Lake Sam Rayburn Fishing Report: Shallow Bass, Crappie, and Catfish Bite Strong in Spring Action

Morning folks, this is Artificial Lure with your May 14, 2025, Lake Sam Rayburn fishing report. The bite’s been holding strong and the lake’s churning with spring action. Water’s stained and sitting around 73 degrees, with the level just under a foot above pool. Winds are light early, and skies are clear with a high pushing into the low 80s by afternoon. Sunrise was at 6:19 AM and sunset lines up about 8:13 PM.

Bass fishing’s real good. A bunch are still hanging shallow finishing up the spawn, but most action’s now shifting out to that 8 to 14-foot range. You’ll want to work those ledges, humps, and especially the old timber. Big worms on Texas or Carolina rigs are catching the most, especially in darker colors like June bug or plum. Not much grass in the water yet, so stick to hard structure and wood[1][5][3].

Crappie and catfish are both heating up with the spawn in full swing. Crappie are solid 4 to 12 feet deep, tight to trees or bedding near brush, taking minnows under corks. The bite’s not always steady in the brush, but when you find a few, there’s usually a pile. Catfish are mixed shallow and deep. Try cut bait and minnows around structure; channels and blues have been coming in strong numbers all week[1][3][5].

Recent catches have mostly been healthy largemouths in the 2-5 pound range, plenty fat crappie, and channel catfish up to a few pounds. Local guides report solid limits both for panfish and cats. Fish are moving a lot, but the action’s consistent if you work the right spots[2][3].

Best bets for lures: big worms (Texas or Carolina rig), dark-colored creature baits, and squarebill crankbaits if you’re working shallow wood. For crappie, nothing beats live minnows right now. Catfish are taking cut shad and stinkier prepared baits[3][5].

For hot spots, take a look at Veach Basin and the mouths of Harvey Creek and Black Forest. The old timber there’s holding both quality bass and bedding crappie. Jigging around the edges of Caney and Five Fingers has also been productive, especially early and late in the day[1][3].

Tides aren’t much to worry about on Rayburn, but if you’re bank fishing, target the wind-blown points where bait’s piling up. Midday sun can slow things, so hit it early, take a break midday, then get back at them before sundown.

That’s it for today. Good luck out there, keep an eye on your livewells for invasive mussels, and if you see me on the water, say howdy. Tight lines!