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Welcome to Toledo Bend Guide Service & Lake Cottage
03/26/2003
Toledo Bend - TX,Huxley
Looking into April
We've had an unusually cold and wet season going into the spawn. The lake has been at or above high pool and the SRA has been releasing water trying to drop the lake level. Muddy conditions, cold water temps and falling water kept the fish from moving into the shallow flats. Normally going into April we start looking for the majority of the fish to have already spawned out but it looks like a lot of fish are just starting to get into their full spawning pattern.
One thing you can bet on when fishing in April, is that things are going to change drastically because of the numerous weather patterns we normally receive this time of year. Accordingly, we will have to adjust our fishing pattern in order to keep up with the fish.
Going into April a lot of fish will still be trying to spawn. When the lake level is rising or holding steady concentrate in the shallow flats in the back of creeks and coves. Bass typically move up with rising water and fall back and suspend with falling water. Spinner baits, soft plastics, buzz baits and top water stick baits will all be productive. Flooded buck brush will also hold fish. Jigs, lizards, brush hogs and tube baits will be productive flipped and pitched into the brush. Also, the main lake humps and ridges will be productive probably more so if the lake is dropping, Carolina Rigged lizards or jigs will work best.
If you are unable to locate the fish in the shallow flats back out to deeper water and concentrate on the ledges of the creeks around the bends and points. Also back out to the deeper sloughs and work the tree line. The fish will usually be holding close to cover. Work these deeper areas especially when the lake is falling.
In the latter part of April a lot of fish will have already spawned and will be in a post spawn pattern. Moving off the beds they will try to find a comfortable environment where they can recuperate from the spawn and gradually move into their summer haunts. The bass will migrate along the creeks and ditches so concentrate in these areas leading to deep water or close to the grass beds.
Please remember to practice catch and release especially this time of year so our fish will have a chance to spawn out.
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