Jim Tutt of Longview, Texas, says he can sum up the February EverStart Series Tournament on Sam Rayburn Reservoir in one word: Rat-L-Trap. That’s because Rat-L-Traps, especially red ones, have been a not-so-well-kept secret on Rayburn for many years. Anglers work the rattling lipless crankbaits over immense grass beds to seine out the reservoir’s famous lunker bass.

Rayburn suffered decline in its big-bass population several years ago, but Tutt says the lake has recovered and big bass are coming back strong. He reports that the lake’s grass (a key component of the fishery’s consistent quality) is prolific and giving bass plenty of weedy haunts for ambushing “traps.”

“I would not be surprised to see a 30-pound stringer or two,” remarks Tutt, a Wal-Mart FLW Tour pro who frequents the lake. “The lake will certainly produce many 20-pound-plus bags and it will take upwards of 18 pounds to win on the final day,” Tutt says.

Rayburn will be in true form. Bring your red Rat-L-Traps!