Matt Fly

We don't usually get the blistering cold winter that most do down here in Tx. But when water dip into the 40's, Gizzard shad are known to dart close to the surface. Waking a big yellow spinner with a single colorado blade just below the surface pulls some nice chunks from time to time. One of Jim Bitters favorite tricks on blistering cold days. Matt.

Came across this today, but in Kansas City Star, was wondering if any guys from Washington have heard any thing about this. Matt. Weird News: Fish story quickly turns fishy The Associated Press More Weird News More Coffee Break KENNEWICK, Wash. Austin Kenyon insisted his smallmouth bass was one for the state record books. The state, however, wasn't hooked. In fact, it ruled that the bass was packed with lead weights. Two of Kenyon's friends signed statements saying the fish had been tampered with when it was weighed on a state-certified scale. Our determination is that the fish had been stuffed with lead weights at the time it was inspected, said Keith Underwood of the state Department of Fish and Wildlife. Kenyon, 22, of Kennewick, claimed the fish he caught Labor Day weekend was legitimate. He said it weighed 9.32 pounds on a state-certified scale. Ray Wonacott of Ellensburg holds the record with an 8.75-pound smallmouth bass caught in 1966. About a half-dozen state officials were involved in a monthlong investigation into Kenyon's bass. The fish was caught Sept. 2, weighed Sept. 5 and inspected by state officials Sept. 6. By the time the state wanted a closer look, Kenyon had already taken it to be mounted. State officials and anglers began questioning the would-be record, saying common formulas used to calculate fish weight didn't support Kenyon's claim.

Low Budget Hookers, I'm starting to feel like your handle, very cheap. You ain't right Russ. I'm in as long as we kick butt!!!!! Next year, its Dirks turn to wear the wig. Hookem Matt.

Welcome to the forum Suzy-Q. Did T Bend get any needed rain to speak of? Hookem Matt

I have always assumed that Black bass got the name from the dark color dis-colorations or lateral line also. I got that info from the state Hatchery at Athens Tx while viewing sharelunkers a few years ago. I recently ran across an old Field and Stream Magazine that stated the same. Been trying to google some info but haven't had any luck on such info. Matt.

Ditto, its a light source. Matt.

Since this site is not a local site, and we come from all parts of the country, I wanted to use my real name. Matt Fly. I had so many friends in the Navy from all parts of the US. By chance and old friend stops in might see my name and we get to catch up on old times. I have already had one person that surfed this site and found me after 15 years. Hookem Matt

I thought you were coming to catch one of our "dancing girls"? Last year when LBH and the boys did decide to take a break, i hit the lighted boat house and crappie fished every night. I caught lots of crappie and the owner gave us the minnow to share with all. Lots of brush under the boat slips. Fork does have some critters, but it will depend on how many days of warm weather we have consecutive to get them crawling. Fork also has eagles that migrate down to nest annually. You might see a gator or two in certain areas, or a few deer along the lakes edge. One thing about Fork is, you dont see the jet Fleas or other personal water craft very often. If you do, you can assume "they are a few french fries short of a Happy Meal", Way too much stumpage to play on Fork safely. Hookem Matt

According to what was aired on Bass Saturdays and the Elite series, some of those tagged fish moved more than 3 miles over night. Plus on Toledo Bend, they tag trophy fish submitted for the Louisana program. Two years ago, two of the same fish where caught again within a month if being originally caught and submitted. Those fish were released at the Many Hwy 6 bridge some 25 plus miles were one was caught. the other a few miles less. One fish was caught only one mile from originally caught, that fish swam down lake to where she came from over 20 miles, the other was only 3 miles from were originally caught, both of those trophies swam over 20 miles down lake to home waters. Less than a month, both fished basically went home, by the way, Six mile creek was the furtherest away from Many La. thats close to 30 miles from the inside creek that was used to release all fish. Matt.

Are you going to mount this one? The twin drop tines on one side is unique itself. Cool story, great deer, and nice shot... Matt.

As far as lunch breaks goes, theres a resturant located just about anywhere on the lake. Fisherman's Cove is located on the west arm of Fork in Williams Creek arm, last year, we fished the east arm and was about 8 miles by water away from Williams Creek, We were only a 1/2 mile from the BASS Lantern at the Minnow Bucket. So food can be found at numerous sites on the water with docks to tie up to or beaching the boat. If needed, I can bring my two burner coleman Propane for any to use, just ask and its there. Matt.

I'm not Raul, but do fish slot lakes alot. First off, the ideal of a slot promotes catch and release of "key fish". These key fish are considered the healthiest for reproduction, another words, they are protecting mature females that are gonna be potential spawners for years to come. Our biologists believe that certain fish are better and more thriving when it comes to spawning. Also, it ensures anglers will have quality fish to be caught and enjoyed by all anglers. For lakes that are managed for Trophy waters, such as Lake Fork, the slot restrictions works two-fold, first the slot is 16" to 24 ", so no fish over 16 and under 24" inches are allowed to be kept at all. Only 1 fish per day of 24 inces or greater may be retained. A total of 5 fish daily, and only one of them can be over 24 inches or 5 bass under 16 inches. 16-24 ensure that the 2.5lb fish and up will be here to spawn for next year. That quality fish will be left in the lake year around. The two fold allows for mature females to be left for future spawns and that a person who wants to take a mess home may do so with the smaller bass and allowing fish to grow to 24 inches in length will create a trophy class fishery which lake Fork has maintained for 20 years. Not all lakes in Texas are 16 to 24 inches, they vary due to shocking surveys that the biologist do every so often to gage the growth rate and populus of bass in given waters. Some slots are 14-18, others are 14-21. Matt.

Ever wonder where the term "Black Bass came from? The fry of smallmouth turn "coal black" after a few days of hatching. Even though the fry of Largemouth do not turn black or other species, the term stuck for all bass (genus Micropterus). Just some trivia. Matt.

Bf, I thought the new Big Bass Program for 2006 states minimum length of 15". To me, its saying keep nothing under 15" and only 4 may be retained for all 3 species. Any thing over would read Maxium length of 15 inches. Which means nothing over 15 inches can be kept. I could never deal with a closed season on bass either. Matt.

Anyone asked Tom Reddington if he was booked yet? Matt.

When a fish is hooked in the mouth, you can control the fishes head which makes them easier to control and land. A fish foul hooked anywhere but the head is like pulling dead weight without any control of where the fish is going. Matt.

While you guys are on Fork, your caps won't matter, you'll blend in nicely with the other 500 northerners that are here for the same reason. To get away from the north weather, and perhaps set a new personal best with a sharelunker and free replica as a added bonus. Hookem Matt

J & J Marine 9747 West FM 515 Alba, TX. 75410 903.473.3497 Lake Fork Boat Rental Route 2, Box 295-T Alba, TX. 75410 800.657.3156 Rickeys is the only boat rental I have used. He will allow you to get trailer if you have the ball or will launch it anywhere you want. The other offer the same style of boats, but I can't say what they will do for you, you need to call. matt. Ronnie, you are a mile or so away by highway from LBH and Fisherman's Cove.

The airport is minutes away from the Grapevine Bass Pro Shop. But, by the time you guys arrive, the new BassPro Shop on I-30 on Lake Ray Hubbard will also be enroute to lake Fork. You will drive right by it when going to Fork. For those that need last minute shopping, BPS is on the way as of Oct 2006, Grand Opening this month. That gives me 2 BPS with an hour from me. Matt.

The ground rules are set on the first trip. I or we leave at 5 am, not 5:01. At 5:01 i'm on the road. If its tourney, half the money invested is mine, so I call to ensure that my half is not wasted and partner is up and running. I don't get upset if you are late or don't call. I was going anyway. I don't even want an excuse, that just makes it easier to do the same thing again later down the road if your given the opportunity again. Matt.

There is a guide, his name his Roy Greer, he advertises out of Mark Pack's Lake Fork Tackle shop. The very same maker of LFT baits. He will guide for half price out of your boat. He teaches your electronics or anything else. I have heard good things about him, but haven't personally used him. If interested, you might PM Tom Reddington and ask him for advice on whether this option would work while on Fork during the pre-spawn and spawn phase. Just an option on cutting expenses as two could share that expense and would make it an easy 100.00 apiece. If Tom is booked, you might ask him to reccommend some of his friends. Would love to see Tom and some BFRmembers and pics added to the wall of fame. Matt.

Minnow Bucket also has large shiners on Hwy 154, another popular Marina located on the east arm of Fork. Matt.

Russ, correct me if I am wrong, but wasn't the beans and potatoe salad coming from Mo last year that didn't make the trip. This year, the beans potatoe salad and anything else is coming with me and my brisket. Advice to RW, quit using your livewell as a spare cooler and you could hold more fish. That ones toughie for RW, less beer for bigger fish. Any takers on odds of less beer? LOL, just funning with ya. Russ, the baby sitter is still here and I don't see her leaving anytime soon. Maybe one of my best catches of all time. And its Glenn's forum who is responsible for her finding me. Hookem Matt.

Its not per say the bait fish being blown. Its their food source that is effected by the wind. The zooplankton that blooms in the water that is stacked up on wind blown points and shorelines after a certain amount of days. Size of lake and width determine how it plays out. I found the same principal to be true in the Great Lakes with alewyes. After 3 steady days of wind, the alewyes would be stacked against the piers of lake Michigan, and the Coho would be there as well. No wind, No Coho's. Matt.

A free replica come with each fish also, so you can spend that money you where planning on using on the replica on beer and other needed accessories. Beer is not sold in the local stores, its a dry county, so either call ahead and I deliver or make other arrangements. What happens on Fork stays on Fork, wait, nope, thats Vegas, my bust. Matt.