It's That Time of the Year

It’s that time of the year again when your chances of catching that trophy largemouth bass is better than any other time. Even though we are still having some cold days coming our way, the warmups in between cold fronts are getting more frequent. The big bass are being caught in lakes all across Texas.

Texas Parks and Wildlife Department biologists confirmed that ShareLunker 577, a 14.57 pounds, 27 inches long bass was caught at Marine Creek Lake Jan. 26. Angler Zach Sypert, who caught the 14.57 pound “Legacy Class” ShareLunker said his immediate reaction to catching a double digit bass that size was “disbelief and shock.” Sypert shared that his fish was caught on a jerk bait, a Rapala X-Rap. ShareLunker 577 is an offspring of Lunker 410 which now calls the Athens TFFC as home.

Genetic testing conducted by TPWD fisheries biologists using a clip from ShareLunker 577’s fin found she is not only the full sister to ShareLunker 566, the 13.07 pound bass caught by angler Ryder Wicker from Marine Creek Lake in February 2017, she’s also the daughter of ShareLunker 410, a 14.48 pound bass caught by angler Edward Reid from Lake Conroe in March 2006.

The top five ShareLunker producing lakes in 2018 included Lake Fork with 73 entries and Sam Rayburn Reservoir with 21 entries. The other lakes were Lake Conroe, Lake Athens and O.H. Ivie Lake.

Lake Fork was also the top producer of 13 pound or larger “Legacy Class” bass last year with three entries, including a 13.06 pound bass caught March 11, a 13.00 pound bass caught March 8, and a 15.48 pound bass caught March 2. Sam Rayburn Reservoir produced a 13.06 pound bass March 31.

Last year, four of the ‘Legacy Class’ fish spawned successfully at the Texas Freshwater Fisheries Center in Athens. Lake Fork and Sam Rayburn received their share of the offsprings. Other lakes receiving bass were Twin Buttes Reservoir, and Kurth Reservoir.

Congrats to Gilbert Miller of Midlothian, he's the winner of the Toyota ShareLunker program's year-end $5,000 @BassProShops shopping spree and annual fishing license.

Complete information on TPWD’s new ShareLunker program can be found at: https://texassharelunker.com/

Photo courtesy TPWD

Author: Tom Behrens

Tom Behrens has over 50 years experience in fishing and hunting across the United States. Much of this time was spent in Oklahoma and Texas where he became very familiar with the outdoor opportunities in these states. You may contact him by email at: [email protected]

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Lake Fork Current Weather Alerts

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Lake Fork Weather Forecast

Wednesday

Slight Chance Thunderstorms

Hi: 79

Wednesday Night

Slight Chance Thunderstorms

Lo: 66

Thursday

Mostly Cloudy

Hi: 81

Thursday Night

Mostly Cloudy

Lo: 71

Friday

Rain Showers

Hi: 76

Friday Night

Breezy

Lo: 69

Saturday

Chance Thunderstorms

Hi: 83

Saturday Night

Chance Thunderstorms

Lo: 70

Extended Weather Forecast

Lake Fork Water Level (last 30 days)

Water Level on 4/25: 403.26 (+0.26)

Water Level Details

Lake Fork

Fishing Report from TPWD (Apr. 24)

GOOD. Water Stained; 60 degrees; 0.20 feet above pool. Bass have slowed, but post spawners are setting up on points in 5-7 feet of water with Carolina rigged creature baits. Topwaters and frogs are good early morning around grass. Shaky heads are good around boat houses. Report by Marc Mitchell, Lake Fork Guide Service. Report by Guide Alex Guthrie, Fly Fish Fork Guide Service. Changing weather means changing bite. First phase spawners are now in a post spawn pattern and aggressive. Frog pattern top waters are excellent in the grass and brush. Casting into the pockets and letting the frog sit for a few seconds is a good idea. Crappies are shallow, catching them on edge of banks, small fish patterns like wooly buggers are a good bet. Bream are beginning to make themselves known in the shallows, wooly buggers and small poppers should bring a strike.Crappie are good in 2-13 feet on timber and around grass lines. Some fish are moving back out into the 12-18 feet areas and a little deeper. Black crappie are on a few bridges, but fish are not loaded up yet. Black crappie are also grouping under docks on sunny afternoons. Cast 1/16th ounce hand tied jigs continue to be good in white and gray, white and chartreuse and light blue and gray colors. Minnows will still work very well and especially on shallow fish around grass. Soft plastics will also work well as the fish have been very aggressive. We should see the aggressive bite until the warmer months get here and the fish get a little finicky. Catfishing continues to be good around timber where birds are roosting in 10-18 feet. Also getting reports of some shallow catfish around grass lines and sea walls. Those fish are most likely chasing shad spawns. Catfish are cruising around shallow wood in 6-12 feet, with lots of fry showing up. Use your favorite prepared catfish bait to load the boat once you locate the fish. Report by Jacky Wiggins, Jacky Wiggins Guide Service.

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Courtesy of lakeforktexas.com

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