If you were going to plan a 4 day trip on Fork to fish for crappie and weren't familiar w/ the lake what time of year would you pick for ease of catching fish? I have a trip planned for the 1st of April, but I may make another trip any suggestions?

For example: On KY lake (my home waters I would say the middle of April if you are familiar w/ the lake. On the other hand if you are experienced on the lake I would suggest late Feb. and early March when the fish are stacked on the creek channels.

Your timeing is about right . The only bad thing is the many fronts and how close together they run through the area at this time. I believe the best chance for a share lunker is Mid March to Mid April at Fork. It seams like all the noticable big ones are caught on jig and pig or spinner baits. But it seem like the more you are on the water at this time the better your chances are. The fisherman that go for the other white meat get the big ones out of the blue. The best time for numbers is during the fall about mid September to mid October.
Lake Fork Marina is a good choice to stay at alot of quality Guides work out of the Marina.

[This message has been edited by molossusri (edited 02-15-2004).]

Casey you can leave today and not be sorry for it. Fork crappie can be caught year round. Slower in summer, just havta go deeper/slower. April is good. Feb/ march better. Check the archives/dates/times etc. texans like ta brag.LOL

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Theres only two kinds. Good ole big'ems. And big ole good ems.

[This message has been edited by Charlie bluewave 18 (edited 02-15-2004).]

Opps got bass fishing on my mind. The crapie seem to move shallow after the Bass spawn has been running for a few weeks. I have seen some big catchs of crappie during our TFF tournament every year the last of March. The size seems to be bigger at this time too. If you get a free day you might try ceder creek for good numbers. Its not that far from Fork.

[This message has been edited by molossusri (edited 02-15-2004).]

I've been fishing fork since 1990, and in my experience, the crappie do very well in the months of Nov-Feb. They are always very deep but stacked like cord wood, on the main lake points near the southern end of the lake. We do find the at other times of the year but for consistancy I like the winter months. And you get to keep everything you catch, because they are so deep, they have problems living when released. Alot of people have places baited out, and it you are fortunate enough to find one of these places, you can limit out nearly anytime after the spring.

Some of the locals tie their own jigs and sell them at the local tackle shops, they are very good quality and I use them when I can find the colors I like. Pumpkin with blue tails and smoke with blue tails are my favorites. But I'm sure other colors catch fish, these are the ones I have the most confidence in. Good luck and tight lines.

Oh and one more thing, if you like using minnows you better use bass tackle with at least 12lb line cuz you never know, that next bite may be a lunker. My wife learned this the hard way, now she listens when I give her advice.

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Do you know CPR ? I do! Catch, Photograph, Release.

[This message has been edited by Bassr1 (edited 02-15-2004).]