Weekly Fishing Report Week of May 15, 2024
Toledo Bend (a reminder that big bass splash is on TBend this weekend)
GOOD. Water slightly stained; 75 degrees; 0.78 feet above pool. Fishing patterns are holding steady as the water level continues to rise due to the rain with more in the forecast. The wind has been high, so it has been hard to stay out there on these fish. Bass are good with lots of action on top water baits for the first hour of daylight. Once the sun rises over the trees, time to back out either in front of the flooded bushes or 8-10 feet of water with wacky-worms, light Texas rigs and shallow running crankbaits. There are a few fish on deep main lake points and ridges in 12-18 feet with Texas or Carolina rigs, and big crankbaits. Crappie bite if off due to the high water and current. A few fish can be caught on brush, but the best bite has been on docks in 8-12 feet of water with jigs and live bait. Report by Stephen Johnston, Johnston Fishing.
Sam Rayburn
GOOD. Water stained; 75 degrees; 2.15 feet above pool. Rivers are flooded and the lake water level continues to rise and is off-colored. Bass are fair with catches up to 7 pounds possible on points and deeper water with Carolina or Texas rigs. The frog bite is picking up bass in shallow lily pads and brush. Crappie are good on brush piles, minnows and jigs. Catfish are good in deeper water channels with cut bait, minnows and worms. Blue catfish are good in 18-22 feet of water. White bass are schooling on points biting minnows, jigging spoons, and small crankbaits. Report by Captain Lynn Atkinson, Reel Um N Guide Service.
SALTWATER
Sabine Lake
GOOD. 72 degrees. Rain and freshwater continue to flow into Sabine Lake. It should take a few more weeks for the water to stabilize. Fish in areas with higher salinity levels. Sabine Channel is good for sheepshead, drum and redfish along the edges of rocky banks and shell with live shrimp under a popping cork. Water color is off in the jetties, but incoming tides are bringing in salty water so keep with the grind for sheepshead, drum, redfish and small speckled trout. Nice catches of trout inside of the Sabine jetties near and in the Intracoastal with Carolina rigged live shrimp with a dropshot on the edges in 15-25 feet of water, or morning glory chartreuse plastics. The best bite is early morning on incoming tides for the jetties and the channel. Despite the freshwater, summer patterns are emerging with a pompano and a few jack crevalle showing up at the jetties. Report by Captain Randy Foreman, Captain Randy’s Guide Service Sabine Lake.
Bolivar
GOOD. 72 degrees. Water levels are normalizing depending on the wind. The best bite conditions this week will be on edges of the color changes and deeper spots holding saltier water. Still catching plenty of redfish of varying sizes everywhere! Sand trout, sheepshead, black drum, speckled trout, and crabs caught along the jetty with a few more stingrays and sharks. The surf is producing black drum, gafftop, stingrays, and bigger sharks along the whole peninsula. People were using all kinds of different things for bait this past week with good results. We did sell out of live shrimp twice this past week with plenty in stock. Report by Captain Shane Rilat, North Jetty Bait Camp.
Social Media