This week at Lake Fork has been fair for both size and numbers. We had a few fish over 7 lbs but none over 8, with numbers averaging 15 to 20 bass for a full day. I have found two different patterns to choose from. For numbers of smaller fish, shallow wood and grass cover early and late and schooling bass during the day are your best option. For big fish, deep diving crankbaits for suspended bass and bass relating to mid-depth structure (10’-18’) and TX or Carolina rigs fished methodically through heavy cover are the best option, although your numbers will usually lower. I’ve mainly concentrated on the bigger fish, so my report will cover that pattern. Beware; these big bass are hitting hard enough to rip the rods out of your hands (see below). Again this week, we had numerous storms in the area but the lake didn’t receive much rain. The water level has continued to slowly drop, currently sitting at 401.12’, about 1’11" below full pool. The water remains a stained green color, due to continued algae blooms. Water temps remain in the upper 80s to low 90s. The location pattern has stayed the same, although many of the big fish have been suspending instead of holding on the bottom. Many bass are still relating to humps, ridges and points outside spawning bays while others are camped on traditional summertime haunts that are well offshore. With the thermocline effectively creating a deep boundary for the bass at about 28’, I’m concentrating on structure that is 10’ to 28’ deep. Timber, whether it is standing, submerged, or in brush piles, has been the key cover. |