264 Louisiana Sportsman^ | April 2015
Northwest
fishing forecast>>>A
ccording to guide Sid Havard (318-548-4067), catching
bass in April on Kepler has to do with the style of lure
you choose.
“In April, it’s all about hard baits such as the Rat-L-Trap and
Rogue,” Havard said. “Granted, soft plastics will work on this
lake, but I just like to cover a lot of water, and the Trap and
Rogue allow me to do this.
“You can also sometimes catch some good bass by fishing a
black/blue/purple Stanley jig. I like to use a ½-ounce jig that I’ll
fish on the drop-offs just off the shallow pockets.”
Since Kepler is a spring-fed lake, the water is usually a few degrees
colder than other lakes, so the bream are not likely to be seriously
bedding until late in the month. Once they start, you can catch
some good bluegills and chinquapins on worms and crickets.Lake Claiborne
On Claiborne in April, Sid Havard keeps both soft plastics and
hard baits rigged up and ready to go.
“I like both soft plastic like a Texas-rigged lizard or plastic
worm,” Havard said. “For hard baits, my favorite here this time
of year is a Rat-L-Trap in crawfish color.
“I’ll usually head to the coves and inlets, and fish the back of
these pockets in shallow water where the fish are most likely
to be. These areas warm faster because they receive the most
sunlight during the day.
“Another bait I like here in April ... is the Stanley Ribbit frog.
Also, a 3/8-ounce Stanley spinnerbait I’ll fish along banks when
there is a slight wind. I’ll spool up my Lew’s reel on a 6-foot,
4-inch medium-action rod when I’m fishing a spinnerbait.”Grand Bayou
According to Jerry Hester, a serious bass angler and owner of
an automobile dealership in Coushatta, the bass spawn will
most likely be delayed because of harsh cold weather that lasted
into March — the month when spawning usually takes place.
“The report I gave you last month should be the same as this
one for April because everything is going to be delayed,” Hester
said. “Look for shallow areas all over the lake where the bass
are most likely to be spawning.
“You can offer them your choice of baits, such as the floating liz-
ard, Senko or a spinnerbait, and you can catch some big bass here
during the spawn, no matter if it takes place in March or April.
“The crappie are also going to be shallow, and the best places
to locate them in April are along the grass beds and the sea-
walls. Shiners or jigs will both work on these fish.
“By the end of April, you’ll find the chinquapins starting to get
serious about bedding up. Small crawfish, night crawlers or
cold worm are best baits to try.”Red River North
Guide Russ McVey said April is a good time to latch onto one
of the heavyweight bass for which the river is known.Hard baits hard to
beat this month
By Glynn HarrisMallory Price with a couple of
bass that fell for a blue-and-white
spinnerbait out of Belle River.This Month On SpORTSMaN TV
April 2 - Frigid In the Basin- Bass Fishing in the Atchafalaya Basin
April 9 - Lunkers Only - Big Bass Fishing in Mississippi
April 16 - 50 shades of Sac-a-lait- Crappie Fishing in Henderson, LA
April 23 - Lunkers Only
- Crappie Fishing in Henderson, LA
- Big Bass Fishing in Mississippi
April 30 - Mr. Crappie - Crappie fishing on Lake Sam Rayburn in Texas
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SPORTSMAN TV will help you make the most of your outdoor experience.Our host, Greg Hackney, 2014 Bass Angler Of The Year and hunting
enthusiast, continues to travel throughout Louisiana exploring all of the hunting and
fishing opportunities the state has to offer. Catch all of the action on Cox Sports
Television.louisianasportsman.com/sportsmantv
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Kepler Lake bass ready to bite