Weekly Fishing Report Week of January 11, 2023
Sabine Lake
GOOD. 60 degrees. Sabine Lake is producing catches of redfish with a few trout mixed in drifting in 6-8 feet of water over grassy banks with shell, and near the mouths bayous using five-inch red shad or morning glory plastic baits with a 1/16 ounce jighead. Catches of sheepshead and drum in the points at the mouths of bayous using live shrimp under a popping cork or Carolina rigs and live shrimp. North Levy wall continues to hold speckled trout and redfish on the first and second pike, but the bite has slowed some on live shrimp under a popping cork, swimbaits and jigheads. Nice redfish on rock piles in the ICW, near Texaco Island, Stewts Island to Sydney drifting in 3-6 feet of water over clam shell. Fishing has slowed in the Neches River while freshwater pours in from Dam B. Fish are scattered in the higher water levels, and bait fish have moved out. Report by Captain Randy Foreman, Captain Randy’s Guide Service Sabine Lake.
Bolivar
GOOD. 61 degrees. Fish deeper ends of the reefs or wind protected cuts with popping cork and shrimp. The jetty holding sheepshead and trout on live shrimp close to rocks. Yates Sloughs holding redfish on grass lines close to Siever Cut. Fish 12-18 inches under cork shrimp or burner shad. Between Stingaree’s and Rollover Pass redfish are in deeper marshes on popping cork with shrimp. Report provided by Captain Raymond Wheatley, Tail Spotter Guide Service LLC.
FRESHWATER
Sam Rayburn
GOOD. Water stained; 50 degrees; 4.15 feet below pool. Lake levels are rising and bass are now inside and outside the grass lines biting on spinner baits, flukes and spoons. For bass in 20-25 feet of water target deep ledges and points with Carolina rigs. Crappie continue to be up the river, and some are shallow on main lake pockets for the prespawn. Catfish are in 25 feet of water in the river channels using minnows. White bass are continuing to move up the creeks and river biting jigs and minnows. Report by Lynn Atkinson, Reel Um N Guide Service.
Toledo Bend
GOOD. Water stained; 50 degrees; 2.43 feet below pool. The water level is 169.44 with two generators running 24 hours a day for the last seven days. Water temperature at the Dam is 50 degrees. The back feeder creeks are muddy and stained from rain this week. The main lake is stained to muddy from all the rainfall flowing in from the north filling the feeder creeks to the Pendleton bridge flowing south. The fish will be regrouping after these muddy waters start to clear. The bass have gone shallow searching out clear water to feed in 0-6 feet of water. Top producing baits are bladed swim jigs, spinnerbaits, rattling flat sided crankbaits, and buzz baits. Top colors will be black, black/blue, red/orange, and white/chartreuse. My top choice for muddy water is a vibrating blade in black, black/orange, black/red, and copper. Crappie are continuing to bite on minnows and jigs in darker colors. The chicken coop area is producing good numbers of crappie. Keep an extra set of clothes and gloves in a dry bag stowed away on your vessel just in case you get caught in the rain, heavy winds, dropping temperatures, etc. Hypothermia happens quickly. The morning fogs have been heavy this week with the temperature swings. Captain’s tip: If it is too foggy to launch, do not launch. If a fog bank comes over you while fishing with no visibility, turn on all your navigational lights, talk loudly, and turn the volume up on a radio to let other boaters know you are near and go slow or stay put until navigation is safe again. Captain’s Rule: It is wintertime, so play it safe and tell a loved one or friend the area you will be fishing, how many people are in your party and the expected return time. Good luck and keep casting forward! Report from Master Captain Steve “Scooby” Stubbe, Mudfish Adventures LLC, Orvis Endorsed Fly Fishing Guide, and Mudfish Custom Rod Shop
Social Media