Thread: Toledo Bend Reports/Information Request

Think this info is going to be different by then for sure. Most of the lake they have not moved shallow yet in numbers. I will try to come back later this week with more and better stuff.
You can see what I have posted on the Toledo Bend reports here the last few days and see what I see now. Yesterday the day after a front was bad fishing, but remember is snowed here last weekend and dropped the temps from close to the mid 60's back down to mid 50's so what little had started backed right back out. Most now are in 12' or more water depth just waiting to come in. Yesterday afternoon I did manage to find some water temps back to as high as 64, but it should get good very soon.

I only fish jigs this time of year and don't fine the need for minnows until summer. If they come in they can and will be caught on jigs.

Again if you just pull my post up on this board for the last couple weeks you will see everything I had to say and even a picture of a few I caught shallow.

Skip

Originally Posted by SlabTracker

My wife and I are planning a trip to Toledo Bend next weekend and would like some reports and pointers from anyone out there who cares to share. :D

Primarily, which part of the lake are the sac-a-lait biting best? What type of bait is best to use, shinners or jigs, and what colors are best to use? What depths are they being caught?

Also, we are planning to spend a couple of nights in the area. Any pointers on lodging/hotels/cabins will be greatly appreciated also. :D

Slabtracker....I have been there 3 times....don't know if I would recommend where I stayed. My best advise is get one of the large fold out maps from Academy or other sports shops. They will list lodging/hotels/cabins, state parks, etc. They also show the marked boat lanes and buoy identifications. Unless you really know the lake, you really need to stay in the boat lanes as there are may trees. Also, if the wind gets up, it can really get tough. Last year I found myself down the lake from the bay I was staying at and fought 4 to 5 foot waves. Could only go 7 to 8 MPH. Seems like I remember that you have an 18' Nitro F & S. I have a 19 Triton F & S and it was tough. So, I would recommend staying close to some bay where you could fish there if winds come up. Note also, that if you launch on the Texas side you must have a Texas license. There is a decent (seafood)catfish house and Mexican cafe close to the pendleton bridge. I was mainly bass fishing my trips so cannot advise on the crappie. I would advise you get a GPS for south Louisiana fishing if you do not have one. I have one built in and a carry on backup. I had to cancel my week on TB the week of April 11 due to some health issues. Hope you find a place and have a great time. I think it is great that your wife is going with you as mine does with me. BTW, I sent you a private message regarding where to launch at lake Verrett. I know the area very well and would be happy to share what I know.
Retired Sr. CSA Designer.

Yes as he said there is a lot of water hear that looks like nothing there, but they is hardly any water to speak of that was not a National Forrest when this lake was made so trees are there even if you can't see them as most have broke off under where the water is now.

And also watch the weather as 15 MPH wind may not sound like a lot, but out in the main lake that can get pretty rough and 20, forget it out there. Have been in water before here no one would want to take on in any bass boat. When you get a North or South wind this lake is about 65-70 miles long and deep so gets very rough.

Skip

skip...i'll be there mon-thurs...staying at the ft.polk rec site in pirates cove...any recommendations on that area? with this lil front blowing tonight think it will shut down the bite again? how the catfishing in that area? or where is the best place to catfish?

It was this time last year that we made out trip to the bend and did real well.
We used only road-runners while fishing. Chartruese and black, white were what we caught our fish on. We fished the back of coves by following the bank, keeping the boat in 10-11 feet of water and casting toward the bank, letting the bait sink about 3 feet and then reeling it in. In summary we fished across the top of grass beds in about 4-5 feet of water.
I will be there from April 8 thru 12th. I hope the conditions come together.
I pray you catch a boat-load!

Thanks all of you for the information. I'll keep checking the post this week to gather more information and pointers.

call Mark Robinson at Robinson's Lodge,and you can fish either side of the lake with a LA or TX lic.

SlabTracker, one of the nicest places to stay would probably be Cypress Bend.Other than that,the state parks(cabins),but you would need to reserve those in advance.Alot of places are "dated",not alot of newer facilities.