The summer heat is taking its toll on the lake. We are down about a foot and a
half. Which is not too bad but the stumps are starting to appear. The water
clarity is still a little stained int the upper creeks, but the main lake is in perfect
condition for fishing. The water temperatures are ranging from 88 to 92 degrees.
The Bass fishing is fare with most good fish being taken from daylight to 9:00 AM
and from 4:00 to dark. I found my favorite Strike King KVD 1.5 has been working
well in the early morning hours. In the afternoon The Carolina rig is the way to
put fish in the boat. The Zoom Ol Monster black with blue flake and the California
420 are working the best on the Carolina rig.

The Crappie anglers are still having fun catching nice Crappies in 22 to 24 foot of
water over main lake brush piles. Minnows are on the top of the Crappies menu.
However, if you take a Bubba’s Bait 1/8 th ounce white with an orange tail crappie
jig and tip it with a minnow your odds of catching some really nice Crappies is
greatly enhanced.

The White Bass have been on a month-long diet. They are on the main lake
humps but really scattered out. Joe Spaits chrome with silver scales flutter spoon
is the best bait to catch the White Bass. Note: keep the spoon really close to the
bottom while retrieving it.

The Catfish anglers have had a great week. The Catfish have found all of the
isolated brush piles the Crappie anglers have put out. The Catfish can be
caught on minnows or punch bait; however, minnows are on the top of their
menu. Look for them in 22 foot if water over brush piles.

On our equipment list this week is our Ranger 520c powered by a Mercury 250
Pro XS from Nichols Marine in Longview, TX, Duckett rods, ABU Garcia reels, Stren
line, Strike King hard baits, Bubba’s Baits Crappie Jigs, Buddy’s Custom Baits from
here at Lake Fork, X-VIII Custom Baits and Zoom soft plastics.

Here at J & M Guide Service we have several openings for Bass and Crappie trips
in August, September and October. Give us a call at (903) 413-6919 or E-mail us
at [email protected]. Have a great fishing week and stay hydrated.