For Lake Sam Rayburn on November 22, 2024, here’s what you can expect:

The water is slightly stained with a temperature of 72 degrees, and the lake is currently 2.43 feet below pool level. The weather has recently seen a strong cold front, but it's expected to stabilize, making for a good fishing day.

Sunrise is at around 6:45 AM, and sunset will be at about 5:15 PM. There are no significant tidal changes to worry about on this freshwater lake.

Bass activity is quite strong, especially in the shallow waters. Shallow bass are actively feeding on the abundant shad, making spinnerbaits and topwater frogs highly effective. You can also catch them using Texas rigs, wacky rigs, shallow water crankbaits, and topwaters around shoreline brush, hay grass, high spots, shallow ditches, and creek channel swings. For deeper bass, target main lake ledges in 17-22 feet, main lake drains in 10-17 feet, and secondary points with Carolina rigs, dropshots, and shaky heads.

Crappie are transitioning from main lake brush to creek channels and can be caught on brush piles with minnows over jigs. Blue and channel catfish are fair in 24-27 feet of water and in the river bends on cut bait and minnows.

For hot spots, focus on the areas around the mouth of creeks and offshores flats where bass are schooling and chasing bait balls. The hay grass and flooded bushes early in the morning are also prime spots for catching bass using chatterbaits, swimbaits, or frogs.

In terms of specific lures, shad-colored bladed jigs, finesse jigs in natural colors, and 6-7 inch line through swimbaits are working well. For crappie, use minnows, plastic jigs, or hair jigs in 13-21 feet of water on or close to structures.

Overall, Lake Sam Rayburn is offering a great fall fishing experience with plenty of active fish and various effective lures to choose from.