Grand Lake will test Okie Division anglers
A month earlier or later, and Grand Lake has the potential to show what makes it such a legendary fishery. But in early September?
“It’s by far the toughest month on that fishery,” said Chris Jones, who leads the Phoenix Bass Fishing League Presented by T-H Marine Fishing Clash Angler of the Year race in the Okie Division.
That should make things plenty challenging for Jones and the rest of the field during the Super Tournament presented by Suzuki Marine on September 14-15.
Tournament details
Phoenix Bass Fishing League Presented by T-H Marine Okie Division Super Tournament
Grove, Okla.
Sept. 14-15
About the fishery
Part Ozark lake, part prairie lake, Grand is one of the most well-known tournament destinations. The impoundment was created in 1940 when the Pensacola Dam was finished, and the 46,500-acre reservoir has hosted some of the largest bass tournaments in the sport’s history.
The predominant structure on the lake is rock. Aside from various types of rock, docks and wood found in the form of flooded bushes, laydowns and brush piles are fairly common throughout the lake.
The split nature of the lake is shared by its tributaries to an extent. Flowing from Kansas in the north, the Neosho River is the primary tributary. Meeting up with it near the top of the lake, the Spring River also flows from Kansas and the western edge of Missouri. The part of the lake fed primarily by the Neosho is notably dirtier, and the upper reaches of it feature a lot of permanently shallow water strewn with laydowns. Entering the lake to the north of Sailboat Bridge, the Elk River is the clearest-running large tributary of Grand and flows from the east out of the Missouri Ozarks.
What to expect
“It’s a junk fishing 101 type of deal that time of year.”
Not much gray area in Jones’ words about patterns for Grand Lake in September, and for good reason. While the calendar is starting to switch towards the fall months, the weather hasn’t gotten the notice yet. Thus, there are few cold nights and plenty of hot days, which keeps the shad from making their fall transition.
The result are fish stuck in limbo and scattered all throughout the system, with Jones expecting fish to be caught anywhere from 6 inches of water to 25 feet, and on a myriad of patterns.
“A pro might catch two on topwater, one ‘Scoping out deep and then two more cranking rip rap,” Jones said. “Anglers don’t usually win events there this time of year on just one technique.”
In the past, heading up the rivers this time of year has been a solid play to target less-pressured fish, but Jones says they haven’t been near as big of players in recent years.
The good news is the lake has been fishing really well all year, which has Jones optimistic that getting above the 30-pound mark for two days should put a boaters in contention for the win.