Lake Fork Trophy Bass Fishing Report
Submitted October 2, 2009
By Guide James Caldemeyer
Well Folks, October is finally here and boy what a great month it is for bass fishing on world famous Lake Fork! I highly anticipate this month each year and the tremendous fishing that it offers. Whether you are just coming out to fish for a day or two with family & friends or are planning to fish the 4th Annual Berkley Big Bass Tournament the 17th-18th, here are some pointers that may help you catch that winning fish or a fish of a lifetime.
As you may or may not know, last month was a very wet month here so we have plenty of water in the lake for fall fishing. Lake levels have been within a foot or so of full pool for some time. This can provide some very good fishing for both shallow and deep water angling once the lake has completely turned over and the water has cooled off enough to ignite the heavy fall feeding activity. I will be covering a variety of patterns, baits, and presentations in this report to cover both leisure fisherman and tournament anglers alike.
First off, the shallow top water bite is the way to start off the day. Most everyday there is top water bite to be found somewhere on the lake and what better way to start off the morning or finish the day than with big bass exploding on the surface. I like to target the main lake and secondary points or the backs of the major creeks in 2-8 feet of water this time of year for surface action. Finding the areas that are holding concentrations of shad and clearer water will put you where the fish are. As fall progresses the bait fish will make their annual migration to the backs of the creeks and the fish will follow. I will either have a white or black buzz bait, shad colored popper, or a frog like a Berkley Bat Wing or Kicker Frog tied on. Fishing these baits over submerged grass beds, lily pads, and the thickest of cover will draw some bone jarring strikes. You will want some Berkley Fireline 30-50 lb. braid spooled up on these rigs to drag these big bass out of the heavy grass and cover. On the cloudy overcast days you can throw these all day and man is it fun! When cloud cover is minimal I am switching over to a wacky rigged Berkley 5” or 7” Shaky Worm with a 2/0 hook and a nail inserted in the head and fishing them in the same areas as the top waters. Best colors are blue fleck, green pumpkin, watermelon candy, and watermelon red. Most anglers consider this an “under fish” (fish under 16 inches) pattern but during this time of year the big fish will be eating it too and both sizes can earn a check in the tournament. The Texas rigged worm is “old reliable” for most anglers and a very good choice. I like to rig my “New” Abu Garcia Vendetta rods and Revo reels up with 15 to 17 lb Trilene 100% Fluorocarbon, a 1/4-3/8 ounce weight, 4/0-5/0 hook with a Berkley 7”, 10”, or the new 12” Power Worm or attached. Best colors have been blue fleck, red bug, watermelon, watermelon red or watermelon candy. Other great Berkley baits to t-rig and flip in the grass are the 4” or 5” Power Hawg, Sabertail Burly Bug, Mud Critter, or the ever popular Crazy Legs Chigger Craw. Flipping these t-rigged baits in the holes of the shallow grass or around the outside edges of the grass and along the creek channel edges in 8-14 feet is best. Shallow to mid running crank baits in shad patterns have also been catching a good number of fish.
For deep water fishing I am relying on my Lowrance HDS electronics to locate schools of fish on points, humps, roadbeds, pond dams, and in the deeper creek bends 18-28 ft of water. There will be a lot of big schools of shad and bar fish that show up in these areas and the bass will be moving with them. Find the bait, find the bass! Once I’ve located a good school of fish, I like to primarily target them with a Carolina rig. I am rigging a 5” Berkley Wacky Crawler, Slim Shaky, or 4” Power Hawg in green pumpkin, watermelon red, or watermelon on a 3/0 hook, 4-5 ft leader, and a heavy 1 oz weight. Another great bait to catch a big fish for in these same areas is a football head jig. I like to use the 3/4 oz size in green pumpkin, wat. candy, and texas craw. There are also a lot of spoon fish to be caught this time of year. The Talon jigging spoons are hard to beat for catching a big bass in a fall. Whether it’s a small 3/8-1/2 oz size or the Big Dandy flutter spoon, jerking these baits off the bottom and working them through suspended depths is a very effective deep fishing technique for big bass in the fall when it gets cold enough that the shad are starting to die off. Deep diving crank baits have also been good on these deep suspended fish.
If you are thinking of heading out to Lake Fork and would like to book a fall trip, I still have a few dates available. Feel free to contact me by email at lakeforktrophybass@yahoo.com or I can be reached at (903)736-9888. You can also visit my website at www.officiallakeforktrophybass.com to find more information about fishing Lake Fork. While you are in the Lake Fork area, be sure to go by Diamond Sports Marine on Hwy 154 and check out the new 2010 model Ranger Boats arriving daily. My new 2010 Ranger Z521 will be here in a few weeks for those of you who are interested in going on test rides. I will be at the Berkley Tournament weigh in area at Lake Fork Marina so make sure to come by and see me as well as all the new Berkley products!
Thanks to all my sponsors for their support: Ranger Boats, Mercury Outboards, “I AM SECOND”, Berkley, Abu Garcia, All Star Rods, Interstate Batteries, Oakley Sunglasses, KVD Line & Lure Conditioner, BTS Protectant, Navionics, Talon Lures, Sure Life, and to my Lord and Savior for His forgiveness through His blood on the cross!
Read Hebrews 4:12, 13
Tight Lines and God Bless,
James Caldemeyer
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