Every lake has a reputation. For most when you think of Caney Lake you think of catching the giant Florida bred bass. Think of Black Lake and those big slabs of white perch come into your mind. Start talking about D’Arbonne Lake and you hear people talking about finding the “schoolers”. Then there is Lake Claiborne where fishing for striped bass rules the conversation.
Fact of the matter all of the above are well known for providing tons of fun when it comes to ‘Perch Jerkin” it doesn’t matter where you go in north Louisiana, you are bound to catch a mess. Unlike bass fishing where you need rigged out boat, all kinds of artificial lures and high dollar rod & reels you can catch you a meal or two of Perch simply by putting some crickets, shiners or worms on a hook that is hanging on a line attached to a cane pole.
Sure it is always good to be able to move around from spot to spot in a boat but lots of Perch and bream are caught from the banks or even standing on a bridge that goes over the water. Best of all it is good, simple fun. Drop a line, watch a bobber (if you like to use one) and JERK when you feel a strikE
Also if you like to feel a good fight when you catch a fish then “Perch Jerkin” is for you. Nothing more fun that to see a 12 foot cane pole bend almost double and hang on for dear life while that big ole slab darts back and forth.
This time of year is great for catching a mess too. Want proof? Take a look below the area fishing report at the pictures of some of the “slabs” that found their way into the frying pans this past week.
FISHING REPORT
CANEY LAKE – Smaller bass are schooling and hitting shad imitation lures fished on top. Some bigger fish are locating around deep humps and ridges with oversized plastic worms and crank baits picking up a few. Crappie fishing has been best fishing around the deep tops on shiners or jigs. Catfish have been biting using noodles or tight lining cold worms and liver. Bream fishing has been fair to good on worms and crickets. Night tournaments are being held Thursday nights at Hooks Marina with a 3-fish limit. For latest information contact Bateaux on Caney Lake at 259-6649, Hooks Marina at 249-2347, Terzia Tackle at 278-4498 or the Honey Hole Tackle Shop at 323-8707.
OUACHITA RIVER – There is a slight rise on the river. Best bets for bass are in the mouth of the river lakes on shad imitations. Crappie fishing is best in river lakes fishing shiners or jigs 10-12 feet deep. Bream are in the back waters and river lakes and hitting crickets and worms. For latest information, contact the Honey Hole Tackle Shop at 323-8707.
LAKE D’ARBONNE – Crappie are fairly shallow on the flats fishing shiner or jigs 6 feet deep in 8-10 foot water. Bass have been best fishing up the creeks around grass beds on Carolina rigs and plastic frogs. Some are also being caught along the edges of the channel on crank baits and soft plastics. Bream are still biting fairly shallow on crickets and worms around the lake. Catfishing has been good on set hooks baited with bream with lots of smaller channel catfish caught fishing off the banks with cold worms and night crawlers. For latest reports, call Anderson’s Sport Center at 368-9669 or Honey Hole Tackle Shop at 323-8707.
LAKE CLAIBORNE – Crappie fishing has been best fishing early and late around the deep tops on shiners or jigs. A good many catfish are being caught using “noodles” and trotlines baited with cold worms. Some bream are still being caught off the banks on worms and crickets. Bass have been a bit slow this week. Stripers continue to school chasing shad on top with some being caught on shad imitation topwater lures or white bucktails. For latest information, call Tim Loftin at Kel’s Cove at 927-2264.
