Lake Fork is about 4 feet low but still in great condition, and it's getting closer to the time of year we all look forward to when the bass start spawning in March. The Big Bass are starting to slowly make there move to the shallows, and each Angler that is looking to catch a Trophy Bass, now is the time to be on the water as much as you can. The water temperatures are making a rebound after that last bad cold front, with the weather back in the sixty's this week the shallow water is starting warm back up some. From now through February the patterns will remain relatively the same. Shallow flats located from main lake points, and secondary points that lead into the backs of the creeks are key areas to target for per spawn bass.
The grass is making a come back and when you find it Fishing a ½ and 3/4 oz. lipless Crank Baits also a Mans One Minus and a Square Bill 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. Also one of the best big bass baits for this time of year is a suspending Jerk Bait, fished on main lake and secondary points fished 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 good pattern this time of year is slow rolling a 3/4 Spinner Bait with a # 5 or 6 Willow Life Blade, you can almost fish this big Spinner Bait like a Jig pulling the bait just enough to turn the blade, this pattern works good on these windy days.
This time of year can be very tough the bass are in tarnishing and starting to get in the pre spawn stage, mid Jan and early February is not the time of year to catch big numbers, you can fish a long time with out a bite, so don't get frustrated because the next cast you make could be the bass of a life time, most of the bass over ten pounds I have caught here on Lake Fork have been now through April. Good places to try right now are North West Bay, Running Creek, Long Branch, Birch Creek, these creeks always produce big pre-spawn Bass. This weather has been a roller coaster up and down one day it's in the thirties and the next it's in the sixties , but that is Texas weather 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 Book a guide trip and get in on some of this pre-spawn action now is the time to book, my Spring days are booking up fast so book early for best available dates. On my trips all Tackle is included. You can reach me at 903-629-7699 or Cell 903-629-5085 or check out my web site at http://www.lakeforktexasfishingreports.com e-mail bassrus@peoplescom.net
Good Fishing,
David Vance's
Lake Fork Guide Service