Lake Fork Anglers response to small fish criticism




Lately, there has been some criticism about the Major League Fishing trail fishing for small fish. And since we fish that format at us as well.

At the Lake Fork Anglers MLF format, we also fish for small bass and big ones as well. When you are fishing down a bank or on a main-lake point until you catch a fish there is generally no way of knowing how big it may be.

Perhaps you catch a 12” bass and then another. While they both count will the next one be 12” or 5 pounds? Probably 12” but really unknown. Leave or stay? 

A guy, from Iowa, who fished with us once commented that we only catch small fish and therefore are un-worthly as a bass club. I took offense to that and sent him the following :

  

Jeff you are right I did take offense from your little fish comments.

So I looked back to the standings sheets to see if we did pull in any lunkers this year (2019). I know there were 2-10's caught last year for sure.

And to compare let's look at both the 5 fish limit LFA's as opposed to Hard Core (MFL format).

You may question why there are so any fish with the same weight (ie 6.89) . Because we paper the fish. We measure, record the length and release on the spot using 1/8" increment check it sticks.
Length verified by co angler and boater. 6.89 is a 22 3/8” bass, an 8.52 is 23 7/8”.

LFA- Jan 6.64,Mar 8.52, 7.68, 6.40, 7.02, 7.28, 6.28. Apr 6.89, 7.41, 6.89, 6.89, 6.89, 6.64, 7.41, 6.89, 6.89, 9.12 May 6.64, 7.95, 6.40, 6.28, 6.17, 8.67, 7.41, 6.87, 8.23, 6.03,7.29,7.70, 6.64,
Jun-6.17, Jul 6.64. Aug 6.68, 6.17. Sep- 6.17, 6.52. Oct 8.52

HC-Jan. 6.85, 7.95,6.89,7.41. Feb. 6.89. Mar 6.17 Apr 8.76 May 6.98, 8.52, 10.4, 9.12. Jun 6.64, 7.68. Jul 7.15. Aug 9.91, 8.52 Oct 8.38, 8.52 Nov 8.52

LFA on average has three more boats fishing than HC. Without a doubt Mar, April and May were the lunker months for us. I didn't count the large number of 5+'s caught either. And despite what some will say co-anglers caught their fair share.

This is with an average of eleven boats, 22 anglers, fishing in each tournament.

The Lake Fork Anglers fishes every Thursday except T-Day and Christmas. Most of our members are seniors. WE always have two in a boat for safety, measuring of the fish and learning from each other. We only fish at Lake Fork.

Dues is $5 a year. Tournaments are $15. Plus the co-anglers have to contribute $20 to the boater for gas. Right now we have openings for co-anglers.

For info e-mail me at [email protected].




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Lake Fork

Fishing Report from TPWD (Apr. 17)

GOOD. Water Stained; 60 degrees; 0.20 feet above pool. Fork has been good with fish in just about every stage of the spawn. Lots of fish are shallow in 1-4 feet with Texas rigs, yum dingers, chatterbaits, flukes, and swim jigs. Offshore bass are good on humps and points in 5-7 feet of water with Carolina rigs with light weights, mid-running crankbaits, and shaky heads. Report by Marc Mitchell, Lake Fork Guide Service. Changing weather means changing bite. First phase bass spawners are now in a post spawn pattern and aggressive. Frog pattern topwaters 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, 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. Report by Guide Alex Guthrie, Fly Fish Fork Guide Service. Crappie are great with some pre-spawn fish, some fish actively spawning and some post spawn. Fish can be found in a few feet of water to 30 feet of water. All crappie on Lake Fork do not go shallow to spawn and we catch fish in 18-20 feet that are spawning on timber. You can also find some fish on brush, lay downs, bridges and docks. It is a very versatile time to catch crappie with multiple patterns. Minnows will work great right now but any crappie baits will catch fish. Try small hand tied jigs and soft plastics. Catfishing is excellent right now on Lake Fork around timber in 12-20 feet. Still seeing loads of fish around roosting trees. Lots of birds in the shallow areas close to the bank in the early mornings chasing shad spawns. The catfish are also up there feeding on shad as well. Use any prepared catfish baits or cut shad on baited holes in the timber. Use a cork with anything a catfish will bite up shallow. Minnows and cut shad will work great on this shallow fish. Report by Jacky Wiggins, Jacky Wiggins Guide Service.

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