Lake Fork Fishing Blog

 

9.7 pound bass caught the last week of April

What a great week to fish here at Lake Fork, TX.  During this week we had warm weather all week.  It got a little breezy on Saturday and Sunday but we were able to keep on fishing.  The water surface is a solid 75 degrees but the water on the Fork side stayed stained due to the wind.

The Large Mouth fishing was very good, with a lot of fish being caught on small crank baits such as the KVD 1.5 in the shad color (silver & black) pattern.  Fish up to 10 pounds were taken with the little crank bait this week. 

With the Summer pattern already starting, we found the ¼ oz shaky head jig also was working.  We used a V & M pencil worm in watermelon/red color, it worked the best with the olive color shaky head.  You need to fish it slow and once in a while bounce the shaky head off of the bottom.  This allowed for a lot of action.  Oh yes, dip the tail of the worm in some chartreuse dye, for maximum visibility in the stained water.

The White Bass were biting really well.  They could be caught by using a chrome/chartreuse spoon or an Alabama rig.  White and chartreuse shad were the best trailers for the Alabama rig.  You could catch 3 or 4 White Bass at one time.  This rig has revolutionized the White Bass fishing industry!

The Crappie fishing slowed up this week.  The Crappie are scattered out and headed back to the deep water around bridges.

Catfish fishing continued to be good. They were mostly caught on cut bait.

“SOMETHING NEW”   Here at J & M Guide Service, we are now offering  both White Bass and Black Bass guided fishing trips.  So give us a call or send us an E-mail so we can get you started with the great experience of White Bass fishing here at Lake Fork.

While you are at Lake Fork, stop by Lake Fork Marina and pick up all of the latest tackle.  By the way the soda’s are good and cold also.

One last thing, don’t forget to wear those life vests while the big motor is running.  Have a great fishing week.

J & M Guide Service
John Morris
E-mail:  bassmr@geusnet.com
Toll Free:  1-888-454-7037

 

9.7 pound bass caught the last week of April

What a great week to fish here at Lake Fork, TX.  During this week we had warm weather all week.  It got a little breezy on Saturday and Sunday but we were able to keep on fishing.  The water surface is a solid 75 degrees but the water on the Fork side stayed stained due to the wind.

The Large Mouth fishing was very good, with a lot of fish being caught on small crank baits such as the KVD 1.5 in the shad color (silver & black) pattern.  Fish up to 10 pounds were taken with the little crank bait this week. 

With the Summer pattern already starting, we found the ¼ oz shaky head jig also was working.  We used a V & M pencil worm in watermelon/red color, it worked the best with the olive color shaky head.  You need to fish it slow and once in a while bounce the shaky head off of the bottom.  This allowed for a lot of action.  Oh yes, dip the tail of the worm in some chartreuse dye, for maximum visibility in the stained water.

The White Bass were biting really well.  They could be caught by using a chrome/chartreuse spoon or an Alabama rig.  White and chartreuse shad were the best trailers for the Alabama rig.  You could catch 3 or 4 White Bass at one time.  This rig has revolutionized the White Bass fishing industry!

The Crappie fishing slowed up this week.  The Crappie are scattered out and headed back to the deep water around bridges.

Catfish fishing continued to be good. They were mostly caught on cut bait.

“SOMETHING NEW”   Here at J & M Guide Service, we are now offering  both White Bass and Black Bass guided fishing trips.  So give us a call or send us an E-mail so we can get you started with the great experience of White Bass fishing here at Lake Fork.

While you are at Lake Fork, stop by Lake Fork Marina and pick up all of the latest tackle.  By the way the soda’s are good and cold also.

One last thing, don’t forget to wear those life vests while the big motor is running.  Have a great fishing week.

J & M Guide Service
John Morris
E-mail:  bassmr@geusnet.com
Toll Free:  1-888-454-7037

This week we saw water temperatures continuing to rise to the middle 70’s and the wind continuing to blow 10 to 20 miles an hour, keeping the water heavily stained.   The spawn is over for the Largemouth Bass and is just about over for the Crappie and Sand Bass.   

It is time to get out your little crank baits and jigs.  Let’s cover crank baits first.  I have been using a KVD 1.5 in the normal shad color pattern.   A small Bandit 100 crank bait in the shad color will also work great.  

Now it is time to get serious about pitching and swimming a jig.  We used 3/8 oz and ½ oz J & M jigs.  The recommended color is black and blue with a black with blue claw trailer.  The way we have had the best success is just pitching the jig past the structure or stump and letting it fall to the shady side.   Let it set for a moment and then jig it up and down a couple of times and let it set.   If the fish doesn’t take it, pull the jig out and move it to the next stump or structure.

The trick worm is another way to catch Largemouth Bass this time of year.   We have been fishing the full size Zoom chartreuse/pumpkin trick worm around docks and patches of grass.  Again, the bite was very light.

The Sand Bass are moving back out of the creeks on to main lake humps and deep creek bends.  They can be caught by using The Tackle Factory ½ oz flutter spoon.  We found that the yellow bass pattern worked the best.   The technique we used was just vertical jigging the flutter spoon up and down over the school of Sand Bass.  The bite has been very light so you need to pay attention to your line.

The crappies are back at the bridges and can be caught using chartreuse and pink small crappie jigs and medium size minnows.  You will find the yellow bass mixed in with the crappie at this time of year.  

While you are Lake Fork, be sure you stop into Lake Fork Marina to get the latest in tackle and get a few snacks while you are there.  They have a great selection of the Tackle Factory spoons.  On a safety note; while running your big motor, make sure you wear your life vest.  The life you save might be your own.

J & M guide Service
bassmr@geusnet.com
1-888-454-3073

The fishing is on fire here at Lake Fork, TX.  Numerous 6 to 10 pound fish were being taken during this week.  They were taken on everything from trick worms to stick type baits to small crank baits.

The weather has been great and the water is clearing up.  The water temperatures ranged from 66 to 74 degrees.  A lot of the fish are done spawning but a new wave of fish started to move up on Saturday. 

The Dodge Bass Tournament hosted by Lake Fork Marina saw a 9.68 pound Bass take first place.  The proud angler who caught the 9.68 pound Bass, took home a new Dodge truck and a 190 Skeeter Bass boat. Congratulations!

Since a lot of the bass are done spawning and are out feeding, the little crank bait bite began to turn on.  The Strike King KVD 1.5 seemed to work the best.   We use the shad color and a stop and go retrieve.  

Two other techniques also worked for the spawners.  The first was a 5 inch watermelon/red Lake Fork Trophy Lures hyper stick.  We continued to rig it with a 4/0 Eagle Claw LO45 hook and a 3/0 piece of split shot 14 inches above the hook.  Better known as a split shot rig. 

The next was a watermelon/pumpkin Zoom finesse worm rigged wacky style.  I used a small nail in the head of the finesse worm to make it fall exactly where in wanted it to. 

I know it was nice and warm out this week, however I saw several boaters not wearing their life jackets while running up and down the lake.  Please wear them, for the life you save, might be your own!

While you are at Lake Fork, stop in at Lake Fork Marina for the latest tackle and pick up a snack while you are at it.

The first of May we will be offering White Bass trips to go along with our normal trophy large mouth Bass trips.  We still have several guided fishing trips in April, so give us a call (Toll Free) 1-888-454-7037.  I hope to see you on the water here at beautiful Lake Fork, TX.

J & M Guide Service
John Morris
bassmr@geusnet.com
1-888-454-7037

This week we had a high pressure front, blue bird sky’s and very little wind.  The fishing continued to pick up with numerous large female bass moving up, getting ready to spawn.  The bass were being caught using trick worms, drop shot rigs and split shot rigs.

The split shot rig continued to be the set up for us this week.  We did change up the color up this week.  We primarily used watermelon red Lake Fork Trophy Lures 5 inch Hyper sticks.  

We also used 5 inch Zoom watermelon pumpkin trick worms rigged wacky style.  With the fish coming to spawn your presentation needs to be very subtle.  They are very skittish and are spooked very easily.  Just be patient and fish slow.

The crappie are being taken with small minnows all over the lake, primarily in the back of creeks around large stumps.  The white bass were being caught on Alabama rigs using small white and chartreuse jigs as the leader bait. 

The white bass were also being taken on the Tackle Factory ½ ounce flutter spoon in the bar fish pattern.  The catfish were also active again this week, being caught on cut bait.

While you are at Lake Fork, stop by Lake Fork Marina for all of your tackle and beverage needs.  They can also give you some tips on what the fish are doing on the lake.

I still have some openings in March and April for guided fishing trips.  Give us a call, toll free, 1-888-454-7037.  Be safe and wear those life vest.  We hope to see you out here on beautiful Lake Fork, TX.

J & M Guide Service
John Morris)
bassmr@geusnet.com
1-888-454-7037

This week we saw winds at 10 to 25 miles an hour and 6 plus inches of rain.

The lake water level came up over two feet and water temperatures were 63 to 68 degrees.  The fish all over the lake are moving up into creeks in shallow water trying to spawn.  Such baits such as Trick worms, 5 inch Lake Fork Trophy Lures Hyper Stick, full size Brush Hogs and an 8 inch lizards were the baits that worked best for us.

We Texas rigged the lizard and brush hog using a Eagle Claw LO45, 4/0 hook and a 3/16 ounce South Bend worm weight.  This week we used a pitching technique instead of a swimming technique.  The color of choice was green pumpkin with chartreuse dipped tails.

With the wind blowing across points, making the water very murky the green pumpkin/red 5 inch Lake Fork Trophy Lures Hyper Stick very effective.  We continued to rig the Hyper Stick, split shot style.  This is done by using an Eagle Claw LO45 4/0 hook and a 3/0 size split shot.  Put the split shot 12 to 14 inches above the hook and rig the Hyper Stick Texas style.  Fish this bait extremely slow.

The trick worm was fished wacky style.  The favorite color this week was green pumpkin with a chartreuse tail.  Again fish this bait very slowly.

The crappie, sand bass and catfish are still moving up the creeks.  Live bait seems to work on all three of them.  Most of the good crappies were taken on live small minnows.  By the way hold on to you pole because the large mouth bass also like those small minnows. J 

While you are at Lake Fork, stop into Lake Fork Marina and get your favorite tackle including those minnows.  The friendly staff at the Marina will have the latest information on what the fish are doing.  By the way the main ramp is open but no power loading of your boat, please use your winch.

I still have some guided trip openings for March and April so give us a call here at J & M Guide Service, Toll Free (1-888-454-7037).  Don’t forget those life vest!

J & M Guide Service
John Morris
bassmr@geusnet.com
1-888-454-7037

Spring is in full swing.  The trees are all budding and the Bass are biting.  This week we saw water temperatures dropping back into the mid fifties and some cold rain on the weekend. 

But that didn’t stop the fish from biting. With three inches of rain this weekend the lake has risen about one foot.  We are now at 4.5 below full pool and still coming up.

Well now for what they are biting on.  This has been a week of Hyper Stick.  We continued using the 5 inch Hyper Stick from Lake Fork Trophy Lures.  With the water clearing up this week we switched to watermelon/red color until Friday. 

When the wind picked up and it rained we went back to the green pumpkin/red color.  We use a split shot rig with an Eagle Claw LO45 worm hook and a 1/8 ounce piece of split shot.  Put the split shot about 14 inches above the hook and rig the worm on the hook, Texas rig style.

                                              (1/8 oz)

Hook_____(14”)________O_______________line to rod tip

We also caught fish on a full size Zoom Brush Hog in watermelon/red color.  We rigged it Texas Style, using an Eagle Claw LO45 hook and a 3/16 ounce South Bend worm weight.  We used this for pitching around small limbs and clumps of grass.  The Bass were making beds around these areas.

The crappie and sand bass are still moving up the creeks.  They continued to be caught with minnows.  Small minnows seem to work the best.  Numerous large crappie were caught this week.

The catfish are also starting to move up.  They were being caught, using a #6 treble hook and cut bait.

I would like to talk about boat ramp educate for just a moment.  Before approaching the ramp make sure all of your boat tie down straps are off, your drain plug is in.  This will help everybody put in an orderly fashion. 

While you are at Lake Fork, make sure you stop in at Lake Fork Marina for all of your tackle needs and a snack or two.  The friendly folks at Lake Fork Marina also have the latest scoop on what is happening on the lake.

We still have some openings during March and April here at J & M Guide Service.  So give us a call at (Toll Free) 1 888-454-7037.  Oh yes, one more thing, were those Life Vest!  Have a great fishing week and hope to see you on the water.

J & M Guide Service
(John Morris)
bassmr@geusnet.com
1-888-454-7037      

The water temperatures are warming up and Lake Fork’s version of March madness is in full swing.  This week we saw water temperatures coming up from 55 degrees to 63 degrees and the buck bass started moving in the shallow water in the creeks by the waves.  Numerous fish were taken on spinner baits, Chatter baits and various soft plastics.  

One of the most productive methods was a Lake Fork Trophy Lures 5 inch Hyper Stick, split shot rigged.  Here is how you do that.  With stained water in the upper lake creeks I used a green pumpkin/red 5 inch Hyper Stick, with a LO45 Eagle Claw worm hook,  rigged like a Texas rig. 

Then about 12 to 14 inches above the worm I put a 1/8 ounce piece of split shot.  This allows the worm to stay close to the bottom with out being on the bottom.  It also allows for better castibility in the wind.  Not like we have any wind here in Texas in March.  If it is not windy you can fish the Hyper Stick weightless. 

When using the spinner bait or chatter bait, use a chartreuse and white skirt and a small swim bait for a trailer.  With the water temperatures below 65 degrees, fish both of them slow.  The fish really will not pound the baits, they will just slowly suck them in.

For you crappie fishermen, well fishing is heating up for you to.  The crappies are moving up the creeks in shallow water.   Minnows are the bait of choice.  I saw several 3 pound crappie caught this week.  

The white bass are also on the move up the creeks.  They are being caught on small minnows, small white spinner baits and small crank baits.

The key word for March at Lake Fork is courtesy, both at the ramp and on the water.  Last but not least, wear you life jackets when the big motor is running.  The life you save may be yours.

While you are at Lake Fork be sure to stop into Lake Fork Marina for all of your tackle and minnows needs and pick up a beverage or two.   The friendly staff members are always willing to help you.

I still have some openings for March and April so give us a call her at J & M Guide Service, Toll Free (1-888-454-7037).

J & M Guide Service
bassmr@geusnet.com
1-888-454-7037

The last nine days have seen typical end of February patterns.  The water temperatures have stabilized this week between 55 and 56 degrees (F).  Fish have been caught on everything from spinner baits to jigs with a rattletrap thrown in for good measures.  

Two different color of spinner baits worked the best.  The first was a red and black spinner bait with a gold and copper combination willow blades.  The second is a chartreuse and white spinner bait with a gold leaf willow blade and a copper Indiana blade. 

This Indiana blade moves a lot of water.  Both of these spinner baits need to be moved very slowly.   3/8 ounce spinner baits seem to work the best.

The next was our old favorite black and blue jig, 3/8 ounce.  We fished it with Lake Fork Trophy Lures trailer.   A 11.4 pound Bass was weighed in a Lake Fork Marina caught on a back and blue jig this week. 

You need to pitch the jig right next to the stumps and let it get clear to the bottom and leave it set just for a moment and then just barely move it with you rod tip.  If the fish does not hit the jig, then move to the next stump and repeat the process.

Last but not least, is our ole favorite red and orange rattletrap.  You don’t need to burn the trap through the water.  All you need is a good steady retrieve.   A 5.1 to 1 gear ratio  real is the best to use this time of year for the rattletrap. 

The lake level is still down 5.5 feet.  That means slow down if you don’t know the lake very well and wear you life jacket if the big motor is running.  Let's all have a very safe Spring fishing season.

Lake Fork Marina is stocking up with all of your favorite hard baits and soft plastic baits.  They also a great selection of Lake Fork Tackle jigging spoons.  For you white bass and crappie fishermen pick up one of the Lake Fork Tackles ½ ounce Flash Tail spoon in the Barr fish color pattern.  So stop buy and pick up some of the latest tackle and beverages.

We are still booking fishing trips for March and April.  Give us a call here at J & M Guide Service (1-888-454-7037).   Have a safe boating season.

J & M Guide Service
John Morris
bassmr@geusnet.com
1-888-454-7037

Spring is just about here and we are seeing the bass move up from their 22 to 28 foot water in to the 6 to 8 foot of water.  They are still relating to main lake points and creek bends.  Since the grass in Lake Fork is still sparse, the fish are relating to small timber.

The baits that work year to year here are Carolina rigged lizards and red rattle Traps.  That is still true for this year.   Added in to this years mix is a red/black/gold 3/8 ounce spinner bait. 

The fish are not chasing the bait very far so slow down your retrieve.   I find that a 7 foot, medium/heavy action rod coupled with a 5.1 to 1 gear ratio reel works the best, both for the Rattle Trap and spinner bait.

It is also the time of year to go over all of your fishing tackle and boat, motor and trailer to make sure they are in good working order.  Here a few things that require some special attention. On you boat trailer you want to pull you tires and wheels and pack your wheel bearings. 

Check all of your trailer lights for operation and wiring condition.  For your big boat motor, drain and service your lower unit, make sure you check it for water.  Also grease all your pivot points on the big motor.  For your trolling motor, take your prop off and make sure that there is no fishing line around your prop shaft and lube pivot joints as needed. 

Now for your boat, a good wash job is always in order after sitting all winter.  After washing it give is a good coat of wax if it is fiberglass. Check all of your boats lights, bilge pump(s) and electronics for operation.

Spring has allot of special challenges here in East Texas.  Rain, wind and sleet come to mind for me.  While going through you equipment always check your rain gear for holes and zippers for operation.  Nothing is worse that being out in a boat in February or March in a 20 mile an hour wind and it is raining.  Stay warm and dry!

Here at Lake Fork, Lake Fork Marina has all of the latest tackle that you need to fish Lake Fork.  Stop in and see the friendly folks and check out the selection of fishing tackle and other goodies.  As always wear your life jacket and kill switch.  See you on the water!

John Morris
J & M Guide Service
1 888-454-7037
bassmr@geusnet.com