June means SUMMERTIME big bass fishing and fun on Lake Fork! With the kids out of school and beautiful weather, it’s a great opportunity to get them out on the lake for some quality fishing. This time of year is a lot of fun and lots of big fish are caught as bass move into their summer patterns after the spawn. They’re hungry, aggressive, and fight hard!
The water conditions are stabilizing on the lake as we’ve had lots of rain this year and have kept the flood gates open regularly. Water levels have been consistently hovering at or just above full pool. The water temperatures are ranging in the upper 70’s to low 80’s mark. Despite all the rain this year, the water clarity in a lot of areas is beginning to improve. Also, there are many new areas in the major creeks that have shown an increase in vegetation. Lots of fish have been clinging to this new shallow cover as well.
The shallow bite in the mornings and evenings has still remained consistent. The shad are finishing up their spawn but can be found early on windy banks and the bass are close by. Topwater lures like the Berkley Choppo and J-Walker in white or shad colors have been explosive. When these bass are reluctant to bite the topwaters I am switching to the 3:16 Lure Co 5” Rising Son. The big ones love this little bait. Around timber the Berkley Square Bull 5.5 or 7.5 is great. I will try to bounce this crankbait off the stumps for reaction bites. Best colors are Gilly and Sexier Shad. If you’re in an area with lots of grass, you’ll want to pick up a swim jig. A Santone Lures 5/16 oz swim jig is hard to beat. I am using my custom “JC’s Spicy Craw” and “Pakes Perch” colors and adding a Berkley Chigger Craw as a trailer. These fish in the grass are loading up on bream right now so this makes the perfect offering.
The deep bite is going strong right now too! I’m targeting them a few different ways in a multitude of areas. The fish are on mid-depth areas early and late in the day as its cooler. Targeting 12-18 feet has been best. Points, roads, humps, and bridges have been best. Carolina rigs are great with a 1 oz Elite Tungsten weight and a 4-5 foot leader. I’m throwing a Berkley Power Lizard on the back in green pumpkin. These big postspawn bass love it! Another great big fish bait is a Santone Lures football jig. In these depths I will use a 5/8 oz and out deeper 3/4 oz. Best colors are JC’s Spicy Craw, Pakes Perch, PB&J, or Mexican Heather. The fish will move out to deeper water as it warms up in the day and gets hot. Then I start looking at the same types of deep structure areas in 18-28 feet. Some of these early postspawners can be suspended out in the depths so a deep diving crankbait like the Berkley Dredger get the nod. I’m using a 7’6” Ike Series Winch cranking rod with an Abu Garcia Revo Winch reel to get it down to them. I really like the new Berkley Fusion hooks on these baits for keeping them hooked well and getting the big ones in the boat. When I see the bass congregated on the bottom with my Garmin graphs, another great bait for targeting them is the plain ole fashioned Texas rigged big worm. Hard to beat a 10” Berkley Powerworm on a 3/8-1/2 oz weight with a 5/0 hook. I also like to throw a Berkley Powerbait Magnum Bottom Hopper on a shaky head this time of year. Blue fleck, green pumpkin, watermelon red magic, and June bug are great colors. Dragging it around these deep areas will yield big bites from big bass looking for a big meal! Another great bait on the other end of the spectrum is a drop shot rig. When the bass are finicky or you’re looking for those just the right sized tournament fish, the drop shot will get it done. I rig mine with 10 lb test on an Abu Garcia Villain spinning rod and a 1/0 hook with a ¼ oz weight. The Berkley 4” Bottom Hopper worm is all you need for the ultimate finesse rig that still catches giants.
If you are thinking of coming out this summer and would like to book a fishing trip with me this year, feel free to contact me anytime. I still have a few dates available, but you’ll need to contact me soon. I book up fast! If I’m not available, I will recommend another great guide that can help you. You can ALWAYS count on talking to me personally when you call to book your Lake Fork trip because I care about my clients! I would enjoy the opportunity to take you or your group fishing and help you catch the fish of your dreams! You can contact me by email at [email protected] or you can call or text message me at 903-736-9888 Also, please visit my website to find out more information about Lake Fork bass fishing and my guide service at www.officiallakeforktrophybass.com If you are in the market for a new boat this year, it’s a great time to look into the new 2019 Ranger 520L and 521L as its Ranger’s flagship model and is very impressively laid out with features. If you haven’t seen it yet you can stop by Diamond Sports Marine and Fred will be glad to show you around. He even has a few rigged out with the all new Mercury Pro XS four stroke. My new 2019 boat has arrived and is ready for clients to experience this coming year also! Test rides are also available so feel free to contact me or call the dealership at 903-383-7829 and we will get you out on the water for a ride in one. I would like to thank all my sponsors that support me fishing the FLW Series and guide service on Lake Fork: Toyota, Carhartt, Ranger Boats, Mercury Outboards, I Am Second, Leer, Berkey, Abu Garcia, Garmin, Santone Lures, Costa, Power Pole, 3:16 Lure Company, Rigid Industries, Bass Forecast, Elite Tungsten, Bass Boat Technologies, and Fabtech Motorsports.
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