Getting your hands on bass these dog days of summer means getting them to bite in the grass at Toledo Bend.
For the second straight year, conditions are right for punchin’, flippin’, even froggin’ … whatever you like to do. The hydrilla is absolutely flourishing as it covers most of the lake. The natural cover and shade draws baitfish — bream and shad — and that tasty combination attracts bass.
Of course, plenty of bass anglers will do their thing with forward facing sonar in the deep offshore structure in the drains, as the fish roam in and suspend over standing timber and laydowns. The 20- to 25-foot depths are their typical domain this time of year, but when they start rippin’ into bait that can be as shallow as 12- to 15-feet.
I’ll stick to bass in the grass, which as of late June was growing in 13- to 14-foot depths and in some places you could see the tops even 15-feet deep. What we need for the grass bite is a lower lake level, 171 feet, but 170 feet would be welcome. As of July 2, the pool level is 171.77 feet with two generators going 24/7 and 11 gates open 1 foot wide.
If the lake approaches those lower levels it’ll really get the grass bite going because you can see a path that reveals points and drains. That helps anglers figure out where they’re setting up.
Triggering the fish to bite
What should you punch or flip at them, whether they’re on the bottom or suspended in the grassy canopies? I’ll drop Neko-, Wacky- or Texas-rigged Senkos, soft plastic creature baits, or a longtime local favorite, Zoom’s Ol’ Monster plastic worm. My two favorite colors for any day are June bug/red, then plum/apple. Other top colors are red-hot summertime hues red bug, plum and tequila.
Many successful bass fishermen probe the depths with ½-, ¾- and, even, 1-ounce jigs in black/blue, watermelon red, black/blue/chartreuse (my favorite), camo or green pumpkin with matching soft plastic trailers.
If an angler isn’t fond of punchin’, he or she often can get bit in the acres of grass on a hollow body plastic frog. Topwater frog fishing definitely is an option, so don’t overlook it. The heat can be suffocating but the frog bite is on fire. I’ve had 15 to 20 bites a trip and caught bass up to 6 ½ pounds on a fake toad.
The punchin’ thing is great and it’s a big part of my approach. But I’m going to be forever doing the frog thing.
Night fishing
Bass fishing at night has taken off this summer, starting in early June. You can hear boats running all over the lake as the bass have been snappin’ during the nocturnal hours. The vast number of docks and other structures along the shoreline, plus plentiful grass beds, are targeted, as so many anglers fish from dusk on to avoid the heat of the day and reel in bass. Try topwaters, spinnerbaits, buzz baits, soft plastic swim baits and small Zoom Super Flukes.
Ten double-digit bass have hit the certified scales around the lake since mid-May. Believe it or not, despite the heat, I expect to see more in July, August and September.
Hope some of y’all get the opportunity to grip the lip of a 10-plus pounder.
You can reach me at (936) 404-2688.
