Thinking of taking my first ever trip to Big Sam but need some advice prior to going. I fish alone so I need a place to launch that has courtesy docks so I won’t worry about beaching it on the rocks or something. Since I’ve never been I’d like to go where I can be safe and if needed get out of the wind and catching fish would be a definite bonus. Since I normally fish Conroe a bite or a nibble would be welcome! Driving from Houston area so where would you recommend? Probably won’t be staying overnight at first. Gonna have to get my comfort level up first.

Thanks in advance, Mike

kensmithfishing.com

Ive never been there either and am about to hook up and head south, I keep saying Im going to go there but have always ended up at Falcon.

Jackson Hill Marina is a great, safe place to launch, there is a dock as well as many places to beach your boat. If you plan on staying over the night in the future, the marina has nice cabins as well! If you can find some grass in about 6-8 foot and throw moving baits you can get some bites. You can also catch the what seems to be bigger fish right now in deeper water on hard bottoms and channel bends.

Courtesy Dock is at Humphrey, Cassel Boykins and Jackson Hill. Although with the lake being low plenty of sand to beach at most ramps.

I look on my phone at google earth at the ramps. fyi.

The phone and iPad have been my primary search tools but sometimes you just can’t see everything you need to.

I recommend getting a 'boating lane' chip prior to going (I downloaded the lanes to a SD card, do a google search). I can't remember who I got it from, but it was worth it. Plenty of places to run on the southern end of the lake, but better safe than sorry. The boating lane chip will open more of the lake up especially north of the 147 bridge for easier maneuverability. Good Luck.

+ San Augustine park and Powell park

Coming from Houston, Cassel Boykins , for a 1 day outing. A little further is Powell Park, 25+ miles, that can be fished most any weather/wind.

Mill Creek Park is good for staying out the wind and there's a courtesy dock. I fish alone also and being that Rayburn has a tournment nearly every weekend, you may want to search ahead of time as to which ramps will be packed. Cassel Boykins, Umphrey (Twin Dikes) are to the two most popular.

Of you could always just float your boat away at the ramp and catch a ride out to it. That's the TFF preferred method it seems.

I dont think they have replaced the dock at San Augustine have they? Been a while since I've been there

Yes they replaced dock at San Augustine

Good Ramp and nice loading dock there. i was there about one month ago.

Cassels Boykin is great. Excellent ramp, near Deer Stand, Pophers, Peckerwood, and Canyons. For future reference, Lakeview Grocery has cheap rooms($70) that are clean and great burgers, baits, etc. Find grass edges in 8-12' of water, wacky worms w small weight along edges. Lots of 2-4lb fish.

Cassel Boykin and San Augustine have good ramps and docks just need know area or you could leave without part of your boat or motor or both.