Wind-aided fishing report

I got up early Thursday morning (Yes, George, before 9 a.m.) to try and get in a last minute fishing trip before the approaching storms hit. You know, fish always bite better before an approaching storm.

I didn’t have to turn on any lights to see if the wind had kicked up yet. I could hear the little wooden and stainless steel wind chimes on the back porch clinging out notes faster than the church bell choir.  Yes, the wind was blowing. And as I turned on the back lights, the Les Miles waves confirmed it. Each wave was wearing a big white cap.

Thursday and Friday were not exactly good days to get an up-to-the-minute fishing report, but the good news is that before the weather change, the fish were biting. They are still in transition from winter to spring patterns. Some are apparently spawning while others are moving toward the spawn. For fishermen, it should be a busy two or three weeks.

Here’s what we’ve got:

On Lake D’Arbonne, early morning and late evening white perch fishing seems to be the best. The fluctuating weather patterns and

Big D’Arbonne crappie like this always bring a smile!

the fact that fish are on the move have made conditions tough, but if you are in the right place at the right time, you can catch some really nice ones, like those pictured here. There are still a few fish lingering out deep, but they are mostly small. The big males are moving up shallower and the females won’t be far behind. Plastics, hair jigs and shiners are all still being used with success. Colors like Blue Thunder, Monkey Milk and black/silver or black/green or blue have all caught fish. Right now, it’s hit or miss, which is why they call it “fishing”….

Bass fishing continues to produce some good results. Big bass are shallow and holding near cover. If you can find areas with some beginnings of grass, or old lilly pad fields, work a big area and you’ll find some fish. The gravel banks on the big lake are are also producing some good catches. Big plastics like Brush Hawgs, lizards or Senkos in black, plum or watermelon colors as well as white spinnerbaits are working.

No reports yet on bream, although I did see a cormorant come up with a big one a few days back and fight off a pelican for it. Geez. Some good news: catfish are starting to move up shallow, especially up the lake, and some good catches are reported on cold worms.

At Lake Claiborne, the fish have moved off the main lake and are up the arms of the lake for the most part. Jigging and casting small plastic jigs worked slowly are producing some fair to good catches. Bass fishing has been fair. Again, big plastics are working best here. Their is a good early morning bite.

Larry Fitzgerald with an 8 pound, nine ounce bass caught in Bayou DeSiard on a plastic lizard

Spring bass fishing is also getting better at Caney Lake, Black Bayou in Monroe and on Cheniere Lake in West Monroe. It seems the warmer weather in the afternoon has produced some good catches. Caney has produced several near 10 pounders this week. Bass are on the beds in the cypress flats on Black and Cheniere. Remember if you fish at Black Bayou, it is part of the National Wildlife Refuge system and has only one boat launch located near the visitor center. Outboard motors are restricted to 50 horsepower or less and there is a $2 launch fee.

The big bass are even biting in Bayou DeSiard, as is witnessed by the hawg on the left caught on a plastic lizard. Last but not least, some monster white perch continue to be caught out of Poverty Point Reservoir. Working the shallows around brushy banks seems to be the best. Bass fishing has been fair. Catfishing has been really picking up this week.

Be safe out there!