Hello, anglers and outdoor addicts.

Early this week the Sabine River Authority reported the lake level was 172.64 feet mean sea level, which is higher than it was last week at 172.5. The SRA said it was trying to get the level to stabilize, and it probably will as both generators going 24/7 and at the emergency spillway they had 11 gates open 2 feet.

The water temperatures were in upper 60s. North Toledo was stained and midlake was slightly stained and south Toledo was slightly stained in the back of feeder creeks (Six Mile) and clearer as you head to the main lake.

Caution boaters

With Toledo’s water levels quite high, there are floaters all over the lake, even in boat lanes. I was on Toledo several times last week and there were floaters everywhere. I would not recommend going on the lake until you can see at safe light.

Fishing report

BASS: The topwater bite was good last week as was a wacky rig. On topwater I have had great luck with Berkley’s Choppo in shad patterns.

There’s also been shad spawns around the Texas Islands. Also, the Berkley J-Walker (in shad patterns), which is my favorite walking bait, is easy to walk. On our wacky rigs we are using The General in green pumpkin and pumpkin party. I am using a 3/0 Aberdeen hook, 10-pound test and rigging The General weightless.

We also were catching post-spawn bass with a Texas-rigged Bottom Hopper in June bug and red bug. If it’s cloudy, I fish with the June bug all day, but if the sun comes out I go to red bug, which is more translucent.

On my Texas-rigged Bottom Hopper, I use a 3/0 offset hook with 17-pound fluorocarbon test. I also use a 3/16-ounce black sinker. We are catching these bass from 6-10 feet.

We were also catching nice bass on traditional drop-shot using a good quality spinning reel and spinning rod. I use a small No. 1 drop-shot hook that I nose hook a 4.75-inch Bottom Hopper in morning dawn. I also use 10-pound line for drop-shot.

CRAPPIE: Guides Tater Reynolds and George Jeane said they were catching limits most days. Live shiners seem to be the key over their brush piles in 25-27 feet. The crappie are suspended 14-15 feet from the surface.

l

Joe Joslin is a syndicated outdoor columnist, tournament angler and pro guide on Toledo Bend and Sam Rayburn. His column appears Wednesdays. Contact him at 463-3848 or

joejoslinoutdoors@yahoo.com or visit www.joejoslinoutdoors.com