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Fishing Lake Fork, Texas
Tom Redington
May 16, 2005
Lake Fork - Freshwater Fishing Report
Lake Fork Weekly Bass Report
For the past week on Lake Fork, covering lots of water and trying a variety of patterns has been critical to catching fish. We boated fish up to 8 lb and jumped off a couple larger ones by fishing everything from Carolina rigs in 30’ to topwaters and sight fishing in 2’. Similar to the prespawn patterns we fished just a couple months ago, bass are on the move, so where you catch them today may not hold many fish tomorrow. The key is to find the most productive pattern each day, then fish similar areas around the lake. The quicker you figure out the pattern and the more productive water you fish, the better you’ll do.
Fork’s water level came up a little late last week and is now slowly dropping to its current level of 402.65’, about 4” below full pool. The water remains very clear down south and only mildly stained in windblown areas of the lake. Water temps continue to climb, with the main lake holding around 70 and coves well into the 70s.
For the location pattern, I’m concentrating on coves and creeks that had the largest populations of spawning fish and starting there on the flats, creek channels, and points just outside the beds. I’m working out progressively deeper inside productive coves and fishing all of the cover and structure options from the backs of the creek out to the main lake summertime holes. Keep in mind that a lot of fish are suspended right now, so fish bottom bouncing lures while also checking for suspended fish with baits like jerkbaits and crankbaits. Once you try a few productive spawning creeks, you should have caught some fish and determined what types of cover, structure, and depths are holding the most fish. At that point, look for similar water around the lake and run the pattern. The fish are pretty scattered right now, so you’ll normally do better by fishing lots of good areas instead of camping on an area where you’ve caught a couple good fish. Again, with the fish being in a transition mode, you’ll need to repeat this process most days to stay in contact with the most active fish.
As for your lure, let the cover and the depth of the bass you are fishing dictate your choice. With the fish being so spread out, virtually everything in your tackle box will catch fish at some point during May, so stay flexible. Following are the baits that have been working best for us this week. Early and late and on cloudy days, topwater baits like a Pop-R or buzzbait in shad colors will produce some really big fish. Around shallow vegetation and pads, wacky rigged Lake Fork Twitch Worms and Zig Zags in green pumpkin and watermelon candy are working well. Deep diving crankbaits like a Norman DD 22 in shad patterns fished for suspended bass on points is producing some big fish and good numbers. Go with 10 lb test and hang on after you come through submerged treetops. Finally, Texas rigged and Carolina rigged Lake Fork Creatures and Baby Ring Frys in watermelon and green pumpkin are catching bass in 12’ to 30’.
Here’s hoping you catch the lunker of your dreams. If I can be of assistance, please contact me at 214-683-9572 (days) or 972-635-6027 (evenings) or e-mail me through http://www.lakeforkguidetrips.com where your satisfaction is guaranteed.
Good Fishing,
Tom
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