Paradise PFA Fishing Report – October 2008

Paradise PFA: Levels: Most lakes are near full pool. Temp: 80-82 degrees. Clarity: Lightly stained; 36-inch visibility on Lake Patrick.

Bass: Good, according to Area Manager Charles West. “Schooling bass are feeding on baitfish in lakes Patrick, Bobben and Russell. Topwater baits are the preferred choice. Boat anglers in Lake Patrick and Bobben have been catching 10- to 12-inch bass with an occasional 16- to 18-inch keeper. Although most bass are running small, some anglers are reporting boating 20 to 30 bass per trip. Bank anglers have also done well fishing Trick Worms in the shallows casting on schooling bass. Bass fishing should continue to improve through November.”

Bream: Good. “Nice catches of bluegill are being reported. Red wigglers and crickets are the most common bait with crickets being the No. 1 choice. Lakes Patrick, Bobben, Tacklebuster, Russell and Horseshoe 1 have been the best for bluegill. Good hand-sized redear are also being caught in Lake Patrick and Lake Bobben. Fish in 4 to 6 feet of water with the bait suspended just off the bottom. Cast around fallen trees and heavy cover for best results,” Charles said.

Crappie: Fair, with the best bite in 3 to 4 feet of water using 1/32- to 1/16-oz. float-rigged jigs. “Crappie have been hitting blue-and-white, black-and-green, and solid-white jigs in lakes Patrick, Russell, Tacklebuster and Horseshoe 5,” Charles said.

Catfish: Fair. “Catfishing has started to improve and fish in the 1- to 2-lb. range are being caught in Lake Patrick. Good catches of channel catfish have also been reported in Horseshoe 1 and Tacklebuster. Chicken liver or mullet gut is the bait of choice,” Charles said.