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Fishing Reports
Joe Joslin is a syndicated outdoor writer and writes for several Louisiana newspapers and
numerous magazines including Texas Game and Fish, Louisiana Game and Fish, CenLa
Sportsman, Louisiana Sportsman and LakeCaster. Joe Joslin has fished Toledo Bend Reservoir
for over 30 years and has been a full-time licensed guide since 1998. He specializes in Largemouth
bass. He guides mainly the southern 1/3 of Toledo which many feel harbors more than its share of
Toledo Bend's lunker bass. Joe has been a full time pro guide on Toledo Bend/Sam Rayburn since 1998.
Joe Joslin Outdoors Fishing Guide Service Wholesome atmosphere * Safety minded * Latest equipment,
featuring 21 FX Class 2011 Skeeter with 250 HP 4.3 liter Yamaha SHO 4-Stroke Game Changer,
Hummingbird Electronics and 36 volt 101 Fortrex Digital Minn Kota trolling motor.
Tow vehicle: 2010 Toyota Tundra TSS Sports Seris SR5 Crewmax with 5.7 liter
381 horse power with 6-speed auto transmission with tow package.
* Tackle supplied upon request * References available upon request *
Available Year-Round. E-Mail Joe at joejoslinoutdoors@yahoo.com
Toledo Bend Reservoir Fishing Report
for
January 20, 2012
Water Sales:
Hello, Anglers. Wow, what a week! Most reading this column for the past two months have been following the subject of the pending long term water sales contract between Louisiana SRA and a broker group called Toledo Bend Partners. Several Toledo lake area citizens groups, numerous Toledo fishermen, Toledo residents and business owners have for weeks been expressing serious opposition to the proposal. This group is breathing a little easier following Thursday night's SRA public meeting. A packed room of 300-400 people crowed into the main meeting room at Toledo's Cypress Bend Resort. There was a lot of tension in the air before the meeting started as everyone was wondering what would be the response of the Louisiana SRA and the 13 Commissioners to the public's expressed opposition. The wait was short as the meeting was called to order, there was a roll call and a prayer for rain and the meeting agenda was changed to deal with the water sales contract subject first. SRA Louisiana Executive Director, Jim Pratt, took the microphone and made a brief comment and then read a prepared statement which basically said that all 13 commissioners had voted to suspend contracts talks with TBP until Louisiana adopts a comprehensive surface water plan.
Pratt went on to add that 386 comments had been sent to the SRA in the established comment period which basically ran from just before Christmas until January 6. Of those, only 7 expressed support for the contract while the rest, over 98% were apposed. About a dozen audience members gave brief comments while several others who had signed up to speak, withdrew following SRA's actions. The entire meeting only lasted about an hour. The top issues of public objection to the contract have been discussed in this column several times. There is much work to be done on this vital issue and I am encouraged that several local legislatures appear to view this issue with significant importance. While there were a few heated moments at the meetings I attended, most citizens expressed their opinions and concerns in a civil and American free-speech format. Optimistically, the drought of the past 18 months could have a long term, positive impact on beautiful Toledo Bend. The drought made all of us realize the importance of plenty of water in the lake and the fact that we must get this contract right. I saw very little in the tabled contract that put the lake first. We now have another chance. My kids and grand-kids caught their first fish on Toledo and like so many of you, I love Toledo Bend and thank God for the many sunrises I have experienced there. I personally express appreciation to Gov Jindal's office, SRA Director, Jim Pratt, and the 13 commissioners for reconsidering this important matter. Our state agencies now have the huge task of developing a comprehensive surface water plan for water use in the rivers and lakes in our beloved Louisiana. We wish them well.
LAKE CONDITIONS: The lake level at mid week was 162 3 with one gate open at the spillway releasing 203 cu.ft per sec. Water temps are in mid to upper 50s in protected coves and 52-53 degrees on the main lake. There's more stained water in the lake now than in a year with the back of feeder creeks actually muddy. For several days these creeks have been full and flowing but have receded somewhat. The extra rise on the lake has been helpful making ramp access easier and aiding navigation.
FISHING REPORTS/BASS: As always happens this time of year, bass start to stage anticipating the annual spawn. I have been seeing some evidence of this beginning to occur on my last few trips as my super deep patterns have not been as effective while my mid-depth and shallow patterns are improving. That will mean that I will begin to spend less time in depths over 30 feet and more in depths less than 15. Giving more evidence of this change in patterns was the fact that our largest bass this week, a 7-pounder, hit a Bill Lewis Rat-L-Trap in 8 ft of water on a grassy ridge. We also caught several bass on recent trips using a Carolina rig as well as a Stanley Bugeye Football jig (1/2 and 3/4 oz) while fishing depths from 15 to 30 feet with 18-24 being most effective but we did catch Carolina rigged bass as deep as 32 feet. In addition, we continue to fish the jigging spoon and drop shot rigs using a jigging spoon made by Klassic Lures and on my drop shot I like the 5 inch Berkley Wacky Crawler worm. This worm is a thin, low-profile worm. We are also using a shaky head jig with 1/16 and 1/8 oz jigheads with the Berkley Wacky Crawler as well as Berkley's Havoc series Bottom Hopper.
CRAPPIE AND YELLOW BASS: The Toledo crappie scene is still congested with most of the activity directed towards the Chicken Coop. We have stayed so busy on the south end catching bass that we have not had time to follow the crowds. However, all reports say the fishing there remains good even some reports say things have slowed a bit. Most action is coming on the edge of the river in 26 to 35 feet with 30 being a great place to start. Live shiners and jigs are both catching a lot of fish. The thing that will move the crappie out of the deep part of the river is warm weather. As long as it stays cold, the fish will stay. If the lake warms to upper 50s, they will scatter and move to creeks to spawn. The yellow and white bass are moving to sandy humps/ridges on edge of the river and main creeks for spawning. We continue to catch some really big ones on our jigging spoons while fishing for bass and they are loaded with roe (eggs).
AUTHOR INFO: Joe Joslin is a syndicated outdoor columnist, tournament angler and pro guide on Toledo Bend and Sam Rayburn. Contact him at 337-463-3848 or
joejoslinoutdoors@yahoo.com and WEBSITE www.joejoslinoutdoors.com.
JOE JOSLIN OUTDOORS
Licensed Guide on Toledo & Sam Rayburn
Tournament Angler & Outdoor Media
Member: Louisiana Outdoor Writers Assoc.
& Southeastern Outdoor Press Assoc.
Joe Joslin Outdoors Fishing Guide Service
160 Country Lane
DeRidder,
LA 70634
(337)463-3848