The lake level on Rayburn is 162.8 showing a gradual fall over the past few weeks with one turbine running 5 hours per day. Water temperatures are running from 83 to 88 degrees with excellent water conditions all over the lake. The submerged grass situation is as good as it has been in years with grass mats starting to become visible with good grass coverage in depths of 4 to 12 feet in many areas.
Frogs, popping baits and buzzbaits are all catching bass early when worked along the edge of grassy points on the main lake as well as in major creeks and coves. Pumpkin Pearl and watermelon red are top choices on the Ribbit (Stanley) and Bat Wing (Berkley) Frog. Shad patterns are best on Frenzy Poppers, Pop Rs and Yellow Magic. On buzzbaits, consider black during the morning and white/chartreuse in light conditions.
For deeper patterns, work crankbaits (DD14 and DD22s) off points and submerged ridges from 12 to 20 feet. Also, drag a Carolina rigged 10 inch Berkley Power bait over off shore humps and deep points in 12 to 25 feet.
CRAPPIE: A few crappie are being caught at first light at the 147 Bridge using live shiners and small jigs and 4-6 pound test fluorocarbon line.
Heavy jigs and pegged Texas rigs pitched along the edge of the mats are a super method to get quality bites. Spider Wire or other braided line works well in these conditions where the angler needs to work a big fish out of thick grass.
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.