Imagine how good the bass fishing will be with warmer water temperatures and more stable weather at Toledo Bend.
That’s what April should be all about the way the table is being set with more and more hydrilla and, more than likely, plenty of water in the pond. The lake’s state has been around pool level, which is excellent. Add a full moon on April 23 to the mix and you’ll get even more action on this great lake shared by Louisiana and Texas.
April’s going to be on fire. Things are going to pop big time and we’ll see more double-digit bass. The lake’s in great shape.
Toledo Bend showed out big time several weeks ago. I was so proud the lake shined during the visit by the best in the business from the Bassmaster Elite Series. B.A.S.S. opened the 2024 season here Feb. 22-25. Kyoya Fujita of Foothill Ranch, California, led the onslaught by breaking the century mark with a four-day total of 100 pounds, 13 ounces, to top a 103-angler field.
Second- through 10th-place weights ranged from a whopping 95 pounds, 15 ounces, to a highly respectable 73 pounds, 8 ounces. A lot of that was offshore as many of the top Elites relied on forward facing sonar to target fish for four days on Toledo Bend. Those Elites had a blast doing what they love to do.
Lots of fun
Think about it. They caught bass deep before many of the bass would storm the beaches, so to speak, to spawn. And as soon as water temperatures are favorable, like in the 70s, even the 80s, they’ll do just that. It’s going to be fun for all with much of the action happening in 5- to 7-foot depths and less. When we get more heat, get more sun, we’ll get more fish moving from deep to shallow to do their thing.
And there’s no doubt we’ll see an increasing number of double-digit bass. It’s going to be a slugfest. Sight fishing will be more prolific. As someone who can see “dirt spots” 60 yards away from the boat, I can’t wait.
I’ll do my slugging with soft plastics, either Carolina-rigged Flukes or Senkos or, even, Stanley Top Toads. I’ll keep checking my favorite ridges just offshore for the most part or occasionally join other bass anglers who fish in or around grass and any other structures in the shallower depths.
Old reliables
Soft plastic colors that have been relied on for years include green pumpkin/red and watermelon/red or watermelon/blue (or various additional colors to the green pumpkin or watermelon base), and South African even in clear water.
Those artificials aren’t the only baits that trigger bites this time of year. There are tried and true lures such as topwaters – chuggers, poppers, etc., and chartreuse/white buzz baits and watermelon/red/pink bottom (No. 204) Stanley Top Toads; ½-ounce golden bream bladed jigs such as the Delta Lures Thunder Jig, and gold/orange suspending Smithwick Rogues and Cotton Cordell Red Fins.
Here’s a few guide tips: I’ll use a charter pen-type marker to color the back of each foot on a Top Toad to give it a little flash in the water. When fishing with a suspending jerkbait, use a stop and long pause retrieve to keep it in front of a bass’ face. And when fishing with a Fluke, I’ll put it under a light Bullet weight, let it drop and sit, deadsticking all the way to a bite.
Hope those help you catch more bass, even a 10-plus pounder.
I’ve been guiding on this lake most of my life and you’re welcome in my boat. April should offer a good chance to catch a bragging-size bass. Give me a call at (936) 404-2688.
