Big ones rolling in at area lakes

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  • Matt Thompson of Pollock with a 74-pound flathead caught on Toledo Bend during late March. Courtesy/Rhonda Shivley via Matt Williams
    Matt Thompson of Pollock with a 74-pound flathead caught on Toledo Bend during late March. Courtesy/Rhonda Shivley via Matt Williams
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Fishing traffic has been brisk on area lakes this spring with many fishermen heading to the water to practice their social distancing. A few anglers have found the big ones on the prowl.

The bite has been particularly good at Houston County Lake, a 1,330-acre reservoir near Crockett. Between March 9 and April 2, bass anglers caught and released eight bass weighing heavier than 10 pounds, according to Catherine Markham at Crockett Family Resort. Additionally, Markham said she weighed three fish between 8 and 9 pounds and numerous 7 pounders.

“It’s been really nice to see,” Markham said. “We’re sort of off the beaten path over here. We haven’t been getting all the traffic a lot of lakes are getting, but the local fishermen have been catching some big ones.”

Toledo Bend anglers have been reeling in some whoppers, as well. The Toledo Bend Lake Association’s Lunker Bass Program has recorded 25 entries heavier than 10 pounds in 2020, including 19 entries March 1-28. The heaviest bass reported to the popular catch and release program this year is an 11.85 pounder caught on March 15 by Billy Maricle of Pitkin, La.

The fat cats have been on the move, as well. Trotliners Matt and Hunner Thompson of Pollock were fishing out of Bill’s Landing April 2 when they boated a trio of whopper flatheads weighing 74, 64 and 47 pounds. Camp owner Charlie Shivley said all the fish were caught on live bait around timber flats 14-15 feet deep.

Lake Livingston fishing guide Dave Cox hasn’t seen any giants but says rod and reel crowds are enjoying some outstanding action on blues in the 10- to 15-pound range using fresh cut shad along Trinity River ledges in 18-20 feet of water.