Red River Fishing Report: Hot Bite, Clear Skies, and Productive Lunar Phase

Fresh out on the Red River this Wednesday, November 5th, it’s Artificial Lure with your Shreveport fishing report. Let’s get right down to it—today is shaping up with clear skies, crisp fall air and temps expected to climb into the upper 70s. Overnight, we’ll see lows drop into the mid-to-upper 50s, so don’t forget a jacket if you’re launching early, especially with those chilly north winds lately that are keeping things brisk and the water surprisingly clear. Daylight hours are nice and generous, with sunrise cracking at 6:33 AM and sunset winding down at 5:15 PM—plenty of time for casting before the early dusk settles in. We’re just coming out of a First Quarter Moon according to FishingReminder, so we’re riding a productive lunar phase. That translates into lively predator activity at night and peak bite windows running dawn and dusk—major times today are 5:31–7:31 AM and again from 5:50–7:50 PM. You’ll catch an extra minor flurry midday, from 12:48–2:48 PM, so don’t be shy about a lunch break with a rod in hand. The bite’s been turning on with these cooler temps. Red River and its backwaters are seeing plenty of action, and that fall feeding run is picking up steam. Folks are reporting solid numbers on big blue catfish in the deeper river bends—most landed using cut shad or skipjack, so that’s your go-to bait for those whisker giants. There’s been decent success on channel cat and the occasional flathead in log-jam stretches from Coon Slough down to Flag Pond. Bass anglers: largemouth are pushing shallow, hammering crankbaits and spinnerbaits near windblown points and creek mouths. Don’t sleep on finesse worms or jigs if you’re working cover after a cold snap, especially mid-morning when the sun softens the chill. Crappie have started stacking up around submerged structure—especially those historic Bayous off the main river like Twelvemile and Middle. Best results have come from live minnows under slip bobbers, but if you’re artificial-minded, try a chartreuse or blue/white tube jig. Ladies and gents hitting the marsh drains or shallow backwaters with paddle tails or small swimbaits are seeing bonus flounder tucked in the current pockets—give the bait a slow roll right on bottom. For lure selections, locals are favoring gold spoons and soft plastics under a popping cork on the marsh fringes—especially if you’re targeting reds (which are holding steady near points and drains on a falling tide, so watch your timing). Early morning, try topwaters for specks and largemouth near riprap or bridge pylons. Once the sun’s up, switch to jerkbaits, spinnerbaits, or swim jigs for warmed-up bass. And with the water clear from that north wind, scale back your leader—8–10lb fluoro is plenty unless the river muddies up after a rain. Hot spots—Coon Slough is always reliable, with solid numbers of cats and bass, especially on the edges where deeper water meets flow. Cross Bayou’s been producing some larger crappie, especially toward the railroad bridge. A This content was created in partnership and with the help of Artificial Intelligence AI.