Sealy Outdoors Big Bass Splash

This will be my very first time on the Rayburn. Any information on what to throw for one big bit and what depth of water would be greatly appreciated. Please don't beat me up to bad, if not for people like me willing to donate money these tournaments would not exist.

Funny. Frogs and buzz baits around grass and weeds would be my ticket. Caney,Harvey,Buck,just to name a few. Going to be crowded.

Good Luck. Have Fun, and catch a giant bass.

Lake should rise a couple feet by the weekend, it's already high. Either flip all day or back out and drag a rig around for post spawners

At least he didnt say he was taking his so and so and had to put them on fish.

Rain is going to make it interesting. Definitely going to be on the rise..

The rain will change anything people thought they found this weekend more than likely. Front coming Friday and saturday with North winds and bluebird skies. Might not take much to cash a check. I predict really tough fishing

Get in the water early as the boat ramps will be a major traffic jam!

With that many boats on the water it will still take a 5+ to cash checks most hours. Never fails. A few hours will be less but that's a lot lines in the water and alot of fish where guys will be fishing. It was high last year

Went out Saturday and caught a lot flipping, nothing over 4 pounds though. Had better bites out deep

I like the buzz bait/frog around shore cover early then move and Graph the underwater points and ridges in 12'-28' feet looking for signs of bait and fish, then drag a c-rig brush hog / lizard watermelon red or similar. Look mid-lake area.

+1 on go early! It's a zoo!

Good Luck!

I keep waiting for that "you will be able to walk from boat to boat" comment....

You'll be able to walk from boat to boat!!

Maybe if you bring a pair of stilts!!

Bring your own bush to fish if you plan on fishing shallow...

Good one.

I've never fished one either. How many boats usually fish it?

Thousands...

A crowd draws a crowd.

Tens of thousands.

Yep. This tournament gets really ridiculous. You won't find me anywhere around Rayburn when the big bass splash is going on, and I only live 45 minutes away.

And expect, if you do catch ANY Fish, to get lots of "Help" and "Company"! They like to come check out what you caught and see if you need any help, and oh by the way, make a few casts on your spot! That is where the Paint Ball gun works wonders!
BUT back to the topic question:
Think of it this way: Do you want to catch lots of fish OR a bigger fish for money? Play the odds and upsize your baits for a higher percentage. Lots of people that catch the big fish are just "Lucky" and have minimal experience. It is not like a typical TOURNAMENT with a limit mentality. It's for one big bite. OR if you want to have fun join all the boats and catch the dinks and MAYBE a good one. Or find WillieKetchum and "HELP" him out catching his fish!!!

Does anyone know the current lake level I saw online it was 2.5 ft high but don't think that is right. Also what was lake level this time last year?

http://www.samrayburn.com/level

This shows the daily level for the past three years

I'm going to be in Five Fingers and Norris all weekend flipping grass. Shouldn't be too bad in there.

That level is correct, they sucked a lot of water out the past couple weeks.

Cooler temps and a north wind shouldn't help much.

I will see you there! We are going to Camp at Rayburn Park by the boat ramp spot 23!

I'm actually going to fish it this year with my grandfathER. Stating at powell park. Taking 4 rods only. Hero or zero.

Last year had 3500 entries.

Yep. That means 10k boats and you'll be able to walk from boat to boat on 114k acres of water.

10K boats? not everyone fishes from a boat and most boats have two or even three people in them, more like 2K to 3K boats I'd guess.

Thank you

Yall think there will be more than 3500 entries this year?

Nope I dont think so.

Average 3K-4K entries. I've fished it in the 90's when there were 6500+ entries. before daylight Farmers and Needmore looked like small cities with all the nav lights. I haven't fished it in 5 years and may never fish it again.

My only time to fish it (2004 for the 20 year anniversary I think). We were pulling up on our waypoint off of Needmore at 4:30 AM, asked my partner if we were in the wrong place because there shouldn't be that many houses/lights where we were going. Turns out we were probably the 3rd or 4th ROW of boats around the point. Crazy amount of people.

Thanks for all the info. Headed down tonight.