Summer is here already!? Wow how this year is flying by! People always ask me what my favorite month of the year is on Lake Fork… hands down, JUNE! This is consistently one of the best months of the year to catch quality fish without the up and down weather like we have in the spring or fall. The bass are hungry, the weather is nice, and even though the kids are out for the summer, school is in session on Lake Fork! You’ll find some of the best offshore schooling actions this month and you can really load the boat quick.
Water conditions have been crazy this past month with all the rains. The lake is full to the brim and the Sabine River Authority is letting water out at the dam whenever we get any amount of rain. Its been a wet one lately but look for that to subside as we get into full summer patterns and the dry time of the year. Water levels are at 403.33 at the time of this report which is about 4 inches above full pool. The water clarity has surprisingly been good despite all the rain. I think we’ve had so much that all the run off is fairly clean coming into the lake now. Water temperatures are ranging from 74-79 degrees right now but expect 80’s by the end of this month.
Believe it or not the shad spawn is still going some and we even have a late wave of fish on beds. What? It’s June! Yeah, a testament to such a crazy year of weather. I’ve still been starting my mornings off with topwaters like a Berkley Bullet Pop or Yellow Magic. I have also been doing well at the crack of dawn with a Berkley Cane Walker or J-Walker. These baits will get you some huge blow ups to start the day on wind-blown points and hard bottom banks where the shad are still spawning. If the fish aren’t in the mood for a topwater you can catch them chasing on a Berkley Squarebull crankbait in Gilly or Sexier Shad colors. There are a lot of bass eating bream right now so don’t hesitate to throw anything that mimics bluegill. When the bass are less than active up shallow you may have to slow down and fish some plastics. I am opting for a weightless or split shot rigged Berkley Jerk most of the time. Fishing this bait on points or in the spawning covers has still been productive believe it or not, even this late in the season. You can also find a few late spawners on the south end and sight fishing them is good with the clearer water on that end of the lake.
After the morning bite subsides I’ve been heading straight out to the deep haunts of Lake Fork for the amazing offshore action that this lake has always provided. I cut my teeth back in the early to mid 90’s learning to catch these offshore fish even when we didn’t have much for electronics. Even now, just like back then, it’s some of the best fishing of the year. You can find big schools of bass out deep that are ganged up and hungry for your bait. Fortunately for all of us, technology has come a long way and I rely on my Garmin EchoMap Ultras to pinpoint these schools of bass out on the deep structure. I’m targeting points, roadbeds, pond dams, and humps in 14-24 feet. There are a couple of ways you need to approach these deep schools depending on whether or not they’re suspended or on the bottom. By looking at your electronics closely you’ll be able to determine their position in the water column. Once you’ve locked in on their residency out deep you can choose a bait and presentation best suited for that particular school. If the fish are suspended I will opt for a cranking rod spooled with Trilene 15 lb fluorocarbon and the new Abu Garcia Winch cranking rod and reel. On the business end I will tie on a Berkley Dredger 20.5 in any shad color and crank away! Another great bait for these suspended bass is a big flutter spoon. My clients catch giants ripping a big spoon through these suspended bass this time of year. As the water warms you can expect these same fish to start getting on the bottom. That’s when they become much easier to catch. I will use a Carolina rig on these schools as a “go to” presentation. I’m rigging it with a 1oz Elite Tungsten weight and a 4 foot leader with a 3/0 hook. The best bait on it has been the Berkley Jerk and Lug Worm in Watermelon Red and Chartreuse Pepper colors. If you’re wanting to swing for the fences on the deep bite then you’ll want to tie on a Santone Lures Football Jig! These jigs catch giants year in and year out. I opt for a 5/8 – 3/4 oz most of the time. Best colors are Pake’s Perch, Mexican Heather, and of course my custom color “JC’s Spicy Craw”. I’ve caught more fish on Lake Fork with this jig color in the summer than all colors combined… just sayin! Pairing it with the proper trailer is crucial. I have found the new Berkley “Chigger Bug” to be my most favorite new trailer of the year. It has a ton of action and entices some big bites. If the fish get finnicky like they sometimes do, pick up a drop shot rod. It will catch a bunch of fish when nothing else will. My drop shot rig consists of a 6’10” medium light rod with Trilene 10lb fluocarbon. A 1/0 hook and 1/4 ounce weight will complete it your finesse rigs. My go to bait on a drop shot is Berkley Bottom Hopper Jr. This little worm flat catches em on Lake Fork! Best colors are watermelon red magic and shady watermelon candy.
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 a few dates available. My 2021 schedule is filling fast so start making your plans now and contact me to get on my schedule as soon as possible. I 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 just received my new boat for the 2021 season, a Bass Cat Cougar FTD. It’s an amazing boat and I couldn’t be happier to be serving my customers on Lake Fork as one of the newest members of the Bass Cat Family! 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. Steven Stroman and his crew have amazing sales and service as well as a complete tackle shop. I would like to thank all my sponsors that support me. I am looking forward to representing them again this year on Major League Fishing Big 5 circuit as well as serving all my great guide clients on Lake Fork! Sponsors: Toyota, Carhartt, Bass Cat Boats, Mercury Marine, 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.
Romans 15:13- May the God of hope fill you with all joy and peace as you trust in him, so that you may overflow with hope by the power of the Holy Spirit.
Tight Lines and God Bless,
James Caldemeyer
