No problem Gary, I most likely read it wrong. Either way, we are totally on the same page with the vegitation. As an avid and regular Fork fisherman, I will do what ever I can to get the problem fixed.

I better start with Jersey Dan and then move over to Fouzmans boat for the heavy lifting!!!!

Just wanted to address change of slot on Lake Fork. Lets use facts not stupid guesses or imaginary scenarios. Fact: Tournaments target the genetically superior Bass, not sound management, (example, 15 6/8 inch fish weighing 3 pounds, in livewell, 15 6/8 inch fish weighing 2 pounds, thrown back.
While it is true that all fish will not be giants and all 4 to 6 point Bucks will not grow into B & C Bucks, the fact is, you do not shoot the young 4 to 6 pointers to cull the herd. You remove the older genetically inferior animals ( read between the lines).
In reference to a shortage of food for Bass on Lake Fork: it's obvious anyone saying this cannot read a graph on their boat, let me make it simple for you rocket scientist types, go out at night on Lake Fork, in any bay or cove and shine a spotlight in the water. The millons of little fish you see, from 1/2 inch to 12 inches are Shad. Bass eat shad, get the point?
Running joke at TPW is there is so much food for Bass in Lake Fork that it's a wonder you ever catch a Bass.
May I suggest for the guys having trouble catching Big Bass on Fork. HIRE A REAL GUIDE and leave the slot alone.
Randy Oldfield

So Randy, are you saying that none of the unders should be removed?

I've raised trophy whitetails on two different ranches so I'm very familiar with sound habitat and deer management. Your analogy to a fishery is somewhat off-base.

I've also managed private lakes for trophy largemouth and understand the biology of that, as well.

So please explain to me how it is you think ANY fishery will attain its true health without harvest of some under-sized LMB. I'm not in favor of raising the slot on Fork, btw.

I did not say that taking out fish would not hurt but I did say that the tournament fishing specifically targets the genetically superior fish.

Randy oldfield

Agreed. Thanks for your reply.

Chris Mahfouz

Just curious, Was this "Poll/Post" generated out of someones tournament circuit on Fork is not getting enough entries?? or what would the motive be for changing the slot that according to TPWD is what makes lake Fork the fishery it is.

Cheap Shot there Marine AC-No Hitting Below The Belt LOL

This has been a good post with some good banter both pro and con. There will be some good come from this post if we can keep the narrow minded non sense out of the equation. Do you think you can help us with that?

I am just helping Marc with what I think is an issue that needs to be tabled.

Nuff Said Lets go fishing!

Been there since day one, saw the lake in its hey day, see the lake regularly now.
I dont think raising the bar to 18" would hurt anything anymore than raisning the top end to 26" would hurt anything. There are tons of too small unders out there right now, more than I have ever seen, they probably need to be thinned out to make the whole equation better...but I am not a fishery biologist so can not offer an educated opinion.

I doubt that raising the slot would affect the local economy though, sure it will some but as long as there is a slot it will keep some of the bigger trails from coming.

Be interesting to see what the true impact to the economy around Ray Roberts is now that they lifted the slot entirely, I think this is going to hurt the Fork economy more than any other single action by TPWD in recent history.

That was a LOW blow for sure.
Mark is at the top of the tournament organizers pile in my opinion especially for his size of events (Love them snacks & food)

Fishermen that come to the lake from out of state and from south Texas are the ones that boost the economy at FORK. These folks stay in the hotels, eat out, buy gas and use the guides. I dont think these people care about the lower end of the slot. I remember back in the 90's when the slot was 21. Every spring I would see 8 - 12 lb fish laying in coolers on ice. Everyone thought they had to take the big one home. An yes I do think that hurt the lake. The lake is coming back. Just not as fast as most would like it to. I think we should focus on the vegetation and let the TPW handle the slot issue. There are plenty of non-slot lakes in this state to have tournaments. Just my opinion - thanks, Rodney

Well to Randy, I know you know some things about management but lets be clear both ends must be harvested and in this case at Lake Fork we cannot harvest the big ones nor do we want to. ! You must always take out of the herd on the bottom end if the gentics are not there does/spikes/others have to go. To many small bass could be effecting the over all performance of the lake, and they do eat up lots of food which I can say Lake Fork this year above all others is full of shad and not short of any food. Now sometimes the big fish are not aggresive feeders like the small ones. Tournaments have a mortality rate which would add into a harvest of the bottom end. The true trophies would still not get targeted. Now as for as big fish I catch and my customers catch as many as any of the guides out here including you we just do not lie about the size we weigh them and call it like we see it ! If it is a true giant we bring it to certified scales. REAL GUIDES DO NOT HAVE TO LIE TO GET CLIENTS IN THE BOAT! I figure if the bottom end could get bumped up it would give all guides some extra work which we all could use including you. Just Part Of My 2 Cents !

Marine AC,
Everyone knows that Mark Howard with JC Outdoors is all for himself... Come on Man, give me a break. You are talking about a man that does nothing but love Lake Fork and it's anglers.

You might want to get some history about a man before you start making premature / immature comments.

I don't know what you do for a living or what your real name is. But, I pray no one makes cheap shots at you that could effect your well being or families income, like you have done to others!

Personally I think removing the 10" 25 fish per day rule on sandbass and labeling them like yellow bass (no minimum length, no daily bag limit) would be a much more proactive approach for protecting the future of Lake Fork than to jack with a proven slot.

Taking crappie from 25 per day to say, 15? Crappie fishing here has slid off over the past few years and sand bass/yellow bass and yellow/white hybrids are becoming more and more dominant.

The issue of White Bass becoming more and more common over the past few years really worries me... I can think of 3 deep holes that were very well known that have been completely over run with sandbass the last 2 years.

This is probably not going to make me any friends by saying this, but this lake is not aimed at producing tournament sacks and the slot reflects that. It is managed for trophy bass and holds that reputation for a reason. If you don't enjoy the style of fishing it takes to bring in a "monster" bag of 11lbs than go to another lake that isn't under special regulation.

Me too.