Fall fishing is in full swing on Lake Fork! With the weather cooling off, it’s a great time to be fishing. You can catch a lot of quality fish this month and often have a limited amount of boat traffic to compete with. Hunting season has started, and many anglers opt for the woods over their favorite fishing holes. It’s also a great time to get the kids and family out on the water for some great fishing fun. For all you tournament anglers, one of the best tournaments of the year is this month. The 19th Annual Berkley Big Bass Tournament is October 19 & 20, hosted by Bass Champs and headquartered out of Lake Fork Marina. This event is an hourly big bass tournament with great opportunities to win lots of cash and boats will be given away to the winners. This event keeps getting bigger and better each year so you will not want to miss it. Whether you are coming out for the tournament or just to spend some quality time with the family, here are some tips and information that will hopefully help you catch lots of Lake Fork bass!
The lake is still in great shape. Water levels are 401.10 which is almost 2 feet low with full pool elevation being 403. The water clarity has been good in mid lake to south areas and while other areas north are stained due to the lake finishing its annual fall turnover. The presence of some new hydrilla and other vegetation will help filter the water more and keep the lake clearer. Water temperatures have been ranging from the mid to upper 70’s and on a real warm day temps reach the low 80’s. I expect the surface temperatures to remain in the 70’s most of the month which is optimal for fishing.
Fishing shallow has been the most consistent pattern since the turnover began. I have been starting off each morning with some good topwater action. The fish have been feeding on shad early around points. I’m throwing a Berkley Bullet Pop or J-Walker early when there’s not much wind. If there’s any breeze I will opt for the Berkley Choppo. Best colors have been Danald, bone, or black. After the topwater action ceases I’ve been switching over to a Berkley Square Bull and cranking it in the timber up shallow. This bait deflects well off wood and will trigger strikes. Best size for me lately has been the 5.5 and colors are Gilly, Sexier shad, and black/chartreuse. Around standing timber and boat docks, I am slowing down with a Texas-rigged Berkley Powerworm in 7”- 10” sizes and flipping it in 4-8 feet of water. For more open water areas up shallow or areas I’ve found some grass emerging and I’m throwing a Berkley Warpig or the new “Jack” lipless crankbait in the 1/4- or 1/2-ounce sizes. Best colors now are chrome/blue and special red craw. I am also opting for the Berkley SlobberKnocker if it’s windy. It’s the newest and most innovative bladed jig on the market that flat catches fish. Best colors have been white, white/chartreuse, and green pumpkin. I’m putting the Berkley “Deal” or Power Swimmer on the back. For those big bites in the wind, I have also been tossing the big swimbaits at them. The new “Nessie” and Cull Shad have been big fish getters. The Cull Shad is now available in a weedless version so you can fish it over the vegetation and cover a lot of water. You’ll want to be sure to grab some of these at the Berkley tent if you make it out to Lake Fork Marina for the tournament weekend.
The deep bite isn’t as productive this time of year but be sure to look at some deep-water spots as well. Humps, points, roadbeds, pond dams, and ridges in 14-22 feet of water are great places to focus your efforts on. These big fish will be schooling up in these areas following shad, yellow bass, and crappie around looking for an easy meal. They are moving around a lot so it’s difficult to stay with them. A Carolina rig is one of the most productive on the deep bass. I like to rig mine with a 1oz weight, 4-5 foot leader, and a 3/0 wide gap hook on a 7’6” Abu Garcia PLX Tournament Series rod with the new Abu Garcia Premier reel. I will run 20 lb Trilene Professional Grade fluorocarbon line with a 15 lb leader. The Berkley Jerk, Bottom Hopper, or a good ole 7” Power Worm on this rig has produced very well lately. Best colors are shady watermelon candy, watermelon magic, blue fleck, or plum. When I get on a school that are finicky, I will pick up my drop shot set up to finesse them to bite. I’m throwing the Abu Garcia Zenon spinning rod/reel and because it’s very light and sensitive. That’s what you need in a good finesse combo. I’m running 10 lb Berkley Nanofil on the main line and tying on about 15 ft of 10 lb fluorocarbon leader at the end. Then I will put on a Berkley fusion drop shot hook with a ¼ ounce Elite Tungsten weight, topping it off with a Berkley 4” Bottom Hopper in plum, red bug, or south africa special color. If you are fishing the big tournament, you will want to have an array of Berkley Dredger crankbaits and Berkley Stunna jerkbaits handy to throw at the suspended fish. Don’t forget to try throwing a deep running swim bait on these schools of deep fish also. Berkley’s Swim Shads or Flat Nose Minnows on a jig head are great for swimming thru these deep bass. Especially if you find them suspended or chasing shad. Just count the bait down to the fish and start slow rolling it back to the boat. Berkley has increased their line of baits this year again and cover a broad range of fishing. I will be excited to see them in action during this tournament and all the fish that will be caught using them. Come out and join us for what should be the most exciting tournament of the year!
Well, I hope this helps anyone that’s coming out for the tournament this month or just to chase some big bass around. 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
la****************@ya***.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
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