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Guys, I need some of your expert advice on how to prepare my boat and equipment for the much larger bodies of water. What Im referring to is Lake Sam Rayburn in East Texas. Ive personally been on a lake this size only about a half dozen times. I dont want to go without first asking you for suggestions from your personal experiences. When the wind gets up on a big body of water like this it can cause serious damage to different boat parts and equipment. I would appreciate any help on how I can prevent some of the obvious. Just trying to be prepared for the worst. Glynn
the boat will not have a problem. The bigger issue is that “big water” can do a lot of damage to you if you are not careful when running in big waves. it is a matter of experience, but “head on” is a no-no. Quartering is the way to go. Speed is dictated by how much pounding your kidneys can take and how much risk you are willing to take on, because if you hit a big wave wrong, you can do a maneuver called “the bean pole” where you stick the bow of the boat into the middle of the following wave. That puts a tremendous wall of water over the boat, and it will take off anything that gets in its way. Almost always takes the windshield. And the driver/passenger as well. On lakes like Rayburn (and others) I try to keep my eyes on the sky and avoid having to go anywhere while a storm or wind is kicking up. The wind also seems to blow out of the direction I want to go, which makes a direct path painful, wet, and potentially dangerous. The main thing is to take it slow and reach a speed where you feel comfortable, and above all, safe. If you feel like you are running on the ragged edge of what you can safely handle, chances are a problem is right behind the next few waves. You do have to watch out for the occasional bigger wave with a different leading/trailing gap. And for the multiple objects wave action can hide completely until you see them at the last second. Did I mention to be careful? Too many stastics already this year from boat crashes.2008 Pantera Classic2014 Mercury Pro XS 200
Glynn, If you are going on a weekend, start watching the weather just to get an idea of what you are in for a few days ahead of your trip. A good map is also handy as you travel Sam as there are no / few boat docks for reference and I have seen a few people get turned around and lose their way. If you have decided to fish say “the canyons” and you are staying at “Mill Creek” also consider trailering to a nearby ramp. It might not be as much fun as driving your Cougar up there, but it will take a large body of the lake out of the equation should it get rough. There is still a lot of timber just under the water so dont forget about that. Sam is a great lake and I hope you have a wonderfull time and maybe she will give up some of those green fish for you…… georgeGeorge
Rayburn can be a dangerous one and its interesting that you are asking the question because many wont even think about whether the wind is going to blow or not. That where the problem comes into play. In reality its only bad between November and April. If youre going during the other months you can usually wait out a thunderstorm if it means you stay in a protected cove until dark. George brings up a good point. If the wind is going to blow, its always good to trailer to a ramp thats nearby. Be careful though as some of these ramps face the North and its not uncommon for ramps to have 3 to 4 footers on top of them. The most popular ramps are some of the worst ones. And do watch the weather forecast. Yes they are usually wrong and if they say the wind is going to be 10-15mph that means 15-20! If you do get hung out and you decide to navigate, always try and run the troughs between the waves. Youll burn a lot more gas and it will take you longer to get to your destination, but its alot easier on you, your boat, and your equipment. All lose items should go into storage compartments and this includes your rods. You might even consider taking down your bow mounted depth finder. Taking a wave over the bow can happen and has a lot of force. Its better safe than sorry. Another thing to do is consider the direction of the wind. While both sides will be rough, running one side vs. the other can make all the difference in the world! Nothing takes the place of experience and dont take chances unless you have to.
I would say ease into it. Be smart enough to stay away from days with the big stuff until you get some experience. There are days when no one should be out there. Also when the water cools everything gets more serious. Good foul weather gear is a absolute must. Proper boat maintenance goes a long way. Be very aware of the weather report. Many have been caught out there when there has been plenty of warning in the weather report. Be smart enough to leave before it get too bad.
Ive fished Big Sam for the past 16 yrs and lived on it for 4 yrs and like they say, always take the waves quarter, and never in the middle of the lake if possible. Practically all the banks are clear of stumps, just stay a safe distance. Dont beach it at rattle snake because allot of boats have been swamped there. Before going out always listen to the weather prior and keep your radio on 107.3 ( Jasper ). In the summer we get evening heat storms that pop up from the south and 99% of the time it gets rough Quick, plus lightening. You can always see them coming if your watching, which you should. If you cannot make it to your ramp, hopefully you pick a ramp in a protected area, then go into a cove and wait it out. The public boat ramp on FM 255 by Humphreys Pavilion is a good one. The important thing is to act in time if you plan on making to the ramp. There have been allot of fatalities due to this. Always be smart and fish another day.
Everyone, thanks for all the input and advice. Hopefully mother nature will be kind to us when we go in September and October. Glynn
Youll wish you had a breeze in Sept./Oct. It will be HOT!
I just found out I will be fishing a tournament on Oct 10-11 at big Sam, I have fished Toledo Bend a lot but have never been to Rayburn, but I think weather wise its pretty close. Those rollers can get BIG when the wind comes out of the south or north. Just follow the advice the others gave and have fun!
North or South they can be brutal at Rayburn. Worst is the North as they blow into Twin Dikes area and the most frequently used tournament areas. Often making traversing the dam itself very difficult till you seek shelter behind the island. Best of luck! BCB
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