March is finally here on Lake Fork! With it brings some early signs of spring on the horizon. It is an awesome month to catch the fish of your dreams as some of the biggest bass in Lake Fork start to prepare for the annual spring spawn. Major League Fishing pros had a great event here last week with multiple fish over 10 pounds being caught and lots of big stringers of Lake Fork bass!
The lake is still in great shape despite low water levels. The lake is currently 6 feet low but I anticipate spring rains should raise Lake Fork some over the next few months. Water temperatures are back up into the low to mid-fifties degree range after bottoming out in the 40’s during the month of February. There isn’t much grass growing in areas around the lake but it could really bust out if we have water levels rise. The overall clarity of the lake is good with stained water mostly in the backs of some of the creeks and other windblown areas.
One of the best baits for targeting these pre-spawn Lake Fork bass are baits like the Berkley Warpig or any other lipless crank bait in the 1/4-3/4 oz size range. Anything red on Lake Fork is always great but I like to mix it up with chrome, white, and some chartreuse colors also. Main lake points and secondary points are always great places to start. I like to fish these baits in the 2-8 foot depth range as many of the bass will be holding around shallow cover looking for a meal and often times just up there sunning themselves on a warmer day. If you can find clumps of vegetation those are best. The fish will lay in the hydrilla and smoke a lipless crank bait as it comes by! Some of the biggest fish of the year are caught this way. Chatterbaits have also been good fished in the same areas as well as a suspending jerk bait like the Berkley Stunna. The big fish really like the jerkbaits on cold and calm days!
You can also hammer a big one with a jig right now! These big female bass crave crawfish this time of year so anything that resembles one is fair game. I like to use a flipping model like the Santone Rattlin jig in a 3/8 or 1/2 oz size. My favorite colors are black & blue, black/blue & purple, and my custom JC’s Spicy Craw with a great matching trailer like the Berkley Powerbait Chigger Craw or the new Chigger Bug. You will find the jig fish out a little deeper until the water warms up. I usually find them on the points and channel bends in 6-12feet of water. Having practiced your flipping or pitching technique all winter while you had cabin fever really pays off. These bass will be tight to cover so pitching your jig right directly next to a stump or dock as opposed to a foot away from it will mean the difference between bites or a lack thereof. Be persistent if you decide to pick up a jig and go after the big ones. It is often times a technique of fewer bites but it can pay off big! Same thing with the big swim baits. I throw these big glide baits a lot this time of year to target the big female bass that are feeding on big meals before they move up to spawn. I like to throw the 3:16 Gizzard Glide. Again, persistence pays off with these baits. Keep heaving it and the big bites will come. One of my favorite baits for targeting these bass as they move in to spawn is a weightless Berkley Powerbait “Jerk” or the “General”. Dead sticking these baits in the flats and spawning areas is very effective. You must remember that the bass have moved from a feeding bite and to a territorial bite. You are presenting your bait in a manner that invades their space and they strike it. Moving the bait a lot will defeat the purpose so be sure to really slow down! When you think you are fishing slowly, slow down some more! Another big favorite of mine for spawning bass is the Santone Lures “Piglet” shaky head with a Berkley Powerbait Rib Snake. Best colors are black/blue, blue fleck and green pumpkin. This is a great combination for using the same presentation when the wind gets up and will not allow you to fish these areas effectively with the weightless technique.
Well, I hope this helps anyone that’s coming out this month to chase some big bass. If you would like to fish with me this year, I still have just a few dates available. My 2022 schedule filled fast though so contact me as soon as possible if you are just now beginning to plan your 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 really enjoyed my Bass Cat boat in 2021 and just rigged my new 2022 boat for the 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 even just got in the all-new Puma 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 2022. I am looking forward to representing them again this year on the Bassmaster Opens Schedule as well as the Major League Fishing Big 5 circuit. I appreciate all their support as I serve all my great guide clients on throughout the year on Lake Fork as well! Sponsors: Toyota, Carhartt, Bass Cat Boats, Mercury, I Am Second, Berkley, Abu Garcia, Garmin, Santone Lures, Costa Sunglasses, Power Pole, 3:16 Lure Company, Elite Tungsten, Johnson Communications, and Bass Boat Technologies.
James 1:17 - “Every good and perfect gift is from above, coming down from the Father of the heavenly lights, who does not change like shifting shadows.”
Tight Lines and God Bless,
James Caldemeyer
