Don Mattern Sr.

Hello Everybody,

Exodus 12: Verse 13; And the blood shall be to you for a token upon the houses where ye are; and when I see the blood, I will pass over you. and the plague shall not be upon you to destroy you, when I smite the land of Egypt.

Hebrews 10: Verse 19; Having therefore, bretheren, boldness to enter into the Holiest by the blood of JESUS.

SAM RAYBURN: Well fishing was great this week with alot of Bass mostly small to 4 lbs. Cooler mornings and beautiful afternoons. The Lake is at full stage now at 164.08. Water was in great shape all over the Lake just a little off color in the creeks and rivers.

Water temps were in the mid 50's at daylight and warming to the upper 60's durring the day. We really just threw Nichols rattle shads all day catching Bass from 2-8 feet near grass beds. Junebug wackys also caught in the same areas. The Lake Fork red rattle shad is still catching great.

The owner of Jacksonhill Marina, Terry Sympson, Has the Nichols line of baits now. Give him a call at 1-936-872-9266. If you want to book in a trip my info will be logged at end of my reports. Remember December through March is Big Bass time. The pre-spawn females will be in and fattening up in the shallows in these months way before the spawn. Last year Bass up to 12 lbs. were caught at these times. Thanks and God Bless.

LAKE PALESTINE: Water is in beautiful shape again with water clearing all the way up the Neches now. High water has the Lake up in all the willows again and heavy vegetation. Lake level is at full stage at 346. Water temps were the same as Rayburn. At daylight in the lower to mid 50's rising to upper 60's by afternoon.

Palestine was fishing a little different than Rayburn. In the cool morning the water temps were about 54 so we used a 3/8 ounce black and blue Nichols Jig pitched along the heavier grass lines and creek channels. No Big Fish yet but alot of keepers up to 4 lbs.

As afternoon got going the shad would be schooling and the Bass were chasing we used swim baits in shad patterns and the Bigger Bass out of the schools reacted to them well. Alot of numbers but not alot of Big fish yet.

Larry Paxton that owns the Lake Palestine Resort has Nichols baits in now and you can get the jigs and custom spinnerbaits I have been using and keeping secret for years now. Larry would be glad to hear from you. His place is located by the bridge at Ledbetter and Highsaw creek. He has a resturant on the water that serves steak and supper up on Thursday through Saturday evening as well as some 30 cabins there for a great get away.

Let me know when you want to book a great time on this Lake. My numbers are 903-478-2633 and 903-724-0961. My e-mail is donmat@windstream.net and we will book you in for some of this early winter Bass action. Thanks and God Bless.

Thanks to my sponsors:

Ranger Boats-The Boat Center-Flint,Tex. 903-825-2293

Kistler Rods- 281-259-8033

Nichols Lures- 903-589-8100

Phantom Tackle- phantomtackle.com

E2Baits- e2baits.com

Fish Species: Bass
Bait Used: Nichols rattle shad
Tackle Used: Johnny Morris reels on Kistler rods
Method Used: Nichols rattle shads worked in the Hydrilla
Water Depth: 2-10 feet
Water Temperature: 56-64
Wind Direction: South
Wind Speed: 8

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Don Mattern Sr.

About The Author: Captain Don Mattern Sr.

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 Don Mattern Sr.