Lake Fork Trip???

[FishinTN]

Looking to make a trip to lake Fork maybe in april. Never been, never been to TX either. So, I was looking for some advice on area hotels/resorts, marinas, and just some advice in general from some folks that fish there. I understand there are a lot of stumps, is the lake deep/shallow. Should I be extra careful running down the lake, don't want to tear my boat up on water that looks ok, but out of no where turns shallow. Maybe some ideas on lures/colors, and general areas that hold bass. Actually any advice is helpful.

Taking my wife, I want her to catch atleast a 6lb. bass. I'd like to go over 10 but just a good couple days of TX's avg size will be cool.

[Long Mike]

FishnTN, my favorite place to stay is Fisherman's Cove, which is located on Williams Bay.  The rooms are comfortable and reasonable.  It has its own boat launch, covered slips, restaurant, bait shop and private bar.  It's one of the few places on the lake where you can get a cold beer or mixed drink.  The Lake Fork area is located in dry counties.

A great portion of the lake is full of tree stumps but the boat lanes are marked with buoys.  The problem is finding the next one before you realize you are out of the boat lane.  This is particularly true on the west side of the lake.  For a newbie on that lake it will scare the crap out of you if you plan on running WOT.  The most accurate topo map I have seen for that lake is done by Atlantic Mapping (atlanticmapping.com) which provides GPS coordinates for the buoys.  I strongly suggest you buy it.  It has a wealth of information.

As for lure recommendations, I suggest you do a search on this board for Tom Reddington's articles and posts.  He is a well recognized guide on Lake Fork and provides excellent information.

[ring fry]

What Long Mike said.  I personally like Lake Fork Marina, clean rooms, great food, best tackle shop, in the same area as Fisherman's Cove.  A ton of guides take off out of there.  Just watch out for that tall goober in the tackle shop.   ;D  Not a dry county anymore.  I've done some major damage on a couple of boats.  Do not run anywhere but the boat lanes and even the secondary lanes can bite you.

If you can, get a "professional" guide the first day.  It will get you on the current pattern and can turn a crappy trip into a great trip.   I say "professional" because there are a bunch of "guides" that only show up in the spring, so do your research.

Like Mike said, just read Tom's and other guide reports.  Most of them are pretty accurate and not last months patterns.

Have fun, and good luck.

[fishfordollars]

I hold my breath each time I get out on the lake. The stumps just don't rot. If you come from the landing in Williams creek be sure to idle across the first point if you turn to go north into Little Mustang. There is a widowmaker out in 15-18' just out of the boat lane and about 20-25 yards off the southeast end of the point. It's unmarked and 3-5" under water. The top has been sawed off flat (For some strange reason)and it is a good 15-18" across the top.

Ask Long Mike what I think of the lake...

Jack

I need to add that I have never damaged my boat on the lake. Just plain lucky I guess. I do; however, idle a lot.

[Catt]

Everyone pretty much covered it but to add to running most any lake in Texas...stay close to buoys...I mean almost hit em!

But hit a stump you will outside of marked boat lanes; I don't worry about hitting stumps cause it's gonna happen just do it at slow speeds.

Oh & don't worry about your boat getting scratched cause it will!

[fishfordollars]

FishnTN, my favorite place to stay is Fisherman's Cove, which is located on Williams Bay. The rooms are comfortable and reasonable. It has its own boat launch, covered slips, restaurant, bait shop and private bar. It's one of the few places on the lake where you can get a cold beer or mixed drink. The Lake Fork area is located in dry counties.

A great portion of the lake is full of tree stumps but the boat lanes are marked with buoys. The problem is finding the next one before you realize you are out of the boat lane. This is particularly true on the west side of the lake. For a newbie on that lake it will scare the crap out of you if you plan on running WOT. The most accurate topo map I have seen for that lake is done by Atlantic Mapping (atlanticmapping.com) which provides GPS coordinates for the buoys. I strongly suggest you buy it. It has a wealth of information.

As for lure recommendations, I suggest you do a search on this board for Tom Reddington's articles and posts. He is a well recognized guide on Lake Fork and provides excellent information.

You might want to purchase Lance Vick's chip for your Lowrance unit. It is loaded with the boat lane routes as well as a lot of fishing spots. I saw they were on sale a couple of weeks ago for $24.95.

[Bass_Fanatic]

Fishermans cove is a great place to stay and around April, I would fish in Birch creek and Glade creek.  I will be there April 7-11 so I will let you know how I do and what I caught on ect.

[hawgchaser]

Its a fun lake but dont expect too much. There is always a chance at a hawg but its not automatic. I have had some down right miserable days on that lake. It can be windy and rough and when the fish aren't biting, it can suck.

However, it is a great lake and the fish are fat! I would highly stress getting a guide for at least a half day. I was so stressed and frustrated the first time I brought my boat out there that it nearly ruined my trip. You will hit stumps so go slow. I have fished with James Niggemeyer, Brooks Rogers, and Larry Large. They were all capable guides. I have contacted Tom redington and hope to fish with him this year. I usually get a guide the first day and then go on my own the rest of the time. However, this year I am skipping my annual spring redfishing trip so I might just spoil myself with a guide for 4 days

BTW...My first trip there I caught a 7lber on my second cast.....didn't catch another fish over 12 inches the next 2 days.

[SkilletSizeBass.]

Most everybody has covered the running part in the boat lanes, but most areas that your are going to fish are littered with stump after stump after stump. expect to get your boat hung up quite often, at times you will feel like a pinball, and then you'll get hung up again

[BassChaser57]

I have been fishing Fork about 8 years now and have an RV across Williams Cove from Fishermans Cove Marina and Motel. Fishermans Cove is plenty good enough for you and the wife and your boat will have a covered dock with electricity to charge your batteries.

Yes there are MANY stumps, ect. so many it can be difficult to find fish as it looks like there should be a fish anywhere you cast. That may be the case but Fork can be stingy if you do not do your homework. Having fished there every month for many years now it is interesting that some people catch nice fish on a regular basis and some have given up bass for crappie or catfish as they can not catch a bass at all. Sometimes Fork can be stingy if you do not do your homework. I did not go over 10lbs last year but did catch 3 over 9lbs and several 6's and 7's. last year was horrible with weather and floods during the spawn. You will be there in April and it should be a great sight fishing time. If you sight fish, you can catch many good fish, just takes work and some talent. There is a great guide I use every year to improve my skills and find new hot spots. He would be great for you and your wife in your boat for $150 per day. I would HIGHLY recommend him. Let me know if I can help in any way. Do your homework, get a guide to show you how to fish Fork and show you how to get around the lake. If the weather will cooperate, you should catch some nice bass.

Google - Lake Fork ETS for LOTS of info.

[Matt Fly]

April is as good of month for the spawn as any.

   Just depends on the late season fronts passing as to good weather or bad weather.

  Hope your wife gets that hawg!

 

[toolpush]

You might want to try hiring Roy Greer for a day @ the bassfishingclinic.com. He is very knowledgeable and will go on your boat for a very reasonable price. Good Fishing .

[BassChaser57]

Roy is also who I use. He is awesome. Let me know if I can help in any way.

[Wayne P.]

Maybe you can book this "guide" out of Lake Fork Marina:

[Rio Maverick]

Fork gets lot of pressure, if possible plan to fish Tuesday-Thursday.

Take it easy or you can do some damage. I limit my boat's fuel load to half a tank maximum, makes it easier to get off those trees.

Last thing get a telescoping golf ball retriever pole (about $15-20) so you can get most of your lures back when hung. Mine has paid for itself many times over.

Enjoy Fork and Texas!