Lake Fork Fishing Report May 2001 by: Guide – Sherry D. Ruslink May fishing on Fork spells topwater time. Typically our bass are very active after the spring spawn and will lunge after any lure that is crawled across the top of the water. Most anglers really enjoy working a buzzbait or popper down a laydown log with anticipation of old bucket mouth jumping up and grabbing the lure as it goes by. Wow, what a heart stopping experience that catch can be! Many bass, in the lower end of the lake will still be on beds, finishing up the last of the spawn. So, for a fun time and best fishing, now is the time to come to Lake Fork. The first part of April through mid April yielded us very high winds, which in turn limited the areas anglers could hold and fish. Many bass were able to spawn without disturbance, and this should result in a good spawn for Fork. The end of April offered us just the opposite, with the winds laying for several days straight, and anglers were able to enjoy the fishing in beautiful spring weather. With May upon us, we should see the days getting longer and warmer, but still ideal enough to enjoy a day on the lake. Water temps will be in the mid to upper 70’s, with the upper end bass returning to a little deeper water getting ready for their summer holding patterns. While on the lower end, the bass will be finishing the last of the spawn, and staging before moving on out to deeper water for the remainder of the summer. For the upper end, try shallow to medium running crankbaits, topwater lures, Carolina rigs, Texas rigs, and Bass Assassins in 3 – 8 feet, worked around timber on points. For the deeper end, use Wacky rigs, Bass Assassins, Texas rigs, topwater lures, Thundersticks or Suspending Rogue, or spinnerbaits, worked in pockets, secondary points, funnels, and small coves in 3 – 15 feet. For shallow bass, try the weightless shad assassin, using a 4/0 or 5/0 offset shank hook and dead stick the lure. When you see your line moving off then set the hook hard! Another weightless technique, which is one of my favorite, is the Wacky Rig. I use a 7″ Charm in chartreuse, watermelon, pumpkin, or junebug with a 2/0 offset shank hook through the middle of it. Move your lures very slow, giving the bass time to check out the offering and appeal to its sight senses. Cast or pitch to each target several times before moving on. Small pockets and underwater structures, especially with cover on it, offers extra protection for the spawning bass. Some good areas to check out are Wolfe, Ford, Grimes, Pop-R, 5 Fingers, Ray Branch, Chaney, Dale, Alligator, School House, Marina Cover, SRA, Searcy, Taylor, Rogers, Bell, Hurley Pond, Little Caney, and Long Branch. All excellent area, and have know to produce large bass. Sherry Ruslink is a licensed guide on Lake Fork. She runs a full service Bass Fishing Guide Business. Sherry’s guide service offers individual, corporate/ group, instructional, and tournament prefish trips. Day trips, night trips, and ½ day bass fishing trips, Crappie trips, and gift certificates. Duck hunts, catfish trips, and full package fishing and / or hunting trips to Lake Guerro, Mexico can be arranged. Sherry can be reached at 903-383-7310, 1-877-523-9227, email: ladybass@koyote.com, URL: https://texs.com/ladybass/fork.htm. Sponsor’s include – Triton Boats/Mercury Motors, Kistler Rods, Shimano Reels, Lowrance, Motorguide, Lockhart Lures, Gene Larew Lures, Top Brass Tackle, and Bass Assassin. ******************************************************************************************************************* Martin’s Maps – A great fishing tool that is a must have is the new Martin’s Map or CD Rom which will enable the angler to find many structures that Lake Fork has to offer for bass habitat. With the aid of a computer, you are able to zoom in or out on contour lines, structure, see pictures before the lake was filled, receive fishing info from myself and Kerry Stafford, as well as print off the information that you want. Every angler that fishes Lake Fork ought to have this new CD Rom. Call me for details on retail or wholesale, and mail order purchases. http://www.martinsmap.com I can help you locate guides and/or lodging for many lakes throughout the U.S. and Mexico, for individual or corporate bookings. Hunting expeditions are arranged with outfitters throughout the U.S. Sherry Ruslink’s Enterprises. 903-383-7310, ladybass@koyote.com
Water Temp: 77
