It’s wintertime on Lake Fork! December is here and the year is winding down. It’s been a great year of fishing here at Lake Fork. December is still an exciting month on Lake Fork as the fish continue to feed up in the winter. This year that bite has been extended due to the unseasonably warm temperatures that we’ve had this fall. So, I expect plenty of opportunities to catch big bass this month while you are at Lake Fork as the big bass continue their feeding habits into early winter.
The lake is currently 2 1/2 feet low so we could use a little winter rain. The water levels are still real good going into 2025 though. Water temperatures are ranging from 58-62 degrees currently and will cool even further as the month progresses. Water clarity is fairly clear on the main lake to clear or slightly stained in some of the creeks. There is a lot of grass up in some of the creeks still so this has helped maintain the overall water clarity on the lake.
December invites several shallow water patterns but one of my favorites is targeting fish around any shallow vegetation or stumps near main lake or secondary points. Most of these winter fish will move into these shallow grass beds or hug stumps for cover and security as they look to feed on unsuspecting prey. During the sunny warmest part of the day can be best as water temperatures in these shallow areas is at its peak and the fish are most active. My favorite December lure is a lipless crank bait. Best sizes are a 1/2 oz or 5/8 oz but will also keep a 3/4 oz bait handy as well. My latest favorite bait is the new Berkley “Jack” lipless crankbait. I like to use shades or red, orange, or a combination of these two colors as well as chrome or gold. I like to use a 7’ 3” medium heavy Abu Garcia Veritas PLX Tournament rod with 17-20 lb Trilene 100% Fluorocarbon on a high-speed reel like the Abu Revo SX Rocket. This reel is 9:1 ratio so you can really burn a bait with this set up or use it to take some of the work off your arms while you fish these baits all day making numerous casts. I like to use the lipless bait as a “search bait “and once I get bit I will slow down and work the area over thoroughly. A lot of times you will find the fish in small groups this time of year but may not be able to catch all of them on the same bait or presentation. If you double back and fish something like a Berkley Stunna suspending jerk bait or jig you may catch a few more fish or that BIG one you’ve been looking for! On the jerk bait I will throw a suspending model in a gold/black, clown, or ayu color. Fishing this bait slowly with twitch and long pause technique is great for a real big fish especially during the sunny calm days. On cloudy days I do better fishing slowly through the area with a jig and I will flip or pitch a 3/8 or 1/2 oz Santone Rattlin jig to every piece of cover available. A jig can be very effective on deeper points at the mouth of creeks and the creek edges inside the creek. With the lake low like it is you can follow the trees that line the channel edge very easily. Best colors for me are black & blue, black/blue/purple, or my signature JC’s Spicy Craw color. I like to pair my jigs with a 3” or 4” Berkley Chigger Craw in matching colors. The action on the Chigger Craw is very attractive to a big fish and they hold onto the jig longer with the Powerbait scent. This is an important advantage as most bites are light and normally fish will not hold onto the jig long during the winter months. I’m also catching a number of fish on a vibrating jig. The Berkley Slobberknocker gets the nod and is especially good on windy days. I’m pairing it with a Berkley Power Stinger as a trailer. I also always keep a big swimbait on the deck to target the big fish chasing gizzard shad. The 3:16 gizzard glide, Berkley Nessie, or Cull Shad have been best in any shad color.
The deep bite has been decent over the past couple of weeks. I am catching a lot of fish out deep using a multitude of different techniques. Locating big schools of fish can be challenging out in the depths. That is why I really on my Garmin Echomap Ultras to show me where they are hiding. The bass have been holding close to the schools of bait in 15-25 feet of water. Once I locate a school of bass around the bait with my sonar, I am positioning my boat to take aim and start firing at them with several different baits. The best and most reliable lure has been a jigging spoon. I use a flutter spoon in the most because this spoon mimics dying shad and big bass cannot resist it as an easy meal. It takes some practice to get used to it if you have never thrown one but once you get into the rhythm of it you will have a blast catching fish on it! I have also been targeting the feeding schools of bass with a Carolina rig. I have had great success with the Berkley Powerbait Jerk on my c-rig right now. It is just the right size and has lots of action as you pull it along. Best colors for me have been watermelon magic and green pumpkin. The Santone football head jig is great for the big bites out deep. I opt for the 5/8 – 3/4 oz size in PB&J, Pinto Beans & Carrots, or JC’s Spicy Craw. For the suspended bass out deep, I have been throwing a jighead minnow, jerkbait, or hair jigs. These baits will catch some giants using the Garmin Livescope in the depths and it’s a great time of year to come out and learn or sharpen your forward-facing sonar techniques!
Well, I hope this helps anyone that’s coming out this month to chase some big bass around. I want to wish everyone a Merry Christmas! Remember that Jesus is the reason for the season. 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 have enjoyed my new 2024 Puma STS 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 new Puma and Caracal STS that everyone is raving about so go by and check out the new 2025 models available! 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.
Matthew 1:21 - She will bear a son, and you shall call his name Jesus, for he will save his people from their sins.”
Tight Lines & God Bless,
James Caldemeyer
