CHESTER MOORE
The Port Arthur News
PORT ARTHUR —
Basmaster magazine has an interesting listing of the top 100 bass lakes in the United States based on nominations from pro anglers, fisheries agencies and tournament organizers.
Lake Falcon on the Texas/Mexico border took the top slot and Toledo Bend and Sam Rayburn made 15 and 19 respectively.
The Texas lakes on the list with their rankings are:
No. 1—Falcon
No. 6—Amistad
No. 15—Toledo Bend (shared with Louisiana)
No. 19—Sam Rayburn
No. 26—Fork
No. 39—Choke Canyon
No. 64—Conroe
No. 88—O.H. Ivie
“The list was compiled in a months-long process that included research from state fisheries agencies, nominations from B.A.S.S. Federation Nation tournament organizers and a panel of widely traveled professional anglers, fishing writers and others,” stated a press release issued by B.A.S.S.
Texas had more lakes (8) than any other state with Florida taking second place honors with seven.
Now onto the report…
North Sabine---Calm days continue to produce a few trout under birds around the north revetment and scattered throughout the lake. Reds are mixed with the trout and are fair in the marshes. Very few reports of flounder.
South Sabine---The reef continues to be a safe best on windy days for anglers drifting with Gulp, sand eel imitations and other plastics. Reds are still mixed with the trout. Flounder are slow fair on live bait fished around causeway area and along the Louisiana shoreline.
Sabine Pass---Very few reports due to high wind most of the week. There have not been any signs of solid trout action at the jetties yet but that could happen any day.
Lake Calcasieu (Big Lake)---Hackberry Rod and Gun reports anglers are catching solid trout in clear water on Hackberry Hustlers and live bait. Mixed shell seems to be holding the largest fish. Redfish are mixed with the trout. Flounder are fair to good around the cuts on jigs tipped with shrimp.
Sabine River---Look for catfish in the shallow cuts connecting to the larger bayous. Dead shrimp and chicken liver are the best baits. Very few reports of bass and redfish this week.
Sam Rayburn---Texas Parks & Wildlife Department officials report largemouths are good on watermelon Senkos, lizards, and Baby Brush Hogs. White bass are good on minnows and Li'l Fishies. Crappie are good on minnows and pink tube jigs over brush piles. Bream are good on nightcrawlers and crickets. Catfish are good on trotlines baited with nightcrawlers and minnows.
Toledo Bend---Holly Park Marina reports largemouths up to nine pounds have been fair to good on crankbaits, Carolina-rigged worms and lizards fished in the deeper coves. Crappie are fair around boat docks on shiners. Bream are good on crickets. Very few reports of catfish.
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LAKE LEVELS
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TOLEDO BEND: Normal Pool Level: 172.0 Current Pool Level: 170.75 Was 170.35
RAYBURN LAKE: Normal Pool Level: 164 Current Pool Level: 164.22 Was: 163.81
B.A. STEIN HAGEN: Normal Pool Level: 85 Current Pool Level: 82.19 Was: 82.39
