Summer has set in here on Lake Fork. It feels like it’s gonna be a hot one this year! The fish started transitioning into summer patterns a couple weeks ago, but there are still some shallow fish to be caught for sure. 

Right now the water level is full. That’s great for the fishery, especially this time of year. Every bit of cover we can have available for the fry from this years spawn  is important. Water temperature is now in the low to mid 80’s. 

We are transitioning from the more shallow patterns of spring, to traditional summertime fishing. While fish can still be caught shallow all summer, the majority of the quality bass will be deeper.

 

We are already finding bass on deep offshore structure, and many more will show up out there soon. The depth they are holding really just depends on the area of the lake, but at the time of this report most of the deeper fish seem to prefer a depth somewhere from 15 to 20’. I find them a little more shallow on the upper ends of the lake.

 

There are many techniques that can be effective, but my favorite is a jig. I have caught more big bass on jigs than I can remember, and we are already catching some this year with it. It hangs up a lot, so you’ve gotta be clever at getting them back, but that’s part of it when it comes to fishing this lake.

 

For the jig, I always use a Santone football head jig. I use several different colors. My favorites are “beans and carrots”, “pb&j”, and “Mexican heather”. If the water is clear, ” bullfrog” is my top choice.

Be safe out there this summer, and if I can be of any assistance, please let me know. 2020 has been a trying year for our country, and this verse has been on my mind a lot. “If my people, which are called by my name, shall humble themselves, and pray, and seek my face, and turn from their wicked ways; then will I hear from heaven, and will forgive their sin, and will heal their land.” (2 Chronicles 7:14)