"May is the month for big trout on Big Lake."

That is what Capt. Buddy Oakes of the Hackberry Rod and Gun Club said a when I visited with him at the club at the tail end of duck season.

"We always catch the biggest trout in May," he added.

Well, that tends to run true for Sabine as we start seeing more stabilized weather conditions and consistent fishing action. March usually gives up bigger fish overall but there are more quality fish caught in May according to my reports dating back to 1998. We have been seeing more reports of big trout over the last week than in the previous few months. There has been little pressure out there this spring so that means there are plenty of trout for anglers to connect with.

It will be interesting to see how this month plays out going into the SALT Tournament Memorial Day weekend.

Now on to the report…

North Sabine/Neches River — Capt. Mike Morgan reports trout and reds are fair under the birds on plastics and Rat-L-Traps at the north end of Pleasure Island and also around the Barrel Chanel. The islands are producing a few big trout for anglers wading and throwing topwaters and Assassins. Flounder are good along the Louisiana shoreline with most of the action taking place in the marsh beyond the cuts where a Louisiana license is necessary.

South Sabine — The reef has turned on for trout with anglers catching some limits on Sand Eels, Culprit Worms and Assassins in dark colors drifted slowly. There has been some topwater action early from Blue Buck Point to Green's Bayou early and late. Flounder are good but running small along the Louisiana shoreline.

Sabine Pass — Trout fishing has been hit and miss in Keith Lake Cut on Gulp shrimp fished on an 1/8-ounce head and bounced on the bottom. On calm days the jetties are good for trout on the Louisiana side on purple/white cocahoe minnows and topwaters fished early. Reds are fair to good along the Texas rocks on mullet and mud minnows.

Sabine River — Bass fishing picked up in a big way this week with good numbers caught on white/chartreuse spinners fished in Adams and Cow Bayous. Whacky worms in colors like watermelon are good in Adams Bayou from the boat club cut north to Lion's park. Catfish are good on cut bait and dead shrimp fished around the Dupont Outfall Canal. Very few reports of reds.

Calcasieu (Big Lake ) — The Hackberry Rod and Gun Club reports good trout fishing on the south end under birds and slicks on a variety on dark colored plastics. Some big fish are starting to show on the reefs on eel imitations. Redfish are good in West Cove and along the shorelines in the Intracoastal. Very few reports of flounder this week.

Rayburn Lake — Guide Roger Bacon reports largemouths are good early and late, small topwaters like Chug Bugs and Pop Rs. Senkos and Super Flukes in watermelon and green pumpkin are working in the hydrilla. The crappie spawn is winding down as well and they are moving to deep brushtops. Best bite has been on Albino Shad or Pearl colored soft plastics or live shiners. Catfish are good on jug lines near creek channels on frozen shrimp and prepared baits.

Toledo Bend — Holly Park Marina reports largemouths are hitting lipless crank baits like Rat-L-Traps and also shallow running Bandits in three to five feet of water over the grass. Crappie remain spotty with a few caught off piers in shallow water. White bass are good on the river with jigging spoons. Bream are biting in shallow water on crickets. Catfish are fair to good on nightcrawlers and chicken liver.

Lake Livingston — Texas Parks & Wildlife Department officials report largemouths are good on crankbaits, spinnerbaits, and soft plastics. Striped bass are slow. White bass are slow. Crappie are fair on minnows. Blue catfish are good on shad. Yellow catfish are slow