SAM RAYBURN
Patterns continue to be about the same this week with Rayburn's water level falling 3-4 inches which has been the pattern for several weeks, now. Surface temperatures are running from 87 to 88 degrees when taken at sun-up each day. Afternoon surface temps will get to 90 and above on sunny days. The amount of visible grass continues to increase as submerged grasses (hydrilla, coontail and pepper grass) continue to grow and the lake continues to fall which exposes more and more grass.
Look for irregularities in the grass such as a cut in or secondary grass point which runs out plus openings in the grass and work Stanley's Ribbit frog, buzz baits or your favorite top water over and along the edge of these areas. Also, work a weightless plastic (my favorites are 10 inch Berkley Power Worm, Senko (big size) as well as Berkley's new Sink Worms) over, around and through this shallow grass areas. The best time to do this is at first light until about 8 a.m. and a little longer if there is a breeze and cloud cover.
Also, a DD22 (Norman's Deep Diving Crankbait) is catching bass worked over main lake and main creek points as well as on humps and ridges in 12 to 25 feet. I am using shad patterns including sexy shad, shad belly with green flake back and fire tiger on dark days. To get bait down to optimum, I am using 10 lb test Berkley 100%fluorocarbonon and making long cast on Abu Garcia's Revo Winch crankbait reel (5.4 : 1 ratio)
Texas and Carolina rigged Power Worms, Ole Monster worms, Flukes are also catching deep bass in 15 to 30 feet with 20 to 22 feet seemingly the sweet spot. This week with big moon a late morning/mid-day bit has been productive especially with a little breeze and cloud cover. Red bud, watermelon candy and green pumpkin have been good colors of soft plastics. A drop shot and 1/2 jigging spoon is also catching bass in 20-28 feet. If you can find a hump/ridge where top of hump/ridge is 18 to 20 feet with deeper water around it try a spoon and/or drop shot fished vertically at first light. You will get a bite...it may be a spotted bass, hybrid striper or yellow bass.
