The almost always active Big Sam will get even busier as B.A.S.S. Central Opens return to Sam Rayburn the first week of September. In my personal opinion, it will take an average of 16 to 18 pounds per day to win. There will be some 20 pound stringers, but a 17 pound daily average will be hard to beat. Some of the patterns that will factor into the event will include top water with baits like Chug Bug, Yellow Magic, as well as plastic frogs (Ribbit and Horney Toad) and buzz baits. On Rayburn, there are always bass in shallow grass no matter what the water temperatures are.
Currently, the surface temp is 88 degrees (taken at dawn) but there are still bass along shoreline grass from 2 to 12 feet. The lake level currently is 160.70 is is slowly falling increasing the amount of visible grass. My favorite areas to work are those that run a good distance off shore and I follow them out using my electronics. I will work top water lures mentioned above early morning or with cloud cover and then as it gets brighter will back off and throw crankbaits and Texas rigs.
On extremely bright, hot days with little wind I will move up and pitch a heavy jig or pegged TX rig to punch through the matted grass. I like to find water at least 6 feet deep to use this pattern.....7 to 10 is better. Another pattern is to work deep crankbaits (DD22s), TX and Carolina rigs off deep points and main lake humps and ridges with targeted depths of 12 to 25 feet.