It’s wintertime on Lake Fork! December is here and the year is winding down. It’s been a great year of fishing here at Lake Fork. Just the other day we had the first Toyota ShareLunker of the year caught by David Roulston from Frisco, TX. The bass weighed 13.88 lbs. There will be more of these fish caught through this winter and spring as the big bass in the lake are at their peak weight. If you are after one of these giant Lake Fork bass I suggest you spend as much time on the lake as you can over the next few months.
Lake Fork water conditions are less than normal for this time of year. Without any substantial rains we are feeling the effects of this multi year Texas drought. We are currently sitting at 395.85, which is just over 7 feet low. Water temperatures are sitting in the low to mid 50’s. The water is clear to 3 feet on the south end and fairly stained on most of the north end of the lake. The hydrilla is in good shape where you can find it and will provide some excellent cover for the bass.
December invites a number of shallow water patterns but one of my favorites is targeting fish around any shallow vegetation or stumps near main lake or secondary points. Most of these winter fish will move into these shallow grass beds or hug stumps for cover and security as they look to feed on unsuspecting prey. During the sunny warmest part of the day can be best as water temperatures in these shallow areas is at its peak and the fish are most active. My favorite December lure is a lipless crank bait. Best sizes are a 1/2 oz or 5/8 oz but will also keep a 3/4 oz bait handy as well. I like to use shades or red, orange, or a combination of these two colors as well as chrome or gold. I like to use a 7’ 1” medium heavy Abu Garcia Veritas rod with 17-20 lb Trilene 100% Fluorocarbon on a high-speed reel like the NEW Abu Garcia Revo Rocket. This reel is 9:1 ratio so you can really burn a bait with this set up or use it to take some of the work off of your arms while you fish these baits all day making numerous casts. I like to use the lipless bait as a “search bait “and once I get bit I will slow down and work the area over thoroughly. A lot of times you will find the fish in small groups this time of year but may not be able to catch all of them on the same bait or presentation. If you double back and fish something like a suspending jerk bait or jig you may catch a few more fish or that BIG one you’ve been looking for! On the jerk bait I will throw a suspending model in a gold/black, clown, or ayu color. Fishing this bait slowly with twitch and long pause technique is great for a real big fish especially during the sunny calm days. On cloudy days I do better fishing slowly through the area with a jig and I will flip or pitch a 3/8 or 1/2 oz jig tight to every piece of cover available. A jig can be very effective on deeper points at the mouth of creeks and the creek edges inside the creek. With the lake low like it is you can follow the trees that line the channel edge very easily. Best colors for me are black & blue, black/blue/purple, bama bug, or black/brown. I like to tip my jigs with a 3” or 4” Berkley Chigger Craw or Chigger Chunk in matching colors. The action on the Chigger Craw is very attractive to a big fish and they hold onto the jig longer with the Powerbait scent. This is an important advantage as most bites are light and normally fish will not hold onto the jig long during the winter months.
The deep bite has been decent over the past couple of weeks. I am catching a lot of fish out deep using a multitude of different techniques. Locating big schools of fish can be challenging out in the depths. That is why I really on my Lowrance HDS Gen2 Touch to show me where they are hiding. The bass have been holding close to the schools of bait in 18-28 feet of water. Once I locate a school of bass around the bait with my sonar, I am positioning my boat to take aim and start firing at them with several different baits. The best and most reliable lure has been a jigging spoon. I use a flutter spoon in the most because this spoon mimics dying shad and big bass cannot resist it as an easy meal. It takes some practice to get used to it if you have never thrown one but once you get into the rhythm of it you will have a blast catching fish on it! I have also been targeting the feeding schools of bass with a Carolina rig. I have had great success with the Berkley Havoc Back Slide on my rig right now. It is just the right size and has lots of action as you pull it along. Best colors for me have been chartreuse pepper and green pumpkin. The deep football head jig bite never really got going good this fall like it normally does but every once in a while you can catch a couple if you toss it out there. For the suspended bass out deep I have been throwing the Powerbait Swim Shad. Bunker or Pearl white are best. These baits will catch some giants reeled along slowly in the depths!
If you are headed to Lake Fork this month in pursuit of a trophy bass and are looking to book a guide, I would enjoy the opportunity to take you or your group fishing and show you a great time on the lake. I have a few winter dates still available and am taking spring reservations now. Be sure to schedule with me soon if you would like to fish in 2015. I fill up very fast! I also have gift certificates available for those of you that are interested in purchasing a friend or loved one a guided trip on Lake Fork for the holidays! You can contact me to make your reservation at 903-736-9888 or send me an email at [email protected] You can also visit my website for more information about Lake Fork and my guide service at www.officiallakeforktrophybass.com You can find me on Facebook and follow my official Lake Fork Guide page at https://www.facebook.com/lakeforkfishingguides
I would also like to thank all of my 2014 sponsors for their support in my guiding and professional tournament fishing as well: Ranger Boats, Mercury Outboards, I Am Second, Interstate Batteries, Lowrance, Power Pole, Berkley, Abu Garcia, Talon Lures, Navionics, Simms, Costa Del Mar and Elite Tungsten.
While you are at the lake be sure to stop by Diamond Sports Marine located on highway 154 just north of the bridge. They are receiving the new 2015 Ranger Boats daily and the Z Commance Series boats are better than ever. This boat has some amazing features and is definitely an eye catcher. Give Fred or Ben a call at 903-383-7829 to set up your personal demo ride in a Ranger Boat. Have a very Merry Christmas everyone! Remember that JESUS is the reason for the season. Hope to see you on the water this coming year!
Matthew 1:21 - She will bear a son, and you shall call his name Jesus, for he will save his people from their sins.
Tight Lines and God Bless,
James Caldemeyer