Lake Fork: Deep Structure Fishing for Big Bass

Although the bass fishing on Lake Fork normally slows somewhat during the dog days of summer, the cool and wet weather has the bass biting very well on most days this past week. Even better, the big ones seem to be biting well, with a couple of bass over 11.5 lbs being caught during the daytime this past week. After a slower morning trip on Saturday, the bite was strong again yesterday, with 44 fish on the line, including a 7-1/4 pounder and a lot of nice slot fish. With the lake water now stratified and the thermocline in place around 28’, the bass have repositioned on deep structure but are biting well nonetheless once you find them.

With a full lake and cooler than normal temps, fishing should remain good through August this year. Fishing in both the shallows and deep water typically picks up in September each year and stays strong through most of November. With all of the newly flooded cover and the abundance of shad, it’s shaping up for a great fall season on Lake Fork. Look for lots of good fish to come in during the McDonald’s Big Bass Splash, Berkley Big Bass tourney, Irving Bass Club Open and the rest of the fall tournaments. Best of luck to those of you headed this way!

As a side note, I posted my August article, an overview of fishing for summer and fall bass in matted grass. All of my fishing articles can be viewed at http://www.lakeforkguidetrips.com/fishingarticles.htm .

Lake Conditions: Lake Fork’s water level remained fairly stable this week, currently reading 403.42’, about 5” above full pool. The higher water levels have flooded a bunch of shallow vegetation that is holding fish and is acting as a nursery for young baitfish and bass. Meanwhile, there is an inside grassline at about 6’ and a deep weedline in 8’ to about 13’. Due to all of the vegetation, most of the lake has remained fairly clear, while the backs of some creeks are stained from runoff. Water temps continue to run below normal for this time of year, reading from 84 to 88 in the main lake most days. As I mentioned before, a thermocline has developed at about 28’ and will remain in place until the lake cools dramatically and turns over, typically in late September.

Location Pattern: Although many bass remain in shallow water, I’ve concentrated on offshore structure this past week. Points, ledges, pond dams, channel bends, road beds, and humps in anywhere from 6’ to 38’ is where I’m looking for fish with my Lowrance. Most days, shallower structure, about 18’ and less, is best early and I’ll work progressively deeper as the sun gets higher. Basically, look for significant depth changes anywhere from the middle of major creeks out to the main lake and you’ll be in business. Some days these bass are suspended and other days they’re on the bottom, although fishing is easier and usually more productive if you can find schools on the bottom.

Presentation Pattern: Texas rigged watermelon or blue fleck 10” Lake Fork Worms are catching some really big bass from schools located on the bottom on deep structure. In these same areas, drop shotting watermelon candy or watermelon/red flake Twitch Worms are catching lots of keeper sized fish and some big ones, too. Or switch to a Carolina rigged Killer Craw or watermelon/red colored Baby Fork Creature or Baby Ring Fry and steadily drag it along until you find a piece of wood, then slow it way down and get ready for a big one. When the bass are suspended, weighted 4.5” and the new 5.5” Live Magic Shad swimbaits, spoons, or deep diving crankbaits in shad or yellow bass patterns are working best and catching some lunkers too. The key is counting your bait down to the level of the bass and keeping it in front of them for as much of the retrieve as possible.

Here’s hoping you catch the lunker of your dreams. If I can be of assistance, please contact me at 214-683-9572 (days) or 972-635-6027 (evenings) or e-mail me through http://www.LakeForkGuideTrips.com , where your satisfaction is guaranteed.

Good Fishing,

Tom