Cowboy Division heads to Sam Rayburn to end the season
The final event of the Phoenix Bass Fishing League Presented by T-H Marine Cowboy Division, will take place on the familiar waters of Sam Rayburn Reservoir September 7-8. This is the division’s third event on “Big Sam” this season and the sixth-straight year that the Super Tournament has been held on the popular fishery.
Tournament details
Phoenix Bass Fishing League Presented by T-H Marine Cowboy Division Super Tournament
Sept. 7-8
Brookeland, Texas
About the fishery
Sam Rayburn Reservoir is hallowed ground for bass fishing and hosts countless tournaments. The large body of water covers 114,500 acres, much of it consisting of prime bass habitat. It is full of fish and has a well-deserved reputation for kicking out big largemouth, and the chance of a fish of a lifetime is always a possibility here.
Since the reservoir opened in 1965, Sam Rayburn has been a popular destination for tournament anglers and has gone through many ups and downs. According to Marshall Hughes, who lives in nearby Hemphill, Texas, the bite is somewhere in the middle.
“In years prior, the grass has always been a player, along with the offshore stuff,” he said. “Normally, this time of year, the lake is right at full pool or under pool by now, but it’s still 4 feet high. There’s hardly any grass, and it’s too hot and not high enough for the bushes to be a factor, except maybe way up on the northern end. Just because of the lack of grass right now, I don’t see it being won in grass even though fishing grass usually produces a few Top 10 finishes this time of year.”
What to expect
Because of the current lake conditions, Hughes believes fishing offshore will be the way to win, and just about anywhere on the extensive body of water holds potential for victory.
“The whole lake can play on Rayburn, literally from the dam up to Kingtown,” he said. “The last Bassmaster Open this time of year was won in Powell, and the Ayish side could also be a player. This time of year, it can be won anywhere.
As for techniques, Hughes expects the usual suspects to be popular choices.
“I think it will be won by guys fishing brush piles and the occasional hard spot,” he said. “Big deep-diving crankbaits, a Carolina rig, a big Texas rig, and a jig are all you need this time of year.”
Hayden Heck won last year’s season finale, the late August Super Tournament, with 36 pounds, 4 ounces. Tater Reynolds won the Super Tournament with 48-14 the year before. This year, Hughes is predicting somewhere in between those two weights.
“The weights have been down a little bit in recent tournaments, so I’m thinking 21 or 22 pounds a day will put you in contention to win,” said Hughes. “September is a tough month for fishing here and anywhere in the south. Plus, it’s been so dang hot lately that I don’t expect a lot of huge weights.”
Even though he believes the winning weights won’t be eye-popping, there is always a threat of some magic happening.
“This is Rayburn so there’s always the possibility of someone coming in with a freak 30-pound bag,” added Hughes.