For the past several years it seems a pair of students from at least one of our local schools qualifies for the National High School Bass Fishing Championships. It should come as no surprise as Jackson Parish and surrounding area has some of the best fisheries in the entire nation that allows for all kinds of different strategies to be used.
It won’t be long that another season will begin as evidenced by the dates shown below for the fall qualifier rounds for the 2020-21 season. Teams can fish any or all of the qualifiers no matter what area they are located.
- September 12- Doiron’s Landing, both sides, Stephensville, LA (East Division)
- October 10- Red River, Grand Ecore Landing, Natchitoches (North division)
- November 7th- Calcasieu River, Moss Bluff (West Division)
Fishing report for area waterways for August 9th-16th
CANEY LAKE – A good many bream are being caught fishing around the piers on worms and crickets. Bass are schooling and running from small to average size. However some bigger fish in the 5-7 pound range are in deeper water with oversized plastic worms and crank baits picking up some. Crappie have slowed and are only fair this week. Catfishing has been good tight-lining cold worms and blood bait. 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 little current in the river this week. Crappie have been fair fishing 8-9 feet deep in 12 foot water around the tops on jigs, especially those with blue, chartreuse and purple colors. Bass have been best fishing the cuts with shad imitation lures. Bream are fair on worms and crickets. For latest information, contact the Honey Hole Tackle Shop at 323-8707.
LAKE D’ARBONNE – Crappie fishing has been fair on the flats on shiners and jigs. Bass have been good at night on dark colored plastic worms and dark spinner baits. During daylight hours, they are best fishing the deep holes and channel drops with crank baits, wacky worms, jigs and spinners. Bream are fair on crickets and worms. Catfishing has been good 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 – Bass fishing has been fair with some caught at night on dark spinners and soft plastics. Crappie fishing continues to be good fishing jigs or shiners 12-15 deep around submerged brush sitting in 20 foot water. Catfish are fair tight-lining cold worms. Bream are fair but running rather small. Stripers are schooling and hitting shad imitations while trolling for them with white bucktails is also working. For latest information, call Tim Loftin at Kel’s Cove at 927-2264.