Artificial Lure reporting for August 23, 2025, here on Lake Sam Rayburn, Texas—the east-side jewel that always keeps us fishing folks coming back for more, no matter how sticky the summer gets.

**Sunrise was at 6:48 a.m. and sunset hits around 7:58 p.m.** No tides to report—Rayburn’s a reservoir, not a tidal lake, but the solunar tables are showing high activity today, and that’s matching up with what I’m seeing dockside and in the reports. Temps are forecast to soar into the mid-90s, with a high of 96 and a light south breeze making it just bearable under the shade of the flooded timber. Water’s stained and sitting roughly 0.2 feet below pool, hovering right near 82–84 degrees at sunrise, according to the Lake Sam Rayburn Daily Fishing Report.

**Fishing activity is up, especially for bass.** This week’s action has belonged to the deep water boys: largemouths have moved off shallow grass beds and are now schooling around brush piles, ledges, and main lake points in 14–24 feet. In the early morning, anglers are crushing it with topwaters—walking baits like Heddon Spooks and popping frogs are drawing savage reactions in the shallows before the sun gets too high.

Once that sun starts heating up, you need to move out deep. Carolina rigs baited with big green pumpkin worms and magnum flukes in watermelon red have been the ticket, especially dragging slow around underwater humps and channel swings. Football jigs in brown/blue combos are picking up the heavier bites—just ask the local guide who stuck an 8-pounder last night near Harvey Creek. Deep-diving crankbaits like the Strike King 6XD and DD22 in shad or Sexy Shad patterns are also loading the boat, especially when bounced off submerged structure.

Action isn’t limited to greenbacks—**crappie are holding tight to brush in 16–22 feet, hitting on small chartreuse jigs and live minnows.** Bluegill are thick around docks and grass edges, perfect for the kiddos, and reports have come in of catfish prowling ledges and creek channels, biting on cut bait and nightcrawlers.

Local events are stirring the pot, too. According to last week’s Outlaw Outdoors amateur tournament, sacks over 22 pounds were needed to sniff the top 5, with several big bass over 7 pounds brought to the scales—impressive catches and an encouraging sign for weekend warriors.

**Best lures to use this weekend:**
- Early: Topwaters—Zara Spooks, popping-style frogs on grass mats
- Mid-morning/afternoon: Carolina rigged worms (green pumpkin, watermelon red), magnum flukes, football jigs, deep crankbaits.
- For crappie: small chartreuse tubes or hair jigs on brush, or go classic with live minnows.

**Bait tip:** If live bait’s your game, minnows for crappie and punch bait or chicken livers for cats are a sure bet.

**A couple hot spots to circle on your GPS:**
- Harvey Creek—deep structure loaded with life, especially at first light
- The 147 Bridge pilings and adjacent brush piles are producing, especially for crappie and schooling bass
- Veach Basin deep timber—excellent for kicker largemouths and steady catfish action

That’s the scoop from the Rayburn banks. The lake is fishing hot, the company’s good, and the summer’s got enough left in her for one more hog. Remember to stay hydrated, watch that thermometer on the big fish, and always toss a photo back to the dockheads.

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