October 24, 1999

It seemed like it took forever for fall to get here!   We are not seeing any more dead bass due to the virus that occurred in the summer, or no more than normal for this time of year anyway.  And yes, there are still bass in Lake Fork.  I strongly believe that there are still enough large bass left to recover, and there are plenty of small bass on the prowl along with some good average bass.   We just recently had an 11+ and a 13+ caught.  Now if winter will stay away until its time, we should have some great fishing.  Bass, Crappie, Yellow Bass, and Catfish are all doing well right now.  It is the time of the year when the fish will be feeding and getting ready for winter, and they have plenty to feed on this year.  We have seen more and bigger schools of shad than ever.  Did I hear the dinner bell?

The bass really started to bite early in October, although there were a lot more numbers being caught than big bass.  Some of this was due to the fact that a lot of big bass were suspended very high in deep water.  When they are suspended like that, it makes it very difficult to get and keep a lure within striking distance for any length of time.  I suggest that you move on to other areas of the lake in this case.  The early bite is primarily on spinnerbaits.  I have been doing the best on a Johnson limit getter in glimmer shad or chartreuse and white.  Also a top water bait at times.  There are a number of ways to catch bass right now, and if you are interested in just catching bass and not worried about that double digit out there, then you can have lots of fun.  Small crappie crankbaits in shad or baby bass color or some other shallow to medium diving crankbait can be the ticket.  Fish grass beds that have a slope preferably, put the trolling motor down, and crank fairly slow.  You may want to experiment with the retrieve, and cover lots of water.  I am fishing the main lake to about mid way back in the creeks.  Some bigger bass are being caught on black, red shad, or plum worms Texas rigged with a 1/8 or 3/16 ounce weight around the grass.

As the day wears on, I move out to the main lake points and deep-water structure.  Carolina rigged centipedes, in Kudzu, Pumpkin/blue flake or Camo fished on a 24 -30 inch leader will get you some quality bass and numbers of them.  I really think using a 3/4  ounce weight makes a big difference in the number of bites that you get along with a 2/0 hook and a 15 pound leader.  Carolina rigged flukes, and B-A-Hawgs are working also.  Jigging spoons are working well on humps, submerged roadbeds, and ridges.

The crappie are biting under the bridges and on the humps, using minnows, jigs, and jigging spoons.

If you are interested in learning how to pitch jigs, tube baits, and worms in heavy timber and along creek channels, Lake Cooper for the next month is going to produce some really nice bass.  Mark's last two trips to Cooper produced 35 bass up to 6 1/2 pounds with most of the bass being 3 1/2 and up.  Day 2 produced 21 bass up to 11 pounds.  Most of the bass came on Mark Stevenson's Lake Fork jig, worms, and Texas rigged tube baits pitched into the heavy brush.  Early and late we are catching some nice bass on 3/8 ounce chartreuse and white Johnson spinnerbaits.  Until the water gets 48-50 Degrees Lake Cooper should continue to kick out exceptionally good quality bass along with some 8 1/2 pound and bigger bass.

We look forward to showing our customers what Lake Fork and Lake Cooper can produce during the cooler months, and hopefully them catching a bass of a life time or simply having a fun day with a family member or friend.  Fish Friendly!

Thanks,  Barbara

A R Sachtleben sachtl@peoplescom.net 903/765-3619

Mark Stevenson  stevensn@peoplescom.net 903/765-3120

Barbara Stevenson  stevensn@peoplescom.net 903/765-3120

Return to home page

Tony Swart caught this 8.19lb. on a Senko with A R on May 14, 1999

It's time to think about jig fishing,  Mark now has a line of jigs and spinnerbaits by Johnson Lures.

Yes, I'm late on the fishing report.  Our group has been fishing on Fork everday or at a tournament.  A R finished 7the at the Bass N Buck tournament, Barbara finished 4th at the Bass'n Her Style tournament and I finished 2nd at the Angler's Choice Pro-Am.

We're catching a lot of fish a lot of different ways right now. The Senko and the KO Shad are both catching some really good fish on the shallow grass beds.  Watermelon, Black/Blue Flake and Orien.

For the last week the small crankbaits in shad and firetiger colors.  Deep Baby N will get you 25 to 35 bass in the 3-5 pound class and should get better.

If you like to jig fish and catch some really big fish, the next 45 days will really be good.

We are starting to get some good bites on a topwater, Yellow Magic, Johnson's Buzzbait and a Zara Spook.

I've caught 2 over 8 pounds on a 3/4 oz Johnson Spinnerbait slow rolled in 8-10 feet of water and that pattern should hold for about 3 weeks.  Then we will start night fishing.  We've still got some good days and nights lift, so give us a call.

Good Fishin, Mark
The Alba Gang

A R Sachtleben sachtl@peoplescom.net 903/765-3619

Mark Stevenson  stevensn@peoplescom.net 903/765-3120

Barbara Stevenson  stevensn@peoplescom.net 903/765-3120

Return to home page

April 21, 1999, Jim Burge 7 lb 9 oz - SENKO fishing with A R

 

April 10, 1999 - Richard Sawka from Louisiana, 7 1/2 pounds - Hope you had a good time, A R

Vincent Price of Dallas caught this 9 pounder fishing with A R on March 24th. This was a personal best for Vincent.

Barbara and her customers BB and David Mitchell of Louisiana had a good time with these lunkers March 17th.

March 21, 1999

A great number of fish have moved to the beds, next week will get even better with the full moon.  We have been catching fish on a Senko, Lizard and KO Shad.  Black/blue flake has worked well.  Slow and shallow will work best.  These fish have really been pounded with the good weather and numbers of fishermen.

Give us a call to book a trip.

Thanks,  A R
The Alba Gang

A R Sachtleben sachtl@peoplescom.net 903/765-3619

Mark Stevenson  stevensn@peoplescom.net 903/765-3120

Barbara Stevenson  stevensn@peoplescom.net 903/765-3120

Return to home page

Marty Smith caught this nice 8 pounder with A R on March 16th.   He also caught a 6 pounder, both on a YamamotoSenko.
A R really enjoyed fishing with Marty and Kathy.

March 1, 1999

Well the fish are really  making their move to the beds and the crowds are here.  Barbara and I have been fishing a group from Denver for the last two days and have really had a good time.

We have had 15-25 fish per day.  Barbara's customer had a 9.8 pounder on Sunday.  We've had several fish in the 6-8 pound range.  Lots of fun on Yamamoto Senkos and Johnson spinner baits in White w/gold Willow leaf blades.

Mark has been catching the same quality fish, but has been too busy to tell us what he's doing.

We are all busy right now, but have a few days open yet.  Give us a call for some great Lake Fork Spring Spawn fishing.

Thanks,  A R
The Alba Gang

A R Sachtleben sachtl@peoplescom.net 903/765-3619

Mark Stevenson  stevensn@peoplescom.net 903/765-3120

Barbara Stevenson  stevensn@peoplescom.net 903/765-3120

Return to home page

It's the middle of January and the weather is beautiful, except for the wind.  Bass fishing is really great, the catching is the hard part.  Actually it's not too bad, the fish are just not biting good every day, expecially in the shallow water.

Most of the good grass beds have bass on them right now.  They are being caught on a 1/4 oz. Johnson Glimmer shad spinnerbait, a soft plastic jerkbait, and a jig worked slowly on the outer edges of the grass.  I'm using a Mark Stevenson's Lake Fork Jig in the 3/8 oz. model, new watermelon color.  On the back I'm using a Strike King Bo Hawg in brown or a Lake Fork Tackle Pig Claw in watermelon. The biggest problem with these shallow fish is they just don't bite everyday.

Several of you have asked where to get the Mark Stevenson Jig.  Our dealers here at Lake Fork are:  Lake Fork Trophy Tackle, Rainswood Marina, Lake Fork Marina and Oakridge Marina.  Other dealers are:  Fishin' World - Dallas, Barlow's Tackle Shop - Richardson, The Fishing Store - Garland, Smitty's - Dallas, and Brannon's - Powderly.  Or for mail order call:
BS Marketing 903/765-3120

The most consistent fish are the ones that are deep and running with the bar fish and crappie.  The majic depths are 25'-35'.  Most any kind of deep structure will work.

If the warm weather holds for a few more days, there will be a good rattle trap bite occuring on the grassbeds and the shallow pockets.

February shapes up to be really good since there is already a lot of good grass.  Some of the far north water may start a little later because of lack of grass, but when they do move they won't have many places to hide and should be easy to catch.

Stay tuned for an update after we see what the weather does to Mr. Bass. Give A. R., Barbara or Mark a call if you want to chase that ol' Bass Fish.

Thanks, Mark
The Alba Gang

A R Sachtleben sachtl@peoplescom.net 903/765-3619

Mark Stevenson  stevensn@peoplescom.net 903/765-3120

Barbara Stevenson  stevensn@peoplescom.net 903/765-3120

Return to home page

Boy what a great football game yesterday between Atlanta & Minnesota.  OK, now lets get fishing.

We are able to catch fish to 7 pounds shallow along the grass beds on Rat-L-Traps, Johnson Spinner Baits and Mark Stevenson's Jig.

Also we have been catching some deep fish while crappie fishing, trying to fill up the freezer. ( A fishing guide's freezer gets empty in the cold harsh winter )

This last weekend's traffic sure looks as though it's time for the season to really kick off.  We have had a really mild winter and are looking to have 2 Full Moons in March. The best dates are booking fast.  Don't delay making your call to book.

Be sure to catch the Lake Fork lake report that I have been writing in Honey Hole Magazine.

Thanks, A R
The Alba Gang

Return to home page

Have a look at our:
'98 Lake Fork Fishing Report
'97 Lake Fork Fishing Report

Click to return to home page