Fishing action on **Lake Sam Rayburn** this Thursday, November 20, 2025, is defined by falling water levels, cooling temps, and fired-up fall fish movement. Right now, the lake is sitting about 8 feet below pool and dropping slow, so mind those humps and shallow ridges if you’re boating around out there. Water clarity is stained, and surface temps are hovering near 80 degrees as the week got started, but don’t be surprised if pockets dip into the upper 70s after last night’s cool breeze, according to Texas Parks and Wildlife’s Pineywoods weekly report.

**Sunrise was at 6:59 a.m., sunset hits at 5:21 p.m.** The day’s solunar major feeding windows are 6:56–8:56 a.m. and again from 7:24–9:24 p.m., based on SolunarForecast.com. We’re sitting right around first-quarter moon, so expect average to good fish activity, especially during those peak times.

On the *bass* front: This is arguably the best time of year to chunk power baits shallow. Topwater frogs and senkos are scoring early in the grass, especially around flooded brush on major points and pockets. As the day warms, cranking slow along drains and ledges is putting solid fish in the boat. Carolina rigs and jigs are picking off those staging fish in 12–20 foot timber and on the edges of old river channels. Major League Fishing’s coverage from this season shows pros catching big limits on bladed jigs, deep-diving crankbaits, and Carolina rigs, especially around brush and wood on mid-lake humps and creek arms.

*Crappie* are starting to bunch up with water temps dropping, schooling around standing timber and brush piles in 16–28 feet—right off creek channels and near the bridge pilings. Live minnows still produce, but if you want to get fancy, thread a large minnow onto a 1/16th ounce jig head or toss a small hand-tied jig in chartreuse or blue/white.

The *catfish* bite is steady—blues and channel cats stacking up in deeper holes along the main river channel and coves. Fresh cut shad or punch bait is the ticket, especially on the downside of shallow flats with current. If you’re after a giant, try drifting main lake humps or anchor up by boulders where the bite’s been strongest.

We’re seeing **hybrid stripers and white bass** pushing shad up on main lake points. Topwaters, slabs, and spoons in chrome or shad patterns are drawing fast action, especially during the morning feed. If they’re deep, try trolling a deep crankbait to trigger reaction bites.

Recent catch reports are strong for slot-busting largemouth—multiple five-fish stringers over 25 pounds were weighed in this past weekend around the Caney Creek arm, and local guides are seeing consistent limits coming off main lake points and creek swings. Crappie limits are happening for those moving and hopping between deeper timber piles.

**Top baits** this week:

- Topwater frogs and popping baits (early on grass lines and in pockets)
- Bladed jigs and deep-diving crankbaits (over submerged brush and creek channels)
- Carolina rigs, senkos, and creature baits (on edges of timber and drains)
- Chartreuse/blue hand-tied jigs or live minnows for crappie
- Cut shad or punch bait for catfish
- Chrome slabs or spoons for schooling white bass

**Local hot spots** to try:
- Up around the mouth of Mill Creek—shallow grass holds early bass, and deeper points are stacked with crappie.
- The San Augustine Park area—bridges and midlake timber have been on fire for crappie and catfish.
- Harvey Creek and Black Forest—shad schools mean fast white bass and feeding largemouth, especially on windy banks.

Weather calls for light winds, cool mornings, and warming afternoons—bite should hold strong as long as you match the forage and fish the structure.

Thanks for tuning in to your Sam Rayburn fishing report, folks. Be sure to subscribe so you never miss an update, and good luck out there—tight lines!
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