The annual March Madness has begun here at Lake Fork! Boy oh boy 2015 has already started out with a bang and the best fishing is still yet to come. We have been catching a lot of big fish to start the year and as the big spawning females hit their nests this month it is only going to get better!
Lake Fork is still doing good right now despite the low water conditions. The lake is still about 6 ½ feet low. We just received some precipitation and more is expected so hopefully it will start filling up the lake. A wet spring would definitely be a blessing this year as many of the Texas lakes need it! Water temperatures are in the lower 50’s for the most part but an occasional dip into the 40’s is possible with some of the cold fronts that we have been having. We are still a ways off from seeing spawning water temperatures but things can happen fast when we get a good warming trend.
Most of my fishing in March is centered on pre-spawn patterns until the bass become committed to the spawn. I like to strategically target big female bass that are staging and feeding up before they actually move to the nests. I feel that these big bass are more vulnerable to being caught this way than they are when they get on the beds and every fisherman going down the bank is tossing at them. This pattern pays off big especially when you find the right area and a congregation of bass. Just ask my customers Jeremy and Chris from Denton, TX that had 5 bass weighing over 40 lbs and caught around 40 largemouth for the day while out fishing with me a couple weeks ago. Definitely a blessed day of fishing and one to remember!
The areas that I am targeting these pre-spawn bass in are points, creek channels, drains, and shallow structure. Most of these fish will be relating to some sort of cover whether it is grass, stumps, boat docks etc. The key to finding these big bass in these areas is the presence of bait within the area. It stands to reason that big pre-spawn female bass that are eating heavily to prepare to spawn are not going to be in an area where there isn’t anything to eat. Look for schools of shad on your sonar and you’ll be in action. I rely heavily on my Lowrance HDS units to give me accurate readings and I have complete confidence in them to show me what I need to know about the water that I am in.
Once I find the area that I am looking for, I begin targeting the bass with several different techniques depending on the conditions. Around grass in 2-6 feet of water I am throwing a lot of reaction type baits like lipless crank baits in red or shad colors, suspending jerk baits in gold, silver, or clown colors and if you want to catch the giants you’ll want to throw big swim baits like the 3:16 Lures - Rising Son. This bait is an incredible big bass bait and its action is unmatched. Rigging it on the proper rod is very important. I throw mine on an Abu Garcia Villain rod that is a 7’11” heavy action rod. I will also spool up an Abu Garcia Revo with 20 lb Trilene 100% fluorocarbon line. This will allow you to make long casts with this heavier bait and still have enough backbone to set the hook on a big fish. In the areas that I am fishing timber I am either casting a square bill style crank bait like the Sebile Bull Crank or I am flipping wood with the Santone Lures Rattlin Jig. Best colors have been chartreuse, red, and white on the crank baits and 3/8-1/2 ounce in black/blue, black/blue/purple, or PB&J colors with a Berkley Chigger Craw as a trailer. The square bill is a great search/reaction bait in the timber and will help you locate fish quickly. Once you’ve found an area though, slow down and start flipping and pitching the jig and you can catch some big ones. If you are not able to get on a bite up shallow you may need to back out off the bank some and fish the deeper areas where these fish are staging. Flipping a jig in 8-15 feet of water has been very productive as well.
As the water warms and the surface temperatures reach the 58-60 degree mark the bass will begin spawning. You will find most of these bass on beds in 2-6 feet of water and very active! My favorite baits for targeting these bass as they spawn is a weightless jerk bait like the fluke or Berkley Havoc Jerk. Dead sticking this bait in the flats and spawning areas is very effective. You must remember that the bass have left from a “feeding bite” and moved to a “territorial bite”. You are presenting your bait in a manner that invades their space and they strike it. Moving the bait a lot will defeat the purpose so be sure to really slow down! When you think you are fishing slowly, slow down some more! Another big favorite of mine for spawning bass is the Santone Lures “Piglet” shaky head with a Berkley Powerbait Rib Snake. Best colors are black/blue, blue fleck and green pumpkin. This is a great combination for using the same presentation of “dead sticking” when the wind gets up and will not allow you to fish these areas effectively with the weightless technique. Another great way to target these spawning bass in the wind is with a Santone Lures spinner bait. I will usually opt for the 3/8 – 1/2 ounce M-Series in white or white/chartreuse.
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 Lake Fork. I have a spring dates still available and am taking summer reservations now. Be sure to schedule your 2015 date soon as 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. 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 like to thank all my new and existing sponsors for their support. I am looking forward to working with each of them to provide anglers with the best quality fishing experience through new and innovative products. Listed are my current sponsors for 2015 that support my guide service and professional tournament fishing: Ranger Boats, Mercury Outboards, I Am Second, Toyota, Berkley, Abu Garcia, Lowrance, Santone Lures, Leer, Carhartt, Power Pole, Costa Del Mar, Interstate Batteries, Navionics, and Elite Tungsten.
I hope to see all of you out on the water for another great fishing year on Lake Fork! While you are at the lake be sure to stop by Diamond Sports Marine located on highway 154 just north of the bridge. They have all the new 2015 Ranger Boats in stock and they are selling fast. If you are in the market for a new boat, stop by and let them show you around and help you pick the boat that is right for you. Give Fred or Ben a call at 903-383-7829 to set up your personal demo ride in a Ranger Boat.
Proverbs 3:5-6 Trust in the LORD with all your heart and lean not on your own understanding; in all your ways acknowledge him, and he will make your paths straight.
Tight Lines and God Bless,
James Caldemeyer
