T-Bend sure did have a chance to make an impression on the world, and true to form, it didn’t let anyone down! For the first time since 1982 B.A.S.S. visited the lake and for the first time ever brought with it the Top 150 Circuit for some prime time Toledo Bend bass fishing.

The excitement began to mount in the weeks preceding the tournament as regional tournament events such as Bass N Bucks and AFTI Team circuits produced heavy stringers with the expectation that the pattern would continue. When practice began last weekend, the weather was holding and it seemed as though the fish would too.

That continued until Wednesday morning when right at launch time the fog rolled in so thick that the day’s fishing was canceled. On what should have been day two of the event, high pressure set in and made the fishing really tough. Those anglers that had found fish earlier in the week now just found them hard to catch. Friday saw the field cut to ten for more intense competition to continue through the weekend. Saturday brought with it wind and waves the like of which are rarely seen on the lake to really make a lasting impression on the tournament anglers and locals alike as yet another day of the tournament was canceled.

Finally on Sunday however, things got wrapped up and a hard earned purse of $110,000 was claimed by Dean Rojas as he brought another 21 lbs. of fish to the scales to top out his tournament weight of 55 and a half pounds. He was followed closely by Takahiro Omori with 54 lbs. and Ben Matsubu with almost the same. Former T-Bend guide Larry Nixon rounded out the top four with his catch of 46 and a half pounds. Some local Pro notables were Todd Faircloth of Jasper who finished in 17th place overall and Bo Dowden of Hemphill in 26th. Congratulations guys!

So where were they fishing and what were they doing? Well, it seems a range of baits and patterns were used to bring in the bass. Some worked the flooded buck bushes on the North end of the lake to find the early spawning bass. More however worked red and orange crankbaits on the inside grass lines in from four to eight feet of water. There were also some fish coming on 1/4 oz and 3/8 oz spinnerbaits in white/chartreuse colors from around the flooded bushes and over the grass. A few reports came in of Rat L Traps in red and chrome colors but not as many. For the bulk of the fish, it seems that the moving baits quit working so well and the finesse baits such as Texas rigged lizards and wacky worms came on stronger. A 3/8 oz jig was also effective for some.

Although just about everyone’s attention was focused on The Bend, some eyes were still on Rayburn as B.A.S.S. is heading there next. As we go to press the Central Invitational event will be getting underway with practice days over there and once again the expectations are high. Reports have come in of big females up in the bushes looking for that special place to spawn, but not many are on the beds just yet. Good fish were coming on a 3/4 oz Rat L Trap over the grass in six to ten feet of water though. A Suspending Rogue worked in the same type of area has worked well also. Other fish were coming from a crankbait in five to nine feet of water running on the inside grass line and over the top of the grass.

Now, not all anglers are so interested in the big bass opportunities that Toledo and Rayburn have to offer, some are always after the white perch. As it happens, some crappie are starting to show up and catching the attention of these anglers on T-Bend. The boat houses in the bridge area are said to be producing some good sized fish. I caught some good ones in the creeks in from six to ten feet of water on tube jigs. Look for these fish to just keep getting stronger throughout the spring as they usually don’t turn on until later in the year.

Coming up this week, we have lots more action on both lakes. Like I mentioned above, Rayburn will have its chance to catch the world’s attention now with the B.A.S.S. Central Invitational and Toledo will also be bustling with the kick off event for the Oilmen this weekend. That will provide both lakes with good tournament action and hopefully the weather will give us a break and allow these competitions as well as the traditional spring spawn season that is such a boon to our economy. I know that I’m looking forward to it, and hope that you get in on the action as well. If you need more info, or have a question or comment, give me a call at (409)579-213 or send them via email to johnston@jas.net. Have a great week on the lakes!