As of November 9, 2024, Lake Sam Rayburn is offering some excellent fishing opportunities. The water is slightly stained with a temperature of around 72 degrees, and the lake level is currently about 2.55 feet below pool.

Weather-wise, today is partly sunny with a high of 80 degrees and a low of 68 degrees tonight. Sunrise was at about 7:30 AM, and sunset will be around 6:45 PM. There are no significant tidal changes to note, as Lake Sam Rayburn is a freshwater lake.

Bass activity is quite strong, particularly in the mornings when they are schooling more actively. You can expect topwater action on grass edges and points, making lures like chatterbaits, swimbaits, and frogs highly effective. Shallow bass are centered around shoreline brush, hay grass, high spots, shallow ditches, and creek channel swings. These fish can be caught using Texas rigs, wacky rigs, shallow water crankbaits, and topwaters. For deeper bass, target the mouth of creeks and offshore flats where they are chasing bait; Carolina rigs, dropshots, and shaky heads are working well here.

There is an abundance of shad in shallow water, and shallow bass are feeding aggressively on them. Schooling bass are heavily chasing bait balls around main lake ledges in 17-22 feet, main lake drains in 10-17 feet, and main lake and secondary points.

Crappie are transitioning from main lake brush to creek channels and are fair on standing timber in about 27 feet of water on brush piles, with minnows being the preferred bait over jigs. Blue and channel catfish are fair in 24-27 feet of water and in the river bends, responding well to cut bait and minnows.

Hot spots include the areas around hay grass and flooded bushes early in the morning, as well as the mouth of creeks and offshore flats. Main lake ledges, drains, and secondary points are also productive for bass.

Given the current conditions, the best times to fish are during the major bite times from 7:16 AM to 9:16 AM and 7:45 PM to 9:45 PM. Enjoy your fishing trip on Lake Sam Rayburn