Planning trip for March 11-12; what to expect?

[Gene C]

Me and (3) buddies are planning a trip to Big Lake for March 11, 12 and maybe the 13th. One of us has been there a few times, but the rest of us are Texas bass fishermen who haven't been to the lake and don't know much about fishing for Reds or Trout, but would like to have a productive trip if possible. I have been reading about using Topwater plugs like a SheDog or Super Spook and fishing soft plastics (hackberry hustler or Gulp swimming mullet/grub) on a popping cork or jighead. I'm trying to get an idea of what I need to buy for the trip that time of year. Is the fishing typically best for Reds and/or trout around that time? If anyone wouldn't mind sending a few suggestions for baits or fishing tactics for early Spring, it sure would be appreciated. Fishing areas would be nice too, but I'd be happy with some lure/rig suggestions to point us in the right direction more than anything. Thanks in advance for any tips...

Gene

[jsmoke222000]

1st & foremost, welcome to the 411.

Soft plastics = anything in glow/chartreuse or opening night. Jerk jrs or sand eel jrs

Top Water bite turns on when the water temp hits 70 degrees. The super Spook is your friend. Bone or black/chartreuse

Just watch the reports closer to the time you are coming, you will get the info you are looking for.

[Gene C]

Thanks for the welcome and tips, much appreciated. This is a very good site; I'm glad I found it.

I'll definately be keeping an eye on the fishing reports between now and then. Thanks again.

Gene

[joe slo]

i have been catching qiute a few trout on the old trusty gold spoon, not to mention some flounder and reds. all the other baits listed are taken along with me too, but the spoon has been the fryin pan filler for me lately.
good luck

[gerald]

Jigs sizes.....

When fishing the soft plastic baits, I would start using 1/8 oz size first and maybe use a 1/4 oz. Let it slow fall and the work it very slowly. The water temp. may warm up some, but will still be fairly cool in 2 weeks. Work the baits very slow. Get a map of Calcasieu Lake that shows where some of the reefs are located......the reefs would be a good place to start fishing.

Reports are that schools of Red fish can be found out in the middle of the lake right now. I have seen reports of birds feeding where the schools of fish are feeding. And there are reports of good catches of Reds along the banks. If fish are not found in these places.......fishing the wiers is almost a sure bet to catch some fish using shrimp.

Bow hunting season closed last week......so I have not been out myself in a while. It was a little windy this AM, so worked on my "Honey Do" list some. I should have gone this afternoon....winds calmed down.

[Gene C]

Thanks for the tips. I really appreciate it. I'm looking forward to this trip; it should be a lot of fun with some old friends. I'll post a report when we get back. Hopefully I'll have pictures of fish that were caught, but either way, we'll have a good time.

Thanks again, Gene

[Ray]

Don't run the edges of the banks. You will piss off a lot of fishermen.
There are reefs along the edges of the lake. Lots of fishing along the banks this time of year.

[_W_]