An image of Mike Hogg, operator of TowBoatUS Sam Rayburn

JASPER, TX – June 24, 2026 – TowBoatUS, North America’s largest network of towing ports, today announced the opening of TowBoatUS Sam Rayburn, bringing on-water towing, recovery and assistance services to recreational boaters and anglers on Sam Rayburn Reservoir. 

Operated by Mike Hogg, TowBoatUS Sam Rayburn is Hogg’s first TowBoatUS port location. The new port provides towing and recovery services for a 114,500-acre lake expanse in East Texas. Located in the Piney Woods region, Sam Rayburn hosts more than 300 fishing tournaments annually and has earned national recognition in the competitive fishing community, including repeated appearances in Bassmaster rankings of America's best bass fishing lakes. 

“If you spend enough time around bass fishing, Sam Rayburn is a lake you hear about your whole life,” said Hogg. “People come here because of what this lake has built over decades. When you have that many boaters on the water, from tournament competitors to families spending the weekend, having dependable help available is everything. That’s what drew me to TowBoatUS and why I’m proud to invest my time serving this community.” 

Hogg’s connection to the water began at nearby Lake Fork Reservoir, where his father worked as a professional bass fisherman and guide. Growing up around fishing boats and spending much of his life on the water, Hogg later built several businesses within the marine industry before adding TowBoatUS Sam Rayburn to his portfolio after a recommendation from friend Bo Clayton, owner and operator of TowBoatUS Sabine Lake, recognized TowBoatUS would complement his existing businesses.  

TowBoatUS Sam Rayburn operates two trailered response vessels docked at a private dock on the reservoir. Staffed by one captain, the port will provide towing, fuel delivery, battery jump-starts and assistance for boats that run aground. Separate from routine on-water towing services covered under a BoatUS membership, the port also offers diving, salvage and recovery services. 

Much like an auto club for recreational boat owners, Boat Owners Association of The United States (BoatUS) offers on-water towing memberships for $130/year for freshwater. In addition to a BoatUS Towing Membership, members also receive more than 25 valuable BoatUS benefits including a subscription to award-winning BoatUS Magazine, free DSC-VHF radio registration and more.    

To request on-water assistance, boaters can call the BoatUS toll-free 24/7 Dispatch Center at 800-391-4869, download the free BoatUS App, which connects boaters to the closest local towing captain, call TowBoatUS Sam Rayburn directly at (409) 332-5844, or hail on VHF radio Ch. 16. 

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About TowBoatUS 

Boat Owners Association of The United States (BoatUS) is the nation's leading advocacy, services and safety group for recreational boaters. We provide more than 740,000 members with a wide array of helpful services, including 24-hour on-water towing that gets boaters safely home when their boat won’t, as well as jump-starts, fuel delivery, and soft ungroundings. The TowBoatUS towing fleet is North America’s largest network of towing ports with more than 330 locations and over 630 red towboats, responding to more than 110,000 requests for assistance each year. To learn more about becoming a BoatUS member, visit BoatUS.com/Towing and to find a TowBoatUS location closest to you, visit BoatUS.com/ServiceLocator.