If this event sets up anything like the 2019 event that Brandon Cobb won, expect multiple patterns across the Top 10 anglers that make it ton Sunday. I would expect that there will be some key spawning fish for some anglers as we start to reach the tail end of the bass spawn at Lake Fork. Fry guarding bass should help anglers fill limits as needed, but I think that both the threadfin and gizzard shad spawns to be a big player for this event.
That being said, I think the anglers that can dial in on the gizzard shad spawn will likely tap into a higher class of bass that will carry them through the event. Jerkbaits, glide baits, swimbaits and topwater could all make for some exciting Bass Live coverage for Lake Fork.
I also would not rule out some frog and shallow power fishing with Lake Fork lingering right at full pool as we roll into early May.
My suggestion is to balance your roster with some experienced Lake Fork anglers, but balance it out with some younger, fresh talent, anglers that can sight fish, excel at shad spawns and a mix of offshore post spawn. Either way, there should be a few anglers cracking the 100-pound mark, but I don’t think we will see the weights we saw last year at Fork.
BUCKET A: LIVESAY
I know Lee Livesay let many a Fantasy rosters down last year, mine included, but he’s been fishing really well this year and I think he’s is ready to make a statement at Lake Fork again this season.
No Risk Pick
It really seems like if you want solid Fantasy points, you can’t go wrong with Jay Pzekurat no matter where the Bassmaster Elite series goes. I don’t see that changing at Lake Fork.
BUCKET B: BENTON
I think there will be enough quality bedding bass left at Lake Fork for an expert like Drew Benton to make it through the weekend. He also won on Lake Murray with a sight fishing and shad spawn combo that should work at Lake Fork in early May.
Post Spawn Guru
Brandon Palaniuk seems to excel when he can fish offshore around the postspawn. He should be a solid choice to be able to mine quality bass from offshore timber and structure spots.
BUCKET C: FOTHERGILL
The Florida swing now seems like just a blip on the radar for Easton Fothergill. He won the Bassmaster Classic in a timber filled Texas reservoir and has made three Championship Sundays in a row. Do you want to bet against him at Lake Fork?
Picking on Memories
Does anyone else have fond memories of Keith Combs grinding out giant Lake Fork bass on Chartreuse blue back crankbait plugs? I do, it would be exciting to see Keith Combs return to form and bust some big bags on a big deep plug.
BUCKET D: EBARE
I know I said Dakota Ebare wouldn’t miss the weekend cut at Hartwell, I was wrong. But I am sticking to my guns. He returns to Texas and I am confident enough to pick him over Milliken this week at Lake Fork
Big Bait Pick
Matty Wong has the knowledge and confidence to sling the big baits for Lake Fork bass, so he could be a sneaky good and fun pick for Lake Fork.
BUCKET E: SUMRALL
I am not going to lie, for some reason, I feel uneasy picking Zaldain this time at Lake Fork. I think Caleb Sumrall may not have the upside, but he seems like a safe pick as Lee Livesay’s buddy and travel partner. This time of year, Caleb should put together a few solid bags to make the weekend cut.
Hairy Pick
Low-key Chad Pipkens has a solid track record on Lake Fork and he has had most of his best events on offshore post spawn events. So if you are looking for a sneak value pick, look at Pipkens.
Falcon Rods Bassmaster Drain the Lake Challenge
Here we are in season five of the Falcon Rods Bassmaster Drain Lake Challenge. This additional Fantasy Fishing game not only offers a fresh way to play the game, but a completely separate prize pool. Drain the Lake is an elimination / survivor style game where you can only use an angler once all season.
For 2025 we will have 10 events and 102 anglers. You will need to use up 80 of the 102 anglers. What giant chasing experts have you saved for this event?
Here is my Lake Fork Drain the Lake roster:
Lee Livesay
Chad Pipkens
Keith Combs
Brandon Card
Ray Hanselman
Dakota Ebare
Kyoya Fujita
Patrick Walters
