Lake Fork is almost full and in great shape, but at this time the fishing is still very tough. February is not a big numbers month you can fish all day with very few bites, so if you are planning a trip here in February, look to catch quality not quantity. If you're looking for numbers and size, late March, April and May are your prime times. Pre spawn Bass will be the focus from now through March. This is the time Lake Fork will produce some of the bigger Bass of the year. Big females will be staging in key areas to feed up for their migration to the shallows to spawn. Finding main lake and secondary points or pockets that are closest to spawning flats that have any grass is ideal. Square Bill and Lipless Crank baits also Suspending Jerk Baits are my baits of choice during this time. Best colors are a variety of reds and oranges, chrome and blues, and crawfish colors. Different sizes and colors will produce better than others, depending on weather conditions or depth of the grass and water clarity. I throw 1/2 oz. sizes in the shallower grass and a bigger 3/4 oz. for the deeper grass, vary the retrieve of the bait and keep in contact with the top of the grass, letting the bait dip down in it then ripping it free is what will trigger a bite.
Water temperature is important during this time of year, bass are cold-blooded so the warmer the water the higher there metabolism. Finding areas that have warmer water than others will give you the best opportunity at catching fish, even if it is just a degree or two. Right now the water temps are 50 to 53 and that's normal for this time of year. But as you know, in February and March the weather can go from warm to freezing in 24 hours and thats when I will throw a suspending jerk bait, jerking the bait down and then just letting it sit for several seconds, then twitching it again. This bait can be deadly for a big bite in cold front conditions.
Concentrating on creek channels leading to the spawning flats is a very productive pattern for these big pre-spawn bass. Good places that are great for producing some big bass and always do this time of year are Ray Branch, White Oak, Wolfe Creek, North West Bay, Long Branch, Glade Creek and Running Creek, just to name a few. If you are looking to catch a Trophy Bass and get ahead of the crowd of fisherman, that will be here in March and April, now is the time to start putting your time in. The lake is in great shape going into this years spawn. I think we are going to have some great spring fishing! When planning a spring trip to Lake Fork, try to come on weekdays and you will have a much better trip. With all the tournaments and weekend fishermen make Saturdays and Sundays the two toughest days to fish this lake in the spring. If you would like to book a trip and get in on the pre-spawn and spawning action, now is the time to book your trip. My spring days go fast, so book early for best available dates. If I am booked on the day you would like to go, I can book you with one of the full time guides that work with me. Contact me at 903-629-5085 (cell) Check out my Web Site At http://www.lakeforktexasbigbass.com
Happy New Year and Good Fishing,
David Vance
903-629-5085
www.lakeforktexasbigbass.com