My DD Plan

To increase my chances of a DD this year, I'm gonna make a trip down to Rayburn, Toledo, or Fork once a month. I will fish Caddo and LOP the other weekends since they are close to home. Throw the big baits and hope for the best. Can you guys throw out recommendations for places to stay at Rayburn and Toledo? Wish me luck!

Also any ramp suggestions would be good. Ones that host very few tournaments. Thx

Maybe you should head to Falcon or Mexico.

The bell would probably be cheaper to go to a couple times to make sure you get one

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Good luck buddy. Those are good hunting grounds. Guys in other states can only dream about having those options. Throw a big swimbait and be ready. Hope ya find her.

On Rayburn, Bass Buster Inn is decent for the money and in a great location. Close to The Stump..some great food, Toledo Bend I like Holly Park. Located in Patroon Creek (midlake)close to lots of great bass fishing. I like the trailers they have..Alot of people also like Fin and Feather, but I haven't been there so can't comment.

The bell?

He's talking about Camelot Bell..a private pay to fish lake.

I though about the cost, but figured it would be cheaper than tournament fishing. Figured it would cost $200-250 extra a month.

As far as Rayburn, your better ramps (which never have a tournament other than a small club tournament) will be Harvey, Five Fingers and Hanks Creek. None of those have amenities onsite. As mentioned above, The Bass Buster Inn is a good place to stay, but it's not near any of the ramps I mentioned. I would stay at Lakeview Motel (on hwy 147 across from the turnoff to the Cassels Boykin ramp). You are within 10 minutes of three different ramps - 2 minutes away from Cassels Boykin. You are also within 10 minutes of a couple pretty good restaurants in Broaddus and within 25 minutes of anything you would want in Lufkin. There is also a really good tackle store right down the road from Lakeview.

I just stayed at Lake View and liked it. Verizon has no signal there, but they have WiFi. Cassels Boykin ramp is nice if south wind.

Oak Ridge is my favorite place Fork for a bed, meals, and tackle shop. LFM is nice though.

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+1 there. Sounds like a great plan. Pretty sure most of the bigger fish and tourney bags have come from that end of the lake anyway imho.

Actually can't go wrong fishing any part of Rayburn. It's all fishing good

Sounds like fun! I would suggest picking one of those 3 lakes you listed (the one closest ideally)and fish it as much as possible. I assume you are referring to 2016 spring time? I have caught bigger fish on less notorious bodies of water because I know them well and know what is happening water temp wise, weather, etc.

Good luck, I too am on a quest for DD.

Through the years I fished Fork as much as all of the other lakes combined but only managed to get a 9.6 lb bass in the boat. I was lucky enough to catch 3 double digit bass but they came from lakes Palestine, Murvaul and Bob Sandlin.

If your only interested in a double digit you need to be throwing double digit baits. Jigs, swimbaits and sight fishing in the spring. if you go to rayburn in the spring time and throw a 6-8" glide swimbait or a 6-8" 316 inline swimbait the whole trip you will have a shot at it. I also would suggest fishing one of the lakes you listed a bunch so you can learn the water. Fork is as good of an option as any for the listed techniques. That being said both my DDs have come on baits that are not known usually for catching DDs the difference between catching a 9lber and a 10lber is just luck.

Stay at Lakeview. Cassell Boykin is across the street. Clean rooms and they make an awesome cheeseburger. Ask for Wanda she is a super nice person. Toledo bend would have to be fin n feather. There are tons of great places to fish within 2 miles of the ramp.

Good luck in 2016 and we both join the DD club! It is my goal as well. My plan is starting the year with Mr Pack at Fork, love going with lance Vick as well, might add Biggs and go to Ray Bob, Reehm at Rayburn, Gleason at Toledo bed. Also have a trip in March to holly ranch.

If going to Lake Fork, I would stay at the Burnin' Stump. Covered parking for your boat, clean rooms, wifi, all at a good price. Also has a blacktop parking lot, so no mud. Within 1/4 mile of 515 W public ramp, and a mile or so from Pope's and LFM, and some good restaurants.

I hope your "DD Plan" goes better than mine has this year! :-)

I've never caught a DD LMB, but I would have the most confidence in catching one either late prespawn/early spawn and then the early summer.

I'd get in the truck and do this:

I like that map! I would say it is "spot on"!!!

Good luck! Your odds are going up for sure. I think you might keep an eye on some less pressured smaller public waters as well. Since you didn't ask I'll tell you anyway- concentrate more time Jan - May.-lol! More fish weigh over ten those months than the rest.
Post up your biggun!

I'm gonna run my new travel plan by the boss

Yeah, same here, I offered to get my wife implants for Christmas to give her DDs but she said no, so i will hold out for a DD bass instead.

My wife was on the DD plan. Cost me about 10k

Wouldn't hitting one or 2 lakes more put you more in tune with the bite and increase your chances of catching one? If you go to several lakes there is time spent trying to figure out where they are, 5 days since your last time on the lake is a lot better than 3 weeks.

Definitely something to that, but it's easy to fall into the trap of settling into the aggressive, smaller fish pattern. I believe fishing in the moment will catch more quality fish. Heard several stories of people catching the biggest bass they ever caught on lake XYZ their first time on that water. I've seen too many times for it to be coincidence; a novice angler fishing a different lure "incorrectly" on instinct rather than textbook presentation catch the biggest bass of the day.

toledo bend fin and feather is great to stay and also has a cafe at the ramp