Does current play a role in fishing Texas lakes when they have the gates open? What kind of spots do you target when the gates are open compared to how you fish when the gates are closed? Is current even much of a factor on lakes like Fork, Rayburn, or the Pines?

yes. very much so. when gates are open fish feel the levels dropping and suspend. but on the other hand, lakes with currents with gates shut concentrate bait and bass like the highway bridge at monticello for example. current creates oxygen which draws the food chain to it.

It kills the shallow bite on most lakes. It's weird and spotty to say the least. If water coming into the lake has stopped and the level is dropping, they hate it. If there's a different current source then they love it.

There is current on every lake and its not just inflows or dam releases. Wind is a constant current factor and has a huge role positioning fish. I dont like heavy wind but I have caught alot more fish in chop than I have in slick water conditions.

Fish don't know they are in Fork, Rayburn, the Pines or even Texas. A fish is a fish no matter where he lives. As stated above, yes, current of any nature effects fishes movements and behaveier. When the gates are open I would concentrate on points and when they are shut concentrate on the staight banks and back of pockets. This is just a starting point, there are so many variables. Rising water,falling water,how much current, in a cove or tributary, etc.

If they are letting water out at Fork it can turn the fish bite switch to "off". The more florida strain the bass are the more it seems to effect them.

Regardless of gates and wind, there is always current. Warmer water rises and colder water falls within the water column. That's one of the reasons humps and points can be productive. And sometimes that's why one side of a hump can be loaded and the other side empty.

Then you throw in the wind and manmade influences you have a pretty dynamic bowl of water.