Submitted by David Vance (ip 69.46.49.100)

Date Fished: 1/28/2011
Water Clarity: 2-3 feet

February is big Bass time here on Lake Fork. For all you fisherman that have been waiting for those big females to start moving to the shallows, now is the time. Lake Fork is about 4 feet low but still in great shape for another fantastic year of fishing in 2011. The fishing has been good for size the last three days with the water temp on the rebound after that bad cold front. Numbers of quality Bass can be found starting to stage in the grass beds around points, ditches, and creeks near spawning flats. Starting at the mouths of the creeks and working your way back is the best approach to locating pre spawn Bass this time of year.

Dearing a cold front the Bass will be more active and concentrated on main lake and/or secondary points. On warmer days, you will find that the bite is better at the very back of the creeks. Once you locate a fish or two it is good to make another pass back through the area as there will usually be several more in that location and come back and hit it again later in the day. Fishing in depths of 4-10 feet has been good and will get better as the water temps rise.

The weather this time of year is always up and down, but don’t let the cold nasty weather keep you off the water. Because this is the time of year your chances of catching a bass over ten pounds will be the best. Most of the bass I have caught over ten pounds have came on nasty cold weather days. Expect the bite to be shallow and more consistent as the month rolls along. Lipless crank baits in red/orange colors have been best. Chartreuse and white or white Spinner baits will also produce their share of Bass as well. I use a Stanley 1/2 oz or 3/4 oz Spinner bait with double willow leaf blades, Slow Rolling a 3/4oz Spinner bait on the outside edge of the grass will produce Big pre spawn bass this time of year.

Rigging your baits on the proper equipment this time of year is also a critical factor when fishing for a trophy Bass here on lake fork. Make sure you have given some attention to your rods/reels and fishing line that have been sitting around all winter. A little oil, some fresh line, and a quick drag check will make all the difference; there is nothing more disappointing than losing a big Bass on your first outing because of equipment failure.

Good areas for me right now have been White Oak Branch, Spring Branch, Big Mustang, and Wolfe Creek. We have had Bass in the 6 to 9 pound range in these creeks in the last few days. Steve Wilson from Oklahoma, fished with me yesterday and late in the day we had one over 7 and one that went 9 lbs 12oz in White Oak Branch Steve caught this big bass on 3/4oz Spinner bait in 8 feet of water. I think this February is going to produce a lot of big Bass with the lake low it is going to concentrate the bass and make them easy to locate. February is one of the best months to catch a Trophy Bass on Lake Fork, the weather can be miserable but the rewards can be Big. My spring days are booking fast! So book early for best available dates.

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