September 4, 2007
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September is here! This month is the time for some great fishing
at Lake Fork and the beginning of some relief from the hot
summer weather. It is also the time for the annual McDonald's
Big Bass Splash September 14,15 and 16, Lake Fork's biggest
tournament of the year!! For those of you that may be heading
out for this exciting event, here is a report that may help you
catch that winning fish.
Water levels at Lake Fork are currently sitting at 403.27, which
is still about 3 inches above pool. Surface temperatures have
been in the upper 80's to low 90's on most days with the water
clarity being fairly clear to about 3 foot in most areas.
The fishing has been fair to good on most days. Numbers have
varied from day to day but the overall quality of fish we are
catching is good.
Shallow water fishing has been good early with wacky worms and
Texas rigged 7 inch
worms in June bug, pumpkinseed or watermelon colors fished over
and in submerged grass beds. Main lake points with grass have
been the most productive places to find these shallow feeding
fish early and late. Although there are some fish in extremely
shallow water, the heavier concentrations of fish have been
holding in 10 to 16 feet of water. The top water bite has been
inconsistent lately but when they do want it, yellow magics and
zara spooks in shad patterns have been good.
The deeper bite has been a little less consistent than would be
expected this time of year. With the water temperatures being
moderate and an abundance of shallow cover, the fish have been
relating to shallow to mid depths more consistently than out
deep. This is not to say that there aren't a number of spots to
catch them deep. When the weather has been hot, there are plenty
of fish that are grouping up on deep structure. Points,
roadbeds, humps, pond dams and ridges that are in 22 to 32 ft
have produced well. Finding these fish out deep can be a chore
at times but if you run your electronics over enough areas, you
may find a load of them. Carolina rigs have been the most
productive for me after I have marked some fish with my
electronics. I use a 7'6" heavy action Shimano Crucial rod and
reel spooled with 20lb. Gamma Edge fluorocarbon, a 1 oz. weight
and a 4-5 foot leader. Best baits have been the Grande Bass
www.grandebass.com
Mutant, Rattlesnake or Baby Rattlesnake in watermelon red,
watermelon seed, chartreuse pepper or their "NEW" green
pumpkin/watermelon laminate color rigged on a 3/0 wide gap hook.
On some days the fish prefer the rig worked through them on a
steady pull and on other days you'll want to hop it some so vary
your retrieve some until you figure out how they want it. A
Texas rigged worm has also produced well on these deep spots the
same as it has the shallow to mid depth areas. Watermelon red,
watermelon seed and junebug colors have been best.
At times the fish have been a little less active and somewhat
suspended off the bottom in these deep areas. Catching them on a
Carolina rig or Texas rig will not be as productive when this
occurs. That is when I grab my Crucial spinning rod and start
working on them with a drop shot rig. I keep my rod spooled up
with 10 lb. Gamma fluorocarbon, a 2/0 drop shot hook and a 3/8
to 1/2 oz. weight attached about 18 to 24 inches below the bait.
Best baits have been the Baby Rattlesnake in watermelon red and
chartreuse pepper or a 4" finesse worm in shades of watermelon
or pumpkinseed.
Some more effective ways to catch these suspended Lake
Fork bass is with a deep diving crank bait (DD 22), chrome
lipless crank bait, jigging spoon, or swim bait worked at or
just above the depth that these bass are suspending. At times
you will find these fish schooling on bait fish and will want to
have your rod ready to cast into the school of fish before they
move off or quit chasing shad. The schooling action is awesome
but short and sweet sometimes so you'll want to be ready!
If you are planning a trip to Lake Fork to come catch some of
these trophy bass or you would like to book a trip to pre-fish
for an upcoming tournament, feel free to give me a call at
(903)736-9888 or you can send me an email
lakeforktrophybass@yahoo.com
This fall at Lake Fork is going to be awesome as well so make
your reservations now. Good luck to everyone that will be coming
out to fish the McDonald's Tournament. If you get a chance, stop
by the Shimano booth and check out some of their great new
products for 2008. I will be there during the tournament so come
by and say hello. I
hope to see you carrying a BIG MAMA to the scales!
Read 1 John 2:17
God Bless,
James Caldemeyer - Lake Fork Guide
www.officiallakeforktrophybass.com
Lake Fork Fishing
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