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Fishing Lake Fork, Texas
Tom Redington
April 25, 2006
Lake Fork - Freshwater Fishing Report
Lake Fork Weekly Bass Report
From prespawn to postspawn and from shallow to deep, big bass are being caught all over Lake Fork right now. Trophy bass up to 14+ lbs have been coming into the marinas in good numbers this past week, as another wave of big bass moved up to spawn. Overall, the spawn is starting to near an end and the bass are beginning their transition towards postspawn and early summer patterns. Aggressive fry guarding males and big females that are feeding heavily to regain body weight make May and June fishing the favorite period for many Lake Fork regulars. The best patterns and locations change daily and often hourly, so stay versatile and keep experimenting until you find them.
Lake Conditions: Lake Fork’s water level is up slightly, currently reading 400.65’, or 2’4” below full pool. The water clarity is very clear in grassy areas, whereas some areas without submerged vegetation are slightly stained due to recent winds. Water temps continue to rise, with readings in the low to upper 70s, depending on the area. Submerged vegetation, including hydrilla, milfoil and coontail, is growing rapidly in many areas and spreading in coverage and height. In addition, the lily pads are really starting to pop up and increase in density on the south end of Fork.
Location Pattern: I’m finding good fish anywhere from 1’ to 18’ currently and from the backs of creeks to the main lake points and humps nearby spawning areas. Key on areas that had or still have large populations of spawning bass. After spawning, bass typically hold in grass and timber along the creek channels leading out of spawning flats as well as on secondary points that are nearby. As the season progresses, some bass continue to move towards the main lake along creek channels and points while on their way to main lake summertime spots. Meanwhile, some bass continue to spend their entire lives in the backs of creeks, especially areas with abundant cover. Start in the backs of creeks and systematically work your way out to deep water and sooner or later you’ll come in contact with the bass.
Presentation Pattern: I’ll use just about everything in my tackle box this time of year, but here are the baits that have been producing best for my customers and me in the past week. For sight fish, Texas rigged Lake Fork Tackle Top Dog Lizards in watermelon or green pumpkin have been catching these fish quickly. Lizards are also producing a lot of good bass by slowly working shallow wood cover. Early in the day and on cloudy days, topwaters like Zara Spooks and Pop-R’s in shad patterns are producing big numbers of bass if the conditions are right. If the bass won’t quite come to the surface, weightless rigged Magic Shads in watermelon candy or bull bream colors and hard plastic jerkbaits in silver or gold are working well. While the spinnerbait bite has been slow; shallow, medium, and deep running crankbaits in shad colors have been producing good numbers and big bass on windy days. Chose a crank that runs just deep enough to tick the bottom or the cover you’re fishing and use a stop and go retrieve. Anytime the crankbait stops vibrating, do a sweep hookset and tell your partner to grab the net.
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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