It was a warm week here at Lake Fork TX. The leaves are starting to turn and the lake is absolutely beautiful. The water temperatures warmed back to the lower 70’s and the water clarity is still stained. The Bass fishing was fair with many small fish being caught in the shallow water in the Hydrilla. The better fish are being caught in 8 -12 foot of water by using a jig and Strike King XD 6. Now let us break down the bite. The shallow water Bass were caught on a Zoom watermelon red trick worm rigged wacky style. We put a nail in the head of the trick worm and dyed the tail chartreuse. There are two keys to this pattern. One is fishing this rig in Hydrilla and the second key is fishing it very slowly. When you have big weather changes here at Lake Fork, the jig is the best way to keep catching fish. This week the black/blue/purple jig worked the best. I cut a full-size Zoom watermelon red brush hog in half and just using the lower half and dying the tails chartreuse used it as my jig trailer. Worked really well! The Strike King bite came on creek channel bends. We used The Strike King powder blue/chartreuse XD 6. When the weather changes, the Bass pull out of the shallow water and suspend on creek channel structure and sharp bends. Do not run that crankbait reel fast. On our equipment list, this week is our Ranger 520c powered by our Mercury 250 Pro XS, Duckett rods, ABU Garcia reels, Stren line, Strike King Crankbaits and Zoom soft plastics.
The White Bass are still scattered out all over the lakes. Look for then in 24 to 28 foot of water on main lake points and humps. Joe Spaits chrome with red eyes ½ ounce Flashtail jigging spoon is the best bait to catch them.
The Crappie fishing continued to be great this week. They were being caught over brush piles in 22 feet of water and around the main bridges in 24 feet water. Green and pink Crappie jigs worked the best.
The Catfish fishing this week was fair. They were being caught in 16 to 18 feet of water around isolated trees in main creek channels. Punch bait was the best bait to catch them with and do not forget to bait the trees the day before.
Yes, fall fishing is here. I have a few days open for guided Bass and Crappie trips between now and Thanksgiving. Give us a call at (903) 413-6919 or E-mail us at bassmr@geusnet.com. Have a great fishing week!