As would be expected, the lake level is up but just slightly at 159.6 feet with one turbine running 12 hours each day which also shows an increase in water release. Water temperatures are running from 69 to 71 degrees which is just about perfect. While Rayburn got a good bit of rain on its upper water shed, it did not get as much as Toledo. On Rayburn's tournament scene, Southeast Texas anglers Johnny Jones and Ronnie Mundy took the top honors at the 13th Annual Rayburn Oilmen's Classic team tournament last weekend with a two day total of 34.10 pounds. Melvin Henslee won the big bass honors with a largemouth weighing 8.67 pounds. 172 teams fished in tough weather conditions with St. Jude Children's Hospital one of the main reasons for the tournament. Between $10,000 to $12,000 went to St Judes according to Charlie Parks, president of the 2009 board of directors of the Rayburn Oilmen's Classic.
Several patterns are catching bass this week as moderate weather returned on Tuesday with light southern winds, a few clouds and the bass more active. The afternoon bite was better and more bass seemed to be in on the shallow grass or those that are there seem to be hungry. Top water (Chug Bugs/ Top Dollar/Yellow Magic) are catching bass as are Stanley's Ribbits. Target points and irregularities in the grass for best results. Stanley's WedgePlus double willow blades continues to catch fish as well as their one ounce version, Big Shot which I mainly use to slow-roll or fish with a yo-yo presentation.
Crankbaits are catching some bass off the mid-depth grass and Rat-L-Traps are also catching bass in scattered, shallow grass. If they do not hit moving baits, slow down to a super-slow, dead stick presentation with a Texas and Carolina rig. I more often use a Carolina rig on windy days and Texas rigs with little-to-no wind. I suggest Berkley or Stren 100% Fluorocarbon line on all of the presentation mentioned with the exception of topwater and Ribbits(frogs). I use Berkley 17 lb test Big Game on topwater and 30 and 50 pound test Spider Braid on Ribbits. A Berkley Power Worm (both in 7 and 10 inch) in plumb, watermelon candy and green pumpkin are good choices on botTXTx and C. rigs.
