LAKE SAM RAYBURN
The lake level and water temperatures are both dropping on one of my favorite fishing holes with the level being 159.95 feet and one unit is generating 5 hours per day releasing about 8900 cfs when activated. Surface temps are slowly falling and are between 81 to 83 degrees when taken at dawn which is when most conditions are stable. On sunny days, the surface temps will move near mid 80s. The lake is in good shape with some stained conditions in the upper lake and in back of main creeks due to rain and run-off.
Anglers should be cautious about submerged stumps/trees as well as shallow ridges which can run long distances away from the shoreline. I don't think I have ever fished a lake with more extremely shallow places further off shore and when water levels get below 160' things can get interesting so be careful! Bass n Bucks has the 2009 Championship this weekend out of Umphrey Pavilion at the dam with over 160 two-angler teams qualifying for the event with prizes to include three new bass boats.
There are multiple patterns catching bass and the slightly lower water temps have seemed to make the fish slightly more active. Spinnerbaits are catching more bass including buzzbaits and three-eighth ounce double willow versions worked over the grass as well as larger spinnerbaits with yo-yo and slow-roll retrieves in slightly deeper water. Two local favorite spinnerbait brands include Stanley Lures as well as Strike King. Plastic frogs also are catching quality bass with Ribbits (Stanley) the hands down favorite and top colors including green pumpkin, melon red pearl, bull frog and white/chartreuse.
The low-tech and yet always reliable TX rig continues to boat bass with numerous options available to the angler. The 6-inch lizard does not get a lot of press anymore but a recent customer reminded me with an 'on the water lesson' that a lizard will still catch fish. I went in my storage case and got out some lizards in solid purple (remember those?). They still catch fish. Other TX rigged plastics catching bass include Berkley's 5 and 7 inch Shaky Worms and Wacky Crawlers, Trick Worm, Chigger Craw, Berkley 10 inch Power Worms and Ole Monster worms. Top colors include w.m.candy, green pumpkin, plum, plum apple and tequila sunrise.
Mid-diving (DLN) and deep-diving (DD22) continue to catch bass in depths of 8 to 25 feet with sexy shad, blue/chartreuse and fire tiger some of the best colors. I am keeping a Rat-L-Trap on the deck too as schooling bass are on the prowl. I am also using a Knock-Off (tailspinner by Norman Lures) to catch schooling bass.
