Bird’s eye view of high Ray Roberts

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It’s Wednesday, the Official Practice Day of the 2021 Academy Sports + Outdoors Bassmaster Classic presented by Huk. What you are seeing is a shoreline that normally would be dry.
It’s Wednesday, the Official Practice Day of the 2021 Academy Sports + Outdoors Bassmaster Classic presented by Huk. What you are seeing is a shoreline that normally would be dry.
Lake Ray Roberts is five feet above conservation pool. And there are no plans by the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers to lower the lake to normal level. That means there will be abundant “new” shoreline cover to fish. Will it come into play? We shall see. In the meantime, take a bird’s eye tour of the lake, and see how the high water inundated shoreline cover.
Lake Ray Roberts is five feet above conservation pool. And there are no plans by the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers to lower the lake to normal level. That means there will be abundant “new” shoreline cover to fish. Will it come into play? We shall see. In the meantime, take a bird’s eye tour of the lake, and see how the high water inundated shoreline cover.
At normal elevation, the area between the line of standing timber and the shoreline would be dry. It’s now 5 feet deep.
At normal elevation, the area between the line of standing timber and the shoreline would be dry. It’s now 5 feet deep.
That also created new shoreline habitat in the form of brushplies and small trees. Those are ideal for hiding small baitfish as the bass cruise the shoreline to ambush them.
That also created new shoreline habitat in the form of brushplies and small trees. Those are ideal for hiding small baitfish as the bass cruise the shoreline to ambush them.
At the end of this point is a large pile of boulders that are normally out of the water. Now inundated, they could be a key holding spot for transitioning postspawn bass.
At the end of this point is a large pile of boulders that are normally out of the water. Now inundated, they could be a key holding spot for transitioning postspawn bass.
Steve Wright, my tour guide and a tournament angler, said this area holds a resident population of bass.
Steve Wright, my tour guide and a tournament angler, said this area holds a resident population of bass.
Nearby is a spawning cove, complete with standing timber, that is ideal for holding bass.
Nearby is a spawning cove, complete with standing timber, that is ideal for holding bass.
Nearby is another point. Create an imaginary line away from the shoreline and you can see how much water—and habitat—have been added to the area. The open area between the line of standing timber and bank would be on dry ground.
Nearby is another point. Create an imaginary line away from the shoreline and you can see how much water—and habitat—have been added to the area. The open area between the line of standing timber and bank would be on dry ground.
Inside another cove you get a good view of the abundance of shoreline cover.
Inside another cove you get a good view of the abundance of shoreline cover.
Bridges could be a player, early in the morning, should there be a shad spawn.
Bridges could be a player, early in the morning, should there be a shad spawn.
Riprap is the reason why.
Riprap is the reason why.
Here is a flooded pond that likely holds a resident population of largemouth.
Here is a flooded pond that likely holds a resident population of largemouth.
A wider view reveals the levee that normally separates the pond from the lake.
A wider view reveals the levee that normally separates the pond from the lake.
The trees on this meandering peninsula are normally on dry ground.
The trees on this meandering peninsula are normally on dry ground.
The high water has created a safe haven for small bluegill, perch and shad.
The high water has created a safe haven for small bluegill, perch and shad.
And an ideal area, near deep water, for bass to cruise and ambush a meal.
And an ideal area, near deep water, for bass to cruise and ambush a meal.
Nearby is a similar setup. The water temperature was 77 degrees when these photos were taken.
Nearby is a similar setup. The water temperature was 77 degrees when these photos were taken.
Vast areas of normally dry land are now flooded, creating an entirely different lake.
Vast areas of normally dry land are now flooded, creating an entirely different lake.
Buck Creek is a high-profile area with a well-defined creek channel.
Buck Creek is a high-profile area with a well-defined creek channel.
There are two bridges, one for vehicles and another for a railroad. Both have an abundance of riprap for a baitfish, and there is shad for the bass.
There are two bridges, one for vehicles and another for a railroad. Both have an abundance of riprap for a baitfish, and there is shad for the bass.
A view of Buck Creek with the mainlake east arm in the background.
A view of Buck Creek with the mainlake east arm in the background.
The lower lake has steeper bluff banks for bass to move vertically as the water comes up.
The lower lake has steeper bluff banks for bass to move vertically as the water comes up.
There are large piles of submerged boulders that offer habitat for bass.
There are large piles of submerged boulders that offer habitat for bass.
Not far offshore is a large area of submerged standing timber.
Not far offshore is a large area of submerged standing timber.
This area creates an ideal transition area between the riprap of Ray Roberts Dam and the bluff banks.
This area creates an ideal transition area between the riprap of Ray Roberts Dam and the bluff banks.
Expected to be a player is Ray Roberts Marina, where bass are released in local tournaments. The bass don’t need to go far to find plenty of habitat.
Expected to be a player is Ray Roberts Marina, where bass are released in local tournaments. The bass don’t need to go far to find plenty of habitat.
A tire reef provides ideal cover for baitfish and an ambush point for the bass.
A tire reef provides ideal cover for baitfish and an ambush point for the bass.
There are multiple tire reefs that provide plenty of casting and flipping targets.
There are multiple tire reefs that provide plenty of casting and flipping targets.
And the marina’s abundance of boat slips for shade and ambush points for feeding largemouth.
And the marina’s abundance of boat slips for shade and ambush points for feeding largemouth.
Here is a good closeup of the tire reefs.
Here is a good closeup of the tire reefs.
Also located near the marina is a cove that offers more habitat.
Also located near the marina is a cove that offers more habitat.