SAM RAYBURN
Lake levels on Big Sam are falling slowly with level at 163.5 feet with one unit running 12 hours per day. All the lake is fishable with stained water conditions above the bridges and slightly stained-to-clear conditions on the remainder of the lake. There is an abundance of areas to fish as most banks, ditches, creeks and ridges have some type of both visible and submerged vegetation. Compared to the same time last year, the amount of fishable area has increased five-fold due to higher water levels and increased levels of aquatic grasses.
I fished Rayburn last week and found a decent top water bite along shoreline points with pads and pepper grass. My best bass, a fun-sized eight pounder, hit a Stanley Ribbit Frog in watermelon red/pearl close to the boat. After an explosive strike, I paused a couple of seconds and then set the hook. I had her, or she had me, on a short leash of about 15 feet. That is only a little over two rod lengths and this lady was not happy about the big 5/0 hook in her upper lip.
She headed to the pads but I turned her and then she turned and went under the boat. As you anglers know, when a big bass gets under the boat, you usually lose it. However, I had her on Spider Wire 10/50 Braid so I was able to pull her from underneath the boat and into the net of my fishing partner. We made several pictures and then released her back into the lake.
She was in decent condition considering she had just spawned but did have a few battle scars left over from the spawn. This lady was thinner than she will be in a few weeks after she puts back on the weight she lost while making lots of baby bass. How can you not release a bass like that.?
Other top water lures that are highly rated include Pop Rs, Yellow Magic, Chug Bug, Frenzy Popper/Walker, Spooks and Tiny Torpedoes. Carolina rigs are still one of the best ways to get a bite on Rayburn. Top soft plastics to use with C.R. are Berkley Power Craws (4 inch version), Brush Hogs, Flukes and Senkos. Spinnerbaits and small crankbaits worked over points are also excellent.
Crappie anglers are catching white perch in brush tops in 15 to 30 feet with shiners and Stanley Wedgetails Crappie plastics. Best color plastics are blue/white tail, red with chartreuse tail and black/fire tail. The 147 Bridge area is also producing crappie from daylight until mid morning.
337-463-3848 or e-mail me at joejoslinoutdoors@yahoo.com. web is www.joejoslinoutdoors.com.