Lake Fork Trophy Bass Fishing Report
Submitted November 4, 2008
By Lake Fork Guide James Caldemeyer
November is here and the fishing on Lake Fork during this month is AWESOME! As the bass prepare for the coming winter, you will find plenty of feeding activity on all parts of the lake and have an opportunity to catch some real giants.
Water conditions at Lake Fork are good with most of the lake fair to clear and lake levels at 402.25 about 9 inches low. Temperatures have been ranging from mid to upper 60's lately and even low 70's on the warmer days.
The bass fishing over the past several days has been up and down. One day you go out and catch high numbers of some real nice fish and the next day struggle for a bite in those same areas. I attribute this to the continuing fluctuation in temperatures. As we get away from these 80 degree days and the weather the cold fronts move in, those big bass will put their feed bags on.
The shallow bite has been good from the mouths of the creeks to the backs of some of them. Top water frogs, buzz baits and poppers have been good early and late. Wacky worms and Tiki Sticks are also doing well in the grass. Best colors have been watermelon red and green pumpkin. Shad colored shallow running crank baits, chrome lipless cranks and spinner baits are also catching fish up shallow slow rolled over the grass. Especially on wind blown grass beds with baitfish present. Good grass and the presence of shad are key in finding the bass in the shallows.
The deep fishing for those big Lake Fork trophies is also starting to kick into gear. Deep humps, road beds, points, ridges and old pond dams in 16-30+ feet will all hold schools of fish feeding on shad, bar fish and even crappie this time of year. When the weather cools, the fish will be ganging up on the deep structure areas and gorge! If you are on one of these spots at the right time, you can load the boat with some pigs!! A carolina rigged centipede, creature bait, or fluke rigged on a Shimano 7'6" rod with 20lb Gamma fluorocarbon line, 4-5 foot leader and a 2/0 or 3/0 wide gap hook is what I'm using. Best bait colors have been watermelon red, green pumpkin, sour grape or chart. pepper. The Talon 3/4 oz. football head jig is still catching a lot of big fish out deep so you'll want to keep one of these tied on at all times. They will catch some of the biggest fish in the school. The Talon 3/8 or 1/2 oz. "T-spoon" jigging spoons will also catch some big fish out deep as the water temperatures cool off in the fall and even into winter.
November is an excellent time to be on the lake while all the deer hunters are in their stands. There is less pressure on the lake and the fish are biting. If you would like to book a guide trip, I still have a couple of November dates left. You can reach me at (903)736-9888 or shoot me an email at lakeforktrophybass@yahoo.com . You can also check out my newly redesigned website at www.officiallakeforktrophybass.com for more information about Lake Fork.
Just a couple of reminders…If you are interested in making reservations for a 2009 spring trip to Lake Fork, don't wait until it's too late. Get your plans together and contact me ASAP. My spring dates are diminishing quickly. I also have gift certificates available for the upcoming holidays if you are interested in sending your special someone out to Lake Fork for a guided fishing trip. They make a great gift for your "fishing enthusiasts"!
I would like to thank the good Lord for giving me strength, and to my sponsors for their dedicated support to those who love to fish and for supporting me. Please pray for Lane Gergely as she battles her illness.
Read Acts 2:38
Tight Lines and God Bless,
James Caldemeyer