Fishing Forecast: Promising Conditions at Lake Sam Rayburn for Bass, Crappie, and Catfish

As of October 12, 2024, the fishing scene at Lake Sam Rayburn is looking promising. The water is slightly stained, with a temperature of around 80 degrees, and the lake level is about 1.24 feet below pool.

Weather-wise, today is partly sunny with a high of 89 degrees and a low of 71 degrees tonight. Sunrise was at about 7:30 AM, and sunset will be around 6:45 PM.

Bass activity is quite active, especially in the mornings. Bass are schooling more during this time, making topwater action on grass edges and points a good bet. You can expect to catch them using topwaters, chatterbaits, swimbaits, or frogs in the shallow areas around hay grass and flooded bushes. For deeper bass, Carolina rigs, dropshots, and shaky heads are working well, particularly at the mouth of creeks and on offshore flats where they are chasing bait.

Crappie are fair on standing timber in 27 feet of water on brush piles, with minnows over jigs being the preferred bait. Blue and channel catfish are also fair, found in 24-27 feet of water and in the river bends, biting on cut bait and minnows.

White bass, though less active, can still be caught on points near the dam using live bait and slabs.

For hot spots, focus on the mid-lake to north lake areas, especially around main lake ledges in 17-22 feet, main lake drains in 10-17 feet, and secondary points. The south end of the lake near the dam is also productive for white bass and other species.

Given the current conditions, using jig head minnows and forward-facing sonar can help you locate the bass effectively. As the lake level is expected to drop slowly through the winter, targeting shoreline brush, hay grass, and creek channel swings will remain fruitful.

So, grab your gear and head out to Lake Sam Rayburn – the fish are waiting.