Bass and crappie fishing Lake Fork in January

Bass and crappie fishing Lake Fork is about to get turned on as winter winds down. Lake is in great shape about a foot below normal and a little stained in some of the creeks due to our last rain. Water temperature in the north end of the lake is 50-51 and on the lower end is 52-53 in protected areas from the north wind. This time of the year, for bass and crappie fishing Lake Fork water temperature is the key to finding fish. Look for the pockets in the north end of the lake protected from a north wind and a strong south wind. I have been guiding on on Fork for 22 years and each year is the same of where to find the warmer pockets. So for the bass right now many are still in deeper water, but some have started moving towards the spawning areas. I am finding them in the first 1/3 of the bigger pockets and as the water warms up they will slowly move deeper into the pockets where they will finally spawn. My search bait has bee the caroling rig with a baby brush hog in green pumpkin. I can move it slowly and catch both the fish that is still suspended and the ones on the bottom with the caolina rig. Other baits will also find some of these fish like the black/blue jig, spinner bait and crankbait. Look for stumps as these bass will suspend beside them as the water warms up. The crappie are starting to move from the deep water toward the spawning flats also. A lot still deep 25-30 ft but a few showing up in the 10-15 foot range. The weather long range forecast shows no major cold fronts for the next 10 days to the water will slowly warm and the fish will move also. My best color for crappie has been chartreuse on a 1/8 oz jig head. Of course minnows will always catch you a good mess. If you are interested in bass and crappie fishing Lake Fork give me a call or text 940-902-3855 for open dates. I furnish everything for your trip. #lakeforktrophybass #lakeforkbassfishingguides #lakeforkcrappiefishingguides #lakeforkguides #lakeforkguide #lakeforkfishingguides #lakeforkcrappieguide #lakeforkbassfishingguide #lakefork