Weekly Fishing Report Week of February 8, 2023
Sam Rayburn
GOOD. Water stained; 55-58 degrees; 1.11 feet below pool. Bass are 6-18 feet moving shallow on warms days to primary points and staging spot. Rattletraps, crankbaits and Alabama rigs on grass lines. On deeper structure jigs and Carolina rigs. Crappie are moving shallow on warmer days pushing back to the deeper water on colder days. Crappie should be spawning in a few weeks. The groundhog did see his shadow so we may. Catfish are in the creek and river channels and bend in 18-20 feet of water stinkbait, cut bait and minnows. White bass are running up the rivers biting small rattletraps and roadrunners. Report by Lynn Atkinson, Reel Um N Guide Service.
Toledo Bend
FAIR. Water stained; 51 degrees; 0.61 feet below pool. The water level is 171.43 feet with both generators running 24 hours a day. Just a note, 172 feet is full pool for Toledo Bend. Water temperature at the dam is 51 degrees. There has been a lot of rain and runoff entering the lake so the main lake is stained on the northern and southern ends and the back feeder creeks are muddy and flowing. Five big bass were caught this week under the full moon phase. Each of these five weighed in over double digits each. Winning baits for a ten pounder came under the heading of 12-30 feet of water, pre-spawn fish using football jigs, Alabama rigs, Carolina rigs, deep diving crankbaits and deep diving stick baits. Crappie bite has been slow. Be extra careful running the main lake due to floating logs and debris. Remember, it is always better to play it safe by telling 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.
SALTWATER
Sabine Lake
GOOD. 58 degrees. Sabine Lake is still fresh after the recent rains. Channel catfish are mixed in with the redfish. Limits of redfish are coming from the Bessie Heights Marsh and The Neches River flats in 8 feet of water in the ditches. Sheepshead and drum are best in the outgoing tides in 2-4 feet of water off the drops on Carolina rigs and live shrimp under a popping cork. North Levy is producing nice speckled trout on top water baits early, and the midday bite is on live shrimp under a popping cork or swimbaits. The jetties are holding redfish, sheepshead and drum on dark plastic ⅛ ounce jigs. Report by Captain Randy Foreman, Captain Randy’s Guide Service Sabine Lake.
Bolivar
GOOD. 59 degrees. The Ditch has some redfish against grass sides with an occasional nice trout using popping cork or artificials. The 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 Slough’s holding redfish on grass lines close to Siever’s Cut biting on cut bait positioned 12-18 inches under a cork with shrimp, or burner shad. Report provided by Captain Raymond Wheatley, Tail Spotter Guide Service LLC.
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