Niggemeyer guides on Lake Fork

Through guiding on famed big bass fishery Lake Fork, James Niggemeyer keeps himself more in tune with the fish.

James Niggemeyer has been a familiar face on the Bassmaster Elite Series since 2007.
James Niggemeyer has been a familiar face on the Bassmaster Elite Series since 2007.
Niggemeyer has qualified for three Bassmaster Classics, including last year when he finished 21st on Lake Hartwell.
Niggemeyer has qualified for three Bassmaster Classics, including last year when he finished 21st on Lake Hartwell.
The Central Open on Toledo Bend in 2009 was his third B.A.S.S. victory.
The Central Open on Toledo Bend in 2009 was his third B.A.S.S. victory.
In down time from tournaments, Niggemeyer guides on Lake Fork, where he’s afforded some incredible views like this cloud formation as a front passed.
In down time from tournaments, Niggemeyer guides on Lake Fork, where he’s afforded some incredible views like this cloud formation as a front passed.
Niggemeyer moved near Lake Fork in 2001 with the plan to guide on the fame big fish lake. He shows off an 8.61-pounder there, far from his personal best of 11-14 at Choke Canyon.
Niggemeyer moved near Lake Fork in 2001 with the plan to guide on the fame big fish lake. He shows off an 8.61-pounder there, far from his personal best of 11-14 at Choke Canyon.
Here Niggemeyer holds a 9-pounder, still shy of the 10-2 he landed to win a B.A.S.S. event on Santee Cooper, which helped him qualify for the Elites.
Here Niggemeyer holds a 9-pounder, still shy of the 10-2 he landed to win a B.A.S.S. event on Santee Cooper, which helped him qualify for the Elites.
Lake Fork has the potential for a personal best, Niggemeyer said, unless you’re personal best is crazy good. This 9.66 summer hog is among his best on Lake Fork.
Lake Fork has the potential for a personal best, Niggemeyer said, unless you’re personal best is crazy good. This 9.66 summer hog is among his best on Lake Fork.
Niggemeyer’s clients range from novices to pros, from old to young, like Zack Hoots.
Niggemeyer’s clients range from novices to pros, from old to young, like Zack Hoots.
Many come to the east Texas reservoir with hopes of landing a personal best bass, and Niggemeyer's had a number accomplish it.
Many come to the east Texas reservoir with hopes of landing a personal best bass, and Niggemeyer’s had a number accomplish it.
Some fulfill a life goal with a 10-pounder. Shane Berlo eclipsed the 10-pound mark by a couple ounces.
Some fulfill a life goal with a 10-pounder. Shane Berlo eclipsed the 10-pound mark by a couple ounces.
Niggemeyer lives about a half hour from Lake Fork in Van, Texas, and will meet anglers about anywhere on the lake, dependent on conditions.
Niggemeyer lives about a half hour from Lake Fork in Van, Texas, and will meet anglers about anywhere on the lake, dependent on conditions.
He launches from Lake Fork Motel and Marina on this day.
He launches from Lake Fork Motel and Marina on this day.
Not being on the lake for several days has him considering his first stop.
Not being on the lake for several days has him considering his first stop.
Niggemeyer said the “little bit of wind is going to counteract the fact that the fish are going to want to be tight to cover.”
Niggemeyer said the “little bit of wind is going to counteract the fact that the fish are going to want to be tight to cover.”
Lures he had tied on pay off quickly.
Lures he had tied on pay off quickly.
Even in guiding, Niggemeyer said there is pressure to catch fish.
Even in guiding, Niggemeyer said there is pressure to catch fish.
“You’re continually adjusting, taking into consideration the conditions and how the fish are behaving.”
“You’re continually adjusting, taking into consideration the conditions and how the fish are behaving.”
Moving through an area helped him figure out what the fish were doing.
Moving through an area helped him figure out what the fish were doing.
Another factor Niggemeyer must consider is his client’s skill level – like if they can skip under docks.
Another factor Niggemeyer must consider is his client’s skill level – like if they can skip under docks.
He will attempt to teach that if asked, but otherwise he has to offer another tactic.
He will attempt to teach that if asked, but otherwise he has to offer another tactic.
Lake Fork was only impounded in 1980. The 8-year stocking of 732,514 Florida-strain largemouth began in 1979. Tank ponds on farms allowed fish to take hold before rising waters incorporated them in the main lake.
Lake Fork was only impounded in 1980. The 8-year stocking of 732,514 Florida-strain largemouth began in 1979. Tank ponds on farms allowed fish to take hold before rising waters incorporated them in the main lake.
An estimated 80 percent of the timber was left standing, providing excellent habitat.
An estimated 80 percent of the timber was left standing, providing excellent habitat.
Hydrilla, milfoil and duckweed are the predominant vegetation. Controlling vegetation has led to some controversy, Niggemeyer said.
Hydrilla, milfoil and duckweed are the predominant vegetation. Controlling vegetation has led to some controversy, Niggemeyer said.
Niggemeyer plucks a nice 4-pounder from Lake Fork.
Niggemeyer plucks a nice 4-pounder from Lake Fork.
Although there’s a rather healthy bass population in the lake, Niggemeyer said the slot limit doesn’t allow for huge bags in tournaments here.
Although there’s a rather healthy bass population in the lake, Niggemeyer said the slot limit doesn’t allow for huge bags in tournaments here.
But catching fish is fun for clients, who he said have varying expectations and can be happy with something like landing their first fish on a jig.
But catching fish is fun for clients, who he said have varying expectations and can be happy with something like landing their first fish on a jig.
For personal bests, Niggemeyer brings along a net.
For personal bests, Niggemeyer brings along a net.
A lure retriever is also a necessity.
A lure retriever is also a necessity.
Spinning tackle is on board for those not comfortable with a baitcaster.
Spinning tackle is on board for those not comfortable with a baitcaster.
If you wanted to try an umbrella rig, you could.
If you wanted to try an umbrella rig, you could.
A ruler is critical. The slot limit requires all fish between 16 and 24 inches be returned to the lake immediately. A five-bass limit can be kept, with only one over 24 inches. It applies to tournaments, too.
A ruler is critical. The slot limit requires all fish between 16 and 24 inches be returned to the lake immediately. A five-bass limit can be kept, with only one over 24 inches. It applies to tournaments, too.
Lake Fork is also one of the more difficult lakes to navigate, Niggemeyer said, because of all the standing timber.
Lake Fork is also one of the more difficult lakes to navigate, Niggemeyer said, because of all the standing timber.
Trees can rise high above the water line, or be just inches under the surface, putting the uninitiated in peril.
Trees can rise high above the water line, or be just inches under the surface, putting the uninitiated in peril.
There are lines of buoys to guide boaters in and out of many coves.
There are lines of buoys to guide boaters in and out of many coves.
Niggemeyer keeps a non-tournament boat for guiding. He had already sold his GEICO Cabela’s Ranger he used in the 2015 Elite season.
Niggemeyer keeps a non-tournament boat for guiding. He had already sold his GEICO Cabela’s Ranger he used in the 2015 Elite season.
While the boat might be inconspicuous, his Raymarine truck is not.
While the boat might be inconspicuous, his Raymarine truck is not.
Niggemeyer walks into the Lake Fork Marina & Motel shop …
Niggemeyer walks into the Lake Fork Marina & Motel shop …
… where you can get all your fishing needs and see replicas of some record fish from the lake.
… where you can get all your fishing needs and see replicas of some record fish from the lake.