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Fishing Lake Fork, Texas
Tom Redington
April 17, 2005
Lake Fork - Freshwater Fishing Report
Lake Fork Weekly Report
The spawn is heating up on the south end of Lake Fork while waves of fish continue to move up in the middle sections of the lake. There are still a lot of big fish shallow, too. On Thursday afternoon, we had a 9 and two 7’s. Meanwhile, we spotted 4 monster fish on Saturday (3 of them looked bigger in the water than the 9 from Thursday appeared) but we were never able to get any of them to bite while many 4 and 5 lb bass were locked on and would strike anything that came close to their beds. Well, that’s spring fishing for you. If you like fishing in shallow water for giant bass, take advantage while it lasts.
Fork’s water level is almost at full at 402.94’, only 0.06’ below full pool. Without as much wind or rain in the past week the water has cleared up again; however, visibility is limited in some sections of the lake due to a heavy cover of pollen sitting on the water. Water temps continue to climb, with the main lake holding in the low 60, while some coves are warming into the 70s.
Regarding the location pattern, the farther south you head and the closer towards the mouths of creeks you fish, the more prespawn and spawning fish you’ll find, in general. With the warming water, we have also seen some big fish starting to spawn on main lake flats. On the other hand, if you’re looking for some fast action, head to the areas up north where bass were spawning in late February. You’ll find bass on the flats and in nearby deeper water moving into post spawn patterns and starting to feed on a regular basis.
Since we are still in the midst of the spawn, the lure choices remain the same as last week. In areas with spawning fish, throw weightless soft plastic jerkbaits like the Lake Fork Tackle Zig Zag or Magic Shad and wacky rigged Twitch Worms and Ring Fries in shades of watermelon and green pumpkin. Cast to light spots, holes in the grass, inside and outside weed edges and any wood cover that is about 8’ or shallower and you’ll be in business. For bedding fish, Texas rigged Ring Fries, Craw Tubes and Baby Fork Craws in white make it easy to see the bite; however, these same baits in more natural colors will spook less fish and often get you bit quicker. For the prespawn fish, work inside and outside grass edges on points, tree lines, and creek channels leading into spawning flats with lizards, spinnerbaits and suspending jerkbaits. Finally, in areas with post spawn fish, topwater baits, floating jerkbaits, and weightless soft plastic jerks like the Lake Fork Zig Zag and Magic Shad can produce some fast action for keeper-sized fish. Work these baits over grass beds and especially on inside and outside grass lines.
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 www.LakeForkGuideTrips.com where your satisfaction is guaranteed.
Good Fishing,
Tom
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