Red River Bass Fishing Reports

[BHenke]

Launched out of Clarks around o' dark thirty and fished until 1330. Water temps to start were 54 and approaching 57 by the time I quit.  First fish of the morning was a 17" that weighed just at 3lbs on my scale.  Moved down a little further and hooked another good one but she came off near the boat.  Looked to be about the same size as the first one.  Same story on the next one that tried to eat my chrome blue bleeding shad rattle trap came undone before I could get her in the boat.  Switched to a Bandit 200 chartruesse/black back crankbait and fished in the same area.  Caught a 15" in the exact spot I missed the second one, might even have been the same fish.  Then caught a 12" on the same crankbait.  Moved to a steep drop off bank and fished a 5/16 oz brown/green jig tipped with a green pumpkin zoom speed craw and stuck one just over 13".  Been a long time since I caught one with a jig on the river, felt kinda good and don't have to worry about those getting off when the hook is right through the top jaw. Ran up river and switched back to the trusty rattle trap and one hammered it as soon as it hit the water but she got around a stump and came off.  Caught two more dinks on the rattle trap and that was it for the day.  Does anybody think that if I switch to a medium action rod with my rattle trap instead of a medium heavy that I won't lose as many fish on it?  I have read lots of different opinions on the subject of medium vs. medium heavy rods for crankbaits. 

Brent

[bassadict69]

BHenke, Have most of your fish lately been coming off rocks & jetties?

[Lipripper]

Thanks for your report  BHenke 

[dave the dope man]

 Does anybody think that if I switch to a medium action rod with my rattle trap instead of a medium heavy that I won't lose as many fish on it?

Personally I do. But lets see what everyone else says here.....Good job on the jig fish. Thats about all I can catch them on, on the river lately....Dave

[casso]

biggest problem w/ lost fish on a trap is hooks...switch them to Gammy's or Triple Grips.... I use MH 6'6" w/ no problem but it has a slow to moderate action. I wouldn't be throwing a trap on a MH fast.....The MH helps me rip through grass and such...it'll also help fighting the fish in the cover on the trap vs.  a medium. Just don't horse a trap fish, set the hook like on a crank or top water and keep that tip down.... just my 2 cents and I'm no expert

[dave the dope man]

just my 2 cents and I'm no expert



Sure, tell that lie somewhere else..I have seen you fish brother... ....Dave

[BHenke]

BHenke, Have most of your fish lately been coming off rocks & jetties?

Today I actually caught more around wood but the three pounder came off of rocks.  As soon as that water temp hits 60 those bass should start to hit topwater and boy do I love to throw a buzzbait.  When my brother came to visit last Sept we caught a bunch on a buzzbait and my best stringer while practicing on the Red was on a buzzbait. Estimated around 13lbs.

Brent

[b1jeremy]

i highly recommend mustad triple grips...bps was having a sale on them a few weeks ago...they are fairly expensive...but it is a must on all mine...i actually like to normally go 1 size bigger as well...thats just my preference...as with anything else u just gotta close your eyes and give it a try...good luck...Jeremy

[Hawgwild]

Hi Brent...I fish the traps alot one thing I am guilty of and perhaps you also is using the same trap all day or over several trips and not sharpening the hooks...

I've had the fish come off similar to what you discribed and can only really be contributed to either dull hooks or just not a good solid hook set...

I do use a 7' medium action rod.....Watch your hook set..many times I jsut pull back when the fish hits with a medium sweep of the rod..that's probably OK if your hooks are good and sharp, but not good with dull hooks...Check the hooks on the bait you have been using and then check the hooks on a new trap...

I have noticed when I retie or something some of the hooks are not near as sharp as when the bait first came out of the box...I've never changed hooks on my traps, but it isn't a bad idea....or keep a good hook hone handy..

Thanks for the good report....I'm going to hit Caddo this weekend getting reaty for the BPS big bass tourny but will be back on the Red real soon..

Scottie

[Railroader]

I fished the RED today, first time since the dec. ABA. i maneged 8 total with 3 being keepers.. 2.9, 1.14, 1.10. 5 dinks.. cranks, spinners, plastics..glad to see some people are catching bigger fish..water temp was 57-60.

[Lipripper]

Scottie is right keep them hooks sharp and just because they are right out of the box check them anyways.

Railroader thanks for the report and glad ya caught some 

[BassBUFF]

Hit the Red yesterday afternoon. Got to talk with RR for a whlie, it's always good to see friends out fishing! Tried some new (to me) areas and actually caught some fish. Got six keepers on plastic, a trap, and a spinnerbait. One went over 3lbs. Overall, the best fishing I've ever had on the river (which ain't saying much ).

[Coonnasty]

Anybody know when the rescheduled ABA tourney is supposed to be happening on the Red? I thought it was going to be this weekend?

[GEO]

it is the 19th out of clarks

[BIG PAPA]

Chris your inbox is full again
papa

[b1jeremy]

good luck to those fishing tomorrow...be safe and leave a few unhooked for me lol...i want a full report tomorrow evening lol...Jeremy

[Ron Fogelson]

b1jeremy thanks for the tips on lure selection.  I will sure to let you know how Mike & I do tomarrow.  Not very excited at this point on the fishing prospects,  but we have a great club so at least I know we will have fun BSing eachother and just chatting on the water and the weigh-in.

Fogy

[Chris]

Brent and I got out there today for roughly an hour or more. Had severe ,COSTLY problems getting to the river and then barely fished.We went to a spot hooked a few and left .Watched a weighin and got no information from winners .Saw a couple double digit sacks but was slim pickens for the most part. May be a LONG day tomorrow.  

[cmegee]

Went to pool 4 today, but had problems with the wind and other boaters. Had two good bites but not much as far as hook ups....

[fishin couillon]

Does anyone have a report about Colfax and north of there. There got to be someone that fishes close to here. Was suppose to go on Sunday, but had to do those chores around the house.

[BHenke]

Put in this morning out of Clarks even though I knew that the wind was going to be blowing in a couple hours but after working three twelve hours shifts last weekend I needed to get on the water. Caught a 13" on a green and brown jig and had a bite on a junebug superhog, thought I was hung up at first until it pulled back and by then it was too late, missed her. Quit at 1130 with a strong wind out of the north. Both fish were around wood. Water temp was 54 degrees.

[bryan]

fished the river today caught ten but no size.  most were about a pound to a pound and a half with just one about two and a half pounds.  caught a couple on a blade but most came on a straight tail worm.  water got up to 54 degrees before i left at about 3.  looks like the next couple of days are going to be tough.   

[whatcam]

Well looks like there is a cold front due for friday bringing some rain. I would think tomm would be a pretty good day. I took off tomm and my friend doesnt have to go in till 4pm so we are gonna try to hit them up. I think I will start around dozer point and start there and work my way back to caspy. I havnt tried a zoom fluke or heard anybody say they have so I will give that a try along with the rest of my tackle box. I will give you all a full report 

[Hawgwild]

Just letting everyone know that Reeves Marines will hold their first regular season Tourny on the Red this Saturday....

They are expecting 100-150 Boats...

May be a good time to try another lake this weekend for sure....but best of luck to anyone fishing the Reeves tourny...

I think I'll be on Caddo again getting ready for the BPS big bass tourny on the 18th... think I'lll wait till it warms a little around noon....although a high of 44 degrees Saturday isn't much of a warm up...

Scottie

[whatcam]

Ouch, glad my off day is tomm! Should be a nice day for fishing.