Toledo Bend’s bass fishing has been fair to good going into early fall. The switch is about to get flipped to ramp up the success rate even higher when November rolls around and there’s a chill in the air.
With water temperatures consistently in the 60s-70s, it’ll be the perfect setup for fish to be active almost 24/7. Heck, those are springtime temps with the only difference being the bass are thinking about eating rather than making babies. The bite should pretty much last all day long or at least off and on during the day this month because as the water cools baitfish and other forage will be on the move.
As of the first day of October, the lake’s pool level is at 167.89 feet. Average water temps recently range 81 to 85 degrees.
Water cools first in the back ends of the creeks, just the opposite of springtime when the water warms in those areas first. Target the back of creeks until water temperatures cool across the rest of the lake and the main lake comes into play. Fish main lake flats near deep drains or focus on pockets and coves.
This is the time of year bass try to fatten for the winter as well as for the spawning season that’s literally 2-3 months away … the pre-prespawn for sure.
It’s usually prime time for double-digit bass to start showing up more and more through November and into December. They’ll be on the move to shallower water and start relating to the grass. Much of the grass is in 8- to 12-foot depths with some as deep as 13 feet. That vegetation is the key to putting bass in the boat.
Lure options
There’s a variety of artificial lures that’ll trigger strikes. First and foremost for me are topwaters, starting with my favorites — Stanley Pop Toads. I’ve been playing with these hollow body plastic frogs, which I designed years ago, the past few weeks by adding a skirt that comes out at each shoulder.
A white model with white skirt has been doing the job recently.
Yep. Topwaters will be the major deal, whether plastic frogs or any popping, chugging and walking bait you like. Or white or chartreuse/white buzz baits.
If bass don’t want what you’re offering up top, try bladed jigs, such as the Delta Lures Thunder Jig, spinnerbaits and swim jigs, the latter especially if there’s a shad spawn going on. Shad- and bream-colored moving baits like those are effective.
What if bass turn up their nose on topwaters and those moving baits? There’s always the punchin’ deal and I’ll turn to that with a Neko-rigged June bug/red Senko on a ½-ounce Tungsten weight or drop a jig with a soft plastic trailer.
As for the jig, use a ½- to 5/8-ounce black/blue model. That color is hard to beat. But it can be even better if you add four or five silver strands to the black/blue. It’s irresistible as it adds a shad hue. Add a South African-colored Zoom Speed Craw after cutting ½-inch off the end and that setup will be dominant. I like to throw it on 40-pound test green Power Braid line.
The jig becomes a bona fide go-to bait every November. It’s saved many a day, particularly for tournament anglers.
Happy Thanksgiving, everyone. If you want to catch bass in November at Toledo Bend, give me a call at (936) 404-2688.
