2nd annual BR.com roadtrip!!!

[RiskKid.]

Carl (riskkid), thanks for the reminder about getting a license. It might be a good idea to put up a post up on Avid's info-only thread about which one to buy and how to do it online. And here's a toast (I'm tipping my coffee mug) to that five-pounder, my friend.

At the bottom of one of Avid's info posts is the link to the TX site where you can buy one online. I bougt an annual (good from now til Sept sometime) non resident freshwater fishing license. It was only $5.00 more than doing a five day deal and I figure if I really like it I might just come back  :

Thanks for the toast and back at you that maybe one of us will but an even bigger one in our livewell to show off!  ;D

[Guest the_muddy_man]

Well Ron's in Fla. Gator huntin and fishing til Mid Feb. When he gets back we will start rollin some prime Sicilian Meatballs and getting the gravy done. Less than 2 months fellas Any count on how many we will be feeding yet? I would like to have a ballpark number by Feb 15 Thanks

[Guest Texas_Bass_Pro]

I think someone has already posted that 3 Lunkers have been caught. Here is a little information on those fish w/Pictures.

Caught 11-25-06------13.79lbs------Lake Fork--------6"Black Zoom Lizard

Caught 12-28-06------13.4lbs-------Lake Fork--------Rapala X-Rap

Caught 1-5-07--------13.31lbs--------Nacogdoches---------1-oz jig

I hope we have BR members pictures holding some of these!!

[craigaria]

Me and Ryan are coming for sure! I can't wait, this is going to be awesome!

[Low_Budget_Hooker]

Any count on how many we will be feeding yet? I would like to have a ballpark number by Feb 15 Thanks

Dom, just refer to the attendee list. All names on there are "definates only" so that should give you a real accurate idea when the time comes.

[Guest the_muddy_man]

DAAHHH!!! HOW LONG HAS THAT BEEN THERE

[Low_Budget_Hooker]

NewsFlash----Rumor has it that a whole new, 3rd Posse will be showing it's face on this trip. Hmmmmm

I think they are called the "It's the man, not the brand" posse

[Gatorbassman]

There is now an extra bed in my room at Fisherman's if anyone want's to split the cost of the room with me.

That's only 32.50 a night

[Alpster]

I spoke to Rick at "Ricky's Lake Fork Boat Rental". He only has one boat left for the dates we will be there. Don't wait till the last minute to make arrrangements, you may be out of luck. Just a heads up.

Ronnie

[Long Mike]

I have been pouring over my Lake Fork map like a madman for the last week or so trying to find the areas most likely to hold lunker bass.  My problems is that as a beginner, I really don't know what I am doing.  I have read and re-read RW's and Craig Baugher's posts about structure.  I have scoured Bass Wisdom by Homer Circle and The Bass Angler's Almanac by John Weiss.  As a result, I have selected and rejected, and then re-selected and re-rejected a good number of sites.  I'm at the point that I don't know whether to scratch my head or my butt.

In a desperate plea for help, I am asking you folks with maps and/or GPS to take a look at an area I have selected as having BIG bass potential.  The reason I selected the area is that it has a lot of timber and grass at a depth the larger bass would probably spawn, plus it has quick access to deep water.  It is on the North side (but not the Northern end) of the Lake and is shielded from North and Westerly winds.

My chosen spot is located at 32deg 51min 15 sec North and 95deg 35min 15sec West.

Yoiur comments, pro or con, would be very much appreciated.

Mike

[Low_Budget_Hooker]

This place really doesn't work like that.  It may come down to where the "clear" water is, which will be wind dependant.  

Certain coves warm up quicker and produce at different times depending on previous weeks weather, etc.

i.e.

On one day, the only sight fishing available may be only be in the very backs of certain (N,W,E,S,) facing coves, depending on wind.  So pouring on a map full of sunken bridges, roads, fences, timber and countless prime looking areas,......can get frustrating.

If you want to "study" to be more prepared, study the lay of the lake for navigational purposes.  make notice of the boating channels, etc.

[Long Mike]

Party Pooper  

[Low_Budget_Hooker]

oh, it's not just the map, when you get there, every inch of the 27,000 acres is like a visual orgasm. 8-)

[Gatorbassman]

Long Mike you have done all that you can do. The rest has to be done by getting on the water. Spend the rest of your cabin fever time just getting to know the lake. Look for the names/nicknames of creeks, coves, humps, local fishing spots. So when you hear us talk about them at dinner you will know where they are.

Only 50 days.

[Cigarlover 1]

or 4.3 million seconds.  ;D

[Long Mike]

OK guys, I get it. Apparently, the only thing a Topo map is good for is conversation over a few beers, and to keep from getting lost. I get the point. BUT, WILL SOMEONE PLEASE LOOK AT THE COORDINATES AND TELL ME WHETHER OR NOT I AM FULL OF IT?

[Gatorbassman]

I don't have my maps with me so I will look when I get a chance.

I live and die by maps when it the first time at a new lake. The things I am looking for on Fork are simple. I mark spawning flats and coves first then I study the creek channels that lead to those coves. I like creek bends but I want a creek that only has a few drastic bends. Those will be the hot spots. I look for where two or more creek channels come together. These will be the places that the fish fall back to when the weather turns bad. From what I have read on Fork the best spots are where creek channel, grass and timber meet. I will only know this from time on the water. The next thing I look for is under water points that close to or in those spawning areas. The deep parts of these points should be staging areas. Notice that I have said very little about the timber. That is the last think I think about. The only timber I am interested in is the ones that the fish are spawning next to and the ones that are along the creek channels and edges of grass flats. That should eliminate allot of water for ya.

[Low_Budget_Hooker]

OK guys, I get it. Apparently, the only thing a Topo map is good for is conversation over a few beers, and to keep from getting lost. I get the point. BUT, WILL SOMEONE PLEASE LOOK AT THE COORDINATES AND TELL ME WHETHER OR NOT I AM FULL OF IT?

Dude, you never posted a map!! lol

[Alpster]

Quote

OK guys, I get it.  Apparently, the only thing a Topo map is good for is conversation over a few beers, and to keep from getting lost.  I get the point.  BUT, WILL SOMEONE PLEASE LOOK AT THE COORDINATES AND TELL ME WHETHER OR NOT I AM FULL OF IT?

OK Mike,

I located your spot on the Fork map. Here's my assesment of your fishing location. Remember, I have never been to this lake and we can only speculate, based on a map (don't forget this just winter fun). So here it is. You are certainly not full of funny little acii characters. The spot you picked could easily hold a boat full of fish. You are right on about the quick access to deep water and the Northern location. You mentioned protection from the wind. The treeline (I assume that's what you meant) might be good, but it appears to be in about 13' of water. This leads me to think it is flooded, dead timber which is great cover, but not much of a wind break. I had actually picked a spot very close to yours. A little farther South and East. There are 3 huge points between Penninsula road and Split Creek where the 13' contour line is much further from the bank, indicating a shallower, flatter area for spawning. My guess is, if staging or bedding is on, these flatter points have access not only to deeper water as you pointed out, but also access to the two creek channels. I guess the only difference in my strategy is, I would fish the flatter points, rather than the deeper coves, but I'm not a pro by any means and I will be looking up beyond Wolf Point watching you and when you start hauling them in you will recognize my boat sliding in there to bring you a cold beverage. LOL

Ronnie

[Long Mike]

Russ, I posted the Latitude and Longitude.  If you will re-read my original post I was specifically asking for those with maps to give me an idea of whether or not I was correct in my interpretations.  Nothing more, nothing less.  Obviously, this would require anyone who cared to respond to my specific question to actually look at the map.  If someone doesn't have a map or doesn't want to spend any time looking at the map, then no need to respond.

That said, I very much appreciate the responses I have received, so far.

As a point of clarification, I have an engineering background (electronics) and everyone knows we engineer-type people try to see everything in finite terms. i.e. we try to eliminate the grey areas.

I am well aware that bass fishing is a vast grey area.  Everything changes, all the time.  I don't have a shrink, yet, but if I did, he would probably tell you that that is why I was drawn to the sport.  I truely believe that, with the right tools, I can become a much better angler than the large majority of the bass fishing population.

To me, the most important tools are knowledge and experience.  The weather prevents me from gaining experience, but I'm hoping that you folks can provide me with some of the knowledge I can't get from books.

So, back to the coordinates I posted.  What do you think?

[Long Mike]

Ronnie, your post came in as I was posting my response to Russ.  Thanks for the input.  You have no idea how much I needed that!  Let's hope we are both right.

[Cigarlover 1]

Ronnie, with any luck thanks to Mike's assesment I'll be pretty parched myself. If you could make that 2 cold beverages it would be much appreciated. LOL! Thanks in advance.

[Alpster]

Ronnie, with any luck thanks to Mike's assesment I'll be pretty parched myself. If you could make that 2 cold beverages it would be much appreciated. LOL! Thanks in advance.

If you guys are haulin hawgs out of that hole, I don't see a problem with me & the mooks fishing while you fellows take a break,relax and have cigar and a cool drink. You can count on it, under those circumstances.

Ronnie

[Cigarlover 1]

Hey who says I can't smoke, have a tasty beverage and fish at the same time??   I kid.

Honestly I would love to be able to put some people on some nice fish. That may be more rewarding than catching the big one.    Naw ;D

[5bass]

I'm going to Fork after all!! Cant wait!