Every fishing enthusiast in the Lone Star State knows about the Sam Rayburn Reservoir. It’s long been considered one of those must-visit locations, especially for any bass fisherman or woman. We’re talking bucket-list level fishing, people! Built in 1965, Sam Rayburn is a fishing lake in East Texas boasting 114,500 acres of prime fishing real estate. This place has even been referred to as a bass factory, and so your fishing friends at American Fish Tree, have made a list of the top 6 things you’ll need to make your Sam Rayburn Reservoir fishing trip a roaring success.

1– Dry Bag

One great thing to have on any fishing trip at Sam Rayburn Reservoir, or really any adventure near water, is a good dry bag. Nothing is more upsetting than having all of your valuables get soaked somehow, and let’s face it, fishing excursions are oftentimes pretty...well, wet. Stash your phone, wallet, and whatever else you need to shield from the water safely in your dry bag, and don’t give it a second thought. Great dry bags come in all shapes and sizes, so you’ll have to determine which is right for you and your fishing crew, but we recommend the SeaLline Boundary Dry Pack. Available in three sizes– 35L, 65L, and 115L– this simple, durable pack is 100% waterproof with welded seams, confidence closure, and is comfortable to carry.

2– An American Fish Tree Attractor & Habitat

If you really want to kick start your fishing at Sam Rayburn, or anywhere else for that matter, you’ve got to use a fish aggregator by American Fish Tree. Our versatile line of fish habitats offer excellent fish cover, and help you achieve fishing success by attracting all types of fish, bass and otherwise, so they’re ripe for the catching! Check out our full line of fish attractors and habitats here.

3– Electronic Fish Scale

You’ll be reeling when you catch that big bass at Sam Rayburn Reservoir, but you shouldn’t have to guestimate what it actually weighs. Don’t worry about spinning some fish tale about how much your largest fish weighed, because with a top-of-the-line electronic fish scale, you’ll know precisely. We suggest the Dr.meter Backlit LCD Display Fishing Scale. This device weighs accurately, and has a built in measuring tape so you can appropriately categorize your prize catch. It also weighs up to 110lbs, so is highly-portable, with night vision display perfect for night fishing!

4– Bass Pro Shops® Deluxe Fish Table

When your fishing day at Sam Rayburn Reservoir comes to an end, it’ll be time to clean, filet, cook, and eat your day’s haul. Take your cleaning and processing to a whole new level with the convenient, folding Bass Pro Shops® Deluxe Fish Table. Sturdy and built for efficiency, this Deluxe Fish Table boasts innovative features that make your fishing chores easier and more enjoyable. Equipped with a stainless steel directional spray faucet, an integrated cone-shaped sink with great draining, and a full-sized steel mesh shelf below the table surface, this table is robust enough for filleting fresh- and saltwater fish alike.

5– YETI Tundra 65 Cooler

No fishing trip is complete without the perfect cooler on deck. We suggest the perfectly rugged and adaptable YETI Tundra 65 Cooler. This incredible cooler from YETI is versatile, perfect for keeping your drinks and food on ice or storing your catches out on the water. Available in several colors, this roomy ice chest has the capacity to house all the fish you catch out on Sam Rayburn, even on a lucky day. It features extra-thick walls that hold up to 2” of insulation for ice retention you won’t believe, pressure-injected commercial-grade polyurethane foam in the walls and lid, and is armored to the core rendering it virtually indestructible. No fishing trip would be complete without it!

Texas fishing enthusiasts, if you’re heading out for a fishing trip on the infamous Sam Rayburn Reservoir, make sure you pack well for your excursion. The more planning and preparation you do, the more comfortable and successful you’ll be out on the water. From your friends at American Fish Tree, happy fishing!