7-13-08 fish report Reel um N Guide Service By Lynn Atkinson 07/13/08 Sam Rayburn is at 161.99 ft. The water temperature has been around 86 degrees. The water is clear to around 2 ft. July 4th came and went and the lake got pounded by all the holiday fishermen. I got out Monday and the fish were still wearing their hard hats, protection from all the baits that were chunked at them. I slowed way down and just work the grass all day. After a long day I had picked up 3 good fish on a Stanley Jig. The first two fish came early, around 8:00 am. It was a good 5 pounder that came off the edge of the grass. The second was just around the corner and went 3 lbs. It was a long time before I got another bite. Sticking to my jig I got my third bite around 2:30 and it was a very soft bite. When I set the hook it took off like a rocket for deep water and then came up and out off the water. That's when I knew she was a really big girl. She made a run under the boat and I scrubbed to let her have some line then worked the rod around the trolling motor. Of course the net was stowed away and I had to dig it out but I got her in. She weighed in at 7.20 lbs. Not bad for a day on the lake to myself. Looking back at the Solar Tables the fish were caught around the Minor and Major feeding times in my book. It's been a hard week for the fishermen with the bite changing so much. Saturday's trip we started off with top water baits but the bite was slow with just a few swipes at the bait. After fishing several hundred yards we moved to out second spot. The bite was still slow and we switched to the old wacky worm. Dan hooked a good 5 lb bass that came out of the water an shook off the hook. We did pickup a few more fish, nothing to match her, but that's fishing. The water has been falling as they pull it down for the summer, just in case we have a big storm blow thru. The lake is right at 2.41 foot low now and there is a lot of timber out there that is just under the surface. If you're new to the lake check out several maps as to where the timber is located on "Big Sam". We have seen a lot of boats running thru the Amber and Black Forest on plane. There are some stumps out there that will snatch your motor right off your boat an leave you in a world of hurt. There are a lot off fish buried in the grass this time of year and that makes it tough to get to them. Working Top water baits early and late then switching over to a wacky worm or senkos over the grass will get a few fish. You can work a jig around the edges and see if you can pickup a couple. The deep water bite has been slow but we have started to pickup a few here and there on structure, so maybe that bite will start to payoff more. The crappie having doing good this last week over the brush piles and around the bridge. Remember get the kids out fishing and have some fun. If you haven't heard about The Bass Class on the water check it out on the website and give me a call. Learn some new skills and a few tricks to catch fish on any lake. God Bless Lynn Atkinson srayburn@rayburncountry.com www.rayburncountry.com Home 936-897-3400 Cell 979-220-0251