Dock Talk from Lake Fork

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Ah, Lake Fork. Just the thought conjures up thoughts of 10-pound largemouth from Texas’ original trophy bass fishery. Will they hit the scales this week at Toyota Bassmaster Texas Fest benefiting Texas Parks and Wildlife Department? <br><br><i>All captions: Craig Lamb</i>
Ah, Lake Fork. Just the thought conjures up thoughts of 10-pound largemouth from Texas’ original trophy bass fishery. Will they hit the scales this week at Toyota Bassmaster Texas Fest benefiting Texas Parks and Wildlife Department? All captions: Craig Lamb
Andy Crawford and I set to find how much truth (or not) there is to the chances of Lake Fork living up to its reputation. And where else to get the facts straight (or not) than the iconic Minnow Bucket Marina. Our bellies full from cheeseburgers washed down with Dr. Pepper, we set up at the ramp to get the scoop.
Andy Crawford and I set to find how much truth (or not) there is to the chances of Lake Fork living up to its reputation. And where else to get the facts straight (or not) than the iconic Minnow Bucket Marina. Our bellies full from cheeseburgers washed down with Dr. Pepper, we set up at the ramp to get the scoop.
Will it be two in a row for Lee Livesay, competing on the very lake where he guides? The folks inside sure think so.
Will it be two in a row for Lee Livesay, competing on the very lake where he guides? The folks inside sure think so.
<b>Chris Zaldain</b><br> “We are stuck in that late summer, early fall stage where the water temperatures are on average 65 degrees, with 68 at the highest and 60 degrees at the lowest. In my opinion true fall fishing doesn’t begin until the temperature reaches 59 and below, when the fish will crash reaction baits.”
Chris Zaldain
“We are stuck in that late summer, early fall stage where the water temperatures are on average 65 degrees, with 68 at the highest and 60 degrees at the lowest. In my opinion true fall fishing doesn’t begin until the temperature reaches 59 and below, when the fish will crash reaction baits.”
“It seems like we’ve been chasing this fall bite for the last month. Unfortunately, it’s been more like a late summer bite. And with this event, also, unfortunately, we are working our way west, instead of east. We are staying in that geographical zone of being in that first or second cold front, so things haven’t quite set into fall yet.”
“It seems like we’ve been chasing this fall bite for the last month. Unfortunately, it’s been more like a late summer bite. And with this event, also, unfortunately, we are working our way west, instead of east. We are staying in that geographical zone of being in that first or second cold front, so things haven’t quite set into fall yet.”
“That means more scattered fish, which means five fish are going to be hard to come by, and which means the 30-pound spring bags you see here are not going to be seen.”
“That means more scattered fish, which means five fish are going to be hard to come by, and which means the 30-pound spring bags you see here are not going to be seen.”
“You’ve got to really work for them. You don’t get a lot of bites. So, as I have for the last couple of tournaments I’m going for big bites, whether I’m skipping a big swimbait beneath a dock, or fluttering a spoon in 25 feet of water.”
“You’ve got to really work for them. You don’t get a lot of bites. So, as I have for the last couple of tournaments I’m going for big bites, whether I’m skipping a big swimbait beneath a dock, or fluttering a spoon in 25 feet of water.”
<b>Bernie Schultz</b><br> “The first day of practice I caught two keepers and one of them was a good one. The next day I had 15 fish below the slot and none of them kept. They were 10- to 12 inches. Today it was about the same.”
Bernie Schultz
“The first day of practice I caught two keepers and one of them was a good one. The next day I had 15 fish below the slot and none of them kept. They were 10- to 12 inches. Today it was about the same.”
“I’ll be doing like everybody else. Junk fishing, until I can figure out something specific.”
“I’ll be doing like everybody else. Junk fishing, until I can figure out something specific.”
<b>Brett Pruett</b><br> “I’m trying to make the Classic. I’m doing a lot of junk fishing. I’ve only had two or three good bites a day, and they have been big ones.”
Brett Pruett
“I’m trying to make the Classic. I’m doing a lot of junk fishing. I’ve only had two or three good bites a day, and they have been big ones.”
“I’m going to start out deep and if that doesn’t work go shallow, skipping a big swim bait under docks.”
“I’m going to start out deep and if that doesn’t work go shallow, skipping a big swim bait under docks.”
If this spread of rods and reels looks familiar to Dock Talk, it should. Like the past three Elite events, junk fishing is the name of the game.
If this spread of rods and reels looks familiar to Dock Talk, it should. Like the past three Elite events, junk fishing is the name of the game.
<b>Cliff Prince</b><br> “I only caught four keepers in three days of practice.”
Cliff Prince
“I only caught four keepers in three days of practice.”
“You’ve got to stay positive. Bad practice, good tournament. I’ve had that happen before.”
“You’ve got to stay positive. Bad practice, good tournament. I’ve had that happen before.”
Cliff Prince wasn’t the only one. Caleb Sumrall also had rods piled up on the bow and stern of the front deck, and another set on the passenger rod rack.
Cliff Prince wasn’t the only one. Caleb Sumrall also had rods piled up on the bow and stern of the front deck, and another set on the passenger rod rack.
<b>Caleb Sumrall</b><br> “It’s fall fishing, even on the great Lake Fork. I don’t think you’ll see any guys with fewer rods on his front deck than this. I’ve caught three bass in two and a half days now. I’m telling the truth. It’s not even easy to catch small ones.”
Caleb Sumrall
“It’s fall fishing, even on the great Lake Fork. I don’t think you’ll see any guys with fewer rods on his front deck than this. I’ve caught three bass in two and a half days now. I’m telling the truth. It’s not even easy to catch small ones.”
We caught Sumrall as he came in to get more baits from his truck. And with that, he went back out to slay the dragon.
We caught Sumrall as he came in to get more baits from his truck. And with that, he went back out to slay the dragon.
<b>Destin DeMarion</b><br> “I’ve used all these rods and will probably add more. It’s been really tough.”
Destin DeMarion
“I’ve used all these rods and will probably add more. It’s been really tough.”
“I didn’t really expect it to be like this. It’s Lake Fork. I heard there was a 1,500-angler tournament and the winner caught just one bass over the slot, a 6-pounder, to win the entire event.”
“I didn’t really expect it to be like this. It’s Lake Fork. I heard there was a 1,500-angler tournament and the winner caught just one bass over the slot, a 6-pounder, to win the entire event.”