Lake Fork Fishing Report November 2024
Fall is in full swing during the month of November here at Lake Fork. It’s a great month to be outdoors and if you have time to wet a line between trips to the deer stand, it can be very rewarding. As the leaves continue to fall from the trees and the temperatures continue to grow colder, you can expect the fishing to get even better. This time of year really gives anglers the opportunity to catch fish on any given day and Lake Fork always provides the opportunity for you to catch a trophy bass of a lifetime on any given cast. Now through the end of the year is a great time to catch a giant bass!
The lake is currently only about two feet low as we have had some decent fall rain lately and that’s great news for the lake water levels going into 2025. It’s been unseasonably warm so far this fall so water temperatures are ranging from 67-72 degrees. Water clarity is fair on the main lake to stained in some of the creeks from the recent rain.
I have been starting most days fishing shallow water patterns. The top water bite is always fun and you can find a lot of fish schooling around main lake points as well as the backs of some of the creeks and coves. These fish have been targeting schools of shad so any popping or walking bait like a Yellow Magic, Berkley Bullet Pop, or J-Walker in any shad pattern have been good. White or black buzz baits have also been great in these same areas on windy days. The Berkley crankbaits have also been potent. These things are fine tuned, run true, and have extremely sharp treble hooks on them. The square billed “Square bull” or “Warpig” have been my go to baits lately for bass that are up shallow chasing shad. Best colors have been sexier shad, gilly, and chrome blue back. White chatter baits and Santone 1/4- 3/8 oz spinner baits on windy banks in 2-6 feet depths for these same shad eating bass. These patterns can be awesome when you get a very cloudy day. As the grass has started to re-emerge this pattern has been good and so has the wacky worm bite. You can catch very large numbers of bass by rigging a Berkley bottom hopper wacky style and fishing it weightless in these same areas. Best colors have been watermelon candy, plum, and red bug. Texas rigged soft plastics like the Berkley Powerworm in 7” inch size has been really good lately as well. I like to stick with darker plastics this time of year. Blue fleck, plum, june bug, and black & blue are best. Fishing these slowly around timber on the points leading into the creeks is best as shad are staging to move back.
The deep bite will really turn on this month on Lake Fork and if you are after that first Toyota ShareLunker of the year you will want to concentrate most of your fishing time in deep water. The big fish will begin congregating on the huge schools of shad, bar fish, sandies, crappie, and anything else that looks edible. The big bass on Lake Fork like to gorge themselves on anything and everything during this time of year. It is not uncommon to catch a big fish that has a mouth full already! To find these bass out deep you will need some good electronics. My new Bass Cat has the latest Garmin electronics at the helm and it really draws a picture for you to see. It is very accurate at locating schools of shad and being able to differentiate between species of fish in the school that is relating to the shad school. This helps a lot and maximizes your time on and productivity on the water. Most off the bass are located in 18-25 ft of water. Humps, points, road beds, pond dams, and ridges are great places to focus your efforts on. Once you locate a school the Carolina rig is deadly on these deep bass. I like to rig my Abu Garcia Veritas PLX rods and Revo reels spooled up with 20 lb Trilene 100% Fluorocarbon line and a 1oz weight, 4-5 foot leader, and a 3/0 wide gap hook. The Berkley Powerbait Jerk, Bottom Hopper, or a good ole 7” Power Worm is best on the c-rig. Best colors are chartreuse pepper, green pumpkin, blue fleck, or plum. The jig bite out deep is very good for the big ones too. A 5/8- 3/4 oz Santone football jig will catch some of the biggest bass out of the school. Best colors on the jig are JC’s Spicy Craw, PB & J, and Black & Blue. I will throw a matching Berkley Chigger Craw on the back as a trailer. The jigging spoon and tail kicker are also very good right now. Simply getting over the top of these big schools of fish with these and jigging them up & down can catch some real trophies and is something even the kids or wife will enjoy.
Well, I hope this helps anyone that’s coming out this month to chase some big bass around. I want to wish everyone a Happy Thanksgiving as well! If you would like to fish with me still this year, I still have just a few dates available. My 2025 schedule is filling fast though so contact me as soon as possible if you are beginning to plan your next year’s trip. I also have gift certificates available for those of you that are interested in purchasing a friend or loved one a guided trip on Lake Fork. You can contact me to make your reservation at 903-736-9888 or send me an email at lakeforktrophybass@yahoo.com You can also visit my website for more information about Lake Fork and my guide service at www.officiallakeforktrophybass.com You can find me on Facebook and follow my official Lake Fork Trophy Bass Guide page at https://www.facebook.com/lakeforktrophybassguide
I have really enjoyed my Bass Cat boats the past few years and am enjoying my new 2024 Puma STS for this season. I couldn’t be happier to be serving my customers on Lake Fork as part of the Bass Cat Team and am looking forward to providing more great trips this year out of my new boat! If you’re interested in checking out any of the Bass Cat models, be sure to reach out to R & R Marine in Pittsburg, Texas. They have the all-new Puma and Caracal STS that everyone is raving about so go by and check it out! Steven Stroman and his crew have amazing sales and service as well as a complete tackle shop with just about anything you need. I would like to thank all my sponsors that are continuing to support me in 2024. I appreciate all their support as I serve all my great guide clients throughout the year on Lake Fork as well! Sponsors: Toyota, AFTCO, Bass Cat Boats, Mercury, I Am Second, Berkley, Abu Garcia, Garmin, Santone Lures, Costa Sunglasses, Power Pole, Elite Tungsten, Johnson Communications, and Bass Boat Technologies.
Romans 8:28 - And we know that for those who love God all things work together for good, for those who are called according to His purpose.
Tight Lines & God Bless,
James Caldemeyer