The lake is in great condition and this is the time of year we all look forward to. The Big Bass are starting to make there move to the shallows and each Angler that is looking to catch that Bass of a life time, now is the time to be on the water as much as you can. The water temperatures are ranging between 47-52 degrees in most areas of the lake and the water clarity is clear to stained depending on location. The wind has been a big factor this week, it has been blowing non-stop.
From this time of year through late February the patterns will remain relatively the same. Shallow grass beds located from main lake points, secondary points that lead into the backs of the creeks are key areas to target. Fishing the grass with 1/2 & 3/4 oz lipless Crank Baits also a Mans One Minus in red & orange, and with some chartreuse in it are great. Cover a lot of water with these baits to locate the Bass, ripping the bait off the grass will produce some big reaction strikes from these big pre-spawn Bass feeding up in preparation for the coming spawn.
When the water temps gets down into the 40s, and on calm sunny days, a suspending Jerk Bait fished over the grass very slowly can be deadly for those Bass that will not move far to hit a bait, fish it slow with long pauses between jerks and hold on! My most productive color is black, gold & orange.
Another great pattern this time of year is slow rolling a 3/4 or 1 oz Spinner Bait with a #5 or #6 Willow Life Blade. You can almost fish these big Spinner Baits like a Jig pulling the bait just enough to turn the blade, this pattern works good on these windy days. Most of the bass we have caught the last two days have been on the Spinner Bait and suspending Jerk Bait and the One Minus. All the bass we have caught have been fat and healthy. Yesterday we put 12 bass in the boat with three over seven pounds that were full of eggs. It is definitely Big Bass time hear on Lake Fork. Good places to try right now are the mouth of Big and Little Mustang starting at the old road bed and working the right side of each creek to the FM 17 bridge, these creeks always produce big pre-spawn Bass.
This weather has been a roller coaster up and down, but that is Texas weather. One day it is 75, the next it will be in the 40s. I have been guiding on this lake a long time and I have had some of my best Big Bass days on some of the worst weather days, so don't let the cold weather keep you off the water this time of year.
If you would like to book a guide trip and get in on some of this pre-spawn action, now is the time to book, as my Spring days are booking up. On my trips, all tackle is included. You can reach at 903-629-7699 (office) or 903-629-5085 (cell).
Good Fishing,