LakeCaster - Sam Rayburn/ Toledo Bend

Livewell-Held Bass Require Special Care During Summer Months

By Todd Driscoll, Texas Parks and Wildlife Department — 05/01/2008

The popularity of bass fishing has exploded during the last 20 years. During this time many changes have taken place, including increases in fishing technology and the advent of more restrictive harvest regulations. However, one of the most important changes includes increased angler acceptance of catch and release practices.

Sam Rayburn Money

By Jimmy Galvan ~ Managing Editor, Jasper Newsboy — 05/01/2008

For years, many have argued over the economic impact that Lake Sam Rayburn has in Jasper and in Jasper County. During last week's meeting of the Jasper County Development District #1, a study was presented to the board stating the impact of the Umphrey Pavilion alone.

Making Dreams Come True

By Patty Lenderman — 05/01/2008

Once upon a time there was a beautiful little boy born to proud parents. Sounds typical, doesn't it? Many of us take for granted the blessing of having a healthy child born to us. This is a story of strength, hope, struggle and how dreams come true.

Bass Unlimited Sets Records at 6th Annual Banquet

By Donald Gervais — 05/01/2008

Cypress Bend Marina- New records were set at the 6th Annual Bass Unlimited Toledo Bend Lake Association Banquet held April 10 at Cypress Bend Marina.

Thunder Chickens

by Ty Weaver — 05/01/2008

Turkey hunting can be hot or cold, weather wise and action wise. Most states allow turkey hunting during the fall and spring. Fall hunting is a blast with weather usually on the cool side, which makes hunting them very enjoyable. I have taken many turkeys in the fall season and some were monsters like the picture attached.

NWTF improves wildlife habitat on Texas public lands

05/01/2008

TEXAS - The National Wild Turkey Federation and its project partners have united to complete projects that will potentially improve more than 550,000 acres of Texas National Forests and Grasslands and Wildlife Management Areas through the Master Challenge Cost Share Agreement.

A fish called Ethel

By Larry Hodge — 05/01/2008

When Mark Stevenson pulled a 17.67-pound largemouth bass from Lake Fork on November 26, 1986, he had no idea he had just set in motion a chain of events that would touch millions of lives, change careers, make fortunes and inspire conservation efforts. The fish Stevenson named Ethel after a close relative played a big part in making bass fishing what it is today.

Angling News

By Joe Joslin — 05/01/2008

WHAT'S UP DOCK? featuring the latest innovations in dock construction. ALSO... HOW TO FISH WITH QUALITY PRODUCTS without taking out a second mortgage. QUALITY FISHING TOOLS ON A BUDGET: As an avid outdoorsman, like many of you, I am always looking for a good buy. When it comes to fishing tackle, I like to feel as though I am getting a quality product for a fair price.

The Catfish Hole

By Dennis Rice — 05/01/2008

www.catfishangler.com We made it through the long cold winter months and now spring is here at last. With spring time comes some of the best fishing you will ever endure, the water is warming up and the spawn is right around the corner.

Rattlesnakes

By Dylan Lyons — 05/01/2008

This story begins back in April when we had flash flooding here in East Texas. Two days after the flood I was out walking my 6 week old puppy, from my dog Pablo that had a litter of 5. This is when I almost stepped on a baby snake, which later turned out to be a rattlesnake. Here in East Texas there are three types of rattlesnakes.

From the Chuckwagon

By Mike Atchley — 05/01/2008

936-328-2594 • Finsfeathersandhorn@yahoo.com Chuck wagon cooking and the men who cooked it. Who were these men? Were they black, white, or Mexican? What kind of background qualified him for such an arduous chore, and one demanding such an array of talents?

Backroads and Backlashes

By Jim Binns — 05/01/2008

There are few baits on the market these days that are as exciting to fish as a buzzbait. The bait is up there in your face as it is retrieved and the explosive strikes have been liken to a concrete block being dropped on the lure, or the bait just suddenly disappearing in a huge "flush".

LAKE SAM RAYBURN FISHING REPORT

05/01/2008

Lake Level as of (4/24/08) - (163.82) • Normal Level - (164.40) Water Clarity - (Mixed) • Temp - (70's) For Lake Level Updates & Generation Schedules, call (409) 384-5716

Lake Sam Rayburn and Toledo Bend

Bill Fondren, Tejas Guide Service — 05/01/2008

Professional Guide • Licensed and Insured Ph.409-698-3491 • Cell 409-381-1397 Sam Rayburn & Toledo Bend • email bills@jas.net Boy where is this year gone? May already, and spring is in full bloom.

Reel um N Guide Service

Lynn Atkinson, Licensed Professional Guide — 05/01/2008

www.rayburncountry.com • srayburn@rayburncountry.com Home 936-897-3400 • Cell 979-220-0251 May has arrived and "Big Sam" should be in good shape to start the summer. Let's take a look at "Big Sam" for a minute. "Big Sam" is the largest lake in the state of Texas with 114,500 acres. It is well known as one of the premier largemouth bass lakes in Texas.

FISH TALES

05/01/2008

Sam Rayburn

FISH TALES

05/01/2008

Rich Lauther from Houston with a 7 lb. bass caught on red rattle trap

Get Reel Bass Anglers

05/01/2008

Get Reel Bass Anglers had their April tournament out of Sandy Creek on Sam Rayburn. It was cold and there was a lot of wind. The fish bit well for us. Our May 10 tournament is out of Caney Creek on Sam Rayburn.

Many Bass Club

05/01/2008

Clay Henry wins the Many Bass Club's April tournament with a five fish limit weighing 14.82 lbs and claims big bass honors with a 4.76 lb lunker. Fishing shallow water fish in the Circle Drive area of the lake, Henry caught his fish flipping shallow brush with a brush hog.

Southeast Texas Anglers

05/01/2008

We had 20 people hit the waters of Toledo Bend on March 29th with great weather and what turned out to be even better fishing. The results were as follows: Our Top "6" Anglers are as follows: We had 19 people hit the water for our April 5th tournament on Rayburn out of Mill Creek Park.

Saturday Bass Anglers

05/01/2008

January Tournament: January 19, out of Monterey Park on Sam Rayburn. Fifteen members fishing in a 25-30 mph "Norther". Winners were: February Tournament: February 23, out of Monterey Park on Sam Rayburn. Nineteen members and four guests fishing. It was cold and wet in the morning, warm and windy in the afternoon.

Green and Jarrell take top spot at Ft Polk Spring Team Open

By Donald Gervais (dongerv@yahoo.com) — 05/01/2008

Army Recreation Center- Patrick Green Jr. could not have picked a better time to catch the biggest bass of his life on March 29.

Forest Hill Bass Club Wins 37th Annual La. Top Six Bass Tournament

05/01/2008

The week-end of March 29th and 30th some 260 plus members of the La. Top Six Association converged on Toledo Bend Reservoir for the 37th Annual La. Top Six Bass Tournament. This is a bass club championship, to see which club is the best of the best. The tournament was sponsored by Bass Cat Boats and I-49 Marine.

Ronnie and Courtney Mundy take the WIN on Toledo Bend Reservoir!!!

05/01/2008

C.A.S.T. Southeast started their third tournament of the season on March 29, 2008 on beautiful Toledo Bend Reservoir out of Alpine Marina. Manfred and Many greeted C.A.S.T. Southeast with open doors and great lodging. C.A.S.T. Southeast utilized Alpine Marina's banquet room for registration which allowed anglers to stay dry before takeoff.

Meche and Bergeron capture 14th Annual LOBI Championship

By Donald Gervais (dongerv@yahoo.com) — 05/01/2008

Cypress Bend Marina- Craig Meche and Jeremy Bergeron own bragging rights in the Louisiana oilfields for their win at the 14th Annual Louisiana Oilmen's Bass Invitational (LOBI) held April 4-5 at Toledo Bend Reservoir. The champions led on Day one with the biggest limit of the tournament, weighing 26.

KEITH CAKA WINS DAWSON MARINE BIG BASS TOURNAMENT HOSTED BY BASS CHAMPS

By Patty Lenderman — 05/01/2008

Big Bass tournaments are a lot of fun to fish. There's no pressure to get a big stringer of fish, just looking for one.

A Tie for 1st Place at Bass N Bucks on Sam Rayburn!

By Patty Lenderman — 05/01/2008

Event #4 ~ Umphrey Family Pavilion The competition was stiff on Sam Rayburn for nearly 200 teams April 6, 2008. Bass N Bucks anglers enjoyed a gorgeous spring day with challenging water conditions searching for elusive big bass. More than $44,000 was won by the top 25 teams in cash, prizes and Ranger Cup bonuses.

Vincent Neal & Kyle Rowe win Bass Champs East Region #3 on Sam Rayburn

By Patty Lenderman — 05/01/2008

What an exciting day April 12 at the Umphrey Family Pavilion on Sam Rayburn. Bass Champs held its third East Region event, paying out close to $60,000 in cash and prizes, and over 400 anglers came to fish for their part of it. Kyle Rowe and Vincent Neal won the lion's share with 1st place taking home over $20,000 cash!

Anglers Quest Super Team #3

By Mr Bill & Barbara Long — 05/01/2008

Mill Creek Park March 30, 2008 Anglers Quest 2008 Super Team Series # 3 blasted off after the playing of the national anthem at 6:55 am on Sam Rayburn with 78 teamed anglers showing up to go for the all cash payout at the ramp of $7380.00. This Series will provide a NO ENTRY FEE guaranteed $5000 to the winner Championship event in September for the top 25 qualifiers.

Anglers Quest Super Team #4

By Mr Bill & Barbara Long — 05/01/2008

Mill Creek Park April 5, 2008 Anglers Quest 2008 Sam Rayburn Saturday Series # 4 out of Mill Creek Park in Brookeland, TX began this event with 60 teamed anglers showing up to fish for the $3130.00 purse. The event began at safe light, which was 6:40 am. Weigh in was conducted in 2 flights at 3:15 & 3:30 pm.

Afemon Claims top spot

By Donald Gervais (dongerv@yahoo.om) — 05/01/2008

Umphrey Family Pavilion -- Jacob Afemon's 11.3-pound largemouth bass earned him the championship at the 24th Annual McDonald Big Bass Splash presented by Sealy Outdoors on April 18-20 at Lake Sam Rayburn.

Toyota Texas Bass Classic crowns 2008 champions

Adam Harris, Marketing & Communication Coordinator — 05/01/2008

Lake Fork, Texas - The Toyota Texas Bass Classic, held April 18 - 20, successfully wrapped up on Sunday evening. The unique team angling competition awarded $750,000 in prize money, including $250,000 to the winning team of Kelly Jordon, Lance Vick, David Smith and David Walker.

Fun, Entertainment & Giving Back at The Beaumont Boys Weekend

By Patty Lenderman — 05/01/2008

Sam Rayburn was smooth as glass, blanketed by heavy cloud cover April 26. Just right for 537 anglers fishing the Tracy Byrd Big Bass Tournament! The fishing was only one part of the exciting Beaumont Boys Bash weekend.

Afemon Claims Top Spot at 24th Annual McDonald Big Bass Splash

By Donald Gervais (dongerv@yahoo.com) — 05/01/2008

Umphrey Family Pavilion -- Jacob Afemon�s 11.3-pound largemouth bass earned him the championship at the 24th Annual McDonald Big Bass Splash presented by Sealy Outdoors on April 18-20 at Lake Sam Rayburn.

Green and Jarrell Take Top Spot at Ft Polk Spring Team Open

By Donald Gervais (dongerv@yahoo.com) — 05/01/2008

Army Recreation Center�Patrick Green Jr. could not have picked a better time to catch the biggest bass of his life on March 29. The Leesville angler caught an 11 pound Toledo Bend Lunker bass that anchored a five-fish limit of him and partner Bernie Jarrell weighing 23 pounds and 7-ounces to take top honors at the 18th Annual Ft Polk Bassmasters Spring Team Open Tournament.

Vincent Neal & Kyle Rowe win Bass Champs East Region #3 on Sam Rayburn

By Patty Lenderman — 05/01/2008

Meche and Bergeron Capture 14th Annual LOBI Championship

By Donald Gervais (dongerv@yahoo.com) — 05/01/2008

Cypress Bend Marina� Craig Meche and Jeremy Bergeron own bragging rights in the Louisiana oilfields for their win at the 14th Annual Louisiana Oilmen�s Bass Invitational (LOBI) held April 4-5 at Toledo Bend Reservoir.

A Tie for 1st place at Bass N Bucks on Sam Rayburn!

By Patty Lenderman — 05/01/2008

Event #4 Umphrey Family Pavilion The competition was stiff on Sam Rayburn for nearly 200 teams April 6, 2008. Bass N Bucks anglers enjoyed a gorgeous spring day with challenging water conditions searching for elusive big bass. More than $44,000 was won by the top 25 teams in cash, prizes and Ranger Cup bonuses.

Keith Caka Wins Dawson Marine Big Bass tournament hosted by Bass Champs

By Patty Lenderman — 05/01/2008

Big Bass tournaments are a lot of fun to fish. There�s no pressure to get a big stringer of fish, just looking for one. Nearly 400 anglers headed out on Sam Rayburn March 29 to find that one big bass that would get them in part of the money to be won in hourly checks, and hopeful to get that really big one that would win the Grand Prize