Well, the deep freeze was on here at Lake Fork this week. The air temps never got above freezing several days in a row. The water temp fell to the mid to low 40's. The wind was light and that was a blessing for us on the lake during the week. We fought sleet one day and had to wait till the sleet melted to get the boat on the water. Then the boat was frozen to the trailer. We had to let it sit for a minute so the carpet would let loose of the boat. Then there was the ride. Mercy it was cold. The fishing was tough but we did manage to catch a few to make the day. The good news is the lake is on the way back up. We are about 2'.5" low and with more rain coming this weekend we may get back to the full pool level. Lipless crank baits, spinner baits and Jigging spoons were the baits of choice. The deep fish were in 36 to 41 foot of water and the bite was just a heavy feeling on the spoon. This was true for the lipless crank bait. You would be cranking and it would feel like you picked up grass, just a heavy feeling. The other key was all the fish were in one area. When we caught one fish we would work the area and pick up a few more. Then it may be nine miles before we got another bite. Covering plenty of water with the lipless crank bait was the best pattern. I didn't pitch a jig and that may have been the ticket. The fish were backed off the banks and holding out on the edges of the dropoffs or on the edges of the creeks.
It will be a few days before the bite comes back and we need some warming trends to get the fish back in the shallow water.
The crappie were out deep in the 36 to 44 foot and we caught several on spoons while we were bass fishing. Jigs and small minnows have been the baits of choice to catch the crappie.
If you want to put some fish in your freezer now is the time. The first twenty five crappie you catch you have to keep. There is no size limit till the end of February. I have dates open from now till the end of February and have a special for 4 people one nights lodging and one days fishing if you want more info call.
Jim Reaneau
Cell-1-903-335-2009 till 6PM
Home 1-888-918-5088 After 6 PM