July is shaping up to be a good month at Toledo Bend
If this month is anything like past Julys at Toledo Bend, it’ll be a pretty darned good month for bass fishing.
It’s setting up just right with the water level and more grass than we’ve had in a long time. While I believe we won’t ever see it like it once was, I’m very thankful for the hydrilla we do have and that in July there will be some bass using it.
The great thing about July is it’s a simple month, a really good month to fish sometimes.
Usually, there are two basic bass fishing patterns going on this time of year, a deep pattern, generally 15- to 25-foot depths, and a much shallower pattern.
Top July baits
I’ve gained a lot of confidence in the Bass Assassin Tapout Worm, which features a combination of BANG scent and liquid salt infused. Typically, I’ll fish it Texas-rigged under a 1/4- to 3/8-ounce worm weight in the aforementioned depths on the main lake near the mouth of creeks and isolated humps. It’s also effective in 4- to 12-foot depths on the edges of creek channels around stumps or hydrilla under a 1/8- or 1/16-ounce worm weight.
Experience has proven that sometimes the bass bite better when I rig that plastic worm on a Shaky Head.
Another soft plastic that puts fish in the boat this time of year is a green pumpkin Bass Assassin Skunk Ape.
Otherwise, crankbaiting can be productive out there with a chameleon/pearl Berkley Dredger, the 20 and 25 models. Just grind that crankbait in the bottom on the retrieve, reel it fast and dig up the bottom with it.
Sunshine positions bass out deep. Under low light conditions, i.e. heavily overcast or around dawn or sunset, bass in 4- to 12-foot depths often turn on and hit the Tapout Worm or Skunk Ape, as well as chrome (my favorite) or shad-colored Berkley J-Walkers. Drop shotted- or Carolina-rigged soft plastics also produce bass.
Bunched up crappie
Crappie fishing success ought to be just as good as it is for bass. They’ll be bunched up pretty good and you can find some big schools in 15- to 30-foot depths around timber.
In July, you can get a really good bite on a slow-falling jig, such as a 1- or ½-inch long monkey milk Panfish Assassin Tiny Shad on a 1/32-ounce leadhead. Tipping it with chartreuse sometimes triggers more bites.
It often helps to play around with different jig colors. And the old standby, minnows, fished tightline puts fish in the boat.
When I arrive at a likely spot, I’ll fish for a few minutes. If they are biting, I’ll stay. If not, I’ll move on pretty quickly.
Parents and guardians who want their sons and daughters to learn a little more about bass fishing might be interested in our popular Living the Dream Youth Bass Camps scheduled for July 20-24 at Toledo Bend and July 27-31 at Lake Sam Rayburn. The Toledo Bend session is close to being booked at this time. For more information, call the number listed at the end of this report.
Call Living the Dream Guide Service at (318) 256-8991 to make a dream fishing trip come true at Toledo Bend.
