Wow! It was another great week to fish Lake Fork. The water temperatures continue to fall and it’s triggering the bass that want to feed and get ready for the winter. The water temperatures are now in the mid-60s and the water clarity continues to get better. This means the fishing patterns are changing.

A small crankbait, like the Strike King Gizzard Shad pattern 1.5 square bill, is really a good bait to put numbers of bass in the boat. We also found this week that a California 420 Zoom Ole Monster 10 ½ inch worm-rigged Texas style was the real deal. We moved out to 6-8 feet of water and fished isolated trees. By the way, do not forget to dye the tail of the worm chartreuse.

Our equipment list this week included our Ranger Z522, powered by the Mercury 250 Verado 4 stroke motor, Duckett rods, ABU Garcia Orra SX reels, Stren line, Zoom Ole Monster worms and Strike King Crankbaits.

The white bass started showing up on main lake humps this week. Look for them in 18-24 feet of water just on the break lines. Vertical jigging was the best way to catch them using Joe Spaits half-ounce white with black stripe Flash Tail spoon. An erratic jigging motion works the best.

The crappie fishing was good this week. We found them in 11-18 feet of water over new brush piles. We did change the color of jigs this week, going with the good ole root beer with blue tail jig. Minnows were not needed this week.

No catfish report this week.

As the days get cooler, you are going to have to bring out the sweatshirts and jackets. Have a safe fishing week and keep a tight line.