So Yall Want To Learn Toledo Bend?

[blanked]

ok here goes

1.  when fising in 15 foot structure during summer patterns what elements can change the pattern from one day to the next?  i assume day to day weather changes, water clarity, temps are not an issue at that depth.  so is forage and current generated the only changes?

2.  using the hot maps versus using electronics and navionics what are the pros and cons to locating off shore structure?

3.  how much emphasis on locating baitfish?  i would think bass would only follow baitfish when actively feeding so early morining and evening when you would normally fish topwater are you doing so or still looking for off shore structure?

[Catt]

While some people believe to know the answer to this question I can assure you no human has the correct answer; forage and current generated are but two.

I prefer to start my study of structure at home with a map and then turn to my electronics when on the water to verify what I seen on the map. There are no pros and cons we must use every thing available to assist in locating structure; I start with a map, then electronics, and then my lures.

The allure for many anglers is that quite still period between predawn light and the sun being fully on the horizon, while it is true baitfish will be located shallow and the top water bite can be very exciting and satisfying to some anglers it aint for me.

Y'all will learn with time that it is extremely difficult to fish the main lake of Toledo Bend because of the wind but y'all also learn that there is a 2 hour window stating at predawn when it wind hasn't yet started blowing. In that 2 hour window I can either be shallow throwing top water with slim odds of catching big bass or I can be on the main lake where the big girls live.

[zx18599]

Great thread! I worked at harborlight for several years around 2000.

[blanked]

if say you locate a hump on your map,  generally speaking how long will it take you to locate that specific hump with your electronics.  take in account this is your first time looking for it.   then using a navionics map if you have one will it cut down on the time spent searching for the same hump first time out?  i realize its hard to put a time on all of them but generally speaking.  i have a tough time locating structure with a 2D sonar having to have the boat directly over the structure.  i am hoping a side image will drastically cut down on the time spent searching

[Catt]

For me to find a specific piece of structure on the water after I've found it on a map usually takes around an hour but keep in mind I have done this for 44 years starting on my uncle's charter fishing boat in the Gulf of Mexico where there was nothing visual to look at but a map and line graph. For someone less experienced a GPS and side imaging will help speed up the process but I believe it hurts the individual.

What happens if your GPS or side imaging system breaks; do you simply quit fishing?

[Manigotapee]

Catt,

This is an absolutely awesome thread!  Thanks for sharing your info on Toledo, and just on fishing in general.

My question is.......

In your experience in "structure" fishing, how often have you found spots that weren't exactly what they show on the map, or maybe were non-existent on the map.  I look at the maps of my home waters all the time ( I have a few almost memorized....) and when I see structure (humps/ledges) I feel like if I see it on the map, everyone else should know that it's there too.  I feel like the real "secret" structure spots would be a place where maybe the change in depth didn't make the map due to it's size.

In addition to that, the maps for my home waters all are in 10' increments (6', 16', 26', 36', etc...) and i feel like this can be misleading when looking for good structure.  say there is a flat adjacent to a river ledge and it is marked 16' before dropping almost verticle into the river.  The next contour line is 6' but what if there is a hump somewhere on that flat where it comes up to 8'-10'?  That would be an ideal location.  So do you have any tips for finding these incognitio humps other than spending countless hours on the water looking for them?

Thanks for the Help!

TW

[Catt]

TW you are absolutely right but you would be totally amazed at how many anglers are to busy running & gunning to see what's under their nose. I have several pieces of prime structure that is either in a marked boat lane or within casting distance of one.

I've noticed that today's anglers will simply use GPS co-ordnances given on a map or given to them by their buddy and they will simply punch in the co-ordnances and away they go. Never once paying attention to what's directly under their boat while they are running & gunning.

Modern maps like Hook-N-Line contain so many errors it aint funny, if I were an inexperienced angler wanting to truly learn Toledo Bend or any other lake I would down load or order maps from The United States Geological Survey (USGS).

Y'all what some secrets?

Here's a couple I've shared many times

Question: what's a fast way to find deep water structure?

Answer: look for jugs marking catfish trotlines, every good catfish angler knows you find catfish on structure near deep water.

Question: how do I know what baits to use

Answer: I've learned to recognize every guide and tournament sticks boat on Toledo Bend, so if I'm at a marina/launch/caf é I simply stroll by eyeing any rods on the deck.

You can bet if they have it tied on they have been catching with it

[Catt]

Yesterday I had a rather interesting conversation with a group of guys concerning fishing the Bend and here is the consensus of what was discussed. But first many thanks to Ben Matsubu for taking the time to add he wisdom to the conversation.

The successful angler on Toledo Bend has a unique understanding that sets him apart from the rest of the field. What this angler understands is GRASS and not shoreline grass but the Submergent kind like Hydrilla, Milfoil, and Coontail Moss.

Knowing the exact location of the off-shore grass lines is the vital key to unlocking successfully fishing Toledo Bend. These grass lines can be located with your electronics as well as with a depth-seeking lures or a good set of polarized glasses.

On Toledo Bend the edge/wall of grass is between 6 to 14 feet; the farther north the shallower the grass line will be and the farther south the deeper the grass line will be.

Currently in Six Mile and Housen area the edge/wall is around 12 to 14 feet while in the 1215/Patroon area the edge/wall of grass is 4 to 8 feet. A major factor here is water clarity with grass growing deeper in clearer water.

The edge/wall of submerged grass on Toledo Bend is where the bass are 12 months out of the year. They will position themselves over, in, or around the grass in various manners, depending on the weather, but they WILL STAY NEAR THE GRASS.

At times bass will hold/suspend off the grass and at other times they will bury in the vegetation. The key is to figure where the bass are holding and choose the proper presentation to get them to bite.

Remember for every bass you catch on the bank there are 5 behind you

[iClass]

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...

[Catt]

DO NOT ignore the bank totally especially during the month of March!!!

iClass structure fishing is not exclusively about deep water; I don't think everyone understands this. Even when I'm fishing the shoreline I'm looking for structure and not just aimlessly wondering down the shoreline. Again remember there must be a visible path of breaks and break lines on structure from deep water all the way to the bank, this is where the bulk of food is available to game fish.

[Bass_Fanatic]

Well, I've got a club tourney at Toledo this weekend and I have yet to fish it this year.  I will be heading up htere Friday and fishing all day and then the tourney Sat.  

Any advice on what to look for or certain things that are holding fish right now?  Also, Catt do you know if there are any spawners yet?

[Catt]

Last Friday while talking with Ben Matsubu he stated he saw several nest but the bass were in the 3# range which leads me to believe they were males; I have not seen any nest in the areas I've been fishing.

I would target 12' deep to bank shallow searching for pre-spawn and spawning bass around smaller grass flats, secondary points, areas of buck brush.

[Shanon]

Great Post - As All agree....

We have a half dozen assult member team from Southeast LA that travel to the Bend each spring - we stay in the Big Bass Marina cove, and primarily fish areas near there (from Indian Mounds to Lowes & Negreet to Yokum. We are Atchafalyaya spillway bred Bank Busters (trying saying that 3 times fast). We'll be fishing the last 2 weeks of March this year, all of us fish from Bay boats....we used to get laughed at on Toledo Bend

We love the Mystery of the Bend - Catch'em one way today and a totally another way the next. Last year we killed them in the grass at Indian Mounds, 15 years ago the red rattle trap on the football field (Arnold Bay) was fast and furious. I'd love to have your patience and fish the ouside grass lines but to finally throw after (3 trys) that 3 treble hooked orange rogue under that branch - behind the back tree next to the opening in the grass mat from hell AND worrying about PLAN B after she makes the commode flush is too much of a rush.

Now for my question: When fishing the south area of the lake in March do you feel it's better to stay away from over-run areas on the weekends(Indian Mounds, etc) and try and find virgin waters or is the presentation more important (like following a spinnerbaiter with a senko or fluke)?

I've often heard that it's not so much where you fish but when - When they start feeding they feed everywhere.

Well - I hope everyone has a productive spring spawn - I feel like I'm personally going to pull us out of the recession if I continue to go BassPro & Cabelas.

Shanon

[Catt]

commode flush that's got to be Cajun cause it's how I describe bass hitting top water

On The Bend from about the 3rd week of February until Easter weekend there is no such thing as virgin waters especially on weekends.

The Bend is experiencing an early spawn this year due to a mild winter; I've found water temperatures in the high 50s and low 60s in the back of creeks since mid February.

And yes Shanon you are correct right now it has a lot to do with timing that is the timing of any cold fronts moving through the area. The bass are in various stages of pre-spawn, spawn, and post spawn so a variety of techniques are working in a variety of locations. Right now and until the end of March I would concentrate my efforts from bank shallow out to 12', from the back of creeks out to main lake points and main lake flats.

[Wesley]

Well the Bass Central Open today posted weights in the 19-20 LBS range looks like the fishing is failry good this weekend.

[fishfordollars]

Yea, and check out the names that were posting those numbers. Lots of great fishermen.

Van Dam didn't fare to well though. Think he was down below the 150 spot if I remember. That's Johathan not Kevin though.

[Wesley]

Yea, and check out the names that were posting those numbers. Lots of great fishermen.

Van Dam didn't fare to well though. Think he was down below the 150 spot if I remember. That's Johathan not Kevin though.

Ben Matsubu posted 15 and didnt get to fish his whole day because of lower unit problems, makes you wonder what he would have done with the whole day to fish.

[LAbail]

Hey ya'll well I got a bit of a report and a quick question for ya'll...

Firts off the report:

This was all over the course of Feb. 26-March 1st We were staying in Patroon right by Holly Park Marina. So on the first day we get there at about 2 p.m. and its not to windy and pretty warm. we head out to shallow water in a Creek with deep water close by. We fish for about 4 hours and land 4 fish not to great but its a start and one of the fish went 5.12 lbs so it wasnt bad at all I guess ;D The next day we focus on the james gaine boat lane area and catch a few nothing of any size.. It stayed cloudy all day and you could tell weather was coming in. then we went to shallow coves with close deep water. caught some on weed lines and saw some on the beds again none of any notable sizes but we did loose about a 4 pounder I'd say and lost some others we never saw... Then after that day the weather came and WOW!!! winds were tenacious and there was no hope of fishing but for a few hours the next day.. We caught like 3 fish in 1 and 1/2 hours and that was it we went back in.. The rest of the trip was just wind city so no more fishing for me.

Lures that worked were Spinnerbaits dbl. willow leaves white skirt and Senkos(Watt.) and also swim senkos(Smoke Prp. flake) Rattle trap caught a couple.. the big one came on a Spinner bait. they all were relating to that grass so we focused on finding that grass line.

Now for my question: Im staying next to Holly Park again next week and was wondering if maybe I should make the run to 1215 or If I should stick with The three big coves in Patroon and the northern shore and James gaines any input would be greatly appreciated.Also if I end up going to 1215 what am I looking for there? the area looks absolutely huge.Thanks. Tight lines ya'll

[Catt]

Corsey Creek, Carrice Creek, & San Miguel  

Dang after looking at the open results I feel a lot better about my 3.25# average  

[fishfordollars]

Labail please disreguard Carrice Creek. I have a tournament next weekend and there are no fish there.

Look for the red and silver Skeeter, stop and say hi.

Jack

[Wesley]

Fishfordollars what tournament do you have this weekend?

[LAbail]

Understood fishfordollars . I'm liking San miguel and 1215 also Wilson and corsey and I think right at the top of James gaines should produce this time around as I saw many lilly pad stems there so I know there is hard bottom. I'll be happy as long as the wind doesnt go hay wire again!

[fishfordollars]

If I get a hard SE wind I'll have to go elsewhere. It will ding up the water so bad I won't be able to see anything on a bed. Not to mention the 4-5' rollers that will come running through there.  

[fishfordollars]

Fishfordollars what tournament do you have this weekend?

Our club tournament. Right now we have 27 boats signed up, but it should be a little more.

[fishfordollars]

Corsey Creek, Carrice Creek, & San Miguel

Dang after looking at the open results I feel a lot better about my 3.25# average

Looks like you would have kicked some arse Catt.