Both air and water temperatures will be warm — and maybe even hot — on the Red River when the Central Open visits during mid-June. But that shouldn’t stop the bass from biting in this riverine fishery that has become a popular BASS tournament site.
“Bass will be up shallow early, but will seek shade or cover after the sun gets up,” says WBT angler Judy Wong.
For the shallow bite, she likes Chug Bugs, Spooks and Pop Rs in shad colors or soft jerkbaits in watermelon red and red shad.
Frogs and buzzbaits also could work, says JoNell Whitstine, another WBT angler and Red River veteran. She adds that a buzzbait could tempt bass well into the day.
Whitstine also recommends flipping shallow cover in the backwaters with soft plastics, such as lizards, tubes and critters.
“The oxbows or backwaters off the river will usually hold the biggest bass,” Wong says. “Look for points and subtle dropoffs, with lots of timber, laydowns or thick vegetation.”
Crankbaits, meanwhile, likely will produce when worked along riprap and jetties, and especially around breaks and cuts. Wong and Whitstine both recommend medium-diving crankbaits for these areas, with shad colors among the most popular.
For more information on the area, visit the Shreveport Regional Sports Authority Web site: www.lasportsauthority.org.
