Day one of the Toyota Series presented by A.R.E. Southwestern Division event on Sam Rayburn has featured fairly tough fishing so far, but anything is possible on Big Sam.
Takeoff for the event, which is presented by Berkley, was quite brisk and a bit choppy. Those conditions are out of mind now, with sunny skies and a light wind that feels awesome. If the morning bite wasn’t kind, the afternoon bite could definitely save a pro or two.
As far as the fishing, most everyone agrees that the remnants of the cold front have made things tougher than they should be. Most of the pros are winding lipless baits as is so often the case on Rayburn. Still, there are a good number offshore with swimbaits, finesse rigs, Carolina rigs and crankbaits as well.
Leading the unofficial tally is Tackle Warehouse Pro Circuit angler Dakota Ebare. With a pair of 5-pounders in the ‘well early, Ebare had a limit in the teens shortly after takeoff. Jake Ormond also has a limit for about 14 pounds, but other than Ebare and Ormond, limits have been tough to find.
Here’s a rundown of our other reports:
Rick Clunn – one keeper early
Hunter Muncrief – four keepers early
Chip Harrington – two keepers
Garrett Hilton – two keepers
Jeff Kriet – four keepers, one is a 3-pounder
Rob Burns – one keeper
Cory Barchenger – a limit with one good one
Mark Mitchell – three keepers
Nick LeBrun – four keepers
Nick Aber – one keeper
Jason Reyes – one keeper
Todd Castledine – probably two fish
Tune in to weigh-in at 3 p.m. CT to see how it settles out on day one.