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Fishing Lake Fork, Texas
Tom Redington
May 9, 2006
Lake Fork - Freshwater Fishing Report
Lake Fork Report
Big bass up to 13.76 lbs continue to be caught at Lake Fork. With some bass in a post spawn pattern and others starting to settle into summer patterns, covering lots of water and trying a variety of patterns has been critical to catching fish. From topwaters in shallow grass to Carolina rigs in 30’, just about everything in your tackle box could work right now. The trick is quickly figuring out which of those baits will work best, and where. Similar to the prespawn patterns we fished just a couple months ago, bass are on the move, so where you catch them today may not hold many fish tomorrow. Find the most productive pattern each day, then fish similar areas around the lake. The quicker you figure out the pattern and the more productive water you fish, the better you’ll do.
Lake Conditions: After numerous showers and storms, Lake Fork’s water level is up slightly, currently reading 400.75’, or 2’3” below full pool. The water clarity is very clear in grassy areas, whereas some areas without submerged vegetation are slightly stained due to recent rains. 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 concentrating on coves and creeks that had the largest populations of spawning fish and starting there on the flats, creek channels, and points just outside the beds. I’m working out progressively deeper inside productive coves and fishing all of the cover and structure options from the backs of the creek out to the main lake summertime holes. Keep in mind that a lot of fish are suspended right now, so fish bottom bouncing lures while also checking for suspended fish with baits like jerkbaits and crankbaits. Once you try a few productive spawning creeks, you should have caught some fish and determined what types of cover, structure, and depths are holding the most fish. At that point, look for similar water around the lake and run the pattern. The fish are pretty scattered right now, so you’ll normally do better by fishing lots of good areas instead of camping on an area where you’ve caught a couple good fish. Again, with the fish being in a transition mode, you’ll need to repeat this process most days to stay in contact with the most active fish.
Presentation Pattern: As for your lure, let the cover and the depth of the bass you are fishing dictate your choice. With the fish being so spread out, virtually everything in your tackle box will catch fish at some point during May, so stay flexible. Following are the baits that have been working best for us this week. Early and late and on cloudy days, topwater baits like poppers and walking baits like a Zara Spook in shad colors will produce big fish and good numbers many days. Around shallow vegetation and pads, wacky rigged Lake Fork Twitch Worms and Magic Shads in green pumpkin and watermelon candy are working well. Texas rigged baits like Lake Fork Flippers in black neon or watermelon/red are also producing big bass when flipped to wood cover near grass or pads. Deep diving crankbaits like a Norman DD 22 in shad or bluegill patterns fished for suspended bass on points are producing some big fish and good numbers. Go with 10 lb test and hang on after you come through submerged treetops. Finally, Texas rigged and Carolina rigged Lake Fork Baby Creatures and Baby Ring Frys in watermelon and green pumpkin are catching bass in 12’ to 30’.
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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