SAM RAYBURN
The Lake level continues to fall and is at 161.95 with one generator running 5 hours per day with a release of slightly over 4000 cfs when operating. Water temps are running between 86 to 88 degrees which is slightly cooler than last week. There has been a decent top water bite the first hour after daylight for several weeks on frogs, poppers and buzzbaits worked over pepper grass and hydrilla which is now in most areas of the lake.
TOPWATER IS ON! For a change, we have had a few mornings that were overcast and the top water bite has been ON with Ribbits, Top Dollar, Pop R and Yellow Magic. Spinnerbaits have also caught bass worked on outside edge of grass with Stanley Wedge Plus double willowleaf in three-eighths ounce my # one choice this week. A white skirt has been working well with no trailer necessary but a trailer hook will help.
A half ounce Stanley Jig (black/blue or green pumpkin) with a Berkley Chigger Craw as trailer is a super tool to fish around the edge of the grass during overcast conditions as well as a 7 and 10 inch Power Worm with pegged TX rig. In bright conditions, go to a heavy one ounce jig and sinker and pitch into the edge of the heavy grass as big bass will bury in the grass mats on a hot, blue bird day. For these presentations, I use either 20 pound Berkley 100% Fluorocarbon or 50 pound test Spider Braid using the flourocarbon on the outside edge and the braid when punching through the grass.
Rayburn does have a deep bite also on the ridges and humps which drop from 12 to 15 down to 20 and 25 feet. Football jigs work great here with Berkley Gripper Series and Stanley Bugeye being two excellent choices. I also love a Texas rigged Power Worm with half or three-quarter ounce sinker on deep ridges and humps. If you need to finish out a limit, a drop-shot will get you a keeper in 18 to 25 feet. Be safe this week-end as Rayburn will be buzzing Friday through Monday. God Bless the USA!! Happy Birthday America!
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, The Floor Trader Lake Charles and Stanley Jigs Inc. Contact him at 337-463-3848 or joejoslinoutdoors@yahoo.com. and WEBSITE www.joejoslinoutdoors.com.
