Wonder who the dumb@ss was that suggested a guide on Falcon.......



Best of luck Karl

I don't know about Toledo Bend, never fished it.
BUT,,,,,,
This past Sunday morning at daybreak Sam Rayburn in the main lake was about as choppy as I care to run in & the winds were "light and variable". Hate to see it with 15-25mph winds.
This was just my third day trip to Sam but it is getting better with each visit.

I really don't know that either lake offers more than the other (Falcon) when it comes to "amenities". The scenery is better at Sam. The chance for a BIG fish is better at Falcon. Locating fish is easier at Sam, just find some grass.
If you like tacos,,,,it is Falcon
If you like chicken fried steak,,,,,,,it is Sam Rayburn

I'll be back on Rayburn again for the next four weekends, trying to catch that big one with the yellow beetle spin suggested by Yankithard.

Just keep chunking that yellow Beetle Spin. It'll eventually payoff.

I'm not sure of your situation, but if you're bringing someone with you that shops or whatever, Lufkin is only about 30 mins from the 147 bridge area of the lake. The down side to that end of the lake is there is no real nice hotel. Lake View is real clean and will sure suffice, but it isn't a 3-4 star hotel, but it's also only $45/night this time of the year. The south end has Rayburn Country hotel which is much nicer but it's $79/night. Lake View is semi waterfront - meaning you could beach your boat during the day and walk about 1/4 mile to your room or to the deli there at the store. I wouldn't leave my boat in the water overnight though. It would probably be fine, but better safe than sorry. Both hotels are within 5-7 minutes of a ramp. The south end of Rayburn is much easier to run than the north end (the 147 bridge basically separates "north" from "south").

Everything else mentioned above is pretty much dead on except the fact that Rayburn will be more crowded. Rayburn has been very peaceful with the exception of this past weekend.

Nutman, you're half right. You CAN get a good taco at Falcon. But you can also get a better country/chicken fried steak in Zapata then you can in Jasper.

If you go to Rayburn you better check your weather if the wind is coming 15-25 down the gut you are in trouble gets bad real quick same goes for Falcon.

Beautiful Sam.

Both are my favorite lakes. I think Rayburn offers a wider range of fishing style. Shallow to deep, can use pretty much anything. I have been on Rayburn when it was blowing and rough, but there are so many ramps and coves you can still fish some pretty calm water. That does not happen at Falcon in 20-25.

I had rather fish the gulf than Rayburn if there is a 15+ mph wind. That place gets ridiculous and no place to get out of it when running. Falcon can also get rough. I have not been to Rayburn in over a year but headed to Falcon this weekend for the first time in 2 months to try my luck with a guide. Hope to earn more about deep water fishing. My choice would be Falcon but mostly because it is closer to me and I can go when the weather is supposed to be good.

15-25 out of any direction is right down or up Rayburn. Just the way the lake is positioned it doesn't matter which way the wind blows, it always up or down the length of the lake. But don't let wind stop you though, because they bite when its blowing and you can launch all over Rayburn.

I really appreciate everyone's suggestions and input, I decided I need to just go with my gut and head to Falcon. The weather should be awesome and I think for this time of the year Falcon will compliment my style of fishing the most. I hear boat traffic is minimal and finding a place to stay wasn't a issue. I'll be in a blue/black Basscat, if you are at Falcon and want to stop and say hi it would be nice to meet you. Everyone be safe and blessed wherever you're fishing this weekend. Thanks again!


Sam Rayburn is still on my bucket list and I hope to make it there sometime this next year.

Good luck--- we will expect a great report.

If you die before you make it to Big Sam you have missed out on the true beauty texas has to offer! I would live on the lake if I could!

Both are great lakes, though as mentioned above if you go to Rayburn, you have Toledo Bend right there as well, I would go East and split time between the two, and the scenery is much better in East Texas. That being said the middle and left fish on my signature are from Falcon........
JR

Nasworthy

How many 15 pounders were caught in a tourney at Sam or Toledo last year? A guy caught one at Falcon last Feb at Falcon during Bass Champs. I know where I will be this coming Feb.