The fishing is beginning to pick up for the summer patterns. The deep fish are beginning to get set on their deep patterns and there are still a few fish in the grass. Swim baits have become quite the craze on Lake Fork. We are catching some really nice fish on swim baits in both shallow water and deep water. It's unbelievable how many people are making swim baits these days. You can buy any size for just about any price. It's amazing. I have to say, I use quite a few different baits. I use the 3:16 bait, the Tsunami Pro, the Storm and a couple more. I fish the weighted baits out deep and the light swimmers up shallow in the grass and in the pads. Sometimes the fish will hit the baits hard and sometimes they will just stop the bait. You really have to pay attention when the fish are just stopping the bait. Another technique I like is swimming the frog in shallow grass. I like the Lake Fork Tackle Frog. It has a lot of action on the legs. The other baits I use during the summer months are the Carolina Rig and the 10 inch worms. I throw the big worms on a Texas rig and I use at least a 5/16 oz. weight when I am fishing 20 feet and deeper. The Lake Fork Tackle 10 inch worm is ribbed and full of garlic. On the Carolina Rig I use quite a few different baits. My favorite is the ring fry and the trick worm from Lake Fork Tackle. You know Lake Fork Tackle makes some awesome baits because Mark Pack, the owner of the company, won the FLW Tournament on Beaver lake using some of his own stuff. And as I write this article he is number 17 in the year end standings using Lake Fork Tackle baits. That's a pretty good testimony in my opinion. Not to mention that other company's are knocking off his baits.
The fish on Lake Fork are changing somewhat. I am catching fish a little deeper than I use to. Sometimes out to as deep as 35 to 40 feet. You might want to try one of the big spoons when you find them out that deep. Rip it off the bottom and let it fall. If you feel the slightest tick, set the hook hard and fast. Also, the football jig and the Texas Rig 10 inch worm work good. And don't forget the drop shot if the fish are suspended a off the bottom. If you want to get out before daylight you can catch some topwater fish along the grass lines close to the creek channels. Use a Pop-R or a buzzbiat early and when the sun comes up go to a Lake Fork Tackle Zig Zag and fish it wacky style. Hope you have a good summer. Be sure and wear plenty of sunscreen and drink plenty of water. I would be glad to help you catch some of these big ol Lake Fork bass. I do a lot of ½ day trips in the hot summer. We start about 5:30 AM and fish until around 11. We get off the water before it gets real hot and we catch quite a few fish. Check out my new rate structure under my rates tab. Another innovative idea from Larry Barnes Lake Fork Guide Service.
