| Author | Message | ||||||||||||
| Gclark
Minnow Username: Gclark Post Number: 6 Registered: 1-2008 Rating: N/A |
Well, after seeing some pics of some fat bellies caught on Feb 9, I think I better get out there. Supposed to be a warming trend next week with it topping out around 70 Saturday the 23rd. Partly cloudy that day is forcast. Don't know the wind yet. Sounds like a perfect day. I don't want to wait too long, I want to get me a prespawn donkey bass, know what ah mean? See, I can't go out there a lot like you lucky dawgs cause my wife don't think that is a good way for me to blow a hunert dollar bill plus. So, I have to pick the best time based on time of year, weather, and lake reports. I have been watching the Fork reports closely and a lot of fish being caught have big bellies right now. Considering everything I have mentioned, what do you guys think about the 23rd being my day to go for it? Gary MG3 Embroidery 972-415-6507 | ||||||||||||
| Tomc
Bluegill Username: Tomc Post Number: 180 Registered: 12-2006  Rating: N/A |
I am sure the fishing will be on that weekend and so will the large crowds. You are doing pretty much what I normally do also, pick the best days according to the weather though I will say that during the week is better because of the crowds. I used to take several vacation days during the week scattered out over the pre spawn and spawn just to have a bit of solitude here and there. If you can’t go during the week, then Saturday is the perfect day. Good luck Gary Thanking the Lord, all day long --- tomc | ||||||||||||
| Gclark
Minnow Username: Gclark Post Number: 7 Registered: 1-2008 Rating: N/A |
Thanks Tom, I wish I could go during the week, but I can't do it this go round. I haven't been on Fork in 15 years, I can imagine how the crowds are now. What can I expect at the ramp in terms of lines etc...? Gary MG3 Embroidery 972-415-6507 | ||||||||||||
| Charles
Moderator Username: Charles Post Number: 1039 Registered: 7-2004 Rating: N/A |
Fishing will only keep getter better from here on. Go when you can. | ||||||||||||
| Redskeeter
Bluegill Username: Redskeeter Post Number: 102 Registered: 8-2007  Rating: N/A |
Gary it's not bad yet, soon though. Even during the weekdays the ramp lots will be full.. Dang foreigners move in by the hundreds. You'll be hard pressed to find a TX tag at any of the launches during the weekdays.. Billy | ||||||||||||
| Picou
Wall Hanger Username: Picou Post Number: 2873 Registered: 8-2004  Rating: N/A |
Gary, I would be less concerned about the date or anything else this time of year. The fish are moving up and they are in all depths. Stick to the basics -- red traps, senkos, flukes, lizards, shallow cranks. Find the warmer water and hammer 'em... Oh... And take a camera for pictures...   Thank you Lord for my family and the waters I get to fish
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| Gclark
Minnow Username: Gclark Post Number: 12 Registered: 1-2008 Rating: N/A |
We're going for it. I use to launch at the Minnow Bucket, I guess that is where I will go unless anyone has a better option for me. I use to fish the west fork exclusively but the water may start warming on the east fork faster in the morning, may go over to the west side in the afternoon, what do ya'll think? It has been a long time since I have been there, any help on where to go will be appreciated. Your secret is safe with me, and you don't need to worry about me fishing it out, I will get out there once or twice a year I am sorry to say. By the way, I am looking for a home out around Fork if anyone knows of any, give me a shout. I will post a link to a pic of my boat. If you see it, come over. When the pic opens, click the tab at the top of the viewer that says "Full SIze' for clearer pic. Hope to see one or all out there. http://s219.photobucket.com/albums/cc197/gclark/?action=view¤t=2001Ranger520BMC049.jpg (Message edited by gclark on February 18, 2008) Gary MG3 Embroidery 972-415-6507 | ||||||||||||
| Zeeter
Minnow Username: Zeeter Post Number: 99 Registered: 3-2007  Rating: N/A |
Gary, there are several places we caught fish this last weekend. I know it sounds crazy but almost the whole lake must have been on fire due to the weights weighed in. If you are familar with the minnow bucket and the west arm a good place to start would be lil caney. Both sides of the creek out toward the mouth ( a ton of grass just look for the coots....red trap and senkos). If that don't hit head to wolf and fish shallow, if that doesn't hit head to the very back of penson or white oak and throw the same thing as lil caney. You should get hammered in a couple of those places by some good slot fish. Good luck man and congrats on getting to the lake. Catching Big Ole PIGS... It's Awesome Man Zach Hughes | ||||||||||||
| Gclark
Minnow Username: Gclark Post Number: 14 Registered: 1-2008 Rating: N/A |
Thanks Zeeter, that outta keep me busy for a spell. You know I think I need to calrify something. I re-read my last post and saw something that could be confusing to some. I posted a link to the pic of my boat so yall could recognize me if you happen to see me out there. If you spot me, come over and say hi, shoot up a flare or something. Gary MG3 Embroidery 972-415-6507 | ||||||||||||
| Redskeeter
Bluegill Username: Redskeeter Post Number: 104 Registered: 8-2007 Rating: N/A |
Very nice ride Gary, sweet. If your in lil caney, you must absolutely look for the warmest water you can find, that will eliminate a large amount of unproductive water.. With all this rain, and possibly more on the way mid-week. The backs of cuts and coves could be cooler than at the mouth or mid-cove temps.. If you can find protected areas with scattered grass and the wind allows go weight less.. I like too dissect an area that way when the weather lets me. You could get hammered Big Time on a whacky Senko. Use 10-50 stren Super braid(it's round,and stays green for ever.) On the hook I use a small sampo swivel(black) with two small split rings(also black) attached at both ends on the swivel one main line the other on the hook to reduce line twist. Awesome setup for anything weightless. Good luck Gary.. Zach told you some very good spots, except for that Wolf Creek place.. It's awful stay away from there..... hehehehe!!! | ||||||||||||
| Gclark
Minnow Username: Gclark Post Number: 16 Registered: 1-2008 Rating: N/A |
Thanks Billy, and thanks everyone. Man, lot's of help here, that's awesome. I like fishing weightless when I can. It just makes for a more natural presentation. When weight is needed I put the least amount that I can get by with. I have been known to mash a split shot or two up against the hook eye. There is really one thing that has been eating at me and that is the timber below the waterline. I use to know where the open water was, but it has been so long I am concerned. I hit a tree top about a year ago and did about 10 grand in damage, I'm kinda paranoid I guess. I hear the boat lanes are marked now, they were not when I fished Fork back in the day. Are they marked well or just kind of a marker here and there? Gary MG3 Embroidery 972-415-6507 | ||||||||||||
| Zeeter
Bluegill Username: Zeeter Post Number: 101 Registered: 3-2007 Rating: N/A |
Gary, the boat lanes are marked very good. They look like no wake buoyes you would see in and around marinas. They have lined them up down through the boat lane. If you are going to be going up the west arm, from the minnow bucket....hug the right bank and you will see the markers just stay right in line with those and you'll keep your 10 grand. Also, Gclark I am prolly going to be fishing JC outdoors on Saturday at fork. We will also be at the minnow bucket and I think weigh in is around three if you want to sample some of that Vicious Line. Catching Big Ole PIGS... It's Awesome Man Zach Hughes http://www.vicious-fishing.com http://www.sundogeyewear.com | ||||||||||||
| Picou
Wall Hanger Username: Picou Post Number: 2878 Registered: 8-2004 Rating: N/A |
Gary, Zach has given some great advice and there really is not much more I can add without confusing things. As Zach mentioned, the boat lanes are clearly marked and the only time you need to worry about stumps is when you are out of the boat lanes. Be very careful going into Wolf if there is any wind because it is loaded with submerged stumps and the mouth can get rough. Let us know how it goes because Wes and I will be on Fork for 3 days next weekend gunning for a sharelunker. If you can make it back to the lake let me know and we will meet up somewhere on the water. Good luck and be safe out there. Thank you Lord for my family and the waters I get to fish
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| Gclark
Minnow Username: Gclark Post Number: 17 Registered: 1-2008 Rating: N/A |
That helps a bunch, I do remember running back and forth in the northeast side of that arm now that you mention it. They didn't have them marked back then I just knew where to drive. I wanted to make sure nothing has changed over the years. Went out and spent about 2 hours today getting the boat and trailer ready. Zach, I may come up there for weigh in unless I am gettin bit real good around that time. Hope to see you there, take a look at the link in my previous posts for a pic of my boat. If you see me out there, come over and say howdy, I'll give ya a ice cold sody pop. Gary MG3 Embroidery 972-415-6507 | ||||||||||||
| Gclark
Minnow Username: Gclark Post Number: 18 Registered: 1-2008 Rating: N/A |
I got my maps and studied up a bit. Found all the coves yall mentioned. I found another that looks good. Little Mustang has some nice break lines and veggies around the mouth and a big flat in the back. At least on the map it does. I want to thank all of you for the advice, yall have been very kind. I will be hunting the big girls and have loaded my baitcasters with with hawg rope. Gary MG3 Embroidery 972-415-6507 | ||||||||||||
| Picou
Wall Hanger Username: Picou Post Number: 2882 Registered: 8-2004 Rating: N/A |
Lil' Mustang should have some fish moving in as well. It sounds like you have a good game plan Gary and I'm looking forward to the report afterwards. Thank you Lord for my family and the waters I get to fish
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| Gclark
Minnow Username: Gclark Post Number: 20 Registered: 1-2008 Rating: N/A |
Well, the high temp forecast keeps dropping for Feb 23 as the week progresses. The beginning of the week the forecast was 67 for a high, it is currently 60. Should still be a good day. Hope it don't drop any lower though. Gary MG3 Embroidery 972-415-6507 | ||||||||||||
| Gclark
Minnow Username: Gclark Post Number: 21 Registered: 1-2008 Rating: N/A |
Does the Navionics chip show the boat lanes? Gary MG3 Embroidery 972-415-6507 | ||||||||||||
| Zeeter
Bluegill Username: Zeeter Post Number: 102 Registered: 3-2007 Rating: N/A |
No, mine doesn't what model do you have? If you just follow the buoyes you should have no trouble at all Catching Big Ole PIGS... It's Awesome Man Zach Hughes http://www.vicious-fishing.com http://www.sundogeyewear.com | ||||||||||||
| Gclark
Minnow Username: Gclark Post Number: 22 Registered: 1-2008 Rating: N/A |
I have the 2007 card. Gary MG3 Embroidery 972-415-6507 | ||||||||||||
| Zeeter
Bluegill Username: Zeeter Post Number: 104 Registered: 3-2007 Rating: N/A |
then no it won't show the lanes but should show were the major stump feilds are..... like going northwest in the west arm on the right of the arm should see clear spots where the boat lanes are (but no marked paths by lines or anything) If you run down the buoyes once and have you my trails on you'll have them locked in. Hope this helps Catching Big Ole PIGS... It's Awesome Man Zach Hughes http://www.vicious-fishing.com http://www.sundogeyewear.com | ||||||||||||
| Gclark
Minnow Username: Gclark Post Number: 23 Registered: 1-2008 Rating: N/A |
Thanks, I will run the buoys for sure. I plan to use my trails too. Gary MG3 Embroidery 972-415-6507 | ||||||||||||
| Picou
Wall Hanger Username: Picou Post Number: 2884 Registered: 8-2004 Rating: N/A |
I think I have the 2007 Navionics card and it has all of the bouys marked. I would not bank on it even if they are on the lake map but they can get you looking in the right direction. Also, to find Fork on the Navionics chip I believe it is in the South East Texas section not the North Texas like you would think. Go get 'em Gary and let us know how it goes. If the weather holds I may run out to the lake on Sunday after church with the kids. Thank you Lord for my family and the waters I get to fish
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| Gclark
Minnow Username: Gclark Post Number: 24 Registered: 1-2008 Rating: N/A |
Thanks Mike, we'll see what happens. I have the Southern USA Hot Spots chip. It covers several states and Fork is definately on there. One of the first lakes on the my list when I bought the card. I think you are right about the east menu. I will probably need to pull up east Texas. Wish you were there, but we will catch up with you another time. (Message edited by gclark on February 21, 2008) Gary MG3 Embroidery 972-415-6507 | ||||||||||||
| Gclark
Minnow Username: Gclark Post Number: 25 Registered: 1-2008 Rating: N/A |
Okay, I have the Hot Spots Premium card and it says DEC 2006 on it, I assume that is the 2007 card. Anyway, it has the boat lanes marked on it. Looks just like the A I D paper maps. It dont have the timber icons on it though it just has text that says flooded timber, not real accurate there. No sweat, I have navigated timber before, I just know Fork is a killer in that regard. I will probably be overly cautious but that's okay, I would rather be over cautious than the alternative. Got the boat loaded and ready to go. Gary MG3 Embroidery 972-415-6507 |
