266 Louisiana Sportsman^ | April 2015
“With the cold winter we’ve had, the spawn should be running
right on time for typical springtime patterns,” he said “This
often means April is a good time to tie into some big bass.
“In April, I’ll be flipping a black/blue or black/brown/amber
7/16-ounce Southpaw jig around the timber on the flats back in
the oxbows. I like to add a craw-worm in matching color to my
jig; this little extra seems to sometimes trigger more bites.
“As things start to warm up later in the day, I’ll often switch to
a white-and-chartreuse spinnerbait rigged on 17-pound-test
line, and slow-roll it around the stumps and lay down logs.
“I’ll probably also use a Texas-rigged, dark-colored creature
bait rigged with a 3/16-ounce or ¼-ounce weight. The best
depths are going to be from the banks to about 6 feet of water.
“Another good bait that has produced for me back on the shal-
low flats is a 100 series chartreuse/blue- and crawfish- colored
Bandit crankbait that I’ll fish around wood.
“The bream should be starting to bed up by the end of the
month, and worms and crickets will produce some good
catches of bream. Also, crappie should be around shallow
structure back in the oxbows, and they’ll hit jigs or shiners.”
Guide Russ McVey owner of Russ McVey’s Guide Service, can
be contacted at [email protected] or 318-464-2277.Caddo Lake
If a bass fisherman is interested in adding a really big fish to
his trophy wall, April is the time and Caddo Lake is the spot,
guide Russ McVey said.
“Caddo Lake has some impressive bass, and there are sev-
eral patterns that will work on big bass in April,” McVey said.
“Flipping jigs around cypress trees is one of my favorite ways to
fish for big bass, and Caddo has a bunch of them.
“I’ll usually flip the cypresses on the main lake with a 7/16-
ounce black/blue or black/blue/purple Southpaw jig tipped
with a black/blue craw.
“Other baits you can try are the Texas-rigged soft-plastic
lure, like a worm or lizard that I’ll outfit with a ¼-ounce worm
weight. For suspended fish, I’ll usually go to a spinner or crank-
bait. If there is current in the run-outs, a 100 series crankbait
will often entice strikes, too.
“Another method that works here this time of year is to fish
the shallows along the banks with a soft jerk bait.”Lake Bistineau
Guide Russ McVey said bass are likely to be shallow but near
deeper water this time of year on Bistineau.
“The bass will be around the shallow water near the deeper
sloughs,” he said. “I’ll likely be throwing a gold/orange-bellied
Rogue around the shallow cypress trees. In areas with moss, I
like a soft plastic I’ll fish over the grass without a weight.
“Another bait to try is a green pumpkin or black neon Texas-
rigged lizard I’ll fish around the bigger trees in the shallows.
For stained water, it’s hard to beat a fire tiger crankbait or a
white/chartreuse spinnerbait.”Black Lake
Now that the drawdown has ended with late winter rains put-
ting plenty of water back in the lake, normal patterns should
work on Black Lake, said guide Sid Havard.“With most bass shallow at this time of year, a moving bait
can be the ticket,” he said. “A Stanley double willow leaf spinner
reeled just below surface is just asking for a big bite. Your best
bet is to target wood: logs, stumps and trees. Work the shallows
carefully and you’ll likely cross paths with some quality bass.
“Another tip is to look for pockets with the most sunlight
during daylight hours; these areas will warm quicker. A good
bait to try is the new Super Natural Rat-L-Trap, which works
very well in shallow water. You can find good water on both the
north and south ends of the lake.
“I like to use braided line. If you’re new to braided line, here’s
a tip you might use: Just be sure to leave a few wraps of mono
line on your reel. Tie your braid to the mono, and then spool
up. Otherwise, the braid will spin on your spool when you set
the hook.
“If I’m looking for a big bite, a Stanley ½-ounce spinner will be
locked and loaded with 20-pound mono on my Lew’s reel.”
Crappie should be on the shallow flats spawning. Best baits
are live shiners or jigs tipped with shiners. The bream will be
starting to bed in the shallows, and will hit worms and crickets.
Trotlines baited with cold worms is a virtual guarantee for a
good bunch of channel catfish for which this lake is famous. ■Celebrate your sporting heritage — classically
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fishing forecast continuedOtis Taylor will do anything to get his
picture in Louisiana Sportsman —
even hold up someone else’s fish.