SAM RAYBURN
Rayburn's levels continue to fall slightly and at midweek stands at 162.68' which is just under 2 feet below full pool of 164.4' . Two turbines are running 9 hours daily with a release of 9770 cubic ft. per second. Tournament anglers last weekend at Bass n Buck's first event of the 2010 series found fishing tough.....as in TOUGH! Normally in January on Rayburn there would be multiple stringers of 20 (plus) pounds to cross the scales. I remember a couple of years ago my tournament partner and I weighed in just under 20 pounds and finished something like 13th.
The biggest problem last Saturday was the water temperature which ran from 45 to 47 degrees with a cold rain and north wind all day long. Still 148 two-angler teams showed up to fish for the guaranteed $15,000 first place prize with over $30,000 awarded and 19th place and 10.01 pounds being the cut-off weights to receive a check. Ten pounds normally will not get you a payday on Rayburn but last Saturday was a very unusual day. With water temperatures moving up, it could be somewhat better on Rayburn this weekend (Jan 23) as Skeeter Bass Champs East Texas Team Series kicks off the first event of the 2010 season. Long term weather predictions are more hope full as the week progresses.
Last Saturday's Bass N Buck's first place finishers were John Lemaire and Phil Ransonet with only four bass but they totaled 21.32 lbs to win the big $15,000 check. Their "kicker" hit at 2:30 p.m. and weighed 10.37 lbs which is like a 9th inning home run. The two 'now richer' anglers also had a 7 pounder which was their first fish of the day hitting about 7:40. a.m. According to their statements, they were using black/blue jigs with matching trailers and targeted grass 11-12 feet. They reported very few bites but were fortunate to get the right ones. When you catch a 10 and a 7 in tournament conditions there is usually a check somewhere close with your name on it.
Runners-up were father/son Dave and Derrick Mong with a 5-fish limit weighing 16.64 lbs who reported fishing main lake points with scattered stumps 12 to 18 ft with Carolina rigs and jigs. The duo caught six fish and five were keepers(over 14 inches). Of the top three teams, they were the only team to weigh in a 5 fish limit and won $2,200 for 2nd place plus an additional $500 from Ranger Cup as the highest finishing qualified team. In third was the team of Ted Priesling and James Shaw with only three fish but totaled 15.20 lbs to win $1200. They fished familiar areas with Carolina rigs in depths up to 25 feet as they were not able to pre-fish (practice).