It’s the classic good news-bad news deal. The stark outlook for Lake Fork is that some will cash in big on the lake’s low water situation and some will struggle for a decent limit.
The general consensus is that this event will yield multiple entries into the coveted Bassmaster Century Club (100 pounds or more over four days) — possibly Championship Sunday’s entire top-10. Add to this the whispers of a possible all-time Bassmaster Elite Series weight record and Lake Fork is poised to deliver highlight reel gold.
For some, however, the lake will seem like it needs restocking. Certainly not the case, as Texas Parks and Wildlife’s exemplary management has made this one of the nation’s premier fisheries and a legitimate trophy kingdom.
Local pro Lee Livesay, who won last year’s event, said the difference will be rotations. With the lake down more than 5 feet for dam repairs, bass have fewer spots on which to congregate. That means the prime areas with the right mix of habitat and depth will be in high demand — from fish and fishermen.
Take-off order plays a big role in who gets first crack at the sweet stuff, but as the day progresses, it becomes a matter of strategic decision making. When do you hit this point, or that road bed or that field of standing timber?
“A lot of this stuff is going to be timing,” Livesay said. “They’ll pull up on certain spots at certain times of the day and feed. Whoever wins (this tournament) is going to figure out the timing on these spots that they’re feeding on.”
That strategy seems to be playing out like a charm for Livesay. As of 9 a.m., he’s leading the field with a limit of 28-11. (Weights unofficial until weigh-ins.)
Notably, he caught one of his better fish on his first cast to a spot that another angler had just left. Good example of how “fishing behind someone” isn’t necessarily a downer.
If Livesay can manage his rotations the rest of the day, he’ll position himself well for a run at the repeat. As he proved last year, the home lake curse can be broken and as the tournament progresses, his local knowledge will undoubtedly play a significant role.
Notably, North Carolina pro Shane Lehew got off to a roaring start with 18-7, including a pair of 5-pounders by 8 a.m. Lehew’s currently in second with a limit of 23-17.
So far the best example of timing has come from New Jersey’s Greg Dipalma who exploded onto the leaderboard with a limit of 23-5 — all within a 16-minute flurry.
Dipalma’s total includes a 6-13. If he can time another flurry or two, he’ll be one that could press the lead today.
With more than half of the fishing day remaining, we’re very likely to see more anglers making good rotation decisions, dialing in the timing and doing their part to show off Lake Fork’s astounding potential.
