SIGHT FISHING ON LAKE FORK

Professional Angler, Lance Vick, has teamed up with SERVICE VENDING CO. and ACCESS FORD to bring you the following bass fishing tips and techniques:

SIGHT FISHING ON LAKE FORK:

Sight Fishing is, hands down, the hottest springtime technique on Lake Fork!
Lake Fork cannot be matched in the bass fishing world any time of year, but due to the numbers and sizes of bass in Lake Fork the spawn lasts about three months-- Much longer than on most other lakes. Sight fishing is an unbeatable technique for putting trophy bass in your boat!
When does sight fishing begin?
The spawn starts on the last moon of February and lasts all through May
Water temperatures at 55 to 80 degrees
Ideal water temperature is 60 to 75
Best weather:
Calm sunny days are the best for sight fishing. The great thing about this weather pattern is that it usually occurs right after a front when other patterns have disappeared. The real calm days open the whole lake up to sight fishing. Plus, the calmer the water the deeper you can see…Finding deeper beds leads to catching huge bass!
Where are the Spawning Fish?
On Lake Fork the spawning fish will generally be in the one foot to six foot range because the sun has to reach the eggs for incubation. Fish must be in a pocket or cove protected from the wind--the wind could cool down the water and disturb the eggs. Beds are located next to cover that will protect the eggs from water currents and predators long enough for them to hatch. Spawning fish must fan a nest on the hard bottom. When they lay their eggs the ground beneath them will hold heat from the sun to incubate the eggs to the proper temperature for hatching.
When is sight fishing best on Lake Fork?
Great sight fishing is done right after weather fronts when other techniques stop working. That is the secret to sight fishing. When all other anglers on the lake are scratching their heads…The anglers that have started sight fishing are pulling’em in!




When bass are on the nest they are not interested in feeding, but only in protecting the nest. You must target the exact spot on the nest unless you plan to rely on luck to get your bait in the perfect position with a traditional cast.
Lure placement:
Pitch your lure past the nest
Allow the lure to sink and settle to the bottom
Then bring your lure to the outer edge of the nest before you start “popping” it
Basic Sight Fishing Equipment:
Rod and Reel: The basic rod and reel combination is a 7-Foot, Heavy-Action rod and a 6.3.1 retrieve reel.
Fishing Line: 20 lb Fluorocarbon is the most versatile line to use for sight fishing on Lake Fork
“Rig:” ¼ ounce Sinker and a 4/0 Hook
Lure Choices: Since the fish are not in “eating mode” there is no particular color that works better than another. Elaborate color schemes are designed to attract anglers--not fish. Choose colors that make it possible for you to see the lure on the nest when the fish takes it …White, Pink or Bright Orange work best. **The GrandeBass rattlesnake in bubble gum pink is deadly! (http://www.grandebass.com/)
By using these sight fishing techniques you can catch more fish in less time:
Target your bass
Catch your bass
Release your bass
Move to the next trophy bass!
Sight fishing becomes very exciting when you pass on anything under 5 pounds!