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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 2009 21i Class Skeeter with 250 HP Yamaha Series 2 outboard,
Lowrance Electronics and 101 Maxxum Pro Digital Minn Kota trolling motor
* Tackle supplied upon request * References
available upon request * Available Year-Round. E-Mail Joe at joejoslinoutdoors@yahoo.com
Toledo Bend Reservoir Fishing Report
for
April 11, 2010
Hello, Anglers. Easter weekend and spring holidays allowed numerous anglers more 'on the water' time and there was even a day or so that winds were below 20 mph, but not many. The first part of this week we continue to have very strong winds as we are under a lake wind advisory as I am writing this column and weather forecast say it will continue at least another 72 hours. Currently the winds are southerly but will change to the north later this week. Winds make fishing physically more difficult but such conditions can actually improve fishing in some cases.
While many opt to fish the calm side of the lake, the wind-blown side could be the best area as rolling ripples/waves increase the amount of oxygen in the water which has a tendency to increase how active a fish may be. Also, wind-blown points and shorelines normally have more baitfish (shad) as the wind pushes them into the shore. So you might want to turn your hat around, charge up those trolling motor batteries to the max and take on the windy side. In our fishing reports section of this column we will talk about lure selections and patterns for fishing windy areas.
LAKE CONDITIONS: The lake is 170.12' at midweek with the generating scheduled changed to 6 hours per day running from 2 to 8 p.m. instead of the 24 hr schedule it has been on for the past several weeks. Water temps are between 59 to 65 degrees depending on where you are as coves are much warmer than main lake points. North Toledo is stained from all the wind, mid lake is slightly stained and south Toledo is mostly clear with the exception of the back portions of feeder creeks which are stained.
FISHING REPORTS/BASS: Winds have been a huge factor this week as we have had 20 plus south winds all week but will change to the north Thursday with similar or even increased velocity. Fun deal?! You have two choices which are to fish the windy side or hunt a cove or protected point. We have been aggressive during most of the days as we are fishing the windy sides with Stanley 3/8 ounce VibraShaft or WedgePlus in double willow blades with either white/chartreuse or golden bream skirts. We also will pitch a light-weighted Texas rig just off the wind-blown shoreline grass. It does take being alert in order to feel a bite in 2' waves but the fish are pretty aggressive so it is workable. The challenge for me in the rough water is to hold on to the butt seat, run the trolling motor, try to get in a few casts and keep the boat in proper position without taking a dip in the pond. Several hours of that and you sleep good at night. Another pattern that is also working is to work points(either primary and secondary) in semi-protected areas from the wind. We are finding bass very willing to hit a Texas rig both rigged with a light weight or weightless using a number of soft plastics including Itza Bug(Stanley), 4 inch Power Craw, Trick Worm and brush hogs all in watermelon or green pumpkin family of colors. Light weighted Carolina rigged lizards are also productive in 2 to 10'. My favorites are Berkley's Power Lizard and Zoom's magnum. We are mostly catching bass from 2 to 10'. The water level has really been falling this week with the strong south winds and heavy generating schedule so most of the bass have moved toward the main shoreline grass which has made them more consentrated. There is no doubt that this has interfered with spawning of numerous bass who had beds in shallow grass areas. Some have spawned already but others are in the process.
BREAM AND CRAPPIE: There's lots of bream and crappie in shallow water presently and are being caught around piers and docks all over the lake. Bream are hitting earth worms and crickets and crappie are hitting small jigs, Blakemore Road Runners and live shiners. In a week or two the crappie will be out on the points and edge of grass in 8 to 15'.
AUTHOR INFO: Joe Joslin is a syndicated outdoor columnist, tournament angler and pro guide on Toledo 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