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Fishing Lake Fork, Texas
Tom Redington
November 20, 2006
Lake Fork - Freshwater Fishing Report
Lake Fork Report
On most days, good numbers and some big bass are currently being caught at Lake Fork, although the best pattern has changed considerably from day-to-day and often from hour-to-hour. With the bass being spread out from shallow water creeks to deep structure, changing tactics as the conditions dictate has been the key to success. Basically, if what you're doing isn't working well, try a different approach until you find what they want. Frequently, it's as simple as changing lures in the area you're in and you'll start catching them. With water temps in the mid-60s and a warming trend forecasted for this week, look for the fall patterns to remain at Fork through November.
While the fishing typically slows in early December, lunker bass will start moving into prespawn patterns in some areas of the lake by later December, and my favorite fishing of the year occurs in January through early March. It's a really simple pattern-spinnerbaits, lipless cranks, jigs, and suspending jerkbaits fished in staging areas near spawning flats. Numbers run lower this time of year, but the average size of your catch is at its highest for the year, usually in the 4 to 5 lb range, with a good shot at a bass 7 lbs or greater. Don't get me wrong, March and April are a great time to catch a lunker sight fishing or with a soft plastic jerkbait. For my tastes though, slow rolling a big spinnerbait or flipping a jig around heavy timber for truly giant bass during the prespawn is the best time to be on Fork.
Lake Conditions: After a good soaking rain on Sunday night, Lake Fork's water level rose about 4", currently reading 398.01', just over 5' below full pool. Even with the low water, almost all of the main ramps are still useable without any issues. After the fall turnover, much of the main lake remains stained brown, while many of the grassy creeks are clear. Water temps are currently reading 63 to 65 degrees in most areas of the main lake, while the backs of some creek were holding in the upper 50s after a few cold nights last week.
Location Pattern: Typical of fall fishing, bass are holding anywhere from the backs of creeks and along main lake shores in literally inches of water as well as setting up camp on deep water structure. For the past week, I've found schools of deep bass were holding deeper again, mostly from in 20' to 33' of water. When graphing these fish, keep in mind that schools that are relating to the bottom will be the easiest bass to catch normally. The other main pattern will be weed flats on the main lake and in coves with channels or points with deep-water access nearby. These spots produced some fast action for smaller bass and a few big fish. Typically, areas that are holding fish now are holding lots of fish. So if you're catching fish, stay put and try multiple lures until you've caught everything you can. Conversely, if you're in a good-looking spot but not getting bit, keep moving to other locations until you hit pay dirt.
Presentation Pattern: The topwater bite slowed for me this past week. Instead, small spinnerbaits in white and shallow or medium running shad colored lipped and lipless crankbaits have worked best for the shallow bass. If the bass aren't in a chasing mood, wacky rigged straight tail worms like a Twitch Worm in June bug or watermelon/red flake have produced some fast action. For bigger bass, pitch ¼ oz white or watermelon jigs with matching Fork Craws to stumps along creek channels and along deep weed lines. Work the jig really slowly for best results. When the deep bite has been on, I've been spending most of my time out there. Carolina rigged Baby Ring Frys or Magic Shads in watermelon/red flake have produced some good numbers and some big ones once schools are located. Other days, drop shotting Lake Fork Twitch Worms in watermelon/chartreuse pepper or watermelon/red flake has produced big numbers of keeper-sized bass. ½ ounce chrome or gold jigging spoons and ¼ oz white jigs have also caught a lot of bass on several days and these baits will often produce the largest bass of the day.
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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