Hey All, I'm going to fish this years BBS on lake fork in September. This will be my wife and I first time to fish it and look forward to it. I'm not asking for any spots or secrets, I'm just asking for any pointers like that may help some first timers out. ( I realize its only February, but were really curious) Thanks!

Make sure you know the rules and just as important how to get to the weigh-in from anyplace on the lake. Might also want to make accommodations soon, motels fill up quick.

Make sure you book a room asap as most places book up way in advance... There will be 1500+ boats out there so dont be too in a rush and pay attention to the people around you when running up and down the lake. Lastly, grab a check-it stick as thats the official ruler they use to measure fish at weigh in. As far as fishing, it was tough for us last year to catch money fish, a lot of 1-1.5lb fish but you pretty much need 2lbs to get a check, though you can tune into KMOO and listen to the weigh ins to check weights

Get your hotel room right now first
Find a area on the lake you would like to fish and go fishing there, they are there you just have to catch them
Don't worry about running around trying to find fish elsewhere you will not catch any doing so
Be prepared to fish around boats try to stay cool headed,as this will help you fish better
When it doubt on techniques tie on a Texas rig worm and fish it in cover around cover on points,drop offs
Creek channels
Good fishin

All helpful tips! I appreciate your time and will take advantage of what youve given me. Thanks.

Drop shot around the Dam area and like mentioned just focus on a spot instead of running the lake trust me I ran about 75 gallons of fuel running the lake last year.
And last thing if you go back to weigh in during one of the hours don’t wait till the last minute because it gets super crowded at the marina and can be a bit time consuming

I am assuming you haven't fished other big events on Fork.

IF you are launching at a public ramp or one of the more popular marinas, get there early to get a good parking spot and be ready to launch when it's your turn. Someone launch the boat, someone drive the truck, make the drop and go. There might be 30 people behind you waiting to launch. If you are getting to your spot before fishing is allowed, bring a spot light to help you navigate, you may want to run it in the dark a few time this year if you haven't before.

Be patient and be prepared to share the water.

Another thing we did last year was stay at a private camp ground and just use there ramp to launch it was a lot less boats than the public ramps for sure!

Stay home and roll a fatty.

Ditto for the launch early. If you show up at a popular ramp 15 minutes before first cast you won't be on the water until 30-45 minutes later.

I would pick an area or two and hunker down.

Don't let the Bozo's get to you.

Have a good time. Fisherman will definitely be around you. Most of the fisherman are great guys/gals. Boat traffic is just a fact of life in that tourney.

one more tip for you...bring a radio if your boat doesn't have one...weights will be broadcast throughout the hour

Be sure you know how to properly measure a fish.

watch everyone around you when running the lake. The crazies come out this time of year.

don't idle in the boat lanes, especially at dark

Make sure your nav lights are operational. I also carry a bright focused beam light to signal folks before daylight. Don't want some yahoo not watching where they're going to run you over.

I've never fished the Fork event but have fished Rayburn a couple of times when there were 6,000+ entries. A few more times when it was 3,500-4,000.