Hello Grand Lakers!

The weather and the lake are starting to stabilize somewhat and the fishing is getting better.

I have heard a few reports of some crappie on the banks, mainly in the late evenings. You have to be in the right place and the right time. There just don't seem to be too many right places or times, however.

The black bass fishing is still good. Hopefully the wind will slow down so we can fish them better. On my last three guide trips the wind was blowing thirty miles per hour. We couldn't fish the way we wanted to, but we still caught several. Crankbaits, spinnerbaits and tubes have been our best baits.

The white bass are just now being able to be patterned to where we can catch them just about every day now. This has been a tough spring to find them every day, but it looks like the fishing is getting more predicable now.

Remember the sonar and GPS seminar that Lowrance has been so kind to host for us on the 22nd at Martin Landing. It is a lot of trouble for Lowrance to do this, so please come out and learn how to use your electronics better. I know I have a lot to learn myself.

I'll see you on the water!

Ivan Martin, Martin Guide Service

Call 918-260-7743 if you want to book a Grand Lake guide trip.

Ask about Mexico, Lake Fork (TX) and Lake Champlain (New York) guide trips too!

Well everyone, the water is falling finally and you can catch some white bass up in some of the creeks. They should be showing up down in the main lake soon too.

Large mouth have been real good on spinner baits. I've had success with Hart Spinner baits, and I'm also using Hart jigs in the bushes.

The cat fishing has been real good.

There have been some reports a few people are catching crappie near the banks.

On Saturday, May 3rd my TV show starts back up so check it out on Channel 47, KWHB at 4:00 p.m. Saturdays.

Until next time, Tony says, “Good Luck Fishing!”

Tony

p.s. Check out some of the photos from our Mexico trips, and here are some pictures from a few recent guide trips. Don't forget, we have Gift Certificates that make an easy choice for your favorite sportsman.

Catch Tony's TV show all over Northeast Oklahoma on KWHB Channel 47 (Tulsa).

It airs at 4:00 p.m. on Saturdays.

Special Article: "A Grand Tour" by Kurtis L. Bubier, Freelance Writer

2nd Annual Rush for Brush Events Planned (Photo)

Our lakes are getting older and some of the stump beds and rock piles are rotting out or silting in. As a result, some of our fishing holes are not as productive as they used to be.

Last year GRDA's Office of Ecosystems Management initiated a program called "Rush For Brush." The goal of the program is to restore fish habitat that has decomposed over the years. The program works like this: GRDA provides the materials to build "spider blocks" (made of concrete block, pvc pipe, and mortar mix) for artificial habitat. Volunteers come and help build the spider blocks. Once the blocks have set up overnight, GRDA evenly disperses the blocks among the volunteers on the following day.

Volunteers can place the habitat in their favorite fishing spot. GRDA does not care where the habitats are placed as long as they are in deep enough water to avoid contact with boats, other watercraft, and people.

Some of the benefits of the "spider blocks" are: 1.) They provide protection from predators, 2.) They provide a nursery for the young, 3.) They are difficult to find with a fish locator, therefore your spot remains a secret, and 4.) They are environmentally friendly.

So, do you your part of replenishing the fish habitat by participating in one of our events in the 2nd Annual Rush For Brush. Please contact Jacklyn Jaggars at (918) 256-5545 ext 4523 or email to jjaggars@grda.com to reserve your spot today. See the list of dates and locations below:

May 9-10: Lake Hudson Inn @ Lake Hudson

I am finally fishing again. Well, if you can call it that.

Fishing in the lake is tough. I did manage to catch a few crappie this last week, and as always, a purple jig is my color.

I also caught a couple of nice sized black bass fishing in the flooded willows, using a black and blue jig with a blue pork trailer.

Mostly, I have been fishing in the river below the dam. Cat fishing is good, using cut shad.

White bass fishing is excellent, using buck tail jigs. White-blue and white, and also white-pink and white have been the best colors.

Gene

 Save up to 80% every day on all Action Sports Gear from Overstock.com!

Grand Lake gave a good account of herself this weekend hosting the Falcon Grand Challenge, with 538 boats. The winning team of Steve Scott and Jim Weston won the Triton Bass Boat provided by Nichols Marine. They had a four fish limit of 17.70 pounds and also had the big bass of the tournament, a 7.84 lb. largemouth, which netted them another thousand dollars. With as high as gas is that might be enough to fill the boat up and a still have a little for their truck.

It looks like we might be in for another topsy turvy week as far as the weather goes. The weatherman tells us we have a pretty good chance of rain in the forecast. The water color on the lake is just beginning to get in real good shape. It sure would be nice to see it get stabilized as we get closer to that Memorial Day weekend, which usually signifies the start of the summer boating season on Grand.

Until next time, this is Lee Jeffery with the Grand Lake Fishing Report.

"If you're having trouble finding the fish, it would pay you many times over to get a guide like one of the professionals at Martin Guide Service or other fine guide service on Grand and let them show you where and how to catch fish. They furnish everything -- even clean your fish. If you have a youngster or a guest you want to get into some fish, a guide is the way to go. You'll learn more on a half day guide trip than you'll ever learn on your own. I know. I've been there!"

Hey folks!

Everyone must have thought the snagging season was over. We basically had the river to ourselves. Clifton and Shawna Crowson came up from Madill, Oklahoma, and caught their first spoonbill this weekend. They said, "it won't be their last!".

The fish were thick in the river holes. We trolled the bottom with heavy weights and hooks tied low to catch them. We didn't get the real big ones, but who complains about catching thirty to forty pound fish???

CATCH AND RELEASE - DO IT FOR THE FUTURE!

Check out some of my past trip pictures. I usually snag from October into May, depending on weather and water levels. This past winter was fantastic in the deep water. Check out more pictures, and get your trip booked for the season now!

Remember, keep only what you need and release the rest for another day. If you would like a guide trip call Martin Guide Service or email me.

See you on the water!

Mark

Grand Lake is tough right now. The water clarity is poor from the head waters almost to the dam. Some clear water can be found in the back of creeks and on the very lower end of the lake. The water is still cold 44 - 49 degrees. You can find some warmer water in the calm, but sunny, coves and creeks.

Almost two thirds of the Triton Team Tournament held on 03/02/08 did not catch a fish. On the positive side however, 105 teams did manage to catch at least one bass and it took sixteen pounds to win. The dock talk indicates that most of the bass were caught on jigs in deep clear water.

Catfishing has been pretty good lately. We're hearing people are catching some blue cats while drifting around the mid-lake area.

Crappie are okay in places. We caught some working ledges using jigs and grubs. White bass are starting to get good as they move into the main lake.

See you on the lake!