Bussey Brake, Caney Creek should put the ‘heavy’ in Heavy Hitters

Big-fish records have fallen twice in 2023 with 13- and 15-pound giants

Caney Creek Reservoir and Bussey Brake are primed to produce as Heavy Hitters approaches.

April 21, 2023 • Tyler Brinks • Bass Pro Tour

MONROE-WEST MONROE, La. – In February of 2022, the Bass Pro Tour kicked off the season on a trio of relatively unknown Louisiana lakes. Lake d’Arbonne, Caney Creek Reservoir and Bussey Brake Lake were all regional favorites familiar to northern Louisiana anglers, but most people outside the area had never heard of them.

The frigid conditions of that early February event weren’t conducive to truly showcasing what the fisheries have to offer, but the lakes still kicked out some monster bass (highlighted by Randy Howell’s 12-pound, 14-ounce giant). This year, General Tire Heavy Hitters Presented by Bass Pro Shops will fish Caney for the Qualifying and Knockout Rounds and send the Top 10 anglers to Bussey Brake for what should be a big-bass bonanza during the Championship Round.

Both lakes are fishing excellent, according to Tackle Warehouse Invitationals pro Tyler Stewart, who lives in the area. Stewart believes that the potential for double-digit bass is a real possibility every day of the event on both lakes (and Bussey Brake in particular pumping out big ones).

Bussey’s multiple records

Last year before Stage One, Stewart shared his insight on Bussey Brake. At the time, his 12.74-pound bass was the lake record. He proved prophetic then, stating, “It’s a very fertile lake with lots of big ones, and I have no doubt that someone will break my record soon.”

It didn’t take long. Howell’s 12-14 Championship Round fish became the Bass Pro Tour and unofficial lake record. However, that record was also short-lived.

On Valentine’s Day of 2023, Todd Herrington caught a 13.58-pound fish to claim the record from Howell. A few weeks later, Robert Rush destroyed the record with a 15.36-pound fish to set the mark again. The race for the next record is likely to continue – Stewart reports that Bussey Brake keeps producing, despite all the added attention.

“It seems like someone catches a 10-pounder every day out there right now,” Stewart said. “It gets pounded by the local anglers, but it’s so good that it keeps kicking them out. It’s not a great lake for numbers, but the quality is there. I think you’ll see one over 10 (pounds) caught on the final day, maybe even a few of them.”

Robert Rush’s 15-pound behemoth established a new high bar for Bussey Brake.

How they’ll catch them

Stewart says the bass have all but wrapped up their spawn on both Caney Creek and Bussey Brake, but there’s still an outside chance of some sight fishing during Heavy Hitters. He says the bass will mainly be in a postspawn pattern with the bonus of a shad-spawn bite.

“Bussey is full of bushes and the bass are still thick in them,” Stewart said. “Flipping will be a big deal and is the best way to catch a big one. I also expect topwaters and spinnerbaits to be pretty solid for the shad spawn.”

Stewart spends more of his time on Caney than Bussey and says that many patterns are currently in play.

“It’s a great time of year to fish Caney because there are so many ways to catch them,” he said. “You’ll have guys offshore with crankbaits and big worms, some up shallow with traps and ChatterBaits, and many different things will work. This will help so guys can spread out and they won’t be bunched up doing the same thing.”

These Louisiana gems have already proved they hold quality bass, but Stewart expects them to shine even brighter this year for Heavy Hitters.

“After the guys leave this event, with the way the lakes are fishing, I think they’re all going to have a new favorite stop on the schedule,” he predicted.