Rayburn's lake levels are at 158.5 feet which is basically 6 feet low as 164.4 is full pool. One turbine is running 6 hours per day with minimal water discharge. The water temperatures are running from 76 to 78 degrees with most all the lake having good water conditions. The lake is a low as it has been in a couple of years so use caution. Boat traffic continues light during the week but heavy from Friday through Sunday. Bass have really pulled back out on the grassy points as well as on the edge of creeks and main drains. They are also on main lake humps, especially those with scattered grass and brush in 10 to 20 feet.
Fall patterns allow for numerous choices on Big Sam. Mid diving and deep crankbaits are catching bass in depths of 8 to 15 feet with blue chartreuse and shad patterns top color choices. The top water bite is also good with walking baits such as Berkley's Frenzy Walker and Zara Spooks getting some goo bites. The challenge is to keep the big bass from hanging up in hydrilla (grass) and ripping out the plug.
A plastic frog, such as Stanley's Ribbit when used with braided line such as Spider Wire, gives the angler a better chance of getting a big bass in the boat. I medium sized jig n pig is catching bass around the edge of the grass line from 6 to 9 feet. In addition, Texas and Carolina rigs are also catching bass on main lake humps and channels. What ever you like to fish with you can catch a fish on it right now.
AUTHOR INFO: Joe Joslin is a syndicated columnist, tournament angler and pro guide on Toledo and Sam Rayburn. His sponsors include Skeeter Performance Boats, Yamaha Outboards, Lake Charles Toyota, Red River Marine/Alexandria, LA, Berkley, Fenwick, Abu Garcia, Bill Norman , Daiichi, Jay's Carpet One DeRidder, The Floor Trader Lake Charles and Stanley Jigs Inc. Contact him at 337-463-3848 or joejoslinoutdoors@yahoo.com. and WEBSITE www.joejoslinoutdoors.com