Water is high and very muddy. recent rains out west have dumped tons of water thru the Red and into the lake. as of a few days ago the water had risen 4-6 feet and brought tons of mud with it. The mud line as much as I can tell has gotten close to TI point but staying in the main river channel as they draw water thru the Dam. Also have reports that its muddy from the north all the way to WP.
The Cross area is clear as is the main lake from about Soldier to the Dam.
Water temps have again fallen in the last few days about 4-6 degrees with this cold front..
Fishing had started to get good last week and then all fell apart yesterday with the cold. Even yesterday we still caught fish up to 9 lbs just not the numbers I would have liked.
Early in the week Drifting bait along the flats was producing both good sized fish and big numbers. 25-40 fish per day was getting regular until yesterday when we only managed about a Dozen in the boat. Havent been catching any dinks this week.. All fat box fish mostly in the 17-19 inche range and lots of overs up to 10 lbs...
Im noticing that about half the fish Im cleaning appear to have spawned and guessing the rest are doing the deed as we speak. havent caught any real big females in a couple weeks but that oughta change real soon as they finish doing the dirty and heading for the deep water down south.
In my mind the spawn seems to be happening somewhat early this year and we dont seem .. at least yet to have gone thru the period when all we can catch are Juvenial fish... they seem to have spawned early and more spread out which is a good thing for us !
Bait is very hard to catch right now and alot of what you can catch appear to be Too large.. dont let that fool ya.. the fish are hammering large baits.. 4-7 inch baits drifted on the flats have been producing very good fish for me this week.
Find clear water and you'll likely find fish... they arent real bunched up yet so dont go looking for big schools,,, if you see some scattered fish on your graph.. fish-em and they will most likely reward you with (not fast ) but steady action.
With the spawn appearing to be in full swing start looking for fish where they go after the spawn
Some are already showing up there.
Lure fising is still too inconsistant for me to switch over to yet but in another couple weeks the lead slingers will be rocking...
If you just gotta chunk lead right now i would fish the flats draggin sassy's salong the bottom.. look for any kind of under water structure and you'll likely find fish holdin tight to it.
humps ,bumps and ditches as I call em...The fish had gotten shallow on the rocks before the front and although I havent fished em since the front my guess is that they will have been pushed off for a while till it starts warming again.
Sorry for the long post and having to shoove this all into one report but I am so busy this time of year I just dont seem to have time to do it everyday But thats a good thing !!
As I said earlier early in the week fishing was very good and lots of good fish caught everyday.. But as the front moved in yesterday the fishing definately slowed.. My trip today isnt starting till 9am and I'm not quite sure what to expect..its 35 degrees out right now and Im betting the water temps have dropepd another couple degrees over night
As far as I now they are still drawing water out of the dam and createing alot of current in the lake...causing the fish to get more active as they settle from the cold ( again ) Man I had put up my winter clothes and had to break them out again for the weekend..
If you go out anytime soon be carefull for floating debris.. lots of big stuff rolling in from the current.

Thanks, JD. Anxiously awaiting the lure bite...

Thanks for the report JD.
Just picked up my boat,blown moter.
havent been on the lake in weeks.
going up this afternoon!

Thanks for the report JD

EXCELLENT report JD, lots of good info here.

Man JD...Glad you found a keyboard to let all that out

Really appreciate all the information!!!! It is going to be 2 more weeks before we get back up there -- track season for the kids is about over!!!!!

Great report JD. I may have to come up there the first part of April. Hopefully the lure bite will be on by then, as my net throwing is really bad!!!! I think I have a genetic defect that just won't allow me to throw a net.

Bob

Bob.. I got bodily defect regarding throwong a net as well.. Bait has been so tough lately my defect is called a "freakn sore shoulder" :):)

I am a master at the throw net. My defect is catching 10+ lb stripers :-P

there you are JD! I figured you haven't posted because you were busy catching the mama fishes!!! I don't see how you held that much info in, you coulda blew up!

great report thank you,

Some of JD's recent catches

Thank you JV !!

JD,

Nice report.... You said that the cross area isn't muddy, what about Caney or Soldier Creek? I went to Ray Roberts this weekend and haven't been out on Texoma since last Wednesday. Thanks

dang JD posts always makes me want to fish, JD's posts with pictures makes me reallllly want to fish.