Rathbun Lake
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Rathbun Lake Fishing Reports
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Reports from all past years within a 60-day time frame
Species
Largemouth Bass
Season
Spring (Spawn)
Technique
Texas Rigs (Pitch/Flip)
Structure
Laydowns
Water Temperature
53°
Species
Largemouth Bass
Season
Summer
Technique
Topwater Walking
Structure
Rip Rap
Forage
Bluegill
Water Temperature
75°
First time at Rathbun with my dad and son and initially were going to chase crappie. We could only catch the 7-9” ones so I changed it up to largemouth. I started with a shower blow and instantly was catching fish. I tied on the choppo for the other 2 and they were having a blast with their top water blow ups! We just looked for rocky banks and covered water.
Species
Largemouth Bass
Season
Summer
Technique
Buzzbaits
Structure
Rip Rap
Forage
Bluegill
Water Temperature
78°
It was a challenging tournament but seemed to make the most out of the morning bite throwing a buzz-bait down as much bank as you could possibly go. Once the sun got up it was a good idea to go swinging and throw a big jig around.
Species
Largemouth Bass
Season
Summer
Technique
Soft Jerkbaits
Structure
Rip Rap
Forage
Shad
Water Temperature
77°
First time at Rathbun practicing for TBF qualifier today so didn’t get a lot of time with a rod in my hand but what time I did I was able to catch a few fish fishing a fluke very shallow over rip rap quickly to get a reaction bite but the most productive bit for better fish was dragging a swing head on step ledges. Every species seemed to like that approach as well caught many flatheads, walleyes, and even a few drum.
Species
Largemouth Bass
Season
Summer
Technique
Texas Rigs (Pitch/Flip)
Structure
Docks
Forage
Crawfish
Water Temperature
82°
I caught some on a stingy Rathbun. Was able to get some decent quality bites flippin around a stick bait.
Species
Walleye
Season
Summer
Technique
Live Bait Rigs
Structure
Open Water/Basin
Forage
Shad
Water Temperature
78°
I was slowly (.8 mph) pulling these rigs in 18-24’ of water with abouy 2/3 of a nightcrawler threaded on the slow death hook. Caught a few walleyes, lots of channel cats, and a couple huge hybrid white bass.
Species
Largemouth Bass
Season
Summer
Technique
Structure Jigs
Structure
Dam
Water Temperature
78°
Bite was very tough today.. would rotate between a outcast jig and a Omega 1/2 ounce swing head with a cracked craw to get all my bites but they where few and far between today.