Flood Gates!!!

I've heard that when the flood gates are open on Lake Fork the fish get LOCK JAW!!

Why is that?- and what tactics can you use to Rip some LIPS!!

Every lake is pretty much the same way. Bass just don't like falling water levels.

O ok thanks for the insight!!

Dozens of DD's were caught on Toledo Bend this spring with the gates wide open. Certainly open gates can pull oxygen rich water off the top of a lake, and smaller lakes might be impacted more than larger ones, but plenty of fish get caught with open gates. Fish don't quit eating just because gates are open.

Rising and falling water is one of the hardest times to pattern and catch fish because they can spread out all over the place; falling water especially. They're catchable but you gotta find em' and then trick em' into biting.

Strike King Shim-E Stick

Once you find the fish, try one of these stickbaits. Rig it weightless and throw it around some visible cover. The subtle fall and scent is good for enticing bites.

Thanks for the info guys!!!

I know on Texoma, if they are not letting water out you can HOPE AND PRAY that you get 5 bites a day on shaky head or drop shot. When they are letting water out, it is MUCH easier. It just depends on which lake it is. Alan Henry fishes better when there is a little water going out. NOT going over the spillway, just letting some water out. FOrk gets lockjaw when they are letting water out, again, just depends on the lake. Those on flowing water rivers, like TVA, the bite is better on them when the water is flowing out. Go figure. Hope this helps.

Tight lines, keep safe and good luck.

Thad Rains

Thank you!

Gates should close this evening.....only .5 high a bit ago

Hmmmm, FORK seems to get LOCK JAW soon as I launch my boat!!!!

I feel your pain!

You would think these fish are used to the gates being open by now!

Up north its the opposite. You need the current produced by the open gates to get them to bite. Probably has something to do with the FL strain vs northern strain.

Bass get off the feed in falling water.........

gates are closed,..have been since Monday at noon. Go whack'em..!!
I have a feeling this skeeter tournament is going to show you some BIG bass this year..

I also understand that when cows are laying down, the fish aren't biting. Guess I'll just stay home. Lazy cows.

Above posts are confusing open flood gates and falling lake levels.....those are two different things. If water passing through open flood gates is not more than incoming flows into lake waters, water levels do not fall......commonly seen in river system reservoirs. It actually conditions the fish to increase activity and bite.

If you check, you may find your reservoir has a sleuce gate.......the water release point for the gate is deep and not at the surface.

I hope I'm one of the ones with the big bass!!! Can you say if they are shallow or Deep?

Both. Seriously!

The fish are everywhere. Not really a solid "pattern" to speak of..I've been just trollin down the bank with about 15 rods out, fishing what's in front of me.

Ok thank you guys again for the tips and info!!