Louisiana Sportsman

Fish Toledo Bend in April for spawning bass

April 1, 2011 Greg Hackney

I’ve picked Toledo Bend for April, because I’m competing in a Bassmaster Elite Series Tournament there this month, and I hope to place in the money.[…]

Pinnacle baitcasters

April 1, 2011 Louisiana Sportsman

Pinnacle’s all-metal, incredibly smooth Tournament Class Performa baitcasters offer bass anglers the highest levels of precision, durability and performance all at an affordable price. […]

Stephen Johnston isn’t one to stir up trouble, but the Louisiana-Texas bass guide won’t hesitate to stir up the bottom. In fact, he says a little silt shaking does wonders for attracting Bayou State bass in muddy southern waters.[…]

Grass Equals Bass

April 1, 2011 David A. Brown

Look for Stephen Johnston most days from March to November, and you’ll probably find him mowing the grass. Mind you, he’s not running a lawn-care crew; rather, he’s fishing the vast vegetation that dominates the southern end of Toledo Bend.[…]

Finger on the Pulse: Listen to bass to make adjustments that put more fish in the boat

April 1, 2011 Chris Ginn

Kelli Batten lives in West Monroe, and she wants to learn how to catch bass well enough to be able to fish tournaments in the future. Her only problem is that the bass-fishing learning curve has become so steep that it’s almost impossible to climb it by herself.[…]

Caddo Lake record bass caught – again

March 24, 2011 Andy Crawford

By anyone’s standards, Sean Swank and buddy Danny Matthews had enjoyed a great morning on Caddo Lake last Friday (March 18). They had six bass in the livewell, with two going about 7 pounds and one being a solid 6-pounder.[…]

Lawrence wins first month of Big Bass Contest

March 9, 2011 Louisiana Sportsman

Kyle Lawrence, who goes by the screen name of Flat Guy, won the February edition of the LouisianaSportsman.com Big Bass Contest, and will receive a $15 gift coupon to the online Sportsman Outdoor store.[…]

Paulina Pilgrims

March 1, 2011 Chris Ginn

Some aspiring bass anglers from around Paulina graduated together in the late 1980s. They started making a yearly run to Toledo Bend, while trying to get noticed enough to be accepted into the biggest local club there was at the time, Road Runner Fishing Club.[…]

Take Home Angler: Matthew Hymel

March 1, 2011 Chris Ginn

After releasing his third bass of the morning, Matthew Hymel wondered aloud if I had learned my lesson yet. Although we had met for the first time only two hours earlier, he was starting to get a sense of just how hard-headed I can be.[…]

‘Fun w son’ wins VIP Experience fishing trip with Greg Hackney

February 21, 2011 Louisiana Sportsman

Houma’s Carl Dupre was simply hoping to win some floor seats to the 2011 Bassmaster Classic when he signed up for the Bassmaster Classic VIP Experience Giveaway on Jan. 4.[…]

Lake Claiborne: A bass-fishing jewel

February 4, 2011 Chris Ginn

There are plenty voices rising above North Louisiana suggesting that Lake Claiborne, a 6,400-acre impoundment 25 miles northwest of Ruston, has become an enigma — a mystery wrapped in a riddle.[…]

Lake Cataouatche Tank Ponds starting to turn on

February 2, 2011 Chris Ginn

Grand Point bass angler Matthew Hymel and I were anticipating a sunny sky and warming temperatures as we launched at Bayou Segnette, but by the time we got to the Tank Ponds on the west side of Lake Cataouatche it was obvious the clouds weren’t going anywhere. We both silently wondered if we would even get a bite.[…]