Lake Fork and fishing pressure ?? Eve... Log Out | Topics | Search
Moderators | Register | Edit Profile

Fishing Texas Network » At The Ramp » Archive through December 4, 2010 » Lake Fork and fishing pressure ?? Ever think about it ?? « Previous Next »

Author Message
Redskeeter
Moderator
Username: Redskeeter

Post Number: 1139
Registered: 8-2007


Rating: N/A
Votes: 0 (Vote!)

Posted on Monday, October 11, 2010 - 2:05 pm:   Edit Post Delete Post Print Post

Some of this topic is on another thread, the more I thought about it---it deserves it's own topic.

**I know and respect many of the anglers on this site for their ability's on and off the water..**

I would like to hear your opinions good or bad, you don't have to agree with me, but it's OK if you do..

I'm not bashing tournament competitors or tournament trails, this--is--just a topic for discussion..

Sam Rayburn fits in this discussion as well due to the HUGE amount of pressure that it receives, but it being 4X times the size of Fork, I believe it will sustain at much easier rate than Fork.. IMHO..

Tommy C, the below is a response to your last post in the Falcon topic..


*************************************************

This past weekend we alone educated close to 100 small fish in what not to bite again.. Plus the number of small fish we gill, gut, or tongue hooked didn't help the number of survivors either.
X-time that a hundred plus on a busy weekend not counting a large tournament turnout and the numbers are staggering..

As a soon to be full time resident(lord willing)
and a lover of the lake I have some serious concerns.
Yes, this has just come about in a recent revelation I had while examining the sheer numbers of fish being affected daily, weekly, and monthly.
I can't at this point even begin to imagine the numbers on a yearly basis when you consider the numbers of outta starter’s and travelers within our great state as well.

I see a definite drop in quality as a whole, I can make that claim because I'm on the water rain or shine almost every weekend for extended periods of time and at various locations around the lake..

For some time now I thought it was other factors, ie.. Me for one, holes being fished out or natural fish movement around the lake, as they do relocate in different areas from year to year.

You talked about 10-lb sacks Tommy, interesting subject that.. When I first started watching competition on Fork in a slot capacity, it only took 9+ to win many times, as popularity and techniques evolved the weight grew as well.

I question at what capacity can we keep catching 10+ lb sacks (other than the spawn) and the lake
remain unaffected to the tremendous numbers of weekly tournament anglers perusing them.. ???

I know not everyone can; or will catch fish to the degree that many of us do, and have done for as many years.
When we start to see a decline in quality fish it’s time for some small alarm within. I haven’t caught a 10+lb fish in almost 3-years, nowhere near the numbers of 9’s or 8’s that were really almost common place every trip out..

Let’s put it this way, when Kay refused to get her picture taken with an 8-lber it was to common place… LOL …
I still like having mine made with one that big.. But I’m just a big HAM anyway…
KBD Fishing
Tomc
Bass
Username: Tomc

Post Number: 675
Registered: 12-2006


Rating: N/A
Votes: 0 (Vote!)

Posted on Monday, October 11, 2010 - 2:38 pm:   Edit Post Delete Post Print Post

I will go ahead and add my 2 cents from the other thread so folks don't have to jump around. You make some interesting points Billy, for sure.


quote:

I would have to agree. Fork has to be the most popular tourney lake in the state week in and week out. At least for me, the 2 pounders have been hard to come by, though I still seem to be catching fair numbers of slots and all the 8-13 inchers you can shake a stick at. This has held true for a variety of different presentations, water depth and different areas of the lake.

Not that many two pounders were weighed in JCO Saturday for the quality of the field. I was a bit surprised as we found the fish biting well as did other teams.

I have spoken to a well known guide a few times over the past year and he said that he isn’t seeing the numbers of 14-16 inch fish as in the past and also states that his slot numbers have been down over the past couple of years.

I am betting that delayed mortality plays a part along with the retreads getting tired of free rides to the Minnow Bucket and LFM.

Looking at Media this year…. Here are the 10 pound sacks with all unders. I excluded the sacks with overs because it did not appear that those teams would have had 10 pound sacks with 5 unders. I checked for the results for 2009 to compare but they did not appear to be available.

Mar. 8
Apr. 17
May 9
June 2
July 1
Aug 0



Thanking the Lord, all day long

--- tomc
Tomc
Bass
Username: Tomc

Post Number: 676
Registered: 12-2006


Rating: N/A
Votes: 0 (Vote!)

Posted on Monday, October 11, 2010 - 3:12 pm:   Edit Post Delete Post Print Post

I see the internet as the other main pressure creator as a second to the tournaments. I was out there fishing on the 2nd of October and there was a crowd for sure. The fish were biting and everyone arriving at the lake knew it. I suspect that internet reports draw a ton of folks to the lake. Tournaments and the internet are really helping with the local businesses. Word travels fast these days.

Back in the day before everyone was on the information highway, we had to call someone to get a report and most of the time I made the pilgrimage to the Fork just as clueless as the boats fishing around us. Now, all we have to do is make a post and find out where and how to fish for them. The buoys make a huge difference for the “not-so-adept navigators” and GPS with map chips that make it so you can actually find most all the structure you can point to on a map. It was not that easy back in the day.
Thanking the Lord, all day long

--- tomc
Picklefork
Bluegill
Username: Picklefork

Post Number: 207
Registered: 12-2009

Rating: N/A
Votes: 0 (Vote!)

Posted on Monday, October 11, 2010 - 11:07 pm:   Edit Post Delete Post Print Post

Funny how this lake fishes different every 3 to 4 years and all the tourney fisherman start yelling the lake is done and too many tourneys and fishing pressure but we are the first ones to sign up tourney day? What about all the overs that we have'nt seen in a while being brought in this year? I can tell you that right now I'm sitting on schools of 2 lbers and for 2 weeks have not been able too catch them......no matter what.....I count some of my friends on the lake with the best guys out there......and they can not catch them either......and these people can catch anything..............Those fish are there...we just have to adapt and catch them...so quit bitchin' and MAN UP !!!! hehehehahahaa........Tell Kay to hurry up and figure the pattern out before everyone starts bitchin' like Steve Taylor....just kidden,,,,fishin's been tough for tourneys....but it will change....and that very soon........

(Message edited by picklefork on October 11, 2010)
Redskeeter
Moderator
Username: Redskeeter

Post Number: 1140
Registered: 8-2007


Rating: N/A
Votes: 0 (Vote!)

Posted on Tuesday, October 12, 2010 - 7:18 am:   Edit Post Delete Post Print Post

Mark,
I think your kinda missing my point there bud...

I'm catching fish..

What happens today, effects tomorrow.
The obsevations I'm talking about didn't happen last week, it's been over the last 5-yrs.
KBD Fishing
Ozziefish
Lunker
Username: Ozziefish

Post Number: 1677
Registered: 8-2004


Rating: N/A
Votes: 0 (Vote!)

Posted on Tuesday, October 12, 2010 - 9:14 am:   Edit Post Delete Post Print Post

There is no dought in my mind that 100's of fish die every weekend at Fork...I bet a large percentage are from delayed mortality like Tom said. I would guess maybe 20% of all tournament catches die in days after a tournament. More will die when the tournaments don't use hosiptal tanks or the live release boats. Fork fish are smart but there may be something too what Billy is saying...The freaking internet is killing my fishing so you guys back off alright ;)
OzzieFish
"Glory to GOD in the Highest"
www.visionlure.com
www.doublezzcustomlures.com
Picklefork
Bluegill
Username: Picklefork

Post Number: 208
Registered: 12-2009

Rating: N/A
Votes: 0 (Vote!)

Posted on Tuesday, October 12, 2010 - 9:20 am:   Edit Post Delete Post Print Post

Everyone is catching fish right now Billy....but our main target fish have been spotty and difficult since mid summer....10 lb. sacs always decline around june of every year Tom and don't pick up again until fall. We had a delayed spawn this last spring and every normal pattern was delayed for a month...unusualy high lake levels as well. when lake levels are kept that high for that long it changes the way fish behave and respond. I agree that pressure does affect the fisherie over time....but the fish will adapt over time.

Tpw stays on top of this.....they will also tell you that they wish us tourney fisherman would keep our five fish every tourney.............
Tomc
Bass
Username: Tomc

Post Number: 677
Registered: 12-2006


Rating: N/A
Votes: 0 (Vote!)

Posted on Tuesday, October 12, 2010 - 9:27 am:   Edit Post Delete Post Print Post

Many of us spend a significant amount of time out there. Observations over time are what Billy and I are bringing forward.

The lake is fishing great. The last two tournaments I have fished have been excellent for numbers. 40 last weekend with 6 or more slots and ~60 on September 4th with a dozen or more slots. I just find it strange that we can catch that many fish in two days from 8” to 22” and not have a 15” fish as one of the 100 caught and very few that were 14” to 15”. I fished different areas and different patterns.


quote:

I count some of my friends on the lake with the best guys out there......and they can not catch them either......and these people can catch anything..



I hear that and when I looked at the field and what was weighed in, it just got me to thinking about it again.


quote:

Those fish are there...we just have to adapt and catch them



That is a good point. Adaptation to where they are holding will be the key. The fifteens are just not mixed in as well with the other fish as they used to be in the areas I fished the last two tournaments.
Thanking the Lord, all day long

--- tomc
Redskeeter
Moderator
Username: Redskeeter

Post Number: 1141
Registered: 8-2007


Rating: N/A
Votes: 0 (Vote!)

Posted on Tuesday, October 12, 2010 - 9:53 am:   Edit Post Delete Post Print Post

It's the numbers... The 15's simply aren't there or “you would catch them too”.. Every now and then you'll pop one and it'll be a real good one too, fat belly bulging out.. Now, where are the other 4 ??? Our success has always been the numbers game... If I can catch 40-50 fish I'll get the right 5---always have.

I'm catching 40-50 fish now !!! where's my other 4 ??? LOL. I believe it's called unnatural attrition.

There is no way in the world you can tell me 100 boats out 250 on the lake at a given time catching 40-50 fish won't have an effect on the lake, short term and long term...

And to top it off, looks like the bass are going to competing with the Sand Bass for forage which further exacerbates the problems at hand and in the future.

Stick that in your pipe and smoke it.. LMAOOOOO
KBD Fishing
Picklefork
Bluegill
Username: Picklefork

Post Number: 209
Registered: 12-2009

Rating: N/A
Votes: 0 (Vote!)

Posted on Tuesday, October 12, 2010 - 8:27 pm:   Edit Post Delete Post Print Post

Sounds like you been smokin' a pipe Billy...hehehehahaha LMAO.....been hangin' out with Zeet lately ????? Sometimes we just have to adapt to the conditions we are presented....you said I did'nt have to agree with you, well I don't. No one said tourney fishin on the same lake every year would be easy....some times you can put a good year together... and then the lake will change and you have to start all over again.....And yes goin out and catchin 40 or 50 fish has been payin off in tourneys....you might now have to catch a 100...hehehehahaha Gary Paris and Hollywood showed us how that is done last Sat.........come fish the individual with us sunday and try to learn with the rest of us....we miss you and Kay..........

(Message edited by picklefork on October 12, 2010)
Tomc
Bass
Username: Tomc

Post Number: 678
Registered: 12-2006


Rating: N/A
Votes: 0 (Vote!)

Posted on Wednesday, October 13, 2010 - 9:22 am:   Edit Post Delete Post Print Post

The first time I had this basic conversation was with Trimble after we fished Bassin 4 Babies back in June. The fishing was on for us for sure. We had one 2 lber and 8.51 for 5th place out of 91 boats. And there were only one or two sacks of unders that topped 8.51 and if I remember right there were no other 8 lb. sacks out of 91 boats and 6 something got a check on a 1-7 payout.

This has been a good conversation thread so far. It will be interesting to see where the fishing goes over the next year or so. I remember running into T1 and T2 last year several times in the fall and the first question asked was, “you all got 10 yet?”


quote:

Gary Paris and Hollywood showed us how that is done last Sat



Gary and David had one 2 lb+ fish in their sack and it was a good one. I would suspect that the “Troy’s” had one or two in the fatty range.


quote:

and then the lake will change and you have to start all over again.....



The lake to me is fishing basically the same as last year. The fish are still in most areas I have fished, good slots and unders. I have also been working on thinking out of the box since June. Fished different parts of the lake with Ozzie, Yoda, Trimble, and Steve Mee. Same basic result. It is still going to be a numbers game though as Pickle stated, teams may have to go through much bigger numbers to get there.

Sacks are down across the board. Looking at these stats, I would guess that we had five or maybe six 2 lber’s brought in from 43 anglers.

1 Troy Clemens / Troy Rossman 5 9.46 2.14
2 Gary Paris / David Fanning 5 9.29 2.40
3 James Quillman / Rodney Stovall 5 9.04
4 Bill Sweeten / Micah Gaby 5 8.84
5 John Reynolds / Wesley Reynolds 5 8.77 2.13
6 Eric Wright / Cameron Burnett 5 8.36 2.07
7 Mark Huffman / Chuck Turner 5 7.61
8 Bill Kallaher / Richie 5 7.53 2.34
9 Steve Taylor / Tommy Cornelius 5 7.16
10 Greg Clark / Cody Clark 5 6.95
11 Rick Dusek, Jr. / Rick Dusek, Sr. 5 6.70
12 Chris Taylor / Michael Zmolik 5 6.32
13 Billy Wilson / Tim Grinolds 5 6.20
14 Ray Vereen 5 6.05
15 Mike Campbell / Don Robinson 5 5.83
16 Joel Mixon / Dell Brown 5 5.04
17 Doug Tatman / Lonnie Tatman 5 4.89
18 Derek Grier / Matt Mayfield 5 4.86
19 Debbie Kemp / Rusty Kemp 5 4.79
Thanking the Lord, all day long

--- tomc
Redskeeter
Moderator
Username: Redskeeter

Post Number: 1144
Registered: 8-2007


Rating: N/A
Votes: 0 (Vote!)

Posted on Wednesday, October 13, 2010 - 10:56 am:   Edit Post Delete Post Print Post

Pickle---come-on man, I started this thread just to yank some chains dude.. It's been boring around here without Sinkey and Zeet to butterball every now and again...

If we agree to disagree, that's good by me..


We've been trying not to compete as much, but that ain't happen'n.. May fish Media this weekend and fo-show gonna fish the BurpLey, just dropped another 40 bucks on baits.

Actually we've been managing 2-3 fish over 2-lbs every trip out while not trying too.
I've been looking for some of my big fish, with not so good results. Thus my real purpose of this topic, if anyone doubts my findings so be it..

Can't do the indv... I'm a part time baby sitter now.. Two of our daughters and the kiddo's are moving back in at the Arlington house by the end of this month.. (OH JOY)... LOL.. But I do love the GrandKids, their fun... One is almost old enough to take the backseat, soon.

I just want you to stop sore mouth'n my fish so he'll have some when he finally get's out there.
LMAOOOOOOOOOO.
KBD Fishing
Tomc
Bass
Username: Tomc

Post Number: 679
Registered: 12-2006


Rating: N/A
Votes: 0 (Vote!)

Posted on Wednesday, October 13, 2010 - 11:08 am:   Edit Post Delete Post Print Post


quote:

We've been trying not to compete as much, but that ain't happen'n.. May fish Media this weekend and fo-show gonna fish the BurpLey, just dropped another 40 bucks on baits.





I am trying to lay out of the tourney scene this weekend. Brenda and I are going boating somewhere Saturday. Fork is addicting. I can't even get her to hit Twok just for hanging out for the day. She don't like Twok. Might see you all out there somewhere Saturday
Thanking the Lord, all day long

--- tomc
Ozziefish
Lunker
Username: Ozziefish

Post Number: 1678
Registered: 8-2004


Rating: N/A
Votes: 0 (Vote!)

Posted on Wednesday, October 13, 2010 - 11:51 am:   Edit Post Delete Post Print Post

Tom,
Ron is looking for a partner for the IBC tournament...Briminator is going to the races. food for thought...
OzzieFish
"Glory to GOD in the Highest"
www.visionlure.com
www.doublezzcustomlures.com
Nyyankee
Bass
Username: Nyyankee

Post Number: 836
Registered: 8-2008

Rating: N/A
Votes: 0 (Vote!)

Posted on Wednesday, October 13, 2010 - 11:54 am:   Edit Post Delete Post Print Post

Why don't all you old 50-60 fish a day greedy bastards just stop hurting them poor lil fishys and the lake will have a fn chance to recover.........bunch a dink heads.
Tomc
Bass
Username: Tomc

Post Number: 680
Registered: 12-2006


Rating: N/A
Votes: 0 (Vote!)

Posted on Wednesday, October 13, 2010 - 4:32 pm:   Edit Post Delete Post Print Post


quote:

Ron is looking for a partner for the IBC tournament...Briminator is going to the races. food for thought...




Thanks for the heads up but I am taking Brenda out Saturday unless she bails on me which is highly unlikely. Will prolly stop by and visit for a few if you all are back from weighin.
Thanking the Lord, all day long

--- tomc
Picklefork
Bluegill
Username: Picklefork

Post Number: 210
Registered: 12-2009

Rating: N/A
Votes: 0 (Vote!)

Posted on Wednesday, October 13, 2010 - 10:00 pm:   Edit Post Delete Post Print Post

Cross Billy off "Runs his house" Yank.....The Boy is Sceeeeerad to fish by hisseff Sunday.....There is Gwana be so much estrogen in that house.........He will will have ManTits next time we see him......hehehahaheheahahahahaha............ Maybe Kotex for a new sponser???? hehehehahaha...That explains the psycho posting....PMS?...hehehehahahahaha
Redskeeter
Moderator
Username: Redskeeter

Post Number: 1146
Registered: 8-2007


Rating: N/A
Votes: 0 (Vote!)

Posted on Thursday, October 14, 2010 - 6:56 am:   Edit Post Delete Post Print Post

Whatever...



LMAOOOOOOOO.
KBD Fishing
Nyyankee
Bass
Username: Nyyankee

Post Number: 837
Registered: 8-2008

Rating: N/A
Votes: 0 (Vote!)

Posted on Thursday, October 14, 2010 - 7:01 am:   Edit Post Delete Post Print Post

Billy come on man you and Oz need to pull your nut sacks up. We're the only ones on here old enough to laugh, sneeze, cough, pee and fart all at the same time.
Redskeeter
Moderator
Username: Redskeeter

Post Number: 1147
Registered: 8-2007


Rating: N/A
Votes: 0 (Vote!)

Posted on Thursday, October 14, 2010 - 11:00 am:   Edit Post Delete Post Print Post

I gotta go back to Jockey undie's..
KBD Fishing
Picklefork
Bluegill
Username: Picklefork

Post Number: 214
Registered: 12-2009

Rating: N/A
Votes: 0 (Vote!)

Posted on Thursday, October 14, 2010 - 10:16 pm:   Edit Post Delete Post Print Post

wise move Billy.....might I suggest a cup as well..................hehehehehehehehe
Tomc
Bass
Username: Tomc

Post Number: 683
Registered: 12-2006


Rating: N/A
Votes: 0 (Vote!)

Posted on Saturday, October 16, 2010 - 9:38 pm:   Edit Post Delete Post Print Post

Ended up having to work today then helped Trimble put a radiator in and rewired and put LEDS on my trailer. See you all tomorrow afternoon, B and I are going out about noon to harass Ozzie and Harriet as they fish the last couple of hours of the IBC club tourney. We will be there about noon. Should be fun.....
Thanking the Lord, all day long

--- tomc
J_c_outdoors
Bluegill
Username: J_c_outdoors

Post Number: 107
Registered: 3-2009

Rating: N/A
Votes: 0 (Vote!)

Posted on Sunday, October 17, 2010 - 10:45 pm:   Edit Post Delete Post Print Post

The fish on Fork are doing better each year both in numbers and in size. Over the four years that we have hosted events on Fork I have seen a consistant increase in weights needed to win events based on the spring weights. This year we had overs in almost all of our events in the spring and summer, sometimes multiple overs per event. I do not, nor will ever buy in to the 40% delayed mortality on a slot lake where 99% of the fish weighed are the hardiest, toughest little boogers in the pond. With the amount of fish stocked into Fork on an annual basis the minimal amount of tournament mortality is most likely a blessing not a curse. Everyone has struggled to catch the 2 pounders consistantly over the past 3 months including myself, fish adapt to their conditions much faster than the anglers. We will catch up to their tricks soon and everyone will be happy with Fork once again. I think we have to be careful not to over analyze the situation at hand. Nature takes care of her own, we just have to be good at taking care of the resources while they are in our care which consists of getting them back to the waters healthy and ready for the next fight. Tournaments are a must stay for the business owners at Lake Fork, without them some would be out of business allready.
Lake Fork is definitley the best lake in Texas and most likley the best in the nation.
Ozziefish
Lunker
Username: Ozziefish

Post Number: 1683
Registered: 8-2004


Rating: N/A
Votes: 0 (Vote!)

Posted on Monday, October 18, 2010 - 10:41 am:   Edit Post Delete Post Print Post

weights were down this weekend on Fork...
IBC 8.35 win 14th 6.85 Cashes BB 2.47 Nice!
JCO 8.99 Win
BLT 8.09 Win
OzzieFish
"Glory to GOD in the Highest"
www.visionlure.com
www.doublezzcustomlures.com
Nyyankee
Bass
Username: Nyyankee

Post Number: 902
Registered: 8-2008

Rating: N/A
Votes: 0 (Vote!)

Posted on Saturday, December 4, 2010 - 6:57 pm:   Edit Post Delete Post Print Post

Ohhh the pressure pffffffffffft

Topics | Last Day | Last Week | Tree View | Search | User List | Help/Instructions | Program Credits Administration