I've been there before because from where I grew up was near a lake called Fuqua Lake and it had a slot limit exactly like that!!! That slot limit screwed me on more tournaments than I could count because my fish were too big!!!
Lake Fork is a whole different style of fishing that I was used to. But I love the challenge. It’s a totally different ball game coming from Ca fishing Clear lake…where all you need to do is hunt them 5lbers and up. Good video….,
I fished a slot tournament like that years ago on okechobee. I dont remember the slot exactly but i remember it had a one fish over 20 something inches too. It sucked because i watched my dad have a really nice one come to the top and shake the hook. He was flipping. It was a end of the year top 10 in points club tournament or basically our classic they called it. We didnt do to good couple smaller ones
I had a 7.46 last year in a tournament that was 241/4. A guy brought in a 10+ that wouldn't touch. That lake is crazy. The only other over was smaller than mine.
I feel your pain man,I would have wore the scales off that first one measuring it. But it's the same rules for everyone so it would still be a fun challenge.
Lake Fork is a great spot for kayak tournaments though. That slot lends well to the catch, photo, and release length format that we use. But man it can get really crowded.
Dang the bad luck on the one over 8 Me and my partner a couple years ago fishing Bass Champs caught one on Ivie that was 14.46 and you wouldn’t have been able to keep her on Fork she 7:03 was 23 3/4 long. Glad we were on Ivie
Theres too many tournaments to start with in alabama they have them 3 nights a week and everyweekend plus add the local or weekend folks these lakes never get a break
No lakes do, it’s part of “growing the sport”. That last part is me being sarcastic. I do agree no lakes are getting breaks but not really sure if they ever will sort of. They get breaks during winter and bad weather days and a lot of days during the week. Most people don’t see it though cause they aren’t out there.
It used to be just Guntersville, Pickwick, and Eufaula... now the entire Coosa Chain is slammed, from February to November. It has gotten unbelievable, the number of tournaments. Sometimes, it feels like "grow the sport" is more like "sell more boats." Keep up the great vids, Todd!
I fished that event and caught a few on a frog that absolutely sucked letting go 🤣. It was crazy to get excited over some that wouldn’t do anything anywhere else.
Just a wondering Todd’s perspective on cutting off a local fisherman that’s on a point first because you’re in a tournament. Watch Chris last video and you’ll know what I’m talking about
Yea I'll go watch it, I hope nothing was left out. I've done videos showing certain stuff before but when I do I show all of the video not just a small clip. I'll check it out
@@toddcastledinefishing5924 watch the first video Todd and he only shows the first part of the incident but then he makes a second video to try to explain himself and the you see the whole thing. I have my thought and it’s not in the favor of Chris but I’d like to know yours given your a big time tournament angler thanks
Why would TXTT even go to Fork knowing how the slot works? I understand BASS and MLF because of catch weigh release but a 5 fish tournament there seems dumb
If they can't figure out a way to do catch weigh release than they should run it off of inches like a kayak tournament. At least in that scenario you would be going for the biggest limit you could catch.
If your not tournament fishing you really don't care about the slot. But in a tournament it sucks. As a Co-angler the last 2 BFL Reginals I caught several fish in the slot and I could of had 12 to 15 lbs for the day but ended up with 0 lbs and 2.5 lbs respectively. Was not fun throwing back 4 and 5 lbs Smallies on Dale Hollow and 2 lb spots on Lewis Smith Lake.
While It is frustrating, the slot is one of the reasons the lake is so good and you can catch so many 5plus pounders. So you gotta take the bad with the good and remember everybody is dealing with the same BS
Iv had this feeling before. Tournaments like this with slots are good for the tournament organizers that hold these tournaments. They draw big numbers of boats because “everyone” feels they have a chance. Really, it’s more of a luck factor of who can catch the right small fish to cash a check. NOT fun for your typical tournament angler that targets bigger fish. Question for you Tod and an idea for a future video. How much do you think it would hurt fork if TPWD removed the slot?
Yeah man I'm sure you're going to get around to saying it but this is a lake that if you're not using the catch weigh release format in the tournament it's not worth your time and money... unless you live there. Me and my dad fished a little spring time tournament here a few years back because we was in the area. After about 11am we said screw this and just went fishing for the rest of the day. We caught close to 30lbs that day and couldn't use a single one of them. It's an awesome lake definitely up there in my top 3 I like to go to but not for tournaments.
Had the same problem our first club tournament this year was at Fayette County Lake in Texas and it is a slot like that and we threw back 3 to 5 pounders so we could weigh little tiny fish
Slot limit on as mature of a lake as Fork....not sure the benefit ? I am sure there are smarter guys than me on the subject that can fill in the reason
I hate that lake for tournaments for that exact reason. Miserable. Can’t tell you how many 7-9lbers Ive have to just drop back down into the dang water.
I had no idea there was such a screwed-up tournament why don't they just have a raffle or play a game of bingo instead of wasting fuel and fishing all day
I think you have to put water in the livewell for it to work, maybe that’s what people are doing wrong. They always seem to stay alive in mine for the last 30 years. I might need to do a video on that, I think that might be why they are dying.
@@toddcastledinefishing5924 Ohhh watah...But maybe you're using a cooling system?? Hmmm?? Maybe your boat is slower than others so they don't get sloshed as much???
A slot lake is terrible for tourney fishing. Why do you think the pros have catch and release tournaments here. I live here and quit fishing tournaments a long time ago. I have caught too many 8# fish in the slot.
Maybe the reason the lake is so good is because they dont let guys put fish in their livewells every day. Texas parks n wildlife certainly know what they are doing. I wouldnt fish a tournament there either.
It would be shocking to a lot of people how big that winning bag would still end up being. I’ve fished fork a handful of times and I don’t think I’ve ever seen a fish under 4lbs. All of my top 5 biggest bass are from that lake and I’ve only fished it a handful of times. And I haven’t fished it in well over 10 years now. And I’ve not even come close to any of the 5 biggest bass I’ve ever caught, fishing anywhere else. I’m talking the #5 fish still has 3-4 pounds on the biggest bass I’ve caught outside of that lake.
@@HawgWyldFishing I think you may be surprised because we all want to catch big fish. We never actually try catching the smallest fish we can, tiny baits, hooks spinning reels and fishing places you would never fish with no cover or structure!
@@toddcastledinefishing5924 Exactly. This is the dumbest argument ever. They’ve heard someone say it and repeat it as if it had merit now because of FFS. You’ve always watched the backs of anglers when they are fishing on tv!
That was a comment from my wife, that knows absolutely nothing about fishing, except that I spend way too much on fishing equipment. She now has seen two of your videos on my kitchen big TV screen. One you were out spinning rod in hand fishing deep scoping , and this one up shallow, bed fishing. Amazed that she recognized you were using two different poles, she remarked that it was boring watching you two guys fishing. I guess it's just one completely unbiased opinion between two completely different types of fishing that was the point I was making.
@@toddcastledinefishing5924 You know I love ya, man! It's just that there's a reason, scientific reason...decades of planning...as to why Fork is what it is. You want to know what painful is? I caught a buzzbait fish that was 1/16 of an inch from being an over! I had to let him go. But, it's what's best for the fishery. 💯👊 If you want real perspective on the subject, talk to Ron! Ron used to work that area for the tourism board...worked with TPWD. He'll give you some facts.
How come OH ivie has been doing better than fork? I’m not smart obviously cause I don’t have a degree in this subject is what I’ve been told. I just ask questions. I know tons of slot lies that aren’t better than regular lakes and vise versa. When I ask a question I’ll get a bunch of excuses. Problem is they don’t fit that narrative. Other factors are way more important than the slot.
@@toddcastledinefishing5924 You're wrong. Sorry, but you are. But go ahead...use your minions to serve a personal game and shit on literally decades of hard work. Every bank fisherman will appreciate it. So will the local economy and all those whi DEPEND ON THE JOBS! But hey, Todd can't win there so f everyone else! HOW MANY CENTURY BELTS ON BEND? ONE! HOW MANY ON FORK? 10!!
@@toddcastledinefishing5924Especially if it’s a sanctioned tournament that is planned with the DNR. A lot of ours can be scheduled with them, which I would think could get you a resource officer there for weigh in to make sure they’re released and not kept for the tournament’s sake.
Your comments/discussion during your videos are way better than most. Really good channel.
Great show man,I laughed my ass off. Your on the water footage is second to none. You guys work together like a well oiled machine.
I've been there before because from where I grew up was near a lake called Fuqua Lake and it had a slot limit exactly like that!!! That slot limit screwed me on more tournaments than I could count because my fish were too big!!!
Lake Fork is a whole different style of fishing that I was used to. But I love the challenge. It’s a totally different ball game coming from Ca fishing Clear lake…where all you need to do is hunt them 5lbers and up. Good video….,
Grew up fishing Fork and it’s fun to just go fish but I just don’t understand why any circuits put it on the schedule
I fished a slot tournament like that years ago on okechobee. I dont remember the slot exactly but i remember it had a one fish over 20 something inches too. It sucked because i watched my dad have a really nice one come to the top and shake the hook. He was flipping. It was a end of the year top 10 in points club tournament or basically our classic they called it. We didnt do to good couple smaller ones
I hear you
I live at fork
The slot is challenging for sure.
one of the biggest bed fish i caught i thought was a 6 but it turned out being a 10. the water makes them look smaller.
I fished some paper tournaments there were we caught 20 plus 5-6#ers and we won and it was a blast , but weighing 5 unders sucks!
I had a 7.46 last year in a tournament that was 241/4. A guy brought in a 10+ that wouldn't touch. That lake is crazy. The only other over was smaller than mine.
I feel your pain man,I would have wore the scales off that first one measuring it. But it's the same rules for everyone so it would still be a fun challenge.
Look at you with the "Fairy Wand". Finally moving towards the dark side. Lol😂
Lake Fork is a great spot for kayak tournaments though. That slot lends well to the catch, photo, and release length format that we use. But man it can get really crowded.
MLF also
Dang the bad luck on the one over 8
Me and my partner a couple years ago fishing Bass Champs caught one on Ivie that was 14.46 and you wouldn’t have been able to keep her on Fork she 7:03 was
23 3/4 long. Glad we were on Ivie
Lmao😂, I get it. In Northwest Illinois we have several tournaments on 12-18 slot lakes, easily blank although you had 15lbs actually
Try being a walleye guy on the chain. I was actually impressed by the weights on the Wednesday night tournaments.
Theres too many tournaments to start with in alabama they have them 3 nights a week and everyweekend plus add the local or weekend folks these lakes never get a break
No lakes do, it’s part of “growing the sport”. That last part is me being sarcastic. I do agree no lakes are getting breaks but not really sure if they ever will sort of. They get breaks during winter and bad weather days and a lot of days during the week. Most people don’t see it though cause they aren’t out there.
It used to be just Guntersville, Pickwick, and Eufaula... now the entire Coosa Chain is slammed, from February to November. It has gotten unbelievable, the number of tournaments.
Sometimes, it feels like "grow the sport" is more like "sell more boats."
Keep up the great vids, Todd!
Biggest problem in bass fishing is too many tournaments, so if it makes you or anyone else not fish, I'm all for it.
I fished that event and caught a few on a frog that absolutely sucked letting go 🤣. It was crazy to get excited over some that wouldn’t do anything anywhere else.
FINALLY!!!! Able to get HAYMAKERS now!!! Didn't take but 2 years...LOL!!!
Any thought on what Chris Zaldain did on lake Murray
??
Just a wondering Todd’s perspective on cutting off a local fisherman that’s on a point first because you’re in a tournament. Watch Chris last video and you’ll know what I’m talking about
Yea I'll go watch it, I hope nothing was left out. I've done videos showing certain stuff before but when I do I show all of the video not just a small clip. I'll check it out
@@toddcastledinefishing5924 watch the first video Todd and he only shows the first part of the incident but then he makes a second video to try to explain himself and the you see the whole thing. I have my thought and it’s not in the favor of Chris but I’d like to know yours given your a big time tournament angler thanks
What is that green thing on the front deck? Water Gun?????
Prolly a super soaker loaded with dish soap. Disperses pollen on the surface so you can sight fish.
@@kurtrindgen4708
Exactly what it is.
Why would TXTT even go to Fork knowing how the slot works? I understand BASS and MLF because of catch weigh release but a 5 fish tournament there seems dumb
Looked like a lot of fun either way!
If they can't figure out a way to do catch weigh release than they should run it off of inches like a kayak tournament. At least in that scenario you would be going for the biggest limit you could catch.
Slot should be two fish over 15 inch and 3 fish under. Shouldn’t be some giant ass gap all the way to 24 inch.
I love fishing lake fork but not in a tournament it’s very frustrating
I remember my first derby on a lake with a slot limit.
So I have to ask, did you down size your rod and line since you are now concerned with catching those little ones and not the big ones? 😜
Unfortunately 😂
If your not tournament fishing you really don't care about the slot. But in a tournament it sucks. As a Co-angler the last 2 BFL Reginals I caught several fish in the slot and I could of had 12 to 15 lbs for the day but ended up with 0 lbs and 2.5 lbs respectively. Was not fun throwing back 4 and 5 lbs Smallies on Dale Hollow and 2 lb spots on Lewis Smith Lake.
While It is frustrating, the slot is one of the reasons the lake is so good and you can catch so many 5plus pounders. So you gotta take the bad with the good and remember everybody is dealing with the same BS
Iv had this feeling before. Tournaments like this with slots are good for the tournament organizers that hold these tournaments. They draw big numbers of boats because “everyone” feels they have a chance. Really, it’s more of a luck factor of who can catch the right small fish to cash a check. NOT fun for your typical tournament angler that targets bigger fish. Question for you Tod and an idea for a future video. How much do you think it would hurt fork if TPWD removed the slot?
Yeah man I'm sure you're going to get around to saying it but this is a lake that if you're not using the catch weigh release format in the tournament it's not worth your time and money... unless you live there. Me and my dad fished a little spring time tournament here a few years back because we was in the area. After about 11am we said screw this and just went fishing for the rest of the day. We caught close to 30lbs that day and couldn't use a single one of them. It's an awesome lake definitely up there in my top 3 I like to go to but not for tournaments.
Whats up with the water gun on the deck?
Water with soap in it. Squirt it over the bed to move the pollen away so you can see the fish
Soapy water to make it easier to see the beds
I really don’t understand why any organization would have a tournament on Fork without the elite series format….. it makes ZERO sense……
Is there an end in sight for the regulation?
Probably not
Nope
CRAZY 🤪
Texas at lake fork has strict regulations on taking fish home
Dang what a good net man...lol
Hey I appreciate it😂😂 I'm not bad at all. I always say I'll net everyone of them in a tournament if its the way to win.
I don't blame you for kinda rules, I wouldn't want fish any tournament with rules!👍
Ever heard of TourneyX? That’s the way to go on slot limit lakes.
They need to do catch weigh release best 5 bag
You would lose your mind fishing smallmouth on dale hollow 😅
Had the same problem our first club tournament this year was at Fayette County Lake in Texas and it is a slot like that and we threw back 3 to 5 pounders so we could weigh little tiny fish
😂 todd you got start fish redfish tournaments, to get your mind used to slot limit. Nope, that a 35+lber to big, there goes a 8-10lber.
No joke Red Fishing would drive me crazy because I'd be throwing at those giants😂
That would be so frustrating.
Slot limit on as mature of a lake as Fork....not sure the benefit ? I am sure there are smarter guys than me on the subject that can fill in the reason
Weekend fun fishing anglers win I supppose
I hate that lake for tournaments for that exact reason. Miserable. Can’t tell you how many 7-9lbers Ive have to just drop back down into the dang water.
This is a lake they should just do kayak style. I’d much rather go by inches vs the stupid slot limit.
Y’all could fish a normal derb on Fork if you use Ketch boards like the kayak guys. Catch, Photo, Release.
It's real simple guys. IT IS THE RULES OF FORK, they haven't changed and that's proven to have been a successful formula. Looks like fun to me!
He didn’t even need a pic?
Lol, sounds like you needed a razor blade to the tail of those 16 and a 1/4 to make em fit🫣
It's upside-down world now.
After 20 years you think you would be used to it? I feel your pain but everyone fishing the tournament has to follow the same rules
I get it, but there is a good chance everyone feels the same way. I know a lot of people had the same thing to say.
You can have your FFS I'll take 20 20 eye scope any day
Me too, them eyes 👀
Well there won’t be a whole lot of 8 pounders floating days after the tournament is over….
True, of course I don’t see 8 pounders floating around after tournaments we know how to keep fish alive
@@toddcastledinefishing5924 come to the Lake of the Ozarks after a big tournament
@@toddcastledinefishing5924it’s not rocket science
Lake fork can be a blast or it can be the worst lake ever. There is a ton of Dead water in that lake.
Wow! Craziness!
I had no idea there was such a screwed-up tournament why don't they just have a raffle or play a game of bingo instead of wasting fuel and fishing all day
May as well just have a 2 fish limit
Those rules go against common sense ! Don't blame you for forgetting Fork, the best lake in Texas.
This lake rule is awesome becauae it keeps big fish from being killed sloshing around in tournament boats livewells ! haha
I think you have to put water in the livewell for it to work, maybe that’s what people are doing wrong. They always seem to stay alive in mine for the last 30 years. I might need to do a video on that, I think that might be why they are dying.
@@toddcastledinefishing5924 Ohhh watah...But maybe you're using a cooling system?? Hmmm?? Maybe your boat is slower than others so they don't get sloshed as much???
Maybe, or maybe I don’t listen to talking heads and go off my 35 years of fishing tournaments
A slot lake is terrible for tourney fishing. Why do you think the pros have catch and release tournaments here. I live here and quit fishing tournaments a long time ago. I have caught too many 8# fish in the slot.
Tournaments on slot lakes are zero fun and they don't show who is the best anglers
Then don't fish them.
@@cjr4497 I don't. I haven't fished a tournament on a slot lake in 15 years.
I would have to drop a hit of acid to fish like that < its mind blowing
Maybe the reason the lake is so good is because they dont let guys put fish in their livewells every day. Texas parks n wildlife certainly know what they are doing. I wouldnt fish a tournament there either.
I wonder why Toledo and Rayburn are so good and they have more tournaments than any other lake in the country. Oh I know why Nevermind
They should have a tournament on fork for the smallest 5 fish bag! Like fishing Uno!!!
It would be shocking to a lot of people how big that winning bag would still end up being. I’ve fished fork a handful of times and I don’t think I’ve ever seen a fish under 4lbs. All of my top 5 biggest bass are from that lake and I’ve only fished it a handful of times. And I haven’t fished it in well over 10 years now. And I’ve not even come close to any of the 5 biggest bass I’ve ever caught, fishing anywhere else. I’m talking the #5 fish still has 3-4 pounds on the biggest bass I’ve caught outside of that lake.
@@HawgWyldFishing I think you may be surprised because we all want to catch big fish. We never actually try catching the smallest fish we can, tiny baits, hooks spinning reels and fishing places you would never fish with no cover or structure!
What torture, see all the big ones but chasing the littles. Totally backwards from everything you’re used to. Frustration for days.
Eh it’s what you signed up for bro
Yea I know, never complained about that, just saying I didn't enjoy it.
Bass don't exist for tournaments.
To have to Fish for 16s and under on that lake is pure madness....then an 8.3 is short........yeah.........no thx
Click bait game is getting better
Maybe so, but have you seen the nerve I hit with these Lake Fork people. Wow😂😂😂
So your ego won’t allow you to compete within the tournament rules? Don’t enter it’s simple.
My ego won’t let me……..oh wait a minute I did follow the rules and compete. Do your ears and eyes not let you comprehend the video?
Way to much time putting that first fish back
Says who the Bass Dr? 😂😂 These guys
@@toddcastledinefishing5924 sensitive much
That's some boring chit watching you guys back sides wile ya scope dem fish 🐟
You know we were sight fishing and not scoping. You do know the difference right?
I guess he'd rather you face the camera and cast backwards 🤷♂️
@@toddcastledinefishing5924 Exactly. This is the dumbest argument ever. They’ve heard someone say it and repeat it as if it had merit now because of FFS. You’ve always watched the backs of anglers when they are fishing on tv!
That was a comment from my wife, that knows absolutely nothing about fishing, except that I spend way too much on fishing equipment. She now has seen two of your videos on my kitchen big TV screen. One you were out spinning rod in hand fishing deep scoping , and this one up shallow, bed fishing. Amazed that she recognized you were using two different poles, she remarked that it was boring watching you two guys fishing. I guess it's just one completely unbiased opinion between two completely different types of fishing that was the point I was making.
I’ll dance more next time!
To pay to make a living is crazy........
FORK SUCKS! Because of the bull💩
Horrible place to tournament fish !! No fun at all
I watched thirty minutes of you whining…. That’s on me
You mean catching them
@@toddcastledinefishing5924 yeah buddy,, that’s what I meant.
THEN DON'T! But, don't screw up an awesome fishery because you're a cry baby. WTAF?
Now I'm gonna fish every tournament on Lake Fork and video it in hopes that everyone goes there and catch fish
@@toddcastledinefishing5924 You know I love ya, man! It's just that there's a reason, scientific reason...decades of planning...as to why Fork is what it is. You want to know what painful is? I caught a buzzbait fish that was 1/16 of an inch from being an over! I had to let him go. But, it's what's best for the fishery. 💯👊 If you want real perspective on the subject, talk to Ron! Ron used to work that area for the tourism board...worked with TPWD. He'll give you some facts.
How come OH ivie has been doing better than fork? I’m not smart obviously cause I don’t have a degree in this subject is what I’ve been told. I just ask questions. I know tons of slot lies that aren’t better than regular lakes and vise versa. When I ask a question I’ll get a bunch of excuses. Problem is they don’t fit that narrative. Other factors are way more important than the slot.
@@toddcastledinefishing5924 You're wrong. Sorry, but you are. But go ahead...use your minions to serve a personal game and shit on literally decades of hard work. Every bank fisherman will appreciate it. So will the local economy and all those whi DEPEND ON THE JOBS! But hey, Todd can't win there so f everyone else! HOW MANY CENTURY BELTS ON BEND? ONE! HOW MANY ON FORK? 10!!
@@toddcastledinefishing5924 But, it's not. Look at study numbers. Again, your opinion doesn't equate to facts.
Seriously Todd,
Constant whining
You mean fishing
and cashing checks👍👍👍
I totally understand the frustration, but it is the same for every angler fishing the tournament.
I know it is, but why do it when there are tons of other lakes you don’t have too
@@toddcastledinefishing5924Especially if it’s a sanctioned tournament that is planned with the DNR. A lot of ours can be scheduled with them, which I would think could get you a resource officer there for weigh in to make sure they’re released and not kept for the tournament’s sake.
You never know when you might latch into that once in a lifetime over.