Red River Winter Bass Bite Heats Up Near Shreveport This Sunday
·2 min
The episode opens with host Artificial Lure providing the daily fishing report for Sunday, February 22nd around Shreveport. Sunrise occurred at 6:57am with sunset at 6:12pm, offering ample daylight for fishing. Weather conditions include cooling temperatures to the mid-50s and light northwest winds, though scattered showers from the Gulf may create muddy conditions. Water levels on the Red River are steady at approximately 15,000 CFS near Shreveport after recent rains, with moderate flow that's ideal for bass seeking current breaks. Fish activity is increasing during the winter bite period. Local reports mention largemouth bass becoming more active, referencing a 10-pounder caught by Kate Kelly on nearby Grand Bayou Reservoir in January. Similar large bass are reportedly schooling deep in the river. Blue catfish and channel catfish are also active, stacking up in river bends where limits come easily on cut shad. White bass runs are starting early this year, and striped bass are beginning to appear in pockets. Catch data from the previous week includes dozens of 2-5 pound largemouths, handfuls of 20-40 pound blue catfish, and solid strings of white bass. For bass hugging the bottom, recommended lures include dash jigs tipped with craws or minnows, using 1-4-1.5oz football heads in green pumpkin colors. Spinner baits in white or chartreuse work well for reaction strikes along grass lines. Soft plastics like swimbaits or worms on shaky heads are effective for pre-spawn bass. For catfish, live bait options include shad or menhaden on circle hooks, drifted along the bottom in 10-20 feet of water. Chicken liver serves as an alternative if shad is unavailable. Productive fishing spots include the cross-lake spillway area for bass and white bass, which offers abundant structure. Another recommended location is the Red River bends below the I-20 bridge, where current funnels baitfish and catfish prowl. The episode concludes with safety reminders to bundle up and check regulations before heading out.
