The challenge of Toledo Bend

Toledo Bend offers its challenges in a lot of ways. From an angling standpoint, more than 180,000 acres that swell up and bounce at even the slightest wind is just...

Chapman draws a crowd

As the leader going into the final day of the Toledo Bend Battle, Brent Chapman has drawn a crowd. James Overstreet and I are among 33 boats filled with interested...

Weather impact on Day Four

We don't know whether this is a harbinger of great things to come or quite the opposite, after hearing so many of the pros talk about having a difficult practice...

First look at the leader

Waiting with Mark Zona and Dennis Tietje for Brent Chapman to set up and go on this all important first hour of fishing. He rolls in at 6:34 and tosses...

And they’re off!

Day Four of the Toledo Bend Battle begins. The 12 finalists are on the water now. Brent Chapman remains in the lead, with Marty Robinson in second place by 1...

Chapman leaves his hot spot

Brent Chapman finally had enough of not catching anything, and he did something about it.   "I hate to say it, but you should have been here yesterday," Chapman said...

Toledo Bend bass ‘wild and crazy’

Mark Zona has left Brent Chapman's boat, replaced by Chapman's marshal. Chapman just asked us if we would do something to turn on these bass. He was joking, of course,...

Anglers say bite picks up as day goes on

I mentioned earlier how important timing will be in this event. On a lake where summertime patterns play a part, that is always a consideration.   From anecdotal evidence from...

Chapman adds a 3-pounder

We believe Brent Chapman now has four bass in the boat; he added a 3-pounder about 8 a.m. A catch like that is encouraging — and that's always important —...

Toledo Bend’s secrets: time and location

In our last Elite Series event on Lake Douglas we saw the tone of the tournament set with a technique – strolling or long-lining. It's not necessarily new, at least...