Lake Fork trip recap

[Ketchup]

We left Monday morning around 3am, boat and truck sparkling. Had enough tackle, clothing, water, and rods to hold over 6 people for a month. Made it about an hour away from Fork and got into some nasty rain. There goes the 4 hours i spent on the truck/boat. 
 

Got down to Oak Ridge Resort around 1:30pm, unhooked the boat in front of the room, and headed out to eat, and look around. Crossing over the 154 bridge, the water looked pretty stained. They had received several inches of rain days prior to our visit. 
 

We chilled at the room without taking to the water the first day.  Up Tuesday morning bright and early, drive 100 yards to the ramp, launch, and head to the first stop. Water temps in the high 50’s, but sun shining and 8mph winds. Head to the front 3rd of Little Caney and catch a few dinks up shallow. Off to Mustang and repeat the same catches. Fished until around 5, and off the water to eat/relax. 
 

Tuesday it started raining around 10pm and rained until 5am. We took this time to sleep in, go eat breakfast, and on the water around 11am. Fished a few coves up around Glade. Water really murky on the north end. 2 dinks to show for our 5 hours out. Started sprinkling on us as we were headed back to the ramp. Got the boat on the trailer as it let go.  Dinner then bed. 
 

Got up Thursday at my typical 4am to lots of rain still. It rained until 8:30am. We launched around 9:30 and headed up Little Caney towards the back. Few dinks and not another bite all day. The sun was out in full swing, and so were the gators. I think we counted 32 as we putted around the north end of Little Caney, including this 15’ hoss hanging out with the cows and horses. He was there for the 2 hours we seen him. 
 

Friday we got out at 7:30am and hit a few coves on the south side, catching a few dinks around timber. Around 10 we headed over to Birch Creek. Ran about 1/2 way back, stopped by a lonely dock, flung my flat side squarebill and 2 cranks later a 7.2 took off to the left. My better 1/2 did a great job getting the net, as i would have swore it was atleast 9 the way it was taking line. In the boat, pictures/weight and let go. She was more tickled than myself as she hasn’t been in the boat when I've caught anything over 4 pounds.  Great to see her gets excited for me. We went back and ate lunch, then hit the Caney side of the lake. We pulled into the back of a cove and she started catching crappie every 4th cast. Her pride was a 16 3/4” that made her smile for hours. Several in the 14” range.  Off the water right at dark. 
 

Saturday we were on the water 30 minutes before light, and into Little Caney. Water temps at this time were in the 62 to 68 range, so we hit the shallows. Not a single bite until we got off the water at 10. Loaded up things from the room, and on the road home. 
 

We had a wonderful vacation. Lots of fish, tho no double digits. Yesterday was the MegaBass with over 1700 entries. A 15.47 won it. Be back in June for the Skeeters Owner Tournament. 

[fishinwrench]

Woah!   That's one hell of a lizard ! 😳

[dtrs5kprs]

Didn't know they had gators at Fork. Neat.

[fishinwrench]

29 minutes ago, dtrs5kprs said:

Didn't know they had gators at Fork. Neat.

Yeah......Neat 😳 

I've spent some time around Alligators, and I've decided that I can do without them.  😏

[Ham]

Dang! The gators are a new feature. I only fished Lake Fork for like 11-12 days total, but never saw the first gator.

spring weather is so frustrating. 

[gotmuddy]

Them cows are way too chill to be near that big dinosaur

[fishinwrench]

26 minutes ago, gotmuddy said:

Them cows are way too chill to be near that big dinosaur

How are they supposed to know it isn't just a big log laying there ?     That's the whole game, ya know!  

[Flysmallie]

My favorite lake. Spring is always a toss up. But when you hit it right you get big rewards. 

Never saw any gators there myself except in pics but I never ventured very car away from Birch or the Mustangs. 

[gotmuddy]

Not really surprising to me, we have 12ft+ alligators in southern AR.

[FishnDave]

The gator looks very well fed.  

@Ketchup  Will you be posting the pictures of your big bass and crappies?  I forget what big fish look like... 😁