Episodes

  • Summer Scorcher on Lake Fork Trophy Bass Bite

    Summer Scorcher on Lake Fork Trophy Bass Bite
    Jul 7 2025
    Artificial Lure here with your Lake Fork, Texas fishing report for July 7, 2025.

    It’s been another sweltering summer day on Fork, with afternoon highs pushing 96°F and humidity over 90%—classic Texas July. The early morning bite is still your best shot at a big bass, before the sun gets high and the water heats up. Sunrise was right around 6:19 AM today, and sunset’s coming at 8:38 PM, so you’ve got some long daylight hours to work the water.

    We’re not dealing with a tidal lake here, but weather pressure’s stayed high and persistent. That’s made the fish tight-lipped most afternoons, but if you’re out before dawn or just before dusk, you can still get into them. Winds have been light, sometimes leaving the surface glassy—great for spotting busting shad schools and topwater action, but tough for drifting or cooling off.

    Bass fishing on Lake Fork is as legendary as ever. According to Bass Fishing Daily, the lake continues to uphold its reputation for producing big bass, and the genetics programs keep those trophy fish coming. Chasing those ShareLunker descendants is still a highlight out here, even in summer.

    Recent catches have been solid—anglers are reporting several 7 to 9 pound largemouths, especially if they’re working the best presentations. The hottest action has been early, with topwaters like the Booyah Pad Crasher in Shad Frog color and walking baits getting explosive strikes over hydrilla mats, especially near Mustang Creek and Little Caney. Once the sun’s up, the bite transitions to soft plastics and reaction baits.

    Lures making waves right now include the 6-inch YUM Dinger in green pumpkin/purple fished weightless in shallows, and a prototype Z-Man flipping craw—green pumpkin is the go-to for flipping into flooded brush or timber. Anglers sight-fishing laying bass have been throwing blue sapphire Chigger Craws and black-and-blue Berkley Generals, targeting laydowns and bullrushes along the West Arm. If you’re after pure numbers, try a Nichols Lake Fork Flutter Spoon or a classic hair jig along deeper ledges and main-lake points. These have been producing some chunky summer bass, particularly outside of Wolf Creek and around the 515 bridge.

    Crappie are still holding in 16-24 feet of water on timber and brush, with best success coming on small jigs in white or chartreuse. Folks limiting out most days are spider rigging with minnows, or working jigs slow right off deep structure. Catfish and bluegill are active in the shallows, especially during the cool early mornings.

    If you get a cloudy day, switch gears and throw spinnerbaits, chatterbaits, or swimbaits in shad colors—the added vibration and flash is key for getting bit in low visibility and after a summer rain.

    Hot spots today:
    - Mustang Creek for shallow morning action, especially topwater and frogs before sunrise.
    - Little Caney and the West Arm for flipping and pitching, with persistent big bass lurking near wood and grass edges.
    - 515 bridge pilings and nearby ledges for a deep bite on spoons and jigs, with crappie and bass mixed in.

    Best bet for bait: threadfin shad-colored lures, green pumpkin plastics, and a chrome or shad-pattern flutter spoon for deeper water. Minnows and jigs in bright colors will keep your crappie count climbing.

    That’s it for today’s Lake Fork fishing update. Appreciate y’all tuning in—don’t forget to subscribe and stay up-to-date with all the latest from the water. This has been a quiet please production, for more check out quiet please dot ai.

    Great deals on fishing gear https://amzn.to/44gt1Pn
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    4 mins
  • Lake Fork Sizzles in the Summer - Topwater Bass, Crappie, and Catfish Bite Strong

    Lake Fork Sizzles in the Summer - Topwater Bass, Crappie, and Catfish Bite Strong
    Jul 6 2025
    It’s your local angling expert, Artificial Lure, checking in with your Lake Fork fishing report for Sunday, July 6th, 2025.

    The dog days of summer have set in over East Texas, and Lake Fork’s water is currently stained with the temperature hovering around 82 degrees, sitting just a tick above normal pool. Sunrise came at 6:19 AM and sunset’s lined up for 8:36 PM; with this much sunlight and a mostly bluebird sky, fish are pushing into their summer routines.

    Largemouth bass action remains classic Fork — and July means the bite’s best early and late. According to Lone Star Outdoor News, topwater baits like Spooks and poppers, frogs in the flooded grass, and old faithful crankbaits and Carolina-rigged soft plastics are all getting results. Midmorning, the bass pull off to deeper structure: humps, ledges, and standing timber. The Major League Fishing Bass Pro Tour just wrapped up at Lake Fork, and the pros proved the quality’s still off the charts—12 bass for over 52 pounds took top honors Saturday, with several giants weighed in, including a whopping 10.8-pound bucketmouth caught by Justin Atkins on a finesse worm in the bushes. Pressure’s high, so downsizing to finesse worms or using a shaky head with a Berkley MaxScent Bottom Hopper is putting more fish in the boat.

    Crappie are a touch slower now with the heat, but those fishing at night under the bridges or lighted docks are still scraping up some nice slabs. Small jigs and minnows around brush piles in 15–22 feet of water are the ticket. Catfish are fair on prepared baits and cut shad, with the best bite coming from deeper flats and sloping points.

    Bait recommendations: For bass, keep a frog handy for any remaining flooded grass and pads, and don’t leave the ramp without a Carolina rigged soft plastic (think Googan Bandito Bug, Berkley PowerBait or a classic Senko). Early and late, a walking topwater or popping frog can trigger those aggressive surface bites. For crappie, it’s hard to beat a 1/16 oz. chartreuse jig or lively minnow. Catfishermen should stick with punch baits or fresh-cut shad.

    Hot spots today include:
    - The timber just north of the Hwy 515 bridge — big bass have been pushing up early, then sliding out to the edges of the timber as the sun gets high.
    - Little Caney creek arm, especially around main-lake points and deeper grass.
    - Both Mustang and Williams Creeks are also running strong for crappie at night and early morning.

    No tides to speak of here, but watch for the south breeze to pick up late; a little chop on the main lake can push bait and fire up the bite on windblown points.

    With the summer pattern in full swing and big bass still proving why Lake Fork is legendary — including all six top Texas bass records coming from these waters — it’s as good a time as ever to get out early, fish smart, and, more often than not, hold on tight!

    Thanks for tuning in to today’s Lake Fork fishing report. Don’t forget to subscribe for daily local tips and hot bite alerts. This has been a Quiet Please production, for more check out quiet please dot ai.

    Great deals on fishing gear https://amzn.to/44gt1Pn
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    3 mins
  • Lake Fork Fishing Report - Big Bites and Summer Patterns

    Lake Fork Fishing Report - Big Bites and Summer Patterns
    Jun 22 2025
    Artificial Lure here with your Lake Fork, Texas fishing update for June 22, 2025.

    The sun rose this morning at 6:16 a.m., and you can expect it to set at 8:29 p.m., setting the stage for another heater of a summer day in East Texas. Temps are pushing into the upper 80s and the water temperature is holding steady between 78 and 84 degrees depending on where you’re fishing. The lake’s just above full pool, with water stained in the arms and clearer mid-lake—perfect for a variety of techniques.

    Bass action remains excellent, especially in the early hours and late evening. The shad are still thick along points and grass edges at daybreak. If you’re hitting the water early, tie on a topwater—frogs, poppers, or buzzbaits—and work them over shallow grass, lily pads, and flooded timber. According to local guide Marc Mitchell, you’ll get explosive strikes in 2–4 feet of water right after sunrise, especially with some wind pushing bait onto the points.

    As the day warms, move out to main-lake and secondary points, roadbeds, and humps in 12–25 feet. Carolina rigs with flukes or big worms—especially in watermelon red or chartreuse pepper—are getting bit hard. Shaky heads, deep-diving crankbaits, and big football jigs in colors like Pake’s Perch, Mexican Heather, and JC’s Spicy Craw have all produced solid catches, including several largemouths in the 2–8 pound class this week, and reports of double-digit fish coming out near Chicken Ridge and under the 164 Bridge. Don’t be afraid to pick up a drop shot when the bite gets finicky, especially on deeper brush piles or isolated timber.

    Crappie fishing is heating up too. The summer pattern is in full swing with big slabs stacking up on brush piles, tire reefs, and artificial structures in 16–26 feet. Minnows, soft plastics, and small hand-ties are all working. Channel cats are cruising shallows, 2–4 feet, and are taking clousers or punch bait.

    If you’re looking for hot spots, Chicken Ridge is lighting up early and late, while the 164 Bridge and nearby roadbeds are loaded with fish midday. The east and west arms are a little more stained, but the big girls are still holding tight to cover—hit those lily fields and hydrilla with a frog, especially around midday as the bass push deeper to beat the heat.

    Best bets for lures today: topwater frogs and buzzbaits at first and last light, Carolina rigs and football jigs for offshore fish, and drop shots or shaky heads for a finesse bite. Natural colors get the nod in clear water, with chartreuse and spicy craw patterns coming on strong.

    Thanks for tuning in to today’s Lake Fork fishing report. Be sure to subscribe for more daily updates and tips. This has been a Quiet Please production, for more check out quiet please dot ai.
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    3 mins
  • Lake Fork Fishing Report Summer 2025: Topwater Thrills, Deep Ledge Lunkers, and Hot Crappie Action

    Lake Fork Fishing Report Summer 2025: Topwater Thrills, Deep Ledge Lunkers, and Hot Crappie Action
    Jun 21 2025
    Artificial Lure here with your Lake Fork, Texas fishing report for June 21, 2025.

    Sunrise rolled in at 6:16 a.m., and sunset will be at 8:29 p.m.—plenty of daylight to work those banks and deep structures. The weather has settled into classic East Texas summer: warm, muggy, and pushing those water temps to 82–84 degrees. After weeks of heavy rain, Lake Fork is sitting right above full pool, with great clarity mid-lake but stained water in the east and west arms. The Sabine River Authority is still letting water out now and then, but conditions are prime for both shallow and offshore patterns.

    Bass are in full summer mode and the bite remains excellent. Early morning topwater action is a highlight—frogs, poppers, and buzzbaits around grass, pads, and timber up shallow (2–4 feet) are still drawing strikes as shad linger on the points and along the weed lines. As the sun climbs, shift to 12–25 feet, targeting main and secondary points, humps, and classic roadbeds. Carolina rigs with flukes, big worms, deep-diving crankbaits (Bomber and 1.5–2.5 square bills), and shaky heads are the ticket. Don’t skip finesse presentations on brush piles and ledges—natural-color creature baits and craws are producing in the clear water. Reports from the Lake Fork Guide Service and Captain Experiences have largemouths running solid 2–8 pounds, with a few double-digits pulled near Chicken Ridge and the 164 Bridge just this week.

    Crappie action is heating up too. Post-spawn slabs are piling up on submerged bridges, tire reefs, roadbeds, and artificial structures from 14 to 32 feet. Minnows, small hand ties, soft plastics, and 1/16-ounce jigs are your best bet—just keep that bait above the fish for fast limits. Jacky Wiggins Guide Service says the quality and quantity improve daily as the summer pattern takes hold.

    Bluegill and bream are thick in the shallows—toss wooly buggers or small worms along weed lines and docks for fast action. Channel cats are cruising 2–4 feet and taking punch bait or cut shad, especially on a Carolina rig. For a mess of cats, anchor up around the dam or creek channel bends.

    Two can’t-miss hot spots this week:
    - Chicken Ridge Hump—excellent for both deep bass and schooling fish, especially on Carolina rigs and crankbaits.
    - 164 Bridge—reliable action for both largemouth and crappie; use deep-diving crankbaits on the bass and jigs on the crappie.

    That’s the scoop from Lake Fork—whether you’re chasing lunkers, crappie, or just want rod-bending action, the lake’s firing on all cylinders right now. Thanks for tuning in, and don’t forget to subscribe for the latest local reports. This has been a Quiet Please production, for more check out quietplease dot ai.
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    3 mins
  • Lake Fork June 21, 2025 Fishing Report: Bass, Crappie, and Catfish Action Going Strong

    Lake Fork June 21, 2025 Fishing Report: Bass, Crappie, and Catfish Action Going Strong
    Jun 21 2025
    Artificial Lure here with your Lake Fork fishing report for Saturday, June 21, 2025.

    We kicked off the day with sunrise at 6:16 a.m., and sunset will stretch out to 8:29 p.m. Expect air temps in the upper 80s by afternoon, and water temps ranging 76–84 degrees. The lake’s at full pool, clear mid-lake with a bit of stain in the east and west arms—just right for a productive day on the water.

    Bass fishing is still on fire, especially for those getting after it early and late. The shad spawn is winding down, but there’s solid topwater action right out the gate. Frogs and poppers around the grass, pads, and flooded weeds have been reliable, with buzzbaits and chatterbaits drawing solid strikes along the shallows and timber-lined points. As the sun climbs, back out to main and secondary points, humps, and those famous roadbeds—think 12–25 feet. Carolina rigs with big worms, deep-diving crankbaits like the Berkley Dredger, and shaky heads have all been putting big largemouths in the boat. We’re talking fish in the 2–8 pound range caught daily, with reports of double-digit girls landed over the past week near Chicken Ridge and the 164 Bridge, according to recent updates from the Lake Fork Guide Service and Captain Experiences.

    Crappie are stacking up strong as the summer pattern sets in. Bigger slabs are showing up on brush piles, tire reefs, underwater bridges, and roadbeds in 14–32 feet. Minnows, small hand-tied jigs, and soft plastics (sometimes with a 1/4-ounce egg weight for wind) have all put fish in the box. Just keep your bait above the fish, and color hasn’t seemed to matter much lately. Jacky Wiggins Guide Service has seen plenty of aggressive post-spawn crappie this week.

    Catfish action is steady in the shallows, with channel cats cruising 2–4 feet of water—try nightcrawlers, punch baits, or small livers for best results. Bream are in tight to the shallows and eating well on red worms or small jigs; big bluegill have moved up around the lily fields and edges of hydrilla.

    For the best action, hit these hot spots:
    - Chicken Ridge – especially for early morning bass with topwaters and mid-morning on Carolina rigs and deep cranks.
    - 164 Bridge area – producing both heavyweight bass and strong crappie numbers off bridge pilings and adjacent humps.

    Tidal influence is minor this far inland, so local wind is what’ll move bait and fish. Today’s steady southerly breeze should keep fish active along windblown banks and points.

    For lures and baits, keep it simple: poppers, frogs, buzzbaits, and chatterbaits for early topwater; Carolina rigs with big worms, deep crankbaits, and shaky heads on main lake features mid-day. Crappie anglers should stick to minnows or small jigs on structure, and catfish folks will do best with punch bait or chicken liver.

    Thanks for tuning in to today’s Lake Fork report. Don’t forget to subscribe to stay on top of the bite. This has been a quiet please production, for more check out quiet please dot ai.
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    3 mins
  • Lake Fork Fishing Report: Topwaters, Deep Divers, and Crappie Slabs for June 20, 2025

    Lake Fork Fishing Report: Topwaters, Deep Divers, and Crappie Slabs for June 20, 2025
    Jun 20 2025
    Artificial Lure here with your Lake Fork, Texas fishing report for Friday, June 20, 2025.

    Sunrise gave us a jumpstart at 6:16 a.m. and sunset won’t hit until 8:29 p.m., so anglers have a long window to work with today. Weather-wise, it’s classic East Texas in June—highs pushing the upper 80s, humidity thick, and a light southern breeze keeping things comfortable on the water. The lake is sitting just above full pool after our recent spring rains, water temps running a steady 78 to 84 degrees, and clarity is best mid-lake, with some stain in the east and west arms.

    Let’s talk fish activity. Bass are booming right now. Early mornings and late evenings, you’ll want to get up shallow—points, grass, pads, and timber are loaded with shad, and the largemouths are on the prowl. Topwater action is red-hot on frogs and buzzbaits right at first light. Chatterbaits and squarebill crankbaits will also get hammered, especially if the wind’s pushing bait to shore. As the sun climbs, bass move out deeper—main and secondary points, humps, and those legendary roadbeds in 12 to 22 feet are all holding fish. Carolina rigs with flukes or big worms, deep-diving crankbaits, and shakey heads are all putting quality fish in the boat. Natural color craws and creature baits are working around submerged timber. Locals report daily catches of largemouths between 2 and 8 pounds, with a couple double-digit giants landed just this week.

    Crappie are stacking up thick on underwater bridges, roadbeds, and brush piles, especially in the 14 to 32 foot range. Minnows, small soft plastics, and 1/16-ounce hand-tied jigs are all you need—just make sure to keep those baits above the fish for more bites. The bite is aggressive with plenty of post-spawn slabs coming in, and color hasn’t mattered much as long as you’re in the strike zone.

    Catfish are cruising the shallows, especially around 2 to 4 feet, and big bream are up shallow, too. Try punch bait or fresh shad for cats, and wooly buggers or small worms for the bream.

    Hot spots you’ll want to check out today include the 164 Bridge and Chicken Ridge Hump. Both are producing consistent action for bass; the 164 Bridge is especially good on crankbaits and Carolina rigs, while Chicken Ridge has yielded a couple of this week’s biggest fish.

    In summary—topwaters early and late, move deeper mid-morning with Carolina rigs, deep divers, and finesse baits in natural colors. Minnows and small jigs for crappie, punch bait or shad for cats, and keep moving until you find the action because Lake Fork is fishing lights-out this week.

    Thanks for tuning in, folks! Don’t forget to subscribe so you never miss a Lake Fork update. This has been a quiet please production, for more check out quiet please dot ai.
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    3 mins
  • Lake Fork Fishing Report: Hot Summer Patterns Ignite East Texas Action

    Lake Fork Fishing Report: Hot Summer Patterns Ignite East Texas Action
    Jun 18 2025
    Artificial Lure here, bringing you your June 18, 2025, Lake Fork fishing report, straight from the heart of East Texas. We’ve got hot summer patterns in play, and the fish are responding in kind.

    Sunrise greeted us at 6:16 a.m. this morning, and sunset will wind down at 8:29 p.m. The lake’s water temp is hanging around 82 degrees, just a tick above pool—great conditions for chasing just about anything with fins. Water’s stained and the weed lines continue to thicken up, especially around the lily fields, hydrilla, and milfoil beds.

    Bass fishing is downright exciting right now. Early and late in the day, you’ll want to work topwaters—frogs and buzzbaits—around shallow grass, pads, and flooded weeds. Shad are stacked along the points, and the bass are pushing up to feed in that magic 2 to 4 foot range. When the sun gets higher, shift out to those classic Lake Fork structures: main and secondary points, humps, and roadbeds in 12 to 25 feet. Carolina rigs tipped with big flukes, deep-diving crankbaits, and magnum worms are producing some bigs. Don’t sleep on the squarebill or chatterbait bite either as the wind pushes bait into the shallows—those are still hot. Local guides have reported good numbers of largemouth bass in the 2 to 8-pound class daily, and even a few double-digit giants coming from the Chicken Ridge and the 164 Bridge area, according to the folks at Lake Fork Guide Service and Captain Experiences.

    Crappie are heating up with the weather—big slabs are stacking on brush piles, underwater bridges, and laydowns from 14 to 32 feet deep. Both white and black crappie are showing up, and Jacky Wiggins Guide Service says minnows, small hand-tied jigs, and soft plastics are all working. Color hasn’t mattered much, just make sure you’re in the zone above the fish. If you find a loaded brush pile or reef, odds are you’re going to fill a cooler in short order.

    Bream and channel cats are cruising the shallows—look for channel cats in 2–4 feet around grass edges and near timber. Wooly buggers and small clousers are doing work for those fly anglers, but cut shad or nightcrawlers on a slip bobber will get it done for the rest.

    If you’re looking for hot spots, don’t skip Chicken Ridge or the bridges at 154 and 164—they’ve been consistent with both bass and crappie action. The submerged roadbeds and the thick weed flats off Mustang Creek are local favorites, too.

    That’s the rundown—get on the water early or stay late for the best bite, keep it safe, and enjoy these prime summer Lake Fork days. Thanks for tuning in to your local fishing report, and make sure you subscribe to stay up on all the action.

    This has been a Quiet Please production, for more check out quietplease dot ai.
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    3 mins
  • Lake Fork Fishing Report: Bass Boom, Crappie Stack, Cats Cruise

    Lake Fork Fishing Report: Bass Boom, Crappie Stack, Cats Cruise
    Jun 15 2025
    Howdy folks, this is Artificial Lure with your Lake Fork, Texas fishing report for June 15, 2025.

    We’re in the heart of June, and as every local knows, this month is magic on Fork. The water temps are holding steady between 78 and 82 degrees, and clarity is looking good. Sun rose bright at 6:17 AM and you can cast until about 8:35 PM before sunset brings that last topwater bite of the day. We’re not getting that saltwater push here so no tides to report, but the early morning winds have been light, picking up a bit in the afternoon—perfect conditions for working those surface baits.

    The bass bite is booming right now. Most anglers are reporting solid action around the main lake points at sunrise, especially with topwaters and frogs over grass and flooded weeds. Best results are coming from buzzbaits, popping frogs, and chatterbaits in those first few hours. As the sun gets higher, switch to squarebill crankbaits in 3-5 feet on points and flats, then move offshore to road beds, humps, and hard bottoms with Carolina rigs and big worms in 15 to 25 feet. Marc Mitchell from Lake Fork Guide Service says deep crankbaits are starting to heat up in those channel swings too.

    Crappie are stacking up on structure all over—think underwater bridges, laydowns, brush piles, tire reefs, and standing timber in 14 to 32 feet. The big ones are finally mixing in with the smaller fish, and Jacky Wiggins Guide Service reports they’re hungry and aggressive. Minnows, 1/16-ounce hand-tied jigs (with or without a pegged egg weight for wind), and soft plastics are all getting bit. The trick is keeping your bait above the fish—color hasn’t mattered much if your presentation is right.

    Bream are hitting shallow, especially on wooly buggers, and channel cats are cruising two to four feet deep—try clousers if you’re fly fishing or stick with stink bait and cut shad for classic cat action.

    As for recent catches, Lake Fork continues to kick out quality largemouths. Fish in the 2 to 8-pound range have been the norm, and there’s always a chance at a double-digit. Last week, locals were landing slabs and talking up hot spots like the SRA Point, the well-known "Dale Creek Brush Piles," and the deeper water near the dam. If you’re hunting bass, focus on the submerged timber around Little Caney and Mustang Creek early, then slide out to the main lake humps after lunch.

    Best baits: for bass, topwaters (frogs, buzzbaits), chatterbaits, squarebills, Carolina rigs with flukes or big worms, and deep-diving crankbaits. For crappie, stick with minnows and small jigs. Catfish are loving punch bait and cut shad.

    That’s your Lake Fork lowdown for today. Thanks for tuning in—be sure to subscribe for the latest and greatest fishing updates. This has been a Quiet Please production. For more, check out quietplease.ai.
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    3 mins