Lake Fork is in great shape going into the pre-spawn period for the 2009 spawn.
Patterning pre-spawn Bass will be the primary focus from now through the month of February and even into early March. This is the time that the lake will produce some of the bigger Bass of the year. Big females will be staging in key areas to feed up for their annual migration to the shallows. Finding main lake and secondary points or pockets that are closest to spawning flats that have good grass on them is ideal. The Bass will concentrate in these grass beds ranging from 2-8 foot. A lipless Crank bait is my bait of choice during this time. Best colors are a variety of reds and oranges, chrome and blues, and crawfish colors with a little chartreuse. Different sizes and colors will produce better than others depending on the weather conditions or depth of the grass and the water clarity. I throw 1/2 oz. sizes in the shallower grass and opt for a bigger 3/4 oz. for the deeper grass. Vary the retrieve of the bait and keep in contact with the top of the grass. Letting the bait dip down in it then ripping it free is what will trigger a bite.
Water temperature is an important element during this time of year. Finding areas that have warmer water than others will give you the best opportunity at catching fish. Even if it is just a degree or two. I rely on my temp gauge to give me a very accurate surface temperature. Right now the water temps have been cool and have not been rising much during the day. With water temperatures recently dipping into the high 40's, I will throw a suspending jerk bait also, jerking the bait down to the grass and then just letting it sit for several seconds, then twitching it again can be deadly for a big bite.
Concentrating on the creek channels leading back to the spawning flats is also a very productive pattern for these big pre-spawn bass. Good places that have been producing some nice bass and always do this time of year, Spring Branch, Board Tree Branch, Post Oak Branch, White Oak, Wolfe Creek. This is not the time of year to catch numbers but if you are looking to catch a Trophy Bass, Lake Fork is the best place to start putting in your time.
If you would like to book a trip for this spring to get in on the pre-spawn and spawning action, Contact me at 903-629-7699 or 903-629-5085 cell. Check out my Web Site At http://www.lakeforktexasfishingreports.com
Happy New Year and Good Fishing,
David Vance