A look at Elite venues

A look at Lake Fork

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Stop No. 5 of the 2019 Bassmaster Elite Series has the anglers on famed Lake Fork this week for the Toyota Bassmaster Texas Fest benefiting Texas Parks & Wildlife Department.
Stop No. 5 of the 2019 Bassmaster Elite Series has the anglers on famed Lake Fork this week for the Toyota Bassmaster Texas Fest benefiting Texas Parks & Wildlife Department.
Elite angler Keith Combs set the three-day tournament record weight on Lake Fork. Behind his 10-14 big bass in a 42-pound bag, Combs totaled 110 pounds in 2014 to shatter the three-day tournament mark by 26-11.
Elite angler Keith Combs set the three-day tournament record weight on Lake Fork. Behind his 10-14 big bass in a 42-pound bag, Combs totaled 110 pounds in 2014 to shatter the three-day tournament mark by 26-11.
Combs won the predecessor of Texas Fest, the Toyota Texas Bass Classic, three times. The event was developed to showcase the great fisheries in the Lone Star State, and the TPWD began teaming with B.A.S.S. two years ago.
Combs won the predecessor of Texas Fest, the Toyota Texas Bass Classic, three times. The event was developed to showcase the great fisheries in the Lone Star State, and the TPWD began teaming with B.A.S.S. two years ago.
Combs, who lives in Texas, will be shooting for another $100,000 payday this week, and it’s the only Elite event where the winner receives a berth into the 2020 Bassmaster Classic.
Combs, who lives in Texas, will be shooting for another $100,000 payday this week, and it’s the only Elite event where the winner receives a berth into the 2020 Bassmaster Classic.
Lake Fork is a 27,000-acre impoundment of the Lake Fork Creek, a tributary of the Sabine River. Impounded in 1980, Fork has 315 miles of shoreline.
Lake Fork is a 27,000-acre impoundment of the Lake Fork Creek, a tributary of the Sabine River. Impounded in 1980, Fork has 315 miles of shoreline.
Daily takeoffs will be at 8 a.m. ET from Sabine River Authority, 353 PR 5183 in Quitman, Texas. Weigh-ins will be held at the same location each day at 4 p.m. ET.
Daily takeoffs will be at 8 a.m. ET from Sabine River Authority, 353 PR 5183 in Quitman, Texas. Weigh-ins will be held at the same location each day at 4 p.m. ET.
The full field fishes Thursday and Friday, then after an off day Saturday, the top 35 fish Sunday and the top 10 make it to Monday’s championship round. A Toyota Tundra pickup truck will be awarded to the angler who weighs in the heaviest bass of the week.
The full field fishes Thursday and Friday, then after an off day Saturday, the top 35 fish Sunday and the top 10 make it to Monday’s championship round. A Toyota Tundra pickup truck will be awarded to the angler who weighs in the heaviest bass of the week.
A ride around the lake several years ago with pro angler James Niggemeyer gave the author an idea of what Lake Fork is about. When the area was flooded, an estimated 80 percent of the timber was left standing, providing excellent habitat. Hydrilla, milfoil and duckweed are the predominant vegetation, and controlling vegetation has led to some controversy there.
A ride around the lake several years ago with pro angler James Niggemeyer gave the author an idea of what Lake Fork is about. When the area was flooded, an estimated 80 percent of the timber was left standing, providing excellent habitat. Hydrilla, milfoil and duckweed are the predominant vegetation, and controlling vegetation has led to some controversy there.
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, putting the uninitiated in peril.
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, putting the uninitiated in peril.
Niggemeyer guides on Fork, and here one of his clients, Shane Berlo, shows the quality of fish that can be found. This 10-2 eclipsed even Niggemeyer’s best on Fork. Many anglers travel from around the country to visit Lake Fork hoping for a personal best.
Niggemeyer guides on Fork, and here one of his clients, Shane Berlo, shows the quality of fish that can be found. This 10-2 eclipsed even Niggemeyer’s best on Fork. Many anglers travel from around the country to visit Lake Fork hoping for a personal best.
TPWD had an aggressive stocking plan starting with tank ponds on farms in 1979. It allowed the fish to take hold before rising waters incorporated them into the main lake. In the first eight years, 732,514 Florida-strain largemouth were stocked, and there have been 14 million total. Barry Prince of Lindale, Texas, is among the beneficiaries as he caught this 13.73-pounder from Fork in March.
TPWD had an aggressive stocking plan starting with tank ponds on farms in 1979. It allowed the fish to take hold before rising waters incorporated them into the main lake. In the first eight years, 732,514 Florida-strain largemouth were stocked, and there have been 14 million total. Barry Prince of Lindale, Texas, is among the beneficiaries as he caught this 13.73-pounder from Fork in March.
Lake Fork has produced 30 of the top 50 biggest Share Lunker bass caught in Texas, including No. 1, Barry St. Clair’s 18.18-pounder in 1992. Michael Baird, a fisheries biologist, points to the record at the TPWD trailer that shows off the top bass in the program’s history.
Lake Fork has produced 30 of the top 50 biggest Share Lunker bass caught in Texas, including No. 1, Barry St. Clair’s 18.18-pounder in 1992. Michael Baird, a fisheries biologist, points to the record at the TPWD trailer that shows off the top bass in the program’s history.
The Texas event draws huge crowds. Texas Fest developed the catch, weigh and release program, but is allowing the Elites to bring their biggest fish to the stage. Lake Fork has a slot limit, prohibiting anglers from keeping bass between 16 and 24 inches, which helps them grow.
The Texas event draws huge crowds. Texas Fest developed the catch, weigh and release program, but is allowing the Elites to bring their biggest fish to the stage. Lake Fork has a slot limit, prohibiting anglers from keeping bass between 16 and 24 inches, which helps them grow.
Toyota has played a huge role in the event, which has generated millions of dollars for TPWD’s youth fishing and urban outreach programs. “We’re excited to head back to Lake Fork and be the official sponsor,” said Brent Hillyer, Gulf States Toyota’s senior vice president of marketing and vehicle supply. “There’s no better way to continue to benefit Texas Parks and Wildlife Department than by holding this competition at one of Texas’ most admired reservoirs.”
Toyota has played a huge role in the event, which has generated millions of dollars for TPWD’s youth fishing and urban outreach programs. “We’re excited to head back to Lake Fork and be the official sponsor,” said Brent Hillyer, Gulf States Toyota’s senior vice president of marketing and vehicle supply. “There’s no better way to continue to benefit Texas Parks and Wildlife Department than by holding this competition at one of Texas’ most admired reservoirs.”
It’s called Texas Fest for a reason — there are tons of activities coinciding with the fishing tournament. Anglers take a break from competition on Saturday for a special Fan Appreciation Day with festivities, including Bassmaster University seminars, the Bassmaster Outdoors Expo and the annual Bassmaster High School All-American Fishing Team Tournament.
It’s called Texas Fest for a reason — there are tons of activities coinciding with the fishing tournament. Anglers take a break from competition on Saturday for a special Fan Appreciation Day with festivities, including Bassmaster University seminars, the Bassmaster Outdoors Expo and the annual Bassmaster High School All-American Fishing Team Tournament.
A highlight of the Expo will be the Texas Parks & Wildlife Department Outdoor Adventure experience, including a catfish tank, wildlife viewing tent, fly casting and tying center, Texas State Fish Art exhibit, Toyota Sharelunker Trailer and many others. Janis Johnson of the TPWD gives some youth a rundown of the activities they can experience.
A highlight of the Expo will be the Texas Parks & Wildlife Department Outdoor Adventure experience, including a catfish tank, wildlife viewing tent, fly casting and tying center, Texas State Fish Art exhibit, Toyota Sharelunker Trailer and many others. Janis Johnson of the TPWD gives some youth a rundown of the activities they can experience.
The Get Outside booth, which has partnered with the National Archery in Schools Program, gives youth a chance to shoot at targets.
The Get Outside booth, which has partnered with the National Archery in Schools Program, gives youth a chance to shoot at targets.
Billy Conway, who hosts a radio show in south Texas, said this trophy buck was smuggled into Texas in violation of the Lacey Act, which warranted $1 million in fines. TPWD Game Wardens from the Special Operations Unit made the arrest. There’s other game with more stories.
Billy Conway, who hosts a radio show in south Texas, said this trophy buck was smuggled into Texas in violation of the Lacey Act, which warranted $1 million in fines. TPWD Game Wardens from the Special Operations Unit made the arrest. There’s other game with more stories.
Johnson visits with Dave Terre, chief of Fisheries Management and Research for TPWD. “At Lake Fork, our goals are to produce big bass,” Terre said. “We’re now delighted to have the opportunity to showcase this great fishery for the first time in a Bassmaster Elite Series event. We think four-day catch records could be broken.”
Johnson visits with Dave Terre, chief of Fisheries Management and Research for TPWD. “At Lake Fork, our goals are to produce big bass,” Terre said. “We’re now delighted to have the opportunity to showcase this great fishery for the first time in a Bassmaster Elite Series event. We think four-day catch records could be broken.”
Country music star Chris Knight will perform beginning at 4:15 p.m. Saturday, kicking off the Mercury Concert Series that features live music at the Bassmaster Elite events Lake Guntersville, Alabama; St. Lawrence River, New York; Cayuga Lake, New York; and Lake St. Clair, Michigan.
Country music star Chris Knight will perform beginning at 4:15 p.m. Saturday, kicking off the Mercury Concert Series that features live music at the Bassmaster Elite events Lake Guntersville, Alabama; St. Lawrence River, New York; Cayuga Lake, New York; and Lake St. Clair, Michigan.
The anglers predict big things on Fork. Lee Livesay, who guides there, said it should take around 120 pounds to win. Bassmaster LIVE airs all four days of competition from 8:30-11:30 a.m. ET and 12:30-3:30 p.m., where it’s certain some huge fish catches will be seen.
The anglers predict big things on Fork. Lee Livesay, who guides there, said it should take around 120 pounds to win. Bassmaster LIVE airs all four days of competition from 8:30-11:30 a.m. ET and 12:30-3:30 p.m., where it’s certain some huge fish catches will be seen.

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