 |
Fishing Lake Fork, Texas
Tom Redington
April 2, 2006
Lake Fork - Freshwater Fishing Report
Lake Fork Report
After a couple freezing cold nights early last week resulted in some tough days, the recent warming trend has lots of big bass moving back on beds at Lake Fork. The majority of the bass are yet to spawn, so prespawn patterns are producing really big bass in many areas of the lake, as well. Fish weightless or Texas rigged soft plastics in 12’ or less around spawning areas now through mid-May and your odds of catching a Lake Fork hog are pretty good!
My location and presentation patterns will pretty much remain the same until the spawn winds down in mid-May. Although the general patterns stay the same, the specific best location and top bait & color often changes daily. This time of year, small adjustments in presentation or location often result in tremendous changes of fortune.
Lake Conditions: Lake Fork’s water level is currently holding steady at 400.71’, or 2’12” below full pool, our highest water level since August ‘05. Many bass are relating to the newly flooded cover and the inside weedline, so don’t rule out the shallows. The water clarity is clear to stained in most areas, although some areas are still pretty muddy due to runoff and the wind. Water temps are once again on the rise, with readings in the low 60s main lake and into the low 70s in some shallow areas.
Location Pattern: For spawning bass, fish 8’ and shallower flats in the backs of protected bays and creeks. Spots with large areas of shallow flats that are blocked off from the cooler main lake water have been holding the most fish. Waves of new fish have been moving up daily in many places and spawning fish are starting to show up in new areas of the lake every day, not necessarily all in the North end of the lake. Areas with a hard bottom and ample grass or wood cover will usually hold the most bass. For a shot at true lunker, concentrate on any drop-offs, creek channels, or points around spawning bays. Females will stack up on these deep water sanctuaries until conditions are right to spawn. After spawning, those same lunkers retreat quickly to those same areas.
Presentation Pattern: For fish on the bed, white or watermelon Lake Fork Tackle Top Dog Lizards, Flippers and Craw Tubes are my mainstays. White baits allow you to clearly see your bait on the bed, while more natural shades of green are often needed to catch the more finicky bass. My new favorite is the Lake Fork Baby Craw in white or watermelon. Rig this little bait with a stout 2/0 or 3/0 hook like the Gamakatsu EWG Superline hook on 25 lb fluorocarbon or 65 lb braid and you’ll be ready for even the shyest bedding lunkers. When conditions don’t allow you to see the beds, in water that is too deep to locate spawners, and around staging areas, soft plastic jerkbaits like the Lake Fork Magic Shad and Twitch Worm rigged weightless in shades of watermelon are often catching the most and biggest bass. Fish these slowly with a couple twitches and a slow fall to the bottom on slack line. For true lunkers, repeated pitches to heavy cover on and around spawning flats with Texas rigged Top Dog lizards and creature baits like Flippers in watermelon or black neon are a great option. Finally, on windy and overcast days, moving baits like white spinnerbaits can produce big bass, as well.
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:
|
|
|
|
