3 BIG THINGS: Will The Offshore Bite Turn On for Day 3?

Will Day 3 point anglers to the bank or offshore? Photo by Phoenix Moore

March 15, 2020 • Tyler Brinks • Bass Pro Tour

LAKE FORK, Texas — After Group A’s massive haul in the first Qualifying Round on Friday, the impressive catches from Saturday’s competition round may have seemed like a letdown. Still, it was another record-setting day with plenty of healthy Texas bass to go around.

Only two competition days in the General Tire Stage Three Presented by TrueTimber from Lake Fork, Texas, and we’ve already twice broken the MLF record for biggest bass. And more records are clearly in jeopardy.

Here are some things to watch for today: How will the temperature drop affect the fishing? Will the offshore anglers or bank-beaters dominate as competition continues; and who’s going to catch the next record-setting bass?

1. The Weather Change

The drop in temperature between Day 1 and Day 2 was significant, with a nearly 20-degree swing. While fish that are already up shallow and spawning will likely stay put, it could put a damper on the fish waiting to move up.

Add in the pressure that the shallow bass on Lake Fork are receiving, and it may slow down fish catches for those committed to fishing shallow, until things change again later in the week.

This temperature drop may set up well for those fishing for staging bass, both keeping them put, and possibly intercepting those moving out to deeper water.

2. Fishing the Bank vs. Offshore

The vast majority of the anglers are fishing close to shore, targeting shallow bass. It’s no secret this time of year, and is always a solid choice when the bass are anywhere near their annual spawn.

There were, however, some anglers finding success for staging fish further offshore. As the weather changes and some of the bedding bass dry up, the offshore bite could be the way to go.

As we saw with Michael Neal, Brandon Coulter and Todd Faircloth and their successes today, big bass can be caught without seeing them and by utilizing moving baits.

The big question is if the shallow or the offshore will dominate the rest of the week.

3. Will Another Double-Digit Be Caught?

This is a duplicate and is the same question posted before Day 2. But we’ll likely talk about it every day if the record book continues to be rewritten. When interviewed after coming off the water yesterday, Jason Christie was informed that he had set the new record.

While happy to hear that, he wasn’t counting on it lasting long.

“I don’t think it’s going to last more than a day or two with the way this place is setting up,” Christie said.

He was right on with that assessment and the new record holder (for at least a day) is Justin Atkins, who landed a 10-8, a new record for both MLF and a new personal best for Atkins.

The Alabama angler battled the monster on spinning gear and had quite the fight on his hands, but remained calm enough to outlast the fish. Once in the boat, Atkins was beside himself with excitement over the size of the bass.

He may have the record for now, but it is likely to change again before the week is over. The big question is how big of a bass we will see before the tournament concludes on Wednesday.