Weekly Fishing Report Week of September 13, 2023
PENDING WORLD RECORD ALERT:
On September 2, 2023, Art Weston was fishing in Sam Rayburn Lake, Texas, when he landed this massive 128.37-kilogram (283-pound) alligator gar. With this fish Art can potentially set both the IGFA All-Tackle and IGFA Men’s 3-kg (6 lb) Line Class World Records for the species. Art was fishing with Captian Kirk Kirkland aboard the “Garship Enterprise” when this potential record gar struck a cut bait. Art was able to land the gar following an incredible 2-hour and 45-minute battle. After recording the weight on a certified scale, Art was able to release the fish safely. This record is currently pending and under review.
Sam Rayburn
GOOD. Water slightly stained; 88 degrees; 4.69 feet below pool. More fish should push shallow after the forecasted coldfront. The lake may turnover after the rain. Massive bluegill have moved off the brush piles indicating change is coming. Bass and white bass are schooling on the flats. Bass are good with topwaters in the pencil grass and hydrilla. Bigger bass are on points and humps biting crankbaits and Carolina rigs. Crappie and bluegill are stacking up on brush in 16-22 feet of water biting on minnows or jigs. Catfish are good around the brush piles, and points in the creek channels 12-24 feet of water. White bass are good on jigs and crankbaits. The lake level is low so navigate with caution watching for obstacles. Report by Captain Lynn Atkinson, Reel Um N Guide Service. Kast for Kids this weekend and in October.
Toledo Bend
FAIR. Water clear; 90 degrees; 3.64 feet below pool. Weather is finally cooling and there is rain in the forecast so this will improve the bite. Bass fishing has picked up some with a few more bass schooling on top. Best baits for this are chrome topwater and chrome lipless baits. A few fish are showing up in the creeks on light Texas rigs, squarebill crankbaits, and 1.5 or 2.5 size crankbaits. Report by Stephen Johnston, Johnston Fishing.
SALTWATER
Sabine Lake
GOOD. 90 degrees. Trout and redfish catches are good in Sabine Channel on the bulkheads and rock piles with live shrimp under a popping cork. Flounder catches are in the channel biting 3.5 inch red shad plastics tipped with shrimp. Sabine Lake producing nice slot redfish and slot trout making long drifts off the oyster and clam shell in 2-6 feet of water with ⅛ ounce morning glory chartreuse jigs. Catches of flounder against the South Levy off the rocks. Beautiful trout catches continue to be had at the North Levy first and second pike with live shrimp under a popping cork, crankbaits, or �¼ ounce jigheads with five inch plastics. Neches River holding good catches of redfish and trout in 4-25 feet of water on rock piles, shell banks and points with live shrimp under a popping cork, or Carolina rigged mullet. Report by Captain Randy Foreman, Captain Randy’s Guide Service Sabine Lake.
Bolivar
GOOD. 87 degrees. The surf is holding lots of black drum, shark, and some big redfish on cut bait or live bait on the bottom. The gulf side of the North Jetty is holding limits of trout, redfish, sheepshead, jack crevalle against the rocks with live bait and artificials. Jack crevalle are running in the surf biting big spoons or big deer hair jigs. The cuts leading in the bay from ICW holding fish against the shorelines. Lots of black drum around Goat Island. Report provided by Captain Raymond Wheatley, Tail Spotter Guide Service LLC.
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