SAM RAYBURN
The lake level on Rayburn is slowly rising and is 159.52 feet with one turbine operating 5 hours per day with a release of 4411 cfs(cubic feet per second).
The water temps are running from 54 to 57 degrees which is higher than past weeks. Tournament season is at full throttle with Skeeter Performance Boat's Bass Champs East Division back on Rayburn this Saturday February 16 with headquarters at Umphrey Family Pavilion. Between 275 and 300 two-angler teams are expected to compete for $60,000 to $70,000 in prizes.
In recent weeks, top Rayburn tournament finishers reported catching their bass on lipless crankbaits, spinnerbaits, shallow-running crankbaits, Carolina rigs, Texas rigs, and jig 'n pigs. Most were said to have been caught in water less than 8 feet and I cannot see that changing if long term weather forecasts hold up. However, the biggest bass of last month's Bass Champs was said to have been caught on a Carolina rig in 12 to 14 feet.