Weather Conditions:

Low – 58

High – 77

Cloudy Early then clearing

Wind – Southwest 5-10mph

It seems like the winter just won’t end that is until now. Here it was the 2^nd weekend in March and water temps on Toledo Bend were ranging from 51-53 degrees until Saturdays sunshine got it up to around 56 in some areas that afternoon. The fish were in prespawn mode just waiting for that water to start warming up! Then in addition to the prolonged winter, it rained 6 inches up there on Thursday and Toledo had rose over a 1.5ft in 2 days. This had most of the lake murky. Most major creeks were muddy along with then entire lake north of the bridge. This had most anglers abandoning their usual fishing holes in an attempt to find better water. While the bite may have been tough, this is Toledo Bend and you can expect someone to have a big sack and someone to catch a real big fish. Both of these things occurred in the same boat just not by the same person. Rick Villemarette came in with a 19.02lbs to claim 1^st place and his co-angler/son brought a 9.38lb brute to the scales to claim big bass honors. This was Rick’s first win in 2 years. Maybe Ryan is Rick’s lucky charm……….

Rick’s 19.02lb sack of fish were caught on either an umbrella rig or jerk bait. Rick was focusing on the mouths of spawning pockets and drains on the edge of spawning flats in 12-16ft of water on the south end of the lake. His sack was anchored by a 6.71lb toad. He caught that fish first thing that morning. What a way to start a day (that never happens for me)! Second place went to Mark Barbat with 15.63lbs barely edging out the next angler. Mark was the only anlger of the top 5 finishers to fish north of the bridge. Mark focused on a 50 yard stretch of grass in 5 ft. of water.  He said the water in that area was the only place he had found that wasn’t completely muddy. All his fish came on a spinnerbait. Coming in 3^rd place was Wallace Woodson with 15.59lbs. Wallace focused on points with grass in 14-20 ft in the mid-lake area. He fished many different spots throughout the day. This is very un-Wallace Woodson like. Goes to show you how the murky water had changed peoples fishing patterns. All his fish came on an umbrella rig. Finishing out the top 5 was Barry Boothe with 14.67lbs and Ryan Villermarette with 11.16lbs. Ryan only had two fish but he had big fish of the tournament with 9.38lb DONKEY!!! This fish was caught on an umbrella rig in the back of his dad’s boat! This was Ryan’s personal best. Congratulations on that great catch and to our top 5 finishers. These guys did a great job on a tough bite!

We had 42 anglers show up to fish the legendary Toledo Bend. This was a really great turn out. We have a total of 42 club members now. A total of 62 fish were brought to the scales. This was our lowest fish count ever at Toledo. The bite was really tough only 4 limits were caught. As usual with Toledo the average weight was really high, 3.13lbs per fish. With 2 tournaments behind us the angler of the year standings are starting to take form. And big surprise we have two 2 time AOY champions at the top of the standings, Wallace Woodson and Rick Villemarette. Wallace is the only angler to catch a 5 fish limit to both tournaments. Also at the top is Brad Andes tied with Rick for second place. The top 6 race is still wide open. Every point is important!

At the bottom is a link to the video I made for the tournament. I would like to thank Rick for giving me his go pro to add another video to the mix. Sorry no music this time had some issues that I will try to get fixed before next tournament. I would also like to give props to Ryan Villemarette who took a rattle trap to the head and never stopped reeling in his bait. Now that is dedication!!!!!! You will see what I’m talking about in the video.

Finally our next tournament will be at Black Lake on April 11^th. The club has booked the lodge. It sleeps 24 people. Anyone wanting to stay will need to let me know. Its first come first serve. Some people have already told me but I wasn’t able to write it down so if you already told please contact me again. Also if all the sponsors could mail me their money, I am wanting to get started on the t-shirts for this year. My address is below:

6 Free Road Deville, LA 71328