SAM RAYBURN
Big Sam's lake level is just over 159 feet which is almost five and a half feet low. This is about the level where Rayburn has been for the past three months. Fishing remains outstanding as the lake continues to produce multiple 20 pound (five bass) stringers (bags) in recent tournaments. The term 'stringer' is basically a hold over from the past as present day tournament anglers handle their fish in a weigh-in bag filled with water to transport the fish from the boat to the weigh-in holding tanks.
To walk up the bank with a stringer of bass would not be taken too kindly by fellow anglers and it would not be too smart either. There is a dead-fish penality in all major events and this can be as high as one-half pound. Eight ounces can be the difference between a new boat or a few hundred dollars.
First place in Saturday's American Bass Anglers on Rayburn went to tough Rayburn compeitor, Houston's Dicky Newberry, with over 28 pounds. According to the Texas angler, he caught his winning bag fishing a Carolina Rig with a brush hog in 6 feet of water. Other top finishers reported catching bass on lipless crankbaits in 5-7 feet and Texas rigged craw worms in 10 to 20 feet. Crappie reports were few but some are catching crappie in baited brush as well as under bridges.