Fishing Reports by Captain Don Mattern Sr.
About The Author: Captain
Company: Mattern Guide Service
Area Reporting: Lake Palestine Texas
Bio: Don Mattern Sr. has been fishing Lake Palestine since 1994 and guiding full-time since 2002. He was born in Houston, Texas and moved out to the country at 20 years old. He's been married 35 years and has 2 sons. Don currently guides and tournament fishes full-time.
903-478-2633
Click Here For Past Fishing Reports by Captain
Mattern Guide Service on Lake Palestine & Sam Rayburn & Lake Fairfield (1/27/2008)
[Lake Palestine,TX] The colder weather has dampened the bite but with sunshine today the bite will be hot again.
[Lake Palestine,TX] The colder weather has dampened the bite but with sunshine today the bite will be hot again.
Male Bass are moving to the banks to prepare for the Spawn. (1/09/2008)
[Lake Fairfield,TX] Male Bass are moving to the banks to prepare for the Spawn.
[Lake Fairfield,TX] Male Bass are moving to the banks to prepare for the Spawn.
Now is the best time till February, to get that double digit Big Bass. (1/07/2008)
[Lake Sam Rayburn,TX] Now is the best time till February, to get that double digit Big Bass.
[Lake Sam Rayburn,TX] Now is the best time till February, to get that double digit Big Bass.
It is cold air Temp wise but the waters are still warm at Lake Fairfield. (12/27/2007)
[Lake Fairfield,TX] It is cold air Temp wise but the waters are still warm at Lake Fairfield.
[Lake Fairfield,TX] It is cold air Temp wise but the waters are still warm at Lake Fairfield.
Rodney Rowe's monster 12 lb. Bass (12/22/2007)
[Lake Sam Rayburn,TX] Rodney Rowe's monster 12 lb. Bass. She was caught in a creek channel in 3-8 foot of water.
[Lake Sam Rayburn,TX] Rodney Rowe's monster 12 lb. Bass. She was caught in a creek channel in 3-8 foot of water.
Big Bass are in the Cold Shallows from now till it gets too hot. (12/22/2007)
[Lake Sam Rayburn,TX] Big Bass are in the Cold Shallows from now till it gets too hot.
[Lake Sam Rayburn,TX] Big Bass are in the Cold Shallows from now till it gets too hot.
Power Plant Lakes are a blessing in Winter (12/01/2007)
[Lake Fairfield,TX] Power Plant Lakes are a blessing in Winter. As water temps drop so does the reaction of the Bass.
[Lake Fairfield,TX] Power Plant Lakes are a blessing in Winter. As water temps drop so does the reaction of the Bass.
Wow the North wind did blow but the bass bite was awesome. (11/07/2007)
[Lake Fairfield,TX] Wow the North wind did blow but the bass bite was awesome.
[Lake Fairfield,TX] Wow the North wind did blow but the bass bite was awesome.
Lake Fairfield is a great winter lake (10/31/2007)
[Lake Fairfield,TX] Lake Fairfield is a great winter lake because of the power plant warming the lakes waters.
[Lake Fairfield,TX] Lake Fairfield is a great winter lake because of the power plant warming the lakes waters.
Water has really dropped at Sam Rayburn (10/12/2007)
[Lake Sam Rayburn,TX] Water has really dropped at rayburn if you do not fish a carolina-rig you might need to learn.
[Lake Sam Rayburn,TX] Water has really dropped at rayburn if you do not fish a carolina-rig you might need to learn.
As water temps slowly cool Bass fishing improves (10/09/2007)
[Lake Palestine,TX] As water temps slowly cool Bass fishing improves with Bass feeding on shad.
[Lake Palestine,TX] As water temps slowly cool Bass fishing improves with Bass feeding on shad.
Mattern Guide Service on Lake Palestine & Sam Rayburn (9/28/2007)
[Lake Palestine,TX] Bass fishing is picking up with cooling water temps and the shad migrating towards the creeks.
[Lake Palestine,TX] Bass fishing is picking up with cooling water temps and the shad migrating towards the creeks.
Great Bass Fishing on Sam Rayburn (9/09/2007)
[Lake Sam Rayburn,TX] Great Bass fishing is now and ahead as we enter into the fall season.
[Lake Sam Rayburn,TX] Great Bass fishing is now and ahead as we enter into the fall season.
Big Bass Being Caught (8/24/2007)
[Lake Sam Rayburn,TX] Fishing was as hot as the air temps and some really Big Bass were caught.
[Lake Sam Rayburn,TX] Fishing was as hot as the air temps and some really Big Bass were caught.
Morning Bite Is Best (8/06/2007)
[Lake Sam Rayburn,TX] Bite has been tough with these 97 degree days daylight till noon is best bite for the day.
[Lake Sam Rayburn,TX] Bite has been tough with these 97 degree days daylight till noon is best bite for the day.
Bass Can Be Found In The Floods (7/21/2007)
[Lake Sam Rayburn,TX] Although the floods have been coming the Bass can be found.
[Lake Sam Rayburn,TX] Although the floods have been coming the Bass can be found.
Mid Lake Area Bass Have Been Biting (7/10/2007)
[Lake Palestine,TX] The Bass have been biting in spite of all the flooding. Mid Lake areas are clear with lots of vegetation.
[Lake Palestine,TX] The Bass have been biting in spite of all the flooding. Mid Lake areas are clear with lots of vegetation.
Lakes Are Full For Summer (6/01/2007)
[Lake Palestine,TX] Lakes are full for the summer and the Bass are keying on the shad. If you find the shad you will find the Bass.
[Lake Palestine,TX] Lakes are full for the summer and the Bass are keying on the shad. If you find the shad you will find the Bass.
Mattern Guide Service on Lake Palestine (5/24/2007)
[Lake Palestine,TX] Bass fishing will be stable from here to fall with some great topwater action early and late.
[Lake Palestine,TX] Bass fishing will be stable from here to fall with some great topwater action early and late.
Mattern Guide Service on Lake Palestine (4/25/2007)
[Lake Palestine,TX] Great is the Lord and what a great day catching Bass in His creation.
[Lake Palestine,TX] Great is the Lord and what a great day catching Bass in His creation.
Eagles Over Head and Big Bass (4/19/2007)
[Lake Sam Rayburn,TX] I love to fish Big Sam, Eagles are seen all day and the Bass are Big. Well The Bass at Sam Rayburn are well pressured but can be found. About 20 Bass came to the boat up to 6 lbs. with several in the 4-5 lb. class. Bass were hitting wacky worms in 1-4 feet near grassy points and the bends on sides of the points. Also gulp turtleback worms in Black with red flake rigged Texas style
[Lake Sam Rayburn,TX] I love to fish Big Sam, Eagles are seen all day and the Bass are Big. Well The Bass at Sam Rayburn are well pressured but can be found. About 20 Bass came to the boat up to 6 lbs. with several in the 4-5 lb. class. Bass were hitting wacky worms in 1-4 feet near grassy points and the bends on sides of the points. Also gulp turtleback worms in Black with red flake rigged Texas style
Bass Feeding On Shad (4/13/2007)
[Lake Palestine,TX] Bass were really feeding on shad today with spinnerbaits getting er done. ell The bite has picked up this week with Bass hitting mainly white/Chartruse Nichols spinnerbaits worked near deeper water in the shallows. Bass have been in all phases of the Spawn with Bass holding making beds and such in 1-2 feet of water in the backs of the coves.
[Lake Palestine,TX] Bass were really feeding on shad today with spinnerbaits getting er done. ell The bite has picked up this week with Bass hitting mainly white/Chartruse Nichols spinnerbaits worked near deeper water in the shallows. Bass have been in all phases of the Spawn with Bass holding making beds and such in 1-2 feet of water in the backs of the coves.
Rain Turned Off The Bass Bite On Lake Palestine (3/27/2007)
[Lake Palestine,TX] Fishing was tough today after about 3 hours of rain. It seemed to turn off the Bass. Mattern Guide Service on Lake Palestine.
[Lake Palestine,TX] Fishing was tough today after about 3 hours of rain. It seemed to turn off the Bass. Mattern Guide Service on Lake Palestine.
Mattern Guide Service on Lake Palestine (3/23/2007)
[Lake Palestine,TX] Bass fishing is great on Lake Palestine with the Bass moving to shallows and it will only get better.
[Lake Palestine,TX] Bass fishing is great on Lake Palestine with the Bass moving to shallows and it will only get better.
Big Bass Moving In On Lake Palestine (3/15/2007)
[Lake Palestine,TX] It is great to see Lake Palestine Full and the Big Bass beginning to move in.
[Lake Palestine,TX] It is great to see Lake Palestine Full and the Big Bass beginning to move in.
Bass Are Hitting Green Pumpkin Pepper Nichols Sinkers (3/05/2007)
[Lake Palestine,TX] Bass are beginning the spawn and what great action fighting those Bif Green backs. Bass are hitting Green Pumpkin Pepper Nichols salty mother sinkers, which are like a 5 inch senko type bait and Grubs worked Texas rigged. Water melons were good colors for the Grubs.
[Lake Palestine,TX] Bass are beginning the spawn and what great action fighting those Bif Green backs. Bass are hitting Green Pumpkin Pepper Nichols salty mother sinkers, which are like a 5 inch senko type bait and Grubs worked Texas rigged. Water melons were good colors for the Grubs.
Big Bass Bite on Lake Fairfield (2/25/2007)
[Lake Fairfield,TX] What a windy day I can say that it was the most windy day I have ever fished but what a Big Bass Bite.
[Lake Fairfield,TX] What a windy day I can say that it was the most windy day I have ever fished but what a Big Bass Bite.
Big Bass Biting Slow (2/22/2007)
[Lake Palestine,TX] Today was a beautiful spring day with Big Bass biting slow but 3 over 5lbs. still came to the boat.
[Lake Palestine,TX] Today was a beautiful spring day with Big Bass biting slow but 3 over 5lbs. still came to the boat.
Terrible Wind and Fished Protected North Banks (2/13/2007)
[Lake Fairfield,TX] Wind was terrible but we fished protected North banks and caught a few hogs. 4 Bass were boated today but 3 were over 5 lbs. with the biggest going over 6 lbs. The smallest was 3.5 lbs. All were caught on the Nichols Creature bait a similar type bait to a baby brush hog.Color was Watermelon Red with Tails slightly dipped in Chartruse.
[Lake Fairfield,TX] Wind was terrible but we fished protected North banks and caught a few hogs. 4 Bass were boated today but 3 were over 5 lbs. with the biggest going over 6 lbs. The smallest was 3.5 lbs. All were caught on the Nichols Creature bait a similar type bait to a baby brush hog.Color was Watermelon Red with Tails slightly dipped in Chartruse.
Using Lighter Lines and 4 Inch Worms Worked Best For Bass (1/24/2007)
[Lake Fairfield,TX] Fishing was tough today but after I scaled down to 4 inch worms and worked lighter lines caught about 20 bass up to 4.3 lbs. The bite is tough right now with Bass being very finicky due to the water changes but they can be caught. Use finesse worms like 4 inch watermelons rigged on lighter lines to have a great day. Just down size everything and you can get bit.
[Lake Fairfield,TX] Fishing was tough today but after I scaled down to 4 inch worms and worked lighter lines caught about 20 bass up to 4.3 lbs. The bite is tough right now with Bass being very finicky due to the water changes but they can be caught. Use finesse worms like 4 inch watermelons rigged on lighter lines to have a great day. Just down size everything and you can get bit.
Lake Levels On Lake Palestine (1/16/2007)
[Lake Palestine,TX] This report is to update my friends and fellow fisherman of the Lake Levels.
[Lake Palestine,TX] This report is to update my friends and fellow fisherman of the Lake Levels.
Jigs Producing The Bites (1/09/2007)
[Lake Fairfield,TX] Today the wind was really blowing but the nichols baits prevailed with a tremendous jig bite that produced many keepers over 4 lbs.
[Lake Fairfield,TX] Today the wind was really blowing but the nichols baits prevailed with a tremendous jig bite that produced many keepers over 4 lbs.
Fishing Lake Fairfield Though The Winter (12/12/2006)
[Lake Fairfield,TX] Had a slow day until about noon when we went to crankbaits form shallow running to medium. Well it was good to be on Lake Fairfield today. Water temps were up at 65 degrees on most of the Lake.Bass fishing was slow till about noon with an occassional Bass on wacky rigged Nichols sinkers in Green Pumpkin Pepper. Bass were caught up to about 2 lbs. on the sinker.
[Lake Fairfield,TX] Had a slow day until about noon when we went to crankbaits form shallow running to medium. Well it was good to be on Lake Fairfield today. Water temps were up at 65 degrees on most of the Lake.Bass fishing was slow till about noon with an occassional Bass on wacky rigged Nichols sinkers in Green Pumpkin Pepper. Bass were caught up to about 2 lbs. on the sinker.
Lake Fairfield Closes Down The Lake For Special Deer Hunt (11/30/2006)
[Lake Fairfield,TX] Just giving information that might help someone. Lake Fairfield closes down the Lake for 2- 1 week periods every year for a special deer hunt within the park around the lake area.
[Lake Fairfield,TX] Just giving information that might help someone. Lake Fairfield closes down the Lake for 2- 1 week periods every year for a special deer hunt within the park around the lake area.
Mattern Guide Service on Lake Fairfield (11/28/2006)
[Lake Fairfield,TX] Fishing was really hot today with Bass being caught over 5 lbs. and redfish being caught up to 12 lbs. this last week.
[Lake Fairfield,TX] Fishing was really hot today with Bass being caught over 5 lbs. and redfish being caught up to 12 lbs. this last week.
Warmwater Discharge and Dam Area Lake Fairfield Fishing (11/21/2006)
[Lake Fairfield,TX] Fishing was great. Lake fairfield stays at a 63 degree temperture all winter long and Bass are active even in the cold fronts of winter along with this great action there are redfish stocked in this Lake and they hit Bass lures.
[Lake Fairfield,TX] Fishing was great. Lake fairfield stays at a 63 degree temperture all winter long and Bass are active even in the cold fronts of winter along with this great action there are redfish stocked in this Lake and they hit Bass lures.
Mattern Guide Service on Sam Rayburn (11/11/2006)
[Lake Sam Rayburn,TX] Wow what a day. Bass were gorging their selves on shad in the backs of coves in 2-5 feet of water and tearing up the Nichols shad patterns spinnerbaits. Caught up to 80 Bass before the cold front hit due to the ending warming trend we had from Wednesday to Friday.
[Lake Sam Rayburn,TX] Wow what a day. Bass were gorging their selves on shad in the backs of coves in 2-5 feet of water and tearing up the Nichols shad patterns spinnerbaits. Caught up to 80 Bass before the cold front hit due to the ending warming trend we had from Wednesday to Friday.
Warm Water Discharge Dam Fishing Lake Fairfield (11/02/2006)
[Lake Fairfield,TX] Fishing was really tough today with 20 - 25 mile an hours North winds blowing through as the Cold front was comming in. Still Managed to catch about 25 Bass up to about 4 lbs. on Carolina rigs fishing Nichols Lures creature Bait
[Lake Fairfield,TX] Fishing was really tough today with 20 - 25 mile an hours North winds blowing through as the Cold front was comming in. Still Managed to catch about 25 Bass up to about 4 lbs. on Carolina rigs fishing Nichols Lures creature Bait
Mattern Guide Service on Lake Fairfield (10/26/2006)
[Lake Fairfield,TX] Fished along drop offs and breaks and along reeds in the Lake with Nichols Baits and crankbaits. Caught alot of Bass and about 6 Redfish. A 4 lber felt like a 8 lb. Bass. Thay can rip that drag.
[Lake Fairfield,TX] Fished along drop offs and breaks and along reeds in the Lake with Nichols Baits and crankbaits. Caught alot of Bass and about 6 Redfish. A 4 lber felt like a 8 lb. Bass. Thay can rip that drag.
Mattern Guide Service (10/22/2006)
[Lake Palestine,TX] You know as water temps.; cool in the 60's Bass go more to horizontal baits than vertical such as rattle traps, crankbaits, and spinnerbaits and such. They are fattening up for the winter and as water cools the Shad will move to channnels and creeks or rir rap and thats where you will find those bass.
[Lake Palestine,TX] You know as water temps.; cool in the 60's Bass go more to horizontal baits than vertical such as rattle traps, crankbaits, and spinnerbaits and such. They are fattening up for the winter and as water cools the Shad will move to channnels and creeks or rir rap and thats where you will find those bass.
North and Mid-Lake Palestine Bass Fishing (10/07/2006)
[Lake Palestine,TX] Friday was warm and the bite was better with about 50 Bass comming to the boat and Saturday I awoke with 49-50 degrees and the bite was fair with about 15 - 20 Bass. Most Bassd were smaller with the biggest going about 4 lbs.
[Lake Palestine,TX] Friday was warm and the bite was better with about 50 Bass comming to the boat and Saturday I awoke with 49-50 degrees and the bite was fair with about 15 - 20 Bass. Most Bassd were smaller with the biggest going about 4 lbs.
Lake Palestine North and Mid Lake Areas Fishing (10/02/2006)
[Lake Palestine,TX] It was a great day with great people and the help we got from above made a great testimony to God about I will never leave or forsake you and He that sets His love on me I will deliver in time of trouble.
[Lake Palestine,TX] It was a great day with great people and the help we got from above made a great testimony to God about I will never leave or forsake you and He that sets His love on me I will deliver in time of trouble.
Find Shad and Find Bass on Lake Palestine (9/07/2006)
[Lake Palestine,TX] Find the shad and find the Bass. This time of year as the beginning of Fall is upon us the shad will move into the creek channels and the Bass will follow.
[Lake Palestine,TX] Find the shad and find the Bass. This time of year as the beginning of Fall is upon us the shad will move into the creek channels and the Bass will follow.
Mattern Guide Service on Lake Palestine (8/10/2006)
[Lake Palestine,TX] Fishing has really picked up today since Bass are schooling on shad in the creek chamnnels with some Bigger Bass laying a little deeper around these schools ready to feed on worms and chatterbaits.
[Lake Palestine,TX] Fishing has really picked up today since Bass are schooling on shad in the creek chamnnels with some Bigger Bass laying a little deeper around these schools ready to feed on worms and chatterbaits.
Bass Are Holding Tight Deeper (7/19/2006)
[Lake Palestine,TX] Well Bass fishing has picked up some this week with Bass being caught up to 5-6 lbs. along with some solid good Bass in the 3 lb. range. Bass are holding tight nearer to deeper channels and deeper break lines away from the banks.
[Lake Palestine,TX] Well Bass fishing has picked up some this week with Bass being caught up to 5-6 lbs. along with some solid good Bass in the 3 lb. range. Bass are holding tight nearer to deeper channels and deeper break lines away from the banks.
Lake Palestine Bass Fishing Report (7/10/2006)
[Lake Palestine,TX] Well hello everybody Bass fishing has been tough this last week with Bass only up to about 3 lbs. being caught. Alot of schooling action from smaller Bass on shad which makes for some great action but the Bigger Bass have been laying low.
[Lake Palestine,TX] Well hello everybody Bass fishing has been tough this last week with Bass only up to about 3 lbs. being caught. Alot of schooling action from smaller Bass on shad which makes for some great action but the Bigger Bass have been laying low.