Lake Fork Trophy Bass Report
Submitted February 23, 2009
By Guide James Caldemeyer
The fish have been on the move into the shallows this month at Lake Fork. You can expect many more big bass to start showing up with the current warm weather trend and rising water temperatures in the shallow spawning areas. This spring is shaping up for another great spawn at Lake Fork so if you haven't already made your plans to come out and do some fishing in the next couple of months you might want to start making arrangements.
Lake conditions are great right now going into the spring spawn at Lake Fork with water levels at 402.07 which is about a foot low. With the expected spring rains, the lake could fill to capacity real fast and give the bass a tremendous amount of shallow cover to do their thing. Water temperatures have been ranging from 54-60 depending on what areas you are in with the warmest water being at the very backs of the creeks during the peak of the day. The water clarity has also varied from stained to fairly clear, in some areas, but the fish have not seemed to mind either way. Water temperature and the presence of grass have been the biggest factors in locating productive fishing areas. Warm water and green grass are best. When you find a combination of both you will be in action!
Best baits and presentations have been a combination of several things right now with the warming trends and cold fronts playing an instrumental role in what is most productive from day to day and even from morning to afternoon. On the cold front days or cooler mornings, I have been starting out with the lipless crank baits. Red or red/orange 1/2 oz. to 3/4 oz. sizes have been best worked over the grass on main lake, secondary points, ditches, or drop offs located adjacent to spawning flats in 2-8 feet of water. I use a 7' Shimano TC4 cranking rod with a Chronarch or Curado spooled up with 16 lb. Gamma Edge fluorocarbon line. This is the combination I have been using in my "Pre Spawn" video series and is the perfect set up for fishing one of these baits over the grass all day without working your arms to death. A steady retrieve while allowing the bait it to dip down into the grass and then ripping it free is the key to getting bites. The spinner bait bite has also been fair early and on cooler days. I have been throwing the new "Shibui" series spinner bait from Talon Lures and the bass really love it! Best colors have been white, white/chart. or the ayu color with double willow blades in the 3/8 to 1/2 oz. sizes. Another great bait to catch a real giant bass on right now, also from Talon, is their 3/8 to 1/2 oz. flipping jig. A black/blue, black/blue/purple, or their new "Bama Bug" color with a black or green pumpkin trailer will invite a big bite from one of these Lake Fork lunkers that is preparing to move onto a bed. Pitching this bait around timber lining the creek channels in or near spawning areas as well as isolated trees or stands of timber on points and fishing it slow can be very rewarding!
As the water temperatures rise during the day, it's time to break out the soft plastics and go to work. Many fish will start to move onto the beds during a warming trend. Dead sticking a senko type bait, wacky rigged worm, or fluke in these areas is best. Most anything watermelon colored, green pumpkin, june bug or black/blue are good choices. "Dead Sticking" means exactly that! Cast the bait out there and let it sit then let it sit some more. Moving the bait too much will result in fewer bites. The longer you let it sit in an area that these fish are becoming territorial in, the better chance that one of these fish will pick it up to move it. I always tell my clients, "If you think you are fishing slow, slow down some more." Try it and you will be surprised at how many more fish you catch this spring!
If you are headed to Lake Fork this year and would like to book a guided trip, feel free to contact me by email at lakeforktrophybass@yahoo.com or just give me a call (903)736-9888. I would enjoy fishing with you and making your trip to Lake Fork one to remember! Also, make sure to stop by and see the new 2009 line of Ranger Boats at Diamond Sports Marine on Hwy 154. They have the new 208's available as well as the flagship Z520 which has quickly become a favorite amongst the serious bass angler. I would be happy to give you a test ride in mine for those that are interested in experiencing the ride, comfort, handling, and speed of the new Ranger Z520! I would like to thank my many sponsors for their continued support and dedication to the fishing industry despite the difficult economic times. Their perseverance in the industry, for the many anglers that rely on their products, is appreciated and should be recognized as a blessing to us all!
Read Proverbs 3:5, 6
Tight Lines and God Bless,
James Caldemeyer
www.officiallakeforktrophybass.com
