Hey Folks-

I live in Atlanta, GA, but am planning a guys-fishing weekend for my Birthday in March. Friends live all across country, and we've tentatively picked Lake Fork, TX for our 2 days of fishing.

Questions:

1) Haven't ever been....Is it as good as I keep hearing? We'll all be coming from very far away, and hoping for some big bass....

2) Can y'all suggest some good guides? I've already e-mailed Tom to see if he's available - anyone else?

3) We'll be coming sometime in March (exact dates still TBD) - I know that's a busy time of year.....Is it unrealistic to think a good guide will still have a Friday/Saturday in March still available?

Thanks - hoping this trip pans out....

BEN

Anytime you can fish a new lake it is worth it. If you are taking your own boat try Roy Greer @thebassclinic.com, he will go on your boat with you for a lot less than a guide with his boat, plus he is very knowlegable. Beware there are some guides up there that will spend the whole day chasing the better guides around the lake. Been there done that, it's pretty disappointing.

Well, this isn't what you want to hear, but...

I have only fished Lake Fork during the BassResource.com

Roadtrip II. I had the perfect guide, flechero! We caught fish,

not giants, but Keith had a 6 1/2 and we both caught several

4-5s.  

What I didn't like was "waiting in line' to fish. flechero took me

places out-of-the-way for the most part, but there were several

times when the boats were thick. When I go back to Texas, I will

fish a different lake.

8-)

The negatives RW mentioned are true. However, any lake that will produce the number of quality fish fork is known for will have the same drawbacks. You should make the trip.  Your talking about going with a guide so you will be fishing a good pattern where fish have been recently.  You shouldn't have trouble catching fish behind people. Nobody can make the fish bite, but March is prime time for numbers of quality fish on Fork.

I've never fished with Tom, but with all the positive info out ther on him he has to be good. If he is booked or you want to talk to someone else give Jason Hoffman a shot. Great fisher, works his butt off and is a real funny guy. I always have a good time with him. You really need to book right now though. The dates willl be filling up fast. Between Tom and Jason they will be able to give you the names of other great guides if they are not available.

If you have an opportunity to fish Lake Fork, DO NOT pass it up.  Depending upon the weather that time of year, you may catch nothing, or you may catch the bass of a lifetime.

What mattm and Long Mike said.  Check out Lake Fork Marina web site to get a complete list of guides.  Hiring a guide the first day is almost a must.  He will get you on the current pattern instead of you spending 2 days trying to figure it out.  Make sure you get a 'professional' full time guide.  There are a lot of weekend wonders that 'guide' on Fork in the spring.  There's probably a dozen or so that have been doing it successfully for a long time.  Do your research and good luck.

Okay, one more warning and I'll quit being a drag on this thread:

We (BassResource.com members) have had HUGE issues

with guides. If you decide to go to Fork, make sure your guide

is "approved" by one of our guys.

1) Yes, it's the real deal.  That's why it will be crowded.  If you could fish early in the week you would be better off.

2) Besides Tom, consider:  

Jimmy Everett  http://www.ets-systems.com/jimmyeverett/

Lance Vick, http://www.lakeforkbass.com/

James Caldemeyer, http://www.officiallakeforktrophybass.com/

John Tanner, http://www.lakeforkbassguide.com/

3) Like I said above, try to fish early in the week.  Less pressure on the fish and more likely to book a good guide.

I've fished Lake Fork twice.  The 1st trip we had Roy Greer on my boat the 1st day and was worth every penny.  The next 4 days on our own were spent fishing versus guessing.  My next trip was a 2.5 day guided with Tom Redington.  Great trip, great friend.  The weather sucked and the fishing was slow but Tom worked his butt off to put me on my PB in my avator.  Was a teacher for my 16 year old son, couldn't ask for more.  I have talked to and tried to book John Tanner and wouldn;t hesitate to spend my time with him.  No clue on the rest but Bighead knows the lake well as does Ringfry so trust their recommendations.

GO BIG RED

Dust off your Rat-L-Traps

Another option would be contact some of our members since your dates have not been determined.

If you haven't booked a date for March by now, you may be getting the left overs on guides.  Not saying you won't get a good trip or good guide.        But...............

  Reputable guides for the spawn are normally booked well in advance of 6 months.

  Tom has been asked for those dates on this forum before a few times and always responded, he's been booked for along time.    A majority of early bookings are repeat customers.

The thing about Spring and Texas is, the weather changes daily with fronts and rain storms moving and passing weekly.      Timing is in mother natures hands.

Good luck, she's a jewel.

I have fished with Tom at Lake Fork.  Great guy and a better guide.  Really enjoyed fishing with him!!!  If I go back its with him.

Not speaking of Tom, but just because you have a published fishing report does not a guide make.

I go to Fork every March and because of money I have never hired a guide.  I always ask local bait shops what the fish are doing to get a basic idea of where the fish are staging or spawning.  I have always had success, but some years have been tougher than others.  If you cant get a guide, I would recommend to ask locals and base your 1st day off of what they say, whether it be spawn or pre-spawn.  Also if there are any fish moved up shallow, NEVER rule out water too shallow.  Last year I caught fish behind the grass in less than 8 inches of water.  Caught quinity and quality.  If fish isnt shallow or you just rather fish deeper, target the mouths of creeks such as Dale Creek or Little Mustang and target isolated stumps near the channel.  I lost a double digit fish doing that two years back :'(.  Jigs and Lake Fork Tackle Live Magic Swim Baits are a must!!!

I have a place on Lake Fork (Williams Cove) and was there for 10 days in January --lots of fish. I will be back the first 2 weeks of March, April, and May. I would recommend a guide and there are some good ones listed in the above thread. I have used Roy Greer different times with great success, Tom and Lance are also top picks. I will be there when you are and will be glad to help.

Above all else be able to pitch to a cup at 10-15 paces as you will be there during the spawn pitching to bedding fish where accuracy is everything. If you do not know how to fish spawning fish--you have a bit of time to learn before you get there.

Good luck and keep us posted.  <')))>>><<

James Niggemeyer, Brooks Rogers and Larry Large have been good guides for me. I have had several bad ones also. Fork is not my favorite lake but it is a pretty good one. It is crowded but I think you would have a good time for sure.

Or best results that time of the year were on red rat l traps and occassionally chrome/blue.