That lake can humble the best.

Is it hard to fish there? Cant be any harder than the other lakes around here.

I've had some great days and not so good days out there but you know you could catch a fish of a lifetime. It doesn't matter how many times I fish that lake I always have a hard time sleeping the first night.

There are four baits I would take fishing this time of year. Top-water, wacky worm, jig and crank-bait(maybe a big spoon). Just go fishing, have fun and remember that your learning the lake. Don't let your guard down, be focused and put some 17-20 line on if your bass fishing so you don't get broke off.

Where you staying out there Shaun?

Yeah, that lake can really be tough. People get skunked out there all the time.

Robbie is right, I wouldn't even think about going to Fork without a handful of good jigs and some strong fishing line.

I've been to fork three times over the last 25 yrs. Except for the time I went with a guy that had just hired a guide, I've been humbled each time.
I'm hoping Saturday lady fork will be nicer to me .

C-rig chartreuse rattle snake will get you tugged on also.

Lake Fork Marina is the only place I stay. Tiffany's is a great place to est as well. Right next door.

I'm going down there with my wife. Is there a decent place to eat around the dam? I'm just looking at a half day trip since she is coming along. So I thought I would pull out of the water around 1ish and grab a bite to eat before we head back home.

My first trips to Fork were last summer. I went twice and was skunked the first time and caught three the second, one fish being a respectable 21 incher. This March during the spawn I went and stayed two days at Hideaway Harbor. On day one I caught a ton of buck bass fishing in bedding areas, but nothing over 17 inches. Day two I got on the water at first light. Fished all day with a 1 hour break in the afternoon. The wind was crazy, but at around 7-8 PM, as I was about to call it a day and head home, I hung a really nice one in the 7-8 pound class that was pushing 23 inches.

Then in June I fished it several different times, maybe 5 days over a 2 week period. I had entered into the June monthly challenge over at kayakbassfishing.com and was trying to put together two really good fish for that. I did some reports on it. Didn't start catching anything of note until I started swinging for the fence with big heavy baits in deep water. It seems to me that at most lakes, when you're having trouble getting bit, you downsize and beat the banks. I tried that with no results. That lake is so full of bait and big fish that see a lot of lures that I think you've got to show them something that is 'worth their while'. Bigger and deeper has been the answer for me personally. Next time, though, the pattern will be totally different probably. That's fishing, right? But Fork is not like the other lakes around here. Bigger, gnarlier cover, deeper water, and lots of pressure. Wouldn't go without a brush gripper for tying off, and IMO, you're just asking for heartbreak if you're not going with some very stout gear and line. I have had several breakoffs with less than 40-60 pound braid and 20 lb fluoro. But you never know, there's lots of big ones there. I know of at least one person who has caught a giant in their first ten casts with light line and spinning combo. It can be done, but the trees are everywhere and those fish have phds in wrapping you up in them. They also seem a lot better at throwing a heavy jig or spook than other places.

Hey Shaun. I'll second Tiffany's in Alba, which is the closest town to that area of the lake. Only been there once, but it's pretty good.

I might use some live bait.

Shaun, there are several restaurants on Hwy 17 along the west side of the lake, including Tiffany's. I'm partial to Tiffany's for breakfast and the Italian joint at the junction of 17 and 515 for lunch. There is also a seafood place right next door to the Italian that gets good reviews for dinner. It's only open for dinner I think. Fisherman's Cove has decent food, as well, and is the only place in that area to get a cold brew, if that is to your liking.

This thread was kind of highjacked bur lots of good info here. Thanks guys

Theres a DQ, Sonic and a brand new Arby's on hwy 69 about 3 minutes from Lake Fork Tackle. It probably 15 minutes from the lake to go get a bite to eat.