 |
Fishing Lake Fork, Texas
Tom Redington
February 27, 2006
Lake Fork - Freshwater Fishing Report
Lake Fork Weekly Report
Despite a weather roller coaster over the past week, many big bass over 10 lbs were caught at Lake Fork, including a 15.5 lb brute. After an ice storm and a couple days with highs in the low 40s, we received another front accompanied by a big rainstorm on Saturday. Amazingly, the bass continued to bite well with the water temps in the low 40s, especially in the shallows. The bite slowed for us over the weekend after the front moved through with no clouds and no wind; however, the sunny 70-80 degree days forecast for this week should have the lunkers smokin’ baits and likely scoping out beds shortly.
Last year, I caught my first bass off a bed on February 17th and my last one on May 13th. As a result, I believe that as soon as the water warms up a little, our spawn will begin and it will continue well into May, depending on what part of the lake you’re fishing. Soon, you’ll be able to chase chunky prespawn females, catch spawning fish in the shallows, or throw topwaters and crankbaits to actively feeding post spawners. It’s the Lake Fork version of the “Seafood Trio” lunch special for bass fishermen. If that isn’t enough, once mid-May rolls around, the best fishing of the year for numbers of 3 to 8 lb bass with an occasional 10 pounders occurs, with topwaters in the shallows and worms and crankbaits on points and humps for deep schools of big bass. Any time from now through July is an excellent time to visit Lake Fork.
My Location and Presentation Patterns remain largely unchanged this week. If the water heats up considerably this week, as expected, look for both to change considerably in next week’s report.
Lake Conditions: After big storms on Saturday, Lake Fork’s water rose to 399.08’, or 3’11” below full pool. The water clarity is clear to stained in most areas, although the runoff from the rain has muddied some areas. After water temps bottomed out in the low 40s last week, the warm runoff and Sunday’s sun have main lake temps around 50, with the backs of some creeks near 55 degrees. The bass have not necessarily been in the warmest or clearest water many days, so keep an open mind and you might be surprised where you’ll find fish.
Location Pattern: As I’ve done for the last two months, I’m concentrating on prespawn and staging fish on points and along edges of flats or creek channels. Areas with submerged vegetation (primarily hydrilla, milfoil or coontail) or wood cover will typically have the most active fish; however, don’t overlook coverless points and channel bends as we approach the spawn. Key on stumps, docks, and laydowns within the grassbeds or on any irregular places along the edge of the grass. Main lake grass beds near the mouths of these coves are holding a lot of fish now, as are main and secondary points inside the coves, provided there is deep water nearby. During warming trends, follow bass back into the creeks and check the edges of grass flats and creek channels.
Presentation Pattern: My prespawn arsenal is pretty simple for fishing along grasslines and creek channels. First and foremost are red or orange lipless crankbaits in ¼ to ¾ oz. Stick with the ½ for grass that is near the surface and go with the ¾ for grass that is deeper. ¼ oz traps work well on the shallowest grass. Buzzing these over the top of the grass on a quick retrieve is working best now, but after cold fronts, letting the trap fall and ripping these out of the grass will trigger most of the bites. ¼ to ½ oz spinnerbaits with double willow blades in white, red, or chartreuse and white will produce some really large bass in the same areas that the lipless cranks work, especially on windy and cloudy days. When the bite slows or the conditions are sunny and calm, I’ll switch to a suspending jerkbait or a jig/Texas rig. Gold jerkbaits with orange bellies and black backs are my primary color. Work these with long pauses over the grass and along the edges. The jig bite is good on some days, especially for big bass. ½ oz black and blue jigs with Lake Fork Tackle Fork Craws in the Blue Bruiser color have been working best for me. Other days, Texas rigged Lake Fork Tackle Flippers and Fork Craws in Blue Bruiser, Black Neon, and Watermelon/Red are working better than the jig. The bass are typically holding the Texas rig longer, giving you more time to set the hook. If the wind allows, work a wacky rigged Twitch Worm or Magic Shad in the areas where you caught fish with the other baits. Shades of watermelon are a sure bet for the plastics.
Cover lots of water until you get bit. Once you catch one, work the area over thoroughly with multiple passes, employing several different baits. Fish tend to stack up in key staging areas during the winter and these spots will replenish themselves with more fish during the prespawn as more and more big bass move shallow.
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
More Fishing Reports:
|
|
|
|
