Lake Fork Fishing Report September 2001 by: Guide – Sherry D. Ruslink September and Labor Day usually mark the end of summer, with fall just around the corner. It serves as a transition month for people and animals alike. We wind down from the dog days of summer to more welcomed cooler temperatures and shorter days. As the water cools, bass begin to chase protein rich shad into inescapable areas where feeding frenzies are witnessed in awe! From here on in, through the fall and winter, there will be fewer anglers and boaters on the lake. With less lake pressure, now is the time to make to plan a fishing trip with family and friends. Start the morning out using a topwater lure such as the Storm Chug Bug, Zara Spook, or buzzbait, worked around lilypads, hydrilla, stumps, and laydown logs. Work the lure slow and methodically, making the bait look as if it is an injured shad. Use a start – stop, twitch, twitch, pause retrieve to get the attention of a lurking bass. Another lure that is getting attention right now is the tried and true Rattle Trap in shad color. Keep one rigged for the schooling bass, and throw it toward the school, letting it fall right below the fish, then start the retrieve, using a pumping action. For inactive bass, work a Texas rig worm, jig/craw, or Carolina Rigged centipede, or Bass Assassin around trees and stumps on points, ledges, and humps. Start out in 10 – 15 feet, and slowly move out to 25 – 30 feet. The bass are beginning to move up, so it may take some searching at different levels. The bass will be hugged tight on the trees and stumps, or in the grass. Good areas to fish are the points on each side of Little Caney, SRA, the Steps at the dam, Chain Saw, Public Hump, Ford, Chaney, Hurley, Taylor, Bell, Searcy, Alligator, Wolfe, Dale, and Ray Branch. All these areas have great structure and cover. If you are unsure about some of the areas, then pick up the Martin’s Map or Martins CD Rom of Lake Fork. It is an excellent map, and very accurate. J & H Lodge, located right off Hwy 515 is one of the nicest facilities on the lake. It offers a two bedroom/two bath, family room, washer/dryer, fully equipped kitchen, computer, satellite TV, on the water, and the nicest owner, Helen Johnson. Give her a call for your next stay on Lake Fork. 903-383-2631. Sherry Ruslink is a licensed guide on Lake Fork. She runs a full service 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, Martin’s Map, 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, 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
Water Temp: 82
