Happy New Year from Lake Fork everyone! It's the start of a great year here at the big bass capital of the world. I'm excited about all the great fishing ahead and the numerous great events scheduled for this year. It is going to be an excellent year so start getting your fishing gear ready now. The lake is great condition to begin the season. We had a real nice rain a couple of weeks ago that proved all the ponds and ground are full of water because it all ran straight off into the lake bringing the lake up almost a foot. We are currently sitting at about 4 ¾ feet low. As we continue to get more rain this spring it shouldn't take much to bring the lake up to pool level or close to. We also have lots of new grass continuing to grow throughout the lake which exciting. Water temperatures have been typical for wintertime conditions at 50-54 degrees with sometimes dipping into the high 40's during the colder days. The lake is fairly clear to 3 feet in most areas on the main lake with stained water in the back of some of the main feeder creeks from recent rains. The bass fishing on Lake Fork in January is a lot better than most people would expect. Toyota Share Lunker #2 of the year on Lake Fork was caught last week by Blake Eppinette from West Monroe, LA. The fish weighed a hefty 13.06 lbs.I have had some real good days in the month of January. You typically will not catch a lot of fish but the fish you do catch are big. So if you don't mind the cold and quality over quantity then you will want to get out for some early prespawn fishing before the spring crowds start hitting the lake. My fishing arsenal consists of shallow to mid-depth baits and presentations when targeting big Lake Fork prespawn female bass. A lot of these bass will be staging in the creek channels or on main lake points and secondary points leading into the major spawning areas. I use a Talon 3/8 or 1/2 oz flipping jig in black/blue or black/brown/amber with a matching color Berkley Chigger Craw or Berkley Havoc Pit Chunk trailer to work the timber in these areas. Most of the fish will be staging in 10-14 feet but you may find they are a little deeper on cold or cloudy days and shallower on warm sunny days. This is my top bait and combination for catching the biggest bass in January. I will also use an assortment of moving baits to work the shallows for a reaction bite. When I head to the shallows I usually focus on any grass I can find in 2-6 feet. The big girls like the grass and since a lot of it dies in the winter, if you find any green stuff they will usually be stacked in it. My go to is definitely the lipless crank bait in ¼ - ¾ oz sizes depending on how deep the grass is. Best colors are red/orange, chrome/blue, and gold. I use a rip and burn retrieve over the submerged grass to create a reaction bite. It's a lot of casting and winding. You will want to have the right rod and reel combo for this kind of fishing or it will wear your arms out. I am using the new Abu Garcia Revo Rocket with a 9:1 gear ratio and a 7'3" medium heavy Abu Garcia Veritas rod. I also use 17-20 lb Trilene fluorocarbon line. This is the perfect combination! I also like to use suspending jerk bait over the grass. Especially on blue bird, sunny and calm days. Twitching these over the grass slowly can draw so huge bites under the right conditions. My favorite colors are clown, orange/gold, and pro blue. The fish have also been active on spinner baits, especially on windy days. I use a Talon Shibui 3/8 or 1/2 oz white and chartreuse color as well as a plain white. www.talonlures.com The shallow bite is best in the afternoon and can really turn on between 2pm and 5pm so don't let a slow morning deter you from fishing all day. Things can happen fast on a warming day so hang in there! The deep fishing is slower for me this time of year and I concentrate most of my efforts in the shallows. I know the fish are still out there in the deep water this time of year but finding "active feeding" fish is a different story. I am generally catching smaller male bass deeper and big fish shallow in January. I always check on spots though with my Lowrance HDS Gen 2 Touch while I'm running from spot to spot though. You never know when you might pull up on an active school of big ones feeding. Most of the fish are holding in 22-28 feet right now. My favorite technique to use on these deep schools is a drop shot rig or a jig head with a grub and a tube jig. Even though these fish seem to be a lot more lethargic than the shallower fish they will still take off with your bait. Another great choice is to drop a jigging spoon down on them. I use the small 3/8 or 1/2 oz slab spoons this time of year like the Talon "T spoon". Carolina rigged baits can be good as well with warmer weather. I really like the new Berkley Backslide and have been catching a lot of fish on it lately. Check em out at www.berkley-fishing.com If you are headed to Lake Fork this month in pursuit of a trophy bass and are looking to book a guide, I would enjoy the opportunity to take you or your group fishing and show you a great time on Lake Fork. I have a few winter dates still available and am taking spring reservations now. Be sure to schedule your 2014 date soon as I fill up very fast! I also have gift certificates available for those of you that are interested in purchasing a friend or loved one a guided trip on Lake Fork. You can contact me to make your reservation at 903-736-9888 or send me an email at [email protected] You can also visit my website for more information about Lake Fork and my guide service at www.officiallakeforktrophybass.com You can find me on Facebook and follow my official Lake Fork Guide page at https://www.facebook.com/lakeforkfishingguides I would also like to thank all of my 2013 sponsors for their support in my guiding and professional tournament fishing as well: Ranger Boats, Mercury Outboards, I Am Second, Interstate Batteries, Lowrance, Power Pole, Berkley, Abu Garcia, Talon Lures, Navionics, Simms, Costa Del Mar and Elite Tungsten. I hope to see all of you out on the water for another great fishing year on Lake Fork! While you are at the lake be sure to stop by Diamond Sports Marine located on highway 154 just north of the bridge. They are receiving the new 2014 Ranger Boats daily and you do not want to miss the opportunity to check out the "New" Ranger Z521c. This boat has some amazing features and is definitely an eye catcher. Give Fred or Ben a call at 903-383-7829 to set up your personal demo ride in a Ranger Boat. Diamond Sports Marine will also be at the Texas Tackle & Hunting Show at the Mesquite Convention Center January 10-12. I will be present on Saturday the 11th so be sure and come by and see me so I can show you these awesome new Ranger Boat models in person! Matthew 11:28-30 "Come to me, all you who are weary and burdened, and I will give you rest. Take my yoke upon you and learn from me, for I am gentle and humble in heart, and you will find rest for your souls. For my yoke is easy and my burden is light." Tight Lines and God Bless, James Caldemeyer