May is a big month here on Lake Fork for big bass! It’s going to be another great month here at the Big Bass Capital of Texas. Fishing the end of spring and the beginning of summer on Lake Fork is outstanding and this year will be no exception. With the spawn winding down and the bass moving to a number of productive feeding patterns to replenish themselves, you can catch big bass fishing just about any way you’d like to from shallow to deep.
The lake is in great shape and came up a little bit from recent storms. The water levels are currently at 400.44 which is about 2 ½ feet low. The clarity of the water is stained in areas on the upper north end and steadily clearing to about 3 feet as you move to the south end of the lake. The rains and rise in water levels has flooded some of the bank cover for these hatching bass fry to cling to. There is some great new vegetation growth all over the lake. Water temperatures are ranging from 70-74 degrees, but you can expect those temperatures to rise as we progress through the month.
The shallow fishing has been excellent lately. With the lake coming up and all the freshly flooded cover for the fish to get into the bass are very shallow and buried up in the new habitat. The shad have begun spawning on windy banks all over the lake and the bass are close behind them. Top water poppers, like the new Berkley Riveter buzz baits and Choppo, Shallow Money Badger crankbaits, Chop Block and Cull Shad swim baits have all been very good fished from 1-6 ft depths. Anything shad with white on it or shad patterns is best. This bite can be short in the morning, so you have to get out early to take advantage of the action. Days with cloudy overcast skies can be outstanding all day long fishing these areas. The flipping bite has also been insane! I am flipping a Santone 3/8 – 1/2oz Rattlin Jig in JC’s Spicy Craw, Black/Blue or Black, Brown & Amber with a matching color Berkley Stank Bug to stumps, brush, docks etc. You can also target some late spawners on beds, sight fishing, as we still have fish coming in to finish up spawning as well as lots of fry guarders. The frog bite is very good in many areas as these new hatches of bass cling to the floating grass and flooded cover in the backs of spawning pockets and creeks.
Mid depth fishing in 8-16 ft has been spicy! There are still some fish staging to move up and spawn as well as others that are holding in these depths to feed up after spawning. Best areas in these depths to target are points, creek channel bends, roadbeds, and humps. You can also catch these fish on a number of different baits. Deep diving crank baits in shad or bream patterns are great. The jig and Carolina rig also get the nod. I have been using a Santone 5/8 oz football head a lot. It’s very productive for big fish! PB&J, Mexican Heather, and of course my signature JC’s Spicy Craw have been the best jig colors along with a green pumpkin Berkley Crud Craw trailer.
As the bass move out from spawning you will find them starting to gang up on real deep structure areas. These bass are hungry in numbers and man is it fun when you get on a big school of them. I rely on my new Garmins, and I SEE U electronics to show me where these fish are at and how they are relating in the water column. It really makes it hard for them to hide! Deep humps, roadbeds, points, and ridges in 18-24 ft have been where they are holding. Some days they are on slow gradual breaks and other days they are on the steeper drops. Once I have established a nice school of fish with my electronics, I am breaking out several different baits according to depth the fish are in. For suspended bass I am fishing deep diving crank baits and swim baits. Any shad pattern will do. Cranking these baits down to the fish and running the bait through the school can draw some big bites! When the fish are on the bottom, I am quickly picking up my Abu Garcia Zenon rod and NEW Revo Voltiq reel to do some Carolina rigging. I like to fish with a 7’3”- 7’6” medium heavy rod spooled with Berkley’s new Gin Clear 20 lb fluorocarbon and a 17 lb leader. I use a long leader that is usually 4-5 ft in length. A 1oz Elite Tungsten weight is mandatory for me and my clients. If you have not ever used tungsten for your rigs you might want to try them out as there is a huge difference in sensitivity and I believe the tungsten weight makes a more appealing sound to the fish which in turn draws curiosity to the area you are dragging your bait. The tungsten is also a lot smaller, so it is not as bulky as lead and less likely to get hung up. I have been rigging a 3/0 hook and Berkley Power Hawg or Jerk in blue fleck or watermelon candy. The big M-Series Santone football head jig is awesome this time of year in these same areas. I opt for the 5/8-3/4 oz size out in these deep areas. Best colors are PB&J, Mexican Heather, and JC’s Spicy Craw. I like to use a Berkley Crud Craw in matching color as a trailer. Drag these around out deep and hold on! Some of the biggest fish in the lake will tackle them as they commence to feeding up from the spawn.
Well, I hope this helps anyone that’s coming out this month to chase some big bass around. If you would like to fish with me this year, I still have some dates available. My 2026 schedule is filling fast though so contact me as soon as possible if you are 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 have really enjoyed my Bass Cat boats the past few years and have been thrilled with my 4th new Puma STS this past year. I am expecting the all new 2026 Lynx model any day now to start getting it ready 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 Conroy Motorsports in Mt. Pleasant, Texas. They are the new Bass Cat dealer in Texas, and just a short distance from Lake Fork. They will be serving the area well with their team of sales professionals and service for Bass Cat Boats any of your service needs if you are around Lake Fork. They also carry ATV’s and other outdoor power equipment for all your recreational needs! Contact Steven Stroman and tell him I sent ya.
I would like to thank all my sponsors and some new ones that have teamed up with me for the 2026 season. I appreciate all their support as I serve all my great guide clients throughout the year on Lake Fork as well! Sponsors: Toyota, Bass Cat Boats, Mercury, Conroy Motor Sports, I Am Second, Berkley, Abu Garcia, Garmin, Santone Lures, AFTCO, Costa Sunglasses, Power Pole, I SEE U, Elite Tungsten, Johnson Communications, Pro Guide Batteries, DD26 Fishing, Bass Boat Technologies, BDS Suspension, and Method Wheels.
In all your ways acknowledge Him, and He shall direct your paths. -Proverbs 3:6
Tight Lines & God Bless,
James Caldemeyer
