How to Fish Ray Roberts Lake

Ray Roberts Lake fishing FAQ

How do you catch Largemouth Bass on Ray Roberts Lake in Spring (Pre-Spawn)?

Water temp 48-71°F. Bass are staging near spawning areas, actively feeding to build energy reserves before spawn. Moving between deeper staging areas and shallow pre-spawn locations based on daily temperature fluctuations. Fish are showing increased aggression and responding to wind-blown areas, particularly around rock and vegetation in preparation for spawning Key locations: Wind-blown points with rock structure in 4-8 feet of water; Submerged vegetation on flats in 2-4 feet of water; Riprap areas along the dam; Protected shallow coves with warmer water temperatures. Best techniques: Bladed Jigs worked steadily through submerged vegetation, Carolina Rigs dragged along rocky points, Swim Jigs around vegetation and riprap, Texas Rigs (Worming) with soft plastic swimbaits over grass flats. Primary forage: Crawfish becoming active on rocky areas, Shad schools in pre-spawn staging areas, Bluegill beginning to move shallow. Best bait colors: Natural Craw Colors, Natural Shad Colors, Chartreuse Colors.

How do you catch White Bass on Ray Roberts Lake in Spring (Pre-Spawn)?

Water temp 52-62°F. Pre-spawn white bass are making upstream movements towards spawning areas, actively feeding in preparation for spawning Fish are staging in deeper water (15-25ft) near tributary mouths and major points during cold fronts, moving shallow (5-15ft) during warming trends Aggressive feeding behavior when encountering shad schools, especially during dawn and dusk periods Key locations: Main lake points near tributary mouths and creek channels; Wind-blown rocky points with deep water access; Transitional areas between spawning flats and deeper staging areas. Best techniques: Blade Baits worked vertically along depth transitions, Underspins with soft body swimbaits for covering water, Lipless Crankbaits for aggressive reaction strikes. Primary forage: Shad schools congregating near points and channel edges, Small baitfish moving into tributary areas. Best bait colors: Metallic Colors, Natural Shad Colors, Chartreuse Colors.

How do you catch Largemouth Bass on Ray Roberts Lake in Spring (Spawn)?

Water temp 48-71°F. Bass are in various spawning phases, with some actively spawning while others are moving up to spawn. Fish are showing aggressive territorial behavior around spawning flats and staging areas Fish are responding to wind-blown areas and showing increased activity during overcast conditions, particularly around shallow spawning flats and adjacent deeper water Key locations: Shallow spawning flats with grass and timber in 2-8 feet of water; Wind-blown rocky points near spawning coves in 6-8 feet; Marina areas with structure like tires and docks. Best techniques: Bladed Jigs worked along grass edges and through spawning flats, Frogs/Toads for locating beds in stained water conditions, Wacky Rigs for finicky fish around spawning areas, Carolina Rigs for covering water on points and transitional areas. Primary forage: Crawfish actively moving in shallow rocky areas, Shad beginning to spawn on shallow flats. Best bait colors: Natural Craw Colors, Light Neutral Colors, Vibrant Craw Colors.

How do you catch White Bass on Ray Roberts Lake in Spring (Spawn)?

Water temp 58-65°F. White bass are making spawning runs up tributaries and staging in pre-spawn areas, actively feeding in preparation for spawning Fish are schooling aggressively, often following shad movements in transition areas between spawning grounds and deeper staging spots Key locations: Tributary mouths and incoming creek channels where spawning runs occur; Wind-blown main lake points with rocky structure; Secondary points and flats adjacent to spawning areas. Best techniques: Blade Baits worked vertically along channel edges and points, Soft Body Swimbaits (Small/Medium) retrieved steadily through schools, Inline Spinners cast parallel to shorelines and creek channels. Primary forage: Shad schools congregating near spawning areas, Small baitfish in tributary areas. Best bait colors: Natural Shad Colors, Metallic Colors, Chartreuse Colors.

How do you catch Largemouth Bass on Ray Roberts Lake in Spring (Post-Spawn)?

Water temp 56-65°F. Post-spawn bass are actively guarding fry in shallow areas while beginning to transition to summer patterns Fish are utilizing shallow rock outcroppings, brush piles, and laydowns as primary holding areas Bass are showing mixed behavior between bedding area protection and active feeding on shad Key locations: Shallow rock outcroppings in mid-pocket areas; Laydowns and grass near bedding areas; Brush piles in transition zones; Submerged vegetation areas with proximity to deeper water. Best techniques: Wacky Rigs worked slowly around cover, Shakey Heads near brush piles and rock, Soft Body Swimbaits (Small/Medium) for active fish, Texas Rigs (Pitch/Flip) around laydowns and grass. Primary forage: Shad moving into spawning areas, Bluegill beginning to bed. Best bait colors: Green Colors, Natural Craw Colors, Natural Shad Colors.

How do you catch White Bass on Ray Roberts Lake in Spring (Post-Spawn)?

Water temp 62-72°F. Post-spawn white bass are actively schooling and feeding heavily to recover energy, following shad schools in the water column Fish are transitioning from shallow spawning areas to main lake points and deeper structure, showing aggressive feeding behavior during morning and evening periods Key locations: Wind-blown main lake points with rocky structure in 15-25 foot depth range; Deep creek channel edges adjacent to spawning flats in 20-30 foot range; Rock piles and hard structure areas near primary points in 15-35 foot depth. Best techniques: Blade Baits worked vertically along depth changes and structure edges, Soft Body Swimbaits (Small/Medium) retrieved at varying speeds to match shad movement, Vertical Jigging Mid Depth (10-19') over actively feeding schools. Primary forage: Shad schools congregating near points and channel edges, Small baitfish transitioning from spawning areas to main lake. Best bait colors: Natural Shad Colors, Metallic Colors, Chartreuse Colors.

How do you catch Largemouth Bass on Ray Roberts Lake in Summer?

Water temp 76-88°F. Bass are establishing deep summer patterns, suspending near offshore structure during day and moving shallow to feed during early morning/late evening Fish are schooling on main lake structure, actively feeding on shad schools when present During intense heat, bass become more structure-oriented and less aggressive, requiring slower presentations Key locations: Brush piles in 10-25 feet of water, especially those near main lake points; Rock piles and roadbeds in 8-25 foot depth range; Early morning shallow points with submerged vegetation; Wind-blown points with good structure. Best techniques: Texas Rigs (Worming) dragged slowly through deep structure, Hard Topwater (Walking) early morning on shallow points, Carolina Rigs on humps and rock piles, Deep Diving Crankbaits (13'+) for active fish on offshore structure. Primary forage: Shad - primary forage based on multiple reports, Bluegill - secondary forage especially near shallow cover, Crawfish - still present but less prevalent than spring. Best bait colors: Natural Shad Colors, Dark Neutrals, Natural Craw Colors.

How do you catch White Bass on Ray Roberts Lake in Summer?

Water temp 72-85°F. White bass are schooling in deep water (40-45ft) during summer, likely relating to thermocline and following shad schools Actively feeding on main lake points, particularly during periods of wind-generated current Key locations: Main lake points with access to deep water (40+ feet); Rocky structure areas near deep water; Wind-blown points where current concentrates baitfish. Best techniques: Blade Baits - vertical jigging in 40+ feet of water, Vertical Jigging Deep (20'+) - working structure in deep water, Spoons - for actively feeding fish in deep water. Primary forage: Shad schools in deep water, Small baitfish relating to points and structure. Best bait colors: Chartreuse Colors, Natural Baitfish Colors.

How do you catch Largemouth Bass on Ray Roberts Lake in Fall?

Water temp 68-74°F. Bass are actively transitioning into creek arms and bays, suspending on vertical cover 6-7 feet down in 13-16 feet of water Fish are showing aggressive feeding behavior on points and secondary points, particularly during wind conditions Bass are keying on both shad and bluegill/crawfish forage, suggesting a dual pattern approach is effective Key locations: Secondary points near creek channel swings; Cedar trees in 13-16 feet of water along creek channels; Rocky points in 2-8 feet of water; Brush piles along transitional areas. Best techniques: Texas Rigs (Pitch/Flip) worked slowly through vertical cover, Structure Jigs dragged quickly on points, Drop Shot for suspended fish, Soft Body Swimbaits (Small/Medium) for active fish chasing shad. Primary forage: Shad schools moving into creeks, Bluegill near vertical cover, Crawfish active on rocky points. Best bait colors: Natural Craw Colors, Natural Shad Colors, Dark Neutrals.

How do you catch White Bass on Ray Roberts Lake in Fall?

Water temp 58-72°F. White bass are actively schooling and chasing shad in deeper water, following bait balls and utilizing main lake points and rock piles as ambush locations Fish are making frequent vertical movements, pushing bait to the surface during feeding periods, especially during low-light conditions Key locations: Wind-blown main lake points with deep water access; Rock piles and hard structure in 20-42 foot depth range; Creek channel intersections near points. Best techniques: Blade Baits worked vertically in 20-42 foot depths, Spoons jigged vertically through bait schools, Lipless Crankbaits worked along points during active feeding periods. Primary forage: Shad schools concentrated in deeper water, Small baitfish suspended near structure. Best bait colors: Metallic Colors, Natural Shad Colors, Chartreuse Colors.

How do you catch Largemouth Bass on Ray Roberts Lake in Winter?

Water temp 45-55°F. Bass are holding on deep grass edges adjacent to deep water access, especially on secondary points in creek arms Fish are relating strongly to vertical structure like dams and deep grass edges, suggesting a suspended winter pattern Movement patterns indicate fish are staying close to deep water sanctuary areas but will move shallower to feed during warming trends Key locations: Secondary points with matted grass edges adjacent to deep water; Dam areas, especially where rock transitions create ambush points; Deep creek channel bends with remaining vegetation. Best techniques: Blade Baits worked vertically along deep structure, Shallow Diving Crankbaits (0-6') worked along grass edges, Football Jigs dragged along deep structure. Primary forage: Shad schools concentrated in deeper water, Dormant crawfish in rocky areas. Best bait colors: Natural Shad Colors, Metallic Colors.

How do you catch White Bass on Ray Roberts Lake in Winter?

Water temp 42-52°F. White bass form tight winter schools in deep water (35-45ft) near primary points and creek channels, moving up to feed during low light periods Schools follow and corral shad schools in deeper water, with feeding becoming more aggressive during stable weather patterns Key locations: Deep main lake points with access to 40+ feet of water, especially those with rock structure; Creek channel intersections with hard bottom structure in 35-45 feet; Wind-blown points where current concentrates baitfish schools. Best techniques: Blade Baits worked vertically in 35-45 feet, using a lift-and-drop technique, Vertical Jigging Deep (20'+) with heavier jigs when fish are tightly schooled, Spoons worked vertically through suspended schools once located on sonar. Primary forage: Shad schools concentrated in deeper water, Small baitfish suspended near structure. Best bait colors: Metallic Colors, Natural Shad Colors, Chartreuse Colors.