Hey guys, I hope everyone is ready to come out of hibernation. The warm weather this winter has been comfortable to say the least, hopefully some boats never got "winterized". I know mine sure didn't.
February means one thing on Lake Fork....pre-spawn fishing. If you like big fish, which I think we all do, then this will be one of your favorite times of year to fish. The girls come out, they're fat and hungry and can, at times be almost "easy" to catch. Right now I am starting up north in the creeks where the water is a little warmer. I will concentrate on shallow points at the mouth of flats or coves that have spawning areas. Also, I will concentrate very hard on ditches and drains that can hold staging fish. I'll target these areas with 2 baits, a lipless crankbait "rattle trap" in a red/craw color or some type of gold color on 15lb Seaguar Invizx on a 7'6" Duckett med/Hvy crank rod. 1/2-3/4oz are the only two sizes I'll throw. My favorites are Redeye Shad and the Xcalibur lipless crank. I'll also throw a 1/2oz Santone Trembler vibrating jig with a LFT 3.5" Live Magic Shad. Ill throw a white, white & chart, and a green pumpkin color with matching Live Magic Shads. I throw this on 20lb invizx on a 7' Med/Hvy Duckett White Ice rod.
As the day goes on I will move into the back half of the creeks, the 5-15' of water can hold MONSTER fish. Concentrate on bends and splits in the creek. I'll flip a 1/2oz Santone Rattlin Jig in blk/blue & camo w/ a LFT Flipper in blue bruiser and green pumpkin. I use a 7'6" Hvy Duckett rod with 25lb Invizx for this. Pitch past stumps on the edge of the creeks and fish the jig slowly past the stump. If this doesn't get you bit you can also throw a squarebill crankbait around the timber. I like chartreuse/black back and a red crawfish color. The Strike King KVD 1.5 & 2.5 are as good as it gets for this. I'll use 15lb Invizx but you can get away with 20lb and it may be smarter. Bang the crankbait off the stumps and hold on.
Another way I enjoy fishing this time of year is with a jerkbait. I throw a Rouge in a shad color on 10lb Invizx on a 6'6" Med Duckett. I run the banks around spawning areas and just jerk and reel at the same time. This is one of the best ways to catch a lot of fish this time of year.
Guys I sure hope this helps you....this is one of the best times of the year on Fork. The big girls come out to play! I still have dates open in March (11-14 & 26-28) and in April. If you'd like to come out and spend a day with me on Fork or if I can help you in any way give me a call or send me an email. For great lodging on Fork checkout www.LakeForkMarina.com & www.OakridgeMarina.com
www.LakeForkProFishingGuide.com
FishinWithRonnie@Hotmail.com
903-574-5796

Nice write up Ronnie!

Good stuff RK...Thanks for screwing me up...Now I will be dreaming about slaunches on channel swings all night!

Thanks for the report. I'll be up there march 2-3. I'll have report after that.

Very good report....

Thanks for the info.

Great Report!

Thanks

From all indications to date it's gonna be a Great Spring fishing season this year.

Good stuff RK!

great write-up Ronnie!

thanks buddy out there in in a week

Thanks for the info!

Thanks for the great report I'll be there this sat/sun

I like the pics!