Hey guys I was just wondering if anyone has been doing good on Toledo here lately. We got a new deer lease right by the Highway 21 bridge (Pendleton Bridge I believe) and Palo Guacho Bayou, and we were fortunate enough to get some property with a couple of creeks running through it. Anyways, we live about 4 hours from the place so before I spent the extra money hauling the boat I was just seeing if anyone had any insight they would be willing to share (locations, bait/lure, depth, etc). Thanks and good fishin'!


-Lane

I would like some info on that too. I live about the same distance and am going at the end of the month, would love to get into some crappie "white perch" lol.

If you know where the old 'Log Jam' is, all you have to do is fish the edge of the creek now, and during spawn fish the hydrilla. The Log Jam is located between the Pendleton Bridge and Palo Gaucho Bayou...yea, not too good is it. With so much timber down/lacking, I would have to be there to show you or show you on a map. I have been fishing Toledo Bend in that area since 73 and know a few spots from March-May/early June.

The fish are in the creeks moving to get ready to spawn and know some have been catching a few crappie. The water temp has been about 57 this week. I don't fish or live near Hwy 21 so can't help much there.

I have been out playing with my new Humminbird so I have seen the creeks near me on their HWY to the back of 6 mile creek so they are moving. I live on the water at 6 mile.

I have heard though that some are doing well.

Skip

Breambuster your a good man!

hey guys I really do appreciate the help! I know its risky giving out a good spot but I really do appreciate the information!


-Lane

The Log Jam is a HUGE spot and I haven't tried in over 15 years or so. Last time I DID fish it, was early May and the crappie were in the edge of the creek...one fellow was using live shiners w/a slip cork and catching some huge ones every minute. I was throwing a 1/16oz solid chartruese Road Runner and was about 50 yds from him, but a little shallow. I had 1 huge crappie but just couldn't reach the spot he was fishing and didn't want to pull up anchor or troll-motor over to him out of respect.

I watched him for 30 minutes and each cast with his rig landed him some really nice slab crappie and I couldn't watch for 31 minutes, so I told him to have a good one and left him to enjoy the location.

Some days 'chicken' some days 'feathers', but it is always nice to get out on the water and away from home/work.

I'll have to give that spot a whirl this May again.

I don't mind giving out locations since I only go once a year and why not help someone else out if they ask for a little help. Heck, that is how my dad and I got to know so many different spots for different species on that lake from 1973...from good ole down home helpful folks...yea, they're hard to come by these days, but if you ever see a gray welded Polar Kraft with Bass America on its side and a black Johnson 70, it most likely is me on that lake in that area.

Good Luck yall.

Let me add this, if you come during the spawn just find Hydrilla in about 6' of water and troll that with 1/32 oz. jigs and you should catch fish. If it's a spot that trolling is not easy to do then just fish it under a bobber and you should catch crappie.

The later in the spawn it gets gradually move out to 10'-14' trolling points with wood on them or good drops and just follow the contour where you find them biting.

Skip

Skip, have the fish started spawning where you are at yet? I remember you posting a side image picture and it said the water temp was like 58 degrees? I figured it warm up some more down there and got to the magic number.

thanks again guys! ill be down there this saturday and i'll make sure i let you know how we do. If you get hungry saturday night and end up at the seafood buffet on the LA side of the Pendleton bridge, look for the kid with the crazy sideburns and pull up a chair; I'd be more than happy to share dinner with some TFFers!

Which restaurant? I know of a couple on that side, just can't remember the names...dang good food though!

I don't remember the name Bream...but if you're coming from TX on highway 21 it's on the left hand side about 2 miles in LA (it shares a parking lot with a beer store). They have an all you can eat seafood buffet on Friday and Saturday nights. Probably one of the better buffets I've ever been too. I think the name has to do with "fishing"

It's Fishermans.

I tried from 4' to 28' yesterday. Got four nice ones in the 28' water. Don't laugh, that's a good day for me.

The reason I tried 4' is the protected shallow water was over 60 degrees. Main lake is still 57-58.

So I'd say if you fish this weekend, keep looking for brushpiles around 30'.

thanks earl!

I am going to find out this weekend, but I went to Lufkin today and on my way there I pass over several bridges that the water goes into Rayburn and I did see a good number of guys that sure looked like they were crappie fishing.

I also saw lots of Cotton Wood trees blooming big time so I guess I have probably missed the start. That is a good sine for sure.

As for the water temp it went back down a bit after that, but not much and I don't know what it is today.

Skip