CHESTER MOORE
The Port Arthur News
PORT ARTHUR —
The Bass Angler Sportsman’s Society (B.A.S.S.) is taking action on fish habitat concerns across the nation.
That is why they are collaborating with Friends of Reservoirs (FOR) according to B.A.S.S. conservation director Noreen Clough.
"Friends of Reservoirs offers an outstanding opportunity for B.A.S.S. and the B.A.S.S Federation Nation conservation programs to concentrate our habitat restoration and enhancement efforts where they will do the most good," said Clough, who served 20 years with the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service.
"The Reservoir Fish Habitat Partnership (RFHP) under the National Fish Habitat Partnership was a dream come true for me as B.A.S.S. conservation director, and through Friends of Reservoirs partnerships, we can make that dream a reality."
Jeff Boxrucker, RFHP coordinator, who attended the Summit, says, "The Reservoir Partnership is committed to working closely with B.A.S.S. to bring aquatic habitat issues to a ‘top-of-mind’ focus among anglers."
Boxrucker describes reservoir fisheries as having a "boom and bust" lifecycle.
He went on to say anglers typically experience outstanding fishing for the first 10 years following impoundment of a reservoir, but after that, most fisheries experience a decline in productivity and in the overall quality of the habitat. With the majority of reservoirs constructed from the 1950s to the 1970s, the "boom" years are long past.
"Most of the reservoirs in this country are approaching or exceeding 50 years old and are mired in the ’bust’ portion of their lifecycle," Boxrucker said.
"To sustain the quality of angling currently enjoyed, the decline in habitat quality needs to be reversed or future generations of anglers will not enjoy the same quality of angling that we, and those who taught and inspired us to fish, have enjoyed."
Now onto the report…
North Sabine---Trout and reds remain fair on live shad and mullet fished on the main lake and in the channel around shell and drop-offs. Reds are in the marsh with a few mixed with the trout. Flounder are good but running small on Gulp fished around drop-offs in the Sabine River and along the Louisiana shoreline. Be cautious of storms as they have forming, particularly in the afternoons.
South Sabine---Trout and reds remain fair to good under schools of shad on the main lake, mainly along the south shoreline and in the mid lake area. Flounder are fair on light colored jigs tipped with shrimp. Be cautious of storms forming quickly and covering the lake.
Sabine Pass---Very few reports at end of week mainly due to weather. The fishing has been solid at the jetties especially when the water clarity is good. Look for solid trout action along the Louisiana rocks and good fishing for reds and sharks on both sides.
Lake Calcasieu (Big Lake)---Hackberry Rod and Gun reports solid trout action on live bait and a variety of plastics. Reds are in the marshes and scattered along the shorelines. Very few reports of flounder.
Sam Rayburn---Guide Roger Bacon reports fair to good action for largemouths. He recommends anglers fish crankbaits inside the old hydrilla line. Moving out deeper, there are a lot of baitfish holding on brushpiles and natural cover on ridges and humps n 18 to 30 feet of water. Drop shot rigs and football jigs are taking the most fish. Crappie are holding tight to cover and taking shiners on the main lake. Very few reports of catfish.
Toledo Bend---Holly Park Marina reports largemouths are fair to good on redbug and watermelon red colored crankbaits and jigs. White bass remain good in the river channel and main lake on spoons. Crappie are good 25 feet down in 30 feet of water over baited holes on shiners. A few big blue catfish have been caught on trotlines.
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LAKE LEVELS
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TOLEDO BEND: Normal Pool Level: 172.0 Current Pool Level: 169.32 Was 169.49
RAYBURN LAKE: Normal Pool Level: 164 Current Pool Level: 163.48 Was: 163.48
B.A. STEIN HAGEN: Normal Pool Level: 85 Current Pool Level: 82.72 Was: 82.66
