lol.  Better luck next time boys

[fishfordollars]

Here is my view of the first day fishing with Catt.

He is a great person and it was an honor to get to fish with him Saturday on the Bend. Easy to talk to and even easier to fish with. It is hard to find someone that you can share a boat with without differences of opinions and strategies that differ. We fish a lot alike and he knows Toledo, especially the south end very well. Catt, you taught me an awful lot about that area, an area I seldom fish. I thank you for that and I thank you for the great time I had sharing the boat with you.

The weather absolutely killed us and it was very dangerous on the lake. One member had his rod straps broken by a wave over the bow of his 21 ft boat and washed 10 rods and reels out of the boat. That was over 3,000.00 worth of rod and reels. Anyone without a lot of boating experience would have been in a lot of trouble out there Saturday. I'm just glad everyone made it off the lake safely.

Catt, anytime or anywhere you are welcome to the front or back of my boat. I cannot think of anyone I would prefer to have along. The conditions Saturday would discourage anyone. You and I hung in there, fished hard all day, it just was not to be.

I am ready anytime you are.

Jack

P.S.   TAKE A BIG BOAT!

[Long Mike]

I was green with *** when Fishfordollars told me that he and Catt were going to be fishing together.  In retrospect, I'm glad I wasn't there.  Four to six foot waves in a bass boat, regardless of size, is not my idea of a fun time.  You ARE going to get wet.

[Catt]

If y'all are going to fish Toledo Bend you must be proficient at rough water boat handling & knowing how to get your boat off of stumps because you are going to deal with both.

Stumps are easy to deal with because if you are not in a marked boat lane or you are not very experienced with the areas you are fishing come down off of plane and ideal.

Dealing with rough water comes with seat time; learning from an experienced pilot helps but the sooner you get behind the wheel the better.

Neither Jack nor I thought twice about heading out but once out of the shelter of White Oak decisions had to be made and made in a split second. Once we realized we could not see buoy markers we simultaneously realized we had to change directions. Now how to change directions in a stump filled lake with 30-35 mph winds; that is where knowledge of the lake came into play. While I could not see a buoy I spotted a white PVC pipe that sticks up about 6-7' out of the water marking a underwater hump, knowing the location of the PVC and our location I knew we could angle towards the lights at Fox's Lodge and cross Community Flat without worry of stumps. Once across Community Flat we picked up the Housen' boat lane and made a quick run into semi-protection of Hurricane Bayou.

At no time did I feel threatened because it took me 10 seconds to determine Jack had the boat under his complete control. Did we get wet? Well yea but only from spray that the wind blew back in our face.

[fishfordollars]

Anyone fishing rough water will need to learn how to handle a boat when the weather goes south. If you fish the larger lakes across the country there will come a time when you get caught away from the ramp and have only two choices. Wait it out in a protected area, or go for it and make the run.

There is a third and that is to stay off the lake, but I am not one to spoil a trip.

If you decide to make the run:

Know your boat and it's tendencies.

Length

Beam

Motor response time(Does it hesitate during throttle response). This is very important as you will need the throttle response to time your hits on the waves. If it falters you are in trouble

Know the lake:

Shallow bars

Deep channels

Stump flats

Layout:

      Does it lie on a n.w. to s.e. line(Most do in this area)

      Which wind direction will cause the most problems. Winds from the N.W. really stir up Rayburn and Toledo.(East winds too).

Running the wind:

Waves come in sets with the 4th or 5th being larger

I alway try to run at a set of waves at an angle

Head on you can keep the bow up and time the waves with the throttle, but it is a rough, wet ride.

When you must change directions make the turn larger and allow the boat to ride down into the bottom and ride the tops at an angle

Use the throttle to keep you up on the tops if possible.(The bottom of a 5-6' wave is a very hard hit).

Running with the waves is the time that you will have the biggest chance of spearing a wave. Spearing is when the bow fails to clear the top of the wave in front of you. If the bow hits just 12" from the top of the wave there will be enough water coming at you to knock you out of your seat, break the windshields, and completely fill the boat. (Been there and done that). Do not panic. If with a partner try to level the boat by moving around and get the bilge pumps running(They should be anyway). Find the nearest bank to beach the boat until you can pump the water out or use the engine while you idle over the swels while pumping out the water.

My Skeeter has two pumps. One is automatic and the other is a manuel. both are 1,000 gallon per hour.

Use your throttle to time your rise and fall.

If you fish big water:

Have a boat that will handle it

Know which way the wind is likely to blow and pick your launch ramp that will allow you to fish the most protected areas

When all you can see are waves around you higher than your head, DO NOT PANIC. your boat will not cause the problem. It will be indecisions by the operator that will cause the issues. Stay focused and work out a game plan.

If you are sure that you cannot get back just put in on the bank and wait it out. I personally spent a night in the woods on Rayburn years ago due to the weather.

Feel free to add any other suggestions

Good luck

[Catt]

Since it winter y'all want to pick a new area?  

[iClass]

How about Pendleton Bridge?

[Catt]

Oh yea the mention of Pendelton Bridge means only place to my mind James Gaines Boat Lane from the mouth of Corsey Creek south to the intersection with the North-South boat lane. Let me first warn y'all fishing the main lake under winter conditions can become very serious very fast for two reasons; rough water which can develop extremely fast on this lake and hyperthermia. Many people think one must fall into the water for hyperthermia to occur but this is false, all you have to do is get wet enough from spray coming off waves while running coupled with not wearing proper clothing.

Water conditions on the Bend are as follows:

Level: 168.10 with all gates shut down

Temperatures: range from the lower to mid 50s

Clarity: Main lake; North stained-slightly stained, Mid clear-partly stained and South clear. Major feeder creeks off colored water in the far back ends

[Catt]

Y'all get out the ole Hook-N-Line map & let's see if what we find in the James Gaines Boat Lane area for winter bass.

On main lake flats during winter there are two things to consider before I even leave the house; lure selection & break lines.

Lures selection would be simple because I would have only 3 rods on the deck:

Rat-L-Trap probably in the ½ oz size Gold/Black Back/Orange Belly

Stanley Wedge spinner bait in the ½ oz size with a #5 gold Willow Leaf with a #2 nickel Colorado blade on the inside, and a chartreuse/white skirt & sweeten it with a white Zoom trailer.

Carolina Rig I really don't have a set rule but a centipede, lizard, and Baby Brush Hog in Watermelon Neon are tough baits to beat when the fish are inactive. There are those days during cold fronts, or worse, right after a cold front on a bluebird day when you really have to slow down & use a Carolina-rig

[Wesley]

So hows the fishing been on Toledo this year?

[Catt]

As par for this time of year it will depend on the weather; last week was awesome  

[Wesley]

Wish I was home so I could get out on the lake!

[Catt]

Not this week night temperatures in the upper 20s to lower 30s

I still think a Toledo Trip is in order for the near future with several members

I think I can talk Jack (fishfordollars) into it  

[fishfordollars]

I'm up for it. Just not this Saturday. Have our first club tournament on Rayburn, so I got to show for it.

[Wesley]

How about we set something up on like March 15th?  Gives everyone advanced notice and thats a good time for fishing on toledo.

[Catt]

Wesley if I remember correctly you work shift work?

Jack & I are retired so how about you give us you schedule so we can work with you?

I don't mind setting a date but I sure hate fighting bad weather so how hard is it to arrange a spur of the moment kitchen pass?

[Wesley]

Ok my days home I can fish just about any time here is my home days for the next few months.

Jan 17th-28th

Feb 14th-25th

Mar 14th-25th

Apr 11th-22nd

March 21st I have my companys tournament, and plan on fishing in any T's that I can catch on Tbend or Rayburn on my off time for the next few months.

[fishfordollars]

I have tournaments on Feb 14, Feb 28-Mar.1,Mar. 7-8 &14-15, April 4-5, April 11-12 . Other days I am good to go. If it's midweek that is even better.

Ooops, Jan 17 is booked. I am open the rest of the month unless I decide to fish another one or two.

Wesley, looks like your scheldule will work with mine. Now we need to get Catt figured out.(If that's possible).

[Wesley]

Thats good, during the week is fine with me. If anyone is ever up on Toledo and wants a fishing partner message me and I will be glad to tag along!

[Catt]

My wife knows I'm subject to bail at anytime; week days are 10 times better than weekends since most cold fronts are scheduled to hit on weekends. January is pretty much out so I'll work on a clearing time in February.

[fishfordollars]

My wife knows I'm subject to bail at anytime; week days are 10 times better than weekends since most cold fronts are scheduled to hit on weekends. January is pretty much out so I'll work on a clearing time in February.

I'll be flexible to. Just let me know and we can work around my schedule.

[foul hooked]

I'm looking at my map in the James Gaines area. First thing I see is that I need my glasses, getting old stinks.

Looks like a flat that a creek and the main river swings up close to the flat. It appears to drop pretty quick from 12' on the flat down to 50+ in the main channel.

I've never fished big water like this but here is how I would start in this area.

I would get just out in front of the flat (on the break) and work a crank and c-rig parallel to the flat where the channels swing up near the flat. I would progressively fish a deeper contour until I would hopefully find a depth were the fish are holding along the break. If that did not work I would go up on the flat and poke around with a jig and a trap.

[Long Mike]

I'm in, but I'm up to my arse in work through at least the first half of Feb.  From March 6-9 I'm fishing Caney Lake in Louisiana with my Cajun cronies.

The first part of April is out, due to the BR road trip.  My Cajun cronies and I are kicking around a trip to the Bend the last week of April (yes, I know the spawn will be pretty much over) but nothing has been firmed up yet.

[Catt]

NYTEX look for creek channel, road bed, & river channel

Depending on weather the spawn may or may not be over by April & definitely not on the extreme south end.