Tournaments Returning to Texas Lakes With Some Adjustments

The Tournaments are beginning to return to Texas lakes, but with revised dates and "social distancing" instructions. The following information are rules set by Bass Champs (May 16 Lake LBJ) and Outlaw Outdoors, (May 30, Lake Sam Rayburn) with other tournaments following similar guidelines. The best advice is check in with the tournament organizations before signing up for a tournament.

Bass Champs posts the following changes:

"We will be trailering at each event until further notice to avoid crowds.
On-Line registration with no required check-in at registration. You will receive a text Friday evening and Saturday morning that confirms your entry and provides fishing times. If you do prefer to register on-site, please practice social distancing.

Limited number of anglers in line for weigh-in at one time (two anglers per tub)

No Flipping Contests or hot dogs
Zero Bonus drawing at each event to reduce # of anglers at weigh-in
(you do not need to be present to win drawing)
No awards ceremony, all checks will be mailed out on Monday."

Outlaw Outdoors tournament changes:

This will be a trailering event. Teams are allowed to launch at any ramp the morning of the tournament beginning at 4:00 AM. Teams can go to their first spot and be sitting there when it comes time for first cast at 6:00 AM.

All teams fish from 6:00 AM to 3:00 PM. Teams must be in weigh in line in at Umphrey Pavilion by 5:00 PM. Weigh in will be a drive thru format. When you enter, your confirmation email will contain detailed instructions on how the weigh in process will work.

You will basically drive in front of the weigh in trailer with one team member on the back deck of your boat with your fish already bagged up. Once you arrive at the stage, one of our staff members will take the fish and carry them to the bump station where they will be verified then handed up on stage.

BOTH TEAM MEMBERS ARE TO STAY IN THE TRUCK AND BOAT DURING THIS TIME.

Once the scales lock in and you see your weight on the LED display, then you drive off to a staging area where the partner in the boat can then get inside the truck. There can be NO gathering at the staging area.

The weigh in will be streamed live on our Facebook page so each team can keep up with the standings. Results will be posted on our website as soon as the tournament is over. Checks will be mailed to the winners Monday morning."

Hopefully the Corona virus will be disappearing by June and restrictions can be relaxed for more participation at the weigh-ins. If you can't get more information from the different tournament organizations, send an email, [email protected], I will try to get the information you need.

Author: Tom Behrens

Tom Behrens has over 50 years experience in fishing and hunting across the United States. Much of this time was spent in Oklahoma and Texas where he became very familiar with the outdoor opportunities in these states. You may contact him by email at: [email protected]

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Lake Palestine Current Weather Alerts

There are no active watches, warnings or advisories.

Lake Palestine Weather Forecast

Saturday

Sunny

Hi: 55

Saturday Night

Clear

Lo: 37

Sunday

Mostly Sunny

Hi: 59

Sunday Night

Partly Cloudy

Lo: 48

Monday

Mostly Cloudy

Hi: 68

Monday Night

Mostly Cloudy

Lo: 59

Tuesday

Rain Showers

Hi: 68

Tuesday Night

Chance Rain Showers

Lo: 53

Extended Weather Forecast

Lake Palestine Water Level (last 30 days)

Water Level on 12/21: 344.10 (-0.90)

Water Level Details

Lake Palestine

Fishing Report from TPWD (Dec. 18)

GOOD. Water slightly stained; 57 degrees; 0.95 feet below pool. Lake level is holding, with our sporadic but relatively light rains, and all launches appear to be open and usable. There have been 2 unseasonable, but short, warm spells lately that have gotten the fishing more active, and I think now we should be prepared for the more normal winter to move in. All fish metabolism will slow to a certain extent as the water cools, the normal seasonal low for Palestine is about 40 degrees. Bass will have brief feeding periods in December and January until they feel the beginnings of the spawn stage, so slower, larger baits with some vibration could be more effective. Catfish should continue to be fair to good. To catch smaller channels and blues in the daytime use smellier baits. Target flatheads and larger blue catfish at night on larger live and cut bait. Hybrid stripers should be sporadic biters, with the best chances in the mid-morning to early afternoon times on bright days, often trolling. Crappie should remain deep during the winter. Live scopes will find them, as well as fishing with jigs or minnows at 20-25 feet over deeper areas where you can see them schooled, very slowly dragging the bait. White bass will also be sporadic, with short bite periods. Deadsticking a few feet over the deep schools will work in 25-40 feet. Report by Jim Beggerly, Jim’s Fishing Lake Palestine.

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Courtesy of lakepalestine.com

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