Lake Fork-March

[MstStudent10]

Sorry to post this here I know its not TRL, but I know this forum gets a lot of traffic.

Some other plans fell through, so I have some time off March 16th-21st. I want to make a trip down to Lake Fork. I know people will say hire a guide, but i just can't afford that. My plan right now is to haul my 14' flatbottom down there and stay at a campsite that provides electric and shower facilities.

So my question is this?... Does anyone on this forum have any experience fishing Fork? Particularly in March? I have absolutely no clue other than stuff I'm reading. All I have is the stories I've heard and the dream of going down there and fishing a week just to have a good chance to hook onto 1 8+ lber!!

If anyone has any info on some "good" ramps to put in at, and maybe some key areas or spots on that lake, it would be greatly appreciated. Other than that, I'm just gonna go down there and shoot around with my 9.9hp and wing it! Thanks guys.

ps... If anyone has a bigger boat and is by any chance going down there and needs a tag along to split expenses with, shoot me a pm.

[MstStudent10]

p.s.s.... If anyone knows if theres a forum like OzarkAnglers, only for Texas, that would be extremely helpful too. Thanks!

[Trav]

Sorry to post this here I know its not TRL, but I know this forum gets a lot of traffic.

Some other plans fell through, so I have some time off March 16th-21st. I want to make a trip down to Lake Fork. I know people will say hire a guide, but i just can't afford that. My plan right now is to haul my 14' flatbottom down there and stay at a campsite that provides electric and shower facilities.

So my question is this?... Does anyone on this forum have any experience fishing Fork? Particularly in March? I have absolutely no clue other than stuff I'm reading. All I have is the stories I've heard and the dream of going down there and fishing a week just to have a good chance to hook onto 1 8+ lber!!

If anyone has any info on some "good" ramps to put in at, and maybe some key areas or spots on that lake, it would be greatly appreciated. Other than that, I'm just gonna go down there and shoot around with my 9.9hp and wing it! Thanks guys.

ps... If anyone has a bigger boat and is by any chance going down there and needs a tag along to split expenses with, shoot me a pm.

I was at Fork a couple years back in mid March. The wind beat us up big time and we were in a 21 foot bass boat. Be careful..it can get dangerous in a little boat.

As far as winging it...I hear you there, in my opinion that is the only way to do it!!! Just remember to work the bait fish. They will get blown into the windy banks. Look for waves crashing into grass. Worked for us!!

Good Luck

[Flysmallie]

I would agree with Trav. It can be a great lake in March but the winds can put you in the hotel for the day.

I've always done well fishing rattle traps on those windy and grassy points.

[T-RockJaws]

Went down last year in the second week of march. It was extremely windy when you tried to get out and run in the main lake to get somewhere. I would suggest trailoring your boat to whatever creek you decide to fish. You can find access ramps in about every creek and the rates are pretty reasonable. Caney creek is the place where most of the guides are fishing this time of year. With that said, I spent a whole day in Mustang Creek and did okay. We caught a few fish, but the kicker was the 9.11 pounder that my dad caught on the last day of the trip. It was the biggest fished checked in for the week where we were staying. We had our best luck slow rolling a chartruse spinner bait, but lipless crank baits in red colors work pretty well too. Good Luck!

[spahog]

Check texasfishingforum.com for a lot of info about Fork. I use to go every spring, but I got tired of going all the way down there for three bites, even if the bites were donkeys.

[Fishmeister]

For several years we, (3 boats) made a annual trip to Fork in late Feb., early March. Most trips our big fish would be 8-9#. My largest was 11.29#. I agree with other posts wind will be a major factor, even in a large boat! I would look for places in the upper end of Fork, that will take some of the danger out of the equation. One year we stayed at Oakridge, and at breakfast we were talking to the guys next to us about the wind, we had decided to stay in even though we had 19'-21' boats it was too risky, they decided to go anyway and one of them didn't make it back. Wear you pfd! In March you will have alot of competion, and the hydrilla will be thick, especially in the upper end. If I was going to be limited to one bait I would choose a magnum rattletrap, one color, RED. Have fun good luck. Once you feel comfortable with the area may want to try night fishing, good chance to catch a fish of a lifetime.

Good luck,

Dave

[mo4packer]

I've made it down to Fork for a week the last 13 yrs. Ranging from mid-Feb until end of March. The one thing I will promise you is it will be VERY crowded on the weekend and very busy during the week. I see lots of smaller boats. One day you will have 35+ winds and next day slick. Just don't go on the main lake with the strong winds. There is a ramp in LITTLE mustang at The Tackle Factory (Joe Spaits Spoon) no matter how strong the wind is you can fish in the back of little mustang. It will be crowded but you will find a area to fish. Also IF not very windy put in by Glade and you can go back in Glade and fish out of the wind or long branch is the other direction and is always out of the wind With a smaller boat you will have some areas those big boys can't get in. I wouldn't put in on the main lake and venture to far away b/c if that wind comes up, it gets rough in a hurry. I don't know why but that lake just flat gets rough compared to around here. As far as sites Texas Fishing Forum is by far the best. I know you will laugh but you really only need one bait. Zoom super fluke. Watermelon and watermelon! (some people use watermelon red) Throw it weightless in SHALLOW water over grass and just leave it (deadstick) Don't move it. Reel it in and do it again. If it is windy tie on a light c-rig and fish the fluke SLOW! Good luck and eat at MOSERS! my oh my the pie!

[steveearle]

We did a mid-March(college spring break) trip from a 16" flat bottom with a 30hp for 6 days. We were able to fish 3 days of the 6 from the 16-footer. We got a 4th day on the water b/c we had a guide. We basically would have been 3 for 6 due to the wind, had we not had the guide...I did whack a 20 lb. bag, on one of the days the wind blew, from behind the dock (not big for Fork) at the campground on a big Rogue, keeping my rod tip high, as it was only about 4' deep...Like Mo Packer siad, there are some sheltered spot in Mustang and a couple of other places. Get a map and look the forcasted wind direction and be careful...When it blows down there, it blows hard...

[MstStudent10]

Wow, thanks everyone so much for the info. As always you've helped greatly. Good to know about the wind ordeal. That is something I really never woulda took into account, and from what it sounds like, could have ended up pretty bad. It stinks now, I have a big exam tomorrow and I literally can't stop thinking about fishing!! What's a guy to do?