Spring has turned the corner in East Texas—and now it’s running wide open.

When water temperatures climb into the 70s, there’s no easing into the action. Some bass are still on the beds, others are sliding off, and a fresh wave is still moving in. It’s that in-between window where just about anything can happen—and usually does.

Sam Rayburn Reservoir

Rayburn is in full swing.

Water temperatures are solidly in the 70s, and the spawn is spread across the lake. You’ve got fish still locked on beds, post-spawn females easing out, and late arrivals pushing shallow. That mix makes for a wide-open bite if you stay flexible.

Early in the day, topwater is hard to beat. Poppers, buzzbaits, and frogs worked along brush edges and thick vegetation are drawing explosive strikes—especially in that low light when the lake is just waking up.

As the sun climbs, it’s time to slow down.

Texas-rigged creature baits—especially big craw-style plastics in watermelon red candy—are producing along flooded brush lines. The Carolina rig bite has also been exceptional. Dragging flukes along breaklines in 9 to 15 feet of water is picking off fish transitioning out of the shallows.

It’s classic Rayburn—cover water early, then settle in and work structure as the day unfolds.

Lake Palestine

Palestine is right there with it.

Water temperatures are also in the 70s, and the spawn is still playing out across different phases. Some fish are guarding beds, others have already finished, and fresh spawners are still moving in. You’ll even start to see fry showing up in the shallows—a sure sign that things are progressing fast.

Topwater has been a standout here as well.

Poppers—especially in yellow patterns—have been producing well, particularly under cloud cover when fish are more willing to come up. For anglers who prefer a slower approach, weightless Texas-rigged stick baits in natural colors have been deadly around shallow spawning areas.

Work them slow. Let the fish make up their mind. When they do, it’s usually not subtle.

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This is one of those rare windows where timing, temperature, and fish behavior all line up just right.

Some are finishing.
Some are starting.
And some are feeding like they’ve got something to prove.

And that’s what makes April in East Texas so special—
you’re never quite sure what the next cast will bring…
but you know it’s going to be worth making.