It was an interesting week at Lake Fork. Water temperatures fell to 72 degrees and the lake started to turn over thanks to a cold front on Thursday. The bass fishing started to pick up and several good fish in the 5 to 7 pound range were caught.  Two different patterns worked well this week. The first is the Carolina rigged Berkley Blue Fleck Power Worm fished in 6 to 8 feet of water. The next is the Strike King KVD 1.5 square bill crankbait in the gizzard shad pattern fished in 4 to 6 feet along weed beds. It is noted, while the lake is turning over, you might want to change the color of the Strike King 1.5 to the chartreuse with black back.  

The crappie fishing was good this week. We did have to go to the all chartreuse color on our jigs mainly because of the lake turn over. The crappie were still in 18 to 22 feet on brush piles. The bridge anglers were struggling this week.  

The white bass anglers had a hard time this week. A few white bass were caught on Joe Spaits chrome and chartreuse Flashtail jigging spoon in 24 feet on creek bends. White bass fishing will pick once the lake finishes turning over.  

The catfish anglers also had a tough time this week. Most of the catfish were caught in 26 feet using punch bait. Do not forget to bait your trees.

On our equipment list this week was our Ranger Z520c powered by a Mercury 250 Pro XS from Nichols Marine in Longview, Duckett rods, Lew’s reels, Stren line, Eagle Claw hooks, Bubba Baits crappie jigs, Buddy’s Custom Baits from Lake Fork and Strike King hard baits.

Here at J & M Guide Service we still have one day open this week to help you get ready for the Berkley Tournament this weekend. Give us a call at 903-413-6919 or E-mail us at bassmr@geusnet.com. Have a safe fishing week.