The Calcasieu River has gotten very tough the past several days and bites are few and far between, said frequent Calcasieu River angler Doug Guins.

“It has been very hard to scratch out bites and keeper fish have been hard to find,” Guins said.

The water temperature is in the upper 80s and the water condition has gone from stained to almost muddy. The fish are in a transition to summer patterns and are in search of cooler water as surface temps are nearing the 90-degree mark.

Guins said his top baits are Texas-rigged soft plastics fished very slowly around deeper structure. Small crankbaits and spinnerbaits have also caught some fish. According to reports, the topwater bite has subsided because of the muddy conditions, but Guins said he thinks it should improve as the water clears.

Some of the most exciting news the past 7-10 days among Calcasieu River anglers was the bass Lake Charles fisherman Johnny Watkins caught, which weighed a whopping 10.6 pounds.

Watkins reported catching her on the north end of the river and north of Ward 8 or White Oak Park area. Watkins said he was flipping a Stanley 1/2-ounce jig next to a big cypress tree with a good cluster of knees by it. For a jig trailer he was using a 3.5-inch Stanley Y-Not in black and blue and he was using braided line.

That is one of the largest bass I have ever heard of coming off the Calcasieu River, and congratulations is in order to Watkins, who catches his share of big, largemouth bass. This trophy bass was released alive.

Another huge Calcasieu River bass at just under 6 pounds was caught last weekend by Lake Charles’ Doug Logan. With the several large bass caught last week, plus these two trophies by Watkins and Logan, then it easy to assume that many Calcasieu River anglers should be really optimistic about the future of this awesome fishery.

Sabine River

The Sabine River continues to produce good numbers of fish, but the quality bass are harder to come by as the water continues to stay mostly clear with water temps in the mid 80s.

Crankbaits, weightless soft plastics and topwater patterns the top choices of local fishermen. Guins said early morning and late afternoon are best, but midday can also be productive if there is current present.

Tournament Results

Southern Outdoor Productions hosted an event on Toledo Bend last Saturday out of Fin and Feather Marina.

Overall, the anglers reported the fishing was good and most of the fish were caught in deeper water as temperatures are on the increase.

The winning team was Darold Gleason and Jared Burns with team weight of 24.03 pounds, including the big bass award of 5.66 pounds. They reported catching fish in 20 feet of water targeting main lake points and structure. Majority of their fish were caught on 3/4-ounce football Jigs and Texas rigs with large red bug worms.

Second place went to Jeremy Burge and Kraig Welborn with a weight of 17.04, while third went to Todd Areno and Charlie Westmoreland with 13.36 pounds.

The next event is July 6 on Toledo Bend. For more information, call Doug at 337-884-1183.

CPSO: The Calcasieu Parish Sheriff Office employees sponsored their last tournament on the Calcasieu River last weekend and fished a three-bass per team format. Winners were Bubba Mayeaux and Clay Dardeaux with a stringer weighing 5.36 pounds and they fished north on the main river using Stanley Top Toads and soft plastics.

In second place with 4.42 pounds were Shane Cormier and Brandon Rannekleiv, who reported fishing north on the main river channel using Texas rigs and Speed Craws. In third with 3.51 pounds were Craig and Hayden Bean, who fished topwater and wacky worms.

DOGFIGHTS: Week 10’s winners of Calcasieu River Wednesday Afternoon Dogfights was the team of Shane Gann and Brandon Grabert with a five-fish stringer of 6.08 pounds. They reported using black-and-blue jigs while fishing in the main river.

The duo blew their engine and only had the trolling motor.

In second were Greg Burley and Shane Cormier with 5.13 pounds while using spinner baits and crankbaits. Third place went to Troy Tate and Paul Frilot with 5.12 pounds. They said they fished in the main river channel using soft plastics.

Tournament director Ron Castille said they are halfway through season with the championship scheduled in August.

Big Lake

Hackberry Rod and Gun’s Capt. Buddy Oakes reported the past few days are paying off with big limits of speckled trout coming from the main lake.

For a change the fishing activity has lots of excited anglers boating plenty of quality fish for pictures as well as for a backyard fish fry. Baits of choice have been live shrimp, Hackberry Hustlers and Mirrolure’s Little John in the glow color. Artificial lures have been best early and then live shrimp works well to keep the fish hitting after the early bite slows down.

Oakes said the plastics have been rigged on light lead heads and fished deep over oyster reefs. Capt. Kevin Broussard reported Turner’s Bay and Nine Mile are holding fish.

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Please send us your fishing reports. Call 463-3848 or email me at joejoslinoutdoors@yahoo.com or visit www.joejoslinoutdoors.com