Lake Fork Trophy Bass Report
Submitted July 15, 2009
By Guide James Caldemeyer
July has been a hot one so far with temperatures reaching 100+ on a regular basis. This summer heat hasn't stopped the bass from biting though. Whether its deep fishing during the day, or chasing those night time lunkers, now is still a great time to come fishing at Lake Fork. Most days have been good for numbers of quality fish during the day with an occasional big fish while the night bite is more reliable to catch a really big fish under the cooler temperatures and a full moon.
The lake is still in great shape with water levels at 402.76 which is only about 3-4 inches from full pool. Considering the heat we have been having, there is still an abundance of water. The clarity is fairly clear throughout the lake with 3 feet visibility. The water temperatures have been very warm due to the heat with water on the main lake ranging from 86 degrees in the mornings to 94 during the peak of the day. As the thermocline sets up out deep, these fish can be found in some real deep water this time of year through August.
I have been fishing mostly day trips lately and fished one night trip with great success on the 11th. The morning bite has been fairly slow lately with only a few fish being caught out of my boat but about 11 a.m. they have been turning on and biting throughout the heat of the day. Crazy but true! That's why tell people this time of year, "If you can stand the heat, you'll catch fish!" On the contrary, the best night feeding was from about 1-4 a.m.
The main areas I am targeting right now during the day have been points, humps, roadbeds, and ridges in 22-32 ft. A number of different baits have been working on these deep structure areas. I have been relying heavily on my Lowrance HDS units to show me how the fish are positioned in the water column. This is important to pay close attention to right now and will give you a better approach to catching them. Texas rigged Berkley 10" Power worms have been good on a 3/8-1/2 oz. weight and a 5/0 hook for the fish in mid-depths to deep water relating close to the bottom. Best colors have been green pumpkin, blue fleck, and plum. I have my new Abu Garcia Revos spooled up with 20 lb. Trilene 100% Fluorocarbon and am using an All Star 7' Med. Hvy. rod. These are a great combination for pulling these big bass out of deep water! The Carolina rig is always mandatory for me when fishing deep too. Best baits on the rig have been power worms, the Berkley "Fat Dover" or "Wacky Crawler", or a 4" Power Hawg in green pumpkin, watermelon red or blue fleck. The jig bite has really started up good also. A 3/4 oz. football head will catch the biggest fish in the school! Fishing it slow through the same areas that you would fish a Carolina rig, especially if there is brush or timber present can be very rewarding!! For those fish that are suspended off the bottom, which a lot of bass get during the heat of summer, the big spoon is the ticket. Casting it out there and ripping it off the bottom or counting it down to the depth you want to fish it then working it back is key. These spoons fall slow and erratically so keeping in tune with where it is in the water column is important. If you can keep it in the strike zone, you'll get bit!
The night fishing has been real good as we caught numerous fish over 5 lbs. a few nights ago and others have reported some great fishing as well. Main lake points with grass or any type of submerged vegetation adjacent to deep water is best. Again, you can't go wrong with a big 10" Power worm. Fishing it in grass from 5-12 ft. slow and hopping it throw the thick stuff will get your arm jerked. Best colors have been blue fleck, black & blue, or red shad. Although we didn't catch any on a topwaters, you always want to keep a black buzz bait handy for some explosive bites in the dark or a 3/8-1/2 oz. black or black/red spinner bait with a big colorado blade.
Make sure you bring a good hat, plenty of sunscreen, and drink lots of fluids if you are coming out during the day or a good light & bug repellent if you are going to do some night fishing. If you are headed out to Lake Fork for some summer fishing and would like to book a trip with me, feel free to contact me by email at lakeforktrophybass@yahoo.com or you can reach me by phone at (903)736-9888. I still have some day trips available for August and will be taking bookings for night trips during the full moon. I would like to thank all my sponsors for their support and to my Lord and Savior for His blood on the cross!
Read Mark 9:35
Tight Lines and God Bless,
James Caldemeyer