History repeats itself like clockwork every February at Toledo Bend.
Arguably two of the most dominant artificial lures in this lake’s history still live up to their reputation every year from January through March. The Bill Lewis Rat-L-Trap and the Smithwick Rogue, both introduced in the 1960s, were tailor made for the fishery in Toledo Bend.
I would help Bill Lewis of Alexandria and Jack Smithwick of Shreveport, two artificial lure making pioneers and close friends, launch their boat, then park their tow vehicle at my father’s Pendleton Bridge Resort and Marina. They’d go out, fish and field test their respective baits and come back with so many bass each time. I’d take photos with an old Polaroid Camera, photos I still have in boxes. That was in the ’70s.
Little did I know those men would become legends in the artificial lure manufacturing industry.
During the first two or three months each year, Jack’s Rogue and Bill’s ’Trap were deadly prespawn baits then and they are just as potent now. It’s been proven time and time again when many bass are transitioning from deeper drains to 2- to 5-foot depths to do their thing. That trusty gold/orange Rogue and, for the last few decades, a reddish ’Trap, are going to put so many bass in the boat this month.
Heading into the new year, the lake’s pool level remained low at around 168 feet. It’s been mind-boggling, to say the least, how it’s been around that level since late summer. Hopefully early January rains will continue and this region will get some substantial rainfall to bring the water up and into the shoreline cover.
Water in the bushes
We’ve finally got so many acres of grass — hydrilla, which is fantastic — but it’s nice to have water in the bushes and water temperatures higher than 50 to 55 degrees. I feel we’ll eventually get out of this dang prolonged drought.
There will be bass on their beds, mostly big ol’ girls whose biological clock is ringing and it’s time to sit down and drop their eggs. We can expect double-digit catches from the last part of January onward. It’s going to be a fun time, for sure. After January, it’s a numbers game and a big bass game.
To coax bites from bass of any size on or near the spawning beds, another reliable favorite of mine for many years has been a soft plastic. Carolina-rigged Zoom Super Flukes on 40-pound line are uber effective, of course, but I also put a 1/64th-ounce nose weight on a South African Fluke and dead stick it. I mean soak it, park it, move it 2-3 inches every 15, 20 seconds or so and aggravate those bass. Wacky worms and Neko-rigged soft plastics also put fish in the boat but that’s special.
Another artificial lure that has proved its worth for at least a decade is the bladed jig. It fishes the same kind of water as Rogues and ‘Traps and absolutely jumped up in the market. My favorite is a shad-colored, black/blue or golden bream Delta Lures Thunder Jig. Buzz baits and spinnerbaits also come into play, mostly later in the month for the former.
Whatever you like, hopefully there’ll be more bank cover to throw at. Otherwise, dirt spots come into play. I’ve been guiding on this lake most of my life and you’re welcome in my boat. Give me a call at (936) 404-2688.
