The odds of catching a lunker bass are high
When May rolls around, Brad Romero, who wins or cashes in at tournaments more often than not, always enjoys tackling a lake with big bass potential.
The New Iberia native who now lives in Lafayette was raised fishing and hunting in and around the Atchafalaya Basin. When deer hunting season ends, Romero loves tappin’ oversized bass throughout the spring at Toledo Bend, Lake Sam Rayburn, Lake Martin and, even, Lake Fausse Pointe. However, he knows it’s game on at Chicot Lake near Ville Platte when the calendar flips from April to May.
As of late March, the all-around outdoorsman was rarin’ and ready to fish tournaments at the lake, which gives up its share of 6- to 9-pound bass. It appeals to him as the days get hotter because it’s deeper overall than other popular bass fishing destinations across Acadiana.
“Yeah, they’ve got big fish,” he said. “I feel like you have a chance of catching a better bag (five-bass tournament limit) at Chicot Lake. My hotspot (late April-May) if you want the opportunity to catch big bass is Chicot. It’s got deeper water, a lot more structure, kind of like a mini-Toledo Bend, I find, and it’s got great depth. You can also LiveScope over there.”
The lake’s bassin’ success starts trending upward in early April, Romero said. He competed in the 43rd annual Good Friday Fishing Tournament hosted by the Chicot Park Dog Fights on April 3 and came in second place with tournament partner B.J. Maturin. They caught a 15.71-pound five-bass limit and took home a payday of $2,375.
Baits to use
Romero, 32, who specializes in marine repairs, including boat restoration and outboard motor mechanic work, said he generally avoids “beatin’ the banks” and targets suspended or isolated cover in 4- to 6-foot depths. Creek mouths around Chicot Lake are prime areas for tossin’ around Chatterbaits, spinnerbaits and plastic frogs, which are his three favorite artificial lures.
“I don’t fish over there like I do back at home (Basin/Fausse Pointe),” he said. “That’s a place you want to fish different, but I have caught them off the bank. It just depends.”
Romero recommends fishing a lot with a 3/8-ounce Chatterbait in your favorite shad- or bream-colored combination, including a soft plastic trailer. In muddier or murkier water, particularly in creek areas following a heavy rain, he also relies on an all gold-bladed 3/8-ounce spinnerbait. When he picks up a plastic frog, it’s usually a black Spro popping model.
It’s important to match the hatch, er, baitfish, that bass are dining on at the time and at different times of the day, he said. That’s mostly shad and bream in late spring, according to Romero.
If bass aren’t interested in those baits, he’s quick to throw a soft plastic swim bait, a buzz bait or a Chug Bug “every now and then, depending on what it looks like in there.” He adjusts to the conditions, particularly on heavily overcast days or in any shady areas on any hot, sunny days in May.
“I really just keep it simple,” he said. “I really don’t do anything different. I just try to match the surroundings.”
