Toledo Bend’s a big lake, and even though it’s a lot longer than it is wide, you really don’t want to get caught in the middle during a big spring wind.
Likewise, fishing the Texas side and facing a grueling run in 20-knot winds, well that’s a tooth rattling of epic proportions.
Bassmaster Elite Series pro Greg Hackney’s advice: Closely monitor weather reports, know what’s coming and prudently plan your outings.
“The wind is your worst enemy on Toledo Bend in the spring,” Hackney said. “That’s the one thing that can really ruin your trip, so watch the wind and pick your area accordingly.
“The whole lake is a fish factory, so pick the area that’s protected by the wind.”
Darold Gleason of South Toledo Bend Guide Service agrees, pointing out that the presence of numerous boat ramps on both sides of the lake gives anglers plenty of options while keeping safety at the forefront.
You might be planning to launch in Louisiana and running across to the Texas side, but if the wind foretells an unnecessarily rough ride, hopping across Pendleton Bridge and launching from a Texas ramp could replace back aches with bent rods.
“During the spawn, I prefer to stay out of the wind,” Gleason said. “It’s always better to spend time behind the wheel of your truck than your boat on a windy day.
“There are plenty of boat launches all over the lake, so you can always find a protected area to launch and have a good day fishing. Toledo Bend fishes bigger than probably any lake in the country; you can catch giants anywhere on this lake.”