Sam Rayburn Fishing Report: Summer Patterns Emerge, Crappie & Catfish On The Bite

Howdy y'all, Artificial Lure here with your Friday morning Sam Rayburn fishing report for May 23rd, 2025. Let me tell ya, we've got ourselves a fine day shaping up on Big Sam today! The water's sitting pretty at about 77 degrees now, with that classic stained clarity we've been seeing all month. We're running about 1.18 feet above pool level, which has those fish moving around in predictable patterns. The big news this week is we're seeing that full transition to summer patterns taking hold. Those bass have wrapped up their spawn and are moving out to deeper water. Your best bet right now is working those 8-14 foot zones - focus on ledges, humps, and that old timber that Big Sam is famous for. Texas rigs and Carolina rigs with big ole worms in watermelon red or junebug colors have been producing consistently. Fish are slowly settling into their summer patterns, and they're using that old timber for structure since we're seeing very little grass or lily pads so far this season. If you've been struggling to locate fish, concentrate your efforts around that submerged timber - it's like bass condos out there! Crappie fishing has been mighty fine too! They're in that spawning dance, moving between shallow and deep water. The magic depth's been in that 4-12 foot range. Minnows under corks near trees and brush piles are your ticket for those slabs. Some folks have been doing real well with small jigs too if you prefer artificial baits. Catfish action has been picking up nicely as well, with fish bedding in similar depths as the crappie. They're biting good in that 4-12 foot range. For you early birds, sunrise today was right around 6:30 AM, and we're looking at sunset about 8:15 PM, giving you plenty of daylight to get after those fish. If you're looking for some hot spots this week, I'd point you toward the humps and ledges near Cassells-Boykin Park and the timber-filled coves around San Augustine Park. The Harvey Creek area has been producing some nice stringers for folks working those deeper zones with patience. Remember, with these warming temperatures, the early morning and evening bites have been most productive, so plan accordingly. Get out there before the sun gets too high, or wait until those shadows start stretching across the water. Y'all stay safe on the water, keep those stringers wet, and I'll see you out there on Big Sam! This content was created in partnership and with the help of Artificial Intelligence AI.