Nutman,

Its just the way it is with Rayburn. I am telling you, there are people on here who get flat out offended anytime the word "Rayburn" is even mentioned in a post. Its a very strange phenomena and one of my pet peeves on the TFF You are right though, knowing the a general pattern will at least get ya started and that's all 90% of the people who post something want to know. I dont think you are asking "how can I win the next tournament?" , but there are those on here who believe otherwise.

yes,,,,,,it is a shame.
But hey, I have recd some very nice info from some folks that don't mind sharing

Call or text me and I'll tell you where we caught our fish. You have my number.

We didn't set the world on fire but ended up 5th and 6th in our tourney.

Ya. He's talkin bout me and the info I shared above.

But what if that info consistently points you in the wrong direction and gives you absolutely zero chance at doing well?

Whoa. Wait a minute. Are you saying there might be information posted on this forum that is misleading?

" but what if "
But what if someone did not teach you it at least show you about fishing.
But what if my brother was my sister
But what if I got a PHD and not just an MBA
But what if I bought IBM instead ICBM
" but what if "
But what if I really did not know what I was doing

I think the folks that sent me PMs with info all mean to help
I think "most" people are truly good people and are willing to help.
So I think I'll just say:
"But what if" that info I get helps me get started on a lake I have never fished, but want to try.

I'll let you know how it goes the next month or so.

BTW: thanks for your help.

I don't do much posting but the guys that get on a website and "prefish" or call up a dozen guides on a lake to try and get pointed in the right direction have a really shallow view of bass fishing. What satisfaction do you get out of using someone else's ideas or locations? In years of bass fishing I've made a point to not worry about what other people were doing. If you want to use your computer- look at lake levels. Has the lake been stable and now being drawn down? If so that means grass lines and timber will be exposed showing you the creek channels. Aren't the bait and fish supposed to move in the creeks in the fall? It doesn't matter if your headed to a lake you've never seen,you can find areas where you can fish your strengths. The point I'm trying to make is that it's a lot more gratifying and you get more satisfaction out of what you do on your own than running around the lake wondering if you're doing what you were told the right way. So pull up your panties and learn to be a fisherman.

I have no real comment to say here besides forget the name of the lake. Launch your boat go ride around, find something that looks "fishy" and try and catch a fish. Assuming your going there for a tournament (which mean hopefully you can catch fish). You can catch Rayburn fish. They arnt special. Just do it. Hopefully I don't come off wrong to ya but just giving you the facts. They are just black bass.

Andrew,,,, you know what happens when you assume !!!!
go back and read my original post.,,,,,,,, I just want a new place to fish in Nov & December besides Fork. Never fished SR, but just wanted to.
But I didn't want to just "launch my boat and ride around" ,,,,, as a retired man my money is too precious to spend on $3.00 a gallon fuel to just ride around. AND,,, if you had no real comment to say here,,,, why did you ?

Jerrel/Z521,,,,Now for the your long ranting post,,,,,,,that is just so wrong on so many levels I had to laugh.
to address everyone would take forever,,,,,but lets just say that to put your idealistic take on "fishing" on everyone else is pathatic. How can you possible know what is gratifying and what satisfaction someone else gets out of their "fishing" activity ? That post is such a one sided personal justification of what you do and how you do it. & please don't call "yourself" a fisherman. Fishermen help others and I have had plenty of them respond to me in PMs and emails. I won't have to go "ride around" and fish dead water that looks fishy thanks to them.

Now,,,, Have a Nice Day

You guys go read the thread "Fork". I just bumped it up so it should be just below this.
see the replies,,,,,,, especially by Lou r Pitcher
that's all person is looking for when they ask for help.
Not one person's idealistic views on what fishing is or is not !!!
Not looking to be told to put on your panties or go drive the boat around and do you own scouting.
Times have changed boys, get into the world of social media and computers.
Heck the pros don't even go to a lake without getting pre-fishing advice.
Sam Rayburn is just another lake,,,,you guys act like it is a big deal to catch fish there.

I see why you do not do much posting.

Some of the comments here are pretty ridiculous.
I don't fish tournaments but have been bass fishing for many years. I have no problem sharing information and I do as much research as possible before I hitch up the trailer and head to the lake. I like to increase my chances of success. Nutman, you're welcome in my boat any day. Rayburn can be tough at times and I don't fish it but once or twice a year, so like you, before I go, I update Navionics, I narrow my starting points to areas of the lake, I check reports, both guide reports and weekend angler reports, I check the weather, seasonal patterns etc.
Even with all that information, I don't limit out on every trip...but I have fun.