THE BASS FEDERATION
By Mitchell Forde
EXPECT LOW WATER , BIG BASS AS SAM RAYBURN STAGES 2024 TBF NATIONAL CHAMPIONSHIP
PHOTO BY JOSH GASSMANN
Sam Rayburn Reservoir
Any list of iconic U . S . bass fisheries is bound to include Texas ’ Sam Rayburn Reservoir . While the legendary lake has long been one of the most frequented tournament venues in the country , there remains at least one major event that has never been contested on Sam Rayburn — The Bass Federation ’ s National Championship .
That will change this spring . TBF ’ s top grassroots tournament will take place at Sam Rayburn March 27-29 . TBF President Robert Cartlidge called the fishery a “ bucket-list lake ” for the 52 boaters and co-anglers who qualified via the National Semi-Finals and believes it will make for a dramatic championship .
“ It ’ ll be a great fishery for the guys ,” Cartlidge said . “ A lot of them have never been there . It ’ s a big-fish factory , and at that time of year , the fishing will be outstanding .”
Sam Rayburn is indeed known for producing lunkers , and Bass Pro Tour angler Todd Faircloth said its bass population remains robust despite the constant tournament pressure . The Jasper , Texas , native predicted most of those fish will be in some phase of the spawn when TBF anglers hit the water , making big females particularly accessible .
Whether the dominant pattern proves to be catching bass off spawning beds or targeting fish that are staging , Faircloth expects a shallow bite to rule . Look for soft plastics — Texas rigs , weightless stick worms , etc . — to be major players .
FEBRUARY-MARCH 2024 | MAJORLEAGUEFISHING . COM 75