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Fishing Lake Fork, Texas
Tom Redington
June 26, 2005
Lake Fork - Freshwater Fishing Report
Lake Fork Weekly Report
The deep bite at Lake Fork is often some of our best fishing of the year and the summer of 2005 is off to a great start. In the week from 6/18 to 6/25, we had a 10-06, 10-00, 9-02, and six other fish between 7 and 8 pounds, not including the good fish we are losing to the timber each day. Numbers have been good on most days as well, with a couple days of over 30 bass. When you figure in the overall size, numbers, and the tenacity of the bass’ fight, this is truly one of the best times to be on Fork. Most of the fish we are catching are stuffed full of shad and look like prespawn footballs. The extra food seems to be giving the bass the strength to fight like freshwater marlins.
Mainly due to evaporation, Fork’s water level continues to drop slowly, currently reading at 401.95’, about 13” below full pool. The water remains clear in most of the lake and has not turned green yet from summertime plankton blooms. Water temps are up a few more degree to the upper 80s, with readings as high as 90.5 in the main lake yesterday. Although the days have been hot and fairly still, I have not observed a thermocline yet (it typically sets up around 30’ at Fork).
Once again, structures with deep water nearby like main lake points, secondary points, and creek channels were the key locations this week. Look for structure that is situated between good spawning coves and deep summertime locations. Structures that top out around 15’ to 22’ and drop off quickly seem to be the top areas. Deep summertime spots, in 20’-35’ in main lake areas, are starting to hold some schools of bass as well. I’m checking a lot of spots during the day with my Lowrance X-25 color graph and if I don’t see fish on the graph, you can rest assured the fish aren’t there. Check likely areas several times during the day and once you mark a good school, drop a marker buoy and get the net handy.
With such a strong deep bite, I’ve been starting deep and staying deep all day. The topwater bite had been producing some fish, but the bite was dying as soon as the sun came up and the size of bass was decreasing—a sure sign that the deep bite is getting good. My primary bait all day has been a Carolina rigged Lake Fork Baby Creature. I’m using a standard 1 oz weight and a 4' leader. Shades of green, like Watermelon Candy, Watermelon Red, Killer Craw and Green Pumpkin have been top producers for me. In addition, we’ve caught a few fish on Baby Ring Frys and Twitch Worms in the same colors on the Carolina Rig, but the Baby Creature seems to be the deal for us. Working the bait slowly, especially around any wood cover, will generate more bites. Once we’ve caught some fish in an area with the rig, we’ve been catching some bonus fish on 3” to 5” swimbaits and a few on Texas rigged 8” Lake Fork Worms. Slowly working shad colored swimbaits along the bottom like a worm has produced some bites, while other times you’ll need to hop it back in like a jigging spoon. With the worm, work it along until you hit brush, then shake it around in the wood until a bass pulls it out for you. Red Shad or Green Pumpkin worms will get you bit.
If you want to learn how to fish deep water, now is the time. The fish are feeding so you’ll quickly know if you’re doing it right. And to think that you might catch a 10 pounder while learning—if not for the heat and high gas prices, men might come to Fork and not be heard of again until September.
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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