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Thoughts on so many lakes fishing tough....
#11002213
07/27/15 02:07 AM
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Joined: Jan 2004
Posts: 72,493
Mark Perry
OP
Super Freak
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OP
Super Freak
Joined: Jan 2004
Posts: 72,493 |
Seems more than a few are not back up to speed yet but I recall 4-5 years ago the last time we got a lot of water in the lakes we had the same issues in the summer with super tough fishing. I recall though the fall was amazing. I bet the tide turns in another month or so and they all get back to fishing better. Some lakes are still releasing water which hurts but I bet we have a killer fall.
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Re: Thoughts on so many lakes fishing tough....
[Re: Mark Perry]
#11002216
07/27/15 02:10 AM
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Joined: Oct 2003
Posts: 26,650
senko9S
TFF Guru
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TFF Guru
Joined: Oct 2003
Posts: 26,650 |
its gonna happen next year.
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Re: Thoughts on so many lakes fishing tough....
[Re: senko9S]
#11002218
07/27/15 02:11 AM
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Joined: Jan 2004
Posts: 72,493
Mark Perry
OP
Super Freak
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OP
Super Freak
Joined: Jan 2004
Posts: 72,493 |
its gonna happen next year. More rain is gonna happen. Its in the long range forecast. Another wet spring.
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Re: Thoughts on so many lakes fishing tough....
[Re: Mark Perry]
#11002252
07/27/15 02:28 AM
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Joined: May 2010
Posts: 2,024
90 5.0
Extreme Angler
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Extreme Angler
Joined: May 2010
Posts: 2,024 |
I think it has to do with how much new water and available cover there was, seemed like once you could get dialed in the water would drop another foot and have to search again.
I don't think its necessarily the fish aren't doing their thing and eating/hitting. Just the rapidly changing conditions are harder to keep up with.
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Re: Thoughts on so many lakes fishing tough....
[Re: Mark Perry]
#11002265
07/27/15 02:34 AM
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Joined: Mar 2009
Posts: 2,218
B.Hollingshead
Extreme Angler
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Extreme Angler
Joined: Mar 2009
Posts: 2,218 |
I think the lakes are turning over later then normal from it being cooler later
Branden Hollingshead
38-DD's and counting
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Re: Thoughts on so many lakes fishing tough....
[Re: Mark Perry]
#11002273
07/27/15 02:39 AM
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Joined: Feb 2011
Posts: 27,402
Der Vorsteher
TFF Guru
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TFF Guru
Joined: Feb 2011
Posts: 27,402 |
As much water as the lakes got and as fast, I think it definitely makes things tough. It almost creates a whole new lake with as much water as some of them got. A few years back amistad flooded and we fished it that year and it was tough, but the lake stayed stable and the next year me and my buddy had 2 days of a lifetime. I think the high water messes with them for sure, plus it muddies up water, etc.
Mark, I know it is supposed to rain a lot again next spring but I think as long as the lakes dont drop 25 feet before then it won't affect the lakes as much. I think the Fall will be great and next year could be good.
Last edited by Der Vorsteher; 07/27/15 02:41 AM.
Team Wolfs
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Re: Thoughts on so many lakes fishing tough....
[Re: Mark Perry]
#11002306
07/27/15 02:58 AM
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Joined: Oct 2010
Posts: 16,250
Rob W.
TFF Guru
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I agree this fall should be some great fishing.
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Re: Thoughts on so many lakes fishing tough....
[Re: Mark Perry]
#11002336
07/27/15 03:21 AM
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Joined: Nov 2009
Posts: 787
tanker4lyfe
Pro Angler
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Pro Angler
Joined: Nov 2009
Posts: 787 |
My look on it is that they have/had a lot more and new cover and that has then spread way out and also lakes are being pulled down.
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Re: Thoughts on so many lakes fishing tough....
[Re: Mark Perry]
#11002345
07/27/15 03:26 AM
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Joined: Jan 2007
Posts: 10,559
Jarrett Latta
TFF Guru
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TFF Guru
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Posts: 10,559 |
Same amount of fish spread out in way more water
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Re: Thoughts on so many lakes fishing tough....
[Re: Mark Perry]
#11002356
07/27/15 03:33 AM
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Joined: Jul 2013
Posts: 6,694
Brent S
TFF Celebrity
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Joined: Jul 2013
Posts: 6,694 |
I can't find anything bigger than two pounds. Shallows are loaded with little ones. Big ones I think are still deep.
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Re: Thoughts on so many lakes fishing tough....
[Re: Mark Perry]
#11002477
07/27/15 10:49 AM
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Joined: Nov 2002
Posts: 4,439
Gamblinman
TFF Team Angler
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TFF Team Angler
Joined: Nov 2002
Posts: 4,439 |
More water + more cover means the fish are spread out more.
Gman
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Re: Thoughts on so many lakes fishing tough....
[Re: Mark Perry]
#11002525
07/27/15 11:51 AM
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Joined: Mar 2013
Posts: 9,169
Lee in Texas
TFF Celebrity
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Joined: Mar 2013
Posts: 9,169 |
IDK, between soo very much rainfall (thankfully) and now searing heat and very continued muddy waters, I just 'summerized' my rig at least until the heat subsides .... a little at least. The fall, winter and hopefully coming spring are going to be MUCH better fishing. God Bless
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Re: Thoughts on so many lakes fishing tough....
[Re: Mark Perry]
#11002746
07/27/15 02:21 PM
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Joined: Nov 2008
Posts: 6,182
coachallentca
TFF Celebrity
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TFF Celebrity
Joined: Nov 2008
Posts: 6,182 |
heck is always tuff in August
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Re: Thoughts on so many lakes fishing tough....
[Re: coachallentca]
#11002809
07/27/15 02:46 PM
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Joined: Mar 2008
Posts: 3,853
catslayer
TFF Team Angler
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TFF Team Angler
Joined: Mar 2008
Posts: 3,853 |
heck is always tuff in August ITS FREAKING HOT GUYS!!!! it always gets tough when it gets THIS hot... and the new water, and the muddy water... chill, it will come around. Until then go shoot some skeet and get ready for dove season lol
"I'll never mess with bee's or wasp anymore, and I'll never gig another beaver..." Words from a man who learned things the hard way
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Re: Thoughts on so many lakes fishing tough....
[Re: Mark Perry]
#11002940
07/27/15 03:35 PM
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Joined: Mar 2012
Posts: 192
Stick um all
Outdoorsman
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Outdoorsman
Joined: Mar 2012
Posts: 192 |
Rapid falling water is bad. Belton was still pouring it out. Largemouth are having to reposition a lot. The only thing biting here is the smallmouth. They seem to like the moving water. Also with so many of our lake having more off colored water, it heats up faster. We have water temps in the low 90s here. 11 lb won the night tourny sat. Night. 5 smallies in the bag. Still not much weight.
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Re: Thoughts on so many lakes fishing tough....
[Re: Mark Perry]
#11002998
07/27/15 03:55 PM
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Joined: Jun 2005
Posts: 1,509
Slade
Extreme Angler
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Extreme Angler
Joined: Jun 2005
Posts: 1,509 |
I've been working more the last month or so and house shopping so I haven't been as often lately. I really don't like fishing in this heat, I can take it until about 11am, but it gets miserable quick in the afternoon. And the lakes close to me are still closed so I haven't felt like driving to Fork for a few hours. I'm ready for the fall I guess
PB 10.58 Joe Pool
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Re: Thoughts on so many lakes fishing tough....
[Re: coachallentca]
#11003080
07/27/15 04:32 PM
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Joined: Jun 2012
Posts: 20,704
Douglas J
TFF Guru
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TFF Guru
Joined: Jun 2012
Posts: 20,704 |
heck is always tuff in August July - September, if I want to catch decent fish then I usually fish at night. It's too dang hot even for a fish in Texas
#MFGA
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Re: Thoughts on so many lakes fishing tough....
[Re: Mark Perry]
#11003091
07/27/15 04:36 PM
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Joined: Feb 2002
Posts: 1,757
Delvec
Extreme Angler
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Extreme Angler
Joined: Feb 2002
Posts: 1,757 |
Seems more than a few are not back up to speed yet but I recall 4-5 years ago the last time we got a lot of water in the lakes we had the same issues in the summer with super tough fishing. I recall though the fall was amazing. I bet the tide turns in another month or so and they all get back to fishing better. Some lakes are still releasing water which hurts but I bet we have a killer fall. Some of the best fall fishing I've had in a long while was "07" 8 an 9, on Roberts. I look for the fish to do the same this fall. Come on Oct.
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Re: Thoughts on so many lakes fishing tough....
[Re: Mark Perry]
#11003317
07/27/15 06:27 PM
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Joined: Jun 2012
Posts: 910
crowsie14
Pro Angler
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Pro Angler
Joined: Jun 2012
Posts: 910 |
Suppose to take a trip to Falcon in a couple weeks. Going to need a sumbrella for the boat! Its hot even thinking about it.
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Re: Thoughts on so many lakes fishing tough....
[Re: Mark Perry]
#11003515
07/27/15 07:53 PM
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Joined: Oct 2006
Posts: 13,516
Ken A.
Groovy
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Groovy
Joined: Oct 2006
Posts: 13,516 |
Those of us that have fished Fork for many years know that in years past the deep structure fishing is normally great in the heat of July & Aug.
I believe this year is tough due to all the new water in the lake. I make my living testing water chemistry. The average pH of rainwater is about 5.5 to 5.7. That is way below the normal lake's pH of 7.5. I believe the fish are in a "funk" due to the drastic change in water chemistry. I am not suggesting anything as drastic as LMBV but I do think the fish are sickly.
I could be wrong but the old timers that have fished the lake since 1983 know the fishing is way off compared to the summers of the past.
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Re: Thoughts on so many lakes fishing tough....
[Re: Mark Perry]
#11003732
07/27/15 09:51 PM
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Joined: May 2009
Posts: 4,170
snickers
TFF Team Angler
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TFF Team Angler
Joined: May 2009
Posts: 4,170 |
all the fish are now in the ocean.
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Re: Thoughts on so many lakes fishing tough....
[Re: Ken A.]
#11003836
07/27/15 11:10 PM
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Joined: Apr 2008
Posts: 40,819
CCTX
mapquest
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mapquest
Joined: Apr 2008
Posts: 40,819 |
Been going to a few smaller lakes I know well and heading straight for some of the deeper cover mid day. The bigger bass are usually predictably right there in the same places every year by now; but not this year--lots are suspended deep, but not relating to the deep cover and deep structure they usually do.
With all that newly flooded cover during the shad and bluegill spawns, there must be huge amounts of easy pickins small fry for the bass to eat. Bet they are gorging themselves on the small fry at night/early morning then resting, suspending deep during the day.
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Re: Thoughts on so many lakes fishing tough....
[Re: Mark Perry]
#11003973
07/28/15 12:29 AM
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Joined: Jul 2012
Posts: 270
Gman72
Angler
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Angler
Joined: Jul 2012
Posts: 270 |
Love summer fishing. 20-25 fish the other night deep. Sat on one spot for 2.5-3hrs.
Predictable ......love summer
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Re: Thoughts on so many lakes fishing tough....
[Re: Mark Perry]
#11004003
07/28/15 12:46 AM
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Joined: Oct 2003
Posts: 26,650
senko9S
TFF Guru
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TFF Guru
Joined: Oct 2003
Posts: 26,650 |
its gonna happen next year. More rain is gonna happen. Its in the long range forecast. Another wet spring. exactly, with a ton of new fast growing fish, and ample shoreline cover I hope for the next 2 years at least.
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Re: Thoughts on so many lakes fishing tough....
[Re: Mark Perry]
#11004195
07/28/15 02:18 AM
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Joined: Aug 2009
Posts: 19,200
ToadSnatcher14
Team Slot Fish
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Team Slot Fish
Joined: Aug 2009
Posts: 19,200 |
I've been to Fork about 3 or 4 times in the past two months. The spawn was somewhat decent for us. After that I've been at a loss. Went during the swim bait craze and struck out then. Been again during the heat and had some success later in the evenings but nothing till then. Then there was this past weekend where I caught 2 bass in 2 days and so did my buddy. Got lost looking and trying everything we could. 3 of the 4 came on FB Jigs in 15-20'. I did catch one in 38' on a 10" worm. I think the better ones are out deep but when I read the guides reports it just reassures what I already knew...I suck bad 60-75% of the time. Thank you sand bass for eating my flutter spoon...
I looked all over and found fish on my graph, could see them but they just were not feeding at all. It's like you gotta hit them in the head this year to make them bite. All the underwater structure spots that are the typical community holes I can't get bit. If I was smart I would have hired a guide this year and learned me something instead of burning gas and practicing my casting. Hats off to those guys for staying on them this year. They make it look easy but they are on a different level than most.
But I'll be back at it in s few weeks trying to find my mojo. Cause right now I'm at an all time low for catching fish. This has been the toughest year as a whole for me ever.
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Re: Thoughts on so many lakes fishing tough....
[Re: Mark Perry]
#11004216
07/28/15 02:25 AM
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Joined: Feb 2013
Posts: 5,225
Bass-N-Buck Master
TFF Celebrity
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TFF Celebrity
Joined: Feb 2013
Posts: 5,225 |
not as many out fishing in the heat so not that many people posting reports on what the did or didn't catch just maybe not as bad as most think its a numbers thing mostly.
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Re: Thoughts on so many lakes fishing tough....
[Re: Mark Perry]
#11004235
07/28/15 02:30 AM
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Joined: Jun 2009
Posts: 4,293
mudd
TFF Team Angler
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TFF Team Angler
Joined: Jun 2009
Posts: 4,293 |
This is way off year for my fishing. I think the high water has a lot do with it and now the record high temps
93 Ranger 482vs 95 Bullet 20cc
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Re: Thoughts on so many lakes fishing tough....
[Re: Mark Perry]
#11004519
07/28/15 06:09 AM
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Joined: Dec 2007
Posts: 3,336
T54
TFF Team Angler
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TFF Team Angler
Joined: Dec 2007
Posts: 3,336 |
I'd say the vast majority of anglers don't catch them all that well this time of year in this type of heat.
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Re: Thoughts on so many lakes fishing tough....
[Re: tanker4lyfe]
#11004526
07/28/15 06:40 AM
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Joined: Jun 2008
Posts: 1,390
FMJshooter
Extreme Angler
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Extreme Angler
Joined: Jun 2008
Posts: 1,390 |
My look on it is that they have/had a lot more and new cover and that has then spread way out and also lakes are being pulled down. Where the heck ya been bud? Hit me up if you wanna go out sometime.
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Re: Thoughts on so many lakes fishing tough....
[Re: Mark Perry]
#11004742
07/28/15 12:38 PM
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Joined: Feb 2010
Posts: 860
Stephen Fatherree
Pro Angler
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Pro Angler
Joined: Feb 2010
Posts: 860 |
Seems more than a few are not back up to speed yet but I recall 4-5 years ago the last time we got a lot of water in the lakes we had the same issues in the summer with super tough fishing. I recall though the fall was amazing. I bet the tide turns in another month or so and they all get back to fishing better. Some lakes are still releasing water which hurts but I bet we have a killer fall. The good thing about tough fishing is that GREAT fishing is usually just around the corner! I think you are right and the fall or winter bite on these East Tx Lakes will be on fire! When the bite is tough like right now I personally like to use lighter weights, lighter line, and smaller lures for these pressured and inactive fish. For example a 1/8oz to 3/16 oz shaky head rigged with a natural colored Yamamoto 5 in Pro Senko is one of my favorites baits out deep, fish it very slowly across the bottom or near cover using 6-10 lb fluorocarbon line and spinning rod! In shallower water I will flip creature baits/jigs for bites from resident bass that live in dirty water and stay tight to shallow cover or in shaded areas during this heat.
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Re: Thoughts on so many lakes fishing tough....
[Re: Mark Perry]
#11005619
07/28/15 06:14 PM
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Joined: Jul 2008
Posts: 2,469
gutcheck
Extreme Angler
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Extreme Angler
Joined: Jul 2008
Posts: 2,469 |
The beauty of the kayak is that when lake fishing sucks you can go fish the rivers... it's starting to get very good below some of the dams around here now that the water's coming down a little
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Re: Thoughts on so many lakes fishing tough....
[Re: Mark Perry]
#11007560
07/29/15 04:40 PM
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Joined: Mar 2009
Posts: 271
perrypogue
Angler
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Angler
Joined: Mar 2009
Posts: 271 |
I'm 70 and retired. All I'm interested in is fishing. I live in west Texas. I begin every morning by launching at 1st light. If I don't fish in the morning I have nothing to do and that really makes me crazy. But I'm way past my personal record for not catching anything. When I think of the hours and gas I've burned since the rains and without ANY results. And I know that August/September will be tough too. I just tell myself that the lake is the prettiest place in the world in the early light and that one of these days I will break this bad streak.
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Re: Thoughts on so many lakes fishing tough....
[Re: perrypogue]
#11007664
07/29/15 05:30 PM
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Joined: Feb 2004
Posts: 28,417
Okie Poke
TFF Guru
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TFF Guru
Joined: Feb 2004
Posts: 28,417 |
I'm 70 and retired. All I'm interested in is fishing. I live in west Texas. I begin every morning by launching at 1st light. If I don't fish in the morning I have nothing to do and that really makes me crazy. But I'm way past my personal record for not catching anything. When I think of the hours and gas I've burned since the rains and without ANY results. And I know that August/September will be tough too. I just tell myself that the lake is the prettiest place in the world in the early light and that one of these days I will break this bad streak. You keep it in the right perspective. I admire you. Stay at it. Your luck will change.
😎 Dallas Cowboys....eventual Superbowl Champions 😎
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Re: Thoughts on so many lakes fishing tough....
[Re: Mark Perry]
#11008035
07/29/15 08:10 PM
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Joined: Jun 2008
Posts: 1,068
bccougar
Extreme Angler
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Extreme Angler
Joined: Jun 2008
Posts: 1,068 |
with lots of new water and lots of dying cover, I think it suspends a lot of fish. they want to go shallow to the cover, but it begins to sour. they want to go deep, but with low light and high heat there is little food and little oxygen out deep. So they suspend at a comfortable range outside the cover. that's been what I have observed in these type of conditions. And it makes for tough fishing.
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Re: Thoughts on so many lakes fishing tough....
[Re: coachallentca]
#11008037
07/29/15 08:12 PM
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Joined: Nov 2009
Posts: 39,353
Dan90210 ☮
Jr Deputy Dan
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Jr Deputy Dan
Joined: Nov 2009
Posts: 39,353 |
heck is always tuff in August Yup! Water temps are very high, oxygen is very low, lots of bait around, the dog days of summer are upon us! I have had luck recently on schooling topwater fish and a few drop shot fish here and there. But all in its been mostly slow. I have started chasing catfish and bluegill on the side to keep my line tight its been that slow lol.
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Re: Thoughts on so many lakes fishing tough....
[Re: Okie Poke]
#11008728
07/30/15 02:13 AM
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Joined: Apr 2014
Posts: 60
TheSinistral
Outdoorsman
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Outdoorsman
Joined: Apr 2014
Posts: 60 |
I'm 70 and retired. All I'm interested in is fishing. I live in west Texas. I begin every morning by launching at 1st light. If I don't fish in the morning I have nothing to do and that really makes me crazy. But I'm way past my personal record for not catching anything. When I think of the hours and gas I've burned since the rains and without ANY results. And I know that August/September will be tough too. I just tell myself that the lake is the prettiest place in the world in the early light and that one of these days I will break this bad streak. You keep it in the right perspective. I admire you. Stay at it. Your luck will change. +1... That's what 70 years of wisdom gives you....I am not religious but dang close when I think how I am Blessed to have the chance to wet a line...
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Re: Thoughts on so many lakes fishing tough....
[Re: Mark Perry]
#11008905
07/30/15 03:23 AM
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Joined: Nov 2010
Posts: 9,474
Jake Shannon(Skeet4Life)
TFF Celebrity
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TFF Celebrity
Joined: Nov 2010
Posts: 9,474 |
Fall is gonna be pretty nuts when all the shad start moving back into creeks and get in the shallow cover those bass will be chomping on them.
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Re: Thoughts on so many lakes fishing tough....
[Re: Ken A.]
#11009078
07/30/15 10:42 AM
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Joined: Oct 2005
Posts: 5,746
JPeel
TFF Celebrity
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TFF Celebrity
Joined: Oct 2005
Posts: 5,746 |
Those of us that have fished Fork for many years know that in years past the deep structure fishing is normally great in the heat of July & Aug.
I believe this year is tough due to all the new water in the lake. I make my living testing water chemistry. The average pH of rainwater is about 5.5 to 5.7. That is way below the normal lake's pH of 7.5. I believe the fish are in a "funk" due to the drastic change in water chemistry. I am not suggesting anything as drastic as LMBV but I do think the fish are sickly.
I could be wrong but the old timers that have fished the lake since 1983 know the fishing is way off compared to the summers of the past. Sell the SRA some water treatment that'll fix that funk!
the fisherman formerly known as Blu-Ranger....
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Re: Thoughts on so many lakes fishing tough....
[Re: Mark Perry]
#11009105
07/30/15 11:08 AM
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Joined: Jan 2003
Posts: 19,220
Jimbo
TFF Guru
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TFF Guru
Joined: Jan 2003
Posts: 19,220 |
There's always golf!
Just one more cast!
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Re: Thoughts on so many lakes fishing tough....
[Re: Mark Perry]
#11009154
07/30/15 11:45 AM
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Joined: Jun 2005
Posts: 563
Tennessee_Fisherman
Pro Angler
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Pro Angler
Joined: Jun 2005
Posts: 563 |
The bass are there it's a timing deal this time of year. Took my son bream fishing and he was catching great for an hour then they stopped all ofsudden .I thought what 's going on . I through my shakey head worm over there and caught 6 bass in a row and he even caught some worms under a bobber. You could be in th perfect spot but if their full and not dinner time their not eating. This summer has been great . I did notice that the wind help a lot . I try to keep covering water and write down times when certain spots turned on so I won't be wasting time. I don't have boat but love fishing no matter the conditions. The bream population has exploded on a lot of lakes and kept some big fish shallow.
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Re: Thoughts on so many lakes fishing tough....
[Re: Mark Perry]
#11009200
07/30/15 12:25 PM
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Joined: Nov 2002
Posts: 4,439
Gamblinman
TFF Team Angler
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TFF Team Angler
Joined: Nov 2002
Posts: 4,439 |
When it gets hot and like the Dead Sea, I like to troll a big DD22 over humps and roadbeds. Cuaght many fish doing this over the years at Fork...also lost my share of DD22's too.
Gman
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