Speckled trout action has been good on Lake Sabine over the last couple of weeks, but not all of the trout coming in are of the speckled variety.

Recently, Lake Sabine has been invaded by large numbers of hefty sand trout that seem to be enjoying the salty water conditions.

In next Thursday’s Outdoors Update, we will be running a story and photo regarding a pending state record sand trout for the area and detailing how, when and where to score on these fun to catch fish.

Until then remember there are no size or bag limits on sand trout so if you are looking for fish fry material the sand trout might just be for you.

Now onto the report…

North Sabine — Reds are starting to school some with reports of anglers running into big schools on the south side of Stewts Island and along the north levee at Pleasure Island. Trout are good when the wind is calm on shad, shrimp and shrimp imitations fished under the birds. Very few reports of topwater action. Sand trout have been good from the north levee at Pleasure Island and on the intake side of the Entergy Canal from the bank on dead shrimp and cut bait. Very few reports of flounder.

    South Sabine — Trout are good under the birds and over emerging slicks on shad, Little Fishies and cocahoe minnows. Redfish are fair from the south levee on cut bait. Sand trout are fair from the piers on shrimp and cut bait. Flounder action has been fair from the Louisiana shoreline on live mud minnows and some have been caught around the Walter Umphrey Pier.

   Sabine Pass — The surf is starting to produce fair numbers of sharks and bull reds. The channel is fair to good for trout at night under green lights on shad and shrimp.

    Big Lake (Calcasieu) — Capt. Buddy Oakes of the Hackberry Rod and Gun Club reports trout and reds are good under the birds on soft plastics and topwaters. The Lake Charles area is starting to turn on for trout as well with some bird action reported. Flounder remain good on live mud minnows on the west side of the lake.

    Bolivar — A few trout showed up in the surf this week taking dark-colored plastics and topwaters early. The North Jetties are excellent for small sharks and bull redfish on cut bait.

    Toledo Bend — Largemouths are fair to good in 10 to 12 feet of water on Carolina-rigged worms in dark colors. Night fishing has been good for bass in the deeper coves. Crappie are fair to good over main lake brush with some action on Roadrunners fished in the creeks. Trotlines are fair for flatheads on live perch.

   Rayburn Lake — TPWD inland fisheries officials report largemouths are good on white and white/green spinnerbaits, crankbaits, and Rat-L-Traps, and on buzzbaits and Pop-R’s over grass early. Crappie are good on minnows and chartreuse/blue tube jigs.

   Sabine River — Flounder are fair to good on white/chartreuse jigs tipped with shrimp fished at the Dupont Outfall Canal. Some large reds are starting to show there as well and coming on live mullet. The bayous are fair to good for catfish on shrimp and cut mullet. Largemouths are good on small, shiny plastics fished around the treated sewage pipe in Adams Bayou.

 

LAKE LEVELS

TOLEDO BEND: Normal Level: 172.0 Current Pool Level: 168.54 (Was 168.75)

RAYBURN LAKE: Normal Pool Level: 164.4 Current Pool Level: 163.38 (Was 163.86)

B.A. STEINHAGEN: Normal Pool Level: 85 Current Pool Level: 79.74 (Was 81.98)



Chester Moore, Jr. is the Port Arthur News Outdoors Editor